It's not the warm weather I mind, well not as much as certain people I know at least. The issue I have here is...well. For those of you who know me in person can testify that I'm not exactly skinny, not that I'm morbidly obese either but you probably won't see me on the runways of Paris anytime soon. To put it in a nice way I have love handles... and front handles and back handles and side handles as well. To top it off, I have something that has a charming name like bingo wings. (Don't know what it is? Consider yourself lucky and please take 20 seconds to wikipedia the term in order to read on.)
You will almost positively never find me in something with bare arms and if you do it's very certain I'm wearing a cardigan, shrug or other piece of fabric to cover up the monstrosities. I especially hate it during the heatwaves in summer and people inquire whether I'm hot and if I wouldn't want to take off my cardigan and I look at them, all red and sweaty in the face, shake my head furiously and assure them that "I'm quite fine, thank you"
Beause heaven forbid that they see any more of my flesh than they have to. I would actually rather suffer in silence with beads of sweat trickling down my face and back than scare children and elderly people or anyone who is so lucky to have ventured out in the public the same time I have.
So, even though I enjoy the sun and the summer I certainly do not enjoy the outfits I have to wear during that time. Sure, I don't NEED to cover up but the reason that I'm so self-conscious is that I'm guilty of thinking to myself, every time I see an overweight person letting it all hang out or twisting and screwing themselves into an outfit that's several sizes too small, GEEZ cover some of that up, will you? And because I think the things I do is why I'm afraid to prioritize comfort over covering up.
So, yes I know that I need the change to start with myself first. Because if I can start seeing people of all shapes and sizes wear whatever they like, maybe I will dare venture out in a more baring ensemble. Not now though... but maybe next summer :)
Sep 4, 2010
Aug 25, 2010
Trip around the lake
Not too long ago, I suggested my sister that we take a walk after dinner. She was pretty reluctant at first but then she agreed.
I remembered a lake not far from where we live that we used to go to almsot weekly when we were kids. My mom would give us leftover bread from the restaurant and we would go with our grandparents and feed the ducks. For some reason I haven't been there in more than a decade, so I suggested we go there.
As the female swan and cygmets changed direction, the swan father rose up from the water and came towards us. Now, it's not very clear in the pictures and seeing swans in the water they look so regularsized. But trust me when I say that this swan was HUGE!!!
We kept walking and to our surprise saw a wall we'd never seen before. We call it the surprised wall :)
I might not be a teenager but I'm still young at heart. :) My sister snapped these pictures of me doing hopscotch!
On our way back, we found a line swing (sorry don't know the actual name) and of course we had to try it.
Weeeeee!!!
It was a lovely walk and it makes me want to take more walks in our area to explore som more :) I love it when I find something new.
I remembered a lake not far from where we live that we used to go to almsot weekly when we were kids. My mom would give us leftover bread from the restaurant and we would go with our grandparents and feed the ducks. For some reason I haven't been there in more than a decade, so I suggested we go there.
As the female swan and cygmets changed direction, the swan father rose up from the water and came towards us. Now, it's not very clear in the pictures and seeing swans in the water they look so regularsized. But trust me when I say that this swan was HUGE!!!
We kept walking and to our surprise saw a wall we'd never seen before. We call it the surprised wall :)
I might not be a teenager but I'm still young at heart. :) My sister snapped these pictures of me doing hopscotch!
On our way back, we found a line swing (sorry don't know the actual name) and of course we had to try it.
Weeeeee!!!
It was a lovely walk and it makes me want to take more walks in our area to explore som more :) I love it when I find something new.
Aug 2, 2010
Navy line
Hi Lovelies ^^
It's been a while since my last post, I've been a little busy but I'm back with a new EOTD.
Eyes:
Electric blue liquid eyeliner lined on upper lashline, then lightly topped with black liquid liner to make the blue less harsh.
Eyeshadow in "Ink" on inner 2/3 of lid and "Midnight" on outer 1/3 of lid. Blend and apply lightly on lower lashline. The "Ink" eyeshadow is such a gorgeous navy-purple loose shimmery eyeshadow. *LOVE*
Both eyeshadows I got here: FormulaD
I believe these two are sold out but there are many other to choose from and they're all handcrafted and vegan. A fellow blogger Click here makes them herself. Feel free to check out her blog and shop and show some support.
Thanks for looking!
It's been a while since my last post, I've been a little busy but I'm back with a new EOTD.
Eyes:
Electric blue liquid eyeliner lined on upper lashline, then lightly topped with black liquid liner to make the blue less harsh.
Eyeshadow in "Ink" on inner 2/3 of lid and "Midnight" on outer 1/3 of lid. Blend and apply lightly on lower lashline. The "Ink" eyeshadow is such a gorgeous navy-purple loose shimmery eyeshadow. *LOVE*
Both eyeshadows I got here: FormulaD
I believe these two are sold out but there are many other to choose from and they're all handcrafted and vegan. A fellow blogger Click here makes them herself. Feel free to check out her blog and shop and show some support.
Thanks for looking!
Jul 21, 2010
Happy 101 award
So I got tagged by Londons Boutique
Rules are fairly straightforward, state 10 things that make you happy and tag people.
So here we go:
I'm a simple creature who take delight in simple things
1. Good food, delicious chocolate, fine wine and great coffee (might as well put all the edibles under point 1, otherwise it's going to be a list full of food.)
2. Being in the company of family and good friends (preferably with food involved)
3. Procuring an item you had no idea you needed but realize is something you can't live without (e.g. my handheld blowtorch for making creme brulee)
4. Music (one of the greatest pleasures for me, it lifts my spirits and runs through my veins. I can't go a day without it)
5. Making other people happy (How cheesy as this may sound it really does it for me. When you get a heartfelt smile from a stranger or when the eyes of my family members light up when I serve them a nice dessert, it's really all worth it)
6. When I finally solve a Sudoku puzzle that has been unsolvable for days, when I beat a Bejeweled high score or play a fantastic round of Modern Warfare ^o^
7. Shopping. Finding a fantastic item of clothing or the most gorgeous handbag or maybe a pair of heels I can't live without. That will surely make my day. I know, I'm a material girl but I love it (and my things)
8. Unexpectedly finding money in the pocket of an old winter coat
9. Some me time, be it taking a long walk, eating ice cream, snuggling up with a good book, playing games or taking a nap. Some solitude has a therapeutic effect on me.
10. The fact that my family and I are happy and healthy
I tag...anyone who hasn't done or wants to do this.
Rules are fairly straightforward, state 10 things that make you happy and tag people.
So here we go:
I'm a simple creature who take delight in simple things
1. Good food, delicious chocolate, fine wine and great coffee (might as well put all the edibles under point 1, otherwise it's going to be a list full of food.)
2. Being in the company of family and good friends (preferably with food involved)
3. Procuring an item you had no idea you needed but realize is something you can't live without (e.g. my handheld blowtorch for making creme brulee)
4. Music (one of the greatest pleasures for me, it lifts my spirits and runs through my veins. I can't go a day without it)
5. Making other people happy (How cheesy as this may sound it really does it for me. When you get a heartfelt smile from a stranger or when the eyes of my family members light up when I serve them a nice dessert, it's really all worth it)
6. When I finally solve a Sudoku puzzle that has been unsolvable for days, when I beat a Bejeweled high score or play a fantastic round of Modern Warfare ^o^
7. Shopping. Finding a fantastic item of clothing or the most gorgeous handbag or maybe a pair of heels I can't live without. That will surely make my day. I know, I'm a material girl but I love it (and my things)
8. Unexpectedly finding money in the pocket of an old winter coat
9. Some me time, be it taking a long walk, eating ice cream, snuggling up with a good book, playing games or taking a nap. Some solitude has a therapeutic effect on me.
10. The fact that my family and I are happy and healthy
I tag...anyone who hasn't done or wants to do this.
Jul 10, 2010
Raspberry mousse cake
When I asked my sister what she wanted for her birthday she simply replied: Nothing... well maybe your raspberry mousse cake :D
So, as the doting sister I am I made not only one for her birthday but I made 3, yes 3 raspberry mousse cakes. I def feel I've got the technique down now! One was for the birthday which is why I decorated it with and the other two were for the extended family and for her to bring to work. It was a huge success at her workplace btw.
I won't be posting the recipe here, sorry. The reason being that I'm thinking about selling them to friends, family and acquaintances and I'd like to keep at least this recipe a secret for now.
The bottom is a brownie-ish cake. The white stuff is a cream cheese/yogurt filling. Then there's a layer of blackberry puree, raspberry mousse and then raspberry jelly.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures.
So, as the doting sister I am I made not only one for her birthday but I made 3, yes 3 raspberry mousse cakes. I def feel I've got the technique down now! One was for the birthday which is why I decorated it with and the other two were for the extended family and for her to bring to work. It was a huge success at her workplace btw.
I won't be posting the recipe here, sorry. The reason being that I'm thinking about selling them to friends, family and acquaintances and I'd like to keep at least this recipe a secret for now.
The bottom is a brownie-ish cake. The white stuff is a cream cheese/yogurt filling. Then there's a layer of blackberry puree, raspberry mousse and then raspberry jelly.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures.
Jul 7, 2010
Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is easily one of my favorite desserts, especially during summer and the best part of it is that it's fairly easy to make. The preparation time takes me less than 10 minutes and after 4-5 hours of refrigeration time it's time to chow down.
I usually make this an hour or so before lunch and that gives it plenty of time for it to be ready by the time I want my afternoon snack. Remember if you spend more than 10 mins on it, then you're probably not doing it right.
(panna cotta literally means cooked cream in Italian but I often find cream alone to be a little too heavy so I opt for half-and-half or in this case, more milk than cream.) This recipe is how I make it, there are other measurements in different recipes but this is what I usually go after.
Ingredients:
-1 litre (4 cups) of full fat milk, organic if it's available
-1/2 litre of heavy organic cream (2 cups)
-1 vanilla bean (I usually opt for Polynesian vanilla, none of that bourbon stuff for me thank you, you can also use vanilla extract(1-2 teaspoon(s)) but I recommend you use a vanilla bean)
- 1 decilitre (1/3 cup) raw cane sugar
-10 sheets of gelatin or 4 teaspoons of gelatin powder.
Pour the milk and the cream in a saucepan and turn on the heat to medium-high.
Add the sugar.
While the mixture is heating up take the vanilla bean and slice it in half with a small pairing knife. With the back of the knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds and add it to the mixture. (Throw in the bean itself as well for added flavor, you can always remove it before adding gelatin)
Whisk the mixture as to evenly distribute the seeds, then proceed to stir with a sieve.
Bring the mixture up to a near boil without it actually boiling. Remove from heat.
Add the gelatin.
With the sheet gelatin, pour cold water in a deep plate and put in the sheets, once they've turned slightly soft, pour away the water, wring the sheets and add cold water once again. (I usually do this twice with sheet gelatin to make sure to get rid of the "gelatin" flavor)
With the powdered gelatin, sprinkle it over 3 tablespoons of cold water, let stand for 5 minutes before adding it.
Stir in the gelatin until completely dissolved.
Keep stirring once in a while until it's lukewarm, then proceed to fill bowls, cups, ramekins or whatever is at hand. Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
Dip the moulds 5 seconds in hot water, run a knife through the edge and turn over on a plate. Drizzle with diced strawberries that has been sitting in sugar and own juices or any other fruits you may fancy. Maybe you can do it like me and eat it on it's own, au naturel. That's how I like it best :)
Doesn't it look yummy with the vanilla seeds?
Thanks for looking!
I usually make this an hour or so before lunch and that gives it plenty of time for it to be ready by the time I want my afternoon snack. Remember if you spend more than 10 mins on it, then you're probably not doing it right.
(panna cotta literally means cooked cream in Italian but I often find cream alone to be a little too heavy so I opt for half-and-half or in this case, more milk than cream.) This recipe is how I make it, there are other measurements in different recipes but this is what I usually go after.
Ingredients:
-1 litre (4 cups) of full fat milk, organic if it's available
-1/2 litre of heavy organic cream (2 cups)
-1 vanilla bean (I usually opt for Polynesian vanilla, none of that bourbon stuff for me thank you, you can also use vanilla extract(1-2 teaspoon(s)) but I recommend you use a vanilla bean)
- 1 decilitre (1/3 cup) raw cane sugar
-10 sheets of gelatin or 4 teaspoons of gelatin powder.
Pour the milk and the cream in a saucepan and turn on the heat to medium-high.
Add the sugar.
While the mixture is heating up take the vanilla bean and slice it in half with a small pairing knife. With the back of the knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds and add it to the mixture. (Throw in the bean itself as well for added flavor, you can always remove it before adding gelatin)
Whisk the mixture as to evenly distribute the seeds, then proceed to stir with a sieve.
Bring the mixture up to a near boil without it actually boiling. Remove from heat.
Add the gelatin.
With the sheet gelatin, pour cold water in a deep plate and put in the sheets, once they've turned slightly soft, pour away the water, wring the sheets and add cold water once again. (I usually do this twice with sheet gelatin to make sure to get rid of the "gelatin" flavor)
With the powdered gelatin, sprinkle it over 3 tablespoons of cold water, let stand for 5 minutes before adding it.
Stir in the gelatin until completely dissolved.
Keep stirring once in a while until it's lukewarm, then proceed to fill bowls, cups, ramekins or whatever is at hand. Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
Dip the moulds 5 seconds in hot water, run a knife through the edge and turn over on a plate. Drizzle with diced strawberries that has been sitting in sugar and own juices or any other fruits you may fancy. Maybe you can do it like me and eat it on it's own, au naturel. That's how I like it best :)
Doesn't it look yummy with the vanilla seeds?
Thanks for looking!
Jul 2, 2010
Mango mousse cake attempt #1
On my trip to Vancouver I got to sample a mango mousse cake made by my cousins father. He's a chef and made this really delicious cake to celebrate a few family members birthdays.
I recently decided to make this for my birthday. I was impressed with the taste of the mango with just a hint of passion fruit but never having made the cake before I could only go from my memory and guess how it was made.
I started with a regular sponge cake to begin with and then made a cream cheese/plain yogurt filling with a little bit of vanilla to spread on top of that.
I then proceeded with making the mango mousse not really knowing if it would work since I had never made it before but to add some freshness I decided to make a mango jelly on the top with pureed mango, lemon juice, orange juice and orange liqueur. It actually turned up pretty good to my surprise since all I had to go on was gut feeling. I decorated with some sliced kiwi fruit and TADA!
At the time being I couldn't get any fresh mango so I had to settle with frozen, hence making the flavor not quite as aromatic as I would've liked. When I give this another try I'll be using fresh mango. Dang, I wish I lived in Taiwan, they have the sweetest, juiciest mangoes there, instead we rely on imported exotic fruits. Ayah, the shortcomings of living in Denmark!
I hope you enjoyed the pictures ^^
I recently decided to make this for my birthday. I was impressed with the taste of the mango with just a hint of passion fruit but never having made the cake before I could only go from my memory and guess how it was made.
I started with a regular sponge cake to begin with and then made a cream cheese/plain yogurt filling with a little bit of vanilla to spread on top of that.
I then proceeded with making the mango mousse not really knowing if it would work since I had never made it before but to add some freshness I decided to make a mango jelly on the top with pureed mango, lemon juice, orange juice and orange liqueur. It actually turned up pretty good to my surprise since all I had to go on was gut feeling. I decorated with some sliced kiwi fruit and TADA!
At the time being I couldn't get any fresh mango so I had to settle with frozen, hence making the flavor not quite as aromatic as I would've liked. When I give this another try I'll be using fresh mango. Dang, I wish I lived in Taiwan, they have the sweetest, juiciest mangoes there, instead we rely on imported exotic fruits. Ayah, the shortcomings of living in Denmark!
I hope you enjoyed the pictures ^^
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)