apple maple gugelhopf

gugelhopf is something typically swiss (or at least, i think so). i love the grandma-feel of a good gugelhopf.  so old-fashioned and simple, just a really honest and easy to prepare cake. plus the typical ring shape makes it a decorative one, too. the challenge, though, is to get them well soft and moist.

with this recipe (by donna hay), no need to worry about the moisture. this apple maple gugelhopf is extremely sappy - thanks to the grated apples and maple syrup. conclusion: my brother and his wife loved it. so we agreed on giving it the label 'just a really good, honest cake'.

spa retreat

yay, i'm going on a short spa retreat (i love how that sounds so zen) for three blissful nights and days! the never ending winter, dreary weather and my not so amusing health condition have really been getting to me. i know, i should stop whining. but, ahem, i just wanted to emphasize that this escape is more than welcome and the upcoming treatments (we'll start with a classic massage) are honestly much needed.

goodbye for now, i will be back next week. and happy weekend to you!
picture source

apple-mint lamb on spring veggies

i adapted this recipe for lamb form donna hay. note: when you're a regular reader, you know all about my adoring donna hay. she's the most awesome cook! i love her recipes and the way she's making cooking easy and fun. 

anyway. so this lamb really is super easy to prepare. for the veggies, just blanche a handful of sugar peas for three minutes. make sure they're still firm. briefly hold them under the running cold water, that will help to keep them green and fresh looking. slice a few radishes and cut celery stalks 'the julienne way' into long, slim slices (be warned: it's exhausting and i'm not entirely sure if it's worth it).

pan grill the meat for two to three minutes on each side, season with salt and pepper, cover in aluminium foil and keep warm in the oven. next, add apple juice (i took a still, non-bubbly one, but i'm sure it works just as well with any apple juice) to the pan in which you grilled the meat. add some chopped fresh mint leaves and cook to reduce for a few minutes. season with salt and pepper.

to finish, put the veggies into the apple-mint sauce to warm, just briefly. make a bed out of the veggies, and place the lamb on top. make sure to pour some of the apple-mint sauce on top of the lamb, too. bon appetit!

ps: the recipe works on its own, i'm sure. i added a few tiny spring potatoes that i sprinkled with olive oil and baked in the oven for around 45 minutes.

silver on the rise

i'm in love with fashionology, an awesome, really nice silver jewelry line from the netherlands which i've spotted lately. some pieces are even similar to the pamela love designs i am crazy about. plus: fashionology has totally reasonable prices. which is good, considered that you're supposed to wear many items at the same time for the proper rockstar look.

though every fashionology piece is stunning, i especially love the knuckle ring and the claw ring. so i might just reduce my order to those two pieces (given i'm having a strong moment).

 which would be your favorite piece?

madeleines' history

to all you food lovers out there, i can seriously recommend this book 'a visual history of cookery'. i got it as a present, and it's honestly a great one, since it gives you a substantial amount to read (it really is rather big). as the cookbooks will help you pick the best recipes for your dinner (party), the visual history of cookery will help you entertain your guests with stories about the food you prepared and offer. and doesn't everybody love stories about food (especially while eating the food)? see? the perfect book to complement any cooking-addiction.

besides: i go crazy for madeleines...! and home made ones! they must be really buttery and vanilla-infused... god, i'm drooling now. note to self: make these madeleines, asap! can anybody tell me where to find the corresponding baking pans?

tomato with goat cheese

when it comes to starters, insalata caprese is everybody's darling. personally, though, i think it's rather lame. so i like to twist either the look and appearance (like, pile the tomatoes and mozzarelly slices alternately like a burger) or the ingredients slightly.

this time, i took goat cheese instead of mozzarella. and yellow, red and black cherry tomatoes instead of plain red ones (simply because they're better at this time of the year). i grilled both the tomatoes and the cheese just a few minutes in the oven.

here's how to do it: maybe slightly carve a cross into the tomatoes, then put them in a oven-proof bowl. infuse them with a little garlic and some fresh herbs and season with a pinch of fleur de sel and some freshly grated pepper. cut the cheese in thin slices, put it on parchment paper. pour a little honey over the cheese and sprinkle with chili flakes and some fleur de sel. put both, the tomatoes and the cheese in the oven for 15 minutes. serve hot, with a pita or any bread of your choice.

ps: this recipe is so lovely also because the tomatoes produce lots of juice when grilled. so you won't need much oil, one to two tablespoons will do.

treasurer

old furniture fascinates me. it tells so many stories. so i am so lucky to have got this dresser from my parents. it used to be theirs, and i think before that it used to belong to many other people. it's substantially old and certainly looks alike. it's the perfect contrast in our rather modern place. finally some space to put up my beloved silver and glass paraphernalia. and yet the best: i've finally got enough space for my favorite treasures, all the dishes and tableware.

this treasure-holder makes me happy, big time, every time i take one of my favorite plates out of it. 

what do you think of this dresser? how would you make use of such a piece of furniture? and which treasures would you keep in it?

bread soufflé

every dinner must not be sweet. but now and then, it's the only imaginable thing. like, on nights when you need special comforting.

i made this bread soufflé (adapted from donna hay, like almost every recipe i've been trying lately). and it's just plain gorgeous. soft, jelly-like, vanilly and sweet. a few carbs and calories in there, too. but that's  just plain comfort food for you.

soup(er) bowls

i've finally found them: the most perfect, multi-use, asian-inspired soup bowls. i've been looking for the perfect asian soup bowls for quite some time now. i've been looking everywhere, from the relevant warehouses to the best tableware departments. now, i found two different ones in one month.

the first ones are plain dark brown on the outside and have holes to put the chopsticks through. the second ones come in three colors: blue, green and rose, and have a vintage-appeal flowers print. they come with a matching spoon.

i've tried both several times already for asian noodle soups, bichermüesli for breakfast, salads and pasta. i'll make sure to post some of the dishes soon.

home-made burgers & ketchup

i'm finally back with some food. and it's something i really love: an honest meal. burgers and fries. they're best when they're home-made. let me tell you this much about this home-made burger and ketchup: food. bliss.

for the burgers
take 400 g of best lamb loin, one finely chopped and briefly sweated onion and garlic clove, half a chopped old white bread, one egg and some chopped parsley. mix everything in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, some cumin and harissa. shape balls and flatten slightly. fry in pan on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. season with salt, cover in aluminium foil and keep warm in the oven for a few minutes.
slice the bread of your choice and quickly heat up in the oven to make it crispy.

for the ketchup
take a bunch of aromatic cherry tomatoes (i used a mix of yellow, red and black ones), and half them. first, fry a sweet, chopped onion together with one garlic clove and some chile in a little olive oil. fry well until brown. add two tablespoons of sugar and allow onion-mix to caramelize. then add the tomatoes together with two tablespoons of tomato-puree. season with a teaspoon of sea salt, some pepper and chili flakes, and a teaspoon of cumin and coriander, each. let simmer for 20 minutes on low heat and then put aside and let cool.

for the yoghurt sauce
take a greek yoghurt and add a small cup full of chopped cilantro and some chopped mint. season with some lime skin, a spoonful of fresh lime juice, some sea salt and fresh pepper.

for the potatoes / fries
if you must peel the potatoes (i don't bother), then slice potatoes in quarters or eighth (depending on size). put in a bowl and mix well with two tablespoons of olive oil and some coarse sea salt. place on a baking sheet in the oven, and bake for around 40 minutes or slightly more at 220 degrees. be careful not to place too many potatoes on the baking sheet, allow them some space. otherwise they will not become crispy.

to assemble the burger / garnish
use some lettuce leaves, a slice of vegetable onion and some arugula. take the bottom side of the bread, add lettuce, then meat, ketchup, yoghurt, onion and arugula. top with bread. place some potatoes on the plate next to the burger and garnish with a slice of lime.
you can also put all the ingredients on the table for everyone to make their own burgers.

happy valentine's day

there is one (major) rule in life that i strongly believe in. and it's not 'shop till you drop. it's that one should never forget to listen to its heart. no matter what we do, the heart should lead our way. be it in terms of our life in general, like our job or our career, be it about our friendships, our family or our partners. i believe in passion. and i believe in love. and i believe that love rules without rules.

thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts with me throughout the year. have a happy valentine's day everyone!

cookbook increase

i'm devouring a tremendous amount of books each month. sometimes, the pleasure is all together pretty perishable. don't get me wrong, i love my chick flicks. but after five or so days, the book will be over and i will struggle yet again to find it another space (which i currently don't have in either my book-shelf nor my cupboard).

with cookbooks though, it's different. there's nothing ephemeral about cookbooks. cookbooks are made to last. no wonder my favorite reading are cookbooks. preferably in bed before i go to sleep. it's inspiring, there's no binding order of reading, you are allowed to only look at the pictures and it is so inspiring. all together, i'd say cookbooks are a real good investment.

here's a stack of fresh cookbooks i got last week with vouchers i got for christmas (bookshop vouchers really are the best present). donna hay is the best. i think my list of donna hay cookbooks is almost complete now.

home wish list

a few things in my life seem to never be finished. like, in my case, my home. it's still in some sort of transitory state, although i've been living in the flat for three and a half years now! i admit it's partly due to a limited budget. but partly it's just plain idleness... idleness, for sure. and maybe a little bit indecisiveness, too.

no wonder my list of inspiration and ideas is ever growing. here's my updated list.

1 accent chair
every home needs an accent chair. something you will not think of when you're first furnishing it. but later it will just strike you that it's actually vital to have one. a chair that is both an eye catcher and an inviting place to sit for your guests. i've mentioned before that i am still looking for a good (i.e. first and foremost inexpensive) renovator and upholsterer for my sofa here. can anyone help me out? references: 1 random vintage union jack club chair / 2 wisteria french chair / 3 williams sonoma club chair / 4 eaton club chair via williams sonoma house

picture via seaofshoes / rue magazine

picture via novelanovela

2 big bookshelf
libraries, and big bookshelf, as such, have such a soothing effect, don't you think? big bookshelves are adding an intellectual and not too-try-hardy touch to your home. the perfect private labrary would have to include a bookshelf from bottom to top. and i'd just love to try and color coordinate all the books. don't you just love how the two identical lamps put up in a symmetrical way on either side of the sofa creates such a silent atmosphere?

picture todd klein design

3 sizeable shoe shelf

i'll just admit i think it's crazy to have a shoe shelf. the decadence of it! what with all the expensice living space in switzerland. on the other hand, some people even have their own shoe room, probably. so i'd happily opt for a shoe shelf, without feeling bad or decadent about it (just a tiny bit, maybe).

picture via the coveted

picture via seaofshoes

4 luxe low lighting

extremely low lightings create an instant luxorious atmosphere. this extrem black room is so endearing to me. it looks so cosy i want to snuggle up and eat nothing but dark chocolate for hours and never see the sunlight again.

via hometrend design

picture via atlantishome / rue magazine

6 crystal chandelier-lamps
speaking of lighting, i've expressed my passion for crystal interior design items earlier here. now i've found the perfect bed side lamp to go with it.

picture sandermulder

creating a pretty home for snuggling up in the evening is just priceless.

je ne sais quoi

oh, i love paris. and above all, i love the parisiennes' style. i do have one or two parisienne girlfriends. and i so admire them for their undescribable chic and in the meantime relaxed style.

that combination of imperfect tousled hair, bare skin, timeless elegance and non-chalant edginess creates that style people around the globe try to copy. that certain sexiness without trying too hard. it's that much seeked 'je ne sais quoi'.

so there, they're my role-model. thinking of my summer wardrobe, they're what currently inspires me the most; the parisiennes are my summer fashion muse.

i tried to capture it in a style mood board. in order to look like a parisienne, for a start, you will need: bright, candy colored skinny jeans, flary t-shirts, shiny blazers, expertly knotted silky scarves and ballerina style flats. i will wear everything with a messy high bun to perfect the look. voilà. (note: if you're a smoker, that helps to look cool and carefree, too).

1 look with yellow skinny jeans by american apparel
2 zara yellow suede pointy pumps
3 marc jacobs printed cashmere and silk-blend scarf
4 repetto black leather ballerinas
5 louis vuitton green epi cuir noe bag
6 parisienne style messy bun via experience parisienne
7 look with green skinny jeans and tuxedo style blazer by zara
8 theysken's theory cola cropped cotton t-shirt
9 miu miu polka-dot silk crepe de chine scarf
10 zara nude leather ballerinas
11h&m nude oversized blazer
12 chanel logo diamond studs
13 oliver peoples sheldrake d-frame optical glasses
14 phillip lim sash-collar silk-chiffon blouse
15 splendid vintage whisper cotton t-shirt
16 current elliott the captain cotton shorts
17 lanvin hot pink leather flats
18 victoria beckham denim mid-rise ankle-length skinny jeans
19 chanel rouge lipstick
20 pretty ballerina heart flats
21 paul and joe jacoue mid-rise straight-leg jeans
22 hermès silk foulard & yves saint laurent parisienne perfume
23 hermès red garden party canvas tote

spring flower lsd

my favorite flowers of all time, or at least of early spring-time, are hyacinths. blue ones, for that matter. why? the blue is so lilacy intense. they smell nice. they're so solid, fleshy and robust, and they always stand tall. and best: five of them are enough to make a bouquet look luscious. one serving of spring flower lsd, please.

glittery polish(ed)

i'm a big fan of all things beauty-related (confessions have been made earlier here). i love make up. and although i've worn barely any make up for these past few years, or if so, only nude shades, this love hasn't stopped. i even go beauty browsing on a regular basis, to see what's new among the most famous beauty brands. always looking for the lastest stuff in technology, textures and techniques. but most of all, i just love to take in all the color...

so no wonder i regard nail polish as one of the beauty miracles number one. it comes in millions of colors and shades. it can be matched according to your liking and mood. i'd actually claim that nail polish has a certain cheering effect on me. 

so, let's just admit, quick and dirty, that my collection of polishes fills a drawer in my fridge. what, me, a nail polish addict? guilty as charged.

and from one nail polish addict to another, let me tell you that these nail polishes from deborah lippmann are a definite must-have. i particularly like that they are so glittery! glittery is good, because it means you can play around with them and combine them with other polishes in order to create your own designs. plus (huge plus): by wearing a glittery top coat, your polish will last much longer on your nails (as in: 'harder to take off', too... but that's never stopped us, right?).

color indication from left to right / top to bottom: 

silver 'today was a fairytale' / gold 'boom boom pow' / copper 'superstar' / pink salmon 'some enchanted evening' / blackened fuchsia 'bad romance' / darkened rasperry 'razzle dazzle' / various colors 'happy birthday' / blue and green 'across the universe'

love is the message

lately, i've spotted such an overwhelming variety of messenger bags. those cross-body bags come in all shapes, materials and colors. messengers wearing bags like these most certainly never got killed - because you'd assume that the message must be love. 

1 marc by marc jacobs weavy crossbody bag

2 mulberry tillie leather bag

3 nina ricci pochette leather messenger bag

4 h&m fabric messenger bag

5 miu miu denim shoulder bag

6 marc jacobs quilted single bag

7 chloé braided leather shoulder bag

8 zara dark brown leather shoulder bag

9 marc by marc jacobs pouchette small

currently coveting creuset

it must be the weather. because there is no other explanation for my obsession with all things foodie and kitchen related. like, i have been browsing kitchen utensils evening after evening. only to find what i already knew. namely that my next (two) home-slash-kitchen related investments are going to be as follows:

i know i haven't been posting much food related recently (at least not food that i made). though i have been cooking, just not at my place but at c's instead (as in: too lazy to bring my camera).

but maybe (there really is a slight chance) i am going to buy one of these adorable, glossy, cherry red, classic, solid le creuset cast iron skillets. they do cost a fortune. but on the other hand it's so going to be an investment into a lifelong kitchen helper. plus just think of all the things i could cook with it, and the many food related posts i could spam you with... they sure are very versatile. i could use it for soups, risottos, roasts, ratatouille and so much more. sighs... i'm already in my own personal 'le creuset cooking reverie'...

folk favorite in february: iron & wine

iron & wine is an american folk rock band with the founder, front man and face of the band being samuel beam. before the release of the first album in 2002, beam has earned his living as a professor of film and cinematography - that being only one evidence for how brilliant a musician he has to be in order to be able to quit his job as a university professor.

beam's beard as well as his said eyes are his signature sign. the poor guy (or so i tend to come to think all the time). maybe because his attire isn't particularly or typically rebel or rock-star-ish. he's rather the friendly neighbor type. the guy next doors you'd probably forget to invite to your lavish party because he's too nice and, well, normal... his laid-back attitude and care-free exposure to his image, though, somehow are strangely attractive (in a weird, solitudinarian way).

like it or not, friendly neighbor type or not: today iron & wine is the label on some of the best folk songs of all times. so it's basically the reference for folk fans.

the latest album 'kiss each other clean', wich was released only in january this year, is a collection of eleven beautiful, quiet and honest songs. they remind me of simon & garfunkel (which is another plus), of living-room jam-sessions, home-made pies and a little of the melancholy of days lost, too.

all pictures via drs3, myspace and ironandwine.com

take an earful, maybe drink a glass of wine, and immerge into your own little world of meaningful moments of bliss and nothingness.