Happy Things #9

Hello everyone! It's been a while. This year has been incredibly busy for me but, today, I suddenly had a moment when I remembered how much I love this blog and how I want to get back into it. So what better way to kick this back off than with a Happy Things post, sharing all the things that have put a smile on my face in the last few months.

Nature. I used to be such a city girl. London was the place to be as far as I was concerned. Nowadays, I much prefer being out and about in the countryside, appreciating how beautiful our natural surroundings are. Nothing clears my head more than a long walk in the countryside.

Carrot cake. I must admit, I seem to have lost my sweet tooth in the last  months but I do still enjoy the occasional sweet treat. Carrot cake is high up there on my list of favourites. There's something indulgent about sitting down for a catch up with a slice of cake and a hot drink.

Going out for breakfast. For me, going out nice and early in the morning for a delicious breakfast is one of the best ways to start the day. Don't get me wrong, I love going out for lunch and dinner too but breakfast (or brunch) is so much more casual and adds a spring to my step for the remainder of the day. Eggs Florentine is my ultimate go-to breakfast.

Delicious scented shower gels. I remember my first ever Original Source shower gel. It was the Vanilla & Raspberry one that everyone was going mad over at the time. This one is just as gorgeous.

I hope you've all had a lovely Sunday. Let me know what has put a smile on your face lately!

Top Tips For A Cosy Night In

If it's a choice between a night out or a night in, I'm always a night in kind of girl. There is nothing better than a cosy night in either by yourself or with some of your favourite people. So today I am sharing with you all my top tips for having a cosy night in.

Watch your favourite shows/movies. Whether it's Netflix, Amazon Prime, a DVD, catch-up, or just your must-see TV show, a night in is the perfect excuse to curl up on the sofa and indulge in a bit of screen time. I'm a huge fan of musicals or just any movie that involves singing. Can't beat Frozen for a bit of feel-good! For anyone looking for a new series to get stuck into, I highly recommend Fringe. I was addicted to this during university! Back then though, all I had was my trusted little laptop to watch it off. The best way to watch your favourite shows at home is on a high quality television set like the new Panasonic 4K Ultra HD OLED televisions. Designed to offer the cinema experience from the comfort of your own home, what's not to like? The sound system used has been developed with sound experts, Technics, so you're sure to get the most out of your screen time without having to purchase additional speakers. High quality graphics and a superb sound system, you'll be the hostess of every movie night!

Candles and lighting. I have been obsessed with lighting candles recently. Having recently started doing my research into the Danish way of living known as Hygge, I have been slowly transforming my house into a little haven of cosy bliss. Lighting candles or hanging fairy lights is such a brilliant way to create a cosy atmosphere.

Make it smell nice. If you don't have scented candles, or if you just don't like lighting candles at all then I highly recommend purchasing some reed diffusers. I have one in my bedroom from Yankee Candle and it keeps my bedroom smelling so sweet and fresh without the worry of a flame. I love lighting scented candles but the scent fades once the candle flame is put out so I much prefer using flameless alternatives to prolong the scent. Plus, I do often get paranoid that one day I'll just forget that I've left a candle burning!

Snacks. A cosy night in always has to involve food of some description! For me, I love having snacks to hand. I try to keep it fairly healthy and I tend to make my own treats to indulge on. I love making my healthy banana oat cookies as they're so delicious yet they're good for you so you don't feel too guilty if you have one too many!

What do you do to create a cosy night in?

*This is a sponsored post.

Black Is The New Black

I remember the days when it was all about the LBD (little black dress) but, nowadays, we are all encouraged to be a little brighter and a little bolder. However, I'm still a huge fan of wearing black as you know you just can't wrong with it!

I was recently sent a few lovely pieces from the team at Tobi, an online retail company based in Los Angeles selling a wide range of clothing in a chilled, laid-back LA style. If you love your casual wear but want to stay on trend, Tobi is the place to browse. They also ship worldwide.

I am absolutely in love with this Black Lace Bralette* from Tobi. You can easily wear it for a chilled out evening snuggled up on the sofa, or you could glam it up with some high waisted leggings and a pair of heels for a night out with the girls. The straps are elasticated and I've been wearing it crossed over my neck in a halterneck style. 

With the cold weather not showing any signs of fading away, this super cosy Black Lace Up Sweater* has been a welcome addition to my wardrobe. Paired with some skinny jeans or a pair of leggings, this is great for the cool-casual look. I'm 5'4 and this comes up a little long on me so I've been wearing it as a jumper dress. The lace up detail down the sleeves is a nice touch as well and shows a little skin.

Of course, I couldn't miss out the LBD! This Black Lace Skater Dress* is simple enough to wear on a lunch date but you can also glam it up in the evening with a pair of heels. It's all in the detail with this dress from the lace centre all the way down to the fluted ruffle sleeves.

What do you think of this selection? Do you still own a little black dress?

Recipe: Banana Oat Cookies (super healthy, refined sugar-free, vegan-friendly)

Hello everyone! It's been a while! What better way to kick things back off again with a super healthy and equally delicious cookie recipe. 

These cookies are my go-to healthy snack and I like to make a batch every now and then to store in a kilner jar for when I get those sweet cravings. Bananas are one of my favourite natural sweet treats and barely a day goes by where I don't add a banana or two to at least one of meals or snacks. 

These cookies are naturally sweet thanks to the bananas and they are both soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. I can't get enough of these and I can't believe how simple they are to make. They are free from refined sugar and are vegan-friendly too!

 So without further ado, here's the recipe. 

Ingredients

2 medium-sized bananas

2 cups of oats

1 tablespoon agave nectar (optional)

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees (fan oven) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Mash up the bananas using the back of a fork. 

3. Stir in the oats.

4. Add the agave nectar if using. I find that it gives it an extra sweet kick for that special treat and it helps them to brown a bit better too but it's not a necessity. I tend to make these cookies without it most of the time.

5. Using 2 tablespoons (or your hands), mould them into small balls and place on a baking tray. Using the back of your spoon (or your hand), flatten them so that they look like cookies. 

6. Bake them in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the edges start to brown.

7. Let them cool for 10 minutes.

8. Tuck in and enjoy your guilt-free snack!

Let me know if you make these! Tweet me @hellolinderella or find me on Instagram @hellolinderella. I'd love to see any photos as well!