How to cook: Indian lentil soup

I am not a soup person. I know people that cannot imagine meal without having soup before, but as for me, it always makes me full and I simply can't have anything else. I usually make one as a main course, my favourites are broccoli cream soup, peas cream soup, classic broth with noodles, garlic soup (also known as after party dish) and this one. Local Indian restaurant has the possibility of lunch menu in the form of a raut/banquet/all-you-can-eat for really low price and the good thing about it is, that there is always soup, three different dishes, four side dishes and an appetiser (I love onion bhajis and I would never find out without this option!), which allows you to try something you haven't tried before and yet you don't risk getting something you dislike and paying full price for it. Anyway, I fell in love with many things from the menu and I love to make Indian evening for my pals (appetiser, soup, main course). But as for the lentil soup, I love it even separately!

Get well box

So I'm sick. AGAIN. I caught a flu last week, I spent four days in bed, unable to move, then I had to go to school with fever to pass not one but two exams.On Friday I was finally getting better. Then Ales caught it from me. So I took care of him. The bad thing was he didn't have four days, he had two. And then had to go to work (damn you, system!). So I was sending him some energy so he could survive day at work (Yeah, I believe in energies and stuff). Well, I couldn't control the amounts, so the next day I was sick again! Ales is fine though. I've been sweating like a little pig for three more days, my bones hurt and it is just great. The good thing is my Brandnooz box just arrived! Some of you might not know what's that all about. Well, you subscribe to a box, pay 220 CZK a month (about 8,5$) and in the end of a month you receive a box with all kinds of goodies. Even though it cost me great amount of energy, unpacking the box really cheered me up. If you haven't opened your box yet, I recommend not to read any further...

Bike me!

I believe I've already mentioned how much I use my bicycle (this would be a place for the Queen's song, but I will do without it, it's such a cliche). Since I've been living with a cycling freak, I use my bike for commuting from spring to autumn, as much as possible. I am more of a short-distance biker, so I still do not travel to school on it (it's 60 km, and I can't make it under an hour as the train does), but I use it quite often. At the moment I own two bikes - one is super old admiral. My mum had it before me for like seven years and it's mine since 2006. It has been repaired, the tires changed, everything is nice and functional. And I like it. It is one heavy bastard and getting it out of the basement used to be nightmare, but it's a bike I can rely on. The other one is Author, it is more of a freestyle bike, it was meant for jumping and tricks. Ales uses it at the moment, as his own bike is in desolate state and we didn't manage to save the money to have it fixed yet. Anyway, I was thinking what kind of bike I would get if... I had unlimited budget and enough space to store them aaaand this is the top 3 (well, eight pictures in three categories) :

Shopping Update: January 2015

I shop. Not as much as some bloggers I follow, but still... And January after Christmas sales are great for purchassing "needful" things. Also, my beloved thrift store had January sales (which means getting the cheap even cheaper, for approx. 50 cents - 10 CZK a piece).

I was looking for some earrings that would go with brown / gold combination. Didn't find any that would suit me, so I bought a set of buttons and using pair of manicure scissors, glue gun and 6 earring hooks I assembled 3 pairs of beautiful earrings. The scarf/poncho is something I was looking for for some time, the bright green scarf is not, but it is real cashmere (and not just acrylic imitation) and it is heavenly soft.

There is never enough pants. At least for me, as I apparently possess  huge calves (no boots available) and "X" shaped legs with no thigh gap, after a while all pants just wear off, scuffing a hole between my legs (which is highly inappropriate!). I also purchased a pair in brown, but they are in a washing machine at the moment and they are meant as summer outdoor pants (they even have the lace thingy at the bottom, so I can turn them into shorts in few seconds without rolling them all up). The gardener top is so cute! It was meant to be worn at home, but I might reconsider that. The tree buckle belt is like something stolen from costumery of Lord of the Rings. I am actually thinking of making a historical / fantasy dress to go with it, something Arwen-like, maybe.

One more item is missing from the photos and it is a spring jacket I am currently refashioning (someone screwed up its sleeves really hard!).

That is all for today (and hopefully for whole month, I don't intend to buy anything else right now...)

OUTFIT: My heart is drenched in wine

Sewing diary, entry one

Dear diary,

today was my first real attempt on my brand new sewing machine. I've tried all the stitches and my mum has already used it to adjust some pants and dresses for my sisters, so now it was time for real action. The good thing is that threading the bobbin and in general preparing the machine for sewing doesn't take me as much time as it used to. I bought some trousers in a thrift store and as usual they needed to be shortened (as I am quite short myself, I almost never get jeans or pants that would fit me in terms of length, not even in regular stores. So, first I tried both pairs of pants on and used glass-headed pins to find a proper length. Then I used a hand needle and with large stitches I pre-sewed the fabric. Then I could avoid it no longer. And I did it! First the regular stitch, then the overlock so the fabric won't mess around.
Judgement: It does not look as well as it does, when I hand-sew it. But it does not look bad and it takes 1/10 of time. Also, I believe that is just a matter of time. I will get the hang of it! I am really looking forward to my next challenge - the coat I plan to narrow.. YAY! Sewing is awesome!
Love,
Anna

OUTFIT: East of the sun...

Animals I'm totally gonna have when I grow up

I am mostly a cat person but I love all kinds of animals. Truth is that every once in a while I fall in love with a certain animal and I just need to have it. But I am no longer a kid so I do not beg my parents to buy me a rabbit or so, I download pictures and look at the animal for as long as possible knowing that I both cannot afford to buy the animal and don't have time for taking care of it. But this is the list of animals I would totally get if I had unlimited budget and unlimited time.

1. Akita Inu

 Ever since I've read book called"Dogs Have the Strangest Friends" ("Když se zvířata kamarádí") by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, I've wanted a bear. And a ginger kitten and a gorilla. And an elephant and hippo and eagle. But one of the most touching stories in this children's book (well, I have it - again, as one of my former friends stole it from me, and still cry when reading it) is the one about a dog waiting for his master every single day at a train station (there's a movie about it and the story is quite known, but I first read it in the book), the story of Hachiko. Later I looked up the breed and found out, that not only Akita's are very smart, well behaved and devoted dogs, but they also look like bigger foxes. So I came to a conclusion I must have one.

Best breakup/ melancholy albums

Being in a happy relationship is a great thing really. But sometimes I get nostalgic and think about all these breakups, listening to all kinds of songs, great ones, actually. But they are those kinds of songs you don't usually play. I am glad that as far as I can see there is no breakup ahead of me (hopefully), but sometimes feeling nostalgic and perhaps melancholic is not bad. And these are my favourite albums:

You're too old

So, to explain the whole story, I have to go back a little bit. Last year I got a scooter. Not this one:

First of all, that would be quite an expensive present. And I am a reasonable woman and I hate wasting money. Second of all, I am a big ecologist. And whenever I can, I use my bike, feet or, when necessary, public transport (especially trains for school). I don't fancy the idea of having two or more cars in a family, I mean why? Also, this baby would not fit into my bag, can't be packed and just carried in my hand or in a satchel on my back.  And finally, I hate driving. I do have a drivers licence (which would apply for something like that too) but I really hate it. I am nervous and bad driver, I get tired and I can't watch the surroundings, which really bothers me. I know that one day I will have to drive, as I want a family and work and everything, but...!

No, I got a tiny scooter, big enough to be able to ride it and compact enough to be carried to school almost every day.
I've never had one. Scooter, I mean. When I was younger, I used to play with this girl from my class. She lived in a village nearby and she had two scooters and we used to ride across the village all the time. Until I got hurt. I wasn't used to riding a scooter and at that time, it was the one with really small wheels and metal plate and really heavy for a small thing like that. I was just trying to get off that thing and as I stepped on the ground, that thing spun and I got hit with the metal plate right above my heel. There was a lot of blood back then. I still have a scar. So naturally, I didn't want to ride a scooter for some time. But it seemed like a great idea having one now. So my boyfriend got it for me. I am 23 years old and I got a scooter. Perfect! And it really makes a difference. See, my classes end at quarter to something (all the time) and my train leaves at 3 minutes to that something (every hour, I know, but I don't like waiting). Anyway, the way from school to train station takes at least 10 minutes of fast walk. With a scooter? 5 minutes tops. And I get time to buy a coffee at the station! I'm a hell of a biker!
Ok, now I'm getting to the point. Last time I used it, I rode past this guy, who yelled at me something like "Ain't you too old for that?!" (Original: "Nejste na to nějak stará?")
First, I hate "yellers". The type of people who feel the urge to scream at random people in public, event if it is none of their business. On the other hand I get that look "you are too old for that"  when riding my scooter all the time. Mostly from younger girls. I think it's just envy. So I don't give a damn. Why should I? I know what they don't: that it is fast, cheap and also the most awesome feeling to ride that beauty.
You know, if you feel good when doing anything, you shouldn't be bothered whether you are too old for it. I mean, I also like swings. And I use them often. And no one yells at me. Because there are almost no children in the playground these days. So it is up to us, the "old" ones to keep these swinging...:)
And by the way, last time I was buying a bottle of wine to have a nice and cosy evening with my husband-to-be, I was asked for an ID, as I obviously look like a teenager (YES!).

Zebra crossing culture

I have a confession to make: I hate driving. I do have a driver's licence for over five years now, but since then I've driven a car...wait for it...approx. four times. I am just not driving material. I realize that someday with job to go to and kids to pick up from school I might need to re-learn how to drive. But until then I appreciate other means of transport. Trains and buses for longer distances, bike and walking for shorter ones. As a walking- person I do have several remarks to you, the other occupants of sidewalks and participants of feet-commuting (and some of them reffer to drivers, bikers, dog-walkers etc.). By writing this I want to start a revolution of walking, I want to bring some organization and culture to walking. Just so it wasn't such a pain in the ass walking through the town, you know.

OUTFIT: Raise the sails

Hunger Games movie series

I have to admit, I've read the books before seeing the movies. You can read about my opinions on that here. But this article is focusing on the movie adaptations. As every reader I was of course disappointed about some of the features in the movies, about the cuts and choices. But an overall is quite fine. Katniss Everdeen is sometimes overacting, but that's it. If I can ignore the fact, that some characters were eliminated, some characters poorly chosen and some information unsaid, I must say it's a pretty good movie. The soundtrack is very well chosen (I especially appreciate the "Hanging tree" from Mockingjay pt.1). It's a pity that the first movie had no advertising at all in our country so I learnt about it's existence in a review of the second movie (which didn't have a big campaign either), which was when I read all the books and then saw the first two movies.

I was quite worried about the third one, as they split the book in halves (which is a very "in" move in a movie industry nowadays). The campaign was huge, you could see Katniss burning on almost every corner. And then the premiere came and the people were saying that it was quite annoying, nothing happened, etc. And when I came to see it, I was like: "Why do you hate it so much?" I get it, there was not much of an action but if was quite precise. In a way I am happy that they are making two movies of the book, because there's so much essential information, that if they made just one movie of it, they would have to cross out a lot and the readers would probably hate it. And I didn't. Which is a good thing, I guess.
Anyway, wait for the last part. The very end is a little stupid but what comes before it is going to be (or should be) pretty huge.

Perfect mascara...Lancome Hypnose

Some time ago I was writing about having trouble finding a brown mascara. For some time I was quite satisfied with Maybeline, but it was not quite it. I must say, that the best mascara I've had was the one from Lancome. And now I have both black and brown!

Truth is that Lancome is not the cheapest brand, you know. But it is totally worth the money. I had the black one for more than half a year and it just doesn't dry out. The brown was a gift from my mother. She was fist introduced to this brand by one of her posh friend and she didn't think that a mascara could be such a hoot, but she had no other ever since. And the same's for me now. I always have to save some money or wait for my birthday to have a new one, but it doesn't matter. Regular mascaras you can see in the stores might be cheaper, but they dry out, make clumps and other nasty things. You only need one layer of Lancome Hypnose mascara to make the eyes look great and last whole day. And as for my new shade of brown? It is exactly what I needed! My eyes look cute and highlighted but not obscene (which is something you might aim for when going on a night out, but not on a regular day at school) and the mascara goes with my makeup and facial features so smoothly! Anyway, If you haven't found a perfect mascara yet, try this one, it's worth it...

My love, my everything, my...broken!

First let me assure you, this is not a break up, really. Nothing is wrong about that matter. But! If you've seen my post about Christmas presents, you must have seen that I got a sewing machine. I was testing it after Christmas and later there was no time for it, until Monday. I was studying for my economy test and needed a break, so I decided to practise on my beauty. It worked just fine, until I decided to change the thread. The threading the needle itself worked just fine, but then the machines did a "pffft" sound and the needle suddenly stopped moving! The engine runs and everything, when I put the thingy in the position for winding the bobbin spindle, it works and winds the thread upon the spindle, but the sewing itself does not work! I was desperate and cried, like A LOT. I haven't learnt anything else that evening. Which might cause my expulsion from school.
The worst part was yet to come. Yesterday we've looked everywhere only to find out that the receipt was nowhere to be found! And you can't claim the warranty and ask for free repair or replacement! Which makes me feel like an idiot, for several reasons.
First, I bought (well, my grandpa paid for it but it was me, technically) a machine which I knew would not be perfect, but it was the only new one I could buy with my budget. Mistake it was!
Second, I somehow lost or threw away the receipt! I always keep them. All of them are in a paper box in my closet! Even those I don't need anymore or I never needed, but somehow, the only receipt I've ever needed in my life to return the item properly, is also the only one I cannot find! So you see, I am not in the best mood now, as I might get expelled and, I might not see a sewing machine again, as I can't afford a new one, can't return this one and who knows if this one can be repaired. And even if it can, what if the cost of the repair would exceed the actual price?

EDIT: Those few unlucky days are gone now. Today (8th January) I took the sewing machine to the repair guy in our town - it took like ten minutes and I was allowed to take it back home, fully functional. And as for the economy test, I passed it. Which means I owe my friend a beer, but I don't care about that :) And I made a deal with God (well, more with myself) that if I pass, I will work on my bachelor thesis all Saturday, so be it.

OUTFIT: Bananas in beige

Best of Christmas presents (and the last echo of holidays)

I promised, that I will show you some of the presents I/we got for Christmas. But honestly, there were so many of them! This year my parents took us to Ikea to get what we needed in our apartment (there was a budget we had to meet, we used about half of it). So we supplied our kitchen with more teacups, glasses, glass bowls... Then there was new living room lamp, wine rack, wide wooden chopping board, decorative candles, classic Ikea umbrellas and the best part - bed sheets! I bought navy blue and beige fitted sheet (140x200 cm, our bet is 160 x 200 cm, but last time I bought the right size, it was too big for the mattress) and those beautiful white sheets with petite blue leaves (on the right)!

OUTFIT: Oh so retro!

A retro outfit inspired by Zooey Deshanel and her polka dot skirts and dresses. I wore it in November, the weather was still warm and quite sunny, no signs of snow or frost anywhere.

OUTFIT: White n' blue Christmas

The hippie dress outfit looks like I wore it in summer or warm autumn. The fact is that it is only two days apart from this one. Right now it's raining and all the snow is turning into that brownish wet mass, so it is nice to see it in its pure and beautiful form.