Things That Make You Go Oooooo (July 2012)

Here I am blogging from my home in Thailand sipping on an ice tea and munching on a mango if only this summer could last forever. I feel like this trip is exactly what I needed to get me inspired and figure out what it is I really want to do in my life so here are a few inspired and fun reads for you to check out this month to get you re-energized and focused:

♥ 20 Lazy Girl Summer Beauty Tips - Just a few simple and easy tips to keep you looking fresh and healthy this summer.

♥ Five Manifestos for the Creative Life

♥ Happiness Is Simple: Why Too Many Choices Make Us Miserable & 5 Ways To Improve Your Life! - This is a great article with some interesting thoughts from my fave blogger Gala Darling, I do believe that less can be more and far too often we like to complicate our lives when the simplest option really is the best.

♥ The Secret - This is quite an interesting concept and I think at it's core it's trying to get us to think about our lives in a more positive light and being positive is something I always strive very hard to be.

♥ That's Why You Don't Have Any Friends

♥ 5 Ways to Use Impulsivity as (jet) Fuel For Your Dream - Some times being impulsive is the best way to get things done!

♥ How To Style Long Hair Short - This is such a cute look and would be perfect to wear on a hot summer day

♥ A Simple Prescription for Natural Healing

♥ I Fly Solo & I Love It - I absolutely love my alone time sometimes it's nice to just go out and do something nice for yourself without having to worry about anyone else.

♥ D.I.Y. Flower Crown - I want to make so many of these for myself this summer.

♥ 5 Things Every Blog Should Have

♥ Hello Kitty Beauty Spa - I would absolutely love to visit this spa, I'm such a Hello Kitty fan and this just looks puuuurfect!

♥ Writing in the Dark - I find I'm at my most creative past midnight a trait which I'm sure my fellow bloggers/crafters share to!

♥ Why You Should Take a Career Sabbatical

♥ Two Dollars - Life is made for living, there's no point sitting on a mountain of money if you don't use it to enjoy life.

♥ 3 Things to Know When Buying SPF This Summer - It makes me so happy to hear they're getting serious with suncare and that those number will actually mean something now!

♥ 50 Ways to Say You're Awesome

♥ Life is a Bowl of Chocolate Truffles - This is such a happy mix I had to share it, play it in the moring and it will put you in a great mood for the rest of the day.

♥ Messy Chunky Beach Waves - The perfect mermaid style for the summer

♥ Summer City Shoes

♥ How To Tie The Perfect Chignon Bun - Buns are a great summer look and perfect for those hot and  sweaty days.

Sunshine & Cocktails

Cate

xoxo

Beauty Blitz: 5 July Faves

I swore to myself that before I hit Skinfood and Watsons to stock up on my favourite skincare products that I would use up what was left of my beauty stash, which now actually isn't that much so I have to give props to myself for being able to resist temptation and not wasting all those products I had hidden away for so long, although no doubt as soon as I set foot inside a Skinfood store I won't be able to control myself but I think after all these months of abstaining I deserve a treat right...RIGHT!?

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

I'm sure I've mentioned this one before but I am absolutely loving it at the moment as it smells just like a strawberry milkshake, I've been slapping that much of it on recently that all I keep hearing is "you smell like strawberries" which has to be the cutest compliment ever!

Balm Balm Coconut Cleanser

When I first tried this I just didn't like it at all it as it was so greasy and hard to wash off however I found if you dab a little bit of it on a cotton wool pad it works wonders as an eye make-up remover. I've been searching high and low for a good eye make-up remover as none I've tried so far seem to do a good job leaving me with panda eyes in the morning but this actually gets every bit of eyeliner and mascara off and is really gentle on your eyes to.

Skinfood Ancient Rice Serum

After I ran out of my regular night moisturiser my mum gave me this to use up and I have to say I love it, it's designed for to firm and moisturise wrinkled skin and although I don't have any wrinkles every morning since I've used it my skin has just looked so fresh and vibrant so it's really worked wonders on brightening my complexion.

Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner

I always try my best to keep my make-up brushes as clean as I can although sometimes I just don't have time to give them a proper cleaning so I use this instead, this is a great product to travel with as it dries really quickly and keeps your brushes fresh and clean which means you can use one brush for multiple colours, great for when you're on the move and don't have your full make-up kit with you.

Blue Lagoon Silica Mud Mask

Iceland stole my heart when I visited there last year so using this not only brings back some great memories but also keep me looking fresh. I really love this mask as it goes on pretty smooth and doesn't dry too hard and it leaves my skin feeling really soft, I only bought a little travel sized sample of it so maybe I'll have to plan another trip to Iceland soon to stock up on more...

Love & Bubbles

Cate

xoxo

Spicy Thai Chicken Cakes

Some of you may already know that I teach Thai cookery classes with my mum so I thought seeing as I'm currently in Thailand enjoying the sunshine and the good food with my family I would share some simple Thai recipes so you guys can enjoy some of that delicious food to.

Ingredients

• 300g Minced Chicken
• 1 tsp Thai Red Curry Paste
• 10 Fine Green Beans
• 5 Kaffir Lime Leaves
• 5 Thai Sweet Basil Leaves
• 1 Egg
• 1 tbsp Fish sauce

 (Makes approx 15 - 20)

♥ Mix together in a blender the chicken, curry paste, egg and fish sauce until a smooth mixture is formed.

♥ Finely chop the green beans, kaffir lime leaves and Thai sweet basil then add this to the chicken mixture and mix together thoroughly.

♥ Take a tablespoon of the mixture and form into small round patties, be sure not to make them to large or thick or the mixture will not cook properly.

♥ Fry the chicken cakes in a deep fryer for a few minutes until they are cooked throughout and golden brown.

Eat & Enjoy!

Cate

xoxo