My Cosy Night Favourites

The weather in Bogota has been very cold lately, filled with a lot of rain. When the weather's like this I much prefer to stay nice and warm inside. I've become very fond of spending cosy nights in at home. I think it's important to set the mood to get so you can relax more. I love getting into some comfy pyjamas & snuggling under the blankets with a cup of tea & some biscuits.

Here are some of my favourites to help me enjoy a cosy night in.

No. 1

COMFY LOUNGE WEAR

                          

Firstly, I love to get into some comfy lounge wear.  This just helps make me feel all snug.   You can find some of the best lounge wear on the high street this time of year.  During wintertime, the high street sell super cosy ones that are made of soft fabrics, such as, soft fleeces & cottons which make you feel so snuggly when you're wearing them.

These are some of my favourite lounge wear pieces available on the high street at the moment.  I love little fleece pyjama tops & these have been my favourite things to buy.  They're great for wearing around the house with leggings when you want something comfy to wear but don't want to spend the whole day in your pyjamas.

From left to right: Fleece Long Sleeve Pyjama Top (Grey), M&S, £18 | Pyjama Top & Bottoms (Light Grey Marl/Roses), H&M, £19.99 | Supersoft Hooded Long Sleeve Dressing Gown (Grey Mix), M&S, £28 | Furry Slippers with Crossover Straps, Oysho, £17.99 | Above: Bird Print Short Sleeve Pyjamas (Blue), Next, £18

No. 2

SCENTED CANDLES

I like to set the mood by lighting some fragrant candles.  For candles, I really like the brand Jo Malone, my favourite being the lime, basil and mandarin scent. However, they can be on the rather for the pricey side, costing £67 for the standard 200g size. If you don't want to pay these prices, a great alternative are the luxury candles from Aldi. They offer some beautiful fragrances and leave your home smelling lovely. They are also super cheap at £3.99 290g.

                              

                                   

                                 

                         

From left to right: Blackberry Bay Glass Candle, Aldi, £3.99 | Velvety Rose Glass Candle, Aldi, £3.99 | Peony Blush Glass Candle, Aldi, £3.99 | Lime, Basil & Mandarin Glass Candle, Aldi, £3.99 | Above: Lime Basil & Mandarin Home Candle, Jo Malone, £67

No. 3

TEA

                       

One thing that's always a necessity for me is having a wide selection of teas in my cupboard so it goes without saying that a good cup of tea is an essential for me when I'm having a cosy night in.  In general, I usually drink green tea and will reach for this blend on a regular basis but sometimes when I'm feeling adventurous I like to pick out another blend just to mix it up a little.  These are a few of my favourites below.

From left to right: Clipper Sleep Easy Tea (20 bags), £2 | Pukka Mint Matcha Green Tea (20 sachets), £2.80 | Twinings Spicy Chai Tea (50 bags), £2.50 | Twinings Lemon & Ginger Tea (20 bags), £1.70 | Pukka Vanilla Chai Tea (20 bags), £2 | Above: Clipper Pure Green Tea (20 bags), £1.70 (all available at most supermarkets)

No. 4

A GOOD BOOK

As much as I love to sit down & watch a film, I also love reading a good book.  There's something about a book that transports you to another world & relaxes you.

There are a few book reads piling up on my list to read.  In particular, I really want to read 'The Husband's Secret' by Liane Moriarty (the same writer of Big Little Lies).

These are just some of the books I have on my 'too read' list;

                       

From left to right: Surprise Me, Sophie Kinsella, Amazon, £5.59 | Flawed, Cecelia Ahern, Amazon, £5.75 | Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng, Amazon, £6.47 | Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng, Amazon, £6.27 | Above: The Husband's Secret, Liane Moriarty, Amazon, £6.49

No. 5
COSY BLANKETS

Something that always makes a differences and can't be left of my list is having a nice cosy blanket to snuggle up in on the sofa.  

I've seen so many nice ones on the high street recently, with wide varieties of textures including chunky knits, fleece and furry fabrics.  All great for snuggly nights in when the weather is cold.

Here are some of my favourites on the high street at the moment;

From left to right: Super-Soft Pink Blanket, George, £12 | Catherine Landsfield Cuddly Throw, Next, £30 | Chunky Pom Pom Throw, M&S, £55-£69 | Sherpa Teddy Throw, The Range, £17.99 | Above: Meadow Deer Throw, John Lewis, £40

How do you like to unwind on a cosy night in? I'd love to know what you do to unwind, let me know in the comments below.

Blueberry, Almond & Pistachio Oat Bars

This year I've been making some changes in my diet to make sure I eat a little more healthier.  I've always been someone who enjoys a sweet treat with my afternoon cup of tea so it's been difficult to find some alternatives that are tasty yet aren't too calorific and have some nutritional value.

These oat bars are the perfect combination of sweetness with healthy, clean ingredients.  First off, the base is made from oats which is a good source of whole grains that lower the risk of diseases, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Other healthy ingredients, such as, bananas, almonds and blueberries are just some of the things that are included and help fight disease, build muscle and burn fat, not to mention satisfying any cravings too!

It's good to know you are putting clean food into your body.  They're super easy and quick to make.  This recipe makes 8 slices so there's more than enough for the week.

Here's how I make them; 

Ingredients

For the base:

500g oats
250g chopped almonds
4 tbsp honey
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 mashed bananas
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

For the topping:

125g oats

60g chopped almonds

60g pistachio nuts

250g fresh blueberries

honey for drizzling

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 175ºC (350ºF).
2. Line a 8x8 baking tin with parchment paper and lightly grease with coconut oil.
3. Add all the base ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until everything has combined together.
4. Pour the mixture into the baking tin and smooth out until evenly spread.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
6. Whilst the oat mixture is in the oven, combine the topping ingredients together.
7. Remove the oat bake from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes.
8. Once the oat bake has cooled, drizzle a little honey over the top and sprinkle on the topping.
9. Cut into 8 slices and enjoy with a cup of tea.

*These can be kept in the fridge, stored in an airtight container and should be eaten within one week.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and try it out for yourself.

If you do try it out, let me know in the comments what you think of them and how yours turned out.

xoxo

Winter Skincare

My Essential Beauty Products & How I Look After My Skin

I don't know about you but I feel like the end of the year has slowly crept up on us and it's almost Christmas again!  Not that I'm complaining.  I love Christmas and have already started planning my Christmas decorations this year.  I can't wait for that cosy feeling, sitting down in the evenings to watch TV or read a book with the Christmas tree lights on and a festive candle burning.

At the same time we shouldn't forget about our skin and it's more important than ever not to forget about it this time of year.  I find my skin tends to get much drier than usual this time of the year.  During the winter months the humidity level outside drops causing the air to become cold and dry.  When this happens water from our skin is lost quicker than usual and can leave our skin feeling dry and tight.  There are things we can do to help when going outside, such as, wearing hats, gloves, scarves etc.  Another thing we can do to look after our skin is to moisturise on a daily basis.  I choose a moisturiser with glycerin in it.  This is what's going to help hold the moisture in our skin and stop it from becoming dehydrated and drying out.  I like to moisturise after I've been in the shower or bath.  When showering I like to bathe in warm water for no longer than 10 minutes.  Even though it can be tempting during the colder months, you shouldn't take long, hot showers or baths as this can dry out your skin and remove the protective oils your skin naturally produces.  It's important to pat dry our skin, not rub dry.  Then I'll moisturise, making sure you focus on the driest parts of my skins; hands, feet, elbows and knees.  At the moment I love using Nivea Body Lotion for Dry Skin.  It nourishes the skin leaving it very soft.

Taking care of your face & body come hand in hand so it's just as important to have a good cleansing routine for you face as well.  I like to use a cleanser and toner twice a day.  Sometimes this can be difficult, especially when it's late at night and I just want to go to bed but I know later on in life my skin will thank me for it.  Cleansing your face is good for many reasons.  Firstly, it preps your skin ready for moisturising, this step helps your skin absorb the moisturiser better.  It will also remove any dead skin cells, dirt, excess oil and unclog your pores which will prevent breakouts and leave your skin looking fresh and healthy.

Over the years I've tried many cleansers but now I've found a couple that I like and that suit my skin type.  One brand that I absolutely love and have been using for a while is Clinique.  I start off with their liquid facial soap, I use formula 3 for oily skin.  Lathering two pumps of the product in my palms with a little bit of warm water, I massage all over my face and neck then rinse off and pat my skin dry with a facial cloth.  It's also important to use separate towels to dry your body and face.  Using the same towel for both can cause bacteria & oils from your body to be transferred onto your face which isn't good for facial skin that is more sensitive and delicate.

The next step is to exfoliate, this is what's going to remove any daily dirt and grime and get your skin looking smoother and clear.  Plus, it can get rid of any excess makeup you haven't quite removed with a normal makeup wipe or other heavy skin products like sun cream.  I use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion (skin types 3) by applying a little to a cotton pad and sweep it over my face and neck.  Then, I'll follow that with a moisturiser, such as, Superdrug Vitamin E Moisturising Cream to add some hydration.  The day cream also protects your skin against UVA & UVB rays.  Even though it's winter time it's still important to use protection against the sun, it's still just as harmful as the summer sun.  I use both the day cream and night cream, applying it to my face and neck in circular motions to get the blood circulating.

If my skin is feeling extra dry and needs a little boost I'll use this Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate.  It keeps my skin looking fresh and dewy under my makeup, plus it can be used around the eye area too.  I use just 2-3 pumps, massaging it into my face twice daily.  I've been using this for a while now and I'm so impressed with how good it keeps my skin feeling throughout the day and I'd highly recommend it.

I find my lips are always prone to becoming dry, chapped and cracked so I like to use a good lip balm that helps heal and soften my lips.  I apply this throughout the day and before bedtime to keep my lips protected.  My favourite to use is the classic Vaseline Lip Therapy which is super cheap to buy.  I've been using this for years and the compact packaging makes it so easy to carry with you in your bag.  At the moment I particularly like using the Aloe Vera one as this helps add a little extra hydration to dry lips.  I'd highly recommend this one for anyone who suffers from very dry lips in the winter.

My Facial Skincare Essentials

From left to right: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, 200ml, £17.50 | Clinique Clarifying Lotion, 200ml, £18.00 | Clinique Moisture Surge Supercharged Concentrate, 48ml, £36.00 | Superdrug Vitamin E SPF15 Moisturing Cream, 100ml, £2.99 | Superdrug Vitamin E Night Cream, 100ml, £2.99 | Vaseline Lip Therapy Aloe, 20g, £1.95

We tend to spend more time indoors when it's cold outside so it's also a good idea to set your central heating on a low setting. Having the central heating on a very high setting makes the air dry, which will dry out the layers of skin on our bodies resulting in chapped , dry skin.  Another way to replace the moisture in the air that is lost from central heating is to use a humidifier, particularly during the nighttime.  A humidifier will help keep your skin hydrated and relieve and dryness.

Finally, this last point isn't so much skincare products but more about how I look after my body in general which has positive effects on my skin as a result.  I'm a big believer in drinking a lot of water during the day.  It's important for our bodies to stay hydrated.  Our bodies are constantly losing water through our skin and we are always sweating even if we don’t feel like we are.  Not drinking enough water causes our body to get dehydrated, which also causes our skin to become dehydrated.  I like to make sure I'm drinking between 1-2 litres of water per day so I like to keep a water bottle on hand so I can chug way on it throughout the day.  I'm a big fan of water bottles, they're so handy and much better for the environment too.  Here's a selection of some that I'm loving at the moment;

From left to right: Discovery Adventure Water Bottle (holds 2.2L), The Range, £7.99 | VAST HydraCore Marble Effect Water Bottle (holds 17oz), £14.97, Amazon | Chilly's Stainless Steel Water Bottle in Rose Gold (holds 500ml), £25.00, Urban Outfitters | USN Water Bottle Jug in Pink (holds 2.2L), £4.99, Amazon | Double Wall Flask in Pink (holds 500ml), £5.00, Wilko

I hope you found this useful and try out some of my tips.  Do you follow any of these rules or maybe you have some of your own that you swear by.

Let me know in the comments below.

xoxo



Please note all thoughts and opinions are my own.  I only blog about brands, products and service that I would genuinely use and highly recommend to others.   Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any organisation, company, or individual.

What Having A Dog Means To Me

My little dachshund, Pepe, is approaching 3 years old at the end of this month and I've been thinking back on these last 3 years and how much happiness he's brought into our lives.

For me, growing up with pets was always a dream.  I was lucky enough to have rabbits and hamsters when I was young but I'd never experienced the joy of having bigger pets.  I've always loved dogs in general but the older I've become, the more I've love dachshunds especially.  When I was little my mum made me a sausage dog plush from one of those plush sewing kits, which I still have to this day and I guess the obsession just grew from there.  I don't know what it is about them, their long sausage like bodies, their short little legs or their unique little faces but I just adore them.

During my 20's it was quite difficult for me to have pets as I was moving around a lot and I was also unable to keep pets in rented accommodation whilst I was in The U.K.  Here in Bogota, landlords are a little more flexible with pets and do allow them in most flats.  As time went on I became more and more obsessed with the idea of having a dog, in particular a dachshund.  I began to research breeders within the area and finally came across a woman selling some 2 month old dachshund puppies and the rest is history.

When I was a child, friends would tell me how much they loved having dogs and cats as pets and that it was like having another family member.  I never truly understood what they meant until I had a dog of my own.  For me, having Pepe is like having another member of the family.  It's crazy how almost human he is!

There are some days when I'm feeling homesick or I've had a very long day at work which has left me feeling drained but just to open the door and see his face looking up at me with his little tail wagging seems to melt my problems and worries away.  When I'm on my own in the flat the place feels a little less empty because I'm never truly on my own.  I have to say that I love nights when I can sit at home with cup of tea, watching a film and having him there keeping me company. 

Pepe's always in the mood to go for long walks.  I've become very fond of taking some time out during the day to take him for a walk around the local parks.  Even when I'm not in the mood, it pushes me to go out to stretch my legs and get some fresh air every day which keeps me active.

He sees me at my best and worse times and comforts me without judgement.  Even though Pepe will just be another dog to others, he's such an important part of my life and now I wouldn't be without him.

I hope you enjoyed this post.  What are your favourite memories of your pets?  Are you a dog or cat person?  Let me know in the comments.