Fruits, Flowers and Candles...

We have a deliciously cosy kitchen - whenever we have friends over for lunch/dinner, instead of setting the living room table we prefer to stay in the kitchen. Honestly, I am pretty sure that if we asked our dear friends to choose their favourite room in our love nest, the kitchen would be the winner by far. It really is a welcoming room, where we spend hours and hours talking, dancing, playing cards or whatever... long after finishing our meal.

Last week we invited two of our greatest friends to have dinner at ours - I was good and ready to set the table in our lovely kitchen, when all the suddenly I decided to go for something a little bit more formal. I had just bought four vases and I could not wait to try some decoration work with them, and I felt the kitchen would not be the ideal room for that.

So, armed with my vases, I set the living room table - each vase had a theme, and by themselves the vases would have been enough decoration, but on that day I was in the mood for experimenting. I was quite pleased with the end result, so I have decided to share a few photos with you:

A vase with a white candle and some spices in the bottom (cinnamon, cloves and star anis). When you light the candle, the amazing smell of all the spices starts filling the room. Next time I might add a few more cinnamon sticks and some orange peel.

A vase with pomegranates, limes and some green leaves - I just adore the idea of decorating with fruit, it is simply beautiful. The bright pinkish colour of the pomegranates paired with the bright green of the limes: what a vibrant contrast.

Finally, two smaller vases with flowers - one with orange and green flowers to create some harmony with the vase with pomegranates and limes, and the other with yellow and white flowers also to create some sort of harmony with the vase with the white candle. I just love mini vases with small flower arrangements - they are, in my opinion, the ideal flower decoration for a dinner table.

Well, here are some of the photos the Hubby took:

Raspberry Cosmo...

Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a cocktail kind of girl - from time to time I will enjoy a glass of wine or even beer, but my ultimate choice, the perfect company for a night out with friends or a sleepover at a girlfriend's place, are definitely cocktails. And, if I had to pick my favourite, there is only one possible answer: Cosmopolitan. Yes, I confess, it all started as a Sex&The City experience, but just like my friends Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, cosmopolitan really is my drink.

The other day the Hubby had a "boys only night", so I invited a good friend of mine for an end of day filled with cocktails, good food, good conversation and chick flicks.

Just when I was about to start preparing our cosmopolitans, I decided to try something different - add some fresh raspberries. The result: delicious :)

Truth be told, this probably isn't something you will do for more than 4 people, specially if you decide to sieve the raspberry puree (I didn't because we were ok with the seeds, but some people might not be!). But for a small girlfriend's rendez-vous, it is just perfect :)

These quantities serve two glasses:

(1) Add a hanful of fresh raspberries to a cup.

(2) Add 2 ounces of Cointreau and blend the mixture until reaching a puree texture ( I used a hand-blender).

(3) Put the puree into a cocktail shaker - add 3 ounces of vodka (it should be 4 but it gets too strong this way), 2 ounces of cranberry juice, 1 ounce of lime and ice - shake everything.

I usually allow the cocktail to sit for a minute or so to get nice and cold (also, a good trick is to keep your vodka bottle in the freezer).

(4) Serve in martini-style glasses.

*ENJOY*

Chicken Soup...

This past few weeks, Hubby and I have been living "la vida loca", also known as eating and drinking whatever we wanted - and although there really isn't quite anything like a delicious meal after another, eventually your body gives you a warning and begs for an healthier lifestyle. So, this recipe is pretty much my attempt to get back on track - I was looking for something delicious and healthy, and the first thing that crossed my mind was a chicken broth filled with veggies :)

I wasn't sure what would be the end result but trust me - it really is delicious :) And the Hubby really enjoyed it, which is a big plus, because he is a bit of a fussy-eater!

(1) Season your chicken cubes/stripes (boneless/skinless) - I seasoned mine with some salt, pepper, garlic, soy sauce and olive oil. You can season as you like, but do not put strong flavours which may influence the flavour of the soup.

(2) Cut your veggies - you can pick whichever veggies you want. I used two spring onions, two carrots, half of a red pepper, an handful of haricots and a handful of soy beans. 

One ingredient that is crucial is lemongrass (half a stick), it adds a delicious citrusy flavour - it is important to cut it in really fine slices or if you prefer out the whole lemongrass and take it out before serving the soup.

I have also added some ginger.

(3) Pour two pints of chicken stock into a saucepan, in a medium-low heat, and bring it to a light boil.

(4) Add the chicken - allow it to cook for 5 minutes.

(45 Add your veggies to the saucepan - allow to cook until the veggies are slightly tender.

(6) Stir in the juice of half a lime.

(7) Season with salt and pepper, if necessary - I didn't add anymore salt or pepper because I seasoned the chicken.

(8) Add the noodles - I used pre-cooked rice thai noodles so as soon as I added them to the saucepan I turned off the heat. If you want to cook your noodles in the soup, I would probably add them two minutes before the veggies are ready.

If necessary, add a little bit more of stock.

(9) Ladle into serving bowls.

*ENJOY*

Bows...

It all started when we were little girls and our mothers would adorn our hairs with the perfect girly ornament: a bow-hairband. They are probably one of the first accessories a little girl owns, even before she knows what an accessory is, but almost immediately, by feminine instinct I reckon, she recognises and appreciates its grace, elegance and beauty - it makes her feel pretty!

Years pass by, from little girls we become women - women with a certain personality and certain tastes. However, most probably our relation with bows has not changed. They still are the perfect feminine ornament that just makes us feel pretty. When in the mood for a simple but classic/stylish look, skinny jeans or slim fitted trousers with a bow-embellished blouse is all you need to hit the mark. You can go for something quite simple as a T-shirt or for a more dramatic look, such as a blouse with some detail on the neckline and hem - high heels would definitely take the look to another level, but flats will work too.

Well, here are some pretty possibilities:

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#1 Alice+Olivia Mindy Stretch-Silk Blouse 

#2 Dorothy Perkins Cream Chiffon Ruffle Blouse 

#3 Red Valentino Bow-Embellished Tulle and Modal T-Shirt 

#4 French Connection Sunny Silk Tie Top 

#5 Miss Selfridge White Pussy Bow Tunic 

#6 Sonia Rykiel Ruffled Cotton-Crepe Tank  

#7 French Connection Sub Silky Tie Top 

#8 Ted Baker Pussybow Neckline Shirt 

#9 3.1 Phillip Lim Sash-Collar Silk-Chiffon Blouse  

#10 Topshop Ellie Bow Blouse by Yuki 

Work...

Sometimes I wish I was the kind of woman that could pack her wardrobe with fitted jackets and trousers and never have to worry with what to wear for work - but that woman really isn't me. Of course from time to time I will wear the ultimate workwear, jacket and trousers, they do make you look classic, elegant and professional, and some occasions do call for them.

 

Most days, however, I will go for something else - there are so many combos that make you look equally elegant and professional, but without being too formal and adding a little something to the look. Workwear or not, our clothes have to reveal our personality, and if you don't have a flare for formal clothes, you just need to make your creativity work and find an alternative. Plus, don't you find it a tiny bit disturbing when you're on the train/underground/bus on your way to work and everyone looks exactly the same?

This outfit represents my style for work - I love the high-waist ankle-length dark blue trousers, they are so chic and versatile. Long gone are the days when you were not supposed to play with the length of your trousers, when you could only go for long or short. I just love when trousers have this kind of uncertain length, it makes them so much special. And this blouse, I really am in love with it - the little lace detail on each side, the nude shade, the detail in the sleeves. As for the shoes, and since it is a workwear look, I decided to follow the nude shade of the blouse.

In retrospective, I would have changed two things - a different handbag, maybe a dark blue shoulder bag, and a black top underneath, the white top kinda competes with the blouse when it was supposed to be really discreet.

Blouse Dorothy Perkins | Top (underneath) H&M | Trousers French Connection | Shoes Beatrix Ong | Necklace Gifted | Handbag Guess

Orange and Dark Chocolate Cookies...

I have a confession to make - baking really isn't my thing! If I had to describe my style in the kitchen I would say it is quite instinctive, I am a big supporter of the trial and error school, I love how liberating it is not having to follow exact measures and quantities. And, as we all know, baking is the one thing that requires you to follow strict rules otherwise you will most likely fail.

Although I have no problem whatsoever with buying cookies, I really want to bake them myself - I think it is such a delicious treat to take to picnics, offer as a little gift to your family and friends, and it is such a comfort to have a jar filled with home made cookies at home :)

This is a Rachel Allen's recipe and it is quite amazing - it just gives you the basics for a cookie dough, and allows you to choose whatever flavours you want.

I took them to a picnic and my friends really enjoyed them :)

(1) Pre-heat the oven to 170C;

(2) Cream 225 gr of butter;

(3) Add 110 gr of caster sugar, and beat the mixture gradually until it becomes soft and fluffy;

(4) This is the moment to add your flavour-ingredients - lemon zest, chocolate chips, dried fruits, whatever really :);

I added zest from a orange and dark chocolate chips (that I cutted myself).

(5) Add 275gr of plain flour - stir and bring it all together, use you hands if necessary;

(6) Put the dough by rounded tablespoons on a baking tray;

(7) Allow them to cook for 10-12 minutes or until ready - I left mine a little bit more because I like them slightly burnt.

You can save the dough for another day by keeping it in the freezer :)

 *ENJOY*