Vanillian Diet #2: Funfetti Cookies Recipe

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here.

It has been like so long! At least I managed to get this up as I promised a month later and wasted no time upon getting some space to do my own things. Things are heating up and I feel that the pace of my posts may be haywire. But I will definitely no give up on this blog! SO do stay tuned to more posts and activities on VD.

Getting back to this post, I decided to take a look what you guys enjoy the most on my blog and I found out that my most viewed post was none other than my egg-less chocolate cake recipe! It was followed by my book reviews and lists! I do want to take the time to say a loud thank you to those who enjoy my blog and want to know more tasty creations of mine. I have become very obsessed ( I will not even use the word enjoy or 'have the passion') with baking,cooking and food in general. So I was delighted on knowing you guys enjoy some of the things I do.

For today, I decided to show you guys one of my most favorite pastry and a very popular flavor in the UK. Together, it is an amazing flavor. I do hope you guys enjoy it!

Ingredients Required:

1. 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
2. 55g butter
3. 1/2 cup sprinkles
4. 1/4 cup sugar
5. 1 tbsp baking powder
6. 1 tbsp salt
7. 1 egg (you can use flax mix if going vegan or veggie)
8. 1 tsp vanilla seeds (You know I will use this)

Paraphernalia/Equipment Required:

1. Electric whisker
2. 2 large bowls
3. Sieve (optional)
4. Knife (to scrape vanilla seeds unless you use telekinesis)
5. Measuring Cups
6. Oven
7. Silicon brush 

Procedure:

1.Add your butter into a large bowl and whisk with your electric whisker until light and fluffy

2.Add sugar into your mix and continue whisking.

3.Scrape vanilla seeds from a fresh vanilla pod and add to the mix along with the egg.

4.Whisk until  smooth and thick batter is formed.

5.In another bowl, add all the dry ingredients and sift them if you like.

6.Add it into the wet mixture and use a spatula to fold in the ingredients until well combined.

7.Add your sprinkles into the mixture and continue mixing. 

8.Flour your hands and squeeze golf ball sizes of dough and roll them into a smooth ball.

9.Using your silicon brush, brush oil onto your baking tray to avoid sticking.

10.Place the balls onto the baking tray and use a glass to press them into a flat cookie.

11.Bake at 180-200 d.c until golden brown.

12.Serve hot and savor the soft gooy-iness inside.

I do hope you guys will enjoy this super yummy treat as much as I do and yes, I feel very proud to have achieved an improvement in my photography skills (especially foodography). Do comment if you want any specific recipes and most probably I will be posting again this month. Until then, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!

Vanilla for thought #2: EDM Obsessions and some track picks!!

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here.

So, as you know, sometime next month I'll be releasing the character analysis of one of the main protagonists in my Book: Hamster Rush (Which you can read here). I am super excited to be working on few more things to kick start the year and juggle with my academic life. The posts would not be often and I highly doubt I will be posting anymore this month but chill! I have few super cool things in store and you will get to see it!

Lately, I have been in a EDM- Fangirl mood. Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is a whole group of music made from electrical instruments and stuff. House, D&B and Trap are the current favorites though other sub-genres do follow behind closely. Since I have not been educated on this and had to do so the hard way, I thought it would be easier to give you guys a breakdown. But do feel free to comment below if you think I may be wring because I am human too and thus I may not have the most accurate information.

EDM is a style of music generated long ago and has many  genres under it. These genres have multiple sub genres, sometimes hybrid subgenres as well. These genres can be mixed and matched, which makes EDM very fun and easy-going. Other than basic rules for production, EDM is a very free and versatile genre to play around with. If you are already into EDM or starting to come out of the rock you live under, I have found some great tracks to listen to and you might too!!


1. Strangers      

Genre/Subgenre: Trap Music
Artists: Veorra
Rating: 3.5 out 5 ice cream cones

2. Speechless

Genre/Subgenre: Chill Music
Artists: Candyland (ft. RKCB)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 ice cream cones


3. Dystopia

Genre/Subgenre: Chill Music
Artists: Polarheart
Rating: 3 out of 5 Ice cream cones


4. Painting Greys

Genre/Subgenre: Brass + Electronic music
Artists: Babbit
Rating: 3 out of 5 ice cream cones


So do feel free to leave in the comments below of any songs you would like to recommend me!!
Until next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!

Top 5 picks of 2015: The literary Round-up

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here.

And happy late new year! I know you must be wondering where was I since November and I can guarantee it was not easy! Life and reality is really very harsh on me for the next 2 years. Crucial education years are here but I will not give up easily! So chill guys. I hope your 2015 was great because mine was. However, for this blog, it may not be the best but I have to say we have made improvements in posting timings plus audience. This blog may not have gone far but I know that patience is a virtue and that we will succeed.

The coming 2 years may not be a very active years for me, but I guess I will try as much as I can. Additionally, I will be pointing out that the next post will be about my book; Hamster Rush's character analysis. I would like to point out clues and in between the lines references. This will cover the whole summary of the character's backstory. Without any further ado, lets take a look back into the previous year and list some great books (in no particular order) you can read for your new year resolution or you just want to read a little books as possible. It can even help for those trying to get the habit of reading.


Book 1: Fool Moon     by Jim Butcher

This book is the second book out of the famous Dresden Files Series. If you are new to the blog, you can scroll through my previous posts on how much I have talked about this series. It has been one of the most interesting fantasy series I have ever encountered right next to my most absolute favorite fantasy series (Maximum Ride: you can find more about it here). This series talks about a wizard with a screwed up life. Oversexed vampires, blood thirsty werewolves and hungry ghosts are only a part of his job. He also has a mysterious past that is only given little information about every book. So far, I have read the first 3 books and looking out for the 4th one. So if you want to start on fantasy genres, I highly recommend this series.


Book 2: Tatiana      by Martin Cruz Smith

I have updated my previous post about this book. You can refer to the previous post about this book if unsure. This came into my top 5 for 2015 as it has a really different theme and writing style. The subtle hints of darker topics have a nice sense to it. For the rating, you can refer it to the previous post as well. If you are interested in Crime fiction, this is a great pick.


Book 3: The Da Vinci Code      by Dan Brown

You would most probably be living under a rock if you have not heard about this book. In case you have not, I would highly recommend you would try to buy the book as soon as possible. Funny I did not encourage borrowing from the local library but it is mainly because it is extremely difficult to find it as it will be loaned out almost all the time. I know I am reading this a bit too late but it was by pure luck I have came across the book in my local library and took no hesitation to grab it. It is about a Harvard professor and symbologist (Robert Langdon) who is obsessed with works of The Renaissance and comes across a rather bizarre death or a museum curator and goes on a journey (with his grand daughter) and realize that they have landed themselves in between a fight between two cults or groups with different views on Jesus Christ.
Despite many people criticized its religious and scientific inaccuracies, it is an amazing, eye opening and wonderful book. If you are planning on reading just one book this year; this is it. I am not joking on that.


Book 4: Stargirl      by Jerry Spinelli

This book; although being one my most absolute top favorites, has not been featured in any of my posts before. This book and the sequel made me cry. No joke. It is an amazing book about self discovery and confidence of being unique to oneself. It talks about a guy by the name of Leo, who meets with a rather bizarre girl by the name of stargirl. She literally named herself stargirl (her real name is Susan if I remember) because she felt that her personality suits the name of Stargirl and that her real name was too boring. People get skeptical about her but soon fall for her raw authenticity of truly being herself. She dances in the rain, plays instruments during recess and keeps a happy wagon, oblivious to the opinion of the public. It really shows how under the weight of the public eye, the relationship of Leo and Susan will take a twist of its own. Spoiler: The ending is very sad.



Book 5: Max      by James Patterson

Its not exactly a part of the Maximum Ride series but can only be understood after reading all the books in the School's out series. James Patterson decided to release this book after public pressure to have more Maximum Ride. The ending of the former series ('Saving the World and other extreme sports) was clearly not enough for most fans (including me) and were thoroughly delighted by the release of individual character books to continue the series informally. The next book: Fang saddened me because it was sad. But however, it is not a book you want to miss!


So, this is it. A roundup to my literacy adventure last year. Lets hope this year goes great and look out for the next update of Hamster Rush!! Until next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!

Books for November (and winter) #2

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here,

Quite a while back, I came across the Goodreads app and got obsessed. The ability to look out for book reviews and scan a book to see its reception was mind blowing. Given that I finally (thank god) had time to head to the library, I picked some reads for October and November. The library is like a paradise to a bookworm(me) like how a shopping mall is to a woman(also me).

Unfortunately, I have not yet read all the books but am super excited to. The books I have picked up are of different types of genres, which is queer because usually I borrow this whole stockpile of books of one genre per visit to the library. Do take a look at what might interest you.


1st Book: The Manny     by Holly Peterson
                 Romance
This book is basically about a rich married woman falling in love with a 'manny' (male nanny) as she suffers trying to fit in with her husband's rich and chic society. Coming from the downtown, Peter Bailey was the only one who understood how she felt. I enjoyed this book from the starting it had a very unique format of writing as well as plot. However, as the book reached to the end, all the events start to become illogical and annoying in my pinion. The turn of events were sudden and unexplained, which angered me thus I actually dislike this book given that I have already read it. This book will sadly get only 1.5 ice cream cones out of 5.


2nd Book: Grave Peril     by Jim Butcher
                  Fantasy/Thriller
This is the third book of the Dresden Files Series which I had already talked about in another blogpost you can find here. So I would take it as I do not need to explain about the series but instead explain about the book itself. This time round, Dresden got himself stuck inbetween crazy and let loose ghosts, controlled by someone who is wishing death upon Dresden as Dresden becomes helpless against this mysterious force he cannot find. To his surprise, someone he knows comes back into the picture, ready to get their revenge finally. I am still reading this book and so far I did not really enjoy the beginning but it became much much better and the turn of events are amazing as usual. You know the classic Jim Butcher. 2 ice cream cones out of 5.


3rd Book: Tatiana      by Martin Cruz Smith
                 Mystery/Thriller
Given that I have not yet read the book, I am unable to give a rating or opinion but able to give you reasons why I am excited to read it and why I chose it. According to some research I have done, Tatiana is only a novel in a series of books named after the fictional detective starred, Arkady Renko. He is a well known russian detective who solved tons of homicide cases. The synopsis of the book talk about how the death of a young and rising reporter named Tatiana fell to her death from the sixth floor the same day a millionaire got shot to death. Despite the deaths were not considered to be connected, Arkandy thinks otherwise and realizes there is much more to Tatiana's past. I picked this book as the way of how two deaths connect together by their past really intrigued me. The language and hook was well written. As well as the fact I would want to explore the style of writing in this book. 2.5 ice cream cones out of 5.


4th Book: Another thing to fall    by Laura Lippman
                 Action
I honestly do not know much about this book other than it being a part of another series named after the heroine, Tess Monaghen. She is apparently also another detective. In this book, she was hired as a bodygaurd for an actress and suddenly many things start to all apart. I became interested in this book as the synopsis told on how the client is not whom she is said to be. Given that it is a detective fiction and action talking about dirty politics, why wouldn't it attract my attention. 1.5 ice cream cones out of 5.



So, this is it. My list of books I had bought to satisfy myself for the winter. I was supposed to post this blog at the start of this month but got carried away so I do apologize if this ends up at the ending of november instead. Also, I realized, my previous posts' pictures keep getting removed. I do apologize once again and I will try my best to fix the problem. If you know how to fix it, do let me know. Until next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!

DIY Fall/Autumn themed Paper Storage/ Organizer!

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here.

I'm on time plus this is (kinda) my first Festive and DIY post! Very recently I made some super delicious Egg Tacos and had an empty taco kit box. Instead of throwing it away I decided to make use of it to make my own little storage with it and trending it with Fall (though winter is really near!). It does not last that long, so at the end of the season, it would be kinda shredded so you can make other things the next season with space left! Additionally, I have some super EXCITING news!! I have very recently made my own topic on QuizUp called Hamster Rush! Yes, now you can test how much you know my book by playing the topic and leveling up; just log in to Quizup.com and search 'Hamster Rush'. I do hope you guys try it!

Back to the topic, I decided to make this DIY using the old taco kit and cut off a side to open it up as well using orange colored paper and cutouts using the side I had cut out (instead of a new card-stock paper being environmentally friendly) which are shaped like autumn leaves (though they are bad because I fail art *sad face*)

Paraphernalia/ Items Required:

Pardon the bad quality photograph (I have no idea how it happened!)

How To:

1. Cut your unused on one side to reveal it (refer to picture)

           2. Take your orange colored paper and start measuring its sides and cut them out

           3. Use the side you have cut out to make autumn leaf cutouts (You can use any design you like                and as many as you like, but I preferred only 2)

         4. Use the cutouts as a guide to outline on your pieces of orange paper.

         5. Use your pens to trace out the outline and color them with dark or light orange colors using                  the color pencils.

         6. If desired, draw veins on them

         7. Glue the the papers to the box.

Hope you liked this idea for my fall posts! I do still apologize for bad posting times but I will be trying my best and yes that is my peach scented candle right there. You can always switch it up for different seasons (like for winter, use blue paper and snowflake cutouts instead.) DO comment and read Hamster Rush as well till next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!

Vanilla for thought #1: 5 Ways to get Inspiration

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here,

To smell of freedom is finally smelt by me and I have used it as a chance to watch as much TMNT and play as much Hearthstone as possible but that does not mean I would ever forget what I have grown up with; books. Often, when I write, people ask me how am I able to get such creative ideas, given that I specialize in fantasy writing.

Honestly, most ideas of mine come from my dreams, things my unconscious self reveal to me only when the darkness envelopes the sky (so poetic). But I felt that for this post, I would share with you guys some things you can try if you ever run out of creative juice or just in the mood to write your essay so that you can once again feel addicted to come back to the keyboard again.


Try something new

It can be anything; food, clothing or even movies! I usually do this by trying new books or touching genres I usually do not opt for. I even cook new cuisine of food I usually do not given that I am a hermit crab who does not really communicate with the world outside. However weird it may sound, trust me it is much better than listening to music. Listening to music kind of distracts you and get you further away from your goal. Listen to music only when you need emotional comfort.
This will give you ideas and experiences you have never had or you want to try out if you are a curious person. Do not let the voice inside you be ignored and go for it if you want to really try and get out of your comfort zone.


Play new and known games

As weird as it sounds, it really helps you to give you ideas, usually inspired or given from the game plots or the game formats. It usually gives me many ideas of the elements I can instill in my current books. I have not much to say about this other than please do not get addicted to the game and forget all about your books or essays (like me).

Read Poetry

Poetry is a beautiful form of art that has been existing for a long time (since the Renaissance). It has the ability to express raw emotions and feelings in a manner so concealed that it feels like an open secret. So if you ever want to taste some darkness or get inspiration (especially for horror books), read up some Edgar Allan Poe and Sylvia Path.  Other genres can always go and find other amazing poets. It also helps if you need help for literature essays.

Surf the internet

This is very simple, Go on the internet and start surfing for very random facts or find out about recent global news. Not only does that help you in your General Paper (GP) if you are taking one, it may help you really research gain knowledge that you can apply to new formats or your existing books. A new books facts and learning does not kill. Some helpful topics can be about aquatic life and its impact on the world as well as dangerous games people used to play i the past.

Do crosswords and word searches

Not only does it boosts you general knowledge, you can use it as a challenge to use the words you have found into a short story. Experiment whatever you want and do not ever stop no matter what people tell you. Have fun with all the knowledge you have and to be a writer, the most important thing is to have the passion of learning about everything!


This is a bit of ideas and inspiration for you guys and I am still working on more things for you guys! Additionally, I have recently uploaded the next chapter of Hamster Rush! Please do read and tell me what you think! Until next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!

My Wattpad Must-read Romance Books

Hey Guys!
Vanilla Here.

Well, finally I am here. I will not be posting till mid October (includes my wattpad books too), so I apologize in advance. I am not a regular blogger (You can tell right?) but recently I have been caught up in my addiction for gaming. Correction: Hearthstone Gaming. So I have been playing Hearthstone very frequently (until they come in my dreams) for a while and that requires me to go online. You all are well aware of my participation in wattpad, an online book community and I had time to compile romance books (which I have also been slightly more interested in these days next to fantasy). If you want, I might also make a reading list of all the fantasy books I am reading these days.

For this post. I would encourage you guys to sign up to Wattpad because amazing writing talents can be spotted, These are some Romance books I have been into in the past or currently obsessed with on wattpad (do not worry these books are all free). Also, for the next few chapter of my book, Hamster Rush, I will be making them only available to my followers, so do make sure to follow my account, ItsmeVanilla. 

Wattpad Romance Must-Reads

Book 1: She's in love with a Geek   by notjustarandomgirl

Amazing book though not completed, Talks about the reversal of cliche nerd likes popular girl. Its a 2.5 ice cream cones.

Book 2: Quirky Romantic Queries About Love   by demonicblackcat

This books is a sequel to a hilarious and romantic book, The quirky tale of April Hale, You can read from the point of view of a girl suffering from Asperger's. Super touching and uncompleted, 2 ice cream cones.

Book 3: The Heartbreak Chronicles   by fallzswimmer

A great cliche book on the members of a popular boyband, The Heartbreakers falling in love. Very emotional as well and is a compilation of 4 books in which only 1 has been completed and the other is halfway going on. 2.5 ice cream cones.

Book 4: Cupid Calling Cupid   by mikaelaney

A great writer and friend of mine. This book stirs up many emotions as well as slightly cliche but with a writer's twist in it. Super well written and highly recommended to be read. A completed book with 2.5 ice cream cones.

Book 5: The Cell Phone Swap   by Donotmicrowave

This book is one of those rare books with so many twists and turns as well as events and drama running all over the place. The content is a sort of organized mess. Amazing writing style and talks about how not every relationship is perfect to form or handle. A completed book with 2.5 ice cream cones.


There are so many books all over wattpad, but sometimes there are books that get high rankings in genres despite being poorly written, badly displayed and just a pain to read and it is important not to judge a book by its reads or votes because sometimes there are books (and writers) out there who deserve way more followers than others because they simply bother putting in more effort to write and give their heart into their books.

You can always find out how much effort a writer puts in their work by reading (but that is also very subjective). Until next time, keep your ice cream cones dripping!!