Destination: London

Being a Manchester girl I don't get to visit the busy city of London very often (thanks so very expensive train fares!). But myself and Emily headed down to meet up with our best friend, Emma, who we hadn't seen in five years. After an emotional reunion we had the best weekend shopping, eating and catching up after what felt like a lifetime. I had the best time and if I could I would relive the weekend over and over so I thought I would share a few snaps with you.

All Photography by Emily Brodgen.

Eat: Spinach and Kale Salad

What's in it? 

-Spinach

-Kale

-Sweet potato

-Garlic

-Dried cranberries 

-Chicken

-Red wine vinegar

-Olive Oil

-Honey

   

I have been really into eating healthier recently so after searching high and low for delicious but also healthy looking recipes I stumbled across this. I adapted this recipe from the blog eat-yourself-skinny which has so many tasty looking things to try! Originally I made this with Quinoa, but as I forgot to buy it in (oops), I had to do without. 

I am not a massive lover of salads but this one I can make an acceptation, it is so easy to make so if you're a rubbish cook like me, it's perfect!  

What to do?
- I first prepare by cooking my chicken, usually do this in the oven at around 160 degrees C for 45 minutes (wrapped in tinfoil so it doesn't dry out)
- As the chicken is cooking, I wash peel and dice my sweet potato into (kinda) cube shapes.
- I then put the sweet potato cubes on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil and garlic and pop them in the oven (at about 200 degrees C) and cook them for 30 mins (flipping them halfway through.
- As everything is cooking nicely, I hope, I wash my kale and spinach and put them in a big bowl.
- I then add cranberries, and the dressing.
-To make the dressing I used 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil and a tiny little dash of honey.
- After everything is cooked pop in your potato and chicken and mix together and you're ready to rock and roll.

The original recipe uses Quinoa (which I have tried with this and is also delicious) but I also added in chicken and spinach.

I was always a really unhealthy eater, pizzas, chocolate, you name it, I ate it. It isn't until the past couple of weeks that I have made a conscious effort to eat healthier and actually think about what I am putting into my body. So far, it's going okay, I still can't resist pizza and chocolate but at least it's not every day!

I would love to hear about healthy recipes anyone recommends (preferably for beginners, because I really am an awful cook!) And any healthy eating bloggers links would be amazing!


Original recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Kale Salad

How to: girly day

Today me and my friends Emily and Tessa went all out for a girly day, so as my bank balance is crying I, infact are smiling.  We started the day off at the House of Makeup in Manchester were I had my toe nails done and Tessa had her finger nails done. Emily went next door and had a deep tissue massage. I treated the girls to their treatments for their birthday presents (aren't I a lovely friend?)

We then made our way to selfridges and towards the Mac counter (dangerous, I know) where we each had our makeup applied by a professional and then got £30 worth of products (£42 in my case, oops). I purchased a beautiful lip liner, lipstick and bronzer, I shall do a post on them soon.

After we were fully pampered we went to go get food at the Olive press, it was my first time here and I loved it. It is such a cute little Italian place with the nicest food and for a reasonable price, who can grumble? As I was driving I stuck to coke whilst Emily and Tess drank Prosecco ( and got a little bit drunk). I had the duck pizza which was ammaaaazing, and also the mini donuts because I am obsessed with desserts.

To say all we did was day was relax, spend money and eat I am now so exhausted and at 18.30 pm in my jammys and in bed. Bliss. I am going to finish off my day watching gossip girl after my tea and eating a massive bar of chocolate, why not?

What I wore:

Jeans: h&m £12

Cami top: Topshop £13

Orange floral jacket: Primark £15

Orange/Coral sandals: Primark £8 approx

Matching toe nails 

Detail of the jacket, love.

There is loads more pictures from today on my instagram if anyone is interested, give me a follow :) : 'EMMAKELLYXXX' 

x