The Academy Awards are on tonight! Since I live in a different time zone than Los Angeles is in (so unfair…), watching the ceremony is actually planned for tomorrow. Which snack would match thas event better than fancy popcorn? So I decided for the savory caramel-coated and sea salt-sprinkled version. It’s easy and delicious!
You’ll need:
¼ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup unpopped popcorn
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups light brown sugar
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 250ºF (120°C).
2. Place a large pot over medium heat and add the vegetable oil and popcorn, cover the pot. Once you hear the first kernel pop, shake the pot over the flame until all of the kernels have popped.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Then allow the mixture to boil, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract.
4. Immediately pour the caramel over the popcorn, stirring to coat each kernel. Transfer the coated popcorn on a baking sheet.
5. Bake the popcorn for 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Clover Canyon launched in 2011 and since then climbed with creative director Rozae Nichols to the top of the print ranks. Designed and produced in Los Angeles, each Clover Canyon collection reflects the eclectic, joyful spirit of California through sharply geometric, radiant prints and streamlined silhouettes. These are clothes embarked on an endless voyage, from the tribal plains of Africa and the courts of ancient kings, through the annals of art history, and beyond. For this spring season the team was inspired by Greece, while returning to Rozae Nichols Irish roots for fall. I am looking forward to the collection, inspired by the Irish landscape, tartan, stained-glass windows, clover motifs and, yes, really, unicorns and fairies. The style may be bold, but still wearable and surprisingly affordable.
The collections are available at Clover Canyon online and internationally from department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, and from online retailers such as Shopbop and Revolve Clothing. In Germany you can buy Clover Canyon at Unger Hamburg.
We are all working girls and – most of the time – we love our jobs, but we still need to relax and get our minds on something else, just take some time for ourselves. I have trouble to relax at home and have no time to check in to a yoga retreat in India. So I treat myself (and my boyfriend or best friend) with a spa weekend every year; I relax by the pool and bathe in the sun, indulge in homemade alpine food and loose myself in nature, nothing disturbing me. Here my favourite places to do so. Let me know if you have a suggestion where to go next!
Chalet Village Priesteregg, Austria
Modern Art is unmistakably big right now. It’s just been a matter of time until the fashion industry would be inspired by the trend, so we could wear art on our sleeve. If you’re not super-daring with your fashion trends (like me) but you want to try the artistic print trend, accessories are a good place to start. Combine them with classic skinny jeans and blacks and whites, which effortlessly creates a timeless look while staying fashion-forward. I was especially intrigued by the Spring 2014 Prada bags, featuring images by artists Gabriel Specter, Jeanne Detallante and Stinkfish (all of them politically engaged artists). Feminist statement, fashion statement and artwork… yes, apparently we can have it all. Let’s build a collection!
1. Paula Cademartori Alice Folk Bag
2. Chanel Graffiti Bag Spring 2014 via Emilia Deporet
3. Alexander McQueen floral print De Manta clutch via Neiman Marcus
4. Prada Saffiano bag via Neiman Marcus
5. Alexander McQueen Britannia skull clutch
6. Prada embellished asymmetric suede sandal
7. Mary Katrantzou printed scarf via MyTheresa
8. Asos fur belt
9. Prada Saffiano bag via Neiman Marcus
10. Sophia Webster stripe sandal via net-a-porter
Valentine’s Day is all about showing your loved ones how much they mean to you. This year I decided, instead of running around and searching for the least tacky presents, I make something myself. After all, sweet little gestures go a long way. So I went for these decadent chocolate brownies. Pair them with some bubbly and you’ll be certain to induce a smile. If you’re still in the mood of present-giving, maybe last year’s Valentine’s gift guide gives you an idea.
You’ll need (makes 24):
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces
12 ounces dark chocolate coarsely chopped
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or a vanilla bean
Buttercream:
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 pound sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1/2 a vanilla bean
1. Preheat oven to 350 F° (180 C°). Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Line small cake pan with parchment.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Place butter and chocolate in a heatproof mixer bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring until chocolate melts.
3. Attach bowl to mixer, add sugar, and whisk until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture.
4. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Spread remaining batter in square pan. Bake until set but still soft, about 18 minutes. Let cool in tins and pan on wire racks.
5. Beat butter with a mixer until it’s pale and creamy. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until buttercream is smooth. Use immediately.
6. Frost cupcakes with buttercream. Cut out hearts from brownie in pan using a heart-shaped cutter. Top each cupcake with a heart.
I have never been a true and addicted fan of certain celebrities (no, not even of George Clooney), but I do have slight crush on the way London It-girl Alexa Chung styles herself. I find myself craving for her cool and playful combinations every time I come across a picture of her. As guest editor for online-shop myTheresa, she entertains us with backstage stories from New York Fashion Week and shows us her personal highlights, in her usual cool and humorous way. Just follow her on myTheresa’s instagram, facebook or twitter account.
image via myTheresa on facebook
“Oh, who is your new bag from?” “From, ähhh, Mooh-Mooh (Miu Miu).” Just kidding… But can you honestly claim to always pronounce every strangely written designer name the correct way? I still find myself stumbling over Roksanda Ilincic and Ann Demeulemeester. Harper’s Bazaar accepted the challenge and rounded up the most critical tongue twister. So we’ll all shine at the next fashion small talk without the chance to embarrass ourselves. Start practising here.
Did you have the pleasure to watch Girls yet, starring Lena Dunham? The show – and Lena Dunham – praised for its unvarnished naturalism, doesn’t seem to make a perfect match with super-stylish Vogue. Nevertheless, the crazy adorable cover shoot (by Annie Leibovitz) and “making-of” with Editor-in-Large Hamish Bowles proves a great sense of humour. See and watch for yourself!
images via Vogue.com
Generally, I would consider myself a healthy eater, but every now and then I just need a snack. Mostly I long for something sweet and salty (yes, I can’t decide), but sadly the German snacking culture doesn’t offer a huge variety in this section. Chocoalte-dipped pretzels have always been my favourite treat from my days back in the U.S., I just can’t find them here in Munich. So I had to make them myself. They already gained lots of new fans. Luckily it’s really easy!
You only need dark chocolate of high quality, salty pretzels and white sprinkles (optional).
1. Simply melt chocolate.
2. Dip pretzels in it.
3. Decorate with sprinkles.
Even though video might have killed the radio star, I am afraid video also has had its days. Do you recall any iconic music video which isn’t older than at least a decades? My favourites of all times still are George Michael’s super-model-crammed “Freedom” and Fat Boy Slim’s hilarious “Praise You”. At least I thought so until I found “Happy” by Pharrell Williams a few days ago and I might have to revise my prophecy of doom concerning music videos.
In the first 24-hour music video Pharrell Williams teamed with a cast of hundreds for an interactive video, also featuring various celebrities. Watch the first full hour (featuring Kelly Osbourne) of the infectious video here or the full version on the official site. It definitely made me happy!
