Street Style Favourites From Oslo Fashion Week S/S 18

In the fashion world February and September are referred to as fashion months.  It is during these months that major fashion shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris are held.  Bloggers and the fashion elite flock to these cities and in recent years are photographed headed to the shows – this is often referred to as street style.  While the major shows are great and show the upcoming collections from well known brands and designers along with a few that are gaining traction on the world stage, I love looking at the styles from the lesser known fashion weeks.  If you have been following this blog for a while, it should come as no surprise to you that I have a special place in my heart for Scandinavian design.  While I normally show my affection by spotlighting various interiors with Scandinavian influence on Stylishly Zen, I would be remiss if I didn’t shine the spotlight on the fabulous street style and fashion from these countries.  As a former fashion executive, I find the fashion styling in these countries fabulous, inspiring and distinctly Scandinavian.  Fashionable yet effortlessly cool and unique, these looks are gorgeous and inspiring.  Love!  Love!  Love!

This past August Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm all held their fashion shows to showcase their Spring/Summer 2018 collections, so over the next couple of weeks I will be showcasing my favourite looks (both street style and shows) here on Stylishly Zen starting today with street style from Oslo.  So without further adieu, enjoy!

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All images from http://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg

I hope that you have a beautiful and fashionable day!  XXS

Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

I realize that summer 2017 is coming to an end, but I am planning to enjoy every day that we have left.  Lemonade is a summer favourite for most people and there is a cool coffee shop in my neighbourhood that makes the best honey ginger lemonade.  Unfortunately, treating myself to a glass often can get pretty pricey so I have been making my version of this delicious beverage at home to enjoy on a regular basis.  The other day I had some leftover pineapple in my fridge so I decided to make a variation of my summertime favourite beverage.  A quick Google search taught me that I was not completely original in my thinking, as it turns out that pineapple ginger lemonade is a popular Indian beverage but I am quite fond of my variation so I still wanted to share it with all of you.

This recipe is super simple and is very easy to tailor to your own taste.  Naturally sweetened with raw honey it also has some great health benefits (you can learn more about the benefits of raw honey here).  Overall this recipe is refreshing and great if you are suffering with a summer cold as the ginger, lemon and honey will help you on the road to recovery.

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Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

Makes 4 cups

1 inch piece of peeled ginger

2 lemons + more for garnishing

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks

1 1/2 tablespoon raw honey

3 cups water

Directions:

  1. Juice the 2 lemons and pour into a high speed blender
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high speed until completely blended
  3. Strain (optional – I prefer to not to)
  4. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until cool
  5. Pour into glasses (add ice if needed) and enjoy!

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I hope that you have a wonderful day!  XXS

 

Inspiring Interior

Today’s Inspiring Interior is a design dream.  Designed by the architecture and interior design firm Conran + Partners, this London home is a perfect lesson in timeless chic.  The muted colour palette compliments the brightly coloured furniture that has been strategically placed around the home.  I especially love the grey stone table and gorgeous green chairs in the kitchen.

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If this was my home I would make a few minor changes with the artwork and some of the lighting but overall I really love the design of this home.  It is elegant and timeless contemporary design at its finest.

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS❤️

All images from http://www.conranandpartners.com

 

5 Reasons to Switch to Raw Honey

Growing up I hated honey and would avoid it at all costs.  When I started to clean up my diet a few years ago, I read an article about the benefits of raw honey and decided to try it out in the hopes that I would like it better then the processed stuff that I had hated.  It was love at first taste!  I don’t know if it’s because my tastes have changed as I have gotten older or if it really does taste that much better, but raw honey has become a staple in my pantry.  I really don’t know how I ever lived without it!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with raw honey here is a quick overview:

  • Raw honey is not filtered or pasteurized
  • Raw honey is opaque rather then clear commercial honey
  • It is immediately taken from the cells of the honey comb
  • Raw honey is free from additives

Here are my top 5 reasons to include raw honey in my diet:

  1. Raw honey contains bee pollen  which helps to provide natural allergy relief, boost your immunity and helps to ward off infections.
  2. If you struggle with insomnia then you may want to try having a bit of raw honey before bedtime.  A known sleep promoter, raw honey helps to restock the glycogen in the liver which helps you to stay asleep during the night.  Try stirring it into some golden milk for a comforting bedtime beverage.  Get my recipe here
  3. I always reach for raw honey when I feel a cold coming on.  It is well known as a natural cough syrup and it can also help to reduce mucus secretion
  4. Raw honey is an antioxidant superhero.  It helps to block free radicals in the body which can cause disease
  5. Natural energy source – if you are struggling through a work out, consider having a bit of raw honey to give you a boost.  It’s 80% natural sugar, which will help you to power through that workout with ease

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Raw honey loses it’s beneficial properties as it is heated so it is best used incorporated into dishes and drinks after it has been removed from heat.  It is important to note that raw honey is still a source of sugar so do not go overboard when using it!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

This blog post is for information purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice.  It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner.

Beat The Heat With Watermelon Mint Limeade

When it comes to beverages I am pretty boring – I stick with plenty of water, teas or all kind and the occasional cup of coffee.  Lately though, the temperatures have been soaring and I found myself wanting to mix it up a bit.  The juice options at the store just didn’t sound appealing or the sugar content was way to high for me to justify, so I decided to create a few easy recipes that would help me beat the heat without sending my blood sugar level skyrocketing.

The first recipe that I will be sharing today is actually one of my favourite creations – watermelon mint limeade.  It only requires five ingredients!  It can be enjoyed on it’s own, mixed with sparkling water for a bubbly treat or as a base for a boozy summer cocktail. The watermelon offers extra hydrating benefits, the mint makes it extra refreshing and the limeade offers an enjoyable tartness without being too sour.

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Consider the recipe below just loose directions – I suggest that you modify the quantities to your own specific tastes.

Ingredients

4 cups of chopped watermelon

1 cup of fresh lime juice (aproximately 4 limes) + lime to garnish

3 cups spring water

1 sprig of mint (remove from stem)

2 tablespoon raw honey

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on medium speed until completely blended.

Strain if necessary (I prefer not to)

Serve chilled or over ice

Enjoy!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

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