Healthy Pancake Ideas for Pancake Day

(photo credit)

Some low fat pancake mixes and topping ideas to keep you healthy this pancake day :) (Tuesday 4th March)

Quick & Healthy Batter/Mix Ideas

Oaty, Cinnamon Pancakes:
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/3 Cup of Oats
1 Egg
1/2 Banana
1/4 Cup of Milk (almond or rice milk are lactose/dairy free options)

Blend the oats and cinnamon to a fine powder. Then add your banana, milk & 1 egg. Blend again - done!

Protein Pancakes
1 Egg
1/2 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Scoop of Chia Seeds or Ground Flax Seeds
1/2 Cup of Water

Blend together - done.

100% Natural, Gluten-Free Pancakes 
1 Banana
2 Eggs

That's it! Just blend and pop in a frying pan :)

Healthy & Delicious Topping Ideas

Sweet
Any fruit! Berries & banana are particularly nice :)
Grated dark chocolate (in moderation)
Desiccated coconut
Creme fraiche or fat-free natural yoghurt
Peanut butter

Savoury
Low fat cheese
Spinach
Roasted peppers, courgette and/or onion
Low fat, lean turkey bacon
Poached eggs

Hope you like my ideas! What are your favourite pancake toppings? 

xo

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hi guys,

Just wanted to do a quick post to let you know some important news. I have changed my blog URL, it is now emilyalicexo.blogspot.co.uk. I wanted to make it name related so that it was more personal to me. The title of it will remain 'Mermaid Hair & Too Much Make-up".
However, changing the url has meant that i've lost all my followers on Bloglovin'! :'( hopefully the support team will be able to move them across, but i'd really appreciate it if you could help them out my clicking on the title. 

Thanks lovlies :) 

xo

Fitness Motivation - Inspiration Boards

So, this was actually an idea that was run by Blogilates creator, Cassey Ho. The aim was to put together a collection of quotes, photos, anything that inspires and motivates you to workout. At first, I kinda thought it sounded a bit silly and wasn't going to bother doing it. But i follow a lot of 'fitspo' accounts on instagram and figured it would be better to have all the things that inspire me in one place, so when i had a bit of spare time one afternoon i set to work downloading images of motivational quotes and photos.

Some examples (taken from Blogilates facebook page - here)

I wanted it to reflect my personal goals - strength, muscle tone, flexibility and healthy living. I also included a couple of quotes that would motivate me not only to workout but to work hard in every area of my life, not just on the mat.
Once I was happy with the way it looked, i set it to my desktop background on my laptop so it'd be something I'd see every day. I'd really recommend doing that, or printing it and sticking it up around your house - on your bedroom wall to get you up in the morning, in your kitchen to remind you to eat healthy - whatever your goals are. I know that having mine on my laptop pushes me to workout instead of being distracted by tumblr and candy crush!

My board:

What do you guys think? How do you motivate yourselves to reach your goals?

xo

Mini Haul: Primark, Superdrug & Wilkos

Primark

Large Black Structured Bag - £12

I love Primark's bags, i literally think they have a bag for your every need! I bought this one mainly to use as a uni bag. I wanted it to be structured so that my folders and books would stay straight instead of folding over and getting all messed up like they would in my old 'floppy' bag. Also i wanted it to be big enough for all my A4 folders, while having enough depth for my pencil case, purse, umbrella and all the other crap i keep in there! Might do a 'what's in my bag' post at some point :) last but not least, this bag has multiple pockets - an instant deal maker for me! I love having loads of pockets of all sizes to put my things in aha

Black Jeans - £11

I live in leggings, like constantly. I have about 10 different pairs - some thicker, some shiny, some velvety, some 3/4 length, some patterned... it's a bit of an addiction of mine. So, i thought it was about time I tried jeans again. Personally, after wearing leggings for the past 3 years, i find jeans super uncomfortable, but i was pleasantly surprised with these - they're lovely and soft and stretchy, which also helps them make it over my bum :')

 

Superdrug

Maybelline Great Lash & Big Eyes Mascaras

I have no excuse for these... purely unnecessary, especially since i already had a mascara that was relatively new. I'm so easily tempted! aha, saying that though, i do love both of these! Especially the Great Lash, i'll have to review it at some point - I'm really impressed with the quality considering it's only a fiver!

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in 35 - On & On Bronze

I've wanted to try one of these for ages and it was 3 for 2 on maybelline sooo... yeah, it happened. But, I do absolutely love this colour, and have been wearing it practically every day since i got it! Review coming soon :)

Wilkos (Wilkinsons) 

I literally love wilkos aha it has so much good stuff for cheap prices - beauty, home wear, stationary, garden stuff. Whatever you're looking for, wilkos probably sells it. You can find it online here. It saddens me that there isn't one in Birmingham, but there is one in Nottingham, so i had to pop in while visiting my boyfriend last weekend.

The first thing i picked up were some adorable, little, neon-coloured post-it notes - they're the cutest thing and perfect for jotting things down before you forget them (i'm very forgetful). Plus they make my desk look pretty. They were only £1 too! 

Secondly, i wanted to get a lunch box because i need to start taking packed lunches to uni, i spend wayyy too much money in the canteen. I spotted this awesome fold out one! It's so cool (or maybe i'm just easily impressed? You tell me), it has a top and bottom compartment and then the bottom one is split in half. It's perfect for various snacks that can keep you going all day. They had them in blue, green or pink for £3. 

Hope you like what i bought! Sorry for being a bit m.i.a. recently, hopefully be back to more regular posting from now on :) 

xo

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Review

Stockists: Boots (here)

Price: £5.99

I bought this sponge a week ago simply after reading so many other bloggers' reviews. Every one said how wonderful this was and how it gave them a flawless base, better than they could get using a brush. I was excited to try this out but unfortunately I'm really disappointed. I have been using it to apply my foundation for every day the past week but not once did I feel like I couldn't have achieved a substantially better finish with a brush. I found that it not only seemed to soak up a lot of my foundation but also made it look patchy and very sheer. I've tried it both damp and dry but can't seem to get it to work for me! I will definitely be reverting back to using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush from now on, which really gives me a flawless finish.

Unfortunately I can't say that i'd recommend this to anyone. I personally feel conned and naive for spending 6 quid on a sponge, when i could've got a pack of god knows how many from poundland and achieved the same finish! My advice? Stick with a buffing brush.

Have any of you tried this sponge? What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

xo  

Longing for Sunshine - feat. Motel, Missguided, Boohoo & Topshop

This constant wind and rain isn't half depressing. I've come to the terms with the fact that we're probably not going to have any snow this winter *cry* so i just want it to hurry up with spring now, i'm seriously craving some sun! To perk myself up I've made a quick wishlist featuring some gorgeous holiday gear from Motel, Missguided, Boohoo and Topshop.

Missguided Polka Dot Cut Out Dress - £29.99

Boohoo Tie Dye Bikini - £14

Topshop Patchwork Pouch Bag - £25

Motel Triangle Bikini in Wild Daisy - £35

Missguided Mesh Hem Skirt in Baby Pink - £14.99

Barry M at Missguided Nail Paint in Coral - £2.99

Motel Halterneck Swimsuit in Pink Forest - £35

Boohoo Daisy Skater Dress - £25

Topshop Lip Paint in Hibiscus - £8

Boohoo Snake Print Cut Out Bikini - £14

What do you guys think of my picks? Love that Missguided are now stocking beauty products too! 

xo

Lemon Water

I've started drinking warm lemon water every morning, before breakfast. Lemon is a natural energizer; it hydrates and oxygenates the body so it feels revitalized and refreshed.
Drinking lemon water has some pretty amazing health benefits:
- Boosts your immune system
- Kick-starts metabolism
- Balances pH
- Excellent source of potassium
- Aids digestion
- Fights off viral infections,.
- Cleanses the system.

And, it's super easy to make:
- Cut a lemon in half. Always use fresh lemons if you can, and avoid the bottled lemon juice.
- Squeeze the juice of one half into a glass or mug, you can add a slice too if you want, it will intensify the flavour and look really pretty. Save the other half for tomorrow morning.
- Half fill your mug or glass with boiling water and top up with cold water.
- Drink.

Aside from being really good for you, flavouring your water is a great way to make hydration better tasting.
Here's some more ideas for you:

from Pinterest

Have any of you tried fruit infused water? Let me know :) 

xo

iSound Firewaves Speaker Review

Size: 7 x 10.2 x 12.7 cm (249g)

Where I Bought It: Amazon (link)

Price: £25

Features:
- Rechargeable
- Portable
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Solid Aluminum Shell
- Colour-Changing Light
- Surprising Volume-to-Size Ratio
- 5 hr Battery Life at 70% Volume
- Built in Speakerphone Function

Personal Opinion:

Pros:
- Quick to charge & long battery life
- Small size and lightweight (it's super cute)
- Amazing audio quality considering it's small size
- Auxiliary cable included for connecting to headphone jacks (of laptop or ipod)
- Compatible with all smartphones (providing they have bluetooth)
- Practically no set up needed

Cons:
- No volume control on unit

This is such a good little speaker, i love it and would definitely recommend it to everyone :) Hope you enjoyed my review, have you got any portable speakers that you'd recommend? 

xo

ASOS Trend Wishlist: Pastels

Oversized T-Shirt - £12

Paul & Joe Face Powder - £25

Benefit Lollitint - £24.50

Paul & Joe Nail Enamel in Lily- £11

Quilt Cross Body Bag with Rabbit Ears - £18

Barry M Lip Paint - £4.49

PUNCHLINE Platforms - £40

Cable Knit Jumper - £35

xo

Drugstore Dupe: Mac Bare Study Paint Pot...

... Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barely Branded.

City & Colour

I went to see City & Colour the other night with my boyfriend at the O2 Academy in Birmingham. They're such a good band anyway but were even more amazing live. And i'm very much in love with the lead singer, Dallas Green, he's a lovely man. 

I love going to gigs, there's nothing better than feeling the music vibrate through the floor and up through your body, it always makes me a little bit emotional. Saw Biffy Clyro, Beyonce, Ben Howard and Everything Everything last year, as well as a variety of bands at Open'er Festival in Poland. Can't wait for more live music this year, hoping to see Ben Howard again, and would love to see CHVRCHES play too.

Photo by Tom Allport - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomallport/

What's the best live gig you've ever been to? And who are you hoping to see in 2014?

xo

52 Week Money Saving Challenge

Recently, I've been looking at other methods of saving money rather than just limiting myself each week. The other day i came across the '52 Week Money Saving Challenge'.

The idea is pretty simple, you start by moving £1 into a savings account in the first week of the year, and build up to £52 by the last week. Or, you could start with £52 and work your way down to £1, to account for the money you might need during the holiday season.

The challenge looks to have been started by Kassondra Perry-Moreland, and it went viral last year. I think it's a really clever and simple way of saving, and the variety and novelty of it makes it different to normal weekly saving plans. Or, if you'd prefer a set amount you could try putting away £26.50 per week.

Whatever method you decide to go for, by the end of the year you'll have saved a whopping £1,378!

Please let me know if any of you decide to try this! Or comment below if you have any saving plans of your own :)

xo