Banana Cake

I have mixed feelings when it comes to bananas. I love anything that tastes or smells like bananas but I never go for the actual fruit on its own. Give me a slice of bread to put the banana on and I'm good. Although I would probably add a thin layer of Nutella. Chocolate and banana are the ultimate combination for me which is why this recipe includes both. Quick and simple (and tasty) banana cake for spring!

Ingredients:

300 g flour

220 g sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 ripe bananas, mashed

125 g butter

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 180°C.

2. Melt the butter.

3. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and sugar; set aside.

4. In a separate bigger bowl, mix the mashed bananas with the beaten eggs, 

melted butter and vanilla extract.

5. Stir the dry ingredients from the medium bowl in the batter.

6. Add the chocolate chips.

7. Grease and line a loaf tin before pouring the batter in.

8. Bake for 45 minutes depending on your oven.

Happy baking!

Mascara Graveyard

I am a mascara hoarder. While cleaning out my make up collection (no, I haven't read Marie Kondo) over the weekend I found about half a dozen empty mascara tubes in my drawer. I have either kept them as a reference for a future purchase or for the pretty packaging. Is it just me or do you find it hard to throw away high end empties?

Benefit - They're Real is one of the most hyped up mascaras on the market so I had high hopes when I picked up this tube. Unfortunately this didn't work for me at all. The wand is very spikey and sparse, in combination with the wet formula my lashes would look clumpy. This is an issue that could be resolved if you had some extra time. The deal breaker however was the fact that I lost a noticeable amount of lashes removing the mascara.

Smashbox - Full Exposure is just a lovely mascara. I have nothing bad to say about this, love the formula -not too wet, not too dry- and the brush is the perfect size for me. Just keep in mind that this is definitely natural looking, nothing dramatic!

YSL - Singulier was another disappointing purchase for me and a waste of money. The brush was designed in a spiral to lift the lashes and add volume which didn't work at all. The formula was dry and my lashes would clump together after applying a second coat. Fortunately YSL no longer sell this mascara.

Maybelline - Lash Sensational is my current drugstore favorite. I was skeptic at first as I'm not a fan of the curved wands but I managed to not stab myself in the eye and actually appreciate the shape. My lashes are separated and elongated and the formula is buildable. I've never had issues with smudging or flaking.

Dior - Diorshow in brown was my first ever mascara and I kept this tube simply for nostalgic reasons. I felt super fancy with my high end mascara as a teenager. As I wore this in brown it was natural and appropriate for school. The brush is huge and bristly and adds volume without clumping. This mascara was re-released in 2015 with an updated anti-drying formula.

What's your favorite mascara? High end or drugstore!

 

Chit Chat - Motivation and Stress

Long time no see over here. At least that's what it feels like to me. I've sat down at my laptop numerous times in the past couple of weeks eager to start typing up a new blogpost. I have a list of ideas, I have photos on my camera, I have products to review. What's been missing though is time and the right mind set.

The beginning of this year has been a whirlwind and I feel like I haven't sat down and made time for myself in weeks. My health situation hasn't been ideal, I have caught every nasty cold that has been around without fully recovering. My immune system has never been the strongest but this winter it has definitely failed me more than once. Combining my weak body with a high amount of self inflicted stress I have been constantly tired and unmotivated. Unmotivated to blog, to work out, to eat better or to even do much besides sleep when getting home from work.

A considerable amount of stress has fallen off these past couple of days. Due my passing an exam and getting validation at work I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I've been watching what I eat and getting some fresh air. It doesn't feel like much but I'm taking baby steps here. Next up: Getting more sleep!
This is by no means a "10 Tips to get motivated" type of post because I have honestly no idea what my advice would be. I think it's all about knowing or finding out what causes your lack of motivation, taking a step back and clearing your mind.

I want to say that I'll start working out next Monday (because you can only start working outs or diets at the beginning of the week, right?;)) but let's not get ahead of yourselves here. I'm glad to feel motivated again, to be happier again and I'll just take it from there. Or maybe it's just spring?

What keeps you motivated when the stress gets to you?

Winter Blues in March

As I'm typing this up it's snowing outside and it's been colder the past couple of days than all of winter. European mountain resorts finally got the snow they've been waiting for although it's the beginning of March. It looks like spring isn't upon us quite yet!

How do you keep your energy and motivation levels high during these cold winter days? Here are some tips on how to "cure" Winter Blues:

Be healthy! Drink lots of water and try to eat healthy by avoiding refined and processed food and adding lots of veggies and fruit to your diet.

Exercise! Exercising is a great way to relieve stress while you're maintaining your weight at the same time. A good work out boosts your energy level and improves your mood.

Go outside! Embrace the season and spend half an hour outside each day. Make themost of the occasional sunshine or the snow. Try something fun like ice-skating, skiing/snowboarding or even sledging.

Treat yourself! Give yourself something to look forward to to get you through the seemingly endless cold days. Make plans for a trip, a party or a day of shopping. 

Surround yourself with friends! The support of friends, family or co-workers can be very helpful. Tell them how you feel about your lack of motivation and energy. Shoot an old friend a message and have a catch up over lunch or coffee.

Relax! Get enough sleep, take a bath, watch a movie... Take some time off and try to relax!

Have an amazing start to the weekend!