Fantasy Shopping: All-metal jewellery

Although most of the time jewellery works as the minor element of my daily outfits, lately I find myself going head over heels for a particular kind of trinkets. Is this the starting point for my personal style evolution? Well,  not necessarily... Here's what I think: with the amazing all-metal trend popping up around the fashion world ,apparently even the greatest minimalist is meant to transform into a magpie!

1. Gold Look Peter Pan Collar - Dorothy Perkins*/ 2. Pack of Two Smooth Double Cuffs - ASOS/ 3. Necklace - H&M/ 4. Brass Beaten Cuff - ASOS/ 5. Silver Smooth Simple Torque Necklace - Miss Selfridge/ 6. Hinged Silver-Plated Ring - Eddie Borgo/ 7. Overlap Curve Ring - Topshop/ 8. Golde Beaten Stack Ring - Miss Selfridge/ 9. Gold Groove Cuff - New Look/ 10. Gold Look Hammered Necklace - River Island/ 11. Oversize Metallic Bracelet - Mango/ 12. Spike 14-karat Gold Stud Earrings - Anita KO/ 13. Hammered Effect Bangle - Mango

* I've already ordered this one, just couldn't resist!

29/02/12: The #1 has just arrived! Probably the cutest necklace I've ever owned... LOVE!

The Bearable Lightness of Dressing

I believe that as a fashion blogger I should have already trained myself to shoot pictures in the most severe weather conditions. Well, it's actually easier said than done... With temperatures dropping as low as -10°C, I couldn't even get myself to pretend the latest photo sessions felt any good to my warmth-craving limbs! The only key to survival lies in some properly applied layers, which don't always make for a stylish ensemble... Luckily, the Siberia-like days are far behind us, so at the moment I'm just more than happy to steer towards some lighter, dressier and less complicated choices...

Tweed Shorts - H&M/ Blazer - Zara/ White Shirt - Reserved/ Silver Collar Brooch - Vintage/ Ring - KappAhl

Cold & colder

It's been now more than two weeks since winter has switched into the frigid mode and I just couldn't be more sick and tired of it! Just when we all thought the whole country would soon be covered in budding flowers, the crazy weather has once again decided to take us for quite a ride... Most of the time I'm literally glued to my hot oven, as baking happens to be the only activity that helps me in maintaining the average temperature of human's body...

Raspberry & Meringue Bars:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

250g cold butter (cut into cubes)

2 teaspooons baking powder

5 tablespoons powdered sugar

5 egg yolks

2 tablespoons of cold water (only in case the dough seems too dry!)

Combine flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolks and knead for a couple of minutes, so that the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into two balls, cover separately in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours.

Once it has chilled sufficiently, remove half of the dough from the fridge and grate it into a lightly buttered 33x 20 cm pan. Just make sure to cover the whole bottom thoroughly! Bake in the preheated oven until light golden, then let cool completely.

For the meringue:

5 egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla sugar

4 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding powder

1/2 cup sunflower oil

2-3 cups frozen raspberries

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks begin to form, then gradually start adding both of the sugars and the vanilla pudding powder, until fully incorporated. Pour in the oil in a steady stream, beating continously. Spoon the prepared mixture on top of the pre-baked crust and spread it evenly. Arrange raspberries on top, pressing them gently into the meringue. Take the remaining ball of dough from the fridge and grate it over the raspberries, until covered. Sprinkle with some granulated sugar and sliced almonds. Pop into the oven and bake until slightly puffed and light brown in colour.

So much for the sales

Is it just me getting a bit fussy about clothes, or perhaps the bygone sale season seriously hasn't brought much excitement into our wardrobes? The vast amount of items I'd been yearning for, turned out to be nothing but a huge pile of unwearable rags...! Oh, where are the times of opulence, when we were constantly torn between paying the house rent and indulging in yet another pair of half-price shoes?!

Biker Jacket - Patrizia Pepe/ Plaid Skirt - Vero Moda/ Turtleneck & Booties -Zara/ Scarf - H&M/ Sunnies - Camaieu