JAPAN Travel Lookbook

So guys, I just came back from Japan... that really happened!! I still can't believe that I got the amazing opportunity to see this part of the world that is so different from everything I've ever seen.
It was very hot and humid plus I also wanted to assimilate to the japanese way of dressing: not too much skin showing (especially cleavage) and nothing too tight. 
So I thought I'd share with you the outfits I felt most comfortable and stylish in.

1. Flowy Vichy dress with sneakers

    dress - Zara

  ( https://www.zara.com/de/de/sale/damen/kleider/mini/minikleid-mit-vichykaros-c634519p4538001.html )

sneakers - Converse hightop

( http://www.converse.com/de/regular/chuck-taylor-all-star-classic-colors/M7650C_030.html?lang=de_DE )

bag - Muji

( couldn't find it online)

sunglasses - Ray-ban

( http://www.ray-ban.com/germany/sonnenbrillen/RB3447N%20UNISEX%20002-round%20flat%20lenses-gold/8053672611489 )

2. Short daisy dress for the hottest day

(Please excuse my crazy hair which  obviously didn't cope well with the humidity...)

dress - ASOS 

(http://www.asos.de/asos/asos-mini-swingkleid-mit-vorderer-knopfleiste-und-aufgedruckten-ganseblumchen)

bag - Muji

3. Wide trousers and stripes

 

skirt/trousers - Uniqlo

(similar: http://www.uniqlo.com/de/de/product/damen-culottes-hose-weites-bein)

t-shirt - Urban Outfitters

(similar: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/de-de/shop/cp-ss-tipped-stripe-tee?category=crop-tops&color=030)

sneakers - Converse hightop

 4. Flowy dress with sneakers

dress - Zara (Japan)

(couldn't find it)

sneakers - Converse

(https://www.zalando.de/converse-sneaker-low-white-gold-co411s0fk-a11.html)

The best Oatmeal Mix

Hey there guys,

today I wanted to share this amazing oatmeal/porridge mix with you. 

This mix makes the most amazing and creamy oatmeal which is probably why I've been eating it for breakfast pretty much everyday!!

I came up with this recipe because I mixed all the ingredients every morning again and again and you know

... ain't nobody got time for that!

Ingredients: 
                       2       cups    rolled oats (I use spelt oats)
                                  1 1/2 cups   quick oats
                                  1/3    cup    ground almonds
                                  2        tsp     ground cinnamon
                                  2        tbsp   coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
                                  1/4    tsp     ground ginger
                                  1/2    tsp     ground vanilla bean
                                  pinch of      salt

There really aren't any other instructions then mixing all the ingredients well and storing the mix in an airtight container.

How to make the actual oatmeal: 

So basically all I do is measure out 1/2 cup of the mix

                                                                1/2 cup of almond milk

                                                                1/2 cup of water

Than just bring this to a simmer and cook it for about 10 minutes or until it has a creamy consistency.

I normally just keep it plain and top it with some fresh fruit and chia seeds, cocoa nibs and  any nut butter

If I crave something even more indulgent I'll go for this chocolaty version for which I just add 2 tsp of raw cacao powder and some maple syrup whilst cooking

Sometimes if I have more time I'll add chopped apples to the saucepan and some more cinnamon for an apple cinnamon version

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do

xxx

Claire

The best vegan Blondies

Hey there,

I'm back with another vegan and healthy version of a classic dessert: Blondies (like "white" brownies)

This recipe isn't mine, it is inspired from the blog Southern in law 

( http://www.southerninlaw.com/2015/08/healthy-vegan-banana-blondies-recipe-gluten-free.html?m=1 ) I just changed one little thing in the recipe.

But I honestly had to share this recipe with you as I made ist so so many times already and everybody loves it!!

Ingredients: 

                                               2      large ripe mashed bananas (280 g)

                                               1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil (or any other butter)

                                               1/4  cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

                                               1/4  cup non-dairy milk

                                               1  tbsp vanilla extract

                                               1  cup whole grain spelt flour (or any other flour)

                                               1/2  cup almond flour

                                               1 1/2 tsp baking powder 

                                               pinch of salt

                                               1/2 cup of nuts (pecan/walnut) or chocolate/dried fruit/...

Directions: 

                                        1. Preheat the oven to 160C/320F

                                        2. Mash the bananas with a fork in a bowl and add the melted coconut 

                                            oil, coconut sugar, milk and vanilla extract and mix

                                            You could also add all the ingredients to a blender and blend 

                                            everything quickly - that's the lazy option

                                       3. Add all the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix until combined

                                       4. Grease an 8" brownie tin and pour in the batter

                                       5. Bake for 20-30 minutes 

                                       6. Let it cool, slice and enjoy!!

               

 I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

xxx

Claire

Christmas Lookbook

Hey you guys,

after months I can finally post this lookbook that I've been wanting to do forever!!!

As I had to study a lot for school these past two months and I only had time now (christmas break) to take the pictures. So this former 'Winter Lookbook' turned into a full-on Christmas Lookbook - which to be honest I am very happy about as I love love love christmas.

This time I tried to link all the things I wear so you can find them easily but sadly I couldn't find all of the things and sometimes only a similar item.

1. Flowy summer dress over turtle neck

 dress - Zara

http://www.zara.com/de/de/damen/kleider/kleid-mit-doppelten-trägern.html

turtle neck - Topshop

similar:  http://de.topshop.com/de/produkt/fine-gauge-funnel-neck-jumper-

boots - Steve Madden

matte lip - Kylie Cosmetics lip kit (in Candy K)

https://www.kyliecosmetics.com/collections/matte-lip-kits/products/candy-k

2. Plaid skirt on black on black

  

skirt - Asos (Monki)

http://www.asos.de/monki/monki-minifaltenrock-mit-schottenkaros/prd/

lace top - Promod

http://www.promod.de/damen/top-mit-spitze-schwarz.html

black velvet sweater - Brandy Melville

choker - Topshop

booties - Nasty Gal

https://www.nastygal.com/shoes-boots/crosswalk-pico-ankle-boot--brown

coat - Massimo Dutti

similar: http://www.massimodutti.com/de/en/women/navy-quilted-coat-with-fur-detail.html

3. Dungarees and red lip 

dungarees - Muaa

sweater - Topshop

similar: http://de.topshop.com/de/tsde/produkt/gerüschter-pulli-mit-bommeln-petite-größe

bow - American Apparel 

similar: http://store.americanapparel.net/en/velvet-bow-hair-clip_Green

boots 1 - Steve Madden

boots 2 - Uggs

red lipstick - Artdeco (in Black Cherry Queen)

https://www.douglas.de/douglas/Make-up-Lippen-Lippenstifte-Artdeco-Lippenstift-Nr.-29-Black-Cherry-Queen

4. Big cozy knit dress and heels

knit dress - Asos

http://www.asos.de/asos/asos-swing-kleid-in-rippenstrick-mit-tasche-am-oberteil/

tights - Primark

booties - Nasty Gal

https://www.nastygal.com/shoes-boots/crosswalk-pico-ankle-boot--brown

I hope you enjoyed this lookbook and you get some inspiration of it!!

Happy christmas to all of you!!

xxx

Claire

Cinnamon Stars

Cinnamon stars makes about 120 small stars
   

 For the cookies: 4 cups ground almonds                    For the icing: 1 egg white
                            2 3/4 cups icing sugar                                             1 cup icing sugar
                            2 tbsp cinnamon
                            2 egg whites
                            2 tbsp milk

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300 F)
2. Mix the dry ingredients (almonds, icing sugar and cinnamon)
3. Add egg whites and milk, mix well
4. With your hands combine it to a dough
5. Spread some flour on the worktop and roll out the dough until it's about 6-8mm thick
6. Cut out the stars with cookie cutters and place them on a lined baking tray (although you don't have to use stars! It is just the traditional style)           
7. Put the tray into the oven and bake about 5min
8. During these 5 minutes you can mix icing sugar and egg white for the icing

9. After letting them cool for 2-3 minutes you can now put the icing on the stars.
    I like to do this with a little spoon because the icing is pretty sticky but you can also try to use a brush if that works for you!
10. Put them back in the oven for another 7-10 minutes
11. Let them cool and enjoy!

 
   

Christmas Sugar Cookies

            INGREDIENTS         

                            400 g     plain flour

                             2    tsp  baking powder

                            150 g     butter/margarine 

                            150 g     sugar

                            1/2  tsp  vanilla extract 

                            2            eggs

          INSTRUCTIONS:

            1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees celsius/ 340 Fahrenheit

            2. Combine flour and baking powder 

            3. Add the room temperature buttered mix a bit

            4. Add the remaining ingredients (sugar, vanilla and eggs) and mix until a dough has formed

                Use your hands for this, it will make it easier

            5. Make a ball (or two if it's to big) and wrap it in plastic rap and chill it in the fridge for half

                an hour

            6. Take dough out of the fridge, roll it out and cut out your desired shapes

            7. Bake them for around 7-11 minutes depending on size and thickness of the cookies

            

Then have fun decorating them!! You can literally do everything with these...

... ice with a classic icing and sprinkles

... dip them in milk/white/dark chocolate

... make sandwiches out of two cookies with marmalade/nutella between them

... or just leave them plain as they come