MY TOP 5 BEAUTY ESSENTIALS TO PACK THIS SUMMER

My Summer holiday has finally arrived and as the kids finish school, I find myself running around trying to shop for last minute bits, pack for the whole family and hope I haven't forgotten anything. I'm not a fan of packing but I am a fan of keeping my skin hydrated in this hot weather.

Whether you're travelling abroad or staying put in the UK. I thought I would share with you my top 5 beauty essentials. I find these are all great to throw in a travel bag or beach bag and will help keep you cool, refreshed and looking gorgeous this summer. 

Shimmer Dry Oil

1.     Shimmer Dry Oil

Meraki moisturising body oil with shimmer effect gives your body a beautiful summer glow. The oil nourishes and softens your skin while the shimmer effect reflects the light giving your skin a beautiful golden glow. The oil contains i.a. vitamin E and organic sunflower oil that hydrate your skin leaving it soft and glowing. Apply a thin layer to your legs, arms, shoulders and décolleté to give your skin an instant glow.

Grown Alchemist Amenity Kit

2. Grown Alchemist Amenity Kit

Grown Alchemist's 'Amenity Kit' includes three everyday beauty essentials. Perfect size for traveling and a great way to get acquainted with Grown Alchemist. The kit contains a moisturizing cream, hydrating lip balm and soothing hand cream, each one rich in antioxidants and botanical extracts to protect and nourish your skin.

Meraki Pop-up Cloths

3. Meraki Pop-up Cloths

These clever disposable pop-up cloths are perfect for everyday use. Compressed to the size of a coin they are perfect to take with you when you’re on the go or for traveling. The cloths come in a convenient box that fits perfectly into a bag. The box contains 60 pieces.

How to use: Simply add water and watch it unfold into a soft washcloth. A perfect travel companion.

Grown Alchemist - Body Treatment Oil

4. Grown Alchemist Body Treatment Oil – Ylang, Tamanu & Omega 7 100ml

A highly absorbent Body Oil formulated with a sensuous and potent blend of botanical active ingredients that soften and smooth while increasing skin elasticity and hydration, noticeably improving skin texture and appearance. And at 100ml this is just the right size to go in your carry-on bag. Top tip - Keep in the fridge during the summer, for that extra cooling factor when you apply it to your skin.

Himalayan Salt Hydrating Mask

5. Himalayan Salt Hydrating Mask Sachets (3x10g)

An intensely hydrating clay face mask, developed for sensitive and dry skin. This water-activated clay mask hydrates and protects your skin using powdered Althaea root, drawing out dead skin and bacteria. Gentle French Red Clay cleanses the skin and promotes blood circulation, facilitating healing to skin conditions. These sachets are the perfect size to take away with you.

Happy travels, Sommer x

IT'S NATIONAL TEQUILA DAY!

Today is National Tequila Day! Any day that let's me indulge guilt free with my favourite tequila cocktail is fine with me. So to celebrate I thought I would give you a few suggestions of my favourite London bars to get a delicious tequila cocktail. Plus a recipe for you to try at home. Cheers!

Tequila cocktails to try…

MATADOR at The Racketeer

Made of Olmeca Altos Blanco Tequia, Grapefruit, Lime, Campari & Agrave 

From https://www.theracketeer.co.uk/

105 King’s Cross Rd, London, WC1X 9LR

HIBISCUS MARGARITA at La Bodega Negra

Made of El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Lime Juice, Orange Bitters and Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

From http://labodeganegra.com/#Home

La Bodega Negra | 9 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JF

PALOMA at the Cartel Battersea

Made of Arette Blanco, Lime Juice, In House Grapefruit Soda. Built and served long

From http://cartelbattersea.co.uk/

517-519 Batterse Park Rd, London, SW11 3BN

FROZEN MARAGRITA at Pergola Paddington

Made of Altos Plata Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice and salt

From https://pergolalondon.com/pergola-paddington

5 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, W2 6PY

If you want to try your hand at making a tequila cocktail at home. Why don’t you attempt the Garden Party,  ideal for these hot summers evening.

GARDEN PARTY

Ingredients:

1 1/4 oz. Tequila Don Julio Reposado

1/2 oz. Orange Liqueur

1/4 oz. Honey Syrup

1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lime Wheel, for garnish

Directions:

Combine Tequila Don Julio Reposado, orange liqueur, honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a double old fashioned glass with fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheel.

Created by mixologist Erin Ashford

PIMPED UP FETA CHEESE TWO WAYS

This recipes is super easy and a great summer addition to any table. You can either add it to a cheese board for a casual affair or it goes great with grilled meats and salads. I’m all about making my life easy and this is perfect because it has the wow factor with minimal effort. The beauty of this recipe is that you can pimp it several ways with your favourite herbs and spices. Here are a couple of examples but you could pimp it with Middle Eastern spices or go for something spicy, add nuts or fruit. Below are my two go to flavours:

Lemon thyme with red wine & bay leaves salt

Ingredients

Good quality feta cheese

Fresh lemon thyme

Lemon and rind

Nicolas Vahé Red Wine and Bay Leaves Salt

Nicolas Vahè Rapeseed oil or good quality olive oil

Cracked pepper

Method:

Place your feta cheese on a serving plate sprinkle the salt down the middle of the cheese and sprinkle around the plate. Next, add the thyme by removing leaves from the stalk, chop finely and sprinkle over the cheese. Grate the lemon rind over the cheese and then squeeze half of the lemon juice. Drizzle the rapeseed oil over the cheese and the plate, adding a sprig of thyme as garnish. 

Basil, sun blushed tomatoes with olives

Ingredients

Good quality feta cheese

Fresh Basil

Olives

Sun blushed tomatoes

Niclas Vahè Garlic Olive Oil

Cracked pepper

Lemon

Fresh chilli (Optional)

Method

Chop the fresh basil, olives and sun blushed tomatoes.  Arrange on top of the feta cheese and then drizzle the garlic olive oil. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top, add fresh chillies if you like a kick and cracked pepper.

And that’s it. Add some crusty bread, wine and you’re good to go. Sometimes the simplest things in life give you the most pleasure.

Enjoy, Sommer x

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