Secret To Loving Salad

There's something about the bright mixture of greens, reds and yellows that just makes me so hungry, the fact that all the flavors are completely different but go so well together. I'm not taking about a cheese and pesto pizza, I'm talking about a salad!  Now I know most of you are probably thinking "seriously?  I don't want to eat a load of vegetables in a bowl" but just bare with me here. Salad doesn't always have to be labeled as health food, but the fact that it's healthy makes it a guilt free guilty pleasure. It all depends on what's in it so before the season of bikini wearing and skin baring I want to share some tips on how to much yourself fall for this delicious dish and get that summer body without the struggle. 

1. Choose a base green that you love, it doesn't have to be lettuce all the time, you can have: Spinich, Rocket, Cabbage and even Broccoli. 

2. Put small amounts of food you actually like in it, there's no point forcing yourself to eat a bowl of vegetables your hate just because its healthy. I like to add a little bit of cheese, whatever kind you like but Feta is known to be the healthiest. 

3. Meat is the secret to filling you up as salad isn't the most substantial meal. Cold cuts of  ham or chicken placed on top really makes it a lot more appetizing. 

4. The special ingredient that pulls it all together, for example Avocado, Beet-root and even Pumpkin, these help make your salad more exciting and flavorful. 

5. Nuts are also a great way to fill you up, Walnuts and Pine nuts are my favorite just sprinkled over it. 

6. The choice of dressing can make or break your salad, sorry to say that Salad Cream is not the healthiest option and it can turn your healthy meal into an average calorie count meal. Dressing such as Balsamic Vinegar and Lemon dressing are light and full of flavor. 

7. Make sure you think about what mealtime it is, a lunch salad is much lighter than a dinner salad so remember to either have a bigger portion or include more filling and nutritious ingredients. 

8. Instead of having a piece of bread on the side why not try wholemeal crackers, with some light cream cheese spread on, they are far more healthy but still taste nice. 

9. Mix it up, you don't want all the good stuff at the top and the greens left at the bottom, otherwise its too tempting to just leave them. 

10. Have fun with it, get creative and put all sorts of delicious treasures in. Remember if you put small amounts of something a little unhealthy it wont be as bad as a whole meal full of it! 

Happy Eating xx 

The Fake Handbag

Having grown up in Hong Kong, the land of cheap clothes, plastic shoes and fake everything I'm very used to seeing Chanel and Jimmy Choo on market stalls. But as I brought yet another fake bag it got me thinking, what's the difference between real and fake products apart from the horrendous price tag?

 It's a known fact that you get what you pay for, so fake bags will only last you about one year maximum but usually I want to buy a knew one by that time anyway so I just chuck it away and make room for more. Many people would say 'it's the label that counts' but just really how often are you going to open your bag up and stare at the label? also no one passing you on the street is going to know its fake unless they are some serious fashionista. 

It's no secret that the fake trade is effecting sales in the high-end brand stores, but maybe its a sign that they should lower their prices a little. Honestly £2160 for a clutch is steep, you can go on holiday and make memories that last a lifetime, rather then a piece of leather with a metal Chanel label. But even so, why do we crave a label on our bags? it's all about showing off who has more money. Unlike make-up where you benefit from spending a little more, bags come and go and you'll be wanting a new one in 6 months time when they release a new line. 

So in reality people only want to buy a designer bag for the luxurious idea of it, the fact that not many people can afford to and that smug feeling you get when you can say 'oh honey this is real'. I'm certainly not judging you because I admit to wanting all these designer items too, it's an impossible craving. 

xx

Fashion Throwback

It seems the throw back thursday trend on Instagram has caught on in the fashion industry from 20's style cocktail dresses inspired by The Great Gatsby to the return on 90's fashion, our trends are traveling back in time, but is it for the better? 

I feel like the fashion industry has done it all and they may but running out of fresh, stylish and exciting new ideas so they thought "Hey lets bring back the good old times". I'm not criticizing the 90's at all, it's the year I grew up in (which makes it the best!) I just find it hard to rap my head around the fact that I now see the jelly shoes i was wearing at the age of 4 on a full grown adult! 

From chokers to floral print the 90's really covered a lot of ground fashion wise, but I thought i'd show you some of my favorite 90's throwback items of the season. 

The Mini Backpack 

This cute little bag is so adorable and beat carrying around a heavy purse in your hand all day, they  make an outfit look more unique and a little indie. Since they are beginning to trend again new classy leather designs have come out and even brands like Chanel are following. 

Dark Lipstick 

As you can probably tell from one of my eariler posts http://nicolealexandraslater.blogspot.hk/2014/01/my-obsession-with-red-lipstick.html
i love lipstick the darker the better! Having an minimal makeup look with shocking dark lips can really transform any style you're going for. 

Trainers 

 Although trainers arnt exactly the most fashionable shoe, they have been appearing quite a lot on the catwalk, Cara Delevingne paired trainers with a wedding dress in the Chanel fashion show. But I'm really loving the trainer inspired heels, they're cute and casual at the same time! 

High Waisted Everything

High waisted jeans and shorts have been around for a couple years now but it doesn't look like they are going away anytime soon. It's far more flattering for your figure as they make your legs look longer and your waist look slimmer which is always a bonus. 

Crop Tops 

The perfect summer top that keeps you cool as well as decent, they've also been around for a while but the closer it gets to summer, the more unique and exciting prints, cuts and designs these tops are sporting.

What do you think about the 90's comeback and what's your favorite trend? xx

Confidence in Fashion

Confidence has got to be one, if not the most important thing about fashion. A dress can look beautiful and perfect on the hanger but if you put it on and hate it, there is no chance for it. People are always saying how confidence is sexy but they don't express just how important it is in everyday life. From the moment you put on an outfit for the day, you are deciding how you're going to feel. If you put on a skin tight dress that you think might be a bit to small but "never-mind it'll do" you'll spend the whole day covering your stomach paranoid that someone might see a fat roll. But if you put on a dress that you love you'll be skipping around all day and physically appear better looking because you're smiling and strutting your stuff. 

I went through a phase where I brought maxi skirts, I didn't even think I looked good in them but I tried one on in the changing room, went out to show my friend and she thought it looked amazing. That little boost of confidence made me buy it but its never seen the light of day since. Now you might be wondering what's wrong with maxi skirts? And to be honest I see them hanging up and really wish they suited me, but they don't. I feel that they make my hips stand out too much and make me look shorter then I already am, as much as they are seen on and off the catwalks I will never feel confident in one. 

So before the big summer season arrives in stores with hundreds of tank tops and bikini's, I'd just like to say: Just because it's the must have of the season or in every shop you go to, you don't have to buy it, you don't have to try to make it work and you certainly don't have to force yourself to wear it just so that you appear fashionable. Wear what you like and what makes you feel your best, for me the colour black makes me feel confident and although sometimes it may look like I'm going to a funeral, I don't care. Make your own decisions on what you like, don't just follow the trend. 

xx

Beauty Care for Long Haul Flights

 Traveling on planes is never fun it's draining and uncomfortable, being sat in the same seat with minimal space for long periods of time. Even though i've spent a lot of my life on planes i've still not gotten used to the dry air and claustrophobic atmosphere. Since I'm traveling 15 hours tomorrow back to Hong Kong for spring break,  I thought i'd let you in on my tricks and advice to make your flight more comfortable. 

It's all about packing a well prepared and helpfully makeup bag, avoid over packing it though because you don't want you hand luggage being too heavy. Only bring your essential products and pack the rest carefully in your suitcase. I'm sure you can survive half a day without your favorite eyeshadow palette. 

Pre flight, only apply minimal make up such as power rather than foundation, as it tends to lay heavy on your skin, this allows your face to keep as much moisture as possible while flying. Eye liner and mascara don't effect your skin so it's okay to apply as much as you need. Or to make you feel even better don't wear make up at all, unless you're planning to join the mile high club. 

Always pack and apply moisturizers throughout the flight as it makes you feel much better and prevents your skin from drying out and cracking. Also a nice smelling hand cream helps to relax you and make you feel that tiny bit more at home. 

Keeping your lips moist is just as important as your skin, if your lips dry out it could lead to them tearing and possibly bleeding throughout the flight. 

Buying mini versions of all your favorite products saves you for lugging around heavy bottles and means you can bring liquids through customs if they are 100ml or less. 

Deodorant is a must on long flights (you really don't want to smell) I prefer to use the roll on so you an apply it quickly and secretly in your seat rather than making the whole cabin smell like you.

A comb is so much easier to carry compared to a hair brush and trust me you will need it! I always wake up with my hair sticking up in all sorts of angles...not a good look. 

Hope these tips help you feel better about flying, happy holidays everyone! xx