Say Hello To Smoky Poppy

Ah The Body Shop, how much I love you. From the incredible body products to sultry makeup, there is something about the company that I am completely in love with. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to receive some goodies from their new Smoky Poppy range. I was a bit dubious if I would like the range as I am not really into floral scents. I find on the whole, they don't really agree with me. More often than not, I get a stinking headache from them. So would Smoky Poppy be any different?

Smoky Poppy EDT (30ml €13.95) is a seductive floral scent, that I have completely fallen for and have worn it nearly everyday. I have avoided fragrances during the pregnancy with most making feel nauseous. Smoky Poppy is different though. I've also had some family member sniff my wrists and they all agree how lovely it is. 

Smoky Poppy Body Scrub (€18.95) is a no nonsense exfoliator with real poppy seeds.It leaves your skin feeling really soft, gets rid of any dry patches and works a treat on false tan.

Smoky Poppy Body Butter (€18.95) I adore the body butters from the shop (I really miss Passionfruit!) so was excited to try this. Like their other body butters, this lovely isn't greasy and soaks in quickly. My skin has been playing silly beggars being quite dry especially my legs but this has helped a huge amount. 

There is also a massage oil, shower gel, body lotion and lip & cheek stick in the range, which can be viewed on their website and picked up in any of their stores. Will you be popping in to check this seductive range out?

Easy Peasy Banana Bread

I love baking, always have. I find it really therapeutic. I tend to do some kind of bake at least every few weeks. I thought I would introduce you to some of my favourite recipes. First up is a yummy banana bread that always goes down well with the family. I have started using coconut oil in some of my bakes but if you don't have coconut oil, vegetable or sunflower will work just as well.

Ingredients

100g Wholemeal Flour

125g Self Raising Four

1tsp salt

1tsp ground cinnamon

80g caster sugar or light brown sugar ( I used light brown this time)

1 egg, beaten

75ml Coconut Oil

3 medium sized bananas

1tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease a loaf tin with some coconut oil to prevent it sticking.You can also line the bottom of the tin with baking paper, but I tend not to for this.
2. Weigh out your flours and sieve them. The bran from the wholemeal won't pass through the sieve so add them in after. 
3. Add your salt, cinnamon and sugar to your flours.
4. Coconut oil is solid so weigh out 75ml and melt it in the microwave. Allow it to cool a bit before adding in your egg and vanilla extract.
5. Mash your bananas in a bowl or chopping board. I tend to leave some chunks of banana for a bit of texture.
6. Mix your oil and egg mixture into your flours. You don't need to use an electric mixer, the wooden spoon works better for this mixture.It will look quite dry at this point but once you add the banana,it will get better.
7. Spoon into your loaf tin and bake for 45-50 minutes, until your loaf is golden brown and springs back when you push gently on it.
8. When cooked, leave it in the tin for ten minutes and then remove it to a wire wrack to cool.

* You don't need to splurge on a loaf tin, I picked up mine in Dealz for €1.49*

* Vanilla Extract is better than Essence as it doesn't contain alcohol. It will be more expensive but totally worth it*

*If you don't have a loaf tin, these can make some pretty mean muffins*

*If you have a chocolatey craving, try some nutella on a slice*

I'm always on the lookout to try new recipes so let me know if there is anything you would like to see  and I'll try them out. Also if you try this recipe out let me know