December 2012 - Coffee & Vanilla

Tried & Tested Products – The Round-up (December 2012)

This month was very busy for me, filled with lots of family time so I haven’t been reviewing as many products as usual but I still managed to try & test couple things… If you are a fan of textured cereals Flahavan’s Irish Coarse Cut Oatmeal (£4.99 / 700g) will be right for you. Unlike […]

Leftover Turkey & Leek Calzone

Great way to use roast turkey leftovers (or any other cooked meat).

DIY Crochet Scooter Basket Tutorial

Santa brought one of my daughters a scooter and she tried to ride it holding toys at the same time… so I decided to make her little basket to keep her stuff. It took me about an hour while we were waiting for the turkey roasting in the oven. The pattern starts the same way […]

Harrods Champagne Giveaway – Announcing The Winner (CLOSED)

Harrods champagne giveaway – announcing the winner (!)

Happy Holidays / Wesołych Świąt !!!

In Poland my family and friends are preparing for Christmas dinner already today, here in UK we are celebrating tomorrow with kid’s stocking filled with sweets and gifts on the morning and then family dinner: whole roasted turkey with cranberry & orange sauce, Polish vegetable salad, beets & carrots in balsamic maple syrup, crunchy baked […]

Simple Moist Vanilla & Lemon Cake

INGREDIENTS 1½ cups plain flour (250g) 1½ tsp / ½ tbs baking powder 1 bar (250g) unsalted butter (chopped and softened) 1¾ cup icing sugar (250g) 5-6 eggs (I used 6 small ones) 1 tbs vanilla extract zest of 2 lemons juice of 1 lemon some more icing sugar for topping cocoa powder and sugar […]

Crochet Apple Cosy Pattern – Last Minute DIY Gift Idea

[inspired by “Simple Crochet” by Sara Sinaguglia, pattern is my own] MATERIALS about 12-15 g of yarn for 4 mm crochet – UK 8 / US 6 (2 colours if making leaves or flowers) ribbon – optional buttons – optional beads with large holes – optional EQUIPMENT 4 mm crochet hook METHOD stitches used: chain […]

The Polar Express – Children’s Christmas Movie Review

The Polar Express movie review.

Quick Low Calorie Chestnut Mushroom Sauce

Easy, low calorie mushroom sauce for pasta, rice and many other dishes.

Condesa – Spanish Tapas Bar with a Mexican Twist (Covent Garden, London)

Condesa – Latin tapas bar in the heart of London’s Covent Garden.

DIY Girls’ Room Door Sign in Less Than 2 Hours

MATERIALS cardboard (I used black for the base, and natural one for the letters) acrylic paints (I used pink, purple, red and green) acrylic varnish in spray (I used matt finish) transparent nail polish – not necessary if you are using glossy varnish glitter all purpose clear glue (UHU, GSD or Boostic for instance) buttons, […]

Harrods Champagne Gift – Christmas Hamper Giveaway (CLOSED)

Harrods champagne giveaway…

DIY Felt Hamster Design for T-shirts – Christmas Stocking Filler Idea

MATERIALS light brown, yellow and pink felt plain, thin thread in the same colour as brown felt embroidery thread in dark brown and white colour 2 dark (I used brown) mini beads for eyes – optional, could be made with the thread instead EQUIPMENT thin needle thick needle for embroidery thread scissors METHOD 1. Cut […]

Christmas at Covent Garden Market in London

Beautiful Covent Garden market during Christmas season.

“Simple Crochet” by Sara Sinaguglia – Book Review

Since I was a child I loved crochet and I tried to learn it from my granny Nina but I have never had in my possession any crochet book for this simple reason that I could not find one that I liked enough to justify spending £10 or £15. “Simple Crochet” by Sara Sinaguglia is […]

Quick Creamy Horseradish Sauce

INGREDIENTS 3 tbs plain flour 25g unsalted butter 400 ml of boiling water 1½ vegetable cubes (10g each) or stock powder 2-3 tbs grated horseradish crème fraîche – to taste METHOD In a saucepan heat flour and butter stirring constantly until it is bubbling. In a jug dissolve cubes in boiling water. Gradually stir in bullion […]

DIY Personalized Pillowcases with Crochet Chain

Quick and easy personalized gift idea for any occasion.

Mikołajki / St. Nicholas Day – 6th of December

St. Nicholas Day also known as Mikolaki celebrated on the 6th of December in Poland, Germany and other European countries.

Glittery Salt Dough Decorations – Kids’ Crafts

Kids’ Christmas craft idea – salt dough decorations.

Adzuki Also Called Azuki or Aduki Beans

Asian red beans often used in savoury but also sweet dishes.

Handmade Terracotta Clay Hamster’s Hideout

I made this hideout during art workshops I attend. It will be placed in the hamster’s playground together with other handmade clay gadgets. MATERIALS terracotta clay transparent glaze EQUIPMENT clay tools pottery kiln

Andrzejki / Eve of St. Andrew’s Day – Night of Magic & Fortune Telling

Andrzejki – Eve of St. Andrew’s Day – traditions and party ideas.

DIY Clay Mermaid Statue for My Daughter

My older daughter (she is 7) adores mermaids so I decided to make one for her, out of clay during the art workshops I attend. It did not come out perfect (ugly to be honest) but she loves in anyway (!) MATERIALS white clay clay paints transparent glaze EQUIPMENT clay tools pottery kiln paint brushes […]

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Month: December 2012