Soft-baked Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

Do you know Ben's Cookies in London? To me they are literally the best cookies in the world. Super soft and they taste like cookie dough. Unfortunately I haven't found such cookies elsewhere yet, so I decided to give it a try and bake them myself. I found a very good recipe online, which I tried, though I think the vanilla taste was a little bit to pungent. The cookies had quite a dark colour, due to the dark brown sugar I have used, which didn't look appealing to me. Not quite like the cookies I have seen on the original recipe, which looked very delicious and tasty. Therefore I baked them again, this time without the vanilla aroma and instead of dark brown sugar I used white sugar. I guess the dark brown sugar gave the cookies a softer texture but also those with white sugar were super delicious. Before putting the unbaked cookies in the oven I stamped my cookies with a cute 'I Love You' cookie stamper. After literally 8 - 10 minutes they were ready, even quicker than those with brown sugar. I decorated them with white and milk chocolate hearts, when they were still warm.  Let them cool a little bit more or eat them warm, up to your taste. Enjoy!

Find the original and very delicious recipe here: Sally's Baking Addiction

My cookies are baked without vanilla extract and I haven't used the dark brown sugar.

Insta Life

London Eye, Selfridges ,Vogue

Insta-Life London

The weeks before Christmas are always so busy...besides final projects, essays and exams there is the biggest challenge: finding the perfect Christmas present for everyone. It's though..every year again. I got some inspirations from my favourite online shops net-a-porter and mytheresa, but also yoox has some good gift. And last but not least: Selfridges, Christmas gifts heaven. For fashionistas, foodies, voyagers and everyone else you want to give a unique present. 

So while I was rushing around London - finding presents - and working on University projects, I tried to enjoy a bit of the fabulous London life. I am so in love with this city and every minute I cannot spend outside feels a little bit wasted. Especially because there are those lovely vanilla skies at the moment, which make London look like a pink fairy floss. (...not forgetting the pretty Christmas lights and markets)

Howsoever, here are some snapshots and Instagram pictures of the fabulous London life. For me that means quality time with friends and family. Dinner together, walking around London and all the lovely things you can do in London.

From the left to the right

First line: my healthy snack, goji berries and pistachios, full of vitamins and antioxidants; the beautiful Trafalgar Sqaure at sunset; delicious dessert at Roka, which is one of my favourite Japanese restaurants; Isabel Marant pour H&M bracelet

Second line: Lunch at 202 London; Trying on the Zara skort (skirts meets short); lovely candle-light ambience and tasty cocktails in the Dean Street Townhouse bar; another favourite restaurant: Bocca di Lupo, we had lovely dolci with a very special DIY cannelloni dessert

Third line: Being arty at the British Museum; Sashimi at Roka, oh boy...so delicious; Ambre scent and good music at Sketch bar; and there is finally a KIKO branch in Regent Street

Fourth line: Girls dinner at Sticks n Sushi, a very nice Danish Sushi chain. The dessert combo was very delicious! Can only recommend it; my new Orelia feather bracelet; Bocca di Lupo again, a tasty starter: Burrata and tartar; and last but not least: Kate Spade at Selfridges

What we want in our Advent calendar this year! Part I

I think it is ways nicer to make your own Advent calendar instead of buying one. The most common Advent calendar filler are probably sweets, like chocolate, bonbons or other dainties. Chocolate, twenty-four days in a row...not very eventful. Therefore it's nice to buy some other things as well, as a kind of weekly highlight if you want. That might be a bit more expensive than sweets, but it is definitely healthier :)

Here are some ideas for sporty ones, Jetsetter, Karl Lagerfeld fans and girls who know how to enjoy their lives

Super stylish Martone Mercer Bike in more colours available £795 

Benefit Do The Bright Thing Kit £24 ; Johny Ive and Marc Newson Leica M Camera
It's limited edition that's why it costs $7000 upwards (there are cheaper ones for abut £500) 

The World According to Karl £19

Fleur Of England "Belle de Nuit" lace briefy £99 and lace bra £89; Rosé Champagne and Prestat chocolate £11

Frieze Masters 2013

Today was the last day of Frieze Art Fair and Frieze Masters. Frieze Masters, is the sister fair of Frieze Art Fair and presents top-class art works from ancient time to the pre-21st century. The fair offers a contemporary perspective on art by showing ancient and modern art side by side. I think everybody who is a little bit interested in art will recognize some famous artists like Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Henri Matisse, David Hockney, Richard Hamilton, Lucio Fontana, Sean Scully and Francis Baco..just to name a few. I really enjoyed the diversity of art at the Frieze Art Fair, Frieze Masters and the Sculpture Park. Here are some snapshots of my last visits at Frieze Masters and the Sculpture Park. 

Love Love Love 

Frieze Art Fair London 2013

It's the 11th year of the Frieze Art Fair London in Regents Park and one of the biggest contemporary art fairs. Every year Frieze attracts influential and world famous art buyers and people interested in the arts. Today there was the pre-opening day. Officially it starts tomorrow and will then run until Sunday, the 20th October. The fair is the perfect place to discover new artists and gives an overview of the current art market but also the opportunity to buy art pieces, exhibited by the most highly respected art galleries in the world. I experienced the fair as the perfect mix of the beautiful, the humorous but also the bizarre. Luckily the fair runs four more days, all the time in the world to enjoy Frieze a bit more with all its overwhelming sculptures, art pieces, projects, films, talks and their delicious food stands. Here are snapshots of the fair, which I took today...

Gail's bakery at the Frieze

Café-Hopping in Berlin

Last week I've been to Berlin. The weather was almost unbearable, so hot and steamy....therefore we spent most of the time drinking iced coffee in some lovely cafés. Here are some snapshots of my new favourite cafés in Berlin, which where recommended by Berlin experts...thanks for the good advice!

Andrew Edmunds - Bistro in Soho

A.E. during lunch time 

What a romantic place. I passed by there quite often, but it was always packed with people. I really wanted to go there for a long time, drink some wine, enjoy good food and watch people walking by (Soho is the best place for that). Last weekend I was lucky, finally. I think you can actually book a table, but as I am in that area most of the time anyway, I go there spontaneously. Anyways this time we got a table outside (there are only two tables outside) while it was still warm and bright around 9pm. It was one of those nice summer evenings, when everybody is out and about. The charming bistro could be located somewhere in a small European village. And that's the feeling you get when dining there, somewhere far away from London's busy Soho. It's a very rustic and unpretentious place, inside you can either sit up or downstairs in very tiny rooms. The rustic wooden furniture and dim candle light create a cosy and intimate atmosphere. The menu changes on a daily basis and offers simple and Modern European food with no frills. 

Healthy Snacks

Craving sweets? Here are some sweet and delicious but still healthy snack ideas

Chia and Granola Berry Trifle

Tommi's Burger Joint re-opening

Update: Tommi's Burger Joint is re-opening soon. FINALLY! The adress is 30 Thayer Street, I will update you as soon as I know when they will open exactly. It's burger time!  

Follow Tommi's Burger Joint on twitter to get more information and have a look at the yummy burger photos I took.

Isabel Marant pour H&M

Isabel Marant Étoile Collection

Isabel Marant, one of the latest french high-end designers will collaborate with H&M this autumn. 

Isabel Marant: "I am flattered by this collaboration: H&M works with the best designers and this invitation is an exciting honour...I aim to create something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian: you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be mixed following one's own instincts: my take on fashion is all about personality." 

Radio Rooftop Bar

I'm trying to make out the most of the sunny weather at the moment and enjoying every free minute I have outside. Rooftop bars are the best spot to enjoy the sun and nice summer evenings. Yesterday my friend A. and I went to one with a stunning view! If you want to have a look all over London from early morning  (7am) until late night (3am) I can only recommend the Radio Rooftop Bar. The bar is located on the 10th floor of the ME Hotel and really offers an impressive view. We enjoyed some drinks up there (they also serve finger food) and listened to the bar's DJ. Definitely the perfect place to have a coffee during the day or sundowner in the evening, while sitting on the huge sofas and getting that holiday feeling right here in London. 

Healthy Summer Rolls

It's time for a healthy summer snack...and you don't even have to know how to cook for this easy summer rolls recipe. Actually I wouldn't call it a recipe, it's more a summer snack inspiration to make something healthy, quick and easy. Basically you can decide whatever you want to have in your rolls. I used spinach leaves/salad, cucumber, carrots, coriander, mint leaves, prawns and glas noodles. I tried one with avocado as well, which was very delicious!

Rice paper rolls can be found in every good Asia shop, I bought mine in China town at Loon Fung. 

Just cut all your ingredients in small sticks, I couldn't be bothered to slice them any thiner. Then cook the glass noodles for 5 minutes, I seasoned them with some chili, sesame oil and soya sauce. Now soak the rice papers into warm water for about 5 seconds, so that they get softer. Just place your ingredients on the paper and start folding it. I think mine don't look too bad for my first time....and they are super delicious! My perfect summer snack...

Summer Must-Haves 2013

Summer is in the city and most people are planning or getting ready for their beach holidays. Here are some accessories and important beach essentials that will spice up your summer. First of all a perfectly-fitting and nice bikini, I love colourful bikinis with cute patterns or eye-catching cuts, like this yellow bikini from H&M.  Second very important accessory: Sunglasses! the more the better, always matching with your summer outfit. Shoes: My summer sandals are already a bit well-worn, they are from last year and I was wearing them on the beach,  city trips and so on. I love them, they are very comfortable but still look pretty. 

My absolute must-have accessory this summer: a colourful and chic summer bracelet. At the moment I can't live without my Hipanema bracelet, which I got from my mom. I love the combination of the vibrant colours and all the small unique details like the seashell and the beads, plus it is so easy to remove with the magnetic clasp. 

Also my iPhone is in summer mood and ready for the beach! Always when I see my iPhone case I get a bit of summer feeling, which makes it the perfect summer accessory.

Coconut water - don't forget to stay hydrated! Drinking water can get boring after a while that's why I treat myself with coconut water every now and then. There are millions of different coconut water brands, but I only like those with 100 % natural fresh coconut water without any added sugar, otherwise it tastes too sweet. Furthermore it is the perfect source of pottasium, calcium and magnesium. 

Also very important is a high and good sun protection, I usually use La Roche-Posay sun fluid, which is very light and good but on the go I always have my sun make up (SPF 30) from Shiseido with me. 

Ready for the beach! Enjoy the summer!

More summer items: summer Sandals: Similar ones; Necklace: brasi & brasi; Nail polish: Barry M

Trattoria da Aldo

Yesterday was one of those evenings I love, it was still about 19 °C, bright and everybody was outside. London is just amazing in summer, it is so vibrant. We were looking for a nice restaurant in Soho, but it was impossible to get a table outside, as literally everything was busy. We ended up in a very nice, cosy and traditional Italian trattoria called Trattoria da Aldo. It felt like having dinner in a small village somewhere in Italy. The decor there is very Italian, meaning kitschy, but in a nice way and the menu is full my of Italian favourites from avocado with shrimps, over Spaghetti Trabaccolara to the daily special: Lobster Salad. 

Bocca Di Lupo

Bocca Di Lupo - I think I don't have to say a lot as most Londoners know this place in Soho. It is known as one of the best Italian restaurants in London...and deservedly so! Amazing food, great wine list, very friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. 

The menu offers everything from Italian starters, over T-Bone steak to homemade and fresh pasta. It's recommendable to get a few small plates to share (the more you try at Bocca Di Lupo, the better...) They offer small and big portion of almost every dish, which makes it an ideal place to go with some friends and have a lot of simple and delicious Italian delicacies.