Monthly Archives: December 2013

BEST OF INSTAGRAM 2013

30 December 2013

Wow, what a year it has been! Mainly another year of firsts for me, this time venturing out into the blogosphere, joining social media properly and therefore opening myself up to being judged, analysed and sometimes criticised. Initially it was scary and there have been some trolls but overall I’ve received so much positive and encouraging feedback that I’m excited to continue my social media journey.

A big part of that is Instagram for me. At the beginning I was like an excited puppy playing with a new squeaky toy but after exploring all the filters, frames and blur options I’m slowly moving towards a more considerate approach. I’m starting to think more about composition and colours and want my grid to be more cohesive and harmonious. Still telling a story and documenting special moments but always with the intention of showing beauty in the everyday and (hopefully) bringing inspiration to my followers.

I’ve blogged about the phenomenon before when I introduced Ida Laerke, a favourite Instagrammer of mine. It’s a powerful tool as it makes you feel so close to somebody who you’ve never met and probably never will but yet you know what their newborn looks like, what colour their front door is painted and that their partner liked his stripy socks for Christmas. It’s strange and you could call it voyeurism but I ask myself what’s the difference to buying gossip magazines? Only this time you’re peeking into somebody’s life who isn’t famous.

So, whether you love it or hate it here is my selection of special moments from 2013 and already I can’t wait to compose next year’s round up.

I’m wondering… Are you on Instagram? Who do you think is worth following and why?

Best of Instagram 2013 Stylejuicer

Here’s to an exciting 2014!

Annie Signature Stylejuicer

Photography | Annie Kruse (mostly iPhone and VSCOcam)

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ – MY NEW OLD TRADITIONS

24 December 2013

Yes! It’s Christmas Eve!

As a child Christmas Eve was the highlight of my calendar since in Germany it’s the late afternoon when Father Christmas drops off his presents, just when you happen to be at church singing some carols and watching the nativity play.

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I remember feeling so sorry for all those children of other nationalities who had to wait till Christmas Day for their presents but I concluded that Father Christmas had to start somewhere to get them all delivered in time. In case you wondered I’ve gotten over my childhood trauma since moving to London and fully embrace the English Christmas traditions now. In fact I really like the anticipation on Christmas Eve when everything is decorated, wrapped, shopped for and prepped and the festivities begin with a little mulled wine and a mice pie or a glass of champagne with smoked salmon canapes to ease you into the spirit.

When I met The Cowboy a few years ago even more traditions came into play, this time American ones. He’s a gentle character but when I suggested a ‘really nice organic chicken’ he drew the line: it had to be turkey or he would go on strike. Same goes for the stuffing, cranberry sauce and sweet potato mash, all prepared by him and nothing else will do. So none of my northern German Christmas food of boiled carp with horseradish and boiled potatoes then!? Admittedly, it wasn’t a big concession on my part.

One American tradition I love is reading the poem ‘twas the night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore on Christmas Eve. It captures the spirit and anticipation of Christmas beautifully and makes me smile each time I read the description of this jolly character who is Father Christmas.

So tonight for the first time I’ll read it to my two little elves in their pyjamas and hope that they’ll have a good long sleep. *Dream on Mami*

Wishing you all a magical Christmas Eve!

Annie Signature Stylejuicer

 

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

by Clement Moore

Make it Snow !

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

 

NOTE: The poem ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers!

Clement Moore, the author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas, was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry.

Photography | I found this on Pinterest without any photo credit. Please get in touch if you know the source.

SUPER DUPER SPICY GINGERBREAD COOKIES

22 December 2013

To create this year’s Stylejuicer Christmas e-card I wanted to try my hand at spicy gingerbread cookies as I had this idea of shooting them on a chalkboard background with icing sugar as snow and a simple message in the centre. Coincidentally my man, the cowboy, is mildly addicted to them and the kids love them too. So after I got a tiny star shaped and a Christmas tree cookie cutter I consulted my lovely American neighbour Andrea who had just the recipe for me.

I know I can always rely on her as she’s the best baker I know by a mile (sorry Bobs, you’re a close second) and with her own adaptions and subsitutions of this classic American recipe by Anne Disrude they make for perfect Christmas cookies. I have to say they really are sublime and well worth shopping for all the slightly out of the ordinary ingredients and also make great little gifts.

Now, as much as I want to start a traditional Christmas baking day with the kids I have to admit that I did the gingerbread cookies on the sly whilst the kids were napping. With all the photographing equipment and general mess I felt it would have just been too temping for little fingers to interfere and god knows what might have happened. Suffice to say I think I would have come out a lot worse than the kids.

But I’m doing another batch soon with some dough I froze and I’ll allow the kids run wild and just hope for the best.

Spicy Gingerbread Cookies Copyright Stylejuicer

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SPICY GINGERBREAD COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:

1 cup brown muscovado sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup ground ginger (I did a less spicy option and used 2/3 ground ginger and 1/3 ground cinnamon all adding up to 1/2 cup)
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
200g unsalted butter
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses (or black treacle)
4 cups plain flour
2 tablespoons low-fat (2%) milk (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl. combine the sugar, baking soda, ginger, allspice, cloves and nutmeg. Add the butter and, with an electric mixer, beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Beat in the maple syrup and molasses. Beat in the flour 1 cup at a time. Only stir in the milk if the dough is too dry.

Divide the dough into four equal portions. Shape into bricks, wrap well in cling film, and refridgerate for at least a day and up to three days to mellow the flavours.

Remove the dough from the refridgerator 30 minutes before rolling. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) Lightly butter two baking sheets, or use non-stick sheets. Cut cookies whichever way you fancy and bake for 9-11 minutes until they are just beginning to brown at the edges. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool.

This dough freezes beautifully, so you can bake some and freeze the rest for later. Wrap well and freeze up to two months. The cookies will keep up to one month in an airtight container.

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

Annie Signature Stylejuicer

Photography | Annie Kruse

CHALET CHIC – BRUECKE 49 VALS SWITZERLAND

20 December 2013

Grüezi*, I’ve been dying to write this post for you! Six days to go till Christmas and Brücke 49 in Vals Switzerland comes with the most wonderfully wintery and Christmassy (I’ve decide it’s a word) photography you can imagine. It was hard whittling down the almost 100 photos Mr Schacht, the owner sent me but I hope I’ve done Martin Kaufmann, the Danish photographer proud and selected just the juiciest ones for this post.

copyright Bruecke 49 via Stylejuicer

As much as I love Christmas a part of me wants to escape and spend the week in a quiet ski resort in the Alps, ideally in a warm, welcoming, modern, clean, stylish chalet with all mod cons and really nice hosts. Et voilà, Mr and Mrs Schacht provide just such a service in the charming resort of Vals in Switzerland. Actually, they call it a home from home and modestly claim Brücke 49 to be a B&B with a difference. Well actually, it’s a luxurious, stylish and understated abode with a personal and relaxed atmosphere judging by the photos.

I adore all the quirky little details like the traditional stag’s head, the old-fashioned china, the felt slippers and I love the custom upholstered chair in various fabrics. The dark grey walls in the entrance area are bang on trend (as discussed previously here) and it all comes together with the sanded floorboards, the animal skin rugs, granite stone slabs on the ground floor and heavy wooden beams. A superb interior design job sensitively combining rustic chalet chic with classic modern lines.

And, no, I’m not just writing this to get an invite. In fact I think Mr Schacht would never be so bold as to toot his own alphorn but I really feel passionately about this beautiful little gem tucked away in the mountains. Let’s hope the not too distant future will bring a trip to Vals for me and the crew.

*Traditional Swiss greeting {ahem, not just eye-candy, educational as well this blog #justsaying}

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Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

Annie Signature Stylejuicer

More information | Brücke 49, Vals, Switzerland
Photography | Martin Kaufmann

KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

18 December 2013

Ok, so I’m jumping on the gift guide band wagon a little late but if you ask Santa nicely he might still be able to get all of these toys through his online elves in time for Christmas. You never know! 😉

So, looking at this kids Christmas gift guide I realise that it actually features all of my favourites – creative, educational, made from non-toxic wood or recycled rubber, sourced sustainably, sturdy toys withstanding even the fiercest tantrums that age beautifully so they can be handed down. Plus all are classic designs and come in beautiful colours.

‘Right Stylejuicer mummy, what world are you living in!?’ you’ll be thinking by now. ‘Ha! My kids want plastic, garish colours, preferably battery operated and noisy toys. You’d better re-think your gift guide and have a word with Santa pronto or you’ll be covered in bruises when these sustainably sourced wooden toys come flying your way.’

Oh, none of that please! I get your point but just for today let me daydream and imagine a world where kids play nicely with unique timeless toys. And, no, there will be no alternative Christmas gift guide as you won’t find Stylejuicer promoting anything other than quality.

NOTE: Most of the toys can be found in one of my favourite online kiddie store, SMALLABLE. Individual links are below the image.
 

Kids Christmas Gift Guide 2013 via Stylejuicer
 

01. | Scouic the Squirrel by DJECO
02. | Zoo Shapes Box by DWELLSTUDIO
03. | Tepee by VILAC
04. | Wooden Transport Puzzle by MOULIN ROTY
05. | Astronaut Bed Linen by SNURK BEDDENGOED
06. | Wooden Little Market by VILAC
07. | Wooden balance Bike by KIDDIMOTO
08. | Wooden Marble Run by VILAC
09. | Vintage stamp set by ZOÉ DE LAS CASES
10. | Cubes by UNCLGOOSE Upper and Lower
11. | Emile & Olive Wooden Sandwich Game by DJECO
12. | 8 Ball Helmet by KIDDIMOTO

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

Annie Signature Stylejuicer