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Monday, January 30, 2017

To Wear Or Not To Wear



Yes, it is about the morals of wearing fur.






As you can see on the above picture I did it. But before judging too quickly, please, read the story behind.

When the weather got cooler I started to think about what I was going to use as outerwear. First, I got a thin coat borrowed from one of my collegues but I knew that I wouldn't manage January and February in that coat.
 When I was searching for pregnancy winter coats I realized that I either did not like them, or found them too expensive. I mean, I will not be able to wear it next year when not pregnant. Do I really need to spend so much on something I will only wear for about 2 months? It just didn"t feel right.

And that was when I started thinking of my mother's fur coat.
 Well, to be honest I have been thinking of having it cleaned and cut since the death of my mom but my morals were always stronger.
Also I have read an article in defence of wearing fur  and I guess my situation is quite similar to that of the writer of the article. To cut a long story short, the writer of the article received a cozy fur coar gifted from her grandma more than 20 years ago and she feels no shame of wearing it even though she receives controversial and even rude comments on doing so.


So this time it was different. I considered it seriously to have it cleaned and cut (the length was uncomfortable for me), so I put the coat in my car and drove  to the furier.
 And of course, the shop  was closed. And it went on for days like that. I almost started to feel like
 it was divine intervention or a sign that I should not wear fur.

On the other hand, having the coat cleaned and cut also cost money, almost as much as the pregnancy coats I was considering but I still felt that it would be a better investment to have the fur done as I could wear the fur next winter as well, while pregnancy coats are definitely only for the time of your pregnancy.
 So I kept going back to the furier's as long as I found the shop open.
 In a week I could pick up my coat and I was more than happy with the result. The length is perfect and the fur looks as if it was new. Even though it is more than 25 years old and my mom also received it gifted from her sister-in-law.

Now we have had - 10/-20 degrees Celsius for the last few weeks which is quite unusual in this region so I am really glad I did not give up and managed it to the furier's. :)


What is your opinion?
 Would you wear fur or do you cinsider it as senseless animal killing?


Thanks for reading and commenting.

XX,

Pippi



Friday, January 27, 2017

Resolutions




Image result for resolutions


Every year when January comes you can read numerous magazine articles and blog posts about how to stick to your New Year's Resolutions. I think the best and most effective advice I have ever read was that you should dividide your goals into smaller steps and decide what step to finish by when.

As I am in the last trimester of my pregnancy I did not want to make "big", longterm resolutions but rather ones that I can finish by my due date or ones that are relatively easy to keep even for a firts-time-mom with a baby.


The other very imprtant and effective method is writing your goals down. This way you cannot deny or disown them later on. The best is when you write it somewhere you can see them often.So that they 'haunt' you. :)

So here is my list:

Improve my Dutch: I studied Dutch at the university but I have no opportunity to use the language and forgot almost everything. Now for the last few weeks, I have been studying from my old books and next week I am going to a language learning workshop about a quite promising  method.

Read books: There are 3 books on my bedside table  that I have already started with I just need to find the time to finish them.

Stick to my financial plan: One of my NYRs a few years ago was that I would be more conscious about my financies. I think this was one of my most important and well-kept resolutions ever. And with a baby on board I think it is even more imprtant to plan carefully.

Produce less waste: Last week I cleaned my pantry and found many products with expiration dates a long time ago. I felt so embarrassed. There are so many people in need and I just buy things and let them go to waste. I really need to be more conscious about that. 

Smile more: This is a thing I set as a goal every year but it is not because I am not improving but because I think that it is important to remind yourself of it from time to time.

Be more patient: The same here as with smiling. :)

How about you? Did you make New Year's resolutions or set goals for 2017? 
I would love to hear about them. :) 

Thanks for reading.

XX,

Pippi




Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Of Geese And Pears





Ingredients:

1/2 kg pears
1/2 kg potatoes
800 g of goose legs and breasts
salt
black pepper
1 lemon

How to make it?
Cut the goose's skin with  a sharp knife (not too deep). Rub the goose all over with the cut half of a lemon. Use both sides to get it good and coated. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over the goose legs and breasts. Put the goose into the fridge for a night. 
The next morning wash the goose  under cold water. After drying it, sprinkle some salt on it. Take a large pan and put the goose legs and breasts in it. First, the side with the skin down for 8 minutes, then the other side for another 8 minutes.
In the meantime, wash the potatoes and the pears. Cut them in four pieces, remove the house of the pears but don't peel them. Put the potatoes and the pears in a duck oven. After roasting the legs and breasts for 8-8 minutes, put them into the duck oven, over the potatoes and pears. Pour the fried fat from the pan into the duck oven and squeeze the other half of the lemon on the legs and breasts.
Put the duck oven into the heated oven (180 grades) for about 1 hour 45 minutes.  Besprinkle the legs and breasts with the fat every 20 minutes. Add some water if essential.


Enjoy!

For further recipes go over to older posts herehere and here.

Thanks for stopping by!

XX,

Pippi



Friday, January 13, 2017

Instapippi Lately ....





















For further Insta photos follow my feed.

You can see other Insta related posts on the blog here and here.

Thanks for stopping by!

XX,

Pippi


Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Fav Blog Posts Lately ... 4



Fashion

My fav outfit post lately is Blondie in the City's  look. The off-the-shoulder blouse she is wearing is simply fantastic.


Beauty

Have you ever tried  a facial cleansing oil? If not, here are the best tips for how to use them. 


Gastronomy

Are you fed up with your usual breakfast routine? Here  is a quick recipe with only two ingredients essential.

Or are you looking for a gluten-free layerd cake recipe? I would recommend you this recipe.


Lifestyle

Would you like to keep your sweaters nice and neat for as long as possible? Have you ever thought of deodorizing them instead of washing them when not dirty but unpleasant odour? Washing you sweaters to often will definitely damage the fabric.  Here are some futher tips for you.


Hope you will enjoy reading these posts as much as I did.

XX,

Pippi



Monday, January 9, 2017

Tested - Dove Derma Spa

Happy Monday Everyone,

I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was quite busy with some  plumbing works done in the house and this week won't be more relaxing, either. But by the end of the week the baby's room will get painted. I am so excited. :)

For today I brought you a review of two products tested lately:

Dove Nourishing Care In Shower Argan Oil and Derma Spa Goodness Body Lotion



Shower Oil

My skin is not dry (Thanks God), still, I love using body oils and shower oils, especially in the winter. Since I am pregnant it has become even more important for me, as I try to do my best to prevent stretch marks.  The odour is really pleasant, not to intensive I love the extra moisture this product gives my skin. This shower oil contains Moroccan Argan Oil which I think is really-really efficient.

Body Lotion


This product is one of the products in the "Derma Spa Goodness" family. The fragrance is very mild but lasts quite long.  It has a note of vanilla with citrus, ginger and apple. 
After using it, my skin feels smooth and soft. This body lotion is also targeted for dry skin. As I do not have dry skin, I was a bit worried if it was absorbed quickly but I had no problems with it  and love the way my skin feels afterwards (no greasy feeling!). 

You may have realized by now that I usually love Dove products and it is not any different with these two products, either. They are totally worth the price.
Fortunately, they  did not cause any kind of irritation or redness. They are suitable for sensitive/dry skin but also very nice for normal skin in the winter when your skin needs extra care. 

How about you? Have you tried any of these poducts? What were your impressions?

Thanks for stopping by.

If you are interested in further product reviews, you can read some here, here and here.

Your comments are highly appreciated.

XX,

Pippi