youtube Archives - Megan Taylor

May 2016 Favourites

I know I have already blogged today but having been away for a few days I forgot to put up a blog post alongside my YouTube video that went up on Sunday evening to share all the links for you to the latest things that I have been loving.
It is that time of the month again when another month has just left us…can you believe we our in the sixth chapter of our year! This month I have been loving a few things beauty and a random electronic sketching pad…It is really great. As always I have filmed a video alongside this blog to help tell you a little more and show you the products up close. The link is at the bottom of this page.

Olympus Pen Camera
I have discussed my love for this camera in a few other blog posts including a YouTube video where I unboxed it. Apart from the fact this camera is divine to look at and very photographable itself, it is really quite wonderful. I love how it is so quick and easy to take shots, it is light to carry around. The best feature is that you can quickly transfer photos between your camera and phone for editing and sharing on social media.

Wacom Digital Pad
This is a rather random favourite and a fairly recent purchase. It looks much like an iPad but you hook it up to your laptop and use it as a sketch pad. It is so wonderful. I haven’t yet had enough time to perfect my skills on it but I am so excited to start sketching and annotating my blog photos…watch this space.

Lauren Conrad – Celebrate
I am loving this Pinterest worthy book by Hill’s alumna Lauren Conrad. It is full of beautiful and inspiring pictures that make you want to host many many tea parties.

Lancome Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara
I reviewed this mascara for my mascara testing article that I wrote for the Daily Mail and it was wonderful. I have been using it a lot lately because it lengthens my lashes really well. I speak more about the waterproof mascaras that I tested in this YouTube video.

Bobbi Brown Waterproof Mascara Remover
After reviewing the waterproof mascaras Bobbi Brown kindly sent me this waterproof mascara make up remover and I have already fallen in love with it. Last week I filmed a TV commercial where I had an insane amount of glitter on my eyes and this mascara took it all off with ease and no red rash was left over.

Chloe Perfume
I have loved this perfume for years and years and always will. I would say this is my signature scent. A fresh fruity summer scent that I am often complimented on.

Lucas Embelished Jeans
These are my current favourite jeans that jazz up my casual outfit days. I actually wore them to a couple of auditions lately and they were such a great conversation starter that I became more confident and booked the jobs…these jeans have definitely paid for themselves now.

Brandy Laced Chocolate Walnuts

I have bought chocolate covered walnuts before.
The shop bought ones are incredibly addictive but they cost an absolute fortune.
I feel I have conquered a very similar recipe and made them taste identical to the shop bought ones.
My mum even happened to mention that mine taste even better.
Give them a try yourself. They make a perfect homemade Christmas gift.
{You Tube video at the bottom of the page}

Ingredients
Milk (dash)
Brown Sugar (two heaped wooden spoons)
Butter (tablespoon)
Dark Chocolate (x2 bars)
Cacao Powder
Walnuts

Method
1. Make the toffee sauce by mixing the butter and sugar together.
2. Adding a dash of milk allow the ingredients to mix together and bubble and boil for a couple of minutes.
3. Pour in the bag of walnuts, mix up and allow to set during the next step.
4. Melt the chocolate in a pan.
5. Mix the toffee-d walnuts into the melted chocolate along with a glug of brandy.
6. Line your baking trays with baking paper.
7. Dust the baking paper with cacao powder.
8. Separate the walnuts on to the trays.
9. Pour more cacao powder over the walnuts.
10. It is a bit fiddly but roll the walnuts around to fully cover them in cacao.
11. Leave them in a cool room for 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set slowly.

{Little chocolate walnut rocks}

{The chocolate finds its way into all the holes}

{Perfect homemade Christmas gift}

{You Tube video}

Venice & Burano OOTD

Last week Liam and I went to Venice for a long weekend break to celebrate his birthday.
We stayed in a lovely hotel called Hotel A La Commedia and drank far more Aperol Spritz than I care to remember.
The weather was about 19°c, very different from England right now with our stormy rain.
I took my thermal Uniqlo jumpers that I mentioned in my Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm blog post and didn’t need a coat.
Take a look at my You Tube channel or the link at the bottom of this post for a little Outfit Of The Day style video of my trip.
If you haven’t been to Venice, I highly recommend it and make sure you take a trip to Burano. Burano is like a little fairy toy town, full of gorgeous brightly coloured houses and mini canals.

Venice OOTD
Pinafore – Zara (Last year)
Jumper – Uniqlo
Fleece lined Super Cosy tights – Primark
Boots – Vagabond
Handbag – Mulberry

{Poser}

{This particular Aperol pit stop was at Caffe Florian}

Burano OOTD
Jeans – H & M
Trainers – Converse
Trainer socks – H & M
Jumper – Project Social T
Top – H & M ( Last Year)
Hat – Zara

{We were in Burano on Halloween. This hat was the only costume I had with me}

{This pink house was my favourite}

{one of our favourite spots was at the edge of the island looking out over the sea}

‘A Night Out In…Venice’ blog post will be on here soon.

Autumnal Granola Recipe

The nights are getting darker, the wind so much chillier and the autumn leaves are falling at a rapid speed. I personally love this time of year. We can layer up our clothes, put the fire on and have an excuse to hibernate at home with a great movie, hot water bottle and a cup of hot chocolate. That’s not to mention the great anticipation of the festive Christmas period.
The only downside to the chillier season is pushing myself out of the door in the morning. I have to eat breakfast before going to work otherwise my tummy rumbles like a mini earthquake. When I am cold I tend to crave a warm croissant or a fried egg sandwich sssh. I have come up with this granola recipe which is low in GI, super healthy and can be eaten warm or cold. Shop bought cereals, granola’s and muesli’s are full of unnatural sugars and ingredients that you would never find in your kitchen cupboards. My granola recipe is full of seeds and nuts and the only sugars are date syrup and honey…very natural and wonderfully sweet for that yummy sugar hit in the healthiest way possible. The great thing about this recipe is you can just use anything you have in your cupboard you don’t have to follow the recipe meticulously. You don’t need to go out shopping for any expensive ingredients…have fun experimenting.

Don’t forget to tag me in photos of your granola if you make it. @itsmegantaylor
Here is how to make my autumnal granola recipe.

Time

Prep: 5 minutes

Cooking: 10 minutes

What you will need

Syrup:

1 tablespoon Coconut oil

1.5 tablespoon Date syrup

1 tablespoon Honey

Granola bulk:

1/4 cup Mixed seeds

{I used: flaxseeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds}

3/4 cup Mixed nuts

{I used: haselnuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts. If you want a mix of nuts but don’t fancy spending a fortune on bags of nuts, Waitrose do a great mixed nuts bag so you can get a good variety in your granola}

1 cup Jumbo oats

1 cup Coconut flakes

1 cup Quinoa pops

3/4 cup Raisins

2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160°

2. Blend your mixed nuts in a blender until lightly mixed. Do not let them go to dust…unless you are aiming for more of a muesli texture.

3. Throw all dry ingredients into a baking tray (nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, quinoa pops, oats, raisins).

4. Melt the coconut oil, date syrup, honey and cinnamon in a pan on a low heat until mixed together.

5. Pour the syrup over the dry ingredients and mix together.

6. Place in the oven for ten minutes, mixing up the ingredients every few minutes.

7. Leave to stand until cool before storing to prevent the ingredients going soggy.
Enjoy with yoghurt, milk or even by itself as a healthy snack.