Do It Yourself Face Mask For Great Skin!

Happy Friday!

So the year now is quickly drawing to a close. It's the 30th of December and tomorrow is Hogmany (Scottish) and New Year's Eve for us! So everyone must have a party to attend, or will be busy getting organized to throw one. I'm having a quiet one at home with the kids and a few friends and might just pop over to my local to have one or two and celebrate with the crowd. The best part of the New Year coming in is the fireworks. The more I see and hear, I feel the year is going to be a good one! ''Scare out the bad, and welcome the new!''

If you have a beauty routine before getting ready, I bet putting on a beauty mask is important for preparing the skin and making your face glow, getting rid of tiredness/patchy skin etc. Before Christmas I bought myself a few face masks and I personally think it's a waste of money. Costing from anywhere between .99p & 1.89. I think home-made face masks are much cheaper and you know all the ingredients used! My most favorite face mask is one that gives you great skin. It helps with acne, wrinkles, scars, and discoloration of the skin. Keep using the mask 2 to 3 times a week and watch your skin improve, especially pits from acne. It improves the texture of your skin and gives you a healthy glow. I want to share it with you.

1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of ground nutmeg
a dash of cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a paste. Add more honey if necessary to get a smooth paste. Honey has great soothing properties and helps with inflammation. Before using the mask, wash your face well and pat dry with a towel. Next, apply the mask and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with water. If you feel a tingling sensation - the mask is working. Give it a try and get glowing skin. Eliminating all skin problems.

Have a wonderful day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Taco's To Detox With After Over-indulgence!

Happy Wednesday!

And compliments of the season! I hope the festive days were happy and fun with time for family, best friends, and everyone you haven't seen in a year but got to catch up! I had a lovely Christmas day. Midnight Mass was beautiful, especially the sermon where we were told to open our hearts, be generous and accept people into our lives. Just like when Mary and Joseph went searching for a place to stay and they could find no place except a barnyard. Farmers are kind and generous people. They opened up their place and welcomed the holy family. God has been kind and generous to me too and I take away from this year, that in spite of hardships, God is still watching over us!
At the end of my beautiful Christmas day, gifts, good food, family, drinks, nice telly. We heard on the news that George Michael had passed away. You don't expect people to die in their 50's or 60's. George was such an inspiration, he was a big part of my pop culture growing up. His song writing genius and his beautiful singing voice. Yes, I was a big fan! George was more spiritual than I realized as I reheard all his albums in one sitting I seemed to notice a lot of times he put Jesus, Jesus Christ into his songs. Heaven has a special place for him. 2016 didn't let up. Hardly two days and Carrie Fisher left this Earth at only 60. Much too young. Do we really need to keep working 'till we get so old and possibly die before pension? Carrie spoke a lot about mental health issues, she suffered and battled almost all her life. We all at some point find the burden of our lives hard to handle. Speak up about it and don't be embarrassed. You will find someone you can talk to about it. Find something to do to take your mind off your pain. Even if it means getting lost in books, watching telly, or sports. Just get some fresh air and keep a journal of your thoughts. It helps.

So with all the Christmas indulgence, if you ate too much, a nice way to detox eat a light meal for the next two days. So you can over-indulge again for New Year's Eve and New Year's day. Go vegan and eat some delicious tacos with veggies.. Yum! Here's my favorite recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
200g/7oz portobello/shiitake mushrooms, chopped
2 green chillies, chopped
100g/3½oz tomato purée
1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)
150ml/5fl oz vegetable stock
2 x 400g tinned kidney beans, or mixed beans, rinsed and drained
salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ready-made taco shells, warmed
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (optional)
vegan cheese (optional)

Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the onion, garlic and celery until soft.
2. Add the mushrooms and chillies and cook for one minute.Add the tomato purée and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. When the mushrooms are soft, add the cocoa powder (if using) and stock and bring to the boil.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, then add the beans and cook for a further 10-12 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and the beans are all heated through.
4. To serve, place 2-3 tablespoonfuls of the bean chilli in each taco shell. Top with grated vegan cheese (optional), chopped coriander (if using), and put on plates.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Delicious Christmas Cake! Easy Recipe

Happy Friday!

The 23rd of December. It's Christmas Eve tomorrow. Who's super excited? I am! All the anticipation, preparation for the big day, the 25th of December! If anyone is doing any baking tomorrow and desperately needs a recipe for a good Christmas cake, I want to share with you , a favourite of mine . It's not very complicated but you will have some delicious cakes to serve your guests + family for the holidays.

Just heard news that Carrie Fisher, 60 years old, has suffered a massive heart attack on a flight from London to LA. I'm a massive Princess Leia fan and I pray that she recovers and gets well soon. Sending love and light!
At a time when government statisticians are pushing to increase the retirement age even further up than 67 years old. I keep wondering why are they conning us into working so much longer when the quality of life in old age is so poor and people aren't even living that long. My own dear Mum died aged 60. It's sad. But 2016, be good as you go out.

Here is the recipe for the delicious Christmas cake! (contains alcohol and nuts)

Ingredients:
200g butter, softened to room temperature
200g dark muscovado sugar
200g plain flour
4 egg, beaten
50g ground almond
100ml sherry, sweet or dry, whatever you have in the cupboard
85g candied peel, roughly chopped (we used Sundora)
85g glacé cherry, roughly chopped
250g raisin
250g currant
100g pack pecan nuts, broken into big pieces
finely grated zest 1 lemon
1½ tsp mixed spice
1½ tsp rosewater
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking powder

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Line the base and sides of a 20 cm round, 7.5 cm deep cake tin. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer for 1-2 mins until very creamy and pale in colour, scraping down the sides of the bowl half way through. Stir in a spoonful of the flour, then stir in the beaten egg and the rest of the flour alternately, a quarter at a time, beating well each time with a wooden spoon. Stir in the almonds.
2. Mix in the sherry (the mix will look curdled), then add the peel, cherries, raisins, cherries, nuts, lemon zest, spice, rosewater and vanilla. Beat together to mix, then stir in the baking powder.
3. Spoon mixture into the tin and smooth the top, making a slight dip in the centre. Bake for 30 mins, then lower temperature to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2 and bake a further 2-2¼ hrs, until a skewer insterted in the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin, then take out of the tin and peel off the lining paper. When completely cold, wrap well in cling film and foil to store until ready to decorate.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours! Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Top 6 Christmas Gifts For Her!

Happy Wednesday,

What a lovely day it was. Three days to Christmas and all the last minute things .. being organized , to have a great Christmas. Did loads of shopping, saw Santa at the grotto who promised the kids he had some gifts for them! Today I am putting together a list of six great gift ideas for your Mrs, girlfriend, best friend, sister, or mum. Yes, don't forget to get your Mum a great Christmas gift. We love our Mums!

1. Make that special woman feel like a princess, even if it's cold. Get her a super fluffy bath robe. Primark stocks some luxury ones that cost less than 15 pounds.

2. For the woman who drinks pink and doesn't care when rosé season it is, Brut rosé champagne a , hefty $79.99 by Laurent-Perrier.

3. For the woman with big ideas and loves to travel and keep notes or write a diary. The travel journal notebook ($195) by Smythson is very special. Cheaper alternatives is always possible.

4. Your lady gets chilly hands? And has flawless tastes. Get her some luxury cashmere-lined leather gloves. Amazon.com stacks some beautiful ones but I always prefer to walk into a high street department store.

5. Does your lady wear the same jewelry everyday? Invest in some beautiful 14 karat hoop earrings or studs so she will keep getting compliments for her elegant taste.

6. Definitely pamper your lady, so she looks like she goes to the spa every weekend. But you know she has better things to do with her time. Get her the Pitera Essence kit $99 by SK-11 from Bloomingdales.com. Or you could just pop into Lush and get a whole bunch of super delicious smelling pamper stuff. From face masks to lotions and bath wash, at bargain prices.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

3 Festive Outfits!

Happy Monday!

Pretty dresses always make the wearer feel sophisticated, savvy, sexy and yes-- girly! I grew up only wearing dresses all the time. My first pair of jeans was bought when I was 15 years old. So I love dresses very much and it always gives me a cool comfortable yet feminine feeling. I have chosen three gorgeous dresses which would make you feel like a sophisticated feminine princess this holiday season!  They are all classic looking dresses that will look stylish for any party. These dresses can be worn for Christmas day, or for your New Year's party. Hope you all love them as much as I do.

Here are the online shops where you could get yourself these beautiful dresses and accessories. Have fun shopping!

1. Jane Norman Off The Shoulder Dress / 18 Pounds / Janenorman.co.uk
Panacea Feather-Fringe Hoop Earrings / 9 Dollars / Lastcall.com
NARS Bette Audacious Lipstick / 32 Dollars / Narscosmetic.com
Brandi Glitter Platforms / 28 Pounds / Publicdesire.co.uk
2. Boohoo Claudia Monochrome dress / 13 Pounds / Boohoo.com
Forever 21 Wool Fedora / 15 Dollars / Forever21.com
Madden Girl Pump Shoes / 30 Dollars / Nordstromrack.com
3. Short Sleeve A-Line Dress / 15 Dollars / Modcloth.com
Primadonna Ankle Boots / 41 Dollars / Yoox.com
Humble Chic Leaf Earrings / 24 Dollars / Humblechic.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Top 5 Christmas Gifts For Him!

Happy Saturday!

In just a weeks time it's Christmas! Next Saturday it's Christmas Eve and I will not be sitting here writing my blog, I will be busy with all the last minute Christmas prep. Midnight mass, getting the gifts under the tree, and de-frosting the turkey. But maybe I'll just skip turkey this year, not too keen on so much meat on the table! But like I know a lot of people do love their turkey , and wouldn't change it ..But this post is not about turkey , lol .. Alot of people do last minute shopping for gifts, here's my list of must have gift ideas for the man in your life!

1. All Star shaving system, it costs a hefty $290 but all clean shaven men value a good razor for a super slick appearance. So replace his dollar store razors with this heroic gadget. It has three modes and works wet or dry, it's very easy to use and a well worth investment.

2. Fits Everything Duffel Bag. This is a very smart duffel for him to haul his stuff around, be it a weekend away or just a trip to the gym - this even has a side pocket just for shoes, so he will never forget to pack his sneakers. It costs $85.

3. Whiskey stones. They costs $35 and Scotch on the rocks takes on a new meaning with these granite stones. All you need is an occasion to crack open the bottle of Jameson he's been saving!

4. Pocket knife - this costs $31 and it's a classic item every man should own. This model is a perfect fit for any outdoor enthusiast. Complete with a fish scaler!

5. Esquire Jewelry from $75 and up. It's a one up on your guy's watch collection with these stackable bracelets. They come in a variety of materials like leather, sterling silver. They can be mixed and matched to fit his tastes. Start with one and add every anniversary - new tradition!

All are available to buy online! Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Festive Beauty in 15 minutes!

Happy Friday!

Beauty time! Generally this takes up a good part of our time. We're in a rush to get ourselves ready for the day. Well I have a quick, festive, look and a decent make-up routine in 15 minutes, which helps me feel confident and looking chic! 15 minutes to looking polished! Here you don't need to set an alarm to get that gorgeous finish.

1. Apply a skin perfection make-up base or a BB cream which hides flaws and gives a flawless look. Like the No7 BB cream for normal to dry skin. It even has SPF 15! It's 13.50 pounds.

2. Next, dab concealer over any red spots dark circles under the eyes, around the nose and over any blemishes. I like the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. 5.99 from Boots.

3. A light dusting of a pressed powder seals the look and keeps you looking gorgeous. Try the Seventeen Stay Time Pressed Powder for 4.49.

4. Sweep some matte shadow over your lids, then lightly draw along your lash line with a Khol pencil. For this, I love the Max Factor Masterpiece nude palette in Orchid Nude. It has beautiful, shimmery colors fit for the festive season. At 11.99.

5. Coat your lashes with Mascara and finish with a bright pop of color on your lips. For mascara, I love the LOreal Miss Manga Mascara at 7.99. For lips, I'd go for Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in the color ''Nude Flush.'' Which you can get for 6.99 at Boots.

If you have gone dark on the eyes keep the lips light. I prefer red lips and more neutral eyes.
Have a fantastic day and hope my beauty in 15 minutes helped :)

Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Festive Outfit - Day Four!

Happy Wednesday!

Festive attire , when Christmas is close parties are on everybody's mind . Offices are throwing parties for the staff , friends and relatives are planing get-together's and celebrations . So party clothes inspiration is high on the list .

Don't  be put off choosing a black outfit . It's very slimming , and doesn't show any spills if you're enjoying yourself so much you happen to spill a drink or two , oops ;)
To make sure it's festive add sparkly accessories and remember the bright red lipstick it's makes lips look fuller and red is the holiday look !

Always go for a shoe with a nice heel , it gives the appearance of a nice slender leg and can make you appear taller . Sneakers and boring flats leave that for morning hikes or shopping .
Hope you love this Christmas outfit choice to inspire you !

1. Tara velvet cut out waste midi dress / 30 pounds / boohoo.com
2. Sandal / 30 dollars / zooshoo.com
3. Grey fake fur coat / 36 dollars / Shein.com
4. Silver drop earrings / 43 dollars / Novica.com
5. Sle Society Etched Cuff / 40 dollars / Solesociety.com
6. Silver glitter chunky clutch / 25 pounds / Newlook.com

I read a little quote today , that I would like to share with you .

 “Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” 
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace. 

Festive Outfit - Day Three!

Happy Monday!

Well, it was a start to the week and Christmas and holiday cheer is on everybody's mind , so I'm here with a holiday festive outfit, day three. A beautiful dress with a gorgeous looking jacket to make you feel beautiful as you step out of the house. Normally we wear gorgeous clothes which is covered up by our trusty old jackets. A printed jacket with flowers is cheery and can make you think of summer even though it's December!

1. Asymmetric velvet dress / 40 dollars / boohoo.com
2. flower bomber jacket / 14 pounds / Directasda.com
3. Rose gold heels / 50 dollars / Heels.com
4. Lace choker / 18 dollars / Humblechic.com
5. crystal earrings / 62 CAD / Saksfifthavenue.com
6. Glitter clutch / 29 dollars/ accessorize.com

Lots of things happening in the news. Burst water pipes in London causing flooding, three in the last week  , heard these pipes were put down in the late 1800's and obviously not maintained. How is this possible? The water bills are a shocker in England! I always thought as a child water is free, it's available to everyone on this planet but obviously it's all about making money and huge profits then actually looking after the needs of the people! But it's the festive season and happy thoughts no matter how gloomy you feel! This time of the year causes more people to have mental break-downs, anxiety, depression than at any other time! Don't only post on FB asking for a repost about suicide awareness without being kind and a friend. You could cheer up your friends with interaction to their posts, a like, a comment, and loads of love. People who like some birthday wishes and ignore others are deplorable. Don't give any likes if it hides liking some and forgetting the others . Learn to love everyone and God will love you this Christmas.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Festive Fashion - Day Two!

Happy Saturday!

It was a rainy, misty, foggy day today. But if you had Cheltenham on your mind, no grey day would have brought you down. Although with all that rain if you were hoping the short-odd favorites would win, they disappointed! I was sure O O Seven would be running away with things but sadly all the way through he could not keep up.
Who shone for you? Cliffs of Dover was so impressive but why on earth did they allow him such a big lead to start with. There was no catching him. Wholestone was my NAP and he gave a super performance, letting Ami Debois lead and catching him easily at the end.
The Christmas tree went up yesterday and I found myself spending the evening at a Christmas market. The spirit of Christmas is warming my heart and it was not the mulled wine which had some added gin, which gave it a hearty kick. I loved it, you should try it! And no, not recommending ''Colony Gin'', a gin infused with artificial orange coloring that celebrates colonialism and features an incorrect map.. lol well that only happens on The Apprentice! If you saw this week's episode, you will understand :)

 1. Red bardor mini dress / 110 dollars / Dorothyperkins.com
2. black tights / 22 dollars / Belk.com
3. Skyscraper heels / 50 dollars / Boohoo.com
4. leaf earrings / 39 dollars / Barneyswarehouse.com
5. gold clutch / 25 dollars / Amazon.com
6. caged bracelet / 6 dollars / Charlotterusse.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Festive Outfits - Day One!

Happy Friday!

The coming days I'm going to dedicate the blog to party fashion. With everyone receiving invites to Christmas parties it's such a festive feel in the air! I love nothing more than getting dressed up putting on a glittery dress, some tights and some glamorous heels and heading off to a great party. I have put together a series of outfits for the holidays to give you ideas about what's trendy and fashionable right now. I know a lot of people just reach for something in black, but don't be afraid to wear other colors. Also, don't be afraid to wear a glamorous jumpsuit. Be edgy, be different, have fun.

1. Velvet v-neck dress / 40 pounds / nelly.com
2. Velvet choker bralet / 16 dollars / boohoo.com
3. White skirt / 45 dollars / Chicwish.com
4. Playsuit / 38 pounds / Topshop.com
5. off shoulder bodycon dress / 34 AUD / Withchic.com
6. Skirt / 76 dollars / Missselfridge.com
7. Black sheer strap crop top / 14 dollars / Choies.com
8. Lace bodycon dress green / 85 CAD / nordstrom.com

Before I end just a thought and prayer for Louis Tomlinson who lost his mother today. She was only 43 years old. So close to the holiday season, it must be hard. #RIP

A quote that I love which I want to share with you, ''I isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out, it's the pebble in your shoe.'' Muhammad Ali.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Perfume Ideas For Christmas!

Happy Wednesday,

Christmas is so close now, I can smell it in the air! The mulled wine, baking of the Christmas cake, making Brussels sprouts for dinner, the Christmas crackers my children pull every night before dinner. Yes, I love Christmas. And no, I'm not made of money. So as much as I love all the exclusive stuff, I know I'm always looking for a great bargain. I have put together a list my 6 top fragrances, which I'm sure you would love to try!
Now here's the twist -- No. They are not the high end Estee Lauder, or Lancome's pricey buys. These are fragrances that smell almost similar to designer ones and have been packaged just as good. So if you are travelling to the UK this year make sure you sample and buy these. They are absolutely worth their price.

1. Mark's & Spencer's True Red. It costs 12.50 and smells exactly like Hugo Boss's Deep Red, which costs 25.00 pounds.

2. A firm favorite of mine from Mark's & Spencer's is Butterfly, this costs 12.50 and smells exactly like Marc Jacobs Daisy, which costs 34.02.

3. Another one which I use daily is from Next Just Pink, which costs a very reasonable 8.00 pounds. It smells exactly like Ralph Lauren's Romance, which costs a hefty 38.00 pounds.

4. Zara's Rose costs just 7.99 and is an absolute bargain. It smells exactly like Dior's J'adore which retails at 46.50 in the shops.

5. This from River Island called London. It's absolutely gorgeous. It retails at 12.00 pounds in the shop, and smells exactly like Miss Dior's Cherie. which is to buy for 46.50 at any perfumer.

6. My last recommendation is from Next  called Gold. It is a bit more pricey at 14.00 pounds but is to die for :)  I've asked Santa to put it in my Stocking this year. It smells just like Yves Saint Laurent's Cinema which costs 42.50 at the shops .

Hope you like my selection. With your Christmas shopping, make someone special smile while not breaking the bank. Happy Shopping :)

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Super Easy, Delicious Moroccan Chicken!

Happy Monday!

Today is the 5th of December, tomorrow the 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas which is a big festival in The Netherlands. St. Nicholas was a catholic archbishop who many centuries ago started the tradition of giving gifts to all in his parish and surrounding villages during Christmas. For this reason at Christmas we have Santa or Saint Nick delivering gifts to one and all. His birthday happened to be on the 6th so they celebrate it in Europe,  giving gifts to each other , as the continent is not religious enough to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
Today I want to share with you a very simple but delicious recipe full of flavor and goodness. It is dead easy to make and everyone in the family will relish it. It is Moroccan chicken. You can have it with rice, couscous, quinoa, or any grain which will soak up all the yumminess! It is healthy with all the different spices which is good for the immune system and helps fight of germs and viruses, keeping you healthy over the winter! The chicken has protein which our body needs and cries out for. Enjoy!

Instructions:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
3 tbsp olive oil
2 onion, 1 roughly chopped, 1 sliced
100g tomato
100g ginger, roughly chopped
3 garlic clove
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp each ground cumin, coriander and cinnamon
1 large butternut squash, deseeded and cut into big chunks
600ml chicken stock
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
100g dried cherry
to serve:
1 small red onion, finely chopped
zest 1 lemon
handful mint
 leaves
100g feta cheese, crumbled
couscous and natural yogurt

Instructions:
1. Season the chicken. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a flameproof dish, then brown the chicken on all sides. Remove the chicken to a plate. Whizz the chopped onion, tomatoes, ginger and garlic into a rough paste. Fry the sliced onion in the remaining oil in the dish until softened, then add the spices and fry for 1 min more until fragrant. Add the paste and fry for another few mins to soften.
2. Return the chicken to the dish with the squash, stock, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 30 mins until the chicken is cooked through. Lift the chicken out and stir in the cherries, then continue simmering the sauce to thicken while you shred the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Stir the chicken back into the sauce and season.
3. Mix the red onion, lemon zest, mint and feta. Scatter over the dish, then serve with some couscous and yogurt.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Fashion & Politics - Don't Mix!

Happy Saturday!

So fashion designers are refusing to dress Melania Trump. One even tweeted an open letter asking other fashion designers to snub Melania. This is absurd, since when have fashion designers had their head in politics? A fashion designer is supposed to dress their clients as long as they can afford to buy their overpriced pieces. Fashion and politics don't mix. I wish they didn't behave in this fashion(sic). But to react to Melania because of Donald is being hypocritical (they think Donald Trump is biased etc.) but aren't they judging and doing the same thing! Or is it because they designed a whole season of pant suits and now they don't know what the hell to do with their collection. Melania is too classy and stylish to be using their designs anyways. I bet there will be a whole queue of designers wanting to dress the new first lady of America. So the ones who turn away it's their loss. The lesson we should take away from this is, don't judge people. If you have a job, do it. Rewards will come from getting work completed.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Gift Idea: Delicious Onion Salsa!

Happy Thursday, Happy 1st of December!

The countdown to Christmas has begun. The Christmas parties, secret santa's, and all the festivities. I love Christmas. The smell of oranges, yule log, incense, but not just the idea of all the holidays, the food, the drink, the gifts, but that it's a sacred holiday. It's the birth of Jesus our savior that we are celebrating. It's a time when we need to remember what it feels like being Catholic. Loving our fellow human beings, loving the planet, no war, no greed for wealth but sharing what we have with each other. If you are thinking of gift ideas, and you want to keep it really cheap, here is my favorite recipe to bottle and give away. It's a onion relish/salsa which you can make at home and gift it to your family and friends. Not only will it be a useful gift, it ill be a tasty one as well! Enjoy!

Onion salsa

Ingredients:
6 ripe tomatoes
1 big bunch of fresh coriander
1 onion
2 fresh green chillies
1 large clove of garlic
1-2 limes
extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
1. Finely chop the tomatoes and coriander (stalks and all) and place into a large bowl.
2. Peel and finely chop the onion, deseed and finely chop the chillies, then scrape into the bowl. Peel and finely grate in the garlic.
3. Squeeze in the juice from 1 lime, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and mix well. Season to taste with sea salt, black pepper and more lime juice, if needed.
4. Set aside for a few hours to let all those flavours develop.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Casual Fun Sneakers!

Happy Wednesday, it's the last day of the month. How time flies!

I love jogging. Keeping fit is so important for me, although sometimes I wonder why I even bother.  I read somewhere walking and jogging daily adds seven years to your life, lol.. My life is so stressful I could do without the added seven years! ;)
So a lot of people enjoy walking and regularly their only choice of footwear is sneakers. I walk a lot but own only one pair which I never use-- unless I'm running ! I love my heels and platforms. But I have put together some very trendy sneakers and where they are available. Hope you love them.

1. Stan Smith Graphic Sneakers by Adidas / 75 Dollars / Drjays.com
2. Go Jane ZigZag low-top / 10 Dollars / Aeropostale.com
3. Go Jane Woven Pattern /10 Dollars / Aeropostale.com
4. Chained High-top / 34 dollars / gojane.com
5. Champion Leopard / 50 Dollars / forever21.com
6. Solange Suede Classic / 90 Dollars / Puma.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Delicious Chicken Pot Pie!

Happy Monday!

The weather has turned colder and temperatures are going down to -1/-2 at night and under 7 during the day. With these cold temperatures and a promise for a white Christmas approaching, I can only think of warm hearty suppers to warm me up and suppress any hunger pangs later in the evening to snack. I hope you all are enjoying ''I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of here!'' Shame Ola got the boot. Today much rather have had Carol go. Who else finds her boring and patronizing. Joel definitely to win.

A delicious hearty meal is a chicken pot pie which is not too difficult to make and very satisfying to eat. Enjoy this recipe which I use often and want to share it with you.

Ingredients
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
1-3/4 cups sliced carrots
1 cup butter, cubed
2/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups milk
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
2 packages (14.1 ounces each) refrigerated pie pastry

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place potatoes and carrots in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, covered, 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
2. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended. Gradually stir in broth and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in chicken, peas, corn and potato mixture; remove from heat.
3. Unroll a pastry sheet into each of two 9-in. pie plates; trim even with rims. Add chicken mixture.
Unroll remaining pastry; place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in tops.
4. Bake 35-40 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

12 Essentials For A Journey!

Happy Saturday!

The weekend is here and everybody slept in. A good night's rest is key in keeping a youthful appearance and a good disposition. Today's blog is going to feature the key essentials you need when you are packing for a journey. Being prepared and planning ahead of your journey makes the trip worry free. The key is to keep things simple and compact. Especially the essentials. These are a few things I don't leave my home without!

1. A good flight bag with your beauty essentials in travel sized products. A sleep mask, vitamin C,  earphones and hand cream.

2. A good zipped backpack for all your personal products. Conveniently sized to keep under your seat with lots of pockets to keep you organized.

3. A nice, soft neck pillow to make the journey easy.

4. A beautiful eye-catching watch so you don't need to take a lot of other jewelry.

5. A global compact universal  all-in-one travel power adapter for where ever your journey takes you.

6. A nice big travel wrap (thick) which can be used as a scarf or a blanket in one. Primark stocks some beautiful ones.

7. A good pair of earphones.

8. A memo holder / wallet to keep tickets, passport, cards, receipts in check along with a notebook and pen for jolting down stuff on the go!

9. Nice fluffy, cozy socks or slippers to keep you warm.

10. Travel smart toiletry bottle set, to fill with all your favorites from your medicine cabinet. Especially useful for your skin care routine.

11. Don't forget a currency app which should be downloaded on your phone to keep you in the know, really helpful when shopping abroad.

12. Last of all, a battery charger so you never run out when you are on the go!

Hope this is helpful for the journey and keeps you organized.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

Stylish Satchel Handbags

Happy Thanksgiving! May the good things in life be yours in abundance, that stay with you all year long. Have a wonderful day!

Every girl needs a new handbag. If we all could (yes, me as well) I swear I would have a new bag every month, but since I'm not a rich girl, I make do with two new bags a year and when it's my birthday that's a request to all my friends. A nice bag would make me happy ;) Now I can put together my favourite handbags for you all to see and everyone who can afford to buy handbag, could perhaps get inspired with my selection for this month. Tassels are bang on trend so these are very in and fashionable.

If you thought an animal handbag is just for kids, check out number four it's uber fashionable and trendy, and will make you stand out amongst the crowd. These bags are available online to buy. I have listed the prices and the online shops . Indulge yourself if you can afford it. We only live once and we have the right to feel happy sometimes :)

1. Stone Snakeskin Texture Panel Push Lock Satchel / 20 Pounds / Newlook.com

2. Select Vegan Punched Pushlock Satchel / 30 Pounds / Fashion-conscience.com

3. Suede Fringe Satchel bag / 27 Pounds / Topshop.com

4. Quirky Critter-cal Mass bag / 40 Dollars / Modcloth.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling. 

Love & Peace. 

Outfit Recommendation - Winter Look!

Happy Tuesday!

Cold weather, torrential rain, floods have all arrived in the UK. Foggy cold mornings, so some nice hearty breakfasts and warm showers to start the day. Don't forget a scarf with every outfit. Keeping your neck warm is important to ward off catching a chill and getting a nasty cough! Remember one of the most important lessons in fashion is making sure your handbag goes with your outfit. No matter how immaculately you are dressed, a mismatched bag will make your look a disaster. A friend of mine planned to go shopping with me, she was dressed in black with a touch of hot pink, but unfortunately her bag was a royal blue and black. And it looked totally out of place with her clothes! More often than not, try and keep a neutral bag for days when you want to add color to your outfit!

1. Khaki skinny jeans / 30 pounds / Riverisland.com
2. Flared sweater / 50 dollars / mango.com
3. Black cropped jacket / 25 pounds / riverisland.com
4. lace up ankle boots / 25 dollars / Charlotterusse.com
5. Knitted scarf / 13 pounds / Hm.com
6. Faux leather bucket bag / 19 dollars / Shein.com

A quote that I love, ''Style is a way to say who you are, without having to speak.'' -- Rachel Zoe. Enjoy the outfit selection. 

Have an awesome day and keep smiling. 

Love & Peace. 

Reasons for Fatigue

Happy Sunday!

Wouldn't we just love to wake up bursting with energy? But if you are struggling to remember when was the last time that happened, well join the club. Seven out of ten people complain of feeling tired all the time. The constant feeling of fatigue is pretty much the norm. There are a good number of reasons why this is happening, I shall list five of the big ones! Make a change and you could start feeling more energized and ready to take on the world.

1. You Are Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is simply not our priority anymore. Being able to survive on on four five hours sleep is often celebrated and thought to be enough, but it means our body does not have enough time to do important repairs and restoration. It is also important to ensure the sleep you get is good quality. That means commit to going to bed early two to three times a week. Don't have caffeine after 5 pm. Remember it's important to switch off your phone & computer an hour before bed to give your brain at least an hour to unwind.

2. You are Stressed or Anxious
Stress can be very draining! Your tiredness can be due to the fact that you are under a lot of stress. Be it from work issues or personal life. There is evidence to suggest that stress can often cause physical problems and even shorten your life span. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises can be practiced to keep stress and anxiety level low. Breathing exercises can be practiced for example on the commute to work, if you just build it into your day, it can make a whole lot of difference to how you feel.

3. Your Body is Lacking Iron
An Iron deficiency is a common reason for women to feel lethargic. If you are feeling tired constantly ask your doctor to check your iron levels. If you fall short there are plenty of ways to turn the situation around. There are plenty of iron supplements around, and you could also add leafy green vegetables to your diet like spinach. Liver is also good to have, rich in iron.

4. You are drinking Alcohol too close to Your bed time
While a glass or two of wine can act as a good sedative, the quality of your sleep is seriously disrupted. Alcohol can affect the deeper part of your sleep REM, which means you are more likely to wake up in the middle of the night and be restless. Then not having a good nights rest, which does not have you feeling refreshed in the morning. The good news is you can still have that tipple, it's just when it gets to excess that the body suffers. Moderation is the best policy!

5. You are not Eating Enough Fruit and Vegetables
Many of us rely on processed food and refined carbohydrates, so we miss out on vital nutrients like B vitamins, which give us energy. foods with a lot of additives and preservatives are harder for the body to process, using up energy that could be directed elsewhere. You need to have five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day at the minimum to have a healthy balanced diet and feel energized and rested.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, and you get a good nights sleep every night. It also keeps you looking young. That saying "I need my beauty sleep" is not a joke .

Have a wonderful day and keep smiling.

Love & Peace.

6 Perfect Styles for Winter Coats!

Happy Friday!

The weekend is here and even though it's chilly, the fresh nip in the air makes everyone think of thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve! Today was Pyjama day in schools in England. It's a lovely, cozy atmosphere and the kids love the dress down casual day! With Children in Need on telly tonight, it's going to keep everyone entertained. Love Pudsey and the whole idea of giving. Be generous!
Today's blog is about winter coats and all the different styles. Which one speaks to you and makes you feel glamorous. Your coat speaks a lot about you.

1. The Peacoat
It gives you a classic silhouette. Whether it's in a traditional navy or something a bit more playful, it's always going to do you justice.

2. The Wrap
This has all the elegance of a trench coat and the coziness of a blanket. A wrap coat is the ultimate all-in-one, equal parts timeless, practical and body flattering.

3. The Puffer Jacket
This coat pulls its weight equally well by working both as a sporty style as well as for a dressed up look. Can be used for the very young kids, and looks great on the middle aged as well!

4. The Wild Card
This classic coat is an easy style and woman of all ages go crazy about it. It's your leopard print coat. Style it with solid colors and look like a very rich lady!

5. The Cape
It's a very fashionable choice nowadays. Use a cape as an alternative to an every day coat. It elevates everything from chunky knits to jeans, to office wear. Very glamorous and designers are falling over themselves to produce loads of different styles.

6. The Faux Fur
Don't be afraid to have fur with this texture and style. This style instantly brightens up a chilly day. Looks glamorous and takes night-time looks to the next level. It's my absolute favorite.

Have fun next time shopping, when you are looking for your perfect style. Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Eating Smart and Healthy!

Happy Wednesday! I hope your Wednesday was not so hectic and you are looking forward to an amazing weekend.

With hopes to accomplish great things and make a start to eating healthy and smart instead of the focus being on losing weight! When you have positive goals, and choose foods high in nutrition you will feel energized, clean and lean!

1. Stay hydrated with water
Squeeze lemon or lime into your water which promotes alkalinity and wards off diseases. It promotes bright eyes and skin and offers a dose of Vitamin C.

2. Add protein to your morning meal
To stay fuller longer and feel stronger through to lunchtime, egg whites, linseed bread, smoked salmon and cottage cheese pancakes, and oatmeal porridge are all great alternatives to jam & toast, sweetened yogurts and cereals .

3. Eat a portion of leafy green vegetables every day
Eg. spinach, kale, and watercress. This gets your digestion back on track and restores vital vitamins and minerals which you might have lost with a hectic week.

4. Soup
If you have partied too hard, get back on track with vegetables based soups that contain no dairy. This will re hydrate you and restore electrolytes that can be lost after consuming  alcohol. It also fills you up and you are less likely to snack on a packet of chips.

I hope this short blog helps you to eat healthy. Have a great day and keep on smiling.

Love & Peace.

4 Drinks to Help Flatten the Belly!

Happy Tuesday!

 It has been an amazing day and I am feeling happy. A lot of people find different reasons to smile and be happy. Many people find it within themselves when they accomplish goals set on a list. Many times it's their children who make people smile and be happy. I am feeling happy because I'm feeling blessed, as the year comes to an end better things happen and I feel hopeful.
 Today's blog is about 4 drinks which help to flatten your belly. I know I'm slim and fit but once you give birth you are always on a mission to make sure you have a flatter, more toned tummy. Here are four drinks you could have which would help you achieve your goal.

1. Green Tea
It's loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. It includes fat loss and it even improves brain function. It can even lower risks of cancers. Kendall Jenner loves her green tea which also curbs her appetite being a model.

2. Watermelon Smoothie
As well as helping with weight loss and flattening your tummy, the citrulline in the fruit helps with better blood flow. It gives you plenty of vitamins and minerals and acts as an anti-inflammatory. It works miracles for better kidney health.

3. Flavored Water
As well as getting your needed daily allowance of fruit, it helps in weight loss. It curbs your appetite and is delicious to drinks. It has no added sugar and will boost your immune system.

4. Pineapple Smoothie
Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. It's also a very good source of copper and vitamin B1 & B6. Pineapple helps with digestion and helps with strengthening your core and making your belly flatter.

Enjoy having these drinks during the week. Cut out all fizzy drinks and you will definitely see an improvement in your health and you will soon be on the road to a flatter belly!

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Exercises To Get Fit!

Happy Sunday!

We all need to get up, off our backsides :) Yeah, off that couch. Once we get home and be more active. Sounds too much of a chore? Here are four basic exercises to help tighten that core and give you a complete workout in your living room. Dumbbells not needed, sports bra not required, and there's no reason not to get an amazing workout in the house. Twenty reps of each exercise and you're good to go. A proper whole body workout!

1. The Pull Up Walk
- This pike move works every muscle in your arms down to your calves. Start in the press-up position, both hands on the floor, arms straight, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keeping your legs straight and knees locked, walk your feet in as far as you can towards your hands, stop for a beat, then reverse by walking your hands away until you're back in the press-up position.
- This is one rep. Remember to keep your tummy pulled in throughout.

2. The side Plank
- This side plank is another good one for tightening your tummy muscles but also gives your shoulders and back a good work out.
- Lie on your right side with your ankles, knees, hips and shoulders in line with each other and your right elbow on the floor under your right shoulder, hips lifted off the floor, weight supported on your foot and forearm .
- Dip your hips down towards the floor before raising them back to the start position; this is one rep. Do the same number of reps on each side.

3. The Lie-Down, Stand-Up
- Yep, that's the actual name.. but don't be fooled! This move is super effective. It strengthens your bottom and legs, as well as your core.
- Lie on your back with your arms lying flat on the floor at your sides.
- Extend your arms back behind your head, then throw them forwards, using the momentum to lift your body to a half-kneeling position before standing up straight.Try not to touch the floor throughout and to get up lying back down again, arms extended. This is one rep in one smooth movement.

4. The T- Press
- This is a classic yoga move that really targets your core and tummy muscles.
- Start in the press-up position with your feet shoulder-width apart,hands under your shoulders.
- Perform a press-up and, as your arms straighten, pivot on your feet and lift your left arm until it's  pointing straight up and your chest is facing left.
- Pause for a count of two seconds and then, with control, reverse the move until you're in the press-up  position again. This is one rep.  Do the same number of reps on each side.

I hope you find these four exercises helpful. It is sure to make you feel ten times better about yourself, without getting a gym membership!

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

A Delicious Vegan Chilli.. Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Today is Armistice Day, and if there is anyone who doesn't know what that is, it's the day when the war came to an end, World War one. On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. So every year we in the UK celebrate our veterans who gave their life for our safety! We wear poppies (a flower!) from the 1st day of November 'till the 11th to remember our loved ones fighting for our country. In the USA it is celebrated as Veterans day. So cheers to everyone who had a loved one in the armed forces and lost their life. We will never forget you! And for those brave and still doing it for their country, we love you xx

Today I want to share a favorite recipe of mine, a vegan chilli. Although I am not a vegan, but some days it's meat free in our house and a vegan chilli is delicious. You can eat it with rice or mash and I promise the meat will not be missed! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
175g/6oz green lentils
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1-2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 red and 1 green pepper, stalk and seeds removed, and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 x 400g/14oz cans chopped tomatoes
1 heaped tbsp tomato purée
300ml/½ pint vegetable stock
100g/4oz frozen peas
175g/6oz mushrooms, wiped and quartered
1 courgette, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 can kidney beans, drained

Instructions:
1. Place the green lentils in a large bowl and pour boiling water over them. Leave to soak for 30 minutes. Then drain.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion and garlic together with the chilli and cumin, about ten minutes or until the onions are soft.
3. Add the peppers, carrots and drained green lentils and cook for five minutes, stirring all the time. Add the tomatoes, purée, stock and peas, bring to the boil and simmer until the lentils are tender (about 30 minutes). Add the mushrooms and courgettes and simmer for five minutes more. Season to taste.
4. Add the cooked kidney beans and simmer for five more minutes.
5. Serve with cooked rice.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Recommended: 5 Luscious Mascaras!

Happy Thursday!

Everybody loves a good Mascara. Unless you're sporting some gorgeous fake eyelashes which is really not my thing. The glue goes everywhere, the lashes, well, it's always too big for my eyes and I have to clip them to size so fake eyelashes, well I give them a miss. I do love a good mascara though. Always looking for the best!

Often I'm in the shop and there is so much choice for mascaras, and it's not like you can try them all out there you only have two eyes ;) So I always ask friends, girls hanging around - what's their best mascara?

I have managed to make a list of a couple of the best mascaras around, that promise to give you big fat lashes and they do a pretty damn good job.. Applause!!

Some are a bit pricey but even if it costs a bit, you could use it for a good 3 months so it works out a bargain! I'll start with some of the more expensive ones and go down to the cheaper ones but they all work a treat for whatever your budget!

1. Nars Audacious Mascara for 20 pounds . The brush sports shorter bristles as well as longer ones , which help catch every single eyelash . It lengthens rather than fattens but gives a very clean finish .

2. Lancome Hypnose Volume-A-Porter at 22 pounds . It separates the lashes beautifully , the result is huge fanned out glossy lashes that don't smudge . Great buy !

3. Max Factor Velvet Volume False Lash effect Mascara is an affordable 11.99 ( pounds ) I personally love Max Factor and this comes in a velvety mousse formula and turns the lashes big and supple . Very good natural look !

4. Maybelline The Colossal Chaotic Lash is only 7.99 ( pounds ) It doesn't immediately give you the fat lash look , it needs to be layered up but it does eventually deliver the large spidery lashes it promised .

5. Mua Extreme Curl Mascara is a very cheap 3.99 ( pounds ) shapes lashes beautifully from root to tip , and although you need to build up layers it's a very good buy for that price . I always keep one in my bag to top up my lashes on the go :)

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Six Make-up Essentials For Your Beauty Bag!

Happy Monday!

Today is the eve of polling day in the USA, I hope everyone exercised their right to vote because if you haven't, every other idiot from down your street has. Hopefully Trump will triumph, because what can Hillary do, that a democrat hasn't had a chance to do in the last eight years? Now a new party needs to show how America can become great again. I look forward to it. The fact that Hillary supposes that just because she is a female she can get all the female votes is sexist, degrading and very presumptuous.
Okay, now I want to blog about six make up essentials for your beauty bag no girl could be without.

1. A great foundation! After cleaning and moisturizing your face, apply foundation. It's quicker and easier using a sponge or a brush. Dab on with your fingers and blend gently. The best foundation I recommend is MAC Mineralize Satin Finish Foundation.

2. A super concealer, and Rimmel Recover Anti-fatigue concealer is a winner. Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. First apply an eye cream after a couple of minutes use your ring finger to dab on the concealer. Allow it to be absorbed into the skin and then blend. The key is light pressure. If you rub too hard, you rub the product off.

3. A glide on eyeliner. Eyes are sensitive and don't take kindly to us slathering them with make-up. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging. I recommend Lancome La Crayon Khol Eyeliner.

4. A clump free mascara. Curl your lashes first then use your mascara. Clinique Long Pretty Lashes mascara is one of the best.

5. A good flattering eyeshadow. Some eye shadows barely show up. They need to have good pigmentation. Use a soft eye shadow brush to sweep shadow across the lids, blending into and just above the creases. Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eye Shadow is my winner!

6. A perfect lipstick. I generally prefer matte lipsticks, make sure you keep your lips moisturized so your lipstick goes on smoothly an doesn't show-up cracks and un-eveness! Use a shade that you love and feel comfortable with. If you like the Nudes Bobbi Brown has an awesome range but if you are going for a cheaper but good value lipstick, look no further than MUA which has awesome colors for fall/autumn.

Hope you enjoyed my awesome six must have's for a beauty bag!

Keep smiling and have a great day.

Love & Peace.

Layer-up November Outfit Recommendation!

Happy 5th of November, Bonfire Night!

If you are out celebrating, stay safe. It's spectacular to see fireworks, even bigger than 31st Dec (New Year's Eve!) Candy apples, Guys everywhere. Kids collecting money for the Guy, the atmosphere is warm and fun and if there are already a few drunk leery men stumbling around with the effects of starting the party too early, there is somebody around to guide him home! The fireworks are loud and what a nice day to end the party if California Chrome wins at the Breeders Cup in Santa Anita, 12:35 AM The Witching hour just after midnight. Good luck if you are on it. Now I only need to make sure I've got my seat nice and early with good views!

If everyone sounds in a partying mood let us stop and say a prayer for Freddy Tylicki an incredibly talented jockey who came down in a 4 way pile up at Kempton this last Monday. He was not as fortunate to walk away from it like the other 3. Freddy now has to face a different life but not a bad one. He is a positive person and will pull through with the support and love of his family, friends & fans. Please donate to the Injured Jockey Fund to help out. You can find details on the net! Thanks.

November is the time to layer up! Enjoy this outfit selection!

1. Rip Hayden Jeans / 85 dollars / Topshop.com
2. Chic dot tights / 34 dollars / Revolve.com
3. Croche patchwork black blouse / 16 dollars / Rosegal.com
4. White t shirt / 9.99 pounds / Mango.com
5. Belt trench coat / 40 AUD / Yoins.com
6. Sport socks / 5 pounds / Monki.com
7. Platform boots / 40 dollars / Hm.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Thursday's Spicy Chicken Wraps!

Happy Thursday,

Today's landmark ruling by the High Court that MPs must get a vote before article 50 is triggered was the best news I have heard in a long time. After all only 52% of people voted to leave in England, what about the wishes of the other 48% in England and Scotland, Ireland who voted to stay in the European Union. At last something good begins to happen as the year draws to a close. To me it looks like with 48% in England, Scotland & Ireland voting to stay the majority voice echoes stay. Seems to me like what with Honey G, Brexit, the elections of 2010 & 2015 maybe the British people need to be banned from voting. The pound now has fallen so low with exchange costs the same as a euro, what a tragedy!
To end with a beautiful quote from Summer Sanders which I love, ''To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It's not about winning and losing, it's about everyday hard work and about thriving on a challenge. It's about embracing the pain that you'll experience at the end of the race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge.''

Here is a delicious recipe for a spicy chicken & avocado wraps!

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast (approx 180g), thinly sliced at an angle
generous squeeze juice ½ lime
½ tsp mild chilli powder
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
2 seeded wraps
1 avocado, halved and stoned
1 roasted red pepper from a jar, sliced
a few sprigs coriander, chopped

Instructions:
1. Mix the chicken with the lime juice, chilli powder and garlic.
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan then fry the chicken for a couple of mins – it will cook very quickly so keep an eye on it. Meanwhile, warm the wraps following the pack instructions or, if you have a gas hob, heat them over the flame to slightly char them. Do not let them dry out or they are difficult to roll.
3. Squash half an avocado onto each wrap, add the peppers to the pan to warm them through then pile onto the wraps with the chicken, and sprinkle over the coriander. Roll up, cut in half and eat with your fingers.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

A Delicious Vanilla Almond Breakfast Bowl!

Happy Tuesday!

I remember there's a saying, ''A pinch and a punch for the first of the month.'' So it's the first of November. Yes, that quick. There's 54 days to Christmas and I just can't wait for 2016 to finish. It's like 2016 is a small clip of news footage you see in the beginning of a post apocalyptic movie, explaining how the world went to shit! Hm, did David Bowie hold it all together?

But we all still need to eat healthily and always hope good common sense overrules the idiots who want war, unrest, death, poverty, sanctions, homelessness, weapons! I particularly love the Instagram post of Justin Theroux which he put up today, ''F**k all the things.'' I don't know about the Brad Pitt thing but yes, he was a fool dumping Jen so f**k Pitt too!

Now a nice healthy breakfast bowl recipe to start the day off with good nutrients and vitamins for energy and focus to the day ahead. Enjoy, because a cup of coffee isn't enough!

Vanilla almond breakfast bowl (contains nuts)

Ingredients:
For porridge:
50g jumbo porridge oat
200ml unsweetened almond milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp low-fat natural yogurt
25g chia seeds
For toppings:
150g punnet blueberry
25g almond, slivered or flaked
clear honey, to taste

Instructions:
1. Mix all the porridge ingredients in a bowl and leave to soak for at least 20 mins. Once the oats have softened, stir through half the blueberries. If the porridge is too dry, add a little water.
2. Divide the mixture between 2 bowls and top each with the remaining berries, almonds and honey.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Excellent Make Up Tips!

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Make-up is the absolute essential to a woman's personal possessions !! No female would ever dream of going away for a few days without packing some make-up in her case , it's a fact . So  a few make-up essentials and a master class to make sure you have some right products in your beauty bag if your planning a weekend away or getting ready for a longer break .Max Factor has some great products, which are top class standard and you won't be breaking the bank to stock them . So I shall list the products and their prices and you should give it a try , if your looking for inspiration the next time you go out and want to purchase some nice make-up .

Get fresh faced with Max Factor's Creme Puff Pressed Powder , at 5.99 for a touch up between your brows ,around the sides of your nose and underneath your lip . Keep these areas matte and the rest can be dewy and glossy so your skin looks fresh .

Instant eye openers Max Factor's Shimmer Pot  which is 7.99 is perfect in the summer . Dust it over your tear duct to enhance the almond shape of your eyes . Over the lids is great in the evenings and with it's 12 hour formula it will stay put all night . Add a slick of Max Factor Masterpiece Transform Mascara at 9.99 to give you fuller volumised lashes in an instant .

Your lippie = blush , two in one perfect if you are travelling and want to pack less . Use Max Factor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in Raisin 7.99 over your cheeks as a blusher . It's the ultimate in multitasking .

Update your eyes . Ditch the smoky grey look . Add instant richness with emerald green and blues . Use a bronze as a base colour than splash your greens over the top of your lids . With Max Factor's Wild Shadow pencil in Vicious Moss 5.99 and a Wild Shadow Pot in Untamed Green at 4.99 . All bargains !!

Revive your tired skin with a nice hot bath in the morning to help boost circulation . Moisturise and use a brightening base such as Max Factor's Skin Luminizer Foundation , it cost's 11.99 to add radiance to your skin .

Last hide your spots ..Nobody wants pesky spots ruining your lovely look , so conceal blemishes with Max Factor Colour Corrector Stick ( Green ) costs 8.99 . The green tint neutralises the redness for flawless looking skin .

Hope you enjoy giving these products a try , next time you go shopping . Don't forget even if you still have make up in your beauty bag , after a year ...toss them out and buy new stuff . You are using these products on your face so renew your make- up all the time .

Keep smiling and have an awesome day :)

Love & Peace.

Beauty Balms With A Multi-Purpose Effect!

Happy weekend,

 It's Saturday the clocks go back so an extra hour of slumber.. awww what bliss! It will get darker one hour earlier though , from tomorrow. All this means winter is knocking on the door. Cold crisp mornings , but exposed skin needs extra care against the elements. Hands, face, elbows, knees, all dry out leaving it feeling rougher than normal. We definitely need to lavish ourselves with extra t.l.c.
 The answer is a very clever product. A multi-purpose balm. There are a lot of different ones available on the shelf but sometimes it's impossible to pick one that's good for you without a recommendation. These multi-purpose balms can be used for your lips, cheeks, hands, knees, elbows- it's so clever. Here are five of my absolute favorites which I would recommend to anyone.

1. Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm at 23.19 pounds, it's gentle for everyday use. This skin balm is from an organic beauty brand. It can be used on cracked skin, grazes, sore muscles, and sunburn. Expensive, but worth it!

2. Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm at 22 pounds. It's got a subtle pink tint that adapts to your natural skin tone and it's moisturizing skin formula keeps the skin bright, hydrated, and plumped.

3. Avene Xeracalm Balm at 18.50 pounds, if your skin is sensitive, or breaking out in rash then this is the balm for you. The thermal water infused formula replenishes the natural lipids in your skin, soothing irritation and redness.

4. Garnier Body Ultimate Blends Delicate Oat Milk Balm at 5.99 pounds. This is the cheapest but works brilliantly. Embedded with oat milk and white almond cream, this calming cream/balm strengthens weakened skin cells and relieves tension with its beautiful rich fragrance, perfect for the girl on a budget!

5. Roger & Gallet Rose Precious Restoring Balm costs 14.45 pounds. It cares for dry skin made from 95% natural ingredients. The balm doubles up as a moisturizer and it has such a wonderful fragrance to it.  It's definitely my winner and I am going to keep using this one!

Hope you like one of these and find the information useful!

Keep smiling and have an awesome day.

Love & Peace.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread.. Scrumptious!

Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening / Night, wherever you are in your day, hope you are smiling!

Today was a beautiful day, even if it was only milder weather that made me smile! Yes, Nissan announced they would be staying and jobs were secure but did they sign a deal? We all want to know what exactly is going to happen with Brexit. It's an unhappy cloud to live under. Question time, the highlight of my Thursday saw Ken Loach on the panel. If you haven't seen his new move ''I, Daniel Blake'' which received accolades at Cannes, make a note of it in your agenda and be sure to see it. If the answer to ''Is there compassion in this country right now'' needs to be answered, it will be! Compassion is long lost in the last years, especially by the government and the growing GREED among the higher society- shameful! A CEO of a big company earns in 45 minutes what a low paid worker earns in a year and a half. Do they care? Why is there discrepancies in salary?
But I'll leave it there and have you enjoy a nice movie even if it i made by a very old director and a Jeremy Corbyn supporter!

Now with Halloween just a few days away, there is no shortage of pumpkins to be found everywhere. If you have too many lying around and don't know what to do with it, here's a very healthy pumpkin bread recipe. Not only does baking make your house smell divine, but pumpkin bread is healthy for you. It would mean getting a large dose of vegetable in your body and giving yourself a health benefit and it tastes so yummy! Enjoy!

 Ingredients:
 650g butternut pumpkin, peeled, deseeded
 100g butter, softened
 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
 2 eggs
 2 cups self-raising flour
 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease base and sides of a 6cm deep, 10.5cm x 20.5cm (base) loaf pan. Line with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at both long ends.
2. Wash and cut pumpkin into 4cm pieces. With water clinging, place pumpkin in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 3 to 4 minutes or until pumpkin is tender. Set aside to cool. Drain and place cooled pumpkin in a food processor. Process until smooth (you should have 1 cup).
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until well combined. Stir in pumpkin.
4. Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves over pumpkin mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon into prepared pan. Smooth surface. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 10 minutes. Lift onto a wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Beautiful Autumn Jumpers, to Expand Your Wardrobe!

Happy Tuesday!

The drop in temperature always sees us reaching for cosy jumpers, sweaters, and our trusty fleece. Sometimes these snuggly tops make us feel unglamorous, so whatever you choose to wear make sure it's a color that enhances your appearance and makes you feel glamorous. A chunky sweater can look great if you pair it with a sexy pair of jeans or some nice tights and a leather look skirt. A fancy scarf can make your outfit look more cool. Accessories are the key, some eye catching earrings or a statement watch. Make up is always big in the winter because some nice red lipstick can brighten up your features on a cold dark day. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure when you look in the mirror before you step out, you can smile at yourself and think you look great , because self-confidence shows through no matter what you wear on.

A great quote from Ralph Lauren, ''Fashion is about something that comes from within you.''

Enjoy the beautiful jumpers I have selected as my favorites this autumn. All are available online.

1. Red heart crop sweatshirt / 30 CAD / Yoins.com
2. Cat jumper / 30 pounds / Evans.co.uk
3. Long sleeve crop top / 9 dollars / Amazon.com
4. round sleeve sweater / 19 dollars / Chicnova.com

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Delicious Healthy & Hearty Minestrone Soup!

Happy Monday,

 The start of a new week, I hope you guys are all bursting with energy and ready to go. At least it's not hot, so we can't say the heat is making us lethargic. The cold somehow gets you moving and inspires you to get fit. Go out jogging, or just have a long walk everyday exercise is good to get healthy and keep your muscles in good condition. Today as I had a little run there was this cat that just kept following me and wouldn't quit even though I ran a couple of times across the large intersections. Was it hungry, or lost - was I to be its savior? Well, I think not. I have two gorgeous young kittens who I love but that's it. So as we anxiously await the American election results (hardly two weeks to go, to Nov 8th). Trump to win, and I'm just so certain he will. Remember how all the Brexit polls and the bookies suggested we would remain? how wrong they were. The answer is always listen to the people.
 Today I'm  going to share a recipe which I love. It's a soup which is delicious, healthy, and very hearty. It's full with vegetables and is very nutritious. The Italians love it, and it really fills you up. Enjoy the minestrone soup!

Ingredients;
3 large carrot, roughly chopped
1 large onion, roughly chopped
4 celery
 sticks, roughly chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic clove, crushed
2 large potato, cut into small dice
2 tbsp tomato purée
2l vegetable stock
400g can chopped tomato
400g can butter or cannellini bean
140g spaghetti, snapped into short lengths
1⁄2 head Savoy cabbage, shredded
crusty bread, to serve

Instructions:
1. In a food processor, whiz the carrots, onion and celery into small pieces. Heat the oil in a pan, add the processed vegetables, garlic and potatoes, then cook over a high heat for 5 mins until softened.
2. Stir in the tomato purée, stock and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 mins.
3. Tip in the beans and pasta, then cook for a further 10 mins, adding the cabbage for the final 2 mins. Season to taste and serve with crusty bread.

Have an awesome day and keep smiling!

Love & Peace.

Six Great Beauty Buys For October!

Happy Saturday!

When it comes to beauty we all want to look our best because feeling great not only comes from inside if we feel we don't look our best from the outside it can get us feeling down. SO spending money on products helps us feel more confident, lifts our spirit and generally puts us in a better mood. We all know how much going to the shops at the weekend perks us up! We get this almighty rush to buy new products and go shopping. We also feel so much better just viewing videos on YouTube of everybody's purchases. I'm an avid fan of Primark hauls, really!

Today I have compiled a list of six great beauty buys for October. It won't break the bank but there are always new products available and we sometimes can't choose which would be great, so I have chosen out my favorite six and you can go right ahead to the shops and buy them!

My absolute favorite at No.1 is Maybelline Luscious Waterproof Mascara for $9 dollars. It's a real bargain It gives you soft, healthy looking lashes with a mascara formula that holds up under any autumn shower!

At no. 2 is L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cream Cleanser. Unlike some cleansers, this one is packed with moisturizing, softening oils so it won't leave your skin feeling tight or stripped. At $6 dollars I love this product!

No. 3, Dove Dry Oil Moisture Body Wash is just what you need this fall as the weather gets cold and you need to keep your skin from drying out. at $5.50, so worth it.

No. 4, I love bright color eye shadows and the NYX Full Throttle Shadow Sticks are super cool with a range of electric shades. It's the fastest, most foolproof way to get lasting color at the back of a cab or at the office before a night out! At $6.50, it's pretty cheap.

No. 5, Rimmel London Kate Sculpting & Highlighting Kit is so beautiful to give you a natural glow (a pretty filter version of yourself) A must buy! At $7, give it a go!

No. 6, this is absolutely delightful because no beauty post is complete without something for your lips. I love the Nuance Salma Hayek True Color Plumping Liquid Lipstick in nude nectar, liquid lily, and ripe cherry. At $10 each, they give high shine without stickiness, plumping without tingling and full bold color!

Hope you love my selections. Keep smiling and have an awesome day!

Love & Peace.