57. Recipes // Autumn Porridge

Today I'm going to talk about porridge. 

Yes, porridge. The underrated, unappreciated super-food. 

I'm trying to eat healthier at the moment as my confidence with my appearance is pretty much rock-bottom currently, so I've been trying out some new recipes for low-fat, filling breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and I came up with a really tasty breakfast yesterday which I wanted to share.

I'm a massive fan of Chai tea (in case you didn't already know...) and I've incorporated it into numerous recipes - now even including porridge! I'm not keen on porridge on it's own but, at the same time, I didn't want to fall into the trap of pouring syrup, sugar or honey all over a 'healthy breakfast' and completely ruining it, health-wise.

So, instead, I decided to bulk my porridge up with fruit and add some flavour by using the contents of a Chai tea bag. I know it sounds odd, but it's honestly super tasty and reminds me of Autumn which is why it's called...

Autumn Porridge

50g of porridge oats

200ml of semi-skimmed milk

1/2 a Chai tea bag

1/2 an apple

1. Chop the apple into small cubes,

2. Measure out your ingredients and put everything in a pan,

3. On a low temperature, simmer your porridge until desired consistency,

4. EAT IT. Eat it all.

So if you're in need of a quick, simple yet nutritious breakfast, try this. I promise, it tastes better than it looks.

Lots of Love,

Becci xo

56. Lifestyle // 21 before 21 Update #2

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I last did one of these posts! It's been a total whirlwind with work, catching up with friends and studying. July literally just zoomed past! 

In the midst of all this (lovely) chaos, I've totally forgotten to even look at my 21 before 21 list, so now it's time to see whether I managed to achieve anything in July... 

Health & Beauty

Lose another 20lbs (or reach a weight at which I'm genuinely happy) - pfft...

Stop biting my nails 

Give up smoking

Get my hair in good condition - much better than it was, but still a way to go! If you can think of any brilliant products or treatments, do let me know!

Blogging

Reach 50 followers on Bloglovin (almost there!!) & 10,000 page views

Attend a Bloggers meet-up or event. Nothing yet *sob* but hoping to get to one over the summer!

Get a proper blog layout

Friends & Family

Arrange my 21st birthday celebrations with friends

Have an amazing time in Amsterdam with S (everything is booked and sorted, roll on October 12th!)

Have enough money saved for a deposit (put on hold until after Amsterdam for now)

 Hobbies

Read and review one new book each week (4/19)

The Boy in The River (9/10), Songs of the Humpback Whale (6/10), Oh Dear Silvia (7/10), The Pianist (8/10)

Watch and review one new film each week (7/19)

Blood Diamond (6/10), Wreck it Ralph (8/10), World War Z (7/10), This is 40 (7/10), Snatch (9/10), Angel's Share (8/10), Attack of the Block (6/10) - I can't remember the rest... this one is really hard to keep track of as I watch so many films!

Cook or bake something new each week (3/19)

Chai & Banana Cake, Oreo Cheesecake, Homemade Nachos

Financial

Save £600 towards Amsterdam & flat deposit - Amsterdam savings = DONE! Flat savings = on hold.

Do not go overdrawn or miss any card payments or bills - so far, so good!

Material Matters

Buy a good camera

Treat myself to a Kindle Fire HD

Buy or create one item each week for our new home (1/19)

The Boring Stuff

Pass theory and practical driving test (I have to wait for my new glasses before I can have any lessons *sob*)

Find a job that meets my needs, e.g. hours, income, challenging - YES! FINALLY!

Pass first module (The Arts: Past and Present) with a minimum overall score of 70% (currently on 75%, boom!)

As you can see, this month hasn't been particularly productive in terms of crossing items of my to-do list, but it's been a good month nonetheless for so many other reasons and I'm feeling so motivated to make August an absolute belter.

Lots of love,

Becci xo

55. Lifestyle // Bedroom Wishlist

Hello lovelies, I hope you're all having a good week so far. If not, have faith - it's almost the weekend! I've been having a really good week; I've been getting stuck in with work and I feel like I'm really finding my feet. It's keeping me busy though and tiring me out, which explains the lack of recent updates. I really do apologies for being so rubbish with blogging for the last month or so, but whenever I get the chance, I do try to write. 

Tonight's post is a wishlist. I love wishlists. Mainly because I love shopping! This time my wishlist is a bedroom wishlist. Anybody who follows my ramblings on Twitter will be aware that I'm saving up to move out and a relaxing, sensual bedroom is exactly what I'll need, so here's what I think would make my bedroom perfect...

Ever since seeing these gorgeous Our Story posters from PaperThemes on the lovely Ella's blog, I've been desperate to get one! At only £25 (plus the price of a frame) they really are a steal and they're so unique. I love the idea of having something completely personalised in my home and I think that it'd be a real talking point. I'm definitely going to be purchasing one as soon as we've secured a new home.

I spotted this mirror this evening on the Argos website and I love it. I've been looking for a statement mirror for quite a while as I'm hoping to get a dressing table when we move out, and I think this would look beautiful above it, especially with some fairy lights around it too! For only £59.99, I think it's a bargain as it'd last for year. 

Purple, to me, is the ideal colour for a bedroom. It's sensual, rich and luxurious. Exactly like this gorgeous duvet set! At £65, it's very expensive (but what do you expect from Debenhams?) but it just looks so beautiful and silky! It's a total indulgence but, considering the amount of time I spend in bed, it'd be a good investment.

This coconut and lime diffuser is ideal for me. Coconut is one of my absolute favourite scents, and mixed with the lime, I think there'd be a really nice Thai infusion. Although maybe that isn't a good idea as I'd constantly be craving Thai curry... At only £12.99, it's worth it! You can find it on the Yankee candle website.

So, those are my four wishlist items for my bedroom... Some cheeky little treats and then some big splurges! If money wasn't an object, I'd snap each and every one of these items up without a second thought but I suppose I'd better get saving...

Do you like any of these products?

What would your dream bedroom look like?

Lots of Love,

Becci xo