Peanut butter grain-free cookie dough bites

I found the recipe for these surprisingly easy, very healthy, yet absolutely delicious cookie dough bites on one of my favourite baking blogs - Texanerin Baking. Erin, the author of these recipes, creates amazing things that are made of healthy stuff (whole grain, reduced sugar, often grain and gluten-free) and taste fantastic. Guilt-free dessert, who'd say no to that?

These grain-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough bites can be made in 20 min tops. Plus 5-10 min if you are making your own peanut butter (i know! who knew it's so quick and easy). And even though Erin does not recommend serving these cookie dough bites cold, anyone who tried them (myself including) enjoyed both, just baked and chilled versions. Happy baking !

Cult classic make-up

Almost three years ago on a trip to the US, my friend Louise introduced me to the cult makeup brand NARS while we were browsing together through beauty products at Sephora. One NARS product in particular, recommended by Louise, has ever since become a staple in my make-up drawer: this incredibly flattering eye-shadow in Ashes to Ashes.

NARS is not that easy to find in Denmark (any tips appreciated), hence whenever travelling abroad, I am always on a lookout for NARS sign, buying Ashes to Ashes again and again. In London I previously found it at Space NK; when it comes to Copenhagen, it seems that now we can buy it online (yay) at NARS European official store.

Apart from Ashes to Ashes, my other two NARS must-have's are this magical highlighter - a multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body, in iconic Copacabana shade, and this illuminator that I swear by, in unforgettable shade that 'lights the skin from within'. 

Stay luminous !
PS Thank you Louise :)

Rainy Happy Monday

Wouldn't it be perfect to extend the weekend by one extra day in bed, reading The Charisma Myth, drinking hot chocolate and watching last three episodes of Homeland. Especially when it's been raining non-stop here in Copenhagen for the past 48 hours... Alas, staying in bed on a Monday is not an option, with another busy week rolling in. The answer to Monday blues and the downpour outside is this and this bright, light and chic rain gear from Adidas by Stella McCartney, that will keep us warm and dry come rain or hail. Enjoy biking in the rain and have a great week !

Upside-down Italian Apple cake

Baking anything with apples, no matter what recipe you follow, always brings happiness to the house. It feels homey, cozy, hyggeligt. I got this recipe of an Italian upside-down Apple cake from my friend Corrie, and just like her other recipes, the making of it was easy, unfussy, with a great, delicious result.

The baking time in my case went up to 50-55 minutes, and i adjusted the temperature from initial 175C to 190C; must be the type of oven that you use. The cake is not too sweet, and best served with creme fraiche or, if you prefer it sweeter, with vanilla ice-cream.

Have a wonderful Sunday !

Weekend

Image from www.cupcakesandcashmere.com

Here in Copenhagen this has been an incredibly packed, duracell-ish, sleep-deprived at times yet a very productive week. Now that the weekend is just around the corner, i can't wait to relax and recharge the batteries, sleeeeep, bake, read, and catch up on all the fun things happening in my city. Starting with the Culture NIght. Tasting the cakes at the opening of Creme de la creme at the Meyers Bakery in Magasin on Kongens Nytorv. Getting to the CPH DOX & Diesel Programlaunch at Bremen theatre. Baking italian apple cake. Watching a documentary Happy that I came across here. Finishing the book i've been reading...And just being lazy. 

P.S. if you haven't yet seen Weekend, a beautiful, simple, honest and brave movie about love and identity, hurry up to catch it at Empire Bio in Copenhagen.

Happy weekend !

Fall fashion: on the wish-list this week

This week has been the chilliest yet this season with the temperature dropping to zero degrees virtually overnight. To stay warm without compromising on fashion, we need a combination of waterproof, snugly and edgy items in our closet, that would carry us through this (temporary!) stint of nastiness outside. Our hearts are after this adorable J.Crew Peter Pan collar tee, the sunniest Hunter boots and uber-cool yet incredibly comfortable ankle boots by Camilla Skovgaard (last spotted at Illum, Copenhagen). If only the sale season started this week... 

Stay warm !

Kiss-proof lips

Having survived quite a few rough and long winters in our part of the world, we have by now learned that when it comes to shielding your lips from the wind and cold, and keeping them soft and kissable, nothing does the job quite as well as these two  must-have products. Kiss Mix from an amazing skincare range Eve Lom and a cult product loved by professional make-up artists Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips (no kidding..), can be found online at our favorite Cult Beauty, as well as Space NK in London and Magasin in Copenhagen. So worth it.