Trying to Make That Stubborn Frizz, Ease....

Frizz. I hate it.

Frizzy hair is just not my ideal look even though some people might be able to rock it.

 

Due to having bleached colour, naturally wavy, slightly dry hair; the smallest amount of rain and wind can often lead of stands of frizz from creeping into my fresh hair. I try to only wash my hair twice a week maximum and once a week is usually fine for me (I am a lazy girl).

When blow drying my hair, I like to use John Frieda's Frizz Ease Anti Frizz Primer by applying it on damp hair. I only purchased this recently and have found that actually it has been making a huge difference by eliminating the 'just washed puffy' dance my hair likes to do the day after.

I also have been using the Straight Fixation Smoothing Cream on the front crown section of my hair. I find that even when I'm not styling my hair much I will blow dry the front areas straight so that I at least can look decent.

 

I have used the Flawlessly Straight Conditioner once and then straightened my hair. I found that it locks in lots of shine in my hair so that even if you straighten your hair with a not so great straightener it doesn't look damaged and in fact makes you straightened hair last longer without needing retouches.

 

I would recommend all these product to you if you would like to make your frizz ease (you get the joke?!) and tame your lovely strands. However, adding to much of any of these will weight your hair down because they are quite concentrated products.

 

Let me know what other products you have found works to keep your hair lovely and smooth.

 

Priyanka xx

Bannana, Mango Nut Oatmeal

Breakkkfassttting with Priyanka once again!

 

Oh yeah baby (I know you love it).

 

Life couldn't get better with a stack of mangos/ mango puree in my fridge. Literally, all week I have been jumping out of bed (which is very difficult since its pitch black every morning) excited to eat my mango filled breakfasts.

 

Here is a way I have been loving to incorporate my favourite fruit into my first meal.

 

Banana, Mango Nut Oatmeal:

 

-1 Tbsp. Oats (you can cook as much oats if you usually do)

-1 Tbsp. Chia Seeds

- 4-5 Chopped Slices of Mango

- 1 Small Handful of Blueberries

- 1/2 Banana

- 1 Tsp. Pumpkin Seeds

- 1 Tsp. chopped almonds

 

If you want to be really cheeky like I was this week add a heaped Tbs of CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER. I found one from Asda called The Wild Peanut Chocolatey which has honey and no added sugar so therefore is 'clean' to eat.

 

- Cook the oats with chia seeds in the microwave/ hob

- Place the chopped mangos in the centre of the oatmeal and coined banana slices around the edge

- Add you toppings; chocolate peanut butter/ chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds and blueberries on top.

 

There are so many variations of this breakfast you could try. I've had my mango oatmeal with healthy sweet potato brownie chunks on top and oh it's delishhh.....

 

Let me know how you like your morning oatmeal so I can test them out in my own kitchen.

 

Priyanka xx

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer

Dark spots? Scars? Acne? 

Trust me, been there done that.

 

I had been searching for a good, high coverage concealer in Boots for a long time and finally gave up hunting for something that clearly doesn't exist. A good concealer in my eyes is difficult to find, especially when you're using it for coverage purposes.

 

Mac seems to be a popular and trust worthy brand in many people's eyes, so I opted to buy Mac's Pro Longwear Concealer and I am glad I made that decision. I put 1 pump of the concealer in a small circular container (which was originally a Mac tester pot) and use my No.7 Concealer Brush dab it onto any places I want to cover up, which is mainly darker scars on my forehead. I have found that layering the product over the area is key to making it look natural, even though this takes a little extra time to do.

 

The concealer is light weight, has brilliant coverage and lasts all day so no touch ups are necessary. A little product goes a long way and I think it is perfect for camouflaging. I haven't used this under my eyes because this shade would be too dark for that purpose and I prefer slightly lighter, natural coverage for the under eye area.

 

Have you tried any other products that cover up pigmentation effectively?

 

Priyanka xx

How To Be Attractive

Its been a tough week. Why should I lie? One of the main on going concerns that I have at the moment is that I watch people. Observe actions, interactions, body language and friendship groups. I see some girls who seem very pretty, confident, out going and fun to be around... and sure they attract many boys. I've found myself stuck trying to look perfect all the time, fixing my hair and looking in the mirror in every odd chance but now I realise that I'm only wasting time. After a little closer observations of the girls and getting to know them I've found that they aren't all really that 'pretty' or aren't any more beautiful than any other girl. What makes them attractive is their confidence.

 

Surely you have to have something to be confident about to actually be confident, right?

 

The answer is actually no. I was watching some of 'those' videos on YouTube and found that actually a stunning personality is actually what most boys are more attracted to.

 

Confidence is not about being perfect. The most confident people in life are able to be confident in spite of what really isn't perfect about themselves. The people who are the most attractive are the ones who don't allow the things about them physically to throw them off their game. They accept it and go on to be an interesting, fun, passionate and life loving human being.

 

That is ultimate confidence.

 

I have found that you should never give the power or status to people to walk all over you and you should never feel the need to justify anything you do because that is when you give up all your power. You should own it. Love it. Its doesn't matter what other people may think of you. Others throw negativity and criticism when you have something that they don't.

 

Nothing is more attractive nor beautiful than someone who is confident and unstoppable even when there may be a million reasons to be insecure about. That's the person others fear and believe they cannot even compete with.

 

So, walk like you deserve to be there and own your ground.

 

Priyanka xx

Pizza Express, Covent Garden

I'm not going to lie to you about how terrible I am with directions.....

 

Seriously. I am pretty bad.

 

One of my friends invited me for dinner at Pizza Express in Covent Garden, my internet stopped working (so that I could not use the navigation on it) and there I was, all alone not knowing where the restaurant was nor where to go. Even from asking directions, using the maps and calling my friends I still couldn't make it out by myself.

 

45 minutes later when I was rescued by my friends (who were very tired of waiting for pizza), I found that it was ACROSS THE ROAD and under a bridge from the station I got off at.

 

Urgg. At least I burnt those calories, right?

 

Usually pizza and pasta are not my thing simply because it is such a common food, so when I want to treat myself to something slightly more 'unhealthy' I venture for other exciting foods to full fill the desires of my taste buds.

 

I chose pasta over the pizza because one of the girls were telling me it was really good and her 'go to' choice. The Pollo Pesto Pasta (oh, the alliteration...) was very filling. It had chunks of  chicken, mushrooms, red onions, mozzarella and pesto sauce. The chicken was a little dry but there was just enough sauce and cheese to make up for it.

 

Honestly, it could have been a little creamier or saucy to make it work better. It was a good meal but nothing incredibly special. I think the pasta at Vapiano was of a much higher standard than Pizza Express and you can see my post on that here.

 

Where is the best pasta you have had? I would love to know for another dinner out :)

 

Priyanka xx

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum

What else do I need to add to my facial routine?

A Serum? Ha, who needs a serum?

Wait, what is a serum again?

 

I don't know about you but that was what was going through my head....

 

However, now you can see that I found out that a facial serum is an essential part of any girl's skin care ritual as its aids long term skin issues that is not targeted by simple moisturisers and cleansers.  

 

For a long time, I felt that my skin was really dry on the surface and tough underneath and therefore it had also lost all of its plumpness and general glow. I purchased Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Booster Serum and I know for a fact that now my skin it a million times more plum and hydrated!

 

I would never lie about my opinion on a product but I do believe that over several months, much more moisture has been locked deeper into my skin so that I do not experience much surface dryness as before (as I used to have red patches that turned dark over time).

 

If you are going through the same problem I would definitely give this serum a try because it is much more affordable than other serums out there. The price is £16.66 from boots and you only need to use a pea sized amount under your moisturiser in the mornings and evenings.

 

If you are looking for a little more plumpness in your skin I would also recommend Superfacialist Rose Miracle Makeover Facial Oil which I wrote a blog post you can check out here .

 

Let me know if you have tested out other serums and which ones you have found have worked best on your skin.

 

Priyanka xx

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush Vs Max Factor Creme Puff Blush

Over summer, my favourite blush hit base.

 

And when my makeup hit base, man, I can get teary eyed.

 

I have been loving the Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush in Santa Rose for a very long time. It is the perfect natural blush colour which also does the job of contouring my face quickly due to the way it compliments my, slightly tanned, skin.

 

The blush is incredibly easy to blend into the skin and has a smooth and flawless finish, even when you aren't trying hard. The product is very buildable, can be removed off the skin easily with a tissue (if you feel you have applied too much) and lasts all day. Even during the summer, when my face has been sweaty, this blush has not budged even the slightest off my face. I would say this colour would look great on pretty much any skin tone.

 

After my favourite Rimmel blush had run out, I felt adventurous and wanted to try something new. On another trip over to boots, I picked up Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink but was a little disappointed with the product.

 

When I headed out, I wanted something that would do the job of a higher end product but for a drugstore price. I heard that these blushes where similar to the Hourglass Ambient Blush but I found that it looked overly bright and powdery on my skin. I found that I was taking a ridiculously long time to blend the blush into my face and even after all the time put in, I usually had to wipe some of the product off my skin again because it didn't look quite right.

 

Overall, I would heavily recommend the Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush to everyone out there! It really is a perfect blush for giving you a  luminous healthy and natural glow all year round.

 

Would you recommend any blushes that you have found give a healthy boost to your face?  

 

Priyanka xx

Shake Shack, Covent Garden

 Yes, I had work experience the whole week.

Yes, I was tired of filing things away.

Yes, I was craving a cheesy burger.

Yes, I was satisfied after finishing my food that day!

 

Last week some of my friends and I decided to take a trip down to Covent Gardens to meet up and grab some food, since I barely get to catch them for a chat now days.

 

I brought up the idea of eating at Lobster Kitchen since I have never eaten Lobster before but unfortunately one of my friends said they were allergic which was a great disappointment.

 

Then, we decided on going to Five Guys in Leister Square because so many people had told me they do the best burgers ever. I should learn to do my research because unfortunately all the burgers were beef (which I do not eat). One friend got the Five Guys Peanut Butter Milkshake and ohhhhh my godnesssss, it was heaven in a cup. Seriously, I can't express how damn creamy, smooth, thick and oh so good this milkshake was. I didn't get my own but we all shared from one cup. I can tell you now, it was gone in seconds.

 

Eventually, we reached Shake Shack in Covent Gardens, where I waited very impatiently for my 'Shroom Burger £8.50 (which was a crispy Portobello mushroom burger with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shake Shack sauce), with Crispy Crinkle Cut Fries £2.95 and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake £5.25.

 

I would say that the fries and the burger were pretty good but the milkshake was no where near as good as the one from 5 Guys. Also, the burger and milkshake portions were incredibly small for the high price I paid. I would have also liked a little more cheese in the burger.

 

Where do you think the best burgers and milkshakes are in London? I would love to know!

 

Also check out my previous Shake Shack and burger experience here.

 

Priyanka xx

Dear Best Friend

Dear Anisha,

 

It seems like such a long time ago since we met. In fact I don't remember first meeting you at all or introducing myself to you because it is as if you were always there beside me. I know I tell you how much I love you all the time and attempt to express my love within text messages (which always end in infinite x's) but I don't think it's fair to say that these messages really can sum up how grateful I am to have met such an incredible person as you.

 

I've realised that one of the reasons you have been my longest and closest friend is because no matter which situation we fall in, you have the heart to forgive me, to accept my changes, my decisions and opinions. Most others would not be bothered to deal with it, whereas you have always thought I was worth accepting and fighting for.

 

Thank you for being someone who I have spent some of the best moments of my life with so far, for being in my thoughts as hope in darker moments and someone I can turn to whenever I feel the need. Its incredible how alike, yet how different we are and how I can be thinking any thought with there being a high chance you will be thinking same. Even the complicated things I cannot clarify in my own head seems to make complete sense to you but won't necessarily to anyone else.

 

Every time I drink coffee, count down to summer or sing a Taylor Swift song I think of you. I feel like you know me inside out and only you have had the courage to stick with me for this long (given the trouble!)

 

I hope that we make plenty more memories together and that we never have the opportunity to drift apart because that is not what family would do. I am sorry that words nor expressions will ever be able to express how thankful and blessed I am to have you.

 

Let our adventures be infinite and our worries be small.

 

Forever and always,

 

Priyanka xx

Europe Trip 2015: Day 6 | Milan, Italy

 On our 6th Day in Europe we decided to drive away to Milan for the day which resulted in really good weather and perfectly suited gelato ice cream from an Italian restaurant in the city centre. We were all very happy people!

 

At first we had some trouble arriving as nobody seemed to speak English, all the signs were in Italian, parking was a little troublesome and our navigation seemed a little unhelpful but eventually we did get out of the car.

There were many expensive stores and some of the best ice cream parlours obviously! My sister decided she wanted coffee flavoured ice cream but surprisingly it tasted like strongly brewed coffee as it was made at the restaurant directly from coffee beans.

A lovely Italian waiter serving us ice cream...

 

I found it hilarious that she looked so miserable that her ice cream was melting and dripping all over her!

Best ice cream ever!

 

Unfortunately, my parents decided that we were not going to be terribly hungry for a while and that pizza could wait until a little later, so we drove a little out of the main city to see if there was anything else worth visiting locally. However, by the time we parked and tried to find a pizzeria, all the restaurants had closed for the day.

 

Guess where we ended up eating lunch?

 

A Turkish kebab shop selling pizza and kebabs.

 

I might have taken a 3 minute drive from my house in London.

 

Yes, I was very angry, irritated and annoyed for the rest of the day.

 

Have you been to Milan? Where did you eat out?

 

Priyanka xx

Healthy Pear and Fig Snack

 

I had never even tried figs until a few weeks ago when I saw them in Asda and decided I was up for trying something new since they are probably in season at the moment.

 

Here is a simple recipe I tried out which you might enjoy.

 

Ingredients:

 

-1 Medium Soft Pear

-1 Fig

 

- 2 Tablespoons Ground Hazelnuts

- 1 Tablespoon Coco Powder

 

- 2 Teaspoons Coconut Oil / Olive Oil

-1 Table Spoon Honey /Maple Syrup

 

-Desiccated Coconuts (to sprinkle)

 

Instructions:

 

1) Cut the pear flat, sideways, into slices and place on a small plate

2) Cut the figs into quarters and then into eighths and arrange with the pear

3) In small mixing bowl add the ground hazelnuts, coco powder, oil and honey together and mix well to help it stick together slightly (don't worry, this won't stick perfectly together but that's fine as they are meant to be crumbs)

4) Sprinkle the hazelnut 'crumbs' over the pear and figs - you can add more or less of any ingredient to make it work for you

5) Decorate with a some desiccated coconuts and dig in

 

I hope you try this recipe if you have figs in your kitchen and let me know if you liked it.

 

Do you have any healthy fig snacks you have been enjoying? I would love to know!

 

Priyanka xx

Tips to Help Reduce Your Cold Symptoms

It's that time of the year again, autumn leaves falling, darker mornings, shorter days, thicker jumpers and of course, colds.

Everyone seems to be coughing, sneezing and complaining that they have a cold and I am someone who has been constantly shivering unless I wear 2 vests, a thermal top, a regular top and a thick jumper outside but have found some of these things useful in helping reduce my cold/flu-like symptoms.

 

1. Drink Hot Herbal Tea

I found that sipping on hot cups of ginger and lemon tea (Twinning's Settling Ginger and Revitalising Lemon & Ginger are two of my favourites) really helps my throat feel less sore and dry; it also helps making me feel a little more warm and cosy which is always really comforting.

 

2. Stay Hydrated

I know this may be one point you rather skip out off the list, but when you're ill having plenty of water for your body to take care of itself is definitely the wiser option. During the day, drinking water should help increase your energy levels too.

 

3. Take Multi Vitamins

 

Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins. Don't forget your vitamins. I regularly take multivitamins all year round and swap between Floradix Liquid Iron and Vitamin Formula and Metatone Tonic as well as Vitamin D and Iron tablets (since my GP has recommended this to me).  Especially when I feel like any sympotoms of a cold is arising or simply feel fatigue, I will take Vitamin C tablets to help my immune system keep up with everything that's going on.

 

4. Get Enough Sleep

 Tired all the time? Go to bed a little earlier because you owe yourself that much. After all, its probably not your fault you were infected by the coughing bus passenger next to you, right? A little more snooze ain't gonna hurt no body.

 

5. Eat Oranges

Now orange juice doesn't classify as fresh oranges, there is something very different about the two things I would have thought. Eating oranges and other citus fruits, berries and fresh vegetables also helps your body repair itself quicker and more easily due to the higher amounts of antioxidants your body receives.

 

6. Strepsils, Tissues and Paracetamol

My mother never let me leave the house without all of these things. Always keeping paracetamol handy means that you should be able to battle the day to the end like a hero...

 

Hopefully this has reminded you that nourishing your body with all that it deserves will help you feel energized much more faster than if you binged on junk foods and walked around the roads with a light shirt on!

 

Priyanka xx

 

Two Old Friends Eating Their Way Through Westfield

How cheeky is she?

 

I really wish I could answer that, but I still don't know even after nearly 10 years of knowing her....

A cod burger and sweet potato chips for lunch.

 'Girl, down the goddamn burger already'

 

That's what she was saying to me across the table whilst I continuously took photos of her and my food. Yes, indeed I am one of 'those' people who spend more time taking lovely photos rather than actually eating the food.

 

Well, then I'll be the one with the nicer photo of the food to reminisce upon in low moments in my life right?

 

 Even after all these years of knowing each other, we are both eager to see one another once in a while, even though we haven't been going to the same school since being in primary school.

 

(We were the girls who were perfectly behaved unless found together spending our time doing use less things, of course...)

 

So it seemed that we made our way to Westfield Stratford in the summer and I decided to treat myself to some/lots of unhealthy food.

 

Cos, that's the way I do it honey.

 

So here is a review of the food I consumed that day:

 

Chip and Fish

 

I can't ever make up my mind but eventually I went for the chunky cod burger with sweet potato fries. The burger was pretty oily but crispy and worked well with the crisp bread. I really was craving a burger and this satisfied my carb filled desires.

 

I would have liked the sweet  potato fries to be more thinly cut and crispy rather than just chunky chips. I do sometimes make sweet potato fries at home where I oven cook them and put in some spice which really livens the sweet taste up (maybe I will put up a recipe later for you...)

 

Overall, a good burger but not the best chips. I had to dip the fries into a lot of ketchup and mayonnaise to really get much flavour.

 

Shake Shack

 

Oh, it was beautiful.

 

I looked online before going to Westfield  and found that the Concrete Custard they serve is really good. I'm glad to say, yes; it fulfilled my love for peanut butter, chocolate, banana and ice cream all at once and I can't think of any improvements. I found the chunks of chocolate and slices of banana was really something I haven't seen food places serve before (even though I love doing this at home!)

 

I really would have liked to try their burgers because the cheesiness of them seems worth indulging in.

 

Have you been to these places before? Is there anything in particular you like off the Shake Shack menu? If there is, let me know because I will head over there once I get the chance!

Priyanka xx 

Europe Trip 2015: Day 5 | Interlaken and Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Interlaken is probably the most beautiful, vibrant, turquoise lakes I have ever seen. As we drove past the lake and stopped to take photos all I could really think was how beautiful the area truly was. I remember feeling greatly in awe from what I saw in front of me and through the entire drive I kept thinking how immensely fortunate I am to visit just breath taking places  with such a wonderful family.

 

I hope these photos have illustrated visually how beautiful the day was...

 

Do you like long drives around beautiful views? I know I do.

 

Priyanka xx