Carrot and Coriander Soup

Although it's not officially autumn yet (but this English weather seems to think it is) I just couldn't resist not making one of my favourite soups. Fresh, light and super healthy I present to you the Carrot and Coriander soup!

What you will need: 

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (I used coconut oil because it's healthier)
• 1 onion
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 potato
• 450g carrots
• 1l vegetable or chicken stock
• handful of fresh coriander 

Peel and chop the potatoes and the carrots. Then chop up the onion quite small. I would recommend putting a plastic bag net to you so you can quickly throw the waste into there. This was a huge time saver!

Start melting the oil in a large pan; once the oil is hot place the onions in there. I put a small amount of onions in first to see if it sizzles (if it does the pan is hot enough) Fry the onions for 5 minutes until soft.

Once the onions are soft, add the potato and ground coriander. (I forgot to photograph this)

 

After a minute, pour in the stock and carrots, then cover with a lid for 20 minutes and reduce the heat to the lowest.

After 20 minutes the carrots should be tender. Pour everything into a blender with the fresh coriander. Blitz to your preferred consistency.

Ladle some soup into a bowl with a slice of bread, I toasted mine to give the dish some crunch. Sprinkle some salt and pepper, add a leaf of fresh coriander and ENJOY!

This was my first food post, so I hoped you liked it! 

If any of you make it be sure to tweet me pictures of it @lifewithjess!

Se you soon!

Jess

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Good food, good music and good vibes - A week in Sennen

This August I spent a week in Sennen Cove Cornwall with all of my family. We stayed in a beautiful large house with sea views and an easy walk down to the beach. 

Sunset walks down to Sennen beach

From Sennen Cove beach we had the best seat in the house of the beautiful evening sunsets. It was a panoramic view of gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows intertwining with wisps of fluffy clouds. Such a perfect sight matched with perfect weather!

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno beach beholds one of the most unique seas you will ever see. Apart from the crystal clear water and the exfoliating sand grains, the sea is like a pool!  Although there is no surf, all the kids really enjoyed running and diving into it! A couple of steps into the water and you’re plunged down, into the depths of the sea. As I mentioned before the sand was really exfoliating; it started to hurt my feet after awhile, but once my feet were dry they were SO soft. NOTE: The reason my feet were hurting was because the current in the sea was so strong when coming out I really had to scramble up (but it was worth it, haha)

Living off the land (well sort of)

The house we were staying at had a short coastal walk down to the beach. The paths were full of blackberry brambles with the ripe black fruit glistening under the sun. The house also had an orchard of apples. All the kids picked these fruits and filled up buckets of the stuff! Literally! We

made an homemade, handpicked blackberry and apple crumble! It was so yummy, especially when paired with cornish custard. 

One of the outings the family went on was mackerel fishing. Being vegetarian I initially didn't want to go, but for the experience I went all the same. In all honesty i really enjoyed myself! We all caught at least 10 mackerel each and came home to gut and fillet them! Most people would find it disgusting but being the tough cookie I am I did like 10! Proud or what? Catching and cooking my own fish made me want a taste. I’ve got to say it was super delicious!

Minack Theatre 

This theatre, just off of Porthcurno beach, is like no other. It is set into the cliff side with a stunning panoramic view of the sea. My aunty bought tickets to watch a hilarious one man show about running a zoo. Aimed at kids but funny for the whole family; from my 76 year old granddad to my 1 year old cousin, everyone really liked it. 

I hope you guys liked this blog post, it’s my first one in the travel section! 

P.S While on the way home from Sennen we stopped off and found this! A can of Arizona iced tea! I’ve had the bottle before but i much prefer the can, its SO cute. I’m such a hoarder it is actually a problem, but i’m going to keep the can as a vase and put pretty flowers in it.

Anyways, see you soon

Jess

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Travel Make up

Holidaying in the summer is the best. This is my makeup bag containing all of my essential summer must-haves. Summer makeup for me is light, natural and glowing. I love having subtle shimmers throughout my face, but pops of bright colours on my lips and eyes. 

My favourite trick in summer for my sucky eyelashes is just curling them! I usually don't wear mascara everyday but just curl them! On holiday i'm either in the sea or sun bathing meaning mascara just comes off. So, i just curl them and VOILA! The secret to perky lashes without the fuss.

Stains and cream/gel eyeshadows are perfect for hot weather and water-proof makeup. For my eyes I use Maybellines Colour Tattoos and Collections gel eyeliners. These products stay on all day! I love putting the teal eyeliner under my water-liner for a pop of colour. Benefits Benetint is a red cheek stain that smells like roses! mmm... I love applying this on the apples of my cheeks. 

My makeup bag contains a lot of warm hued, shimmery products, like the eye pencil in yogurt and the liquid illuminator. NXY eye pencils are great because they're SO simple and easy to use! The colour yogurt is a coppery, bronze, champagne. It really draws light to your eyes and opens them up. The liquid illuminator is from a company called So Susan. It's a gorgeous rosy, gold highlighter; perfect for the cheek bones and cupids bow. 

I hope this gave you some ideas for your travel makeup kit!

See you soon 

Jess

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DIY - Box Organiser

I am such a hoarder of small boxes. I always store all my random stuff in them like, hair bobbles and grips, lips balms e.c.t. I am also such a homey decor type person, so you'll probably find me mooching around Home Sense or John Lewis. 

Anyway, recently in Home Sense there are lots of boxes with writing on like 'Random Stuff' or 'What's in here?' Seeing these inspired me to create my own instead of paying like £8 for one. 

What you will need:

• Plain box
• Paint Brushes
• Pencil (and a ruler)
• Paint 

Firstly i stencilled out the words that i wanted on my box. TIP - when you do this do it lightly, i found  out the hard way and ended up with pencil marks visible. 

Once you've stencilled out whatever you want it to say, fill the letters in with whatever colour paint you want. I did two coats of paint to make the white opaque. 

When the paint has dried just fill it with your 'Bits and Bobs' I keep mine on my bedside table with Bio Oil, Vasoline and tissue. 

 Hope you like this quick DIY to vamp up your plain boxes!
See you soon
Jess
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