Margot, Author at Coffee & Vanilla

Leek & Mayo Sandwich Filler or Side Dish

Two ingredient traditional Polish sandwich filler or salad.

How to Fix Cracked Nail Using a Teabag

A while ago I saw this video and I had to try it. Not having on hand nail glue I used clear nail polish and it worked well and lasted until the nail was long enough to cut off the broken part without pain. MATERIALS paper teabag clear nail varnish coloured nail varnish METHOD First […]

Quick & Easy Crisp Baguette Croutons with Cheese

French bread croutons with cheese.

Fragrant Coconut Rice with Chicken & Caribbean Herbs

INGREDIENTS 500g chicken breast (cubed) 400g button mushrooms (halved or whole if very small) 1 red bell pepper (diced) 3-4 medium tomatoes (coarsely cubed) 1 large pink or white onion (cut into wedges) 2 cups basmati rice 4 cups of water 1 tbs Caribbean mixed herbs (thyme, basil, marjoram, savory and parsley) 2 tbs mild […]

Simple Crochet Cosy for an Ugly Travel Coffee Mug

I always wanted to have one of those travel mugs but I never really liked any of them enough to pay £7-£10 for it. Couple of days ago, completely by chance, I spotted on sales this ugly mug… It was only 50p so I took it even through I did not really like the snowflake […]

Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas – Traditional & Modern

Because my own 3rd wedding anniversary is approaching next week I was wondering what kind of gift should I give to my husband. So far we have managed to celebrate our anniversaries according to traditional gift list: it was paper first, then cotton and this year it will be leather… This is list of both […]

How to Make Real Vanilla Sugar / Cukier Waniliowy

You can make your very own real vanilla sugar very easily at home, all you need is some fine sugar and a vanilla pod or two.

Baby Tips from a Second Time Mom

This is a long overdue article that I was planning to post ages ago, just after my younger daughter was born… but I completely forgot and only found it now, in my drafts. As a second time mother I have knowledge I wish I had with my first baby. It would save me a lot […]

Tandoori Masala & Tuna Couscous

Quick and easy couscous salad recipe with bell peppers, tuna and tandoori masala seasoning.

Winter Nail Art – Snowflakes

Winter themed nail art with simple white snowflakes on the top of blue nail varnish.

Kid’s Cooking – My Daughter’s Homemade Tomato Sauce

INGREDIENTS 150 g tomato purée 2 vegetable cubes 400 g boiling water 1-1½ tsp golden caster sugar 1 tsp dried oregano – optional 3 tbs thick cream 3 tbs plain flour 3 tbs butter 400g tin of chopped tomatoes – optional EQUIPMENT plastic jug with measurements medium saucepan wooden spoon for stirring measuring spoons METHOD […]

Quick & Easy Nail Art For All Seasons

Simple, quick and easy nail art ideas.

Magic Cream from Lucas’ Papaw Remedies

A while back, when my second daughter was born, my lovely friend Nora has sent me baby gift including Lucas’ Papaw Ointment – thank You!!! We used it all the time and we loved it so much that when it was finished I searched the whole London… just to finally find it in Australia Shop […]

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.

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Author: Margot