Dreaming about warmer wether

Oh, if I could be here right now. I'm so tierd of the wet and cold wether we've been dealing with lately. Dreaming, dreaming, and Valentines day is comeing up....

The pictures are from the wonderful Reserve Parrot Cay Retreat. It's on the Turks And Caicos Islands. There’s nothing on the island but the resort at one end, and the private residential villas at the other.So it's truly a place to relax. And the price...well 680$ a night, lets not think about that.

Weekend getaway, Christmas shopping in Stockholm

Stockholm is the perfect city for christmas shopping. It's built across 14 islands and is often called the Venice of the North.

Were to stay

Located in the heart of the city is the charming Frey Hotel. It is the perfect starting point for shopping and sightseeing. The rooms have a warm and cosy atmosphere. Just take a look:

 

Were and what to shop

Stockholm has over 4000 stores, so changes are you will find somthing you like. These are some of my 

 favorites:

For me

Peak Blouse in beige from Weekday, here.

Jeans from Acne, here.

Boots from Tiger of Sweden, here.

For the home:

Adorable bird lamp, here.

Ceramic serving plate , here.

For the kids:

Car, here.

Were to eat

After a long day of shopping you can relax in one of Mathias Dahlgrens resturants. When returning to the swedish resturant scene he said he wanted to create a cusine with local as well as global ingridienses and influences.  Has he done it?

Judge for your self:

Usefull links:

 www.visit-stockholm.com

www.nathalieschuterman.se 

www.mrsh.se

www.skindeep.se

www.nittygritty.se

www.awsomerags.se

Weekend getaway, Budapest

THE HOTEL

 Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace was listed as one of the best hotels in the world. 

See way here:

This hotel is an Art Nouveau landmark. It is ultra modern, luxuries and has a panoramic view of the Danube and the hills of Buda. I would love to stay here, but I don't know if I can afford it.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO I BUDAPEST

 Buda reveals cobblestoned streets, medieval castles, churches, and glorious views. On the east bank, the commercial centre of Pest offers a rich palate of architecture, from Renaissance to modern, and superb shopping. A lot to see and do.

 Budapest Christmas Fair: Christmas fairs are held in several parts of the city during December; perhaps the best can be found at Vörösmarty Square. Museums evoke the folk traditions related to Christmas, and fairs sell a variety of applied artwork. Advent concerts are held in Matthias Church.

WHAT TO WEAR

Daytime look:

Scarf from Day Birger et Mikkelsen, here.

Funnel-neck wool coat from Miu Miu, here.

Lace up booties from Be & D, here.

Evning look:

Black dress from Dorothy Perkins, here.

Bangle from Bjørg, here.

Snake-trimmed pumps, here.

Weekend getaway, Marrakech

WHERE I WANT TO STAY

 

I want to stay in this amazing hotel called Dar Seven. It is located in the medina, the old part of Marrakech. The color schemes are shooting, creamy colours and mother-of-pearl mosaic creates a clean and romantic feel to the rooms.

DAYTIME OUTFIT

Meanwhile wandering through film set like streets, haggeling for sequined slippers and silverwear I will wear this

Lether thong sandales from Lanvin, here

Chain-trimmed bag from Stella McCartney, here

Silk ruffle wrap dress from Haute Hippie, here

EVNING OUTFIT

After a long day of haggelling, and hopefully some greate catches, I am going to get dolled up for a night out.

 

The knot clutch from Bottega Veneta, here.

Perla silk-chiffon gown from Temperley London, here. 

EATING OUT

The Raid Kniza Resturant in the heart of Marrakech plans to shake up the dining scene & allow their clients to see what Marrakech fine dining is all about. Priced at 65 euros a headh.

It sure looks great. 

It seems like the perfect place for a romantic, intimate dinner. The resturante only has nine tables, so make sure to book in advance. Orders must also be placed atleast one day in advance to enable the chef to prepare. This must be a good sign!

SEVEN VEGETABLE AND LAMB COUSCOUS

If you want to get that Maroccan feeling in your home this weekend, try this recepie, it is amazing.

1kg (2lb) lean lamb cut into large chunks or a lamb shank each
2 onions sliced
300g (11oz) couscous
1100ml (2pts) of vegetable stock
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 generous pinches of saffron strands
30g (1oz) butter
Coriander leaves chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

8 small carrots
1 squash cut into slices
8 small courgettes
4 small aubergines
4 large tomatoes
2 peppers cut into quarters
400g (13oz) tin of chick peas (I class this as a veg)

You can also add potatoes, parsnips, swede and cabbage

1. This dish is ideally cooked in a couscoussiere.

2. Fry off the lamb and onions until brown.

3. Add all the spices (not the coriander leaves) and stir until coated.  Add the stock and bring to the boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer.

4. Cook the lamb and spices for about an hour, longer for lamb shank.

5. While the lamb is cooking, rinse the couscous in water drain and set aside, break up any lumps that form with your fingers.

6. Add the carrots and the chickpeas to the lamb and cook for 30 minutes.

7. During this time add the couscous to the sieve and place over the pot with the lid on, to steam the couscous in the aromatic steam, for about 10 minutes.  Remove from the top of the pot and fork through to break up any lumps and then add the butter to the couscous working it through with a fork.

8. Add the rest of the vegetables to the pot along with the chopped coriander, add more stock if needed.

9. Place the buttered couscous back on top of the pot and replace the lid.  Cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

10. To serve, heap the couscous onto a warmed platter and form into an even ring around the outside.  With a slotted spoon, transfer the lamb and the vegetables to the centre of the dish.  Pour some of the juice over and the rest into a serving jug.

Serves 4 to 6