Day 3 - I Am Currently Addicted To This TV Show #26DayBlogChallenge

The TV series that I am currently addicted to is…… 

Californication!

I cannot begin to tell you how many people have recommended this series to me. Most are completely baffled when I admit that I haven’t seen it before.

Hearing from these people what it was all about definitely made me think that it was my cup of tea so while waltzing about the Cape Town Waterfront just last week, I picked the first season up and couldn't say no.

It’s based on an (alcoholic) writer whose a bit of a nymph. Fabulous!

But trust me, the story-line goes way deeper than that. I've only really just started so I can't really say much as of yet, but I can tell you that a few episodes in and I'm already hooked. 

The main character, Moody (David Duchovny from The X-Files,) struggles through his inability to avoid chaos, drugs, sex and rock n roll. He's got this incredibly intelligent 12-year daughter and you watch as he continuously mucks up every chance he gets at getting back together with her mother. 

It is disastrous, entertaining and a perfected balance between humor and sadness.

I find this series (and David Duchovny..) truly irresistible. 

Plus... movies, series and books based on writers are always front-runners for me.

What series have you been watching lately?

 

 

Day 2 - What's in my Make-Up Bag!? #26DayBlogChallenge

My make-up bag... probably the most uninteresting, dull place that a woman could possibly find herself in. 

You'd never guess from this little Hugo Boss clutch that I am in fact a qualified make-up artist. Yip. That's right. A few years ago I graduated with distinctions in Bridal, Day and Night make-up. 

Not that I actually EVER use these skills I obtained on myself, let alone on anyone else. I used to do brides make-up on their wedding day or Prom / Matric dance make-up; the occasional fashion photo-shoot. It was fun and all but it wasn't really something I was that passionate about. 

This is the contents of my make-up bag:

• Woolworth's 'Warm' Foundation (have yet to find a foundation to beat it!!)
•  A thick powder brush
• Bronzer (The Body Shop)
• Blush - pink (no brand)
• La Lu Waterproof Mascara (it's really clumpy and old now. Time to invest in a new tube!)
• Eyeshadow Brush
• Gold Eyeshadow (The Body Shop)
• Black Eyeshadow (no brand)
• Mixed (and broken) Eyeshadow Palate (probably from some cheap Chinese store... sshh)
• Almay Black Liquid Liner
• Maybelline Black Kohl Pencil Eyeliner 
• Dark Brown Lip Liner (Alia.. I think?)
• A collection of lipsticks. I have thousands - I have this huge lipstick fettish. 
• Lip-Ice with peppermint beads (this is my new discovery... I ADORE this product!! It's so minty and refreshing on my lips, especially over this winter period).
• x 2 Tweezers
• x 1 Pink Pair of Nail Clippers (no idea how they got in there....)

Just FYI: I don't usually wear all of that at once!

There is my ever so fetching no make-up 'selfie' from this morning. Straight out of the shower and getting ready for the working day. 

(before the caffeine fix I so desperately need):

My usual routine is to usually wash my face with some luke warm water, pat dry and apply my Vichy moisturizer. 

I then slick on some eyeliner if I feel like going for a darker look that day before applying my foundation with my fingers (I used to use a sponge but got sick of them). 

Then I take my black eyeshadow and brush it across my eyebrows to give them more definition and shape. 

I use the same brush to put some dark shadow under my bottom lashes and around the crevices at the top of my eyes. 

I blend in some gold eyeshadow and sometimes put brushes of white shadow under the eyebrows and on the inside of the eyes to highlight! It really helps to make the eyes POP.

I choose either my bronzer or the pink blush to apply over the apples of my cheeks to give my face some color.

Then I brush some mascara onto my lashes before dabbing some minty lip-ice over my lips and finishing off with a coat of lipstick. 

Today took under five minutes to get ready and this was the look I went with - including the wild and curly hair:

I'm attempting to go for a no heat styling month... 

Wish me luck!

Local Organic Market

One of the things I loved most about London was the markets. I thoroughly enjoyed my days wrapping a snood snuggly around my neck, buttoning up my trench-coat and heading out into the stalls inside places like Borough Market. 

I adored sampling the foods, ordering Glühwein to warm my hands and throat as I paced blissfully through. Every smell was gorgeous - even the vegetable stalls were breathtaking. That might be odd to say about vegetable stalls but it truly was. Every moment was like a little slice of pure heaven.

In the small town that I live in now back in South Africa, we don't have much in the way of that sort of set up. Recently however, the Local Organic Food Market opened up, conveniently tucked right next to the art gallery that I work at! 

As soon as I heard about the plans of the market I couldn't wait for it to become established and I watched it slowly transform from an old, empty and seemingly lifeless building into this:

The fact that it is Vegan friendly is a huge convenience for me... not that I'm Vegan or anything... but I've attempted Vegetarianism a number of times but it got ridiculously hard not just because of my cravings for meat but also because of how expensive fresh veg etc is all the time!

It's idyllic to have this market right next to work because I can grab my basket and pop some veggies in before or after work and not have to worry about the hustle and bustle of grocery stores.

There's even organic pasta!

It is just pure bliss strolling through the market!! And it doesn't stop there...

My favorite stall.. the hippy clothing boutique. I love, love, LOVE hippy clothes although these pieces can get rather pricey it is completely worth it because the fabric is just DIVINE.

There are jewelry stalls set-up, selling all local and unique goodies which are just gorgeous!

These handbags are so cool... The photography, as far as I know, is all solely local so not only is it a sense of familiarity but it's also carrying a little slice of home with you wherever you go.

You can buy cards for any occasion.. as well as buy your own card making DIY set (something that I'm definitely investing in!).

There are so many quirky little things around the market too.. such as these gorgeous whistle kettle and the handmade button pots that I just fell hopelessly in love with! What a great idea!

Futhermore, a quaint little cafe and coffee shop has also just opened up and the coffee does not disappoint!

The set up of the cafe is gorgeous - especially during summer. The tables and chairs outside are all tree stumps, there is so much in the name of art scattered around... it is literally a little secret garden nook and one that I am all too please to visit regularly.

 
On my lunch-breaks I often like to take myself across to the cafe next to the market and do some writing on my laptop. Whether it be uni assignments, working on my latest novel or a new blog post... it is always nice to write here. I simply adore the set up; how rustic and humble it looks. I've even been mulling the idea around in my head of opening up my own stall in the market to sell the jewelry and key-chains that I make.

Are there any new and exciting places opening up around your area or do you have a local market that you enjoy spending time at?

I'd love to hear all about it. 

Chicken Ala King Recipe

This is such a lovely, simple recipe for chicken ala king... It's quite surprising how good it tastes because you really don't use that many ingredients at all! That's one of the beautiful things about this easy dish. (plus, it's kid friendly! All kids I know that have tried it have loved it! So enjoy this yummy recipe!)

What you'll need (serves 4):

•  Chicken Breasts
• 1 Red and Green Pepper
• A pack of your preferred mushrooms (I like portebillini)
• A big chunk of butter
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• A chicken or vegetable stock cube
• Milk
• 3 handfuls of Cake Flour
• 2 x egg yolks
• Cream
• Salt and Pepper

First, put two pans onto your stove. One pan with extra virgin olive oil and another with a big wad of butter. 

Slice your chicken into thin strips and put into the pan with extra virgin olive oil to cook through. 

Thinly slice your peppers and once the butter is melted in your second pan / pot, add them in, sauteing until soft.

While your chicken and peppers are now cooking, keep yourself busy by putting your chicken or vegetable stock cube into a jug and add 150ml of boiling water. Stir until fully diluted. 

In a second jug add in 150ml of milk.

Now slice up your preferred mushrooms and add them into the pepper pot. You'll see due to the butter that the mushrooms will go a beautiful golden color. Let this cook until soft. 

Once this is soft, take the peppers and mushrooms off of the heat. 

Take three handfuls of flour and mix it in with your mushrooms and peppers. It will fast become very stodgy and dry and it will not look very nice. Now put the pot back onto heat and add in half the jug of chicken / vegetable stock and half the jug of milk (make sure no lumps form in the sauce!):

After this, you should get something that looks like this:

Next, add in your chicken all cooked and ready to go! You'll notice the sauce thickening up really quickly now so add in the remainder of the milk and about 50ml of water - mix this is and put the heat down to as low as possible. Grind in some salt and pepper to taste. 

Now, crack your eggs and separate the yolks. On this particular recipe I cracked my egg open to find a double-yolker inside one egg! How special :) 

When your yolks are separated keep them aside in a bowl to add later.

Put a lid over your chicken and sauce mix on the lowest possible heat and let it simmer while you start on your rice. 

If you notice your sauce getting dry while simmering just add little lugs of milk here and there to prevent it. 

When you're rice is done, drain it and take the heat off of the sauce mix. Add in your yolks and a little bit of cream and stir quickly!

Voila!!!

Sprinkle a little bit of fresh parsley over as a garnish and you're ready to serve up! 

Hope you enjoy this delicious, easy and simple chicken ala king recipe! 

Have a great Wednesday evening bloggers'!