woensdag
In a fuzzy fluffy mooood
It's cooooold and it's still holiday season: this calls for cuddly clothes...and that is exactly what I shopped! I simply couldn't resist and got ear muffs in 2 colors and 2 bonnets, even if it's cold a girl needs choice! Let's hope this winter weather continues a bit: just cold, no rain please...
dinsdag
IT Girl: Nigella Lawson
As you might have noticed : it’s Christmas time, and during this time of indulgence, delight and joy I stumbled upon my new style icon on Vitaya: Nigella Lawson.
This sensual cooking lady really embodies the Christmas spirit and just makes you want to bake cookies, throw happy dinner parties and savour all things creamy and wrong for you. No better time to do this than right before the new year (where obviously one of my resolutions will be to eat healthier…). So hurray for indulgence and here a great recipe, a must-try for the holiday season. For the cooking dummy's: there are some youtube video's of nigella's cooking talents...you might want to watch these before diving into your kitchen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TC_tA8sdFo
Christmas Cake:
Ingredients
12 1/4 ounces (350 grams) dried soft prunes, chopped
8 3/4 ounces (250 grams) raisins
4 1/2 ounces(125 grams) currants
6 1/4 ounces (175 grams) unsalted butter, softened
6 1/4 (175 grams) dark muscovado sugar
6 1/4 fluid ounces (175 ml) honey
4 1/2 fluid ounces (125 ml) coffee liqueur
2 oranges, zested and juiced
1 teaspoon mixed spice
2 tablespoons good quality cocoa
3 free-range eggs, beaten
5 1/4 ounces (150 grams) plain flour
2 1/2 ounces (75 grams) ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For decoration:
1-ounce (25 grams) dark chocolate-covered coffee beans
Edible glitter
Gold mini balls
About 10 edible gold stars
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Line the sides and bottom of an 8 by 3 1/2-inch deep, round loose-bottomed cake tin with a layer of reusable silicon baking parchment. When lining the tin with the parchment, cut the material into strips that are twice as high as the tin itself (it is easier to use two shorter strips of parchment, than one long strip); the height of the strips protects the cake from catching on the outside of the cake tin.
Place the fruit, butter, sugar, honey, coffee liqueur, orange zest and juice, mixed spice and cocoa into a large wide saucepan. Heat the mixture until it reaches a gentle boil, stirring the mixture as the butter melts. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, the mixture will have cooled a little. Add the eggs, flour, ground almonds, baking powder and baking soda, and mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula until the ingredients have combined.
Carefully pour the fruitcake mixture into the lined cake tin. Transfer the cake tin to the oven and bake for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, or until the top of the cake is firm but will has a shiny and sticky look. At this point, if you insert a sharp knife into the middle of the cake, the cake should still be a little uncooked in the middle.
Place the cake on a cooling rack. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the tin.
To decorate, place the chocolate-covered coffee beans in the centre of the cake and arrange the gold stars around the perimeter of the top of the cake. Then sprinkle some gold mini-balls over the whole cake and sprinkle the top with edible glitter.
This sensual cooking lady really embodies the Christmas spirit and just makes you want to bake cookies, throw happy dinner parties and savour all things creamy and wrong for you. No better time to do this than right before the new year (where obviously one of my resolutions will be to eat healthier…). So hurray for indulgence and here a great recipe, a must-try for the holiday season. For the cooking dummy's: there are some youtube video's of nigella's cooking talents...you might want to watch these before diving into your kitchen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TC_tA8sdFo
Christmas Cake:
Ingredients
12 1/4 ounces (350 grams) dried soft prunes, chopped
8 3/4 ounces (250 grams) raisins
4 1/2 ounces(125 grams) currants
6 1/4 ounces (175 grams) unsalted butter, softened
6 1/4 (175 grams) dark muscovado sugar
6 1/4 fluid ounces (175 ml) honey
4 1/2 fluid ounces (125 ml) coffee liqueur
2 oranges, zested and juiced
1 teaspoon mixed spice
2 tablespoons good quality cocoa
3 free-range eggs, beaten
5 1/4 ounces (150 grams) plain flour
2 1/2 ounces (75 grams) ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For decoration:
1-ounce (25 grams) dark chocolate-covered coffee beans
Edible glitter
Gold mini balls
About 10 edible gold stars
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Line the sides and bottom of an 8 by 3 1/2-inch deep, round loose-bottomed cake tin with a layer of reusable silicon baking parchment. When lining the tin with the parchment, cut the material into strips that are twice as high as the tin itself (it is easier to use two shorter strips of parchment, than one long strip); the height of the strips protects the cake from catching on the outside of the cake tin.
Place the fruit, butter, sugar, honey, coffee liqueur, orange zest and juice, mixed spice and cocoa into a large wide saucepan. Heat the mixture until it reaches a gentle boil, stirring the mixture as the butter melts. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, the mixture will have cooled a little. Add the eggs, flour, ground almonds, baking powder and baking soda, and mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula until the ingredients have combined.
Carefully pour the fruitcake mixture into the lined cake tin. Transfer the cake tin to the oven and bake for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, or until the top of the cake is firm but will has a shiny and sticky look. At this point, if you insert a sharp knife into the middle of the cake, the cake should still be a little uncooked in the middle.
Place the cake on a cooling rack. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the tin.
To decorate, place the chocolate-covered coffee beans in the centre of the cake and arrange the gold stars around the perimeter of the top of the cake. Then sprinkle some gold mini-balls over the whole cake and sprinkle the top with edible glitter.
zondag
D*zine concept store: New Location!
D*zine concept store has moved to a new location: a perfect reason for an opening party! Very much approved indeed...I am especially fan of the Ti+Hann collection. Glam meets Rock and...2 young Belgian talents: recipe for succes I might say!Their black sequin top is on my wishlist. Further in the D*zine collection: Opening Ceremony, Repetto, Eley Kishimoto and more. D*zine is definetly the place to be if you are looking for a unique piece. D*zine has different price categories: stylish, soiree and elite. So even with a limited budget D*zine has great stuff in store. A Must-see!
XjXj
(just so you know: new adress: Mechelsesteenweg 12...)
Want it!
The designers Ti plus Hann
Would be so convenient with the snow...
XjXj
(just so you know: new adress: Mechelsesteenweg 12...)
Want it!
The designers Ti plus Hann
Would be so convenient with the snow...
maandag
IT girl: Kate Middleton
With the publication of their official engagement pictures (by Mario Testino, you should only be so lucky!)it's once again clear. England has a new rose!
We like her timeless look, she's definetly got the royal touch.
Can't wait to see the wedding dress...and neither can Women's Wear Daily apparantly. They invited numerous designers to send in their suggestions. My guess is Kate will go for tradition with a modern twist. Personnaly I'm a big fan of the Alberta Ferreti Sketch, but I believe the Nina Ricci dress would be a great romantic look as well. What do you suggest?
“...In Kate I see the natural, radiant and self-confident attitude of today’s girls. For this, I can’t help but think of an embroidered, fluid-silhouette dress in precious fabrics that will help her make an everlasting impression.” — Alberta Ferretti
"We see Kate going completely classic. We love this off-the-shoulder silhouette for her. Her beauty and grace will make any gown look magnificent.” — Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Badgley Mischka
“I think that there will be so many comparisons to the late Princess Diana that her dress should almost be the opposite of what Diana’s was — modern, simple and very elegant.” — Tom Mora, vice president of wedding and special occasion, J. Crew
Kate tends to wear a very elegant and clean silhouette, so I think the lines of this dress would suit her style. The understated tiers play up her youthful and romantic appeal.” — Lela Rose
“Light as a feather, layers of lace and organza…a dress fit for a princess.” — Peter Copping, Nina Ricci
We like her timeless look, she's definetly got the royal touch.
Can't wait to see the wedding dress...and neither can Women's Wear Daily apparantly. They invited numerous designers to send in their suggestions. My guess is Kate will go for tradition with a modern twist. Personnaly I'm a big fan of the Alberta Ferreti Sketch, but I believe the Nina Ricci dress would be a great romantic look as well. What do you suggest?
“...In Kate I see the natural, radiant and self-confident attitude of today’s girls. For this, I can’t help but think of an embroidered, fluid-silhouette dress in precious fabrics that will help her make an everlasting impression.” — Alberta Ferretti
"We see Kate going completely classic. We love this off-the-shoulder silhouette for her. Her beauty and grace will make any gown look magnificent.” — Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Badgley Mischka
“I think that there will be so many comparisons to the late Princess Diana that her dress should almost be the opposite of what Diana’s was — modern, simple and very elegant.” — Tom Mora, vice president of wedding and special occasion, J. Crew
Kate tends to wear a very elegant and clean silhouette, so I think the lines of this dress would suit her style. The understated tiers play up her youthful and romantic appeal.” — Lela Rose
“Light as a feather, layers of lace and organza…a dress fit for a princess.” — Peter Copping, Nina Ricci
zondag
Accessories time...in no time
I am very proud to announce that I think I set a new personnal record. As a busy working girl, I (unfortunatly) do not have a lot of time to shop. So when I do get the occcasion, I often need to be quick.
Now...I was on a very sharp timing (a Wedding ceremony, I'm pretty sure the bride wouldn't have appreciated latecomers, even for good reasons, such as accessories shopping...)and I had about 15 minutes in H&M to get the right accessories for my wedding party outfit, so an added difficulty : stress.
You see where rhis is going...I managed to find (and buy) in only 15 minutes following accessories: 5 bracelets, a bonnet , 2 pairs of earrings and a belt...
Efficiency is key...
XjXj
Now...I was on a very sharp timing (a Wedding ceremony, I'm pretty sure the bride wouldn't have appreciated latecomers, even for good reasons, such as accessories shopping...)and I had about 15 minutes in H&M to get the right accessories for my wedding party outfit, so an added difficulty : stress.
You see where rhis is going...I managed to find (and buy) in only 15 minutes following accessories: 5 bracelets, a bonnet , 2 pairs of earrings and a belt...
Efficiency is key...
XjXj
maandag
Red Dress Alert
I decided that this year, for the transition from old to new, I want to go RED. And no I do not mean red nose,red wine, red nails (could be though...), red feet..no no I am talking about a red dress. There's only one catch: I cannot seem to find the perfect one. Well actually, I can find it, only it would make my bank account go red as well...
On the highstreet part: Asos has some cute ones, but they are all mini and I'm thinking: after the christmas dinners, cosy nights in, dinners out, I am just not that into mini.H&M has some too, but 2 problems: the fabric is just not that flattering and well surely somebody else will wear the same dress...
So for the time being, i'll settle for red accesories. I got a great belt at H&M and red stockings topped with red shoes. Must say it does not look too bad.
But, the hunt for the perfect red dress is still on... All suggestions welcome!
On the highstreet part: Asos has some cute ones, but they are all mini and I'm thinking: after the christmas dinners, cosy nights in, dinners out, I am just not that into mini.H&M has some too, but 2 problems: the fabric is just not that flattering and well surely somebody else will wear the same dress...
So for the time being, i'll settle for red accesories. I got a great belt at H&M and red stockings topped with red shoes. Must say it does not look too bad.
But, the hunt for the perfect red dress is still on... All suggestions welcome!
Christian Louboutin Rolandzip 120 suede platform pumps
$795 - net-a-porter.com
Christian louboutin pumps »
$795 - net-a-porter.com
Christian louboutin pumps »
Kate Spade New York - Glitter Emanuelle Clutch (Gold) - Bags and...
$345 - zappos.com
Couture handbags »
$345 - zappos.com
Couture handbags »
don't let the cold get your style
It’s cold..it’s freezing and find myself choosing comfort (read: warmth) over style. Shame on me… However I decided to take up an action plan and find the perfect match between hotness and style. Now all I need to do is find the courage to get out on the shopping streets in this cold, or well…order online,below some ideas...
XjXj
The classic hunter boot.
XjXj
The classic hunter boot.
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