Bookstagram Tips| It's Carenza B

Hello!
So today I have something a bit different, as you may know I have changed my blog and other social medias to be focused on books. I am really glad I have done this and I have been getting some great feedback on my Twitter and Instagram, and because of this I thought I'd share with you some of my personal tips on how to start/ improve your bookstagram account, enjoy!

Tip 1) Post photos of books you love/ have read

This is probably one of the most important tips I can give you as if you don't like what you are posting, there is absolutely no point posting it. Take photos of the books you love and have read so you can discuss with people why you love them. The bookstagram community is so lovely and everyone is there because they love books, so you will most likely meet someone who is passionate about that book and will want to discuss with you. So if you haven't read the book, then you are going to look like a bit of an idiot when you have no clue what you are talking about.

Tip 2) Use props- these can be anything  

Most bookstagrammers use props to enhance there photos and this is rightly so because of a picture of a book by itself can be quite boring and if everyone did this, it wouldn't be as interesting. So use props and don't worry, you don't have to spend anything. These can be household objects like candles, mantelpiece ornaments, fairy lights, soft toys etc! You do not have to spend lots of money on fancy props, but if you want to you can. I use fairy lights in my photos and in my Harry Potter posts, I use my Pop Funkos, which I collect anyway. I also use my Tsum Tsums as they just add a little something to a photo. But before you leap into the world of props, do a bit of research as to what everyone else is using to see if you can make your unique.

Tip 3) Join in with other bookstagrammers

If you want to take part in something make sure that other people know you. Follow lots of different bookstagrammers to see what's hot and what's not. Like and comment regularly on people's posts, this shows that you are interested and that you want to be a part of the community, also you never know when they might spot you.

Tip 4) Use appropriate hashtags

This is crucial if you want to get your photos noticed, every time you post use a certain amount of hashtags in a separate comment. By posting them in a separate comment, you aren't adding to what they have to read. I usually post two comments with hashtags, one specific to the photo the other, using generic bookstagram hashtags. Now you may be wondering in this works and I can confirm it does, I have received a lot more likes since I started using hashtags.

Tip 5) A little bit of editing can go a long way

Editing can do a photo a whole lot a good, it can enhance it to make it look super good. I use my iPad to take all my instagram photos and I then edit it to make it look more like it was taken with a camera. I just bump up the highlights and shadows, make it a bit warmer and bobs your uncle, you have a good looking photo.

Tip 6) Interact with followers

By interacting with the people who follow you, it makes you seem more approachable. I follow every single person who follows me as a little thank you for following me. If they comment on your posts, reply and tell them how much it means to you. But on the negative side, keep an eye out for inactive followers or people who are following you just so they can gain followers.

Tip 7) Do appreciation posts

By appreciating fellow bookstagrammers, it shows how much you love the community but it also helps you get noticed. I posted an appreciation post recently and it is my most liked photo, with 4 of the 9 people I tagged in it liking it.  Appreciation posts also make those who you are tagging know that you enjoy there posts and it can make peoples days.

Tip 8) The basics- name, bio and schedule

Name- when it comes to choosing a name, keep it simple. I had already chosen my name before I started bookstagramming so my name doesn't really relate to my account but then several bookstagrammers have done that also. Don't stress over the name, pick something that you like and shows that you have an interest in books.
Bio- again, keep it simple. Mine at the moment isn't simple as my instagram is playing up, but an ideal bio is something like: Small statement about yourself (around 4 words), other social media handles, currently reading and business email. That is all you need.
Schedule- when it comes to posting, stick to a schedule. I post 1-3 times a day, usually in the evenings after school. Once you have found a schedule you like and works for you, stick to it. This means your followers will be anticipating your next post.

So that's everything so far that I have to say on bookstagram, I hoped you like this post and let me know if you want more. Don't forget to follow me on instagram and twitter (@itscarenzab) and if you have any questions please feel free to email me on my business email itscarenzab@gmail.com
Carenza x

Chocolate Orange Pumpkin Cupcakes| It's Carenza B

Hello!
So today is another first on my blog, it's my first baking post! When I first started my blog in June, I had no idea in which direction I wanted it to go in.  It was just something I wanted to do as a hobby and now nearly 6 months later, I have a good idea where it's going and have got into the swing of writing, although I don't post as often as I would like, I feel like my posts are better quality than if I spent less time. Anyway, back to baking. I knew I wanted to do a baking post but I decided to wait until now as I wanted it to be something special. This recipe can be used all year round, minus the orange flavoring and still turn out really nice. I'm sure your cakes will turn out a lot better than mine, and if you do make them please tag me on Instagram and Twitter @itscarenzab. Let's bake!

My very bad finished cakes, they look like something a small child had made!

Ingredients

For the cupcakes you will need:
8 oz or 225 grams Caster Sugar
8 oz or 225 grams Butter (unsalted, at room temperature)
8 oz or 225 grams Self Raising Flour
4 Eggs (I used medium, but I don't think it effects it too much)
50 grams White Chocolate Chips
50 grams Milk Chocolate Chips
Orange Zest or Flavoring- you can use vanilla extract, but I would recommend using orange as it gives it a strong orange taste with the orange butter cream
Orange Food Colouring- optional

I would recommend measuring out your ingredients before you start baking as then you have got the boring stuff out of the way.

For decorating the cakes you will need:

1 Terry's chocolate orange

Butter cream- Butter 75 grams, Icing Sugar 175 grams, Milk 1 Tablespoon

Orange Food colouring

Orange Zest or Flavoring 

Equipment

For the Cupcakes you will need:

A large mixing bowl or an electric mixer if you have one

A wooden spoon

A butter knife

A fork or whisk for the eggs

A cup to crack your eggs into 

Cupcake cases

Cupcake tray

For the Decorations you will need:

Piping bags- Normal and Heat resistant= I got mine from Lakeland for £2 for 25

Nozzles- one very small to do intricate designs, the other a medium star nozzle for the butter cream

Baking parchment

Baking tray

Cool display chairs- again from Lakeland for something stupidly cheap for 25, warning they're very tricky to assemble. 

Glass bowl

Pan 

Equipment for the whole process including decorating

Method

Step One: To make the eyes and mouth of the pumpkins, I melted a whole chocolate orange in a ban Marie.  An alternative is you can use black ready rolled icing but this added more orange to the cakes.

If you are using chocolate, quickly put your melted chocolate in your heat proof piping bag with a small nozzle- a quick tip, ask someone to help you decant the chocolate into the piping bag as I split a lot of chocolate and burned myself. Then on some baking parchment draw enough eyes for 20-24 cakes and mouths for the same amount of  cake, I would recommend doing simple designs as the chocolate can be quite fiddly. Once you've got the right amount of eyes and mouths, put them in to the fridge to cool while you make, bake and decorate the cakes. 

Step Two: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius- that's gas mark 6 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit, if you want a more accurate conversion click the link . Put your room temperature butter and caster sugar in to your mixing bowl and cream them together until the mixture looks white/creamy and fluffy- you don't want any lumps.

Step Three: Add one egg and a quarter of the flour, repeat this step until the eggs and flour have been mixed in. If your mixture is a bit watery, add a small spoonful of flour until it becomes a thicker constancy. I used a wooden spoon to mix it but if you are lucky and have an electric mixer, I'd use that as it will speed things up.

Step Four: Add the milk and white chocolate chips to the mixture and stir thoroughly to get an even balance of white and milk chocolate chips. Then add roughly a quarter of your orange zest, the rest of the zest will be used in the buttercream for decorating the cakes. If you want, you can add a small amount of food colouring to give the cakes a subtle orange hint.

Step Five: Put your cupcake cases in to the cupcake tray, then put the mixture in the cases. I would recommend going no higher than half way on each cake case as otherwise your cakes will be very varied in heights. Then bake for 20-22 mins, this can all depend on your oven but the way to test them is to stick a skewer in and if batter comes out, there not cooked. Mine ended up over cooking and were very solid, but they were still yummy. Take them out to cool, and began decorating.

Ban Marie from step one

Making eyes and mouths for step one

Drawing on before helps you know how many you've done, but leaves marks on the chocolate

Getting someone to hold the parchment down helped, as it stopped it from curling in 

Main ingredients for the cupcakes

Desired look for step two

Adding the flour for step three

Ideal end result for step three

Small amount of orange zest to give the cupcakes a subtle hint of orange

Good look before adding food colouring in step four

Before mixing in the colour on step four

As you can see my cakes ended up pink

My cakes before going into the oven

After coming out of the oven, they no longer looked orange.

Step Six: To make your buttercream, first you want to cream the butter by itself until it is fluffy- this is something I learnt after making mine and is why my buttercream turned out so flat. Then once the butter is nice and fluffy, slowly mix in your icing sugar after having sieved it to remove lumps. Then finally add your milk, I got my recipe of the back of the Taste and Lyle icing sugar box but if you know a better method use it.

Step Seven: Add the food colouring and orange zest to your buttercream, as you've seen the photo of my final cupcakes you will have seen my cupcakes turned out pink as we didn't have orange food colouring and I mixed the red and yellow in the wrong order, but they tested lovely so I ignored it.

Step Eight: Pipe your buttercream on to your cupcake using a disposable piping bag as it saves washing up, to get the desired star shape use a medium sized star nozzle. Mental note, this takes practice and don't expect them to be perfect first time. 

Step Nine: Take out your cooled chocolate eyes and mouths and quickly place them on to the cakes as they start to melt as soon as you touch them. Then enjoy your cakes and have fun tidying up the mess you've made.

I don't have any photos for this step, sorry! So that was my first baking post and I really hope you guys enjoy it (and your cakes)! Don't forget to tag me on Instagram and Twitter at @itscarenzab, if you do make these cakes. If you have any BUSINESS inquires email me at itscarenzab@gmail.com.

Have a spook-tacular Halloween and rest of October.

Love,

Carenza x    

  

Back To School 2015: Tips and Tricks| It's Carenza B

Hello!
So as the summer holidays slowly come to an end *curls up in a ball and cries*, it can only mean one thing- school. Whether you are starting or finishing school or moving on to higher education, going back to school is not fun. But we can ease the pain with endless back to school videos and posts, which for some reason always make the back to school season more enjoyable. Don't deny it, we all love back to school shopping- whether it's for stationery, bags, books or clothes (for you lucky people who get to wear there own clothing), there is something oddly satisfying about back to school in general. So I thought I'd pass on some tips and tricks that help me get back in to the swing of things, so you're ready for the first day back. If you want, I can do a post half way through the school year on tips and tricks once school has started. So let's get  into the post!

Sleep Pattern

Now, most normal people during the summer holidays tend to sleep in late- we all do it. So when that first day comes you are going to be knocked of your feet when you have to get up at a time, that frankly, shouldn't exist! My tip for you is, start setting your alarm earlier each day so when it comes to Back To School you are ready to rock. Also, when it comes to going to sleep don't stay up all night on YouTube or Instagram and Twitter *follow me, @itscarenzab*. Find a sleep schedule that works for you so you get the right amount of sleep to keep you going through the whole day.

Routine 

When going Back to School, I always find it easier if I have some kind of routine to stick to for the whole year. So my advice to you is BEFORE going back to school is find a routine that works for you. If you have a long skincare routine, start timing it so you can work out how long your morning routine will be. Also if you start timing it, your routine will gradually become shorter. When washing your hair, I advise you to wash it the night before, as it means you don't have to worry about washing it in the morning.

Essentials

Now this isn't exclusively a "tip" but these are my back to school essentials. Firstly, the basics- pens and pencils, I like to use the Bic pens as they are just the cheap generic brand also because they don't have springs which everyone steals when you lend them to them. Pencils- I advise that you get mechanical pencils as you don't need to sharpen them. My favourite brand is Papermate as they are so reliable. I go through so many packs of pens and pencils a year, it's insane. Next I recommend highlighters, they are useful the whole year round for class work and revision. Finally, a planner or journal- most schools where I live provide us with them, however I decided to by my own as the ones we are provided with are too small for my massive handwriting.

Timetables 

My next tip for you is make a revision timetable/ generic timetables before you go back to school so you are used to it by the time you go back to school. I especially advise you to have a revision timetable as when it comes to exams you don't need to cram for your tests, as it never ends well.

Learning 

Now many of you will know that there are different types of learners, so before you go back to school I advise you to find out what type of learner you are as this will speed up the previous tip.

So these are my tips for you, leave a comment saying if you would like to see more things like this and when you go back to school (if you haven't already)

Cadenza x

How to: Travel in Style and be Sensible| It's Carenza B

Hello!
So recently I went to London for a day trip with my family, and I realised that I wasn't the most sensible of travellers. I would describe myself as the queen of overpacking. Seriously, my bag is the embodiment of the Tardis. So while on the train journey back home, I thought I'd write a blog post about travel tips. Now for a quick disclaimer, this tips might just be tips that work for me so please don't go crazy in the comments if you've never heard of these and if you disagree with me.
So lets get started!

Take a reasonable sized bag:

So when you've been travelling and on the move all day, the last thing you want is to be carrying a massive mountaineering sized backpack. I'd advise you to take either a medium sized handbag or backpack. The bag I took was the Zara Shopper Bag in black.

This is your average shopper bag and I would say is a solid staple for a traveller. It has one big compartment with two small pockets and on the outside has two pockets that shut with poppers. I like this bag as it fits all my stuff and is fairly secure but the outside pockets are useless as you can't really put much in and if you do they don't shut.

 (This is the bag filled with things I took with me to show you how much it can hold)

(Sorry for my body spray and deodorant making a cameo, I need something to hold the bag up!)

Secondly, the large strap is very thin and can hurt the shoulder. Personally, I would recommend taking some kind of backpack as then you can balance the weight on both shoulders. 

Take only what you need: 

Like I mentioned in the opening paragraph, this is something I fail at. When you are rushing to catch a train you don't want to be carrying the equivalent of a 10 tonne bolder in your bag. I would say my essentials are my phone and iPod with headphones. When I am sleeping the headphones I use are the my sleep phones which are brilliantly nicknamed pajamas for your ears

They are super comfy and fit really snugly, they also double up as a sleep mask. Another great thing up about them is that they roll up and take up barely any space but be careful as this sometimes makes the connection dodgey. The only bad thing about them is that everyone around you can hear your music but when your on a train or plane, no one really cares. 

Another thing I regarded as an essential is to have everything I need in a emergency or just-in-case in one place, so for this I have my trusty little black bag.

I don't know where this comes from but you could use any old spare makeup bag so long as it isn't too big. In my little black bag I keep...

So I'll do a small summary for each of the products so that this part isn't the equivalent of War and Peace!

Body Shop nail file- this is something I recently added as I bite my nails, safe to say this product is fairly safe explanatory. Just a quick heads up, the link for the nail file isn't the one I have as I got mine in their advent calendar for 2014 

Piriteze allergy tablets - these are the non-drowsy version and are a summer staple for me as I get bad hayfever and am allergic to grass. I carry them with me incase I forget to take them.

Strawberry Hand Cream- again, another product from the Body Shop advent calendar. I use this after using my hand sanitizer to stop them from being sticky.

Halls Soothers- a staple for me all year round as I talk a lot and am a singer, I need to take care of my throat so I always have some on me.

Kleenex Tissues- these are to go with the hayfever tablets and plus you never know when you're going to need a tissue.

Soap and Glory Hand Maid- this is for the times when you are rushing and don't have time to wash your hands. Also when you're rushing around, you're bound to pick up some germs. It's also good if you are eating on the go and don't want to get dirt on your food.

Baby Lips Peach Kiss- not only does this keep your lips nice and moisturised, it's a very pretty shimmery nude colour. Perfect for summer and smells edible.

Nasal Stick- this is for the days when I am feeling blocked up and this helps me feel unblocked.

Halo Fragrance Free Facial Wipes- these were in the June edition of Glossybox: which if you want me to write a review, I will. But back to the point, these are to take make-up and are in a handy travel size, I haven't used these yet so I will let you know what I think.

Lemsip Cold and Flu tablets- I only ever take this when I have a cold, self-explanatory. These are handy as with the sachet ones you can't make them on the go.

Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes- I have these in case I don't want or have time to use the Hand Maid.

Hair Grips- I don't have to say much about this, these are just standard hair grips.

Tic Tacs- I have a mini pack of Tic Tacs to keep my breath minty fresh, plus it's super cute and handy.

Next, I have two wallets. This may seem weird but I was in London and I didn't want to get out my big purse with my cards in as London is famous for it's pickpockets. The smaller one has my oyster card in whereas the other just has the rest of my cards. The larger one is from Amazon.

   And finally, I have my phone case- which by the way, isn't it adorable? I definitely need to name, comment down below what I should call my little phone case. I recommend you get a case like this as it protects your tech and is padded which prevents them from getting scratched. It has a little pouch which I either keep my normal headphones in or my camera battery in.

Wear minimal or no makeup

When I am travelling, I usually never wear makeup but I usually carry some with me. I recommend you don't  wear any as travelling isn't something you need to look pretty about. Also you don't want to spend 30 minuets painstakingly applying it and then to rub your eyes and ruin it- trust me this has happened to me lots. I take with me ...

 Body Shop Mini Brush Kit- I take this for the mini concealer brush and also in case I have other makeup with me. It has four mini brushes which are Blusher brush, Eyeshadow brush, Slanted brush and Lip/concealer brush. It retails at £13.50, which is a bit pricey but because it's from the body shop  I don't care.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair- although lots of beauty bloggers regard this as a holy grail, I don't rate it that highly but for all I know I could be using it wrong- I am in no way an expert in these things. I use this over my No7 concealer to brighten my eyes.

No7 Match Made Concealer in Calico- I prefer this to the other concealer as it does the job a lot better although this is the more pricey option it's worth the money. To apply it, I use the No7 Concealer Brush  as it gets right in the creases.

Sleek Full Fat Lash Mascara in Black- this mascara is one of my favourite mascaras of all time as it makes my eyelashes look large and opens them up so much, although I have never tried the Benefit Roller Lash I would say it was a cheaper dupe, but that's just me.

No7 Lip Crayon in Daydream- this is a shiny pink-nude and I took it because it is my favourite lip product. It's easy to apply and just gives you a nice coverage.

Be Organised  

This is probably the most important tip I have told you so far. But there are several steps to this tip.

Step One- Pack before you go:

The last thing you want to do on the night/morning before you leave is run round getting your bag together. So before you leave, get everything together and then in the morning you won't feel stressed.

Step Two- Plan your outfit the night or morning before:

Again, like the previous step you don't want to spend ages picking the perfect outfit. My advice is wear basic clothing. When I went to London I wore some plain black high-waisted skinny jeans, my converse, a black hoodie and a salmon pink t-shirt from the brand Mango.

Step Three- If you are going for more than a day, get a guide book and a filofax.

  This helped me so much as it had a map for the Tube (the underground train system in London) and is travel sized. My filofax is something I can't live without, I have become so much more organised and time efficient. It allows me to have everything I need in one place.

So those are my tips! Few, that was an almighty long post. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Carenza x

All photos are my own and are taken on a Canon Powershot SX500IS