How to clean a Vanilla Bean

Whether they are from Madagascar, Tahiti or Mexico, I love adding vanilla seeds to my recipes. The tiny seeds give flavour and texture to my desserts. 

How to clean a vanilla bean:

• Place the vanilla bean onto a cutting board.
• Start by cutting both ends off of the vanilla bean.
• Carefully slice down the center of the bean.
• With the tip of the knife, scrape off the seeds.

You can add vanilla seeds in cakes, cookies, buttercream, panna cotta, crème brulée you name it! Talking about crème brûlée, stay tuned for a very easy crème brûlée recipe that I will be sharing with you soon. Something different for the upcoming Holidays:)  

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Fashion Features

There's something whimsical and eye-catching about feathers in fashion. They add a touch of fun to outfits, transforming simple dresses into unconventional pieces. From pop entertainers to the red carpet, feathers are everywhere lately. But feathers are not new in the fashion world. In the 1920's, feathers made a splash in fashion during the flapper era, as dresses were decorated with feathers to create more movement.

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953

Photo credits: celebrityredcarpet.co.uk

Marilyn Monroe, 1957

Photo credits: Vintagegal

Audrey Hepburn covered in a giant puff of organdie petal and  feather flowers.

Ulyana Sergeenko in a cape worn by Catherine Deneuve in the 1968 movie Chamade. 

Photo credits: Vogue.ru

Jessica Biel  in a flawless embroidered Giambattista Valli  haute couture cocktail dress, paired with hot pink Louboutins. 

Photo credits: Instyle.com

Jennifer Lopez before taking the stage, in a dazzling Zuhair Murad Couture ensemble, accessorized with diamond bracelets and rings.

Photo credits: Usmagazine.com

The 65th International Cannes film festival was full of feathers with Paz Vega, Eva Longoria, Naomi Watts and Cheryl Cole.  

Actress Paz Vega in a Stephane Rolland feathered gown.

Photo credits: The Washington Post

Eva Longoria in a dramatic Marchesa long feather train gown.

Photo credits: AP Photo/Loic Venance, file

Actress Naomi Watts in a Marchesa dress. 

Photo credits: AP Photo/Loic Venance, file

British singer Cheryl Cole 

Photo credits: Alberto Pizzoli 

Photo credits: Vogue.ru

Photo credits: Vogue.ru

Photo credits: Vogue.ru

Ulyana Sergeenko in a flirty feathered white dress, paired with turquoise satin Christian Louboutin pumps. 

Photo credits: Vanessa Jackaman

Rihanna in a bright turquoise feathered Antonio Berardi look, paired with nude Christian Louboutin pumps.

Photo credits: Hip Hop Enquirer Magazine

Blake Lively in feathered Chanel Couture dress.

Photo credits: okmagazine.com

Last but certainly not least, Russian Fashion pack's Miroslava Duma, along with Elena Perminova, in a fun feathered baby blue dress. 

Photo credits: Buro 24/7

Perhaps these feathered looks will inspire your outfits during the upcoming Holiday celebrations.

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Why people avoid the dentist.

6  most popular reasons why people avoid the dentist: 

1 - I cannot miss work 

2 - I am afraid 

3 - I cannot find a dentist 

4 - It costs too much 

5 - It is too far to travel 

6 - I do not want to go to the dentist 

Which category do you fall into. Comments are appreciated:) 

Yours truly,
Olga Markiza 

What will you be wearing this NY?

A short vibrant red puff sleeve dress?

ZARA pUFF SLEEVE DRESS 119.00$

Or something more long and formal.

MANGO DRAPED LONG SILK DRESS 249.99$

How about prints?

MANGO LONG SILK DRESS $329.99 (Online Exclusive)

MANGO SCARF PRINT LONG DRESS $149.99 (Online Exclusive)

MANGO SCARF PRINT DRESS $59.99

Or greet the New Year with 2013 Pantone  colour of the year: Emerald. 

MANGO STRAPLESS PEPLUM 29.99$                                          ZARA FRILL SHOULDERS DRESS 99.90$

FOREVER 21, JACQUARD FLORAL CUTOUT DRESS 29.80$

Last but not least, you can't go wrong with a little black dress.

ZARA LACE DRESS WITH FEATHER SKIRT 159,00$

MANGO BEADED STRAPS DRESS 169.99$

 FOREVER 21, SEQUINED A-LINE DRESS 47,80$

Whatever you chose to wear for the New Year celebration, don't forget to accessorize your outfit. By accessorizing, you can also give new life to what you already have in your wardrobe. 

"Accessories are like vitamins to fashion: you should use them liberally as such." - Anna Dello Russo 

Happy preparations for the upcoming Holidays! 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Ulyana Sergeenko's Medals

Russian designer, Ulyana Sergeenko not only designs beautiful clothing, but also unique accessories. Her latest collection include these decorative medals of honour. 

Ulyana Sergeenko facebook

Looksima

Lena Perminova- Buro24/7

Pictures from Vogue.ru

So vintage and royal, don't you just want to put these on your Holiday wishlist?

Yours truly,
Olga Markiza 

Fashionable Russian Dolls

With the Holidays approaching, various fashion designers are creating exclusive gift collections. I couldn't resist but to share house of Lanvin's set of six limited edition Russian Matryoshka dolls. 

Vogue.ru

You can use these fashionable dolls as decor or to store your little treasures. Yours for 195$:)  

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza