Homemade Cheese and Tomarto Pizza for your ladies night in!!!! xoxo

Ingredients for the dough: 225 g of plain flour, plus extra for dusting. 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp easy-blend dried yeast, 1 tsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing. 6 tbsp lukewarm water. Ingredients for the topping: 6 tomatoes, sliced thinly. 175 g mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced thinly, 2 tbsp shredded fresh basil leaves, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper. Method 1: To make the pizza dough sift the flour and salt into a bowl and stir in the yeast. Make a well in the centre and pour in the oil and water. Gradually incorporate the dried ingredients into the liquid, using a wooden spoon or if preferred, floured hands. Method 2: Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead well for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Return the mixture to the bowl and cover with lightly oiled clingfilm and set aside to rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size. Method 3: Turn out the dough until a lightly floured work surface and knock down. Knead briefly, then cut in half and roll out each piece into a circle about 5mm. Transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet and push up the edges with your fingers to form a small rim. Method 4: For the topping, arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices alternatively over the pizza bases. Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle with basil and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake in a preheated oven, 230°C/ gas mark 8, for 15-20minutes, until the crust is crisp and the cheese has melted. Serve immediately, with rocket salad and a glass of wine.

Recipe and method from the everyday baking collection, xoxo

Lonely, insecure girl seeks... xoxo

As far back as I can remember I’ve wanted love, specifically to be loved. I wanted the man of my dreams to sweep me off my feet and wanting this has played a big part in the decisions I have made. For a long time I viewed being single as an underachievement, it was me failing and inevitably feeling I was not good enough. I did not feel like a woman, because I wasn’t wanted by a man. Thoughts of insecurity, loneliness and doubt would constantly plague me. The thought of being someone’s girlfriend came with warmth and a daydream of love; it was the best feeling I ever knew. There have been times in my life I have compromised who I am if only for a moment a month or a year; it was better to feel valuable temporally than not at all, but this value was worthless and left me more insecure, lonely and questioning who I was. I wish I could tell you after the first time I felt this way, I got myself together and didn’t look back but I can’t. I found myself wrapped in the same situation over and over again, a different name and face. The truth is each time I compromised, I lost strength and it was a little harder to fight for me, love me and to understand why.  

Of course, there were times I was happy, full of laughs and so much fun to be around but with every high there is a low and I came crashing down. My bed became my refuge; under my duvet was my safe place. The only satisfaction I found was at the end of the phone with my ‘high’ when he decided to answer my call. I was consumed with him, him came and went... Giving him what he wanted didn’t make him stay, it let him know I didn’t a) know who I was, b) know my worth or c) care about myself and if I didn’t either then how could he?!

Stop, I don’t want this, what am I doing are a few of the things I would scream in my thoughts but they were overridden. I made bad decisions because of the emptiness I felt! Not knowing, loving and appreciating myself lead me to a dark place.

Albert Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It took me a long time to break this cycle.

Sharing this part of my life with you is difficult. Yes, I have come to terms with it but having it on a platform so others can read it drummed up an uneasiness feeling. Feeling this gave me the assurance I had to go ahead and post this part of my life, it captures the essence of ‘The Power of a Word’. I want to let you know, you are not the only one who went through what you went through, that you can get past your heartaches and you can go from strength to strength.

Put a stop to the negative patterns in your life. Understand, loving and appreciating you, are three of the most important things you’ll ever do; as they are vital attributes in forming the woman you become. Try to take the time each day to get to know you a little bit better, start a journal noting the things you like and dislike, the ways you react and the things you would like to change. 

I thank God for loving me, even when I did not love myself and giving me the strength to share this with you. 

xoxo

Joyce Meyer- Loving Life & Loving Yourself 1of3 xoxo

Joyce Meyer - Wrong Thinking!!!! As the mind thinks, the body will follow xoxo

You’re on the verge of getting SACKED when you ...

1. Show up late for work on a regular basis

2. Conduct personal business at work, i.e. using the company phone for personal calls, browsing the internet outside your lunch hour etc.

3. Refuse to follow instructions  

4. Inconsistency, i.e. missing deadlines, lack of attention to detail, lack of productivity

5. High level of absence including sick & AWOL (absent without leave)

6. Undesirable attitude or behaviour for the position you hold

7. Conflicts with Co-workers or Management 

This might sound ridiculous, who in their right mind would behave in this manner; but unfortunately it happens more often than not.
Abusing the rules of employment is not cool,  I felt compelled to share this with you! All the above are within your control so understanding the things you choose today will affect your tomorrow, is imperative. If you struggle with any of the above then try to, turn your circumstance around; this behaviour will only lead you to your P45 and a bad reference! xoxo

Attention!!!!!!! It's time to get your essentials in order xoxo

There are some items that you absolutely need ready and waiting in your closet. These make up the basis of your wardrobe; they’re the must haves, no matter what your style — the wardrobe essentials. To be considered a wardrobe essential, an article of clothing has to have several important attributes:

·       It must be versatile. This is the most important quality of an essential piece of clothing. One key factor in versatility is color. Because wardrobe essentials have to go with lots of other clothing, they tend to be monochromatic and neutral in color. They also must work with different outfits. A blazer that you can pair with a skirt, pants, or a pair of jeans is a good example.

·       It has to be of good, perhaps even exceptional, quality. A wardrobe essential makes a statement, and anyone looking should be able to tell that it’s top shelf. High quality also means that it wears well — very important for a garment that you’ll rely on again and again.

·       It should be in a classic style. You don’t want your wardrobe essentials to ever really go out of fashion.

·       It must be a 10. These garments, like everything in your closet, should have all the qualities of a 10, and because they form the basis of your stylish wardrobe, it’s okay to spend a little more for these than you would other, less essential, items.

A lot of wardrobe must-have items are black. Black garments offer many pluses: No one knows how often you wear them. Stains are difficult, if not impossible, to see. The color is flattering on every person and every body type. And with a black basic, you’re free to add color in other areas of your outfit and have fun with prints or great accessories.

LBD (Little black dress) Fashion trends come and go and hemlines move up and down, but the little black dress will always be stylish. In the words of the great designer Karl Lagerfield, “One is never over or underdressed with a little black dress.” Sexy, glamorous and timeless, the little black dress is one of the most essential items in any woman’s wardrobe. It should be sexy, yet sophisticated. It should be well-made and fit like a glove. Choose a LBD that make's you feel fabulous because it is a timeless investment. 

A Crisp White Shirt Practical and versatile, with so many styles and cuts to choose from, a classic white shirt can be paired with jeans or well-cut black trousers. Go for a men’s style for true chic. The white button-down shirt should fit you well. At first glance, your white shirt may look no different than the one your husband or boyfriend wears under his suits, but yours is made and cut specifically for a woman. It should be flattering and accentuate your best features.  

A Cashmere Cardigan With spring season’s floaty, feminine dresses, a cashmere cardigan is both practical and smart. Cashmere is expensive but worth it! Cardigan sweaters are great for those times when you don’t know what the weather will be like or if it’s the middle of summer and you get stuck in a ridiculously cold air-conditioned restaurant or office. If you get warm, you can always throw the cardigan over your shoulders and tie around your neck, and if you’re chilly, you can wear it.

Denim Jeans Few pieces feature more prevalently in a woman’s wardrobe than a pair of blue jeans. Relaxed, simple and sexy – denims can be casual or elegant, depending on how pieces are mixed together. 

Classic beige trench coat Very Audrey Hepburn. The trench is a timeless piece full of mystery and intrigue. Wear it with oversized shades for a look ultra-mysterious. Sexy over jeans or well-cut pants, the classic trench coat will take you from season to season. The classic trench is a necessary staple because it never goes out of style and you can wear it in just about any season.

A Classic Men’s Watch This enduring piece is stylish and trendy. Whilst women’s watch fashions come and go, a classic men’s timepiece breaks the rules and makes an individual fashion statement.

Earrings More of the diamonds and less of the pearls because they go with everything! Designer fake or original, no problem. Wear them day or night, to spice up a casual outfit. Don’t worry if you can't afford genuine diamonds studs! Cubic zirconia will do the job, just keep them small.

Pearls A set of pearls can be a beautiful accent to any outfit. They’re perfect for the office and for a formal affair. Obviously, real pearls are expensive, so if you can borrow from Grandma — lucky you! If not, you can buy fakes. Just play around with them. Pearls aren’t just for those who prefer classic styles. There are many ways to wear them, and a long strand can be worn with a casual outfit.  

Ballet Pumps For the times when common-sense must prevail over high-heeled chic. In the name of practicality, a pair of stylish flats are an essential element of any woman’s wardrobe. Black pumps go with everything, they won’t get too dirty, and they can also go from day to night. If you can afford only one pair of black pumps, go with a dressier pair; shoes are generally easier to dress down than to dress up. When buying shoes, make sure they’re comfortable! Don’t expect them to “break in.” You’re going to spend some money on them because shoes tend to cost a bit more, so make sure they fit right.

High-Heel Shoes A pair of classic black high-heel shoes are timeless, but don’t forget to be adventurous with seasonal colours. Impractical but sexy, a pair of ultra-high heels is a must-have to make any woman feel feminine and poised.

A classic handbag!!!! No need for an explanation

Black leather bag A black leather bag is a perfect everywhere bag, a bag you can wear to work, to lunch, to dinner, and even shopping on the weekend. It goes with everything, and you’ll feel comfortable using it with whatever color or prints you may be wearing. It should be medium-sized: large enough to hold whatever you need during the day but not so large that it looks awkward if you find yourself running straight out to dinner with it.

Blazer After the dark jean, a blazer is the most versatile item in a woman´s wardrobe. Make sure the fit is good. It should be tailored at the waist to give you a nice hourglass figure. Also, pay attention to the shoulders. This is a small detail that can be overlooked, the result being some women end up looking like line backers by mistake. As with the jean, a blazer can be easily dressed up or down depending on the outfit. The black blazer is key in your wardrobe so avoid one that looks like something from the 80s — oversized with enormous shoulder pads.
Black trousers A pair of high-quality, flat front, black trousers are a necessity in every wardrobe. Stay away from pleats because they only accentuate an area that no one really needs accentuating! If you can buy only one pair of trousers, select a length that matches the heel height you most commonly wear. And choose a lightweight wool that will work in summer or winter. If you can buy another pair of trousers, ivory is great to have (even in the winter). Winter white is a refreshing change in the darker months, and it shows that you have style and are daring enough to let everyone know it.  

Leather Jacket It gives that little edge to sugar-sweet outfits.

Denim Jacket is a perfect companion to your sun dresses and summer months generally.

Sources: Myself, dummies.com & suite 101.com

xoxo

Chocolate fudge cake, not for the faint hearted!!! xoxo

Ingredients for the cake: 175 g of unsalted butter, softened plus extra for greasing, 175 g golden caster sugar, 3 eggs beaten, 3 tbsp golden syrup, 40 g ground almonds, 175 g self-raising flour, pinch of salt, 40 g cocoa powder. Ingredients for the icing: 225 g plain chocolate broken into pieces,55 g dark muscovado sugar, 225 g unsalted butter, diced. 5 tbsp evaporated milk, ½ tbsp vanilla extract. Method: 1: Grease and line the bottom of two 8 inch round cake tin. To make the icing, place the chocolate, sugar, butter, evaporated milk and vanilla extract in a heavy based pan. Heat gently, stirring consistently, until melted. Pour into a bowl and cool. Cover and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until spreadable. Method: 2: Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs. Stir in the syrup and ground almonds. Stir the flour, salt and cocoa into a separate bowl, then fold into the mixture. Add a little water, if necessary to make a dropping consistency.  Spoon the mixture into the prepared  tins and bake in a preheated oven, 180°C /gas mark 4,for 30-35 minutes, or until springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Method: 3: Leave the cakes in the tins for 5 minutes, then turn out into a wire rack to cool completely. When the cakes are cooled, sandwich them together with half the icing. Spread the remaining icing over the top and sides of the cake, swirling it to give it a frosted appearance. Best served with Vanilla Ice-cream.

Recipe and method from the everyday baking collection, xoxo

Do you dare to wear? xoxo

Applying it wasn’t the problem nor was pouting while dancing around in front of the mirror, singing Oooooohh sexy, sexsay!!! 

You would have thought, I was ready to take on the world with my hot new lipstick but in actual fact, it took me three weeks, to pucker up the courage and walk out in my loud shade! Why? Because it was so intimidating of course!!!!! 

I would apply it only to wipe it off before exiting my front door! Time to fast forward and insert; part confidence, part insanity... I have no regrets!!!! The right shade of red is a good investment; it has the ability to transform your outfit into fabulous but don’t forget, red is a power colour so my advice is to wear no eye make up when you wear this sizzling number, xoxo.

New year, new vision!!! Where is your vision board??? xoxo

What is a vision board? A vision board is a place where you can pour out the desires of your heart. Things you want to achieve, things that make you happy, things that challenge you to be a better person and so much more. It could either be a large board or wall which has a collection of thought provoking images, statements and single words.

Habakkuk 2 verse 2 – 3

  ²Then the LORD answered me and said,
         "Record the vision
         And inscribe it on tablets,
         that the one who reads it may run.
 ³"For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
         It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
         Though it tarries, wait for it;
         For it will certainly come, it will not delay. 
Habakkuk 2 verse 2 – 3 instructs us to write our visions on a board plainly, so that we can be reminded to strive for our goals and a day will surely come that they will manifest.

Before you begin, it is important you take the time to ask yourself what you want. This may sound easy but some people have no idea, so take the time to search the desires of your heart. I recommend you have a notepad and pen close by so if you mind becomes flooded desires you can empty them onto the notepad. My vision board consists of things that are important to me, family, God, friends, statements of affirmation health and fitness; it also consists of who I want to become, what I want to achieve, things I want to purchase, places I want to visit etc.

When putting together your vision board it is important you put a combination of short, mid, and long term goals! This is because it will encourage a continuous cycle of success.

Once you have a clear idea of what you want begin to collect as many magazines as you possibly can, try not to limit yourself to one specific kind, variety is good! Tips - Fashion, Property, Cookery, Financial and travel brochures. 

Things you need, A) Pin board B) Drawing pins, sellotape or pritt-stick C) Scissors D) A stack of magazines.

Step 1: Go through your magazines and tear the images from them. No gluing yet! Just let yourself have lots of fun looking through magazines and pulling out pictures or words or headlines that grab your attention. 
Step 2: Go through the images and begin to lay your favourites on the board. Throw away any images that no longer feel right. You are now creating the body of your board so refer to your notepad for the guidance of your hearts desires.  As you lay the pictures on the board, you’ll begin to know how you want it to look; an example would be assigning a theme to each corner of the boar or you may just want your images all over the board. 
Step 3: Say cheese! Yes, this is optional of course; but adding a photo of you to your vision board could bridge the gap between a fantasy and a reality.
Step 4:  Time to stick everything down and anything else you would like; i.e. scriptures, catchphrases, statements of affirmation etc... You can paint it on, or stick blank pieces of paper on your board and write it on with markers! It’s up to you. 
Step 5: Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it as often as possible.
xoxo

Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman xoxo

I love apple crumble, here's a simple recipe to show you how to make this delicious desert xoxo

Ingredients for the fruit: 150 g Golden Caster Sugar · 2 kg Bramley Apples · ½ Tablespoon cinnamon powder Ingredients for the crumble: 200 g unsalted butter · 250 g plain flour · 125 g Caster Sugar Method for the fruit: Put the golden caster sugar and 50ml of water in a large saucepan and cook over a low heat until it’s a chestnut caramel colour. · Meanwhile, peel, core and cut the apples into 4cm dice. Add to the caramel and stir over a high heat for 5 minutes, then transfer to a heatproof dish and set it aside. · Preheat oven to 180°C / gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with baking paper. Method for the crumble: · In a mixing bowl rub the butter and flour together until it resembles a crumble texture. Spread the mixture over the apple and bake for 35-40 minutes. · Once the crumble is ready, spoon it into a bowl and serve ice-cream, custard or seasonal fruits and cream.

Colour me bright, colour me fabulous!!! xoxo

Colour me bright, colour me fabulous!!! A well applied manicure and pedicure makes all the difference ladies. For a longer lasting shine and a more durable coat apply a top coat before and after the nail varnish.

Ladies, its important you smooth, buff polish and shape your nails before you begin; it will make a huge difference to the overall finish! And even more importantley you wait for each coat to dry properly, so do this when you have about 2 hours to spare (approximately 30 minutes for each coat to dry) I know it’s a long time but it is worth it as on average my own lasts 7 days when done correctly xoxo

Awesome by Russell Kelfer xoxo

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason, our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!

Celebrate your femininity xoxo

1.     Ladies, I'll let you in on a little secret; I love to look good and smell sweet but making the effort to do so when I’ve woken up with a headache, a bad attitude or just tired means it isn’t the first thing on my mind BUT throwing on anything is!!!!  And there it is; my mistake. A woman taking the time to take care of herself each morning should not be based on her feelings. Looking good and smelling sweet is a celebration of our femininity which should be celebrated every day. It is also a great pick me up, so however we are feeling, let’s strive for gorgeous inside and out every day.

Being a woman is awesome and here are a few pieces that have caught my attention ... xoxo

Our destiny is not written for us, it is written by us... Unknown author xoxo

I can't remember if I told You, but I have moved out from Beggars Alley , located at 2 Poverty Lane at the corner of Down and Out Circle. As of today, I have a brand new home..

My new address is Living Well on 231 Abundance Terrace, Located at the corner of Blessings Drive and Prosperity Peak.

It's in the God Can neighborhood. No longer will I allow myself to travel to the other side of town on Begging Peter to pay Paul Route, Located at a dead end Intersection called I Don't Have, Which connects with Borrowers Junction!

I no longer hang out at Failure's Place, Near Excuses Avenue, Next to Procrastination Point. I've moved to an upscale community called Higher Heights With unlimited potential and opportunities for me to succeed. Life is good because God is good! Care to change your address?

DON'T TELL GOD HOW BIG YOUR STORMS ARE; TELL YOUR STORMS HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!!

BE BLESSED AND STAY FOCUSED!!!

Pursuit is the evidence of desire xoxo

Ladies, have you ever been so into a guy to stop yourself from calling, you leave your phone in your room then do as many things as possible to distract yourself... Thinking when I go back he would have called; only to go back to find NO MISSED CALLS! Why do we convince ourselves he would call just because we walked away for a little while.
Have you ever been so stuck on him that you switch your phone off and on just to ensure your phone reception working!
Have you ever been so stuck on him you call or text him “accidently”!
If you have answered yes to any of above, it’s time to wake up and get a grip lady! Men should not be able to take up so much our ‘mind space’ and this is why I titled this piece Pursuit is the Evidence of Desire.
Men are born conquers, they are naturally competitive and enjoy working hard for what they want. They like playing the role of a man, so allow them to. They respect you when you do not give yourself to them on the first date. The suspense it bitter sweet for him, of course he would like to spend the night with you, you are beautiful so of course he likes your smile and feels as though he could speak to you for hours, he has probably felt this way a few times before. Please do not misunderstand, I am not naming every guy on this earth a ‘heartbreaker’ but what I am sure of is he wants a woman he knows he had to fight for, he is a King and you are a Queen, you may even be his Queen so do not allow yourself to be anything less than that.
These are a few of the attributes I think a queen possesses;

A Woman who is patient

A Woman who is kind

A Woman who does not envy

A Woman who does not boast

A Woman who is not proud

A Woman who is not rude

A Woman who is not self-seeking

A Woman who is not easily angered and does not bring up past wrongs

A Woman who does not delight in evil

A Woman who rejoices in truth

A Woman who always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres

A Woman who acts in love.

If he desires you he will pursue you so ladies don’t give him sex to get love and guys don’t pretend to love to get sex.

xoxo