Bollocks to Baking: Scrumptious Cakes and Bakes

This weekend, Kent-based bakery Scrumptious Cakes and Bakes sent me some treats to taste, and they didn't last very long at all. Two boxes of cupcakes (on chocolate and vanilla) were dropped off by a very friendly man, and I was left with a smile as I got to have cake for breakfast.

I realise that I've been spoilt by the cupcake world, trying the majority of the cupcakeries in London, I've tasted the very good, sampled the bad and even seen the very ugly. But I'd forgotten until recently just how personal the appeal of a cake can be.

I wasn't taken with these cakes. The vanilla for me was too sweet (tasting more of sugar than the vanilla that I was hoping for) and the chocolate cake was rather dry. But then my little team of helpers tried them as well and they really enjoyed them. As one pointed out to me 'why would you order cupcakes if you didn't want something sweet?' and another 'I'd happily pop to a bakery and buy one of these every day, they're excellent'. So there you have three reviews in one. If you're not a fan of overly sweet things, I'd think twice before ordering the vanilla, but while they're not my favourite everyone else seemed to really enjoy them. Still, I don't think any cake should be dry, no matter how tasty.

Scrumptious Cakes and Bakes don't just do cupcakes, but also full-sized cakes as well. They'll decorate them for you as you like, so if you've got something special in mind and you're based in Kent, have a chat with them. A box of 12 is £21, box of 6 for £10.50 including delivery within 10 mile radius of Maidstone

Knock Knock's Personal Library Kit

Did you ever play librarians when you were a kid? The Domestic Sluts did. We got to keep our books in order, be a little bit bossy about who we gave them to, and then ask for money if they were late coming back. What's not to love about that game?

Unfortunately, now when I lend my books out, I forget who I've lent them to, and they forget to give them back, and before I know it my copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is nowhere to be found.

This Personal Library Kit (as spotted over on the wonderful For Books' Sake), will solve all of my lost book problems. It comes with a little date stamp and ink (I might also wind up stamping people), and return cards. You'll never lose another book again, and if you do, you're allowed to give them a fine of 50p.

Like it? Get it on Amazon for £10.76.

Shop in the spotlight: Lucie Ellen

Right now, I can’t get enough of Lucie Ellen’s cute wooden jewellery at All Things Original. Made from reclaimed wood (hello, environment points!) they are based on everything old-fashioned and lovely.


I’m unashamedly enamoured by this sewing machine necklace. So what if I can’t sew for toffee - this is the next best thing, right? It’s £11.


I’m in danger of sounding overly engrossed in my bunting obsession, but look at this beauty! I could wear it and feel like I’m at a village fete all day. £14 well spent.


This Time for Tea necklace is my all time favourite piece from this shop. I’ve loved tea sets since the days when I made my brother’s action men sit through endless tea parties (I was a strange child). Teapot, teacup and milk jug – but no sugar bowl. Presumably because the wearer will look sweet enough. It’s £14.

First class postage for only £1 per piece means I won’t have long to wait to get my paws on these.

This was a post from our trainee Domestic Slut Laura Vickers.

Sluttishly Savoury: Stilton-stuffed Chicken

Chicken breasts can be boring. Chicken breasts can be dry. But chicken breasts can also be damn delicious, so when I had a chickeny craving I wanted to make sure I did them justice.

In a two-pronged attack against dullness and dryness, I stuffed my chicken with Stilton and wrapped it in Parma ham.The cheese oozed out, a bit like the butter in a cheaty chicken kiev, the ham crisped up delightfully, and, most importantly, the chicken stayed moist.

Any blue cheese would work for this dish, but I love a good piece of Stilton.


Stilton-stuffed Chicken (serves 2)

You'll need:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 75g Stilton or another blue cheese
• 4 slices of Parma ham

Make it!

• Preheat the oven to 180c / Gas 4
• Slice a pocket in the chicken breast along the side, but don't go crazy and cut right through.
• Season with pepper. Go easy on the salt though, as the cheese and ham will add seasoning to the dish.
• Crumble up the Stilton and stuff it in the chickeny pocket.
• Wrap each chicken breast with two slices of Parma ham. If the parcels look like they might collapse, you could pin them together with a cocktail stick.
• Roast the chicken parcels in the oven for around 45 minutes, or until cooked through.

Perfect Prints: Forest Lucero

If I ignore the American spelling of 'colours' in the typographical print, it's one of the most romantic things I've seen. But, Forest Lucero is Californian, so it's understandable.

"I think of you in colours that don't exist."

That's a very beautiful sentiment, isn't it? What colours? Imaginary ones? Colours that haven't been thought up yet? Colours that don't exist. They're the very best colours, I'm sure of it.

Best of all, this simple but eye-catching print is only £35. Excellent value given that Urban Outfitters can err on the pricey side when it comes to their artwork.

I'm off to buy this, and think of some imaginary colours.

Jessica Ogden for ASOS

Even though I'm 30, there are times when I look in the mirror and realise I've dressed like my inner 3 year old. While quite not in the realm of Disney shoes, I've a weakness for clompy sandals, coloured tights and playsuits. While they'd work well in the playground, my clothes get some strange looks on the gray-suit clad 7.58 to Victoria each morning. I've a feeling it's my inner 3 year old who looked at the Jessica Ogden collection for ASOS and fell in love. Thankfully they're definitely clothes that would suit your most stylish grown-up playdate.

My 3 year old self would have loved the combination of the red colour, ruffle and beaded bow motif on this Bow top and my aged 30 self would have to agree (in fact I may have just clicked through and bought it). Not so kiddie prices, though, as its priced at £50. I also really want that skirt that's shown with it in the picture and which doesn't seem to be for sale. I'll just have to content myself with this pretty black number:

This Scallop skirt, also costing £50, would be great for your best summer parties. It's made from a cotton and linen so will keep you cool on picnics, holidays, dare I even say your commute to work?

It's only fitting that such a playful collection includes a playsuit. I like the bow on this one but the white - hum, perhaps making me think a little too much about towelling and nappies. That's a childhood look I don't want to reminisce over. Think you can pull it off? It's £55.

This strap stripe dress was definitely not designed for someone as bosomy as me. But it doesn't stop me wanting it. Pull it on and then forget about it, it's the perfect Summer weekend dress. It's also £55.

It wasn't until I'd bought the top that I realised there was also a serious side to the collection. It's part of ASOS's Green Collection. All the items in the Jessica Ogden collection are made by the SOKO workshop (you can read more about it here) and £5 of each sale goes to them too. So, an interesting initiative coupled with some fab clothes: looks pretty good to me. And though not too socially aware at that age, my inner three year old would be sure to agree.

Robot refreshment: Hugo the tea ball

If you share the Domestic Slut's love of both robots and tea, there's a little fellow you need to meet. Ideally this would be a robot who could make and bring tea on your command but, failing that, this is a pretty good second. His name is Hugo and he is a robot. He's only 6cm high. He is also a tea ball, designed to help infuse your favourite teas.

Fill Hugo up with your favourite loose tea, pop into your chosen mug (those long arms can cope with clinging onto the rim), then immerse in boiling water. I spotted him over on Quaint Living where he was helping Alice with a nice cup of Sencha. Cuteness combined with a tasty cuppa: I like. Even better is that he costs just £4.08 from Nothing but Tea.