history vs modern times

What I love about fashion is that it always comes back. The things that I laughed about when looking at my mum’s old photos all came back afterwards!

Anyways, I always dreamt about wearing 1980s dresses and now I we can see them on the catwalk of Alexander McQueen. What is more, those modern elements, like metal accessorizes gives this romantic look a little bit of insolence.

 When I was thinking of a recipe that I will include today, the first thing that came to my mind was rice pudding. Don’t you think the last dress reminds it? )

The recipe of Rise Pudding (taken from bbc.co.uk)

Ingredients

• 40g/1½oz butter

• 100g/3½fl oz pudding rice (or Spanish paella rice)

• 75g/2½oz caster sugar

• 1 litre/1¾pints full-fat milk

• 150ml/5fl oz double cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or ½ vanilla pod, split lengthways

• pinch salt

• plenty freshly grated nutmeg

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 140C/285F/Gas 1.

2. Melt the butter in a heavy-based casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Continue stirring until the rice swells and becomes sticky with sugar.

3. Pour in the milk and keep stirring until no lumps remain. Add the cream and vanilla and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once this is reached, give the mixture a final stir and grate at least a third of a nutmeg over the surface. Bake for 1-1½ hours and cover with foil if the surfaces browns too quickly.

4. Once there is a thin, tarpaulin-like skin on the surface, and the pudding only just wobbles in the centre, it is ready.

5. Serve at room temperature.

 

 

Have a delicious weekend!

X

LFW 2013/ shoe fetish

LFW is over as well as the sunny weather. I believe there are loads of posts about collections already, but I would like to share with you some of the things I loved (or not so much) about it. 

Firstly, I absolutely love the colors of the recent collections! Can’t wait to shop for those bright and colorful dresses. 

What I wanted to emphasize though is that designers still tend not to think about comfort. I mean, of course, I know high fashion is far from being comfy and stuff, but seriously, how do you suppose to get around with a big bag holding as Burberry proposed?

 

There is a saying that happy women don’t use big (and heavy) bags. Well, I guess that’s what  the brand haven’t heard.

However, we all know that the most interesting things happen outside of the catwalks. For me, street style during the fashion weeks is of great interest. Here are some shoes that I felt the need to share with you.

 

 

 

 

(Just to let you know, these are not my photos.)

Where else can you see all these amazing shoes at the same place at the same time?

There is no specific color that I have chosen for this post, so the recipe of today will be the cocktail that I love. (Yes,once again with coconut:)

• 1 oz of vanilla schnapps
• 1 oz Malibu coconut rum
• 3oz cream

Shake it up and add some ice!

 

I bet everyone will enjoy an evening after the show with a view of London from the top.

X

 

 

coconut.white.

Why coconut, you might ask. Well,it was snowing yesterday in London and all I could think about is everything white. A nice cup of tea, some rom-com and cozy white sweater to wear at home.

Again, why coconut?

The answer is simple- I love everything that contains at least a small amount of coconut. Firstly, about the tea. Yes, I’m lucky enough to have coconut tea at my kitchen drawer. It’s kind of mixture of black tea and coconut,but it smells amazing! Then, of course, I love coconut milk. The other day I bought like 6 small coconut milk cans in Chinese shop. Guess what, I drank them all during the day (even 1 at night!).

But there is something else I want to write about today. They are my favourite Raffaello candies. You can actually make then at home. I think it’s more interesting than buying one’s at a shop.

Here’s a recipe (taken from:http://nareanthony.hubpages.com):

Ingredients

• 1 can condensed milk
• 7 oz butter or margarine
• 7 oz coconut flakes
• 1 cup roasted almond nuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

 

1. Melt the butter by stirring it with a fork or a mixer, at room temperature. (Cut the butter into cubes for easier mixing).
2. Once it is smooth add the condensed milk, vanilla and half of the coconut flakes.
3. Stir until it turns into smooth cream.
4. Put the cream in the fridge and leave overnight or put it in the freezer for about 1 hour.
5. When the cream is frozen enough, make small balls out of it placing an almond in each.The more frozen the cream is, the easier it is to form the balls.
6. Roll the ready kernels of raffaellos in the remaining coconut flakes. Make sure they are entirely covered with flakes.

This is what I would totally wear at home these days,while making Raffaello candies and watching rom-com’s. 

And these one’s I got recently. So cozy!!

Hope you’re all safe and sound!

Please,dress according to the weather. After all these years in UK I just don’t get how people can wear t-shirts when it’s +1 outside!

X

 

(almost) xmas!!

I missed blogging so much!Sorry that I haven’t been updating you recently. Blame Uni for that!

Anyways, I feel that holidays are coming. London is just fabulous these days. Did you know, there are also fake snow on Oxford str.? 

Hope you have the same mood as me

OK, so back to the xmas theme.What means xmas for you?I bet most of you would mention family gatherings, presents .. and food, of course.This time I’m not going to write about oh-so-traditional xmas dinners.I’m sure you mothers and grandmothers gave you the best recipes for the dinner.What I would propose is super quick option for very delicious xmas dinner.

Recently, I’ve been looking for the present for my boyfriend. Although I found it, I still were searching for something that he would love, not another pair of socks etc. ) So I found this amazing app, which is called Gift Finder. There you can browse through the presents, giving some information about the person beforehand. Also, I went to this restaurant with steaks and they had it there as well!! Not going to turture you anymore, the thing I am talking about is steak stone!

I’m sure every man would love it as a present. Additionally, that would work amazing for a big dinner with family. We all are busy women and we want to look great. Everyone knows it takes hell of a lot time! So know we have an easy solution and less time consuming too!

Of course, it’s not such a cheap option, but you will use it forever.

Here how it looks:

 

 

It takes 20min on medium heat on gas hob to get the stone heated. Than your guests should cut the steak into small pieces and cook it on the stone. Perfect steak is different for each person and in this situation they can cook it as they want. 

In terms of the clothes for this occasion, I would say a dress with laces. They are quite popular this season. To be honest, I bought one for myself too It looks something like that:

 

I have no idea about the designer, but I just fell in love with it the moment I saw it.

Have a very Merry Christmas, guys!

X

 

chocoholic

Oh yes I am!

I am the kind of the person who loves any kind of chocolate. (Well, maybe not the one with mint inside. Kinda feels like eating chocolate with a toothpaste.. isn’t it? )

When I have all of those essay deadlines and stress, I just like to shop around for the perfect dessert to get a little bit less stressed.

Today I was thinking about perfect brownie dessert. Can’t say I would cook something like that now with all the sleepless nights in the library!

However, when I have the days that I have “the reds”, I usually put “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and eat lots of chocolate.

Something like that…

You know how those dessert have a special “packaging”,like you receive a very luxurious present? I believe you just can’t look casual,while eating them

Eat one like that in LBD!

 

Have a sweet evening!

X

PS. I would strongly suggest you to read a novel on which the movie was based. It has a lot of wise quotes.

October, Coffee, Friday

You know how there are so many places you can drink coffee at?

I love to hang out in places like Starbucks, where coffee means so much more than just a drink. Chatting, working, studying.. people just like to hang out. There are loads of cafeterias that try everything to make consumers come back. But how many do succeed?

You might ask me,why on earth am I going about cafeterias? I’ll tell you why.

I have favorite places in every city that I lived in. You know, the place you can call “yours”. Maybe it’s about precious memories, friends, that you no longer have in your life or just simply the atmosphere.

I’ve finally found one in London!

What I love about the place is the attention to detail. And, of course, that there are so many fashionable costumers!

Look how cute is that!!

Even if you don’t have an expensive coffee machine and you don’t want to go out, you can still enjoy cappuccino at home.

Ingredients:

Servings:
2
Units: US | Metric

• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee

Directions:

1. After your coffee has brewed, combine the sugar & milk and heat it in your microwave for 2 minutes at the highest setting.

2. Next, whip the heated milk/sugar mix in your blender for about one minute until it’s a fluffy foam.

3. Fill your cup two thirds full with the coffee and top it off with your heated froth.

This is exactly what I need, as it gets freezing cold in London. Additionally, what I would love to have,when I visit the place, is the classic trench coat.

You can’t go wrong with Burberry trench coat, can you?

 

Have a nice (hopefully warm) weekend!

X

almost Friday!

I know, I know it’s not here yet,but please don’t we just wait to say: “TGIF!” ? Besides, I want you to be prepared in advance for the Friday evening. So, I might just as well give you some info about the perfect outfit and some recipes for lovely and chilled evening.

Friday used to be the beginning of party weekend for me, but now as I am a grown-up mature person (really? ) it’s time to just relax after the hard- working week of studies. What I would  enjoy as a Friday evening is a casual chit-chat with friends over the drinks. If your idea of a perfect Friday evening is somewhat familiar to mine than here’s a recipe of a cocktail that you should enjoy! Additionally, I will continue with the red color this time. After all, it’s Halloween soon, so feel free to make this cocktails for the celebration. Easy, fast and delicious!

Strawberry Margherita 

Recipe (taken from: http://uktv.co.uk)

Ingredients

• 1 punnet strawberries, (250g)
• 1 tbsp icing sugar
• 150 ml tequila
• 55 ml orange liqueur
• 2 limes, juices
• 12 ice cubes
• 3 tbsp sugar

1. To make the margarita, liquidize the strawberries with the icing sugar.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

3. Pour into a jug with more ice.

As a healthy snack with this I would suggest you Italian antipasto.

Bruschetta with tomatoes

And yes, it’s a perfect time to take those high-heels out!

My recent love is Autumn 2012 Christian Louboutin

 

Now you are ready to enjoy your Friday evening to the fullest!

X

 

Autumn-ish

I don’t know about you guys, but when it’s getting chilly outside and I see London’s usual grey sky, my thoughts go back to lazy summer days. I wish I could wear all those pastel colours and enjoy a walk in the sunny Hyde Park! However, let’s not be so melancholic and put some bright colors on,just as leafs on the trees. My favourite one for this season is red, how about you?

Red colour reminded me about passion that I’ve recently had a chance to enjoy in Spain. Bull fights, flamenco and, of course, typical paella!!

The recipe was taken from http://allrecipes.co.uk

Ingredients

Serves: 4

• 350ml (12 fl oz) water
• 75g (3 oz) uncooked white rice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 450g (1 lb) fresh prawns, shelled and deveined
• 1 (500g) tub chicken stock
• 1 (400g) tin chopped tomatoes with juice
• 4 saffron threads

Preparation method

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins

1.

In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

2.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, sauté the garlic and prawns for about 5 minutes or until pink.

3.

Pour in stock, tomatoes, and saffron; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Stir in cooked rice and reduce heat to low. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Even if it’s a rainy day, add that bright colour to your look and you sure will make it a brighter day!

See by Chloe skirt

X

green-greener- the greenest

Today my thoughts were about the whole “green” trend all over the world. I mean, do you actually have something to do with that? That’s the question I’m asking myself and the sad thing is that I am not doing enough. So I was surfing the net for tips how to make our planet a better place, I found a lot of eco-friendly brands and collections that are out there! If you feel like not doing enough and you don’t have time to do anything at home, at least please take a look at those brands next time you’re going shopping.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2010-spring-summer/ethical-fair-trade-eco-friendly-fashion/gallery

Additionally, I didn’t forget about the connection between fashion and food.As I was talking about green color and it’s still summer here, the first trend that came to my mind was maxi skirts. I think I saw more green maxi skirts on the street than the trees around the city

Green color and “green” trend made me think about the salads,so a couple of days I go I cooked Caesar salad.

Ingredients:

•  1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
•  Croutones
•  Parmesan cheese, grated
•  Freshly ground black pepper
•  1/2 teaspoon salt
•  4-6 small heads of romaine lettuce
•  2 chicken breasts
•   5 cherry tomatoes
•   Caesar dressing

First, you have to fry the chicken breasts, cut them into small pieces. Than cut the lettuce,put tomatoes,salt and pepper in the bowl. When the chicken is ready, wait till it gets cooler (about 10 min) and put it in the bowl with other ingredients. Lastly, put dressing and parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

X

SUNNY

Yes,I know it’s nothing new to remark that the most sunny season is here and the heat is almost everywhere in Europe, as they say on the news.

However, walking pass calendar today made me realize that lazy summer days are almost over now. I got the blues today,even though it’s still lovely outside and I could wear one of the bright summery dresses.

I know I’m not the only one,right? Everyone wants an endless summer.

That’s why the post will be dedicated to one of the most popular colors on the catwalks this season – yellow. And, of course, to the dish that totally matches the color of the dress and the mood.

So,if you feel a little bit under the weather or lazy, here is the simple recipe of the appetizer or a full meal,if you’d like, “prociutto e melone”:

Ingredients:

• Prociutto Crudo – 1 pack or 12 slices
• Cantaloupe melon – 1 piece

Just wrap the slices of prosciutto around the slices of melon and that’s it! As simple as that.

Don’t forget to put something yellow on,while enjoying this sweet and salty dish!

(Yeah, I could have given you another perfect match of the food and the clothes – Lady Gaga’s meat corset, but I doubt you want to wear the food instead of eating it,right?)

X