Happy New Year 2019 | Pandoro Cake | Book of Elsa

This started life as a Galette des Rois that flopped quite literally because I cannot make very thick custard (no matter the recipe I always end up with a puddle of loose yellow cream). I wanted to try again making the puddle work for me so to speak. So here is a part cake, part trifle but wholly delicious dessert.

Orange Scented French Toast | Book of Elsa

To anyone familiar with my Instagram these are no surprise: I adore french toast. Most of the time I can only make them on saturdays when I have time to let the custard soak into the bread  and cook in butter low and slow, like. I'm salivating just thinking about it. This orange scented version is extra special and I hope you try it. However, the orange flavoured syrup showed on the picture above is not very good and I would not even think of giving you the recipe until it's perfect so I'd suggest you have greek yoghurt with.

How To Eat | Book Review

Book Review | Mamushka - Olia Hercules

I Wrote a book | Book of Elsa

Eves' Secrets is a short novel that I have written: it's only available on amazon kindle here for the bargain price of £0.99 or free if you have kindle unlimited!
Have a fantastic weekend!

BOE

Rice Crispy Treats | Book of Elsa

Book Review | The Ten (Food) Commandments - Jay Rayner

First things first: this is not a recipe book. It contains recipes sure and good ones at that, but they are not the raison d'être of this book. They are, like snacks to nibble on whilst you ingest the true message of the written word. That word is worship. At the altar of PIG and other foodstuff... 

If like me you love food, then this is definitely a read for you. Funny, smart and current Rayner does something with words I had only previously experienced with Nigella Lawson: he makes me want to eat. To eat very well indeed.

Thank you

Book of Elsa

PS: it's available here

Cuba Vlog | Book of Elsa

Food for Thought - Book of Elsa

Food is much more than just fuel; we use it to celebrate all major life events. Sharing a table laden with delicious things is our way of showing how much we care about the people in our lives. Be it by baking cupcakes for a boyfriend or making your sisters' engagement party cake. Not only that but we also use food as a way of caring for those less able than ourselves such as the elderly and infants.

Therefore, with this in mind when I'm told to stop talking/writing about food all the time I know that I can never stop. It is much too important to all of us. Indeed much depends on dinner; in my opinion food and the preparation of food either alone or in a group is the most basic way of showing we care.

Happy Eating :)

Book Of 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
 

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

Random Clip - Book Of Elsa

What I've Been Up To?! - Book of Elsa

Plane Essentials - Book of Elsa

Plane Essentials

Travelling is one of my fave thing to do however, it can get quite stressful so here I suggest what things I take on planes, hopefully it will help you guys.

Also, if you're not travelling alone it might be more economical to share hold luggage between you because honestly being free of bags on a journey is worth the money! 

THE LIST includes but is not limited to:

Magazines

Books

Playing Cards

Ipod/Phone

Headphones

Chargers/Adaptors

Passports

Snacks

Blanket

Sunglasses

Kindness - Book of Elsa

Kindness is cheap

It's free

Clear and supposedly easy 

Why then aren't we kinder to each other?

This author isn't putting herself on a pedestal.

I am guilty as charged

Greed, mood and anger have been said to stop us being kind not only to our kin but strangers too

Although arguably it IS easier to be kind to people you don't know 

They, after all haven't had a chance to hurt you

I ask then, if kindness cost us nothing. 

Why are we so shy about giving it?

Book of Elsa

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA 

Yes, I'm black, darker than most, 

But in my blackness I boast.

Boasting of my own? No! 

But boasting of the quality

Which He: my God gave me! 

From the curvature of my hips

To the thickness of my thighs, 

Yes; even down to my big brown eyes? 

He made my black beautiful! 

And for the first time in a long

Time, I'm loving me and mine.

Come to the truth, should have

Known it from my youth, 

But now that I know my

Black is beautiful, 

You cannot use me, mistreat

Or abuse me.

It is no longer a allusion but

I have come to the conclusion

Even if it means me loving

Me, cause you see

I have the power to love

Myself hour after hour.

I am God's creation. Yes, 

A master plan even the

Absence of a man.

I still stand tall yell, 

Refusing to fall, screaming

Loud and very proud, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 

It is more worth than gold, 

Cause my black runs deep

Into my only soul.

Not just for external for

Staring and glaring, 

But it is the inner me

That God would have you see.

And it causes me to

Shout beyond the shadow

Of a doubt, MY BLACK

IS BEAUTIFUL! So if

You are a woman

And you are real and you

Feel what I feel.

Do not be ashamed to

Proclaim what he said

And what you read.

Fearfully and wonderfully

Made god very good

With what I wish you

Would tell somebody, 

Anybody, your body, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 

Week In Pictures - 9th April '15

Her name is Smudge and she is the best Guinea Pig in the world.

First draft of a poem.

Nothing better than a chicken and two (types of) potato dinner.

Cinnamon toast recipe from The Pioneer Woman find it here.

Art in silver frames new pieces from my fave Charmaine Olivia - Find her here.

Happy Easter - Book of Elsa

Happy Easter - Book of Elsa

Winston Churchill  said that failure is not fatal; that our ability to get up and keep going ultimately defines us more than our mistakes ever will. 

So whilst it's alright to wallow in defeat... If you're like me a couple days spent in bed feeling like crap generally do the trick.

However, it is important to realise that things ALWAYS get better. 

Rise, shower, put make up on, do those little things that make you feel better and leave the house even if it is just to visit the library especially when one doesn't feel like it.

Life keeps us moving forward like a bullet train thus it's safer to stay onboard.

Happy Easter

xo