Vegan Apple and Oat Tartlets: Green Kitchen Stories

Even if you're not into cooking or food,  I really think you will enjoy watching this video.  The production is so cute and simple.  It is from one of my favourite foodie blogs Green Kitchen Stories.  These little tartlets are vegan and also made from healthier ingredients than the usual tart (such as coconut oil and oats rather than refined flour and cholesterol buggering butter).  If I was to host a dinner party where I was seriously trying to impress, I would give these little babies a go.

Book: The Independant Coffee Book London

I ordered this book from Amazon as an 'I love you' present for my parents/ out of intrigue for myself.  Because this book is so cute I thought I must share a few of it's pages on this blog.  The book is essentially a compilation of some of London's independent coffee houses.  As a huge coffee obsessive this book is a little gem. 

I am ashamed to say that I am a bit of a coffee snob.  After getting used to drinking gorgeous strong black coffee's in the independent cafe's in South Africa (namely Melissa's coffee) or the Illy or Segafredo coffee's in Valencia, I am now accustomed to the decadent rich bitter taste.  The chain shops of Starbucks, Costa and Eat now taste like old washing up water (they use only one shot of espresso).  If all was lost I would chose Nero or Pret as their standard coffee is two shots.  However, the independent cafe's pride themselves on good coffee. Aside from helping a new independent business, you are almost guaranteed a fantastic full flavoured coffee. 

As well as the cute cafes recommendations in London,  the book also informs you of coffee terms like 'crema' and 'tamp' as well as a little history lesson about coffee. I learnt that the term 'Americano' (my favourite coffee) derives from the American soldiers adding hot water to the  typical European shot of espresso during the world war.  

Please excuse my alien hands creeping in the photos- it is a compact sturdy little book, so holding its pages open with one hand is quite tricky. 

Off Ibiza Today

Despite my apprehension, I am off to Ibiza today.  Why am I apprehensive?  Well this is not going to be a relaxed in the sun holiday.  For starters the weather is predicted to be a bit blustery, cloudy and cold rather than the super sunny place we all think of as Ibiza. Furthermore, this holiday is a prepaid Erasmus (university year abroad) holiday.  This means we are booked to go to a few water and foam parties and are expected to get drunk, and be drunk for five solid days.  Those that know me well know this is not really my style.  I am one who gets horrendous hangovers and dreads the feeling of waking up after having a few drinks- sometimes the pain the next morning is not worth the night before.  But shut me up.  I am going to go with the mantra of keeping a positive mind set and go with the flow.  Im sure the holiday will have its moments, but its a holiday, so it should be fun.  For the rest fo the week, my posts will be scheduled. I'll let you know how the week of drinking goes after. Wish me luck! Sarah X

Brussel Sprout Fig and Feta Ravioli Video

I am not a huge fan of pasta. It makes me feel bloated, full and lethargic. Because of this I have avoided eating pasta for some time now.  Another large problem I have with pasta is the mis-guided portion size that people think is normal.  An Italien friend once said that a portion of pasta must be no greater than the size of your own fist.  You can see where the Americans and other 'quantity over quality' cultures go wrong. 

Regardless of my thing against most pasta dishes, this one looked just too cute not to share.  This video is from the blog Naturally Ella,  This blog is full of gorgeous vegetarian dishes, beautiful food photography and lovely videos like this one.  Watch Ella make this feta, fig and brussel sprout ravioli.  The recipe is on her page. 

I hope you like it as much as I do. 

Style File: Phillie in Valencia

At the moment I am in Valencia, taking a Spanish course to upgrade my (currently dismal) Spanish speaking abilities.  With no return flight booked yet,  I do not know how long my trip out here is going to be, but I do know, for the first few days in Valencia, I had a real holiday. My gorgeous friend Phillie flew on the same flight as my twin sister and I.  You may have met Phillie on my blog before. She is a girl who knows how to dress.  As I have previously stated, her style is very classic and well put together. She is also my hair-spiration (she has hair that rivals Kate Middleton).

Whilst we were in Valencia, I took a number of photos of her outfits.  They were too gorgeous not to!  Here is what Phil wore out to dinner last Saturday night.

Jeans: GAP

Top: ZARA

Handbag: Bally

Necklace: Thailand

Watch: Follie Follie

Shoes: Converse

Stella McCartney for GAP Kids

If Diane Von Furtsenburg wasn't already one of my favorite designers, she has just skipped to the top of my mental 'favorite designer list'.  Her iconic funky prints are once again going to feature for GAP kids. All I can think is could I, being a petit size 6, fit into an age twelve printed DVF jumper? hmmmm.... This will be hitting the high street in April. With two and a bit months to go I think I may have to steal a child in order to dress them in this collection....

Only kidding,  Eastenders taught me that was wrong- and who said you dont learn anything when watching soaps on television?