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Wednesday 25 March 2015

What's for breakfast?

Breakfast, I feel is my favourite meal of the day and one not to be missed! I am not that person who misses breakfast if I have any say in it. If you start the day with a healthy wholesome meal you'll have the energy to get you through the next part of your day until lunchtime, my second favourite meal haha (you guessed it, I wouldn't call myself a foodie if I didn't look forward to every meal in the day).

But seriously, if you've got a busy day ahead, on your feet all day, you need a fulfilling breaky. Having said that today I am lucky enough not to be rushed off my feet (tehe) so I opted for something light, a quinoa porridge concoction that I threw together on a whim. 



Peanut butter - MY PROTEIN
Linwoods flaxseed mix - Sainsbury's, Holland & Barratt, Wholefoods...most healthstores
Quinoa flakes - I got these in Holland & Barratt



Ground black sesame - I brought mine all the way back from Hong Kong but if you can get your hands on some whole black sesame, just lightly toast 'em then grind 'em in a pestle and mortar, simples! I like to use black sesame because it's a healthy ingredient plus I really like the flavour.





This was accompanied by green tea. I've sorta quit english breakfast tea...



1. In a pyrex jug I add about 2:1 quinoa flakes to black sesame, cover a couple cm's over with desired "milk", in this instance I used Rude Health's almond milk.

2. Proceed to cook in microwave for approx 1min30sec to 2mins. In the meantime cut up some banana chunks.

3. DING. Add a few banana chunks (this is for flavour as well as to sweeten ones porridge). Add more liquid here to suit your consistency preference.

4. Back in the microwave for 30-60sec to slightly cook the banana and let the natural sweetness infuse the porridge.

5. Sprinkle desired amount of flaxseed mix, add a blob of peanut butter, decorate with a few banana slices and VOILA, fini! 

6. Take a photo and admire your culinary skills.

7. Stir that good sh**t up and demolish!! In other words....eat it.


See eating healthy is easy peasy and I find this tickles my tastebuds. However, it doesn't quite get me through till lunch so I'll find myself a snack such as mixed seeds with almonds or a small avocado. I think this would be a great breakfast to have before a workout as for me it's easy to digest. Of course everyone's body is unique so be adventurous and experiment with your food. You'll soon find what works for you and be well on your way to a balanced healthy lifestyle.


Don't knock it till you've tried it! 

xoxo


Wednesday 4 February 2015

ALL BLACK ERRTHANG



It's that time of year!
I use fashion as a way of expressing myself.
And this is how winter makes me feel. Luckily you can't go too far wrong with black.
I think SAD has something to do with my somewhat dark mood...
Does it affect you too?

Top - Topshop
Jeans - H&M
Boots - UO
Belt - Kooples


I'm already counting down the weeks till Summer!

Peace out o(^_^)v

xoxo




Saturday 9 August 2014

Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland.

11th - 14th July 2014...

What an amazing experience, THE Montreux Jazz Festival! I have been so very lucky to get the opportunity to travel for work purposes and boy has it been amazing! Especially this particular trip.

Lush hotels, lush food and priceless experiences with amazing people.

    


I didn't even know before, but now I know that the Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous Jazz festivals in the world! It's held annually in early July in Montreux on the Lake Geneva Shoreline. This was my first time ever in Switzerland and I was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery, the fresh air and clear water! Definitely quite different from the Thames!! What's more, the simple fact that I am travelling with the fabulous singer-songwriter Paloma Faith and her band! If you do not know of her music I highly recommend that you should get to know ;) she doesn't sing about 'drinking in the clubs with hoes and bitches' haha......Her latest album 'A Perfect Contradiction' is wonderful, it's not often that I like every single song on an album even after listening to it over and over again. Paloma's music has much more profound and meaningful concepts compared to a lot of the very commercialised stuff out there. This album delivers fun beats and catchy melodies as well as smooth bluesy vibes and soulful jazz. This is not me being biased because I get to work for her but truly because I appreciate her music and I want people to know about it. The media is a funny thing, sex always sells, sadly I feel like a lot of commercial music is a slave to this (to name a few Jason Derulo - talk dirty, wiggle wiggle....Snoop Dogg - Drop it like its hot, Robin Thicke - Blurred lines) I mean the list is endless. This is not to say that I don't like commercial music like this but I am well aware of the message it sends and tend not to pay much attention to these kind of lyrics and rather enjoy the beat and melody. This is the difference with Paloma's music, the lyrics are deep and meaningful, it is the very opposite to shallow, I can feel and hear life experiences, of love, loss and tragedy...Listen to it and see what you think!

Wow ok I totally went off on a tangent there. It literally just came out, I started and couldn't stop...So back to talking about Montreux. We stayed in the Grand Majestic Hotel, what a lucky girl I am, need I say more but the name of the hotel.

Maybe a fews pics though ;)



The view from the hotel restaurant, and this was in bad weather!

The gym, sad I didn't try the sauna or steam room :(

Errm my room, excuse the unmade bed I was in a rush to get breaky before check out! 

We were lucky enough to get a full Saturday afternoon off after flying from Amsterdam airport (we were also at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam on the Friday) and arriving at the Grand Majestic around 1-2pm. It was a very chilled afternoon with Paloma and some of the band, had a lovely smoked salmon salad in a bar next to the hotel before the evening events began. I also met the very lovely and telentedLaura Mvula and co


That evening was such a memorable experience. We were invited to the home of Claude Nobs, the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival to enjoy the breathtaking views and a feast of bbq'd meats and other treats. On arrival we took a little tour and spent quite sometime watching the archives of previous gigs at the Montreux Jazz Festival. It was quite something to watch the old performances from legends like James Brown and Marvin Gaye. And I have to say what an incredible chalet!! Just google it and you will get the idea. I was told not to post any pictures on social media of inside the chalet so I am not going to do so. It was fantastic, a cosy vintage feel mixed with modern day living, with baby grands on every floor, a huge professional kitchen, a long balcony/terrace (not sure which is the right word..), a glass lift, glass staircase, I bet you can imagine!

Photos from the balcony:






They had chefs and wait staff and everything, seriously I am so blessed that I got to experience that, what an absolute treat!! After dinner everyone convened to the lower ground floor which was basically a music room, baby grand piano once again, organ, drums, guitars, amps and just all the musical things! This is when the jam session began. It. was. ah-mazing! All these amazing musicians coming together and jamming out, it was very cool to say the least. I decided against indulging in the free flowing drinks and got back to the hotel and did some late night cardio in the hotel's gym and reflected on the day, finished by a lush bubble bath in my cute hotel room. I rarely take the time for a nice bubble bath so this was yet another treat for me.




The following day I woke up on a high, thoroughly enjoyed the hotel breakfast buffet (believe me!) and ventured out on my own in the afternoon before the evening gig called us to work. I took a stroll along the shoreline where there were loads of stalls set up for the festival selling all sorts. It was a glorious day with the sunshine out amongst a few clouds. I stood and just gazed out into the water for a few minutes to take it all in, I wish I could share how I felt at that moment...


Making sure I had proof that I was there haha!

As late afternoon approached is was time to scurry off to work. As wardrobe mistress to the 11 piece band, after prepping and everyone is hurried to stage I am very fortunate to get to watch the whole show as well. This was a seriously incredible gig, after being inspired by the archive videos Paloma and her band hit it hard and out of all the gigs I've seen them do this really topped it! After the gig and work was done with, the party began! I popped in to watch Robin Thicke for a bit as he performed one of my favourite old hit songs of his, 'Lost without you'. This was followed by a brief meeting of Robin Thicke's band backstage, then rushed down to catch the last of catering with a few of Paloma's band before heading to the famous Montreux Jazz Club. Again, I COULD have got absolutely wasted, with the free flowing alcohol but no kidding I was buzzing anyway from the atmosphere. High on life! The whole trip just got even cooler when Paloma and her hot band got up to start a jam and as it progressed pulled in unknown musicians. Even Robin Thicke's band showed up and joined in to! I cannot tell you how freaking amazing/awesome/mind-blowing it was!!


Watching Paloma's gig from the sound booth.

Witnessing an incredible jam session at the Montreux Jazz Festival.


I really have rambled on in this post but I just had to share this wonderful experience, its something I will never forget. Genuinely one of the best experiences of my life so far. I may not be where I thought I would be 5 years ago but there's is only so much in life you can control. I do believe things happen for a reason, and for whatever reason I was given this great opportunity. What goes around comes around, so work hard and be patient and the rewards will come around. When they do, seize them and absorb the experience with all your being.

With love, Lele
xoxo







Tuesday 18 March 2014

Spring fling

Spring fling

I was feeling really girly today, especially with my hair in a French braid all day (which trust me is rare!). So I decided to put together this pink and white number. I love that it's ladylike but flirty at the same time.


Why not get dressed up in a flirty girly ensemble for a spring fling date. But remember to keep the hair and make-up natural in order to strike a balance. This would be a great date outfit on a early spring evening, cover up with a pastel coloured pashmina when it starts to get chilly but hopefully your date will kindly offer their jacket ;) With mid heels you'll have no problem taking a stroll, I love it when practical and stylish happen at the same time!! The bag...need I say more than its amazing I had no choice. And the final touch a pair of super cute daisy studs to reflect the spring time vibe. Hope you like it! xoxo


#style #fashion #cute #girly #spring


Thursday 20 February 2014

Time flies when you're having fun!

Valentines has been and gone! Hope everyone had a lovely time whatever you did :) I postponed my +Valentines Day 2014 plans to Saturday because valentines day really isn't that big a deal! Although if you have someone you are in love with to spend it with and do something really special then go ahead and make a big deal of it ;) sometimes its a great day to bring back some spark to a comfy relationship.

Anyway so it's Thursday and I am posting about an outfit I wore at the weekend! Time really does fly when you're having fun, this week has whooshed pass! Saturday night was a spontaneous night and I wasn't sure exactly what I'd be doing, so I decided to wear this dress I bought from +H&M recently as it's such a versatile piece. So easy to dress up but also easy to dress down. I ended up going for a few cocktails in a fun bar in central London. I was glad I opted for smart casual! But throw on a sweater and it's easily wearable as a daytime look.

You can check out my ig here :)

In the picture I'm wearing leggings underneath as the dress is quite see-through otherwise. I later decided to swap the leggings for a mini black jersey body-con skirt as I didn't feel that cold after all! I also customised the dress slightly by adding some ruching to create an asymmetric hem, I found it more flattering as it brings the hem in at the bottom to emphasise or create an hour glass shape.



Now these boots are another fave and wardrobe essential, they vamp up any outfit plus they are so comfy!! The details get lost in the full length photo so here are some close ups where you can see the studded detail down the back. I bought these at Christmas in Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, in a small random boutique. I literally stumbled across them and they were the last pair there, it must have been fate ;) If you can't find your perfect pair you can always DIY and make some at home! Check out this blogger The Hollywood Heels on instagram where I picked up the idea! Click here




That's all for now folks! xoxo






Thursday 6 February 2014

Leopard print love

Leopard print may not be on trend right now but who says you need to follow the trends?? When I'm choosing an outfit the most important thing is whether I feel good in it or not. Tonight I feel like leopard print and it feels good so that's what I'm gonna roll with ;)

Leopard print jacket and shorts set by +River Island
High neck black crop top from +ASOS
Plain black suede boots from +Urban Outfitters 

The black crop top and my black suede boots are an absolute wardrobe essential. These boots are my favourite and they literally go with everything!!! And this black crop top is easy to pair with skirts, jeans, leggings, you name it! I went for the plain black base layer to break up the leopard print, some people can pull off full on print all over but for this outfit I felt the contrast was needed. Put on some thick black tights and this outfit is easily wearable in the daytime. Switch up the heeled boots for plain knee high flat boots for a more toned down day look as well as being more comfy in flats!

Are you a leopard print lover or loather?

Lele xoxo


Friday 31 January 2014

It's CNY BBY!

"It's Chinese New Year Baby! :D"



Today is a great day as I get a second fresh start to the year! So it's CNY and it isn't a huge affair celebrating it in the UK as I don't have a huge amount of relatives here but it's still an event. In Hong Kong we would be having a massive gathering with all my aunties, uncles and cousins, it's always epic, good food, great company. Here in the UK on the actual day today it's just my mum, dad and myself eating a traditional dish for dinner, then over the weekend my cousin's will be joining us for a fabulous feast!


Tonight's dinner - apparently in english it's called Buddha's delight...it consists of veggies, most importantly dried mushrooms and a type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in cantonese, which sounds like 'prosperity'.



Since today is just a casual day at home, I am dressed for comfort in leggings and a cosy red knit sweater from +ASOS. Red is a colour of good luck and it is a traditional belief that wearing red of bright coloured clothing on CNY scares away evil spirits and bad fortune.


Really looking forward to this weekend, it will be a nice family bonding time with real good food and fun times playing with my baby cousin! Hope all who is celebrating CNY has a great time, whatever you have done already and whatever you will be doing this coming weekend.

Check out this video for meanings of CNY cantonese greetings. Click here :)

San nin fai lok, gong hei fat choi, San tai gin hong!

xoxo