Signs of summer..

The sun has been shining all week here in the UK and it really feels like summer is on it’s way. A few things that make me realise summer will soon be hitting us is the first few days of sitting outside sipping cider (strawberry and lime). The second sign is sitting round the table with newspapers and magazines whilst eating lunch and of course sipping a gin & tonic or if you would rather you could have a cuppa tea.

As much as I love the winter months it also get’s to this time of the year when I am ready for the summer. People will be starting to get their summer exercise on and I am no different. I haven’t been running daily because of where I have been based for work. I have however had 30 minutes of exercise within my daily routine and then do as much running as I can at the weekends. This weekend will be a little harder as I am going to be in London. I am hoping to get out for a run on Saturday afternoon. I find that keeping running and other forms of exercise within my daily routine means I don’t feel so guilty when I enjoy in summer treats.

I find it very hard to read something without having a notebook to hand. There is always a quote or some useful information I want to write down and go back to at a later date. This can become a little annoying at times and I end up writing huge lists on my phone whilst I am reading on the train. Does anyone else need to have a notebook whilst they read?

What are your plans for this weekend?

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Posted on the 30th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 6 Comments ↓

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What is so good about Rooibos tea?

Hello everyone, I hope you had a fab Wednesday! This post is about why I love rooibos tea and the benefits I have found form it. When I first drank rooibos tea I really couldn’t decide what I made of the taste. It was unusual, like no other tea I had tasted before. However, after a few more cups I fell in love with it. If you follow me on Twitter and happen to mention you have a headache then I will be sure to recommend rooibos tea .. or black coffee for those of you who don’t like tea. I find that rooibos tea get rid of headaches, it helps with sleep or at least to the extent of helping your mind to relax and I also find it good for when my tummy hurts (tummy sounds better than stomach). I have heard that rooibos is very good if you have skin problems.. don’t hold me to this information though. Oh and like many other herbal tea rooibos tea is high a high antioxidant… huh? – read here.

This is just a quick post on why I like rooibos tea, I am not saying that rooibos tea will fix your headache for sure but just that it really helps with mine.

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Posted on the 29th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 7 Comments ↓

Posted in Uncategorized

Dr Martens – Love or Hate?

Hello everyone. Today is hump day (not like that..cheeky) it’s the middle of the week and it means only two working days till the weekend. I think this is an American term, it was trending on Twitter and I guess the reasoning behind it makes sense. They say that Tuesday is a ‘nothing’ day, Monday is a dull day and then Wednesday (hump day) rolls round and people become happy because it means the week is nearly done. I personally try not to wish the week away, I like to make the most of everyday (I bet this is starting to annoy some of you) as I said in this post but I am really looking forward to this weekend. I have a trip to London – hello civilisation and will be seeing a few friends, doing some shopping and drinking some cocktails. I have a few more trips to London coming up over the next few weeks so give me a shout if you are knocking about too.

Anyway, the point of this post is to talk to you about Dr Martens. I really like them on other people but I sometimes think they can be a little harsh or chunky to go with the outfits I wear. I have found three pairs below which I really like. I am keen to get the 1460 Print Floral print because I think the pattern is really pretty and I think they would look fab with white tights or various pastel shades during the summer.

I think it would be really good for me to have a pretty pair of shoes which (other than Converse) will be good for walking in. I have been on websites looking for shoes this evening and I keep finding my way back to Docs. My grandma has a pair of docs and she loves them, so I know for a fact that she will give me a thumbs up. The other styles in the picture are then Castel Print and the Black Patent ones. I like both of these but feel I need a lighter colour.

The only reason I am a little unsure is that I am worried that I am not tall enough for Dr Martens. I keep thinking that everyone I have seen them in are of a normal height. I am a little on the short side and I don’t want them to give the illusion that my legs are even shorter. I think what I will have to do is try a pair on in the shops and then order the style I want online.

What do you think of Dr Martens?

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Posted on the 28th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 8 Comments ↓

Posted in Uncategorized

Making Easter Simnel Cupcakes…

At the weekend I was back at home home and made a batch of easter cupcakes, they were simnel cupcakes which I have never made before. Simnel easter cupcakes are delightfully easy to and you can find the full recipe here but I had added a little information to the photographs which I hope helps. This is a photo heavy post (I hate that phrase) so I hope it doesn’t bug you.

With everything I make I like to remind you all that if you don’t like something within the recipe then you can simply change it. You don’t have to do exactly as the recipe says, you can make it your own but use it as a little guidance. I didn’t have golden caster sugar so I used a mixture of white and brown. Simple.

I also made my own mixed spice by adding cinnamon, coriander, ginger and nutmeg.

Don’t forget the full recipe is here.

I am thinking of making an easter cake at the weekend but I can’t decide between a simnel or carrot one. Which would you like to see me bake? Hold up…! I have just spotted the cake pops which I am very tempted to make.

I hope you all had a good Tuesday.

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Posted on the 27th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 2 Comments ↓

Posted in Uncategorized

Don’t live for the weekend…

The weekend has come and gone once again but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Don’t be someone who lives for the weekend, make the most of the week and do things you love. I like to do as much as I can at the weekend because I am not at home home during the week but I still incorporate all the things I love to do into my weekdays. I don’t limit myself to enjoying my weekends only because there is so much time in the week even with the other things that go on in life. I could easily come home from work and just watch TV all night but that isn’t something I personally enjoy. I make sure I go for a long walk round the shops after work, pick some food for my evening meal and then come home and start work on my blog. This obviously changes each day but that was a little snippet of what I did today. Oh and on my lunch break I went for a walk to library and round the shops. I am lucky because I enjoy my job and I like to think I am usually proactive in other aspects of my life. If I want to learn something new or go on an adventure then I will. Your week is what you make it, it’s your your spare time and you can do whatever you want. Make the most of it.

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Posted on the 26th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 11 Comments ↓

Posted in My day

Take a moment away from your laptop this summer..

A little while back I shared an Etsy shop with you called One Fine Dae. After posting about the lovely summer themed pencils (here) I just couldn’t get them out of my mind. A few days later I had put in an order for my very own set of summer themed pencils and they arrived the other week. The pencils arrived within a week or so and are fantastic quality.

These pencils represent everything I love about summer and the colours of the pencils really put me in a good mood. I think having pretty stationery on your desk can really help motivate you when you have a pile of work to get done. Some people obviously would rather not spend $8.00 on a set of pencils but I think as a one off treat or as a gift there is no harm in splashing out on something which really catches your eye. In this case I can relate to the words on the pencils as they remind me of past summers. I also think they act as a reminder for me to shut down my laptop and go and do the other things I love to do in life. I think many of us can work so hard that we forget to take a moment away from the laptop and relax. Some people are very good at relaxing and not over working but there are some of us who need a reminder.

I hope these pencils remind you to stop typing and go for a walk with a friend and enjoy a yummy ice cream.

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Posted on the 25th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 11 Comments ↓

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Alternative breakfast idea: Soreen

I had forgotten all about good old Soreen till I saw them knocking about in the world of Twitter last week. Their tweets about their different flavours really caught my eye as I had only ever had the original kind. Their bright yellow logo caught my eye and stayed with me all day and the next day I went to the shop with the intention of buying the banana Soreen but there was only one pack left and someone had squashed it so I went for the cinnamon & raisin loaf. I knew I would like the cinnamon & raisin loaf because cinnamon is one of my favourite flavours. I was right, the loaf tasted perfect and has been a good alternative to having toast or porridge for breakfast.

I like to have some Soreen and a bunch of grapes ( or other fruit) for breakfast, I find it really fills me up. It’s also handy to take some to work as a mid morning snack on the days when you just don’t have enough time for breakfast.

The Soreen website is colourful, interactive and user friendly. They even have some tips on ways to enjoy Soreen and a big list of all the other flavours they do, I really didn’t realise there were that many kinds of Soreen. I may have to try the toasty loaf after I have had the banana one.

Well sone on fab use of social media Soreen, you sucked me right in and I am delighted! I am going to have a browse at the Soreen blog because it look pretty fun.

Do you like Soreen?

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Posted on the 24th March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 13 Comments ↓

Posted in food, healthy

Saving shoes for summer..

This week has been delightfully sunny and hot and I have been rocking 90 denier tights. Yes, I even purchased a new pair in the middle of the week and Accessorize had packed their tights away because spring has arrived. I really hope it lasts as I have been stuck in an office working during the week (I am not complaining) but I do hope the sunshine lasts till the weekend so I can go to the beach and read (rock and roll). I am really excited to really start making use of my summer shoes, I find during the winter months I am usually wearing the same three pairs of shoes or boots but summer allows for much more of a variety.

So I have started off with the news we all knew already, spring is here which means summer is just round the corner. I am sick of seeing people type ‘spring has sprung‘, I was going to do it myself within something I was writing at work but very glad I decided against it. Every PR email has started with that this week and it’s been all over the Twitter feeds. Spring has arrived; let’s embrace it with colourful clothes, summer shoes and fun music.

If the sunshine sticks around at the weekend I will be wearing my yellow or white Converse with a good old floral dress. I will actually be quite annoyed if the sun runs away. I have quite a collection of shoes which have been waiting for a warm sunny day so they can make an appearance.

The Couleur Pourpre I am wearing in the photograph I am wearing are beautiful but I still haven’t managed to wear them outside of the house because they really are strictly summer only. I am a little worried because the sole feels very fragile. I have thought about jut wearing these for inside the house only, we will see though I should at least try letting them have a little walk outside. I think you have to be very careful with very flat shoes because they can become ruined very easily and I really don’t want to wear these Abigail flats out.

I also have some Fat Face wedges from last summer which I plan on making good of this year. I never know what kind of sandals to go for, I am very fussy about them and find it hard to find a pair I like. Have you seen any nice summer shoes or sandals which you think are pretty? As I was typing this I realised it’s likely I never find sandals because the thought of going out with bare legs freaks me out a little. Maybe this is something I should try to get over? It’s not very likely to happen.

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Posted on the 22nd March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 9 Comments ↓

Posted in converse, shoes

Music videos made on a low budget. .

The Pantomime Villains

I think the best music videos are the ones without a budget, the ones which don’t need hours of work perfecting a storyboard and of course the ones that don’t need a 5d mkii behind it. It’s these kinds of videos where you are likely to find true music these days. Oh and any video with a cat in is going to get a thumbs up from me.

Good music doesn’t need raw dollar behind it.

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Posted on the 21st March, 2012 by prettygreentea — 3 Comments ↓

Posted in music

Living Nature Lipstick: Wave

I have been using Living Nature lipstick in Wave c/o Mypure. I picked a colour I wouldn’t normally go for, I really like dark shades on other people but out of habit haven’t purchased many. I am really glad I picked Wave because it’s a lovely deep red wine shade which goes perfectly with my hair, well I think it does anyway. I like that this lipstick can be applied very easily and just glides onto your lips. You can built up the lipstick and change how dark you have the shade each day. Sometimes I just have one light layer on and put some gloss over it and others I will apply two strokes and brave having my lips a little darker. I will share some photos of me wearing the lipstick this week.

The only problem with Living Nature lipstick is that it’s not so fab for when you have very dry lips. I had to avoid using it on days where my skin was dry but luckily a little Badger lip balm fixed me up and I was good to go with Living Nature again.

Price: £15.00 - I think Living Nature Wave is worth it.

I do think this is a little expensive for a lipstick but at the same time it’s in line with most of the other beauty counters within shops like John Lewis so I wouldn’t say it’s over priced. When I buy a lipstick I will wear it most days and make good use of it so I am happy to pay £15.00 for a good quality lipstick every few months. I won’t buy a lipstick for the sake of it and I am not a beauty junkie, I would rather buy fewer quality products and I buy a new lipstick as and when I need it. Though after watching many Vlogs I have realised that I am browsing the make up counters much more than usual.