Puff pastry, 2 ways

Lobster bisque in puff pastry pops up a lot in my childhood memories. I LOVED the stuff. Perfect comfort food for when you're still young and don't know the price of things.

Fast forward around 10 years and I've come to realise that it's not commonly served in restaurants. Sure, everyone sells a lobster bisque... but why not add a magical layer of fat on top? Hey chefs, does it seem tacky to you? Do you think it looks ugly? Because it's not and it doesn't! It makes everything better.

Well, I finally bought some puff pastry to make my own. Of course I wasn't going to risk making a failed lobster bisque (read: laziness and apprehension took over) so I got some ready made soup from the supermarket. I didn't buy the cheapest one. Oh no. I got the one that looked the most gourmet and cost the most, because you know packaging and marketing is 100% honest.

I just plopped the pre-rolled pastry on top, spooned some beaten egg onto it (not fancy enough to have a brush) and baked it at 200 C / 400 F for 10-15 minutes.

Voila! An abundance of unctuous soggy bits to accompany the lobster bisque.

After this trip down memory lane, I still had some puff pastry left over. I was inspired by Luxirare's simple breakfast tart - it's not so simple by peasant standards, but I tried making my own anyways.

I just added whatever there was in the kitchen. Some leftover homemade onion marmalade, blue cheese and canned chopped tomatoes. And lastly, some egg spooned onto the edges. Honestly? It turned out surprisingly tasty.
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Framed Fendi

Vintage scarf + square frame = geometric art

Framing square scarves is nothing new, but this is my take on it. I bought this lovely Fendi scarf on etsy and it looks great! I feel so fancy just by looking at it. Large and dramatic.

This works best with a thin frame so that it doesn't overpower the scarf itself.
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Fresh basil pasta

We recently bought some basil from the farmer's market to grow ourselves.

Now I can pretend to be Jamie Oliver and pluck things fresh from the little patch of soil in front of our house! SO gourmet, daaahhling.

I've always used dried basil for the Easiest Pasta Ever, but I wanted to try it with fresh basil.

The Easiest Pasta Ever is made with heavy cream, shredded parmesan, lots and lots of basil, salt and pepper. I just dump the freshly cooked pasta onto everything else and let it sit for a while before mixing.

Verdict: I didn't use enough basil! But by the time I'd realised this I couldn't be bothered to get some more.

Yea I'm lazy. Why am I so lazy? I don't know.

I tried to pick some fresh basil again a week later, but there was a wasp outside so I resorted to dried basil. Oh well... there's always next time!
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Shades of blue

I'm a hoarder.

I've lived mostly in grayscale throughout my adolescence years, ever since I fell in love with My Chemical Romance (I ain't ashamed! Ok maybe a little bit). Even when my obsession with them faded, I continued on with my sombre fashion sense.

But this summer, the winds have changed. I'm bored of black and white. Suddenly, the idea of going out looking like an orange, tomato or a tube of ultramarine blue paint seems enticing.

It took me a while to realise that I've bought way too many blue clothes. All but one of these items were purchased this year!

Left to right, top to bottom:
blazer by Michael Kors, shorts by Hollister, silk shirt by Diane von Furstenberg
shorts by Hollister, shirt by Cotton On, tote by Furla
t-shirt by zara, skirt by H&M, maxi skirt by Soprano

I'll probably go back to my colourless wardrobe in the wintertime - you can still add a lot of interest to your outfit by contrasting different textures - but injecting a bright pop of colour is really refreshing right now.
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Triangular nails

I love the triangular look on nails, even though it's a pain in the arse to achieve.

Exhibit A: gold + purple

Behold mah sexy bejeweled nails!

Exhibit B: gold + pink

Nice with a hint of spice.

Which do you prefer? It's a tough choice for me!
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Vintage Dooney

I was at work one public holiday and my colleague (let's call her Bonnie) happened to be at work as well. Being in a holiday mood, we ended up chatting about designer bags. Bonnie is near retirement age, and it turns out that she has a ton of bags.

Bonnie kindly gifted me with a few of her items, which are now "vintage", including these two Dooney and Bourke bags. They are in great condition and totally useable. Needless to say, she's my favourite colleague!
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Yellow Tail Moscato

I'm a dessert wine sort of person.

Since I can't just hop on a plane to Santorini and drink their Vinsanto, Yellow Tail's moscato is my new favourite cheap booze for weeknight drinking. It's light, fruity and a little bit fizzy.

It's also great for cooking with. White wine, heavy cream and minced garlic is a threesome made in heaven. I like to bake salmon with this combo sauce and lots of sauteed onions.

Can you tell? I'm super hungry!
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Jaded nails

Depression is a funny thing. I can't answer why I'm feeling down, because oftentimes you could be perfectly content one day, and the next day you're wondering why you have to brush your teeth or keep your room tidy. It's multifactorial and often related to changing levels of different hormones. And should I bother telling even my closest friends?

For now, these nails remind me that I'm capable of putting effort into things and the results can be beautiful. Carrying on with cheerful nails during this gloomy January, with Read My Palm and Only Gold For Me by OPI. Totally matches this turquoise ring I bought in Greece!
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Galaxy nails

Jumping on the galaxy nail bandwagon, armed with a sponge and shades of purple, pink, red, grey... along with that all-important glitter top coat.

I was so distracted by my nails for half the day, I couldn't get much work done.

If I was ever bothered to do it again I would love to try a blue theme next!
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Favourite Candles

Oh dear...

I think my friends are going to start calling me Crazy Candle Lady now.

My collection of candles from D.L. & Company has slowly grown and it turns out that Thorn Apple is my favourite scent...

Someone help me. This is an expensive addiction! Literally burning a hole into my bank account! But I adore this company. May they be in business forever.
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