OK, you're vaccinated, you're careful about what to eat and drink and
you are doing your best to prevent insect bites. What else should you
look out for?
Road traffic accidents
These are the leading cause of death in young overseas travellers,
particularly when riding mopeds. Travellers should exercise particular
caution when cycling or riding mopeds (always wear helmets), with safety
conditions (eg seat belts) in cars, buses, trucks etc. Road accidents
are 40 times more likely to happen in developing countries.
Swimming
Accidents associated...
Potato Fritters
Subrich di Patate ~ This is a recipe for potato croquettes,
Italian style, that can be used on an antipasto platter, or as a tasty
side dish with the main course. This is a great recipe for leftover
potatoes, but it is so delicious you won’t mind cooking potatoes
specifically to make these fritters. I serve this potato dish with
everything from sausages to roasted chicken.
Buon Appetito...
Roasted Potatoes, Zucchini, Onions & Pancetta
I am always looking for new, unique vegetable side dishes to go with
roasted or grilled meats. When meat is on my menu, I often include oven
roasted potatoes of some sort, then add another side such as sautéed
leafy greens. When you stick to the same things time and time again,
although delicious, it can get a tad boring. This easy vegetable side
includes potatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, and pancetta which are
seasoned with fresh thyme...
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this simple cupcake
Simple, sweet, delicious and fun to make the kids. Roll your sleeves up and have some fun with this .
Ingredients
*1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
*1 (4 serving) pkg. instant pistachio pudding mix
*3/4 c. miniature semi-sweet chocolate pieces
*2/3 c. sugar
*2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*2 beaten eggs
*1 1/4 c. milk
*1/2 c. cooking oil
*1 tsp. vanilla
*1/2 of 16 oz. can cream cheese frosting (1 c.)
green colored sugar
*1/2 c. candy-coated...
Pork chops with Guinness and onion gravy
Pork Chops with Guinness and Onion Gravy
Ingredients:
8 1 inch thick pork blade chops or sirloin chops
salt and freshly ground pepper
All purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large onions, thinly sliced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (about) Guinness
1 cup (about) chicken stock
1 tablespoon (or more) coarse-grained mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons (or...
Chef Gilligan's country potato and cabbage soup
After a hectic Christmas and New Year where I
think the whole of New York was at the W South Beach, the Gilligans are
in Disney for a few days of R&R. The thing is it is as cold as a
witch’s tit here, 24 degrees isn’t Florida weather at all-this most
certainly wasn’t in the brochure, but hey, what are you going to do? You
guys up there have it far worse than me; at least it isn’t snowing
(yet!)
Well to warm us all up, I found
this recipe...
Glazed leg of ham with Guinness and cardamom
Ingredients:
1 x 7.5kg Leg cooked Ham
2 cups Guinness
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
Method:
Peel skin off ham, leaving portion around bone. Place ham fat side up
(on a rack if you have one). Pour 1 3/4 cups of stout over the ham. Bake
in a moderately slow oven 160c about 2 hours, basting occasionally with
stout and drippings.
Remove ham and
baste...
The best Irish coffee ever!
75ml/3fl oz double cream, well chilled
2 tbsps light muscovado sugar
2 tbsps whiskey
2 tbsps Baileys
2 tbsps Kahúla (coffee liqueur)
300ml/11fl oz freshly brewed piping-hot espresso coffee
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, to decorate
I've
perfected this recipe over time and believe it really is the best-ever
Irish coffee. Heat the glasses, if you can be bothered (to keep the
coffee hot for longer), by pouring boiling water over them from...
All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream
Being an advocate of natural skincare I have certainly worked my way
through a hefty number of natural moisturisers. It was time to try a
new one.
Enter All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream by Human+Kind.
This cream is designed for women who lack the time for lengthy beauty
rituals. It is a multifunctional product designed to work as:
an anti-ageing cream
an eye cream
a protective moisturiser
a night cream
It evens out skin tone reduces fine lines...
Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturiser: Is it Worth it?
I have mentioned Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Anti-Stress
Moisturising Cream (what a mouthful) a few times on videos and M&B
posts. I have re-purchased this cream 3 times. Instead of telling you
that this works for me I thought I would investigate a little further.
Lancome claims that this moisturiser hydrates the skin and helps it
maintain optimum moisture balance. It was designed (or marketed rather)
to help skin exposed to environmental...
How to: Make your own almond milk lotion
Almond
milk has been used on the skin since ancient Egyptian times. It’s
full of linoleic acids and minerals which help nourish and cleanses the
skin. It leaves the skin soft and improves clarity. This is suitable for
all skin types but particularly useful for those with normal to dry,
dry or ageing skin.
It’s quick, easy and cheap to make. When I make a bottle of this
lotion I use it twice daily for one week. I throw out the remainder...
How to Make your own Cleanser: Normal Skin
Well ladies, here’s another DIY skincare recipe that’s so easy to make and leaves your skin fresh and cleansed.
Yoghurt and strawberries are gentle cleansers, whilst lavender soothes skin.
The ingredients your need to make this gentle cleanser for Normal skin types:
1 Fresh Strawberry
1 Tablespoon plain whole-milk Yoghurt
1 drop Lavender essential oil
Crush the stawberry and combine the yoghurt and juice. Add the
lavender and mix together...
Make Your Own: Warm Cuticle Oil
I am plagues by rough cuticles. I like to whip up my own oil on the weekends. Why spend money when you don’t have to!
60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
Warm the olive oil gently until it’s warm (not hot or you’ll scald
your fingers off!) Stir in the essential oils. Leave your finger tips to
soak for a few minutes. If you cover the mixture when you’re finished
you can reuse it a few tim...
Make you own: Aromatherapy Moisturising Oil
If
you’re sick of spending your hard earned cash on expensive creams and
fancy taking a stroll down the natural route I have just the thing. I
made myself a batch yesterday and my skin in soaking up the goodness as
we speak (while I scoff banoffee)
This recipe makes a moisturising oil for normal skin. You only need three ingredients:
7 drops Lavender Essential Oil (high quality)
3 Drops Geranium Essential Oil (High quality)
30ml Jojoba Oil
Jojoba...
Make You Own Skincare: Yoghurt Hand Mask
This mask is my favourite for smooth and soft hands
1 Tablespoon Rolled Oats
1 Tablespoon Plain Full Fat Yoghurt
1 Teaspoon Almond Oil
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
Use a blender or pestal and mortar to grind up the oats. Add all of
the other ingredients and mix well. Apply the mask to damp, freshly
washed hands. Relax for 20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water and
finish with some moisturising...
How to Make Your Own: Oatmeal Bath
This is a simple way to soothe sensitive skin. This bath is great for dry, itchy skin. It will also soothe a rash.
10 Drops Chamomile Essential Oil (or Lavender Essential Oil)
200g Rolled Oats
Use a blender to grind down the oats until they look like powder. Add
them into your bath water.Add the essential oil and stir the bath
water. Relax for at least 20 minutes in the bath. It’s best to avoid any
other bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo and...
Make You Own Skincare: Body Scrub Puree
This
recipe makes a rich moisturising scrub. I think it’s particularly good
for dry or sensitive skin. Instead of using salts or sugar, the almonds
in this scrub exfoliate the skin gently. The cucumber soothes any
inflammation. All you need is
110g Ripe Avocado
40g Ground Almond
110g Cucumbers
Whip the advocado and cucumber together in a blender, add the almonds
and smooth into a puree. Massage into damp skin to slough off any dead
skin....
Jojoba oil – Beauty benefits & uses
My
skin has recently been reeping the rewards of Jojaba oil. I add a
little to my soaps and my night serum. Since it’s so widely accessible I
thought I’d share a little about its benefits and uses. I’m all on for
affordable ways to improve my skin.
What is Jojoba?
Jojoba is a liquid wax obtained from the seeds of a Mexican shrub.
Native Americans once used it to heal wounds. Now it’s mainly used for
beauty purposes.
The...
Scrub for a Blemished Back or Chest
There
is nothing worse than a breakout on the delicate skin on your chest or
your back. I know this a common problem but that we ladies tend not to
bring it up.
I hate the idea of applying a shower gel designed for breakouts. They
can dry the rest of your skin. It also means that you are using plenty
of chemicals that you don’t need.
I have come across quite a few men that suffer from breakouts on
their back. In my experience...
Rasberry skin brightener
This
is an old favourite of mine. My friend and I used to make this when we
were 14 before the kiddie disco on a Friday evening, ah the memories (at
that time I took my fashion inspiration from the Spicegirls, Baby Spice
to be exact).
This recipe is best suited for normal to oily skin which makes it
great for those prone to breakouts. You only need three ingredients,
occasionally I have done it with only two (leaving out the essential...
Make your own Peanut butter Scrub
I’m having a Saturday night in. Sad, I know but I’m determined to
enjoy my night regardless. Whilst many of you are out painting the town
red, I’m elbow deep in peanut butter whilst wearing a t-shirt that
reads “and so the lion fell in love with the lamb”. Twilight nerding
aside this mask is really delicious and I only used 3 ingredients from
my kitchen. It left my skin silky smooth.
All you need:
40g crunchy peanut butter
20g finely...
Make your own hot oil hair treatment
I’m on a mission to look after my hair. As you know I had the 12
week blow-dry a few weeks ago so I need to keep any type of sodium away
from my hair. That means using organic haircare or making my own. I have
limited access to ingredients here in the Canaries but I do have a few
essential oils and some olive oil.
I
have it on good authority (the professional kind) that this DIY hot oil
treatment will do the same for your hair...
How to: Make your own almond milk lotion
Almond
milk has been used on the skin since ancient Egyptian times. It’s
full of linoleic acids and minerals which help nourish and cleanses the
skin. It leaves the skin soft and improves clarity. This is suitable for
all skin types but particularly useful for those with normal to dry,
dry or ageing skin.
It’s quick, easy and cheap to make. When I make a bottle of this
lotion I use it twice daily for one week. I throw out the remainder
after this time. I make a new bottle every 2 – 3 months and use as a
treatment.
Ingredients
40g...
Egg white & cucumber mask for dry or ageing skin
Make your own skincare time. I tried this one myself yesterday.
This mask is great for dry, combination, ageing or damaged skin. It
tones, cleanses, reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin – all from
ingredients in your kitchen cupboard.
You also get the added benefit of knowing exactly what you are putting onto your skin.
All you need:
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons of grated fresh ...
Miracle Whip – a Miracle Beauty Cream! Skin Rejuvination
A
friend of mine once told me that her mother swore by using Miracle
Whip, yes the icky salad cream, as an exfoliator. This woman has the
most amazing skin so I put my mild revulsion aside and decided to give
it a try. Nobody said make-up and beauty blogging was pretty!
I was informed that the ingredients in Miracle Whip remove dead flaky skin. It also helps normalise excessively oily skin.
Firstly, tie back your hair – unless you want to experiment with the
effects of Miracle Whip on the hair! If you do, let me know how you get
on :)
Next,...
Remove product build-up from your hair
If
you are a hair product junkie like me you are familiar with the
downside to this addiction – Build-up. It makes your hair look dull and
lifeless. You can use a clarifying shampoo to sort out the problem but
if you have colour treated hair I wouldn’t recommend this.
One of the quickest ways to remove product build-up from the hair
naturally is to use Baking Soda. A baking soda hair wash cleans out the
excess product, remove impurities,...
Make your own Healing Mask
This
blend can be used on damaged, dry, mature or sensitive skin. The recipe
will last for one month and it only takes 5 minutes to prepare. The
ingredients are very especially beneficial for ageing skin. Expensive
skin care products often use these ingredients, but in minuscule
proportions. Making your own treatment costs a fraction of the price,
you have the benefit of knowing exactly what your putting on your skin
and you have everything...
DIY Thigh, Bum & Hip Scrub
This
scrub contains oils that are perfect for bums and thighs. This is
amazing for sloughing off dead skin on these areas, revealing fresh
skin. The combination of cornmeal, which acts as a great natural
scrubber, oils and massage stimulate lymphatic drainage which helps the
body eliminate toxins.
All you need:
- 2 tbsp Grapeseed oil- 6 Drops Juniper Essential Oil- 3 Drops Lemon Essential Oil- 80g Cornmeal (from your local supermarket)
Mix...
DIY Skincare: Scrub for Sensitive Skin
It has been a while since I posted a DIY Skincare piece. I thought I would share the recipe for a scrub I made myself this week.
My skin has been very sensitive and irritated lately, you gotta love
hormones, so I need something extra gentle but still effective.
This scrub is very easy to make, polishes the skin but doesn’t strip moisture.
All you need:
4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon almond oil
12g wheatbran
25g...
Make Your Own: Antidandruff Herbal Shampoo
As a hair stylist, my Dad has always grumbled about the promises
made on anti-dandruff shampoo advertisements. His best friend, a
trichologist (hair scientist) also agrees that using anti-dandruff
shampoo is a viscous cycle that will lead to you buying hundreds of
bottles of the stuff in your life time.
Now, I’m not going to pretend that I understand the science because I
don’t but I trust their judgement! I suppose it makes sense – Using
harsh...
Coffee Scrub
I’m not a coffee drinker but you know how much I like making skincare
products with stuff from my kitchen presses. I opened the cupboard the
other day to look for inspiration and on front of me stood this lonely
bag of ground coffee beans – unloved and getting old!
I decided to incorporate them into a scrub that I could use in the
shower. Although I don’t like the taste of coffee I do love the smell so
I was excited about this little mini...
DIY Skincare: Make Your Own Liquid Soap for your Home & Gifts
Ok so I am cheating a little here to make this easier for you. If
you buy an organic Liquid soap base online (I buy mine on ebay for a
couple of euro, it’s called castile soap) then you can add healthy oils
and essential oils suitable for your skin type, mood and the season.
Even though I make my own organic soap bars they tend to be more
suitable for body use so I like to leave a liquid soap beside the skin
in the kitchen and bathroom.
I’m...
Make Your Own Aromatherapy Foot Spray
Making your own aromatherapy foot spray is so easy. This recipe is natural, deodorising and refreshing.
Lavender and Cypress essential oils have antimicrobial properties
that keep odour at bay. Witch Hazel makes your feet feel fresh and
tingly as it’s a great astringent.
Ingredients
10 drops Cypress Essential Oil
120ml Witch Hazel (distilled)
30 drops Lavender essential oil
Add the ingredients into a spray bottle (I bought mine in Superdrug...
Make Your Own Stimulating Scalp Massage (Non Oily)
This recipe is not oily despite the fact that is uses essential oils. The witch hazel leaves you scalp feeling tingly and fresh.
Rosemary essential oil has been used for thousands of years to help
stimulate the scalp. The lavender oil calms the scalp whist the witch
hazel acts as an astringent.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon witch hazel (distilled)
3 drops Lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
Mix the ingredients together, shake vigorously to disperse the
essential oils. Massage in to the scalp (damp or dry) using your
fingertips....
DIY Skincare: Egg White & Lemon Juice Mask
It’s been a while since I posted a ‘make your own skincare’ post.
This recipe is perfect for this time of year and is suitable for all
skin types. It gently exfoliates whilst brightening, toning and
clarifying your skin.
What you need
Still bottled water
1 large egg white
Half of a lemon
*Optional – Witchhazel or rosewater (from you local health shop)
Beat the egg white until it forms stiff peeks.
Squeeze one teaspoon of lemon juice from...
My Hair Saviour – Olive Oil & Egg Hair Mask
My has been going through a bit of a dry spell lately. I blame
hormones. Of course, I blame those on just about everything :) As you
can gather I spend a lot of money on hair care products but I did wonder
if I could revert to my old ways and use something from my kitchen to
improve the quality of my hair.
I settled on this recipe and have been delighted with the results.
OLIVE OIL AND EGG HAIR MASK:
4 Tablespoons olive oil
2 eggs
Apply...
Kill a spot with apple!
I woke yesterday morning to the awful sensation of a spot brewing.
Now, not one of those little spots, I shan’t moan about those. This felt
more like Vesuvius. One of those blind spot lumps that hurt like a
mother when you move your facial muscles. If I wasn’t on holiday I would
have gone straight to the acne product drawer in my pink room – You
know you have issues with spots when you have a shelf dedicated to
products claiming to...
Smooth Feet
I mentioned Avon Pedi Peel by Foot Works in a recent video and thought it deserved a blog mention.
For me, having smooth feet is one of the nicest feelings in the
world. I have spent so much money on foot products over the years. For a
while I was using the Ped-Egg. Although I got great results I noticed
that the skin grew back much faster and worse than before. When I
researched this I found that when the skin in under attack (from
grating,...
How to do your own Pedicure
As part of my resolution to relax more, today I am giving myself a DIY Pedicure.I
am very impatient when it comes to waiting for polish to dry. Very
often I can’t sit long enough and I end up ruining it before it has set.
To combat this I like to light some candles and have a cup of tea
whilst my polish dries.
What you need:
Basin of warm water with a few drops of essential oil
Towel
Nail polish remover
Nail buffing block
Foam toe...
Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer
I picked up Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Clay-ton, My Hero,
which is number 230. It’s a taupe shade with gold pearl running through
it. I’ve taken a few images to show the the difference the light makes
to this polishes appearance.
Sometimes it looks grey, other times you can see the gold running through and the polish appears on the beige scale.
There’s no point if faffing around, I love it! End of.
It’s creamy but fluid, two...
Nails of the Day… June 9, 2012
I’m traveling today so I wanted to wear something cheery but durable
on my nails. I opted for pink, surprise, surprise. It’s actually quite
different to all of the other pink polishes I own (that’s my story and
I’m sticking to it!).
Butter London Primrose Hill Picnic
Some swatches (2 coats of polish and all taken in natural light)…
Ignore the state of my cuticles, they have never been in such a bad
way. You may have heard me mention...
Lippy by Butter London Primrose Hill – Review & Pics June 5, 2012
Butter London make gorgeous nail polishes, this we know. But I
hadn’t heard anything of their Lippy’s until one arrived through my door
a few weeks back. It’s in Primrose Hill Picnic, what a whimsical name.
It’s a bright pink and I’m just in love with it!
Before I get to the review I’ll add some swatches and show you what
it looks like on my mug. The great thing about this Lippy is that it can
be worn in its intense form or a little lighter....
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