Lashhed by Sarah

Like almost every woman on the planet (unless already blessed with them) I have always wanted long luscious lashes. I’ve tried many mascaras, carried curlers in my clutch, and envied those that are graced with the good genes. I hated the heavy feeling of wearing a set of fake’s out and feared for dear life that they would start sliding down my face mid boogie. I knew getting eyelash extensions was an option, but it just didn’t seem for me. I had seen results that were a tad less then pretty and heard horror stories of going lash bald afterwards. This was until a good friend of mine decided to make it a hobby. She studied a course, practiced on her mum and soon enough was giving lengthy lashes to those in need. I decided to give it a go, and boy I am not looking back! They are amazing. It’s like everything I ever dreamed of and more. I can wake up in the morning, no face on, hair a disarray, and feel like I don’t look as half deceased anymore. Sarah has a real talent for making them still look and feel au naturel. She works her magic from the comfort of home, based in Adelaide, Australia, and I can say it’s worth the long lie down. It’s actually so relaxing I nodded off a couple of times. Ladies, I need not persuade you any longer, just check out her social media pages and you will understand what I am banging on about!

For the whole month of July she is offering a full set of extensions for only $35! Yes, you read that right. It’s ridiculous so make sure you jump on board before you miss her introductory offer.

Contact her via:

Facebook – Lashhed By Sarah

Instagram – @lashhedbysarah

My Go-To Breakfasts

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I 100% back that. It kick-starts your metabolism allowing your body to easily digest food for the rest of the day and gives you the energy to go about your day with your usual swagger. I’m the type of person who likes to change things up quite regularly, I get bored very easily especially when it comes to repeating foods. Therefore, I have a small selection of my favourite breaky’s that I change between each day. This means I’m not thrashing a certain food and end up never wanting to see the sight of it again… Each is an easy combination of ingredients that are great to fuel your body and leave you feeling satisfied until 12pm comes around. If you find you’re getting sick of your usual breaky routine, try these to change it up!

Porridge

I know what your probably thinking.. Porridge is pretty average. But stop right there! You can add so many different ingredients to porridge to make it tastier and better for you then what it already is. My two favourite combos would have to be porridge with warmed berries and nut mix, or banana, cinnamon and chia seeds. You can even mix in peanut butter or cacao nibs! It’s probably one of the most filling and beneficial breakys you can feed yourself, and just like the rest, it’s a piece of cake (I wish) to whip up.

Vegemite + Avo on Rye Toast

What a weird combo you might say, but don’t judge until you try it. If you’re an avocado crazed fan like myself, and you also enjoy the salty taste of a lil’ vegemite spread, then I can assure you your tastebuds will know what heaven feels like after you combine these two. I choose to have this on dark rye bread as it is good for digestion and leaves you feeling fuller for longer. I also use ‘Nuttalex’ over butter as a dairy free option. Deeeeeeelicious!

Homemade Granola

Granola is such a healthy breakfast meal, especially if you make it yourself. You are able to cut the crap that store brought brands might add in, such as sugars and preservatives. There are hundreds of granola recipes you can access online or in cook books, and most of them are fairly easy to whip up. I do enjoy my cooking, but you won’t find me slaving over the kitchen stove for anything longer then about an hour. I like things that are quick and simple, so if your anything like me then here’s your best bet…

Cacao & Puffed Quinoa Granola

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (25g) raw cacao powder
• ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 cups (280g) hazelnuts, roughly chopped
• 3 ½ cups (105g) puffed quinoa
• 1 cup (130g) slivered pistachios
• ¼ cup (45g) black chia seeds
• 1 cup (75g) shredded coconut

Method

• Preheat oven to 180C and line tray with baking paper.
• In a small saucepan, combine cacao, maple syrup, vanilla extract and water over low heat.
• Wisk for about 2 – 3 minutes or until warmed through and the cacao has dissolved. Pour into large mixing bowl.
• Add the hazelnuts, quinoa, pistachios and chia. Mix well to coat.
• Spread over the baking tray and cook for 25 minutes, stir halfway.
• Sprinkle coconut over the top and cook for a further 5 minutes or until crisp and golden.

This recipe is curtesy of the cooking goddess Donna Hay and her recipe book ‘Light + Fresh’ issue 4. I can highly recommend all the ‘Light + Fresh’ cook book range, they are chock full of amazing recipes and I am in love with the photography. This granola keeps for about two weeks in an air tight container. I enjoy it best served with a dollop of vanilla yoghurt, sliced banana and blueberries.

Peanut Butter, Banana + Cinnamon on Rye Toast

This combo is extra filling and extra tasty. On toasted dark rye bread I load up with a crunchy peanut butter spread, slices of fresh banana, a pinch of cinnamon sugar plus a light sprinkle of chia seeds for some of dat omega-3 goodness. It’s a simple breaky if you have the ingredients on hand, and except for the banana, they keep for ages. It’s a good choice if your feeling something on the sweater side, but don’t want to deal with the guilt afterwards!

The Standard Smavo (Smashed Avocado)

When I first became obsessed with smavo, I was simply too lazy to make it myself. I just assumed there was too much effort involved especially for breakfast when you’re generally needing to be somewhere, and for some, already running late. This was until I actually tried it one day, and found it was a whole lot easier then I thought. I create my smavo using half an avocado smashed together with sliced cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice spread over two slices of rye bread with salt and pepper to top. It’s a great breaky idea if you feel like treating yourself to something a little special.

Chia Pudding

Chia puddings consist mainly of chia seeds (surprise!), which are great for your health. You can enjoy these as an easy and ready-made breaky, or a slightly sweeter but guilt free dessert. There are plenty of recipes online to try out and find your favourite. The main gist of things is to mix 1 cup of your favourite type of milk with ¼ cup chia seeds. After it thickens and the chia seeds start expanding, it is ready to pour in jars and set in the fridge over night. In addition to this you could also add a berry mixture, peanut butter, cacao nibs, mango, nut mix or anything else you wish to make your pudding a tad tastier or a bit on the sweet side. The chia mix keeps for up to four days in the fridge, making them such a great grab-and-go morning treat.

Breaky Tip: Basically just always have avocados in your fridge.

Homemade Coffee Scrub

Everyone wants to have naturally healthy and youthful looking skin, and we go through so many products, home remedies and routines trying to find how to achieve that. Finding what works for you can amount to spending thousands of dollars on different products, as advertising so easily sucks us in to buying the ‘next best thing’ for our health and skin. What many people don’t realise is that it’s quite easy to create your own home-made versions of these skin treatments right out of your own kitchen, and for half the price. The ‘Coffee Scrub’ has recently become one of the more popular methods to cleansing and purifying the skin. I know of many online companies selling their own coffee scrubs using social media as their main form of advertisement, which is very smart given todays generation thrives off social media and online entertainment. These companies tend sell a bag of their coffee scrub for around $20 to $30 for 200g, which isn’t much. I’m here to tell you that you can very easily make your coffee scrub for less then $20 and it will last a whole lot longer!

The key ingredients in the scrub is coffee grind, coconut oil, salt and sugar. Caffeine is amazing for your skin in many ways. The coarse grind is great for exfoliation and improves circulation. It can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks giving your skin a youthful, radiant and firm appearance. Caffeine also has anti inflammatory properties and when applied to the face it can reduce puffiness around the eyes. Coconut oil is great for retaining moister in the skin. It contains fatty acids, which are a strong disinfectant, vitamin E, for healthy glowing skin and antioxidant properties, which help to maintain an even skin tone. Along with salt and sugar, the scrub has therapeutic benefits, is a natural purifier and prevents skin against harmful toxins.

Below you will find the recipe I created and use to achieve all those positive benefits for my skin. So ladies, don’t fall for all the online advertisements claiming their coffee scrub is the best going around. Save yourself a bit of cash and experiment making your own coffee scrub. This will also ensure you skip any nasty’s that could be involved in a big chain company’s product, like artificial fragrances or chemicals. Just a warning for those wanting to try this out… Your bathroom will definitely reek of coffee once your done, make sure you leave the fan on or a window open!

Ingredients

• 1 x pack of ground espresso coffee beans
• 1 x jar of coconut oil
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of sugar

Method

1. Heat roughly two tablespoons of coconut oil over the stove until liquefied, then take off heat.
2. Mix to that two heaped tablespoons of the coffee grind, salt and sugar.
3. Rinse your body under warm water to open the pores.
4. Rub the scrub onto your body and face in circular motions, leave for a couple minutes, then rinse off.
5. Repeat once or twice a week to achieve that glowing youthful skin!

The Dream Feature Wall

I love the fresh and natural look of a man made timber feature wall. Light wood can brighten the room while a darker tone can add elegance and a sophisticated feel. It creates an ultra modern appearance and is very easy on the eye. My absolute dream would be to have light timber walls throughout most of my house, however, it would be quite an expensive project. I think settling for one main timber feature wall in the bedroom will have to do me. Paired with crisp white bed linen and some bright greenery, it creates the perfect place to lay your head peacefully. Purchasing all the timber panels could definitely add up in cost, obviously depending on which type of wood you would like to use. For a cost efficient and just as importantly environmentally friendly approach, you can source recycled timber from salvage yards. This would create a much more rustic feel while still being very aesthetically pleasing. However, using this form may involve a lot more work for yourself, including cutting and sanding down the wood. The hardest part would be sourcing pieces of wood which will fit together, and lots of them depending on the size of your wall! I cannot wait to take on this project in the future, and cannot wait to see a (hopefully) successful outcome when I do. I can’t assure it will look just like the pictures in the magazines… but I sure can try!

Malobo

Along with a furnishing face lift, Henley Square in South Australia has welcomed new cafe and bar Malobo. Right on schedule with the opening of the remodelled square, Malobo’s doors were flooded before they were even installed. I am still struggling to find a spare table every time I visit, there’s no sign of initial excitement over the establishment dulling down. I am in love with their breaky menu. There seems to be something to please everyone with each option incorporating an unusual ingredient to really get those tastebuds going. They offer a simpler all day kids menu along with a huge variety of savoury plates ranging in size and quantity for lunch or dinner. Their coffees are brewed with fair trade organic beans and they offer a variety of milk options. Did you know you can get your coffee in a bowl? No lie, 3 shots in a bowl to satisfy you coffee addicts! And your going to want a bowl too, the coffee is delicious. What I am yet to indulge myself with is a nice cocktail from the bar in the evening, and it excites me that they also create cheeseboards. There’s nothing like sitting back with your eyes on the ocean, sipping wine and eating cheese, am I right? The interior décor of the place is great with a collaboration of art work by Sydney based artist Brad Eastman and Adelaide based Vans the Omega. I also advise if your just there for a coffee DO NOT look at their cake display, unfortunately for all those wanting to be good this winter it is off the charts, fully stocked with delicious sweets and savouries. For those of you who haven’t paid this place a visit yet, I highly suggest you do. Someone let me know what the cheeseboard is like, please and thankyou.

Location: 257 Seaview Road, Henley Beach, South Australia

Pictured: Coconut buckwheat crepe with fried jamon, feta, pomegranate and coconut chips + long white iced coffee.

Winter Necessities

I am definitely not winters greatest fan. I really dislike the cold and always find it difficult to master what to wear to both look good and manage to keep myself warm. People always seem to suggest rocking lots of layers, but honestly who can be bothered dressing yourself in four different tops and two pairs of pants? Not me. Luckily for us, this season we have been blessed with some styling that is going to set the fashion standards and keep us warm all at the same time! Already having been rocked by some of the greats, like Miranda Kerr and Gigi Hadid, ‘over the knee’ boots have come way back in. I for sure am very pleased about this, although a good pair will probably set you back quite a bit, and I am still yet to purchase mine. This style is great as you can still keep your legs so warm while wearing a leather skirt or even a dress! Another statement piece that’s already being raved about this season is the trench coat. Big coats have always been in, but never really this big. Definitely grab yourself a thick and long trench this winter to keep yourself super warm. Paired with your boots, this style ain’t going out any time soon. This look will probably be expensive, so no shame in outfit repeating either! Simply mix up you’re under layer to keep it looking fresh each time, or pair with a scarf to change it up. I’ll be praying we all stay warm and fashionable this winter!

The Murray River

Few people realise the beauty that’s just outside our back door. Lucky for us, so many scenic sites call Adelaide their home town. I have been fortunate enough to grow up alongside one which I consider to be the most magical, the Murray River. My very large extended family have all shared the ownership of a little green shack along the river since the day I was born. I am so fortunate to have made so many memories there with the most amazing people, you could very well say it has shaped the person I am today. I have learnt so many things at that shack… How to fish, how to water-ski, how to survive with very bad sun burn and how to handle my alcohol (which I still have not achieved successfully). One of the clearest feelings I experienced there was freedom, it was a safe haven, and because of that my parents let me wonder and explore. My best friend and I would disappear for hours, climbing cliffs or chasing dingos. My brother would take me for trips in the dingy, driving way too fast through spaces way too small. And as a family we would explore the other side of the cliffs we faced, whole day trips that left us exhausted and passed out by 7pm.

I understand that not everyone’s family has, or will have a shack like ours, but I do urge you to still pay visit to this amazing place. It can be as little as an hours drive there, you can stay over night or just go for a day trip. There are many camping spots along the waters edge or hotels in little country towns that would welcome a stay from anyone and everyone. With so many activities you could enjoy along the river, it is just as nice to sit back and relax, taking in the serenity the place has to offer. If a large group of you and your mates or family are wanting to pay the Murray River a visit, I can also suggest hiring a houseboat and cruising your way up stream for a week or even just weekend. This is great way to explore, have fun and relax all at the same time.

The Murray River is one hundred percent my happy place. I am so glad my family told me to enjoy it while I was young. They warned me that once I started working I wouldn’t be able to make it up there as often, so I enjoyed every second I could. And now that I am working I have found they were very right. I don’t get to go up there that often. It’s not so much a sad thing, I was prepared for it, but it just means I still make every second count while I’m there. I couldn’t be more thankful to have the upbringing along the river that I did. I hope I can be lucky enough in the future to give my own children the same experience, because I sure couldn’t imagine my childhood, or my life, without it.

Top 10 Acai Bowls around Adelaide

Finding a place that does not only Acai bowls, but good Acai bowls in little ol’ Adelaide can be a difficult task. So I have embarked on one of my greatest tasks to date, to find the most delicious Acai bowls in Adelaide. Sourcing ten was the first struggle I endured, but then ranking them was almost impossible. I will have you know that there is not much separating them, they were all pretty darn delicious. I hope my research and writing leads you on a delightful path of cafes and restaurants to help quench your craving for that sweet berry goodness. Next stop… Top 10 Smashed Avocado, stay tuned.

Combi – Adelaide CBD, Leigh Street

Definitely worth the drive into the city! This tiny window front store does a great bowl, it’s pretty much the only thing they do, but they have nailed it. I recommend going the peanut butter option, sounds odd but the additional blob of crunchy peanut butter to top your Acai makes for an amazing taste. Mixture is great and the toppings are a plenty! A very decent size leaving you very full and satisfied. Price: $14.50

Royal Copenhagen – Semaphore, Semaphore Road

I know what your thinking… no way. I’m here to tell you… yes way. Royal Copenhagen at Semaphore ain’t all just sweets and treats, they do what I consider to be one of the best Acai bowls around Adelaide. The acai mixture is always on point, and what makes these Acai bowls so satisfying is the toppings. They use organic Freestyle Granuseli (an amazing mix of granola and muesli) along with fresh banana and strawberry, shredded coconut and a sprinkle of goji berries, pepitas and bee pollen. I definitely recommend all you Acai bowl lovers to try one of these bad boys, it’s sure to not disappoint! For the price you pay it’s a great sizing and this place is only a stroll away from the beach. What more could you want… Price: $10.90 

The Juice Plantation Co – Adelaide Central Markets

This beach bar market stall offers any of their smoothies to be transformed to a nourish bowl, and in this case, I chose the acai smoothie. They create their mixture with milk options rather then water so the outcome is smooth and creamy. I was unsure on this at first, but turns out it’s actually very pleasant! Toppings were a great variety, the bowl was huge (you definitely get value for your money) and they seem to always be presented to perfection in a sweet love-heart shaped bowl. Price: $13.00

Raw Conscious Eatery – Glenelg, Chapel Street

I love the variety of toppings on this bowl and the presentation is always A+ regardless if it’s dine in or takeaway. It’s pretty pricey for the size however it is quite filling. The mixture is lovely and smooth. Price: $16.00

Bomdia Bowls – Glenelg, Moseley Street

Having heard mixed reviews from Acai fans about this beachside store, I firstly assumed there might be inconsistency with their bowls. I had to check it out for myself, and am pleased to report that my bowl was pretty darn good. They are reasonably priced for the sizing and topped with a decent amount of granola and fresh fruit. What I love is the selection and variety of bowls, all made with Acai. There would be a bowl for every kind of lover! The drizzle of honey was the icing on this health cake making it just a good amount of sweet. Price: Small – $9.00, Regular – $12.00

The Organik Store & Cafe – Glenelg, Broadway

This Acai bowl is often a bit inconsistent. Sometimes they are great and others not so much. The toppings are usually pretty jam packed which I love and the granola they use is delicious. However, I’m not a huge fan of it being topped with apple and orange slices (just a personal preference!). Price: $10.90

Raw&More – Findon, Grange Road

This Acai bowl had a great thick mixture and a delicious crunchy muesli mix to top. The size was generous for the price paid, however there was not a lot of variety with toppings and no fresh fruit which I usually love! Price: $10.80

Bacchus Wine Bar – Henley Square

What I really enjoyed about this bowl was the crunchy muesli mix they topped it with and the fresh strawberries, banana and the addition of blueberries, which you don’t often see. What I didn’t like so much was how smoothie-like it was. It definitely wasn’t a smooth mix with bits of berry throughout. There was almost too much muesli mix aswell. It spread throughout the acai and went a bit soggy. Price: $14.00

Red Roar – Hindmarsh, Port Road

This bowl was very sweet tasting which made me a bit unsure at first, I soon warmed up to the flavour and ended up enjoying it. The toppings and granola were really delicious. I do however have a feeling that they are pre-made bowls which I don’t love the idea of, but they are the cheapest I have come across!  Price: Small – $7.00, Large – $10.00

Sportivo – West Lakes, Brebner Drive

An unlikely Acai serving suspect is this Italian restaurant/café. I think this may be a typical case of trying to get in with the ‘cool kids’ but just not quite getting there. The mixture seems a bit OTT creamy, not the way a bowl should be. Topped with plain oats (yeah that’s right, oats…), strawberry, banana and coconut, for the price I paid I was really expecting something great, unfortunately that was not the case. Price: $17.00

 

Or else… Create your own bowl!

Acai bowls are quite easy to make yourself. Frozen Acai sachets can be purchased from most health food stores. To create the mix simply blend one sachet with a handful of frozen mixed berries and banana. Serve the frozen acai mixture in a bowl topped with your favourite granola or muesli, freshly cut slices of fruit and whatever else you enjoy!

The Palms Vibe

I am a collector of prints, I just love them. I have no more wall space in my room for them. I need a home ASAP just so I can buy more. My all time favourite kind of print is the humble one, the single word or simple photograph. By keeping it meek, you can have more without feeling crowded or overwhelmed. Some of the best worded prints I have come across are those hand – written by The Palms Vibe. Each piece created is an original work of art using different coloured foil so that they shine in the sunlight. So precisely designed, framed and even packaged, you can tell that they just love what they do. They also offer personal pieces upon request so you can have whatever wording you wish, meaning it can really represent significance and value. It is such a lovely idea for a gift of many occasions… weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and so the list goes on! You can find their amazing work at various markets around Adelaide. Give them a follow on Instagram to find out where they will be and when. They also have a great website up and running where you can both purchase and custom order your prints.

I love knowing that a print has come from a person… none of this computer generated stuff. It gives me a kind of pride to hang it on my wall, to look at that every day and know someone has worked hard to put it there. The Palms Vibe is a great representation of that ethic. And if you get the same feels as me, you will find yourself very gratified to hang your own Palms Vibe print on your wall too.

Check them out: Instagram – @the_palms_vibe, Website – http://www.thepalmsvibe.com

The Loose Caboose

Tucked away inside the Bowden Railway Station is this gem of a café. Its location isn’t the most scenic to sit down with a cuppa, but what they have done with both the interior and exterior of this place makes you forget about your outside surroundings. The thought of passing trains right outside the windows might make you hesitant at first, but they actually make for an interesting view and spreads such a rustic vibe. The food is what really makes this place something special. There is a great variety on the menu, filled with mostly breakfast staples made extravagant. What I have tried so far has always been nothing but delicious. My favourite meal would have to be the Smashed Avocado. It’s my go-to dish at a place I’m not familiar with, one of my favourite meals, it can be a real make or break. The Loose Caboose is one of the best Smashed Avo’s I have had. Much more ingredients then just your regular, all the flavours combine to give your tastebuds a slice of heaven. Their coffee’s are great too. Someone please tell me what almond milk they use!? It’s out of this world. And if you’re a fan of a good chai latte like myself then you 100% have to try one here. The only down side to this little café is that a lot of people already know how great it is, so it is often pretty busy especially on weekends, and they don’t take bookings. I recommend getting in early, and if you do have to wait for a table, I promise you it will all be worth it when your meal is presented flawlessly in front of you.

Location: 21 First Street, Hindmarsh, South Australia

Pictured: The Smashed Avocado