Bobbi Brown Afternoon Tea at Balthazar

If there's one thing we love as much as makeup, it's a good afternoon tea. Anything that combines the two is an instant win right?

Following in the footsteps of the Berkeley's fashion-themed Pret-a-Portea comes Balthazar's Bobbi Brown Afternoon Tea. This year Bobbi is celebrating the brand's 25th anniversary and she has teamed up with Balthazar's head pastry chef to create a selection of cakes inspired by some of her most iconic products.

The tasty selection includes a Champagne Infused Rhubarb 'Shimmer Brick' and a Praline & Mango-Passion 'Foundation Stick', to name just a couple.

As if that wasn't enough, the beautiful Vintage Red for Balthazar Lip Colour has been created to mark the anniversary too!

I'm fairly sure I had you at 'cake' but if you need any further encouragement, all diners are offered a complimentary Instant Lip Makeup Lesson with a Bobbi Brown makeup artist at the nearby Covent Garden store!

For more information visit www.balthazarlondon.com/bobbi-brown-afternoon-tea

Allergen Free Brownies

Namaste Foods Brownie Mix is free from 8 main allergens, including wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, peanuts, sugar and others. With seven ingredients in the packet and only requiring the baker to add eggs/flax eggs and oil, it sounded like my cup of tea. 

It was easy and quick to mix and didn't require any baking gadgets. However, the taste is truly amazing. The gooey middle and firm crust made it taste just like a real brownie! Actually, it tasted better. I got my fiancé (which in itself sounds like baking term) to taste it, as he usually turns up his nose at my healthy style/alternative snacks and he loved them. High praise indeed!

They only downside is the price. It costs £15.86 for 850g. To buy but with postage and packaging, it totals £26.27. That's a steep price considering that will produce 12 medium sized brownies. However, for me, something that is allergy friendly and tastes really good is worth the money. Anyone who spends any time in a supermarket's 'free from' aisle will know the expense, but for people who prefer not to be bloated/icky over Christmas or for those who are genuine allergic to the most common ingredients, it's worth buying. This is one of the best 'free from' foods I've ever eaten. So much so, I am going to ask Santa to buy me another packet. Hopefully the price won't deter him! 

www.amazon.co.uk 

Sugar Free June: Quick and Easy Yummy Snacks

Craving sugar is a natural process. Hormones, stress, tiredness or our bodies going sugar cold turkey will prompt a craving or two. 

Luckily, there are few snack options that help the process. For a special treat, I have a few scoops of Booja Booja's Hunky Punky Chocolate ice cream. It tastes very rich and creamy. Best of all, it's sweetened with agave. Hurrah! No sugar! It certainly helps those cravings.

Another option is to make your own fruit juice. Packaged ones are full of excess sugars and often contain preservatives that really are not that great. I tend to eat no more than two pieces of fruit per day and if I want a sweet treat, I blend a couple of pears, or a pear and an apple with ice and water. 

I have been taking it to work on days that I know I might be tempted to reach for a sugary treat. It also makes a yummy breakfast drink. 

Sugar free natural yoghurt with a scoop of Dalfour jam is a good after diner treat. The jam is totally sugar free and has big chunks of fruit in it. My favourite is the Black Cherry, which is also yummy when it's stirred into my morning porridge.  

YBBF Challenge: Health and Wellbeing Detox

Most people seem to jump on the detox band wagon after a bit too much indulgence, which I understand. The body doesn't want any more excess yumminess. Usually, it's for a few days or even a few weeks but I am going to be doing this for six weeks. I will be eating real, wholesome food and not just juicing, taking cayenne pepper shots or whatever else is the new fad. 

This is not for weight loss reasons, although, I imagine that I will lose a bit of weight. This is so I feel completely healthy and well when I go on holiday. Having been advised to cut out sugar from my diet, having had some yucky viruses, I started to feel a whole lot better and returned to my normal self. However, I have slipped back into bad habits, which is natural when summer rolls around and prosecco is flowing! I am not one for limiting myself and not living life the way I want but the motivation of having the most amazing holiday and feeling good the whole time outweighs drinking and eating myself into oblivion for the next few weeks!

I don't know how strict I will be for every occasion. There are quite a few celebrations happening over June, so I will probably find the most healthy options and least sugary items, so that I still enjoy the celebratory atmosphere. 

I will be documenting my progress and if anyone wants to join in, please let us know via the comments, Instagram or Twitter. We would love to hear from you, see your progress, tips or just general motivation. Jen is going to be an excellent source of advice, as she is the master of eating healthily and yummily, so I will be calling on her for some new ideas and recipes. 

The thing that I am most looking forward to is having my energy levels completely back to normal. I cannot wait to be running around like an over excited child!

Friday Food Favourites and YBBF Challenge

I'm loving smoothies. I tend to make my own and most recently I've been combining a handful of blueberries, a few slices of beetroot, a small handful of kale and an apple. It's an excellent mid morning snack. If I need to go anywhere and want to take my smoothie with me, I have been putting it in a protein shaker bottle, so I can shake it up before drinking it. It's worked wonders! 

I know that Jen has mentioned Ruby's of London before and they so deserved to be mentioned. They made the most amazing red velvet cake for my birthday and coming home to a slice has made the working week very bearable! Especially when it's vegan, gluten free, naturally sweetened and seriously yummy.

I have also found an amazing farm shop that is a healthy food haven. I picked up Doves Farm Agave Nectar Flapjacks, which gives a sugar fix without actually eating sugar. Hurrah! 

THE YBBF CHALLENGE

All over Instagram, Pinterest and online, I keep seeing the turquoise eyeliner trend. I really like it but when I've tried it, it hasn't looked quite as I wanted it to. Below is an example – the water line is lined with a blue liner but it doesn't make the eyes pop.

So, my challenge to Jen is to find a wearable turquoise eyeliner look that is striking but not too much. 

A YBBF catch up and some of my spring favourites....

Never too early for a cocktail....

Last week Kay and I got together for a catch up/blog meeting, but most importantly some food and a bit of shopping. We started out with lunch at The Big Easy, a BBQ place in Covent Garden that I knew Kay would love as it has a distinctly American vibe. Personally, I love anywhere that I can get a veggie burger, fries, cupcake and a margarita for £10....

The Big Easy, Covent Garden

We then moved on to a bit of shopping and a discussion about how much we love spring, warmer weather and the generally cheerier colours that start emerging in fashion and beauty this time of year. (Kay was on the hunt for a very specific pair of hot pink heels to wear for her birthday, which sadly we couldn't find… she assures me that she has since found a beautiful alternative!) So as spring has officially arrived in London, I thought I’d share a couple of things that I have been loving this month… 

Orange nails

I don’t wear a lot of orange clothing but I do love an orange accessory; a bright handbag, coral lipstick, and in this case…. tangerine orange nails! Oh yeah. As we have been focussing on healthier choices this year, here are a few of my favourites by OPI, a brand on the 'less-chemically' end of the nail polish spectrum. You might just be able to make out my orange nails in the picture at the top although it is slightly fuzzy! We'll blame that on the dim lighting and not Kay's photography skills.....

From left to right: Juice Bar Hopping, Toucan Do It If You Try, Where Did Suzi's Man-go?

Makeup collaborations

I do love a good makeup collaboration and this spring there are several exciting ones emerging. Charlotte Tilbury’s Norman Parkinson packaging is fantastic! I am a tad bias as he is one of my favourite fashion photographers, but if you are a sucker for great packaging then you might want to check this one out. Charlotte’s eponymous collection has received glowing reviews across the board so it is most definitely not a case of style over substance. The only downside,we’ll have to wait until July for this one. Below is the best selling Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette featuring Parkinson's iconic shot of Jerry Hall.

Yesterday saw the release of the latest in a long line of exciting MAC collaborations, this time with none other than milliner-extraordinaire Philip Treacy. He has drawn inspiration from his own work to create a collection that ‘enhance the face’s most evocative features’ – sounds good to me!

Booja Booja ice cream

Last but not least I had to include my latest food discovery. I’ve been meaning to try Booja Booja ice cream for a while and it just sort of ended up in my basket on a recent trip to Holland & Barrett. My review? Amazing! I got the Hunky Punky Chocolate flavour and it is really rich and so delicious. Best of all it only contains four ingredients; water, agave syrup, cashew nuts and cocoa powder. It might be a little on the pricey side but it is so worth it for a product that tastes better than most dairy ice creams I’ve had in the past but that is infinitely better for your health.

I think that’s all for now. Hope you are having a wonderful month so far and the sun is shining where you are!

Sugar Free Chocolates on the High Street.

The thing with going sugar-free, gluten-free or dairy-free, is that if you're out and about and haven't packed your own snacks, buying convenient food is a little tricky. Don't get me wrong, most places, even smaller stores are getting so much better about providing alternative snacks, but finding something can take time – especially if you don't just want a piece of fruit and would prefer to indulge! However, knowing where to buy things from, makes it all a bit easier so, with that in mind, I went searching for yummy options.

Hotel Chocolat

A Diabetic Gift Box for £25, which includes: Gianduja Bombes, Supermilk Puddles, dark chocolate Brazil Nuts, Cocoa & Peppermint Infusions and two Rabot 1745 bars (whatever they might be!)

The Sleekster Even Less Sugar Collection for £22, which includes: Hazelnut & Ginger Crunches, Pistachio Pralines, Gianduja Bombes, Orange Pralines, Milk Chocolate Batons, Milk Canapés, Dark Chocolate Batons, Dizzy Pralines and Chilli Pralines.

The H Box Less Sweet Selection for £12, which includes: Hazelnut & Ginger Crunch, Pistachio Praline, Gianduja Bombe, Orange Praline,  Milk Chocolate Baton, Milk Canapé, Dark Chocolate Baton, Dizzy Praline and Chilli Praline.

www.hotelchocolat.co.uk

Thorntons

Thorntons are great for gluten free chocolate. Nearly every regular bar and special occasion chocolates are gluten free. My mum is really allergic to wheat and certain types of gluten and is always fine with Thortons chocolate. Just double check the ingredients before you buy. 

Chocolate bars start at £2.25

www.thorntons.co.uk

Conscious Chocolate

This chocolate is organic, raw chocolate that is naturally sweetened with agave nectar and is dairy and gluten free. It is vegan approved and most importantly, it tastes so yummy. When I tried it, I thought it would be pretty bland but it is seriously good. So good in fact, I often eat the entire bar in one go. Yes, I am a hog. 

There are various flavours but my favourites are Plain Jane (which is the plain chocolate), Essential Orange (orange flavoured chocolate) and Goji and Coconut (which is great for baking and using with coconut flour based treats).

They are sold at health food shops but personally, I would order them from the website and chuck one in your bag before you leave the house. 

Chocolate bars start at £3.

www.consciouschocolate.com

www.hollandandbarrett.com

Holland and Barrett

What's great about this chain is that they have stores in almost every town, so buying snacks that are suitable for allergies or preferences is fairly easy. They sell sugar free sweets, dairy free chocolates, gluten free biscuits, vegan ice cream and a load of savoury snacks. 

www.hollandandbarrett.com

Supermarkets

Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's are doing a great range of 'free-from' items but what is even better is that Tesco Express is stocking some of those items, so grabbing something that won't send you into a sugar coma or give you the world's worst stomach ache is easier than ever.  

Happy springtime!

Spring is one of our favourite seasons. The warmer weather is a big draw but the return of bright colours, fewer layers, sandals, happier skin, fresh air and cute fluffy critters certainly help too. 

Embracing our spring-ness, we will be doing a range of posts from spring makeup looks to cruelty free brands (it is the month of rabbits after all) and Easter chocolate yumminess from brands that won't give you a sugar low, having created their own sugar free or reduced sugar lines (Thortons and Hotel Chocolat are both on the list. Hurrah!) 

April and the Easter holidays means that Jen and I will be having fun days out and later in the month, a birthday celebration. 

Happy springtime friends! 

Sweet Potato Brownies Recipe

These sweet potato brownies were made using a recipe by Ella Woodward, author of the blog Deliciously Ella and guru of all things natural and delicious. I know using sweet potatoes sounds a bit odd, but when they are steamed and mashed they have a gooey consistency that is perfect for brownies. The dates and maple syrup add natural sweetness and the cacao powder gives a deep chocolatey flavour.

I have to admit, I don't have a particularly sweet tooth, and if you are a real sugar-fiend you might not like these. However, if you prefer the taste of natural sweetness to processed sweetness they are worth a try – it's nice to have a brownie with your cup of tea that you know is full of great ingredients and not going to lead to a sugar crash.

Ingredients
• 2 sweet potatoes (600g)
• 2/3 cup ground almonds (80g)
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour (100g)
• 14 medjool dates
• 4 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• pinch of salt

Here is a link to the recipe on Ella's blog and below is a video showing how to make them.




Since making and photographing this recipe, my sister recommended Ella's recipe for raw brownies and I have to say I think they are now my favourite! They only contain four ingredients, which you mix in a food processor, put in a baking dish and set in the freezer for an hour. They are so simple and absolutely delicious! The video for that recipe is below and be sure to check out deliciouslyella.com for lots more simple recipes that are all plant-based and free from processed ingredients.

Ruby's of London – vegan patisserie

www.rubysoflondon.com

It’s one thing to eat healthily at home, but when you’re out and about it can be a little trickier, especially when cakes are involved. I might not have a sweet tooth as such but even I appreciate a good cupcake... and why should I miss out on all the fun just because I don’t eat eggs or dairy?! So you can understand my excitement at discovering Ruby’s cupcakes at Greenwich Market. They are beautiful, absolutely delicious, completely vegan and all just a stroll through the park away from my house! 

Ruby has been making her cakes for many years and was even awarded the 2013 British Baker Product Innovation Award. You can order them online or buy them at their market stall on Saturdays and Sundays. They have a fantastic selection that changes seasonally and all the labels are colour coded so you can quickly see which ones are gluten, wheat and/or sugar free as well as vegan. This is extremely useful because, trust me, her stall gets very busy! Seriously though, Ruby is a genius. How do you make cakes without eggs, sugar and dairy that darn delicious?! 

If you find yourself in Greenwich at the weekend (and let’s be honest, it’s a pretty great place to be on a sunny Sunday) go and check them out. Hands down the best vegan cakes I’ve ever eaten. Below is just one of the many Ruby's cakes I love, so for lots more information and mouth-watering images head over to www.rubysoflondon.com!

Find Ruby's at Greenwich Market, Saturdays & Sundays, 10am - 5.30pm
www.rubysoflondon.com

Chocolate Biscuit Crunch recipe

This is a biscuit textured treat that gives a chocolate fix without the need for lots of added sugar.

• 7oz (approx. 1 cup) wheat-free self raising flour 

• 1 1/4oz (2 heaped tbsp) cocoa powder 

• 2oz (1/4 cup) Zylitol or any other sweetener. Dates could be used or something like Stevia. Personally, sometimes I cut this out. Yes, it's not as sweet but sometimes my stomach is not in the mood for any kind of sweetness, even natural ones. 

• 1 egg or flax egg 

• 5 oz (approx 3/4 cup) dairy-free spread, melted

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl then transfer to a baking tin and place in the oven on 160° (fan assisted) for 25 minutes. I served mine with sugar free, dairy free blancmange.

Twitter: @YourBeautyBF

Instagram: @your_beauty_best_friend

Clean Eating Chocolate Cakes

This is an idiot proof recipe. I recommend buying cups to measure ingredients if you haven't done so already, it makes it so simple and no weighing is involved.  

• 3/4 cup of Coconut Flower

• 3/4 cup of Coconut Sugar

• 1/2 cup of Cacao Powder (Greens & Blacks does a good one, make sure whichever one you chose that you pick a sugar free option). 

• 1/3 cup of Coconut Oil

• 3 Eggs or Flax Eggs for vegan option

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp of vanilla extract (Marks and Spencer's has a good one) 

• As added extra you can crumble some dark chocolate in, or place one small piece in the middle of each cupcake. I use Conscious Chocolate; it's a gluten free, dairy free, soya free and refined sugar free chocolate, with various fillings. It's tres yummy.

Blend ingredients together. I used a spoon but a food processor will give a smoother consistency. 

Use a muffin tray and equally distribute the mixture into cupcake cases. Bake for 20-25 mins (check regularly) at 150° for a fan assisted oven or 170° for regular. 

Served with a side of blueberries and blackcurrants.

Twitter: @YourBeautyBF

Instagram: @your_beauty_best_friend

March – Glow From Within

Feeling good is definitely linked with confidence. If you do not feel good, you do not feel confident. But looking and feeling good starts from within. Don't get me wrong, makeup really helps, but clear skin, energy, sparkiness and a zest for life really does make all of the difference. Beauty from within, both health and kindness, is a big deal for Jen and me. 

I mentioned in January that for medical reasons, I have had to stop eating sugar. Devastated was not the word. I love Dairy Milk like it's one of my family but the benefits have outweighed the negatives. Not only do I feel much, much better but my skin has started to look younger, my eyes brighter, my skin tone brighter and my chops more chizzled. Hurrah. Everyone loves a good cheek bone. 

However, I have a sweet tooth. To combat that, I have been doing some home baking and asking Jen for some advice (she's been eating a plant-based diet for a while now and is equally enthusiastic about the benefits of choosing whole foods over processed ones). 

Over the next month, Jen and I will be sharing our recipes that will be easy to make, delicious and a much healthier option than your typical pre-packaged food (#GlowFromWithin!). Whether you are trying to be healthier, looking for new recipes or hoping to help clear up problem-prone skin, we're here to help.

Happy eating beauties! 

Twitter: @YourBeautyBF

Instagram: @your_beauty_best_friend