Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Let’s keep it going

As we are now coming to the end of January it’s around this time of year where we either quit the health kick and go back to our old ways or we push through and keep going. 

Let’s put it out there, chocolate and a sneaky glass of wine or two may have passed by my lips, but the healthy meals and the exercise are well and truly here to stay! 

So here are my 5 top tips to ensure the inner glow continues on into 2016. 

Preparation 

This is key to ensuring you stay on track! 
Take those few extra minutes to prep tomorrow’s lunches. 
No one wakes up in the morning and thinks ‘Oh Yay, time to make a healthy, nutritious and tasty pack lunch’…well maybe some people do, but if you are anything like me and wake up looking more like a mole, dishevelled and grumpy, that is the last thing on your mind. Coffee perhaps, but definitely not lettuce!   

                      

Mix It Up

Being quite the newcomer to the world of exercise (well for a good few years anyway) I am loving finding new and fun ways to ‘feel the burn’. 
Finding exercise you enjoy is key to keeping to a routine. 
For the past few weeks I have just stuck to the bike and the weights, but there is only so much cardio and squatting a girl can do before she gets a little bored. So I’ve started to look a little further a field and I’m loving it.
Yoga is becoming a major love of mine. Being someone who struggles with nerves and anxiety this is not only a great way to improve how I look on the outside but it is also helping me on the inside. It’s a great way of having some ‘me’ time and helps give me the chance to put things in perspective. I’d highly recommend Yoga with Andriene on Youtube. Her Yoga Camp is a great way for beginners to get involved. So mix it up!

                     
Meal Plans

Plan out your evening meals for the week.
Grab some cook books (Get the Glow Madeline ShawLean in 15 Joe Wicks or Gizzi’s Healthy Appetite) are some of my favourites to ensure a healthy but beyond yummy evening treat.
This doesn’t only ensure your fridge is packed full of the goodies you need, but also gives you something tasty to look forward to whilst you plough on through at work.

                      
Keep Hydrated

Water has become a very close friend of mine and it should become one of yours.
Having a 2L bottle on my desk at work has worked miracles.
I’ve marked it with little time slots. Sounds a bit nutty but honestly it’s a great reminder to keep hydrated and just to get it down.

2L sounds like an awful lot but the benefits don’t even compare. 

Clearer Complexion, Boots Your Immune System, Flushes Out Toxins 

The list honestly goes on. If you think water is a little bland, why not infuse it with fruits and veggies? My personal favourite is Lime and Cucumber. Odd combo I know, but trust me.   


                                           

Just Keep Going!

Whether you are going it alone, getting healthy with a friend or fighting the flab with a partner, just keep pushing to reach your goal! 
Sounds cheesey I know (and that’s a healthy cheese by the way) but by encouraging each other and keeping positive, in an odd way, it makes you more likely to succeed as you won’t want to fail. 
I’m fortunate enough to have beardy pushing me to keep going, and trust me he can be strict when it comes to exercise and sneaking chocolate. 
But there are so many Bloggers, Instagrammers and Youtubers out there who are also there to support you. Carly Rowena, Samantha Marie, Vivianna Makeup, Kayla Itsines and Happy Healthy Sophie just to name a few. 

                        
So come on guys. Let’s not have another January fad and keep pushing forward for a happier, healthier you! 

Much love x

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Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Getting the Glow in 2016

Since we hit 2016 I have been a little obsessed with cooking. I realise everyone is into a January health kick right now, but having Madeleine Shaw’s –Get the Glow cook book propped proudly in my kitchen I can see this being a long term thing. After the mountains of stodgy food, the comfy pjs becoming a daily look and copious amounts of wine and cheese  – I was actually craving something fresh and healthy on a plate and fancied vegetables, which is pretty much unheard of for me. So receiving Madeleines cook book from Beardy was a blessing! I fully believe that in order to change, it’s not just having the right tools or ingredients, but you have to be in the right frame of mind. You need to be focused and determined enough in your own head in order to achieve and reach your goal. Which for me, 2016 something seems to have clicked and it’s now turning into a way of life rather than just another fad.

Exercising daily is turning into an activity I enjoy rather than a chore and as for food, well yoyo dieting is a thing of the past.

So let’s talk about this wonderful cook book.
                         
Madeleine Shaw – Get the Glow
I feel like this is one of my favourite cook books. Being someone who has tried nearly every fad diet going, every quick fix and so called ‘miracle liquid’ shakes to shift those pesky pounds, reading this book has actually made me see food in a completely different light. Cliché right, but Madeleine has a fantastic way of putting it all into perspective. By telling her story at the start, going into detail of her own struggles and how she turned them around just by changing her eating habits, is not only something I can relate to, but also something I feel I’m in the right frame of mind to achieve myself.

It’s not restrictive in anyway and covers everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and let’s not forget those much needed snacks. It’s all clean, healthy and delicious eating when it comes to ‘Get The Glow’. Madeleine has some fantastic weekday quickie options, as well as some show-stopping feasts for the weekend.

Here are FOUR of my go to recipes that I have tweaked to fit our lifestyle.

Breakfast

Eggs and Asparagus

        

2 Eggs
4 sprigs of Asparagus
2 rashers of Smokey Bacon
Pinch of Chia Seeds
 
Boil the kettle and place asparagus in a saucepan to gently cook
Boil both eggs for 5 mins for a runny centre
Snip the bacon into small strips for a quicker cooking time (speedy breakfast)
Peel the shell of the eggs and serve with a sprinkling of chai seeds for that extra kick of protein

Lunch

Pesto Courgetti

       
   
1 tbs Pesto
1 Courgette (Courgetti)
2 rashers of Smokey Bacon
Small cubes of Haloumi  

Snip the bacon (again) into small pieces for a quicker cooking time.
Once cooked add the haloumi until slightly golden brown.
Pan fry the courgetti until al dente then add the bacon and haloumi. 
Once combined gently stir in the pesto to heat through then serve….mmm tasty.

Dinner

Cumin and Chilli Rubbed Duck

       

1 Duck breast (Skin Scored)
Pinch of Cumin
Pinch of Hot Chilli Powder
3tsp Dark Soy Sauce
1tsp of runny Honey
2 Spring Onions
Bunch of Coriander
1 Courgette (Courgetti)
1 glove of Garlic (Chopped)
Thumb Size piece of Ginger (Chopped)
1 Chilli (Chopped)

Preheat a pan (dry) whilst you score the duck breast.
Once the duck skin is scored, rub in the cumin and chilli powder and place skin down in the pan to seal in the flavours (Also makes the skin nice and crispy).
Flip the duck in the pan so the skin is now facing up, and add all the other ingredients to the pan to create a glaze.
When the sauce starts to reduce place in the oven to finish off cooking (pink 10/15 mins) (25/30 medium to well done) But keep basting guys!!  
Whilst your duck is getting all tasty in the oven gently pan fry your courgetti.
When your duck is just how you like it serve with a sprinkling of coriander to garnish.

Snack

Raw Chocolate and Maca Balls

       

The benefits of these superfood delights are awesome

helps balance hormones
clears skin
improves mood
…and improves libido (Ooooooh Yeaaaahhhh)

150g of hazlenuts
150g of medjool dates
4 tbsp of raw cacao
2 tbsp of maca powder
3 tbsp of coconut oil
a small pinch of salt
 
Makes 16 Balls
Place the hazelnuts in the food processor and blitz.
Add the rest of the ingredients and process until fully combined.
Roll into balls and pop in the freezer for 20 minutes then into the fridge until you are ready to chow down.
These keep in the fridge for 2 week, but I guarantee they won’t last that long.
These are great for an after workout snack or a mid-morning crasher stopper.

Enjoy guys! 
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Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Goodbye 2015


      

Another year has ended and just like each year, I can’t get over how quickly it’s gone! 

2015 brought many highs along with a few lows! 

I can’t lie, I’ve had some really tough times this past year for a few reasons.

1. My beautiful nephew having to be so brave being in and out of hospital.  

2. Losing an incredible woman to the great cloud in the sky. 

3. Getting screwed over by a so called ‘friend’. 

4. Having a short stint in the Dark Side of Depression

5. And let’s not forget adding a good few inches to my waistline.

But Hey, it’s not all been doom and gloom. 

1. I went travelling to some of the most beautiful places in the world with my one and only Beardy. 

      

2. I’ve met some incredible people who I feel I’ve known for years. 

     

3. We moved into our first official apartment.

4. We got little man, Lord Fluffington, back after travelling, so we were reunited as a three. 

     

5. Met new friends, some who are equally as bearded as Matt. 

6. Visited some incredible restaurants in London. 

      

7. A few Family gatherings 

8. And finishing off the year in Dubai with my parents for Christmas which was just perfect. 

           
       

What can I take from 2015 into 2016? 

I’ve learnt to keep strong and to keep pushing for happiness. It taught me to continue to spread positivity in the way I love to do it. Whether that’s through blogging, or photography to the odd YouTube video.  

I want to develop the 'Suze and the Beard' Blog and take it to the next level. 
It’s something I love doing and it’s an outlet for me to be fully myself. 

Focusing on: 

Health/food

     

Happiness

      

Make up

       


And Fashion

      

Spreading positivity, realness and my mundane ramblings…I hope that is ok guys. 

2016 will be the year I try to care less about what others think and focus more on the things that make me happy. 

I also feel 2015 made me see friendships in a completely different light.

Yes I have lost a few this past year, but that all happened for a reason. 
If someone is meant to be in your life they will be. 

In 2016 I’ll be flushing out the people that don’t bring out the best in me or who have a negative effect on my life or wellbeing. 

Focus on those who make me laugh, and I mean full on belly laugh, and who make me a better person.

After all, life is too short for anything less.

Plus they will always check your Snapchat stories to clearly see what you are up to…Trust me…it’s quite flattering I guess.

I feel like we all got a little disconnected in 2015 and I’ve come to appreciate how others can make me feel.

Social media is a fantastic thing, and I honestly don't know where I would be without it, but sometimes I think we need to pop the phones down and just have a chat (previous statement justified, stop the spying and have a chat if you want to know what's going on). 

I want to make this year all about being positive, and bringing out the best in not only myself but others around me.  

Taking the plunge and finding not just another mundane job, but a career I love. Ideally from a hobby or a passion, let’s see what happens ey. 

So bring it on 2016! 

      

Here’s to a year of laughter, love, challenges, friends, family and happiness.

Love

Suze xx


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Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Top Beauty Sets from Selfridges Just in time for Christmas

Watch the faces of the Beauty Lovers in your life light up as they spot the iconic 'Yelllow' Selfridges bag and begin to unwrap any of theses gorgeous treats. You can thank us later :)

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Tom ford Black Orchid £77


Yves Saint Lauren Gift set £25


Jo Malone Gift Set £130


Clinique Whole lotta chubby collection £25


Mac Lip Gloss Set £26


Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Gift Set £190 (exclusive to Selfridges) 




Bobbi Brown £145


Diptyque Do Son Travel Spray Set £30
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Monday, 23 November 2015

Christmas Gift Guide For Her

It's time to look at spoiling those lovely ladies in your life. 
We aren't talking talc guys and girls, with any of these beautiful gifts you will avoid the dreaded Christmas fake smile face. 
The girlies in your world deserve to be right royally spoilt this year, so have a little look and take your pick to ensure a very merry Christmas. 



                         

Winter Spice Candle John Lewis £15
Iconic London Contour Palette £32.99 
French Connection Scarf John Lewis £40 
Victorias Secret Tease Perfume £45 
The Great Frog Michael Rodent Ring £170
Balmi Super Cube Lip Balm Urban Outfitters £5 
Chanel Sublimage John Lewis £185 
Fujjfilm Instax Mini Urban Outfitters £90
Escentric Molecules Liberty £38 
Get The Glow Cook Book Amazon £10 
Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe Charlotte Tilbury Matt Revolution £220
Lush Wow Box £150 
Aromatherapy Associates Space NK £27.50 
This Works Deep Sleep Spray Space NK £16 
Laura Mercier Sweet Temptations Collections Harvey Nichols £49 
Tom Dixon Candle Gift Set John Lewis £80
    
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Monday, 16 November 2015

Christmas Gift Guide for Him

With Christmas just round the corner we thought we would do a Christmas gift guide for all the chaps in your life. 
Whether it be for your Grizzly Bear, Wild Adventurer, Gamer all the way to your Dapper Gent, we've got you covered. 

       
   
1. Mario Chess Set £31.99
2. The Dapper Duke Gift Set £40 
3. The Great Frog Ring £120
4. Starbucks Gift Voucher £25 
5. Sonos Speaker £163
6. Beardo Multi Purpose Hat £21.99
7. Havana Club Rum Mojito Kit £20
8. Diesel Only The Brave £42
9. SuperDry Jumper £59.99
10. Dr Martens Boots £125 (currently £60 online) 
11. Halo 5 Game £39.99
12. Herschel Backpack £85

And if they have been extremely good this year and to give you some peace on Christmas Day, release their inner child with this...

     
13. The Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon £129.99 

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Monday, 9 November 2015

It's Lushmas Time

Lush is this magical place filled with handmade lotions and potions and sweet smells that just draw you in. You can usually smell a Lush Lab about five shops away....Suze can anyway. 
They sell these whimsical creations that can turn any boring bath into a colourful, calming and in some cases glitter fest. 
With Christmas just round the corner, here are some of our favourites that we hope will give you some tips for all those bubble bunnies in your life. 

Blackberry Bath Bomb
£3.35

       

Oh my goodness the smell of this and the colours are beyond dreamy!!! As soon as you drop this into your bath, the stresses and strains from the day will be banished as the bergamot and frankincense oils are released. 
Suze suffers from anxiety and nervous tension so the beautiful aromas of Bergamot, which is used in aromatherapy treatments, is the ideal way of washing those horrible feelings away. You’ll soon feel calmed as frankincense oil helps slow down breathing and induces a feeling of wellbeing. 

      

We realise we sound a little hippyish but trust us, if that grey cloud ever hovers over you, take some time to have some you time with this incredible colourful bath treat. 

Peeping Santa
£3.95 

      

He sees you when your sleeping, he knows when you're awake...this Santa is always watching with his dairy free chocolate drops as eyes. 
Gently crumble him under the tap to release the sweet smells of strawberry bergamot and geranium oils, along with sack loads of fruity bubble. 

      

And we promise he won't think you're naughty for dissolving him in hot water. 

Therapy? 
£6.50

      

A 100% organic massage bar to soften the skin and soothe the mind. This is one of our favourite products from Lush. The perfectly balanced blend of aerated cocoa and shea butters gives a lovely gliding massage and leaves your skin incredibly soft. With the beautiful, carefully chosen blend of three organic essential oils has a powerfully cheering effect to relax you just before bed. 

      

Organic lavender oil balances the skin and relaxes the mind. Neroli oil has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain and improves the tone and texture of the skin whilst sweet wild orange oil lifts the mood. This is a treat for super smooth skin, but even better if your partner wants to give you a cheeky back rub 😜

Snowman 
£3.95

                         
    
Wibble and wobble this playful squishy snowman all over your body for a sweet smelling bubble fest. This jiggly chap is made with a refreshing, sweet scent, with added buchu, bergamot and Sicilian lemon oils for an extra mood boost. Seaweed and glycerine help this glide over your skin, leaving it soft and clean. He is one of the cutest products you will find in your Lush lab, with his little bobble hat and round nose, he truly is a treat on any winter night. 

Wow 
£155

                         

Lush have well and truly done it again with their Christmas gift sets this year. 
Ranging from £10 all the way up to a whopping £155, these gifts are any bathers dream. Though the bigger boxes are a little pricey, my goodness what a present to find under your tree! 
With such classics as Butter Bear and Dashing Santa, this Christmas bundle will be a right bubbly treat to last you well into the new year. 

                         

Number one on suze's Christmas list Santa...nudge nudge wink wink. 
https://www.lush.co.uk


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Monday, 2 November 2015

Autumn's Arrived!

It's OFFICIALLY Autumn! And we couldn't be happier! 

Think of all the layering, cosy nights in, comfort food and beautiful crisp mornings we'll be enjoying.

Still don't agree? Here's why we think autumn is the best season...

1) Starbucks' Red Cups

We don't mind if you just love a basic cuppa, but Starbucks red cup festive range is the best! 
Suze's favourite is a Soy ToffeeNut Latte 
Beard's Eggnog Latte 
We can't get enough. 

      

2) Autumnal fashion

Layers layers and more layers! 
It's time to get out all those warm clothes that have been hiding at the back of our wardrobes for the past six months.
Also, what better excuse for a spot of shopping?! You can never have too many cosy jumpers, hats or scarfs
      
                         

3) Snuggling up under a blanket

We love nothing more than cuddling up on the sofa with a blanket and watching a bit of Netflix. We've been together long enough that Netflix and chill means we actually watch Netflix and chill out. 

4) Getting our cold weather duvets out

One word: COSY 

5) A berry lip

Suze loves a splash of colour and a berry lip is always a winner in the autumn/winter months. 
Charlotte Tilbury - Glastonberry   
Topshop - Suspected 

Check out Suze's go to Autumn look on our YouTube channel 

https://youtu.be/2AtXX8tEEyM

6) 
Leaves under our feet

Who doesn't love going for a walk on a crisp Autumn morning so you can kick through the orange and yellow leaves?  

         

7) The colours

Red, terracotta, camel and brown shades are all back in fashion and we love it.

8) Eating ALL the carbs, marshmallows and crumbles we can get our mits on. 

It's time to get that winter chub on to keep us extra warm in these cold months. 

       

9) 
Bonfire night

Sparklers, fireworks, sausages... it's like being a kid all over again. 
Don't forget to try and write your name.


10) We are one step closer to CHRISTMAS!!

The songs, the food, the Christmas candles! We can't wait!! 

       

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