Copycat Christmas Starbucks Beverages :)

If like me, you love Starbucks but 

a) don't live close enough to one

b) can't afford/justify paying for Starbucks regularly 

or 

c) want to get Christmassy in your own home

try some of the recipes below, and my own one for a yummy vanilla cafe au lait :) 

I'll be back tomorrow with Christmas ideas and recipes in a Super Special Sunday post!

Milis Vanilla Cafe au Lait

1. Infuse a jar of sugar with a vanilla pod, an empty vanilla pod works well if you've already used the seeds for a recipe! :) Leave this for as long as you like, it will last ages!!
2. Microwave a mug 3/4 full of milk for 1min 40secs at 1000mw (or your equivalent).
3. Mix in a spoon and a half of your favourite instant coffee granules (mine has to be Carte Noir!)
4. Top up the mug with boiling water and stir.
5. Add 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla sugar and stir.
6. Enjoy! FYI, this is a perfect all-nighter study drink as it's sweet and caffeinated!

Head on over here for more delicious drinks!

Stay sweet! x

Christmas Songs, Tips and more!!

Here's the last sUCCulent podcast from 2012! Term flew and I honestly cannot wait to get behind the desk again!

I hope you enjoy the gift suggestions, cheery Christmas choons and more recipes for delectable homemade goodies!!

Holidays are coming.....! :)

Ho ho ho! x

Brussels

The Best Bits of Brussels, December 2012

The Christmas Market really was magical, with everything from food to fuzzy winter woollies, candles to Ferris wheels, Jaegermeister-infused hot chocolate to ice-skating, there was something for everyone!!

The stands at the market were incredible!! Some had the most intricate fragile Christmas ornaments imaginable, whilst others sold a more hardy product- the UGG boot!! Australian sheep suffer the world over for a 21st century phenomenon!

Here a Reindeer keeps an eye over festive proceedings (his nodding head was a firm favourite among the market-goers!)

He overlooked the gaming area, which resembled 'the merries' we have at home. Of course, Brussels has the extra of a gigantic Ferris wheel...

Located behind this stand was a large ice rink, which included a miniature rink for toddlers. Here they had their own aids which looked like zimmer frames covered with animal facades. If I wasn't such a coward I would have braved the ice... But I knew I'd need one of those zimmer frames!!

The Christmas Market was especially magical at night!

Most importantly (from the Milis perspective!) was of course the food!
Strangely enough I didn't taste any Belgian chocolate, mostly because the most authentic stores and stand at the Christmas market were Leonidas which are available in Cork!! With that in mind I tried something a little more varied... 

Belgian Waffles with Fresh Strawberries and Chocolate Sauce 

Belgian Hot Chocolate 
(minus the cream, boring I know!!)


FYI, ordering Hot Chocolate with cream in Brussels is Viennese Hot Chocolate or Chocolat Chaud avec Crème! :)


I found it interesting that the beverage was almost always served with a side of sugar- I found it too sweet if anything!!



Here was a little taster of Leonidas, which is amazing. If you haven't tried it yet, shame on you!!

For something a little different this ginger tea certainly hit the spot!! 


I wonder why "Ginger Love" are not marketed in Ireland? Surely they would have a wide and loyal fanbase? ;)


Our resident ginger even got to take the mug home to Ireland! Such a sweet talker!!

The front of the European Parliament Building displays a poster for the Sakharov Prize, awarded by the European Parliament to frontline human rights defenders.

I had previously participated in a University debate on the selection of the Prize winner, so it was encouraging to see just how prestigious, widely known and important the Prize is. 

As we are now in full festive swing, I'll leave you with an image of the alternative Christmas tree at Grand Place, Brussels. The tree was constructed from scaffolding and mesh, with green lights which glowed after dark. The conceptual project changes annually.

I'll be back soon with Christmassy recipes, and of course the final sUCCulent show of 2012, which will give you many ideas for Christmas gifts!!

Until then, stay sweet! x

Christmas Gift Ideas

Here's all you need to get prepared for Christmas! Recipes to come next week!
Until then, enjoy the show! 

Feel free to share your own creations here, in the comments section. 

I'm heading to brilliant Brussels next week, and hopefully will come back with lots of foodie news and insight!

Until then, have a great week getting into the Christmas spirit!!


Stay sweet! x