Wednesday, 1 October 2014

What I Ate Wednesday | Discovering New Eats

Last week I talked about how I needed inspiration for new eats and over the past few days I've made a real effort to eat new and different things and I have to say I've really been enjoying it...

Cooking is one of my many hobbies but between everything else going on I really struggle to devote as much time to it as I'd like.  I'm glad I've made the effort this week to try new things and I've really enjoyed experimenting. 
It's all about being organised.  I spent part of Sunday preparing a few bits that I could throw in the freezer and grab for a quick, easy and healthy tea. These are my eats from a busy Tuesday.
  

Breakfast



Breakfast was a few slices of pineapple and a mango.  I absolutely adore mangoes.  If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be toss up between mangoes and pizza.  Mmmmm they're just delicious.  My favourite part...? Sucking on the stone.

Lunch



In my attempt to mix up my eats I delved into my recipe book shelf and found this Veggie Burgers Every Which Way book. It has some fantastic veggie burger recipes including Thai Carrot and Baked Falafel.  I'd definitely recommend this to any vegetarians or even meat eaters.  I've tested some of the recipes on my meat loving friends and they've really enjoyed them.  I tend to make a few batches of different ones and keep them in the freezer. 

The one I decided to make this time was the Quinoa and Kidney Bean Burger.  It was so quick and easy to make and equally as delicious.  I served it in 3 big romaine lettuce leaves, which are such a good alternative to a carb heavy bun.  I filled it with some spinach leaves, a few cucumber slices, red onion slices and a sprinkling of grated cheese.

Tea  



Another new one for me - a quesadilla.  I adore Mexican food but I've never tried a quesadilla for some reason.  I found this recipe here if you'd like to make it yourself.  I didn't completely follow the recipe which includes cucumber relish.
My quesadilla filling was mashed sweet potato, crushed haricot beans, spinach, spring onions and cheese. I used a wholemeal tortilla and as usual, I also added a drizzle of my chilli oil to add a little heat.  I'm not sure on this to be honest.  I think I put too much sweet potato in and would have preferred more spinach.  Quesadillas are definitely something I'm going to try again though.  Although not known for being particularly healthy I don't think these are too bad.  
Do you prepare meals in advance?
Do you use an alternative to a burger bun?

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Glossybox September Review



Better late than never! I've had my GlossyBox for around 3 weeks now and I love this co-lab between GlossyBox and Karen Millen.

The first thing I have to mention is the box design.  It's a beautiful design by Karen Millen of the London skyline. The different designs of the boxes each month is something I really love and find it really exciting opening it up to discover the box design.  I try and stay away from any spoilers as I really don't want to have any idea what I'm getting.

 The products I received are

ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel
L'Oreal Mythic Oil
Skin Pep Enzyme and Acid Peel & Peeling Gel
Nails Inc Westminster Bridge Topcoat


The first full sized product is the ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel in light/medium which is perfect for my fair hair. 

I've used the Loreal Mythic Oil before and loved it so I was really pleased to receive this in my box.  A little goes a long way with this product s this good sized sample should last a long time.  I last used it last year after my summer holiday when I wanted to give my hair a bit of TLC after being in the sun and chlorine for 3 weeks. It really made a difference to my hair and left it feeling so shiny and nourished.

I'm enjoying trying the SkinPeps little samples that I've been receiving.  I received a sample of their Super C15 serum in last months box..  The full sizes of these products are £89.99 for 180ml of the peeling gel and £44.99 for 15ml of the eye cream.  I have to say I don't like the fact the peel is called acid peel.  It kinda scares me putting something like that on my skin but its fantastic and really brightens my skin.

The second full size product is the Nails inc Westminster Bridge Top Coat.  It's a matte finish and I've been using it all month over my polish and I love the matte look it gives.

I adore the Origins range so I was super pleased to receive the Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum.  It's a good sized sample that has lasted for over 2 weeks now.  



I think it's safe to say I love this box... again!  GlossyBox are yet to let me down with a bad box and I'm sure, seeing as it's October tomorrow, my next one will be arriving soon. 

If you'd like to receive a wonderful box of goodies to your door each month you can get Glossybox here

Monday, 29 September 2014

NAILS | Barry M Nail Paint



How amazing are the Barry M Nail Paints?  They have so many fantastic colours that I don't think I've ever found in another brand.

I had a little haul of Barry Ms last week and I love them all.  I bought all of their new Fall range & (ahem) just a few extras.


Green Berry | Chai | Chilli | Cocoa | Cardamom | Mustard
Cancun | Copa Cabana |Bikini | Carousel | Paprika | Guava


I can't say enough good things about the Barry M Nail Polish range.  I love the huge range of colours, which are all so pigmented and striking.  The Gelly Hi Shine range are so shiny and glossy and they seem to dry instantly - definitely my go to drug store nail polish. 
 



Friday, 26 September 2014

High5 4 Friday

Can I get a high five? A High5 4 Friday that is!! What awesome things have been happening this week?

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1. First ones a bit of a cheat coz I haven't actually enjoyed it yet but... Today isn't just any Friday it's MacMillan Coffee Morning Friday. Now I don't do coffee and I don't really do cake (yeah really. I'm a savory kinda gal) so instead of a coffee n cake morning were having a wine and nibbles evening. Now I'm not promoting excessive drinking but hey, does this wine and nibbles not sound so much better than coffee and cakes - it does to me anyway! 

2. Zoellas beauty range lauches online today.  As a blogger it's so fantastic to see what people are achieving all through 'their little spaces on the internet' Well done Zoe! 

3. I went for a walk in the woods yesterday and ooo it was just lovely.  I'm finally embracing Fall. I stuck my wellies on and off I went. I had two 3 year olds in tow to make it more interesting. We collected conkers, made a pretend camp fire and swung on the vines like monkeys. Oh how I wish I had a 3 year olds innocent little mind.





4. Barry M Nail Polish. Just wow. All the pretty colours. LOVE! I bought quite a few, oops!


5. Don't you just love binge watching TV! I love Netflix and my current binge watch is The Good Wife. Have you seen it? I've just finished the third series. (Don't tell me anything that happens after that!!) I don't understand how Will has always got some hot chick in his bed?  Kalinda is one awesome girl and as for Peters mum, what's her name? ....... O yeah Jackie - she's a mother in law from hell ain't she!
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What have you enjoyed this week? Let me know in the comments.



Zoella Beauty Range Has Landed

Everyones favourite blogger/vlogger/YouTubers beauty products have finally landed in stores.  So what's in the range?


Zoe hinted in one of her September vlogs that her beauty range may not be 'the conventional route to go down.'  And I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the products that were launched online today. I expected the makeup route but instead she's opted for a fun range of bath and body products with a couple of cute bags thrown into the mix.

Here's what you can get your hands on. 


Zoella Beauty Creamy Madly Dreamy Body Lotion Review



So, what do you think?

The range is all about pampering and delicious smells!  I love the packaging.  It's so pretty and would look super cute in your bathroom.  I would say it's definitely aimed at a younger demographic than myself.

The makeup bags look to be a great size and the material is also wipe-able which I love in a make-up bag.  The pink guinea pig bag is just adorable and I can think of a few 13 year olds that would simply love it. Saying that, I think I I'd quite like it myself!

The same fragrance runs throughout the range - notes of strawberry, violet, jasmine, vanilla and gardenia which is light and not too sweet.
Stock seems to be going fast so if you want to order online I'd head over and buy them now or they'll be in store on Monday.