Creamy Summery Pasta

This creamy pumpkin and pasta will fill you up, but is also lower in fat and calories. It is the perfect cure to your Sunday-itis and those impending Monday blues. Possessing the right mix of softness, crunch and creaminess, makes this pasta a definite family favourite. I like my food to be a tad bit on the spicy side, so if that's you then feel free to add a kick of red pepper flakes when frying your kale.

Product Review: JORD Wood Watches

Mens Wooden Watches I'm that type of person who is mostly punctual to events. However, that usually means I end up waiting an additional hour for everyone else to arrive as per Pakistani Standard Time (PST). I thought that would be a nice segue into my blog post on JORD'S incredible timepieces, especially if you're a mindful of time person like myself. Featuring below my #jordwatch from @woodwatches_com. Isn't she a beauty? JORD / WoodWatches.com approached me to do an unbiased review of one of their watches and I immediately jumped on board. I mean who wouldn't? Yes, their watches are made out of genuine wood. Pretty, freaking amazing if I say so myself. For those of you following my Instagram, you may have already seen this beautiful timepiece below, which is known as the Frankie Watch in the colour 'Ebony & Gold'. JORD watches are the perfect blend of all things functional, fashionable and sustainable. To shop my Frankie watch in 'ebony & gold', click the following link: https://www.woodwatches.com/series/frankie/ebony-and-gold/thelawstudentdiary . To enter the giveaway for a $75 e-voucher to spend at the JORD online store, click read more to find the link. 

First times and Semi-Naked Cakes

I can recall how immense the hype was for naked and semi-naked cakes, same time last year. I failed to understand why would anyone prefer to eat cake with a portion of the frosting missing, it simply bewildered me. However, once the photographs started flooding all social mediums, dainty caked draped in flowers and drizzled with all forms of wonderful sauces, I finally caved. If it weren't for my family friend's son's 1'st birthday and her request of me to make a semi-naked cake to sit with the fauna and khaki theme, then this cake would not sit before you on your computer screens. I had immense fun putting this cake together, and I'm guaranteeing so will you.  

Life Lessons from #GIRLBOSS

This is a call to all you girl bosses and boy bosses, there's a lesson to be learnt regardless of age, gender or so forth. Seldom do you happen to come across a book that leaves an impression on you, debatable whether it be for the better or the worse. For me, #GIRLBOSS felt more like a revelation rather than a time pass read.  This book is written by Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso, describing her journey from bagel-dumpster diving days to the glamorous world of e-commerce fashion and an upcoming Netflix television series focused on her life. In all honesty, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and plan to re-read it again. This isn't just a book, it's the unconventional guide to hustle and hard work will eventually pay off in the end story.

Keep It Simple Stupid Cake

I'm not a fan of gaudy cakes, rather I prefer neat and clean designs. Hence, I shall refer to this as the "Keep it simple stupid cake", as always featuring layers of red velvet tucked away in layers of fluffy vanilla buttercream. 

Decadent Dark Chocolate Red Velvet Truffles

When you think of the two words red velvet and dark chocolate, it would come as no surprise that many would immediately think of the terms love, affection and foremost Valentines Day. Unfortunately, nor is it Valentine and nor am I about to drop an announcement on all of you anytime in the near future. This decadent treat need not be confined to a festivity or holiday. Dark chocolate red velvet truffles are the perfect form of self-indulgence, or if you're feeling generous then best shared with the ones you love, in my case that would be family. As most truffle recipes call for cake mixes to simplify the cooking process, the case was otherwise for myself. I happened to have remaining red velvet cake scraps from having carved a red velvet cake a couple of days before. Being the mindful food consumer, I opted to save the scraps and turn them into a further delicious treat. Red Velvet truffles are essentially just red velvet cake rolled into the shape of a ball, dipped into melted chocolate and decorated as you please. For this recipe, I've decided to write down the cake mix method, however if you're keen on going the extra mile, you may find my red velvet cake recipe here.

   

Subway Inspired Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

I found the recipe for these Subway inspired double chcocolate chip cookies whilst scrolling through my Pinterest feed, as always. These are gooey, chocolatey and all things desirable. I found that the flavour and texture developed more on the second day as I proceeded to nibble on a cookie from the cookie jar. However, if you're the impatient type then I'm sure you will have no problem consuming the lot as soon as you proceed to take them out of the oven. I'd love to hear your feedback once you've attempted these cookies. Get baking and let me know what you think!

I'm Every Woman

Making my way back on my daily commute from university to home, ear phones plugged in and proceeding to zone out from the humdrum of the city. I scrolled through my Facebook newsfeed and stopped momentarily on an article on Robin Wright’s demand for equal pay for acting in the critically acclaimed series, House of Cards. In good timing, Chaka Khan ‘s ‘I’m Every Woman’ proceeded to play on my Spotify playlist and this immediately struck a chord with me.

Growing up, as a female, you would imagine that equality was embedded in our society from the outset. However, as the years go on and you slowly start noticing the minor things that differentiate between the genders. Perhaps the time when you completed a set of allocated chores but received a sum significantly less than what your male sibling received. Perhaps the time you worked at a café as a waitress and came to discover the boss was paying you significantly less to your male colleague. Or even perhaps even the time you were in a playground and proceeding to go down the slide, only to be interrupted by a boy and told to go after him.

Simply, because he was a male.

The Taming of Mann Mayal- A Law Student’s Perspective

It’s an epidemic that’s engrossed every household in Pakistan. Mothers and girls alike sit in anticipation every week. It’s captivated the minds and hearts alike of Pakistani’s across the globe. It’s left us in tears, fits of laughter or simply spellbound at times.

Unfortunately, I’m not talking about lawn fever. I’m referring to HUM TV’s extraordinaire drama, Mann Mayal. A drama to be applauded and commended for it’s stellar performances, somewhat laudable characterisation and that’s about it for myself.

That’s right, Mann Mayal could have been much more and unfortunately it remains that for this instance. The drama has taken a perilous road and does not seem that it intends to reverse anytime soon. The drama has openly invited unethical, borderline criminal behaviour elements to the story development and they’ve clearly overstayed their welcome.

My concern remains with the depiction of the male protagonist, the self-made, over-zealous Devdas akin figure pining for his love lost, Salahuddin. I’m really not sure whether the writers are aware of the domino effect that this may in turn have on our Pakistani society. Let me get this straight, you’re actually telling me it’s okay that I pursue my love despite the fact that she’s married and a mother to two children, it’s okay that I follow her every move, it’s okay that I ask my office employee to disguise himself as help and keep an eye on her on my behalf, it’s okay that I pose as a baba jee (elderly wise man) over social media?

Pink Ombre Rose Cake

Apologies for interrupting your transmission, but here's a pretty four tone gradient red velvet cake smothered with buttercream and adorned with edible pearls. Thank you for all your lovely comments and the 10k plus views on my Instagram video. Click here to watch the magic unfold again.

Tis the Season for Galettes

As you all may know a week or two before, us Australians farewelled Summer. It just so happened to be the case that there was an abundance of peaches, raspberries and a tub full of ricotta nearing it's expiration date in the fridge. This was the perfect opportunity to make galettes. I must admit that I did cheat a little bit and opted to use readymade puff pastry sheets due to my busy schedule nowadays, however there was no compromise in taste. Without further ado, a perfect tea-time nibble, Summer Fruit Galette (the-easy-way). 

Leap Year Celebrations and a Crazy Cake

I can proudly say this is probably till date my utmost favourite creation in the kitchen. This @katherine_sabbath inspired design consists of four layers of red velvet cake, raspberry buttercream frosting, white chocolate shards, crushed pashmak and gold dusted strawberries. After having posted the below photo on my Instagram, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Katherine Sabbath had not only liked but also commented on my photo. It would be safe to assume I was grinning from ear to ear for the entirety of the week. For all your courageous souls willing to attempt this cake, let me know how you fare, drop me an email or DM on my Instagram if you have any problems. 

Happy Baking! 

Petal Met Sugar: Foodie Review

I first heard about this cafe through a few instagrammers. Pretty pastel plates all lined up, delicate desserts adorned with flowers and flavours to make your feet tingle with excitement. Welcome to Petal Met Sugar, where floristry collides with edible art on a plate. The best thing about this cafe, aside from the fact that it is only a few minutes walk from the law firm I currently work at, is that it is situated in a quaint part of the city where you won't be overwhelmed by hoards of bloggers on a weekday. It's the perfect, afternoon get together place over refreshing iced tea and sticky, salted caramel tarts. This place is definitely worth a return trip, considering they are about to change their menu with Autumn approaching. Happy dining! 

Petals Met Macarons: Rose Macarons

Ode to Black Star Pastry: Strawberry Watermelon Cake

Sydney's Black Star Pastry's cult-like following has come primarily as a result of its strawberry watermelon cake. Sydney-siders will make their way through rail, hail or shine (I may have exaggerated that a tad bit) for the divine combination of almond dacquoise, whipped cream, watermelon, strawberries, Iranian pistachios and rose petals. I knew from the moment I took my first spoonful of this cake that I would be making the pilgrimage back here often. 

New Year Musings: It's 2016!

This year has definitely been a whirlwind of events to say the least. The transition into third year of law school, switching to an insurance law firm from family law, starting up my own online cupcakery to baking things I had never imagined I'd be able to do. However, I am grateful that 2015 has finally come to a closure and I can now being 2016 on a new fresh page waiting to do more, be more and achieve more this new year (and hopefully keep the motivational momentum). However don't fall victim to setting unrealistic expectations: it is possible to make new year's resolutions you can actually achieve and have the 2016 you desire, maybe setting a time frame or perhaps working consistently over the months towards achieving that goal will help. In any case, let this new year be the first page of an exciting adventure for all of you to document. Happy New Year! 

Till next time x 

The Law Student Diary

Banana Bundt-astic Cake

I have never tasted a bundt cake myself nor have I ever attempted to bake one despite the fact that I've had a bundt cake pan sitting in my pantry for ages. Only recently after having seen a surge of bundt cakes on my Instagram news feed did I finally cave in to the bundt cake fever. The texture of this bundt cake is not as such fluffy but rather dense like a pound cake which in essence is what bundt cakes are meant to be. This bundt cake paired with the goodness of cream cheese icing is a match made in heaven. Due to it's dense structure it provides a great foundation for the icing to hold up and as such the cake stays moist for long when stored properly in an airtight container. Happy baking x