Record Store Day 2013

I consider myself a music freak and each year I keep an eager eye on the official Record Store Day website, to see what this year will bring. I’m a sucker for coloured vinyl and special editions, so I have to be careful that a day like this won’t drain my bank account. This year I came prepared: I have been tutoring for quite a while now, and I saved (most of) it for all these lovely records. This year’s list wasn’t as spectacular as those in the past, but I still found some gems I’d really like to add to my collection. So, this morning I got out of bed really early and I drove my bicycle to Nijmegen (I grabbed the opportunity to work on my fitness a bit as well). When I arrived at the record store I found out they had opened early (I have no idea why I missed that info, they spammed their fb page with all these instore gigs but no mention of a change in opening times – correct me if I’m wrong). I must admit I was rather disappointed: the Grizzly Bear and Sigur Rós records were already gone. Even the other record store in the city couldn’t help me. Fortunately, I have a nice “network” of awesome people who enjoy music as much as I do. With a little help from my friends (pun intended) I got my vinyl after all! I can’t wait to get them in my hands, I heard that the Sigur Rós record is in bright blue and green transparent vinyl... fabulous!

I really like the concept of Record Store Day: it gives the artists and stores the attention they deserve and even though some items are heavily overpriced I still “need” to have those exclusive records. I’m going to spend the rest of this (sunny) record store day listening to some classic albums on vinyl, the way it should be!


Nick Drake compilation album, originally released in 1971 (US only). Includes a nice poster and the original artwork. *drool*

Oooooooooh-reo... YUM!

(Warning: if you're on a diet, please stop reading this)

I love baking, but I never seem to have enough time. My baking extravaganzas always happen during holiday- and birthday time, I really should do it more often. This recipe is one of my favourites, it combines Oreo with a scrumptious, divine cream cheese-chocolate topping. (Tip: plan some bad-ass workout after this, because it's impossible not to eat from the frosting while you're working!)

The recipe is for 18 to 20 cupcakes, but I always end up with more ;)

1. Pre-heat the oven: 180 degrees Celsius
2. Mix flower (250 grams) with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.
3. Take a hand mixer to get the butter (125 grams) and sugar (200 grams) fluffy and light in approx. 5 minutes. While you're doing this, add 2 eggs and one teaspoon of vanilla essence. Also put in the dry ingredients and 1,75 decilitres of low-fat cream.
4. Crush Oreos (150 grams, keep some apart for later) and fold it through the batter.
5. Fill paper cases with batter (two-third) and bake them for 20 to 25 minutes. Check if the middle is dry by using a long pin or something like that. Take the cupcakes out of the oven and let them cool off.
6. Melt 175 grams of white chocolate au bain marie, this will take a couple of minutes. It should be lukewarm and creamy.
7. Take 180 grams of good quality cream cheese and mix it with 185 grams of butter until it's nice and soft. Add the chocolate and keep on mixing. Use the frosting right away, it will get stiff before you know it.
8. Put crumbs or bits of Oreo on the frosting and enjoy!