Beaded Bag

 

Beads are sometimes overlooked in my wardrobe and although I love sequins, lace and small embellishments, I've never really thought about buying anything with beads on before. They have captured the imagination of clothing and accessory designers for years and their usage extends to ancient cultures.

Embellishments make an item feel glamorous and seductive. My friend gave me this beautiful bag covered in small black beads a little while ago as a birthday present. It's vintage with silk lining and a gold clasp. It's small size means it's ideal for going out and will jazz up most outfits!

Beazer Garden Maze Mosaic

 

Having lived in Bath for a year now, I thought it was about time I took a walk along the Avon Canal. I discovered Beazer Garden Maze hidden beneath Pulteney Bridge on my travels...

Designed by Rondoll Coate in 1984, the centre of the weaving stone path maze is a mosaic of the Sulis head. I thought the intricate design was pretty impressive. The petite unicursal maze is inspired by the city's Georgian architecture, Brunel's railway designs and is centered around a large Roman-inspired mosaic. It didn't take very long to complete but luckily I won (was wondering along the paths with my boyfriend.) A few odd glances were thrown our way whilst trying to get to the centre but hey, why not walk a stone maze when you're 20? 

Buckwheat Pancakes

 

Monday mornings can feel tiring and rushed as we're back to our routine of work/university/study etc. I like to brighten up the morning with a treat of yummy buckwheat pancakes drenched in maple syrup with chopped banana. Who says pancakes are just for weekends? These pancakes are filling, easy to make and provide slow-releasing energy to help get me through the morning. Feel free to use different fillings, or a variety.

 

Makes 3/4

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil (for frying)

1/2 cup of buckwheat flour

1 cup of almond milk

1 egg

Pinch of cinnamon

1 large banana

Maple syrup

 

Method:



1. Pour the flour and milk into a mixing bowl and mix. Add the whisked egg and pinch of cinnamon to the pancake mix. Chop the banana into slithers.

2. In a pan, melt a scoop of coconut oil. Make sure the pan is hot then pour in some of the pancake mix. Spread evenly and cook until brown. Then flip (without it landing on the floor.)

3. When the pancake is ready drizzle maple syrup and layer the chopped banana on top.

4. Repeat the process.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

I tend to fold mine in half and pour even more syrup on top...

Raw Brownies

 

 

Who would've thought you can make sugar, dairy and gluten-free brownies that taste good? These Deliciously Ella raw brownies only take five minutes to make and consist of just four ingredients. All you have to do is blend them. In the evenings I get sweet cravings (every evening) so I just grab one of these high-fibre brownies to satisfy my sweet tooth. Why not give them a go?

 

Ingredients:

Makes 10 brownies

2 cups of dates

1 cup of pecans

 2-3 tablespoons of raw cacao powder

 2 tablespoons of maple syrup (optional and can be replaced with any other liquid sweetener)

 

Method:

Simply blend the pecans in a food processor until they form a crumbly mixture, then add the dates and blend again before adding the cacao and maple syrup.

 

Place the mixture into a baking tray and either refrigerate for 3-4 hours or freeze for one to allow them to set. Then keep them in the fridge for freshness.

 

 

Suprise in the Post

 

Yesterday I was feeling rubbish. I felt tired, stressed out and under the weather. But when I came home from town I found this Graze box waiting for me on my bed. My Mum had sent me a 'Booster' box as a surprise which made me a little happier! We have them delivered at home but now I'm at university I no longer eat anything from the Graze box. These little snacks are ideal to take out with you or eat when you are getting peckish but don't want anything too filling/unhealthy.   

 

Have you tried Graze before?

My Nostalgic Thing

The weather has been pretty horrid recently. In Devon, I grabbed the chance to go on a quick bike ride while the sun was out. I stopped to look at this view and then turned around to ride as fast as I could go downhill towards home. Got pretty muddy but it brightened up my day so I didn't really mind...
:)

Wilko Sale Buys

 

 

Thought I'd share these few buys with you.
I love sales; especially cheap ones. Just as I thought Wilko items couldn't get any cheaper, I checked out their online sale. I ended up buying three items: Tea towels, a glass worktop saver and a cute bird photo frame (thinking of Winter birthdays already.) I cannot wait to move out of student digs and get my own place filled with lovely things. So of course I am saving the tea towels and worktop saver for later as they will get wrecked if put them in my student house. How time will fly... 

 



Have you bought much in the sales?

Elizabeth Arden Gift Set Review

As my boyfriend handed me my Christmas gifts I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of excitement when I saw the classic red Elizabeth Arden logo on the gold bag. He must have remembered my hints when we took a trip to Boots...

Inside was this season's Elizabeth Arden Gift Set which has five products encased within a signature red and silver make-up bag. The Christmas colours and sparkle only added to the joy of opening this treat. I hadn't tried any Elizabeth Arden products before and thought it was about time I added the cult brand to my skincare collection.

The set includes products from the Eight Hour Cream collection. Here are my quick reviews of each product:

1) Skin Protectant The Original: Tried and tested since the 1930's as effective at soothing, calming, restoring and relieving chapped, dry, cracked and irritated skin. I use the thick concoction  to shape my brows, soothe dry skin around my fingers and sometimes as a lip balm. All in all, a great product.

2) Lip Protectant: The portable stick has SPF 15 so it prevents sunburn and protects lips even in the winter light which is great as I don't normally think about SPF for my lips. I prefer using a stick as it means I don't get greasy fingers when applying. It is enriched with super emollients to relieve symptoms of chapping and cracked lips. I found it doesn't dry your lips out like other lip care and made my them really smooth. Apart from distinctive smell and taste, this classic apricot coloured lip balm will certainly make a re-appearance in my make-up bag.

3) Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face: A good moisturiser is probably my most important thing to have and use. This white cream has SPF 15 (always a plus with me) and made my skin feel soft and hydrated. It made my skin look glowing and make-up was easy to apply. It has a thick consistency but wasn't too suffocating or oily.

4) Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment: The white hand treatment smells nice but didn't really feel that 'rich' for me. It soothed my dry hands and I applied it around 3 times a day. I did like the fact it wasn't greasy and was fast-absorbing.

5) Intensive Moisturising Body Treatment: Similar to the Daily Moisturiser, it left my skin soft and smooth. The 30ml bottle will be used in no time.

 

Overall, a wonderful present and great products. I will be buying most of them again (or maybe wait until my boyfriend buys me another lot) as I could feel the difference in my skins texture and appearance.

Not only did I get the whole gift set but a free make-over in store too!