Welcome to The Beauty Chest, an Irish beauty blog ran by Clare.Expect plenty of chats about make up, beauty, skincare haircare fashion and plenty of giveaways too.Come in enjoy and stay tuned for loads of updates

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Perfect Pancakes Recipe

Ah Pancake Tuesday who doesn't love lovely pancakes
and on this glorious day its our only excuse to divulge in our pancake love lol



















If you haven't had any yet and you are looking for a tried and tested recipe that makes delicious fluffy pancakes every time you won't go wrong with this recipe
I made these on Saturday for a trial run and they were a hit in the house
I found this fab recipe on the bbc website.

This recipe will make American style fluffy pancakes

Ingredients:

135g cream flour (or for extra fluffy pancakes use self raising flour)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp caster sugar ( If you don't have caster sugar to hand put regular granulated sugar in a blender and pulse for 20 to 30 seconds until its very fine)
130ml Milk
1 large egg
2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil ( Don't forget a little extra for cooking)

Equipment:
2 large bowls
Sieve
Fork
Pan


To Serve:
Anything you fancy on your pancake
I'll be having nutella and strawberries :)

Method:

1. Sift flour salt baking powder and caster sugar into a large bowl and give it a little mix to make sure it all combined well.
In a separate bowl whisk the milk and egg together then whisk in the melted butter
 ( Pop the butter in the microwave to melt for 20 seconds)
mix together until its a pale yellow colour

2. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and using a fork beat until you have a smooth batter
don't worry if there is lumps they will disappear as you mix.
Make sure you let the batter sit out for about 6 or so minutes
before you start cooking them to allow the mixture to thicken.

3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a little butter
when it has melted spoon a ladle full of the batter into the hot pan.
Wait until the batter starts to bubble before you turn them or flip them cook until both sides are golden brown and the pancake is risen to about 1cm.

4. keep going until all the batter is gone.


Again serve how you like and with what you like but if you like flatter crepe like pancakes
just leave out the baking powder and obviously don't use self raising flour but follow the recipe and the method the same for perfect pancakes.

If you would like to add some chocolate chips or any other goodies
to your pancakes add them to the batter and mix before you allow the batter to stand.

But if you like savory and sweet things add some cooked bacon to your batter and mix again before you allow it to stand and when cooked serve with maple syrup.

Now I never tried this myself but you can make flourless pancakes with banana and egg
mash up the banana and add an egg and combine until you have a batter and fry up as you would a regular pancake.


I hope you enjoy your pancakes this evening and let me know
how you get on if you try this recipe or if you try the flourless one
let me know in the comments or on Twitter

Happy pancake Tuesday all

Happy flipping

Till next time

Clare xo






Friday 6 February 2015

Mini February Haul

It's the start of a new month so I've had a mini splurge this week and I was
also lucky enough to win some lovely treats.

First up I finally got my hands on Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and
after hearing nothing but amazing things I just had to see for myself.
So I had my eye on the Try Me Kit to test everything before I splurged and I'm delighted I did 
I've only being using the products 2 days and I'm loving them so far
I look forward to my mini pamper session every night
The Cleanse and Polish honestly feels like a little spa treatment.

I will do a full review on all these products in the near future.
In the Try Me Kit I got 
30ml Cleanse And Polish Tube
50ml Instant Boost Skin Tonic 
15ml Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination Skin
15ml Brightening Treatment Mask Tube
2x Muslim Cloths
and it all comes in a cute little baby green bag

I bought my kit in the massive Boots in Liffey Valley for €29.75

Next up on my hit list was haircare brand Aussie
they just launched their new body wash range which are on offer at the moment in Boots
you get 2 big bottles for €8
They smell absolutely gorgeous so I divulged I picked up
No Rush with Jojoba and Fresh Mate with Eucalyptus. 
I haven't used either yet as I'm still using my Dove Mousse
but I'm looking forward to using them as soon as it's finished.















Now I don't normally buy celebrity fragrances as most of them stink lets me honest.
But when I was doing the grocery shop last week I had a little snoop around Lloyds Pharmacy
and when I spotted Katy Perry's latest scent I gladly made an exception.
I had a little sniff and I was transported to a summers day in a meadow full of gorgeous flowers
I really love this and the bottle is just gorgeous and it's really long lasting which makes it even better.
So I snapped it up it's only €19.95 at the minute for 30 ml in Lloyds Pharmacy
Spring Reign is fast becoming one of my faves well for the moment anyway.















Elle Magazine is one of my fave mags anyway but it just got even better 
as they are giving away Benefit soon to be cult mascara Roller Lash free with their March Issue.
This is not even available to buy yet so I'm so happy Elle gave it away this issue
I haven't tried it yet myself but as soon as I do I'll write up a full review
I hope its as good as I'm hearing it is.















I was also really lucky enough to win 3 gorgeous prizes this month
all 3 these I'm so excited to try.


I won the fantastic Night Mask Tan and Trystal Tan from super luxurious tan brand
Vita Liberata I'm so excited to try them out
I haven't used either yet but when I do I'll let you know how I get on.
Both Trystal Mineral Bronzer and Night Mask Tan are available to buy next month
I just need the pHenomenal 2 - 3 week tan now to add to my Vita Liberata collection.

FYI I have a special tan post coming soon stay tuned for that.
















I was also lucky enough to win The Real Techniques Nic's Picks Limited Edition makeup brushes
from one of my fave Irish magazines Steller.
I was delighted I won these as you can never have too many makeup brushes and I never
had a set of The Real Techniques before so major win win for me
I can't wait to start using these either as they look amazing.















That's it for my February haul for the moment but as it is me expect another
one soon I have a problem I know lol.
Have any of you had a splurge lately or have you bought anything you
absolutely love let me know in the comments or Twitter

I hope you enjoyed reading
Untill next time,

Clare xo