Book Club #1

Hello fellow-book-worms! 

Nothing brings people closer together then the love of great literature! Today I would like to start a series of posts labelled; you guessed it.. Book Club!! For our first time I would like us all to bury our noses into a fantasy novel (one of my favourite genres) by Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind, the first in the Kingkiller Chronicles. This story is told in the voice of Kvothe and is said to be considered one of the best fantasy books in the 21st century, behind Harry Potter of course. I have buried my nose into the first few chapters and can safely say that ladies and gentlemen this is a good one! 

I hope you all enjoy this read as much as I am and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the novel in the comments below. Don't fear, if fantasy is not your forte this is the first of a number of posts and I hope you can join me soon on this book club adventure! What is your favourite novel? 

Jacqueline xx 

My Pretty Little Jewels

Hi Girls,

Today I wanted to share with you a review on my favourite European purchase, my Swarovski jewels. Mid August I was strolling the streets of the town square in Krakow, Poland, the most impressive square I have ever been too and something sparkly caught my eye in the window at Swarovski. Now previous to this I had never purchased from Swarovski as I am a big believer in the whole 'diamonds are a girls best friend' thing and really prefer quality over quantity. While browsing the store I kept being drawn back to these beautiful earrings I caught a glimpse of in the window. 

Needless to say I took the plunge and I couldn't be happier. The quality of them is great, I'm constantly getting compliments on them and Swarovski provide an international warranty on them, which includes replacement of any crystals if they were to fall out. For any girls out there who have thought about their beautiful pieces but are too scared to take the plunge as I was you will be impressed as I was. I am already contemplating my next purchase! You can purchase these earrings here 

Jacqueline xx 

Pumpkin DEElight

Happy Friday night blogging world! 

If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you would have learned that I am a massive foodie, however I do care for my health (although I do wish I could eat macarons everyday for the rest of my life). Pumpkin soup is one of my very favourite dishes - I love that rich, thick pumpkin consistency and the warmness it leaves in my tummy after a steaming hot bowl full. 

Today I want to share the most amazing pumpkin soup recipe I have had in a very long while. I used Donna Hay's recipe, however modified it so there was no lactose (I'm intolerant) which in turn gave me less calories and fat. I hope you all enjoy xx

Ingredients

1 x 2kg whole butternut pumpkin 

1 x onion 

Olive oil for drizzling

Sea salt (I used himalayan rock salt)

3 1/2 cups of chicken stock

1 x cup of cream (I used zymil cream)

1 x tablespoon honey

Sour cream to serve

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 230 cut the pumpkin in half lengthway's and scoop out the seeds. Place the pumpkin, cut-side up, and onion on a baking tray. 

2. Drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 55 - 60 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft and starting to brown. 

4. Scoop the pumpkin out of the skin into a blender. Also scoop the onion flesh away from its skin and add to the blender. 

5. Add 1 cup of the chicken stock and blended until smooth or to desired consistency.

6. Put the mixture into a saucepan, add remaining stock, cream and honey. 

7. Place over medium heat until soup is heated through. 

8. Serve with sour cream. 

Bon Appetit