August Favorites

Avocado oil has so many benefits and can be used in your hair, cooking, or on your skin. Avocados are high in vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties that help maintain strong immunity and healthy skin. Here are a list of benefits:

For your hair - strengthens hair, helps retain hair moisture, revives damaged hair

For your body - protect cardiovascular system, effective in preventing prostrate and skin cancer

For your skin- soothing and softening effect, helps heal skin, rejuvenates dry skin, reduces signs of skin aging

I love using this before going to bed - it has a warm, soft lavender fragrance and it's so calming. I've only been using it for about a month, but it has already helped clear the redness and uneven skin tone. It effectively improves the texture and moisture of your skin.

So many of my friends have been recommending this show to me, and I finally got round to watching this show. In a nutshell, a college drop-out Mike Ross becomes the new associate in a top corporate law firm in Manhattan...and that's all I'll reveal because I don't want to ruin anything for you guys! It's a legal comedy/drama show, and it's so so good.  

I've always been a fan of Rooibos tea, but I've never tried any flavored Rooibos teas. I discovered this Moroccan Pomegranate Rooibos tea whilst I was in Hawaii and quickly became obsessed with this. I either make this tea at night and drink it before going to bed, or I keep it refrigerated so that I can drink it cold in the morning. Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants, which means they can fight off free radicals and can combat diseases. It can boost your immune system and also relieve severe stomach cramps. Rooibos tea is strongly recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, insomnia, mild depression or hypertension. 

Much love 

xxxx

My Style Icon

Miranda Kerr is one of my favorite fashion icons. She likes to coordinate rather simple pieces in a very elegant and classy way. She tends to wear a lot of collared shirts and skinny jeans with statement sunglasses and bags. One of my favorite outfits is in the last picture - she is wearing a knit optical illusion dress with thigh high boots. This type of dress accentuates your curves and allows you to show off your gorgeous figure. Also, wearing knee high boots make your legs look endless! 

So who's your style icon?

Lots of love xx

My recent trip to Hawaii

In June I visited Hawaii Big Island. I've been to Oahu Island many times but it was only my second time visiting the Big Island. To be honest there isn't much to do in the Big Island except relax, tan and play golf but since I can't play golf, I spent most of my days tanning by the poolside.

Endless road

Maxi dress: Gap

Yummy drinks by the poolside

Beautiful Hawaiian sunset

Wish I could just stay here forever

Cute little pineapple

Is this heaven?

Hope you're all having a lovely summer wherever you are! 

xxx

Best of Brighton

The Lanes are filled with antique shops, cute cafes, vintage stores, charity shops, etc. Vintage clothes and antiques might not be your cup of tea but the lanes are still a great place to wander around and explore. Here is a glimpse of what the Lanes are like. 

Komedia - Popular venue for stand up comedies, cabaret, music

Also has a cinema called Duke of York's

Dirty Harry - Popular vintage store

Juju - Another hotspot for vintage clothing
(Good collection of reasonably priced tops and Cheap Monday jeans)

Street Art

Brighton Pier at sunset

Alice in Wonderland?

Choccywoccydoodah - best chocolaterie 

Choccywoccydoodah's hot chocolate - heaven in a cup

Definitely check out these places if you ever visit Brighton!

xxx

A Saturday Mix

Photo taken during my L.A. trip

1. Bloom - The Paper Kites

2. Better Together - Jack Johnson

3. Next Year - Two Door Cinema Club

4. Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennen
5. If So - Atlas Genius
6. Praise You - Fatboy Slim
7. Junk of the Heart - The Kooks


Enjoy your weekend! xxx

Student Recipe #1: Veggie and feta cheese couscous

As a uni student, I have gone through that phase of eating frozen pizzas and ready meals everyday for the first term. I wasn't bothered to cook, and I couldn't think of any easy recipes that didn't require so much time and effort. Then I heard from a friend of mine that couscous is incredibly easy to make and can be easily stored for your lunch/dinner the next day if you make a large portion. So one day I was experimenting in my kitchen and I decided to come up with my own couscous recipe. (Master chef Erica in the making!)


Ingredients:
Couscous (200g makes about 5-6 servings)
Stock (1 cube)
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Feta Cheese
Olives
1 Yellow Pepper
1 Cucumber
1 Medium sized tomato

Directions:
1. Boil some water and put it in a bowl, add the stock cube

2. Stir in the couscous and let it sit for about 5 minutes, and fluff with fork

3. Prepare the vegetables

4. Mix the vegetables, feta cheese, olives, couscous and add a dash of balsamic vinegar and olive oil

I used a pack of olives that already had some cheese mixed in.
I recommend using something like this because the added
herbs help season the couscous.  

Voila! It literally only takes about 10 minutes to make this incredibly yummy and healthy meal.

xx

My favorite recent purchases

I have to admit I did quite a bit of shopping this summer and I am so pleased with all my purchases. I just hope they fit in my suitcase when I go back to England!

Gorgeous kimono from Zara (sale item). It can instantly brighten up a simple outfit like a pair of denim shorts/jeans with a white top.

Another sale item from Zara - a very chic and feminine dress that can be glammed up for a night out with some jewelry, or it can be worn on a casual day out with a pair of your favorite sandals and sunglasses.

Bought this at a select shop in Daikanyama. They had a sale going on and most items were 50-80% off which was such a bargain! These floral pants were initially 5000yen (about £35) but were reduced to 1200yen (£8). The color, the material, the length...everything about it is perfect!

This lovely circle skirt is from H&M, and I bought this for 1490 yen (about £10). It's a gorgeous mint green color and the fabric is perfect for summer time - light and breezy.

Lots of love
xxx