CHRISTMAS MENU: Strawberry Cheesecake!

Are you looking for a delicious treat? Look no further than this easy to make, no bake strawberry cheesecake. This was my very fist attempt at making cheesecake and I'm so so happy with it, not a bad first attempt. It's New Year's Eve and this would make the perfect desert if you're hosting a little party! So, here is how you can make this mouth-watering desert perfect for all occasions.

CHRISTMAS MENU: Chocolate Eclairs!

Cream filled chocolate eclairs are great for all sorts of parties; its a great bonus that they are so easy to make. Unlike savoury pies that require puff pastry, chocolate eclairs require choux pastry and this has to be made before any baking takes place. You too deserve to indulge in some delicious, sweet treats.

Buttercream topped Banana Cake!

This is probably one of the easiest ways for me to get bananas into my system as I'm not exactly their biggest fan. However, I came across some photos on Pinterest of banana cakes this morning that inspired me to bake my very own. I'm sure you'd agree that homemade cakes are better because you have control of what goes in; you can manipulate the taste and the flavouring. It's rich and moist with so much flavour, definitely one to try.

He got it right this Christmas!

Message jewelry is always a winner in my book which is why it's no surprise that this is my favourite Christmas. My boyfriend got it so right this year and I coudn't be happier! Christmas isn't all about the gifts you receive; it's about spending some quality time with your loved ones and just being grateful for what you have. However, it is always a lovely bonus when you receive a beautiful, thoughtful gift from one of the most special people in your life. This rose-gold plated necklace which also has two of the letters enhanced with crystal pave is exactly what I needed to put a big smile on my face. Then again, spending Christmas day with him, his family and my family together was more enough.

CHRISTMAS MENU: Banana Loaf!

I hate wasting food especially fruits which is why when I have overripe bananas, I make banana loaf. This is my automatic response to using them up instead of just throwing them away; besides Banana Bread made right is absolutely delicious. During the festive season, a lot of people tend to have time off work and so for that much needed, well deserved afternoon tea; why not throw in this delicious little number.  Even after Christmas is over; afternoon tea can never be the same again.

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday was a very long day for me since I had the honours of making Christmas dinner this year; desert baking included. I made a variety of things including whole chicken (we don't like turkey), chicken wings, roasted pork chops, rice, roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts, vegetables. Not to mention that I also made/baked all the deserts; Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge Cake and Chocolate Eclairs. Still, I'm not complaining, actually really enjoyed cooking for my family and friends even though I am absolutely exhausted. I'll be writing up all my christmas food and desert recipes over the next few days so you guys can also give them a try. Nothing will be happening with me the next two days; I plan on lazing around the house catching up on my favourite shows and reading up on new recipes to trial and tweak. As for next year's christmas, I have very different plans but you're just going to have to wait and see.

Steak and Vegetable Pie

From a tasty shepherd's pie to savoury beef pies, there's no better way to make your taste buds tingle this festive season. When it comes to one dish dinners, savoury pies are a definite winner for me. If subtle spicing is what you're into, then this steak and vegetable pie that I've just made is definitely for you. So, why don't you give it a go; I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

Lemon Drizzle Cake!

I've always wanted to bake a Lemon Drizzle Cake and now I have for the very first time, woohoo! It turned out a lot better than expected and the dental nurses in work absolutely loved this little gem! It was lovely receiving such great compliments on how beautiful the texture of my cake was and how great it tasted. Guess I didn't go overboard with that lemon zest after all! Here is the recipe I used to make my Lemon Drizzle Cake.

Simple Monochrome!

This outfit is a testament to the beauty ans simplicity of monochrome! It fits into my year round wardrobe, it's effortless and enables you to throw an ensemble together in a matter of minutes, which is exactly what I did this morning. One of my favourite things about winter is knitwear, very basic yet so practical. What could possibly go wrong?

Burst of Grey

I know what you're thinking; it's not my fault that I'm really into black, white and grey at the moment. Lets blame Pinterest for its major style inspo, actually starting to feel like a minimalist after years of trying not to be one. Anyway, the weather is getting colder and so it was time to dig out the big guns; a fluffy faux fur leopard print coat. Who else is feeling all warm and toasty already?!

Spectre!

The amount of media buzz that's been around the new James Bond film 'Spectre' the past 2 months is actually insane. I'm a huge James Bond fan and so it was only inevitable that my boyfriend and I would make a trip to the cinema on Wednesday to watch it. Was it worth it? Most definitely!

Chicken Madras Recipe!

What I'm about to say should not surprise you; there is absolutely nothing quite like authentic Indian food prepared with simple ingredients and a whole lot of love. It's all about tonnes of hot Indian spices packed in one pot. Chicken Madras is definitely one of the favourites which is why I sacrificed quite a lot of time perfecting the dish. All that's left is for me to actually visit India; just something I'd like to cross off my lengthy bucket list.

Halloween: Little Tigress!

I've definitely had my fair share of Halloween Parties the past few years but honestly, I just don't learn. Every year, costume preparation is a last minute thing which isn't exactly great but I don't see it as a bad thing either. It's a challenge, a chance to get even more creative than usual and so last night, I turned into a little Tigress! And yes, I did the face painting myself in less than half an hour. What woman doesn't love a good dress up..

Golden Mondays!

Another Monday done which means it's officially 8 weeks till Christmas!!! Yes, I am super excited because, well it's the most wonderful time of the year. My love for navy blue seems to have grown rapidly the last few months which is why I come at you  in this laid back nearly all blue ensemble.

Reasons why you should love Stir Fry!

 I'll keep this short and straight to the point. With a simple cooking technique and little time comes some very tasty and healthy dishes. If you were to ask me what my favourite food is; my answer would most probably be Stir Fry and Sea Food. Why? Not only are they good for you; they are extremely delicious!
Stir Fry is usually a mixture different of types of vegetables; it also works well with meats and tofu. Chicken and beef are great examples of some of the meats I tend to use.

Once in a while!

No, you wouldn't normally catch me sashaying around with my hair tied up in two separate buns but you know what; today was that day. I woke up this morning and thought to myself, why the hell not! Besides, I feel the hair complements my rather laid back, grungy look. It's been a long week, oh wait it's only Tuesday? Now if that doesn't give you an idea of how my week is going, I don't know what will..

FLARED!

 

Blogging takes up a lot of time and dedication; I don't always have that much free time on my hands which is why I come forth with this late outfit post; one which is definitely a favourite. Flared Jeans scream 90s fashion but I'm bringing it back with a hint of Parisian

I BAKED: CHOCOLATE BROWNIES RECIPE!

Baking is definitely one of my favourite hobbies! I used to bake a lot when I was 17 and then life happened, got in the way and I just didn't have time to do it anymore. But you know what, I'm back to baking in full force! Cakes, Brownies, Cupcakes, Pastries, Pies; you name it, I am doing it! Three days ago I baked a batch of Chocolate Brownies for a few friends in work. We've been taking turns the past few weeks and I must say it's pretty great getting to taste other people's baking.

Knee Highs!

 Ever since I got a pair of Chunky knee high boots, I seem to have completely forgotten about knee high socks which is why I decided to don a pair today! Out with new, in with the old! Now that I'm an avid fan of monochrome, it's kind of becoming a uniform; missing those bright colours like crazy!

Spiced Fish with Mixed Leaf Salad

Lunch is definitely a meal I never miss, in fact I have made it a rule to make sure that at least three meals are consumed a day. This is mainly because lunch re-energises your body and keeps your metabolism active. A healthy lunch should be able to provide you with a balance among these five food groups; grains, vegetables, dairy, fruits and lean proteins. For lunch today, I shallow fried a plaice fillet and served with mixed leaf salad, who said being healthy has to be a chore!

Autumn Sun!

Black & White Florals!

Quick and Easy: Pasta with Mince Meat!

*Luxemme: CHARISSE SUEDE CROP SCALLOP TWO PIECE REVIEW!

Green Prints!

Daisies!

The Media, Blogging and Body Image!

Strangely Forgotten!

AW15 Outfit Inspiration!

Noir!

Shapeless!

Its no secret that I'm infatuated with all things quircky and far from the norm. This sense of normlessness comes into play in the way I dress; why blend in when you can be an individual? After all, you were born an individual; embrace it. Simple, straight dress to the rescue; I was too lazy to think of what to wear today and this is the end product. A dress that screams slouchy and boots that let just enough breeze in to keep me cool whilst keeping the rain out. Its a win win situation!

Basic Whites!

 

Summer is nearly over and the thought of grey skies and rainy days makes me want to crawl under a rock and stay there. Having said that; Autumn/Winter fashion happens to be my favourite of all; oversized jumpers, camel coats and turtlenecks..Ahhh bliss! I've been looking to Pinterest and Tumblr for some A/W inspiration and have also started arranging my wardrobe ready for those colder days.

My 24th Birthday!

As you're all aware, it was my 24th birthday yesterday so I thought I'd share some of the very many photos that were taken. When I woke up this morning; my little brother asked me how it feels to be 24 and to be perfectly honest; I don't feel any different. Just added another year of memories; lessons learned and new knowledge onto 23 years of my life; age really is just a number! It would be nice however to get a little bit taller; it dawned on me last night just how tiny I am! Brace yourselves for these photos; I am literally a living, breathing hobbit. 

Time to play!

I am turning 24 in just under 4 hours; its finally hit me and I'm quite sure how to deal with it. Life is moving forward way too fast and this makes me uneasy. Am I really ready for this, do I truly know where I'm headed with my career in Dentistry, am I doing the right things? All these questions fill my head at this very moment but I bear no response. Here is to taking each day as it comes; to good decisions and to new, better goals.

A day too soon!

I will be 24 years old on Sunday the 23rd; can you believe it? I mean, I'm still getting ID'ed everywhere I go, no one really believes my age until proof is provided. I even got ID'ed to watch a (15) rated movie once which is absurd! But I'm not complaining; I just really hope this works in my favour when I get to age 40; you know the whole looking ten years younger mambo jambo. 

This past year has been a bit of a roller coaster and I feel that I've changed and grown so much! I had a huge career change, I've met some amazing people and made some great new friends, I have a new baby niece and she's way too loud if you ask me, I put my big girl pants on and moved out of the family home and I finally got my driving license after years of putting it off. But of course, with great joy comes great sorrow; someone who was very special to me is not around anymore but that's okay too. I believe that everything happens for a reason so let it be. 

23 has been very good to me, here is to hoping that 24 is even better and I'll be wiser minus the wrinkles..

*Upbeat Protein Drink Review!

Put down the chocolate bar and step away from those cupcakes; pick up a bottle of Upbeat  instead! A few days ago, I was contacted by Kat from Upbeat regarding their new protein drinks and if I'd be interested in a trial. Since I'm into fitness now more than ever and also because I had never heard of the company before, I was really intrigued to give them a try. Even though I workout a lot, I've never drank any whey/protein shakes. I'm extremely old fashioned and have always stuck to making my own smoothies.

Everybody needs a certain amount of protein in their diet to repair and keep our bones healthy and aid body tissue growth. If you are an unhealthy snacker; mid-morning, afternoon or evening; Upbeat drinks may just be your perfect solution and you'll be glad to know that they are not just for athletes and bodybuilders. They are for everyone! They aren't about increasing you protein intake but about making sure you get steady protein intake throughout the day.

 

Preppy Vibes!

Summer seems to be fading away so quickly as there are more and more grey, rainy days and today is most definitely one of them. It's time to dig out those thin jumpers that had been tucked away for the summer in the hopes that they wouldn't be needed.

Quick and Easy: The greener, the better!

It's always a good idea to incorporate fresh vegetables into you meals and tonight is no exception! As you're all aware, I've been leading a healthy lifestyle for nearly two years now and will continue to for many years to come. This might sound strange but I prefer to cook my own food; it's fresh, unprocessed and jam packed with nutrients; take outs do not exist in my vocabulary. So, meet my dinner tonight; come on in. Please keep in mind that I'm not very good at writing up recipes of things I cook or make; I'm better at just cooking and getting it done so bear with me.

Fade to White!

The best decorating advice I could ever give would be to start neutral then add a pop of colour here and there. The reason why I say start neutral is because you can easily switch in the future is you feel that you need a change. Ever since I moved out, I've noticed that I'm acting like a granny; all I want to buy is pretty cushions, paintings and beautiful bed linen. Some of the things that used to matter when I lived back home don't seem as important now; all but a distant memory. There is nothing better than coming home from a long day at work, have a nice long bath and climbing into a freshly changed bed which is why I take pride in my bedroom's appearance. The final piece to the puzzle was of course white bedding; there's just something so peaceful about it.

Cropped Stripes!

Sometimes all you need is a good pair of ripped jeans and a basic top to get you through the day. Let me be more specific, to get you through a lazy day! Now, I'm talking laziness in its purest, most strongest form; the kind you can't escape from. Jiù Mìng!
I do have a few new novels that are waiting to be read so I've spent most of my day indulging in some light reading. What can I say, it's just one of those days and what a struggle it was to gather up the motivation to  take these few snaps but we got there in the end.

Dark Statement!

Yet another grey day equals a small grungy mash up of leather and captioned tops; an outfit that is a far cry from my usual tendencies. Fortunately, I look rather exceptional in black don't you think? Here is to straying away from expectation and badly belting out Paramore early morning.

Now and then!

Green Light!

So, if you already follow little old me on Instagram, you would know by now that I had my nose pierced on Monday; finally! I had wanted my nose pierced since I was 19 but never really got round to it. Do I love it and was it worth it; H E L L  Y E S! Anyway, today I come at you in this rather simplistic green ensemble, a tribute to the all those beautiful trees that dance endlessly in the summer wind.

Basic Intro!

It's official, I AM BACK! So, what better way to honour the beginning of my six weeks off work than by rocking this rather minimal monochrome ensemble! Yes, you caught me; I've become very fond of black and white the past few months & now strive to live the minimalist way! Before we go any further, can I just point out my H A I R! It has grown so long thanks to endless weaving and braiding over the last three years. Cheers to a weave-free head, time to embrace my natural hair.
On the other hand, having outfit photos taken lately has become rather problematic because I moved out and left my little brother behind! We are not in the same house anymore which means I can no longer hijack his room whenever I please. Oh, t he horror! e was my little photographer; I should have just put him in my suitcase along with everything else. Luckily, I did not forget my camera so here is to using the second best thing.. my full length mirror.

Flicker Beat

 

Oh happiness; it is what we all strive to find and keep isn't it? And now I'm on a venture to find mine through minimalism starting with my wardrobe. Minimalism is subjective for a lot of people and I'm finally ready to strip away the fat and live with a new found financial freedom. What's the harm in adding up all the little joyful things that happen to you in your day to day life; just feeling deeply grateful for the things you have?! Time to live by the three Cs: Choices, Chances and Changes. Anyway, today I come at you in this rather effortless ensemble fit for a hot summers day.

Reasons why you should drink Green Tea!

Just thought I'd share my typical breakfast which usually consists of Oats, bananas and lots of green tea. Undoubtedly the healthiest beverage on the planet, Green tea can offer quite a few health benefits that will make you think twice if you don't already drink it! Because green tea is not fermented during the manufacturing process, its healing and health protecting compounds to stay largely intact which is a huge advantage in comparison to black tea. I have been drinking green tea for to years now and honestly, I love it. Besides, it is filled with nutrients and antioxidants that do wonders for your body. Here is a list of some of the proven reasons why you should drink it..

This old thing!

 

All but one!

It most certainly is Spring; I should be in V-necks slowly getting back into the swing of things; yet I find myself sashaying around in a turtleneck. It should be safely tucked away in my closet with all my winter stuff but alas this weather is unpredictable and I don't like to be cold. Anyway, today I come at you in this rather quirky ensemble, a testament of my new found love for loose midi skirts.

Quick & Easy: Egg Noodles Stir Fry!

What's 15 minutes worth to you these days? Quite a bit I'd say, which is why I take the preparation of my food very seriously and this delicious, healthy meal takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
I've heard quite a lot of people mention that eating healthy is expensive! Are you kidding me, have you tried? If you know the right places to shop for your ingredients and more than willing to spend a little bit of time doing your research; I can promise you that eating healthy is not expensive.

Peek-a-boo!

Did I mention just how amazing the I'm feeling lately thanks to the sunshine. Having never been a fan of crop tops; please do excuse the fact that today I'm actually wearing one and loving it. This is due to my current obsession, palm trees; let's head on to California, any takers? I'm loving minimalism lately merely because I don't have to put much thought into my outfits. On the contrary, I would be lying if I said I could last a week sashaying around in just black and white.