According To Noes.com

Homemade paletas

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Paletas are popsicles from Mexico. They have their own name because they are different, these are made from pure fruit and/or fruit juice, yoghurt, milk... not your basic water-sirup blend.
Recently I bought a book by Elisabeth Johansson on homemade ice-cream and I used one of her recipes to use some fresh fruit.

Blueberry-strawberry paletas (12 pieces)

- 300 ml of water
- 40 grams of granulated sugar
- 2 spoons of honey
- 200 grams of blueberries
- 200 grams of strawberries

Mix the water, sugar and honey and heat untill boiling.
Let it cool down and divide between two bowls.
Mash both fruits and add each to one bowl of water-sugar-honey mix.
Add the blueberry mixture to your popsicle mold and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
If the mixture is more set after the 30 minutes, gently add the strawberry mixture to the mold. The two should still be seperate in the popsicle, not as one mixture.
Put them back in the freezer for a night.

Your homemade paletas are done!

These kind of popsicles have less sugar and additions which makes them healthier and they are easy and fun to make. Go ahead and paletas!

Love,
Noes

Travel in style

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:59:00 +0000

What's better than some DIY on a lazy sunday afternoon...

A simple notebook get's an extreme make-over by simply using a retro print and some wrapping skills.

Behold the travel journal!

Love,
Noes

Be in my eyes, be in my heart

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:58:00 +0000

Well, they were and they definitely will be: The Lumineers

The folkrock band from Denver, USA existing of Wesley, Jeremiah and Neyla is taking over festivals and hit charts world wide ever since their single 'Ho Hey' came out.
As with hit charts in other countries, they were introduced to the most of the Dutch audience by 3fm radio. A very small part of the country already knew the single through the HBO series 'Hart of Dixie', one of my personal favorites.

Their melodies and lyrics take me to summer, fields of flowers, a garden party with your closest friends and family or to a small lake on a sunny day. Their, self-titled, debut album contains thirteen original songs that will cheer your up, even more so when you see them live! You should definitely go see them if you have the chance. Ever since I found their music, I really believe that music is an emotional thing.

Listen and be inspired!

I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart - Ho Hey
Be in my eyes, be in my heart - Flowers in your hair
Even the way you move, I won't close my eyes. Because it takes a man to live, it takes a woman who can compromise - Flowers in your hair
You told me I was like the dead sea, you'll never sink when you are with me - Dead sea
It's better to feel pain, than nothing at all, the opposite of love's indifference - Stubborn love

The Lumineers will perform at the HMH in Amsterdam at the 18th of November

Love,
Noes

How to: Head scarf

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:37:00 +0000

In just a few days, I will be leaving for Rock Werchter festival again.
Of course, you go for the music in the first place, your friends, just getting out of town... but you'll have to admit that the summer festival outfits are definitely worth something too.

To me, less is really more. Not in a way as: I'm only wearing my bikini the entire festival, no. In a way that I do not like to over do the accessory part.

So imagine an outfit with maxi skirt and tube top. Add a long necklace and my summer favorite, the head scarf. Not only is it fun with a typical boho maxi skirt, think of simple high waist jeans shorts with a loose tee, sneakers and the head scarf and you are all done.

Knowing what to wear and how to wear it are two completely different things, so therefor I hereby present the very first According To Noes video: the how to head scarf.

Enjoy!

Love,
Noes

Iconic eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:49:00 +0000

The summer finally really started and surely you want to look fabulous.
Since these babies are icons, you'll never have to wonder if they are a fitting accessory.

The Jackie O.

Thanks to.. who would that be
Worn by Ashley Greene, Kristin Davis, Peaches Geldof, Vannesa Paradis

The Wayfarer

Thanks to the blues brothers
Worn by Jude Law, Rachel Bilson, Jessica Alba, Rob Pattinson, Adam Levine and well, everyone

The Hepcat

Thanks to John Lennon
Worn by Miley Cyrus, Sienna Miller, Dianna Agron, Gwen Stefani

The Aviator

Thanks to Johnny Depp
Worn by Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise

The Sweetheart

Thanks to Sue Lyon
Worn by Lana del Rey, Nicole Richie, Kelly Osbourne, Drew Barrymore

Follow their lead and be an icon yourself, enjoy the sun!

Love,
Noes

Ode aan Een

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:57:00 +0000

Geloof het of niet, er bestaat nog leuke televisie!

Ik vond het wel gepast deze blog in het Nederlands te doen aangezien het hier om, eerlijk waar, echt leuke Nederlandstalige televisie programma's gaat.
Het is natuurlijk een kwestie van smaak, maar als je het mij vraagt wordt er tegenwoordig nog maar weinig echt hoogstaande televisie in Nederland geproduceerd. Je komt al gauw uit bij soaps, de zoveelste talentenjacht, expeditie of afvalrace.
Ben je niet meer tevreden met wat je te zien krijgt? Dan ga je het natuurlijk elders zoeken. In mijn geval kom je dan uit bij Amerikaanse series of jawel, België Een!

Lekker eten, natuur en tuinieren of er even tussenuit... je vind het allemaal op deze zender.

Vlaanderen Vakantieland
Leuke vakantie tips in zowel binnen- als buitenland worden je gebracht door Saartje, Vincent, Nic, Cath en Erika. Stuk voor stuk leuke presentators met een gezonde portie humor in een mooi vormgegeven programma. Al ben je niet van plan op vakantie te gaan, dan is het alsnog leuk tijdverdrijf!

Iedere zaterdag om 18.10

Dagelijkse Kost
Een leuke, grappige, kok die aan het einde van iedere werkdag zijn uiterste best doet je weer nieuwe inspiratie te geven. Dat is Jeroen Meus.
Op een mooie landelijke locatie worden de opnames gemaakt waarbij veel grapjes, leuk taalgebruik, retro muziek en natuurlijk lekkere recepten in voorkomen. Als gerechten in de oven staan gaat hij gerust even een rondje om in de natuur met zijn hond. Een programma waarover tot in de puntjes is nagedacht en verre van je standaard kook programma is. Maar ja, hoe kan dat ook met zo'n leuke kok?

Iedere werkdag om 18.15

Groenland
Waar in het najaar doe-het-zelf programma Fabriek Romantiek de boventoon voert hebben we in het voorjaar een goede reden om groene vingers te krijgen: Groenland (lees: een erg leuke tuinman).
Tuinman in kwestie, Bartel van Riet, gaat niet te werk als onze Hollandse Rob's grote tuinverbouwing of Eigen Huis & Tuin. Verschillende items vormen de aflevering waarbij hij bijvoorbeeld tips geeft over de groente tuin, op survival gaat, zowel boomhutten als vogelhuisjes bouwt en je alles verteld over vergeten groenten.
Al heb ik geen eigen tuin en is survival niet bepaald mijn ding, voor een tuinman als deze verdiep ik me er graag in.

Iedere zondag om 18.10

Dus hou je van reis-, kook- of tuinprogramma's of wil je gewoon leuke mannen op TV? Zap dan voortaan naar België Een!

Veel liefs,
Noes

Holiday checklist, your summer essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

It's finally here! It's May, we have great weather and some of us already have holiday plans.
Since we always want to look our best, even without having our entire wardrobe with us, here are your summer essentials.

1. When you are backpacking or simply don’t want to carry a suitcase all the time, a backpack is ideal. Especially when it’s as pretty as this one. Backpack – Herschel
2. Summer means bare feet! For those sporadic moments when you really need to wear something, wear cute sandals or flip-flops. Sandals – Hippie market Ibiza
3. You want to tame your wild manes but you’re on a camping sight. No worries! This baby is cordless and works on energy cells. Cordless straightener – Braun

4. You’ll be your fashionable self on the beach, even on budget. Strapless bikini – H&M
5. Summer temperatures ask for summer colors, this one here works in all situations. When you’re already tan or still getting there, it’s always a success. Coral pink nail polish – Kiko
6. In between the shopping, partying and sightseeing you’ll need some relaxation. Take some time on the beach, just tanning and reading. If you were a fan of Eat Pray Love you should really read the follow up. Committed: a love story – Elizabeth Gilbert
7. A great scent for summer. Lovely flowers but not too heavy. Perfume Daisy – Marc Jacobs
8. Not into reading that much? Tanning and a summer playlist are a great combination as well.
     Grouplove - Tongue Tied
      Maroon 5 – Lucky Strike
      Rita Ora – Party and Bullshit
      Keep your head up – Ben Howard
      Go Outside – Cults
      The Late Great Cassiopia – The Essex Green
      Klangkarussell – Sonnentanz
     Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharell Williams – Blurred Lines
     Daft Punk and Pharell Williams – Get Lucky
     Major Lazer – Watch out for this
9. With a summer tan there is no need for a lot of make-up. Add a little mascara and this great in-between for a gloss and lipstick and you are done. Chubby Stick ‘Two Ton Tomato’ – Clinique
10. If your skin tone is light, you probably won’t get that great tan without some preparation. Make sure you use a good sunscreen, preferably a higher SPF for your face, to avoid sunburn. Sunscreen SPF 25 – Kruidvat

11. The easiest protection for your eyes are some great looking sunglasses. Literally easy on the eyes in both ways. Sunglasses – Carrera
12. Warm yourself with a soft sweater on chilly evenings. Aztec print sweater – Pull and Bear
13. And for those evenings that you rather go out, take a clutch with you. This little thing is big enough for all necessary items. Clutch – Forever 21
14. Making memories and putting them in print. For everyone with limited budget and packing space, this one is ideal. Not too expensive, not too complicated but still with all possibilities. Digital camera – Sony Cybershot
15. Carry your favorite drink with you anywhere in style. Hip flask – Urban Outfitters
16. Last but not least, to actually start your holiday it would be nice to be able to enter the country. Don’t forget a valid passport!

And besides that don’t forget some good friends, a good mood and a great smile.
Enjoy your holidays!

Love,
Noes

De beste tips om cupcakes & taarten te decoreren

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:27:00 +0000

Ter gelegenheid eens in het Nederlands!
Voor Culy.nl geschreven maar door succes ook nog eens op NSMBL en de 101 woonideeën website gebruikt, mijn artikel 'De beste tips om cupcakes & taarten te decoreren'.
Volgens NSMBL kun je al je creaties naar een nog hoger level tillen als je mijn tips opvolgt, klinkt niet verkeerd toch?

Daarom kan ik het niet laten om het ook met jullie te delen. According To Noes lezers gaan eigenlijk voor toch? Veel lees plezier!

Zowel het maken als het opeten van cupcakes, taarten & andere zoetigheden is voor velen een feestje. Maar extra leuk zijn ze als ze speciaal voor iemand gemaakt worden! Daarbij horen naast een goed beslag en lekkere topping natuurlijk ook persoonlijke decoraties. Hoe ga je daarmee aan de slag? Naomi van de blog According To Noes (www.accordingtonoes.com) geeft Culy-lezers graag haar beste tips.

Bereid je goed voor
Zorg altijd dat je goed voorbereid bent voor je begint. Stap 1 is natuurlijk het maken van je ontwerp, zet alles op papier met een schets zodat je altijd even kan afkijken. Moet je veel maken? Zet er dan ook bij hoeveel je van alles moet maken, zo raak je de tel niet kwijt als je druk bezig bent. Als je het zelf even niet weet kun je veel inspiratie opdoen via fora over bakken, hier bij Culy of bijvoorbeeld Pinterest.

Kies voor kwaliteit
Als je er aan uit bent wat je gaat maken zorg je dat je al je ingrediënten en materialen in huis hebt. Bij twijfel sla je iets meer in zodat je niet op het laatste moment te weinig hebt. Gebruik hoge kwaliteit producten, dat werkt het fijnste en geeft het mooiste resultaat. Tegenwoordig heb je al bij veel winkels producten om mooie cupcakes en taarten te maken, naast gespecialiseerde winkels zoals ‘ Taart en Decoratie’ en ‘De leukste taartenshop’ kun je dus ook terecht bij onder andere Xenos, Albert Heijn of een groothandel als Sligro.
Tot slot ter voorbereiding: Zorg voor genoeg werkruimte en begin op tijd. Sommige onderdelen kosten meer tijd om te maken en zullen eventueel moeten rusten om stevig te worden.

Maak het jezelf zo makkelijk mogelijk!
Een project zoals dit, met veel details en verschillende onderdelen, kost vaak meer tijd dan je aanvankelijk denkt. Probeer het jezelf daarom zo makkelijk mogelijk te maken met handige gereedschappen en tips.
- Rol je fondant/marsepein uit met poedersuiker in plaats van met bloem. Omdat suiker al een onderdeel van het product is zal het de kleur niet verbleken en wordt het niet droger.
- Voor decoraties die stevig moeten worden gebruik ik het liefst fondant. Ik heb gemerkt dat dit na een dag rusten een stuk steviger is dan marsepein. Denk hierbij bijvoorbeeld aan de vogeltjes waarbij de vleugels omhoog moeten blijven staan.
- Als je vormen gaat maken zoals het hart of het anker, kijk dan eerst even of er een uitsteker voor bestaat. Door deze te gebruiken bespaar je een hoop tijd en zijn ze allemaal even groot. Je kunt hiervoor koekjes uitstekers gebruiken maar ook plunger cutters. Deze uitstekers hebben een systeem waarmee je ze meteen uitdrukt en soms ook een reliëf mee kunt maken. Kijk voor velen opties eens op de website van bovengenoemde gespecialiseerde winkels.

- Bestaat er geen uitsteker naar wens? Teken of print je ontwerp dan op bakpapier, stevig papier of karton, knip het uit en gebruik het als vorm om voorzichtig omheen te snijden.
- Wil je ook graag tekst toevoegen? Makkelijke opties zijn een tekststempel, schrijven met een food pen of laat het op eetbaar papier printen. Om met een food pen een mooi lettertype over te brengen oefen je eerst even met pen en papier. Maak een voorbeeld van ieder woord op papier en schrijf het dan handig na. Schrijven op fondant gaat makkelijker als het al heeft gerust en dus steviger is geworden.
- Ten slotte, wil een van je decoraties echt niet lukken? Sommigen zijn ze ook kant-en-klaar te koop. Misschien iets minder leuk, maar als het echt tegen zit heb je alsnog een mooi resultaat.

Handige websites:
www.taartendecoratie.nl
www.deleukstetaartenshop.nl
www.cakeprint.nl

Veel bakplezier!

Liefs,
Noes

Psst! Hier vind je de versies van Culy.nl, NSMBL.nl en 101 woonideeën.
http://www.culy.nl/inspiratie/de-beste-tips-om-cupcakes-taarten-te-decoreren/
http://www.nsmbl.nl/de-beste-tips-om-cupcakes-taarten-te-decoreren
https://www.facebook.com/101woonideeen

Ice, ice baby

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:13:00 +0000

The sun is out, the temperature goes up... we are getting ready for summer! While hanging around in the sun all day, you might be in need of something cool.
Try this: home made popsicles
What you need:
- a regular or immersion blender
- a mould for popsicles
- your favorite ingredients

Fruity

Strawberry, melon, lime, pear, kiwi... when you are making popsicles with fruit you can go all nuts mixing it up. Blend them seperatly and layer the flavors or just keep it simple and use your favorite fruit. For a little something extra you could add some mint leaves or forget the blender, chop up your fruit and fill up the mould with sprite.

Creamy

Rather add something more? Try yoghurt or even cheesecake!
You can also cover your fruity popsicle with a layer of chocolate when it's all done.

Specials

And what about your favorite drink? Champagne, mojito, margarita or limoncello. Sounds delicious to me!
One thing you do have to keep in mind while making this kind: The higher the alcohol percentage, the lower the temperature of your freezer must be. Really high percentages won't turn into ice, so take that into consideration while shopping for ingredients.

For the little ones

Simply freeze sprite with gummibears to create this fun popsicle!

I can't wait for the real summer days to come. What will you be making?

Love,
Noes

All summer long

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:32:00 +0000

Finally! Tomorrow's temperature is predicted to be 20 degrees and it's my day off, let's celebrate!

Have picnics

Go on a roadtrip

Whatever you wanna do, just go for it!

Spend all your time at the beach

Just pack up and go on a holiday

Rock your summer style

Be outside: Either longboarding, cycling or just sunbathing. Enjoy it!

And most of all, make the most of it and have fun!

Love,
Noes

Easter activities

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:35:00 +0000

When all the plans are made and you are done grocery shopping, what is there to do next during the holidays?
Here some fun, last minute, activities to do during your spare hours of easter.
Decorating eggs does not have to be a childish easter activity. For instance, make these easy confetti eggs, silk dye eggs, gold and pink dip dye eggs or get a black marker and give each egg a different mustache. Fun to do and fun on the table!

Another thing fun and convenient is baking. Add all your ingredients to your existing easter shopping list and you are ready to go at any time you like. Bunny buns, carrot cake, easter cookies or cupcakes. By adding an easter related shape or decoration to a standard recipe, your baking is instantely easter proof!
For example, place marzipan carrots on top of your carrot cake, decorate your cupcakes with sprinkle or chocolate eggs and use cookie cutters for chick, bunny and egg shapes.

Do you have way to much food already? Then you can never go wrong with decorations.
Use porcelain paint to transform your boring white plates, spray paint plastic animals and add small hooks for place cards or use scrap paper to make a easter garland.

None of these easter projects are too difficult or time consuming and can be done last minute.
No idea how to get started? Use pinterest or google to find their tutorial and you are done in no time.

Happy easter!

Love,
Noes

Color me pretty

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:49:00 +0000

You don't necessarily need heavy colored walls and patterned wallpaper to add color to your interior. Bright white, Scandinavian style, rooms have as much potential and are adjusted to any feeling without any fuss.
Use any of these great looking accessories, they will do the trick!

A splash of neonOn a chair, small vases or a bookshelf. With just a flash of neon, you interior is already drastically changed.

Copper, gold and silver
Spray paint some planters or buy this beautifull lamp. My favorite, copper, has a warm color, which adds a lot to a light interior.

Patterns
Kelim, Aztec, flowers.. It doesn't matter which pattern is your to taste. Any rug, pillow or tile with a pattern is able to transform a white cold room into a white, stylish and warm atmosphere.
These few are great examples for what a pattern can do for your interior, as well is the one with the copper lamp above this piece.
And did you notice how great the two things are combined?

Even though many of these trends are mentioned in interior magazines with high priced examples, it doesn't have to be expensive. Once trends come out, stores gradually develop their own collection of the trend and that will be in your benefit. Be sure to also check out stores like Ikea, Hema, Xenos and such when you are interested in items like these. That way you will not only invest in great accessories, it will also be budget friendly!

Have fun shopping!

Love,
Noes

Do nut worry

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Last week I discovered something genius: a donut baking pan. I've been doing research about making donuts for a while now, because my friend Ryan loves them, but I wanted that perfect round shape. I just couldn't figure out how do that, until now.
I ordered a mini donut baking pan right away and since it already had a recipe included, I got straight to work.

The recipe exists out of simple ingredients and isn't complicated, add some time and patience and you have a cake stand full of cute mini donuts.
I must say 48 mini donuts, not 24 as the recipe indicated. But hey, the more the merrier!

Love,
Noes

Cupcake styling

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 16:05:00 +0000

Baking in general is a totally different story than baking for someone in particular. Yestherday my cousin Eefke and her husband Hugo had their birthday celebration going on and as you know, there is no party without cupcakes!
Since they are a truly stylish couple, the cupcakes had to be a perfect match.

When you find yourself in this situation but you're are in doubt, choose one source of inspiration and work from there.

As you can see, they were happy with the result and the party was a blast so... mission accomplished! On to the next fun challange.

Love,
Noes

Collector's item

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:13:00 +0000

The perfect way to fill those vacant places in your interior and create ambiance are collections. It could be anything, as long as you like it.

Just because I am a big fan, here are some great examples.

The small lantern houses are my absolute favorite and despite the lack of space, I already started building my collection. As was often said during my studies: the sky is the limit. So let's get started!

Love,
Noes

Happy 1st Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:43:00 +0000

Today is little Julia's first birthday!
Because she is a big fan of Bumba the clown, these are her birthday cakes!
And yes, two cakes. One for the friends and family and a small one for Julia herself.

The biggest cake was decorated with of course, Bumba, balloons and a guirlande.

The small cake was decorated as a drum, perfect for those little hands, with again Bumba on top.

Happy Birthday Julia! I hope your day is super fun.

Love,
Noes

Jewels on display

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:40:00 +0000

I've been busy on the DIY's lately and after making the jewellery branch, as seen here, I've been thinking of more ways to properly show off your pretty things.
One solution may be a jewellery dish. I saw an example on Pinterest and it inspired me to not only use my porcelain paint for actual porcelain dining pieces, but also for vanity.

This oval, gold rimmed dish was topped off with a gold confetti pattern. Ideal for putting your jewellery or pretty perfume bottles at display.Not in the mood for porcelain painting?
You can also make an entire new dish but the use of clay.

Role our the clay and create this lovely pattern by the use of chrochet. Simply place it upon your clay and role over it with the rolling pin.
When you are satisfied, cut it into the right size and leave it to dry in a bowl or on a tray, this will take a couple of days.If you would like to use it, for instance, in the bathroom make sure you apply a varnish to it once it is dry. Clay will soften again when it's in contact with water.

Love,
Noes

You stylish animal

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Spotted: stylish, faux leather animals. They might even be art. Meet Züny.

Their slogan: "Make your life funny and easy" actually says it all. They want to distract you from annoyance, work pressure and frustration by making creative, fun leather home accessories.
Because they want the emphasis to be on unique ideas, each Züny is hand-made and high quality.

Not only can you choose your animal, you can also choose it's purpose. Is it a bookend, a doorstop, a keyring or a paperweight?
Choose whichever you want because they are all amazing. But you must admit... that lion is awesome!

Visit Bijenkorf Utrecht (book department) where I spotted them or visit the Züny website. You should at least take a look because there are 3 collections and many, many more animals.

Let them bring fun to your life!

Love,
Noes

Composed porcelain

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:00:00 +0000

When you can't buy it, you make it!
Lately, I've been busy with DIY's that are as easy as they are fun.
Today: composing several porcelain or glass elements into one piece.

These two are composed cake stands. Find a plate or dish to your taste and combine it with a small vase or a candlestick.
Make sure the top and bottom are straight so the stand will be steady and decide which side will be the bottom.
Use clear silicone glue, the kind you would use for the bathroom, to attach the pieces and leave it to dry for at least a night.

Of course there are many other options besides making cake stands. For instance this jewellery/ring holder.

I found both items in a second hand shop, the duck was probably disposed because it's beak and eyes were worn off. Luckily I had bought porcelain paint so I restored it easily to it's former glory.
Using the same silicone glue, I attached the little ducky to it's new pond.

Apart from the time the glue needs to dry, it's a quick DIY project with infinite options. Make sure you remeber this whenever you can't find what you are looking for at the store.

Love,
Noes

Jewellery branch

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Pinterest is my ultimate source for inspiration. Sometimes you find great products which you can just buy but more often you have to put some effort into it.
A while ago I found this lovely idea of using a tree branch as a jewellery display, I couldn't find them in stores so that meant yet another DIY.

The original branch from Pinterest

The According To Noes version

Most important for this DIY is the following: give it some serious thought what kind of wood you use. You could of course trim your own tree and use a branch but that would mean there might still be some insects in it and the wood will not be completely dry. If you want to, leave it to dry out for a few weeks and then use it.
A great alternative is decorative wood people use for flower arrangements, this wood is already prepared for further use and you can buy it at any garden center.

When you have your branch, make measurements on the wood and mark then with a pencil. At those exact points you are going to attach small hooks. Finally, drill small holes at both ends of the branch and screw it right into the wall or knot a string to the ends to hang your branch on the wall with a single nail.
Give your prettiest things a place and you are done.

You can make it as big or as small als you like and you're done before you know it.
Have fun!

Love,
Noes

City seeing: Utrecht

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:14:00 +0000

Spending time at the very center of our country: Utrecht, a little bit of everything.
There are many options to fill your time with when you visit Utrecht, in between those you should definitely pay a visit to Daen's.

Just as Utrecht itself has a lot of diversity, so has Daen's. Fashion, coffee, wine, food, hotel that is how they summarize themselves.
Last weekend I explored the coffee and food aspect. And while you are there anyway you can't help but to look around and notice the influence of fashion even within the cafe.

Washi taped pictures on the wall, it's all the rage. We know that from personal experience.

Wise words.

Clipboard menu. Very stylish and very delicious content.

Freshly baked carrot cake. It was either this one or key lime pie, decisions decisions.

Apart from this delicious cake you can also enjoy a nice lunch or some appetizers with a glass of wine. After a moment for yourself you continue next door for Daen's fashion.
Be sure to pay them a visit when you are in town.

Daen's
Korte minrebroederstraat 13-17
3512 gg Utrecht

Love,
Noes

Last minute snack

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:34:00 +0000

We probably have all been in the situation: It's weekend, stores may be closed but you get a call from friends or family that like to come over.
Do I have anything to serve as a snack?
Home made or fresh baked goods are the most popular but you're not always prepared for that.

From now on, you will.
Make sure your freezer always provides puffy pastry (bladerdeeg), grated cheese, ground beef and have an egg, salt, pepper, sesame seed and/or poppy seed in stock.

Let's get started!

First of all preheat your oven at 220 degrees and lay out a few slices of the pastry to get on room temperature.

Slice 'm up, lay them out on a baking tray coverd with baking paper and cover the top with some egg. The egg is to let your topping stick and to let your snack have some more color after baking.

Sprinkle your chosen topping. I have the sesame and poppy seed combined with some coarse salt and the others are topped with grated cheese.

Option two!

Lay out the pastry (sticky side up) and cover about half of it with the cheese and some pepper (optionally).

Cover one side with some egg, fold and close by the use of a fork. This way the pastry will stick together and it also looks neat, doesn't it?

Cut up into smaller pieces.

Again, cover the top with some egg and the leftover cheese.
Bake for about 20 minutes and you are done!

Puffy pastry is ideal to have in stock for these kind of 'events'. You can fill or cover it with anything you like and it's probably the easiest thing to do.
Have a good weekend and don't forget to stock up your freezer.

Love,
Noes

Memory jar

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:11:00 +0000

I guess we can say that I am one of those people that collects. I like keeping things that belong to good memories but as you can imagine that results into a box full of cards, business cards, holiday maps, cinema- and concert tickets.
Every once in a while I go through the entire box to see everything and to try to get some order instead of a box full of chaos, order that of course... never lasts.

To get at least a few things in 'order' and at the same time at display, I made a memory jar.

Step 1. Get a jar that is high enough for all the tickets to fit.

Step 2. Sort out everything you have and make a selection for the memory jar. I decided on cinema-, concert/festival- and sight seeing tickets.

Step 3. Fill the jar in a way so that your favorite things are at display and find a good place for it in your home.

This may be the most easy DIY you can imagine but I still love the idea.
Let's make some more memories!

Love,
Noes

Bloggers Masterclass

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:17:00 +0000

Thanks to the Dutch Grazia magazine I had the opportunity to participate in a bloggers masterclass today.
Bloggers Sabrina of afterDRK and Anna of NSMBL had many smart and fun facts to share.

For example, did you ever consider adjusting your blogs name so that it's high in alphabetical order? Apparently I did very well by calling my blog According To Noes.
Since it starts with the A, it will always be very high up in any list and online search results and therefore will probably have more pageviews than a blog starting with a character lower in the alphabet. It never really occured to me but luckily I chose well.
Smart of you ladies, very smart!

They also addressed practical but smart tips for photography, advertisement, cooperation with others and so on.

Even though the morning was already great as it was, Grazia had arranged fabulous macarons, cupcakes and gift bags. Thank you Grazia!

The giftbag included the latest Grazia issue, windows 8 samples, a bracelet by Nikki for dance 4 life, a Blond Amsterdam notebook, OPI nailpolish and the cutest lipstick USB-stick.

Thank you Grazia, Sabrina, Anna and Polle for all the fun stories, great tips and tricks and above all a fun, well spend saterday morning!

Love,
Noes

Porcelain painting

noreply@blogger.com (Noes) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

For Christmas I already made a few personal gifts using porcelain paint on mugs. Since those turned out to be a great success, I decided to take my chances and make some more.

The first plate I made, this one, had such positive responses that I continued with another fun saying and added some color...

And made a duo of cake plates upon request for a friend.

Since there were a present for a birthday I wrapped them up According To Noes style and off they went. Fingers crossed that the birthday girl will like them!

What will be next?

Love,

Noes