Farewell Lunch For Father’s Day

Before moving out of my apartment, and spending a fair bit of time apart from close family, it seemed fitting to host one last extended lunch before moving out of my humble home which I’ve resided in for the past two years. The perfect excuse to host a Father’s Day lunch with seasonal produce and the perfect occasion to upgrade from my iced coffee recipe (you may remember from a few articles back) to coconut espresso martinis watching the sunset from my living room window. 

I love hosting guests, and my Samsung Fridge Freezer has been the best addition to my compact kitchen. It’s been my sidekick in hosting Christmas parties, birthday’s and arms reach for healthy snacking whilst working from home.

It’s nice to make an afternoon with family, and I like to do a few delayed courses amongst good conversation and time away from the dining table to feel more relaxed. For my Father’s Day lunch, I decided to cook chicken wrapped in bacon, served with slow roasted Mediterranean vegetables and asparagus. My dad is in his mid 80’s, and he lives for two things: days spent with the family, and holidays to hot climates. So I wanted to make a lunch that ticked both those boxes. It was a beautiful early summer Sunday, the sun beaming in, and a lunch similar to one he would eat on a Spanish Island. With his holiday with my mother cancelled last minute, I wanted to put on an afternoon to make this day special. 

Finally, this day was an excuse to make alcoholic ice cube mixers where I utilised my Freezer tray to make the day before. In case you missed the recipe last time, here it is again.

Ingredients: French pressed/Moka pot brewed coffee, coconut flakes, vodka, coffee liqueur, single cream.

Method: Fill half the ice cube tray (with hot coffee, adding in a dash of coffee liqueur). Let that freeze, then fill the remaining half with single cream. Pop back in the freezer until completely frozen. Place two into a martini glass and add vodka. Add grated coconut for decoration and flavour. 

Sometimes, a creamy cocktail and slab of chocolate is the perfect end to dinner party. We all have a bit of a sweet tooth in my family. It’s sad this is the last time I will entertain in this space, but I am really excited to share my new home with you really soon! The kitchen in my new place is a lot bigger, so more dinner parties to come. I’ve also upgraded my Samsung appliance, to not only match the size of the kitchen, but also to accommodate the frequent dinners I plan on hosting. 

Article in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances

Photography and creative direction by Yours Truly

How to Utilise Your Ice Cube Tray To Make Beauty Products and Snacks

The longer I spend at home, the more creative I am becoming in an attempt to keep busy. Self-care days are definitely getting longer! I’ve been researching how to make natural beauty alternatives at home, and discovered there was a bit of a pattern… most products you can make with ingredients you might already have, but best of all you can whip up these ideas thanks to your ice cube tray. I’ve had my Samsung appliance for just over two years, and my trays are built into my freezer. I wish I knew these recipes a lot sooner, it’s taken spending more time at home to discover these fun recipes. 

I’ve not only been experimenting with skincare additions, but also snacks and a revolutionary way to keep my iced coffee less watery. This is a big deal for me as coffee is a big part of my day. So read on for four ways to utilise your ice cube tray.

1. Body Scrub

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar, Essential Oil, Soap

Method: Melt coconut oil and mix in brown sugar. Add a dash of oil for scent (lavender is great for relaxation) and grate quarter bar of soap. Spoon into your ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, you can remove the individual body scrubs and they will melt onto your skin when used a warm shower. They remove dead skin skills and leave your skin soft and nourished.

2. Flavoured Coffee Cubes

Ingredients: French Pressed/Moka Pot Coffee, Coconut Syrup (or alternative)

Method: Pour coffee and syrup into your ice cube tray and freeze.

Iced lattes can become quite diluted adding ice, so fill your glass with milk and add these coffee cubes instead! This way your coffee is just as strong. 

Alcoholic version for cocktails:

Fill half the ice cube tray with hot coffee adding in coffee liqueur. Let that freeze and then fill the remaining half with single cream. Place 2 into a Martini glass and add Vodka.

3. Aloe Vera Cubes for Sunburn

Ingredients: Brewed Green Tea, Fresh Aloe Vera

Method: Brew a pot of green tea and pour into your ice cube tray. Cut Aloe Vera from a plant and scoop the gel from the stems into the trays. Freeze and apply to sunburn when needed.

Both Aloe Vera and Green tea have soothing properties. The natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in green tea can work to take down the angry eruption caused by UV damage. They also come in handy on a hot day at home to cool yourself down, and additionally great to sweep over your face to reduce puffiness.

4. Melted Chocolate Bites

Ingredients: Cooking Chocolate, Fresh Blueberries, Peanut Butter

Method: Melt your chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Spoon into your ice cube tray adding in blueberries or other fruit. Swap fruit for peanut butter if you're after something a little more sweet. Freeze and enjoy!

So there you have it, less conventional ways to utilise your freezer, which one is your favourite? I have some videos on my Instagram stories making these recipes which are live for 24 hours.

Article in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances 

Photography and creative direction by yours truly

Working From Home

My apartment has had a little reshuffle the last few weeks in an attempt to refocus my time working more from home. I’ve moved my desk into a little nook next to the kitchen (great proximity to my Samsung fridge!), and my dining table is in the window. Spring has sprung and meal times with a view makes me remember why I fell in love with this airy space in the first place.

Natural light is so important to me, as my home is also my studio. It’s where I create a lot of imagery for myself and clients. Now the days are longer, staying home doesn’t actually feel too bad. I try and stick to a routine where possible, as being a creative means everyday can be a bit different. In all honesty, my daily work routine has changed a lot over the last two years as found some aspects of my day were better to do at a different time. So I’ve shared some tips for people who are new to working from home, as it’s taken me a few different routines to find one right for me. Everyone works differently and at their own pace, so it might not be for you. But hope some points help in some way:

1. 8am start

I try and start the day the same time Monday-Friday so my body has a routine. I never check my emails or phone whilst in bed, I wait until after I have brushed my teeth! Sounds random, but it’s because if I reach for my phone the moment I am awake I could end up lying in bed for up to an hour scrolling social media.

2. Coffee and quiet time

I’ve wanted a coffee machine for the best part of two years but never made it happen. So instead, I bought a cafetiere for the hob which makes beautiful espresso coffee.

3. At Home Workout

I’ve started doing workouts at home around 4 days a week. No equipment needed other than a mat. It’s been saving me money on a gym and Personal Trainer, and I save time getting to and from the gym. I am finding so many cool workouts on You Tube that are HIIT focused for a duration of 30 minutes long. I used to workout at the gym in the evenings, but when I’m behind the camera I get really tired hence morning workouts being a big change for me.

4. Shower, Dress Comfortably, Add Music

Even though I am home, I think it’s nice to still make an effort with wearing something a bit more smarter than your PJ’s. I have been investing in good quality loungewear and linen. Personally, this gets me into a professional mind set. Recently I’ve been listening to the radio whilst working. It can get a bit quiet and lonely on your own at home. I was trying my hand at podcasts, but when typing or editing I couldn’t concentrate on the two! 

5. Set Meal Times and Stay Hydrated

It’s very easy to skip meals when you don’t have colleagues to go to lunch with! For the last couple of months, I’ve tried to eat at around the same time each day. This is mainly an effort to reduce sugar intake, and to focus more on meals rather than snacking. I try and follow a low carb diet which has worked for me and bloating. Another tip is to have a large bottle of water at your desk so you remember to stay hydrated! Again, aids with my bloating and also reduces mind fog. 

6. Daily Walk

I try and get out for a 30 minute walk to the park (sometimes a run if I’m feeling super energetic). A bit of fresh air does the world of good.

I’ll be writing more about my time at home in the coming months, so if you want anymore tips or even have some recommendations, my DM’s on Instagram are always open. You can also add a comment under this article. Have a great week!

Article in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances. 

Photography and creative direction by yours truly.

Healthy Meals Inspired From Sydney

Back from a month in Australia, and what an amazing trip it was! Waking up so close to the ocean, eating healthy and getting creative in my second home felt really good. Especially because January is such a grey month in the UK. I knew I didn’t want to fall into the slumped January blues upon return, so made a promise to myself I would bring the positive energy and healthy lifestyle home with me. When you spend time in Sydney, you realise just how much people take care of themselves, and its good motivation to practice a good routine of exercise and healthy eating even when the weather isn’t as warm here. 

I’m not one to make New Years Resolutions, but I am making a conscious effort in 2019 to take care of my skin and body from the inside out. Making just a few lifestyle changes can have such a huge difference on your skin and overall wellbeing. So the first thing I did when touching down was stock up my Samsung fridge for the week ahead. Lots of greens, fresh fruit, fish and coffee (the last one needs no explaining!). I have been using The Beauty Chef Glow Powder, which is a beauty blend containing probiotic super foods. I add one scoop with water which aids a healthy gut to start the day. As I work from home the days I am not on location photographing, I try to stick to a routine of having breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. Meal prepping helps, and to give variety I usually swap out my breakfast choices each morning or the protein in each meal. Below I’ve listed some of the meals I have been preparing inspired by dishes I had in Sydney.

Breakfast: 

The Beauty Chef Glow Powder mixed with water 

and 

Avocado and 2 x chilli boiled eggs on wholemeal toast 

(The best I had in Sydney was Infiniti Bakery, Paddington) 

or 

Blended blueberry, dates, avocado, banana and almond milk smoothie 

Lunch: 

King prawn Broccoli Salad 

(Inspired by the amazing salad menu at Harrys, North Bondi) 

Ingredients: 

handful of long stem broccoli 

one pear chopped 

handful of green beans 

half a red onion 

half a cup of pomegranate seeds 

olive oil and balsamic dressing 

Snack: 

Handful of dates and half a handful of nuts 

or 

Watermelon, mango and blueberry fruit salad 

Dinner: 

Salmon Green Stirfry 

(Inspired by Chin Chin, Surry Hills) 

Ingredients: 

salmon fillet 

handful of kale 

handful of spinach 

handful of chopped cabbage 

half a red onion 

one cup of chopped carrot 

rice noodles 

sauce of choice: I like sweet and sour sauce, Katsu curry or sweet chilli. 

I hope you’ve all had a great start to 2019! 

Photography and Creative Direction by yours truly 

Collaboration in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances

Festive Cocktail Recipes for Entertaining

Out of office on. Four favourite words this time of year right? I am usually so organised with gifts and my wrapping, but this year it’s been a little different! I left it until the weekend before. I’ve been getting my head stuck into work, decking out my apartment before Christmas, and obviously filling my fridge before the Christmas festivities start. After all, I will be heading back to the Australian sun in January so it’s the perfect time to get friends and family over to enjoy some much needed quality time for my favourite time of the year.

I feel most peoples head are a pickle in December, and by pickle I mean rushing around not planning the small details as you hoped. So this is where I step in. After all, Tis the season to be jolly, so I’ve listed my four favourite cocktails below for the holiday season. Thank you Samsung for always making hosting so much easier. 

Winter Sidecar 

Ingredients: 

50ml Grand Marnier 

15ml Clementine Juice 

30ml Martini Bianco 

Ground Cinnamon 

Cinnamon Sticks for garnish

Method: Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with clementine juice. Sprinkle cinnamon powder onto a small plate and dip the rim of the glass into the powder. Shake all remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain. 

Christmas Noel 

Ingredients: 

40ml Grand Marnier 

30ml Creme Brûlée Liquor (I picked up mine from Marks and Spencer) 

30ml almond milk 

15ml double cream 

1 tsp peeled pistachios

Method: Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, and strain over a stemmed cocktail glass. Grate pistachios as a garnish. 

Kir Royale 

Ingredients: 

1 tbsp Creme De Cassis 

Champagne 

2 Fresh blackberries

Method: Pour the Creme De Cassis into a champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne and garnish with the blackberries.

Cranberry Spice Mocktail 

Ingredients: 

50ml sparkling water 

50ml cranberry juice 

4 dashes of bitters 

75ml apple cider 

10 cranberries 

orange wedge

Method: Muddle cranberries and orange wedge in the cranberry juice, and then pour the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon. Garnish with cranberries and orange peel and serve on ice. 

So get your fridge stocked, the festive playlist on, and your finest threads on to entertain at home. There is no better way to commemorate Christmas time than through some family photography. Gather up your beautiful family and clink glasses in front of the camera. Have a wonderful Christmas and New year! 

Photography and Creative Direction by yours truly 

Collaboration in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances