Recipe: Veggie Stew with Pearl Barley

I bought this cook book "Vegan for Lazies" when I was on vacation this fall, so I wanted to show you the first recipe I tried out:

Winter is just around the corner, so I opted for an easy veggie stew with pearl barley and smoked tofu.

 You need:

• 650 ml water (about 2 3/4 cups)
• 2 garlic cloves
• salt 
• balsamic vinegar
• 80 g pearl barley (1/2 to 1/3 cup)
• 1 leek
• 100 g smoked tofu (or any kind you like)
• 300 g frozen vegetables (I chose a broccoli- cauliflower-carrot mix)
• 1 teaspoon hot mustard
• 3 tablespoons chives
• any seasonings and herbs you like

Cook the water.
Press one of the garlic cloves and add to water.
Season with salt and balsamic vinegar (I added a little vegetable stock powder, because I thought there isn't enough flavor to it).
Add pearl barley, cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes on low temperature.
Clean and cut leek into thin rings and dice tofu.
Add to pearl barley along with frozen veggies.
Bring to a boil again, cover, and let it simmer for another 10 minutes.
In between, add the other pressed garlic clove.
Add mustard, chives, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, and any other seasonings to your taste.

 And there it is! I gotta admit, it isn't the best looking meal I've ever cooked (that's why I added this sparkling effect thingy to the picture), but it was really tasty and I'm definitely gonna make this again during the colder months.
What's your favorite winter meal?

xx Nina

Interior: My Record Shelf

This is what you always see in the background of my ootds... Because I get compliments from time to time for my record shelf, or for what is on it, I wanted to show you all the "stuff" in detail.

Alarm Clock:
I got this one from IKEA a while ago (I think it's still available), and I really like the retro    touch of it. I never use it to set my alarm though, I rather stick to my phone.

Plant:
This beautiful, weird, spiky plant and its pot is also from IKEA. I'm not a flower type of person, so I need something I don't really have to care for. I also prefer the look of cactuses and plants like this one.

Polaroid Camera:
I looove taking pictures with this baby! It's always something special when this credit card size picture comes out, you shake it and slowly the picture gets visible and you realize that you look like crap. But even then, it still looks kinda cool, just because it is a polaroid. I got it myself for christmas last year when I still was in the US. It was a special offer for 50-something dollars. Now you can get it off amazon for $60 and for 70€ on the german website.

Candle:
No explanation needed, I love candles with a slight scent and gotta replace it like every month.

Picks:
These are just some picks I picked up (got it? :D) at the Hard Rock Café in New York. Always grabbing one of those if I'm in need.

Flask:
This was the last flask in the urban outfitters sale with this design on it. It says "good vibes" which I love, and with the mountains in the background I really get this summery roadtrip feeling and makes me wanna go somewhere nice.

Louminous Ball:
Actually, there isn't anything to add...it gives a nice glow.

Converse-like coin bank:
Yeah, now it gets really fancy...I put coins in it?

Magazine:
I like to read magazines and I liked this NYLON music issue I bought at the Newark airport this summer because it has interviews of great bands like The Kills and Haim (check them out if you don't know them!) in it.

Tissues:
It is November and my nose is gonna start its marathon soon I feel like. I found this pop art design box and thought it would deserve a spot on my shelf.


And this post got longer than I thought it would be. Anyway, hope you like this kind of information. If you want me to do a record collection related post - just tell me. Now, I gotta change into my work clothes and head off to work. See you soon!

xx Nina

OOTD: Flannel Fall

faux leather jacket Zara / scarf pieces / dress asos / flannel BDG / tights urban outfitters / creepers the fabulous

cross ring shop wasteland / rings urban outfitters

Hey guys! 

I know it's been a long time since my last post and I don't really have a good excuse, maybe it's just a sign of my unability to blog, but whatever. Now, I'm back and really want to keep up with regular posts. Here's the look I wore today to school. I got this flannel at UO a couple of weeks ago, cause they had this flannels for 30€ sale plus free shipping, so how could I resist. Btw, I ripped my other flannel a while ago... (still wearing it though, it has kind of a punk touch to it now). Anyway, I hope you like the look and you'll watch out for my future posts.

xx Nina