31-Dec-2014

Happy New Year!

This is it! 365 blog post later, it's almost 2015! Cheers to everyone who took this journey of a blog with me! Thank you, thank you so, so much!

Pour the sparkling wine, grab the hands of your loved ones, take a breath and enjoy the HAPPY NEW YEAR! May the New Year be full of goodness, happiness, goo health and best of luck for everyone. Cheers!

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

30-Dec-2014

The Adventure Continues...

As promised, I have a new outlet to share all of adventures in the world of food, books, movies and travelling! If you click on the title above it will take you directly to the new blog. So far there you can find my adventures from this past years, the recipes, the reviews, the good staff. More, new!, content to come soon... because The Adventure Continues!

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

29-Dec-2014

A Year In Life

I think it's time for me to think about the past year and the crazy adventure this blog has been. When I started the blog I wasn't sure if I will be able to keep to my promise and actually write a post every day. As it turns out - I can. It takes a bit of preparation and the right mental set, some planning ahead but other than that is real fun!

2014 was a good and generous year for me. I had a relatively successful first year at university, and hopefully this one will be even better. I'm still greatly enjoying what I study, although I'm getting the Second Year Blues, which means that I question everything I do, why I do it, how I do, should I actually do it, why is nothing what it seemed to be, why everything changes so fast and why nothing hasn't changed. The usual drama.

I also managed to change 3 jobs in just 1 year. Beginning 1st of January 2014 I started working at the AMEX stadium in Brighton and stayed there for 3 awful and miserable months until March. When this gig was long gone, I tried my luck at McDonald's where I spent yet another 3 horrible months from June to August. This was an experience that I'll try and spare my children from. To put it nicely, there's a reason why McDonald's is always needs to hire new people after the previous ones have left. And last, but not least, late June I started at The Jolly Poacher and I'm still going strong. This place has become my second home, my sanctuary and my safe haven. I love the fact that I'm working with people I love and respect, people who are passionate about what they are doing and the way they do it. It is also a very nice, practical change from my university life - here I always know when I do something right and I can see that I'm getting better at it one day at a time. The people at the Jolly are my family and my colleagues, so what can be better than that?

In my personal life 2014 has been a smooth sailing, more or less. I was extremely happy to have my grandparents over for a week in the beginning of the Summer. They are now planning their second visit, and my sweet sweet grandma is trying to convince my parents that it will be one hell of an adventure if they decide to come and visit me here! I also managed to go back home for 2 weeks in the beginning of September, so my Mum and Dad had the opportunity to squeeshy-squash me for 2 weeks before I came back to my duties. Hopefully next year we'll have more opportunities to spent time together, because I know how much they miss me and how much I miss them!

Mr.Boyfriend and I have been very happy together, thank you very much! We celebrated our 4th anniversary this year and we marked the occasion with a lovely dinner at a small Italian restaurant, and a treasure hunt in London (that was massive fun, y'all). After a summer spent working, working, working, we took our well deserved break in late November going for a long weekend in Barcelona. Apart from me, getting food poisoning, our stay in Barcelona was the perfect place for us to have a little rest and time for just ourselves. Definitely will go there again. As for next year, we are planning a Brighton to Paris cycling vacation and maybe a short break in Southern Italy. Who knows...

This year I also saw my cooking skills developing on a whole new level - from the confidence to make a layered cake to preparing  my own pastry to making pasta from scratch! I also experimented a lot more with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free recipes and was more or less successful. Or at least told you guys only about the success stories. I hope next year to be able to spent a little bit more time in the kitchen, perfecting the things I already know how to make well and experimenting even more.

The thing I regret the most this year is not doing enough exercise. I started alright, then had a very strong Spring-Summer period (remember the month when I did yoga daily? plus the 20-min-a-day exercise minimum I had during the whole summer?) but the autumn and the winter were not so good for me. I am constantly too tired to be bothered to do exercise when I come back home from school or work. However, I'm eager to change that. And I think I am going to do it very soon and very much for real!

Because my new year-long dedication is to do yoga every day for one whole year. That is, 2015 is officially the healthy fit me year! 

Bang-Bang!

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

28-Dec-2014

Dinner For Two

V.I.P. (Very Italian Pizza), Brighton

I think my now it has become abundantly clear that Mr.Boyfriend and I have a thing for Italian food. If it wasn't for me trying to stay in shape and him, wanting a steak every now and then, we'll probably never ever eat anything else. Pizza and pasta are The Best! Full stop. That's why finding a good pizzeria is incredibly important for us, a place on which we can rely on to deliver good quality pizza made with authentic ingredients and without costing us more than a weeks rent.

That said, I've been eyeing a new place new Old Stein, Brighton, for a while now. I've only heard good reviews for this restaurant, which have to say something about it, right? Even our snobby-and-hard-to-satisfy-about-everything-Italian friend Sam gave it his approving nod, so we were ready to give it a shot! So last week, before the whole Christmas craze started, Mr.Boyfriend and I dressed up and paid V.I.P. a visit.

The service is extremely friendly, they are all Italians and this is their family business, so you can imagine the picture. The interior in the restaurant is somewhere between rough chic and authentic Italian smallness. It is nice, but nothing shiny and fancy about it. We were seated on a table close to the door, that wasn't much of a problem but I would've preferred one of the other empty ones that weren't so close to the drift. After a quick look at the menu, we chose to start with Capresse, because this is like the most basic Italian thing ever. Even though it took them good half an hour to slice a tomato and drizzle it with salt and olive oil. On the bright side, this was probably one of the best Capresse salads I have ever had - the tomato was perfectly ripe, juicy and fresh, and the mozzarella was beyond delicious.

For mains we went for pizzas, what a surprise, right! I ordered Quattro Stagioni (tomato, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, black olives and artichokes) while Mr.Boyfriend decided to have Parma (tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, parmigiano shavings, rocket). The pizzas arrived promptly right after our starters, hot, fresh and full of aromas, including the one of stone-baked pizza (scored major points with me there). The pizzas were huge, by the way, big enough for sharing, if you ask me, but we all know how greedy we all become when it comes to sharing food. Especially pizza... So, back to the point. V.I.P are not afraid to load the pizzas with the good goods. Well, they are not overloading the pizzas, but they are not Donatello, they are making sure that you're having a bite-full of everything you wanted on your pizza. Mr.Boyfriend raised the point that his pizza was slightly on the salty side, but nothing too extreme and inedible. I was very happy with mine, but I', rarely not happy with pizza.
The only real issue I had with V.I.P. was that they are slow and forgetful. After they served our salad I asked for a glass of tap water and it took them only one whole dinner to remember and to bring my glass of water with the bill. That is unacceptable, but I guess everything cannot be perfect at the same time. Especially at the price that you're paying in V.I.P. - for the quality and quantity of food they are offering, it's dirty cheap! Our whole bill, including a pint of Italian beer and a large glass of the more expensive red wine, came to less than 30 GBP, High five for that!

Overall, this was an amazing experience and I understand why everyone have been praising this plase. They are really good, probably my new favourite staff-my-face-with-pizza place in Brighton. Look out guys, I found a new Italian little gem!

Food: 9/10
Service: 6/10

Interior: 7/10

Location: 8/10
Pricing: 9/10

Overall Grade: 8/10

Would we go back: Yes! Yes! Yes! But they have to speed up their service, you guys. As someone who runs around to serve clients and tries to get back to them with the speed of light - 45-50 minutes for a glass of water is too much! But the food, oh deer god, the food is GOOD!

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

27-Dec-2014

Presents, Presents, So Many Presents!

Ah, what is more Christmas-y than opening presents all day long! Or maybe just once, because it can be a bit overwhelming, right? However, the reason I'mm still talking abut Christmas two days after it, is because I just feel the need to let you all know what the amazing people in my life got me and to finally revel what I got Mr.Boyfriend. So, drums please, it's presents bragging time!

Mr.Boyfriend outdid himself, truly! He did such an amazing job following my subtle hints, hitting the blog, and being creative himself. He found the softest, cutest, most amazing gray pajamas for me, that I will live in if that wasn't too weird, hah. He also got me The Dark Net, a book I have been very interested in and that may be very useful for the future. It's the exact right mixture between interesting, important and educational. We was creative enough to find me a decorative skull with ruby red eyes, that I completely adore - I've been dreaming of decorative skull for our bedroom for a while now. Then he continued his strike of awesomeness and creative abilities and bought me an amazing yoga mat, so I have no excuses not to do yoga at home, or for that matter anywhere else. And last, but not least, he found a loose leaf tea shop and chose two blends for me, so that I have something to keep me warm in the long term days.

On the other hand, he was spoiled by my with a beautiful laptop/work bag by Jeff Banks, that fits nicely with the rest of black leather goods that I've been buying him for the past few years. He also got 12 pairs of funky socks because he goes out of socks faster than anyone I have ever known. So now I have made sure that I have at least 2 weeks before he starts nagging again that he doesn't have any nice looking socks left to wear. Next, I got him a children's book by Gianni Rodari called "The adventures of Little Onion", my most favourite book from the childhood and one he haven't heard of before we moved in together. Oh, and I have the horrible habit of constantly quoting it, because it so hilarious! And because he's my most favourite boy in the world, he got a Toblerone and some home-made baked goods.

Then my lovely bosses, the owners of The Jolly Poacher (go check this place NOW), when overboard with making us at home on Christmas day and there were so many presents for us that it was almost embarrassing! I got a bottle of really good sloe gin, the cutest, most funky knee high socks, boutique chocolates, turron, the most amazing perfume and a pearl pendant necklace - they really really went overboard and I can't think of a way to express how thankful I felt for all the care and kindness they had for us! They also had presents for Mr.Boyfriend - a Calvin Klein scarf, Italian praline chocolates and a Japanese puzzle box, that will keep him occupied for a fair bit of time!

On top of all that, we got the care package from our parents, which included a handsome amount of chocolate for us, few nice woolen pairs of socks for Mr.Boyfriend and I, a wonderful top from Zara for me, and so many other little things. 

So yes, we both get royally spoiled. And fed. Best Christmas days ever! And I'm so blessed to have those amazing people in my life, that I can't simple put it other way! What a wonderful life this is!

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

26-Dec-2014

Christmas on 100 Ditchling Street

Mr.Boyfriend and I had the most amazing Christmas day yesterday! I honestly think this was one of my best, most memorable, gorgeous and awesome Christmas days that I had ever had. We spent the day with my bosses and their families, so all the grandparents, the kids (!!!), the dogs, everyone was there. My little loving munchies were there, so we had lots of fun together and Mr.Boyfriend finally met my favourite little boy and they played some with Transformers together, which was amazing to watch. You know, it touched a very special string in my heart to see my lovely loving partner make himself absolutely and completely available to a child, and try and accommodate every single possible need that this child might have.

We also ate amazing food, courtesy of my boss and his father in-law, both chef-patrons at respected restaurants and both very good at what they are doing. And then there were some amazing bottles of wine, that Mrs. Boss chose for our meal, because this is what she's good at. Yes, a great day, the best Christmas day I had had in a quite a while!

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

25-Dec-2014

A Very Merry Christmas Day!

Mr.Boyfriend and I have been very good (to each other) this year! Obviously! How else would you explain this pile of presents underneath our Christmas three? Squeeek! I can't wait to open mine, so ...

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

24-Dec-2014

A Merry Christmas Eve

You might've guessed, but Michael Buble is my absolute favourite when it comes to Christmas music. And not only. Tomorrow is Christmas and I'm so excited, almost as much as I was as a child. Our plans with Mr.Boyfriend involve a lazy morning at home, then a big Christmas lunch/dinner with my boss's family and then, probably passing out in bed! Yes, this sounds like the best Christmas day ever!

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

23-Dec-2014

Delicious Healthy Roast Veggies Pasta (Vegan)

Yes, a recipe again. As I have already said a number of time before, you can always guess if I'm on a break from school by the fact that I cook a hell lot more. I basically turn a full home-made chef for days. For example, this morning just before breakfast, I made a double batch of my Easy Breezy Flourless cookies to send to my family back in Bulgaria. I changed the recipe a bit this time, leaving out the coffee and rum, and adding orange zest instead. Gotta say - this recipe is a keeper! I can bet  my head that my Dad will fall head over heels with them - he loves everything that A) is chocolate B) has orange in it and C) I've baked at home.

But this is not about the cookies, although I don't mind being about them. It's about what I made Mr.Boyfriend and I for lunch. Let's start by saying that both of us love love love pasta. We won't eat it everyday, but every other day - without a problem. You know, just to be able to eat pizza as well. Pizza is the best!

So, this recipe, let me try and explain why is so awesome. First of all, it's so easy that it's unbelievable! You don't need to do much than cutting veggies and putting them in a roasting pan. Second, it's healthy - it's full of fresh amazing vegetables, that are full of flavour and vitamins. And most importantly, it's so so so DELICIOUS that you'll never guess how easy and healthy is. Oh, I love it! And Mr.Boyfriend likes it so much, that takes the initiative to make it on his own when I'm working. I think you get the idea, the recipe is total win! Shall we start?

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of pasta, any type you like
• 2 aubergines, peeled cut to cubes
• 1 courgettes, peeled cut ti cubes
• 6-7 medium mushrooms, cut to cubes
• 3 peppers, chopped
• 3 cans tomatoes
• 15 cherry tomatoes
• olive oil to drizzle
• salt and pepper
• oregano
• basil

How To:

1. Preheat the oven at 180C
2. Put the aubergines, courgette, mushrooms and peppers in a roasting tin.
3. Drizzle the veggies with olive oil and season with oregano, and salt and pepper.
4. Bake the veggies for 30-40 minutes, stirring them every 10-15 minutes and adding a bit more olive oil if needed.
5. When the veggies have been in the oven for around 20-25 minutes, it's time to cook the pasta, following the instructions on the package.
6. When the veggies have been in the oven for around 30 minutes, pour the tomatoes in a pot and heat them over the stove and add the basil.
7. When the roasted veggies are ready, transfer them in the same pot with the tomatoes. Mix them all together.
8. Chop the fresh cherry tomatoes, and add them to the mixture.
9. When the pasta is cooked, mix it with the tomatoes and veggie sauce.
10. Enjoy!

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

22-Dec-2014

Next Up

Until the end of 2014 has left a little bit over a week. Most people around me are now starting to look back at their year and to make plans and resolutions for the new year. I, on the other hand, am not yet ready for this. This year was so intense, on so many different levels, that I can't still wrap my mind around it. I'll probably try to avoid thinking about it until the 31st itself. I still don't have a goal for the next 365 days, but I know one thing- my new project won't be a post a day for a year. This is too exhausting on my brain and I cannot do it again straight after the first one. 

However, keep your eyes peeled because I plan to launch a new blog soon, where I'll share recipes,  travel tips and insides, restaurant experiences, and books and movies reviews. More or less, just the  most interesting part of Project 365. But more about that is coming real soon!

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

21-Dec-2014

Winter Mulled Wine

Few years ago, when I first moved in England, our dear friends the Royal couple introduced me to the most delicious, hearth-warming, amazing winter drink - mulled wine. Since then I've been obsessed with it and can't wait for the weather outside to be cold enough for me to have an excuse to make some.

A piece of advice - drink with caution. It tastes sweet and harmless, so most people will help themselves more than once or twice and you might end up finishing a bottle of wine each, without even realising it. Yes, this can totally happen when you're having mulled wine. Yes, you'll feel like the most innocent drunk out there. Yes, I've been this person more than once or twice. Yes, mulled wine my most favourite winter warmer drink. And yes, I'm a very jolly drunk person, mhm.Yes, yes, yes!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of wine (don't go for the most expensive bottle)
• 1/4 bottle of berry cordial or squash
• 2 oranges
• 5-6 cinnamon sticks
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 2-3 star anise

How To:

1. Pour the cordial/squash in a pot and mix with water according to the instructions provided on the bottle. Usually 1 part squash/cordial to 3-4 parts water.
2. Cut the orange to circles, removing the meatless top and bottom.
3. Put all the spices and the orange disks in the pot with the berry juice.
4. Put on the stove and bring to boil.
5. Once boiling let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, so that all aromas and tastes are infused in the juice.
6. Mixing time! Pour wine in each glass, but do not fill it to more than half of it. Fill up to the top with the mulled mixture. Give it a good stir.
7. Enjoy warm and in good company. And don't you think of driving!!!

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

20-Dec-2014

It's Begging To Look Like Christmas...

Yes, yes, yes! It's warm and sunny outside, but that doesn't mean that I doesn't feel like Christmas is just about few days away! Oh, wait, it actually is! This is probably one of my most favourite Christmas songs ever, and Michael Buble has such a smooth, beautiful voice. Yep. Christmas mood is now officially ON!

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

19-Dec-2014

Going To The Movies: Eat, Pray and Love

Plot:

Liz Gilbert is 32-years-old who has everything a modern day woman can want: a good career, a husband, a house they bought, and good friends. Still, she is deeply unhappy and doesn't feel like she belong where she is. So, after a divorce and an affair with an young charming actor, Liz decided to take the matter in her own hands and leaves her settled, well-organised live in New York in order to explore the world and herself. On her journey of self-defining and world-tasting, she spends the year in Italy, India and Indonesia. She eats, prays and loves her way to finding happiness within herself again.

Why I Like It:

It felt so real. Every bit of it. Maybe because it's based on Elizabeth Gilbert actual experiences and travels. Or maybe because I associate with this great wonderlust that she feels towards finding new, more rewarding experiences. It's inspiring, now I want to spend 4 months in Italy and eat, eat, eat! And then maybe spend another 4 months in India, doing yoga and being peaceful. And then, knowing myself, probably spend the rest of the year eating, eating and more eating! Oh, and did I mention that the movie is a colourful extravaganza of greatness! It's a bit long but it's totally worth it!

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

18-Dec-2014

Comforting Leek and Potato Soup

What is the most affirming sign that I'm finally on a break from everything that stresses me out? I'm cooking up a storm! I am basically cooking each and every recipe that has been on my mind since the last time I had time to cook. Sometimes those might be just a thing or two. Sometimes I might have a whole cookbook in my head, waiting to be explored. I think this time we are in the cookbook domain, and this is perfectly fine!

The leek and potato soup is one of those dishes that you can practically hear whispering words of comfort. It tastes like home in a spoon, it smells like the safety of your mother's hug. It is one of those recipes that scares away bad weather, bad news, nasty cold and everything in between. And it's crazy simple, which just adds to it's charm and making it the perfect soup for any day in England!

Ingredients:

• 2 medium leeks, peeled from their most outer layer, sliced
• 5-6 large potatoes, peeled and cut to medium pieces
• 80g butter
• 800ml vegetable stock
• 200g grated cheddar
• 300 ml milk
• salt and pepper

How To:

1. In a large pot melt the butter. Add the leeks and cook until soft and transparent.
2. Add the chopped potatoes, stir well and cook for few minutes.
3. Add the vegetable stock and bring to boil. Simmer until the potatoes are boiled and soft.
4. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
5. Add the milk and blend together until the soup is lump-free. If needed add more milk to make the soup more liquid-y
6. Stir in the cheddar and make sure it has melted completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve warm with toasted bread.

P.S. Some people like to add some fried bacon on top of the soup. Mr.Boyfriend is one of them and swears that this adds great flavour to the soup!

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

17-Dec-2014

Homemade Tart "Vegetable Delight"

Mr.Boyfriend and I decided a while ago that we want to try and reduce the amount of meat we're eating. As much as it came as a surprise to our friends and family, we've been talking about it for a while and it felt natural to do so. We are not vegetarians, but we are definitely more conscious about the food we put in our bodies and we try to eat more vegetables than before. If possible, our meals will be more or less just vegetables, and a diverse range of them as well.

The idea of vegetable tart has been on my mind for a long time. Maybe 7-8 weeks now. For me to have a food on my mind for so long and not doing anything about it, it's bravery! I'm the type of person who's completely obsessed with their cravings and goes to the extreme to satisfy them. However, this tart was more than just eating vegetables on a shortcrust pastry. I wanted to make it from scratch, all by myself. I wanted to create, to be able to let my imagination go wild and make the tart of my dreams. I wanted to craft it and for that I needed time and the right ingredients, both of which I've been lacking lately. But not today, my friends, not today! This morning I woke up, had breakfast and then went on straight away to make my gorgeous tart! It's been delightful and I loved every second of the time I spent preparing it. This is how I like to feel when I'm in the kitchen - inspired, empowered and immortal. This is how food should make us all feel!

Ingredients:

For the pastry base:

• 200g flour
• 100g butter
• 2 tbsp water
• pinch of salt
• pinch of savory and cumin (or any other herb you'd like your pastry to smell of)

For the filling:

• 1 aubergine, sliced to disks
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced to disks
• 2 red peppers. sliced
• 150g spinach
• 3 tbsp good quality tomato puree
• 3-4 medium mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 cube vegetable stock
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To:

Pastry:

1. In a big bowl place the flour and the butter.
2. Rub the butter between your fingers until the mixture resembles crumbs
3. Stir in the water, the salt and the herbs, it should start resembling a very hard dough
4. Knead briefly until it looks and feels like dough, then cover in clean film and let rest in the fridge until the filling is prepared.

Filling:

1. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees.
2. Line baking tray with baking sheet and arrange the sliced aubergines, tomatoes and red peppers on top of it.
3. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake until the vegetables are soft and tender.
4. While the aubergines, tomatoes and peppers are in the oven, bring a pot of salted water to boil.
5. Put the spinach in the boiling water, stir well and remove from the pan. Wash with cold water straight away and set aside to drain.
6. Once the vegetables seem cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool down slightly.

Assembling the tart:

1. Flour a clean, flat surface and roll the chilled dough so it will cover the bottom of your preferred tart tray.
2. Line the tray with baking paper and arrange the base on top of it. Make sure that your pastry base is covering the whole pan.
3. Put in the oven for 10-15 minutes and keep a close eye on it, as you want it to get only slightly golden.
4. Once the tart is golden, take it out of the oven, but do not turn off the oven.
5. On the very bottom of the tart spread the tomato puree. Over the puree add the spinach. Make sure that the spinach is equally spread.
6. On top of the spinach arrange the baked vegetables and the fresh mushrooms.
7. Put in the oven for 5-10 minutes, until the mushrooms start to look soft and cooked.
8. In a bowl mix together the eggs, milk and stock cube.
9. Pour the milk with eggs over the vegetables and bake until set.
10. Sever warm. Goes best with a nice glass of white wine.

Made from scratch vegetable tart

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

16-Dec-2014

Easy Breezy Flourless Cookies (Gluten-free, Dairy-Free)

Good gluten-free deserts are hard to find and even harder to make at home. You can't just substitute the normal wheat flour for a gluten-free version, they just don't react the same way. Of course, there are plenty of amazing recipes out there with all kinds of gluten-free flours, and if you want to go for one of them that's great. However, we, Mr.Boyfriend and I, are not gluten intolerant and it's pointless for us to buy a special type of flour just for cookies. Instead, I decided to skip the flour all together. If you can have a flourless cake there is no reason not to have flourless cookies as well, am I right?

My favourite thing about those cookies is that they are so easy, fast and versatile. First, they take 10 minutes to mix, then they take 10 minutes to bake and they are perfect to eat as they are. And then, once they are a bit cooled down, you can get creative. Dip them in melted chocolate or in caramel sauce and then if you want sprinkle with crushed nuts, salt flakes, sprinkles or anything else you like. As you can see bellow, I chose to dip mine in melted chocolate and to sprinkle them with chopped nuts. They looked and tasted like Christmas in a bite! Yum!

Those cookies are great to give away since they cater for two of the most common allergies - gluten and dairy intolerance. And honestly, you'll never guess that they are not buttery, crazy-complicated and time-consuming when you try them. They are nice, soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside, totally delicious and chewy, just like cookies should be!

Ingredients (makes 40 medium sized cookies):

• 2 cups of icing sugar
• 1,5 cups of cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp instant coffee
• 1,5 tbsp corn starch
• 3 egg whites
• 1 tbsp rum

How To:

1. Preheat the oven at 180C
2. In a big bowl add all the ingredients
3. Mix everything together, it's easier using a mixer
4. Line flat baking trays with baking paper
5. Scoop from the batter and arrange in the tray. Leave some space between them
6. Bake for 10 minutes and then let cool down completely before proceeding into decorating.
7. Eat while fresh or store in closed container for up to 5 days.

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

15-Dec-2014

Christmas Care Package

Mr.Boyfriend is still having trouble figuring out what I want for Christmas. He thinks I'm joking when I tell him that all he needs to do is check on the blog (aka here). For goodness sake, I have a whole "Wish List" tag here! So, DEAR, if you have actually decided to check why I keep on saying that you need to look at the blog to see what I want, please - read ahead.

While browsing around today, my first completely free day in about 3 weeks, I came across some really sweet little things, bits and bobs, that will make a perfect Christmas gift for someone like me. That is someone who loves meeting people, going out, being in the center of the events, but in the end of the day their home is their fortress and they cherish their comfort and cosiness above all. Just spend a day with me at home and you'll know exactly how much I love my comfort and cosiness and how I'm willing to give up everything for a nice relaxing day. So yes, care and comfort package is on top of my wish list right now. After having such a busy, hectic, crazy few weeks, I just want to be able to stay in bed the whole morning and feel good while doing it!

Lovely Pyjamas

Because I insist on feeling cute even when I'm sleeping

Pyjama set by ASOS

Lounge set by TopShop

Pyjama set by ASOS 

Pyjama set by H&M

Pyjamas by H&M

All In One by Jack Wills

Nice socks

Because nothing says "I love you!" more than a nice warm pair of socks

Thick socks by H&M

Knee socks by H&M

Knit socks by ASOS

Knit ankle socks by ASOS

Christmas socks by TopShop

Slipper socks by TopShop

The Better Chocolate

Sometimes I just want to be the girl who's been given chocolate, the better one

Maya Gold by Green&Black

Blood Orange by Green&Black

Chilli&Lime by Montezuma

Peeling Amorous by Montezuma

Good Tea

It might be just spending time in England, but a cuppa can fix almost anything

Elderberry&Echinacea by pukka

Lemon&Mandarin by pukka

Strawberry&Kiwi by Charbrew

Pineapple&Vanilla by Charbrew

Spiced Apple by Taylors

Chocolate flakes tea by Teapigs

Apple & Cinnamon tea by Teapigs

Superfruit tea by Teapigs

14-Dec-2014

Going To The Movies: The Bling Ring

Plot:

Based on true events, the movie follows the story of 5 teenagers that are obsessed with the rich and famous of the day - Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Rachel Bilson among others. They obsession leads to them burglarizing their homes, stealing their property and trying to imitate them as much as they can. Things get a turn to the worse when some of their victims realise that they've been robbed...

Why It's Worth Your Time:

Sophia Coppola has a very distinct style that I really like. The movie has this very indie feel to it, albeit its topic. Also, the young actors are really making great roles. Emma Watson is amazing! She is not the main character but she shines as if she is. She portrays someone so different from the person everyone sees her as and she does it with such proficiency that it's just unbelievable. The movie also makes sure that you don't feel compassion towards the burglars, they are shown as the spoiled and obsessed with others little brats that they are. And that is nice, in a way.

Grade: 7/10

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

13-Dec-2014

It's Time

To say goodbye to our beloved friends, the Royal Couple. They are finally moving to Berlin with everything they own and their lovely cats, Becks and Bourbon. We going out on a dinner with them later tonight and then early tomorrow morning they are driving out of the country. I am sad, to be honest, because Mr.Boyfriend and I are loosing our best friends here, but on the other hand this is going to make them so  happy that I don't have the hearth not to be happy for them. Never mind, at least now we are having place to crash at when we visit at Berlin. We are still to decide if we want to live in Berlin or in Barcelona, so this might actually prove to be useful. We'll see...

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

12-Dec-2014

Countdown!

Just a quick reminder that there are less than two weeks left until Christmas. I'll be adding some finishing touches to my Christmas gifts today and hopefully very soon I'll have everything ready! La-la-laaa!

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

11-Dec-2014

50% Of It ALL

Submitting my today's work marked a milestone in my university degree. As from today at 14:17 I am halfway thorough with it. That means that from now on - I's almost over. Believe me, that is exciting!

Mr.Boyfriend and I will be having a small celebration of the end of term and a belated private birthday celebration. At some point. In the future. When we feel like to it.  I hope.

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

10-Dec-2014

The Last Exam of 2014

Today I sat my very last exam for the 2014. Plus, I have only one thing left to submit tomorrow and with a little bit of power of the spirit - I'll be actually able to make it on time! If that's not a reason to feel good about the end of the year, than I don;t know what it is!

About today's exam - I believe it didn't go bad. I don't have an extremely strong positive feeling, but I prefer not to have it when it comes to exams. Especially exams in political theory. I chose to compare the role of the sovereign in the writings of Hobbes and Rousseau - two completely opposing thinkers, so I guess this is as good as comparative politics can go. And for my second essay, I chose to write about Marx. As you could imagine I'll do after devoting so much of my university life to him. So, all in all I think it was a fairly decent exam and hopefully the results will be the cherry of my Christmas celebrations this year.

So, back to SPSS now!

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

9-Dec-2014

Crazy Little Thing Called University

I submitted my essay on sexuality on Monday, after few days of hard and crazy pressure for time. So this means I have only an exam to sit and a project report to write before I can officially call it a term.

And mentioning that lovely exam tomorrow - who in his sane mind will decide that students will prefer to have a test in the end of term, when everything is due, instead in the exam period. You know, after you had some reasonable long time to prepare for this darn exam. Nevermind. The exam is on political philosophy, deep deep waters, I tell you! I'm preparing Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Marx - the holy trinity and his majesty, basically. And when I'm done with that - it will be only statistics left to be done.

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

8-Dec-2014

Dazzling, Shining Wrist Candy

Although my Birthday gift from Mr.Boyfriend had nothing to do with any of the things on my Wish List, I am going to be stubborn and continue to expand my list with amazing little gifts, any of which will make me extremely happy. Like you know "Oh! That's exactly what I wanted! I love it! Thank you!" kind of happy. And, if Mr.Boyfriend, is the good smart boy I believe him to be, he'll definitely take a look over here before hitting the shops on the quest of finding my dream gift. Oh well, we'll see.

So, we are talking about jewelry, again. As I think it had become clear, I love jewelry, I love shiny little things that make you feel pretty. And I love them especially much when they convey some sort of a deeper meaning, unspoken understanding between the one who gives them and the one who receives them. And while looking for something else today, I came across these two beauties. I honestly cannot decide which one I like better, they both look so delicate and beautiful. They are just the very depiction of the two sides of my style - either very feminine, shine-bound and subtly glamorous, or very clean, prime, empowered and sharp. I really don't know which one I like better, I want them both! But will be very happy to get either.

gorjana "Shimmering Bar" pave bracelet

kate spade new york "sailors' knot" bangle

7-Dec-2014

The Cooking Book Of All Books

The Best Cookbook Ever

There is no plot here, but instead an extensive, precise, detailed list of everything that can be done to food. It is truly brilliant and necessarity for anyone who's ever so slightly interested in cooking. It can be extremely useful for the newbie cooking enthusiast but in the same time it can be amazing addition even for the professional chef.

I've been looking for this book for a while, maybe a year or so. It was my boss who showed it to me and let me look through his copy. I honestly believe that this book is a game changer for anyone who wants to eat good quality food. It is inspirational, in a way, and it makes me wanna spend every moment of every day in my kitchen, cooking all those amazing dishes. If you ever come across this book in a bookshop - buy it. It's a treasure to have in your home, and an incredibly rare find in the same time. No surprise people don't sell it on Ebay or Amazon - I know that I'm never selling mine!

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

6-Dec-2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's very very cold outside so this song is very much appropriate. Have a lovely weekend and keep close to the people around you, it's cold outside!

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

5-Dec-2014

First

I got my first essay results last night. 74%. A first. I can't put in words how happy I am. I'm thrilled, I'm proud, I'm so grateful. And I can't wait to call my parents and let them know. Boy, life feels good right now!

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

4-Dec-2014

Powering Through

Life is getting very complicated these days, more than ever before. Term is ending next week, so I have two deadlines coming up, one on Monday one on Thursday, and an exam, on Wednesday. To top this up, life at work is getting complicated - Christmas is just around the corner, and people are organising big parties and dinner dates, so I'm getting extra work load. Just to make things a tad more difficult, one of the girls had left us, and the manager and the assistant manager are going away for Christmas so Mrs. Boss and I are practically left on our own... We can make it, I can make it. It's all going to be fine. I just need to get my brain together and do what I do best - work, work, work. And don't forget to eat and sleep every other day.

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

3-Dec-2014

Long Days and Even Longer Nights

I'm submitting my essay on Marx today, after I was working on it until 3:30am this morning. I feel so tired and unsatisfied with myself that I don't even know how to explain it.

I really wanted to finish it before we went to Barcelona and not doing so was a hard blow on my self-esteem. My time-management was just off-sync the last two days before leaving and I ended up having to write the second half of my essay when we came back.

However, I'm more or less satisfied with the final product. Yes, it could've been useful to have another week, or having the option to expand it beyond strictly the most-important but maybe next time. What is important is that I think I was through and right in what I argue about. I also think that the essay has nice, full-body and doesn't say nothing that doesn't have to be said. No waffling this time, I promise. And this is it. Let's see what my tutor has to say about it.

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

2-Nov-2014

100 Years In A Minute

Being back in dark, wet, cold, gloomy Brighton means only one thing - I need to get back to work. So while I'm doing my best to finish my assignments in time, please indulge on my behalf. It's really nicely done and it's a fair representation of the fashion roller-coaster.

By the way, what the heck happened in the 1960s? Fashion was looking so darn good until then! The first half of the XX century is a true stunner!

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