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#Christmas Gift Guide

 

Astley Clarke Gifts

#Christmas Gift Guide

It is coming to that wonderful time of the year when the mulled wine is flowing, the crackers are popping and Mariah Carey is playing at full volume! With all the celebrations filling our diary it can often be quite hard to get out to the shops to buy your nearest and dearest those special gifts!

Well this year I have tried to make the search a little easier by listing my Christmas Gift Guide inspired by #BFF

To keep it current I have separated my friends out by their hashtags! We all have them!

Hope you enjoy and any questions… comment below!


Gifts for your #OOTD friend: Astley Clarke

We all have that friend… the one that nails the #ootd every day. With so much style, what on earth could you get her?!

Well, no more fear Astley Clarke have the perfect piece for you. Exquisitely made and invitingly stylish; their price ranges start from just £20.

My current favourite piece is the Black Spinel Evil Eye bracelet in Black. Exotic but stylish – perfect for that friend who is A-Game on the gram.

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Gifts for the #COFFEEADDICT: Cru Kafe

cru kafe gift guide cyntra in the city

Yep, we all have that one friend…

The Coffee Snob.

The one who leaves you baffled when they make their order of coffee ‘I’ll have a full skim piccolo latte with dusting on the side…’ (jokes- I know that made no sense)

and god forbid you to go to make them instant…

Well look no further Cru Kafe have you sorted. Providing coffee to some of the most well-known establishments in the country; their coffee and accessories is the perfect gift for your #coffeeaddict friend.

Order the Discovery Edition (pictured below) for just £21. A great way to have fantastic ethically and sustainable sourced coffee from your nespresso maker.

or

The perfect Secret Santa gift of the Keep Cup for just £16. This mug is ideal for coffee lovers who want to be able to enjoy their favourite beverage any time, any where! So they can get up in the morning and grab their brew and run!

cru kafe gift guide cyntra in the city

 


Gifts for #CLEANLIVING: La Eva

Clean living? Clean eating? Organic? Sustainable? What gift would be perfect for your world conscious friend? Well, let me introduce you, La Eva.
Anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with this brand! From their beautiful packaging to the organic and glorious ingredients inside, La Eva is the perfect gift for that green goddess friend of yours this Christmas.

If you haven’t heard of this delightful brand you are about to go on a journey of artisan discovery. La Eva, born out of a small town in Oxfordshire, is run by a pixie-like, incredibly creative, and quality striving individual called Louisa.

Soil association certified and gorgeously organic – this brand really sets itself into a different league.

The products

When you are introduced to the products you are instantly hit by their incredible design. Paint textures of hues of blue or pink, the eyes are enlightened. If you head to their website La-Eva, the paint texture theme continues, with incredible depictions of colour created by Rose-Marie Caldecott. But before I get distracted with how visually beautiful the products are – let us talk about what the products are like.

The range is split in two: Roseum and Blu. The product ranges take you down two sensory routes. Created with the highest quality ingredients, La Eva, believe that every product should be gentle enough to be used on the face and therefore it is gentle enough for the rest of the body.

LA eva blu review Christmas Gift Guide

This is the perfect gift for the conscious friend who sources their ingredients with ultimate care.


Gifts for the #FOODIE: bowls of goodness

This is the one for that friend who can’t take a bite without first getting the gram!

Gorgeous creations which will hype their feed to the next level – the bowls of goodness will leave your mouth watering and their #foodporn photos poppin’

Christmas Gift Guide

It is currently selling for just £5.99 down from £16.99 so grab while you can. This gift is so gorgeous I even ordered one for myself…tut tut I know!


Happy Gifting!

Balance/ Recipes

Boxing Day Treats: Fitty London

Retro Fonts

The big day is over and Boxing Day is here…

But the gifts have not finished.

fitty

Today I got a little surprise in the post from Fitty London

fitty london: the new fitness box fuelling the city’s sweat game.

Fitty is an exciting new brand delivering hand-packed boxes, bursting with a surprise selection of fitness foods and workout products, delivered right to your door. All the best new brands, fitness trends, and accessories that come perfectly packed to you…it’s like Christmas all over again!

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From protein powders and superfoods to resistance bands and skipping ropes, the boxes feature much-loved brands fresh off the health shop shelves, as well as up-and-coming startups and under the radar discoveries.

I cannot stop myself drooling over the Coconut Almond Butter…PASS ME THE RYE BREAD!

 

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This month I got the Blake Box containing…

Neat nutrition protein powder: Started by two ex GB athletes, Neat creates high quality protein without any of the CRAP.

Wunderworkshop Turmeric Powder:  A wonderful company providing sri lankan 100% organic turmeric. Anti-Inflammatory and a powerful anti-oxidant and you can literally put it in everything

Beefit Biltong: Developed with the Harlequins rugby team, BEEFit biltong is made from 100% british beef and has 21.6g per bag!

Wyldsson Promix: A beautiful mix of flavours to add to your morning porridge or smoothie

Pip and Nut Butter: OMFG coconut and almond butter…

Cano Water: Stylish water in environmentally conscious packaging.

Bounce Ball: Yummy Mint Cacao Ball – I think this just blew my mind.

Resistance Bands: These bad boys are great for adding resistance to any exercise and really getting in there with those small muscles!

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The company, which prides itself on its bold and sassy personality and sleek design, launches in January 2016, with a soft launch throughout December. Boxes will be sold exclusively through their website as an ongoing subscription for £29 per month, and a limited number of one-off boxes will be available for £30.

Happy Boxing Day – Get your box ordered from http://fittyldn.com/collections/subscriptions

Balance

Seasonal Styling: Workout gear to strut into the New Year

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This week I have been updating my Workout Wardrobe ready to start the New Year with a bang!

fabletics

There is nothing like hitting a new workout, new plan and new goals with a wardrobe to support. It inspires you and it motivates you to get up and move.

Gym clothes should be treated with the same level as your work clothes. They need to be suitable, supportive, stretchy and stylish!

There are lots of places on the internet where you can get new clothes but here are my seasonal suggestions

My new garms consist of:

Wellicious:

 

wellicious

This cute catsuit is perfect for yoga, stretching and jogging. 
Launched in 2009 by Heike Schnell, a passionate yogista and mother of three who found it difficult to find clothes for her yoga class that combined fashion, comfort and the eco-friendly aspect. Wellicious was set up with a mission to create eco-premium performance apparel for the growing number of individuals interested in sustainable, healthy living and being active but who do not want to sacrifice style for practicality.

The team who work at Wellicious are great so if you have any questions just shoot them a message.

Fabletics:

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So chic – I love this!

 leggins

top fab

Fabletics is great. Its chic, Stylish and has clothes for every type of workout.

You can go online and put in your size, likes, colours and needs and leave it up to Fabletics to put you outfits together!

Kate Hudson is the co-founder of a great company where you can order gorgeous clothing. It holds you in so makes you feel slim, strong and sexy. You can use their VIP but remember to skip or you will get charged £44 a month!

This whole outfit: Leggings and two tops came to £76

NOW THAT IS A STEAL

Footlocker:

footlocker

These are my favourite shoes of 2015. Not ideal for working out in but if you are running from work to the gym – they can style a suit and a workout outfit and give you swag!

Footlocker have every style to meet your need so head online or instore and grab the creps you need!

So tell me: What are you wearing this season?

Balance

Last Minute Stocking Fillers Right From Your Office!

Its not long left till Christmas is here!

You’ve been super organised but there are just those little extras still outstanding…

Here is my little gift guide for those presents that you can get online without the mad rush in the shops

For your BFF

This beautiful book is the perfect addition for a friend who’s looking to start 2016 with a nutritional bang!

For your Man

MEN'S HEALTH LIFEBOX DECEMBER

Lifebox do cute boxes filled with Mens Health nutritional goodies. Tasty, nutritious and delicious. This is the perfect addition to the stocking this year!

For your Mama

Every nurturing lady deserves to be nurtured throughout the day. Check out Clean and Lean Tea Infusions to find the perfect blend. This really is a great addition to show you really care.

For your Dad
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum

For the number one man in your family’s life… add that little extra with Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum. A blend of gentle, hydrating botanicals that possess skin-calming properties allow a close shave without assaulting or aggravating skin.

and finally for the furry little friend…

Animal

Look after your woofer this Christmas with Aesop Animal. A gentle cleanser for the furry-er of friends…This mild skin and fur wash gently cleanses and deodorises and has been tested to the same standards as the human products.

Well that is it for my additional stocking fillers! Any more suggestions please comment below

Don’t let Christmas raise those stress levels. Hop online, beat the crowds and let the post man do all the running around for you.

The countdown is on!

Balance

Exercises to Slim for Office Christmas Party!

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Christmas party season is well and truly in the throws! Drinks here, meals there and the after party.

So what is the trick to get ready for that little black dress?

Here are my tricks to slim down for the slinky black dress.

xmas party

80/20

It is all about nutrition to beat the bloat. Cut out white carbs, sugar, alcohol (unless at the party), reduce salt and UP THOSE VEGGIES.

The above can lead to that little bulge that pops out in the lower stomach… the dreaded bloat. By upping your veggies and reducing the list above you can wiggle straight into your dress and feel as confident as ever

8 minute abs

This video is my go to! You get results in days and you can really feel it working. 8 minutes before your morning shower is nothing! So get crunching

Eat more protein

Protein fills you up and doesn’t make you bloat. Make sure you don’t go hungry: load up with eggs in the morning, salad and protein at lunch and in the evening keep on track with lots of veggies and more protein.

Eating Out

Tis the season to be jolly after all. When eating out with friends make wise choices. You can’t really go wrong with asian especially Japanese. Stay away from sugar loaded cocktails and stick to champagne and prosecco.

If you do drink a little too much…don’t succumb to the late night munch – drink a pint of water and get yourself to bed

asian

HIIT

If you really want to look super strong, trim and lean – get those hiit sessions in. 3 times a week will really make the difference.

The Body Coach is my favourite. He is such an inspiration and really nice guy – so get in the know!

Sleep

Sleep, sleep and sleep as much as possible. When you’re properly rested you make better decisions. It also helps with recovery for muscle building and keeping your stress levels down.

If in doubt – go and have a nap

Wishing you all the fun in this festive period

Stress Free Style

Roses are Red, A/W 2013 is Blue

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This autumn and winter its time to dig deep and bring out those cool shades of blue.

Paired up with a high waisted black jean, slick white capri pants or some denim – Blue is a firm fixture till Christmas

Chanel has brought out a limited edition nail polish: Magic – perfect to accompany any shade of blue chosen.

Navy is the perfect tone…xxx

blue

Balance

Today’s Workout – Walking to work

As Autumn descends and the nights are getting darker, we naturally feel the inclination to hibernate. Our instinct tells us to start preparing for the winter and our motivation to be outdoors starts to diminish. This may also have a significant impact on our motivation to get up early and go to the gym or pop out in the evening after work for some exercise.

 

This October I am challenging myself walk to work to combat my urge to remain in my duvet all the hours not in work.

Walking is proven to be the most effective form of gentle exercise the body can do which means you will not be shattered when you get to work but you are still burning those calories lost in the hours in the gym. Walking doesn’t require any fancy gym clothes – all you need is a decent pair of trainers and hat and some gloves… oh and a few tunes to keep the beat.

Walking burns on average around 250 calories in 3 miles – which is about 45-60 minute walk depending on your speed. It tones your muscles especially in the areas us girls like – the butt and the thighs and keeps your heart healthy.Powerwalking vs pyjamas

We are creatures of comfort – so use the Autumn season to your advantage and keep active in the run up to Christmas

 

Balance

Today’s London – Brixton Kitchen – Brixton East

Unlike most Sunday nights where I find myself tucked up in bed watching Homeland – Sunday the 1st of December was going to be a night like no other.

BRIXTON KITCHEN

Alice and Anna have set up a wonderful idea of hosting supper clubs in Brixton from their very own Brixton Kitchen. They create simple, wholesome, nutritious and delicious food that quite honestly is fabulous. (www.http://brixtonkitchen.wordpress.com)

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I arrived at Supper Club held at the beautiful venue of Brixton East. Upon arrival I was handed a welcomed warm and spicy mulled wine as I walked into the architectural delight that was chosen as the venue.

Mingling among friends and nibbling on chili cardamon popcorn – we took our seats as the supper club began

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We sat around the table – approximately 20 of us – and within minutes our beautiful starter of Pickled pear, Gorgonzola, chicory and caramelized walnuts. The pear melted in the mouth and the Gorgonzola set of the flavours in such a way it was like a romance on my tongue

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More conversation and the BYO policy was in full swing – we were brought our next course Venison Caserole with juniper and chestnuts, sauteed sprouts and fresh homemade bread. The rich game meat, with the texture of the chestnuts and the juniper flavour was the perfect dish for the cold nights we are entering into. The sauteed sprouts added the vegetables factor and matched the game casserole brilliantly.

As our bellies began to fill – I took the opportunity as the wine was being poured to take an exploratory trip around Brixton East. It is a beautiful venue, a converted barn which has been beautifully crafted into the perfect venue for partys, weddings and a number of other gatherings…

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Our next course arrived – my goodness – Spiced citrus almond cake and vanilla ice cream – one word – Insatiable!

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Dessert was followed by Fresh mint tea, filter coffee and fig chocolate. The perfect finish to a wonderful supper

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The suggested donation for these wonderful nights depends on the venue and night. The beautiful chefs gently and without notice place mugs – that at your own will – you can donate for the beautiful food, the wonderful venue and the perfect evening. Subtle, kind and without a word…

 

 

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If you would like to get yourself involved in one of the wonderful evenings – go to the girls facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BrixtonKitchen  or their blog www.http://brixtonkitchen.wordpress.com/ and follow the girls to find out more dates.

Wonderful food, wonderful venue, wonderful evening

xxx

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p.s Alice the chef above will tell me off for this photo – but she deserves a shoutout xx

 

Balance

Today’s Style – White is back for Winter 2013

Winter Wonderland is upon us…and its White

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This December bring back the cool and chic white look1452581_10151830736828285_1779043209_n  article-2462611-18C503D200000578-355_634x886

It can be worn for work, Christmas Parties, casual and nights out.Free-shipping-fashion-Leisure-suits-women-s-clothing-sets-2013-New-Fashion-top-and-short-skirt imgee95a15142a236b25361be08b89a27e6

Feel confident with this wonderful colour

Pair it with a deep red lipstick – Chanel and Dior rouge are my favourites

Splash some colourful nail polish

And you will be the Snow Queen of this Season xxx

http://www.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/Universe-rouge-allure-moire-162221

http://www.dior.com/beauty/en_gb/fragrance-and-beauty/make-up-and-cosmetics-by-christian-dior-lipstick-m/lips/lipsticks/fr-lipsticks-lipsticks.html

Recipes

Stress-Free Snack Preparation

Stress Free Food PreparationStress-Free Food Prep

When you go to work if you do not spend that extra 20 minutes planning your food for the day – there is a high chance that your healthy eating will be scuppered. When we are hungry or our blood sugar levels are low – that is when healthy eating goes out the window.

Pret, Starbucks, EAT, M&S and all the other morning shops all provide breakfast, snacks and lunches are full to the brim with crap: refined sugar, simple carbs, high saturated fat and all kind of chemicals that send your body loopy when all it wants is some fuel for the day!

Refined sugar and simple carbohydrates spike your blood sugar which means you have huge highs followed by crashes – which lead you to want to eat more as you feel tired, sluggish and cannot concentrate. Starting your day with a cake is not the path to healthy living.


You need to make sure you have a solid clean breakfast, a healthy snack at the ready for eleven-sies, a yummy lunch and an afternoon snack to make sure you don’t fall victim to the cakes, sweets and Christmas snacks…yes that season has begun!

Load your desk with nuts, fruit, hummus and veggies to make sure that if hunger strikes you are prepared!


Healthy Eating Plan

Morning snack – Blueberries

Lunch – Tuna, Sweetcorn, half fat creme fraiche, salad and tomatoes

Afternoon snack – homemade hummus and carrot sticks

All the colours of the rainbow for a office day 


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Balance/ Stress Free Style

Today’s Style – Anna Sui at ASOS

Look what has arrived at ASOS!

Anna Sui has created these exclusive make-up sets for ASOS. Minnie Mouse make-up and lipstick palettes! A must have Christmas present!

Launched in the late ‘90s, American designer Anna Sui’scosmetics line is as coveted for its luminous light-reflecting shades as it is for its collectable packaging. With a nod to the fantasy world, her recent Minnie Mouse collection of lipsticks, mascaras and nail polish is designed to give a grown-up reboot to the Disney icon.

 

anna sui1 Anna sui2

http://www.asos.com/Anna-Sui/Anna-Sui-ASOS-Exclusive-Minnie-Mouse-Make-Up-Set–1/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3464100&SearchQuery=anna%20sui&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Multi

Go get yours today! Love it and love Disney xx