2015 resolutions.

I cannot believe we are already one week into the new year.

 Let me start off by saying, you are never to late to make New Year Resolutions. Lets be honest - you are not going to think of them all straight away and events may creep up throughout the year that you want to put your foot down and say 'hey' I want to change this or start does this. It is better to start the resolution straight away rather than to keep putting it off and using the classic line of "oh I'll wait until Monday or the new month or even the new year!" 

So here a few of mine! (Yes I may have already covered some of them in my last post, however these are going to be numbered and easy to read!) 

(Little Cupcakes Melbourne) 

1. Develop & maintain an effective blogging schedule - There are definitely many routines that I could choose, but for now I do not want to over complicate it and make it to busy so that I cannot produce the standard of content that I would like. I am looking a personalising some days so that a specific topic will be covered on that day. At the moment I have Cake Friday - everyday Friday I will try to publish a cupcake or cake recipe, as this is something that I love and have ever ambition to concur all the flavours (well most anyway!) 

2. Exercise at least 3 times each week (5 is possible) - I love to exercise when I am 100% in the right frame of mind. However I tend to be picky when it comes to the actual workout - I love DVD's/ videos and venturing outside, but the thought of following a piece of paper or a picture really doesn't get me moving. Even though the person on the video is not right beside me in my bedroom working out - the continuous talking and motivation is certainly more encouraging. 

3. Maintain a healthy diet - I would love to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into my diet as the most obvious choice. However I would love to try more vegetarian and vegan dishes to totally mix up my diet and food plan. 

4. Try to procrastinate less - I am going to starting another load of study this year and need to knuckle down, complete the assignments, ask questions and balance everything, so that I am able to weave in a little bit of blogging, work part time and my crazy social life that I have (if only!) 

5. Stay organised as much as I can - I always tend to find myself becoming 'stressed' and a little to over-organised if that is even possible. Simply relax and not be such a perfectionist when it comes to organisation and lists especially. 

6. Start another hobby - I love to bake and blog, however I would like to find another interest that I am able to sit and do whilst relaxing and taking a moment to breathe. I would really like to start a scrapbook for myself that can document everything that I have done throughout the year by month, but I would like to do an inspiration scrapbook. Whilst I am relaxing seeing pictures that I have found from the Internet, Pinterest or Instagram that motivate me with my career, myself or just everyday living. Something that I am currently contemplating and got the thought of Lily Pebbles. 

(Just me fitness) 

Would you want to watch the trailer? 

So there you have it - some of my resolutions for 2015! A lot of them are common and quite basic, however I would really like to commit to making these happen! 

Please let me know your resolutions in the comment section below!

M x 

Goodbye 2014 and Hello 2015.

I firstly want to apologise for this post being a little belated - time got the best of me this past week, but secondly I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! I cannot believe it is 2015 already. 

Photo Credit: Titatoni

This post is going to be written in subsections so that you only have to read what you are interested in, otherwise it will a massive essay style post which is boring - I want it to be fun and filled with pictures that make you happy or smile. 

Photo credit: Sprinkle of Glitter 

2014

Wow, what a year 2014 has been! There have been many events happen throughout the year that have connected a large portion of the world for both happy and sad times. We are blessed with all the opportunities that the world offers and we should make the most of every minute, as we only live once. (Yes, I did just say that!) 2014 was over in a blink of an eye and I am sure 2015 will do the same. Now that 2014 is in the past we have to look forward with positivity and strength into 2015. 

Photo Credit: Crumbles Muesli 

Studying 

I have said this many times, but for the very last time I have officially graduated high school. I received my results one week before Christmas, which I was honestly chuffed with and I am not ready to move forward into more studying this year. I am bursting with excitement (let's see how long it lasts - ahaha) to start something new and progress with something that I am interested in and will hopefully take me places (possibly around the world - I hope anyway!) 

Photo Credit: Georgetown Cupcake

Blog 

I am the type of person that a hundred lists on the go and has to have a notebook dedicated to a specific topic. Although sometimes, I feel like I have that many lists, ideas and plans going on in my head that I simply can't find away to write them all down, as they each have to be written in certain books or paper. I am clearly trying way to hard to be organised that half the time I feel so unorganised - haha 

Anyway - I have many plans for my blog in 2015. I want to progress with my photography and develop some videography skills as well with editing, lighting, shots and all of that jazz. 

As you can tell I have changed the name of my blog for the third time in a row - hopefully this one will stick? I hope to produce bright, clean, simple and colourful posts that are modern with a slight vintage twist. I love anything that is vibrant and intriguing, which I can hopefully pull off over time. There are so many bloggers and YouTubers that are a huge inspiration to me and I admire their work ethic, style/ design and dedication towards each post - to make their own blog unique. 

Blogging is a way for me to build confidence, develop my creativity, skills and have an online digital diary for me to one day look back on. 

I hope you all stick around for what The Little Whisk & co might offer. 

Photo Credit: Emma Kate 

Health & Fitness 

Health and fitness play a huge role in my lifestyle. Although I am not 100% strict on myself - a new year is a completely fresh start! I LOVE to try new health foods from supermarkets, one off stores, online or out in cafes/ restaurants. I hope you remake some of my favourite dishes for you that are easy and are limited with the cost of ingredients, because if you want to eat healthy now you sadly have to pay double the price of ordinary goods. 

I hope to continue with my fitness and develop a routine that is best suited for me. I will find ways throughout the year to update you with this, but I know I will be posting a lot of food based posts - so keep an eye out if that is something you are interested in. 

2015

I cannot believe that 2015 is here. It just shows how fast tome flies, which means you should embrace every opportunity that arises, progress with your skills and make the most of every moment that you can - big or small. You never know what could happen next or where it could lead, so enjoy 2015 and make it better than 2014 - stop waiting and start doing! 

Photo Credit: Rachelclaireful 

I am ready to start fresh with confidence, willpower and determination for not only my fitness, blog and study but my life in general. I hope to book a couple of trips for later in the year, which I will be sure to document. 

I hope that you enjoyed reading my first post for 2015, I tried to keep it quite short and not very long-winded, but you always know a girl can talk! 

 I hope you are ready for what the year ahead brings, and  lastly have a lovely weekend celebrating and I will speak to you all very soon. 

M x 

Merry Christmas.

(*From Pinterest) 

Merry Christmas to you all! 

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and I hope you have a magical day spending it with your family &/or friends. I have successfully completed Blogmas, and even though there was not a post on Christmas Eve, this post was technically going to be published yesterday however it is a lot nicer to wish you all a very Merry Christmas on the 25th of December. 

Blog posts will resume next Monday and I will dedicating a post sometime next week talking all about 2014 & 2015 - updating you all on how Blogmas went, future goals and all of that jazz. This way this post is short, sweet and simple! 

Enjoy every moment of your day and I will speak to you on Monday! 

M x 

Favourite Christmas Reads.

Christmas is an exceptionally magical time of the year and there are many festive outings, activities and recipes to do. I love reading blogs in my spare time or whilst having a little relaxation time, so today I am sharing four of my favourite blogs that I have been reading throughout the month of December, but to be honest I love all of their content all year round. 

(*All images published are from the original creators website/ blog!) 

First up - WHAT OLIVIA DID

Olivia's blog is well executed and the content published is highly professional. All of her photographs are intriguing and nicely presented. I love her mix of style and lifestyle posts with the odd recipe that makes all of her posts appealing. 

Second - WISH WISH WISH 

 Carrie's blog is similar to Olivia's in the way of which the style and theme of the content covers the aspects of fashion, lifestyle, but this time the occasionally post or two of travel adventures. All of Carrie's photographs are executed beautifully and always capture such a lovely shot of either herself or objects around that compliment each other with the backgrounds and centred piece - she certainly know how to take an appealing photo. 

Third - A BEAUTIFUL MESS 

 A Beautiful Mess was created by sister duo Elsie & Emma. This blog is filled with everything creative from DIY's, recipes to a general women's lifestyle blog. The team at A Beautiful Mess continuously create content for their community of readers that is easy to read, follow and overall appealing. I love their work and again everything that is put into this blog. 

Fourth - THE SUGAR HIT

Sarah is the creator behind The Sugar Hit, which covers everything filled with sugar (well mostly any, the odd savoury here and there) and wow is her blog incredible. To be honest I think I am running out of describing words ahaha - but her simplistic designs are so eye catching and designed so well, that it is extremely tempting to want to make everything there and then. Sarah's Christmas posts have been exceptional and delicious - defiantly one of my favourite blogs. 

All of these blogs are lovely to read and all of the creators inspire me to continue working towards something that I love and can someday hopefully produce similar content to them. Whilst some photographs remain simple, all of the elements mixed together create a well planned and designed image that is appealing for the reader - I take my hat off to all of these girls for remaining positive with their blogs as they grow and I admire all of their work ethic, which someday I hope to have. 

I hope you enjoyed this style of post! 

M x 

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.

3 day until Christmas! 

Today I am sharing with you a super easy and quick festive cookie that can be made in batches for last minute gifts or holiday treats. Use your left over candy canes from your tree and whip up this rich delicious cookie mixture. 

It is bursting with triple chocolate; cocoa powder, melted dark chocolate and chopped dark chocolate chunks - plus the addition of roughly chopped peppermint sticks makes these cookies scream with flavour. They are so indulgent with the oozing chocolate once taken from the oven and they will make you be tempted to take a second one. 

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies 

110g butter, chopped and softened 

175g brown sugar 

1 egg 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

150g plain flour, sifted

25g cocoa powder, sifted

1/2-teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

120g dark chocolate, melted

Plus 280g dark chocolate, chopped (400g dark chocolate in total) 

120g peppermint candy canes, chopped 

1. Preheat the oven to 160-degrees and line cookie trays with parchment paper. 

2. Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. 

3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined. 

4. Add the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and melted chocolate, and bet until just combined. 

5. Fold through the extra dark chocolate that has been chopped as well as the candy canes. (or place these on top of the cookies once rolled) 

6. Roll tablespoons of the mixture and place onto the prepared cookie tins. 

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes and allow to cool on the trays first as they will be extremely soft and delicate - if you try to move them to soon they will collapse and crumble into one. 

I hope you enjoyed this last minute cookie recipe - it only takes around 15 minutes to prepare and then baking them in stages will take a little while, however it is not a complicated recipe, so enjoy with you family and friends. 

Enjoy! 

M x 

Vegan Chocolate Milk.

As you may have already seen from my previous post, I love a good old hot chocolate. I am also a massive lover of health foods, so I thought I would create a vegan chocolate milk - free from dairy and gluten. 

The hint of nut flavour from the milk and sweetness from the chocolate is a divine combination that makes your stomach feel warm and cosy on the inside. 

Simply warm almond milk in a pan and add dairy free chocolate and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into your favourite jar or mug and voila - a delicious hot chocolate that is perfect for a winters night, but completely guilt free. 

I hope you enjoyed yet another hot chocolate post and try this recipe for yourself. 

M x 

Flourless Mint Chocolate Cake.

This alternate Christmas cake is free from dried fruit, brand, candied peel and oh heck no nuts or flour as well. This cake is rich, dark and scrumptious - the perfect Christmas cake for anyone. This cake feels like a special occasion in one bowl as it requires more than 4 bars of dark chocolate and 8 eggs. The mint flavour and chocolate is the extent of festiveness as you will get, but with a large dollop of freshly whipped cream is the perfect combination to end a delightful and thankful day. 

Flourless Mint Chocolate Cake 

Ingredients

16.oz 70% cocoa dark chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup soft light brown sugar
1/2 caster sugar
3/4 cup hot strong coffee
2 tbsp cocoa powder
8 large free range eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1tsp peppermint extract

1. Line a 10″ round springform cake pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.

2. Break the chocolate up into a large bowl, and set it over a pan of boiling water to melt. Meanwhile, cream together the butter and sugar in a mixer until soft and light, and then mix in the cocoa powder.

3. Slowly pour the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, beating as you go. With the beaters still running, carefully pour in the hot coffee. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.

4. Beat the 8 eggs together with the vanilla extract and slowly pour into the chocolate mixture with the beaters running. Lastly, add in the peppermint extract and mix to combine.

5. Pour the mixture into the lined cake pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is cracked and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake come out clean. Leave the cake to cool completely before cutting- it will sink and deflate as it cools.

6. Dust with icing sugar, and serve with freshly whipped cream, plus a few berries to go alongside.

Once settled, the cake is extremely similar to a rich indulgent brownie that is absolutely delicious and will screaming out for seconds. 

Enjoy! 

M x