Evening Casual

 

Love this casual look I wore last weekend for a shopping trip and dinner at a local restaurant it's perfect to take you from day to night even more so if you add a tailored blazer. The shoes are a recent purchase and I'm in love with them, they're a great buy. Clutch is Asos, Shoes are Primark (£12.50- Unbelievable I know), Jeans are Zara, Black Top is M &S.

 

Happy Shopping

 

J xx

Old Book Cleaning

I have an unhealthy obsession with old books and am trying to get an Ernest Hemingway collection started so I took a trip to my local antique store, where they have loads to rifle through, although not in the best condition. I got the three shown above (Old man and the Sea, Great stories of love and romance and The best novels of Nancy Mitford) on this visit and they were very dusty. I found very little help on the Internet so I decided to go it alone.

Using a fairly firm medium sized paintbrush, some kitchen roll and newspaper I had a go at cleaning them up and it worked fairly well.

I used the paintbrush to brush of excess dust and dirt and then slightly wet one side of the kitchen towel before folding several times. This allowed a small amount of moisture to seep through to the side I would be using. I then began to gently wipe the covers, to remove excess dirt. (I most definitely wouldn't recommend doing this if they are of any real value). It really helped to spruce them up to ensure they were fit for my mantel piece.
Here are some images of the difference before and after:
 
 After

Before

After

Give it a try

J xx

Bikini Time: The Girl and The Water

I've been hiding a secret website that does the most sensational bikinis, but I feel with summer holidays drawing closer that it's time to share.

It's called The Girl and The Water.












The bikinis aren't cheap but they offer brilliant simple shapes with gorgeous design features. I'm in love. Plus a bonus is that they are not just modelled by stick thin women.

They are an American website, so for any international shoppers like me there is a postage of $10 for a 10 day delivery time, which is pretty good considering what others try to charge you.

You all have to check it out.

Heres The Link: http://www.thegirlandthewater.com/

Happy Shopping

J xx

Quote Of the Day

 

Never forget that even if you feel lost there are people that treasure you as a person and can't live without you.

 

Happy Wednesday!

J xx

21/05

Todays Oufit for a cloudy day...

Maroon Leggings- Moschino Target USA
Black Jumper - Forever 21
Statement Necklace - Forever 21
Ankle Boots - Zara

Nail Polish - Essie, Fifth Avenue
Lipstick - Maybelline 24hr Super Stay Color in Raspberry Framboise

Watch- Christian Dior
Bracelet- Pandora
Rings - Swarovski and Next
Knuckle Rings - LimeLace
Bracelet - Next

Check it all out on my instagram page
Username: sweetpblogger

J xx

Recipe: Tortilla Soup

I made this yummy soup recipe last week as something easy to be eaten whenever we were hungry. It was delicious and so easy to make. After having it as a soup, I reduced it down a little more and had it the next day inside a tortilla wrap (it would be great in a hard shell taco). Ive adapted it from a Martha Stewart recipe to add more flavour and depth and I have accompanied it with crispy tortilla wrap strips!

Ingredients
Serves 2 (+ leftovers)

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Onion (Chopped)
• 3 Garlic Cloves (Crushed)
• 1/2 tsp Cumin (to desired taste)
• 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder (to desired taste)
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 500 ml of Bouillon (Vegetable Stock)
• 1 can of Black Beans
• 1 tin of Sweet Corn (frozen is fine)
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 cup of Tortilla Chips
• 2 Tortilla Wraps (One per person)

Directions

1. In a large pan, heat oil over a medium heat. Cook onions gently until soft.
2. Add Garlic, Chilli Powder and Cumin, cook for 1-2 minutes
3. Add Chopped Tomatoes, Stock, Black Beans and Sweet corn  and 1 cup of water (if needed), season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring soup to a boil and reduce to a simmer for approximately 20 minutes (or until ready).
5. Meanwhile snip tortilla wraps into long strips and Grill until brown and crispy.
6. 2 Minutes before serving add crushed tortilla chips until softened.
7. Remove from the heat. Serve with whole tortilla chips (if desired) and Crispy Tortilla Wrap Strips.

Enjoy

J xx

Motivation monday: Goal Of The Week

 

It is so important to love yourself and have faith in yourself otherwise how are other people supposed to.

 

This quote is something to remind yourself of everyday this week.

 

J xx

 

The Best of Cannes so far.....

Cannes film festival is always one of the most visually stunning events in the Fashion calendar and this year is no different. These stars pulled out all the stops to ensure they were red carpet ready. Starting with the stunning Great Gatsby premiere on day one the stars have continued to wow. Doutzen Kroes stepped out in a stunning Calvin Klein, whilst Carey Mulligan looked sensational in Dior Haute Couture. Even the guys pulled out all the stops with Leo and Tobey (wearing Saint Laurent) looking very dapper.



Above are some of my favourite looks from the festival so far.

Cara Delevingne in Burberry
Doutzen Kroes in Calvin Klein
Carey Mulligan in Dior Haute Couture (with Leonardo Dicaprio and Tobey Maguire in Saint Laurent)
Emma Watson in Chanel Haute Couture
Freida Pinto
Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

J xx

Friday Cocktail Recipes

Here's some more gorgeous cocktails to kick off the weekend after a long week. I know I'll be reaching for them.
Enjoy!
 

Rhubarb Raspberry Fizz

(For the DD or if you're just wanting a gorgeous refreshing drink for a weekend afternoon)
 

 
 

• 12 ounces rhubarb, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 4 ounces raspberries
• 1 vanilla bean pod, seeds scraped 
• 2 cups water
• 8 tablespoons good honey (more or less to taste, see note)
• water, club soda, ginger ale, or any other bubbly drink you think would be a good fit

1. Place the rhubarb, raspberries, vanilla bean seeds and pod, and water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, and then let simmer for 30 minutes until rhubarb is tender.
2. Place the mixture in a strainer over a large bowl and press on the rhubarb and raspberries until all the juice is released (you should have about 2 cups). Discard the pulp.
3. Divide the warm mixture equally between 4 glasses and stir 2 tablespoons honey into each glass (more or less to taste), making sure honey is dissolved.
4.  Let cool, and then add equal amounts water, club soda, or ginger ale to each glass (about 1/2 cup per glass).
5. Top with ice, and serve.

The recipe comes from Sarah at Golubka

 

Rose Punch

Serves 9

 

 

• 4 peaches, sliced
• 1 bottle (750 ml) rose wine, chilled
• 2 cups sparkling lemonade, chilled
• 2 tablespoons black-raspberry liqueur (we used Chambord)
• 27 raspberries

 

1. Place half the peach slices in ice cube trays, one slice per compartment; add water, and freeze.
2. Mix wine, lemonade, and liqueur in punch bowl. Add peach slices and some of the peach ice cubes. To serve, place remaining peach ice cubes in cups, and ladle in the punch; garnish with raspberries.

 

This recipe came from Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 

Best of Street Style

I spotted these three gorgeous looks on Pinterest this week from other bloggers, they're all perfectly put together looks and I'm desperate to try them out.

They're ideal for the awkward whether we're experiencing here in England, where it can be beautifully sunny when you wake up but is raining by the time you're ready to go home.
It's a nightmare trying to figure out what outfit is suitable.

The Original links are below:

Gary Pepper Vintage
The Coveted Muse
StyleTracker

Happy Friday :)

J xx

Hot Bakes: Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies

Spotted this Martha Stewart recipe a couple of days ago and thought I would give them a try. They were absolutely delicious. I love this flavour combination.

Ingredients
Makes around 30 cookies

• 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
• 3 1/2 tbsp's of freshly grated lemon zest (roughly 2 to 3 lemons)
• 225g of margarine
• 3 cups/390g of Plain Flour
• 1 tsp of Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1 1/2 cups/300g of Caster Sugar
• 2 tsps of Vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp of Poppy Seeds (plus extra for decoration)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 190C/375F
2. Bring lemon juice to a simmer in a small pan over a medium heat, cook until reduced by half.
3. Add half of the margarine, stir until melted
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt
5. Cream the remaining margarine and 200g/ 1 cup of the sugar (use an electric mixer if available)

6. Add the lemon butter, mix until pale (roughly 3 minutes)

7. Mix in the Vanilla essence and 2 tsps of lemon zest

8. Combine with the flour and Poppy Seeds

9. Stir together the remaining 1/2 cup/100g of sugar with 1/12 tsps of zest.

10. Roll spoonfuls of dough into 1 1/2 inch balls then roll them in the sugar mixture.

11. Place 2 inches apart on a baking tray

12. Press each with the bottom of a glass or large spoon to flatten

  13. Sprinkle with seeds

  14. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until just browned around the edges

Enjoy

J xx

Top Beauty Tip

I recently came across this amazing beauty tip and I've been trying it out for the last week.

It may sound simple but it's absolutely brilliant. It gives me a flawless, smooth complexion and tones down my foundation which is perfect for during the day, especially at work where you want to retain a natural look.

It's really simple:

"Mix your foundation with your moisturiser, it will give you a gorgeous sheer, dewy effect. Then apply it using a make up brush, using equal parts moisturiser to foundation"

It gives your skin just the right amount of coverage and gives you a dewy coverage, leaving you looking fresh faced.

Give it a try,

J xx

Quote Of The Day

 

 

Really love this quote by Lincoln.

 

I think it's so important to try and see the good in everything, although I am aware that sometimes that is really really difficult!!

 

It will make your life much easier and happier if you do.

 

Give it a try.

 

J xx

 

 

 

Hot Bakes: Banana Muffins

We love Banana Muffins in our house they're so easy to make and they're a perfect mid-afternoon snack. I always used to make a banana loaf but doing them as muffins means they keep longer. I had a look around for a good recipe and I found one from Cat Can Cook, I've adapted it to include no eggs or dairy and added a few extra ingredients.

Here's The Recipe:
Makes 12 Muffins

Ingredients

• 4 Large Bananas, mashed (as old as possible)
• 1 cup/130g of Caster Sugar
• 1 1/2 cups / 210g of Plain Flour
• 1/3 cup/76g of Melted Margarine
• 1 tsp of Baking Powder
• 1 tsp of Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of vanilla essence
• 12 Muffin Cases (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 180C/350F

1. Mix the mashed banana, sugar, vanilla essence and margarine together. Set aside

  
    2. In a separate bowl mix together, baking powder, bicarb, salt, and flour.

   3. Mix wet and dry ingredients together

 
  4.Pour into a greased muffin tin (or otherwise use muffin cases in a muffin tin, i found the second time around that this worked better as it allowed the muffins to be removed more easily)
  5. Bake in 180C/350F oven for 20-30 minutes
  6. Top with Banana and Coarse Sugar if desired

Happy Baking!!

 

J xx

Beauty Trend: Dip Dyed Pink Hair

A few weeks a go my best Friend L turned up to a night out with dip dyed pink hair that looked amazing. She then began to tell us that it was done using hair chalk that she had picked up at a till point in Topshop for a couple of pounds!Genius!

Being a blonde we all decided that I needed to try it out as it would stand out more. Above is how it turned out! It's really easy to use although it is a little messy (make sure you're wearing an old t-shirt first). You don't have to just do dip-dyed either you can do streaks throughout your hair as well.

I loved it. It's a great way to play around with your look and to have fun. I can't wait to use it again on a nice chilled out hot summers day or a hot summers night out.

Here's where to get it:

Hairchalk in pink - £4 (they do it in a few other colours too)

J xx

Hot Trend: Neon

Neon is huge for this Spring/Summer and although I personally wouldn't advise rocking it from head to toe (You're welcome to do that if that is how you roll) its perfect to inject into your outfit when you want a pop of colour.

Here are some of my favourites (from left to right):

Zara Neon Twill Trousers - £35.99
Whistles Sculptured Tee - £75
Topshop Fluro Mini Skater Skirt - £28
PPB Leopard Print Neon Yellow Scarf - £12
Zara Neon Yellow Flat Sandal - £25.99

Happy Shopping!!

J xx

Motivation Monday: Goal Of The Week

 



Remember this when things get tough!

You're capable of anything you put your mind to, remind yourself this week that nothing is impossible and everything is possible.

Have a good week!

J xx

Best Dressed 6/5-10/5

These ladies pulled out all the stops this week even after the glamour of the Met Ball! They all look beautiful!

From Left to Right

Jessica Alba looked perfect for spring in a gorgeous yellow biker jacket and floral dress.
Blake Lively wore an amazing pair of Floral trousers.
Kate Bosworth looked sensational in top to toe Miu Miu. (she always gets it right!!)
Victoria Beckham rocking Business Chic in bright orange high waisted trousers.

I hope these lovely ladies inspire you this weekend!

Happy Weekend!!

J xx

Friday Cocktail Recipes

Here's another two cocktail recipes to help start the weekend in a style!!

White Strawberry Lemon Sangria

Ingredients

• 2 lemons, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and sliced (any kind)
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced lengthwise
• 1 750 ml bottle white wine (a dry-ish white wine is best – I like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
• ½ cup white rum
• 4 cups lemon-lime soda (Sprite etc)

Instructions

1. Add lemon slices to a large pitcher, then the apples, then the strawberries.
2. Pour the wine and rum over the top.
3. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 – 5 hours.
4. Remove from refrigerator and add the lemon lime soda. Add a few pieces of the fruit to your glass and pour sangria over to serve.

 

Love This Recipe from Kare at Kitchen Treaty

Berry Nice (The Virgin Cocktail for the DD)

Ingredients - Serves 1

• 15ml/ ½fl oz Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Agave Syrup
• 3 Fresh Blackberries
• 2 Fresh Raspberries
• 50ml/ 2fl oz Cranberry Juice

1. Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake hard.
2. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass, garnish with a berry and serve.
3.  

Have a Lovely Weekend

J xx

Gorjana

I spotted these necklaces on Shopbop the other day and I love them!!

Their perfect for a gift either to others or yourself and they're not too expensive for such a good quality item.

At £50 the Alphabet necklace is a really great buy, they also do a bracelet to match.
And the birthstone necklace only costs £34.

I'd much rather buy long lasting items like these then a whole stash from a high street shop.

There are loads of other pieces in the range

Check it out:

Shopbop-Gorjana

J xx