Monday Quote

(image via curiosities by dickens)

Empties 2

Looking at what is in this empties post you can pretty much see what was my exact skincare routine during the winter.  I have been doing my best to use up a lot of my existing products as I transition into a more natural skin care and beauty routine which has made my bathroom cupboards look quite different these days.  Throughout the winter I slowly transitioned into using exclusively oils on my skin so it took me forever to use up these moisturizers.  I will give you an update on my natural beauty shift including how and why I have made the switch in another post.

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover: I have been working on this bottle of nail polish remover for about a year now.  This remover is nothing to write home about but I think it worked well and lasted an impressive amount of time.

Lush Tea Tree Water: My skin began to act out around November this year for no real reason so I decided to give this toner a try in the hopes that it would cure my skin.  I'm not sure if it cured my skin exactly but it did feel fresh and cooling on my skin.  I also like that it came in a spray bottle which made it much easier to apply. I have since stopped using this product but I do think it made a difference while my skin was acting like a teenager again.

Neutrogena moisturizer for combination skin: This was my go to moisturizer last summer but since then I have found that it irritates my eyes and wasn't quite moisturizing enough for my skin anymore.  If you have combination skin that isn't overly dry or sensitive I would highly recommend this though.  During the warmer months this served both my roommate and I well.

Green Beaver Purifying Grapefruit & Soothing Alo cleanser: I discovered this cleanser while I was looking into natural products.  I like that it is purifying because as I said my skin was acting up but the soothing alo ensures that it does not irritate my skin or dry it out.  This really is a great product guys.  If you can get your hands on it I would highly recommend it.

Olay Regenerist moisturizer: This product once again came about because of the changes in my skin.  I developed dry patches around my nose and almost a rash so while I was visiting home my mum suggested that I try her thicker moisturizer.  This really seemed to do the trick and help my dehydrated skin so when I left I may or may not have taken her tub of this with me.  I can't really comment on the anti-aging properties of this cream because I'm not quite at that stage yet, but my mum does look dam good.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Quinoa is an amazing healthy alternative to rice or noodles or in this case bulgar or couscous. It is high in protein, gluten free, a seed so it is Paleo friendly, and a great source of magnesium, iron and dietary fibre.  Although having said that, a pile of quinoa on its own can be pretty bland.  Which is where this dish comes in. This tabbouleh makes a great side dish but works equally as well on its own as a lunch.  Even by boyfriend who is not a quinoa fan likes this recipe.  If you make a large batch of this it keeps well in the fridge and makes a quick lunch for the rest of the week.  You can also add bocconcini and olive to switch things up a bit or some tuna to make it a heartier meal.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cucumber, skin on, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed and minced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice from 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)
Sea salt
Pepper

To Make:
Chop all of the veggies and throw it all into a large dish.  In a cup mix together the oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and crushed garlic.  Pour half of the dressing onto the veggies and toss.  Mix the quinoa into the veggie mixture and toss again so the vegetables are evenly distributed.  Pour on the rest of the dressing and mix one last time so that everything is evenly coated.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum

New York Magazine wrote a profile on Mindy Kaling  

 "My relationship with my mom is really the single most profound relationship that I’ve ever had in my life," Mindy tells me...But her voice breaks when she starts talking about how she sat down with a pen and paper and asked her mother to give her all the advice she could possibly give her before she died, and Kaling realized she’d never be able to ask her mother for advice again. “I said to her, ‘Mom, I’m going to be so lonely without you.’” She’s crying now but keeps going. “And she just said, ‘You have to be your own best friend. If you always remember that, you will always have someone there with you.’”

Summer Lovin' with Braids

I am the first to admit that I'm not the greatest when it comes the the maintenance and styling of my hair.  More specifically, I barely wash my hair and pretty much never brush it.  The neglect seems to reach its pinnacle during the summer as well.  In combating my mop of hair I have fully embraced the current trend of braids and the messier the better.  The less I wash it or brush it and the more time I spend with salty ocean hair the better the braids hold and look. It is like this trend was made for me! So the next time you find your hair looking a little dirty try fluffing up your hair and raking it into some sort of braid and no one will be the wiser.  If it can make my messy hair look socially acceptable it will certainly work for you.

(photos clockwise 1, 2, 3, 4)

May 2013 Resolution: Learn To Poach An Egg

Last month's goal of spring cleaning was a success and a nice refreshing change.  Moving this month certainly helped accelerate my spring cleaning and forced me to streamline my processions and routine. Cleaning out my closet, makeup collection, and even the kitchen cupboards was immensely satisfying.  A classic spring cleaning where you scrub down every surface is great but it is the de-cluttering and streamlining of everything from my possessions to my routine was really the most enjoyable and therapeutic part.  I think this might become a seasonal, and not just a spring, thing.

This month's resolution is to learn how to poach an egg.  A poached egg can elevate even the most basic of meals from toast and sliced tomato to a pile of peas and mint.  Although is seems like the most basic of skills, every time I try to poach an egg it blows apart in the water.  This month however I am going to hunker down with a carton of eggs until I master the art of poaching an egg.  Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated and I will be sure to share whatever tidbits I discover along the way.

You can see the rest of my monthly resolutions and how they have turned out here.

(Image via Breakfast)

Classic Chewy Chocolat Chip Cookies

When you envision the classic chocolate chip cookie, this is that cookie.  Its warm and soft and oh so delicious.  But lets take a moment to talk about the dough.  Oh my goodness! When I think about eating cooking dough this is the exact dough that I envision.  Amazeballs.  Eat as much of the dough as your heart desires and then turn the rest into equally satisfying cookies and eat those while warm and gooey.  If you manage to have any leftover they will keep for about a week and will stay deliciously soft.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 big glugs of vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
a pinch of salt
as many chocolate chips as your heart desires

To Make:
Preheat the oven to 350F.  In a large bowl mix together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.  Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt until smooth.  Mix the chocolate chip into the soft dough. Drop spoonfuls onto the pan and bake for 8-12 minutes or until they are just cooked so that they stay soft.  Liberally eat dough in between batches. Let the cookies cool on a plate and eat them while they are still warm and gooey.  If any cookies are left over after you have thoroughly enjoyed the dough and warm cookie, store in an airtight container for up to a week but I ensure you that they won't be around that long.