{MONDAY MOJO} Catching up on my blogging + chocolate macarons!

It's been a while since I last put words on Blogger! Life gets her way sometimes and the best you can do is live it. I have been taking care of a few things in the meantime, got a new job, a new home, turned 30 (!) and also been through a lot personally. I have missed writing despite not being your typical regular blogger, and sharing my thoughts and work is very cathartic to me... let's get the ball rolling!

We have entered a brand new year and I have concocted a few things to keep me afloat and let my creative juices do the work. To start off, I was really excited to jump on a train and get to my favourite city in the world to spend some quality family time for a few days -Paris has my heart the way no other cities does!

 

After a day of catching up with my beautiful nieces and keeping up with my sister's stories, we decided to get in the kitchen and do what we love doing most: get creative. She's herself an amazing artist and baker and it was our first time trying to make macarons, in fact baking altogether! We had seen a few recipes online and we decided to go for the one we already had all the ingredients for, a simple way to avoid going out in the freezing cold! The issue with our delicious treats is that there are so many recipes out there that it's very difficult pointing at the one that will give you smooth biscuits with a rich ganache in the middle. We clearly failed at our attempt but it was really fun working together, and it actually tasted really yummy! Neither of us were really bothered about the way they looked in the end, it was all about making the most out of the little time we had together. And to be fair, they still tasted delish.

Disclaimer: this, by no means, reflects our talents as bakers! There's always a time when things just don't work out and you have to be OK with that. And also, if you have a recipe that works, holla!

 

... and on to the next recipe! (or the nearest boulangerie?)

 

 

 

Family time is SO important. I haven't been lucky to start off with but I have managed to build my own and so fortunate for the people who make it. I have basking in my baby niece's smile for 3 days straight and it was a pure delight -the overload of selfies can prove it! I really look forward to my family getting bigger, hopefully soon!

Until the next time, friends...

{Travel Thursday} Switzerland

{Tuesday TIP} A tour of Istanbul

Those who know me and are following me on Instagram have had a glance into my holiday snaps a few weeks ago. I had a blissful break away from the city and escaped to 2 very different, but gorgeous cities: Geneva and Istanbul. While my first stop in Geneva was family-time-kinda-time, I chose Istanbul as my destination for my solo venture this year. The excitement of unknown territories.

Until I met a Geneva-based Londoner on the plane who kindly shared tips about the city (where to go and, most importantly, where to eat!), I didn't have a plan on how I would spend my holidays, I just knew I was drawn to Istanbul and wanted to explore its treasures.

Istanbul, city of cats

My first impression of the city: seed of approval. The heavy atmosphere of the jammed roads, the golden crescents of the mosques peeking at every street corners, the numerous food shops offering the best-priced deals, the peaceful locals, and the coral sunsets. I felt a sense of relief. My hostess, Basma, also was the warmest woman and welcomed me with sweet Turkish tea, fresh fruits and a heap of affection. I almost felt home.

As I explored the city of many façades, I relish the solitude. I lusted after the delights that Istanbul offered me without an ounce of guilt. I navigated through the busy side roads of Taksim Square aimlessly; made my way through narrow cobbled alleyways, greeted by sweets merchants and hookah smokers; sailed to Asia on the Bosphorus; gorged on thickly sliced fish sandwiches layered on coats of cholesterol-induced condiments; indulged in the most exquisitely presented and deliciously famous Turkish delights; and soaked every single ray of sun I could. My soul smiling all along.

Montana propaganda?

Beyond the tourist-imbibed areas, lies that urban-flavoured city that I was eager to unfold. The graffiti art shows up here and there, the trendy coffee shops/networking spots, and the hip young artists working on the cobbled streets with tea and sketch pads in hands. It was another side of Istanbul one cannot ignore!

Istanbul has my heart in many ways and I hope I cross her path again...