A must see movie: Les Intouchables!

Whilst I was back home in the Netherlands this weekend me and the parents decided to have a lovely movie night out. A little while back they had told me about this amazing French movie they'd seen and recommended that I go see it in London. However to my disappointment it seemed that the movie wasn't playing in any cinema in London! My parents couldn't believe this since it was such a sell-out success back home and all over Europe. So when we were talking about what movie to see this weekend for our movie-night out they suggested seeing 'Les Intouchables' even though they had already seen it a few weeks back. Now for them to want to see a movie twice at the cinema meant this movie had to be pretty special.

So on Saturday night we biked into the city to see 'Les Intouchables' in a pretty packed movie theatre despite it being its 14th week of screening there. I had pretty high expectations for this film after hearing all their raving stories, but let me tell you, the movie succeeded them easily. I absolutely LOVED this film ♥

Les Intouchables (The Intouchables) is a french spoken movie directed by Olivier Nakacheand Éric Toledano. The movie broke box office records in France and across Europe; in just nine weeks after its release in France on 2 November 2011 it became the second most successful French film of all time. The movie is based on a true story and is about the unlikely friendship between Phillipe; a quadriplegic handicap millionaire, and Driss; his street smart ex-con caretaker.

Here is a link to the trailer (with english subtitles) on YouTube - click here to view

This is how a movie should be; no special effects, no 3D - just a solid story with extraordinary actors giving memorable performances. It is a genuine feel-good comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility! The film had me laughing out loud SO much and the beautiful music sweeps you up and takes you on this wonderful journey with the characters (a bit like it does in another amazing french movie; Amelie!)

This is definitely one of my new favourite movies ever and I can't wait to buy this on DVD because it is one of those movies I think I could watch over and over again and still enjoy!! If you get a chance to see this movie I definitely recommend it. And do let me know what you think when you've seen it :)

The story of this movie is very inspiring and it reminded me that there is just so much beauty in life!

Happy Hump Day everyone! xoxo 

Cinderela B - chunky gold & pearl bracelet

Who knew gold and pearl could be such a perfect combination?

This is a new bracelet I recently got from Cinderela B

Cinderela B is a luxury designer jewellery label founded in 2006 by British designer Rachel Jackson. She is based in the vibrant and creative area of Spitalfields, London where every piece of her jewellery is handmade. The label has two seperate collections; the vintage couture range and a main line collection. Both collection designs include birds, bees and butterflies and are fashion-forward, original and made with high quality materials.

This is the Luxe Neon Bracelet in Mother of Pearl

It is made using semi-precious mother of pearl and you can chose for the chunky chain to be gold or silver plated. I love the combination of the chunky and edgy chain with the elegant and delicate pearls.

I have been wearing it lots either matched with other gold and pearl bracelets or even with my much loved silver Tiffany & Co bracelets or my Michael Kors watch.

The Mother of Pearl Luxe Neon Bracelet is priced at £22and is available to buy from Cinderela B (link)

Healthy easy dinner: Sweet corn Fritters

In summer time I love making quick, fresh and healthy dinners! Corn fritters are something I love at brunch or dinner time and recently I found a great recipe that I thought I'd share :)

These savoury morsels are quite the treat - but guilt free!

Ingredients:
(Serves 1-2 people)

Fresh sweet corn kernels
1 egg + 1 egg white
1 heaped tbsp. self-raising flour
Salt & pepper
Olive oil for frying

Optional add-ins: capsicum (peppers), spring onions, chilli or anything else that takes your fancy!

I was inspired to make this recipe because I'd purchased some lovely fresh corn from the Portobello markets but you can also use canned (not creamed!) or frozen corn but personally I think you can't beat FRESH corn off the cob :)

Start by removing the kernels from 2 large heads of sweet corn with a sharp knife....

Put them into a mixing bowl with a whole egg, a little salt & pepper and 1 heaped tbsp of self-raising flour....

plus I opted to add some more colour to my corn fritters in the form of red capsicum...

Beat the separate egg white until stiff....

Mix the corn, egg, flour, capsicum together and gently fold in the whipped egg white into the mixture.

(Be careful not to over-mix the batter because this will result in heavy cakes)

Drizzle a little olive oil into a nonstick frying pan. When the oil is warm, place large tablespoons of the batter in the pan and leave for a couple of minutes to brown lightly...

Flip them over with a palette knife and cook the other side. Lift out, drain on kitchen paper, then eat immediately. I served mine with a small rocket salad on the side and a big dollop of avocado mash on top!

(Avocado mash: roughly mashed avocado, chopped coriander and parsley & some lemon/lime juice)

Let me tell you, these were truly delicious, filling and super easy to make! For an even more yummier meal you could add some cooked rashers of bacon or slices of grilled haloumi and roast vine tomatoes. Have you tried corn fritters before? If not, I think you should give it a go.....it looks tasty doesn't it?!

Bon appetit ;) xoxo

A ray of sunshine! #

A few weekends ago we were blessed with bright blue skies, balmy temperatures and lots of sunshine in the UK. London already is a fantastic city to live in but let me tell you it becomes an entirely different place when it is hot and sunny! The sun just seems to brings out the best in everyone; it becomes the happiest place on the planet. People will be out in their summer dresses or shorts with sandals, soaking up the sun in the many beautiful parks, having picnics or sitting on the terraces of many great cafes followed by drinking Pimm’s in the pub and alfresco dinning or rooftop BBQ’s!!

I think because we are not often blessed with that kind of weather here it makes us appreciate the sunshine and heat so much more that everyone is just super HAPPY!! In a nutshell, you can’t beat London on a summers day!

When it’s such lovely weather I always feel like wearing lots of colour to reflect my sunny mood; I thought this bright yellow dress fit the bill perfectly; I felt a bit like a ray of sunshine ;)

Dress: bought this about 3 years ago in New Zealand at Principals
Shoes: Nude flat sandals from ZARA, got these a couple of month's ago. Super comfy!
Jacket: Denim Jacket by Bershka (as seen here)

Gold & Turqoise clover necklace by Regina Pierallini (link)

Sunglasses by RayBan
Watch by Michael Kors

I started this glorious day with breakfast in the sun at Gusto in Notting Hill, which is a lovely little Italian cafe/restaurant just down the road from my house! It's so nice to have a fantastic local place where you can go for a coffee, sit outside and enjoy delicious food and super friendly service.

My delicious organic yoghurt with home made granola, banana and honey!

On my nails (and toes) I am wearing my favourite nail polish this summer
Bourjois 10 Days Nail Enamel in Macaron #25 (as seen here)

Sunshine makes me SO happy :)

And as I am writing this post as it is raining outside....c'mon please bring back summer?! xoxo