Wearing red on Sundays...

Hello!

Typical goof ball Aurora with her mouth full of food :D

On Sunday for our Picnic in Hampstead Heath the weather was finally warm enough to wear one of my vintage summer dresses.

This dress is by Laura Ashley et is a floor length maxi style design.

Working with Make-up artists for work on a daily basis, I'm use to wearing all different types of Make-up for photoshoots, so I make sure never to wear make up in my free time now to give my skin time to breath...it's very important to let your skin breath et rest, as make up such as foundation clogs up your pores so much, especially if used daily. 

I love the 3/4 length sleeves of this dress et the 1970's prairie style. Prairie dresses are a simple way of feeling pretty without too much trouble.

The reason why I fell in love with this dress is because of the delicate floral pattern. I love florals, especially in vintage clothes, but many designs are overwhelming or larger floral patterns, which is cool but sometimes I don't want something so big. 

This one is different as its beauty is found within its subtlety.

Ciao! xx. 

Relaxing in your favourite place...

Hello :)

Relaxing in your favourite place is something so many of us never have the time to do anymore. Since finishing university a month ago, my life has been non-stop wonderful amazing busy chaos! I've finally had the time to build my modelling portfolio et focus on achieving my dreams et goals. I've been working hard every single day with no breaks. I believe that when you achieve your goals, it feels so much better if you've worked et tried your hardest to get there instead of taking a back seat. 

But because of this I've been neglecting my rest time, which, after having my first day off on Sunday, I realise that scheduling time for yourself is just as important. 

I always bring my JC Castelbajac TinTin jumper for when it starts getting chilly on the Heath.

A relaxing day to me is somewhere in the open air, with nature et trees all around me, the sun on my skin, the wind playing with my hair et the gentle smell of trees et nature carried on a breeze.

Hampstead Heath is all of these things to me. Since moving to London four years ago, it has been my Haven, the place I go to when the city life weighs down on my heart. 

I walk there, with a blanket, a book et something to eat in my bag, et I lay back et take in all the beauty nature has to offer. 

I love finding a more secluded spot, somewhere in the longer grass. Hampstead Heath is very famous for many things, one of them being the beautiful view over the City of London. You see many people sitting to admire that view, but I prefer to look the other way, find a spot high up where I can see all the trees. It gives my mind a sense of release from the city, I feel my creativity et heart expanding as I become part of a beautiful scenery. 

As I lay in the grass on Sunday, reading my book of the week, I realised that it wasn't that I didn't have enough time to take my beloved walks anymore, but instead, that I wasn't giving the time to myself. After thinking about this for some time, I would like to make more of an effort to balance work and me time. 

I brought some Rice Dream chocolate milk with me...so three cheers to Hampstead Heath! Thank you for being a home away from home for me.

Ciao! xx.

Skirt of the week...

Hey!

Last week I took a dangerous but fun shopping trip with my friend. A word of advice...going shopping with a stylist friend? Then be prepared to spend some money!!!

It's been a very long time since I bought anything from a High street shop as I mostly shop in Vintage boutiques et Charity shops (with the occasional trip to DSM - Dover Street Market).

I bought this Denim A-line skirt, its goes with just about everything I cord it with et it fits so perfectly. 

I had dance lessons for the Russian Summer Ball which took place last Saturday et wanted to feel pretty but be wearing something comfortable enough for an evening of dancing...so I wore my denim skirt with some MIISTA platform mules I picked up at the Lazy Oaf sample sale et a vintage yellow silk shirt.

Ciao!!! xx.

What's in your sandwich???

Hello!

So I'm a little behind on my posts, I've been really busy with modelling work every day et so I'm sorry that sometimes I post a little late...^*^

On Sunday we had a picnic in Hampstead Heath. I was sleepy from the Russian Summer Ball the night before et was craving some comfort food, so I decided to make some sandwiches!

On my way home I stopped by Wholefoods to buy some ingredients. I ordered a Kale, Apple, Pear et Ginger Juice whilst I was there to wake up my sleepy body tired from too much Champagne. (...oops)

Here are my ingredients for a truly scrumptious vegan sandwich:

Rocket et Avocado Tofurky Sandwich.

Tokurky slices, or Quorn make a similar product too, whichever you prefer :)

Organic Peppery Rocket

One large organic tomato

Egg free Garlic Mayonnaise - I LOVE my mayo et was surprised at how tasty this egg free mayo is!

Sometimes these substitute products can taste very strange, et it's best just to go without them...but I would recommend this for sure.

This is the BEST mustard out there! I'm a bit of a basil freak haha so this Basil infused Dijjon Mustard is heaven. The combination of flavours compliment each other so delicately, but normal mustard is just as groovy if you prefer it.

It's quite safe to say I am the Queen of Avocado. I eat at least one a day. Avocados are a fantastic source of healthy fats, et do wonders for both your skin et hair. 

 I used Gluten free White Loaf bread...make sure your bread isn't made with eggs as many of the Gluten Free varieties still use animal products to help bind them.

Slap it all together et enjoy!!! Ciao xx.

Baking Vegan Cookies...

Hello :)

Here are my first try at Gluten free Vegan cookies...I wanted to take more photographs of them but they were all eaten before I got a chance!

Then there was only two left...

I made mine using Vegan Mint Chocolate et Cacao powder...they tasted really good, but I would like to make them again et try to make them a little more moist next time.

Ingredients:

Gluten free Flour

Baking powder

Vegan friendly Mint Chocolate

Raw Cacao powder

Almond/Coconut Milk

Ciao! xx.

The treasures you find in Camden Passage...

Hey!

On Friday I needed to do some final preparations for the 20th Annual Russian Summer Ball which took place on Saturday. I went to Angel straight after my photoshoot that day to have my dress altered...but I ended up doing shopping too! ;) oops.

Here are some of the treasures I found...

This is a floor length pink dress by Hawaiian Fashion Father, Alfred Shaheen. The colour was so warm, feminine et perfect for summer days, the quality of the print et fabric was beautiful. I love the pleating et cuffs of this dress, there's something so dreamy about it. 

I love the psychedelic floral pattern of this piece, the neckline is very flattering with a cute ruffled edge. But the best thing about it is the deceiving fact that it's actually a culotte jumpsuit!

This is from the 1960's et in amazing condition, I'd never seen anything quite like it before, so I just had to buy it!

...Now this was my favourite dress...if a dress is what you may call it! 

As I was in Angel to have my ball gown fitted, I was on the lookout for any Vintage gowns just in case ;) Here is one that caught my eye because of the colour, which just so happened to be my favourite colour, pink.

Beautiful sequin detail on the cuffs et neckline.

This pastel pink dress was made of silk chiffon, it had layers of silk to it, with an attached floor length waistcoat made in the same fabric, very true to its 1960's design. 

I really did love this one but unfortunately it was a little too big for me.

This blue number was also made from silk, with silver sequin detail. I love the neckline of this piece et the tube shape. As there was lots of dancing to be had at the Russian Ball, I didn't feel the shape of the dress was sensible...not much freedom to move my legs!

Another Hawaiian inspired design from the 1960's, I love the colour of this piece. My favourite part is the trail at the back of this dress, this added something special to the design, making it unique to everything else. 

Alongside the Culotte Jumpsuit, this yellow silk dress was my favorite. Floor length, billowy sleeves, soft silk chiffon fabric...it has it all!

Silk is my favorite fabric to wear, it keeps me cool on summer days et warm in the chill air evening. 

The movement of this dress was very beautiful, I tried to capture it!

I tried this dress on, although it is very unlike anything else in my wardrobe haha:D 

I saw it on the hanger et as tacky et fabulously ridiculous as it looked, I had a feeling that it may be one of those dresses that completely changes when on the body.

The shape of the dress et exposed neckline was very slimming et sexy, the metallic gold fabric was the icing on the cake. It's such a shame it was too big for me...this would have been my next overly fabulous party dress for sure. 

If you're ever in the area this place et the lovely owner, Jackie, are a must to visit, you'll find them within the Camden passage, you can't miss it really, as soon as you see hundreds of Vintage dresses hung about et on rails you've arrived!

Ciao! xx.

Fresh Fruit Slush Puppies...

Hey!

We all remember the infamous Slush Puppies from our childhood, non? Well who said that the brain freezing brightly coloured delight had to stop when we grow up?

One of my favourite post gym delights is a freshly blended Slushy.

It's not quite a Smoothie, because the amount of milk you add to the blend is just a dash. For my Watermelon, Cherry et Strawberry Slushy, all you really need is the following:

Freeze a bunch of sliced Watermelon

Cherries (pitted of course;) )

Chopped or whole strawberries (chopped is easier on your blender)

Chop some extra Watermelon et keep in the fridge whilst your other fruit freezes. 

Once frozen, add your ingredients to your blender.

Depending on your tastebuds, add as little or as much as you like of each fruit.

My favourite fruit is Watermelon, so I add a big handful of frozen et about a cup of fresh watermelon to the blend.

Then I add a cup of frozen cherries

Et a cup of frozen strawberries.

Now just add a drop of Coconut (or any you prefer) Milk et 1/2 cup of water. 

Blend it for 1 minute, or however long it takes for all your fruits to have that slushy feeling.

Enjoyyyyyyyyyy ciao! xx.

Plantain et Edamame Salad

Hey!

The other evening my boyfriend came round with some super ripe et ready to cook Plantain!

Plantain is such a treat, you find it in a lot of Caribbean and South American cuisine.

There are lots of ways of cooking with it, but my favourite is frying.

I was tired et hungry from a long day of modelling so I whipped together a BIG quick salad using the following:

Plantain et Edamame Spaghetti salad Ingriedients:

2 big handfuls of Fresh Spinach leaves

1 ripe Avocado

1 handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced into halves

2 Spring onions, diced

2 sticks of celery, chopped

1 handful of Edamame Spaghetti (I bought mine from Wholefoods!)

1 large ripe plantain

The riper the plantain the better! It's best fried in Coconut oil, but any you prefer will do :)

Toss all the ingredients together, serving the plantain on the side...enjoy!

Happy Aurora!

Ciao! xx.

Got my work cut out...

 Hey!

Today I went to my first gym class in agggggesss! It's been like a month since I last went, et even though I exercise every morning for 30 minutes, todays session exhausted me! I just about made it up the stairs to my apartment ^*^ 

I usually wear my Nike id's with Nike Gym shorts et my purple sports bra, it's reversible et bright coral on the other side!

Leading a healthy lifestyle, fuelling my body with good foods et exercising is so important to me. When I don't exercise, I feel the difference in my mood, my approach to life turns negative, which is so unlike me, because I love being positive about everything. 

I like setting myself monthly goals, so this month my goal is to make time for the gym every day. I want to shape up et be strong so I can take life head on!

I bought a 1 litre bottle of coconut water for after my session.

It's so important to drink plenty of water/coconut water after a workout session as you lose so many electrolytes through perspiration. Coconut water is great for replacing them.

Ciao! xx.

Raw Vegan Nut Free Vanilla Slices...

Hey!

Since leading a Vegan lifestyle, the hardest part for me has been sugary treats! There are countless delightful cakes, cookies, ice creams (the list really does go on...) that I use to eat so much of that are now off limits...so I decided to make something just as delicious but super healthy too!

Following a recipe by the gluten free vegan girl I adjusted the ingredients to make this a recipe for nut allergy sufferers.

Having loved ones that are very close to me with nut allergies, I always try to make all my cooking nut and sesame free. I know in Vegan diets nuts are a nutritious et important source of healthy fats, proteins and minerals, but I don't think anyone should feel excluded from any lifestyle just because of something that is out of their control!

If you want to make this recipe nut free, simply follow the ingredients here and replace the crust ingredients with the following:

Crust:

1 Cup of Sunflower seeds

1 Cup of Pumpkin seeds

1 Cup of pitted dates (the softer the better, you can soak them in water if they're too hard at first!)

1/2 Dried Mixed berry mix (Goji, blueberry and cranberry)

1 tsp of Vanilla essence

3 tbsp raw cacao powder/cocoa powder (whichever you prefer!) 

They taste really great! I hope you enjoy making them! 

Ciao! x.

Making changes...

Hey!

For a long time now I have been finding myself increasingly disturbed by the environmental issues my generation et more importantly our children's generation face.

There are so many layers to this, I know, but one factor that has kept preying on my mind is one of the biggest problems we face, et that is the farming industry.

The more I read, the more documentaries I watched, the more I found myself feeding a passion to leading a better life, a cleaner life. As much as I have come to love the taste of fish et meat, the damage that it is having on our earth et the animals (including us!) that inhabit it was too much for to ignore any longer. 

It was then that I decided to lead a Vegan lifestyle. Free of meat, free of farmed products.

Everyone close to me has really embraced my decision et this has made it a lot easier. Before I decided to be Vegan, I already followed a diet full of healthy fresh foods, with very little processed food. I think that this also made the transition very relaxed et not very difficult.

Beetroot, Cacao et Almond Vegan Cake (gluten free too!) from a Juice bar in Soho, London.

I'll be posting more Vegan recipes on here, as I find myself exploring new dishes even more now!

A yummy Vegan breakfast I made. Raw Spinach, Mango, Blueberries et Raspberries with Coconut Yoghurt.

Ciao!