VALENTINES DAY TREATS: QUICK + EASY

Hello everyone! With Valentine's Day fast approaching in just six days, i thought this would be the perfect way to share some quick and easy treat ideas for the themed holiday. For me when it comes to Valentine's day i straight away think of all things pink and red themed, as well as anything yummy and chocolatey. Creating something yourself doesn't have to require a lot of time/skill, as there are so many simple recipes and packaged up nicely can make the perfect gift for someone special (or simply to be eaten yourself of course)...

1. heart shaped cookies ( simple sugar cookie recipe )

Baking cookies doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you follow a simple sugar cookie recipe. You can create sugar cookies for pretty much any season/holiday, simply by switching up the cutter/style of topping you are using. For example for Valentine's opt for a heart shaped cutter to shape the cookie and use pink/red/white frosting/icing or sprinkles. 

2. chocolate covered oreo's 

Probably one of the quickest and coolest ideas for creating a Valentine's treat is simply by covering/dipping some Oreo's with melted Chocolate or Candy Melts, then finishing off with toppings of your choosing. Some of the perfect toppings for decorating the Oreo's with are pink or red coloured Sprinkles, M&M's, Love Hearts and you could even incorporate a lolly stick into the centre of the cookie to create an Oreo Cake Pop.

3. covered strawberries

Another idea similar to covered Oreo's is of course the classic Strawberries covered in Chocolate, that being said you don't just have to opt for a classic Milk Chocolate look. A great way to achieve that perfect Valentine's theme is to dip the strawberries in either Pink Candy Melts or White Chocolate that has had a small amount of Pink Food Colouring to it. Just like any other treat you can decorate as you wish with selection of different toppings, edible Glitter looks stunning on the Strawberries as do little white sprinkles.

4. valentine's movie night popcorn

I would be happy with this treat on any movie night not just for Valentine's, as who doesn't love popcorn and a movie? A way to give your regular cinema sweet popcorn a makeover is to simple incorporate some Valentine's themed sweets or chocolates to the popcorn mixed in a bowl. A personal favourite of mine is either M&M's or Malteasers. If you are making your own popcorn from scratch, you could also add a little food colouring to make the popcorn Pink.

5. valentine's themed bark

Another great no-bake dessert idea which can be decorated differently all depending on the holiday or occasion is of course bark or rocky road, which the only baking that is required is to simply melt some chocolate. If you do want to get a little more adventurous you could create a Valentine's Day appropriate Red Velvet bark, by following this recipe here or many more that are featured on Pinterest.

6. rice krispie valentine's hearts

 If you are a sucker for a Rice Krispie treat or you know someone else that is, then this is going to be the perfect no bake Valentine's treat and another one that is so easy to do. All you need to do is follow a simple Rice Krispie treats recipe using melted marshmallow, cut out into heart shapes with a heart shaped cutter and either leave them plain, add some food colouring to the mixture or top with coloured icing/chocolate to decorate.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

THE BEST HEALTHY "FAKE"AWAY RECIPES

Hello everyone! I know i am not on my own when i say that they love a good takeaway from time to time, but don't love the calories that they contain. Ever since switching up my lifestyle and the way i eat, i barely eat takeaway or eat out in general and since doing so i have discovered a ton of different recipes on Pinterest, that are great healthy alternatives to our favourite takeaway food choices. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourites, as they are not only a lot better for you but they also work out a lot less expensive in the long run than getting a takeaway would...

1. pizza

Pizza is one of my favourite foods ever and it just something i can't go without having on a regular basis, whether that be eating out or at home. Pizza can be super calorific (especially a naughty Domino's or Pizza Hut) but this doesn't have to be the case, so much so i have been having homemade pizzas at home for years now and i enjoy them so much more.

vegan caprese pizza - click for recipe

three ingredient sweet potato pizza base - click for recipe

easy healthy tortilla pizza - click for recipe

2. burger

Second close favourite in cheat meal favourites for me is a good burger and fries, especially if it contains cheese. It is quick and easy to head to McDonald's and get a heavy in calorie burger that won't fill you up but it won't be as satisfying as making your own at home for more than half the calories and will keep you full up for longer.

mushroom burgers with chickpeas - click for recipe

sweet potato quinoa burger - click for recipe

halloumi burger with sticky chilli sauce - click for recipe

3. indian and thai food/curry

I love nothing more than a good Indian takeaway from time to time and for me the spicier the better, but i do also love the classic tikka masala with a yummy naan bread to dip. Just like pretty much all restaurant/takeaway foods even these run high in calorie, which can be avoided by making your own at home.

chicken tikka masala - click for recipe

thai butternut squash red curry - click for recipe

thai noodle salad - click for recipe

sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry - click for recipe

4. mexican

A restaurant favourite of mine (Italian food aside) is definitely Mexican food, anything from fajitas to enchiladas and burritos which all happen to include tortilla wraps. Tortilla wraps if eaten more than one at a time can bump your calories up a fair bit, as most contain anything from 90-150 calories each. That being said limiting yourself to one or two over four, is a lot better.

shrimp sheet fajitas - click for recipe

mexican street style corn stuffed peppers - click for recipe

one pan mexican rice - click for recipe

cilantro lime shrimp tacos - click for recipe

xo.

THINGS I LOVE TO USE PINTEREST FOR

Hello everyone! So when it comes down to looking for inspiration for anything, what are the two things we always do? Google or search on Pinterest for help of course! Personally i am a Pinterest kind of girl, where i search for help or inspiration with anything. With that in mind i thought i would switch things up for today's post and by switching things up, i mean to share the things i love to use Pinterest for...

1. quick dinner recipes

I wonder if these three words are some of the most typed words in the Pinterest search bar? I ask this as it is probably one of mine! Pinterest is great for being about to type a brief sentence then it allows you narrow down your search (such as: healthy, vegetarian, cheesy, pasta, rice dishes etc). 

2. new/fun dessert recipes

Homemade desserts are just perfection and when it comes to looking for new or fun dessert ideas, Pinterest is the place to look yet again. If you have a specific ingredient or theme you want to go with, you can simply type those things into the search bar (such as: pumpkin cake) and all of the recipes will be there for you to scroll through.

3. seasonal home decor

If you are looking for a cheap/simple way to switch up your home decor for each season, you can simply search the site for different themed decor inspiration and narrow the search down to what colour scheme you want.

4. storage ideas

When it comes to having good or organised storage, there are so many other ways to have good storage and keep things looking organised than just having a boring plastic storage box. Pinterest has so many different ideas for different uses for different things to store your everyday items in, from empty candle holders, labelled jars, custom baskets and more.

5. nail art inspiration

Time to delve into the world of beauty that Pinterest has to offer and one thing that i constantly search for is, nail art/nail colour inspiration. By doing this it not only allows you to have different nails each manicure, rather than opting for the same thing each time and there are also so many easy step-by-step easy nail art designs.

6. beauty hacks

We all love a good beauty hack, don't we? I know i do and Pinterest is definitely one of the best places to search for help and fast. Beauty hacks range from makeup ideas, easy hairstyles, overnight beauty remedies and homemade/diy face masks.

7. coffee or dressing table styling ideas

One of the most simple ways to switch up something in your home is to change up the decor on your coffee table or dressing table. The site has so many different ideas on how to stage your table area for pretty much every single room, by using different candles, flowers etc and what items go together.

8. what to style with a specific item of clothing

Fashion is something we all want a little help with from time to time, not just because we might want to switch things up but also because you might want to search for a new trend. Something i turn to help from Pinterest for is ideas on what to style with a certain piece of clothing, for example what to wear with light-wash jeans and what to or how to style ankle boots.

9. iPhone/desktop wallpapers

Everyone likes to switch up their phone/desktop wallpaper from time to time, me included and Pinterest is definitely the best place to search for a new one. There are so many different wallpapers, with so many different themes, whether that be seasonal, by colour scheme or even by quotes. 

  

10. travel inspiration

Finally i love scrolling through the site to look for travel inspiration, from reading posts on what is best to do in what country, what restaurants to visit and of course what to avoid. Another reason for searching for travel inspiration is seeing all of the beautiful photography taken in so many different countries, cities and towns.

Catch up on a suggested post: here

xo.

AUTUMN RECIPES | HEALTHY DINNER IDEAS

Hello everyone! So when it comes around to this time of year, there is nothing better than having something warming yet delicious to eat for dinner. That being said just because it isn't summer anymore and you are going to want something a lot heartier, it doesn't mean it can't be healthy still because it can. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite healthy dinner ideas for autumn...

1. butternut squash and chickpea curry

So i recently picked up a copy of the October Slimming World magazine, not because i follow Slimming World unlike i know a lot of people do but because i have seen so many people create yummy syn friendly/free meals created by Slimming World and i wanted to give them a go. One recipe from the magazine that really caught my eye, is this delicious butternut squash and chickpea curry. Curry is a favourite of mine as i love anything spicy and it is perfect for autumn time, with some wholegrain rice or even lentils/bulgur wheat.

2. squash, spinach and walnut linguine

Next up is another squash inspired dish and actually a recipe from a blog post of mine from almost two years ago, still a firm favourite of mine during autumn/winter. This recipe is super simple yet super tasty and packed full of all the good stuff, the only thing i would say is if you are following a certain strict diet switch the olive oil up for a tiny amount of spray oil (which is what i now do also). 

3. one pan healthy sausage and roasted vegetables

This is a recipe that can be done with regular sausages or vegetarian sausages and definitely a favourite of mine, all year round not just autumn time. This can literally all just be thrown into one pan or a baking tray and be left to roast in the oven until cooked, not many dishes to wash afterwards either. Roasted veggies always have this beautiful taste to them, unlike when you would just boil them or steam them which makes them a lot more enjoyable to eat therefor you can get more veggies inside of you. 

4. sicilian-style salmon with garlic mushrooms

Fish dishes are another one of those perfect for autumn time, especially this salmon dish from the BBC food website which is paired with autumn style veggies and yummy garlic mushrooms. This dish is super quick to throw together, doesn't contain many ingredients but is still full of beautiful flavours and full of goodness. 

5. sweet potato + kale chilli

Just like curry to me chilli screams warming/hearty autumnal food, especially this delicious sweet potato and kale chilli inspired from Pinterest. I love how full of autumnal colours this dish is, with the orange of the sweet potatoes, green of the kale and deep red of the kidney beans. This is another one of those dishes that could be either served alone, with some rice or bulgur and if you have any left overs eaten alone is perfect for lunch time.

6. broccoli pasta bake

Two things i love to eat a lot are pasta and anything cheesy and i definitely limit the amount i have so much more than i would of in the past. That being said if you do cut down the amount you eat, a little once in a while will do you good as you do need some of the benefits from the two. Broccoli pasta bake is such a simple yet delicious meal that can be made/tweaked to your own specific diet. Cutting back of cheese and adding maybe some nutritional yeast as a substitute or even just bread crumbs, or a mixture is a great way to cut back on the calories yet you are still getting the same crusty topped effect. 

Want to finish your evening off with a low calorie/syn friendly snack/dessert? Catch up on my recent blog post sharing some of my favourites: here

xo.

HOME DECOR TRENDS I LOVE

Hello everyone! So earlier in the month i shared a post on some of my favourite high-street homeware picks at the moment, as it had been a hot minute since i talked about all things home decor/interior on the blog. When it comes to home decor, there are so many different trends that i love for so many different reasons and to be more specific different trends for different rooms. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share some of those home decor trends that i love and why...

1. soft/muted neutral walls (paint) + white walls

So when it comes to decorating walls, i am all for paint over wallpaper especially soft muted neutral shades and of course white walls. This way the room looks not only clean/fresh but it makes it easier for switching out your decorative pieces for each season, without having to re-paint all of the time.

2. statement lighting

You would be surprised what difference can be made to a room simply by adding a statement piece of lighting, whether that be with a ceiling light fitting, floor or table lamp. My personal favourite style of statement lighting is something sleek, clean and metallic to tie in with the rooms theme.

3. modern boho finishing touches

The whole modern boho trend is a new favourite of mine, as it is simple and clean looking but with a lot of different neutral textures/shapes with a pop of colour (usually with a plant) or a small hint of dark furnishing to contrast with the brightness of the room.

4. gold (metal) mirrors and frames

I have been such a fan of gold metal frames and mirrors for the longest time and i don't see the love for that going anywhere, any time soon. I just love how yet again such a small amount of metal can make such a huge difference to a room, i am such a sucker for a gold frame with a monochrome quote inside.

5. mixed textured cushions (velvet, faux fur)

Another thing i am a sucker for is cushions and i am not a one cushion will do kind of girl, i like multiple cushions to be paired together. I love the way different textured cushions look paired together, usually a mixture of plain block coloured velvet and faux fur with one patterned cushion thrown into the mix.

6. a hint of black furnishing

Kind of going back to the modern boho vibe, i am really loving the way a hint of black furnishing looks paired with a lot of neutral shades in a room. One of my favourite type of pieces has to be thin legged coffee tables, entry tables and side tables.

7. statement flowers + plants

Any easy way to switch up the theme of your room with different colours is to changed up statement flowers and plants, a favourite of mine is something soft yet stand out like a pale lilac or pink bunch of flowers. 

8. soft blush tones (materials)

Sticking with the soft shade theme, i love the whole soft blush toned furnishings trend at the moment more specifically arm chair upholstery. These tones are super clean looking yet they still add a statement to a room, as the colour isn't anything too crazy you can still switch up the rooms theme easily without having to re-cover your chair, put it in storage or buy a new one each season.

9. textured/mirrored decorative items

A simple way to add not only a touch of luxe to your room/home but to also add more light, is by opting for mirrored/textured decorative items such as vases, lamps or decorative storage trays. You could choose pieces to match or store your other decorative items.

10. wicker (place mats, plant pot/storage)

Finally another one that kind of fits into the whole modern boho theme, is wicker pieces. If you have read some of my recent style related posts, then you will know i am loving the whole wicker accessories vibe at the moment and that also extends to home decor. I am especially loving H&M home for the wicker place mats and the homeware pick favourite from my recent high-street homeware picks post, the storage basket with pom pom details.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY #3 | MY TEN GO-TO HEALTHY BREAKFASTS

Hello everyone and welcome back to the third instalment in my "Monday Motivation" series this month! When it comes to trying to stay on track/stay eating healthy, one of the key steps to maintaining this is to ALWAYS eat breakfast. By starting your day off eating breakfast, you are not only going to have more energy to stay motivated during the day but you are also going to less likely snack/eat foods that are not necessarily good for you. With that in mind for this weeks instalment, i thought i would share my ten go-to healthy breakfasts...

1. good grain puffed wheat or multigrain cheerios with almond milk

Cereal is such a quick and easy breakfast but a lot of cereals tend to have a ton of sugar in them, so if you are trying to be good make sure you check the sugar contents on the box before hand. Two of my go-to's are the Good Grain puffed wheat, which is high in fibre, low in sugar and calories. The other cereal i love is the plain multigrain cheerios, unlike the honey/chocolate ones, the multigrain ones are lower in sugar and are super high in fibre. I always have unsweetened almond milk with mine or sometimes coconut milk, as i don't have cows milk.

2. overnight oats

Overnight oats are another great quick and easy breakfast to have, as it literally takes five minutes if that to make the night before and leave it in the fridge until you are good to go. Oats are a really good fat burner, as well as keeping you fuller for longer. I actually have a full blog post on my blog already with lots of different overnight oats recipes/toppings, which you can catch here.

3. porridge

As well as overnight oats another oat-y breakfast i love is regular porridge, some people see porridge as boring but you can add so many different things to it and make it a lot more interesting/tasty. My current favourite is oats, unsweetened almond milk, a tablespoon of PB2, cinnamon and a tsp of organic honey.

4. yogurt and fruit

Another quick and easy breakfast, which i am all about in the morning is yogurt and fruit on top. My favourite is a fruit-y muller light yogurt with some peaches sliced up on top. You can do this with so many different fruits/flavoured yogurts, you can also add a drizzle of honey or agave nectar over the top if you wish. 

5. alpro plant yogurt with homemade/granola topping

Another great yogurt breakfast, this time completely vegan/dairy-free is some of the Alpro plant based yogurt, either the vanilla or almond flavour topped with some homemade granola. The homemade granola we have is literally just dates, dried fruit, different nuts and oats baked in the oven and it is delicious.

6. coffee protein smoothie

This particular breakfast is what i always tend to have if i am not feeling particular hungry when i get up, but i still have breakfast so you don't skip a meal. The smoothie couldn't be easier to make either as it is simply just four tablespoons of rolled oats, two tablespoons PB2 either plain or cocoa, one tablespoon coffee or espresso powder, almond milk and ice.

7. scrambled egg on toast

It is not often that i have toast for breakfast anymore but i do tend to more so on the weekend, yet unlike before i only ever have one slice and it is always wholegrain/seeded. Then to top it off i will have one large egg scrambled, with a splash of water added to it and this allows them to go super fluffy and then i always like to have a drizzle of chilli sauce over top.

8. homemade beans on toast

Another great weekend breakfast on toast is homemade baked beans, which is literally just any canned beans you want, onion, garlic, chilli and tinned chopped tomatoes cooked on the hob. Then just like the egg once cooked, i place some over top of one slice of wholegrain/seeded toast. I also don't have butter or butter substitute on the toast, as i just prefer it without but that is totally up to you.

9. smoothie bowl

Another smoothie one but this time in a bowl with toppings on top, when it comes to the smoothie itself i opt for frozen mixed berries mixed with almond milk and then topped with some nuts or the homemade granola. You could also top it off with some more fresh fruit, or even all of the above all depending how hungry you are.

10. homemade baked oatmeal/granola bars or squares

Finally this is definitely one of those good for both breakfasts or a snack when on the go, as you can make a tray up and keep them stored all week. You can pretty much make your oatmeal bars whatever flavour you want, a good one is blueberry and coconut. You can find a ton of different recipes on Pinterest.

Catch up on last week's instalment HERE...

xo.

SUMMER RECIPES I WANT TO TRY

Hello everyone! For today's post i am back with a food related post, more specifically to share with you some of the recipes i am excited to give a go this summer. I have done a similar style of post to this before, which you can catch up on here, if you didn't catch it first time round. Also whilst we are on the subject of food, i was thinking about doing a "what i ate in a day" post sometime soon, as i haven't done one for a while...

1. vegan roasted cauliflower bowl with tahini dressing

First up is this super quick summer perfect roasted bowl style dinner, which is full of veggie goodness and can be made in just 30 minutes. This is definitely one of those recipes, where you think how yummy it looks but then you discover there are one or two ingredients you don't like. That being said i think i would switch out the cauliflower and replace it with broccoli, as i hate cauliflower and i am also not a fan of avocado.

2.  satay sweet potato curry

As well as anything pasta related, i am also obsessed with curry/rice dishes and anything chilli flavoured in general. This particular curry from the BBC good food website looks like the perfect flavoured curry for the summer months, as it is a beautiful vibrant colour and it also has the coconut flavour to add to the mix. One of my favourite bases to have in curry is definitely potato or sweet potato, as well as spinach and chickpeas. Another great thing about this curry is that it comes in at under 400 calories, perfect if you are like me and are counting/watching those calories.

3. sun-dried tomato pesto pasta with roasted asparagus

Of course there was going to be a pasta dish on my to try list, especially as this is a pesto based pasta dish. This is definitely one of those recipes perfect for when you are pinched for time, as it is pretty much the case of just roasting the asparagus for 20 minutes just a little over the time it takes to boil the pasta and add all the ingredients together.

4. grilled spicy lime shrimp kebabs

When it comes to summer we can finally turn on the grill/barbecue and these spicy lime shrimp kebabs sound so good, especially if you served them with maybe some wraps, salad or even with some quinoa and veggies. This recipe is so straight forward as easy, as well as the cooking time being quick as shrimp/prawns don't take long to cook at all. This recipe would also work well with just veggies coated in the mix, or even chicken.   

5. spiced sausage hot pot

This is one of those dishes that sounds as if it should be a more winter style dish, yet to me the ingredients scream summer, especially because of the bulgur wheat base. This is also one of those dishes that could be tweaked to suit you, maybe by replacing the sausage with veggie sausages and the chicken stock pot for a veggie one. This is definitely on my high to try list, along with the satay sweet potato curry.

6. grillable veggie burger
Finally something that i love to eat all year round and that is veggie burger, yet the difference is that you can grill this one and still get that "barbecued burger" taste without the meat. This particular recipe looks super simple to make, as well as it being full of nutritious ingredients as one of these burgers contains 14g of protein. I also want to try out a falafel burger recipe, as i have had regular falafel's and loved them so burger form in bound to be just as good if not better.

 Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

HOW-TO | FIFTEEN WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME FOR EACH SEASON

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! So i recently shared a "how-to" post, on how to update your wardrobe for summer on a budget (which you can catch here) and keeping that in mind i wanted to share a different "how-to" post but this time focusing it on home improvement/decor. There are so many different yet easy and affordable ways that you can switch up your home, according to the season and i want to share with you some of my personal favourite tips on how to do just that...

1. switch out your cushion covers

Simply switching out your cushion covers either on your bed, chair or sofa is a simple way to make a huge change to a room. Buying cushion covers is easier than a whole new cushion, as just the covers don't take up much room at all in storage. (h&m home have some great options).

2. seasonal scents

Changing your home for a new season is much more than changing the way a room looks, it is about how a room smells too. Switch out your candles, diffuses and plug-ins, replacing them with your favourite season appropriate fragrances.

3. change your bedding/bed accessories 

A simple way of switching your bedroom up for a different season, is by changing your bedding to a pattern/style perfect for the current season. If you have a plain (un-patterned) bedding, you can also simply switch up your beds accessories, such as cushions and bed throw/runner.

4. fairy lights

Fairy lights are an instant cosy room fixer for pretty much any season, but you can display them in different ways according to the time of year.

5. ditch food packaging for personalised jars

Don't you just hate the way opened packets and boxes look in your cupboards? Ditch the packaging and place food items in a clear jar, which you can personalise either just with the title of the product or with a seasonal design.

6. seasonal flowers/plants

Another quick yet effective seasonal room changer is to add some season appropriate flowers or plants to a room, whether that be as a dining room centrepiece or kitchen island feature. 

7. change your decorative items to match the current season

Different seasons call for different decorative items, like a beach theme for summer, harvest for autumn and winter wonderland for winter. This can also apply to number 2, with switching up the seasonal scents.

8. room switch around

If buying new pieces isn't in your budget yet you want to make a change to your home/selected rooms, simply have a room switch around. This could be as simple as moving a rug, a piece of furniture or even move your decorative items to a different room. 

9. change your photos/quotes in your frames

If you have prints/photos/quotes placed around your home, an easy way to change the way your room looks is to switch up the image inside of the frame. If you have quotes, change them to a season appropriate quote.

   

10. add different coloured metals/schemes

By adding different coloured metals like gold, silver or copper and a season appropriate colour scheme that compliments either one of the metals.

11. DIY paint/re-cover furniture pieces

Bored of the same furniture but you don't want to rid yourself of it? Simply give it a DIY makeover, either by simply painting/spraying a piece of furniture or re-covering a chair, cushion or even your headboard.

12. Switch out original door/drawer handles for decorative ones

Another simple furniture DIY you can do to upgrade an item is to switch out the original door/drawer handles to a more decorative ones. This is super simple to do and in the end you are left with a very different looking piece of furniture yet you haven't broke the bank.

13. mix textures for a cosy vibe

Mixing different materials/pieces with different textures is going to instantly make a room look/feel more inviting and cosy. A great example for this is mixing faux fur/shaggy cushions, with a suede or velvet finish cushion.

14. switch up the colour or your towels

Just like the cushions, if you have a neutral bathroom for example by simply switching up the colour of your towels/bath mat according to a season. This is simple yet effective, especially if you don't have the time to re-decorate.

15. make temporary changes to your walls

If you want a huge room change but don't want to make a full commitment to adding a more bold wallpaper to a room, simply by using temporary wallpaper or wall tile stickers. This way if you get tired of it within a few months, you haven't got to go through the effort of completely stripping/re-decorating.

Catch up on a suggested post HERE...

xo.

OVERNIGHT OATS | PINTEREST INSPIRED RECIPES

Hello everyone! So ever since the start of this year i have become obsessed with having overnight oats for breakfast, probably around 2 or 3 times a week (because i like to switch things up everyday) and i know quite a few other people also love to have them for breakfast too. Ever since first giving them a try, i have found a ton of different flavours/toppings to make them in and a lot of those recipes have come from Pinterest. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something a little different, by sharing some of my personal favourite overnight oats recipes and they are all healthy/can be modified to your own diet preferences but the most important thing is they taste good/are super quick to throw together...

1. pumpkin spice

| 2 tbsp pumpkin puree | 1 tbsp maple syrup | 40 g oats | 1/2 tsp mixed spice | 1/8 tsp vanilla extract | 1/2 tbsp chia seeds | 1 tbsp granola or nuts | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp yogurt (optional) |

2. pumpkin + vanilla (super quick)

| 40 g pumpkin spice quaker oats | 1 tbsp dried mixed fruit | 100 ml aplro vanilla soya milk |

3. coconut latte

| 40 g oats | 50 ml brewed coffee | 2 tbsp maple syrup/honey | 50 ml coconut milk | 

4. almond + honey

| 40 g oats | 1 tbsp honey | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp alpro almond yogurt | 1 tbsp almonds |

5. peach cobbler 

| 40 g oats | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp vanilla or peach yogurt (dairy or dairy free) | 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon | 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg | 80 g peach diced |

6. espresso + salted date caramel

| 40 g oats | 1 tbsp chia seeds | pinch salt | 50 ml almond milk | 50 ml brewed coffee | 2 tbsp maple syrup | 1 tsp vanilla extract | 4 medjool dates (puree with water + pinch of salt) |

7. carrot cake

| 40 g oats | grated carrot | 1 tsp ground cinnamon | 1/4 tsp all spice | 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional) | 2 tbsp raisins | 1 tsp vanilla | 100 ml almond milk |

8. peanut butter (you can also add banana)

40 g oats | 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp honey | 1 tbsp vanilla |

9. vanilla, almond + blueberry

| 40 g oats | 75 ml vanilla soya milk | 2 tbsp almond alpro | flaked almonds | blueberries |

10. gingerbread cookie

| 40 g oats | 1/4 tsp ground ginger | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp maple syrup | 1 tsp cinnamon |

11. cinnamon chocolate

| 40 g oats | 1 tsp cocoa powder | 1 tsp cinnamon | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey | 2 tbsp chocolate milk/dark or cocoa chips | 

12. cherry bakewell

| 40 g oats | 75 ml almond milk | 1 cherry bakewell muller light or cherry flavoured yogurt |

Catch up on my quick/easy Pinterest breakfasts post HERE...

xo.

QUICK, EASY + HEALTHY PINTEREST LUNCH IDEAS

Hello everyone! So last week i shared with you some of my favourite/go-to quick, easy and healthy Pinterest breakfast ideas which have all the time and you can catch up on that post here if you didn't already. With that in mind i thought why not keep the ball rolling and share with you some of my favourite lunch ideas from Pinterest, which are also quick, easy and healthy to make (fun fact some of them are a healthy spin on some yummy yet naughty/not so good for you classics).

1. tortilla vegetable pizza (wallflower kitchen, blog)

If you are like me and are obsessed with pizza, then you are going to love a quick tortilla pizza for lunch and you can make them from as little as 200 calories (all depending on the calories on the tortilla wrap). You can either stick to your usual pizza toppings or go healthy by skipping the cheese and adding veggies, you can either meet in the middle adding a little of both. I have this lunch quite frequently and it only takes around 5 mins prep, before popping under the grill for a further 5-10 mins.

2. smashed peas/broad beans on toast/bruscetta (recipe: my little larder, blog)

If you have read any of my "what i ate in a day" posts previously, then you will probably remember me mentioning how much i love smashed peas or broad beans on toast, especially with some garlic and chilli. This is such a good alternative if you want an avocado on toast type of lunch but don't like avocado, which i don't. There are so many different things you can have which are quick, easy and healthy for lunch on toast, such as mushrooms, scrambled or poached egg or even a homemade/healthy version of baked beans.

3. baked sweet potato fries (live eat learn, blog)

By simply chopping some sweet potato up into thin strips before placing on a tray and adding a little salt, before baking on the oven is perfect for when you crave one of those "snack-y" type lunches. You can skip feeling guilty about having fries for lunch, as the sweet potato fries are baked and not fried therefor using a lot less oil (you probably only need a teaspoon if that). One of my favourite things to dip mine in is either sriracha hot sauce or sweet chilli dipping sauce, so yummy!

4. butternut squash, kale, butter bean pesto salad (cupful of kale, blog)

If lettuce isn't your thing but you want to up your intake of veggies at lunch time, then this butternut squash, kale and butter bean pesto salad is perfect for doing just that. Not only is this salad packed full of vitamins and goodness, it is also going to fill you up for longer than a regular salad would. This one is also great for having either hot or cold and is one that could be easily made in a larger batch for meal prepping.

5. cabbage, kale and potato rosti (delicious magazine, blog)

  I love anything potato, so rosti's are a favourite of mine and another great way of getting your intake of veggies up, without feeling like that is what you are eating. Delicious magazine has so many great recipes from lunches, dinners to desserts and this recipe also happens to be another one perfect for meal prepping and helping you save time in the long-run.

6. stuffed mushroom and halloumi pittas (olive magazine, blog)

Finally we have a quick and easy twist to your regular sandwich, by using pitta rather than bread and also pitta is lower in calories than bread. This recipe is actually one of my favourite things to grab at Nandos, so it is a great one to re-create at home also and it only takes 15 mins. You could stuff your pitta with any filling of your choosing and to suit your taste/preference.

Have a great weekend!

xo.

QUICK, EASY + HEALTHY PINTEREST BREAKFAST IDEAS

Hello everyone! So it can be so easy to fall into a rut when it comes to deciding what to make/have for breakfast, especially if you are wanting something quick, easy and healthy. If you want to take all three of those things into consideration, it doesn't mean you have to opt for a boring bowl of cereal every single day (even though i do love a good bowl of "boring" plain wheat cereals like wheatabix or special k). That being said for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourite Pinterest approved breakfast ideas...

1. fluffy, gorgeous coconut yoghurt pancakes (a mummy too, blog)

If you are a pancake lover this simple yogurt based pancake recipe is going to be right up your street, as they are super simple to make and you only need seven ingredients in total to make them. I love pancakes when they are thick and fluffy, which is where the yogurt comes in with a helping hand and not to mention give that gorgeous coconut-y flavour. If dairy isn't your thing, which it isn't for me milk-wise anyway you can switch it out for the Alpro yogurt and milk (which both can be bought in coconut flavours).

2. carrot cake overnight oats (jar of lemons, blog)

I have mentioned a couple of times now how obsessed with overnight oats i am, as they are literally the quickest, tastiest breakfast and the perfect meal-prep breakfast food. This particular recipe is vegan but you can obviously adapt it to your liking by adding milk and yogurt, but i definitely prefer it the vegan way. Pinterest is full of different "fillings/flavours" for overnight oats but this carrot cake one, a mixed fruit and cinnamon one and the chai latte one hands down are my favourites out of all the ones i have tried.

3. vegan blended peanut butter chocolate porridge (my vibrant kitchen, blog)

I almost feel like this breakfast recipe could almost pass for looking like a delicious yet naughty dessert, but it isn't it is actually super good for you and if you are a fan of anything chocolate/peanut butter flavoured then you are going to love this. This is different to overnight oats, as you only soak the oats for ten minutes before blending and layering with the remaining ingredients.

4. smashed peas on toast (sainsbury's, magazine blog)

Smashed peas on toast is a favourite of mine for either breakfast or lunch, as it is the perfect alternative to having avocado on toast if you don't like avocado as i don't. Yet again this is another recipe that you can cater to your own topping preferences, as i like to skip on the mint and goats cheese and opt for garlic, chilli and sometimes a poached egg all depending on how hungry i am or how much time i have.

5. grilled peach breakfast parfait (kitchen sanctuary, blog)

To me this breakfast absolutely screams summer alfresco dining breakfast food, especially with the grilled peach. Yet again this is such a quick and easy throw together breakfast, that can be adapted to your diet by switching up the yogurt for a non-dairy yogurt as would. I love how many different textures and flavours this recipe has, from sweet to crunchy and then smooth. I also have to admit that this style of breakfast, is definitely one of those Instagram worthy breakfasts.

6. coffee chia pudding (the little blog of vegan, blog)

Finally we have something similar to overnight oats, but obviously instead of using oats you opt for some chia seeds instead and it is just as quick/easy to make. Just like overnight oats, there are so many different ways to have this for breakfast but i must say having a coffee flavoured one has to be a favourite of mine. This breakfast is a winner if you have a sweet tooth and would sooner have something sweet over savoury for breakfast.

Similar: the tips i swear by to save time in the morning

xo.

BEAUTY HACKS I SWEAR BY | PART TWO: HAIR + NAILS

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment of beauty hacks i swear by! The previous instalment was all about the makeup and skin beauty hacks i swear by, which if you didn't read it already you can catch it here. Beauty hacks go so much further than just makeup and skincare, there are also a ton of different hacks that work and don't work for your hair and nails. With that in mind i thought i would share with you my favourite hacks for your hair and nails, that i use on a regular basis...

1. HOW TO FAKE A SALON BLOW-DRY AT HOME

Who doesn't love have a bouncy blow-dry just like from the hairdressers? but you just don't feel like spending a ton of money going every week for a blow-dry. You can achieve one at home yourself super easily and two different ways, you also only need a couple of products to do so. Either way you are going to do this, the way to achieve the best results is to pre-treat your hair with a nourishing hair masque. Then once washed you can either blow-dry your hair using an attachment on your hairdryer and a round brush, or you can blow-dry and straighten as normal then flick small pieces at the end with the straightener, by doing this it creates that bouncy finish to your hair. You can also check out the GHD website or hairstyle inspiration here. 

2. HOW TO AVOID SPLIT-ENDS

There are quite a few hacks that i swear by when it comes to avoid getting split-ends, especially if you have long hairs just as i do. The first hack is to always use heat spray before using any hot tool on your hair, whether that be a straightener, curling wand or hairdryer. The next hack is to always be gentle when brushing your hair, never pull at it and always brush your hair straight after washing. The final hack is to apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner when you have washed it, i am obsessed with the new l'oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream at the moment and i noticed an instant result after using this on my hair. 

3. HOW TO KEEP YOUR HAIR FRESHER WITHOUT WASHING IT

I am pretty sure it is scientifically proven that it is better for your hair in the long run, if you wash it less therefore i only wash mine 2-3 times a week and there are so many great hacks to keep your hair fresher for longer without washing, that are perfect for when you are feeling lazy. First of all dry shampoo can be a girls best friend, but it can be annoying (especially if you have dark hair) if your dry shampoo is overly powdery and leaves your hair looking white. A simple way to fix this is to dry shampoo your roots, rub in and then go in with your hairdryer to blow away the leftover powder leaving you with fresh looking hair. More tips for fresher looking hair are to never apply anything other than shampoo to your roots, go easy on the conditioner, change your pillowcases often and wash your hair brushes as dirt/product can build up there.

4. HOW TO REVIVE YOUR MANICURE

Over the years i have discovered so many different hacks on how to either revive or make your manicure last that little bit longer, especially if you want to leave it longer in-between salon visits. The first tip is to make your mani last longer and that is to never skip on the top coat or base coat before and after polish, also you can apply top coat every couple of days to prevent chipping. My favourite hack is to add the shine back into your gel manicure by simply rubbing some oil onto your nails and cuticles, i love using the NUXE huile prodigieuse multi-purpose dry oil as it is one of those oils for everything, nails, face and even your hair.

5. PROTECT SKIN AROUND NAILS FROM NAIL POLISH
If you are not the neatest nail painter there are a few different household items you can use to place a protective barrier around your nails, such as vaseline, washable glue (which you can peel off) or nail polish remover on a cotton bud. Apply vaseline or washable glue before you begin to paint your nails, then wash off once nails are dry and you will be left with a perfectly neat looking manicure! If you are using the nail polish remover soaked cotton bud, wait until the nails are dry before going in very gently around the areas needed.

6. USE HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS TO DIY NAIL ART PATTERNS
Who said you had to visit a nail salon or be good at creating nail art patterns free hand? There are so many items laying around your house, that you wouldn't think they would make great tools to create nail art patterns. If you want to create stripes or lines, you can use cut down to size pieces of easy peel tape into whatever pattern you want and once dry simply remove carefully. To create dots you can add a small amount of nail polish to the end of an unwanted bobby pin (hair grip) and dot onto nails, in whatever placing you want. This could also work with applying glitter to the nails, just remember to always allow time to dry and apply a top coat to make nails appear shiny and make your manicure last longer.

Coming up on the blog.... Beauty Favourites: January

xo.

CHRISTMAS PINTEREST DIY INSPIRATION

Hello everyone! For today's instalment i am back with another Pinterest inspiration post but rather than being a spooky theme like last times, i am talking all things Christmas and more specifically DIY inspiration as there is so many great different little DIY/Hack ideas on there. Also if you want to check out some of my previous Pinterest related posts, then i will link them all at the bottom of this post.

| how to DIY your holiday mantel/fireplace | 

On Pinterest there are so many different great inspo posts for DIY'ing your fireplace/mantel area, so many of them are so simple to create/re-create and can be quite in-expensive to do. This year i am loving the whole, real foliage and some simple wire lights weaved throughout. 

| DIY Gift Tags |

By DIY'ing your own gift tags or gift wrapping is a great way to add your own personal touch to any gift you are giving away this Christmas, this can also be less costly than buying wrapping/tags as alot of items can be found in a garden or with some paper and a pen.

| DIY christmas gift wrapping ideas |

Sticking with the whole gift wrapping theme, on Pinterest there are so many different wrapping ideas and what different themes to go for, from adding baubles to foliage and homemade stamps. One of my personal favourites is a simple white paper, with ribbon or string.

| DIY snowy mason jars |

A lot of Christmas inspired DIY's on Pinterest are great homemade decor/gift ideas, that can be used in so many different ways and all starting off with a simple empty jar. These snowy mason jars are such a beautiful way to add a little touch of a festive feeling to your home, simply pop a tea light or led light inside to add a finishing touch.

| DIY hot chocolate bar/station |

If you are looking for inspiration for a Christmas party and something that is a little different, something that seems to be a huge trend right now is a hot chocolate bar/station. That being said on Pinterest there is so many different great ideas on how to decorate/set up your station. This is also great if you love hot chocolates in general.

| 30 DIY christmas gifts |

Finally there is one type of gift that always seems to be the most thoughtful type of gift and that is a homemade DIY'd gift. My personal favourite has to be either baking kits/hot chocolate kits, filled with the correct amount of ingredients for the person you are giving the kit to create and all from that one jar.

Catch up on my other Pinterest related posts...

| pinterest recipes i want to try | pinterest recipes i want to try: autumn breakfast edition | pinterest halloween treats inspiration | ways to find home decor/interior inspo |

xo.

MY FAVOURITE WAYS TO FIND INTERIOR/DECOR INSPIRATION

Hello everyone! So when it comes to homeware/interior, i always tend to have a few places where i go to in search of that inspiration. I could also spend hours scrolling through looking for different ideas and by the end my camera roll or the particular app i am using is filled with images. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspiration. I also thought this would be a great way to share the ways to get inspiration, if you are looking to change up your decorations this holiday season.

1. online homeware/decor stores/apps

One of the best ways to begin to look for inspiration is probably to look where you can buy actually pieces from, whether that be the online store or app. One of my favourite places to shop for homeware is definitely on the h&m home app, what i love about the app is you can view the items how you could style them (such as how you could style your dining room table). I also love how everything is split up into categories, making it easier to search what you are looking for. Another great thing about downloading the app to your phone, is that apps tend to have more offers/deals on or discount codes than the website. 

2. visit department stores/homeware stores (such as homesense or h&m)

Sticking with the shopping for inspiration theme, this time actually visiting a homeware store and looking at items as well as how products in the store are displayed. By doing this it will give you a rough idea on ways to style different things, whether that be what cushions to add to your bed or armchair, or even how to colour co-ordinate things to match. Some of my favourite places for this are homesense, h&m, john lewis, next home, zara home and debenhams. Catch my four simple ways to switch up your home for autumn post here.

3. pinterest

Pinterest is my go-to app for more than just homeware, i am constantly searching for food inspo as well as nail art patterns and you can even discover/shop prints from etsy on the app. That being said if you are looking for homeware then pinterest is where to look, you can save images to your camera roll, create your own pinterest boards and read blog posts/try out things. When it comes to my own pinterest boards i like to keep things in different categories (such as christmas decor, homeware inspo, dinner recipes, desserts, beauty) which is much easier to go back and find what you are looking for.  

4. we heart it

We heart it to me is an app which is a mix between a few different apps, such as tumblr, instagram and pinterest also. But that being said it is filled with so many beautiful images of homeware decor/inspiration, which you can save to your profile by hearting/liking the image (just as you would on instagram). You can use the search bar to search whatever you are looking for, as well as looking at different articles, channels and even discover image suggestions underneath any image you have clicked on.

5. interior magazines

Another great way to search for inspiration is the old fashion way and pick up a magazine, preferably dedicated to homeware/interior. Magazines such as ideal home, elle decoration, living etc and even free homeware magazines/catalogues from stores such as john lewis and next.

6. google search blogs/images

Finally probably one of the most simple ways to search for the inspiration you are looking for, is by typing it into google. By using google you can start off my simply typing something like "christmas interior ideas" and narrow down your search to the colour scheme you are looking for, whether you want a modern or traditional style or even how to decorate a certain piece of furniture/feather such as a fireplace. Also from the image search you can even view different interior blog posts, articles and also click the shopping bar to find similar pieces.

Catch my "how to save money/get organised for Christmas" post HERE...

xo.

PINTEREST HALLOWEEN TREATS INSPIRATION

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with another Pinterest inspiration/recipes i want to try post, but this time things are getting a little spooky *inserts evil laugh here*. Halloween is just a couple of weeks away now and i always like to do some form of treat making, so i like any other time i took to Pinterest to look for inspiration and i just couldn't not share with you all some of the amazing creations/recipes that are on there.

halloween OREO candy bark

So i love love love candy bark/rocky road when it comes to a no-bake dessert and when i saw this Halloween themed OREO candy bark come up on my Pinterest feed, my eyes immediately lit up. The great thing about candy bark or a rocky road, is you can completely customise it however you want, whether you want it to look super scary/glory or light hearted and fun looking if you are catering to younger children.  

pumpkin cheesecake truffle mummies

For me these cheesecake truffle mummies look like the perfect treat for a Halloween party, whether that be for adults or children and the recipe also seems super simple. What i love about this recipe is not only the finished product is Halloween themed, but also the taste/flavour is also as it is pumpkin infused.

halloween OREO pops

When i saw these OREO pops i thought to myself, why have i never thought about doing this? Using OREOS on a stick and dipping/decorating them is literally as simple yet effective, as if it would be when you opt for a huge marshmallow. Personally i know i would prefer to eat an OREO pop and i will definitely be giving these a try out during or on Halloween itself.

halloween pumpkin/autumnal cake

This cake is another dessert that as soon as i saw it it, i was practically dribbling, i mean how amazing and moist does this cake look? Yes i just used the word moist, but it does! I actually did something a little similar last year, but in the form of cupcakes and they tasted amazing. You can check out that blog post, if you didn't catch it the first time here. 

frosted vegan pumpkin cookies

Sometimes i like to opt for the more healthy choice in the dessert area, which always ends up being a vegan/dairy or gluten free option. This pumpkin cookie recipe really caught my eye, as they look seriously indulgent without being and yet again it is pumpkin flavoured, which i love. If vegan/gluten-free desserts are more your thing, then i also did a blog post on amazing pumpkin brownies, which you can catch up on here.

halloween cauldron cupcakes

Finally we have a more on the fun/technical bake in the form of a cauldron designed cupcake, which looks amazing. This recipe is another one from a blog called apumpkinandaprincess.com and honestly there are so many amazing baking/dessert recipes on there as well as DIY's for Halloween, which i will be looking for more personally in the future. It will not be Halloween if there isn't some form of cupcake created in my house, so definitely stay tuned to find out what theme/design i decide to go for soon!

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

PINTEREST RECIPES I WANT TO TRY: AUTUMN BREAKFAST EDITION

Hello everyone! So when autumn comes around there is nothing nicer and warming than something hearty and delicious to eat, am i right? For me there is no better place than Pinterest to give you a helping hand on food inspiration and deciding what to eat, whether that be for breakfast, lunch or dinner but one of the most delicious recipe types perfect for autumn is breakfast. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you some of the Pinterest breakfast recipes i want to try is autumn.

quinoa bircher muesli with pistachios and blueberries

I am usually always down for anything nutty, but if it included pistachios i will not be able to resist because they are just simply heavenly. I don't think i have ever had quinoa muesli before (homemade) anyway but it sounds so delicious, especially with the added blueberry flavour.

baked peach almond oatmeal

Porridge (oatmeal) is an autumn/winter breakfast favourite of mine, it is just so filling/warming on those cooler weather days. That being said i also love peaches, so i bet adding the two together would be so tasty especially with the added nutty texture of the almonds.

chai spice gluten free granola

Sticking with the whole nutty texture theme, as you will know if you have seen any foodie post of mine in the past granola is another breakfast favourite of mine. So if you add the chai spice to the mix, is perfect for an autumn mornings breakfast with either cold or warm almond milk.

blueberry oatmeal pancakes
I mean who doesn't love a good stack of pancakes? this recipe seems like a great one for when you want a naughty but without being too naughty, as they are actually gluten free and vegan. I also think if you are having pancakes then blueberry is the way to go.

pumpkin spice granola
This particular granola recipe seems like the most perfect type of granola, because i am literally that girl who loves anything pumpkin spiced flavour. This recipe is slightly less healthy than some other recipes as it contains brown sugar, but for a treat now and then it won't hurt.

gingerbread cookie overnight oats
I have always wanted to give the whole overnight oats a try, but i have never got around to doing so. This particular recipe is not only healthy and tasty sounding, it also seems super effortless to make with only a handful of simple/tasty ingredients.

grilled asparagus and poached egg on toast
Finally moving on to two more "savoury" style breakfast recipes, that would be good for either a weekend breakfast or brunch. This is actually a Jamie Oliver recipe which looks super delicious, you really can't go wrong with eggs on toast but adding a different flavour with the grilled asparagus just switches things up.

smoky cannellini beans on garlic toast
This recipe is a great and delicious spin on a simple "beans on toast" recipe but with a lot more flavour and i have had something similar quite a few times before. I also think this could be made for more than just a breakfast meal, but maybe for lunch/light dinner.

Want to see a different food post from me? Catch my latest "what i ate" HERE...

xo.