free printable: xmas gift tags

if you can believe it, that wonderfully silly time of year we all call christmas is almost upon us. i could have sworn that last time i checked a calendar it was july, but i guess that the months move along whether i check the calendar or not! so in honour of the fast approaching silly season, i've put together some cute little gift tags that you can use to style your gift giving this christmas. 

it could be just me, but when i get into the swing of the holiday season i've got a million things on my mind, and usually the last thing i remember to pick up is gift wrap. so it's usually on the 24th of december when i get home from a panic run to kmart to grab some gift wrap sit calmly wrapping my gifts that i remember i never bought gift tags. now while they're not essential, christmas is the time for everything in excess - so gift tags are a must. so because i'm a complete mess i usually turn to the internet to save christmas and i rely on the goodness of other to bring my gifting to the next level. so many talented and lovely folks have made free printable christmas gift tags which i am forever greatful for. so as a way to give back and to help out those who like me are a little frazzled when it comes to the gift wrap department, i give you my take on xmas gift tags.

these gift tags were designed to be used with mini fresh rosemary wreaths - but can be used in so many ways. for gorgeous and simple wrapping that's high quality and australian made, mrtimothyjames loves inkyco.

if you feel like sharing how you style these tags on social media use the hashtag #mrtimothyjames

are you ready for silly season? do you leave everything to the last minute too? tell me all of the things in the comments below.

happy gifting love timothy xx

chai latte cupcakes

*stands up*

hi my name is timothy james and i have an obsession with chai lattes.

*chai lovers anonymous group*

hi timothy james

*with a shaky voice*

so i'm not really an addict, i don't really need to be here, i'm not like you guys, my obsession isn't really that bad, i can stop whenever i want hand shakes and eye twitches ...

but seriously all jokes aside, chai lattes are the business!

so usually i take my chai latte made on almond milk with a hint of vanilla, because i'm a little bit up myself but mostly i just love the taste - and as a self confessed cupcake-aholic i firmly believe that everything is better in cupcake form. so i give to you the taste of angels dancing on your tongue my chai latte cupcakes - moist and dense chai mudcake with deliciously creamy buttercream.

the recipe

makes 12 cupcakes

cupcakes

preheat the oven to 160oC / 140oC fan-forced. in a microwave safe bowl, melt together the butter, chocolate, sugar, milk and vanilla, in 30 second intervals stirring between each burst until smooth. cool for 15 minutes. once cooled, add in the egg and whisk to combine. in a separate mixing bowl, combine the two flours and the Arkadia Vanilla Chai Instant Tea. add the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredients in thirds, incorporating slowly and gently, you want to do this by hand as you don’t want to incorporate any air into the mixture. once the mixture is prepared, divide it amongst 12 cupcake cups or liners filling each one two-thirds full. fill a large baking dish with hot water and place it on the top shelf in the oven, place the cupcakes on the shelf underneath the baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes. cool completely before frosting. (this mudcake mixture needs to bake long and slow to ensure that the cupcakes turn out moist and dense. the water bath above the cupcakes will create steam in the oven which will make the cupcakes bake evenly and help them stay moist.) 

frosting

in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and cream in 30 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each burst to make a ganache. set in the fridge to cool for 30 minutes, or until thick and creamy. whip the butter for 5 minutes or until pale in colour. slowly incorporate the icing sugar until you have a thick buttercream. add the cinnamon and the cooled ganache and whip until soft and smooth. use an icecream scoop to divide the buttercream onto the cupcakes and spread with a palate knife or the back of a butter knife until smooth. sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and enjoy.

mrtimothyjames loves Arkadia Vanilla Chai Instant Tea for these cupcakes.

i'd love to see your creations, if you make these delicious cupcakes share them with me by using  the hashtag #mrtimothyjames on social media.

are you obsessed with chai lattes too? is it too inappropriate to take these to my next chai lovers anonymous meeting? leave me a comment below!

love and cupcakes timothy xx