Musings from the girl next shore

Lessons from a baby shower

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:20:00 +0000

My friend R is due this summer and everyone in the supper club is excited. She threw a baby shower last week at their place in the 'Hamptons' =D

It was an afternoon tea set-up and I couldn't help but notice how awesome the spread was. Most of the treats were homemade. R & A are really awesome hosts. Lesson 1: Afternoon tea time is the best time for baby showers. Nothing too heavy for the guests and nothing too hard to prepare!

They put the barbie out too. We were having been typical menopausal London weather, so it went all drizzly. It took a while to get the fire starting, but the boys managed to build up a fire and soon enough, we had delicious smoky meat off the grill. =) Lesson 2: Let the men take over the barbie!

Lesson 3: You know how they say getting preggos is a great excuse to eat anything you want? Lie. Pregnant ladies actually need to watch what they eat because there's quite a list of unsuitable food. Did you know that some fish have high-levels of mercury, some juices are unpasteurized, some brekky food like sausage and bacon aren't ideal - not cos of fat but cos of nitrate? Contrary to popular belief, soft cheese is actually okay. And a cheeky glass of wine is actually not so cheeky.

Grandma and the girls

Then it was time for games.

The first game was Pooey Pampers: we had to figure out which type of chocolate was smeared on a particular nappy. They all looked scarily similar to actual poop so it felt strange having to taste, smell and observe the choccy... but that didn't stop my team mate and I from naming all of them correctly. Woohoo! Lesson 4: Everything is not shit. You have to learn to look at the bright side and not take yourself too seriously.

The next game was a test for suckers. The boys had to drink a concoction of G&T off baby bottles. I think the boys learned that babies are hard suckers too! Haha! Lesson 5: Sizes for nipples and nipple holes vary depending on the age of the baby.

While the men had to suck, the ladies had to blow. Balloons, okay? (This is a wholesome post after all.) We had to match R's belly circumference. R's belly ended up measuring at exactly 100cm. My team mate and I got the closest measurement at 105cm =) Lesson 6: The belly size does not guarantee a big baby.

Then it was time for pressies! R accidentally blurted the baby's name (she's been keeping it a secret for the longest time) which, according to a gushing grandma, is absolutely perfect. I think everyone agreed. I can't tell you the name yet, but I can tell you there were lots of cute stuff for the little boy. Lesson 7: Babies can never have enough onesies, but if you're giving pressies it's always best to get something the kid can use for a loooong time. =)

After the pressies we went to look at the nursery, which was super cute with hand-painted walls. I can't post the photo because they've painted the baby's name on the wall. =)

It was an interesting day. I've learned so much about being preggos, the grotesque details of being in labor (c/o A's mom!) and the way a child really changes things for the parents-to-be. I'm excited for R's baby boy to arrive because looking at how his parents look at each other, I'm sure he's going to be surrounded by a whole lot of love. Lesson 8: Always appreciate your parents. You will never have an idea how much they have/are willing to sacrifice for you.

The girl who made naughty brownies

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:43:00 +0000

When my friend A told me she was off to Manila, my heart sank a bit because she was my dine & wine and whine buddy. Ever the thoughtful friend, she was super kind to introduce me to some fellow foodies who would be interested to try new joints. That's how I met R.

R's size is inversely proportional to her personality. She is an absolute laugh to be with; a fun, funny girl with eyes that pop and twinkle, and a belly laugh that is seriously contagious. A complete master of her craft, she also exudes a fierceness that is very impressive. You wouldn't want to mess around with her.

In my smorgasbord of friends, R is the alcoholic brownie square. She's a tiny block of joy and comfort who makes you feel fuzzy and gooey all over. She's a huge chunk of hilarity with a hint of naughtiness (definitely the good kind). She's a very sweet friend, a super loving wife and, without shadow of doubt, an incredible mum-to-be.

R's a very, very, very good cook/baker who's always welcomed our supper club at her home with good food and great cheer. She's recently thrown a baby shower and served a really awesome spread for afternoon tea. Of course, she had to serve her yummy naughty brownies. Her recipe is shared with us here. =)

Ingredients:

125g bittersweet chocolate

100g chocolate spread (R uses Nutella)

1/2 cup of your favourite liqueur (R uses 1/4 cup Kahlua, 1/4 cup Cointreau)

90g butter

3/4 cup sugar (reduce if you like it less sweet as Cointreau is sweet already)

1 medium egg

2 medium egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup sifted flour

a pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 160C.
In a double boiler with hot (but not boiling) water, melt chocolate, then add Nutella.
You can leave this in the pan while you take care of the rest of the ingredients.
Cream the butter until it is white and smooth, 3-5 minutes.
Add the sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
At this point the chocolate will be melted. Add the liqueurs, whisk, and let it simmer.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating continuously. Add the vanilla and salt. Beat until frothy and light in colour.
Add the chocolate mixture, beat until combined.
Fold in the flour. Do not overmix!
Pour the mixture into a greased 7x9 pan and bake for about 25 minutes. If you like gooey brownies, you can leave keep the pan in the over for less.

Thanks for the recipe R, can't wait til your bun gets out of the oven!

Shoryu Pop-Up: where third ramen's a charm

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:18:00 +0000

I am, shamelessly, one of those people who can eat the same thing every single day.

Ate T: Dinner?
Me: Ramen?
Ate T: Again?!
Me: Shoryu Pop-Up in Soho.
Ate T: Again?!
Me: 50% off
Ate T: Game!

My diet last month involved a lot of noodles, broth and ramen (blame the weather!). I was ready to punch my meals with a bit of variety but I seriously couldn't forego Shoryu's Pop-Up restaurant in Soho. (Also, as they have 14 types of ramen on the menu, I'm sure it's not the last visit either.)

It was the last day of their discounted menu promotion so Ate T and I went early to avoid the queues. We were seated early enough but as the restaurant is half the size of their Regent St branch we were squeezed between diners. We were so close I could actually hear - and feel - diners slurping and burping.

But nevermind. The food is worth it.

The chicken kara-age (£5) was at its best. I remember having this the first time around and thought it was 'impressive but I've had better'. This time it was juicy and moist. I had to stop myself from eating everything!

Now let's talk ramen. My first Shoryu ramen was the spicy pork miso and loved it so much. I've only tried something different once but since then I've reverted to my safe choice. Wanting to try something different again (and way too many bowls of spicy pork miso ramen for lunch), I decided to get the karaka tantan tonkotsu (£9.90 - but £4.95 that day).

Mad, mad love for this! The fried minced pork was deliciously substantial, the white miso and garlic broth was a slurpy kind of delicious and the chilli oil was just amazing. Strange thing though, it said on the menu that it didn't have sesame but mine came with. Not that it mattered, because the whole thing is just damn yummy!

I'm not a massive fan of the organic onigiri (£2) though. Then again, I was never really a fan of rice.

Our neighbourly diners seemed pretty happy with their yuzu rolled cake (£4.50) so we tried that too. It's definitely my favourite green tea dessert out of the ones we've tried. It wasn't overpowdered and the aduki bean cream created a nice sweet aftertaste that wasn't sickening.

Overall, another good experience at my favourite ramen joint!

Post dinner, the queue still snaked around the corner. People were obviously taking advantage of the last day of the 50% off ramen promo! =)

Looks like Shoryu Pop-Up is here to stay and I do hope it does! They have another promotion - 10% off the full menu if you bring this voucher. It goes til 31 July so hurry up and slurp delicious noodles! =)

Shoryu Pop-Up Soho
3 Denman Street London W1D 7HA

How did you meet the great love of your life?

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:07:00 +0000

Two days into the bank holiday the question popped after a few hours and a few beers under the sun. The married ones easily spoke fondly of how they met their spouses while the not-so-married ones skiddley-doo-dah-ed, anxious to change topics. It got me thinking...

When I was a child, I was a huge fan of love in its Rainbow Brite coloured glory. I believed in flowers and fairy tale endings, grand gestures and the thrill of the chase, celebrating monthsary dates and a million kisses in the rain. All that jazz.

Somewhere between 14 and 26 the hopeless romantic grew up, fell in and out of love, saw a handful of hearts broken into a million pieces and turned into a cynical crud. I tried to believe in the 100% strength of the yihee/kilig factor by documenting stuff and telling everyone (myself included) how happy I was (I really was). I devoured those moments but fun as they were there was, almost always, something amiss; whilst I knew I felt something genuine, there was still some some sort of emotional disconnect. I just couldn't see beyond the yihee/kilig. I wanted to (and God knows I've tried), but I couldn't. Unlike other girls who had their plans sorted from flower arrangements down to the white fluffy dress, I couldn't find the happy ever after and often wondered, when a relationship didn't work out, if I'd ever be happy after.

Then again perhaps the annoying cynic was just a facade... a wall I've put up for protection. I say this because in a way I still believed in possibilities. I still imagined and played scenes in my head as to how I would meet the love of my life. My favourites included the following:

At a train station:

Because yes, harana will always be uso.

At a record store:

Here's Charlotte Gainsbourg & Johnny Depp from that scene in ...And They Lived Happily Ever After.

Ahhh.... wouldn't that be something to tell the grandkids?

So how did I meet the great love of my life? I'm sure I've talked about this before... but you know, two years after burying the inner cynic and after a string of dates, mates and exchange rates I've realised that though music will always be my first real love, I am actually capable of really and truly being in love with an actual human being. 100% deadset. Like most relationships there's a lot to be afraid of. This may or may not be the great love of my life, there may or may not be a happy ever after - who knows? The surprising thing is, I've never felt the audacious desire to find out... until now. Possibly because the timing is right, definitely because I've never been this happy. Ever. And it bloody feels great.

I still can't see myself in a white fluffy dress, but that's because I prefer a slick nude silk-chiffon. And if this road does lead to a happy ever after, we'll tell the grandkids that it all started with this (ironically):

Go open yourself to the possibilities of life. If you're lucky enough, you might just find something (or someone) that could surprise you in more ways than one.

Cheesemen of the board

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:52:00 +0000

I saw a man devouring a grilled four-cheese sandwich. He licked his lips deliciously as he pressed it into a less intimidating size. The cheese oozed down the crusty sourdough with the smoothness of silken honey, before settling on the curious waxy paper that held it together. I saw him hesitate as if to admire the flattened creation before going for the kill and biting a third down the sarnie. Impressive. He chewed, eyes closed, and I swear I heard a flock of cherubs fly by. In that moment I knew he was in an entirely different world. Somehow, I wanted to go there too.

That's how I fell in love with cheese.

Last week I went to Borough Market eager to replenish my stock of fresh artisan cheese.

First stop was L'Ubriaco to get a piece of my favourite drunken cheese, Testun. I was ready to order but I saw they had new blocks of pecorino; one from Sardinia (creamy, dense, a bit tart and fruity) and one from Sicily (slightly tangy, nutty, crumblier). I went for the latter because it was punched with peppercorns, which gave the cheese a bit of a kick. This would go down well with pasta - I could already imagine munching the shaved and grated bits before they even melt.

Pecorino nero d'avola

I went to the new wing of the market where I found Une Normande a Londres. I saw the shelves of goat cheese and swooned. The assistant who served me had the most amazing French charm and I wondered whether it was his accent that lured me to get this ugly looking piece of gorgeous aged goat cheese.

This brain-looking cheese is an aged coupolé. This one is more pungent in aroma and the flavour is distinctly stronger and earthier with a slight hint of nuttiness. It's definitely not one to please the masses, but it's an impressive addition to any cheese board.

I found the Jumi Cheese stall which sold a variety of Swiss cheese with interesting background stories, like the 'hanfmutschli', a cheese created by the artisan's wife made with hemp she found growing in the garden so the kids won't use the weed in other ways. My pick was the Dr. 13, a hard sheep milk cheese which was mild with notes of fruit. It took the makers 13 attempts to perfect the recipe and boy am I glad they did not stop at 12. Like Emmental, this is super good with sandwiches.

I went to Neal's Yard Dairy because I wanted to get a piece of Wigmore, one of my favourites from the shop. I think this sheep milk cheese is perfect for Spring, as it tastes fresh on the palate with its mild and subtle sweetness. It's hard enough to keep for picnics and super delicious when baked to its sweet soft spot.

I also got some Childwickbury, another goat cheese, which reminds me of summer because of its citrusy notes. It's soft and crumbly and I think it would be super perfect for summer eating. This is my favourite goat cheese from Neal's Yard Dairy.

The crumbly cheese would be perfect for superfood salads, light pizza snacks and cracker spreads!

I also got some Tymsboro, another goat cheese which has a texture in between that of the Childwickbury and the Wigmore. It's a bit more versatile because the bits closer to the rind can be melted for a nice dip whilst the inner layers are crumbly enough to top pasta with.

The flavour is mild, but strong enough to get a hint of the goat milk. It's a bit nutty and a bit zesty in parts.

Clockwise:
Dr. 13, Childwickbury, Wigmore
Tymsboro, Coupolé, Pecorino

Six days later, I've already finished the Coupole and the Wigmore, three-fourths of the pecorino and half the Tymsboro. I've used up a third of the Childwickbury and I'm saving the Dr 13 when I've used up all my drunken cheese. I can't wait to get some more for the bank holiday. =)

What's on your cheese board?

Shoryu, Take 2: where I thought love could be better the second time around

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Some people say love is better the second time around. I loved my first experience at Shoryu so much I was cocksure the second time would be nothing short of amazing.

I mean. How can you not love a ramen bar with super cute - and proper - tea pots?

Exactly.

K joined the ramen posse and the conversation flowed like tonkotsu broth: smooth, silky and punched with lots of flavour.

The married ladies

The not so married ladies

I really miss Japanese street food so I ordered chikuwa fishcakes (£4) to start. Chikuwa is a traditional Japanese snack made of mixed minced seafood and shaped like a tube. The texture and colour, when cooked right, is similar to grilled cuttlefish. Shoryu's fishcakes are panko-crusted and they looked so pretty lined up on the plate.

I didn't realise they were actually cocoons of cheese (of course the menu said 'chikuwa-cheese fishcake' but I was too lazy to bother reading the description) and only found out when I had my first bite. K's face popped in surprise as the cheese popped out and fell onto my napkin. Oops.

I enjoyed it for all the right reasons. It was perfectly crunchy, delightfully chewy, extremely cheesy. It may taste a bit salty for some, though.

We also got the soft-shell crab tempura (£6). Of course.

Hello love, we meet again.

I wanted to be a bit adventurous with the ramen and decided to order something I probably wouldn't have picked so I asked for the tori kara-age men (£9.90) with normal hosomen noodles (you can choose gluten-free rice noodles with this dish). I was super looking forward to my ramen fix - it was all I could think about the whole day - so I immediately dug in.

Toppings:
nitamago (egg), kikurage (wood-ear mushroom), kelp,naruto (fish cake)
nori, spring onions, mushrooms, spring onions, fried chicken, sesame seeds

I was a wee bit disappointed with the shiitake konbu soy-based broth, if I'm being honest. Fair enough, it was tasty but I thought there was something amiss. It wasn't bland but I had to douse it with some sesame and chili oil and vinegar to make it 100% perfect.

But hey... with cute little toppings like this slice of naruto, it's really difficult for the dish to be unforgivable.

And the hosomen noodles are still still the bouncy-springy-chewy type of delicious.

Overall, everyone was pretty pleased.

So... was Shoryu-love better the second time around? Well, it's definitely different. It's a tiiiiny bit disappointing (for my ramen) but like anything you give second chances to, there was a fondness brought about by familiarity and there was still something new and exciting to try. Someone told me love is a choice and perhaps in a way this relates to that night. The experience boiled down to my choices and truth be told, I still enjoyed the overall dining experience.

I still think Shoryu has the best ramen in town.

Shoryu Ramen Bar

9 Regent Street, London, SW1Y | No reservations, walk-in only

VISIT THE POP UP STORE ON 3 DENMAN STREET, LONDON W1D 7HA AND ENJOY 50% OFF THE RAMEN MENU
Average spend: £10pp for ramen, £20 with sides, dessert and drinks (I had a recommended sake)

The Filo Supper Club: Com Viet & Carluccio's

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:00:00 +0000

A few days after I met up with Ate T, our Filo supper club decided to have dinner at Com Viet again. We were booked a table downstairs, which was a completely different atmosphere from the upstairs 12-seater area.

Side A: The married couples Side B: Ate T and her 'adings'

Our little get-together was prompted by stylist PL's London visit. We all had to see his fabulous hair.

Most of the group ordered what Ate T and I had on our first visit so our table became a sea of spring rolls and noodles. I wanted to try something else so I had grilled bbq squid for starters (£6.90) and beef papaya salad (£8.50) for mains. The squid was marinated in some sort of seven-spice, garlic and onions. I loved that the squid was perfectly cooked. It was soft and had the right amount of chew.

I'm a bit of a pain when it comes to salads as I usually ask for the dressing on the side. That way I can taste the individual components first and assess how much dressing is needed. I forgot to ask this time and they may have gone a bit overboard (they also went nuts with the crushed nuts on top). Surprisingly the papaya strips, even the bottom bits soaking in the nuoc nam dressing, retained a nice fresh crunch. Pretty okay salad. I'd order it again but I'd make sure I share it with someone else.

The most interesting dish was R's bahn xeoh (£7.80). It was basically a savoury crepe filled with prawn, pork and bean sprouts served with a wedge of lettuce, herbs and nuoc nam. You wrap strips of the pancake in the lettuce leaves and dip it in the sauce. I found this process strange but R thought it was nice so... okay.

We all went a wee bit shiny afterwards. Here's the group sans K (who took the photo) and The Don (who was ill).

We ended up at Carluccio's next door for afters as most dessert places were already closed. I was a bit hesitant because the last time I went to a Carluccio's franchise didn't fare well. The Covent Garden branch, however, was laid out in a really nice building and had a separate café space. We took over the big (and only) table in the room and it was nice because it felt as if we were just in someone's kitchen, having post-dinner coffee chit-chat.

The area also serves as space for their desserts, salad bar and their own line of ingredients for Italian dishes.

There's a little bit of something for everyone....

My choice: melon sorbet and almond macarons.

*burp* it was a good night indeed. Can't wait til our next supper adventure. =)

Com Viet: where comfort was served in a giant bowl

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:23:00 +0000

I once wrote about a lady who was quite an inspiration. On paper, we're entirely different people but since she and her husband moved to London and as we got closer through the years, we both saw how similar we are. (We even think we're starting to look alike.)

Of course, I had to be overly excited about my meal.

Last week, we met over dinner and the first thing she whisked out of her bag was the very thing that sealed our friendship. Exhibit A from 2008!

A friendship pact sealed with little packs of choco-nutty goodness!

It wasn't an extravagant pressie, but its significance moved me and I wanted to cry buckets of gratitude. It made me think about the first time I met her five years ago: she was a ball of warmth in the cold winter and a person so sweet and so comforting, just like the packet of ChocNut she brought for me. Exhibit B from last week!

Dinner was at a Vietnamese restaurant in Covent Garden called Com Viet.

For starters we shared an order of the standard Vietnamese favourite, goi cuon tom (£4.80) or fresh spring rolls with prawn and rice vermicelli. The rolls were delicately and beautifully put together. The wrap held firm per bite and the amount of components were proportional so the balance of flavour was there. The dish had a fresh taste with just the right amount of herbs and the prawns really shone through. I find it strange that they served it with hoi sin sauce as I usually get goi cuon tom with nuoc nam at my usual Vietnamese haunts.

We also had the Ha Noi prawn cake (£6.80) which wasn't what I expected at all. I guess I thought I was getting something similar to those Thai prawn cake pucks but I got this instead:

Fried prawn and sweet potato, lettuce leaves, fresh mint and coriander, nuoc nam sauce

It was an interesting dish to eat eat as it was fairly 'interactive' and I'm a sucker for things where you get to choose how much of which goes where. The fried 'prawn cake' was actually pretty tasty on its own (sweet and salty) but having to wrap pieces of it in fresh lettuce leaves made it fantastic. The good thing? despite the cake being deep fried, it wasn't greasy at all.

Ate got herself a nice big bowl of chicken pho (£9.50) and as soon as they laid her bowl on the table I wish I'd gone for the same. It looked like a massive, steamy bowl of joy.

As usual, the veggies were served on the side. It was a vibrant plate of sprouts, fresh mint, coriander, chilies and, uh, a wedge of lemon (which was peculiar).

Her pho was so fragrant I wanted to dig in. But I patiently waited for mine because I was trying to be a good girl. =) Ate enjoyed it though and with every slurp she had I seriously had to stop myself from grabbing her bowl because it seemed so delicious.

I ordered barbecued pork loin with vermicelli noodles (£9.50) and we were both surprised when it came. It was the biggest plate of food I've seen in a while. Seriously, look! The diameter is practically the same length as my forearm!

I wondered whether I could finish the whole lot but the deconstruction of the dish reminded me of those portion control plates dieters use. The carbs here (bouncy vermicelli noodles that held together and remained firm even after being soaked by the nuoc nam), the veggies here (super fresh shredded lettuce, daikon, carrot, cucumber and coriander) and the protein there. Oh and they threw in a fried vegetarian spring roll too.

The pork was really good! It was salty, tangy, garlicky. I wondered what the marinade was but it reminded me of a subdued pork adobo. As they've chopped the loin into bite-sized pieces I worried they might have been overcooked and tough. I was wrong - every little piece was almost melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with flavour. There was also enough fat - just the right amount to make it juicy and exciting.

Yes, the dishes were served in massive portions. Yes, we finished everything.

Our meal at Com Viet was the perfect fit for my company that night because in more ways than one it's a reminder of how I feel about her. The meal was fresh and light, which is exactly how I feel everytime we have conversations. It's comforting and reminiscent of home, like how she has been my adopted big sister faraway from family. And it definitely filled my happy belly just like how she fills my heart with such great joy.

Com Viet
4 Garrick St London, City of London, Greater London WC2E 9BH | 020 7497 2779
Ave spend pp: £20 (no desserts, but there's a lot of cafés and froyo places around)

Six tracks for April 2013

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:05:00 +0000

So did you fall for YouTube's April Fools trick earlier this month? I did for a while. Annoyingly I did, until my alarm when off and I realised it was all a prank. Good one, at that. Heaps better than Google Nose!

Anyway here's the usual six-track playlist of the month.

The 1975 - Chocolate
The intro hook reminds me of the early '90s (Ace of Base - The Sign). The vocalist's hair reminds me of the mid '90s. The delivery reminds me of boy bands from the late '90s. You wouldn't think this is from a Mancunian indie-rock band would you? Off their third (and my favourite) EP 'Music for Cars', this track is catchy, kitschy, happy-go-lucky. Just like the '90s.

Peace - Higher Than The Sun

Super stoked that the debut album is finally out! The wait since Follow Baby and Bloodshake is over! The tracks are all pretty surf/sun stroke cool, which I find funny because these boys are English, where the weather is gray and the sun is elusive.

Junip - Your Life Your Call
Jose Gonzalez and his band are releasing a new album end of this month and this is the second single released off it. It's as laidback as Mr Gonzalez himself but an awesome tune for sunny days and getaways, too.

Everything Everything - Duet

My favourite track off Everything Everything's Arc album. It's one of those songs that aren't catchy but memorable enough to get stuck on repeat for ages.

Noah And The Whale - There Will Come A Time
Don't you feel uplifted everytime you listen to a song by this band? There were some feel good folk-rock tunes off their previous LPs such as 5 Years Time, First Days of Spring, etc. Oh and how could we forget the 'pay it forward'-inspired video for Give A Little Love? This track has a different tone from the usual, but it still makes you feel really good after.

Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile

I miss hearing rock/alternative songs like this - songs that sound like they've been practiced heaps of times in a garage and songs that get everyone hyped when it's played. Then again that's how I always feel about tracks by Cold War Kids. =)

Enjoy! =)

The Post-Break Up Phases

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:11:00 +0000

I've been chatting to a few friends who are feeling a bit glum and as much as I want to take their pain away I know it's not as easy. Getting by and reaching the complete phase of 'fine' takes a lot of patience, a lot of effort and a lot of time.

My personal healing process has five phases.

PHASE 1: UNTOUCHABLE

"Ouch!" factor is extremely high as everything feels fresh and shockingly deep. The hurt is so confusing and you spontaneously combust. You lose it when you hear a name/word/song or when you see a place. You are emotionally unstable and everyone's on tenterhooks around you. But, just like any other wound you can't put any 'antiseptic' just yet until you squeeze all the icky, possibly infected stuff. So you do everything to exhaust all that. Cry over sad films/songs. Vent to your friends then tell them you don't want to see anyone just yet. Scream at the top of your lungs. Deactivate and reactivate your profile on the social networks. Have a drink to remember, have two to forget.

In this phase, you can get away with being ever so slightly irrational, but remember that you can never get away with not showering for days.

PHASE 2: SPRING CLEAN

One day you will chance upon your reflection or a fairly recent photo of yourself and panic because you seem to have aged a hundred years since the first "Ouch!" moment. You finally realise how things have dragged you and your facial epidermis down and that you really need to take action. So you invest in makeovers: physical (hair-chops and colour, spa treats), lifestyle (room change, taking in more work, a new diet or health regime), spiritual (prayer or peer group).

In this phase, you will throw out stuff from your 'box of memories' like a few receipts and that stuffed animal you got for a special occasion (which you thought was a sweet gesture then but in total honesty you would've preferred something more practical). You will still hold on to some letters because you're just not quite ready to let go of some old things yet, but you are ready to embrace a brand new you.

PHASE 3: FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT

The "Ouch!" factor in this phase is tricky because it usually surprises you at the worst timing ever. With your new makeover(s) you feel a new sort of energy: you think you're ready and that you're okay... until you hear or see something that takes you down again. Like finding an old photograph hidden in your purse on a first date or bumping into the ex with his new flame. So what to do?

Fake it 'til you make it. Throw the photo away. Walk away from the couple or strut directly past them and pretend they're nobodies.

This phase requires a whole lot of willpower because getting past it depends on how much effort you put into it. You have to plaster a smile on your face no matter what, kinda like having Botox without Botox. Unhappy? Force yourself to laugh and smile. Or watch VJ Greg. Not in the mood? Go out, be with good friends. Demotivated? Tell yourself you will be fine. Out loud. Don't believe it? Say it a thousand times until you do. Say it a thousand times more and you will.

PHASE 4: BAND AID

The "Ouch!" factor is not as high anymore and the only way to feel the pain is when it's self-inflicted. The determination to move on is stronger, but you're actually not conscious of it because it just comes naturally to you. You finally realise that the world is moving on and you've got a lot of catching up to do.

At this stage, you have accepted your fate and you also realise that you're so ready to go out there and try again. You go back to phases 2 and 3 until you realise that you've thrown away all the letters and stuff from your box and that your fakery is actually genuine enough for you to say you're fine without forcing a smile as you do. Sure, the scars are still there but you only see it when you take the bandages off. Most of the time, you won't even notice. You've reached a sort of zen-like/comfortably numb stage and you can finally see sunshine again.

PHASE 5: TITANIUM

This phase is the most surprising because you can never tell when it is going to happen. It's hard to explain, but usually it goes like this. You will wake up one day feeling different. It would seem like you've finally let go of everything and the feeling of loss is replaced by a rather strange feeling of redemption.

You will search for your scars and you will feel them there but the hurt is gone. You will feel tougher as you are actually unaffected by their presence. You will feel better as you recognise the brand new you is excited for the things to come. You will feel smarter because you know a lot more about yourself and that though love maybe crazy and stupid, you most definitely are not.

And if anyone asks you if you are okay? You only have one real, genuine answer.

♣ ♣ ♣

Some heartbreaks heal quicker than others but they're all the same in a sense that we have to go through them to love ourselves more, to appreciate people who care for us (especially family and friends) and most importantly to learn. There's no time pressure in moving on - we all go through these phases differently. But remember: it all starts with your own individual desire/attempt to move forward. Scars will always be a part of your history but you are always going to be in control of what lies beneath and what goes on.

And don't forget: there is always going to be someone better, someone who will fill the void you never realised was there, someone who will love you more than you think one ever could.

And because I can't think of anywhere else to put this...

Ryan Gosling GIFs from here, here and here.

Healthy spaghetti and creamy pesto

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:09:00 +0000

Yesterday I had a massive craving for steak. A big slab of New York strip. Silver label, marble grade 5. Rare and frickin' juicy.

On my way to the local butcher I realised it was Meatless Monday so I resigned the idea of meat and went back home. The banshee in my belly was going crazy so I raided my pantry. I didn't have a lot of fresh stuff so I decided to make my tried and tested 'lazy meal'. It's healthy, low fat, vegetarian-friendly and ideal for people on the go as it only takes 15 minutes to make: healthy spaghetti and basil pesto.

It's so easy to make as most ingredients are pantry staples. If you skip onions you won't even need to chop anything and if you use fresh pasta, you'll only need 10 minutes. Look!

Red pepper houmous. Sgt Worcestershire Sauce & his army of paprika, garlic and cayenne.
Shop-bought basil pesto. Gluten-free spaghetti. EVOO.

As for your protein... vegetarian mince! Yes, mock meat!

Mock meat products are usually soy- or gluten-based, seasoned to taste like whichever type of actual meat they're 'mocking'. I've tried a lot of these products since starting Meatless Mondays in 2009. What I've noticed is that mock meat requires quite a lot of seasoning to get a meatier punch, and heaps of oil to make them juicy enough so you won't feel like eating cardboard.

I like using Quorn's vegetarian products (made from a mycoprotein extracted from a fungi called ascomycota instead of soy) because they're actually pretty tasty and you don't need douse it in seasoning/spices/oil. Normally, I'd use fresh veggie mince but my local shop ran out so I used the frozen kind.

Okay so first you boil your pasta in (extra virgin olive) oil and salt. I usually cook normal spaghetti for 8 minutes max because I find that this is al dente at its best. However as I'm using gluten-free pasta, I cooked it for 10 minutes.

And then you start frying your veggie mince in olive oil. The fresh type takes about three minutes to brown, the frozen takes twice as long (but you don't need to defrost it) on high heat.

You can then add whatever seasoning you like. My triumvirate for mince: Worcestershire sauce (to enhance the beefy flavour), paprika (for a bit of smokiness) and cayenne powder (for heat). I also sprinkled this batch with mixed herbs and garlic powder.

My extender of choice? Sweet corn.

When your pasta is cooked to your liking, pour into the mince. Make sure the pan is on low heat as you wouldn't want to burn the noodles!

Time to put the red pepper houmous.

This gives your pasta a bit of a tang and a nice, creamy texture.

And then you also put your pesto.

Mix.

Pour.

And eat! I've sprinkled my pasta with fresh pepper and basil leaves, and a wee bit of grated (and melted) mozzarella on top. I didn't use salt at all (and most of the stuff were either reduced salt versions or fat-free) as the pesto-houmous sauce is already salty on its own.

There you are. It's one of those reliable, substantial meals because it's filling and easy ie after a long day at work and you don't have the energy and time to put effort into cooking. Plus it's fairly healthy too - I used gluten-free pasta and vegetarian mince (which contains 77% less fat than normal beef mince) so anyone who dreads pasta shouldn't be afraid of this.

Enjoy!

Happy Easter, indeed. (Year 2)

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 11:45:00 +0000

My 'One Little Word' last year was 'POSSIBLE'. This year, I had a bit of trouble finding the right word until it came to me last night while reading an old blog post on some Easter weekend musings.

You see, I believe my 2012 actually started during Easter. It felt like a final wave to a chapter that needed to end and a prelude to something magnifique. I've had to really let go of a number of things, people, places and emotions last year and it wasn't the easiest thing to do. However, making it possible (and doing so) actually opened a lot of opportunities. It also made me see and appreciate an understated greatness in moving on and moving forward.

And that is my One Little Word for 2013: 'FORWARD'. I slept like a baby last night knowing this morning will come and I will wake up feeling ready to go. I did. And it feels like the new year has finally arrived.

♣ ♣ ♣

I am so overwhelmed with the feeling of absolute humility and gratitude and I know I couldn't have gone through the past 12 months, if not for the people who've come full circle with me.

♣ When you move forward from toeing the line of human nature complexities, it is possible to find your 'best man'. Thank you, M, for going through the past year (and a half) with me, for absorbing thoughts and corny jokes; judging when needed and not judging at all; sharing ideas and debating them over with. You have been a lifesaver, a fluffy rock and the ultimate Dudeparechong. *high five*

♣ I used to hang out with guys more so I was well versed in 'bar banter' but not so much in 'girly' convos. That said, I've found a steady set of ladies who have been my absolute support group in more ways I've imagined. It really feels like I have sisters from different mothers. Thank you London girl friends for giving me advice no man can ever understand or provide (I'm not just talking about makeup, tampons, prams), and for making this city more interesting. =)

♣ Last Easter, I wrote 'This week, it hit me. There's someone. And so far it's been pretty great. Happy.' I get tongue-tied when I try to describe how amazing this situation turned out to be, partly because I still get giddy with the blessed happy feeling *yihee* and partly because even I'm surprised at how everything panned out. Life really has a funny way and though I didn't think it was possible, it's really been mind-blowing, this 'catching yourself falling in love everyday' type of thing. Thank you, Plaid Boy.

♣ The hardest part of being away from your family is being away from your family. I've been gone for almost seven years (?!?!?!!!) but missing the fam bam always gets to me. I was blessed to have been able to spend more time (on FaceTime and actual face time) with this awesome, loving, supportive bunch and it made me realise how much I miss home. Watch this space.

♣ Thank You. It's been a tough and manic start of the year but thank You for giving me strength and for making me understand the real meaning of today. Thank You for waking me up in time to catch the morning sun break the silence of the city. Thank You for making the birds sing what sounded like a victory hymn outside my window. Thank You for giving me the feeling that from today, I am not going anywhere else but forward. With You.

Isaiah 40:29-31

Have a happy and blessed Easter Sunday, folks.

Easter Weekend Playlist

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:16:00 +0000

Are you excited for the long weekend? I am! Well, whatever you're doing and wherever you're going I hope you do take time to reflect and remember the very true essence of the break.

In the meantime, here's my Easter weekend playlist best heard on the road. =)

Steve Mason - Oh My Lord

The Beta Band's Steve Mason comes with a pop-rock tune with awesome hooks heightened by some bluesy piano playing. My current on my way to work song. =)

Gypsy & The Cat - Bloom

Heard this song early in January and it reminded me of post-party spontaneous trips and bonfires on the beach. Made me want to strip to my bikinis til I realised the UK's having a cold spell til end of April. Oh dear.

Alt-J - Dissolve Me

Alt-J's debut album might as well be an album for road trips. This song's my current LSS and current happy tune. Check the Marlais Remix here too.

Long Beach Dub All Stars - Sunny Hours (reprise)
Definitely one of my favourite road trip tunes of all time. You've got to play this one on YouTube as it's one of those videos with content from the record label bladeeda, but it's worth it because the tune is really good.

Sound - Bossa Manila

I was obsessed with Sound's BossaManila album. It was stuck on loop for the longest time to the point where my dad would roll his eyes at me as if to say, 'That album again?' I'm not sure what happened to the band, or its members but I do miss the sound of Sound.

Yo La Tengo - The Point of It

A favourite from the band's new album Fade. Perfect for when your mind is a bit troubled and you need a bit of time to reflect about the point of it all. It's an 'everything happens for a reason' type. Best heard when the sun's about to set.

Bonobo - Cirrus
Bonobo has a new album out and it's great because Black Sands needed a follow up. Buy it here.

Beyonce - Halo
All road trip tunes should have a super high mainstream hit. Total Eclipse of the Heart is quite predictable so we'll go with Beyonce cos she's just effortlessly chilled out whilst being halimaw with her voice. And if she can do it, everyone else should feel like a diva while belting it out. Windows down.

The Abbasi Brothers - Kompa

One of my favourite backdrop tunes for late night/early morning driving when the roads are clear and morning's about to break, when you're ready to go to bed but you just need to have a quick bite. Either a kebab or pancakes. =)

And because this song is such a classic roadtrip hit...

Eraserheads - Ligaya

Easily a classic, classic, classic crowd pleaser.

Have a happy Good Friday, folks.

M Café/ Kabila: where we conquered the 'impossible'

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:43:00 +0000

After a gorgeous late lunch, A and I decided to continue our typical London date ritual in Manila so we went to (M)useum Café/Kabila for drinks and dessert. Kabila means 'other side' in Filipino and this is quite appropriate as the bistro opened late last year on the 'other side' of the newly refurbished M Café. They serve Filo favourites punched to another level - from preparation to presentation to taste.

The weather was incredibly pleasant so we asked for a table outside. We had a strategic view of punters ~~we'd eventually gossip about~~ and a good buzz from lounge tunes and passers-by. There was a tree decked with paper lamps nearby and it set off an almost ethereal vibe. The ambience was so nice and strangely comforting - I actually had a moment when I thought to myself what a lovely city Manila is and how blessed I am to be able to call it home.

I love that candle cage thing!

I didn't expect the cocktails in Manila to compare to what we have here in London, especially the ones at our favourite watering hole, LAB (London Academy of Bartenders). That said, when the first round of drinks came I was quite surprised because 1) they came in rather 'Go Large!' glasses, 2) they looked like they were handled with proper 'bartender care', and 3) no small paper umbrellas here, thank you very much.

A and her Pandan Mojito J

I had a sip of A's pandan-infused lychee mojito (PHP210) and it was super refreshing. My lemongrass and peach sake martini (PHP195) was pretty good too; the lemongrass twist gave it an intriguing flavour and the sweetness of the muddled peach complemented and enhanced the spirit (vodka) and other liqueurs. Both cocktails had a good ratio of alcohol and I guess you can say we were both happy after that round.

Martini and me. Of course.

We got free nibbles with our drinks: wee pots of shing-a-ling served in a block of, uh, concrete? *shrugs* I thought it was a cute way to serve such humble fare. This snack is basically just dried thick noodles, deep fried and seasoned with salt and pepper. Very simple, very moreish.

A 'Date with Ana' wouldn't be complete without... eggs. I don't eat the stuff (at least not when I can actually see it) but I almost always seem to have something eggy on our dates! She's made me eat Japanese omelette, drink cocktails with egg white froth, and made me eat Mexican flan back when I didn't know they were made with egg yolks! (I don't cook much, sorry!)

The culprit this time was a slice of 'The Impossible Cake' (PHP195). It's a two-layer cake of chocolate sponge and leche flan (!!!) served with candied nuts. What a cool concept, it's like having three cakes in one! It's an impressive-looking cake - you prolly have to have amazing technical skills to master it. The layers tasted alright individually although I undoubtedly enjoyed the chocolate layer more than the leche flan part; the moist sponge had that nice bittersweet taste you get when you have good quality cocoa and the flan was creamy and smooth (although I thought the top part was baked a tad over). The flavour profile is quite interesting when you eat both layers in a forkful but the texture fell slightly strange to my taste. I'm not sure I like it enough to order it again but this is possibly just because I'm not an egg/flan person. I'd recommend you try it for yourself though.

We also had a slice of this delicious ube cake (PHP195). The actual name escapes me but it was really yummy. It had a bit of sponge and also a moist, creamy, almost jam-y layer with macapuno that gave it texture and a fantastic play on flavour. It was sweet but not sickeningly so. Hands down this one was the better choice for me.

We had another round of cocktails. A had the Choc Nut martini (PHP210), a delicious alcoholic homage to one of the best snacking treats Filos love. The cocktail itself reminded me of mudslide cocktails we used to make in college, with the coffee liqueurs and the chocolate hit. The ChocNut pieces were an absolute treat though - I wish I thought of it m'self!

My second cocktail was the Mangga et Guava (PHP195) which looked like a pish posh fruit shake/ frozen margarita. It was meant to have guava-infused vodka but I didn't really taste it in the drink and I didn't feel any hit at all. It was still quite refreshing and just told myself that finally, my craving for a green mango fruit shake has been satisfied.

We downed our drinks and it was time to go. I was buzzed, not from the booze, but with pure joy of being in a nice Filo bar/restaurant with a nice Filo friend in a Filo city. I really enjoyed my 'Date with A' in Manila and our visit at M Café/Kabila was such sweet icing on the cake. Next time, I think we should do a proper museum tour before heading off to the restaurants for some grub.

Museum Café/Kabila
Ayala Museum Complex Makati Avenue, Makati, Philippines | +632 757 3000 / +632 757 6000
Ave spend: PHP600pp (£9.63 at current exchange rate £1=PHP62)

Lusso: where 'I think I want to marry you'

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:59:00 +0000

I was never a fan of sandwiches and this is ironic because I live in a country where the annual consumption of sarnies yields an average of 11.5 billion. Blimey baloney, I'm not part of that statistic *tears* There's been a few sandwiches in my life (I've experimented on fillers too) but I can honestly say that only one has ever really swept me off my feet. It was THE sandwich and if it were a man I would 100% marry it today.

Lusso is a little Gaita Fores venture in Greenbelt 5 (next to the Balenciaga shop in case you miss it!). The name is Italian for 'luxury' and you'd feel all inch of it in the restaurant's design: from the muted tones of gold in its intimate interior (they have a bigger al fresco dining space which is neat) to the plush velvet upholstered chairs, from the awesome marbled floor to the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The menu is the opposite though: printed on some parchment-esque type of paper (with some spillage on the corners), it screams a bit more French brasserie than Italian ristorante. But nevermind.

Gaita's other restaurants have always been my Manila favourites: Cibo was a standard comfort-food staple and (the now-closed) Pepato was always good for group dates or dinner before a night out. I thought Lusso was going to be another hit, so I went with my favourite brunch buddy A (we did go for a very late lunch though).

The money shot!

As it was a sort of reunion (A moved back to Manila =( a few months before our chin wag) we had to have some bubbly. I like that they serve champagne by the glass but I wonder how they store leftovers from the bottle, or if they even have leftovers for people who just go there for pre-tanking.

I love the coasters, the elegance of the logo, and I love the lime in tap.

Our orders came quite promptly and we were definitely excited to eat!

A & I shared a pot of Asiago fries with truffle salt (PHP 250) I've heard inconsistencies about this but ours was pretty good. The cheese had a nice mature flavour and I thought it would be grainy like most mature hard cheeses but it was smooth as it melted, stretched and settled on the hand-cut chips. The truffle salt was subtly sprinkled but the flavour was strong enough without overpowering the cheese. I wish we ordered two of these, but we didn't want to overindulge.

I've had a number of pretty decent lobster rolls here so I wasn't overly excited to try the Lobster and River Prawn Roll (PHP 450). But it was the first I've seen in Manila and I wanted to compare. Unsure whether the lobsters are sourced in the Philippines, I asked the servers where they get their shellfish from (and their foie) but unfortunately they didn't know.

It came with thinly cut potato crisps and a simple side of greens. I didn't care much for the filling to be honest. Fair enough, it was a chunky cocktail of prawn, lobster and mayo and there was a lot of it. BUT. That amazing tiger bread stole the show for me. Most lobster rolls here are served on toasted brioche but the tiger roll was actually perfect for a sarnie like that; it balanced the acidity and creaminess of the filling and the crust gave it a nicer texture. You wouldn't want creamy filling with soft bread as it would just be mush on mush.

Now before we get all too mushy. Let's talk about THE SANDWICH.

It came to us looking quite unassuming (as most good things do), looking like a boxed lunch gently glamourised on a plate. It was, after all, just a sandwich, a simple side of greens and potato crisps. But there was a certain je ne sais quoi about it that made it look so bold and so elegant and it had nothing to do with the poncey name. Ladies and gents, say hello to Lusso's Foie Gras Croque Monsieur (PHP450).

It was a rich sandwich but it was delicately put together and all the elements just worked fantastically.

The bread? An amazing sheet of toast thin enough to make the dish look sexy and easy to eat but thick and firm enough to hold after a major bite.

The cheese? A really nice blend of creamy bechamel and salty gruyere. The type of creamy-salty that melts on your bread and is awesome in your mouth.

The filling? Surprisingly heroic foie that rose to the occasion. It was the perfect amount; cut any thinner you'd lose it to the cheese, cut any thicker you'd lose interest and your belt. It gave the sandwich a great flavour profile and rightly so, because when you say you're having an ABC123 sandwich you want the ABC123 to shine.

I could easily eat five of these, but I won't.

I fell for this sandwich. I fell hard and I feel like I have a long distance love affair with it. Can't wait to fly 6,600+ miles to eat it again.

Overall I think Lusso is a fantastic spot. I can see groups lounging by the al fresco area but I think the dining experience is best inside. It's a great place for a light snack, a mid-afternoon buzz, or maybe afternoon tea with a friend or a significant other. They're famous for their Demi-pound Foie Burgers too, but I'll report on that some other time.

Lusso

Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines | +632756LUXE / +6327565893

Ave spend: PHP1000pp (£16 at current exchange rate £1=61)

LussLusso

Come on, skin-y love.

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:31:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, my friend J called to say that after 28 long years, he's finally bought his first facial moisturiser because he's noticed a few teensy wrinkles under his eyes. Hooray, welcome to the fascinating world of skincare for men, J.

My mother didn't give me make up lessons nor did she teach me how to cook (because she can't!) but one thing she taught me at a very early age was to invest time in taking care of my skin. Rebel that I was, I didn't really bother much as I felt I could ride on the forever-young-looking gene my parents have. It's actually quite flattering when people comment on how my mother and I can pass off as sisters.

With my parents, fresh(?!) off a long haul flight. Mom & I are makeup free.
There's 135 years worth of life in this photo. December 2012.

Last year, there was a time when felt like the years of embracing the sun with minimal SPF, late nights and not putting enough slap on my face finally caught up. My skin didn't feel like a baby's butt anymore and this made me realise how serious my mother was. One may be blessed with youthful looks but it seriously is true when they say beauty is skin deep: the minute you see a little line here or a wrinkly spot there, no matter how small it is, you will definitely feel it.

So I started to really take care of my skin. Here are some tried and tested products I use daily.

The best facial wash I've ever used. It's mild and gentle on the skin yet it really helps cleanse your face. I've tried a number of facial wash products before but Cetaphil is the only one that really made a difference. It has never left my face any sort of irritation or blotchiness after washing.

Some exfoliants tend to leave red patches on your skin but it's really important to exfoliate so your skin gets to feel healthy and glowing. St Ives Apricot Scrub is an absolute classic and it's a cheap trick that's been handed down from generations to generations. It really gets rid of unwanted dead skin cells (which you get more than you feel) and leaves your skin feeling as fresh and as polished as a new sports car. I like that I can use this for my face and for my body too.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner is good for sensitive skin. I used The Body Shop's Vitamin E toner before but my consultant said that though Vitamin E has a lot of benefits, it actually made the skin on my face thinner. This meant that when I go for facials, my dermatologist would find it hard to touch some areas for fear of making the peeling worse. I've been recommended this oil-free toner from Kiehl's and I'm loving the results. I feel like my skin's gone healthier and stronger and it feels hydrated all the time without feeling oily. It also acts as a post-cleanser cleanser, removing all traces of remaining dirt.

I have a splattering of freckles over my face which I adore, but I don't want to have more and look like an Asian Lindsay Lohan. Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution has actually worked wonders helping minimise the appearance of my freckles. It's also known to help prevent them from developing while evening out your skin tone. I only use two drops daily; this little bottle goes a very long way!

I was reluctant to try this because my skin didn't seem to be compatible with other Olay products so I was surprised that this daily moisturiser has been good to me. It's so important to wear products with sufficient amount of SPF even if you do not work outdoors. People with desk jobs and computer facing roles still need to use it so their skin is protected. I love that Olay's Complete Care Multiradiance Daily Moisturiser has SPF 15 protects my skin while making my face feel bright. It also works as a good primer!

Wrinkly eyes can definitely make anyone look older than their years. Kiehl's Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate really does what it says on the package. I've only been using it for a month but my eyes look brighter and the darks circles seem gone. The lines also feel and look reduced and I feel like I've been sleeping more than eight hours a day instead of my usual four.

I love the Shue Uemura range of cleansing oils. My favourite Fresh Cleansing Oil serves as an awesome make up remover, leaving face spotless even when I wear waterproof makeup. It emulsifies amazingly and serves as a decent facial wash at night. I've ran out of it (it lasted me for almost a year) so I'm now finishing up on my Ultime8 cleansing oil travel bottle. The Tsuya Skin Serum is a wonder serum I slather my face with when I don't feel like wearing makeup. It isn't a tinted moisturiser but it does give your skin a sort of radiance and smoothness that doesn't need any coverage.

One of my favourite night time products, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is something I would really recommend to girls my age as it kinda acts as a paracetamol for the skin. Two drops of this serum each night makes my skin feel relaxed in the morning, even after a heavy night out! My face definitely feels refreshed and smooth when I wake up and I swear it feels like they've packed some facial fairies in this bottle to work miracles as we sleep.

I interchange the Midnight Recovery Concentrate with No.7's Protect and Perfect Intense Night Cream too. They have the same effect, except I actually like that I can use this cream on my neck without feeling guilty!

*Whew* (Trust me, some people actually use more products than I do!)

You see taking care of your skin is a really intense process because:

you have to really invest time and make sure you don't get too lazy for it - especially at night time when your skin is tired after a long day and all you want to do is burn sleep. You have to be super diligent and super disciplined in using your products for maximum results.
some products can be pricey but they can also work wonders for you.
you really need to find the right product for you. All products are different just like how our skin types are different. You can buy the most expensive, most promising, most positively reviewed product in the market and still end up with minimal effects. Instead of trying and testing products on your own, consult your dermatologists and ask them which products could work best for you and your skin.
you also have to know how to apply your products and when to stop. Some people tend to put so much slap on their faces thinking the more products they use the quicker they see results. It doesn't work that way. This can also be very dangerous because some products should only be applied in the littlest amounts to avoid further skin damage! Read the label, consult your doctor!
you should also remember to nourish your skin the natural way. Don't think that just because you have amazing slap you can forget about drinking your daily eight glasses of water, having enough sleep and eating your 5-a-day portion of fruit and veg. The natural process is still, in my opinion, the best way to have glowing, healthy skin.

I realise now that there is more to skincare than just looking great on the surface because it really benefits you in the long run anyway. It's never too early nor too late to start taking care of your skin and the best way to kickstart the whole process is to definitely pump up the positive attitude and wear a genuine smile.

Enjoy!

Wardrobe inspiration from Lichtenstein

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:41:00 +0000

When I shop for ready-to-wear garments, I usually gravitate towards colours I'm comfortable with: monochrome/black/white/gray. This is partly because when I had my colours done the consultant suggested my skin tone 'glows best' with pinks and corals, and I am not quite keen on those hues at all. I always promise (myself and my girly girl buddies) to exert a bit more effort in wearing colour but I always end up purchasing or wearing the same black, white or grey stuff. I know it's been said that a girl could never have too many Little Black Dresses, but I think one has to stop when you end up buying the same LBD twice. (I thought I lost one in the oblivion of my very dark-themed wardrobe).

I was definitely inspired by a recent visit to the Roy Lichtenstein retrospective exhibit at the Tate Modern. Lichtenstein is famous for his depiction of American society and art itself through parodical pop art paintings. His style is very distinct, as he used a sort of comic book style of painting, with the prominence of Ben-Day dots, black outlines and very basic colours. His pieces looked very simple, but they were all absolutely intriguing.

I got to see a lot of his iconic stuff, including Drowning Girl, Whaam!, his art deco inspired sculptures, Picasso- and Mondrian- inspired art about art, his Mirrors and Brush Strokes series (the early paintings from this series looked different from the ones he made later in his career), his nudes, and Chinese landscapes. Seeing these amazing pieces in real life was a super fun experience.

Since then, I have become super appreciative of the primary colour trifecta. I've realised how these colours, albeit basic, can instantaneously make things pop (no pun intended) and more interesting. And this definitely gave me the motivation to add more colour into my wardrobe. I thought if I started on the basics, then maybe I'd be more adventurous in the future aye?

Some of you may know that I'm not really a shopper but last I had the shopping bug, I ended up buying a few black tops and this awesome black and white knit dress. I know, I know, I know! But you have to admit that the advantage of monochromatic/black/white/grey dresses is that they are so versatile and most of them are day-to-night pieces. I thought I'd have a play on Polyvore to see how I can jazz it up with some pop of colour or a dash of blingage, inspired by the reds, blues and yellows/golds from Lichtenstein's art.

Primary Play by thegirlnextshore

See what I mean? One dress, three ways, popped with blues, reds and gold. I know the colours are still asn't as bold and as bright as Lichtenstein's art but it should be a good starter peg, don't you reckon? Super excited for this 'project'. Watch this space. Next time you see me I might be in a fluorescent dress. =)

If you're interested to see Roy's (yihee, first name basis cos we're tight!) prominent pieces, the exhibit runs at the Tate Modern til 27 May. Tickets are £14 for non-members. Enjoy!

Shoryu: where ramen (finally) arrived with a bang

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:57:00 +0000

We always want something hearty when the weather's drab so the girls and I planned a little chin wag over girl talk and comfort food. We decided to go for something warming, something complete and substantial, something with a bit of soul that reminds us of home: ramen. But where exactly can you find decent, authentic ramen in London?

Well folks, the ramen bandwagon has finally pulled up in town and there's been a few recommended places to try. After reading reviews (and considering its proximity to Japan Centre), we picked Shoryu near Piccadilly Circus. It's a Japanese ramen bar, the first of its kind in town, and there's been so much rave about their Hakata tonkotsu broth.

We got there for early supper in time to skip the notorious queues but the small ramen bar was already buzzing. An elderly Japanese dude in chef whites warmly let us into the bar, through white curtains, and I swear I felt like I was stepping into a cartoon. We were further greeted with a loud 'Irrashaimase!' and then someone gave us three bangs off a Japanese drum. I wondered whether ninjas were going to jump out of nowhere to serve us.

We were quickly ~~crammed~~ sat by a teensy corner table and were given some nibbles while we decided on our feast...

Fresh, raw cabbage strips drizzled with sweetened rice wine vinegar? Really? Really! What a revelation this small plate of nibble was. It's a really nice, easy snack anyone can copy at home too.

The servers were very helpful (and patient!) explaining their menu. They had 15 types of ramen to choose from (with tonkotsu (pork bone), shōyu (soy sauce), and miso broth base) and a decent number of starters and sides, plus a good drinks list. After choosing our food, we asked if we could move to a bigger table and they kindly agreed despite the queue forming outside already. Plus points for customer care!

We had some chicken kara-age (£5) to start and it was pretty straightforward. The meat was juicy and tender and the coating reminded me of fried chicken dinners our angels cooked at home.

We also had the soft shell crab (£6) which was nice and sweet, but I thought the crab at Ukai was better. Shoryu's was a tad bit oily too, but nothing some table napkins can't rectify. I still enjoyed this very much.

And then there was ramen. Three massive bowls of ramen.

Being the spice girl that I am (if you wannabe my zigazig...... uh, yeah no), I chose the spicy miso ramen (£9.90). It was a massive massive massive bowl and I immediately fell in love with its vibrant colours and its fragrant aroma. Topped with barbecue pork, marinated soft boiled egg (which I gave away as I don't eat egg), sweet corn, beansprouts and spring onion, I seriously knew this was exactly what I needed and wanted.

The miso broth was delicious. My first spoonful was so orgasmic I had to stop myself from doing a Meg Ryan (circa When Harry Met Sally). It was a very balanced broth - a bit salty, a bit spicy, a teeny bit sweet - and it didn't give you a greasy after taste. Plus it's quite light, every spoonful begged for another one straight after.

The noodles they use at Shoryu are traditional Hakata hosamen noodles, which they also sell to take away for £1.50 if you wanted to make your own ramen at home. They were so ridiculously flavourful, you'd think they've been soaked in the broth eons before serving. But they seriously remained, firm and springy and each mouthful was just a delightful chew. Those noodles are so good and I'm happy there was a whole lot of it in my bowl.

I thought the char siu was a wee bit of a let down in appearance at it looked unappetizing in its gray-er shade of pale. However it was quite nice, with an almost melt-in-your mouth texture and a clean full-on pork taste. It did give a decent flavour profile to the ramen itself but I would have liked it a bit more charred.

We all had a great time trying to finish our big bowls of soul. G had the Hokkaido Curry Ramen (£10.90) which was quite nice and had chicken kara age instead of the char siu. Ate T had the Sapporo Miso Ramen (£8.90) which I thought was the milder version of mine.

Can you guess who finished everything in her bowl?

After finishing our ramen, while contemplating whether we had sufficient belly space for dessert, a server asked if we could share our four-seater with a solo diner. I've never actually seen the 'Share A Seat, Win A Friend' movement in restaurants here so it was rather refreshing to know that Shoryu does that. They also have a 30-minute tachigui (eating while standing) service which is great for those who don't have much time.

We decided that we had room for one more on our table, and more importantly, for dessert. We really didn't to think much about that last bit.

We shared two matcha based desserts. Immediately you can see the copious dusting of matcha powder.

The matcha motchi (£3.50) was okay. I liked the mochi crust but I thought the green tea paste filling was a bit too much, and the powder they dusted the dessert with gave it a bitterness that fell strange to the palate. We had to blow the powder off, and that made it a whole lot yummier.

The matcha cheesecake (£4.50) had a good creamy texture, but just like the mochi dessert, I wish they didn't go OTT on the green tea powder.

We left Shoryu feeling full, comforted and happy as our dining experience was super pleasant. Service was really good despite a very busy night and the waiters were really helpful without being all snooty. The ramen was excellent and I am so pleased that finally we have good, authentic Asian bowl of soul here in London. I cannot wait to go back to try the other types. So far, this is my 2013 favourite restaurant in town. =)

Shoryu Ramen Bar
9 Regent Street, London, SW1Y | No reservations, walk-in only
Average spend: £10pp for ramen, £25 with sides, dessert and drinks (I had a recommended sake)

The YouTube Remedy

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:04:00 +0000

I've been in an on-off relationship with a little flu for the past few weeks and my doctor advised us to lay in my sickbed for the next seven days so we can break-up for good. My room is equipped with stuff a sick person needs to keep entertained/calm/distracted (save for hugs and fresh grapes) but somehow the joke that is UK daytime telly has left me anything but. Think chop suey of antique pricing, Springer-esque family drama and re-runs of re-runs of re-runs. So I've resorted to YouTube.

For someone who likes sharing music videos and dance clips on the social networks, I'm actually not a huge fan of virals, funnies and random clips people 'share' and 'like'. I'm always last to hear about these flash mob proposals/cutesy animal tricks/gyrating big breasted girls/dance memes. (No offense to people who may have been moved by the fad but If I see another Harlem Shake video on my social media feed I will go crazy.)

Admittedly, I've found a few clips that were quite entertaining/interesting enough to keep me company. My turn to share.

Jimmy Fallon + Justin Timberlake and the history of rap and hiphop.
Two white boys paying homage to rap and hiphop without coming off as cheesy? Tres cool. Plus I'll always have a geeky crush on Jimmy Fallon so yay! =) Here's part one and part two-three

The City is London - Ithaca Audio Mashup
I've written about Ithaca Audio and their mashups before and I'm glad they're back with some new good ones. Plus they've featured artists from London! Woot woot!

WWYD?
What Would You Do is a show that tries to get reactions from normal people when faced with awkward situations. The first one I saw was the one where customers taunted a store clerk with Down Syndrome. Interesting way to observe human behaviour; some clips have been inspirational, some have just been shocking.

The dog that cannot fecking run.
I'm not usually moved by animal videos but this poor little pug is super adorable. Inspiring too.

Gigs!!!
Managed to find some full performance sets online, including sessions at the superfamous Abbey Road Studios and actual footage of the BBC Electric Proms. How awesome is that? My favourites so far: Foals' set on BBC Radio 6 Sessions and Alt-J's set live on KEXP. SCORE!

And of course, because they say laughter is the best medicine....

VJ Greg!
This never gets old.

Teehee. That last pick really gave my abs a workout from laughing. I'm exhausted. Hahaha!
Let me now get back to my bed. The flu beckons a sleep-sparring session.

Dumpling's Legend - where xiao long bao and claws came out pt 1

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:08:00 +0000

Something didn't feel right when I got back from my end-of-year Asia trip. It bugged me a lot as it was not the usual post-holiday blues and felt worse than the rubbish weather I came home to. There was no telling what it was until I walked past Chinatown on my way to meet a friend. For some weird reason I stopped in front of a restaurant, gazed at the window and the answer came to me: I had post-xiao long bao depression.

Such serious situation needed to be dealt with so I called my girlfriends and we headed off to Dumpling’s Legend for a serious war of diets and a serious serving of xiao long bao. There was a long queue for tables but we managed to charm the hostess as we walked in. As soon as we were seated we ordered two servings of XLB: one spicy, one classic. At £6 for eight pieces per serving this was such a treat.

The little soldiers came soon and powered by a hunger I've not felt in a while, I picked one. It wasn't exactly love at first sight - it looked a bit too thick-skinned and a tad too tall. It didn't move as smoothly and it didn't look as promising as the ones that came before. I had a sudden fear that it won't be good enough, that it's not going to satisfy, that this was a doomed choice to begin with. But I had to give it a chance. Substance over form.

The first bite was good enough to land second base.

Yes, we are still talking about dumplings.

I shared the spicy pork XLBs with The Don and it was quite tasty. There was enough broth and the heat kick definitely came afterward. The filling was porky enough and you can see from the specks of chili that they've upped the spice level for those who like their food hot. I guess my only problem with this was the major aftertaste of chinese five spice (I'm really not a fan of anything aniseedy). Admittedly, it was bearable once I ate it with the soy-vinegar and ginger sauce but I'm not a huge fan of having to add sauces on food.

I didn't try the classic pork XLBs because the aftertaste of the spicy ones put me off a bit but G&T both seemed to enjoy it. Nonetheless, I was somehow pleased my craving was satisfied. But they were no Din Tai Fung (and I know that even DTF do not serve the best XLBs).

And of course we didn't stop there.

We had some sir-fried morning glory (aka overpriced kang kong at £7.80) and stir-fried beef with chinese broccoli (£10.80). Both dishes were pretty average. The meat was tender and the broccoli was cooked just the way I liked it (crunchy stalks and firm leaves) but flavour-wise, I wasn't totally moved. Pushed, maybe.

Our last dish was possibly what saved the night. Surprisingly.

I do apologise for the lack of photographic skill but hello, chili crab! At £15.50, this is 'reasonably priced' for London standards. We were crazy for the sauce. It had a nice consistency, silky but thick and not gloopy, with a good balance of sweet-salty-spicy flavour (even G who has low spice tolerance enjoyed it), and it did not overpower the sweetness of the crab. The crab itself was meaty and there was quite a lot of it hidden under all that sauce! I swear they threw in an extra claw or two. Possibly even three. I had no shame grabbing the last few legs, I was really happy with this dish.

Overall I'd say our dining experience was just alright. The service was brisk but attentive despite a busy night and I guess we were lucky we didn't have to queue. As for the food, I think it was a decent enough meal and that crab was super delicious. However I did go there for XLB and as I've only tried the spicy ones (which apparently is the least favourite), I can't rate them yet on the first date. So I'll give this restaurant another chance later on but overall, I think I somehow got over my post-xiao long bao depression with a little help from my friends.

And that extra crab claw.

Dumpling's Legend

15-16 Gerrard Street, Chinatown, London, W1D 6JE | +44 020 7494 1200

Ave spend pp £20. Set meals start from £14pp

Six tracks for March 2013

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:28:00 +0000

Can you believe it's March already? Where did Quarter 1 go?!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sacrilege

It has been too long! Finally a new track, and in true YYY fashion, it's as teasing as their vocalist. Karen O is one of my favourite frontmen ever. Something about her quirky, boisterous, outrageous self just makes her kick butt. This track is super catchy and it's so cool how they brought in a choir at the end. Nevermind Florence and her machine, this is the real deal. =)

The Dig - Break the Silence
This song was featured in Suits (Season 2 finale) and I loved it immediately. As the track was promising, I've downloaded the band's album, Midnight Flowers, and true enough it's been stuck on loop. Most of you may know how sleep and I do not seem to gel but this album has some strange calming effect on me. Funny, because they don't actually do mellow/ambient stuff.

Starkillers and Dmitry KO ft Amba Shepherd - Let The Love
This month's sort of guilty pleasure, just because I've missed hitting the dance floor carelessly without having to think of the next step or two. Another good one from Starkillers, can't wait to go warehousing with this one. =)

Local Natives - Ceilings
The band's new album Hummingbird, shows a bit more emotion lyrically (one of the tracks was written after the vocalist's mother passed away) but the band's sound is just as good as their famed debut, Gorilla Manor. I was using Wide Eyes on a personal project but realised this was a better fit. Good soundtrack for a steady roadtrip. =)

Baby Monster - City of Lovers
My current happy song! The chimes-ey blobs remind me so much of the beach and the whole track just feels so light and airy. I first heard about the band on a random tunesing session last year and I was very much intrigued with a lo-fi track called Kalookan Queen. I actually with theories about the song's meaning - my favourite revolves around a random girl they met on holiday in the city of the same name in Philippines. Go listen for yourself.

El Perro del Mar - I Was A Boy
This song is on the list due to a conversation with my friend K over WhatsApp.

25/2/2013 8:36 AM: K: You know El Perro del Mar? La lang I thought this song embodies you. Ikaw talaga naremember ko.
25/2/2013 8:36 AM: ME: Yes.
25/2/2013 8:37 AM: ME: I don't get how an El Perro del Mar track "embodies" me though. She's too melancholic!
25/2/2013 8:37 AM: K: No but check out the lyrics. Super you!
25/2/2013 8:37 AM: ME: Okay, will Spotify. What's the track called?
25/2/2013 8:37 AM: K: I Was A Boy.
25/2/2013 8:37 AM: K: Hahahaha!
25/2/2013 8:38 AM: ME: WTH. Haha. Wow.
25/2/2013 8:38 AM: K: O diba title pa lang sobrang made for you na!
25/2/2013 8:38 AM: ME: I dunno if I find it amusing or silly that til now I'm still stuck with the 'boy' thing!
25/2/2013 8:38 AM: ME: I swear I'm more of a girl now. My EQ is relatively higher and I'm more, uh, sensitive?
25/2/2013 8:38 AM: K: Hahahaha.

Uh... yeah.

If this quarter is an indication of how the music industry is going to turn out for the rest of the year then I am well excited for more. =)

Din Tai Fung: where xiao long bao is just wow

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:49:00 +0000

Forget bak kut teh, forget chicken over rice and forget kaya toasties. There was one thing on my Singapore food list I would not have left without: Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao. It has been a while since I've had decent dumplings and God knows the ones in Londontown would never compare to the ones we have in Asia.

My date was clearly excited. So was I.

We went to the one in Resorts World Sentosa, for a much needed power lunch before our kids' date out at Universal Studios. There was already a bit of a queue but we only had to wait for 15 minutes which I suppose wasn't bad considering it was a Saturday. Gave us enough time to browse the menu and tick all the munchies we wanted to order.

They served us the hot and sour soup first and I was surprised at how massive the small serving was. The soup itself was quite tasty and had the most amazing consistency and texture. I hate extra thick, extra chunky, corn starch laden soup so this was great. The only thing I found lacking was the element of spice; it wasn't as hot as I hoped.

On to the next one: classic pork xiao long bao!

It was as good as I remember: the broth aplenty and the filling perfectly porky. I know people usually eat xiao long bao with vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, etc but I like being a purist with these babies. I'd put a bit of chilli oil every now and then for a heat kick but the broth is super tasty on its own so there's really no need to change the flavour profile.

Delighted with my dumpling

Plaid Boy ordered the deep-fried 'specially marinated' pork chop with special fried rice.I'm not a huge fan of pork chop but I actually liked this one as it was lean and tender. Whatever it is they put on their 'special marinade', it works!

It was already a (relatively) healthy meal but of course we had to have our 5-a-day portion so we also had some kailan (aka Chinese broccoli) stir-fried in a classic concoction of oyster sauce, soy, and oil. Plus lots of fried garlic.

Did you think six pork dumplings would serve our bellies full? Of course not. We also ordered the crab and pork xiao long bao.

Remember my review on Yauatcha's king crab and pork xiao long bao? No comparison to Din Tai Fung's version. The former was so full of extenders that neither of the flavours stood out. Plus the broth was bland. The latter, on the other hand...

You can actually spot the crab bits! The balance of flavour is interesting; you bite once and the dumpling is distinctly pork, you bite twice and it's distinctly crab. My mind was initially confused by it but I stopped wondering after the second piece because it was just so delicious. I could definitely live on this if I had to.

We were pretty full at this point but one of the servers dropped our steamed chilli crab and pork buns (which I think we kinda forgot about).

Look at the filling, look how generous they are with pork and crab:

Like the steamed dumplings, it was packed with pork and crab meat and had a good kick to it.

Excuse me while I burp at the thought of all that.

Ahhh. I can't pinpoint what makes DTF's fare so special. I like that you get the same quality grub whichever branch you visit. I also like the fact that the place is not poncey at all; despite international fame, everything at DTF reflects its humble beginnings, focusing on authenticity and respect of flavour. I also like that it's a total value for money (and they were so generous with the stuff!)

Overall my xiao long bao craving of x years was extremely satisfied and my belly reveled in gastronomic glee. What an awesome kick-off to a wonderful date. <3

Din Tai Fung
(Resorts World Sentosa) 26 Sentosa Gateway #01-217 Singapore 098138 | +65 6686 3565
Ave spend pp: £15 OR LESS!

Six tracks for February 2013

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:54:00 +0000

And here's our monthly six-track playlist. =)

Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko - Stay

I am not a Rihanna fan at all. I saw her live once and felt ripped off, just because she was awful. That said, I do like this track, which she performed at the Grammys. It's simple and straightforward with lyrics like "The reason I hold on / Cause I need this hole gone / Funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving / Cause when you never see the light it's hard to know which one of us is caving". Wonder if she was thinking of Chris Brown.

Mikky Ekko - Pull Me Down

Speaking of Mikky Ekko (whose name is actually John Stephen Sudduth), has anyone actually heard of him before the Grammys? His tracks have been floating on some Spotify playlists for a while now. This track is pretty slick and sexy. Like most things that spell 'trouble'. =)

Ben Pearce - Need To Know
Sampling Anthony Hamilton's Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens, Ben Pearce gives us a cool slick tune that reminds me of being single. I first heard this in a cocktail bar whilst, uh, being chatted up by a Kiwi who thought I was Aussie. I don't remember much about the conversation because a) I wasn't interested and b) I was semi-hypnotised by the song's beat. Don't ask, just listen.

Foals - Late Night
Holy Fire, Foals’ third album, was released this week and just like a lost puppy returning home it summons a bit of getting used to. I’m sure fans will debate with me on this though: I want to love it as much as I love Total Life Forever but I’m a bit confused; I like more than half of the tracks but there are other tunes that almost send me off to sleep. My favourite track off the album, Milk and Black Spiders, isn't on YouTube yet. Will post later.

Solange - Losing You
While her supermegafamous sister almost always dominates the pop/R&B charts whenever a single is released, Solange's underrated, almost Motownish style has set her on a comfy spot on the B/C-List (and the occasional berating on gofugyourself). But it's cool because she's cool and this track (released last year) is cool. I love its steady chill 80s vibe, and though it's different from her old . And I love how different it is from Mrs Carter's it is and how e I love howAlso check the remix by Cyril Hahn, who did that kickass remix of Destiny's Child's Say My Name too.

Tegan and Sarah - Goodbye Goodbye
I listened to Tegan and Sarah's seventh studio album and my initial thoughts questioned the lack of the usual indie guitar blankets. They've one-upped the synths and this gives the whole album a poppish, more commercial feel (there are some bits off the album's first single, Closer, that reminds me of a certain advert). That said, it works quite brilliantly. Lyrically, the twins are stronger and more honest than ever and every track is pretty catchy. Overall a good dive into electropop. =)

Enjoy!

Yes, this is a V-Day post.

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:36:00 +0000

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.

Valentine’s Day was heaps bigger when we were younger. In grade school, we’d write requisite greetings on cardboard hearts for a name out of a box (so nobody leaves heart-less) and get funny written ones from ‘secret admirers’. In high school, fancy floral arrangements would dominate common spaces (resulting from the mass exodus of the male species to the flower shops of Dangwa the night before). Oh, and don’t discount the influx of soft plush toys; no other day in a year have I seen so many Tazmanian Devils, Powerpuff Girls and Marvin the Martians (there was a year when I received all three).

Where are we now with V-Day though? Bit more on the "Meh" side? Most of us really can’t be bothered for various reasons -

“I’m too cool to be commercial.”

“It’s a nonsensical and an impractical holiday.”

“But you should celebrate love everyday, not just for a day!”

“My IQ is inversely proportional to my EQ.”

Admittedly, I don’t rate V-Day much either. Whilst the aforementioned reasons have been used to escape invites and what-have-you’s... there was one big reason behind all this (thank you P for pointing this out): "It's scarier than Halloween". So much pressure to pull tricks and treats off and you end up having a heart attack for fear of being the new Lanie Boggs. That's why, whether I was in a relationship or not, I've never gone out on a V-Day date.

Trust me. It's scary and you'll never forget it.

But hey, I'm not that cynical. I get why some people are still super in the mood to go woot woot on festivities. Love, in all forms, is still a really special thing to find/to feel/to have and if people fancied making a big day out of it then let's not ruin their parade. In fact, if you yourself fancied giving your special someone a little something for the day of luuuuuurve... why don't you...

1. BE SWEET and say it with a box of choccy! Nothing screams V-Day more than a box of cocoa and candy.

Cocoa Monster Manila: The new face of sexy quality chocolate! If you think the box looks amazing, wait til you try the truffles. My brother's recommended flavours are peanut butter and coffee! They also do custom orders for events and corporate giveaways so check out their Facebook page for more info, or call +63 922 873 6638. Better yet, go visit their shop in Eastwood Mall (Ground Floor) and see for yourself! They're there for the V-Day bazaar til the 17th =)

Hotel Chocolat's Love Selection. (London/UK) Now this, is a kit made for the day. Truffles, check. Chocolate bar, check. Small bottle of rosé, check. Dark lemon drops, check. For £35, this hamper goes a long long way. All you need is a tin of mints before kissing. And someone to share it with.

Laduree. Because Paris, discounting its blasé chicness, is still the city of romance and that mint green and gold shop is a bit of aristocratic Paris and Marie Antoinette (of course) in London. Check out their V-Day Menu! The Covent Garden branch is quite small but the piazza itself is spectacular and perfect for dates with its cobblestone steps and charming artsy vibe =)

2. BE CHEESY! Literally, because a hamper of cheese goes a looooong way. It's nice and cute and very pleasing to the palate. Have a cheesy night. There are a lot of good delis around. My favourites S&L (Makati, Philippines) and Neal's Yard (London, which I've blogged about before) will not disappoint. They have really good cheeses: the former sell European dairy and the latter sell cheese from all over Britain. An old favourite, if not for the trek to Marylebone is La Fromagerie. They're considered to have the best cheese rooms in London and if you fancy a 'different' sort of V-Day, check out their 'thrilling' V-Day
offering.

S&L Fine Foods: 135-B Yakal St. San Antonio Village, Makati City, Philippines | +632 836 7713
Neal's Yard Dairy: 17 Shorts Gardens, London, England | +44(0)20 7240 5700
La Fromagerie: 2-6 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London | +44(0)20 7935 0341

3. GO WAIT IN 'VAIN' and treat yourself (and bring a date!) to a salon visit. Azta Urban Salon is giving 25% off their Brazilian Keratin (with Iron) Treatment (til 30th April). It's an awesome treatment for reducing unwanted hair volume and elimination of hair frizz and kink (har har the pun). Other salons would call this the Brazilian Blowout/Permadry. Azta's treatment has a milder formula containing leeeeeeess formaldehyde which makes it super safe for both customer and stylist. =)

Or just go and have a decent time prettifying yourselves for a big date. Click here to view a menu of their services. =)

3. BE MA-ART, EH! You know how people say it's the thought that counts ~~(and the handbag/shoe that follows)~~? It seriously is true. The most underrated presents are the ones that do not hold much monetary value but bear priceless moments and so much meaning. Why don't you try getting crafty together? Learn the art of DIY? The art of cooking? The art of making lo....ts of happy memories? Try something new with your partner. Jack Johnson said "it's always better when we're together."

Craft MNL (Manila) - Get crafty!
Crafternoons at Fullybooked (Manila) - Alessandra Lanot of Life After Breakfast teaches you DIY
L'atelier des Chefs (London) - bake your cake and eat it, too!
Photography Tours and Courses (London) - for snap happy freaks.

4. MIX IT UP. Because Lloyd Dobler set 'harana' standards high and everyone fell in love with Charlie and his tunnel song. Because personalised playlists are awesome and mixtapes will never be out of tune. Have a look here, here, here and here for ideas.

5. JUST SAY IT. Perhaps this is the real reason why most of us aren't that bothered about V-Day. To express love, complex as it is, can be very simple. Yes it's scary, yes it's nerve-racking and yes, some of yous think that if you say it too often the meaning will get lost. Come on, people. Most of us are way beyond lucky to find and to have someone to say it to - and most of us are idiots for not saying it as often as we should whilst we still could.

There's nothing more romantic than saying it straight. Three words, eight letters. Simple.

Uh, and on that note... (and because I believe I'm lucky)

I love you, Plaid Boy.

c",)

Philippines 2012: Cagayan Valley part 2

noreply@blogger.com ((ldg)) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:32:00 +0000

There's a sort of excitement you get from being 'one with nature'. I haven't felt that for a while until my father took me to see his farm. I felt like a cross between Dora the Explorer and a kid off to Toys R Us for the first time.

Played in the corn fields, trying to look for those crop sightings.

My father joined me for a while, worried I'd get lost (haha!)

It was a fantastic sea of my favourite colour. And it stretched as far as the actual ocean.

Coconut trees were scattered all over. I find them really calming, as if summer was just around the corner.

Of course we had to try the produce.

It was fun picking and munching on calamansi all throughout the tour.

For as long as I remember my parents have always been fond fish farms. Unsurprisingly, they had some ponds/lakes on the other side of the farm to harvest fish, mostly tilapia. We came just in time for feeding. Did you know that Region 2 is considered the 'Tilapia capital of the Philippines'? Pampanga apparently used to hold this title until 2008.

They were harvesting some sort of mollusks too. I'm not quite sure what they're called. Do you know?

More photos:

After the trip we went to visit my dad's mother and his siblings, my aunties whom I've not seen in years. Some cousins were visiting for the holidays too. I only have 11 cousins in total, so it was good to spend time with them there. My grandmother was quite teary when she realised most of us were there and it was cool to see that despite most of us being based elsewhere, her children still look out for her.

This was really pretty.

Guess what my auntie M's profession is...

Eggplant, anyone?

I really had an amazing time and I hope I can visit the farm and Sta Teresita again soon.