30-Nov-2014

21

It's my Birthday! My personal day of the year! Oh, and what a happy yeat it was!

I can't express how grateful I am for all the amazing people in my life, my family, my friends, my colleagues, the children I look after, their amazing parents, and Mr.Boyfriend. I'm surrounded with so much joy, love, good vibes, kindness and laughter.

My 20th year was a great one, everything I hoped it to be and even more. Yes, I wished I had traveled more and had spent a lot more time with my family, but I cannot change it so there's no point in worrying over it now. All I can do is try to make the next one better. I'm lucky enough to have an understanding family that knows how much I love them and that if I could, I would spend a lot more time with them. We can all agree that there awesome and that I'm horrible and call it a day.

I hope that my 20th year had made me a better person, smarter, stronger. It had definitely left me feeling very much loved and taken care of.

And thank you all, for being around!

Lots of Love, Stana, aged 21

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

29-Nov-2014

Barcelona Lights, Bites and Times

Mr.Boyfriend and I are completely in love with Barcelona. We are talking about moving to Barcelona in few years time and trying out luck in this magnificent city. We are just walking the streets, staring at the beautiful buildings and savoring the amazing atmosphere. Oh, and the amazing food, you know. Life here can be pretty good, we think. We can imagine ourselves living, loving, being here. We would love to re-imagine ourselves and our days in this warm, loving city...

When we are back in Brighton, I promise to write am extensive post about our Barcelonian adventure, the good, the better and the best of it. But right now, I'm too busy being in love!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

28-Nov-2014

Me Estas Equivocando

Barcelona! One of the most beautiful, vibrant, colourful, soulful cities in the world! Our Catalan adventure begins today and I'm beyond thrilled with excitement and full of expectation. Would I like it as much as I liked it the previous times? Would the food be as good as I remembered it? Better? Are going to get lost in the magic of this city and decided that we don't want to ever go back to gloomy England? Is Mr.Boyfriend going to find Barcelona as charming and tempting as I do?

Ah, Barcelona, me estas equivocando...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

27-Nov-2014

The Sugar Challenge: Update

Yes, I did it! I have up sugar for 20 days straight and wasn't tempted just even once. Even though I was salivating like a stray dog in front of a butcher's shop every day, going through all the emails I get from food blogs, I managed to stay strong and follow the rules I made up myself.  Oh, and doesn't that feel great!

I am not sure if I have lost even a gram for those 20 days, probably not since I haven't done any active exercises doing this time. I don't include cycling because I'm not covering a decent mileage daily for it to count. So, loosing weight is out of the question. But that's just fine...

The point is that I feel better. I think. I am not sure if I have more energy than before, but I definitely feel more sharp and not so much like a bear, wanting to have a snack and then sleep forever. I also feel like I'm taking responsibility of my own health and that feels really good, I must say. I feel less tired in the morning and, funny enough, no outbreak on my face so far. The last may have something to do with the fact that I promised myself to put hydrating cream on my face every evening, but I can never be sure.

I don't know if I'm going to resume my sugar-free diet when we come back from Barcelona. I might just try and find weekly-based moderation. Or just allow myself 1 sugar day per month, or something. I haven't figured it out just yet. But I know that my days of stuffing myself like Christmas turkey with sugar and candies, are officially over! Hopefully for good.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

26-Nov-2014

The Long Way With Marx

I mentioned that is essay writing time again, didn't I? Oh, of course I did, how could I possibly not. At the moment my brain feels absolutely shut down and I feel like all creativity have left me. Even, forget about creativity, I feel like all thoughts worth writing down in an essay, have left me, forever and ever. I'm just staring blankly at my essay plan at the moment, and I'm thinking "There is no way I'm going to make it. There is no way I'm going to give up!". So, it's a bit of a complicated situation. I'm getting this bad feeling in my stomach that this is going to be a very long night. I am not going to bed before I have 1000 words written down, 1000 words that are meaningful and worth submitting. Other than that, I hardly care about anything!

And when I'm done investigating Marx, for the I don't know which time, I have to make up my mind about my Constructing Sexuality essay. The one I have no idea what I'm going to write about. I don't even have an idea what the topics are. Oh boy, that feels like a big mess coming right up my way...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

25-Nov-2014

The Christmas Countdown

There's exactly one month left until Christmas. I still have not where we have put the Christmas tree last winter. I'm not buying any new toys for the three as well. I gave up on convincing Mr.Boyfriend to buy fairy lights - he thinks they are fire hazardous. No ugly Christmas sweaters are being bought. No Christmas pudding is being started. Oh, and no idea what presents I'm buying for the kids. Like no-freaking-idea whatsoever! I have to figure out what a teenager girl will find cool, what a little boy will find awesome and what a toddler girl will be happy about. I don't know which one is the hardest one. All I know is that I have to buy them the advent calendars the next time we go grocery shopping. Boo-hoo. Stana has no Christmas spirit.

But Mr.Boyfriend's Christmas gifts are almost settled. I have to buy just a thing or two more, so that his present is truly magnificent. So this is settled. And I had the most brilliant idea what I'm going to get my Mum on behalf of Dad and me. And she's going to love it, I just know it. And I can just hope that Mr.Boyfriend finds a little elf (or a blog) that whispers him that there certain things that I want more than others. Like waaay more.

On the bright side, since we have been adopted for Christmas day, we get to spend the time with people I love and admire, in a family environment. It doesn't get much better than that when you're living abroad, miles away from your own family. And I might even get lucky and get to try nice, home-made minced pies this year. Who knows...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

24-Nov-2014

Marx And Me

Yep, essay writing time again. I can't get myself to make plans for Barcelona because I'm up to my ears in work for school. Exciting. And because I just love making my life difficult, I decided to write my essay on Marx. Again. But he has proven to be good for my grades, and I've already written few on him, this is supposed to be a tad easier. Or at least this is what I'm telling my self in order not to collapse on the floor, crying and panicking. Life is complicated, you guys. Especially when you take a 4 day city break just before all of your deadlines. Mhm...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

23-Nov-2014

Gifts And Birthdays

So, Mr.Boyfriend went ahead and gave me my Birthday present few days ago. Once again he managed to surprise me with something that had never crossed my mind, a gift in a complete Mr.Boyfriend's fashion. He decided that I will be very happy to receive a gift voucher for 1 hour head, neck and back massage in a massage studio in Brighton. I'm not sure now to react to this gift, especially since I'm sure I won't be able to book my session until mid-December, and that is in case I'm not overloaded with work. And I probably will be. So that means I'll have to postpone it until further notice and, with my luck, the voucher might as well expire. I'll probably just sent him instead, just to make sure that he gets some value for his money.

So, yes, this is what I got for my Birthday from him. Probably that will be the only present I'm going to get for my Birthday this year. Yep. Happy days. What can I say...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

22-Nov-2014

My Family's Heartwarming Delicious And Healthy Imam Bayildi (Vegan, GF, Grain Free)

I must say, it has it's perks to have Turkish ancestors. Like all the interesting stories that your told. Or the funky name origins that you have. Or the amazing cuisine that is inherited in the family. Oh, yes, this cuisine is gift from the gods - equal parts Mediterranean, Arabic and Asian. Very diverse, very interesting, it doesn't belong in any categories. And Turkish desserts, oh, just don't get me started on them, they are beyond good. And sweet, for that matter.

One of the recipes, that has been passed down to me is this one, the Imam Bayildi. Without exaggerating, this is the one thing that I always always always ask for when I go back in Bulgaria to visit my family. Like, the moment I book my tickets I call my grandma to let her know when I'm coming back and to get ready to make me some Imam Bayildi. You see, I can make it myself, and I dare say I make a really good one, but there is a special magic in it when Nana makes it. It's just better. She just makes everything better.
I really like making this recipe when I have people come over for dinner at ours, because it's so simple and easy to divide it in equal portions - 1 aubergine "boat" per person. That's it. And maybe few tiny aubergines on the side, just to make sure that you have a small second serving if someone is very hungry today. Or just plenty of small "boats" that make an amazing starter. And if you are anything like Mr.Boyfriend and can't imagine not having meat, then just add some minced meat to the filling and it's all settled. Easy, right?!

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 2 big aubergines, cut in half
• 2-3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 big onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 big garlic cloves
• 3-4 big mushrooms, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper

How-To:

1. Grab a big table spoon and scoop out the flesh from the aubergine halves.
2. Salt the aubergine  boats (very well) and set aside for at least one hour. Best results achieved when left for 8+ hours.
3. Cut the aubergine inside that you scooped, salt and set aside as well.
4. Pre-heat the oven to 180C.
5. Wash the aubergines, both boats and flesh, very well with cold water. Rinse well and make sure to wash out all of the salt you covered them with.
6. In a deep pan heat the olive oil and add the onion and the chopped garlic. Cook until soft and translucent.
7. Add the mushrooms and the chopped aubergine flesh. Cook until tender.
8. Add the peppers and tomatoes, and add a tiny bit of salt. Cook until the tomatoes seem done.
9. In a deep baking pan pour a bit of olive oil and cover the whole bottom, so the aubergines won't stick to it.
10. Place the aubergine boats on the bottom of the pan and fill them in with the cooked veggies.
11. Put a big garlic clove in each boat and bake for 20-30 minutes.
12. When ready, take out of the oven and serve while hot.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

21-Nov-2014

Go, Going, Gone

Today is the goodbye party for our friends, the so-called Royal Couple. They are, finally, after many years of talking about it, moving back to Berlin. For these two it has never been if they are moving out of England, it has been When, for goodness sake, will they be able to do it. So tonight they are having a huge get together, with all of their friends, colleagues and close people and next weekend they are starting their new life in Berlin, the city of their dreams.

And Mr.Boyfriend and I are being left alone, without our best friend and most loved allies when it comes to funky business and having fun. If that's not sad, I don't know what it is...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

20-Nov-2014

Going To The Movies: Horns

Plot:

When Ig Perrish's girlfriend, Merrin, is raped and murdered, everyone assumed it was him. Even his family. His whole community believes him to be the devil in human form since he killed the sweetest girl, the best thing that had ever happened to him. And just to make his life even worse, he wakes up one morning to find out huge horns protruding from his forehead. However, this new look comes with some perks - people tend to share their darkest secrets with him, without he even asking them. And Ig decides to use them to find who actually killed his dear Merrn.

Why I Liked It:

I heard about the book a while ago, I was still in high school, and I was interested in reading it but never had the time to actually find it and read it. Then, I heard that Dan Radcliffe was filming the movie adaptation and I was set to watch the movie. This time I did as I said I will.

I very much enjoyed watching Dan develop, yet again, a young adult with deep emotional troubles and more darkness in him that he cares to admit. The film itself is nothing brilliant and mighty new and magnetic, but it's a good, interesting movie to watch in terms of characters, societal presumptions ("I'm pretty enough to be on TV") and other tiny little details. It's very dark and fantasmagirical, if the latter is an actual word, and works very well the power-relationship between good and bad, right and wrong.

Not sure I will recommend it for a date knight, but it was a good movie for post-headache evening last night. And Mr.Boyfriend and I both really enjoyed watching it. It wasn't what we expected and that was good. Twisted, dark, fantasy. It's all good.

Grade: 6/10

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

19-Nov-2014

Still

My headache is still here, still so gloriously strong. I managed to sleep for maybe 3-4 hours last night, since my head felt like it's trying to get the best of me.

I ended up going to the hospital on campus this morning, where after an appointment with a nurse and later on with a doctor, I was told to take more iboprophen and try to do some yoga and to practice meditation. The yoga part was especially helpful since my head hurts particularly bad when my balance is inverted, you know. Absolutely helpful and thoughtful. I would've been better off if I was stupid enough to decide to self-medicate with illegal substances. I'm now going to try and catch some sleep, since last night wasn't very good for that and I'm very tired and very much in pain.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

18-Nov-2014

The Head On My Shoulders

I woke up today with the worse headache I have had in a while. It feels like someone is banging my head against a concrete wall, while in the same time someone is trying to drill through my forehead. It's a total and utter disaster! I constantly loose vision for few seconds at a time since the pain is too strong. I'm really, really sorry, but I can't bear to watch at the screen right no. It's just too much.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

17-Nov-2014

American Horror Story

Plot:

This is not a TV series, not exactly. It's more of an anthology of horror stories, each contained in one season. First was the Murder House, then the Asylum, then the Coven, now it's the Freak Show. Each season has "beginning, main part and conclusion" making the whole story a closed circle.

Why I Like It:

I don't really really like it, but I find it a nice entertainment on a lazy Friday night. Or on days like yesterday, when I stayed in bed the whole day. It's not very scary, at least not for me, but the stories are wicked and that's what I like. The show is also not afraid of being openly controversial, so bonus points for that.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

16-Nov-2014

Burn, Baby, Burn

I'm running a horrible fever and haven't been well since last night. I'm having high temperature and I'm swinging between shivering to over-sweating. It's intense and insane. It's getting better, definitely, but I had a horrible night last night when I couldn't sleep for feeling utterly unwell. I even had to ask not to go to work today for I couldn't stay on my feet. And I'm having the worse of headaches, just because. And my whole body is stiff. So, yes, you get the idea.

I guess that I have nothing left to do but watch series and read books and try to rest and get better. Hopefully I'll be back up again tomorrow!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

15-Nov-2014

The Book That Was Better Than The Other One

Plot:

Welcome in the court of Henry VIII, the most glorious prince in the Christendom, and Queen Katherine of Aragon, the prettiest and finest woman in Europe. They are happy, but Henry is eager to have an heir, a son to sit on his throne when he dies, and the Queen have only one surviving child - Princess Mary, a girl and therefore not fir to inherit the crown.

Growing unhappy with the lack of an heir, king Henry takes fancy in Mary Boleyn, an genuinely sweet and innocent girl but her family, the Boleyns, the Howards are ambitious and power-hungry family. Mary rises to become the absolute favourite of the king, and even has two children with him, a girl and a boy. But her happiness is short when the king turns his eyes to the other Boleyn girl, her sister - Anne.

Why It Was Better Than The Other:

Remember when I discussed The Virgin's Lover? Well, this book, The Other Boleyn Girl, is it's pre-pre-prequel. Philippa Gregory has written 6 books, I think, on the Tudor dynasty, and The Other Boleyn Girl is the second one, while the The Virgin's Lover is the fifth one. I liked the story better, it was more complex and gave the characters more depth. Also, I prefer books where the narrative is told by just one character, it feels a lot more personal and real.

On top of that, I have a long-standing obsession with Henry VIII and his 6 wives. Anne Boleyn is a favourite of mine in particulate, since she has always seemed as a very bright determined strong woman. Just the why I like them.

However, read with caution. It's a historical novel, and some things are changed so they fit the narrative better. It's not 100% accurate. But it is enjoyable.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

14-Nov-2014

Amazing Homemade Classic Lasagna

When I was a child, my Mum used to make lasagna every now and then for the big family Sunday lunch. And since everyone loved it, I never understood why she doesn't make it more often - it was simply delicious. Then, I started helping with the preparation and later on took charge of it, and finally I understood why. Because it's so time consuming, that's why. It's not hard, not at all, but it just takes good 2 hours or so from chopping the first ingredients to taking it out of the over, ready to be served. 2 hours are not so much, you'll probably say. Well yes, it's not, but those are 2 hours of constantly doing something, following the next step on the quest for homemade delicious lasagna.

I never follow a recipe when making lasagna, because I refuse to acknowledge the existence of just a certain number of lasagnas out there. There as many lasagnas as food preferences, and this means I can combine anything for my sauces.

My Granny for example simply loves it when I make a Creamy, Cheesy, Chicken lasagna, because she's not particularly keen on fried tomatoes. On the other hand, my veggie friends find the Spinach and Mushrooms lasagna the best one ever. And Mr.Boyfriend is the biggest fan possible to my Classic lasagna, the one with bechamel sauce and good old bolognese sauce. And this is the one I'm going to share with you today. Shall we make a start then?

Ingredients (makes 9 big portions) :

• 1 pack of lasagna sheets
• cold water
• salt
• olive oil
• 200-300 gr grated cheese

Bolognese Sauce:

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 500 gr beef mince
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 3-4 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cans of tomatoes
• handful of fresh basil
• salt and pepper
• dried oregano

Bechamel Sauce:

• 125 gr butter
• 4-5 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk (or 1 milk, 1 water)
• salt and pepper

How To:

Important! There's an time order when making lasagna. Please follow the steps in the order they are bellow.

Pre-heat the oven to 200 C.

Bolognese Sauce:

1. In a deep pan heat the olive oil. Add the onion and the garlic. Fry until soft and translucent.
2. When the onions are ready, add the minced meat and let cook, stirring occasionally.
3. Put the red pepper and tomatoes (both canned and fresh) in a deep jug and blend to a puree.
4. When the meat is almost cooked, add the red sauce and let cook for 20-30 minutes or as much as its needed until it thickens.
5. Set aside.

Lasagna sheets:

1. Place the lasagna sheets in a big pot cover with cold water. Add 1 tbsp of salt and bring to boil.
2. When the water starts to boil reduce the heat and simmer until the sheets until they are cooked, according to the instructions on their box.
3. Stir occasionally and try to separate any sheets that have clung together.
4. When cooked drain the hot water and fill the pot with ice cold water several times one after the other.
5. Let them stay in the cold water.

Bechamel Sauce:

1. Place the butter in heavy-bottom pan and melt.
2. Add the flour and stir energetically until resolved.
3. Add the milk and stir, until it forms a homogeneous mixture.

Assembling:

1. In a deep baking tray pour a spoonful of olive oil and make sure to cover the whole bottom and the sides.
2. Pour some of the bechamel sauce and cover the whole bottom.
3. Arrange few lasagna sheets on top of the white sauce, so that the whole bottom of the pan is covered.
4. Put 1-2 tbsp of the white sauce on top of the lasagna sheets and cover with thick layer of the bolognese.
5. Layer the lasagna following the same pattern - sheets, bechamel. bolognese, sheets, bechamel, bolognese until you run out of sheets.
6. IMPORTANT: Your top layer must be sheets.
7. Put in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
8. When the edges get golden, take it out of the oven and sprinkle with the grated cheese and let it melt.
9. Let cool down for 10-15 minutes and serve.

Homemade lasagna, a comfort food for families around the world!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

13-Nov-2014

Shake It Off!

Andrew James Cocktail Set

Yes, I know. The song. Taylor Swift's. Yes. But actually no. It's not about it. It's about something completely different and not connected with the pop-extravaganza this song/video is. It's a more of a grown-up thing. It's about alcohol. Well, mixing alcohols and making magic. It's about Cocktails!

Everyone love a good cocktail. Some prefer sweet and over-the-top cocktails, with cherry and tiny umbrella on the side, others prefer strong and demure combinations, that usually are served in low tumblers, but in the end of the day we all love a good cocktail.

And I have become especially keen on them now that part of my job is to prepare them. Well, keen is not the right word for it. I've become obsessed. I've been looking at liquors and alcohols since lunch time and I feel tipsy by just looking at them. And then, all of the sudden, I found a cocktail making kit, everything I want to have at home, for my personal use. Even a proper nice shaker, which is, oddly enough, hard to find. I don't know about you, but I'm spending some serious money on alcohol this Christmas. Never mind that I will be working all of the days and probably won't be able to enjoy it.

Shaken, not stirred, anyone?

Cream Liqueurs:

Sheridan's Irish Coffee Cream Liqueur

Merlyn Welsh Cream Liqueur

Baileys' Gift Set

Fruit Liqueurs:

Prucia: Plum French Liqueur

The King's Ginger Liqueur

St. Gemain Elderflower Liquer

DISARONNO Amaretto Almond Liqueur   

Hard Liqueurs:

Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Professor Conelius Sloe Gin

Janneau Brandy Amargnac

Royal Dragon - Superior Russian Vodka

 

12-Nov-2014

Sunshine In A Glass Juice

Remember when the other day I told you I had the best homemade tropical juice. And I promised to tell you all about it as soon as I can get this essay out of my system? Well, guess what, today is the day! Hooray for fruity happiness and all the glorious deliciousness that this juice is going to bring in your life. It's sweet, it's zesty, it's tangy, it's amazing! All you need are a citrus press and a blender, the right ingredients and 4 big glasses and being thirsty for sunshine. Does it sound good to you? Yes? Yes! Let's do this!

Ingredients (4 big glasses)

• 1 large pineapple, peeled, core removed, chopped
• 1 large mango, flesh removed
• 2 large oranges
• 2 large grapefruits

How-To:

1. Squeeze the juice out of the citruses and set aside.
2. In a blender but the flesh from the pineapple and the mango. Pulse to a homogeneous mixture.
3. Stir together the citrus and tropical mixtures.
4. Pour in glasses and enjoy straight away.
5. Feel good and be happy!

Let the sun shine upon you!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

11-Nov-2014

All Done

You have to believe me when I say that I feel tremendous joy every time I finish an essay. Especially if I manage to do so more than 24h before the deadline. All of the sudden I just feel so light and fresh, like nothing can ever get me and harm me. Like the world is no one's but mine!

However, I don't have the time to celebrate today, since I have to hurry up and go to work now, but later tonight there will be celebratory apple slices with peanut butter, the best thing ever if you are cutting down on the sugar, like me... Mmm

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

10-Nov-2014

Doing It Again

I have an essay due this Wednesday and as from this morning, I have 750 words down. Out of 2000. Yep. I'm doing this thing again, where I spent two months thinking how I have to sit on my bum and start my essay well in advance and then I end up writing it the 2 days before the dead-line. What can I say, my brain works best under plenty of pressure. Pressure junky.

So yes, nothing interesting around me this weekend, except that I was summoned to work yesterday, which is starting to be more the rule than the exception. Oh, and a glass of the best tropical juice ever this morning, but more about that soon, I promise. When I'm supposed to have my essay finished, proof-read by HM Mr.Boyfriend and submitted on time. Now all I can think about are party systems, patterns of democracy and electoral outcomes. Aren't those the best thoughts ever, huh?!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

9-Nov-2014

21 Things About Me

21 Days Before I Turn 21

Yep, this is happening. I'm sharing 21 things about me, out loud, 21 days before I turn 21.They are just little bits and bobs, things that I haven't probably mentioned before. Oh, well. Shall we start?

1. I'm really bad at choosing favourite things. Like really really bad. I don't have favourite anything, not a movie, not a colour, nothing.
2. I love thunderstorms and find them exiting to watch.
3. I used to write poetry all the time and not at all now.
4. The only things I like about Christmas are the Christmas lights and the Christmas trees. Not a big fan of Christmas and no Christmas spirit at all.
5. Not a big fan of potato chips but a massive lover of tortilla chips. Mmm, spicy tortilla chips with guacamole. Yum!
6. I used wear only monochromatic clothes. Now I try to pop a little bit of colour here and there, just because I'm too young not to.
7. Used to smoke.
8. I hate courgettes, one of the very few veggies that I really prefer not to eat.
9. I have crazy food craving all the time. The newest one is pickled artichokes.
10. Mr.Boyfriend and I are constantly influencing each other in more ways that we'll be willing to admit. However, secretly we are very happy that we share more and more things in common. It's so much fun when your partner shares your crazy food obsession or you love going for cycling adventures together.
11. I have 3 small tattoos and I want more! Many more!
12. My sense of style and fashion is far closer to my Dad's than to Mum's. Which is good, because Mum likes rather extravagant things.
13. My lucky number is 13.
14. As a child I never aspired to be a model or singer or actress. I wanted to be pilot, car mechanic, witch or writer during my childhood.
15. I'd love to open a small restaurant one day and work there as the chef.
16. I want to go around the world on a motorcycle but I'll have to pass the driving exams first. In Bulgaria the minimal age for obtaining the licence for the kind of bike I like is 24 years so I'll have to wait a bit to fulfill this dream.
17. I want to live on a boat for a summer but not much longer.
18. I'm very much the family type and I adore kids. However, I'm not sure if I'll ever be brave/stupid enough to have mine. Oh, and I want to get married eventually. Preferably before the kids come to the picture.
19. I love having photographs on the walls because it makes me feel surrounded with love and happiness.
20. I can't stay mad forever but in the first half an hour when I'm angry - I'm furious, I'm beside myself, too reckless for my own good. Then my anger sets down and I'm more than willing to make compromises to achieve piece and quite.
21. I love listing staff and answering questions. In a game of "Truth or Dare" I will always choose "Truth!"

And this is it. 21 things for me. Not that you have asked me.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

8-Nov-2014

Candy World

20 days from now Mr.Boyfriend and I will be leaving for Barcelona. Imagine that, just 20 days from now! How crazy awesome is that?! I'm getting excited and I want to jump up and down just mentioning it.

But this is not why I'm mentioning it. It's because I decided that 20 days are a good starting period for me to give up ... all kinds of sweets. That's right, no candies, cakes, pies, creams or flavored yogurts for me for the next 20 days. I'm imposing a challenge on myself, to prove that I can take better care of my body.

If you have been with me on my year-long journey since the beginning you probably know how much I love food and that I can bear the though of giving up any vital (and reasonable) food group from my diet. Meat, unfortunately, it's out of the question due to health issues, lactose makes up a good third of my diet and going gluten-free will cause Mr.Boyfriend and I endless terror when it comes to cooking. And there is no way I could give up any veg or fruit, not in hundreds of years. So, the only reasonable option left was sugars, processed that is. Fruits are good.

I'm not sure how I'm going to make it through this challenge without giving up in the middle but I'll do my best. I'm not trying to loose weight, it's not a crazy diet strategy, I'm just trying my limits. If I know that I can go 20 days without sugars then I'll be able to go a lot longer without satisfying my crazy sugar cravings every time, right?

I'll keep you posted on the process and on my strange solutions when I start dreaming for ice-cream and cakes.

Wish me luck!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

7-Nov-2014

The More The Better

Especially when we talk about books! Because, let's face it, there is no such thing as reading too many books, I can promise you that. I mean, is it possible to put a full-stop to the universe, because if you ask me - books are the universe.

So, few weeks ago, while on a hunt for a cheaper used version for one of my expensive text books, I ended up on Amazon Books and feeling so genuinely miserable because there were so many books that I wanted to buy straight away and read, read, read, until my eyes hurt but I don't have the time and the money to do that right now. Then I remembered - holiday season is coming and maybe, if I'm lucky, someone will think of me and my love for books and will help me acquire at least one of the books on my list. I was a fairly good girl this year, I probably have deserved it, right?

Not That Kind Of Girl, Lena Dunham

How To Be A Woman, Caitlin Moran

Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay

How To Be Parisian, Wherever You Are, Berest at al.

6-Nov-2014

Best Ever Foods For Friends Baked Pasta

Oh, pasta, you perfect thing, we love you! Both Mr.Boyfriend and I can eat pasta in incredible, horrifying amounts. But what I can say, it's just too good and there is nothing not to love!

Now, about this baked pasta. It's good, it's very very good. And easy to prepare. And if you feel lazy - you can probably get away with skipping the baking part. But you should definitely try and overcome your laziness and do bake it. Because this is when all of the cheese comes into the picture and we all love cheese very very much, don't we. That's why we are friends!

Ingredients (makes 4 portions):

• 400 pasta penne, boiled and drained
• 2 chicken breasts, cut to bite-sized chunks
• 2 cans tomatoes, blended together
• 5-6 medium large mushrooms, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 cup olives, pitted and cut in half
• 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese

How-To:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C.
2. In a frying pan heat table spoon of olive oil. Saute the chicken breasts.
3. When the chicken is cooked remove the meat from the pan and cook the mushrooms in the sauce.
4. Once the mushrooms are almost cooked, pour the tomato sauce on top and add the olives.
5. Cook for few minutes, until the tomato sauce begins to thicken. Add the chicken and cook for few more minutes.
6. In a large baking tin spread the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and pour the boiled pasta.
7. Next pour the sauce and a cup of the grated cheese. Mix everything together.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the paste and the sauce start seem individable one from another.
9. Add the rest of the cheese on top of the baked pasta and return in the oven for the cheese to melt.
10. Enjoy while it's hot and try to resist yourself from eating the whole dish in one sitting!

Yum-Yum-Yum! Tripple Yum for this easy delicious recipe!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

5-Nov-2014

All That Glitters

I have admitted it already, and I'll do it again - I'm a jewelry type of girl. I'm always looking for a sparkly new piece, to add up to my forever expanding collection. I wear it all - rings, necklaces, earnings, bracelets, anklets, you name it and I probably wear it. Every day. My jewelry is my armor, and most, if not all, of my adornments have a special meaning for me. I wear them not only because they are pretty but because this way I wear something that connects me with my beloved ones no matter where in the world I am.

The holiday season is around the corner, and on top of that, my birthday is just few days away, so I'm starting to look at pretty things and think how much I would love to have them and wear them. You know that giggly feeling when you look at something that is more or less too expensive for you but it's so pretty that you think to yourself "It's the pretties thing I have ever seen, I would wear it every day!". Well, I get this feeling ever so often when my birthday is around the corner. Like, basically, every little expensive piece of jewelry I lay my eyes on. Because I'm that kind of girl. I love sparkle and frills, pearls and real leather.

It wouldn't be me if I hadn't spent ridiculous amounts of time looking expensive jewelry on the Internet. Cartier, Tiffany&Co., Bulgari, you name it and I probably have spent hours and hours browsing their websites and trying to decide what I like best. So today, I decided to share a thing or two that I have fallen inlove with lately. Oh, well, just two. But they are SO pretty! I promise I was a good girl and I deserve them. And I will never take them off, they are that perfect! Just look at them and tell me I'm wrong!

 

Paloma Picasso LOVE RING 

TIFFANY NOTES® "I LOVE YOU" RING

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going ... 

4-Nov-2014

The Long Way Round

Mark my word, this is the best travel reality-documentary that you can lay your hands on!

Plot:

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman take up an epic journey on motorcycles - from London to New York, chasing their shadows across the world. Each episode follows a part of their travels and everything they come across.

Why I Love It:

The series is made in a good and realistic way, it feels and looks the way such journey is expected to look. Nothing from the Bear Grills bullshit, where he's said to be all alone in the wild, but oh, hey, here's my cameraman and there are the rest of the crew. No, The Long Way Round is real, and it doesn't spare you any of the real reality that makes driving a motorcycle across the globe such an adventure. Charley and Ewan are adorable and everything but gorgeous, they are real and reliable, they are human! And I, and Mr.Boyfriend, love love LOVE it!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

3-Nov-2014

Berry Luscious Pink Green Smoothie

My quest to bring new, interesting tasting smoothies on the breakfast table every morning continues. Today - my pretty pink smoothie that makes me glow! Well, if you ask Mr.Boyfriend I usually glow, but this smoothie just makes my mornings so much better, that I smile even at the idea of having it.

It's full of good delicious ingredients that will help you keep that pretty body running errands all day long and still have some energy to dance in the evening. Oh well, you might need a second one in the afternoon if you plan to hit the dance-floor till sunrise, but you won't mind having it again, I promise!

Ingredients (make 2 big glasses):

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 yogurt
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 cups berries, fresh or frozen
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 avocado, pitted and peeled
• 2 tsp chia seeds

How-To:

1. Place all of the ingredients in the blender.
2. Pulse until combined.
3. Enjoy while fresh and cold!

Best Smoothie Ever?

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

2-Nov-2014

Travel Diaries: Bodiam Castle

Yesterday the weather was amazing, beyond perfect for 1st of November! It was so good that it would've been a pity to stay at home and do nothing the whole day, so we decided to take up a short trip and explore the gorgeousness that Sussex has to offer. After a short consideration we set our minds on visiting Bodiam Castle, the nearest castle East from Brighton. If you feel like going West from Brighton I highly recommend visiting Arundel Castle - it's simply marvelous. So, after late breakfast we packed few apples, a jar full of nuts, oat cakes and a bottle of water, and left on our journey to Bodiam.

Even if you don't feel like walking around medieval castle and walking around ruins is not idea of fun, you must take the drive to Bodiam. The road is picture-perfect - good road, tall trees forming a natural tunnel, green meadows on the side, cute little English houses on the side and pubs with funky names.

So, back to the castle. It's owned by the National Trust which is doing excellent job preserving it and making it accessible to the public. It's very children friendly and, as far as I heard from the other visitors, there's always some kind of even happening for the little ones. Yesterday it was a Dragon Treasure Hunt. which sounded so tempting that even I wanted to join in.

The castle itself is beautiful, classic and very traditional, full blown  medieval style. The towers are still intact and visitors can walk up the narrow spiral staircase to take a look from the positions where the defenders of the castle will stay. The main entrance is through a long bridge atop of a moat, which is very impressive if you ask me. Unfortunately, there is close to nothing left from the insides of the castle, which is a pity. However, the exterior of the castle makes up for the lack of super-interesting inside and the castle looks very good on pictures.

Prepared mentally that there will be no ball room and great hall inside, and do pay it a visit. Is a pretty pretty old  thing!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

1-Nov-2014

Hello, Soulmate

November is my hearth.

November is my love.

November is my kismet.

November is my soul.

November is my all.

November is me.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...