My Go To At Home Workouts

A couple of months ago, in an attempt to save some money I decided to cancel my gym membership and instead try out some at home workouts and finally get some use out of the exercise bike which had previously served only as a clothes horse in the corner of our living room. 

It's taken a while to find a routine that works for me and I can assure it's still far from perfect but I've found a select few workouts that seem to work for me and I genuinely enjoy - I never thought I'd see the day. 

The Simple At Home Workout

This is a quick and easy work out so it perfect for fitting into your busy day. It works pretty much every muscle group in your body and gets your heart rate going too! It also needs no equipment other than a chair which means there really are no excuses! I have Anna Saccone Joly to thank for introducing me to Lucy's YouTube channel! 

The Squat Challenge

Although this isn't technically a 'challenge' in the more typical sense in that it is laid out in a way that you increase the number of reps you do each day, it is super easy to adapt it to make it more like this. Having said that, I've just been doing the full 100 reps every 2 days, with the above workout on the in between days. If, however, you wanted to do the squats everyday it might work well to do it every day and increase your number of reps each day. 

Yoga With Adriene

Now, yoga is one of those things I've always really wanted to enjoy and be good at - it just looks so graceful - and so when I discovered Adriene's YouTube channel (through Vivianna Does Makeup) I just had to give it a go. I'm still pretty limited in my yoga skills and flexibility but I've taken to doing 30-60 minutes of yoga on days when I just can't face a more 'energetic' workout. 

Last but not least I also try and go on the exercise bike 2/3 times a week as a more traditional form of cardio. Usually I do 15km in around 25 minutes, so not super quick but quick enough to get my heart rate up and a good sweat going! 

Don't get me wrong I know this isn't exactly the most hardcore workout routine and I could definitely up my game but I've only really been getting into the groove with it in the last month and as it stands this is working for me. 

What are your favourite workouts to do at home? 

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Top 5 Documentaries on Netflix

If you didn't know this already, Netflix is an unhealthy obsession of mine, there's nothing I love more than curling up on the sofa and relaxing with my latest Netflix addiction! As much as I love to get lost in a good TV series my true love lies in the documentary section and Netflix really does have an amazing selection which I'm slowly working my way through. 

Here are some of my favourites: 

• Ivory Tower
  This gives a really interesting and unique insight into the American collegiate system and reveals a lot of elements that you wouldn't usually hear about.
• Chef's Table If you love food as much as me this is a must watch - a look behind the scenes of some of the best restaurants in the world and how they started and developed.
• Life
  Let's be honest you really can't go wrong with a bit of David Attenborough. I'm pretty sure I've watch everything he's ever done and it's always my go to when I'm not sure what to watch. It never gets boring (plus he has the most soothing voice!).
• Blackfish
  As a child I always dreamt of going to Seaworld and seeing the orca perform but having watched this (three times!) I can safely say that I would never go there now. A shocking look behind the scenes of this world famous attraction.
• Fed UpA fascinating documentary about the amount of sugar in processed foods and the extensive damage it is causing to our health. I warn you though, by the end of it you'll be going through your cupboards checking ingredients and throwing anything unhealthy away! 

This is just a little snapshot of some of my favourite documentaries on Netflix so if you want to hear about some more that I've enjoyed let me know in the comments section!

Do you enjoy documentaries as much as me? What are some of your favourites?

If you haven't already then head over here to check out the TV shows I've been binge watching. 

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Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup

No matter what the time of year, soup is always my favourite lunch option. There are endless variations, in the winter its warming and comforting and in the summer it's such a  great light option. Without a shadow of a doubt this Deliciously Ella recipe is my ultimate favourite and barely a month goes by where I don't whip up a batch (or two) of this! 

I know there are lots of options for fresh soups in the supermarkets nowadays but with how quick and simple this is to throw together there really is no excuse. Plus by making it yourself you know that all that's in it are beautiful, healthy ingredients! 

Ingredients

• 8 tomatoes
• 3 red peppers
• handful fresh basil leaves
• handful fresh rosemary
• 5 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
2. Roughly chop the peppers and tomatoes into large chunks.
3. Coat the bottom of a roasting pan in oil and place the peppers and tomatoes in the pan along with the basil, rosemary, bay leaves and thyme, another drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper.
4. Give it all a quick mix around and then pop into the oven for 30 minutes.
5. After 30 minutes place the roasted vegetables and any juices into a blender but make sure to remove the bay leaves and any rosemary stalks.
6. Add the lime juice, tomato puree and worcestershire sauce to the blender and blitz up until you get your desired consistency - feel free to add a little water if necessary.
7. All that's left now is to tuck in and enjoy!! 

You can keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4/5 days so this makes the perfect lunch option for the week! 

I can't get enough of this soup at the moment so I hope you enjoy it as much as me! 

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Breakfast Ice Lollies

I don't know if you've heard...but at the moment the UK is going through a pretty epic heatwave and with temperatures getting up to 34 degrees celsius in London finding the perfect breakfast option can be pretty tricky! 

The majority of my favourite breakfast options are all hot and include pancakes and a full English, none of which are what you want in the hot weather! So I put my thinking cap on and came up with a super simple, quick and refreshing breakfast option which I can guarantee is going to be my go to option throughout the warm summer months. 

Say hello to the most delicious yoghurt, berry & granola ice lollies! Yes that's right I did say ice lollies for breakfast but they're healthy so you can justify it I assure you.

Ingredients

• Natural yoghurt / greek yoghurt
• Mixed berries
• Granola 
• Runny honey (optional) 

In all honesty this recipe doesn't really need any instructions but why not! 

Method

1. Spoon some of the yoghurt into your ice lolly moulds - you want it to go about an inch of the way up each one. If using greek yoghurt I would recommend thinning it out with a little bit of water. 
2. Sprinkle in a thin layer of granola followed by some fresh berries - you can stew these down quickly in a pan if you would like to create a quick jam. 
3. Top up with more yoghurt up to the top of your moulds. 
4. You can either stop at this stage and put the handles in and pop them in the freezer overnight. Or, if you fancy it you can grab a knife or skewer and mix together all your layers like I did. 
5. All that's left now is to make space in the freezer and  leave them overnight for you to enjoy tomorrow morning! 

It goes without saying that these are super customisable in terms of what fruits you add in, flavoured yoghurts etc and I can't wait to play about with this some more and see what I can come up with. 

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TV Shows I've Been Binge Watching

Binge watching TV shows has always been a bit of a naughty habit of mine but when working a full time job, or looking for a new job I haven't seemed to find the time. However, I'm due to start my new job at the start of August and so after a few months off I'll be back in an office full time! 

Ever since I was offered the job I've been able to relax and pretty much do whatever I like which has been a real treat and has inevitably involved countless hours, and even days, being lost into the abyss that is Netflix. 

Here are some of the TV shows that I've been catching up on and some brand new discoveries! 

• The Vampire Diaries
  I'd watched this in the past but with Nina Dobrev announcing she was leaving the show I couldn't resist watching the whole lot all over again. This one has been reserved for evening/weekend watching so my other half can watch it too.
  
• Departures
  I only discovered this one last week and believe it or not I've already watched the first two seasons and I love it! If you like to travel you will love this, although be warned it'll make you want to grab your passport, head to the airport and get on the first flight you can.
  
• Pretty Little Liars
  Although this doesn't really count as binge watching, my Wednesday's for the last few weeks have been set with a new episode every week! Who on earth is A?!
  
• Fortitude
  If you love a classic crime thriller then you'll love this. Plus, it's set in an isolated town in the Arctic and the scenery is simply stunning and with the added bonus of Stanley Tucci having one of the lead roles it really is a must watch!
  
• Scandal 
  I might be a little late to the party on this one but fear not, I've caught up quick! I literally couldn't tear my eyes from the screen with this one and raced through all 4 seasons faster than you'd think possible!

What are your favourite TV shows to binge watch? Are there any other shows I might be missing out on? 

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New Home Inspiration

It's been a little while since I did a little round up of my Pinterest faves as life kind of got away from me without me realising. I'm in the process of buying a flat so the process of that and all the little bits and pieces that need to be sorted out have taken over my life! But despite all the chaos I always find time for a little bit of Pinterest browsing to brighten up my day. 

We're going to have quite a bit of work to do when we finally get the keys for our first flat and I genuinely can't wait for it. The great thing about this is that now I have a space to personalise is that I can start gathering some inspiration for how I want the rooms to turn out. Before you know sizings etc it can be a little tough - at least thats was my experience. 

Home Office

Some kind of office space is something that is super important to me and yet can be quite a challenge in a small flat. I'd love to be able to dedicate an entire room to being a home office but that's just not an option at the moment so instead I'm going to have to create an inspiring office space in the corner of my spare bedroom. Not ideal but there's so much inspiration online so I know I'll get it just right! 

Kitchen

As is typical in a London flat our kitchen is going to be small, and I mean really small. The photo above looks positively palatial in comparison to what we'll have! But in my opinion this is just a new challenge for us to make the kitchen as user friendly as possible and still have enough storage for all of our bits and pieces. I absolutely love the dark wood floors in the above kitchen and am very tempted to get this type of flooring throughout our whole flat! 

Bedroom

Onto the main bedroom, as with the kitchen, storage is going to be super important to us here and I'm hoping that my amazing dad will be able to put together some built in storage for us which will take the worry out of that element. This means I get to focus on the fun stuff, making the room cosy and relaxing so it's the perfect place to wind down at the end of the day. I'm obsessed with upholstered headboards which add a little bit of luxury to the space. I also love the colour combination of the teal and grey so this will definitely be making an appearance somewhere. 

Living Room 

The biggest space in our flat is going to be the living room and so I can't wait to get in there and start to style it so it's perfect for us. A corner sofa is an absolute must for us as we want it to be a super comfy space with lots of space for everyone to put their feet up and relax. Essentially the above living room is pretty much my dream and I will definitely be trying to recreate it! My only addition will be a dining table but I'm hoping to find a beautiful extendable reclaimed wood one that will go perfectly with the style that I have in mind. 

Bathroom 

Last but not least, the bathroom. I'm a huge fan of a long relaxing bath so I would love to have a big bathroom with a free standing bath, big shower and beautiful sink & counter top. Unfortunately at this point that is going to have to remain a dream as our bathroom is the size of a shoe box... The one thing I will be able to have is a big rainfall shower which I am ridiculously excited for. I'm hoping that despite its small size we can still make the bathroom a luxurious space although at this point I'm not entirely sure how to do it... 

This whole process of buying our first property has been a rollercoaster. For months and months we were looking at flats and putting on an offer only to have it be declined as someone offered more. It was incredibly upsetting - particularly for me as I get emotionally involved pretty quickly. So, when we finally had an offer accepted and everything started to proceed with the solicitors I finally got the opportunity to get excited and I am loving it. All that's left now is to exchange contracts and pick up the keys!

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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Made.com Wish List

I can't believe it's less than a month until we are due to complete on our new flat! For months and months it felt like we were never going to find anywhere even close to our budget and then all of a sudden we have an offer accepted and they're talking completion dates! This is without a doubt the most exciting thing that I have ever done although also a little scary... 

But one of the many joys of buying your own place? Having a valid reason to spend altogether too much time browsing homeware sites to get inspiration for your new abode. As a Pinterest addict I already have lots of ideas in my head as to what I want the rooms to look like so now all I need to do is find the perfect affordable pieces, affordable being the operative word! However, after getting lost in the depths of the internet on more than one occasion, affordable homeware, or more specifically furniture can be more difficult to find than you might think! 

One of my favourite places to browse for furniture and home accessories has been made.com which although not altogether 'affordable' does stock some beautiful pieces and has given me a lot of inspiration and I'll be looking for dupes wherever I go now! 

1. Bourbon Vintage Storage Bench (£249) - the perfect hallway ottoman / bench! 
2. Cullen Marble Clock (£49) - no home is complete without a touch of marble and copper. 
3. Miller Floor Lamp (£129) - I have an obsession with tripod floor lamps so this is a must. 
4. Bari Corner Sofa Bed (£949) - a dark grey corner sofa isa must have for me and it would be such a bonus for it to double as a bed too. 
5. Tilt Rug (£249) - this would look beautiful on a dark reclaimed wood floor. 
6. The Rodnik Bank (£249) - cover up flooring you don't like with large rugs until you can afford to replace it. 
7. Stroller Desk (£379) - a home office area is a must for me but I'm also lusting a vanity table so this one that works for both is perfect! 

The next month cannot come fast enough in my opinion. I may have a million things to do between now and then to make sure that it all goes off without a hitch but it is so going to be worth it! I can't wait to share the transformation of my new place with you guys - I love interior design so finally having my own space is going to be the best! 

Where are your favourite places to browse for furniture and home accessories? 

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Fabietta Designs | What's New

If you saw this post then you'll know that not too long ago I finally got around to opening a shop on Etsy. I'd had this on the cards for a while but life kept running away from me and I never had time to actually make it happen, until now that is. 

I've always been quite a creative person and really enjoyed making beautiful things from scratch both for myself and others so it made sense to take this one step further and start selling. 

I'm still very much in the early developmental stages of putting my store together but when I've made something new I get so excited to share it with people that I can't stand the idea of waiting until I have a lot of stock until I share it with you all. I've never been the most patient of people what can I say! 

So far the majority of my shop, Fabietta Designs, is made up of a range of cosmetic/wash bags which come in a range of beautiful cotton fabrics and each has 3 different sizing options, or of course you can pick up the whole set. These are my favourite things to make and so the range will definitely continue to expand with more fabrics so just check back regularly if there isn't one that takes your fancy at the moment! 

I've also started to add some cushions that I've made out of a beautifully soft high quality cotton fabric. Soon I'm planning on picking up some other fabrics for putting together some more cushions so if your in need of something particular please let me know and I would be happy to custom make something! 

I can't even begin to tell you how much I am enjoying the creative process involved in developing Fabietta Designs. My intention is to spend the rest of the year building up my stock and refining the range so that come November/December I can start selling at some markets in and around London. 

Have you had a browse of Fabietta Designs yet? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Got your eye on something but not quite got round to clicking the purchase button yet? Use the code 'Spring15' for 15% off your next order, valid until 31st May! 

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Craft Projects I Can't Wait To Try

There's something incredibly therapeutic and satisfying about spending a Sunday afternoon surrounded by craft supplies and creating something beautiful and unique. Admittedly in recent months I seem to be spending more time browsing Pinterest for craft ideas than actually making anything. So I decided to narrow down my list of things I want to make and finally pick up all of the necessary supplies and sit down to make them! 

Here are my top picks... 

1. I can't wait to spruce up some of my old cushions using fabric paint as seen here on The Lovely Drawer. I also love the pop of colour by adding the pom poms to the corners! 

2. There's nothing more frustrating than not having somewhere to put your drink when your sitting on the sofa so I can't wait to knock up a couple of these drinks perches.

3. Cacti are such an easy way to add a pop of colour to your home and they're also super easy to keep alive which is always a bonus. I love the contrast of the vivid green against the white of these adorable pots!

4. I've had a basket of leather scraps sitting on my shelf for goodness knows how long and not known what to do with it! Now all I need to do is pick up some screw on button-studs and I should be able to knock up some of these leather pouches in no time! 

5. These wooden trivets would add a unique personal touch to my kitchen and have the added benefit of being beautiful as well as practical! 

Do you enjoy crafting as much as me? 

What are you favourite DIYs that you've come across or made yourself? 

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eBay Selling Tips & Tricks

I've been using eBay on and off for a few years now and it's one of my favourite ways to get rid of unwanted clutter that I inevitably collect around my house, what can I say I'm a little bit of a hoarder... 

It's a super easy system to use and a great way to make a little bit of money, and the best bit? You don't have to stand outside in the cold at a car boot sale trying to flog your wares! Here are some tips and tricks that I've learnt from my experience. 

Pictures

• Always take pictures in natural light
• Take close ups of fabric, textures etc
• Try and take some of someone wearing the item if it's clothing
• Take photos of any faults, defects, labels etc
• Use a clean bright background

Description

• Use keywords in the description - don't forget this is how your item will be found!
• Make as detailed as possible
• Include full measurements of any clothes as well as the size
• Put brands in capital letters
• Give as many item specifics as possible

General

• Take advantage of the 20 free listings a month
• Look out for free listing weekends - usually once every couple of months
• Auctions are more popular than Buy It Now - start low - it will attract more views
• Answer all queries as quickly as possible and post them on the listing so others can see
• When wrapping the item up to post make sure to wrap in tissue paper as well as packing paper
• Put a little note in the package when posting to say 'Thank you for buying, I hope you enjoy it' - good for feedback. 
• Give feedback on all buyers as it encourages them to do the same for you
• Short on time? Use Turbo Lister to draft listings in advance 

eBay can be very time consuming at first but once you get used to it it'll be much quicker, especially if you take advantage of Turbo Lister. You'll be amazed at just what you can sell on here and how it all adds up. If it doesn't sell you can always just take it down to the local charity shop. 

Have you ever sold anything on eBay? What was your experience like? 

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10 Things I Want to Learn

I've been out of education for coming up to 3 years now and I really can't believe how the time has flown by. I never thought I'd say this but I genuinely miss the process and satisfaction of learning something new. It can be so easy to sit back on your laurels once you've finished school/university and forget the need to learn anything new. Not only that but as soon as you get a job the easiest excuse is that you're just too busy! However, my aim for 2015 is to correct this and finally get around to learning some new skills and keep developing myself. 

Here are some of the things I want to learn: 

1. Spanish - stereotypical I know but I was pretty good at it at school and a language is so useful. 

2. Photography - I have 2 (yes 2) really good cameras but in all honesty I have no idea how they work beyond the Auto settings...this needs to be sorted out! 

3. Yoga - fitness is far from my favourite thing but if I could work out at home that would be a big step towards encouraging me to do exercise more often. 

4. To do a smokey eye - no matter how many YouTube videos I watch I can't get the hang of it so I'm going to practice until I have nailed it. 

5. To use Adobe Photoshop - I'm ok with the basics but I know there are so many other things I could be doing with it and it's about time I learnt - if you know of any good tutorials let me know. 

6. To be a more confident cook - I'm competent, but only if I have a recipe... 

7. To use a sewing machine - my sewing skills are fairly basic so I'm going to get myself along to some classes until I'm a sewing whizzkid! 

8. More about world affairs and politics - I'm pretty ignorant as it stands and at 24 that needs sorting out, I can only live in my little bubble for so long. 

9. To chop like a professional - this goes along with no. 6 but I want to perfect 'finely chopped'.

10. To parallel park - I've avoided this since the day I passed my driving test and in London it's kind of a necessary skill. 

Is there anything that you want to learn to do? Have you started any good classes lately? 

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Whilst I Was Gone...

I read all the time how people hate when bloggers apologise for not posting consistently but I feel incredibly guilty for neglecting my little corner of the internet over the past few weeks and so I am sorry. 

As you know I was made redundant a little while ago and unsurprisingly I could only put a brave face on it for so long before I cracked under the pressure. Living in London with a drastically reduced income (eBay can only get you so far!) is incredibly stressful an the pressure of it  hit me all of a sudden and I somewhat retreated into myself, hence my disappearance over here! 

I've been ploughing pretty much all my time and energy into job applications (more than I care to count), eBaying and Etsy just to try and keep myself going. It seems that I forgot how making a little bit of time every few days to update you guys or just distract myself with the things I love can make me feel  sooo much better! 

I'm going to do my best to get back into the swing of things over here but I still don't know if I'll be able to get my usual schedule back up and running so I'm hoping that you can forgive me for this an stick with me. The comments from all of you are what cheer me up when I'm down so fingers crossed I can keep you interested! 

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Etsy Wish List

I've always loved Etsy but a couple of weeks ago I went one step further and opened my own Etsy store, Fabietta Designs (see my post here). Since then I've been spending countless hours browsing through the incredible things being sold on there partly for research but more just because I can't resist beautiful handmade goodies! Here are some of my favourites so far... 

Above is a stunning geometric pottery bowl incorporating two of my favourite colours - mint green and white! I need this in my life! 

What bathroom doesn't need some adorable wall art? I love the natural look of the twine and hessian.  

This is such a versatile, simple necklace and would look great as a pop of colour to a chic all black outfit! 

Who can say no to some brightly coloured chevron washi tape? No one really needs it and yet we all want it.  

This mini planter would look fantastic on my desk whenever I actually get round to getting one. It's clean and simple and you can't really go wrong with an air plant!

Monochrome is the one fashion trend that will never die and therefore a staple clutch like this is a must have in your wardrobe! Pair it with anything and you're guaranteed to look chic. 

As a self confessed berry addict I'm not really sure how I don't already have some of these porcelain berry baskets! 

We all know how easy it is to break an iPhone and so a cover is pretty much compulsory unless you like the smashed glass look! So why not go with a beautiful wood print phone case like this one? 

Gold accessories are a must have for any desktop and this giant paperclip desk organiser would look perfect next to my mini planter! 

These pedestal tables would look perfect in my flat although I don't think I'd be able to decide if I should have them as side tables, stools or bedside tables!

These are just a few of my favourite things I've found on Etsy in the past week or  so, there are lots more here but I don't think my bank account would like it if I got them all!

Do you ever use Etsy? What are the best things you've bought from there? 

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10 Tips To Make The Most of Your Money

We're all taught from a young age the value of money and the importance of making sure to set money aside 'for a rainy day' and yet despite this saving money and making the most of the money you have can be incredibly difficult, especially with living costs doing nothing but increasing. It was only when I was made redundant that I truly learnt the value of having some savings to fall back on and thankfully I've been pretty good at setting aside money each month. 

Whether your saving for a week in the sun or to buy a house I have a few tips to try and make saving a little bit easier: 

1. 'Look after the pennies' - have a jar where you keep your loose change and try not to dip into it whenever you fancy a take away. You'll be amazed how quickly it adds up.
2. Make the most of your loyalty cards.
3. Make your own lunch & coffee - head to Pinterest for some delicious recipes.
4. Be adventurous with your cooking - fancy going out for sushi? Why not try making it instead?
5. Always make a shopping list and stick to it!
6. Cancel unwanted/unused memberships.
7. Have a clear out and sell things you don't use on eBay.
8. Put money aside each month - set up a direct debit so you don't forget!
9. Set up a fixed savings account that you can't access for 1/2 years that way you can't spend it!
10. Discount codes - can't resist the odd dinner out? Download Vouchercloud and make your money stretch a little bit further. 

These are just a few ways to make the most of your money and increase your savings. They may seem like common sense but it's all too easy to slip into bad habits like buying a £3 meal deal for lunch everyday and it's astounding how fast the money adds up! 

What are your best tips for saving money / making your money go further? 

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Mixed Berry Smoothie

This delicious and vibrant smoothie couldn't be easier to throw together in the morning, just pop all of the ingredients into your blender and off you go! It's jam packed with vitamins and is super easy to customise each day so you can't possibly get bored. 

What you need...

• 100g frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 2 spoonfuls greek / natural yoghurt
• 150ml apple juice
• 4/5 mint leaves

All you need to do is throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blitz until smooth - this usually takes a couple of minutes to get a really good texture. If it's a little thick in consistency simply add some more juice or water. 

If you have fresh berries as opposed to frozen then throw in a few ice cubes too to give that proper 'smoothie' texture. 

Fancy a change? Why not add peaches and spinach? Or even swap the apple juice for coconut water! 

Another one of my go to smoothies is a citrus one that's perfect to kick start you in the morning, check out the recipe here. 

What do you like to throw in your smoothies? 

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Mothers Day Gift Guide

It's always important to show your loved ones how much you care about them - life really is too short for anything else. With Mothers Day fast approaching this is the perfect opportunity to go one step further and treat your mum and let her put her feet up for the day, she's done a lot for you after all. 

Whether you decide to 'do' something nice such as cook a lovely meal or even clean the house for her or go down the route of buying her something special I can guarantee it will mean the world to her! 

Here are some of my favourite gift ideas: 

- Hotel Chocolat Milky Drinking Chocolate - the perfect spin on the popular gift of chocolates

- Olivia Burton Forest Green Watch - to remind her how much you love her every time she checks the time

- Rifle Paper Co Notebook - this is almost too pretty to use...almost

- Chanel Chance Eau Tendre - a beautiful fresh fragrance, perfect for the upcoming warmer months

- Floral Next Cushion - cushions are the perfect way to add a splash of colour to a room 

- Mary Berry Absolute Favourites - what mum doesn't love a bit of Mary Berry? 

- Electric Blue Finsbury Organiser - a filofax is a must have for every handbag and this blue number is just stunning

- Floral Anthropologie Apron - Anthropologie really can do no wrong! If this doesn't make you want to cook I don't know what will

- Diptyque Rosafolia Candle - the most luxurious of all candles, the perfect accompaniment for a long hot bath

Have you got any special plans for Mothers Day? 

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Spring Reading List

It's finally get to that time of the year where the days are beginning to feel just a little bit longer and spring feels like it is within grasping distance. Longer days inherently means more time to do the things you love (or at least it feels that way) and in my case that's more reading time! Here are just a few of the books I'm planning on reading during the spring months... 

The Glam Guide

The brand new book by Youtube and blogging powerhouse Fleur de Force. She's been one of my favourite Youtubers for a few years now and her approachable personality really comes across in the book. I've only flicked through the first couple of chapters so far so I can't wait to sit down and work my way through the rest! 

Nineteen Eighty-Four

Arguably one of the most famous book by George Orwell and I'm ashamed to say it's not something I've ever read and so I feel this is about time I get round to it! You can't go wrong with a classic. 

Lonely Planet: New York City 

I finally got round to booking the accommodation for my upcoming New York trip (bring on April 30th) and so now I can legitimately start planning the trip. I've been 3 times previously so I'm on the hunt for things that are a little off the beaten track so I can try and experience I side of New York I've not seen already. Let the research commence - let me know any of your recommendations in the comments section!

To Kill A Mockingbird

Another of the classics that I'm ashamed to say I've never read. It looks as though spring will be spent catching up on all of the classics that have somehow passed me by. 

Paper Towns

In all honesty I have absolutely no idea what this book is about, I downloaded it purely because it's written by John Green, the author of The Fault In Our Stars. Fingers crossed I enjoy this as much. Am I the only one who does that? 

Reading is one of my favourite things to do when I just need to take a little time out and relax so I can't wait to dive in and get lost in these books. 

Let me know in the comments section what your favourite books are - hopefully I race through these so I can get started on some of your favourites too! 

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My First Foray Into Etsy

We always hear the phrase 'Every cloud has a silver lining' but often it can be tricky to root out the silver lining and so it's often overlooked. However, that is not the case here. Let's start with the cloud...a couple of weeks ago I was made redundant...at 24... you don't hear that everyday! I'd already started vaguely looking into new jobs so it wasn't the worst news in the world but the prospect of shortly being without a steady salary was pretty daunting. 

Fear not, here comes the silver lining! I'm a pretty positive person so I took it all in my stride and went with the attitude that now I have all the time in the world to find the perfect new job! Still, living in London with no salary is a no no and my savings will only last so long so whilst I'm on the hunt I decided to pick up an old love of mine...making things! 

Back at school I had a business of sorts selling bits and pieces I made and gift cards mounted with my photography and it was fairly lucrative at the time so it seemed the perfect time to brush up on my crafting skills but this time I've gone one step further and opened an Etsy shop.

Etsy seems to be the latest online craze alongside Pinterest but I genuinely love it and have done for  a long time. It's my go to site when I need a gift for someone or just fancy a little peruse at all the fantastic things people are pouring their love and creativity into. 

Currently my shop, Fabietta Designs, is a little limited in stock as it's bits and pieces I've had stored away from markets that I've done in the past but they are some of my best sellers so I'm hoping everyone loves them online as much as they did in person. Not only this but I have a sewing machine on the way as I type this so it won't be long before I'm putting together some new and exciting stock to add on. 

Essentially this is just a shameless plug for my first ever venture into selling on Etsy as like with so many other things it's difficult to get noticed so I need all the help I can get! I would absolutely love it if you went over to my shop and checked out my products (I get very expected by the slowing mounting view count, and when someone favourites something - I just cant explain!). At the moment I have a range of cushions, aprons & jewellery hangers but as I said hopefully I'll be expanding that soon. I'm more than happy to do custom orders for any of these if you have a particular colour palette your working to or just fancy something a little bit different so please just get in touch! 

Feel free to spread the word with your friends, family, colleagues (I told you I was being shameless)!

Enter the code 'THEOPALDIARY' for 10% off on your first order for a limited time only. 

Do you already use Etsy? If so, what are your favourite shops? 

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5 Pins I'm Loving {4}

Apologies this is a couple of days late but none the less I've been spending an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest - nothing new there then! Here are the pins that I love the most and so quite frankly it would be rude not to share them with you. 

1. Having flowers & plants around the place makes a real difference and I've been stocking up recently so all I need now are some vases, jars etc for putting them all in! Spray painting an old bottle like this is such a quick and easy way to add a bit of colour although I think I'd go for copper. 

2. Cake pops without the faff of having to fiddle about with the sticks is a winner in my books! These might just be next on my baking list. 

3. Cacti are without a doubt the easiest houseplants to keep alive, if you don't count artificial plants anyway! The contrasting colours here are beautiful and would look perfect dotted about the minimalist Scandinavian inspired home that I'm dreaming of. 

4. This has to be the most Instagram-able meal I have every seen which is reason enough for me to want to try it out. 

5. Not quite minimalist Scandinavian but just look at the beautiful colour combinations of white, grey, gold and green - how could you not want that in your living room? Simply stunning!

Do you love Pinterest too? Leave the link to your Pinterest page in the comments section below as I'd love some new boards to follow! 

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5 Recipe Books Everyone Should Own

Whether you cook from scratch everyday or once in a blue moon there are a selection cookbooks which, in my humble opinion, should be a compulsory element of everyones bookshelf. Hey, if you don't cook you should still have these just for the pretty pictures! 

Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course

No matter how competent you are in the kitchen this is a must have. It contains everything from the basics of how to poach an egg through to dishes which will wow the guests at your next dinner party. 

The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

If you haven't already heard of the Hummingbird Bakery then quite honestly you must have been hiding out in a cave for the last 10 years! Not only are the pictures stunning but the flavour combinations are unique and all of the recipes are super easy to follow - you'll be applying for The Great British Bake Off before you know it. 

Jamie's 15 Minute Meals

This is probably my most reached for recipe book primarily because after a long day at work I just want something quick, easy and preferably healthy for supper. There's a huge range of recipes here and I love how every recipe includes a main and side dish! 

Cook With Jamie

Yes yes I know, another Jamie Oliver book, I just love him! Like the Delia book this aims to teach you everything including the basics and genuinely improve your cooking skills not just teach you one new recipe at  a time. 

Wagamama Ways With Noodles

Noodles are one of the ultimate comfort foods in my opinion but stir fry's can get a little monotonous so that's where this book comes in. Although you may not find the recipe for your favourite Wagamamas dish there are so many amazing options you really can't complain! 

Do you love to cook? If so, what is your go to recipe book or do you make it up as you go along?

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