In Krakow, with love

As I write this, I am trying to come to terms with the fact that my holiday in Krakow is over.  As I mentioned in my last post, I headed off to Krakow once again to spend Valentine's Day next to my boyfriend who's still finishing his course there.  Long distance relationships can be hard, but when there is willingness and determination to make things work from both sides, there's nothing to worry about.

Anyway, the holiday also served another purpose: a week of clearing my mind and restoring myself before I embark on a new job opportunity and move to a new apartment, to living life on my own again, hopefully pretty soon. It's pretty much a case of 'it never rains but it pours' for me. But that is the beauty of this life - never a dull moment.

Event post: Clare Azzopardi - Kulhadd halla isem warajh launch

There are so many stories to be told.  Some more moving than the others.  Some which make you laugh, others which make you cry. Just last night, I met two of my girl friends over some dinner and a glass of wine as we recounted personal anecdotes from the last weeks since we've met.  We told each other stories we were told by others, or that we read or heard about as we put on our coats to head over to Blitz to hear some more narratives. 

Last night Merlin Publishers (Malta) launched Clare Azzopardi's latest offering Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh at Blitz in Valletta.  Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh is a collection of 8 stories inspired by 8 women the author has come across at some point or other in her life.  Giving life and providing a teasing insight into the book, the haunting venue was set up in moody lighting, with a popcorn machine in one room, free-flowing wine in another, dresses hung as makeshift curtains, and if I'm not too mistaken, songs by female singers or with female names for song titles being played in the background.  It was difficult to hear exactly what was being played but it was not important.  Gathered there, were other local literary greats and upcoming authors whose lectures I've had the honour of attending, or whose books I've had the pleasure of reading.  Male actors read out snippets from three of the stories found in the collection, each giving a different life and interpretation to extracts from the same story.  I wish my grainy photos could give the event due justice, but I hope they whet your appetite for this book.  

I won't give you any spoilers, even because I'm only half way through the book myself, which I only started reading about an hour ago.  Sandra, Rita, Gracey, Roża, Lily, Margaret, Camilla and Polly are going to keep me company on this rainy afternoon. I feel I know them already.  I hope you get to know them too.  

Buy Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh here. 

ZARA edits

Ever since the global Spanish sensation that is Zara opened up shop on our tiny island, I've been somewhat obsessed with everything that is available in store. Sometimes I've even hounded the shop managers with calls to ensure that the items I'd be coveting on their online presence would actually be available in my size ready for me to just pop over at the last minute to pick them up.  I feel that I've become somewhat notorious in the Sliema front establishment ... possibly also due to my (at least) bi-weekly visits ...

 

It stands to logic therefore that I would be subscribed to their mailing list and have the chain's Facebook page as a favourite to make sure I don't miss on a single post. Yes, I'm that obsessed.

And this morning, when I received the latest newsletter with the current edits, I was, as always blown away.  The relaxed, yet glamorous vibe emitted in the pictures spoke in French to me.  Possibly, this is because I'm currently reading Paris Street Style - which I'm loving and I'm trying to apply everything I'm learning from it on a daily basis (ever the nerd haha!)

With model Cate Underwood, music producer and model Caroline De Maigret, fashion blogger Roy on the Street, fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell and underoursky.com creative director Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea gracing its images, the 4th Zara edit is an eclectic mix of refined beauty, with a freshness that simultaneously evokes a styling maturity.  It is everything I've ever dreamt of achieving style-wise.

And as the geek that I am, taking an academic approach to everything I do, let me carry on taking notes, planning purchases and wardrobe reshuffles in the hope of achieving this.

Recipe Post: Roast Winter Veggies

I can't remember the last time I actually cooked something decent.  My life is so hectic at the moment that unfortunately, I'm just stuffing my face with microwaveable meals and just plain old junk.  I know I'm doing a major disservice to my body and my health in general and I do realise that I need to get back on the right track.

Hopefully, yesterday's little cooking indulgence was one small step in the right direction!  I took a couple of much deserved hours off in the afternoon and managed to be home early enough to actually cook.  I stopped at the green grocer next door who had just brought in all the fresh goodies and got myself some of my favourite winter root veggies and made myself a huge dish of roasted veggies - one of my most favourite winter warmer recipes which is just so easy to make!

Here's how it goes:

Pick up some root veggies - I bought butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes and fennel.  I found a lonely carrot lurking in the fridge and added that to the mix, together with the obligatory onion. You could also add a leek or use it instead of the onion.

I just love the smell of freshly chopped fennel

despite the smiley face, this butternut squash was still a b*tch to chop and peel!

Peel and chop all veggies in thick wedges.  If you prefer the fennel or onion to be less chunky, you can cut them in slices just like I do!

Place all veggies in a dish (I like using Pyrex or earthenware ones) and just about cover with water. Drizzle a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of BBQ sauce.  You can swap the BBQ sauce for Worcestershire sauce - as long as the sweetness of the honey and some of the vegetables is set off with that moorish, rich flavour of either one of these brown sauces, you're good to go.

Place in a heated oven (regular oven at 250degC) and slow cook for about an hour, folding the vegetables every so often so that they cook evenly.  The cooking length is quite dependent on your oven, really, and how crispy you like your veggies! An hour will give you nice caramelised edges with an al dente consistency.

As I said, the recipe is quite easy, though it does take some time in terms of preparation ... and the butternut squash is a b*tch to chop and peel! So if you can get your green grocer to chop it up at least, it'll help. But on the whole, it's so easy and delish! You can use it as a main vegetarian dish, topped with some goats cheese or as a side to your Sunday roast ... a change from the regular roast potatoes!

Let me know if you give this a try and whether you like it or not! Bon appétit xx

#ootd: Grey is my new Black

As you may recall, a few days ago I posted a Polyvore set showing an all-grey outfit.  You can refresh your memory of it here.

At the moment, I'm having a bit of a love affair with all things grey, going as far as getting my current manicure done in a charcoal grey with silver v-shaped tips.  I think I owe this obsession to my Polish friend Katarzyna whom I caught up with during my last trip to my beloved Poland.  When we met, she was wearing an all grey outfit, comprising of a woollen sweater dress and waterfall cardigan and matching hosiery.  She wore a beige trench and tan coloured ankle boots and bag.  The effortless elegance of her outfit remained imprinted in my mind.

On Sunday morning, I thought about her outfit once more when choosing what to wear for a whimsical trip to The Point Shopping Mall, which much to my delight, is now opening on Sundays too.  I opted for a more comfortable approach, wearing my grey jeggings and a loose fitting knit.  The weather was actually very warm so I could have done with a lighter top ... but it's mid-November, for crying out loud, and I want to wear my knits! 

Anyway, thinking that I would get much shopping done (I actually walked out empty handed *sob*), I wore my tan oversized bag and kept my shoes and accessories to match with the bag.  I don't really like matching my shoes and bag on a general note, but this kind of outfit calls for it, as the whole point of it is to keep things simple and polished.  I kept my make up relatively simple too ... it was Sunday morning after all, so certainly there was no need of excessive glamming up!

I do want to experiment more with grey as I feel it tends to be either relegated to work-wear or thought of as black's (ugly) sister.  How do you wear your greys? Let me know x

What I wore: Sweater (Zara); Jeggings (Stradivarius); Oversized bag (Zara); Ballerina pumps with gold toe-cap (H&M); Leather and chain bracelets (Massimo Dutti); Chain bracelet (Tommy Hilfiger); Bangle (W.Kruk); Ring (Maison Scotch); Necklace (Parfois)

#ootd: monochrome pattern clash

I've been dying to parade in my patchwork Zara coat for quite some time.  It did get quite a few outings while I was in Krakow a couple of weeks ago, but here in Malta, only this last week has it been cold enough to warrant coat-wearing.  The Bling Bling Accessories launch (which I wrote about here) provided the perfect occasion for it.

I chose to go for an Iris Apfel inspired look by layering statement jewellery and mixing prints.  Who ever said that less is more, huh?! I did shift out of my comfort zone in this H&M zebra print shift dress. Not being a huge fan of animal print, I was very wary of this dress looking totally wrong on me.  The first time I saw this dress was in Brussels last month and I was very tempted to buy it on the fly. During one of my (almost) daily visits to H&M in Krakow, I decided to go for it. I will admit that even though it's rather loose fitting, I need to be careful how I wear it as it can easily make me look double the size I am *sob*.

I kept the look rather ethnic inspired with a statement necklace I've had for some time from Pull&Bear and one of my Marni x H&M bangles.  To date, the Marni x H&M collaboration remains my favourite of all the collaborations the super high street brand has created.  

What I wore: Patchwork coat (Zara); Zebra print dress (H&M); Black opaque tights (H&M); Black ankle boots (Zara); Statement necklace (Pull&Bear); Curb necklace [barely visible] (Yoshe); Bangle [part of set] (Marni x H&M); Hand made ring (Yana's Jewellery); Stacked rings (Zara)

If you like the look, please click on the Lookbook hype button above.  You'll make me a very happy girl.

Event: Launch of Bling Bling Accessories

Well, you know how it is: Friday night, all dolled up, drinks are flowing ... what's that I see in the corner? Something sparkly this way shines.  An array of the most exquisitely chosen jewellery and bags is displayed at the far end corner of the The Villa, St. Julians.  I am a magpie.  I hover over and before I know it, I'm trying on rings, necklaces, writing cheques to take my new precious babies back home with me.  This is, in a nutshell, what every woman experienced last night at the fabulous launch of Bling Bling Accessories.

Bling Bling Accessories are launching a shop in Swatar, where customers shall receive personalised service when shopping during opening hours, or even by appointment for those of us who lead super-busy lives.  I suggest you follow their Facebook page here to keep updated on new items from Fiorelli and other ranges in stock.

I loved catching up with so many friends and acquaintances, all brought together in the love of quality and style.  Among them, was fellow blogger and former MBA course mate, Dorianne from *askdorianne.

As for my new babies? Well, I fell head over heels for this orange-toned lady bag with chain straps which I found so elegant, but still youthful in its warm colour.  I love the plaid lining (surprise, surprise!) and how one compartment closes with a clasp, whereas the other fastens with a zip, thereby giving you a bit more security for your valuables.

Yet another statement necklace made its way into my collection (I should count them, really), this time in an emerald green and white diamante combination, set on a gold curb chain, which as we all know, is the trend-du-jour.