Get Shorty | Style

Now, we may just be seeing the start of Spring. Hallelujah!
And about time, right? This weekend, the clocks go forward meaning we get that extra hour of daylight and I can't wait to get out and make the most of it.

For me, with the light nights, comes the unbridled desire to be outdoors, running, cycling, beach boot-camping, all balanced out with the occasional beer garden excursion.

For those week night outdoor workouts, I'm after some new gear to see me through Spring and Summer, particularly in the shorts arena. I used to hate flashing my stems when the sun came out, but now I fully embrace it. And what's more, the range a beautiful sports shorts you can get your mitts on at the moment is ace. So, when the sun's out, it'll definitely be guns pins out.

Here are my top picks, just in time for payday.

Trial Shift at Cookhouse

On Saturday night, we headed into Ouseburn for a pop-up dining experience by the guys from Trial Shift. Ever since I first saw tickets go on sale, I knew the evening would be something rather special.

The duo behind TS, Tom Anglesea and Shaun Hurrell, have recently started putting on pop-up food events around the North East, and this weekend, took over The Grazer's Cookhouse venue for a veg feast, starring produce grown in the North East by king of the veg, Ken Holland. Now, I love a good old supperclub, and having been the several of Anna's own events at Cookhouse before, it was great to be back in familiar surroundings sampling something a bit different.

Clean Salted Caramel Smoothie

My friend Kate told me about a smoothie recipe she'd concocted ages ago, and as soon as she said the words 'salted caramel', I was obviously sold. Now, this isn't an exact recipe as such, as her creation was a bit of an experiment, but sometimes the best things come out of whacking anything together in the blender. This is totally different to any other smoothies I usually make (no greens here) but I know it's going to be a firm favourite from now on.

The key ingredient to the butterscotchy taste is lucuma powder, which is anti-inflammatory, packed with iron, and contains boat loads of carotene - essential for healthy eyes and supple skin.

I've tried to recreate the milkshake-like drink here and have added a couple of other bits and bobs in to put my stamp on it. My word, it's like a creamy, silky, salted caramel pudding. *wolf whistle*

It does require a tiny bit of prep in terms of the roasted butternut squash, but seriously, it's all the better for it.

Budget Wellbeing Picks | Newcastle

There can be a massive stigma around the cost of wellbeing and a general feeling that living a healthy lifestyle comes with a hefty price tag. However, it is possible to eat clean, make the most of your workout and consequently, feel ace, all on a budget.

I'll be doing a few more posts around the subject of living well on a budget, but to kick things off, I've done a round-up on some my top tips for budget wellbeing, in and around the beautiful Newcastle upon Tyne area.

Weekend Love | Wellbeing

Barbour Newmarket jacket / Fjallraven Kanken backpack / Barts hat.

I've just had a much-needed three day weekend, including a trip up to Craster and Newton-by-the-Sea on the Northumberland coast, tea at Tea Sutra in Newcastle with my pals (holy hell, their raw chocolates are amazing) and the opening of a new exhibition at Three Tanners Bank on North Shields Fish Quay.

Here's a few snaps from what's been one of the best weekends in a long while. Bring on the next one.

Raw Homemade Nutella

Homemade Nutella! Who knew that such a thing could be created?

Now, granted this is the original's clean cousin which can be enjoyed (kinda) guilt free, I still stand by the fact that the original is the best. It's more reserved for cheat days now, but with this raw version, you can go wild and have it on your toast mid-week without the sugar hangover.

It sounds like it might be the most complex thing in the world to make, but it really is easier than you think.

Top 5 New Workout Picks | Wellbeing

I workout up to four times a week, and have been going through gym gear at a bit of an alarming rate.

I've been saving for a few more pricier items to add to my work out wardrobe recently, as not only are they generally more well made, but I reckon they do last longer than your high-street gym garb.
[Side note: I may also wear these IRL. That kale t-shirt though].

I've got a bit of wish-list going at the minute of some new bits and pieces to keep me looking funky fresh whilst back squatting. Here's the deets.

The Weekday Face | Beauty

When doing my maquillage this morning, I realised I've pretty much been wearing the same weekday make-up for, well, a good few weeks now.

I work in an office environment, so make-up with staying power is key for me, so I can laugh in the face of the dreaded air-con. It's also super easy to remove - I'm training a lot after work at the moment, whether it's at the gym or training for the Sheffield Half Marathon, and this whole face can be removed in a few quick swipes with some trusty old micellar water before I workout. Bonus.

So, here we go. Here's what's been winning in the everyday make-up dept.

Super Simple Protein Pancakes

Pancakes. Who doesn't love them? Pancake day fired up my love for a good old stack again. So much so, that I've been making them not just for breakfast, but for tea too. Winner winner, pancake dinner.

These protein-packed versions are an ideal post-workout meal idea or a just a great way of getting more protein into your diet, and guess what? They are insanely simple to make.

So, wanna make pancakes? Here's the lowdown.

Life on Instagram #2

The few past weeks have been an absolute whirlwind and it feels like I haven't stopped. Here's a look a what's been going down recently via the magical filtered eye of Instagram.

1. Interior porn at Tynemouth Market. / 2. After the best flat white in Newcastle? Head to Ouseburn Coffee Company's minimal Harvest Canteen in West Jesmond. The interiors, as well as the coffee, are on point. / 3. Protein pancakes! If you fancy whipping up a batch this weekend, check out AMB on Sunday morning for the full recipe. / 4. A couple of weekends ago, I spent the entire weekend housebound thanks to a sickness bug. Big thanks to Ru Paul's Drag Race for helping me get through it through. / 5. Behind the scenes filming for a big work project. / 6. Avo and spinach on Biona Rye bread. The obsession begins. / 7. My take on Madeleine Shaw's chickpea flour taco recipe. / 8. All hail kale. / 9. So, yeah, Coyo do ice cream now. I can neither confirm or deny that I scoffed the lot in 2 days.

10. Everything is blurry on a 6am run along the North Tyneside coast. / 11. One of the best soaps I've used forever. Check out Washed Out Soap Co - you won't regret it. / 12. My beautiful big sis and I at mine and J's engagement do. / 13. *insert heart-eyed emoji*  / 14. Big shout out to Jenny at Nars in John Lewis, Newcastle for somehow making a smokey eye work on me. Now, to perfect this myself... / 15. Refuelling after bootcamp at Dil & the Bear, one of the best spots in Tynemouth. / 15. Fireside wine. / 16. Two of my newest (and already most favourite) cookbooks from Hemsley Hemsley and The Fat Radish. / 16. Light shining bright in Tynemouth Station, after dark. Brilliant place for a fashion show, non?

For more heavily filtered views of daily life, follow me on Insta - @alicemarybarnes

Battle of the Cleansers | Beauty

I've been on somewhat of cleanser quest the past few months. Skincare is kind of a big deal for me and I don't mind spending a bit of dollar to keep it looking on top form, afterall 2015 is about looking after my health and myself (rhyming cringe)

Now I still love a bit of the original Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, but something about the creamy formula just hasn't been cutting the mustard recently. My skin got a bit used to it, and it just wasn't getting the daily grime off, so I decided to switch things up. Oil, gels, balms; you name it, I've tried it.

So, following my extensive research, here's a line-up of my three current favourites.

February Favourites | Lifestyle

Time for some February favourites. Here's a right old mixture of goodies that I've been loving this past month.

All hail kale
Everyone who knows me, knows I have a mild - ok full-blown - obsession with kale. What's not to love? Leafy, green, damn good for you. Man, I love the kale.

I'm also right in thinking that most of us will have seen the Beyonce 7/11 video, and that Kale sweater. Ever since the first view, I've been literally obsessed. I had seen similar jumpers over at SeaSoul & Snow (after the Beet sweat next) before I saw Bey's version, but wasn't quite sure about parting with 40 big ones for it. Luckily for me, the birthday gods knew how much I wanted one and I was gifted this beauty #kaleyeah

The Gentlewoman
My absolute favourite publication returns for SS15. Look at that cover. Look at Bjork! If you've never picked it up before, it is a seriously smart publication for smart women.

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara 
Now it wouldn't be a monthly favourites post without a bit of beauty. I am so chuffed I finally got my hands on some Tarte goodies when in the States at the beginning of the year. I am a big, voluminous, Sixties eyelash kind of girl - the bigger the lashes, the better IMO.  Tarte's Gifted mascara was one of many purchases from Sephora in NYC and it is an absolute beauty. Doesn't leave the lashes looking clumpy at all, instead leaving them voluminous and fluttery. Winner.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain
I read about this product on Lily Pebbles blog at the end of last year, and instantly put this on my hit list for Sephora. It is the most long-lasting liquid lipstick ever. I can't even explain. So light and not drying in the slightest, this is an unbelievable product for long-lasting lip colour. I purchased 01 Always Red, but will definitely be picking up some more of the pinky tones next time I visit the US.

Pukka Peppermint and Licorice tea
I've been trying to cut down on the caffeine recently and on my quest for something interesting to replace my usual cuppa with, I came across this blend from Pukka. Now I'm not going to lie, the packaging was the main reason I picked these up, but the contents are just as tasty. Sweet and refreshing at the same time, this is my new go-to tea.

Colab Dry Shampoo
I am a big dry shampoo gal. Having long hair means only having to wash it about twice a week, so for those in-between days, I'm always reaching for a dry shampoo to keep my locks looking tip-top. Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends partnered with Colab to create a new range of dry shampoos, in delicious scents named after cities and formulated to be sheer and invisible. I picked up the Extreme Volume version in the scent New York, and can hands down say that this beats my usual go-to, Batiste XXL. The Colab range is on offer at Superdrug at the moment, so make sure you get your hands on some whilst it's at this lower price. You won't regret it.

What are you loving this month?

Goan Chicken Soup

Good old chicken soup. A makes-you-feel-better marvel. This uber-version, with a Goan twist, has been somewhat of a Sunday cook-up staple for the past few weeks. 

Super simple to make and packed with amazing spices, this will warm you up on the coldest of days.

This recipe, by alpha-babe Madeleine Shaw, was an exclusive in one of her weekly emailers. If you haven't already signed-up, make sure you hot-foot it on over to her site and subscribe, for a fresh batch of nourishing goodies to be delivered to your inbox. 

Madeleine Shaw's Goan Chicken Soup (serves 4)

What you'll need:
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 large onions, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
2 carrots, finely chopped
Half red chilli, finely sliced
1 thumb of ginger, chopped into chunks
1.5 tsp coriander powder
1.5 tsp cumin powder
1.5 tsp turmeric
1.5 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chilli powder
500g diced chicken thigh
1 can chickpeas
Bunch fresh coriander
700g chopped tomatoes or passata (I used chopped for a bit of a chunkier soup)
500ml chicken stock (used fresh bone broth or veggie stock will also do the trick)

Make that soup!
1. Melt the coconut oil in a large sauce pan and sweat the onions, garlic, carrots, chilli and ginger on a medium heat
2. Add all of the dry spices except the garam masala into the pan (if these are start getting stuck to the bottom of pan, add small quantities of water to moisten)
3. When the vegetables are soft, add the diced chicken thighs and brown these off
4. Add the tomatoes and heat bring to a simmer
5. Add chickpeas and stock
7. Allow to simmer and reduce down for 20-30mins minimum for a good thick consistency
8. When this has reduced, add garam masala and fresh coriander.
9. Serve with fresh coriander and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Voila! Nourishing, hearty and amazingly good for you.

Have you tried any of Madeleine's recipes? Check out her website it you haven't already - packed with goodness for all alpha-babes.