Review | Swisse Micellar Make-Up Remover

Generally, I try to avoid the cosmetics/beauty isle at my local grocery store unless I really need something; I'm too good at impulse purchases. Recently, I had to repurchase the old, faithful Clean Sensitive 2-in-1 Gentle Make-Up Remover by Garnier when I stumbled across this product. Jess and I always look out for products each other might like and, as she is allergic to most everything in a lot cosmetics, natural products stand out to me. After a quick skim of the ingredients and a lack of unpronounceable ingredients, I decided to test it out for myself. 

The verdict: if you love the smell of cucumber and need your make-up removed this product is amazing. It does everything your regular make-up remover does, water/smudge proof thick heavy eyeliner and more. It also has the added bonus of being a natural product and much less abrasive on your skin, which after daily use is very important. 

I've been a lover of Swisse's natural beauty range since they started about a year and a half ago and am so pleased to see them expanding in this way. 

Let me know if you try this out - I'd love to know your thoughts.

Erin xx

Recipe | Berry Pink Sangria

Ingredients

1cup chopped strawberries 

1tbsp balsamic vinegar 

1tbsp brown sugar 

sparkling rosé

120ml black raspberry liquor (Chambord)

cucumber, chopped and frozen

juice of half a lime

half a lime, quatered

125ml orange juice

350ml mixed berry juice

1/2cup strawberries, frozen

Recipe | Summer Sweet Tea

 Hi lovelies! With the hot weather well and truly upon us in Brisbane my obsession with tea has been slightly abated. I am a big tea drinker, but in the middle of summer I find it can often be a little bit much. I haven't shared a recipe on the blog before, Erin is definitely more of a cook, but I thought I would run you through how I have been making my iced tea. 

Makes 1 jug
Ingredients
Your choice of teas
Honey to taste
Variety of fruit 
Plenty of ice
Fresh mint

This isn't so much a recipe as it is some inspiration for the coming summer months. The recipe can be adapted to whatever tea and fruit combination you desire, today I'm just showing you my personal favourite combination. 

For the tea I brewed a mixture of peppermint and green tea. I like my tea quite strong so I allowed it to steep for quite a while. I also added a little honey just to counter the acidity of the citrus fruit. The amount of honey is completely down to personal preference, but it is best to add to the tea whilst it is hot. Once you're happy with your tea strain it into a jug and set it aside to cool. 

Once your tea has cooled it's time to chop up your fruit. I opted for the cooling and refreshing combination of lemon, lime, orange and cucumber. But I can also confirm that peppermint tea with mixed berries is delicious. 

Add the fruit, mint leaves and plenty of ice to a large pitcher and pour the tea over the top. Serve immediately. 

This makes for a great refreshing drink with a lot less sugar than store bought iced teas. If you're looking for a more adult version I highly recommend adding some ginger beer and rum. Delish!

What are your favourite summer drinks?

Jess xx

Sweet Potato, Prosciutto and Quinoa Salad

It's been a while since I brought you all a new recipe, and well this isn't new but it's my own variation on what is quickly becoming a very popular grain. Quinoa (pronounced anyway you feel like it) is one of my favourite things to eat. Never having been a big fan of couscous, simply because it's too easy to make a mess, quinoa has filled that gap in my life. It used to be quite expensive and only available at heath food stores but it has made quite a headway in the market in recent years. You caaaan find it in normal grocery stores now but it is more likely to be cheaper, and probably better, from a health food store. It really depends where you live as to what your supermarkets stock. 

Anyway, here is my most recent salad creation with the delicious quinoa. 

Serves 2-3 people for lunch

Ingredients

2/3cup quinoa

1 1/3 cup water

1 lebanese cucumber, finely diced

1 tomato, finely diced

1 red chilli (as hot or mild as you like), chopped roughly with out without seeds

3 shallots, finely chopped

1/2 sweet potato, chopped into bite size pieces and roasted (can be done anytime before)

250g prosciutto, chopped and briefly warmed in a frying pan

Dressing

1/4 cup tahini

juice of one lemon

salt and pepper

water to thin mixture