Chia Seed Pudding by Calgary Avansino

I am a huge fan of Calgary Avansino, executive fashion editor at Vogue. I have been a bit ill the past few days so I decided to have chia seed porridge/ pudding this morning (similar to Calgary's second recipe) to perk me up and boost my health. Here Calgary shares her tips on enjoying chia seeds as part of a healthy diet.

If there is one question I am asked quite frequently it is:"How do you make chia seed pudding?" So, I shall tell you!

The pudding itself couldn't be easier, but first let's talk about the amazing nutritional benefits beneath chia's trendy exterior. Two tablespoons of these little wonder seeds provide approximately 4g of protein (containing all the important amino acids), 5g of Omega 3 fatty acids (direct brain food), 250mg of calcium (think strong hair and nails) and 10g of fibre (the most efficient "regulator"). And if that's not enough to persuade you, chia is said to have twice the potassium of bananas, three times the antioxidant power of blueberries and three times the iron of spinach. And on top of all that, chia seeds hold 9-12 times their weight in water and do exactly the same in your tummy so they are both incredibly nutrient-rich and make you feel fuller for longer on less food!

S t e p   O n e

The base of any chia seed pudding is made by simply combining chia seeds with any non-dairy milk you prefer, but I find coconut milk and almond milk make the tastiest puddings. All you need to remember is the ratio: 3 tablespoons of chia seeds for every 1 cup of liquid. So if you are making enough for four servings (it's good to make a lot at once because it stays fresh for days) you will need ¾ cup of chia to 4 cups of liquid. Combine and give the chia and milk a good stir.

S t e p   T w o

Now, the fun part of creating your own bespoke puddings with wholesome ingredients. I usually use two or three extras per recipe, but do whatever sounds good to you. A few ideas are: dessicated coconut, coconut flakes, walnuts, slivered almonds, cacao powder, grated apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla extract, dried cranberries, chopped mango, raisins, pomegranate seeds or pistachios. Once you add in your extras, give it all a really good stir (or put it in a mason jar and shake it) and then leave the mixture in the refrigerator overnight, or even just 20 minutes if that's all you have, and it will set to chia perfection.

S t e p   T h r e e

Before eating, give it a stir once more, add a bit more milk and top with blueberries, raspberries and a little maple syrup, agave, stevia or honey if you feel it needs extra sweetness.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes that I (and my kids) eat for breakfast, afternoon snacks and desserts.

V a n i l l a   C o c o n u t   A l m o n  d   C h i a   P u d d  i n g

2 cups of coconut milk

2/3 cup of chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut flakes

2 tablespoons of sliced almonds

½ tablespoon of maple syrup (optional)

Top with blueberries and raspberries

C i n n a m o n   S p i c e   C h i a   P u d d i n g

2 cups of almond milk

2/3 cup of chia seeds

½ teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

½ teaspoon of nutmeg

½ teaspoon of ginger

2 tablespoons of chopped dates

2 tablespoons of dried cranberries

C a c a o   A l m o n d   C h i a   P u d d i n g

2 cups of almond milk

2/3 cup of chia seeds

1 tablespoon of ground cacao

2 tablespoons of unsweetened dessicated coconut

½ tablespoon of maple syrup

Instagratification

Vogue recently posted about how to get Instagram gratification.  As a new digital assistant account executive at Red PR in London, an instagram obsessive and an avid vogue follower, I had to share this on my own little space on the web. So without further ado, here is how to get instagratification...

Me, my beautiful selfie

Models and perfectly formed It girls only need apply - think Gisele, Georgia May and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Normally involves a dreamy close-up of symmetrical features further enhanced with soft filters just to remind the rest of us how far we have to go. Best accompanied with self-deprecating comments, or under-cut with an equal amount of selfies in silly poses that say, "I'm really just like you…"

Random flowers

We all get excited, it seems, by flora and fauna when on our summer de-camp to exotic destinations (clearly no one grows their own). There are no end of pretty petals in vibrant colours and rarely with the correct botanical labelling (apart from Sam McKnight's). Shows you are in touch with nature and have an artistic side.

See Miranda Kerr, Sam McKnight, etc.

People and pets

A dog is clearly a gorgeous woman's best friend ­- and they love to travel. The added advantage is they can't complain about being endlessly snapped on Instagram (unlike the husband/boyfriend who has said "Enough!") The doggy should be posed in all manner of extraordinary positions and always look impossibly cute (no one snaps them clearing up another poop now, do they?). It's the swiftest way to up your adorability/lovability. (Kittens, fluffy bunnies and guinea pigs also work.)

See Gisele, Katie Hillier, Pixie Geldof, Amanda Seyfried…

Beautiful bodies

Congratulations. Payback time for those who have spent hours sweating in the gym or on the Pilates Reformer. Just add a perfect boat or beach scene, an amazing array of glamorous swimwear and the supremely honed butt. See all Victoria's Secret Angels (retired or otherwise).

Spiritual messaging

This one is easy for all. Simply adopt a yoga pose in a stunning setting (waterfall in background, flowing fields, mountainscape). Then add sugary mantra, "Good morning Mother Earth", for instance. See Gisele.

Me and my fabulous friends

Maximise your address book with strategic shots of you with "famous" friends. (It's obviously essential you invite said famous friends on holiday or, better still, be invited on their holiday.) Ensure that you are wrapped around each other in a warm embrace that spells the relationship is true and close (wheedles out the fakies just photo bombing). Brownie points are earned for famous friend then commenting on your picture. And extra brownie points when another celebrity friend comments on said picture with famous friend. Failing that, simply hashtag Throwback Thursday and throw in an old holiday pic with you and a (probably former) celebrity friend.

Table-settings

If ever there was proof of the perfect aspirational life, it is the art-directed holiday table-setting: flowers, candles, napkins, Tuscan sunset… Doesn't have to be your table, of course. And no need to mention that normally you eat out of a plastic container at your desk.

Party snaps

A risky one. On the upside you demonstrate you are always at the hub of the summer social calendar. There are potential downsides, however. You risk looking sweaty or worse, totally wasted and chances are your boss/fans/Daily Mail/ are following you.

Couture Fashion Week Street Style

Street style pictures that were so fantastic, I couldn't not share them with y'all. 

That print

Those sunglasses

Those trousers

That top (it is by Claudie Perlott- probably my favourite designer)

That dress and sunglasses

The whole quirky ensemble

That printed peplem, and sheer skirt.  This one you have to double take and look at the exquisite detail. 

The ice blonde hair, and printed skirt. 

That Dolce and Gabanana sexy sophisticated dress. Those sunglasses. That hair. 

Monochrome at it's best. 

Source: Vogue.com

Appraised Best Dressed: Vogue

I receive Vogue's best dressed of the week blog among their other fashion news updates.  This best dressed feature is great as not only do you get to see great inspirational style shots, but also other people's opinions of them.  For example, this week, a reader commented on every photo of Olivia Palermo claiming she had no style.  Miss Palermo in my books is one of the best dressed out there. Here are some of my favourites from this weeks best dressed and the reason I love them.

That eighties hair...

That white lace

Those wide leg trousers

That low slung dress.. and husband

That jacket

That belt... and boyfriend

That jewellery and lipstick

Olivia Palermo Street Style

Olivia Palermo always looks polished, chic and bang on trend.  Here is a recent street style shot of the style icon.  I want those shoes.

Style and The Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show always seems to entice women to wear floral dresses and accessories as if they should fit in with the theme and event they are attending. As the event is in Chelsea, and quite a posh thing to go to, these floral dresses are always quite demure (see picture number 3 for prime example). However amongst the many style shots that Vogue or other fashion photographers take at this event, I often always prefer the outfits of the women who refuse to play camouflage.  Instead they dress for themselves (see pictures 1 and 2). Cheers to these well dressed posh totties.  I think they look fabulous.

(I want to wear this to work everyday)

This girls bag has daisies on the front... 

Street Style: Aya Monteverde

Aya Monteverde is a random girl caught on camera by the Vogue Street style photographer. These photos came from the street style blog that Vogue.com have going. Like with the Sartorialist's photo's, I think this photo captures the person. Aya has such a great personal style but also has a really beautiful face. I thought that her street style photos were worth sharing as she reminded me that style is personal and that when we dress we must stick to our roots and dress how ever we feel most comfortable; even if that is a poo coloured beanie or the leopard print leggings we were told were so 2008.  If we feel really comfortable and confident, it will always look good. 

Aya wears:

Hat: Carhartt

Coat: Comptoir des Cotonniers

Shoes: Nike x Liberty trainers

Jumper: Topshop

Leggings: ZARA

Bag: Monocle

Flowers: Colombia Road Flower Market

Eyeshadow: Chanel

Mascara: Chanel

Cara Delevingne and her Beanie Hat

If you havent heard of Cara Delevingne, where have you been for the last three months?  Having been voted top model, been the face of Burberry, DKNY, been on the cover of VOGUE, LOVE magazine, Cara is taking over the fashion world, rivalling Kate Moss' career.

But how has she done it?  Besides having the most incredible bone structure and those famous thick dark eyebrows, Cara has picked up a cult following for her bubbly and fun personality.  She is known for pulling faces for the paps and also for her casual quirky style.

Central to her style is the beanie hat. She wears these hats day-in, day-out.  Aside from

London Street Style

Just a cheeky bit of London street style...

I know they both look great... but dont be fooled!  The Vogue street style photographer is obviously keeping tabs where the fashion crowd are as these two are both models!- So not your everyday Suzy Smith...

Source Vogue.com

Chanel S/S Couture '13 : Vogue

"A GOTHIC take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream was what Karl Lagerfeld had in mind for his spring/summer 2013 couture show for Chanel this morning. And a dream it certainly was. We stepped into an enchanted forest beneath the dome of the Grand Palais and into a world seemingly straight from the pages of Shakespeare, a wooden auditorium surrounding us, and edgy fairies about to come to life before us.

Stella Tennant opened the show in a white tweed cape and jacket hybrid, black feather-painted eye make-up sprawling over her face and more black feathers tumbling from her hair and over an eye to show that these fairy-like creatures weren’t going to be quite as sweet and sugary as we first thought and there was something altogether more sinister about them.

They drifted down the stage in a dreamy way, dancing almost, in ensembles that put emphasis on the shoulders: stole-like affixations that hugged tightly to them; sleeves that stood upright and away from them; off-the-shoulder dresses; or those that descended in trapeze shapes from the shoulders, but left them exposed and bare.

Each look came with courtly peep-toe boots, like something the most glamorous of medieval knights might have worn, tight-like and in silver leather and lace that either climbed the whole length of the leg or came as short ankle boots and matched in decoration the dresses above them.

When it came to the tailoring, it was bell shapes that won out – for skirts that were stiff in structure and for tops that stood away from the body. And when it came to gowns and eveningwear, show-stoppers came by way of toppling white feathers, those black leather booties worn beneath, and a set of Thirties dresses in red and black and white sequins which were particularly special and called to mind something Wallis Simpson might have worn, all perfect flowers splayed out on them and narrow and elegant in shape.

It was all about the idea of the forest – the leaves, the flowers, the feathers and all those mystical and mythical little fairies that might just be hiding in it: Cara Delevingne making for the most popular of them to close the show in a white Miss Havisham-style dress, black eye make-up and black feathers falling from her hair."