Not your average banana shake

Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with an old-fashioned banana smoothie, but this one amazing ingredient steps up the milkshake game. (Now to wait for the boys to come to my yard... Please, not all at once)

Yes, I had to be a hipster and use a mason jar

Ingredients

1 or 2 ripe bananas

1 cup milk

1/2 t ground ginger (yus this is the secret ingredient)

I'm yet to try this with fresh ginger, but I'm sure it'll work and probably taste better!

Just chuck it all into a blender (we now have a fancy Nutribullet) and you're done

I've also tried this with spinach, which you can't even taste, to add a serve of veggies and also with 1/2 cup strawberries which add sweetness if the bananas aren't ripe yet.

Ginger is an amazing ingredient with many supposed health benefits, including ant-inflammatory properties, benefits to the digestive system and new research suggests ginger can lower blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes! (I read this on the internet, so it's got to be true yea?)

I mainly add ginger because it tastes good, though.. It reminds me of Christmas which isn't too far away now yay! 

Let me know what you think if you try it!

Em x

How I Organise for Uni

Oh, the joys of going back to reality after a 5 week break... This is my second semester of uni and I've managed to find my own way of organising all my notes, important dates, lecture slides etc. that works for me.

The first thing I do is make individual folders on my laptop for each of my units.

This semester I've broken down into each class I have for that unit, instead of having everything split into a few weeks at a time. I think this way will be more effective, especially for my units with multiple classes.

To organise hard copies of documents like unit outlines and printed handouts, I use a binder with dividers and individual sleeves for each class, similar to how I organise folders on my laptop. I find this is easier than having everything in a separate sleeve and was much better come exam time.

With my timetable at the front

Speaking of exams, after each lecture I try to briefly sum up the content of that week's lecture and readings etc. on A5 pieces of paper. I then use these as constant revision throughout the semester, as well as for exams.

And finally, the thing I struggled with the most last semester... Having important dates set out in a format that I can easily see and not forget about. Solution: make a really big semester calender.

This was definitely a life saver and I love being able to see the semester as a whole, rather than individual weeks. I highlighted in green the due dates for all my assessments and have week numbers on the side as well. Now I don't have to worry about realising that Monday there's an assignment due on Friday... (Thankfully that was only for a draft assignment not worth any marks).

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration or ideas for yourself!

Em x

Crocheted Cacti

I was in Fremantle over the weekend and saw these adorable handmade crocheted cacti, but I would never buy anything I could make and besides, they were $50! I've never understood why anyone would want a fake cactus, but they're just so cute!

I came up with my own pattern for them and they're pretty simple and only take a few hours to whip up. 

Materials

Small amounts of green, light brown and dark brown yarn

Small amount of pink crochet cotton/thread

3.50mm hook

2.50mm hook

Cactus

Using 3.50mm hook and green yarn;

Ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 15. Ch 1, turn

Rows 2-15: Sc in back loops only, ch 1 turn

(note: I did 15 rows for the tall skinny one and 34 for the fat, round one)

Join to form tube by sc ch edge and last row of piece together.

You can either leave it showing and be another ridge, or turn it inside out and attach a branch instead. (Or both!)

Gather together the top edge of the cactus (do this at the bottom, as well, for the round cactus) and fasten so it makes a round-ish top. 

Branch (optional)

Using 3.50mm hook and green yarn;

Insert hook into side of cactus near seam and draw up loop. Sc 6 in a circle by drawing up loops through stitches on main part of cactus, join with ss to 1st sc and ch 1.

Making the starting round for the branch 

Rounds 2-3: sc 6, join with ss to 1st sc, ch 1

Round 4: *sc2tog. Rep from * around. Fill with stuffing/yarn scraps before binding off and sewing opening closed.

Flower

Using 2.50mm hook and pink crochet cotton;

Make magic loop, ch 1 and sc 10. Join with ss to 1st sc.

Round 2: *ch 1, 3 hdc in next sc, ch 1, ss in same sc, ss in next sc. Rep from * around and join with ss to first sc. Bind off and sew to cactus.

Pot

Using 3.50mm hook and light brown yarn;

Make magic loop, ch 1 and sc 6. Join with ss to 1st sc, ch 1.

Round 2: *sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (12 sts)

Round 3: *sc in next 1, sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (18 sts)

Round 4: In back loops only, sc around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (18 sts)

Round 5: *sc in next 2, sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (24 sts)

Round 6-7: sc around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (24 sts)

Round 8: *sc in next 5, sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (28 sts)

Round 9-11: sc around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (28 sts)

Round 12: In front loops only, hdc around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (28 sts)

Soil

Using 3.50mm hook and dark brown yarn;

Make magic loop, ch 1 and sc 6. Join with ss to 1st sc, ch 1.

Round 2: *sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (12 sts)

Round 3: *sc in next 1, sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (18 sts)

Round 4: *sc in next 2, sc inc. Rep from * around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (24 sts)

Round 5: sc around. Join with ss to first sc, ch 1. (24 sts)

Bind off and sew to pot, stuffing well before closing to get a little mound. Attach cactus and there you have it!

Don't they look adorable on my bedside table? Love them!

Em x

How to Make Adorable Hair Bows

How cute are these?! I've seen them all over Pinterest and decided it's about time I make my own, just in time for summer!

This does require some sewing, but hot glue or fabric glue can be used instead :) I just find sewing a lot quicker and less messy. You will also need a hair tie, bobby pin or whatever you want to attach your bow to.

Step 1: Cut out a rectangle of fabric. Mine was about 25cm x 17 cm, but can be changed to suit the size bow you would like. The smaller blue one was probably about 20 x 12 cm.

Next, fold the two lengths into the middle, followed by the other two sides, making sure to tuck in the raw edge. I then quickly pressed the folds with an iron, just so they'd stay flat, but this is optional.

                                            

Step 2: Pinch the top and bottom of the rectangle together, in the middle, and secure with a few stitches/glue. If you're new to sewing, I find it easiest to thread one end of the thread through and tie it in a knot to the other end, making a loop of thread with the needle on it. This makes it easier to tie off when you're done and avoids the stress of re-threading :)

Step 3: Cut a small rectangle of material and fold the lengths into the middle, similar to the bow. Wrap this strip around the middle and attach it to the back, then sew the ends together like so...

And wallah! Sew this to a hair band or slide a bobby pin under the middle and there ya go!

I can't wait to make more of these :D

(I promise my hair's clean... It was the flash!)

Em x

My Two-Cents on Feminism

There's been so much debate over feminism lately and after reading Loepsie's  post on how she became a feminist, I've been inspired me to write about my views and thoughts on the topic. :)

First of all, a disclaimer; for me, being a feminist is believing men and women have equal rights and opportunities and furthermore acting on this belief... So that's the sort of premises this post will be based upon.

I suppose I do identify as a feminist, but I feel there's pressure on people to either be completely for it or against it and have a solid view and opinion. I believe being a feminist is being made into something it's not and it's being blown out of proportion. It's undoubtedly amazing how far the feminists of the world have come since the 1960's and there's obviously still inequality, but what I don't understand is why such a big deal is being made over acts of feminism, such as Emma Watson's HeForShe speech (I surely couldn't write about feminism without mentioning her, could I?).

I am in absolute agreement with Watson in what she is advocating, but it frustrates me how people are suddenly making a huge deal over the idea of gender equality, as if it's a radical new ideology that came out of no where. What I'm trying to say, is that there shouldn't have to be a famous actress making a speech for people to realise that men and women currently don't have equal rights and that they should.

http://www.gannett-cdn.com

This year, for English, I wrote a speech about how I thought Miley Cyrus was a feminist (this was right after her performance at the VMAs). It began with, "I told my sister the other day I thought Miley Cyrus was a feminist. She laughed." I understood why she did, because who would vouch for gender equality, whilst simultaneously wearing next to nothing and dancing in all kinds of provocative manners? But being a feminist doesn't mean you have to be a man-hater, wear ugly clothes and not shower (some weird stereotype I've found a lot of people associate with feminism).

Surely anyone, men and women included, can be a feminist, if they so choose? In my opinion, Cyrus is empowering women, by doing what she wants and not being confined by the rules of our (less so nowadays) patriarchal society. Saying this, I'd never wear the things she does and prefer to be empowered in other ways, but I admire her for her courage and how she is utilising her fame to show society you can be a feminist in whatever way you choose. After all, isn't that what feminism is about? Being able to express yourself and having the freedom to act and say what you please?

Wow, went off on a bit of a tangent there, but I suppose I'm saying that feminism shouldn't be about feminists telling each other what they can and cannot do and that there shouldn't be such big of a deal made over people wanting gender equality. It's upsetting there has to be, though, for the message to get across, but I hope I can make a difference and even if one person reads this and is inspired in some way, I'll be very happy :)

I hope this made some kind of sense to you... It was kind of just my train of thought typed out, but I think I got my point across :)

Em x

Easy Ways to Stay Healthy

I know for me, at least, it's not necessarily easy to exercise and eat healthy... But no more excuses! Here are the ways I stay (relatively) healthy and try to live a healthier lifestyle.

1. Do something you don't hate
Yep, easy as that. I hate running, so I don't run and I hate going to the gym, so I don't go... I prefer walking or doing reps of simple exercises, which makes me feel more confident and motivated to keep doing it, rather than dreading doing a work out. I've also found, for me, doing a 30 day challenge works well, as I find if I know exactly what I'm doing and have a set amount, I'm more motivated to do it. So far, I've completed the 30 plank and sit up challenge and I'm currently starting a 30 abs challenge. This website is really great and has links to challenges targeting specific areas, so definitely check it out!

2. Have a routine
Finding the time to work out was what I struggled with the most, at first, because as soon as I finished school and homework, (not any more! Yay!) I was exhausted and exercise was the last thing on my mind... I found doing it before I had a shower and had had a chance to relax a bit worked well and it became a routine for me, that I pretty much stick to know, depending on how busy my days/evenings are. Find a time that best suits your schedule, so there's a set time you know you're going to exercise. But more importantly, stick to it! And don't forget, it's also important to have rest days, to give your body a break :)

3. Eat foods you don't hate
Similarly to not doing exercises you hate, it's going to be a lot less challenging to stay healthy by eating food you enjoy. Obviously, don't have a Big Mac every day as lunch, but at the same time, don't force yourself to eat boring salads or something you don't like. Pinterest has some great ideas for healthy meals and snacks that don't take much effort or time and it's great motivation if you're still excited to eat, without the excess fats or sugars.

I hope this has given you some motivation and inspiration to start living a healthy lifestyle! It's way more achievable if you do what you enjoy and even having a friend to motivate you along the way! (Shout out to Tianah!!!)

Let me know your best tips for staying healthy and gettin that summer-ready body :D

Em x

Spring Favourites 2014

Hello!
Spring is most indefinitely on its way! I love spring, so I thought I'd share with you my spring favourites...

Pastel Nail Polish

Every year I find myself always wearing pastel colours on my nails, but recently this mint and purple have been my favs.
The mint is called 'Cool As' by Mode Cosmetics and the purple is by Jezy in number 20. They're relatively old polishes, but I think they're both drugstore brands and were pretty cheap ;)

Perfume

I bought this Guess perfume ages ago on sale and completely forgot about it until a few weeks ago. It's called "Guess Girl Belle" and has a really delicate, floral scent. I don't really like sweet smelling perfumes, so if you're the same this one is amazebeans!







Lip Stains

Okay, so this isn't really a spring-specific favourite and I wear this all year around... but it's so pretty! This is in the shade 'Wink of Pink' and I also have one in a more peachy tone ('In the Buff''), but I wear that more so in Autumn. These smell reaaaally nice and last quite a while too :)


Cath Kidston Phone Case

I was after one of these cases for ages, before I finally bought one last year at the Royal Show. As you can see, it's a bit worse for wear, but the floral pattern is so pretty and spring-like :)
I absolutely loooove Cath Kidston's collections and if I had the money, I'd probably buy everything on there.... Here's the link to her website :)





Songs of Spring

The top three songs I've been listening to lately are...
1. Blame it on Me George Ezra
2. Title Meghan Trainor
3. Oceans Hillsong United

What are your favourites for this spring? :)

Em x