Dinsdag 31 Januarie 2012

My henna/Mendhi with Glitter!

Geplaas deur Unknown om 15:38 0 opmerkings
So I recently had mendhi applied to my hand and as I have never tried it I thought I would get glitter added to the design. It looked fabulous but didn't last long (some had rubbed off the next day and most had come off after 2-3 days) But for a day it is not too bad and its great for a special occasion. I had blue and silver to match my outfit.

1.5 hours after mendhi was applied (not washed off)

Mendhi the next day
3 days later
The glitter has stayed on the next day even though I continuously wash my wash throughout the day. After three days most of the glitter has come off apart from around my wrist.

Tips to get the best out of your henna
  • Leave the mendhi on for as long as possible. Once it starts to peel off, wash and apply oil or vix onto your hand. You may also wrap cling film around to keep in the heat. This will help the colour to darken as it heats up
  • Do not use black henna as you are more likely to gain an allergic reaction from it. If in doubt apply a test patch before use
  • The best time to apply henna is 1-2 days before a special event
  • Depending on the quality of henna, it should last for around a week
Have you ever applied henna? If so what's your favourite pattern?

Vrydag 20 Januarie 2012

How to cook tasty mince meat and peppers

Geplaas deur Unknown om 13:18 0 opmerkings
So this is a dish which I have learnt from my mother, and as I love it so much I thought I would share with you.



Just a note that when I cook I rarely use measurements- I prefer to guess and add according to taste (or in my case smell) Yes I smell my food to see whether it needs more spice, lol don't ask why but it works for me.

So the measurements that I will provide are approximate, but remember you can adjust according to taste.

This will feed approx 3-4 people
  • 500g lamb mince meat
  • Red and green peppers
  • garlic cloves or powder (or can use both)
  • Ginger (fresh or powder) approx 3 cloves/1 teaspoon
  • Black Seeds/Nigella Seeds
  • Garam Masala
  • Salt
  • Coriander
  • Chilli powder and fresh chillies
  • Curry Powder
  • 1 large onion
  • Oil
  • Tomatoes
So first heat the oil (approx 1 teaspoon) then add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the mince meat and cook for further 3 minutes then add the garlic and ginger, salt and all the spices. After 10 minutes add the peppers and cook until they soften. The mince meat should be cooked until brown (approx 30 minutes in total) Once cooked the onions should have softened and dissolved with the meat.

So that's how I make mince meat. I will use the same technique to make the mince for shepherds pie, although I will add potatoes instead of the peppers.

I like to have this with basmati rice and with a tasty salad. I add Cheddar cheese, juice of a lemon and mint sauce to my salad. This meal will provide protein, carbohydrates and nutrients.

I may do a separate blog post/video for other recipes if it is requested.

To watch the video of me cooking see below:


Hope you enjoy- happy cooking :)

Maandag 16 Januarie 2012

My LUSH Goodies!

Geplaas deur Unknown om 10:05 0 opmerkings
 

Yayyy for Lush!! If you're a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I am kind of obsessed with all things Lush. So when I was given some lovely goodies from there of course I got excited and had to blog about it. The top 2 body creams are really soft, but I especially love 'Sympathy for the Skin' and will be making a seperate blog review on that in the future. The face masks in the middle are lovelllyyy! I tried the 'Brazened Honey' last night and it left my skin so soft and smooth that I skipped moisturiser.

I haven't tried the 'Celestial' moisturiser yet.. It is for sensitive skin so I may pass to my husband.

This is soo yummmy!!! You only need a tiny amount so I can see this lasting a very long time!

Hope you enjoyed this post. I will be uploading a video onto Youtube talking about each product. So until my next post, take care x

Donderdag 12 Januarie 2012

My Trip to Istanbul: A Travel Guide

Geplaas deur Unknown om 06:09 0 opmerkings
Just before the year ended I went on holiday to Istanbul for a week. I've been a few times before, although the last time was around 6 years ago so I was looking forward to seeing if it had changed. I've never been in Winter before but as I had checked the weather report, I was prepared....and good job as it was freezing!! I believe it was even colder than London :-O We're talking 3 degrees Celsius at night! Apart from the cold I am grateful it didn't rain once (apart from the day we we're leaving).

So Turkey overall is a beautiful country. If you have been to the coast (Marmaris, Fethiye,etc) for a beach holiday then Istanbul is totally different. First of all its more of a city break and there is certainly no beach nearby. Also if you want to emerge yourself into the true culture of what Turkey has to offer then a trip to Istanbul is a must. I would recommend staying in the Sultanahmet area, as this is where many of the attractions are and you can find a lot of different hotels which will suit all budgets. This time I stayed in an apartment, which is a good option for groups but if you're on a budget then stay at a hotel.

British citizens do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. You simply pay £10 at the airport in Turkey (make sure you have the exact money as they do not offer change) and in turn you will obtain a visa. Of course check details of this before you leave the UK. Other nationalities will need to check for their own visa requirements.

Once you arrive at Istanbul make sure you grab a map/guide. These can be found in hotels/also at tourist hot spots. This is essential to plan the places/areas you wish to visit.

I take this each time I travel to Turkey. It comes  in handy!


Travel

Travel in Istanbul is cheap as there is the metro, local taxi and of course if you are in the Sultanahmet area then you may walk to most destinations. The metro covers most of the area and is relatively cheap. It costs 2 Turkish Lira (less than £1) one way. Tokens can be bought from machines at each station. The machines take notes as well as coins, but always carry change around with you. Ask for a metro map at any station, but if you are lost, someone will probably help you even before you ask. To go to the huge shopping malls take the metro. I cant remember the one I went to but it wasn't far from Taksim. You may also use the metro to travel to the Ataturk airport, just make sure you travel well in advance in case you get lost and purchase a few tokens as you will need these when you change stops.


Taxis are also a relatively cheap way to travel and are not hard to find. Make sure you check that the meter is running before you set off. You can also travel by bus, but I never did and with taxis, metro and walking you really don't need to.

Attractions

There are many places to visit once in Istanbul. If you are passing through for a few days, you will be very busy trying to fit everything in. A week would be enough to sample all that this wonderful city has to offer.
  • Topkapi Palace- This was the home of Ottoman Sultans. You need to dedicate a few hours in order to make your way around and appreciate this wonder.
  • Princes Islands- This is just one of the islands that you can reach by ferry. It is the last stop on the journey. To travel there you can obtain a token from the machines at the port (like the metro) again it costs just 2 Lira one way. I would recommend purchasing the two tokens (if you plan to return) before leaving the port. The ferry is a great way to travel and allows for a clear view of the European and Asian side. On the Island you can take a horse cart ride around, have something to eat in a restaurant and enjoy the ambiance. In the Summer this would be an excellent day out, but I would recommend to visit any time of the year.
Make sure you check the return times from the Island as you may find yourself stuck there if you miss the last ferry!
    Taken from the ferry
    Princes Island
    •  Visiting the Asian Side- You can take a ferry from the European side  from the area of Eminonu (the same area as the ferry to Princes Islands) there are several ports which take you to different parts, so make sure you go to the correct port. It will all be signposted so you shouldn't catch the wrong ferry! It is well worth while visiting the Asian side as they have some beautiful mosques and also for shopping on a budget. Also it is another excuse to see the beautiful Bosphorous, the birds, and take lots of photos! Again it costs just 2 Lira one way.


    •  Basilica Cistern- This lies beneath the city with Roman columns. Not much to see (there really isn't) but if you're into history then may be worth a look. It cost 10 Lira for entrance fee and can be located near the Hagia Sofia. There is also a madusa head carved into one of the columns. They did big this up but when you see it you will think "what is that it??" Yep its nothing special, but I enjoyed practising with my SLR and taking plenty of photos.

      Can you believe they had a 'cafe' in the cistern? It looked so out of place

      • Hagia Sofi- This is a former monastery and later mosque. It is now a museum, which you could add to your 'to do' list.

      • Blue Mosque (also known as the Sultan Ahmet mosque)- An absolute must! Tourists can visit as long as it isn't prayer time. I enjoyed praying Jummah in the mosque on a Friday, with Muslims from all around the world.
        Blue Mosque at night


        Grand Bazaar- No trip to Istanbul would be complete without visiting the world famous Grand Bazaar, even just to have a look around. If you are a serious shopper dedicate a whole day as it is HUGE. They sell apple tea, cushion covers, desginer handbags, etc. If you have come to Turkey especially to purchase a designer bag or two, don't bother going to Istanbul as they prices are way expensive compared to other places in Turkey. For example in Antalya I was given the price of £50 for a mulberry bag, in the grand bazaar it was £300, and it was the same quality.

        If you are after a bargain don't spend much in the Grand Bazaar as it is geared towards tourists. Take a stroll out of any of the exits and you will come across places where the locals like to shop. I believe its an area called Mahmud Pashar, but you can always ask a local who will be more than willing to help.

        Would you wear one of these wedding dresses? :-O

        Food

        The food consists mainly of kebabs, bread, delicious salads and also vegetable dishes. Although it was really nice, as a Pakistani a week of no spice in my food was kind of difficult for me. They did have some chilli flakes in a pot, but this barely tickled my tongue. So if like me you love hot food, make sure you take some chilli sauce with you. (My auntie carries some around in her handbag-yes really!) If you are vegetarian don't worry its not all kebabs-you will be able to find vegetable dishes. The lentil soup is a dish I have every time I'm in Turkey, and it's especially soothing in Winter.


        Lentil Soup


        Dont think this needs a caption!
        Corn on the cob stand

        Turkish Tea








         Turkish tea is basically black tea (minus milk) If you want English tea,  ask for Lipton with a separate jug for milk. I became obsessed with apple tea whilst in Turkey. It was so delicious and refreshing and is available in cafes/restaurants. You can also purchase the teabags or apple powder from the grand bazaar or most shops.
        I hope you've enjoyed this guide to Istanbul. Of course this doesn't cover all of the city and places to go. If you want to see what Istanbul has to offer take a trip there. You won't regret it :-)

        If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will try my best to answer x 

         

        Vrydag 06 Januarie 2012

        Outfit of the Day: Fashionably ill

        Geplaas deur Unknown om 02:54 0 opmerkings


        This outfit is what I call casually me, as it casual and sooo me! I've been ill all week so thus have been house bound. This was the first day I ventured out....to Asda! OK so it was nowhere special and just around the corner, but as I have been in my pj's all week I fancied something different. I didn't go over the top but added the bag for some pizz-azz. (Is that a word haha!) I purchased it from a shopping mall in Istanbul from some fancy smancy shop called Charles & Keith. I saw Amena from Pearl Daisy with an almost identical bag a few days ago (Great minds think alike ;) ) I believe she bought hers online from Asos.com. I like how it matches the top of my shoes (which I have rolled down) from Forever 21. 

        The brown blazer which is also from Forever 21 is light enough to be worn in the Summer or layered up for Winter. New Look had the exact same blazers for around £25, but it was much cheaper in Forever 21. The Primark jeans are so comfortable and easy to throw on with any outfit. As I wanted to keep the outfit simple, I've not worn many accessories, but the bead bracelets (which came as part of a set) do not interfere with the overall look. The hijab style is something I more or less discovered accidentally. Well kinda... I like to call it the Twist, lol. It's not as clear in the photo but I simply draped and pinned in random spots, leaving it to drape in a loose fashion. 

        What the photos fail to show is the blocked nose and me having a coughing fit, but thank God that wasn't in Asda-now that would have been embarrassing!


        Woensdag 04 Januarie 2012

        Outfit of the Day-A Chilly Day Along the Bosphorus

        Geplaas deur Unknown om 05:07 0 opmerkings


         Ok so this isn't much of a stylish outfit but you know what it was FREEZING out in Istanbul, even colder than London! So I wore like five layers and a thick coat or my trusty thick cardigan from Forever 21. This was in practicularly all my photos so for the sake of these piccies I took the cardigan off (for like 10 seconds anyway) Of course the main attraction is the lovely view of the Bosphorus- I just happen to be in there somewhere... (Can you spot the cardigan in question??) I believe this was near the dolombache palace.

        So I'm sure you guys know where majority of my outfit is from, but I'll tell you anyway just in case lol. The jeans are from H&M, the boots which I know I do live in (they are too comfortable!) are from Primark, I purchased them last year and they are excellent quality.

        The maroon dress is from Primark and the black cardigan is from New Look. I have these cardigans in different colours as they are great for adding to any outfit. They are also loose and light weight. I have another layer underneath which isn't visible, but it is a long sleeved polo top from Primark. The 'Black Wonderland Hijab'  is from Princess Rockz- it was just what I needed to keep my ears and neck warm.

        You can follow the tutorial of how I styled the hijab by watching the video below.


        Hope you guys enjoyed this rather boring outfit of the day, but I hope to make a post of my trip to Istanbul with lots and lots of photos.

        Until next time, take care :o)

        Dinsdag 03 Januarie 2012

        M.A.C Store in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul!

        Geplaas deur Unknown om 05:11 0 opmerkings
        On my recent visit to Istanbul I stumbled across a M.A.C store in the Grand Bazaar. Who would have thought that amongst the gold jewellery and leather handbags there would be a M.A.C store?? Of course I got snap happy and just had to have a sneak peak inside. However I was pretty dissapointed that the prices seemed more expensive then what I would pay in the UK. Still it was fun to have a nosey!

         

        I WANT this chair!


        I could happily live in this shop

         Which unusual places have you discovered a M.A.C store?

        P.s I will be blogging about my recent trip to Istanbul, including photos and outfit of the day over the next week or two. If you haven't already join my facebook page

        Until next time, take care :)

        Kabuki Brush for Flawless Makeup

        Geplaas deur Unknown om 03:48 0 opmerkings
        I have always wanted a kabuki brush so when I received this mini kabuki during a meet up with other bloggers, I was DELIGHTED! I can't remember who gave the brush, but I would like to thank that person!


        It is truely soft and I love to use it! I like to apply my Maxfactor Facefinity Powder using the brush and it is truely amazing. It gives a flawless application and can be carried in your bag for touch ups on the go. I'm not sure the brand as it doesn't have a label, but you can purchase kabukis from most cosmetic stores.

        My hubbie commented that it looks like a shaving brush. Lets hope he doesn't borrow it for that purpose :S

        Do you own a kabuki?? 

        Sondag 01 Januarie 2012

        Haul: Boots and Accessorize

        Geplaas deur Unknown om 09:59 0 opmerkings
         




        This is is haul from a week ago. The Accessorize gloves came in handy for my recent trip to Istanbul, as it was freezing there! They are very thick and can be worn fingerless or with the cover. They cost around £12 but will be cheaper now in the sales. 

        I purchased the Botanics cotton pads from a small Boots store as there wasn't much choice. However these are very good quality and are organic. I love the fact they don't come apart so easily and are actually very good quality. The pack contains 100 pads for £2.25 which is quite pricy for what I would usually pay for cotton pads, but I use both sides to make it worth the price.



        This is my favourite night cream at the moment as it doesn't feel greasy so is perfect for my skin. it leaves my skin hydrated and glowing. If you have very dry skin then this wouldn't suit you. Instead try a night cream for very dry skin.

        Until my next post, take care :)
         

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