My Go To Dishes Featured in the 'Deliciously Ella' Cook Book - Review

'Healthy, natural and always delicious' 

Book Title: Deliciously Ella

Author: Ella Woodward

Why Try Vegan: For me, it was a decision made due to my growing problems affecting my stomach and day to day issues with particular foods such as cheese and eggs. Since substituting some of my meals for a vegan recipe in this book, I have been able to greatly reduce the symptoms I experience from my sensitive stomach - if you are experiencing anything of this nature, then I would highly recommend you try to filter vegan recipes into your diet

My Verdict: I appreciate all this cook book has to offer as it allows you to plan menu's using the recipe's given, from fine dining with friends to picnics and healthy food on the go. In my opinion it was a worth while purchase.

Lunch/Dinner Option: Brazil Nut and Rocket Pesto Pasta (in this recipe I eliminated the nuts)

Ingredients:

• 1 mug brazil nuts
• 1/2 mug pine nuts
• 1 1/2 avocados
• 2 big handfuls of fresh basil leaves
• Juice of 1 1/2 lemons
• 8 tbsp Olive Oil
• 500g Penne Pasta (I used Fusilli)
• 2 Courgettes
• 1 head of brocolli
• 1 1/2 mugs peas
• Salt & Pepper

 This Avocado Peeler has been a life changer for me. Just slice the Avocado in half and scrape the contents out in order to get the perfect segments, minimal mess and no waste. (Available from Amazon for under £5)

 Blend all the ingredients together to form a pesto paste

 Chargrilling the Courgettes and Brocolli added such a rich, sweet flavour to the dish, and still enabled the meal to have some added crunch as the vegetables remained al dente

 I opted for a colourful selection of Fusilli pasta

Once cooked combine all ingredients together stiring in generous amounts of the homemade pesto and enjoy!

 Breakfast Option: Acai Bowl - For this recipe I was unable to find frozen Acai so instead I substituted it for frozen Cherries, Blackberries & Raspberries 

Ingredients that I used to tailor this dish to my preference:

• 2 ripe Bananas
• Handful of Strawberries
• Handful of Blueberries
• 2 Large handfuls of Frozen Cherries
• 4 Dates
•  Handful of Frozen Berries
• Natural Greek Yoghurt 
• Granola

 Blend and Serve with Greek Yoghurt and Granola

Perfect to serve to friends or just to indulge in yourself 

I hope you check out Ella's recipe book as it is full of exciting and naturally scrumptious recipes. Here is a link to her blog where she has more enticing recipes at your disposal to try: http://deliciouslyella.com/

 Stay Sweet,

Alice x

Editing Your Wardrobe

Perhaps it's rather hypocritical of me to suggest in this blog post, that people everywhere should decide that now is as good a time as any to eliminate those space-stealing items of clothing (that haven't been worn for over a year) from your wardrobe. It could potentially be a spiritual experience for all of us to partake in together, or it could be a time-consuming nightmare. For me, it usually becomes the latter. 

Why? Because once I've plucked up the courage to pull the whole contents of my 3 door wardrobe out, there's a sudden sense of panic which consumes me. "There is definitely no turning back now" is something I mumble to myself repeatedly as I pick out clothes I didn't even know I had. It's not until I have removed everything that I begin to get bored. Within those 15 minutes I've managed to move garments into every crevice of my bedroom in the hope that I'll be able to make a decision on what I will keep and what must go.

When it comes to reorganisation, we can be a bit Clueless

But, suddenly I hit that brick wall; that 'this is too much effort' wall which causes me to relapse. I grab my phone, lay amidst heaps of cashmere and cotton furiously scrolling through Instagram. Before I've even realised it, I look up at the clock and I've spent 40 minutes stalking a random person's best friend's sister who just so happens to be a hairdresser. I'll admit it was a low moment for me, but tidying and reorganising has become one of those love/hate jobs which usually ends up with me waking up the next day still swamped in clothing. 

Since then I've found that I need to be strict when it comes to what makes its way back into my closet and how quickly I get the job done. There are a number of ways to make the organisation process a little less painful and a bit more fun. So here's a little list, that combined could make your tidying experience a lot more manageable:

"Did you say 'Manolo's in every colour?"

1. Firstly, get comfy - put some slouchy, unrestrictive clothes on which enable you to remain relaxed and play your favourite music (something that distracts you from the daunting prospects at hand)
2. If you find anything that is remotely ripped, stained or so discoloured that it looks dirty then GET RID OF IT
3. If you try something on and realise that you bought it back in 2007, then I think it's time to move on - chances are, it's not fashionable anymore
4. If you find something that you haven't worn in ages but is still in good condition think about giving it to charity
5. If you like the idea of making some extra money on items you no longer want then check out Depop - This app allows you to sell (and buy - which defeats the purpose of reorganisation if you ask me, although it is tempting) items to friends or strangers. It's quick and easy to set up an account and is secure to use
6. If you find something that has sentimental value to you, such as a Prom dress think about putting it another place such as a storage box where it will be out of the way of your everyday wardrobe
7. Finally, when you next have the urge to splash the cash and shop, think about what is missing from your wardrobe and could be a suitable addition, rather than buying an item which is very similar to something you already own

With a little bit of motivation and encouragement you can kick start that tidying frenzy you've been putting off for months.

Stay Organised & Stay Sweet,

Alice x

OOTD

Today has been full of running errands and completing little tasks. It just so happens that I got a couple of shots of my outfit for the day so here you are:

Antique Pink Long Sleeve Top - Dorothy Perkins

White Jeans - Primark

Peplum Mac - Concession brand at Topshop

Ankle Boots - Primark

I'M BACK!!!

Hey Readers,

I feel like it's been ages since I've been able to sit down and write a proper blog post for you guys. After a couple of months of exam stress/hell I am so happy that I have finally finished all my exams. I can't wait to get back into a proper routine with my blog posts again as I wasn't able to post as consistently as I have wanted to - due to the overload that is A Levels. I hope you're all still here and eager to read my ramblings, because I am looking forward to posting lots of stuff for you lovely lot. So stay tuned for lots more interesting blog posts and videos. 

Stay Sweet, 

Alice x