Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask

This homemade facial mask is recommended for dry or sun burned skin. 

Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask Ingredients:

1 egg
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (tepid)
1 tablespoon honey 

Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask Method:

1. Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well-mixed. Slowly add the melted coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise.

2. Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set it on end in a clean bowl. Spoon mixture into the cardboard toilet paper roll. Place tube, in the bowl, in the freezer overnight.

3. To use, peel away just the top 1/4 inch of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face (think of it as a push-up pop). Leave your mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

4. Return the cream stick covered with plastic wrap and frozen between uses.Keeps indefinitely.

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Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel

Puffy eyes are never a good look. Reduce your puffy eyes with this cooling cucumber eye gel, it really does the trick and saves you £££s. Use within a few days, keep refrigerated.

Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel Ingredients:

1/4 large cucumber

1 ounce aloe vera gel 

Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel Method:

1. Puree the cucumber in a blender (Ieave a little pulp), then strain the mixture into a glass bowl until you have at least 2 ounces. Spoon in just a tad of the pulp from the strainer.

2. Add the aloe vera to the cucumber puree in the bowl and mix lightly.

3. Pour into a clean, sterilized container.

4. After cleansing face, stir mixture gently and apply with a cotton ball to under eye area. Avoid the eyeball!

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Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub

Inflamed facial skin? Want a deep cleanse which is gentle on the skin? Try and make your own Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub with this recipe.

Benefits of Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub: calms skin, exfoliates for deep cleansing.For all skin types

Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub Ingredients:

1/4 cup chamomile tea (brewed and cooled to room temp)
1/4 cup oatmeal (lightly ground)
2 tbsp honey
2 drops of almond oil

Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub Method:

Combine the ingredients. Rub over face and neck gently but still with enough pressure to exfoliate the skin. For deep cleansing, leave the scrub on to create a mask, or simply wash off with warm water and pat dry. Moisturise if required.

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Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub

Benefits of Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub: makes unwanted rough skin silky smooth.

Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub Ingredients:

2 tbsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin) or grapeseed oil
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub Method:

1. Mix all the above ingredients together
2. Rub this emollient mixture into hands and feet, focusing on any hardened, calloused areas.
3. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.
I find it works better if you soak your hands/feet first.

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Benefits of using a skin toner

There are a number of reasons to use a facial skin toner. I am often complimented on my skin, using a toner is something I don't skimp on. Here are my top 5 benefits for using a facial toner:

1. A deeper cleanse

A toner can help remove any residue left behind by your cleanser, especially if you use a soap based product. If you wear make up they will help remove any leftover make up residue. Many of my girlfriends, when asked, agreed that their skin feels particularly clean and fresh after using a toner. I have a tried a few. It's important to find one that suits your skin type and which gives you that squeaky clean feeling.

2. Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores

This is something that is particular prevalent in my family. The right toner can create a temporary physical improvement in the appearance of your pores. It can encourage your skin to swell out and this makes it look like your pores have shrunk in size.

3. Oil reduction

If you suffer from oily skin and a shiny T-zone, a toner can certainly help to minimize this. A toner, formulated for use on oily skin, acts as an astringent stripping away the excess oil. If you are prone to acne you might like to look for a toner that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. However, be wary of using a toner with a high alcohol content. Initially it will work well to help control oil production, but over time it can cause the skin to produce more oil to compensate for the drying effect. Witch Hazel and essential oil based toners are typically a better option. I do prefer to make my own green tea skin toner.

4. P.H balancing

There is a wide variety of toners out there. The good news is that this should allow you to achieve the correct P.H balance, no matter what your skin type. A hydrating toner encourages your skin to excrete more oil and a toner aimed at oily skin will encourage the skin to secrete less oil. In this way the correct P.H balance can be reestablished. Hydrating toners also often contain extra ingredients like those aimed at assisting with acne. Why not try making your own skin toner which is certainly a keeper and more natural option.

5. Refreshes the skin

A toner can act as a great pick me up to revive a tired complexion, by somehow releasing tension. Many toners contain energizing essential oils or natural extracts. The act of applying toner also helps encourage blood circulation to the skin on your face, which can bring color back into the face.

Make your own Green Tea Skin Toner

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The ultimate Carrot cake recipe

Ultimate Carrot Cake

This fabulously moist 3 tier carrot cake is super tasty. 

Don't worry when you look at the amount of ingredients you need; it's sooooo worth it! Follow the method step by step, take your time and you cant go wrong!

Cake prep time: 20 minsCake cooking time: 25 mins

Ultimate Carrot Cake Ingredients:

300g Soft Light Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
300ml Sunflower Oil
300g Plain Flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon, plus extra to decorate
½ tsp Ground Ginger
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
300g Carrots, grated
100g Shelled Walnuts, chopped, plus extra, chopped and whole, to decorate

Ultimate Carrot Cake Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3 and line three 20-cm cake tins with greaseproof paper.

2. Put the sugar, eggs and oil in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat until all the ingredients are well incorporated (don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly split). Slowly add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well mixed.

3. Stir in the grated carrots and walnuts by hand until they are all evenly dispersed. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tins and smooth over with a palette knife. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and the sponge bounces back when touched. Leave the cakes to cool slightly in the tins before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

4. When the cakes are cold, put one on a cake stand and spread about one-quarter of the Cream Cheese Frosting over it with a palette knife. Place a second cake on top and spread another quarter of the frosting over it.

5. Top with the last cake and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Finish with walnuts and a light sprinkling of cinnamon.

Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipe

Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

600g Icing Sugar, sifted100g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature250g Cream Cheese, cold600g Icing Sugar, sifted

100g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature250g Cream Cheese, cold

Cream Cheese Filling Method:

1. Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a free-standing electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.

2. Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed.

3. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny.

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Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

Best for dry and/or flaky lips; great for smoothing those lips

Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Ingredients

1 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of honey
2 tsp of white granulated sugar
A dash of lemon or lime juice

Instructions

1. Mix the above ingredients together to make a sugary paste. 
2. Use your finger or a toothbrush to gently sweep the mixture back and forth on your lips.

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Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner

Suitable for all skin types
Benefits of Green Tea Skin Toner: decreases puffiness around eyes and tightens pores.

Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner Ingredients: 

4 tsp loose green tea leaf (Tip: Cut open 2 tea bags if you don't have loose leaves)
1 cup boiling mineral water

Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner Method: 

1. Boil the water and steep tea bags for at least 10 minutes to make concentrated tea. 
2. Wait for the tea to cool, then pour it into a small spritzer bottle and refrigerate. 
3. Spray toner directly on clean, just-washed skin and pat it in (or apply it with a clean cotton ball). Follow with moisturizer. 

Top Tip: 

To soothe acne on normal/oily skin types, try adding 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 2 tsp of  fresh lemon juice.

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Things to know about Prosecco

Recently I went to a Bisol family Prosecco wine tasting. I haven't had much experience of Prosecco thinking it a cheap alternative to champagne. I was pleasantly surprised and learned a lot. The wines below were what I tried last night and can be bought at Harrods.

What's the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?

Things I learned about Prosecco:

Prosecco wine is a crisp sparkling white wine with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Prosecco is a term applied to a specific type of wine as well as the grape that is used to make it.

Where is Prosecco made?

Prosecco is the area the Glera grapes are grown in. The Glera grape is primarily grown in a region of Italy known as Veneto. It is also grown in the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano wine regions, both north of Venice. The wines above are from the Valdobbiadene region. Prosecco grapes ripen later than most other grapes.

What grapes are used to make Prosecco?

The grapes to make Prosecco are called Glera, there is no such thing as a Prosecco grape. No black grapes are allowed in the Prosecco region.

What's the difference between spumante and frizzante?

Prosecco grapes are used to make two types of sparking wine. They can be used to make spumante, a dry sparkling wine, or frizzante wines, which are semi-sparkling.

Prosecco Cocktail Recipes

There are two specific cocktails that call for Prosecco wine. Bellinis are a favourite cocktail of mine and are made by mixing peach puree with the sparkling wine. Prosecco, vodka, and cranberry juice are the ingredients of the Poinsettia cocktail. Both of these are lovely and refreshing cocktails; with Bellinis lovely during warm weather months and Poinsettas being delicious and perfect for Christmas parties.

Things I learned about other wines, champagne and whiskey

1. Chianti is a food wine.

2. When matching food with wine you need a wine with high acidity. Acidity is not a flavour it's when saliva washes away the food in the mouth.

3. 95% of all wine produced today is not made for ageing - it's made for drinking straight away (excluding fortified wines).

4. Most champagnes are meant to be kept for c.five years.

5. The most expensive bottle of whiskey was a Dalmore 64 Trinitas selling for £100,000 for a bottle. There were three bottles produced blending three vintages, the oldest from 1860 and the youngest from the 1920s. The third bottle was purchased by Harrods and was resold at £120,000

And finally....

Q: How many bubbles are there in a bottle of champagne?

A: 7 million


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White Wines

BEL STAR Prosecco DOC Spumante Brut N/V c.£8

JEIO Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Spumante c.£13

BISOL CRU CREDE Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Spumante Brut 2010 c.£18

BISOL VIGNENTI DEL FOL Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Spumante Extra Dry 2009 c.£25

BISOL CRU CARTIZZE Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Spumante 2010 c.£25

JEIO ROSE Spumante Brut N/V (30% pinot noir and 70% merlot)

BISOL Millesimato Talento Metodo Classico Riserva 2001 c.£28

Red Wines

COLLEZIONE di PAOLO Chianti Riserva 2006

AGRICOLA PUNICA BARRUA Sardegna IGT 2007

Homemade Coconut Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner

Coconut and lavender is a beautiful combined summer scent. Hair tends to become more dry over the summer when exposed more to sun. The castile soap used in the
Coconut Lavender Shampoo makes an excellent hair cleanser. The coconut milk and essential oils help to lock the moisture into your hair. They also help to keep you rocks frizz free.

One of the main benefits of making your own beauty products is that you can make them to your preferred scent. Why not experiment with alternative ingredients?. The two ingredients you need to make this shampoo ats, the ingredients can be altered to fit your scent preference, as long as these two stay the same: coconut milk and castile soap. 

Homemade Coconut Lavender Shampoo

Coconut Lavender Shampoo Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut milk (often found in ethnic food aisle)
2/3 cup castile soap (found in health food stores)
1 tsp vitamin E oil (can use vitamin E, coconut, almond, or olive)
1 tsp coconut oil (found in health food stores)
5 drops lavender essential oil (or try vanilla)

Method:

Use coconut oil in its liquid form. Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid, and shake.

To use:

Shampoo hair as usual. Use 1-2 teaspoons of the homemade coconut lavender shampoo, depending on hair length and thickness. You can keep a batch in your shower for up to one month.

Homemade Coconut Lavender Conditioner

It smells like my summer holidays in France - bliss! You will only need a teeny weeny bit of this conditioner as its super moisturising. Using a little does mean that it will last you a long time. Another bonus is that this makes an awesome moisturising lotion so don't forget to apply some after your shower!

Coconut Lavender Conditioner Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil (get organic if you can!)

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Method:

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl., use a food processor if you have one (8 minutes). Scoop combined ingredients into a clean and dry container.! Coconut oil melts at a medium temperature (a little higher than room temperature) so you may want to store this in the fridge, but you can use this conditioner in liquid form! This may change the type of container you wish to use. This mixture should stay fresh until the coconut oil reaches its expiration date, so keep an eye out for that.

To use:

Apply a teeny weeny amount of conditioner onto wet hair which has been conditioned and thoroughly rinsed. Start at the ends, then move to just behind your ears before working your way down to the ends. Leave in for about 2-5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
What if you used too much? Once your hair is dry, if you find that you had used too much, use some dry shampoo to absorb the excess oil!

Make your own coconut milk:

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The Perfect French Toast Recipe?

French toast is perfect for weekends as it only takes a few minutes and a handful of cupboard ingredients to make.

My first memories of French toast, or as I was introduced to it, eggy bread, was at girl guides. On a misty spring morning soaking the hard bread in the eggy mixture while trying to reignite the campfire from last night and finding a lost jacket potato wrapped in foil in the burned out embers. The smell of browning butter wafting through the campsite.

There are few things better than thick-cut bread slices soaked in vanilla-scented egg and milk custard fried until golden brown. There are many variations of this delicious dish, be it the bread itself, the eggy mixture or the toppings. My favourite is super simple; French Toast with cinnamon sugar topping. There are 2 eggy mixtures for you to choose from; one for any weekend and the other, a more luxurious version.

The Ultimate French Toast

What’s the Best Bread to Use for French Toast?

Long gone are my girl guide days where we would drench cheap sliced white bread into the eggy mixture for so long it became at risk of turning into mush. I like to use bread that will soak up the eggy mixture as much as possible. French, Italian, brioche or sourdough all work wonderfully but my favourite is French baguette as it adds chewy-ness. No matter what type of bread you use it needs to be day-old bread.
Why Use Day-Old Bread?

What you need to know. One or two-day old bread is best for making French toast. If the bread is fresh, it will crumble or fall apart when added to the egg mixture or during cooking. Try 1 or 2 day old French, Italian, brioche, sourdough.

Thin Slices vs. Thick?

Just as fresh bread will fall apart or become mushy, so will thinly sliced bread. Try slicing the bread 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. If you are using a french stick then you needn't worry! I slice the baguette length ways.

Luxurious French Toast Ingredients

Serves 4

4 large eggs
1/2 cup (118 ml) milk
1/4 cup (59 ml) double whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
8 slices day-old bread (3/4 inch thick)
3 tbsp salted butter, plus more for serving

Eggy bread with cinnamon sugar

Everyday French Toast Ingredients

Serves 4
4 large eggs
pinch of salt
4 tbsp skimmed milk
8 slices day-old bread (3/4 inch thick)
2 tbsp salted butter

How to make Cinnamon Sugar

Combine granulated sugar with cinnamon powder. For an extra nice touch, especially with the everyday version, add cinnamon powder to vanilla sugar.

Other French Toast topping options:

blue berries & whipped cream
blackcurrant compote & maple syrup
crispy bacon and maple syrup

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