Manly Valentine's Coupons

Valentine's coupons are all over the internet, but how about a simple black and white iteration that your man will actually enjoy looking at? All it takes is some heavy cardstock and marker! And if you're feeling extra fancy, you can trim the corners.

Baked eggs

The first time I heard of baked eggs was when reading blog posts about breakfast at Lantana Cafe in London. Their version had chorizo in it and was topped with rocket salad - not bad!

I love how easy it is to make baked eggs - you can pretty much throw whatever you want in your creation. You don't even have to bake it in a dish - back in my superlazy days I would crack an egg on top of toast, sausages and pasta sauce from a jar...

It's like how you can splatter paint onto a canvas and call it abstract art, except unlike Pollock I ain't winning any awards with this mess.

Then I stopped living by myself and figured I didn't want to scare people off with my food; luckily it's easy to make baked eggs look half-decent.

Here I just used avocado, cheese, ham and mashed potato, anything I had in the fridge really.
Just bake at around 350 F until the eggs are done and you're good to go!

-S

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.
x

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.
x

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!
x

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.
x

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!
x

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!
x

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!
x

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!
x

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!
x

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.
x

TINSEL TOWN by Sephora x OPI

It amazes me how early people in the US start celebrating major holidays. People were already setting Christmas decorations up on their front yard before Thanskgiving, and Christmas songs have been playing on the radio non stop.

I figured I'd embrace this so I bought this nail polish set off Sephora, and it's really getting me into the holiday mood.




The full sized top coat "Only Gold For Me" is great! So many possibilities. I'm liking these glittery, slutty nails right now. Dare I try a glitter gradient soon?

x

Pink Panache

Seriously in love with Mrs. Harrison's style... When I grow old I want to be as stylish as she is!
x

Light Up My Life

The problem with really special candles is that I never want to use them.

It's kind of stupid if you think about it. You don't want to enjoy the moment because you anticipate its ending.

I almost bought two of the teacup candles today so that I could use one up and have the other one to keep staring at. Kind of regret not doing that now... Guess I could refill it with my own wax but obviously I'm too lazy for that to ever happen.

Clockwise from top left: teacup candle from Royal Albert China; Solstice candle from Fringe; apple and pinecone candle from Bee Happy Candles; La Petite Pomme Rouge from DL&Co

The candles from Bee Happy Candles are made from beeswax and smell divine with a hint of honey! I got them at the farmer's market in Davis last weekend. The lady at the stall said that you need to burn them long enough so that the insides are liquified, and the light glows through from the inside out.

Maybe the secret is to buy candles that aren't the most special but still make you feel like you're indulging yourself?
x

Healthy Strawberry "Parfait"

One girl versus the world.

Or 2.5 lbs of strawberries. Same thing.

WHO will win???

It was a intense race against time as they began to show signs of rotting... but humankind prevailed in the end!

This version of the humble parfait uses greek yoghurt and honey for a healthy spin on things.

I think I need to take a break from strawberries for a while.

x

Jubilee Gifts

It's still difficult being away from London, especially when people were celebrating the Queen's Jubilee last weekend. I put it at the back of my mind and also managed to forget to browse gifts online.

Mother of God, this teacup from Fortnum & Mason is so whimsical... I want it!

And this silk scarf from Libery London is sold out already. Sad times.

x

Simple Strawberry Smoothie

After tacos and cakes at the farmer's market I needed a light dinner.

I'd just bought 2 pounds' worth of strawberries so I made one of my favourite smoothies. It only consists of almond milk (super low in calories!), strawberries, greek yoghurt and honey.

Setting up the photo probably took more time than the making of the smoothie!
x

Good morning, saturday

It's been a long week...

It started out on a high after I went on a spontaneous skydive at San Marcos last Sunday, but trouble in the workplace and upcoming exams have left me exhausted.

Poached eggs with parma ham, garlic and basil butter on toast and danish blue cheese were the perfect pick-me-up. Here's hoping the next week will be better!
x

Oh Jewelled Tree

We first met in the summer of 2010.

I wanted to take you home, but I couldn't bear to part with $32 just yet... and so I waited for the day when you'd be discounted. But that day never came. Sure, I gazed at your online photograph from time to time, but life eventually got in the way and you become a distant memory.

Fast forward to 2012; I was surprised that you had been waiting all this time, quietly insisting that you were worth every penny. I couldn't resist you anymore. It was time to take you home.

Little birch jewelry stand from Urban Outfitters
x