Christmas time = Dessert time!

First of all, merry Christmas to all of you!!

Hope you had a blast, I certainly did. I celebrated Christmas Eve with the family and Christmas Day with the boyfriend, but both with lots and lots of desserts, which made me a very happy person! I got the macarons as a gift from my mom from Lille and made the cake myself (proud face when I type this!). It's a recipe I posted earlier.

I hope you will have a good time at New Year's as well, enjoy!

Love

Ines

Cute Little Printer

This little printer is so adorable! It prints out receipt sized lists of a variety of things and you can even print from your phone. Watch the video clip to see how it works here. It launches as a beta product in early 2012.

{via Black Eiffel}

Love

Ines

Almost weekend feel Friday

I decided to put up some outfit post from now on, not on a daily basis, but regularly...

Skirt: Zara - Top: Vero Moda - Boots: Roxy - Watch: Swatch - Earrings: A smal shop in New York - Tights: Veritas

Friday always seems to last for ages if you ask me. But that's probably because I can't wait for the weekend to begin. I by the way seem to think that the weekend starts Friday at 5 in the afternoon. After school I'm going to cheerleader practice and I admit, cheerleading is not really my kind of dancing, but it's a fun group and it's just clearing my head for one hour (perfect to start your weekend trouble free by the way!). And my total head-clearing part of the week are the Friday nights with the cheerladies. After training we always meet for cocktails and girl talk. Can't wait till it's later this day...

What are your weekend plans?

Love

Ines

Cover love + Girl crush

Such a nice cover on this month's Elle UK! Just love it.

Love

Ines



On my 'to try'-list

I saw this recipe this week and it looked so easy and yummie that I decided: I'm going to make a cake! And no that not a common thought in my head because I started hating kitchens ever since I'm a total disaster when I'm cooking. But every onces in a while things work out and I hope that they will when I make this.

Cheescake with clementines and 'speculaas'

The ingredients in this recipe are for 4 people.

Ingredients

For the crust:
• 200 g 'speculaas'
• 50 g butter (min)For the mousse:
• 500 g of cottage cheese
• 4 gelatine leaves
• 2 clementines (for juice)
• 3 dl cream
• 50 g of powdered sugarFor the finish:
• 6 clementines (seeded)
• 3 large tablespoons of apricot jam

Preparation
For the crust:
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Do not let it sparkle and color.
• Break the biscuits into pieces and put them in a blender. Grind the pieces into fine crumbs.
• Pour the melted butter and mix.
• Take the pie tin and cover the bottom with a round of baking paper. Cut it so it fits.
• Spoon the mixture into the tin. Flatten into a smooth bottom.
• Place the tin in the refrigerator so that the bottom can cool for fifteen minutes.

For the mousse:
• Fill a bowl with cold water and put the gelatine sheets to soak. (Use gelatin sheets that weigh approximately 3.5 g each.)
• Take a large mixing bowl and add the cheese.
• Press the juice from the clementines and add it to the cheese. Add the powdered sugar and mix with a whisk. Taste and add sugar to personal taste.
• Heat a small amount of cream in a saucepan. (Count about 1/6 of the cream) You can then solve the gelatine into the cream. Remove pan from heat immediately. Do not allow the cream to boil.
• Take a second mixing bowl and whisk the remaining cream with a large whisk half-stiff. (Similar to the thickness of yogurt.)
• Pour the cream and gelatin with the whipped cream, add the mixture of cottage cheese and clementinesap. Mix everything carefully to a smooth mixture.
• Take the tin out of the refrigerator. Pour the cheese mixture into the tin.
• Cover the dish with a sheet of plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. Let the cake cool patiently. (Allow 1 to 2 hours)

To finish:
• Melt the apricot jam into a running fruit sauce.
• Peel the clementines.
• Take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator.
• Arrange the slices on top of the cake. Work in circles towards the center.
• Use a kitchen brush to glace the top layer segments with melted jam. This gives the cake a nice shine.
• Place the cake in the fridge.

And ready to serve!
Hope you enjoy and let me know how it turned out when you try it...

Source photo: click on photo


Love
Ines

In love with Paris!

First of all, sorry for neglecting the blog a bit, but being in the last years of my journalism studies took it's toll. But I promise to start posting again on a regular base. Really!

Sooooo, I went to Paris for the first time in my life. I know, I should be ashamed of myself as I'm living in Belgium, right beside France and only 3 hours away from Paris. But let's say that I was waiting for a right opportunity or something like that. And that not so defined opportunity came in the form of teh almighty boyfriend, of course! He went to Paris plenty of times and was a bit shocked when I told him I had never been there. And a few weeks later we where on a romantic weekend in Paris. I had the best time and can not wait to back, preferably in the spring or the summer. Or when it snows. Let's say that from now on every reason is a good reason to visit Paris.

And here's the most beautiful picture the boyfriend took...

Have you ever been in Paris?

If so, let me know what I really need to do or see when I'm going a next time...

Love

Ines

Busy day

I'm leaving for Andorra tomorrow, which means I'm packing, and I hate packing. I always start doubting about what to pack and in the end I take everything with me, just in case, leaving me with a heavy heavy suitcase. We are going to Andorra for one week and next we will be heading for the south of France for another week, which means we're going by car. Sooooo I baked some yummy yummy muffins for on the road. I wanted to eat them today already, but I kept strong. I also packed my cute new old pink shoes with bows (and a lot of ather pairs of shoes as well!). I think I'm ready now so that's why I'm saying goodbye to you guys for two weeks. Till the next post!

Love

Ines

Ice popsicles

I totally love maragritas and I discovered that you also can make margarita popsicles...

Photo

To make 12 popsicles:

Ingredients

Classic Lime Margarita (you can google the recipe)

12 disposable paper cups or something to poor your margaritas into
12 wooden popsicle sticks or spoons

Instructions
1. Pour the margarita into each cup.
2. Place the cups into a baking dish and put the dish in the freezer.
3. After about 2 hours, start checking the popsicles. Once they're frozen enough to support the wooden stick, insert a stick into each popsicle, pushing 3/4 of the way into the popsicle.
4. Let freeze several more hours or until completely frozen (overnight if you want to be sure)
5. To serve, peel the paper off and carefully remove the bottom.

Kiwi Orange Creamsicles...

Photo

To makes  24 popsicles:

Ingredients (for the creamy part)

1 cup heavy cream, divided into two 1/2 cups
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup (50 gr) sugar
pinch of salt
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
1. Place 1/2 cup of cream in a small bowl with a fine mesh strainer on top.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, the remaining 1/2 cup of cream, sugar, and salt. Bring to just a simmer.
3. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks until light.
4. Once the milk is simmering, pour a small but steady stream of the liquid into the egg yolks while stirring constantly to temper. Do this slowly while whisking quickly. Once the milk and egg yolks are combined, return to the saucepan and to the stove.
5. Heat the egg yolk and milk mixture while stirring constantly, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan so that nothing burns or sticks. Slowly cook the mixture until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat immediately once it thickens.
6. Pour the hot custard through the strainer into the prepared cream and stir to cool. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
7. Chill the mixture thoroughly.

Ingredients (for the kiwi layer)
1 ripe kiwi, peeled
1/4 cup (50 gr) sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tspn Grand Marnier

Instructions
1. Combine the peeled kiwi, sugar, water, and Grand Marnier in a food processor bowl and puree until smooth.
2. Chill thoroughly.

Ingredients (for the orange layer)
2 cups orange juice, chilled

To assemble
1. Pour each layer into the molds one at a time, freezing for roughly 30-45 minutes between each layer, depending on how thin you make them.




The second recipe is slightly more difficult but it pays off.
Enjoy!


Love
Ines

Mint Candy Apple

Mint Candy Apple

For on my wishlist!

Love

Ines



Watch time go by

Photo

The Ink Calendar designed Oscar Diaz. The ink will slowly color each day of the month as time passes by. How cool is this?

Love

Ines

Pixie

Photo

Do I need to say more? Although I'm growing my hear for the first time in my life, I'm so jealous at Emma's haircut. But I can't give in!

Love

Ines

Swimwear I like

I love these bikini's by Mikoh. Summer here I come!
By the way, I also love what the wind does for her hair.


Love
Ines

Sun, sea, and my mint green sunglasses

Photo

Photo

Photo



So into vacation right now! I want to swim in the sea, walk around in my bikini all day long and see bright colours everywhere through my mint green sunglasses. For now the only thing I can do is paint my nails in cute colours and pretend that my garden is a beautiful beach. A girl can use her imagination, right? But in three week I will be swimming in the sea in the south of France, so I'm counting down!

Love

Ines

Jolie for Vuitton

Photo

Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton by Annie Leibovitz.

Love

Ines

Music Mondays: Ellie Goulding

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I love Ellie's music! I listen to it all the time (especially now during the exams). I love her voice even more when she sings live, and that is not something you can say of all singers.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Love

Ines

Photo Hangers

These little photo hangers are brilliant for when you don't want to poke holes in pretty pieces.

Love

Ines

 

 

Studio Space

Photo

How brilliant is this studio space?

Love

Ines

Studying vs Dancing

Photo: highglossblue.com

I'm still studying for my exams and I will continue doing that for the next two week (sigh). What would make it more bearable is a bed/couch such as this one in my garden but I don't this that it will magically appear there (one can only hope right?). My dancing keeps me relaxed (luckily!) and I have a new challenge: trow someone into the sky for a backflip (sounds like I'm superwoman if I say it like that). Well I'm not actually superwoman but I'm training to get some stronger arm muscles. The girl that will perform the backflip is now practicing on that. I will keep you updated on the situation. Good luck to those who are studying as well.

Love

Ines

Dancing with a Message

What an amazing choreography! And I love the message behind it. I so agree that dancing can help people and makes you happy and relaxed. I would not be able to live without dancing. Enjoy!

Love

Ines



Have a dance break

Perfect for a time-out for those who are studying at the moment! Leave your studybooks, put some things aside and take a dance break. That's what I am going to do. Shake your stress away! By the way, good luck with the exams.

Love

Ines

What a day

Today I had an interview for an internship for next year. And it went well, too well if you ask me. After a small talk, I think it took only ten minutes, they were convinced. I had the internship! Only one problem: I have another interview next week with a company I like as much as the one I visited today. So in seven days it might be possible that I have two places where I can work as an intern. I know what you might think: 'What are you even complaining about!' And I don't have the right to yammer about this, but I just hate choosing between two things I like. Luckily we're not next Wednesday yet. And on my way back I pampered myself with some Arizona Green Tea with Honey, because who has to think a lot has to drink a lot (I was just looking for an excuse but when you think about it, it's true). I will keep you updated on the intern situation!

Love

Ines

Summer bbq

Me and the family had a lovely bbq yesterday and I decided to make dessert. Me, who never cooked a thing in her entire life, made little vanilla spongecakes with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. And I was actually stunned that it all worked out. My dad could'nt stop photographing me while eating 'my creations' (feels good to say it like that) because I totally made a mess out of myself. But they were delicious and I learned that I'm not such a klutz with cooking after all.

Hope you're enjoying spring as much as I am.

Love

Ines



Radio reportage

 

Fel radio: Reportage Nederlandse studenten in België by InesCockx

Mijn radioreportage voor school! Ik hoop dat jullie ervan genieten!

Love

Ines

Do it like a dude!

I adore her style! This is for those girls who - like me - are not always in the mood to be all girly girly. And if you ask me, she looks sexy as hell acting like a dude!

Love

Ines

Royal Sneaker

Photo

Nike launched a new women sneaker: Nike Air Royalty High. They were able to make the upper part of the shoe in one piece, what makes them very streamlined. The newest sneakers come in metallic grey and blue. Time for new dance shoes perhaps?



Love

Ines

Spring is in the Air

 

Photo: cakejournal.com




Photo: latimes.com

I want to do so much lately. Spring gives me energy! Forget Red Bull and all those other energydrinks, just give me spring every day. I want to learn how to make macarons, which is going to be hard because I can't even bake an egg (I know, I should be ashamed, and I am sometimes) and make my own Ice Tea and cocktails. Then I just want to take my bike and have a picnic at a random place I find beautiful. What would you want to do this spring or summer?

Photo: mathasteward.com

Photo: dineanddish.net

Love

Ines



Put on your Running Shoes

Photo

I'm running these days. I always start jogging (besause it's not really high speed running, I must admit) during spring. I can't stand being inside when the weather is nice so I start running. It calms me and it's good for my figure, mood (I tend to become happy when I run) and condition. I also sing out loud during my run because I think that as long as I can sing, my breathing is alright which means that I can go on. And it's fun too, you should try it! Ipod in your ears, shut yourself of from the world and start singing as if no one can hear you.

Let me know how it went...

Love

Ines

My music day

It's my music day I guess... But that's never a bad thing eh? I get goosebumps every time I hear this.

I also did my first radio program in school with my whole class and although I'm actually a print girl, I liked making a radio program! Maybe I'm not a print girl after all. We'll see.

Enjoy!

Love

Ines

Kate Moss in RayBans

Photo

Normally I don't like Kate Moss in adds but this photograph I love! Don't ask me why, it's just a feeling.

What do you think?

Love

Ines

Lazy happy weekend!

My weekend starts this evening (whoop whoop!) and maybe I will plan a lazy day during this weekend. So far I have planned an evening out with a friend, giving dance lessons, taking dance classes, have diner with familly and doing and writing an interview for school. Would there we some time left to be lazy? I'm already feeling up for it right now. Btw, love this new song from Bruno Mars! Hope you will have a nice weekend as well...

Love

Ines

Nicole for That

 

Photo's

Nicole Richie for 'That' magazine. She looks amazing!

Love

Ines

Totally Cooler Than Me!

Check these guys out! I'm dancing to this song with my group but we sure can learn some thing or two from these two. Hope you enjoy...

Love

Ines

Let's fly away with a helium balloon!

In the Pixar movie 'Up' a house can just fly away with some balloons. But what if you really want to see a house go into the sky? As if you send a postcard up in the air, but than... a house. Why not? National Geographic tried to make this come true.

The television programe How hard can it be? on National Geographic tested the movie scene and built and exact replica, five by five meters, of the house from the film. It took 300 balloons filled with helium to lift the house into the sky. The balloons were slidely bigger than the ones used in the film though. But still, woooow!

This experiment broke the record of the most bundled balloons and the house reached a height of three kilometers. Where it landed is not know.

So for all I know it might still be flying through the sky right now...

Don't you just love this story? I know I do!

Love

Ines

Spring Feel!

Spring is officially in Belgium! Let long and warm evenings, tanned skin, summer clothes, cocktails & bbq's and that holiday feel come to me because I'm so ready for it!

Love

Ines

Falling (in love with this choreography)

I came across this totally amazing choreography when I opened Facebook this morning. And it immediately put a smile on my face that stayed there the rest of the day.

What do you think??

Love

Ines

Fishtail

Foto: alexismarie.tumblr.com

Foto

Now that I'm growing my hair I'm learning about the possibilities to style long hair. My favorite is the fishtail. But my hair isn't that long yet. Sooooo only one thing to do in the meantime: wait and learn how to braid a fishtail!

Love

Ines