Summer Treats: Berry Wonton Cups

This treat is so tasty and easy that you’re going to have to stop yourself from popping a fourth batch into the oven. Or not! Make it the next time your friends come over, for a summer BBQ, or even when you’re snuggled up on the couch watching a movie; they're totally versatile! 


PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE Berry Wonton CupsPrep Time: 10 min. | Total Time: 30 min. (incl. cooling) | Makes: 16 

What You Need16 won ton wrappers
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE White Chocolate Cream Cheese Spread
2 cups fresh blackberries

Make It
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 16 muffin pan cups with cooking spray. Line with won ton wrappers, extending edges of wrappers over tops of cups.
Bake 10 min. or until lightly browned. Cool.
Spoon 1 Tbsp. PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE into each won ton cup just before serving; top with blackberries.
Variation: Pair your favourite




Will you be trying out these sensational summer classics?


Saskia XO

A Crown of Braids

To me, summer hair is messy, touchable softness and my favourite kind of style is the braid. So when the braid can be made into a crown....I say why not?! It seems pretty easy, but not everyone has long hair that reaches all the way around the head to make a perfect crown of braids. Girls with short hair need braids TOO! Using this technique, you make small, overlapping intersections of braids to create a full crown. Here’s how:

1. Start with straight, wavy or curly hair. I personally like this best with a little wave or curl because the crown of braids holds better with texture.
2. Grab a section of hair above the ear and split it into 2 pieces, like our lovely Nora is doing in this photo.
3. Braid both pieces. (Gently loosen up the braid for a more natural, romantic texture.)
4. Cross them over each other as seen above and clip them to hold them in place while you do the same thing on the other side! If your hair is short and won’t reach, do 3 or 4 intersections of hair instead of just 2!
5. Once you finish the other side, take the two braids that go over the top, cross them over and pin them using small but strong bobby pins.
6. Take the two pieces that will go backward and tie them together. Add a couple of pins where the braids meet.
7. Add a few extra bobby pins around the crown of braids to keep them from slipping or moving.

A veil of hairspray isn’t necessary but will help keep things in place if your hair tends to slip.

What's your favourite summer hair style?

Saskia XO

Style Guide: My Beach Day Basics

The sun is shining and the seagulls are singing (or more accurately, combing the beach for your sandy leftovers)—it’s summertime! You may have your swimsuit du jour squared away along with the perfect pair of sunnies, but the question remains: Are you really ready to hit the beach?

In addition to my door side “go” bag (see In the Bag: Prepped & Ready for all the details), there are a few key fashion items I keep around for hanging beachside…

Classic Cut Offs
Every gal needs a good old pair of cut off jean shorts. For me, denim cutoffs will always be a summer staple. They are as timeless as they are California cool. Lately, I’ve been wearing Levi’s because like the looser fit and higher set waist. The Levi’s 501 cut works well with most body types. Other cute cut offs I found online include Madewell’s cuffed Midi Shorts or Urban Outfitter’s Urban Renewal Shorts.

Neutral Sandals
I cannot stress how important it is to have a great pair of neutral sandals. Your wardrobe choices are exponentially multiplied when you’ve got a pair of shoes that go with almost everything if your closet. A few of my favourites are the sandals designed by LC Lauren Conrad's line for Kohl’s, Tory Burch’sEmmy Flats, Topshop’s Hoopa Sandals, and Aldo’s Dauster Flats. And for those of you who plan on treading into the sand, I suggest keeping a pair of Havaianas Slim Flip Flops handy (I like the sand grey and light golden colour combo).

White Camisole
When I’m beach bound, I love to layer on an easy, lightweight camisole. In fact, I love them for a variety of occasions… Splendid makes a great basic camisole as does Sparkle & Fade.

A Killer Cover Up
If sand or water will be involved in my day, I always pack a cover up. They add the ideal dose of chic to any summer outing. I like simple stripped versions and also sheer floral prints. Lace and crochet cover ups are also nice and have been popular this season. I also found this sweet Diane Von Furstenberg romper that would make for an easy all-in-one ocean side ensemble.

LBB
Well, hello LBB (as in Little Black Bikini)! For a no-fuss beach trip, I keep a little black bikini around. That way, I can easily match my outfit and cover up if I’m in a hurry to get out the door. L*Space makes a great black bikini with the best fit. Like a LBD, every girl needs a LBB (oh, and a LWD too).

Floppy Hat
I always pack an oversize hat for the beach. J Crew does the best floppy hat. It's the perfect size and it travels well. Keeping your face safe and out of the sun is a must. For more tips on combatting the sun, be smart and check out my Hello Sunshine blog.

Oversize Tote
A classic straw tote with leather handles will last you years. Club Monacohas a lovely stripped tote bag that’s big enough for your towel along with the rest of your beachy necessities.



What are your beach day basics?


Saskia XO

First Day of Summer Vacay: Candy Coloured Beauty!

In a nutshell, it seems that the summer beauty scene has been sugar coated—and quite literally. From Louis Vuitton to Chanel, cotton candy pouts and sugar sprinkled cheeks were paraded down the spring 2012 catwalks, making this sweet façade the look du jour for summer.

In honor of this pretty summer trend, I’ve put together 10 of my favourite candy-coloured beauty picks along with tips on how to wear each one…

Sweep on a subtly iridescent loose shadow, such as Make Up For EverDiamond Powder in Baby Mauve, for delicately sweet lids. Wear it with a soft pink lip and a fresh face to keep the look wearable for work or play.

Slick some shimmery highlighter over your cheekbones, across your jawline and over your collarbones for a glowy, glistening finish. I like Benefit High Beam.

Gloss on 2012’s hautest yet most refreshing shade: Mint Candy Apple by Essie. I love how unexpected yet insanely chic mint tips look when worn with summer neutrals and bright whites.

Savour your sweet tooth by rocking a candy-coloured kisser. Fill in your lips with something like NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a sugary-sweet pout. I suggest pairing this lip with long, black lashes and natural face makeup for a Louis Vuitton-like finish.

If rock candy pink isn’t for you, opt for a peach sweet pout by wearing Yves Saint Lauren Volupte Sheer Candy Lipstick in Tangy Mandarine. Peach is a nice, understated way to wear this trend since it works well with most skin tones and can be worn with full or minimal makeup.

Applying a sheer blue shadow along your lower and upper lash lines will make your eyes pop. Sheiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Colour in Fondant is great for this. When worn with a bold lash and neutral lip, the results are simply stunning.

Pucker up for a sweet but sour glow by sweeping on a luminescent blush such as Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Fuchsia Flushed. Brush it over the apples of your cheeks for a perfectly flushed finish and pair it with a natural matte eye for contrast.

Use a pillow-soft neutral shadow such as Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Ivory or White for a smooth, natural base. Wear it with winged liner for a doe-eyed effect and a punchy pink gloss to keep the look interesting.

Let’s face it—Lemonhead lids are tough to pull off. Instead, use a yellow-tinged colour correcting eyelid primer to refresh tired or red eyes. BenefitLemon-Aid works well and the sheer pale hue instantly hides any discolouration so you can confidently wear all of summer’s candy-coloured shadows without worrying about what lies beneath.

If a bold fuchsia flush intimidates you, try Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush. It gives you that effortlessly natural rosiness that’s perfect for a summer day. This is a great shade that goes with almost every beauty look. Definitely a good investment piece for your beauty kit.

Which candy-coloured product are you most excited to try?

Saskia XO

Lovely Liberations: Peach Passion

I posted a photo of this peach sangria (photo above) in a recent Friday Favorites and noticed a lot of requests for the recipe in the comments. I discovered this delicious drink through Pinterest (my newest obsession), but the actual recipe is from Coastal Living (July 2009). Needless to say, peaches are in season right now which makes this the perfect time to share the recipe with all of you!


Ingredients

• 1 bottle of white wine of your choice
• 1 cup peach schnapps
• ½ cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 2 nectarines, sliced
• 1 cup green or red grapes, whole or sliced

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir before serving. Enjoy!

For a virgin version of this recipe, swap out the schnapps and white wine for Sprite or sparkling water!

Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Have a yummy late-summer drink recipe? Upload it in the comments bellow!

(All exams finished!!!) Saskia XO

DIY: Five Step Facial

For me, facials are an important part to maintaining a healthy complexion. I typically get a professional facial every other month. While professional facials will cost you a pretty penny, there are plenty of spa-worthy products on the market that are perfect for giving yourself an inexpensive at-home facial.


Here’s how you can give yourself a lovely at-home facial in just 5 easy steps:


What you will need…

• gentle facial cleanser
• exfoliating scrub
• washcloth
• face mask (clay-based for oily skin, cream or gel mask for dry skin)
• face moisturizer

Instructions

1. Clean. Remove all makeup and then wash your face, neck and ears with a good facial cleanser.
2. Exfoliate. Using your fingers gently rub an exfoliating facial scrub in small circular motions all over your face. Make sure you focus on areas around your nose and forehead. If certain areas of your face are oilier than others, give that section an extra scrub. Go the extra mile and do a lip scrub too! 
3. Steam. There are a few ways to steam your face (over the stove, using a steamer), but the safest way is to do the washcloth trick. Fill your sink with warm water and soak a washcloth in it. Ring out the towel and then press it to your face. Repeat this 2 to 3 times.
4. Mask. If you have oily skin, use a clay mask. For dry skin, I suggest using a hydrating cream or gel mask. Depending on the mask, leave it on for the suggested amount of time and then rinse completely. (DIY Alert: Making your own mask is very easy. An orange and yogurt mask is especially simple. Mix 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt with the juice of about one fourth of an orange. Spread the mixture evenly over your face and rinse after 5 to 10 minutes.)
5. Hydrate. Last by not least, moisturise! Smooth a nice, thick moisturiser over your face and neck.

Is your skincare routine working for you?
Share your tips and tricks in the comments below (especially if you have any fun DIY face mask recipes). I will compile the best suggestions to share in a follow up post. 

Saskia XO

Pin it to Win it!

This may seem like a simple task to some of you, but I find that a lot of people struggle with hiding a bobby pin. The best way to conceal your weapon is to slide the pin back up into the hair in the opposite direction that the hair is going (see image example). By doing this, you create the strongest support while hiding your bobby pin at the same time. This is how every section was pinned in www.thebeautydepartment.com's “Twisted Sister” updo tutorial. 
As wedding/prom season quickly approaches this trick should come in very handy; you heard it here first!


Saskia XO

Shape Up: Summer Sport Special

When the weather gets warmer, I love to venture outside the gym and enjoy the great outdoors. During the summer I like riding bikes, stand up paddling and kayaking in the ocean....when I have the time to journey down to the coast. I think it’s important to keep your workout routine fresh and fun during the summer. (The heat can get to you, so adding a splash of water and a cool breeze can work wonders!)


These are a few of my favourite no-workout workouts for the summer…

1. Take a ride. Riding bikes during the summer keeps my arms and legs toned. Plus, ditching the car and opting to ride burns extra calories you can bank for other summer outings (More chips, anyone?).
2. Paddle out. If you live near the beach or a lake, I highly recommend stand up paddle boarding. Not only is it a serene experience floating across the top of the water, it’s also a wonderful way to exercise. Dig your paddle deep into the water with each row and you will get a serious back and core workout. 
3. Kayak. For a great arm and abs workout, go kayaking. It’s a fun way to squeeze in your upper body conditioning without hitting the weights.

What’s your favourite way to sweat it out during the summer months? Any suggestions for people who don’t live near the ocean?




(12 down, 2 to go) Saskia XO

Happy Father's day!

Wishing my father and all the other dads out there a very happy Father's Day!
Hope you have a great day- and don't forget to do something nice for Daddy!













Saskia XO

Friday Favourites!

Hooray! It’s finally Friday. I really hope everyone has had an amazing and productive working week. So, in proper Friday fashion, here are a few of my favourite things from the past week…

Favourite Summer Brunch Cocktail (Champagne Sangria via Kiran Tarun):

Favourite Plan (road trip!):

Favourite Colour Combo:

Favourite Laugh:

Favourite Daydream (junk food sans calories):

What’s your favourite of the week?
Have a great weekend!
(13 exams down, 2 to go!) Saskia XO

The Hotest Party of the Summer: Capital Summertime Ball

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to attend 'the hottest party of the summer', for the fourth year in a row! It really enabled my summer to be kicked off with a HUGE bang!
This year, however was particularly amazing and memorable for the fantastic weather and also, the acts! Feast your eyes on the line up:

Coldplay



Usher



Rizzle Kicks



Ed Sheeran



Flo Rida



Rita Ora



Justin Bieber



Jessie J



Kelly Clarkson



Lawson



Connor Mayanard



Katy Perry



Pitbull



Example



Carly Rae Jepsen



Cheryl Cole



Dizzee Rascal



Cover Drive



The Wanted




The event was an amazing success and with the star studded line up of versatilty; there was something for everyone!

What did you do last weekend?

Saskia XO

Rule Britannia: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

The Central Weekend 2 - 5 June 2012

The Central Weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee culminated in a Ceremonial Day which included a service at St Paul's and a balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace!

The Diamond Jubilee, used to celebrate the Queen's 60 year reign, was a great success, showing unity and happiness among the country! 

Here is a run-down  of the events over the Diamond Jubilee weekend:

Saturday 2 June, 2012The Queen attended the Epsom Derby. As my hometown is Epsom, I was able to throw our annual 'Derby Day Party' which saw lots of friends and family coming together for a monumental historical event. 

  

Sunday 3 June, 2012
The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people were encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. 

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event took place on the Thames and consisted of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh travelled in the Royal Barge which formed the centrepiece of the flotilla. I was lucky enough to actually go up to the event and watch the boat crossing!

  

Monday 4 June, 2012
BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: A host of famous faces came together to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace. As part of the celebration, one of my dearest friends hosted a 'Jubilee BBQ' which many of my friends and I attended :) (Check out the cute cupcakes we made!) The guys were particularly patriotic ;)

  

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon. 

Tuesday 5 June, 2012On Tuesday 5 June, the Diamond Jubilee weekend culminated with a day of celebrations in central London, including a service at St Paul’s Cathedral followed by two receptions, a lunch at Westminster Hall, a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace and finally a Balcony appearance, Flypast, and Feu de Joie.I was lucky enough to view the planes flying over my house, just seconds after watching them live on television! Sported some self created British flag nails too!

  

My weekend was one filled with joy, happiness and so much pride for being British!

What festivities did you endeavour in, during the 'Jubilee Weekend'? 

Saskia XO