Margot, Author at Coffee & Vanilla

DIY Garden for Syrian Hamster

MATERIALS cat’s litter tray or other large and not to shallow container gravel – for the drainage, as the container will have to holes on the bottom soil for edible plants – free from fertilizers, not the one for flowers that is packed with all kinds of growth chemicals wood shavings hamster safe plant’s seeds […]

Visiting New Mothercare Store in Edmonton, London

I must admit I don’t usually shop at Mothercare and the reason is that the store near me is very tiny and it is hard to get inside with the pushchair or even impossible to go on the first floor by the stairs. This is not the case in huge Edmonton branch that is spacious and equipped with […]

Our Syrian Hamster Toffy & His Peanut Free Healthy Diet

Because one of my daughters has peanut allergy I had to work out healthy balanced peanut free diet for our hamster and it was much easier than I thought. It is a pity that almost all ready supermarket hamster food mixes contain peanuts as the cheapest nuts. But in all good pet shop you will […]

Barley Stew with Smoked Garlic, Mushrooms & Lemon Thyme

Warming up, thick, creamy and very fragrant soup for cold and rainy days.

Xara Designer Pro 7 from Magix – Software Review

Xara Designer Pro 7 from Magix (formerly known as Xara Xtreme) is very universal program for picture editing, illustrations, 3D graphics, materials for print, creating websites and photo galleries, all that for only £249.00 including VAT. I was quite sceptical on the beginning as I don’t really have time to learn completely new programs when […]

Pearl Barley Spinach Salad with Garlic and Chilli Flakes

Healthy, low calorie salad recipe with refreshing flavour of lemon.

Berry Vanilla Chocolate Picnic Cake with Smarties

[Decoration inspired by Smarties Cake from Crème et Cannelle] INGREDIENTS for the berry vanilla cake 2½ cups plain flour 1 tbs baking powder 3-4 eggs (I used 4 small ones) ½ cup of milk 1 cup golden caster sugar 2 tbs vanilla sugar 125g / ½ bar of unsalted butter 400g tin of fresh berries […]

Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes – Game Review

I have to admit, I never really got the Lego franchise. I mean who wants to play a dumbed down version of any game never mind one where the characters can’t speak? Fortunately there is speech in Lego Batman 2 (yay) but it’s not about the speech or not, it’s about how playable the game […]

Pink Beetroot & Green Avocado Picnic Dips

Pink and green, low in calories picnic dips that looks great and are healthy as well.

Summer Kids’ Nail Art – Cherry Fingers & Watermelon Toes

Summer nail art ideas for kids – cherries and watermelon slices.

Adorable Handmade Chocolates from Club Chocolat Français

I thought I will let you know about beautiful, handmade Club Chocolat Français chocolates! They are made with passion in South West France from Rainforest Alliance Certificated cocoa beans and other ingredients that come directly from their own orchards, such as prunes or hazelnuts. Just to mention couple of our favourites: Dark Colombia Dark chocolates […]

Bulgur Wheat Tabbouleh

INGREDIENTS 250g bulgur wheat / 1¼ cup 5 cups / 1¼ litre of boiling water 3 vegetable cubes (10g each) medium red onion (diced finely) 1 red & 1 yellow or orange bell pepper (diced finely) 3 garlic cloves (chopped or squeezed) handful of chopped mint / 15g handful of chopped flat leaf parsley /15g […]

The Interprofessional Olive Oil from Spain at Taste of London

I visited European olive oils stall during this years Taste of London festival where I was given private olive oil testing by Teresa Pérez Millán – director of Interprofesional del Aceite de Oliva Español which with help from EU and Spain promote benefits of olive oil in their “Everything’s Better with Olive Oil” campaign. I […]

Visiting Taste of London Festival

This year I was visiting Taste of London for the very first time, it was taking place on the 21-24 of June in Regent’s Park. To be honest I did expect much more from The World’s Greatest Restaurant Festival… In a big part the blame should be on weather that was truly horrible, everyone seemed […]

Miscellaneous Foods Collection

Below couple of strange foods I came across so far but I will be updating this post will new finds (adding link to the footer shortcuts for easier access). Giant potato, bigger than 400g jar of Nutella. Mega honey & nut corn flake… Value tomato, all covered in mould (!) Piece of wooden stick found […]

Marissa’s Clay Pony

I don’t think I got a chance yet to share with you image for the clay horse my daughter made at school last year, when she was still 5 years old (!) I was quite amazed with the details she created. It has been later painted, glazed and fired by the teacher – thank you […]

What Do You Know About IEC Standards?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was founded in 1906 and is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. They are World’s leading organization creating International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies, electrotechnology in short. Millions of devices depend on IEC standards to perform, fit and work safely together. I spoke to […]

Black Forest Cake – German Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Black Forest Cake – German chocolate cake with cherry liquor and fresh cherries.

Photo Quiz # 9 – Announcing The Winner (CLOSED)

Photo quiz with prizes to be won.

Coffee & Vanilla Ice Cream

INGREDIENTS 6 scoops of vanilla ice cream ½ tsp instant coffee or more (it depends on coffee) 2 tsp of sugar 2 tbs hot water METHOD Dissolve coffee and sugar in a little bit of hot water. Pour over your favourite vanilla ice cream and enjoy. Make 2 portions. NOTES For kids replace coffee sauce with […]

Spicy Tuna, Corn & Red Kidney Bean Jacket Potatoes

Baked potatoes filled with spicy tuna, great also as sandwich filler or pasta topping.

NUME – Morrisons’ New Healthy Products Range

Couple of weeks ago I’ve been invited to L’atelier des Chefs in London for the launch of NuMe – new healthy products range from Morrisons. I shop in their supermarket on daily basis so I was very curious to find out more about the brand. We met Morrisons’ nutritionists, chefs, brand managers & experts who […]

Pasta Salad with Chicken & Tandoori Masala Dressing

INGREDIENTS 500g chicken breast (diced) 500g pasta a little bit of butter or oil to fry onions 1 large onion (diced) 1 red or yellow bell pepper (diced) 3-4 spring onions (chopped) 150-200g of salad leaves – I used bistro leaf mix with shredded beetroot pieces (bigger leaves shredded) 400g tin of chick peas (drained) […]

Butternut Squash Chicken with Sage – 7 months +

INGREDIENTS 250g butternut squash (peeled & diced) 200g potatoes (peeled and chopped) 100g chicken breast (diced) 100g carrots (peeled & sliced) ½ tsp olive oil ½ tsp of dried sage 1 cup of boiling water EQUIPMENT hand blender small pot with a lid METHOD Place all ingredients in a pot and cook covered over medium fire until […]

GetTaxi App – Review

Have you heard about this new GetTaxi app yet? Once you install it on your phone (free) you can start using it straight away as long as you have internet access on the phone. You can either choose pick up location from the map, by adding postcode or simply pressing “locate” button (mobile or gps […]

Simple Garlic Sauce for Yorkshire Puddings

INGREDIENTS frozen Yorkshire puddings for the garlic sauce 3 tbs plain flour 25g unsalted butter 400 ml of boiling water 1½ vegetable cubes (10g each) or stock powder 1 tbs garlic powder full fat milk – to taste METHOD Place frozen Yorkshire puddings in preheated oven according to the instructions on the package. In meantime […]

Photo Quiz # 9 – Prize: BlackBerry “Supergirl” Case (CLOSED)

Photo quiz – “Supergirl” BlackBerry 9900 hard shell case to be won.

Cooling Apple, Melon and Cherry Tomato Salad with Mint & Lemon Dressing

INGREDIENTS ½ large melon – I used Piel de Sapo (scooped out) 3 apples (cubed) 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes / about 250g (halved) for the dressing 2 tbs olive oil 2 tbs lemon juice 1 tbs golden caster sugar handful of fresh mint leaves (chopped) EQUIPMENT melon baller apple slicer/cutter METHOD Combine all ingredients […]

Crussh Juice Bar at Jubilee Place in Canary Wharf – Review

If you think healthy, low in calorie food can’t be tasty you can’t be more mistaken… Couple of weeks ago together with Jeanne from Cook Sister!, Michelle from Greedy Gourmet, Sarah from Maison Cupcake and Solange from Pebble Soup we were invited by MD Chris Fung to Crussh Juice Bar at Canary Wharf ‘s Jubilee […]

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Coffee & Vanilla

crafts, food and adventures…

Author: Margot

DIY Garden for Syrian Hamster

Visiting New Mothercare Store in Edmonton, London

Our Syrian Hamster Toffy & His Peanut Free Healthy Diet

Barley Stew with Smoked Garlic, Mushrooms & Lemon Thyme

Xara Designer Pro 7 from Magix – Software Review

Pearl Barley Spinach Salad with Garlic and Chilli Flakes

Berry Vanilla Chocolate Picnic Cake with Smarties

Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes – Game Review

Pink Beetroot & Green Avocado Picnic Dips

Summer Kids’ Nail Art – Cherry Fingers & Watermelon Toes

Adorable Handmade Chocolates from Club Chocolat Français

Bulgur Wheat Tabbouleh

The Interprofessional Olive Oil from Spain at Taste of London

Visiting Taste of London Festival

Miscellaneous Foods Collection

Marissa’s Clay Pony

What Do You Know About IEC Standards?

Black Forest Cake – German Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Photo Quiz # 9 – Announcing The Winner (CLOSED)

Coffee & Vanilla Ice Cream

Spicy Tuna, Corn & Red Kidney Bean Jacket Potatoes

NUME – Morrisons’ New Healthy Products Range

Pasta Salad with Chicken & Tandoori Masala Dressing

Butternut Squash Chicken with Sage – 7 months +

GetTaxi App – Review

Simple Garlic Sauce for Yorkshire Puddings

Photo Quiz # 9 – Prize: BlackBerry “Supergirl” Case (CLOSED)

Cooling Apple, Melon and Cherry Tomato Salad with Mint & Lemon Dressing

Crussh Juice Bar at Jubilee Place in Canary Wharf – Review

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ActionAid Summer Blog Party #ActionAidBlogParty

DIY Garden for Syrian Hamster

Visiting New Mothercare Store in Edmonton, London

Our Syrian Hamster Toffy & His Peanut Free Healthy Diet

Barley Stew with Smoked Garlic, Mushrooms & Lemon Thyme

Xara Designer Pro 7 from Magix – Software Review

Pearl Barley Spinach Salad with Garlic and Chilli Flakes

Berry Vanilla Chocolate Picnic Cake with Smarties

Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes – Game Review

Pink Beetroot & Green Avocado Picnic Dips

Summer Kids’ Nail Art – Cherry Fingers & Watermelon Toes

Adorable Handmade Chocolates from Club Chocolat Français

Bulgur Wheat Tabbouleh

The Interprofessional Olive Oil from Spain at Taste of London

Visiting Taste of London Festival

Miscellaneous Foods Collection

Marissa’s Clay Pony

What Do You Know About IEC Standards?

Black Forest Cake – German Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Photo Quiz # 9 – Announcing The Winner (CLOSED)

Coffee & Vanilla Ice Cream

Spicy Tuna, Corn & Red Kidney Bean Jacket Potatoes

NUME – Morrisons’ New Healthy Products Range

Pasta Salad with Chicken & Tandoori Masala Dressing

Butternut Squash Chicken with Sage – 7 months +

GetTaxi App – Review

Simple Garlic Sauce for Yorkshire Puddings

Photo Quiz # 9 – Prize: BlackBerry “Supergirl” Case (CLOSED)

Cooling Apple, Melon and Cherry Tomato Salad with Mint & Lemon Dressing

Crussh Juice Bar at Jubilee Place in Canary Wharf – Review