DIY Birthday Bunting Cake

It was a special little girls 8th Birthday last month and I had a cake recipe that I wanted to use as I knew she would love it. (It was a white chocolate mousse cake...yum!!!) The cake was covered with white chocolate whipped cream and so I needed to come up with a way to decorate it that would be quick and easy and turn it into a 'Birthday' cake.

Que Pinterest and my love for bunting, some card, string and straws and I came up with this...

DIY Bunting Birthday Cake

First I measured out my triangles for the bunting on some patterned card.

I used a black sharpie and copied the Strawberry Limeade font for the writing. (I have an addiction with writing fonts at the moment) I added some gold glitter to the first letters.

I glued the bunting on to some string.

I popped two straws into the cake and attached the bunting to them with small strips of tape.

Just make sure to place the candles away from the paper bunting and walaa... a lovely homemade cake turned 'Birthday Cake' that is sure to please anyone :)

This is a great idea to turn any cake into a special occasion cake. So simple with great effect, the kind of craft I love! 

Face Oils: Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

As the colder months are drawing in I am really feeling the affects on my skin. I have quite sensitive skin that is prone to spells of dry itchy patches on my forehead and nose. It can easily get dehydrated, and now that the central heating is being cranked up my skin is screaming for some relief!

I was introduced to face oils about 3 years ago when I worked for Clarins. Ever since I have been using their Blue Orchid face oil and I will never be without it in my skincare routine.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

Oils are amazing treatments for the skin. They penetrate deep into the layers and help re-balance and restore. Even oily skin types will benefit from using a treatment oil. Many different brands have oils out there catered for all skin types, be it dryness, dehydration, combination, oily and sensitivity. They can be applied on their own in place of a moisturiser, underneath your moisturiser or how I use them is to mix it in with my night cream for a nourishing overnight treatment. I use my face oil at night as I would find it too rich underneath my makeup for during the day and I do most of my treatments at night when my skin is clean and able to repair itself and breathe.

The Blue Orchid oil for dehydrated skin is just beautiful. My skin feels like it has had a 'drink' after I apply it. It relieves that tight feeling and makes my skin glow and leaves it soft, supple and freshened. The Clarins oils have very strong herbal / aromatherapy like scents to them, which I love but be aware of this if you are particular about scents.
I mix 3-4 drops in with my night cream and find I use less of my night cream by doing this. I only use it maybe once a week during summer but in winter I use it every night.

The bottle I have is salon size that they use in the Clarins Spa's I got hold of when I worked for them and is 125ml. It has been nearly 3 years and I've used only half the bottle. It retails in a 30ml bottle and the cheapest I can find it online is for £23.95 from GorgeousShop with free delivery in the UK. I think this is amazing value as one bottle would last me at least a year. Clarins counters do very generous sample sizes for you to try before you buy.

The Clarins face oils are all beautiful. They have 3 different types;
Blue Orchid for dehydration
Santal for dryness and
Lotus for oily/combination skin.

I will definitely be purchasing another bottle when mine runs out. My skin wouldn't last the winter months without this. I am now a dedicated face oil user :)

I would love to hear if anyone has a face oil they love?

A x