Near Instant Lentil and Franks Soup | Book of Elsa

Time - Book of Elsa

Now is the time to believe in magic 

Now is the time to believe in people

Their goodness, openess and ability for kindness

Now is the time to put trust in our neighbours 

Believing that they mean us no harm.

They want the same things we all do.  

When our world is shutting down, everywhere we look nothing but bad news. Fake news.

There's time to spread something else too. 

If not you then who? not now?! I hear you... 

But when and whom?

They say change is slow.

I disagree. Change is people.

It is you and it's me

Now is the time to be the change you wish to see. 

Start small: have a conversation...

How about right now?

Book of Elsa

Marinated Pork Belly | Book of Elsa

Christmas Haul | Book of Elsa

Rapid Ragu | Book of Elsa

What's for dinner, is the never ending question we all face. Everyday. Even for someone like me who adores cooking. 

This ragu is my savior on those days when the thought alone of what to eat the end of a hellish work day can make me screech, the original recipe comes courtesy of Nigella Lawson and can be found here. I however, have tweaked it a bit with ingredients from my own store cupboard and preferences.

Anyway I digress, enjoy.

Book of Elsa

Crave | Book of Elsa

Crave

I crave a love so deep the ocean would be jealous

I crave to miss his touch during our embrace 

My heart longs to feel every little thing books narrate about

I crave a love so far reaching that it scares me 

All consuming like a blazing fire in the pit of my belly 

Not enough to stop

His eyes hungry for my lips and all else I possess

My body aches for love like I've never known 

Book of Elsa

Happy Sunday - Book of Elsa

Happy Sunday,

Today is the second Sunday in March and it officially feels like spring is here. After the winter we've had I believe some sunshine is long overdue. Therefore below is a video from my very recent holiday to the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.

Hope you enjoy and have a great end to your weekend.

Elsa

xxo

Top Three Beauty Box Deals - Book of Elsa

Top Three Beauty Box Deals - Book of Elsa

It started with Youtube videos, I discovered vastly different mail order beauty products for under £15. Hosts of subscription beauty boxes have launched online in the UK after growing popularity in the United States. The idea is that you subscribe and then each month receive a box full (between 5-8) of new samples, travel and full size beauty products. 

While you can’t choose what’s in the box, you can decide which Beauty Box you sign-up for. Here are some of the best I could find due to the diversity of their products, price and customer reviews.

THE Most Delicious Hot Chocolate of all time - Book of Elsa

THE Most Delicious Hot Chocolate of all time - Book of Elsa

The name says it all, trust me anyone can make this!

Book of Elsa

Mini Marshmallows because they look darn cute but you're free to use whatever you like or to leave them out altogether (but really now is not the time to be healthy)

Squirty Cream needs no explanation but again leave out if you're crazy like that. 

Full fat milk of course :) if you're on a health kick or diet: eat a salad. This is not for you.

Cocoa mix: any mix is lovely but mine is from here

I Cannot Wait For Spring: 5 Reasons

Hi guys,
I'm a real home girl, don't like going out much but I'm seriously excited about leaving my front door with out immediately being soaked or blown away. Also it hasn't snowed (much) this year and the snow is the ONLY reason why I put up with being cold...
Hence, here are my 5 reasons for looking forward to spring:
Enjoy,

XXO

1. Ice Cream

Valentines' Day

Today is a day for love so I wrote a love poem:

Contrary to popular belief, Love isn't a feeling
It is not blind emotion occurring whenever it pleases
Love doesn't strike at random touching only people in proximity of each other
It can conquer oceans, time, money and everything in between.
Love isn't the colour of lovers cheeks or the prettiness in their eyes
Love endures it all
Love says: I will stay with you. Always and Forever.
Love shows up with banners, bunting, whistles, fanfare.
Love is not a feeling. It doesn't disappear if lovers quarrel or one hurts the other.
Love hurts BECAUSE it cannot be helped or switched off
What is Love then, I hear you ask
I don't know.... If you figure it out, Let me know.

Elsa
XXO

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

I am slightly ashamed to say that I love the Winter Olympics. A lot. Maybe more than the Summer ones if am honest really. I think it's because the athletes either defy gravity or challenge it in every event. For example, Luge: whose idea was it to slide a man/woman down a mountain at top speed with nothing between the ice and the athlete but a thin board? You'd have to be a crazy genius to think one would not only survive but thrive in that environment. That is probably why I love these games so much. The fact that some people are always trying to push personal boundaries both physical and mental reminds me why I love humanity.
Thus I come to the spirit of the games: Hot, Cool, Yours. To have the world compete to be the best in peaceful friendly ways in my opinion should happen every day. Until then however... These games shall represent the will of not only peace but collaboration, partnership and camaraderie between the participating countries and the watching public.
Ok, that's me done. I was working during the opening ceremony and first day of the games so I recorded everything and now have a ton of television to watch. Ice cream, blankets and pillows await.
XXO
PS: please, please visit the official Sochi 2014 site here: