Summer Berries and White Chocolate cake

Hi, I'm back!

After the long break I took for my summer holiday, I'm so happy to be posting on my blog again!
One of the things I love the most of this season must be the bright colours of nature, and especially of forest fruits. There is a particular recipe I have enjoyed the most, which is adapted from a Lorraine Pascale recipe, and is sure to please everyone. I find that the light taste of white chocolate and lemon complements the sweetness of the fruits perfectly, and the yoghurt keeps the cake nice and moist- enjoy!

Ingredients:
300g self-raising flour
3 eggs
180g sugar
3tbsp oil
1tbsp milk
Lemon zest from 2 lemons
3tsp baking powder
150g white chocolate
200g greek yoghurt
150g frozen berries- plus extra for the topping
Icing sugar for the topping

1) Preheat the oven to 170C and line the bottom of a baking tin with baking parchment.
2) Melt the white chocolate in the microwave with the milk.
3) Separately, mix the sugar, oil, yoghurt and lemon zest, gradually add the eggs while mixing.
4) Add the melted chocolate with the flour and baking powder, lastly adding the frozen fruit.
5)Pour everything in the baking tin and bake for 30-40 minutes.
6) When cool, top the cake with berries and add icing sugar.

Doesn't it look lovely and summery? Sure to uplift any mood!!

 xx

2-ingredient Banana Pancakes! Gluten-free and full of protein

I really cannot get enough of these. If you have a load of overripe bananas left then this recipe is perfect to use them up. As they only contain bananas and eggs we can say they are a healthier 'cheat' version of normal ones with a lower amount of calories. Plus, they are gluten free, flourless and full of protein - what more could you want? After making these I can assure you you will not want to make proper pancakes ever again (......they would seem like too much hassle) and while eating these you can even kid yourself you are having one of your 5-a-day. Enjoy.

Ingredients: 
1 ripe banana
2 eggs

1) In a bowl mix the eggs first gradually adding slices of the banana, making sure it is well mashed and mixed together.
2) Put some oil in your frying pan and place in on medium heat.
3) Scoop some the batter in there, and waiting for about 30 seconds (or when the middle starts to bubble) flip it over letting the other side cook.

Done!!!

I ate mine with cookie ice cream which is kind of defeating the objective (oops), but you could also add fruit or anything else you fancy ontop of these lovely pancakes. Comment below telling me what you like to eat with them!

xx

P.S: I'm going on holiday for about 3 weeks and probably won't be able to post during this time, so everyone have a nice summer. I will be back!!

Summer Buys!

Ahh, the summer sales. The shops might be packed, but the big discounts you can get in some places totally make up for it. I have bought some basics, but also some more singular pieces, from New Look, River Island and Primark so please enjoy!

 These beautiful tribal earrings from New Look originally cost them £5.99, but I only got them for £2. They can be used to  add interest to any outfit and are perfect for festivals.

 This perfect pair of pearl earrings is simple but also a timeless classic, I can imagine wearing them with a nice up-do and tea dress. They were £2.50 in the sale.

These sandals from New Look were not discounted but still cheap-only £7.99! I've been wanting simple tan coloured sandals for ages and thought these were the perfect match!

 Cream flats have the power to be worn with everything, and all year round. I paid them only £6 from New Look, and I already know that the cost per wear price will be nothing!

A simple dress from Primark which was only £13- this can also be worn most of the year and in many situations, from an afternoon out with friends to sixth form come September.

 This is from the River Island sale and I paid it £15 instead of £30 (half price!) and is a basic beige trouser. Again the wear-ability of it is great, and the gold zip detail on the side of it adds beauty to the item.

And best for last, my favourite piece. Again it was a £15 from River Island instead of £38, and the bright summery colour is what attracted me to it. I just love the way it fits with the skirt flaring slightly, and also the collar detail which makes it look so much more cuter.

Have you bought anything in the sales yet??

Comment below!

xx

D.I.Y. Rope Headband

One of the things I've really been into lately is rope jewellery- it looks effortless, clean, and unique and they make a perfect statement piece for summer. This headband I made has the 'Josephine' knot which is used by sailors and I think looks very decorative.

To make it you will need:
3m thick rope
A glue gun

1) Cut the rope into six different pieces, with three pieces being 53cm long, and other three 45cm long. Quick tip: Tape over where you want to cut the rope so the ends don't fray.

2) Now this is the hard part: You need to make the knot. First get the shorter piece and create a loop:

3)Next get the longer piece and create another loop which intertwines:

4) Then weave in the other pieces of rope, making sure you match the lengths. 

5) Pull the knot together so it becomes as tight as you want it to be.

6) Once this is done the hard part is over, now just turn the knot upside down and sew the rope strands together to give them more stability. 

7) Now check if the headband fits the base, and if not trim accordingly. Then you can use the hot glue gun to stick them together, while also adding some fabric on the ends to bind them.

You are done! Instead of making a headband with it, you could also simply use it as a neck piece by not putting it on the base. 

Let me know how you got on!

xxx

D.I.Y. Make-up Fixer

Don't you just hate how pricey make-up fixers from big brands can be? This is why I decided to make my own, and after a bit of research found out it is so easy! Only two ingredients are essential : water and glycerine. I also added a couple of drops of essential oil to make it smell nice, and to give the final product some added beauty benefits. But how does the product work? As glycerine is sticky to touch, it will not only keep your make-up in place, but also leave you with a dewy complexion while being free from any type of chemical. A complete must for people with sensitive skin.

This is how I did it:

The rule of thumb is 3 parts water to 2 of glycerine, so I used 75ml water and 25ml glycerine. Just mix them in the bottle and add some essential oils if wished. I used lavender and tea tree for the calming benefits which make it ideal for oily or combination skin. Shake it together. You're done!

Glycerine is also a natural moisturiser so will keep your skin hydrated while not clogging your pores. A double win!

Let me know in the comments below how you got on with it.

xx

Prom Eye Make-up!

In the UK everyone who is a Year 11 (16 years old) has a Prom in the summer, after their exams are over. It is a big celebration where everyone that attends has to wear evening wear and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Everything laid out ready!

For my eye make-up I firstly used the MUA Undressed eye-shadow palette, which many people know as the dupe of Urban Decay's Naked palette! The colours are very similar and I can assure you they lasted a whole night of dancing and so are very good! 

After using my concealer as an eye primer I started by putting 'Shade 2' all over my eyelid. Then I proceeded into placing 'Shade 5' into the crease and blended any harsh lines. To create a balance I also placed it on the lower lashline, starting from the outside, and the halfway across, which also made my lashed look fuller. Next 'Shade 10' was blended out towards the outside of a crease to create even more depth.   

The silver shade in the Maybelline eye studio duo in 'Tapue Opal' was used for the inner corner - to create sparkle. 

Lastly I finished with my trustworthy Bourjois 'Inutitive eyeliner' and created a flick, adding 2 coats of the Seventeen 'Peep Show' mascara with lengthening fibres.

The night was so fun and I will definitely remember it- but tell me, have you had a Prom? 

xx

The Body Shop goodie bag

I went into my local town centre yesterday and guess what- the Body Shop store was getting reopened and they were giving goodie bags away to the first customers! They also gave a £3 off voucher which I used to buy the Almond body butter with, but everything else was completely free. It was handed to me in a lovely reusable bag which I am sure I will find many uses for.

Refining bath lily- Beautiful and big so assures you will get a rich lather, while gently exfoliating your skin - a must buy! This is also stronger than cheaper versions other shops sell, so I am really looking forward to using it.

Coconut body butter- This is the smaller version of the usual bigger product, but obviously just as good. The smell of coconut is not too overpowering, and as soon as the product comes in contact with the skin it melts, leaving no sticky residue. Great for dry skin.

Strawberry shower gel-This is a 60 ml version of the original, which is soap free so suitable for sensitive skin. Again the smell isn't overpowering, and strawberry oil in it will keep your skin nice and moisturised.

Vitamin E Cream Cleanser- This best seller cream cleanser is suitable for all skin types and even removes eye make-up. The vitamin E and Shea butter in it softens and moistures your complexion, leaving you with a healthy glow.

Pink grapefruit body scrub- I think this has either a love it or hate it scent, but personally I love the sharp zingy smell that leaves me feeling energised and ready to face the day. The scrub itself works well, containing pink grapefruit oil, which leaves even your elbows and knees soft.

Almond body butter- This is the only product I bought and paid it £2, as they gave me a £3 off voucher which could be used on any product. I have never picked this type up before but I was pleasantly surprised by the sublime smell. This one contains sweet almond oil and is more suitable for dry skin as it does leave a bit of an oily residue, but also leaves your skin feeling very hydrated.

Overall these are the perfect size for someone to take on holiday with them, so will definitely be using them this summer!
So I spent £2 that day and got this many products..............not bad, huh?

xxx