Alacati

October 30, 2014, 3:26 pm

≫ Next: Sunday's Recipe: Eggplant and figs

Alacati was one of the places I wanted to visit for a long time because every picture I saw and every story I heard were so positive and provided everything a perfect summer holiday place should include in my book. Picture whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, antique boutique shops, cute cats, lovely restaurants and cafés, beautiful beaches...

We spent two nights in a quite popular neighbourhood at a recently opened hotel which was very conveniently located in the village part called Hacimemis. We just loved being invited for tea by kind shop owners, walking around in the warm summer evenings deciding where to have dinner, spending a relaxing day at the beach. We wanted to savor those quiet moments because straight after that we headed to Istanbul, which I will show you in my next post...

When we saw these antique doors, we thought about how original they would look transformed into a table...

Silk top: Rachel Zoe

Sunglasses: Yves Saint Laurent

Shorts: Maje

Espadrilles: Espadrij l'original

a corner in our room at the Haci Memis Palas

Kum Beach

Beach dress: Zara

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Sunday's Recipe: Eggplant and figs

November 9, 2014, 7:58 am

≫ Next: Pink Box anniversary

≪ Previous: Alacati

When do you typically pin recipes on Pinterest (if you ever look for food inspiration, that is)?

As for me, it happens to be on my commute home in the evenings. Probably the time I'm most hangry*(guilty as charged). On such an occasion I came across that image on Pinterest that combined two things I already loved separately: eggplant and figs. Combined they were very unexpected for me but so delicious I made this recipe twice so far. Once I served it with couscous and the other time with quinoa, satisfying every single time.

Ingredients for two persons:

2 small eggplants

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 large ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced

1/2 of a leek, thinly sliced (also good: spring onions)

2 fresh figs, sliced (I'm going to try if it also works with dried figs)

a few cherry tomatoes,

olive oil, salt and pepper to taste

How to:

Cut the eggplant in half and score its flesh with a couple of strokes with your knife, without cutting the skin. Then rub the halves with a clove of garlic, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Arrange eggplant halves, open side down, in a large roasting pan and braise for a couple of minutes until they look like in the picture below. Alternatively you could also bake the eggplant in the oven.

When the eggplant is done, it's time to top it with the remaining ingredients: tomatoes, figs, mozzarella slices and lastly the leek (tip: maybe it would be better to cook the leek a little bit before to soften them, because mine browned in the oven).

At this point you can also add spices and herbs to your hearts desire. Roast the eggplant in a 180 degree Celsius oven for about 15 minutes or until your cheese is bubbly. Just before serving, you could drizzle balsamic reduction on top on. As I mentioned before, it goes great with couscous or quinoa.

Let me know when you try this recipe - I love hearing from you!

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Pink Box anniversary

November 20, 2014, 11:07 am

≫ Next: Sunday's Recipe: Autumnal salad with baked pumpkin

≪ Previous: Sunday's Recipe: Eggplant and figs

Pink Box is a monthly beauty products subscription service and celebrates its 3rd anniversary this year. What started as a small startup has become a fully established beauty supplier to those who love to test out the latest trends going on in the beauty industry. All products coming within the box are either original or special size and you can expect a variety of over 150 different beauty brands.

Do you want to treat yourself with the latest beauty news or even surprise a dear friend with a pink box? Then feel free to visit their website to get to know their concept. If you like the idea and want to try your luck, congratulate Pink Box on their 3rd anniversary by entering our giveaway on our facebook page. This Pink Box contains the following products:

- La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
- Eucerin In Shower Body Lotion
- Gliss Kur 6 Miracles Oil Essence
- Beauty uk High Brow Kit
- Labello Repair & Beauty Lip Balm

Head over to our facebook page to find out how to enter the giveaway open for everyone residing in Switzerland (ends Sunday 23rd of November, 2014 at 11 pm!) We will chose three lucky winners!

Good luck!

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Sunday's Recipe: Autumnal salad with baked pumpkin

November 30, 2014, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Hello December

≪ Previous: Pink Box anniversary

Today I'm sharing with you a salad recipe I've found two years ago in a magazine and made countless times, always wanting to share it here on the blog. The thing is, whenever I prepare this salad I don't have the time to take proper step by step pictures but some things are just too good to not share, so here we go:

Ingredients (serves four)

400 gr pumpkin, cut in cubes

2 tsp olive oil salt & pepper

4 cups mixed leaf salad of the season

4 tbsp pomegranate seeds

8 tsp roasted pumpkin seeds

60 gr goat cream cheese, crumbled

Dressing:

4 tbsp pumpkin seed oil

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

3 tbsp orange juice

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

Salt & pepper

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees celsius. Coat the pumpkin cubes with olive oil, add salt & pepper to taste. Spread them loosely on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes until they're just slightly browned and al dente. Take them out of the oven and let the cubes cool. Put all the dressing ingredients in a sealed tupperware or jar and give the dressing a good shake. All the ingredients should be well mixed and a bit creamy in consistency. Wash the salad and arrange the leaves on 4 plates. Now add to each plate 1/4 of the baked pumpkin cubes, 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds, 2 tsp roasted pumpkin seeds, crumble some goat cheese over your creation and drizzle 2 tbsp of the dressing over it.

Next week I'll share another simple pumpkin recipe before the season is over...

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Hello December

November 30, 2014, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Edelweiss wishlist and opportunity to win a gift voucher from Chic Cham

≪ Previous: Sunday's Recipe: Autumnal salad with baked pumpkin

The end of the year is fast approaching and while I can't wait to reach the end and enjoy some time away from work, I also conciously want to slow down and enjoy the days leading up to the holidays as well. True to the saying "happiness is not a destination - it is a journey" I'll try to find those happy moments in the day to day as well. And if all else fails, I'll have this huge advent calendar to be the thing I'll look forward to each day.

My sister made us this beautiful calendar ~~as a bribe to look after Lilly the cat while she's away on vacation~~ as a surprise because she's simply fabulous like that. I can't wat to open the first one tonight and then every other day as my boyfriend gets to open the even numbers. Such a great idea, I can't thank her enough for being so thoughtful. ❤

Now I know everyone is wondering about the same thing: where did I get this beautiful wood sled*? The answer is Rothirsch, a Swiss brand focusing on everyday products which they sell in their online shop. Their products always combine simple design with functionality, as is the case with this wood sled. It's a special edition of the characteristic mountain rodels and produced by Gloco, which makes these since 1919. While waiting for the snow to take this sled outside, it serves us beautifully as a winter decoration in our flat.

Keep checking back regularly as we will soon have a special offer for Styleseeking Zurich readers to use in the Rothirsch shop, so you might want to hold off your Christmas shopping a little bit...

*This product was provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration on Styleseeking Zurich.

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Edelweiss wishlist and opportunity to win a gift voucher from Chic Cham

December 2, 2014, 1:31 pm

≫ Next: Aqua Dome - a relaxing getaway in the Austrian mountains

≪ Previous: Hello December

The fun thing of compiling wishlists is that when you look back, you might be able to tick a lot of the items off your wishlist. One part due to ourselves making plans to reach certain goals (in this case, material, yes I admit it) or loved ones who make them do come true. Remember my wishlist I composed for Edelweiss last year? I'm happy to report back that a lot of them made it into my closet/home/medicine cabinet or bookshelf. So without further ado I present you my wishlist 2014, filled with things I'm currently coveting.

Now this year again readers get to choose their favorite wishlist, and every voter gets the chance to win a gift voucher worth CHF 200.00 to use at Chic Cham (in their shop in Lausanne or online!). The wishlisht with the most votes would get a voucher as well. So if you like mine, I'd appreciate a vote from your part.

To do so, please go tothis site, choose the wishlist/blogger whom you'd like to give your vote to and fill in your contact information in case you'll win. Good luck (to you and to me)! ❤

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Aqua Dome - a relaxing getaway in the Austrian mountains

December 4, 2014, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Sunday's Recipe: Roasted pumpkin bruschetta

≪ Previous: Edelweiss wishlist and opportunity to win a gift voucher from Chic Cham

Have I mentioned that it's not easy for me to be present in the now, to not worry too much and just BE sometimes? The importance of it was one of the lessons I've been tought this year and now whenever I feel stressed out or overwhelmed, I try to conciously seek those relaxing moments.

Mindfulness, wellbeing, relaxation... all lovely words that are hard to capture. Soothing concepts that I try to incorporate into my everyday life. One of these aspects is of course related to working out and regularly treating your body & mind to sauna sessions, hammams, treatments and so on, which is something I've been doing regularly for over a year now. When your muscles start to relax, usually it doesn't take much longer for your mind to enjoy some peace and quiet as well.

Wellness weekends at hotels are just the best because after a relaxing day in the spa, you don't have to worry about a messy apartment or what to cook for dinner - it's an indulgent luxury I'd like to treat myself to every now and then. Recently I have been invited* to spend a perfect weekend just as I described before in the Austrian alps, at the huge and impeccable Aqua Dome in Längenfeld (Tyrol area) to be exact. The healing waters of Längenfeld in the Ötztal have been known for decades but the modern thermal spa Aqua Dome makes it now accessible for hotel guest and spa visitors alike.

I think the images speak for themselves. If you'd like to have a relaxing winter getaway, make sure to check out Aqua Dome's offerings for the season as I'm sure you won't regret it.

Photo source: Aqua Dome press pictures
*Full disclosure: I have been invited on this press trip.

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Sunday's Recipe: Roasted pumpkin bruschetta

December 7, 2014, 2:39 am

≫ Next: Thinking outside the box - the green oasis box in Berlin

≪ Previous: Aqua Dome - a relaxing getaway in the Austrian mountains

I mentioned last week that I’m going to share one more pumpkin recipe and here it is. It’s actually a loose variation of the autumnal salad from last week, because the pumpkin is prepared the exact same way meaning these cubes were my leftovers and I quickly assembled a bruschetta because, why not..? It doesn't always have to be tomatoes.You can serves these as finger food appetizers or even for a lunch.

I'm not going to write down an exact recipe as you can assemble this bruschetta the way you like it. Here's the description how to roast the pumpkin cubes in the oven.

And this is what I did afterwards: I spread a light layer of cream cheese, placed the roasted pumpkin cubes onto the bread, added some goat's cream cheese, arugula, and balsamic glaze. Mhmmmmm!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Other pumpkin recipes you might like to try:

Autumnal salad with baked pumkin
Pumpkin and apricot jam with vanilla

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Thinking outside the box - the green oasis box in Berlin

December 8, 2014, 10:06 am

≫ Next: The 90s brown lip revival

≪ Previous: Sunday's Recipe: Roasted pumpkin bruschetta

(photo by Weleda)

Are you the type of person who makes new years resolutions ? We secretly do, as there is something very appealing (yet often unrealistic) in the notion of new year, new me. When we made the decision to try to incorporate more natural products into our beauty routines about a year ago, we wouldn’t have thought they would take over so much of our beauty cabinets. While we haven’t completely sworn off other brands, we definitely tend to reach for our natural and organic products much more often than before. I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to you when we say that we totally adore our Weleda products. But it’s not just the fact that their products work in a very gentle but effective way but also the fact that as a company, this green beauty brand is truly committed to all things natural, organic, eco-friendly, sustainable and fair trade. How can you not think highly of a brand who has such respect, love and responsibility towards nature (and people)?

A couple of weeks back, we were invited to Berlin to check out the Weleda pop-up store at the concept mall Bikini Berlin. It is Weleda's first pop-up store of their corporate history! The idea was to create a green oasis in the midst of an urban city like Berlin.

(photo by Weleda)
The store is rather a pop-up box, meaning that the store won't be permanently located in the mall. But don't worry, until March 2015 you will be able to pay a visit.

Last time we were invited to get to know their Pomegranate Nailcare Line, but this time we had the chance to explore Weleda's new products and also re-explore their core products (e.g. Lavender Relaxing Oil).

A new line that Weleda recently launched is the so called Nachtkerze - a nocturnal plant that builds flowering branches within minutes. The oil from the Nachtkerze-semen prevents the skin from moisture loss and supports its regeneration.

The new line consists of six different products:
lifting day cream, lifting night cream, revitalizing caring lotion, revitalizing oil, lifting eye and lip cream, cream shower gel

Check out the Nachtkerze magazine for further information.

We really enjoyed seeing all Weleda products at a glance and testing out several products on site.

We basically opened every Body Oil bottle since we were way too curious about their scents.

We also spotted some accessories like these bio cotton pouches. Aren't they cute?

After soaking in all the good stuff and reconfirming our ambition to incorporate more natural products into our beauty lineups, we had some time left to take a stroll around Berlin.

Thank you Weleda for having us!

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The 90s brown lip revival

December 13, 2014, 6:17 am

≫ Next: Sunday's Recipe: Beetroot soup

≪ Previous: Thinking outside the box - the green oasis box in Berlin

Bring on the heavy lip liners and the brown lipsticks - the makeup motives of the 90's are back! The whole beauty community went crazy, including me, after no other than Kylie Jenner started to rock a certain lip look: the nineties lip. The range of the nineties lip is actually pretty wide: From deep beige to mauvy pink. The important point in my opinion is not the color but the matte and full-lip look. I think Kylie has a great overall makeup style and she managed to come up with a new trend that nobody was expecting.

I knew right away that I wanted to recreate her lip look. I started to look out for browny lip products in my makeup collection and also went on a hunt for the shades I still needed for this specific look.

The full-lip appearance is essential for the 90's look - the perfect tool for it are lipliners. To be honest I never used lipliners or pencils before, so I purchased a few shades that I wanted to try out.

1. NYX Retractable Lipliner, mpl 01 Natural: This is a very intense beige tone and the perfect base to pull off a brown lip look.

2. Kiko Smart Lip Pencil, 700: This shade includes a peachy undertone. You can go for this liner if you want to recreate a lighter version of the nineties lip.

3. Manhattan X-treme Last Lipliner, 59Y: This mauvy pink-brown reminds me of MAC's 'Whirl', which is known to be Kylie's fave.

All three liners are richly pigmented and have a very good lasting power. After outlining my lips and also fully filling them in with a lipliner I reach for a lipstick/lipcream to give my lips a more creamy texture. (You can, of course, wear lipliners on their own as well)

- Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet - 07 Nude-ist -

I go for this Bourjois lipcream whenever I want a pinky version of the 90s lips. This lipcream is a mauvy nude pink (not really visible in the swatch picture) and it turns completely matte after applying, but it doesn't dry out your lips. The lasting power is incredibly good.

- La Roche-Posay Novalip Duo - 20 Rouge à Lèvres -

This lipstick has also a pink/coral undertone but it manages to maintain the overall brown nineties lip look. The white spot you see in the middle of the lipstick is a skincare-core which gives you a very hydrating effect. Something you might not really expect is the fact, that this lipstick also turns rather into a long-lasting matte finish.

- NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Abu Dhabi -

I reach for this NYX lipcream almost every time to complete a lip look - I always topcoat my lips with it. Why? Because of its ultimate matte finish and it makes every lip look long-lasting. If you want a really browny nineties lip, then this is the lipcream you want to go for.

- Maybelline Color Elixir Lip Lacquer - 720 Nude Illusion -

Since we're facing cold temperatues right now, you might want to finish off your 90s lips with a little bit of extra moisture. Although nineties lips are rather matte, I think you can accomplish a lovely brown lip look by adding a hint of gloss in the center of your lips.

Depending on what kind of undertone I want, I combine all the products mentioned to recreate different versions of the 90s lips.

Which products did I use to accomplish the lip color I wear in the pictures above?

Kiko Smart Lip Pencil, 700 + Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet - 07 Nude-ist + NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Abu Dhabi

And here' a slightly different look - a more browny and nude version using

NYX Retractable Lipliner, mpl 01 Natural + La Roche-Posay Novalip Duo - 20 Rouge à Lèvres + NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Abu Dhabi:

Here are all the other products I used for the overall makeup look:

Eyes: Smashbox 24 Hours Photo Finish Shadow Primer / Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil - Perversion / Urban Decay Naked 3 / Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Waterproof

Brow: Skin Food Choco Eyebrow Powder Cake - Grey Brown / L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper - Light Medium

Base: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution - 02 Fresh Ivory / e.l.f. Maximum Coverage Concealer - Porcelain / e.l.f. Pressed Powder - Porcelain

Cheek: L'Oréal Glam Bronze - 102 Brunette Harmony / Marionnaud Pétale de Blush - Dahlia Coral / e.l.f. Bronzer - Golden Bronzer

Setting: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

What do you think about the 90s lip trend?

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Sunday's Recipe: Beetroot soup

December 14, 2014, 1:47 pm

≫ Next: Family, Friends and Lovers Xmas Gift Guide

≪ Previous: The 90s brown lip revival

With its intense red color, this soup is definitely and eye catcher on your festive table. I admit that the color prompted me to try this soup but the earthy, comforting taste itself is what persuaded me entirely. It makes for a perfect winter soup and is a nice change to my usual pumpkin soup I make this time of the year (especially if pumpking is otherwise involved in yourr menu). Even people who usually don't like beetroot, say in their salads for instance, loved this soup. If you are unsure you can always change the beetroot-to-potato-ratio to reduce the flavor. Soups are very entertaining-friendly as I prepare them often the night before and just warm up before serving. No last minute stress involved.

Ingredients (serves 6)

3 beetroots, peeled and chopped into cubes (if you have plastic gloves at home, wear them! Trust me, the color is intense...)

3 potatoes, chopped into cubes

1 onion, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

1 liter vegetable stock

How to

Add a little bit of vegetable oil into a large casserole, add the onion and sautée until soft. Next add the cubed beetroot and potatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until you add the vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper if you want to, stir well then bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Cool the soup slightly then puree it in batches in a liquidiser/blender until smooth. Even though I strained the soup through a sieve it doesn't get velvety smooth like for instance pumpkin soup, so you might as well leave this step out, it's up to you.

To serve, bring the soup back to a boil and adjust the seasoning if you need to. Serve in warmed bowls with a spoonful of crème fraiche and fresh herbs or sprouts. Adding toasted almonds adds a nice crunch to your soup.

Next Sunday you'll find a recipe for the prettiest apple tartlets you have ever seen, I promise!

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Family, Friends and Lovers Xmas Gift Guide

December 19, 2014, 6:25 am

≫ Next: Sunday's recipe: Red love apple rose tartelettes

≪ Previous: Sunday's Recipe: Beetroot soup

Surely we can't be the only ones who still haven't done all of their holiday gift shopping yet. Maybe you'll have to brave the crowds this weekend or order gifts from the comfort of your home. For both cases we compiled an extensive gift guide, with ideas for family, friends and lovers. Links or shop locations are provided below the collages.

SISTER LOVE

- A/SH MAG just launched their newest mag in collaboration Face to face with the photographer Sara Merz. Want to get your hands on a copy? Get the info on their website.

-Legendary, indispensable eye shadow palette Naked 3 by Urban Decay, available at Manor stores or online.

- Tropical decoration as a contrast to this icy cold weather, available at Interio stores.

- Petale de blush for beautiful, rosy cheeks. Get it at Marrionaud shops or online.

- Get your sister something beautiful from the gorgeous Arlésienne line of L'Occitane. Have a look online.

- Protected lips, all natural thanks to Stark Skincare. Available at our beloved Biomazing shop online.

- There's a Yankee candle for every occasion. Get your sister in the mood with a festive scent. Available in many sizes at Coop City department stores or online.

- Classic wood sled to revive your childhood days. Available at Rothirsch, with our 20% discount code STYLE.

- She's a proud cat lady? Get her these sheets.

MOM'S THE BEST

- Because your classy mom deserves such a nice smelling soap.

- Sleek and classic wallet.

- Long walks and even longer talks outside with your mother require these to stay toasty.

- Hello darling! We're sure you'll want to borrow this beautiful watch with a rose gold effect quiet often from her.

- A rich night cream from Burt's Bees, available at Manor department stores or online.

- Furla bag, ladylike and chic, just like her.

- A unisex scent from Roger & Gallet for a powerful woman. Available at Manor and Coop City department stores.

- The star in your life deserves something sparkling? Have a look at the winter collection of Pandora.

- She lovingly makes your favorite Christmas cookies but might enjoy a detox after all these festivities as well.

- Gold lantern, stylish well beyond the holiday season. Available at Depot stores or online.

THE MEN IN OUR LIVES

- Sony Xperia smartphones, so he can take underwater selfies with you. No, really, they're waterproof.

- Making coffee, in style. Available at Interio stores or online.

- There are many options at Freitag from bags, wallets to even clothes, browse the store or have a look online.

- He loves to discover new wines? Get him a wiine.me monthly subscription, where he'll receive three wines selected by sommeliers, delivered to his door. He can stop and cancel his subscription anytime he wants. A perfect gift for the wine lover. We're happy to share with you a 25% discount code. Just use the code bottle25 to have a reduction on the price of the first month.

- A thermos for the outdoorsy types, available at The Merchant & Co store or online.

- To pamper his overworked and dry hands: Ultimate strength hand salve.

- Leather shoes, produced in Switzerland.

- He secretly enjoys nice smelling lotions and potions as well. Surprise him with these available at L'Occitane stores or here.

- Cuddling together under this lama alpaca wool blanket - heaven. Get it at Rothirsch, complete with free shipping in Switzerland.

GIRLFRIEND

- Your girl loves unusal items for her home? Look no further than Westwing.ch. We recently discovered this cute cup & saucer set.

- We're madly in love with anything from Studio Mason and she'll surely be as well. But will love you even more, we promise!

- Scent of love, from Lalique.

- Less time in the bathroom, more quality time together. Hair straightener from Babyliss.

- She likes to dress up for the holidays and even pays attention to details? Have a look at exurbe nail polishes. Available online.

- Bring color into her life with these fun nail polishes. Available at Marrionaud shops or online.

- Every woman who likes to take good care of her skin needs a Clarisonic. Get her this lovely Clarisonic Aria limited edition winter lace version because she deserves it. Available at Marrionaud shops or online.

- Unique bag for a one of a kind girl.

MY GALS

- Girlfriends are companions for life. Get them a little companion in the form of a pocket brush they can carry in theirs bags to prevent tangles.

- Hunter boots. Next festival season we'll eventally come.

- Give your gals the gift of a relaxing bath. Our favorite is the lavender bath milk from Weleda. Available at Manor or Coop City department stores.

- Holiday drinkware from Starbucks.

- She'll be thankful for such a thoughtful gift. Photo finish primer from Smashbox, available at Marrionaud stores or online.

- Cozy atmosphere, easily created with lanterns from Westwing.

- Cute cookware for her kitchen. Get this casserole it Ikea.

- Look for Kusmi tea tastes that match the personality of your gals.

- Beautiful, minimalist cups.

- It's so fluffy, how can she not like it? Get this pillow at H&M home.

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Sunday's recipe: Red love apple rose tartelettes

December 21, 2014, 11:55 am

≫ Next: Remnant of Fall

≪ Previous: Family, Friends and Lovers Xmas Gift Guide

These beauties just might be the prettiest dessert I've ever baked. It was the first time I bought red love apples and I was utterly amazed by the color of this variety. I came across the recipe on a German blog and translated everything, which you'll find below. Here's what you need to get started:

Ingredients (for 12 tartelettes made in a muffin tin)

For the dough
250 g flour
75 g sugar
1 organic lemon
125 g cold butter
1 egg

For the apple roses:
6 red apples
500 ml of apple juice
250 g sugar

For the filling:
75 g sugar
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1/2 organic lemon
125 g mascarpone
2 large apples
2 tbsp cornstarch

How to:
For the dough, mix the flour, sugar and the zest of a lemon in a bowl. Add the ice cold butter in cubes, working it in with your fingertips into the flour mixture so it looks crumbly. Whisk the egg and gradually add it to the other ingredients using a had mixer. Keep stirring until the ingredients form a dough. Rolled intoa ball, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. Meanwhile you can prepapre the apples.

Now we begin the process of making these beautiful roses.
Wash the apples, cut them in half, remove the core and cut out with a knife the stem and the stalk. Next, cut the apple halves into thin slices. Each apple half should leave you with approx. 12 slices. When you put the slices immediately in a bowl of lemon water they don't turn brown .

In a saucepan, bring the apple juice to a boil with the sugar.
Take the apple slices out of the lemon water and let them simmer in the boiling apple juice in small batches, each time only a few minutes until the apple skins become softened and are easier to bend, but not too soft so they do fall apart. When they are just right, drain the slices and let them cool completely.

If you're through with the last batch of slices. continue to let the apple juice mixture simmer until it's reduced to about 1/4 of the original liquid amount. Then set aside and let cool. Arrange the apple slices in an overlapping design on parchement paper starting from the left to right. You should have 12 rows (for 12 roses) each with approx, 10-12 slices. If you're unsure on how they should look like, head over to this German blog with lose of pictures where I also found this recipe.

Now for the filling, mix all the ingredients, paying attention not to stir the mascarpone too long (otherwise you'll have clotted cream), Grate the apples, squeeze their liquid out and mix them into the mascarpone mixture. Stir in the cornstarch in heaped tablespoons.

As you have now prepared everything, you can assemble the tartelettes:
Grease a muffin baking tin and line it with parchment paper either completely or just a strip all around the edges so you can remove/lift the tartelettes easier when they are done. Roll the dough out about 3 mm thick under a piece of plastic wrap, cut circles using for instance a cup or another round object and line the muffin tin. With a fork prick the bottom of the tartlets a few times. Next, fill each with a generous spoonful of the filling.

To make the rose buds, you have to roll each row of apple slices, starting left, while holding well and carefully keep rolling until you reach the end and it looks like a rose. Place each rose into a tartelette, the filling allows you to place with its shape a little bit.

Bake the tartelettes in a preheated oven at 200 ° C top/bottom heat for about 24 minutes. Depending on your oven, you might need to turn the muffin tin at half of the baking time to ensure even baking results. When they are done, remove them from the muffin tin and let them cool.

Remember the apple juice syrup you set aside previously? You can brush your roses with it so they're nice and shiny. Now give yourself a pat on the back, you made it! Aren't they beautiful?

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Remnant of Fall

December 28, 2014, 1:06 pm

≫ Next: On intentions, resolutions and goals

≪ Previous: Sunday's recipe: Red love apple rose tartelettes

Coat: Mango

With winter being quite mild so far, I didn't have to resort to extreme multiple layers of clothing so far. That is until today. Finally, finally I woke up to see snow falling outside and I just love this excitement in my voice, very childlike but still it makes me happy. So obviously this outfit dates back to fall, more precisely to the short weekend trip we made to Berlin. I wore this camel coat from Mango a lot before changing it for my down coat, which I'm wearing on most days now.

Sneakers: New Balence via urbanpeople.com

If you follow me on Instagram (@nesdem) you'll surely know that I have spent a wonderful weekend in St.Moritz at the lavish Kempinski hotel, where I got really into the mood to spend some days in the mountains because that's where winter is prettiest, isn't it?

Cashmere scarf: Coop City
Sweater: Banana Republic
Bag: Marni

The days leading up to New Year's (and the actual evening itself) I'll be spending in Engelberg, just like last year. I'll plan on catching up on postings here but also take the time to reflect back on this year and think about my goals for 2015. For me, it's import to have goals, even if they're not the typical New Year's resolutions. What do you think about that, do you just go with the flow or do you take the time to truly review your year and overall goals in life..?

~ Neslihan

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On intentions, resolutions and goals

December 30, 2014, 4:50 am

≫ Next: New Years Eve Beauty

≪ Previous: Remnant of Fall

The last couple of days allowed me to just be, without any obligations or any place to go.

So naturally I also had a lot of time to think about how this year was for me personally. There were a lot of good and happy times, travelling being one of my favorite memories. But also marriages of close friends, births of their babies, overall so many enriching interactions with my loved ones that allowed our friendships and relationships to grow. It was a year I personally grew in a lot of areas as well, but also faced difficult times that practically forced me to acknowledge some facts in my life I wasn't paying enough attention to. I briefly mentioned this in a heart to heart post in August, and half a year later, I am still more than ever trying to lead a slower, more mindful and intentional life. Having very strong perfectionist tendencies that push me in all areas of my life, this isn't easy for me but I guess it will be a lifelong learning process.

Source: Pinterest

The point of my rambling on here? Actually I just wanted to share with you a document (Unravelling the year ahead 2015 by Susannah Conway) I came across the other day that I'm planning to use for myself. It's filled with helpful questions to review your past year, from your happiest memories to setbacks and the resulting learnings. I think it's a great way to be aware and appreciate the good, count your blessings and set new intentions for the new year. This could be done before January 1st or any other given time because let's be honest, it's never too late to start a new chapter.

So grab a cup of hot tea, light your favorite scented candle and start honestly answering these questions that will allow you to have a clearer vision of your intentions. And please do let me know how you prepare yourself for the new year, or how you set goals for yourself, which quotes motivate you and so on. I always find this very interesting to know.

~ Neslihan

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New Years Eve Beauty

December 30, 2014, 10:00 pm

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≪ Previous: On intentions, resolutions and goals

Girls, dust off your sparkliest glitter beauty products that you otherwise rarely get to use, tonight will put them into good use! Because if not on New Years Eve, when is it appropriate to sparkle and shine? I’m going to try a glittery cat eye look as seen here, and these are some of the products I’ll be using…

L’Oréal Volume Million Lashes Black Diamantissime: This mascara is one of my holiday makeup staples because it’s festive without being too over the top. Tiny sparkles on your lashes, that are not the glittery kind but subtly visible.

MAC Black and Gold Nocturnals Mini Pigment & Glitter: As I mentioned above, I will pick up a tiny amount of glitter and apply this very close to a black cat eye with an angled brush. Just need to decide: copper or gold?

L'Oréal Superliner Silkissime: If all else fails and I end up looking like a glittery disco ball, I can wipe everything off and start anew with a trusty old friend that is this eyeliner. Can't go wrong with smokey eyes.

Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Dragon: How I love Guerlains Meteorites! They are the perfect products to give your complexion a healthy, luminous glow due to the color mix of the balls. These in particular brighten, illuminate and even out your complexion in the loveliest way. After applying my foundation, I lightly dust this all over my face, neck and décolleté for a subtle effect.

Guerlain Shalimar Sur la route de Madagascar: This is a fragrance I'm loving more and more as I get older. This limited edition version from 2012 opens up very citrusy on my skin but then dries down to a very interesting vanilla based oriental woody fragrance. Very sensual, mysterious and longlasting, perfect for New Years Eve...

Wishing you all a fabulous New Years Eve Party!

~ Neslihan

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Makeup removal on the go

January 14, 2015, 2:28 am

≫ Next: Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains: An unforgettable winter weekend in St.Moritz

≪ Previous: New Years Eve Beauty

These capsules aren't medicine or eyedrops but makeup removers (Toleriane Ultra Demaquillant from La Roche-Posay packaged in such a ingenious way! They do a great job in removing makeup especially heavy eye makeup. They exactly work like micellar water cleansers and I'm a huge of that kind of removers. The best part about the capsules are their handy format that also allows sterile dosages. I have them with me whenever I go on a getaway.

Further information:

- non-perfumed and preservative free

- contains Sodium Hyaluronate and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

. suitable for anyone with intolerant and very sensitive eyes.

. suitable for contact lens users

What kind of makeup removers do you prefer?

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Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains: An unforgettable winter weekend in St.Moritz

February 8, 2015, 11:08 am

≫ Next: The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

≪ Previous: Makeup removal on the go

No matter how much I love my home, waking up in a lavish hotel and being cared for by attentive staff never gets old. From the crisp white sheets of an insanely comfortable bed to the truffled quail eggs I had for breakfast – when your day starts like this, you know you’re at an extraordinary place.

Picture a luxurious hotel with excellent service set in the beautiful mountains of Engadin, in St.Moritz to be exact. We had the chance to enjoy a weekend at the magnificent Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains some time ago, where we celebrated the 150 year anniversary of the winter tourism resort St.Moritz. Being one of the most glamorous and chic resorts of Switzerland, we knew we were in to have a fabulous time and that we did – thanks to Paul Dutschmann, the PR Executive, who made sure we all enjoyed ourselves.

As you can probably tell from the pictures, that was definitely the case.

Coat: Burberry
Beanie: handknit by my sister

Top left, with Regine from www.gine.ch

Earring: H&M

Boots:&other stories

Thank you again Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains for having us - it was a dreamy weekend!

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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

February 15, 2015, 11:39 am

≫ Next: Masks to add to your skin care routine

≪ Previous: Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains: An unforgettable winter weekend in St.Moritz

Some of my best memories were made while away on vacation. We always make sure to travel to places that are new to us and want to discover as much as possible. Under the category "travel" you can find lots of snapshots of past years but while photos are great, in my opinion a video just captures the emotions better and takes you with on the journey.

It took us a long time to make this video of our vacation in Turkey last summer but I hope you will enjoy this video as much as I do. It's probably one of the most personal things I shared on this blog, showing you a more private side of me...

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Masks to add to your skin care routine

February 18, 2015, 10:30 pm

≫ Next: Once upon a time

≪ Previous: The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

No matter how diligent I try to be with my skin care routine, it happens from time to time that I’m just too tired and can’t be bothered with cleansing. Some might get away with it but my skin unfortunately has no qualms about showing me immediately that it’s not happy about my choices. Dull skin and blemishes are the results I have to deal with. In that case masks are my saviors. I have many different ones I use for specific purposes and recently these four masks/peels have been added to my arsenal.

I discovered Caudalie for myself about two years ago and have mentioned their products here and here. I still swear by those exfoliating products by the way. But now, let me introduce to these new masks that are going to be available starting April 2015 in select pharmacies.

Mathilde Thomas, founder of the brand, created four new masks that are made for busy ladies (and gents!) who want to give their skin some reboost in just a couple of minutes. They are recommended to be used about twice a week for 5-10 minutes. Since I got these, I’ve been really looking forward to a regular relaxing me-time.

From left to right

Moisturizing mask: This is a straight-forward, 85% of natural origin mask which leaves your face nicely hydrated. Aside hyaluronic acid and grapeseed oil it contains Vinolevure, an ingredient derived from wine yeast to help calm down sensitive skin and boost its immunity.

Glycolic peel: Dull skin is one of the most common skin issues during winter. This peel contains papaya enzymes and Viniferine, a Caudalie patented active ingredient which is 62 times more effective than vitamine C.

Instant Detox: After a night out I detox internally (by sipping mint tea) and externally with this mask. It's 99% natural containing 8 essential oils. Pink clay gives it this specific color which helps alongside with coffee to drain toxins and purify the skin.

Purifying mask: This thick and creamy white clay mask is great at absorbing excess sebum. Flax seed and zinc regulate the skin's oil production and I'm also really enjoying the aromatic herbal scent.

All of these masks can be used alone or mixed. For instance I like applying the purifying mask on my T zone and a moisturizing mask on my cheeks. Just experiment and enjoy prepping your skin.

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