For my 22 before 23 challenge I want to experiment a bit more in the kitchen. And living a more healthy life can definitely be a part of that! I read a lot about 'going sugarfree' and since I'm a sucker for sweet deserts, I made up my own recipe for sugarfree cookies. They're kind of like Dutch sand cookies, but at the same time they taste a bit different! Want to see how they turned out?



Things you'll need: (for about 25 cookies)
» 250 gr. flour
» 125 gr. butter (at room temperature)
» 3/4/5 tablespoons of agave syrup/nectar
» 1 egg
» 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
» 20 gr. almond powder

Let's get started!
1. Preheat the oven at 200°C.

2. Cream the butter and egg and add in all the other ingredients as you go.

3. Once it's a smooth mixture, roll it out on the table in a thin layer.
(If your layer is too thick, your forms might end up like this!)

BAD EXAMPLE.


GOOD EXAMPLE!


4. Use cookie cutters to make shapes (preferrably an owl one ;-) ) and put them on a baking sheet/paper on a baking plate.



5. Put the cookies in the oven for about 15 minutes. When they start to get a bit brown, they're ready!

6. Let them cool and enjoy your desert!



P.S. I bought my owl cookie cutter at a local shop in Berlin, but you can find it online at De Tafel van 18 & Taartelicious. Happy baking!

Enjoy! And let me know how yours turned out!

I can't show the letters that I posted to Ely & Fab, because they haven't arrived yet and I don't want to spoil the surprise of course... So you'll have to wait a little longer.

To Eline:
For her birthday, Eline asked her readers to send her birthdaycards! So I did, cause I enjoy reading her blog and I knew she needed a little cheering up while studying. And yes, I am quite the retard because I cut out the "25" wrong..




From Saar:
Another sweet letter from Saar, who isn't only the fasted letter writer ever, but also a great crafts(wo)man :) The embroidered owl will get a special place somewhere.




From Marlou:
Marlou is such a sweetie pie! I didn't expect this letter at all, since I know she's behind on writing back. Look at all those pretty owls (and the Lucky Luke stamp) <3 I'll send you a Brussels postcard back asap!








How was your week? Enjoy your Sunday evening! I'll be visiting our northern neighbours (the Netherlands) for the next 3 days but I have a post planned in, so you won't even notice I'm gone!

I finished the cowl a few days ago and now finally took the time to take some photos.



I knitted it myself with pretty cheap yarn. I think the stitch I used is called the "Stockinette stitch" (één priem rechts, één priem averechts).
(Please let me know if this is not the right term and you know the adequate English word for it! Thanks!)
Those little colored details really make the cowl/shawl stand out a bit more :) I also made pompons with the same yarn, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to attach them to the cowl, because I quiet like it the way it looks already.





What do you think?

I'm a shameless copycat for this list, but I thought it would be nice to challenge myself to do 22 things before I turn 23. I will be turning 22 on February 12th so I have 12 months and 3 weeks to complete this one. :)
I'll make a separate page for this list and I will update you there if I manage to get something done.





p.s. Since my birthday is in 3 weeks and -as you all know- I love receiving postcards, I would be thrilled if anyone wants to send me one! Click here for my address. I got the idea from Plutomeisje who got the idea from Tiene. Out of the postcards I received I'll pick one "winner" that gets something handmade from me. Just because giving and receiving stuff is so much fun. :) Hope to get lots of birthday mail!

Well, I managed to keep my (one and only ;-) ) resolution for 2013: I wanted to make some more time for writing and I finally wrote back to the girls that have been waiting (some over two months) to receive anything from me.. Well, I'm not really proud, but I'm glad I finally took the time to write them back. :)



To Eva:
What you can see on these pictures: a letter (most important thing when exchanging packages in my opinion!), photographs and a sweet card, an illustration of what my dream house might look like, a girly bookmark, a cat notebook, airmail envelopes, a little felt owl, some stickers. What you can't see: a guide for Antwerp! I will put my (tiny) cityguide in a different post.






To Saar:






What I sent to my penpals outside of Belgium/The Netherlands you'll have to wait a little longer. I want to make sure it's still a surprise when they receive their letter, of course :)



From Zoë:
I felt a sudden urge of buying handmade soap from Olea when I was checking out her blog again, so I did! I tried out the little extra soap (the green one, a scrub, which kind of looks like a kiwi if you ask me!) & approved it! It makes my skin super soft. I washed my hair today with the shampoo, and since it takes a while for your hair to adapt itself to new shampoos, I can't really tell you what it feels like. But I'll definitely keep you posted! They all smell amazing and I'm sure I won't be buying soap anywhere else anytime soon :-)




From Merula:
I did a swap with Merula because I really liked the owl brooches she made herself with a mold :-) I can't show you yet what I sent her, simply because I have not posted it. I will wait 'til my last exam (on Monday, eeeek that is tomorrow!) so you can expect it somewhere next week, Merula! Look at all the goodies she included. Aaaah. <3 I love the blogosphere.
p.s. I tried out the origami you can see on the picture (top left) but the instructions were so difficult, I failed miserably :(






Did you send or receive anything in the past week?

I got so many amazing owl presents for Christmas that I just háve to share them... Enjoy, fellow owl lovers!

p.s. I'm not trying to brag, I only wanted to show you guys my gift. Hope you received some amazing Christmas gifts as well. I'm curious to know what you got, let me know in the comments :-)

Owlsome mittens & tiny handbag from my brother-in-law & his girlfriend. The mittens are actually kid's size, but they fit me like a glove (what a great expression ;-) )




Owls for crafting from mom & dad (as well as every other owl on the pictures below. They sure know what animal I'm crazy about :) )


Left: owl soap, right: owly door stopper(!)


So kitsch but so cute, key buddies :)


Hooty booty owl panties!


Socks


These are definitely some great additions to my slightly growing owl collection. And in case you're wondering: nope, I'm still not tired of them! Oe-hoe!

Making this dress was a long term vision. Creating a dress from scratch was something I hadn't done in a loooong while, so it took some time tracing the pattern, cutting the fabric and then figuring out how to put it together.
Especially since my sewing machine didn't like the fabric that much. (I don't even know what type of fabric it is, it's a kind of stretchy silk I suppose?) I think it was due to a problem with the tension on Josefien, but I guess it will always remain a secret. Haha.

Originally I wanted to wear this dress on Christmas eve, for a cozy diner with my family. Faith decided something else. I waited a few days to let my sewing machine recover from all my cursing and tried to tame that stubborn (but gorgeous) fabric again. And by a miracle: I became its master and I was able to finish it (on the 28th, right on time for a Christmas dinner with my friends!).



Believe me, there wás a lot of cursing involved. And I think I broke three needles. But in the end it was all worth it! I'm so happy with the way it turned out. It has a drawstring (on the side, not front, a clever idea from one of the girls I sew with in our weekly sewclub - oh right, I haven't told you yet, but I'll blog about it soon!), pockets and a cute collar: everything I like!

I used a pattern from the magazine Stitched by You (Autumn 2012, dress 7)





And here's another bonus/silly picture, 'cause I know you like those ;-)



So, tell me, what do you think?

Yay, this week I received some more fun post. And I'm proud of myself, because I took the time to write back to no less than 3 lovely ladies. I'm getting them posted tomorrow, so next week I'll show you what I sent out :-)


Woops, I forgot to post this one last week! I also received a beautiful owly christmas card from Jessi. They are designed by her sister, Kathy Willekens. Go check her out, she makes the cutest cards!


From Phara:
Phara sold some of her clothing on Facebook and I realllly wanted this exotic bird top. And guess what, I didn't even have to pay for it! She just sent it over as a (New Years') present. Thank you so much, Phara! I'm in love with the toucans. p.s. the owl drawing on the envelope is just too cute!






From Anouck:
Anouck sent me an e-mail a few days ago to tell me she wanted to send me something owl related. Of course, I can't say no to that kind of offers. And oh yeah baby, look at those gorgeous earrings! Although I think I'm even more in love with that owlsome owl pilot drawing! Thank you, Anouck!!








From Veritas:
So cool! Veritas sent me an e-mail a few weeks ago because they wanted to send me something. I received a crochet hook and red yarn. And a reusable tote bag! They included a tutorial for what I could make with the yarn, but I think - once I get the hang of it - it will turn into something else. I'll keep you guys posted!


As you can see, my snail mail week has been pretty good. Now I'm off to some more studying. Sitting at my desk with the sun shining on my face and a hot coffee in my hands, love it.

See you soon!