Goodbye :(

Sadly, I no longer use this blog.

But if you want to check out my latest adventures then head on over to...

www.the-adventures-of-maria.blogspot.co.uk 

... to join in with my latest adventures :) :)

Best Night Ever

For as long as I can remember I have loved the band Avenged Sevenfold.  So when tickets went on sale 7 months ago I could not wait to get my hands on some.  As soon as I bought those tickets I was so excited.... and the excitement lasted from May all the way until 1st December, when I saw my favourite band.

On Sunday 1st December I was unbelievably excited when I made my way to Wembley Arena.  I was going to see Avenged Sevenfold, my favourite band!  The atmosphere in the arena was great, and everyone was so pumped for seeing the band.

First up was Five Finger Death Punch who I had seen at Download Festival back in June.  Five Finger Death Punch are awesome live and they certainly got the crowd going by putting on a good show.

Then, next up, was the great Avenged Sevenfold.  It was surreal, I could not believe I was finally seeing this band.  They put on a brilliant show, playing a mixture of new and old songs, with added fire.

So I can now say I have seen my favourite band live.  I cannot express how good it was.  The best night ever!!

Graduation!

That's it, I have graduated.  I am officially no longer a student.  Last Wednesday I headed down to the cathedral for the graduation ceremony with my family feeling excited and slightly nervous.  It was strange seeing everyone from my course again, but this time in gowns and hats... which I loved wearing and did not want to take off.  It was a nice day, although a shame about the weather as it started off freezing, then heavily rained, snowed, hailed, the sun came out for a second, then it heavily rained again.  Alas, I did not get any nice photos outside the cathedral which was annoying, but it was a good day nonetheless.

Had just picked up the gown and hat.

Outside the cathedral.

Collecting my certificate.

A much needed glass of wine afterwards!

It was a good day!

Last Few Weeks + October Empties

I cannot believe we are this far into November already.  I have been incredibly busy in the last few weeks.  Working, spending time with friends, working, trying to squeeze in time with family, working and trying to find time to relax.  So here is a sum up of the last few weeks in pictures.

1. Newly dyed and cut hair. 2. Fog in the hills. 3. Wore my boots out. 4. Trying on ridiculous things for Halloween. 

5. Make-up-less face. 6. Got a nose piercing! 7. Lots of Barocca was greatly needed. 8. Almost killed the microwave.

9. Made strawberry and white chocolate cupcakes. 10. Getting my boobs out? Dressed as a zombie Doctor. 11+12. 5th November. Fireworks!

You can find me on Instagram @megamegalolz

October Empties

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil
Oil?  On your face?!  Exactly what I thought too.  Surely it will make my face greasy and cause my skin to break out?  However it caused quite the opposite effect.  I used this product before applying make-up in the morning and my face did not become oily or greasy, and I am sure my skin was clearer whist using this product.  This product left my skin feeling lovely and soft.  I only had a tester and it lasted for ages.  So even though the full size bottle is £30 I think it is well worth it given the effect it had, and how long it lasts.

It's Potent Eye Cream, Benefit
Benefit claims that this moisturising cream fades dark circles and helps to smooth fine lines.  Did it fade dark circles from my tired eyes?  I am not sure, quite possibly.  It did, however have a very good moisturising effect.  This product is a thick cream with a freshening effect that lasts a long time.  I use this every day before applying make-up and was amazed at how long it lasted.  I would buy this product again, however before I do, I may try a cheaper moisturiser.

Peaches and Clean, Cleansing Milk, Soap & Glory
This was not the first time I had bought this product.  It is one of my favourite cleansers.  It is gentle on the skin, smells lovely and is a great cleanser.  I use this product at night after removing make-up and washing my face.  It is amazing to see all that extra dirt and make-up coming off my face.  Definitely a must-have for me!

Great Lash Mascara, Maybelline
I have purchased this mascara quite a few times.  It is not too expensive and I really like it as a day-to-day mascara.  Maybelline claims that this product thickens eyelashes without clumps... and it does just that.  Too many times I have bought mascara and it turns out to be clumpy.  I hate that.  So this mascara is a winner for me.

Well that was my first ever empties post.  I am slowly trying out new things on this blog :)

Halloween 2013

I love Halloween, it's one of my favourite times of the year.  I love putting the effort into making an outfit and being creative.  Although I suppose I was not too creative this year as I opted for a zombie costume... A Zombie Doctor that is.

I bought the stethoscope from ebay for £3.00.  I was amazed to find out that it actually works.

Creepy smiley face.

It took forever to get the red blood off my hands... and legs... and stomach... and everywhere else.  But it was a good night out.  I love zombies.

What did you dress up as for Halloween?

Explore The Town You Live In

With the weather getting colder now, I was thinking back to the days of summer.  I had been living in this town for just a few weeks when a friend came to visit and we went to explore the area.  It was really nice to discover places I probably would not have thought of going on my own.  On this day out I took many pictures, some of which my friend has not yet sent me.  But I am going to share my pictures.  Everyone should get to really know the village/town/city that you live in, even if you have been living there for the past ten years, you may find little places that you never knew existed!

Hiding in a field.

Woods.

Stuck up a tree.

Trapped in a field by cows.

Still a child at heart.

Hiding from the rain in a barn.

Tree house!

Cute snail!

Cereal advert?

Friendly cows.

Go explore! It's fun!

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cupcakes

I had plans to go shopping today but it did not quite go to plan.  I woke up early with a sore throat, feeling achy and tired and generally quite urgh, like I was coming down with something.  So I scrapped the plans to go shopping and decided to have a baking day instead.  Don't worry, I did not pass any of my germs into the cakes.  I am quite sure it was just man flu, or something similar seeing as I am not a man and am now feeling better.

The cakes turned out quite successful.

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cupcakes

240g butter
240g sugar
4 eggs
Half teaspoon vanilla extract
240g self raising flour
50g chopped fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons strawberry jam

Mix the butter and sugar together. 
Add eggs and flour.
Stir in the vanilla extract, finely chopped strawberries and the jam.
Bake for about 20 minutes at 180°C.
While the cupcakes cool, make the icing.

For the icing you will need:
250g icing sugar
80g unsalted butter
25ml milk
150g melted white chocolate

Beat together the butter and icing sugar, add the milk and chocolate and mix until smooth.

When the cakes are cool, add on the icing and if you fancy, top it off with half a chopped strawberry on top.

There you have it, great tasting cupcakes :)

What is your favourite type of cake?