The title is a bit misleading because I’m only talking about two shades of grey- and whilst it may be somewhat submissive, it’s definitely not sexual (and not to be confused with the famous trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, if you’ve been keeping up with your booklist!)
It’s actually the idea of monochromatic fashion and here I’ve done it using grey. I love grey– it’s my next go to colour after black. It goes with everything and it simply works all year round.
French toast is one of the easiest things to make ever. It’s great for breakfast, and even works for dinner or a snack. There are so many things you can do to vary it up. You can make it gluten-free as well by substituting the bread for gluten-free bread.
2-3 slices of bread
1-2 eggs (free range and organic if you can)
2 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
2 tsp coconut oil
maple syrup (it really is the best, if you can’t get that, you can use golden syrup)
icing sugar and berries
In a bowl mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add the slices of bread and coat both sides. Heat the coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the bread slices to the pan. Let it cook for a couple minutes then turn it over. If you like it a bit soggy, leave it on for another two minutes but if you prefer it cooked well throughout, leave it on longer. Remove from the heat and plate up.
I usually cut the squares in half to triangles and line them up on my plate. Scatter the berries; add the maple syrup, and a tiny sprinkling of icing sugar.
Over the weekend, it was my father-in-law’s birthday and I decided to celebrate by making him cupcakes– 65 to be exact. And they’re all gluten-free!
I never made any of these kinds before and wanted to vary it up and include a few flavours of the things I know he’d like best.
I settled for an apple cupcake with cinnamon buttercream frosting, a banana pecan cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting, and finally, a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
I decided to decorate the entire table. The red velvet cupcakes were in a formation of “65” and instead of buying tiered cake stands I’d just be tossing away, I chose a variety of different plates and bowls to stack at different heights to display the rest.
This is how it turned out:
Apple Cinnamon cupcakes
Banana Pecan cupcakes
Red Velvet cupcakes
What are some of your favorite cupcakes to bake? Do you have any creative ways of displaying the things you’ve made?
I really like things to be organized and easy to find. Especially when it comes to getting ready in the mornings. I hate scouring through makeup bag after makeup bag searching for the right thing. I decided to put to use these commemorative mugs I have stacking up. I collect these for the irony of them; I’m not actually Monarch crazy with a little shrine in my home. I usually find them lingering around charity shops. They’re perfect for storing makeup brushes, cotton buds, my toothbrush, and little bits I use that are now readily accessible.
Don’t you love it when you find something hanging in the back of your closet or buried in a drawer that you can pick up, dust off, and wear again? (Bonus: it’s trending at the moment!)
I know geometric prints are a big hit this fall season and I’m glad I came across this dress I picked up a couple years ago. I pegged it from Forever 21 prior to coming to the U.K and I love the slight hint of lace on the shoulders and the all over black and white print. Even better, I can wear it now, bringing it into fall by layering with tights or leggings and it’s bang on trend.
At the moment, I’m quite caught up in the whole idea of eating and using all things natural and organic (well, as much as I can incorporate!) I particularly love the idea of using everyday things in the kitchen, and playing a little hocus pocus.
The ingredients I’ve listed are generally in everyone’s kitchen, are relatively cheap, and you know what’s being used on your skin. Seeing as it’s our largest organ, it’s best to treat it well! Better yet, I do think it’s made a difference in my own skin and hair, even though it’s noted I’m being a bit hippie-like 🙂
For hair:
This is a great simple thing to use before hopping in the shower to wash your hair—
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp of olive oil
Mix the egg yolk slowly into the olive oil and massage into the ends of your hair. Leave for 20-30 minutes (or whatever time you have) shampoo and rinse out.
The egg yolk is full of nutrients and vitamins as well as protein. Olive oil is used in cooking all over the world for its health properties but it’s also great at making your hair light and silky. For me, having not trimmed my hair since January, it’s made the split ends almost non-existent and the rest of my locks shiny and more manageable.
And try this to wash your face:
1 tsp of honey (manuka is the best)
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp coconut oil
Dampen your face; rub together the ingredients in the palm of your hands and gently massage in circular motions around your face. Rinse.
Manuka honey in particular has the highest antibacterial properties. Organic, raw, extra virgin coconut oil is wonderful to eat and to use on your body. I use Tiana coconut oil.
There are too many uses for baking soda to name. Together, these provide a gentle exfoliation, and personally, my skin feels and looks great afterwards. I try to do this every morning.
At night, I tend to settle for a branded product. At the moment, balance Me. and Dr. Hauschka are my go-to items.
One of my best friends recently posted this picture and at the moment, it resonates with me completely. I haven’t always been known for “letting things roll off the shoulders”. Even when I think I’m doing pretty well at the whole not worrying thing, often times the issues are still lurking about in my subconscious. When I saw this picture, I felt a sort of calm wash over me, because when it’s staring at you right there in black and white, it’s just true. It’s such a simple thing when it’s read like that and so, I’m trying to re-program my way of thinking with that in mind. It’s the kind of reminder that’s good to see when starting fresh for the week ahead.
It started last year when I saw just a fleeting amount of them wandering around the city. It got worse this spring when it started popping up again all over the place. I admit, I have a mild obsession: Finding the perfect pair of cobalt blue pants.
Each time I’ve tried to find a pair, the store has run out of my size or they’re too short in the leg, until eventually they’re all gone again! This time, I think I’ve satisfied my craving with this lightweight blouse. It’s the perfect top for right now when it looks sunny and beautiful outside, yet there’s the beginnings of a slight chill in the air. It falls perfectly on the body and is a bit longer in the back, fit for wearing with leggings, which I’ve settled for instead of the infamous pants. I think this is the ideal substitute on my quest for that something cobalt blue anyway. Besides, I’m now lusting after some burgundy pants…
I’m usually more of a dainty jewelry person- I like thin gold chains, a couple of bracelets, simple rings. However, I really liked the idea of the chunky jewelry that started appearing around the shops in summer. I liked the idea of a piece, such as a necklace, instantly changing the whole look of the simplest of outfits. So when I saw this dual metallic one, I had to have it. I love it even more because it’s an easy item that I can now wear through into fall.
Love the pearl and ribbon necklace for a feminine touch
I’ve made a few attempts at starting a blog and each time I haven’t got very far. I’m indecisive and always set out with an idea in mind but find myself changing my course of action over the path at which I’d like it to take.
I figure what a better time to begin again than the changing of summer into fall, which is my favorite time of year. I love summer as much as the next person (I’m a total beach person— I could spend my days laying out in the sunshine) however I do secretly enjoy the change of air when it comes to waking up to autumn. I love the evolving colour of the leaves, embracing layers, and the comfort of good homemade food at its best.
As they say, change is good.
holistic nutritionist | yoga teacher | health & wellness | accessible for all
Gluten-free and Happy me!
mint peonies 