I am a big
fan of all kinds of sweets, but to be frank many of the things, sold in the
shops in Finland, are way too much even for me. I’ve got no idea, why everything
is sooooooo sweet over here (maybe because people consume huge amounts of black
coffee?).
Anyway, I found this mud cake recipe back in the summer of
2014. The very first time, when I tried it, I knew immediately, that it was the absolutely best
mud cake I have ever made/tasted. I love the idea of using the nuts instead of flour – so much healthier and it also gives a great boost to your taste
buds (sorry, if you are allergic to nuts!). This amazing cake recipe is by Donal Skehan. You can find both the recipe
and the video over here!
This week was really surprising - I liked all the movies I watched. Of course, you just can't unlike a movie like "Thor", which I've seen once before, but others were a great pleasure to watch. Without much small talking, let's get into it!
While it's snowing behind my window and the thermometer shows way below 0, I am just sitting here in my perfectly white Finnish apartment dreaming about at least few minutes of warm sun or colors. So far - white and dark outside. Isn't it fun living all day long with an artificial light? Nope. Not at all.
ANYWAY. Even though I can't really have much color outside 6-7 months a year, there's always computer magics. And, of course, imagination. And even though I can't really change my apartment (one of the disadvantages of rented apartments), I still keep on planning my future home (hey, would you come sooner???). I love colors, I love boho, I love everything free spirit. Like, how can you say a straight "No" to this beauty?
So bright and beautiful! Ah, I can't wait finish my studies and just move on to somewhere warm and sunny with no winter at all. Wonder how it would feel though... Awesome, I guess! Because anytime I want snow, I can just fly back to visit my family. :)
So I
decided, that in the end of the week I’d do ”Movies of the Week” article. Why?
Well, firstly, as for a movie addict, it would be a good thing to remember,
which movies I’ve seen already. Secondly, many people are usually searching for
something to watch, so I believe that it could make certain suggestions for
others. There will be no spoilers, I will be like a mini IMDB – just my
personal points out of 10 + trailers. Some of the movies I’ve
seen once, some – already few times.
So, this
week for the first time I’ve watched these movies: Frozen, Tusk, Only Lovers
Left Alive, The Host. Movies I’ve seen more than once: The Rum Diary,
Sweeney Todd, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Solomon Kane. Some of the movies, that I've watched for the first time, were just something “Meh” (like, for example,
Frozen), while others were a real surprise to me. Again, The Rum Diary and
Sweeney Todd I watched again just because some of my friends were bragging
about how much they would like to watch those movies as they have never seen
them. Mission accomplished!
Let’s start
the list from the very best (in my opinion) movies.
Tusk (2014)
10/10
Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
10/10
Solomon Kane (2009)
9/10
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
As much as
I am obsessed with home decor, I can tell: this is already way out of my
league; it is something, that made me ”wow” picture by picture and, for some strange reason, it reminds me the caves, full of glow worms . All these
amazing rooms look like they're out of this world, and it is something I would LOVE to
have one day. Yes, it doesn’t look “special” by day, but when the darkness
comes… Not sure, if I actually would be able to sleep in a room like this (who
knows though?), but it would be a perfect place for stargazing (if you have
huge windows or glass roof) or simply hanging out with your friends. But
seriously – have you ever seen anything like this?
All these
amazing rooms are painted by Hungarian-born Vienna-based artist Bogi Fabian
using glowing UV paints. More stunning pictures and info you can find in Bogi
Fabian’s official website http://bogifabian.com/.
For some reason, at some points of my life I get obsessed with certain parts of my body. And even though I try not to forget to take especially good care of my face right now as here in Finland we have harsh temperatures, the thing I care for the most is my hair. I’m just all into that I’m-gonna-get-long-hair-soon-and-very-soon-blahblahblah mode. Anyway, again I was reading loads of internet blogs and watching Youtube videos and found something, that made me interested in argan oil all over again. And so the newest additions to my hair care routine are those two teeny tiny packages of shampoo and conditioner from Nashi Argan.
Nashi Argan is an Italian hair care company, which originally makes their products for professional hair salons (at least it says so), but it’s also available on some internet shops. Here in Finland, of course, we don’t have it (Oh, mother of surprise! *rolling eyes*), so I ordered Nashi Argan products from Swedish internet shop Nordic Feel. I ordered shampoo and conditioner, both prices were the same – 9,90 euros each. Also they have Nashi Argan argan oil, but at the time I skipped it as it was 27 euros and it seemed a little pricey, especially, that I didn’t know is it even worth the money.
In the company’s website http://www.nashiargan.it/ it says: “Products are made with consideration of impact on environment: packaging is done from recycled and recyclable materials and production process uses energy from renewable sources. All the Argan Oil contained in the products is 100% Bio certified and the biodegradable raw materials are not derived from petroleum products.”
My opinion. I love, love, love Nashi Argan! My hair feels so soft, clean, shiny and luxurious after using it and it also makes them so easy to brush. It smells amazing (at least my brain tells me so) and the smell stays in your hair for days! It has a really sweet smell and none of my after-wash hair products can take it off, so be aware of that, especially if you are not into sweet smelling things. Now the little bottle of Nashi Argan argan oil is on it’s way too, and I can’t wait to try it! But again, that’s the other story. The only thing I would count as a minus is a tiny package. And by saying tiny, I really mean it: both shampoo and conditioner are packed in 80ml (2.7 Fl. oz.) bottles. Yes, if you have short hair or wash them once a week, it might go a long way for you, but if it would be the only shampoo I am using every time I wash my hair, it would last maybe 3 weeks for me. Conditioner – even shorter. Anyway, this is the product I will definitely be repurchasing and I definitely recommend it to everyone, who is looking for the hair product, that would moisturize and nourish your hair.
If there would be a choice between my favorite food and the book... I’d rather take a book. My obsession with reading and getting to know more is very similar to Carrie Bradshaw’s from Sex & The City addiction to shopping.
Whenever I go somewhere, my first stop is a book section. Yep, right. But again – I hate crowded shops, where everyone is pushing you around with sorry-not-sorry face, so often I prefer shopping online as it also saves a lot of time. And, well, who would love to leave his very warm apartment, when outside is -15? I wouldn’t. So often (actually, always) I order my books from bookdepository.com. It’s a great website, where you can find pretty much anything you want for a very good price. They ship all the books from UK, and they offer free worldwide shipping. I also love the little details they add to almost every book – these cute bookmarks, designed by their customers. How cool is that?!
So, here we go – few books I ordered on December 2014.
I love cooking, but let’s be fair – sometimes it sucks. Firstly, I always choose the recipes, that require 2-3 hours to cook. Secondly, with me trying to do business over here and study in the same time I have very limited time, that I can invest in cooking. Thirdly, I decided to save some more money (because again – business is never a cheap option). So with that being said, I bought these two books, which, to my mind, could have helped me – non-expensive meals, that can be cooked in less than 30 minutes. What can I say about them? I am totally in love with “101 storecupboard suppers” – the recipes are so simple, so easy to make and you don’t need to buy anything fancy as most of the products can be found in pretty much everyone’s fridge. Meanwhile “Easy budget dishes” disappointed me quite a bit – the dishes require quite a lot of ingredients (the list sometimes go up to 10 ingredients) and preparation time sometimes goes even up to 2 hours. I found some recipes, that I will be using and some of the ingredients can be substituted, but it definitely isn’t one of my favorite cookbooks.
I haven’t started reading this one yet, so I can’t really say much of my personal opinion, but the description definitely intrigued me.
“Inspired by NASA projections and recorded history, Pastor John Hagee shows direct connections between four blood-moon eclipses and major world events. Further, he reveals the significance of the four upcoming blood moons and what they portend for Israel and all of humankind.”
Again, another book that I haven’t read yet, but thought would be useful some day in the future.
“Gary Chapman writes, "Most people spend far more time in preparation for their vocation than they do in preparation for marriage." No wonder the divorce rate hovers around fifty percent. Bestselling author and marriage counselor Gary Chapman hopes to change that with his newest book. Gary, with more than 35 years of experience counseling couples, believes that divorce is the lack of preparation for marriage and the failure to learn the skills of working together as intimate teammates. So he put together this practical little book, packed with wisdom and tips that will help many develop the loving, supportive and mutually beneficial marriage men and women long for. It's the type of information Gary himself wished he had before he got married. The material lends itself to heart-felt discussions by dating or engaged couples. To jump-start the exchanges, each short chapter includes insightful "Talking it Over" questions and suggestions. And, the book includes information on interactive websites as well as books that will enhance the couples experience. Dr. Chapman even includes a thought-provoking appendix. By understanding and balancing the five key aspects of life, dating couples can experience a healthy relationship. A revealing learning exercise is included at the end.”
I started reading this one (which, actually, I didn’t order from anywhere, but got it as a Christmas gift), but because of lack of time needed to put it aside. It’s a book, that needs your concentration. Not a light funny read, but something more serious and emotional. At least that’s the impression I got, when read the first few chapters. And by the way – the book is written in a way as if you would be in a girl’s head: just born girl’s, later – 5 y/old’s and so on.
“Eimear McBride's debut tells, with astonishing insight and in brutal detail, the story of a young woman's relationship with her brother, and the long shadow cast by his childhood brain tumour. Not so much a stream of consciousness, as an unconscious railing against a life that makes little sense, and a shocking and intimate insight into the thoughts, feelings and chaotic sexuality of a vulnerable and isolated protagonist, to read A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing is to plunge inside its narrator's head, experiencing her world first-hand. This isn't always comfortable - but it is always a revelation. Touching on everything from family violence to sexuality and the personal struggle to remain intact in times of intense trauma, McBride writes with singular intensity, acute sensitivity and mordant wit. A Girl is a Half-formed Thing is moving, funny - and alarming.”
And, of course, last but not least – few books about something I love eternally. Earlier I would just take some books from the library or find the needed information from the internet, but I simply love having everything next to me. These are the very first books about gems and minerals I actually buy, but definitely not the last ones as in bookdepository.com I already have a wishlist, which contains like 500 euros worth of books. Moving slowly towards my goal, but the point is to move, isn’t it?
sarahsaysreadbooks.files.wordpress.com
By the way, have you heard of 2015 reading challenge? I found it accidentally on 9gag.com and I think it’s a great way to empower people to read more and educate themselves. Because let’s be fair – these days many people not only don’t read, but also consider it as something boring or waste of time. I am definitely up for this challenge, not sure, if I can fulfill it completely though as many things are happening this year. But fingers crossed!
