The bright side

When the flu recovery takes longer than anyone would ever expect, my weary mind tends to go on a quest for anything that could possibly speed up the healing process. Here's just a small glimpse at things and moments which helped me to remain cheerful during my extended stay in bed...

A bunch of yellow tulips my parents brought me on my Name Day...

"Effi Briest" by Theodor Fontane. The classic must-read for any hopeless romantic...

Summer-ish desserts in the middle of winter? Yes, please! Scroll down for the yummy Panna Cotta recipe!

Sequined t-shirt from Dorothy Perkins...just another reason to be madly in love with sales!

Panna Cotta with Spiced Cherry Sauce:

300ml heavy whipping cream
250ml cold milk
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon powdered gelatin
1 vanilla pod (split, seeds scraped out)

Place all the ingredients into a pan and bring to a simmer. Stir until the gelatine has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and remove the vanilla pod. Divide the mixture among four ramekins or cups and leave to cool. Place into the fridge for a couple of hours, or until set.

To serve, run a sharp knife around the edge of each Panna Cotta and unmold onto a serving plate. Drizzle with the cooled cherry sauce.

For the spiced cherry sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
a pinch of cinnamon
50ml cherry liquer
1 cup frozen cherries

Place the sugar, water and a pinch of cinnamon into a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until all the water evaporates and the sugar turns into a golden caramel (no need to stir at this point!). Add the frozen cherries and a splash of cherry liquer. Let it all simmer for a few more minutes, so that the sauce can slightly thicken.

P.S. Huge thanks for all the get-well comments to my previous post! I'm almost fine now, so there's a new outfit coming soon!

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

Whenever it sneakily creeps into your house, you're more than sure that the entire problem could have easily been avoided. Perhaps if you'd been wearing a thick woolen cardi along with your barely-there blouse, or if you had taken a bus instead of walking for hours on that rainy day... And why on earth did you even care to go out in the first place?! Well, whatever! Stop reproaching yourself and just come to terms with the most obvious fact: at this time of the year, everyone's meant to catch a flu...sooner or later! And yes, in some cases it might actually get you grounded for a couple of weeks... Just speaking from my experience!

Coated Skinnies & Satchel - Zara/ Tweed Zip-Up Jacket - TkMaxx/ Suede Boots - New Look/ Necklace -Carry

Fantasy Shopping: Candy Colours

The future looks bright for any daring fashionista who's seriously willing to stand out of the monochromatic city streets. Despite shades being now slightly muted, the forthcoming season seems yet again to be all about a variety of colours. And since there are so many we can easily choose from, the following question becomes inevitable: which one shall I go for?!

1. Double-Zip Stretch-Jersey Dress - Diane Von Furstenberg

2. Leather Belt - Dolce & Gabbana

3. Lime Tie Front Shirt - River Island

4. Olivia Paperbag Skirt - Topshop

5. Rita Lightweight Leather Jacket - ACNE

6. Two-Tone Leather Espadrille Wedge Sandals - Lanvin

7. Celandine Yellow Acid Wash Knitted Jumper - Burberry Brit

8. MOTO Cornflower Blue Baxter Classic Skinny Jeans - Topshop

9. Kiev Silk-Crepe Blouse - J.Crew

10. Frosted Perspex Clutch - ASOS

11. Green pointed Court Shoes - Dorothy Perkins

12. Large Holly Enameled Bangle - Chloé

Best of the best

Even though Christmas already belongs to the past, this doesn't necessarilly provide a reason for my holiday spirit to fall off. I've spent the entire week lounging around in my comfiest pajamas and actually, have no intention to change a thing about this "outfit" until the first day of 2012! So, before I'm ready to showcase the new combination du jour,  here's a small selection of my best (I hope!) fashion moments sported throughout the passing year...

Very Merry

In case you're already tired of all the Christmas recipes on this blog, here's my solemn promise I won't be posting any of them until the next holiday season. Twelve months to go, right?! And in the meantime, have yourself a merry little...cupcake! Sorry, but these Gingerbread Reindeers are seriously too cute to pass up!

Gingerbread Reindeers:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl whisk together all of the wet ingredients.
In another bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, spices and cranberries.
Using a large spoon, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones until everything's combined. Make sure not to overmix, or you wil end up with a batch of stone-hard muffins!
Fill each muffin cup full with the batter, then place in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

Orange & White Chocolate Frosting:

400g cream cheese
50g unsalted butter at room temperature
1 heaping tablespoon icing sugar (optional, if you like things on the sweeter side)
100g white chocolate, diced
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Start with melting the white chocolate in a double boiler. Allow it to cool slightly before using.
Beat the cream cheese, butter, orange zest, vanilla extract and sugar, just until there are no lumps visible. Add the melted chocolate and mix until fully incorporated.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY READERS!!!

Together forever

There's quite an enormous amount of clothes in my closet I will always be profoundly in love with. But if one day the world was supposed to be hit by an asteroid and I was given a chance to save one item only, I'd just grab this plaid shirt without the slightest hesitation! Even though it's already been two years since I made it mine, I can't even think of our ways parting any time soon...

P.S. The combination of red jacket and a fur collar rings a bell with you? Well, I was wearing this outfit while shopping for Christmas gifts... Santa Claus in the making, wasn't I?

Red Blazer - Principles/ Plaid Shirt & Booties - Zara/ Black Skinnies - Salt Works/ Stone Ring - Cubus