Going to the chapel….and not getting married!

Going to the chapel and….not getting married!

You know you're getting old when your weekends start filling up with church ceremonies and weddings…not clubbing and drink ups for friends birthdays! It seems we go through the 18th birthday rounds, linger around for a few years and get bombarded with 21st birthday parties and then somewhere between finishing the 21st season and going out clubbing again people start getting engaged and married. I'm not complaining, I love a good wedding but the dress code for weddings is always a notch higher than your usual weekend wear and not as easy on the wallet.

I've listed below some of my picks for wedding guest outfits. I steer clear of white…but maybe that's just me?! 

1. Camilla and Marc - Bon Voyage Dress $259.00

2. Maurie and Eve - Bitchin Midi Dress $259.00

3. Sass and Bide - Notions of Beauty $890

4. Bec & Bridge - Platinum Plate Dress $250.00

5. Finders Keepers - Slow Goodbye Dress $149.95

gabriella loves xx

Recipe of the week!

I'm always on the lookout for clean and healthy recipes so when I came across Lorna Jane's MNB Almond and Chocolate Cookies I just had to try them out. The recipe was released during Lent - when I had given up chocolate so today I finally tried them out. The recipe is relatively easy and doesn't take long at all. These cookies are the perfect snack size and I plan on bring a couple to work tomorrow to cure the devilish 3.30itis!

Clean Chocolate and Almond Cookies

Makes: Approximately 24

(A friend of mine tried out the recipe and recommended keeping the cookies small because of their richness)

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Almond Meal

3/4 cup of cocoa powder

2 Tbsp boiling water

2 Tbsp Maple Syrup

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1/2 Tsp Bi-carb soda

Directions:

1. Mix almond meal, cocoa powder and chia seeds in a bowl

2. Separately add bi carb soda to boiling water and let it foam up. Then add to dry ingredients

3. Mix in maple syrup and coconut oil 

4. Once a good consistency roll into small balls and firmly push mixture down into desired shape

5. Place into preheated oven at 160 degrees celsius for approximately 15 minutes

Enjoy!

gabriella loves xx

Clean Anzac Day Cookies

I don't need an excuse to bake, so when there is one I do not hesitate turning on the oven. Anzac cookies are delicious and always a favourite in my house. I've tried a few Anzac cookie recipes in the past but they're always full of lots of butter and sugar! I found the recipe I used today on the Move Nourish Believe blog and it is a clean take on the traditional Anzac cookie recipe. Super easy and delicious! Give it a go!

Anzac Cookies

Total time: 30 minutes

Makes approximately 18 (depending on size)

Ingredients

1 cup of wholemeal flour

1 cup of oats

3/4 cup of coconut

1/2 cup of coconut oil melted

1/2 tsp bi-carb soda

1/4 cup hot water

4 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Place all dry ingredients into a bowel

2. In a separate bowel mix bi-carb soda with water and then add honey

3. Mix all ingredient together adding the melting coconut oil as well

4. MIx well under all combined (get your hands into it!)

5. Roll into balls and slightly push down to flatten

6. Place in pre heated oven at 150 degrees celsius for approximately 15 minutes

Let we forget xx

gabriella loves

Banana + Coconut Bliss Balls

I love a good treat, especially one that is guilt free! I've given up chocolate and sweets for Lent and so I've had to look for different treat alternatives. I whipped up this batch of Banana and Coconut Bliss Balls last night and don't know how I contained myself from eating them all! They are great! I can't credit anywhere in particular for the recipe because I just threw together ingredients I thought would work. They are my take on the usual Cocoa Bliss Balls around without the delicious chocolate flavour.. (still/almost equally as delicious)...

Banana and Coconut Bliss Balls

Makes: Approximately 10
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Oats
1 Table spoon of Honey
1 Table spoon of Peanut butter (crunchy of course…but smooth will do)
1 Scoop of Next Generation Banana flavour protein powder
1 Table spoon of Chia Seeds
1 Table spoon of Coconut + extra to decorate
Dash of almond milk (seriously can't even give a measurement!)

Instructions:

1. Place the dry ingredients (oats + protein + coconut) in a bowl
2. Add honey and peanut butter and mix thoroughly. I used a spoon at first and then my hands to really get it together
3. Depending on consistency add almond milk as required. I honestly only needed a dash…teaspoon if that!
4. Mix until combined well
5. Roll mixture into small balls and roll in coconut
6. Place into fridge to set 
Enjoy!

Seriously so easy to make! Delicious and guilt free treat that everyone will love!

Give it a go and let me know how they turn out :)

gabriella loves xx

Morning smoothies!

I am the type of person who would rather spend 15 more minutes in bed and be rushed for time than get up early and take it easy. I don't know why....it's just the way I am. With that comes the need for a quick breakfast. Now, I know breakfast it the most important meal of the day and trust me, I love breakfast just as much as the next person but I also love my bed. To make up for this a smoothie on the go in normally my go-to breakfast of choice. 

I don't like to snack during the day so I always make sure my breakfast is packed with lots of nutrients and goodies to keep me going until lunch time. See below this mornings smoothie recipe:

- 1/2 banana

- 3 x strawberries

- 1 x kiwi fruit

- 1/2 cup of oats

- 2 teaspoons of chia seeds

- 2 scoops of Coconut 180 Nutrition Protein found here 

- Yoghurt and milk to make as thick/thin as desired

Give it a try and let me know how you go!

gabriella loves xx

My current LJ faves!

I am a big fan of anything Lorna Jane. Her stuff is just so beautiful and addictive so I thought I would write a post about my current fave LJ picks!

1. Candy Puffa Vest

Every year LJ brings out a puffa vest and this March she released the Lemon Sorbet and Ocean colours. It was a tough decision but the ocean just had to be mine. The vest is a small fit but very flattering and comfortable once you get your right size. The colour is awesome and not one you see very often I thought it would be hard matching it with my wardrobe but the basic black and whites never fail. I recommend this product to all vest and LJ lovers. Vests are so versatile and appropriate for all different types of wears whether it be going for a walk around the lake or heading to the shops!

 

2. Amy Full Length tights

If there are any tights you need to buy this year it's LJs Amy F/Ls. All Lorna stores stock these year round and they have to be the most comfortable and flattering tights out there. I wear mine allllll the time. They are made in the work out fabric however the matte finish means they don't look like your gym workout tights. I like to wear mine casually with sandals and a nice top. Then again I wear them just as often for workouts. The ultimate tight!

3. Maxed out hooded zip hoodie

I love a good hoodie especially for layering under my vest. I just can't get enough of this siesta colour and the hoodie is so stylish

4. Natasha mesh top

I have worn this top so many times and I get so many compliments every time. It's a great piece and people never believe me when I say its from LJ. Monochrome and mesh are in this season so I'l be wearing this baby a lot in the coming months. I can't find this on the website so head into your local LJ to see it :)

I could go on but I might save it for another post...

gabriella loves xx

Karma Scrub review!

One day while scrolling around Instagram I came across Karma Scrub. From what I could tell it was a relatively new page and the awesome pictures caught my attention. I had never tried an exfoliation scrub so after some research I headed to their website and purchased the Watermelon and Coconut scrub. Within the week I received my package and because I was one of the first 100 customers I also received a free sample pack of their sugar scrubs which was really a nice thought!

Flavours and types of scrubs:

Choosing a scrub was probably the hardest choice for me because all the flavours sound delicious. They have coffee scrubs, sugar scrubs and coconut scrubs. The lovely girls on Instagram recommended the watermelon and coconut so thats what I went with. 

Application:

The scrub comes in super handy individual packets which makes life really easy. Applying the scrub is a messy occasion so I recommend standing in the shower or bath while you scrub and NOT stand on a towel in the middle of the bathroom. I apparently left coconut rum balls in the bathroom according to mother.

Verdict:

My skin felt and still feels ahhh-mazing! I couldn't recommend this product any more! My skin smelt delicious and felt so soft it was hard to believe. I can't wait to do another one and try the other flavours!

Follow the link for Karma scrub here 

You won't regret it!