What I learnt from 2016....

People have been stating 2016 as one of the worst years ever and I'm not denying that some of what happened has been pretty shitty but for me personally it wasn't all bad. 

I spent the first 9 months of the year living and travelling a continent I had always wanted to go to, making some amazing new friends along the way and slowly but surely figuring out what I want to do with my life. 

It wasn't all easy, there has been a few arseholes and learning curves in the way - but it's all experience. 

• Happiness comes from within - you could be in the most amazing beautiful place, with some amazing people but if you aren't happy about something you'll still be yearning for something else.

• Give me adventures over materialistic goods any day - one of the reasons some people say I am hard to please - share secrets, teach me things, show me your'e a good person - I'm not impressed by fancy things. 

• Be low key - there is nothing achievable or fun about being on the scene or being that person seen at a club every weekend that everyone knows of, having a big following on social media but no one to talk to in real life. A private life is a happy life. 

• Keep moving forward - don't look back or keep making the same mistakes expecting different results - some people will never change. 

• Be you - accept it and be happy within yourself. Having work done doesn't make you a bad person but it don't make you a better person either. 

• Stop worrying & have faith - I have drove myself sick this year worrying about minor things - and every time things have worked out OK and fallen into place in the end. What's meant to be will be. 

• Your blessings will always outnumber your problems.

• Be Nice and Work Hard! 

An Open Letter...

Today we celebrate International Day Of The Girl and yesterday it was World Mental Health day, both important causes, both relatable. 

In some area's of life we, as women and girls have never had it better on the downside the pressure to now 'have it all' has never been higher leading to more cases of stress, anxiety and depression.  

Being two years and four months away from my 30th Birthday and not being where I planned to be in life at this stage is stressing me out. Along with the insane pressure to look 'good' mixed in can be a lethal combination for self-esteem an absolute crippling feeling. 

I believe that truly accepting yourself flaws and all is one of the hardest challenges young women are facing today. 

Who hasn't spent hours scrolling through Instagram images of so called perfection (or filtered perfection) and come away feeling crap about theirselves?  I know I certainly have.  

With endless images of girls that are taller / skinnier/ curvier / prettier / flat tummy's / no wrinkles / perkier boobs the list could go on forever, it makes me glad that I grew up before Social Media really exploded - if it can make a nearly 30 year old doubt their self imagine the effect it is having on young teenage girls. 

It is so hard not to succumb to the pressure, and it's something I've been fighting for a long time - I have a lot of friends that have had 'work' and I have a lot of friends that would disown me and be disappointed if I went down that road. 

I have always felt strongly against surgery/fillers but as the pressure mounts I find myself sitting on the fence (on the shady side to protect my sun damaged skin after years of sunbeds and travelling in hot destinations). 

One friend has even booked me in on her next appointment for Botox after I mentioned I was interested but I don't think I am ready. 

Coming from Essex there is probably a lot of girls and boys for that matter who would take one look at me and think 'You were ready for it years ago luv' - they're the ones you have to fight. And why would you want to look the same as them? If everyone looked the same imagine how boring the world would be - but as I continue to torture myself scrolling through the internet that is what I see. 

We teach girls that they can have everything, and they can but at the same time we are ready to tear them down at any minute. What we really need to learn and to teach the future generation of women is to 'LOVE YO SELF' accept who you are, stand with confidence in the face of adversity and people that are quick to judge you on your looks. 

I recently read an interview with Serena Williams talking about the publics opinion of her saying "'It was 'She's too strong', 'She's too sexy', then 'She's too strong' again. So I'm like, 'Well can you choose one?' Either way, I don't care which one they choose. I'm me and I've never changed who I am".

She is absolutely right. There is no point trying to conform to someone else idea of perfection or even our own as you'll never be satisfied. 

Do what makes you happy.

Acknowledge your flaws and learn to love them - I still get spots, my teeth cross over slightly, I don't like my nose, I have lines in my forehead and sun-damaged skin, I've got wonky eyebrows, I have really knobbly knee's that look awful in photos, my boobs increase and deflate more than the FTSE 100 depending on the time of the month, I get a pot belly when I eat too many carbs, I get a double chin, I go ridiculously skinny when I'm stressed or suffering from anxiety. 

But that's me; I'm not the kind of girl that knows all the names of Mac lipsticks, but thats ok and I accept that will probably never be me. I'm much happier on a beautiful island beach somewhere in a bikini with my feet in the sand that I probably managed with all the money I saved from not wearing make-up, with no internet and no-one judging you on looks making you feel you should look a certain way. 

Happy International Girls Day

Happy World Mental Health Day

Peace

xoxoxo 

Ch-Ch-Chick-Chicken... Lay a little Egg for me

So whilst I had two weeks to spare in Thailand, I thought I would head back to Baan San Fan Children's Orphanage where I volunteered last year on my South East Asia travels. 

Set up and run after the 2005 tsunami by Sam and Gai, a lovely Thai couple, the orphanage is a place where vulnerable children can come and receive the care and attention they need. 

Baan San Fan currently cares for 22 children aged from 4 to 16 plus some older children who are currently studying at University - thanks to Sam and Gai. 

Unlike Western societies there is little to no funding for these types of organisations. Gai and Sam have unselfishly dedicated their lives to providing and caring for the children they take in. 

The orphanage runs on donations and the occasional government grant , but mainly from the profits of their Organic Farm. 

The chicken farm here is not only a source of revenue but also a sustainable food supply. Baan San Fan now supplies a number of supermarkets in Phuket and Bangkok with their Organic Chicken Eggs and Meat. 

In order to meet the current demand, they are desperate for more chickens. One chicken costs $10 USD. That's just £7.60!!! Which isn't even the price of a decent cocktail! 

If you would like to donate, it is simply just a Paypal Transaction to the e-mail;  paypal@baansanfan.org

See here for a full list of other projects you can also donate toward to help with the running of the orphanage; https://www.baansanfan.org/projects/

Meanwhile, heres some pictures of the current Chickens raised on the Baan San Fan farm. 

Baby Chicks that were hatched from the Eggs laid at the farm. 

Eagle Eyed Chicken! 

Read more posts on my experience at Baan San Fan below;
http://styleteaandcake.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/ban-saan-fan-children-orphanage-thailand.html

http://styleteaandcake.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/week-2-children-orphanage.html

http://styleteaandcake.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/travel-beauty-must-have.html

Virgin Vegan

If last year was all about Paleo then this year is all about Vegans.

Since living with a Vegetarian and watching her cook creative and delicious looking meals I've become a little interested in learning more about vegetarianism and vegans lately - this interest has been accelerated by my current trip in Thailand. 

I am currently staying in Rawai in Phuket where a lot of the Muay Thai training camps are based as well as lots of Yoga and well-being retreats, so it only makes sense that a number of health food cafes are also in the area. 

My recent favourite is Atsumi Raw Cafe which is 100% Vegan and uses no animal  meats, fats or oils what so ever. And it is delicious and what I found most surprising is that it's totally filling too! 

Yummy Walnut & Macadamia Fig stuffed Mushrooms and  Courgette (Zucchini) Roll with Almond Cheese. 

Rawsanga - a Lasagna type dish with layers of Courgette and smokey Aubergine (eggplant) and Walnut Macadamia and Fig Pate topped with a Mariana Sauce and Almond Cheese.

I love how creative their recipes are, and the setting is so serene. Based on a main busy road you need to drive to get there and the outside may deceive you - but step outside into the back garden and it's so peaceful. The Cauliflower Mint Cous Cous and Chocolate Protein Balls are also a must-try! 

We also went to try another Raw Resturant today, on the side of their wellness and detox resort is the Santosa Resturant in Kata. Unfortunately they don't allow pets and the dog I am currently dog sitting refuses to be left alone - but their menu also looks deliciously inspiring. 

Back in Rawai, another favourite so far is Wilsons. With a laid back style and graffiti walls there's so many tasty high-protein dishes to choose from and the coffee is also great! 

I definitely want to try to recreate some of the Raw Recipes when I get back home, as for sustaining that type of diet I think you have to be super organised and creative - and I love my meat although I will now consider cutting back and using alternatives. 

West is Best

There has always been something about dusk that I have loved, ever since I was a little girl, being allowed to play outside late during the Summer until the sun set always gave me the sense of having more freedom. It is also probably one of the reasons I visited Ibiza for seven consecutive years, for the world famous Sun Set in San Antonio. 

But now I am in Australia and although I've yet to travel the East Coast and despite the fact we just saw off a huge storm this weekend with another approaching, I can still say West has some of the best sunsets I've seen. 

Even during these winter months, the low sun and clouds only accentuate the colours and beauty of the West Coasts spectacular sunsets. 

                    

                    

Scarborough in Perth - my new neighbourhood on the Indian Ocean. 

                 

Spectacular colours in Jurien Bay

                       

The Pinnacles Dessert

    

                            

Kalbari National Park on a recent road trip - very Lion King esquè. 

                          

What No One Tells You About Moving Abroad

Having travelled for long periods of time before, coming home was always the hardest part. So desperate I was for another adventure and not wanting to settle in life I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I made the decision to move to Australia... But as it turns out, if I thought coming home was hard, leaving again was even harder. 

Here's the things that no one tells you nor do you expect when moving abroad;  

You'll meet someone in the weeks before you leave who may be the first person you've (unintentionally may I add) actually liked in a really long time and there is nothing you can do about it so you just have to try your hardest to give it up and forget about it. 

You'll miss the birth of your best friend since childhood first baby and be gutted that you won't get to hold him in those precious first few weeks, as well as missing out on other events like your Dad's 50th.

Although you're surrounded by friends and great people and you're rarely alone you'll feel really, really lonely at times. I've never experienced such a deep sense of loneliness like it before. 

Immigrating is different to travelling, you're paying bills, cooking meals and washing and working.... just in warmer weather.

Your friends at home still can't figure out the time difference even though you've shown them how to set up world clock and your destination on an iPhone. 

Sometimes all you want is a cuddle from your Mum even though she drives you crazy at home... and when you call her. (Yes Mum, I can hear you on FaceTime... You don't need to shout)

You're not sure where you belong, travelling changed me so that I felt I didn't fit in at home, but I don't feel like I belong here either. Although I get told 'nothing changes' or 'nothing has happened at home' very slowly and subtly it does - and you're alienated from it all.

I am still not sure where I belong but I do finally feel ready to lay some roots and settle down but without getting sucked into mundane life, if that is possible? Home is where the heart is I guess, where ever that may be.

Yet despite all of the above, the frustration, the tears, the homesickness I wouldn't change it for the world. Being pushed out of my comfort zone and forcing myself to try things I never would have done before (like skydiving for example) makes the whole thing such a rich and rewarding experience that I am determined to see the journey through to the end, no matter how hard.

New Year New Skin Care Regime

I have never had the best of skin, and as a teenager it made me so miserable which was when I became a little obsessed with eating well and cleansing. I have tried everything, from lotions and potions prescribed by doctors to the contraceptive pill which did work really well - but a few years ago I decided I wanted a break from hormones and chemical induced products and try more natural remedies. 

My Doctor told me that eating well has nothing to do with good skin, but personally I think that's Bull Shit. Unfortunately for me, genetics aren't on my side either, my Dad suffered terribly with acne when he was young so I blame him. 

After a little too much indulgence at Christmas, I can see the direct result of too much cheese and chocolate on my face. So with the New Year brings a much stricter skin care regime. 

My must-have products

 DAYTIME REGIME

Cleanse - Tone - Moisturise 

I wear little-to-no make-up during the day so my morning ritual is quite simple.

I use Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, followed by their Toner and Active Moist. I have combination skin, it can vary from dry to extremely Oily on a weekly basis and Active Moist is great for tackling both, but I often use Dermalogica Clear Start blotting paper come the afternoon or if I am heading out after work just to soak up any excess oil. 

As I am unfortunately getting older I have noticed the need to take care of my eye area more too, so use Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15. 

NIGHT TIME REGIME

I have never used face wipes as part of my skin care ritual (unless at a festival or travelling) and cannot understand people who use them as their only form of cleansing, even though I have many friends who do this. Even at my drunkest state I always manage to wash my face before bed. 

My night time routine differs from my morning regime. To wash away oil and dirt that has built up during the day I use Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser which is a deep-cleansing clay formula designed for oily skin. To get rid of built up dead skin I also exfoliate 2-3 times a week with Skin Prep Scrub. Although I moan about Oil I still need it, to combat dryness and ageing. 

I use Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate as a night time moisturiser, just two drops is enough to massage into your whole face and neck - it also has a lavender smell which is perfect to send you off to sleep. 

Even though I am now in my mid-late twenties I still suffer with spots - and will use Dermalogica Clear Start Emergency Spot Fixer for any looming appearances I can see flaring up. 

And finally... my all time favourite - COCONUT OIL. 

I only became accustomed to this early in 2015, when staying at a Thai Orphanage that produced their own organic Coconut Oil - but now it appears to be on every beauty page and blog.... and rightly so because it is a little miracle worker. 

I received this cute little pot in my stocking this year from Dr.Jacksons, it is the perfect mini-size. 

I use this on my eyelids, as they can get dry and sore in Winter, my lips and cuticles before bed every night. 

So there you have my skin care regime, what's yours? 

Let me know if you have any top tips or products you can't live without.