Authentic farmhouse renovation

Periodically we scan and dream about the home of our dreams. I sway from minimalist sugar cube to homestead farmhouse, albeit it modernised. By modernised I mean pared back, stripped down and only feature-enhancing details added. This typically Dutch farmhouse, renovated by Eek en Dekkers is the perfect example. I love the beams, the simple palette of materials and the feeling of calm, non-cluttered living.

Butterscotch creme brulee

Christmas is a mash-up of my childhood memories and traditions and my acquired Dutch ones. The second day of Christmas or boxing day in other parts was turkey day (mine) and ragout (his). But the big question remained.. what the heck to serve as dessert? Something everyone would like and simple enough to make because face it Christmas day cooking is stressful enough.

Creme brulee, people. Who doesn't like vanilla, custard and crackling sugar? I made these Christmas night and burnt the sugar the next day before serving. Nothing went faster...

Recipe
2 eggs
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups cream
1 tablespoon vanilla paste
2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup
1 1/2 tablespoon Grand Marnier
Makes 12 servings

Combine eggs, yolks and  sugar. Warm the cream with vanilla bean paste or a split vanilla pod. Slowly add the vanilla cream to the eggs while continuing to mix. Pour in the butterscotch and liqueur, if using. Strain and pour into greased ramekins. Place the ramekins in a baking pan and add boiling water halfway up. 

Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the size of ramekin. Flat ones bake in 28 minutes and taller in about 35. The brulees still have a bit of a jiggle but will firm up more while cooling. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When serving, sprinkle an even layer of sugar over the brulee and caramelize with a torch or under a broiler. Allow to harden before serving. 

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas eve and I'm far from done. Every year I say no more and then comes December and I can't imagine it any other way. The shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped and the pantry is bursting at the seams. We'll place the cookies for Santa, tuck the kids in and then get busy like Santa's elves on spiked 'nog! But first I'll sit back and enjoy Christmas eve...if only for a moment.

The Christmas scent

I'm obsessed. Fires and scented candles are giving my love of the pretty glass bauble a run for the money. So I figured I'd share a trio of scents that I would love to give and receive for Christmas. The Christmas collection from Glasshouse Fragrances has something for everybody with a spicy, a cedar and a sweet scent. Bring on the holidays!

Modern brass candleholder

I'm obsessed with the circle candle holder by Ferm Living. It's the perfect blend of maximalist minimalism that I covet. Not loving the price quite as much. So guess how happy (very happy) I was to find a budget-friendly version at Sissy-Boy. And with even more candles, it's bound to make even the most minimal table setting look fabulous.

The case of the missing...

I was scratching my head, wondering what to do with the mountain of kruidnoten left over from Sinterklaas.. kruidnoten stuffed brownies, spiced cheesecake with kruidnoten crust, granola with kruidnoten chunks. Wouldn't you know, just having kids over would have the same effect. I blinked and they disappeared into thin air...

Have a great Monday!

Mirror

What do you see when you look at this picture? I think it's stunning and striking and above all bathed in soul. 

“The eyes are the mirror of the soul and reflect everything that seems to be hidden; and like a mirror, they also reflect the person looking into them.” Paulo Coelho. 

For that very reason my guy jokingly called me Stevie Wonder last week at the gym as I keep them firmly shut during the entire work-out and only look up to focus on him. The reason I haplessly fall like a newborn deer at yoga if I catch my own eyes mid-pose. The reason I can't look at my lover's face if we have a fight and why I close my eyes in the most passionate of kisses. 

Thoughts, emotions and feelings swirl and race and vy for top spot. All hidden yet equally exposed. For those who not just look but see. I hide, I focus, I feel, I revel in that which is hidden just behind the mirror. Who I am is not worn on my sleeve, it's written in my eyes. To be looked at and not seen or to be seen and not valued scares me. That happened this week. Deemed cold, rude and unprofessional, a bad person, for not holding a gaze in an awkward situation but for looking down or at the one whose gaze always lifts mine up. 

My eyes will always search for the mirror that reflects not so much the good of a person but the soul behind the eyes. When I look in your eyes, I'm looking for your soul, your thoughts, your emotions. I am looking for you. When you look in my eyes, look for my mine. Look at my soul and I'll look at yours.

Shopping a minimalist kids Christmas

My kids first, second and third most wished for gifts are Lego, Lego and more Lego. I swear it's that or nothing this year. But a mom can dream and so here are my most wished for kids gifts. No batteries or garish colours. Just add imagination...

Galaxy globe mobile, puzzlehead brainteaser, quote wall decoration, peach swinger and ladders game.

Terracotta greys

After endless weeks of indecision, heated conversations (not really) about going too dark and despite initially purchasing a lighter colour, I finally painted the fireplace wall in the extra matte marble colour I envisioned from the get-go.

And wouldn't you know that the terracotta storage pots from Menu that I picked up for an unbelievable steal finally arrived that same weekend? I love the the way the terracotta pops against the greys and the subsequent play of shadows.

The brass calendar

I've been searching for a calendar for ages. Something functional to hold all the family's appointments that I never seem to remember but at the same time good-looking to prevent me stashing it out of sight after a week..

Needless to say, I pretty much starting salivating the moment I saw this brass mounted calendar with thumbscrews by Dry Things. It doesn't get much more minimalist than this. A brass sheet, simple black and white typography numbers and screws. This calendar and the square log are number one on my wish list and firmly cement my new-found love of both the Dry Things studio love and brass!

Baked caramel speculaas popcorn

Movie night has become a family ritual and one I look forward to as I'm a total popcorn freak and so are the kids! I love a bowl of sweet, buttery goodness. I, however, hate the residual stickiness on said kiddie fingers that magically seem to get onto everything...

So I went with a big batch of caramel baked popcorn. No sticky, no scrubbing, no fuss. But not just any old caramel but one with the spices that scream autumn to me. Or as my guy says, they taste like speculaas. The spice mix is one I love this time of year; vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. These are cooked right along with the caramel from the start and totally blend and mellow. Toss the popcorn, an hour's bake on low, the remote, a blanket and you're ready for movie night. 1, 2, 3...lights!

Hopscotch

I’m obsessed with scented candles. Candles that smell like the holidays to be exact. Unique scents, nothing too sweet or cloying in beautiful albeit it minimalist style packaging. Sorry, no pumpkin spice and no red. 

I have several different brands that I intend to burn through this holiday season (pun intended). Starting with Hopscotch in the scents cedar + pine and spiced apple. These make even rainy November days the perfect time to sit before the fire and enjoy!

Winter is coming

It's cold, baby! On the ride to school we were discussing what three degrees means. For me, it means snuggle up and bunker down time. My furry slippers only leave my feet to shower and you risk sitting on someone as we are all permanently hidden under a blanket on the sofa. All jokes aside, it also means cozying up our home. I burn candles every night, added more and especially softer cushions and am in the process of making home holiday ready. For me, it's all about winter warmth..

Scented candle from Brooklyn candle studio,stoneware holders from Marimekko, birch candles from Arhaus, velvet cushion from H&M, reflection tealight holder from Piet Moodshop and chunky knit blanket from The Flying Lambau.

Some good resources to check out, from both sides of the pond include Arhaus, H&M and Pinterest. 

Warm greys

I picked up some colour samples and dropped them on the dining table because I was feeling too exhausted to hang them up. Actually it turned out to be a good move, because now I can see the colours against the second largest space in the room. The dark grey I was envisioning got axed pretty quickly, leaving only the selection of warm greys...with just a splash of burgundy and gold because it almost the holidays!

Kokoro

Dutch Design week sadly was the same week as our holiday so I didn't get to see much. In the short time we were there, this storage block made the most impact. I love the how the Kokoro takes such a simple, standard shape was turned into something elegant and sculptural. An absolute winner, showcasing the beauty of the wood and the work of an artisan. By Rene Siebum, whose series of wardrobes is still a love of mine.

Designer box

Design lovers can be amazingly difficult to shop from. Picky, fussy and particular come to mind. Or am I just thinking of myself because after unwrapping I'm often secretly thinking really? And yet I think a gift card is as impersonal as it gets.

In comes Designer box, which I recently stumbled across while searching for new designers. I love the idea of getting a monthly dose of design. You can choose a subscription for a specific duration and every month your unique piece arrives beautifully packaged.

Would it be wrong of me to gift myself a trial run for Christmas?