DIY, Thoughts

Will You Be My Maid of Honor? – How I popped the question

Dear big sister,

You have always been one of the most important people in my life. In the beginning, a big sister to look up to – later, my most faithful friend to play with. One minute we could fight and chase each other around the house, the next we’d be curled up on the sofa laughing out loud so bad our stomachs hurt.
 
Over the years I’ve continued to look up to you but more importantly, I’ve felt you beside me. You ask, you listen, you want to understand and help. When I’ve been at my happiest, you’ve been happy beside me. When I’ve been at my saddest, you’ve been sad beside me.
 
18th of August this year will be one the most important days of my life. Your little sister – who is not so little anymore – is getting married. It would mean the world to me, and be a great honor, if also on that day you were beside me. As a maid of honor, but most importantly as a friend and a sister. Will you?
 
With love,
Annina

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When I asked my best friend and my sister to be my maid of honors, I wanted to surprise them. I ended up preparing them these boxes that would have the question “Will you be my maid of honor?” visible as soon as they opened them. In the card I wrote how much they mean to me and what an honor (literally) it would be to have them beside me on my Big Day.

In the box I also had a small bottle of champagne (to toast the answer YES!), a notebook to be used in the wedding planning, a nice soap and a candle and some good chocolate. I also ordered polaroid prints of our special moments together.

Neither of my maid of honors had a clue what the box was about when they got it and it was so special to observe their reactions while opening it. I probably should have put in some tissues as well, because tears were unavoidable. ❤
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Recipes

This recipe will turn you into a porridge lover – Banana Chocolate Oat Porridge inspired by 26 Grains

I’ve never been a huge porridge fan, even though (or maybe because) my mom made me eat porridge every morning before going to school. But when I ate breakfast at 26 Grains in London, I learned that I too can get  r e a l l y  excited about porridge – so much so that as soon as my fiancé and I got back home from London, we tried to replicate the amazing Banana Cacao porridge we had there. We didn’t have the exact recipe, so this one is inspired by the original 26 Grains porridge, based on our trial and error. And anyone we’ve ever served it to – whether they are prior porridge lovers or haters – has absolutely adored it.

Banana Chocolate Oat Porridge for 2:

3 dl extra fiber oats, soaked the night before in 3 dl water
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp of butter
3 dl of soy milk
3 dl of coconut milk
1 banana, sliced
3 tbsp soy yogurt flavored with coconut
2 tbsp chopped dark chocolate
2 tsp honey

1) The night before, soak the oats in 3 dl of water and a pinch of salt. The soaking will make the porridge incredibly smooth as it removes the protective layer from the oats.

2) Melt a tablespoon of butter in a pan and add the soaked grains.

3) Cook over medium heat and add the soy and coconut milk gradually as the oats start to thicken. Cook altogether 10 minutes.

4) Put the porridge into bowls, top with sliced banana, yogurt, finely chopped dark chocolate and honey.

5) Enjoy.

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Thoughts

It started with a simple “Hello”

For 2018 I made one resolution: To live more according to “Stop and smell the flowers” rather than “Harder, better, faster, stronger” – a mantra which I’ve unconsciously had while climbing up the corporate ladder in the world of tech. That means I want to make sure I have enough time to reflect, be present, create with my hands and appreciate the little things – whether it’s a lovely meal or a a walk in beautiful surroundings. To make sure I actually live according to my intention, I thought that having a blog as a journal of things that inspire me might do the trick: In order for me to post here, I need to do and experience things that leave me inspired. Smart, huh? We’ll see how it works… 🙂

So join me here to check out simple diy tutorials, to read words of inspiration (I have a serious fixation on beautiful quotes and hand lettering, which I’ve just started learning), and learn about foods I love to eat or places I adore to visit.

With love,

Annina

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