Happy New Year

I hope you all have a perfect New Year's Eve...a great party at home with your beloved ones or a crazy night out!

Last minute check list:

1. Stunning dress
2. Killer High-Heels ( + flats, just in case)
3. The matching It-bag
4. Glamorous Make-Up
5. Eye-catching jewellery
6. Cold Champagne...
7. Camera for New Year's Eve snap shots
8. Aspirin for the morning after

First Photo:
Dresses 1. Malene Birger 2. LavishAlice 3.KaufmanFranco 4. Alice+Olivia , Mask: H&M, Eyeshadow Chanel, OPI nailpolish, Dannijo Earrings
Second Photo:
Shoes: Gold High-Heels Jimmy Choo, Zara Studed High-Heels, Louboutin Black Glitter High Heels
Bags: Alexander Wang Bordeux Clutch, Vivienne Westwood Black Snake Clutch

Shortbread Fingers

I love those buttery Scottish biscuits. I'm in Munich right now. And here it's not like in London, that you can buy shortbread in every small shop, around the corner. Therefore I decided to make my own slightly salty and buttery biscuits. I didn't know that it is so easy...




You need is
300 g flour
200 g butter (room temperature)
100g sugar
1 tea spoon of baking powder
1 pack vanilla sugar
good pinch of salt









Put all the ingredients in a bowl and beat until soft. Then knead the dough well until everything comes together.

Put the dough in the fridge and let it chill for 15-20 minutes at least. Meanwhile preheat the oven to about 150°C.

Roll the dough out (on a floured surface)  in the form of an rectangle. Be careful that the dough is not to thin, then cut out the short bread fingers. Repeat this until all the dough is used.

For an original look, prick the fingers with a fork. Put the fingers carefully on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes at 180°C. Et voila!

300 g flour

Caramel Syrup

Selfmade caramel syrup! For a perfect Caramel Macchiato or on top of vanilla ice cream...
And you just need to things: sugar and water

250 g of sugar and 250 ml water

This is how it works:
Put the sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat and stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
Take the pan off the heat and slowly add the water...but be careful, the mixture is going to foam up! Better take a step back until the mixture cools a bit down. Then whisk until the caramel sauce is smooth.
Pour the syrup into a glass mason jar and let it cool down.
And READY!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas with loooots of food, presents, family and friends. 

Rome, London, Munich and Paris II

Of course it's not enough just to see photos of those beautiful cities. Super important is where to stay, wine and dine, shop and of course 'what to wear'?

In London you will see million of different styles...Rock chic, hipsters, classy looks. I like to wear casual outfits during the day like boots, leggings/jeans and eye-catching jewellery/sunglasses. But in the evening Londoners are definitely dressed up.

Cardigan Zadig & Voltaire ₤364 , Shirt by Alexander Wang 74€,
Bracelet Marni Crystal Bead 255€, Bag Marc Jacobs The XI 810€, 
Boots Jimmy Choo 795€ (everything over mytheresa.com)
   Sunglasses Miu Miu  240€                     

Rome, London, Munich and Paris I

London, Rome, Paris and Munich...my absolute favourite cities in Europe. I love Paris' elegance and chic, the indescribable Italian flair of Rome, the freedom and creativity in London and of course Munich's familiar charm. I cannot say which city I like more, every one of them is unique but they have one thing in common: absolute beauty!

Enjoy a tour through the photos I have taken the last months and get inspired by their uniqueness. For a small city-guide click here.

black cab in London...

Vespacar in Bella Roma

Gugelhupf! This car has been converted into a mini cake shop, delicious baby cakes!

So 20s...so Paris

My new showpiece

Skinny snake print trousers from Zara...they are super soft and really comfortable. The best thing, you can wear them either casual with boots, shirt and parker or chic with high heels, blouse and eye-catching jewellery. I bought them in black and a greenish brown...

The trousers have three bags on the trouser front with golden zippers and two normal bags on the back side. The trousers leg is really tight and can be openend and closed with a zip (golden, as well) which makes it easier to put them on

I teamed it with a casual faux leather and knit sweater from Zara 

The perfect accessory for cold but sunny days is the sophisticated forties-style glitter Miu Miu sunglasses in a yellowish shade (for the greenish-brown trouser)...

...the black one matches perfectly with the tortoiseshell frames

Add caption

Snake print trousers from Zara ₤40
Sweater with faux leather front from Zara ₤46
Sunglasses: Miu Miu Noir from Freudenhaus, Munich 260 €

Winter Salad

Quince, chicken and chestnut salad- something different. Sounds exotic, tastes delicious and is easy to make. 

All you need is (for two people)
200 g fresh chestnuts
300 g chicken breast
1 quince
1 pack fresh salad of your choice
Dash of orange juice
Olive oil, balsamico, salt and pepper

First of all preheat the oven to 180°C, then cut a large X with a sharp knife in the chestnuts. Place the 'x'-ed chestnuts on a backing pan in the oven and let them roast for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile peel, quarter and core the quince, like an apple. Cut the quince into thin slices and put them with some butter in a saucepan to roast gently. Check if the chestnuts are ready! If yes, start peeling them. Be careful: they are really hot.

Chicken: Heat a frying pan with either oil or butter. Add the cut slices of chicken, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn the chicken over and cook until it's slightly brown and crunchy. While the chicken is cooking, wash the salad.

Now put the peeled chestnuts, quince and chicken into one pan and cook for another minute, add some orange juice for more flavour.

To assemble the salad, put the washed salad on a big plate, place the chicken, quince and chestnuts on top and drizzle with oil, balsamico and cracked pepper.

Perfect combination, the roasted chestnuts are slightly sweet, the chicken is perfectly soft, tender and juicy. The crunchy quince adds a sweet and unique touch. Enjoy!

quince...for no reason rarely used in kitchens 

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x the chestnuts

quince are easy to peel...

looks like an apple-pear 

Are they ready???

L'Autre Pied

Fine dining! L'Autre Pied is located on a quiet street at the corner of Marylebone High Street. The dishes are all individually created and the set-menues are perfectly chosen. L'Autre Pied is holder of one Michelin star and the small sister of the famous Pied á Terre in Charlotte Street. The food was beautifully presented and the fresh flavours were a culinary delight!

Hand rolled Garganelli, stuffed with crab, roscoff onions, celery, roasted almonds and Ras el hanout, which is a blend of North African spices. This dish was a perfectly arranged and tasted delicious...

What a combination! Ceviche of hand dived scallops, black quinoa, creme fraiche and jerusalem artichokes. Perfectly beautiful dish. The crunchy quinoa together with the fresh and tasty scallops was an accomplished combination and one I have never eaten before.

Again an unusual dish, name sounds delicious already: clementine leaf parfait with yoghurt sorbet, champagne jelly (!!!) and burnt meringues...wow

Address:
5-7 Blandford Street
Marylebone
London W1U 3DB

Christmas Chai Tea Latte

My absolut favorite Christmas drink besides Glühwein (mulled wine) is definitely: Chai Tea Latte

I don't mean this too sweet sugar drink from Starbucks, made out of syrup. I'm talking about original Masala Chai Tea Latte. Made out of fresh spices, milk and black tea.

(On Brick Lane Market they have really good Chai Tea Latte, freshly made)

All you need is:

175 ml (3/4 cups) water

175 ml milk

2 slices fresh ginger

1 cinnamon stick

4 whole green cardamon pods

1 teaspoon loose black tea

1 piece star anise

1/2 table spoon fresh ground black pepper

sweetener (honey or sugar)

Bring the water in a small saucepan to boil, add the cardamon, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon stick and star anise. ( I also added a vanilla pot, because it tastes even better)

Let the spices infuse for a couple of minutes, lower the heat and simmer for a few minutes.

Add the milk and black tea, and simmer the whole mixture for one more minute. Turn off the heat and let the hot drink rest for two minutes.

Now pour the drink into a cup through a fine sieve. Add sugar or honey and enjoy a perfect and spicy drink for cold night.

black tea

honey and sugar sticks

black tea

dipping the sugar stick into the Chai Tea Latte...

Countdown: Holiday Gifts

It's getting hectic in London's streets and shops, everybody is busy looking for T-H-E perfect present for their family, friends and loved ones. Every year the same stressful procedure...but that doesn't make it easier. Here are some gift ideas and inspirations, which will help you finding the perfect present for EVERYONE

If elegance would have a scent it would be Chanel No°5. A classic parfum, feminine and floral. Matches perfectly with 'The Little Black Jacket' book, which contains Karl Lagerfelds photographs of celebrities wearing the iconic little black jacket. Stunning photographs! Ideal for...

The Little Black Jacket ₤56, Chanel No°5 Eau De Parfum ₤65

Cute golden star necklace, super soft around-the-world panties and this sleeping eye-mask are the perfect presents for...

Dinny Hall Star Necklace ₤75, Cheek Frills Around-the-World Pantie Set ₤70, Eye-mask ₤15 

I love Moleskine notebooks and the new metallic Satchel bags (available in 4 sparkling colours), not only for...

Cambridge Satchel Bag ₤125, Moleskine Notebook ₤9

A must-have for every creative person in your life: Lomography camera and Helmut Newton's book 'Sumo'. 480 pages full of stunning photographs!

Lomography camera ₤40, Helmut Newton: Sumo ₤100

For 'Mad Men' fans and Whisky drinkers! The new limited Mad Men edition includes all seasons, four Whisky glasses and drink mats. Cheers!

Mad Men Dvd Set ₤95, 1988 single male Scotch Whisky ₤140

Penguin re-issued the classics! Limited edition hardcover books for all F. Scott Fitzgerald and classic book lovers...and of course some sea salt caramel truffels, what is a reading night without chocolate?

Set of 6 Fitzgerald books ₤90 each book ₤15, Charbonnel et Walker Truffels ₤10

iPad, iPod, Blackberry...everybody has one of these devices. Embellish your friend's iPad/iPhone with this unique gadgets

Rebecca Minkoff Don't Bother Me iPad Case ₤96, Marc by Marc Jacobs heart headphones ₤35

 Ultra-cool retro radios available in different colours. The perfect present for...

Roberts Revival Digital Radio ₤160

Taste the magic....for all cooking and food lovers. This Alchemical larder contains sixteen magical ingredients. Salts, spices, petals, saffron and more! And of course luxury tea from the Selfrigdes Selection

Alchemical Set ₤30,  White silver needle loos tea ₤17

Kate Moss...the supermodel's photos are unique and impressive. This hardcover tome shows photos of the icon's twenty-two year modeling career. A must-have! Combined with this small candy turnlock bracelet it is the perfect for....

Kate Moss, by Fabien Baron ₤50, Marc by Marc Jacob bracelet ₤79

Wow! Christmas-Crackers with beauty gems inside...perfect for your beloved Mom.

Estee Lauder Christmas Cracker set ₤45

Neaten your boyfriend's jeans pocket: a classy money clip from Hugo Boss

Banknote Clip by Boss ₤55

Something classy for Daddy, Auqua di Parma eau de cologne gift set and Launer luxury card case

Auqua di Parma eau de cologne gift set ₤80, Launer card case 6₤5

By giving the OPI new top ten collection you can make a Nail Polish lover's (Christmas)day

OPI set: top 10 ₤29, and a sparkling investment Azure 267 carat black diamond nail polish ₤160,000 (no that is not a comma mistake)

For people who like to enjoy their drinks in style. Super classy silver flask and cocktail shaker

Izola Small Flask ₤25, Cocktail Shaker ₤45

This cosy hot water bottle and the cashmere gloves will save your loved ones from cold winter nights

Aroma hot water bottle in grey ₤25 , Jardin des Orangers Cashmere gloves ₤63, Diptyque jasmin candle ₤170 

Dates, dinners, events, notes....a woman's life needs to be organised! Do it in style...with this Alice Temperley filofax

Alice Temperley filofax ₤399, Diplomat Traveller Pen, Stainless Steel ₤34

Glamorous beauty kit with everything a beauty queen needs: Lipstick, high-luxe compact and powder

Mac Beauty-kit ₤30

Home accessories of style are always a good idea. Especially when it's a classic black pair of candlesticks, an aura footed bowl and a 'Mr and Mrs' frame made from vintage playing cards

Vintage playing cards frame ₤60 , Jasper Conran @ Waterford bowl ₤60, Vera Weng @ Wedgewood candlesticks  ₤60

KitchenAid: a dream and must-have for every hobby cook and baker. It's more than an eye-catching kitchen accessory, this stand mixer includes a wire whisk, flat beater and dough cook. For sweet inspirations: Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth cooking book with delicious recipes

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer ₤430 (available in more colors), Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth cooking book ₤20 

Bvlgari makes every woman feel like a lady, combined with this classic Marc Jacobs bracelet it is the perfect presents for....

Bvlgari pour Femme Eau de Parfum from ₤54 on, Marc by Marc Jacobs leather bracelet ₤80