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

Clinique is fantasti-que

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm (£17) 

I've finished 3 chubby sticks already, and I absolutely love them to bits. They're great for on-the-go makeup when you're in a rush, or on days when you don't want to apply any lipstick but still want a tint of color on your lips. It feels very light weight on my lips so it doesn't feel sticky or anything at all!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (£17) 
This is hands down the best moisturizing lotion I have ever used. Again, this product feels very light weight and doesn't leave any greasy residue so I'm not afraid to go straight to bed after applying this on my face. This is an excellent lotion for those who have oily or combination skin.

Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 (£24) 

I'm on my 3rd bottle already so as you can tell I am in love with this foundation. I've suffered from mild acne for a while so I opted for a dermatologist-developed foundation that tailors for sensitive skin, rather than a drugstore foundation. This foundation provides moderate coverage which is perfect for me since I don't like to cake my face with thick layers of makeup. However it can also be layered for full coverage. It blends well and plus there's an added SPF 15!

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (£21) 

This product is absolutely amazing. It literally takes your entire makeup off, so say good-bye to panda eyes! It's an interesting texture, almost like butter. It basically melts on your fingers as you apply it on your face and dissolves all the makeup in an instant. It is on the pricey side but if you're looking for the perfect makeup remover, this is it. 

xx

An artsy day

Today I went to a Pop Art Exhibition at Roppongi (Tokyo) which featured artists like Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselman, Clara Oldenburg, and the infamous Andy Warhol. At first glance the popular artwork by Andy Warhol, also known as the Soup Cans looks quite simple and abstract. However his Campbell's Soup paintings actually epitomises the rise of mass produced commercial objects.

The exhibition poster

Inside the Museum (Roppongi National Art Center)

Roppongi (Louis Bourgeois' giant spider sculpture)

Roppongi Hills seen in the distance
- Dress from ASOS
- Coach bag
- Sandals from a local boutique

200 Campbell soups!

Enjoying an iced chai tea latte after a long day at the exhibition

xx

My favorite places to shop

1. ASOS - I'm so grateful for their petite line.
2. Topshop - Enough said.
3. Zara - Trendy and great quality.
4. Ebay - I love finding things on ebay that I would never come across in stores.
5. Local Boutiques - I love walking into local boutiques or vintage stores to hunt for some unique bits and pieces.
6. Primark - I absolutely adore their pajamas and bedding.
7. Urban Outfitters - A bit overpriced in my opinion but a great shop nevertheless.
8. Boohoo - Kind of like Topshop, but cheaper.
9. Nastygal - Wish I could buy the entire store.
10. Tobi - Less expensive version of Nastygal.
11. Threadsense - Sells bits and bobs from brands like Brandy Melville, Cheap Monday, MINKPINK, Motel Rocks, and Free People. (Free Shipping over $100 on U.S & Canada orders)

Some quirky facts about me

1. I have an American accent even though I'm not American
2. I used to suck on my toe when I was little (obviously I was very flexible haha)
3. I secretly love Harry Styles
4. I have very small feet (size 3 in the UK)
5. I like taking long walks alone
6. I don't like brussels sprouts
7. Christmas is my favorite time of the year
8. I used to collect stickers when I was a kid
9. I'm extremely clumsy (I literally trip everywhere it's embarrassing!)
10. I love taking naps
11. I can be both an introvert and an extrovert
12. I have back dimples
13. I love a night in with movies and pizza
14. I don't like fizzy drinks
15. I own an unhealthy amount of soft toys which I've been hoarding since I was a little kid
16. My first ever live concert was Foster The People
17. I went to the same all girl's school from KG until high school. (a.k.a 13 years of imprisonment!)
18. If I ever get myself a dog, I'll name it Kiwi.
19. Fairy lights make me happy
20. I'm single!

A wanderlust's wishes

If you haven't come across the word "wanderlust", it basically means a very strong desire to travel. Throughout my life I've travelled to so many different places like Australia, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Germany, and Korea to name a few. Here are a few places on my "must-go-asap" list.

1. Santorini

Doesn't this just scream Mamma Mia to you? It seems like a lovely place to simply relax and take your mind off of things. Maybe even treat yourself with a detox spa. Apparently it's known to be a popular wedding/honeymoon destination so this could be an option for you too!

2. New York a.k.a. The Big Apple 

Can't wait till the day when I can post a cliché tourist photo of myself in the middle of Times Square. Also can't wait to watch a few broadway musicals, ride a yellow cab, and do some (or lots) of shopping. 

3. Phuket

I want to eat lots of thai food and soak up the sun at this beautiful beach. 

4. New Zealand 

4 words: Lord of the Rings

New Zealand's stunning landscapes have been used as a fantastic location for filming Lord of the Rings. Definitely would be worth a trip if you are a lotr geek. 

5. Italy (Rome, Venice, Milan) 

I am a huge Italian food lover so it is my absolute dream to visit Italy. 

6. France (Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez)

I've been to France once but only visited Paris.  I think it would be amazing to explore a different side of France.

7. Singapore

Singapore is rapidly developing into one of the most stylish cities. There are so many things you can do here: shop on orchard road, visit the 154-year old Botanical Garden, and take a trip to Sentosa island to treat yourself with a spa at an award-winning venue Spa Botanica.

That's it for now because my list is endless. Hope this post gave you a few ideas for your future travels.

xx