Winter Snoods

Today I dream about finding a perfect snood to keep me warm in the winter time.

To me, snoods are the best invention for winter, they really keep you warm and they don't fall off your shoulders and get tangled around you like scarves. The perfect snood has to be thick, soft and it's even better when it has a hood.

I chose a selection of my favourite snoods and a few scarves available on the high street - I hope you'll find something you like!

Mango Scarves, Photo from Mango.com

River Island, Oasis, Asos Snoods, Photo from Asos.com

Adidas by Stella McCartney, Oysho, Urban Outfitters, Photos from Net-a-porter.com, Oysho.com, Urbanoutfitters.co.uk

New Look, H&M, Topshop Snoods, Photos from Newlook.com, Hm.com, Topshop.com

Zara, Marks&Spencer, Zara Snoods, Photos from Zara.com, Marksandspencer.com

All Saints, American Apparel, River Island Snoods, Photos from Allsaints.com, Store.americanapparel.net, Riverisland.com

In the mood for a snood :)

Saturday Recipes - Sweet Tarts!

Today I dream about bringing the summer back with these delicious recipes for fruit tarts!

I love tarts, they are quite easy to make and there's so many varieties and possibilities. Today I will only show recipes for sweet tarts because if I included the recipes for savoury tarts too, this post would be endless :)

Don't worry though - savoury tarts coming next week! My favourite tarts are the ones with cream cheese or mascarpone and fresh fruit on the top but in the winter time a piece of rich, chocolate tart would be just perfect! Below you'll find recipes for both, hope you'll find something for your liking. Enjoy!

Citrus Tart

My summer favourite! Sweet and sour in one, refreshing and light - just perfect! Get the recipe here!

Photo from Honeyandjam.com

Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart

It looks like a little piece of summer and I'm sure it tastes heavenly! It's a classic, simple recipe with a little twist - dark chocolate ganache. Find the recipe here!

Photo from Annies-eats.net

Rustic Plum Crostata with Lemon Thyme

Plums always bring end of summer to my mind! I like them much more in pies and tarts than on their own. When they're ripe they're really juicy, perfect for baking and making jams - yummy! Click here for the recipe!

Photo from Nytimes.com

Fig Tart

I already showed one recipe for a fig tart here but this one looks so beautiful that I couldn't resist! Find the recipe here!

Photo from Mowielicious.com

Cherry and Almond Tart

I love the almond pastry and sugared cherries on the top! This recipe is a must-try for me! Get it here!

Photo from Lemonsandlavender.com

Lavender and Buttermilk Tart

I never used buttermilk in a pie before so I'm very curious about the flavour. In the summer my favourite lunch was always new potatoes with dill, fried egg and a glass of buttermilk on the side, sounds crazy but I promise it works :) Click here for the recipe!

Photo from Tarteletteblog.com

Chocolate Hazelnut Cherry Tart

The chocolate and cherry combination always works perfectly. It you add hazelnut to it I'm sure it's even better! Plus it looks fabulous! Get the recipe here!

Photo from Hotpolkadot.com

Chocolate Caramel Tart

I love the flavour of slightly salty caramel with bittersweet chocolate - it's rich and mouthwatering! Click here for the recipe!

Photo from Mybakingaddiction.com

Chocolate Pudding Pie

Now this is the recipe for the times when you feel down - when you've lost your job, boyfriend or money :) A piece of this pie will erase all the bad memories and make you happy again, I guarantee it! In other cases have a little piece then give it to your neighbours or someone you don't like as it is packed with calories ;) Get the recipe here!

Photo from Smittenkitchen.com

Sweetheart sweet tarts :)

Personal Style - Karlie Kloss

Today I dream about Karlie Kloss's wonderful personal style.

It's crazy to say it because Karlie is only 21 and I'm almost 28, so in theory I should know a lot more about how to dress but thanks to her timeless elegant style Karlie is a great example for both younger and like me, a bit older girls.

At first I wasn't very keen on Karlie, she was everywhere and I couldn't tell why people thought she was so special. That was until I saw her walk... she doesn't walk, she glides above the catwalk with the elegance and grace of a panther (check it out here!).

From then she charmed me, not only with her walk but also with how versatile she is as a model and how lovely she is as a person. She's got that retro glamour vibe about her, the way she looks, moves and talks is like she's from a different century. It shows in her personal style too - you think that a young, beautiful girl like her should be crazy and try different styles (think Abbey Lee) but Karlie always looks simple, modest and elegant.

Some may say it's boring but a girl with such beauty like Karlie doesn't need much. She has got an obvious weakness for boots and big bags but she always keeps it toned, simple and charming. What do you think?

 Photos from Front-row-view.com and Tfs.com

Photo from Models.com

High Kloss :)

Paper London Fall/Winter Collection

Today I dream about this amazing collection by the young British label - Paper London.

The brand, founded by Kelly Townsend - who previously worked for Temperley - and Lea Carreno  - previously at Tommy Hillfiger and Pringe - features perfectly tailored elegant and modern pieces.

I love the sleeveless white coat with oversized collar, the simple dresses with graphic designs and tailored trousers with cutout details.

The colours are classic and basic: white, black, navy and red. As for the prices, well, it's not cheap but the fabrics are top quality and all the stitching and detailing is just amazing. Have a look!

 Photos from Paperlondon.com

Paper news :)

Stefanel Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

Today I dream about the wonderful Fall/Winter 2011 collection from Stefanel.

The philosophy of Stefanel - a well known Italian brand founded in 1979 - is "Fashion first. Italian always. Quality forever."

I know Stefanel for the best basics, great knitwear and good quality. They have sophisticated and smart pieces at reasonable prices and that's exactly how the new collection is - classic, chic and timeless!

I love the colours: cream, camel, gray, black and a splash of hot red. The fabrics and shapes are just perfect for winter - everything looks cosy and comfortable but also chic. I adore almost every look in this collection, it was hard to choose my favourite ones so make sure to check out the whole collection here!

The only thing I don't like about Stefanel is the lack of an online shop, but maybe it's better as it would ruin my small budget :) Have a look at the catwalk looks and the campaign featuring the beautiful Daria Werbowy and let me know what you think!

 Photos from Stefanel.com

Forza Italia! :)

Saturday Recipes - Brownies!

Today I dream about a delicious, warm brownie and a cup of milk :)

Brownies are one my favourite desserts, a perfect brownie is heavy, moist inside but crunchy on the outside and very chocolaty. I usually stick with the classic chocolate brownie recipe but there is so much more to discover!

Recently I tried blondies with white chocolate and almonds and they were delicious. That's the best thing about brownies - there are so many combinations that you will never get bored of them!

Have a look at this week's recipes and get inspired!

Double Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Brownies

Classic with a little twist! Super chocolaty and crunchy - yum! Instead of chocolate chips though, I recommend using good quality dark chocolate. Find the recipe here!

Photo from Whatkatieate.blogspot.com

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n’ Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar

This is the ultimate treat and a guaranteed chocolate overdose :) There's everything I love in this little slice of  heaven - cookie, Oreo, brownie and fudge all mixed together in a perfect way! Get the recipe here!

Photo from Kevinandamanda.com

Banofee Blondies

I love this recipe already! The brownies look soft and gooey with mashed banana and dulche la leche hiding inside :) Click here for the recipe!

Photo from Raspberricupcakes.com

Caramel Brownies

They look divine - so rich and moist! The caramel filling is so much easier to make than you'd think! Find the recipe here!

Photo from Annies-eats.net

Beer & Nut Brownies

Chocolate stout's delicate bitterness mixed with salty peanut butter and rich dark chocolate - they look amazing! Get the recipe here!

Photo from Raspberricupcakes.com

Red Velvet Brownies

They don't really look like brownies but the idea is the same - to keep them moist and gooey inside. Plus the white chocolate frosting - you know they must be good! Click here for the recipe!

Photo from Smells-like-home.com

German Chocolate Brownies with Sugar Pecan Crust

Pecans are of my favourite nuts - when combined with chocolate and coconut I'm sure I'll like them even more :) Find the recipe here!

Photo from Bakingdom.com

Pumpkin & Brown Butter Blondies

Perfect recipe to try now, in the middle of pumpkin season! It's sweet and full of winter spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Can't wait to try it! Get the recipe here!

Photo from Raspberricupcakes.com

Brownie Guide :)

Magdalena Frackowiak in Vogue Paris, November 2011

Today I dream about this wonderful black and white editorial titled "De Brut en Blanc" which appeared in the latest, November edition of Vogue Paris.

Photographed by the duo of Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer and modeled by the always astonishing Magdalena this shoot could change my point of view about wearing white in the fall/winter season!

"De Brut en Blanc" means 'In plain white' and this editorial is full of beautiful white looks! I love the styling of Capucine Safyurtlu - cosy cable knit jumpers, tiny white shorts or jeans and those Isabel Marant white fringe boots. 

White was never really my colour and in the winter time there was no way you'd see me wearing anything white - I thought it's impractical with all the snow and rain. But it doesn't snow or rain everyday and white clothes can look really amazing and they don't have to make you look like the Ice Queen :)

 Photos from Tfs.com

White winter :)

Maynard Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

Today I dream about the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection from the brand new label - Maynard.

The New York City-based brand created by Donna Potter and Jia Li debuts on the market with this collection and I think that it's definitely a label to watch! 

The lookbook is really beautiful, it's clean and fresh, the clothes are great and the model is gorgeous - what more can you ask for? As for the collection, I love the fabrics - soft jerseys, wool and suede are perfect for Fall!

The colours are my favourite - it's almost all black with some gray and navy. The collection is edgy, very wearable and looks really comfortable. Unfortunately we can't see the whole collection yet but at least we can admire the beautiful lookbook and patiently wait for more!

Photos from Maynardlane.com

Casual glamour!