Recipe for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I already broke half of my resolutions as you may have noticed. Sticking to my schedule has proven to be difficult when I can't get rid of the flu.  So if you're currently trying to lose some weight as part of your 2016 resolutions I suggest you only take a look at the yummy picture. But feel free to try the recipe for the worlds best chocolate chip cookies, you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients:

250g salted butter, softened

200g brown sugar

150g sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

375g plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

150g dark chocolate chips

150g milk chocolate chips

100g chopped almonds

100g chopped hazelnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven at 175°C and prepare one or two baking trays with baking-paper.

2. Put the butter and two different sugars in a bowl and beat until creamy. Add the two eggs and vanilla extract. After mixing the flour and baking powder slowly add them to the creamy butter mix. Finally add the chocolate and nuts and stir well.

3. Using a teaspoon place a small amounts of batter well apart on the baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes depending on your oven until the edges of your cookies turn light brown while the inside is still soft and chewy.

4. Place your cookies on a cooling rack and enjoy!

Happy baking!

Step by Step Contouring with Smashbox

Over the Holiday season, also known as the party season, I've been reaching for my Smashbox contouring kit over and over again. This small and compact palette has been my go to product for almost perfect cheekbones over the past couple of months.

The contour powder is the star of this trio. The color is perfect: not too orange and not too ashy either. It can be quite dark on my skin but applied with a light hand and blended in it's everything I hoped for. The bronzer is a deeper tan color than what I'm used too. In the summer however I'll be able to use it and not need to carry around a seperate bronzer. The highlight doesn't show up too much on my skin which I appreciate as I'm only getting into the glowy/dewy look. I feel like all three are a bit on the powdery side but that is something I can work with as I like the pigmentation and blendability (is that even a word?). The included angled brush is great for laying down the contour but I always use a fluffier brush to blend and apply the bronzer.

Let's talk packaging: The three powders come in a hand-sized thin shiny black compact that's perfect for travelling. You will get fingerprints all over it but they are super easy to wipe away compared to the rubber packaging of a certain high-end brand (Yes - I'm talking about you, NARS!) There is no space reserved for useless sponges or mini brushes that we would throw out. Also for all of us newbies to contouring Smashbox have included a sticker with easy to follow instructions!

Which is your favorite contouring palette?

P.S. This is a recycled post that long time readers may have already come across. 
Unfortunately I'm currently fighting the flu, hope to be back soon.

My 2016 Blogging Resolutions

The end of 2015 marked my return to the blogging world and I'm excited to continue my journey. This year is still young and there is so much more to learn and to improve. Maybe I shouldn't call these resolutions as most of them don't make it to February.  Fingers crossed!

• I want to stick to my schedule this year and maybe, if it's manageable with work, even post more frequently. Let's not jinx it, so I won't make promises.
• 2016 is the year of accepting that I have a "little bit of everything" blog. I want to feel more confident about my content. No more deleting of posts that don't fit into a specific category, no more doubting!
• Sometimes I feel like I'm a 90-year-old granny because I can't figure social media out. Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook? Social media I'm coming for you!
• Finally I just want to have fun with my blog, enjoy the writing process, interact with readers. I need to stop worrying about my stats because I'm not blogging for numbers. I'm doing it for myself (we're allowed to be selfish, right?) and for anyone who enjoys reading my ramblings.

What are some your 2016 resolutions?

Happy New Year

We made it! We survived the Holiday season, the gift buying and opening, the cookies and chocolate, the family gatherings and New Years Eve. I hope you had a great break and were able to relax a little bit and spend time with family and friends. With Christmas and NYE in the past it's time for new beginnings. I can't believe it's 2016 already, this year literally flew by (yes, I said it -sorry)...

I wish you all the best for the upcoming year! May this year be even better than the last, full of opportunities, happiness, health and success!

I won't ramble on too much because there are a couple of reminiscing posts coming up in January where I'm going to get all sorts of emotional.

Have a great start to the new year