Christmas 2015 | Book of Elsa

Merry Christmas,

I wish you all peace and happiness this festive season.

Elsa 

xo

Gabriellas' Pavlova Book of Elsa

I've had a love affair with pavlova on/off for the last 10 years. Adjusting recipes in order to achieve crispy sides and bottom with marshmallowy insides has not been easy. My first attempt can only be described as a crispy egg white and sugar biscuit with over whipped cream and limp defrosted berries. 

Now please don't let the description above stop you from trying this. I mention it only so that YOU dear reader know that if for whatever reason the following recipe doesn't work the first time. PLEASE try again. 

The recipe below comes from How To Eat by Nigella Lawson (1998) p. 373 

Some words of wisdom before we begin:

1. Do wipe your mixing bowl and whisk with a segmented lemon or lime before you begin. The eggs just won't grow in volume if there's any grease.
2.  Any fruit/berries on top will do. I'm using strawberries here as they are my sister Gabriella favourite. Indeed this is her favourite dessert. But please no frozen defrosted ones. You'll just end up disappointed. Take it from me: it's not worth it.

Mickhaels' 12th Birthday - Book Of Elsa

Saturday in Chester

Book Review: Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson

Before I get into this, there something you should know: I'm in love with Nigella Lawson. Everything about the way she cooks and writes just speaks to my soul. Her attitude and ethos towards food has shaped my life more than any other author of cookery books. Or other genres if I'm being honest.
However, this like all book reviews I write has to be honest. So here goes:
In my opinion, there are 3 stages to reading a cookbook.

1. Looking at the pictures stage. If they don't make you want to dive in at once... #nobueno
2. Quick read of the chapter titles/introductions and other notes. Those provide insight into the mind of author.
3. Reading the book. 

I've marked certain recipes I think will be awesome (see stage 2) and will let you know how it goes in another post.

Prawn Fritters | Book of Elsa

I feel kind of silly typing this up because it's not really a recipe. No really, it isn't. Most of the ingredients you probably have in your kitchen (bar the prawns) plus the whole process from raw to mouth should take twenty minutes max.

However, these are addictive; If you ever make just one of my recipes: This is THE ONE. 

Promise.

Elsa

xo

October is here - Book of Elsa

October is here!!! For those of you new to this blog (welcome by the way) I'm a die hard autumn lover. This month in particular represents so much for me about life, change and of course Halloween. But more about Hallows Eve on my next post. The following represent in picture form why I'm such a fan of this particular season. Besos.

Book of Elsa

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Candles here

Ankle Boots here

Cosy Sweaters: Cape Cardigan here | Bardot Top here

Pumpkins | Couldn't resist...

Saturday Haul a Video | Book Of Elsa

So... I went shopping! 

Spent a whole load of my very hard earned cash and here is what I got. If you're interested that is. 

Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to.
Book of Elsa 

xo
 

Let's Talk About Guacamole - Book of Elsa

There's a debate going on in the world about TRUE MEXICAN GUACAMOLE. Tomato or no Tomato?! 

Please pay attention. Very serious stuff going on here.... 

Original recipes contain tomato (mostly); However, I tend to find that it makes the guacamole too liquid-y also I don't like the red interfering with all the other shades of green.

The Mourning Bride - Zara

The Mourning Bride (excerpt) by William Congreve

by russellboyle.com

Zara from Act iii Scene viii

Ha!
Who waits there?
As you’ll answer it, take heed
This Slave commit no Violence upon
Himself. I’ve been deceiv’d. The Publick Safety
Requires he should be more confin’d; and none,
No not the Princes self, permitted to
Confer with him. I’ll quit you to the King.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base Injustice thou hast done my Love:
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past Distress,
And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn’d;
Heav’n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn’d,
Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn’d.

William Congreve
1670-1729

DIY - Under stairs Shelving Unit | Book of Elsa

It cost a lot less to make THIS than to buy new storage shelves from Ikea (hundreds less FYI). Not going to lie: it takes time. A lot of time. 2 weekends total. BUT the end product is fantastic and you have the satisfaction of owning something you built with your own hands.

Peace, xo

Basically Good BBQ Marinade | Book of Elsa

The mush:

1 Red onion

1White onion

1inch piece of Ginger

4 cloves of garlic (or to taste)

Fish sauce

Olive oil

Rice wine vinegar

Dry Rub:

Jerk Seasoning

Chillie flakes

Ground Cumin

salt and Pepper

Book Review | The Martian by Andy Weir

Summer Sales | Book of Elsa

Hi Lovelies,

Summer sales are in full swing, as usual I went shopping for something very specific in mind (winter boots FYI) and ended up with some delicious looking robe, pants and heels. The elusive perfect winter boots evaded my debit card this time but I can't wait to have another go...

I hope you like the video.

Laters, xxo

Love Scares Most Of All - Book Of Elsa

Love scares most of all

Thoughts of losing members of my family bring me out in hives and breathlessness

Thoughts of adding to my loves terrifies me

Exposing pockets of my soul to the world than is safe 

More to hurt, more to bleed, love cuts way too deep

But then, what would be the point in existing? 

If we had no one to share it with

There are billions of us in this world.

Maybe, just maybe the point of it all is to have witnesses of our existence

People to not only say she was here. 

She was loved and she lived.

Someone to acknowledge all that was done and did by the departed.

So in a way love scares most of all because in the end, it is all we have left.

It's our legacy.

BOE

Happy Friyay! - Book of Elsa

Hello Lovelies,

Its Friday!

Which can only mean one thing: the weekend is here... And aren't we all excited (to completely waste it).

To get you all in the mood I've been trolling Youtube for the cutest video I could find.

Enjoy

Elsa

Book Haul | Book of Elsa

The Bees - Laline Paull

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me - Lucy Robinson

The Martian - Andy Weir

Random Clip - Book Of Elsa

Let's Talk About Periods - Book Of Elsa

It has come to my attention that I've had periods for fourteen years!

In all that time it is only just now that I've managed to get it under control. 

The first sight of my monthlies no longer induces sheer panic but more of a relief annoyance.

As it can be a bit scary time for teenager girls I thought a guide to periods would be most welcome.

I was way to embarrassed to want to talk about it. So here is some of my knowledge.

1. It will take a year or two for your cycle to become regular. sorry ladies but that's a fact. Mine actually took five years before I could predict when they would happen so always (and I cannot emphasise this point enough) carry a pad/tampon with you at all times. If however, you forget like me plenty of times at lets say a cinema. Go to the bathroom and ask a lady for one. She will understand and most likely help you.
2. Day one of a cycle is the 1st day of your period and your cycle last until the beggining of the next one which is between 28 to 30 days.
3. There are a wide variety of products on the market but I would suggest starting with pads.

I am Back - Book Of Elsa

It's been a while beautiful people,
Technical issues stopping me from posting have finally been resolved. 

See You 
xo