Top: Zara France / Skirt: One x Oneteaspoon

Hey babes! How’s your weekend going? I have been in full fitness mode this whole weekend. Really trying to get back into it for summer, as bikini season is fast approaching. Well… it is kind of already here so I am a bit late to the party but what else is new lol. 😂 The other week I shared my top BIKINI BODY TIPS here on Skinny Belle, so if you are also needing a bit of a “body boost” for summer it is a good one to check out. Will be sharing more of my slim-down tips soon. 🙂

Love love LOVE this top I got when I was in Paris earlier this year. I swear that Europeans get a higher quality of clothing at pretty much every store. When I was shopping there, I bought tons of stuff at Zara that I would have never found in Canada. The difference in quality was nuts. Everything is made in Morocco or Italy in the Zara France store, and in Canada that is definitely not the case. I linked the Zara France store for you so you can order online if you like. 😊

x,

Maca capsules: Vega

One thing you should probably know about me is that I am obsessed with supplements + keeping my body as young/healthy as possible for as long as possible. When I say obsessed, I really mean obsessed. We only get one body, and it is up to us to make sure we are staying as healthy as we can. My goal is not only to stay healthy, but to actually reduce my body’s natural aging process. Crazy? Probably yes. But hey, no harm in trying!

Maca Root has been on my radar for quite a few years, but I just started taking it a few weeks ago on a daily basis, and thus far… loving it! Why has my eye been on maca? There are tons of health benefits and it is known as a superfood — especially for women. 🎉

The list of health benefits of taking maca on a daily basis is extensive, so I will share with you what I love most about this little root vegetable.

1) Makes you happy!

Maca root supports your mood and overall brain health! Uhmmmm yes please. Nothing like a little extra dose of happiness in a day. Sign me up.

2) Gives you energy!

Maca’s natural vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and protein help you feel more energized throughout the day. Yes yes yes. All the good stuff here!

3) Boosts antioxidants! 

Yes yes yessss maca root can help prevent the development of diseases that arise from high antioxidative states. AKA your immune system will be improved and you will be less likely to get sick!

There are a bunch of other benefits that have to do with… erm.. *cough cough* “fun times”….. (AKA maca is an aphrodisiac 😂) So I will let you read about those in this article here. LOL it was too good not to share.

Needless to say, you can see why I am taking maca powder every day now. It makes you happier and gives you more energy… What’s not to love?!

Where can you get maca? Vega is one of my favourite brands, and I love their maca capsules. So easy and convenient to take, because ain’t nobody got timeeee. My attempt to be forever young might sound a bit silly, but I am dead serious 😂 Girl means business. 

Thoughts? Will you be taking maca powder? Yay? Nay? Comment below!

x,

It’s almost the weekend… treat yo-self!

Everyone, I have done it again. These little pillows of delight will make you fall in love. They are soft, fluffy, flavourful, sweet, and full of lemony goodness. Top with some fresh nectarines, blueberries, and honey? That’s winning in my books.

Having treats is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle (really.) I mean, if you cant have any Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes on the weekend…. what is even the POINT?? So make sure you are indulging every once and a while, it keeps things in balance. 80/20 people!

If you guys have seen my other pancake recipes, you already know I am a huge cheater. Or, said more eloquently, I like to take a simple recipe and elevate it with a few key ingredients. (AKA make the pre-packaged pancake mix and add some stuff to take them from ordinary to extraordinary. Nobody will know, promise 😉.)

Lemon Poppyseed Pancake Ingreds:

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon rinds
• 2 tbsp sugar (I used vanilla bean infused sugar in these and it was BOMB. You can get it in the bulk section at Whole Foods.)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 cup packaged pancake mix, today I used this kind

Toppings:

• Organic honey
• Fresh blueberries
• Nectarines

Hereeee we go!

Step 1: Combine your lemon juice, lemon rinds, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl. 

Step 2: Follow the directions on your pancake mix package, and mix together all the ingredients they require. It;s usually just milk and a few drops of oil (I like to use coconut milk and oil.) Once the pancake base is all ready to go add the prepared lemon mixture and poppy seeds. **Make sure to not “over-mix” your pancake batter. If there are a few chunks that is okay!**

Step 3: Heat up your frying pan to medium heat. Melt some coconut oil in the pan, and use a ladel to measure out equal portions of pancakes. 

Step 4: When the pancake is cooking, you will know it is ready to be flipped when it starts to bubble in the middle. Once this happens, flip away! And let cook for a few minutes on the other side.

That’s it! Such a delicious way to start your weekend. Not to mention these pancakes are an easy way to seem impressive in the kitchen without really doing much 😜

What do you think?! Will you be trying out my Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes this weekend?

x,

Dress: Aritzia

Oh yes yes yes. I am all about dresses in the summertime. They are the perfect solution to not sweating to death (seriously though.) Wearing jeans in the summer heat is literally my definition of a living hell haha. Your legs feel like they are encased in two sausage-like incubators that are progressively getting hotter and hotter, with the end goal of baking you from the inside out. No fun at all. Anyways, you get my point. Dresses are the best way to go to fight the summer heat and look damn cute while doing it. 😉

This past weekend I spent my time hanging out in Austin, Texas. Can you tell it was humid by the size of my hair? It was almost as bad as when I was in the Philippines over Christmas this year. My hair was mostly contained in these photos, but the second we stepped outside to go for dinner I looked like Monica from friends when they went on vacation (<– click that link you won’t regret it 😂)

What do you guys think of this little dress? How do you beat the summer heat? Comment below ❤️

x,

A refreshing treat perfect for summer afternoons!

Ahhhhh yes. The margarita. Friend, foe, but…. mostly friend. Because, even if you have a fight with margaritas (aka you drank 14 too many) you will always make up. They have a way of luring you back in. 😜

These margaritas are a special breed of amazing. Infused with rosemary and brimming with fresh juices, these babies taste delicious and are guaranteed to get you reallllll festive. 🎉

Rosemary Simple Syrup Recipe

• 1 cup water
• 3/4 sugar
• 5 sprigs rosemary

Step 1: Put everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for about a minute then remove from heat once sugar disolves and set aside for 30 mins to cool.

Step 2: Pour liquid through wire-mesh strainer into an air-tight mason jar. Seal and put in the fridge to chill for an hour or so.

BOOM. Done.

You already look like a goddess in the kitchen. You go girl. 💪🏼

Now for the real good stuff..

Rosemary Grapefruit Margarita Recipe!!

• 2 ounces tequila (I like to use this one.)
• 1 1/2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2-3/4 ounce rosemary simple syrup (this totally depends on how sweet you like your drinks. I prefer mine not sweet so I do 1/2 ounce!)
• 1 sprig rosemary for a cute lil’ garnish 😊

Step 1: Get your cocktail shaker ready and fill it halfway with ice cubes.

Step 2: Add all your delish ingreds into the cocktail shaker!

Step 3: SHAKE IT! 

Step 4: Pour out the margarita into a fresh glass filled with ice, and top with a little sprig of rosemary for maximum drink-cuteness.

The last step? Enjoy a glass or 6!

Margaritas are definitely going to be my drink of choice this summer. They are light & refreshing with so many cool ways you can spice them up! 

Let me know what you think!

x,