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. 

Adult Colouring Books

What's the hottest trend for this season? Boho Folk? OTK Boots? Turtle Necks? Nope... It's Adult Colouring Books! 

Earlier this Summer I was browsing in a shop whilst waiting for a friend when something caught my eye. Not wanting to anyone to know I made a note of it, and went back the next day to purchase the desired goods. 

I made my way home with the same excited feeling I get when I buy new a bag or shoes. 

That afternoon I spent the next five hours happily content, feeling very relaxed and taking great care of my new purchase - My Adult Colouring Book and a set of colouring pencils. 

I was actually a little embarrassed by what I was doing, but when a friend came round, she was so envious, I let her colour a page "As long as she stayed in the lines". Then I over heard a colleague at work saying she had one, so I shared my secret too. 

Now it seems to be the new must have accessory or hobby as I have seen more and more people with them! Such is their popularity, that if you check on Amazon now, I guarantee several will feature in their 'Top Ten' sellers list.
Not only does colouring take you back to your childhood, it is also very good relief for anxiety and a great way to de-stress. It's been proven to be such a good source of meditation that even my Yoga Teacher was handing out special Chakra colour sheets after sessions.

Yoga Colour Sheets.

"It is overwhelmingly well accepted among art therapists that repetitive activity using art materials which are chosen by the individual -- that is, which involve some levels of choice, can be soothing to people experiencing anxiety and stress. This is a fundamental and very basic premise of art therapy." - Patricia Fenner, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator Master of Art Therapy. 

We are spending more and more time infront of screens, and on the internet. I often find it hard to switch off, and am terrible for spending the night scrolling through Instagram when I should be sleeping but when I colour I literally switch off from everything spending hours perfecting the colour of pretty intricate designs. It's my own little 'me time' when I can unwind and relax.
(Although I may go on SnapChat and share my work with my fellow colourists out there - who have also given me a tip that fine line felt tips are great to fill in with.)


My current go-to is the 'Can't Sleep Colouring Book' but there is definitely more I want to add to my list. Especially as I am travelling again early next year - what a better way to pass the time on long journeys.

This Vogue colouring book is not released until November - I've added it to my Christmas list! It will be £10 and published by Conran Octopus.

For any aspiring Mermaid's like myself out there! 

You can add this Enchanted Forest scenery colour book to your basket for £9.95 whilst selecting the rest of your autumn / winter wardrobe on ASOS.com 

You needn't spend a fortune either, The Works has colour books starting from £3.00. 

With Colour Me Calm, Can't Sleep, and mind healing books it certainly works out a lot cheaper than therapy! 

Coco Crazy for Coconuts

I wrote previously a few months back about how Coconut Oil was my must-have beauty item whilst travelling. Well since returning I have been testing Coconut Oil in almost everything, I LOVE it. 

I love it for it's versatility, it's results, it's smell, it's taste, it's health benefits... The list is endless. 

Most recently someone recommended I try a dash of it in my Coffee, and OhEmGee it tastes amazing!! 

Groovy Food Organic Coconut Oil £6.99 

Gym Coffee is what my friend called it when I told her about it, and after looking into it I can see why;

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

• Increases Energy
• Speeds Up Metabolism
• Boots the Immune System
• Helps Improve Cholesterol 
• Improves Bone Health 
• Eases Digestion
• Heals Damaged Tissue and Infections 

Don't even get me started on the Beauty benefits! Coconut Oil has a number of uses, such as; 

• Nourishes Dry Skin & Prevents Wrinkles
• Hair
• Athletes Foot
• Sunburn
• Insect Bites (a great help when I was travelling)
• Scars (also helped to heal my insect bite scars when travelling) 
• Make-Up Remover
• Bath Oil
• Eczema (coconut oil is an anti-inflammatory) 
• Massage Oil
• Strengthen Eyelashes 

In fact Coconut Oil is so versatile it can even be used for cleaning!!! 

I use 100% Pure Organic Coconut Oil, from Baan San Fan Children's Orphanage in Thailand where I volunteered back in February. 

 

The Oil is handmade with help from the children at the orphanage and all of the money goes back into the Orphanage and towards the future of the children there.

At the moment the orphanage is desperately trying to raise money for new roofs on the homes that house the children - a small leaking hole which could soon turn into something more disastrous with Monsoon season.

You can purchase their wonderful Coconut Oil (trust me, this stuff is a miracle worker) here; http://www.baansanfan.org/how-we-help-ourselves/products/#oil it costs 200 Thai Baht which is less than £4.

There are also a number of other wonderful products you can buy from them too, all of which is organically made. Simply e-mail your orders to baansanfan@yahoo.com who will then e-mail you a PayPal invoice.

Want to Read More?

My Avocado Cheesecake Using Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil; Travel Beauty Must Have

Baan San Fan Children's Orphanage

My Week Staying at Baan San Fan  

Avocado Weekend

Whilst travelling I did A LOT of eating and drinking. Although the fresh fruit out there was amazing, much of the food in South East Asia is fried and when you are constantly on the go and not able to cook for yourself you tend to just eat when you can and what ever is available at the time. 

I have never been 'fat' but I do tend to get bloated or 'Carb Belly' as I call it, and some areas could definitely do with toning up (I've been saying I want Ab's for over a year now) so now I am back I have re-joined boot camp and am absolutely loving it. I was pleasantly surprised to find out my metabolic age is only 12 years old, and visceral fat is the lowest it can be... I honestly thought I would be 'Skinny Fat' skinny with dangerous high levels of fat inside. 

I HATE gyms, I much prefer to exercise outside in the open and having someone direct you and apply some pressure definitely makes me perform better. Not only that, but at the bootcamp I attend they also offer lots of nutritional advice. I have always known what is good and what is bad for me and do eat quite healthy it's always great to have that extra support and to share ideas and bounce of each other and it's also a bit of healthy competition! 

As a general healthy eater, I am making small changes to make my diet better. One of my biggest cravings is for chocolate and something sweet, so when I saw a recipe for Avocado Cheesecake in Stylist magazine I had to give it a go. 

For the base toast some Pecans and Desiccated Coconut in the oven for around 10 minutes 

Juice around 8 limes to add to the Mashed Avocado mixture for the filling and a teaspoon of lime zest too. 

Once complete, I put in the freezer overnight to set. 

The Finished Product; A perfect zesty crunchy citrus healthy sweet treat. 

You can find the full recipe for this dish by clicking here.

So just like Kale, Avocado is having another moment as an 'it' super food, although I've always been a fan. 

A 'good fat' food, Avocado is also high in Potassium, Fiber and Vitamins K, C, B5, B6 and Vitamin E.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, so at weekends when I have more time I often like to spend more time on it - this dish also including Avocados was delicious after my Saturday morning work out and I didn't feel hungry again till much later in the day. 

Baked Egg in Avocado with a fillet of Salmon. 

Simply crack the eggs into where the Avocado seed is, pop in the oven for around 10-15 minutes along with your fillet of salmon and add a sprinkle of Paprika on the eggy avocado to liven things up a bit.  

Adjusting To Normal Life At Home After Travelling

Six weeks home (par 10 days spent in Greece topping up the Tan). It's been a strange adjustment although not as hard as I thought it could be. Nothing is as exciting as before and I feel I am in limbo, not fully committing myself to anything and with hopes and thoughts of saving for the next trip. 

Here is a list of what I've found the most difficult to adapt to since returning;

. Everything is ridiculously expensive. £60 for Brunch? Are you fucking kidding me? I could feed myself 3 square meals a day for a week on that in Thailand. 

. You have to break the habit of putting toilet paper in the bin now you can actually flush again. 

. You've changed, or you're attitude and outlook towards life has but nothing else has 

. Cooking and cleaning for yourself again... What a drag. 

. Having to answer your parents when they ask where you're going or what time you'll be home. (Often met with a grunt response, as a free spirit I hate to be questioned on anything... Plus if only they knew what I was getting up to travelling half way around the world) 

. Sitting at work and constantly browsing through your Facebook photos and those of people you met who are still travelling. Jel. 

. Strangers on a night out will remain  strangers now, because to talk to people you don't know would be so un-cool (where I'm from anyway... #EssexCliques) 

. Your phone will often be buzzing through out the night at random hours where you're still in touch with those still travelling or who live on the other side of the world. 

. Hopelessly saving for your next trip whilst trying to pay off any debt you acquired from the last one AND not wanting to miss out on anything going on at home either. 

. The feeling of sand between your toes, the sun warming your skin and feeling like a mermaid swimming 

. As much as coming home to your own bed feels amazing it's also pretty lonely to not be sharing a room with people anymore 

. Coming home and catching up on all your series on Netflix then feeling emptier than before once you've finished them. 

. Seeing young children with gizmos & gadgets throwing tantrums and thinking you don't know how lucky you are after working in a Thai orphanage and seeing child poverty in Cambodia. 

But all in all it is lovely to be home, and it does make you appreciate what you have much more!