Luxe of the Week

Zara

Zara Home

I am a huge advocate of Zara in general, but more and more I seem to be checking out their Home website. The bedding, accessories, candles are to die for and are so reasonably priced...home makeover anyone?!

One.Mother of Pearl Bathroom Set  Two.Lines Rug  Three.Snake Vase
Four.Paisley Cushion  Five.Bamboo Magazine Holder
Six.Conch Shells Tealight Holder  Seven.Tropical Set

Statement Earrings

Want to make a statement?...Here's your answer...Statement Earrings!

They will dress up any lacklustre outfit, there easy to pull off and you don't have to spend a fortune...unless you want too of course!!!

One.Boohoo  Two.Accessorize  Three.Nasty Gal

Four.Carolee  Five.J Crew  Six.Elizabeth Cole

Nude Lips

I am a huge lover of a nude lip...actually it looks like a lot of people are falling for the nude trend, Debenhams revealed that sales of nude lipsticks have overtaken the red lipstick numbers for the first time in three years.

A classic smokey eye paired with a nude lip = Instant Sexy Chic

From pink tones to beige tones, choosing your nude lip is like choosing the right foundation, it's all about tone...Enjoy your new naked ambition!!!

One.Tom Ford-Blush Nude  Two.Topshop-Crave  Three.MAC-Shy Girl

Four.By Terry-Terrybly Nude  Five. Nars-Honolulu Honey

Six.Tom Ford-Sable Smoke  Seven.Yves Saint Laurent-Nude Beige

Eight.Charlotte Tilbury-Nude Kate

Coloured Leather Biker Jackets

A black leather biker jacket...everyone owns one, it's your easy-go-to cover up! Well now is the time to get bold and try a coloured leather version!!!

One.Karen Millen  Two.River Island  Three.Mango  Four.Karen Millen

Five.Karen Millen  Six.Unif  Seven.Topshop  Eight.Muubaa

Luxe Look

Luxe Look

Top.Supertrash  Shorts.Supertrash  Jacket.Supertrash  

Shoes.Steve Madden  Nail Polish.Kure

Slutty Brownies

These have to be the most indulgent, hassle free, naughtiest brownies ever!!! I can't take the credit for these beauties though, I found this recipe over on The Londoner blog, and am I ever so thankful I did...Thank you Rosie!

Ridiculously easy and even more satisfying, coming from someone with an extremely sweet tooth! Yes of course these are a treat...but everyone deserves abit a treat now and again...right?!

Ingredients

1 Box of cookie mix

1 Box of brownie mix

2 Packs of Oreos

2 Eggs

Some vegetable oil or flavourless oil

Method

Preheat your oven to 350F, 180C, gas mark 4. Line a baking tray with grease proof paper.

Follow the instructions on the cookie mix box & stir furiously till the cookie mixture comes together. You will need to add a little extra water and oil to what they suggest, this will keep the cookie moist as you will be baking it for longer than suggested. An extra tablespoon of each is perfect. Press the cookie dough into the tray, covering the bottom.

Cover the cookie layer with your Oreos, I love this part...plus there is always left over Oreos!

Mix up your brownie batter, sticking to the recipe on the box for this one and pour over your Oreos.

Cover and liberally smooth, then bake for 30mins.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

When its still a little wall, use the paper to lift your slab of goodness out of the tray and onto a chopping board. Use a large, sharp knife to cut it into pieces...large pieces!

Enjoy!!!

Summer Sliders

Your new summer staple: the slider!!! And no I'm not talking about those small delicious morsels of a burger...I'm talking about shoes! 

Sliders have come along way, this year we saw them all over the catwalk from Isabel Marant and Chloe to Celine.

From sporty to statement, the traditional pool shoe has been re-vamped!!!

One.Jeffrey Campbell  Two.Carvela  Three.Jeffrey Campbell

Four.Shoe Cult  Five.Ancient Greek  Six.Zara Trf

Seven.Zara

Luxe of the Week

Letters On Love

Letters On Love Prints - Etsy

Beautifully elegant monochrome prints.

"Letters On Love...is a place where we bridge the gap between poetry & design / romance & art / quotes & interiors"

They have a fabulous selection to choose from, but if you have something specific in mind they also do custom orders for something truly original.

Letters On Love

Contour

Contour is a make up technique every MUA has in their arsenal! Last week I went to watch Maleficent and was in awe of Angelina Jolie's fabulous cheekbones! 

Yes they are prosthetics, the work of Rick Baker and Jolie's personal make up artist Toni G, but they are incredible! So ok, we are living in the real world here not Disney, but who doesn't want more defined cheekbones?! 

Creating those perfected sculpted cheekbones just got a little easier with these great contour palettes!!!

One.Charlotte Tilbury  Two.Tom Ford  Three.Nars

Four.Daniel Sandler  Five.Make Up For Ever

The Denim Shirt

Dark wash or light wash?

Buttoned up or unbuttoned?

Plain or embroidered?

Dress it up or dress it down?


Every woman should own a denim shirt! It's super versatile and will take you from day to night on every occasion! It's a wardrobe staple!!!

One.H&M  Two.Acne  Three.Topshop  Four.J Crew

Five.7 For All Mankind  Six.The Kooples

Table Talk: Moose Coffee

Table Talk: Moose Coffee

Location: 20 York Street, Manchester (There are 3 other locations across Liverpool)

They say: "Our aim is to provide an American Diner influenced breakfast and brunch experience with an authentic short order menu and premium espresso based coffee. We are service orientated with a warm and welcoming atmosphere"

Perfect for: Lazy weekend brunches.

Atmosphere: I was there midweek midday and the queue was out the door, because of it's small nature it was buzzy in atmosphere but felt relaxed and we weren't rushed. Takeaway option is also available.

What we ordered:

- New York Moose - Two poached eggs served on a toasted bagel with grilled parma ham and homemade hollandaise sauce.

- New England Moose - Two poached eggs on a bed of spinach seasoned with garlic butter and pepper. Served on a fresh bagel and covered in homemade hollandaise.

- Homemade American Pancakes - with blueberries and maple syrup.

- Classic Americano 

- Cappuccino

What I liked:

- The menu, such a wide variety of eggs benedict, spoilt for choice. 

- The homemade hollandaise.

- One of the best soy cappuccinos I have ever tasted, quality coffee.

- Huge american pancakes.

Overall: A great original place to go with friends for a relaxed breakfast or brunch, quality food and coffee.

www.moosecoffee.co.uk

Luxe Look

Luxe Look

Dress.Topshop  Shoes.Topshop  Bag.Topshop  Lipstick.Topshop

Lace

Feeling romantic? Add a touch of lace to your summer wardrobe.

Lace was huge on the Spring/Summer 2014 catwalks from Chloe and Peter Pilotto to Burberry!

Embrace the feminine fabric! Effortless chic!!!

One.Hanky Panky  Two.Zara  Three.Sportmax Code  Four.Anna Sui  Five.Warehouse

Six.Three Floor  Seven.River Island  Eight.Topshop

Lean Legs

Fancy changing it up from your usual squats and lunges!!! Here's 5 amazing leg workouts to try courtesy of Women's Health

Dumbbell Split Jump

Hold a pair of dumbbells at arm's length next to your sides, palms facing each other. Stand in a staggered stance, your left foot in front of your right. From a standing position, lower your body into a split squat. (A) Quickly switch dircetions and jump with enough force to propel both feet off the floor. (B) Repeat, alternating back and forth with each repetition. (C)


Single-Arm Kettlebell Swing

Grab a kettlebell with an overhand grip and hold it in front of your waist at arm's length. (You can also do the exercise two handed, holding the kettlebell with both hands.) Bend at your hips and knees and lower your torso until it forms a 45-degree angle to the floor. Swing the kettlebell between your legs. (A) Keeping your arm straight, thrust your hips forward, straighten your knees, and swing the kettlebell up to chest level as you rise to standing position. (B) Now squat back down as you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Swing the weight back and forth forcefully.


Pistol Squat

Stand holding your arms straight out in front of your body at shoulder level, parallel to the floor. Raise your right leg off the floor, and hold it there. (A) Push your hips back and lower your body as far as you can. (B) Pause, then push your body back to the starting position.


Marching Hip Raise with Feet on a Swiss Ball

Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on a Swiss Ball. Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. (A) Lift one knee to your chest (B), lower back to the start, and lift your other knee to your chest. Continue to alternate back and forth.


Reverse Dumbbell Box Lunge with Forward Reach

Stand on a 6-inch box or step, holding a pair of light dumbbells at your sides. (A) Step backward intoa lunge with your right leg as you lean forward at your hips and reach toward your feet. (B) Reverse the movement to return to the starting position.

Coconuts!!!

My love for all things coconut!

Let me start by saying.....coconuts are extremely good for us!!!

Let's talk coconut oil! Coconut oil is derived from the flesh of the coconut, and is rich in medium-chain triglycerides, which are good for our immune sysytem, but also for efficient fat burning and energy. Lauric acid found in coconut oil is antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal, helping our body resist against viruses and bacteria that cause illness, manages our blood sugar, boosts thyroid function, which increase the metabolism and energy, and also helps with digestion and reduces cholesterol!!! What more can you ask for!

Not only can you cook with coconut oil, you can use it superficially too! It's great for hair, skin and altogether general well-being!!!

One.Coco Face  Two.Lucy Bee  Three.Vita Coco  Four.Tiana

Five.Tiana  Six.Coyo

My love for the coconut doesn't stop at coconut oil and it's health benefits........I'm crazy about it's fragrance...It makes me feel like a Hawaiian Goddess!!! Anything coconut scented body scrub, perfume, candles, moisturiser...If it's coconut i'll buy it!

One.The Body Shop  Two.The Body Shop  Three.True Grace  Four.Korres

Five.RMS  Six.Sol De Janeiro

Luxe of the Week

Kate Spade

Kate Spade New York: Things We Love (Coffee Table Book)

I adore a beautiful book, especially a beautiful coffee table book full of colour, brightness, fashion, home and lifestyle! This book covers everything, a perfect companion to any fashionista's table!!!

Kate Spade Things We Love

Slogan Clutch

Forget message-in-a-bottle.....this season it's all about message-on-a-clutch!

Slogan clutches are hot right now, so let your arm candy do the talking!!!

One.Charlotte Olympia  Two.Moschino  Three.Alphabet Bags  

Four.Olympia Le Tan  Five.Asos  Six.Zara  Seven.Sophia Webster

Apple & Cinnamon Muffins

Adapted from the Kitchen (Nigella Lawson) cookbook, these muffins are made using speltflour. Spelt is a wheat-free whole grain, although it contains natural gluten, the gluten structure in spelt breaks down far more easier than wheat flour, therefore making it easier for the body to digest! 

Quick and easy to make, these muffins are great for brunch!!!


Ingredients

2 Eating Apples (I used Pink Lady)
250g Spelt Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
125g Light Brown Sugar, plus 4 teaspoons for sprinkling
125ml Agave Nectar
60ml Runny Natural Yogurt
125ml Flavourless Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs
75g Natural (Unblanched) Almonds

Method

Preheat the oven to 200oC/gas mark 6 and line your muffin tin with cases, I made my own muffin cases by cutting 5 inch squares out of baking paper.

Peel and core the apples, then chop into small dice (about 1cm approx.) and put them to one side.

Measure the flour, baking powder and 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon into a bowl.

Whisk together the 125g brown sugar, the agave, yogurt, vegetable oil and eggs in another bowl or jug.

Chop the almonds roughly and add half of them to the flour mixture, put the other half into a small bowl with the second teaspoon of ground cinnamon and the 4 extra teaspoons of brown sugar. This will make the topping for the muffins.

Now fold the wet ingredients into the dry. Add the chopped apple and stir to combine, but don't overmix. A lumpy batter makes for a lighter muffin.

Spoon this bumpy batter into the muffin cases, then sprinkle with the topping.

Pop the tin into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, by which time they will have risen and become golden. Take the tin out of the oven and let it stand for about 5 minutes before taking out the muffins and placing them on a wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!!!