hair mask heaven...

No matter what time of the year it is our hair is always fighting a battle of some kind, it's either being blown about by the wind, beaten by the rain, or searing in the sunshine. Our tresses are being tortured and we need to give them a little TLC.

I have red hair and from season to season it lightens or darkens depending on how much sunshine it is being exposed to. It's generally not to dry or too greasy and I am quite lucky with the fact that I usually get away with only washing it once maybe twice a week. I apply some serum once washed and a day or so before I wash it again I use some dry shampoo to freshen it up and give it a bit of volume but other then that it is left alone. I shampoo and condition when washing my hair but sometimes I just dont get that fresh clean feeling I'm looking for.

I decided to have a look for some home made remedies and this is what I found:

The first little step I came across is not a hair mask but a really simple step to getting really fresh clean hair. Baking soda as we know is well known for its cleaning properties from glistening kitchens to soap scum free sinks, so it must be great at getting through the build up and residue left from all the styling products we use too. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to three cups of water and use to rinse your hair after shampooing. Then condition as normal for silky smooth fresh hair. Alternatively pour a generous helping of baking soda into your hand and add your shampoo and work well into your hair before rinsing and conditioning. It's such a simple step and by doing this once a week you really will notice the difference.

As I have been travelling quite a bit over the last year and have been lucky enough to spend most of my time in some very warm countries, my hair has definitely dried out a little more then I would like. I haven't really been giving it enough attention and it spent a lot of the time just knotted on top of my head to keep it all out of the way. Now that I'm faced with another summer coming up I want to get my hair into the best condition possible. I found this really simple yet effective hair mask to moisturise and strengthen hair whilst giving it an amazing shine too. There's only two ingredients so for a cheap yet effective hair mask I don't think it gets much better than this.

You need enough natural yogurt to cover your hair. Mix two tablespoons of honey into this. Massage this into your scalp and hair and leave to sit for 15-30 mins. Then rinse off and wash and condition as normal. The natural yogurt provides essential nutrients whilst being full of protein which is super important for healthy hair. The honey is great for moisturising so these two combined create a great hair mask. Apply this mask every few weeks to keep your hair in tip top condition. Dont worry if you make too much of this mask as you can always enjoy the leftovers as a healthy treat poured over some fruit. yummy.

These worked so well I'm now on the hunt for a few more so every hair complaint will have a mask to suit.

parka power...

It's parka season, Autumn in Europe and Spring in Australia and a parka is the perfect piece to have in your wardrobe to get you through. I have worn mine all winter here as Melbourne is a little milder than London so didn't need to invest in yet another winter coat and I don't plan on retiring it just yet. Paired with jeans and a cosy knit, or over shorts and a t-shirt, with a cute floral dress and some chunky tights, add some ankle boots and you really can't go wrong.

There are so many options out there now this really is the year of the parka. There are lots of different colours available from khaki hues to greys and blacks and browns and even a few brights out there too and if you want it to keep you going through winter you can even invest in something with a bit of thickness and warmth to it, or even better one with a removeable inner coat. mmmm cosy. Parkas come back year after year so don't be afraid to invest in something you really like.

falafel fun...

Up until about two years ago I didn't have a clue what chickpeas could be used for. I always saw them available in the supermarket but never knew what possibilities they held. I remember going home to Ireland and opening my moms store cupboard and there was at least four tins in there. I asked her what she used them for but she had just bought them hoping someone would tell her what to do with them too. I had an amazing chickpea curry in a bar next to where I lived in London once but what really got me excited was when I discovered how to make my own falafels. Chickpeas are so cheap and easy to get hold of. You can store them for ages so they really are a great buy.

Here is my recipe for making falafels. You can add more spice or less spice depending on how much heat you like. They keep in the fridge for days so what I usually do is make a big batch and that covers me for work lunches for the week.

Ingredients:
chickpeas 2 x 400g tins drained and rinsed
1 onion chopped, I like to use a red onion but either work well.
2 tbsp of fresh flatleaf parsley
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tsp of flour
1 tsp of ground cumin
1 tsp of ground coriander
pinch or more of cayenne pepper
pinch of sea salt
olive oil to fry
if you need help binding the ingredients you can also add 1 beaten egg

1. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas along with the chopped onion and garlic, flatleaf parsley, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper and sea salt to a food processor. Blitz until it becomes a rough paste. Don't blend it until it is completely smooth as it will be difficult to work with.
2. Using floured hands shape the mixture into patties. I usually make them just bigger than bitesize but have also made them larger and had them as falafel burgers so it's up to you what size you make your own as long as they are between 1-2cm think.
3. Once you have shaped all your patties put on a plate and cover and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4. Heat some oil in a frying pan. Add your falafels and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown amd are cooked through. You may have to cook these in batches if you have quite a few. Be patient because they will be worth it.

To serve I usually toast some pittas, then add hummus which I like to make myself from another tin of chickpeas, a squeeze of lemon juice, a clove of garlic, some black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. I then add some lettuce, cucumber and chopped tomato and of course the tasty falafels. Makes a delicious lunch or snack and a pretty healthy one at that too.

monochrome madness...

Monochrome is a trend that we see season after season and it never loses its wow factor. It's a look everyone can pull off and you can be as daring as you like. Go for wild contrasting patterns or just simple accessories and the effect is still as chic as ever. I've been quite lucky and have found a few pieces in the sales so I have a nice foundation to build on but have also seen a few bits online that I adore.

Although not monochrome a sheer black shirt is a perfect start and works as well for a night out as it does for a day in the office. I picked mine up for $10 and have worn it on many occassions already, works well with jeans or a skirt.

I found this skirt on a sale rail for $5 and absolutely loved it. The whole skirt is made from elastic so it is super comfy. Worn with all black this skirt is a real showstopper.

Why not introduce a little monochrome through your manicure. Cheap and cheerful and you can change the style whenever you like.

It's always important to protect your eyes from the sun whether it be in the winter or summer and think how amazing you'll look rocking these bad boys.

A reliable timepiece is a must, why not make it monochrome too?

Or why not just keep it casual in Converse?

Monochrome works as well for winter as it does for summer so dont be afraid to invest in a few key pieces. A sharp blazer and some really great fitting black or white jeans will be the perfect start to create any monochrome look.

Go on give it a go, you know you want to.

can't get enough chia...

Around the same time I discovered acai berry bars I was also introduced to chia seeds. I'll be honest and say I knew nothing at all about them but they looked healthy so this was enough to attract my interest. I do try to be healthy but unfortunately I still like the odd treat, so something that can make even my naughty treats a little nicer is a winner with me.

Chia seeds can be added to so many recipes there really is no excuse not to be eating these mini super seeds. You can simply sprinkle them onto salads or cereals, add them to juices and smoothies or one of my favourite things to do is to combine them with water or milk to form a gel and add them to baking recipes when water or milk is called for. Makes those delicious chocolate brownies almost healthy without changing the taste in any way. Perfect in breads and muffins too.

Chia seeds are gluten free, high in dietary fibre, contain protein, have more omega 3 than salmon, have more calcium than milk, have more vitamin c than oranges... are you convinced yet? They have more potassium than bananas, more iron than spinach and they are great for hair skin and nails. What's not to love about these teeny tiny seeds.

They are now available in most supermarkets as well as health food stores. Go grab some now!!

super simple necklace saver...

At the moment the phrase "the bigger the better" very much applies when it comes to choosing a necklace, but do you ever find yourself sitting on the bed trying to detangle a buddle of necklaces whilst trying not to damage any of the delicate embellishments or knot any of the chains. Well if this sounds like you on a Saturday night then I have found the perfect item for you. The necklace saver is a little organza slip that you thread your necklace through. The slip is see through so you can see which necklace is inside which slip and once tied up they can be hung up or laid flat in a drawer.

These little slips come in a few different widths and lengths so there is a slip to suit every necklace. These would also be perfect for travelling and will just keep your jewellery looking at its best for longer. You could even hang your necklaces in your wardrobe now and know that that they wont be pulling threads or getting caught in delicate fabrics of the items around them. Think of what a nice gift these would make for your friends too. These are available to buy on amazon. I know I'll be stocking up.

why not pick yours up here: www.necklacesaver.com

high heel heroes...

Ladies I'm sure you can agree walking on grass in six inch heels is something which is difficult to achieve while still appearing cool, calm and collected. Well fret no more because I have found the solution. Soulmates high heelers are a must have for all ladies. These are not only great for tackling grass but for decking, cobble stones and many other surfaces you may come across while sporting the latest in fashionable footwear.

These little high heelers just slide on over the heel of your shoe and provide you with stability whilst also protecting your heels from getting dirty or scuffed. They also come in four different colours: clear, black, silver and gold and three different sizes so there is a high heeler to fit all heels out there. I can't wait to give these a try.

Click here to buy some for yourself: www.thesolemates.com

the burt's bee's knees...

I have been a Burt's bees lip balm fan for quite a long time. I never leave the house without lipbalm and most of the time will have one in my pocket and at least another one or two floating about in a coat or handbag. while travelling in South East Asia earlier this year I relied on it even more to keep my lips from drying out in the heat and sunshine.

I have always just used the original beeswax lipbalm pictured below but have now discovered the rest of this range and so far my absolute favourite is the rejuvenating lipbalm with Acai berry. I think I may be having a small love affair with Acai berry as I also find myself quite partial to Acai Berry bars at the moment but this lip balm is almost as delicious. It moisturises and lasts for ages and the smell is just to die for aswell.

I've just seen on the Burt's bees website that there is now a version with grapefruit so I think this will definitely be the next one I try to hunt down. The great thing about these lipbalms is they are available everywhere and they really dont break the bank either.

To check out what else they have to offer: www.burtsbees.com

for the love of lemon...

I've always fancied myself as a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen. I wouldn't say I'm the next Mary Berry or Jamie Oliver but I like to experiment with my baking and cooking and I can whip up a few nice treats both sweet and savoury. Recently we went to the country to visit friends and before we got on the bus home my friends mom Anne, very kindly gave me a huge bag of lemons from the tree in her garden. I was delighted as I love a glass of lemon water in the morning but even I couldn't drink enough water to make use of all these lemons while they were at their best so I had a quick look online for some lemon inspired recipes and found one for some yummy lemon slices. I could not believe how easy this recipe was and have since made them every week and even made a batch for Anne's granddaughters communion, which were very well received.

Recipe:
For the lemon slice you need -
1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of sugar
pinch of salt
half a cup of butter
2 large eggs
the zest of 1 lemon
the juice of two lemons

For the glaze -
1 cup of icing sugar
the zest of 1 lemon
the juice of 1 lemon

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
2. Grease an 8x8 baking tray and set aside.
3. Combine the first four ingredients until smooth.
4. Beat the eggs and add the lemon juice and lemon zest and then combine with the dry mixture until smooth and creamy.
5. Pour the mixture into the baking tray and pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and when you put a skewer into the centre it comes out clean.
6. Once the brownies have cooled completely (yes be patient) make the glaze by combining the icing sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Spread half of the glaze over the slices and leave to set (yes, you have to wait) then spread the remaining glaze over and leave to set. This glaze doesn't set rock hard like some others.
7. Slice up and enjoy. I served my slices with some homemade lemonade but then again I did have a lot of lemons to use.

Delicious and light and so easy to make.

must have moisturiser...

For years I did not like to moisturise. I know, I know it's almost a sin not to moisturise but I put it down to only ever having the misfortune of trying moisturisers that were too heavy, or too oily and that made my skin feel unclean. This is until an amazing work colleague of mine introduced me to Steamcream. As she is a little older and much wiser than me she was preaching the benefits of moisturising and after I had told her I just hated the thought of it she suggested I try this miracle moisturiser.

Steamcream as you might have already guessed is created by steaming together an array of super ingredients such as lavender essential oil, oatmeal infusion, cocoa butter, neroli oil, chamomile blue essential oil and organic jojoba oil to name but a few, into a beautiful silky smooth emulsion.

Steamcream is not just a face cream but an all over body and face cream which I just love. It smells amazing and as soon as it is applied, it sinks deep into your skin to give you the best moisturising benefits you can have. Your skin is left feeling silky smooth but not oily or greasy or heavy with product. I use it under my make-up after being in the sun, before I go to bed and every day in between.

Ok I know this sounds like the best thing since the slice pan but you havent even heard the best bit yet! Steamcream comes packaged in the most adoreable limited addition tins. I think this may be partly the reason for my addiction. Everytime I see a new tin I find myself placing a new order. Once you have finished the cream the tin can then be used to store jewellery, little trinkets or as a snazzy little tin of decanted sunscreen to save you lugging the big one litre bottle all the way to the beach and back.

I buy mine online but I know there you can also buy it at Selfridges and John Lewis. I have gifted many many tins to my friends and family and it has always been a well received gift. My mom is now an avid fan and my fiance has also been caught with his paws in the tin on more than a few occassions.

Check out the website and do pick up a tin or two. with Christmas coming up keep your eyes peeled for some festive tins and also subscibe to their email alerts so you know when they have special deals on. They ship worldwide and I have just placed my second order of two tins to be sent to me in Australia and just a moment ago got an email confirming my order had been dispatched. They should keep me going through the Australian summer months.

Go grab some now: www.steamcream.com

a bobby pin revelation...

So I'm guessing for us ladies bobby pins form the basis for almost any hairstyle we choose to create. I don't think I could leave the house without an emergency stash in my purse or thrown into the end of my handbag but I bet that like me, most of you have been using them incorrectly, that is until now.

I know you're thinking how is this possible but believe me when I discovered the correct way to use them my hairdoing days were changed forever.

I have always put the bobby pins in with the wavy side facing up but have recently been told that this is wrong. The waves are created so that when placed in side down they grip the hair underneath and keep everything from sliding out of place. Such a simple change can make the world of difference. It means that the need to repin your hair throughout the day is eliminated and the hairdo you style in the morning is the one you go home with in the evening.

Make the change and you'll notice the difference. Happy Pinning!

oh my god i'm ginger...