Christmas Snack Attack: Merry Candied Cinnamon & Vanilla Almonds

It is almost that time of the year, not the happy-go-lucky Christmas spirit time, but the too many guests, with empty hands and grumbling stomachs time. I suppose it is also the happy-go-lucky Christmas spirit time, but for many hosting parties, be it for Christmas, New Years Eve or a Summer pool party, it is more stressful than fun. You feel like simply visiting the nearest grocer and serving ready made everything and all your plans for serving home made kale chips and cashew nut butter simply fly out the back door.

However I do believe that these candied vanilla and cinnamon nuts are the perfect snack, to keep your guests quiet until the actual food arrives and it won't break your bank or take up too much of your time.

They are simply delicious as well - off course.

Ingredients:

2 C almonds

3/4 C white sugar

1/3 C water

2 tsp vanilla essence

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1.Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

2. Place the nuts on a lightly oiled baking sheet and toast for 13 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice to stir the nuts.

3. Combine sugar, water, vanilla and cinnamon in a deep saucepan. Heat to boil.

4. Add the toasted nuts and stir, continuing to let it cook until all the water has evaporated.

5. Remove from heat and spread on a lined baking sheet to cool.

Serve nuts hot or cool and store in a airtight container.

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Active Wear: Stella McCartney for Adidas

You know they have hit the nail on the head when the clothes actually make you want to work out, or at least wear it around the house to look superior and healthy and stuff.

Celebrating it's tenth anniversary this year, the stylish collab between the house of Stella McCartney and Adidas sportbrand has every right to be proud as they continue to produce comfortable and sexy training-, jogging-, yoga- and leisure wear.

From seamless neoprene tights and crop tops to laser cut design waterproof jackets in hues of pink, the collaboration is a perfect marriage of functional and feminine. As seen in many of the latest sports wear trends, technology is lending it's mechanical hand to help athletes become faster, safer and achieve better results and judging by her past few of collections, McCartney has her designer finger right on that techno pulse. She is making sure to keep a laser-sharp focus on the fast-moving ever-changing industry of sports wear.

A few of my all-time favourite Stella McCartney for Adidas pieces.

'I love that you can have the language between the two worlds of technology and fashion, because I don't think that many designers get to do that.' -  Stella McCartney

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Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz - Prayer In C (Robin Schulz Remi...

Fashion Update: White Out

Get out your shades, cause the latest trend is blinding.

All white outfits are all the range for the upcoming spring summer. Keep your shoes and accessories either white as well or opt for a black, beige or camel colour.

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Eat Up: Red Hot Chilli Poppers

Hunting down the perfect chilli poppers recipe wasn't easy, but nonetheless, I found a healthier version on, Life in the semi-fab lane. These popperitos get baked and not fried and they will pack a much more flavour laden punch ,than most oily pub versions.

Ingredients:                                                                                                                         Serves 2

6 fresh jalapenos

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 tub low-fat sweet chilli cream cheese( I used Simonsberg)

1 spring onion finely chopped

pinch of paprika

garlic powder

salt and pepper

2 large eggs

splash of milk

1 cup dry bread crumbs

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Cut peppers length-wise and de-seed and de-vein them,         using a sharp kitchen knife. 

2. In a bowl, mix cheddar, cream cheese, spring onion, paprika, garlic powder and salt and pepper.

3. Stuff cheese mixture evenly into poppers, make sure it is secure and wont fall out. 

4. Mix milk and eggs.

5. Dip each stuffed pepper in the milk mixture and then roll it in the bread crumbs, repeat with                 another dip in the milk mixture and a roll in the bread crumbs.

6. Place poppers on a oiled baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until the crumbs are golden                brown.

Serve hot with sweet chilli sauce on the side.

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Graduate Collection: Foreshore Realm

Boardwalk Empire, an HBO series, set in Atlantic City in the 1920’s. A dark time when the air was filled with cigar smoke, liquor flowed freely and gun shots fired were the norm- It was an era of live fast and die young, but…

It was also the era of the suit, suspenders and bow ties, it was the era of the the gentleman as well as my main inspiration for my graduate collection, Foreshore Realm.

Incorporating these elements into my male and female looks, giving the collection an overall androgynous feel, but also adding feminine details to the female looks in the form of lace appliqué and beading.

With the androgynous mood in mind, my muses for the collection were Michael Pitt, an actor and character from the Boardwalk Empire series and model Arizona Muse.

Although Foreshore Realm is inspired by the ocean, it is not your typical nautical red, white and blue. The mood is darker and slightly eerie. Think about the dark waters that are splashing against the weather beaten, moss covered harbour walls on an overcast day. Hues of blue and grey and leather that’s the colour of wet sand and shipwrecked wood.

The collection features soft suede, airy silk chiffon, stiff cottons and rough leather. Refabrication wise for the female looks, I have created lace appliqué floral designs and also incorporated sequins and bead designs and for the male looks, reworked leather elbow and knee patches and pintucks to update the classic white shirt.

I have also added accesories that place well with the 1920’s gentleman feel, such as black and grey panama hats, leather bow ties and worn leather bags.

Foreshore Realm, is a formal collection fit for the fall, with a variety of tailored pants and shorts and lightweight jackets. The colour ways are navy, black, silver and brown.

The collection not only focuses on quality fabrics and comfortable fit, but also on silhouettes that are flattering on any body shape. The neutral cold tones of the colour ways, works well with all skin tones and also make it possible to wear the looks from day to night.

The collection lends a unique take on South African fashion, fit for the European market and beyond and the variation of different styles, ensures that there is a sure fit for every individuals taste and style preference.

Photos shot by Marike van Wyk

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