Floral Art Ideas

Hey everyone, hope you all had a great long weekend! Lately, I've been planning and thinking of updating my house with some fresh, new decors. Just likely me to plan ahead for the festive season and the easiest way to update your home is...introducing plants or florals to your home.

I'm sure you know I love pretty blooms and I've ran out of creative juices and my brains are having the "creative block". I knew what I was looking for...and I hate those typical, classic floral arrangements that most florists provide. What I want is something creative, modern understated and contemporary arrangements ideas that scream ooh la la...I've a modern looking home so I'd want something suitable to my decor. 

I went to do my "homework" and googled for ideas. I came across this beautiful blog for ideas on entertaining, home decor and recipes! I'm extremely pleased to stumble upon her blog that is full of creative ideas for entertaining at home and beautiful products that she had recommended in her blog. Check out her fantastic blog: Hostess with the Mostess - Fabulous Finds for Contemporary Entertaining

It was at her blog that I came across this florist based in LA, California. Lucky you Californians! You guys gotta check this out: Floral Art. I found amazing ideas that I've been wanting and just wanna share with you guys on these stunning discoveries...

 Now, I'm spoilt for choice! =)

Some Cool Sweet Recipes

Howdy! Just a short post to share with you all some cool sweet recipes that I discovered.

Ingredients:

3  eggs 
3/4  cup butter
3  cups all-purpose flour
2  tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2-1/4  cups sugar
1-1/2  tsp. vanilla
1-oz. bottle red food coloring (2 Tbsp)
1-1/2  cups buttermilk
1-1/2  tsp. baking soda 
1-1/2  tsp. vinegar 
Small chocolate heart-shaped cookies (optional) 
Powdered Sugar

Instructions

Let eggs and butter stand 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 28 2-1/2-inch cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. 

In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, and 3/4 tsp. salt; set aside. In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium-high 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until combined. One at a time, add eggs; beat on medium after each. Beat in food coloring on low.

Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to egg mixture; beat on low to medium sped after each just until combined. Stir together baking soda and vinegar. Add to batter; beat just until combined.

Spoon batter into prepared pans, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake 15 to 17 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely. Top with small chocolate cookies, if desired. Dust with powdered sugar. Makes 28 servings.

 Ingredients:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 tablespoon water

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup peanut butter chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus about 1/3 cup more for

garnishing

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray or grease 12 muffin cups.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar, butter, and water. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Add flour and baking soda, stirring until blended. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then, stir in 1/2 cup each peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into muffin cups.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly wet. Place pan on wire rack. Centers of brownies will fall upon cooling. If not, tap centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds, then stir. While brownies are still hot, spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.

HAPPY TRYING FOLKS!

Etsy Picks

C'mon everyone of us gotta love Etsy.com for their beautiful products. I was bored earlier hence went to window shop at Etsy. I've found so many stuff that I like and to be honest, the list will be very long if I have my pick. 

As I've mentioned in my earlier posts, I will start updating my bedroom soon and one of the item I will be updating is my wardrobe. Going to give it some new stylish knobs and I found the below which I fell in love instantly! I gotta have them!

 

This set cos USD15. =)

 I have also set my eyes on some other cool and pretty items. Loving these:

Eco Cup Cozy Red Scooter USD14

Royal French Tote USD15

Queen Bee Tote USD11

Anna Wristlet USD19.50

Black Denim Stripe Bag USD45

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Purse USD30

Garden Delight Belt Head USD22

Raspberry Cream Cupcake Goat's Milk Soap (so cute!)

 Treat Gift Set (even cuter!)

Small Candied Apply Glycerin Soap (Yummy, isn't it?)

  French Macaron Goat's Milk Soap - Black Rasberry and Vanilla Scented (Yummy!)

Black Rasberry and Vanilla Swirl Goat's Milk Soap

Vintage Style Hair Pins

 That's all for now folks...This list will definitely go on and on...Till then...stay happy!

Sambal Fried Rice

After my nap earlier, felt so hungry and wondered what I should make for dinner. I had fresh prawns in the fridge and some leftover chicken and fried fish sambal...I had an idea. I'd make fried rice out of them.

I sliced some red onions and bird's eye chillies. In a wok, placed 2 tablespoons of oil, and stir fry the onion in medium heat till slight brown. Pop the fresh prawns in and continue to stir fry till the prawns were cooked. I cracked an egg and scrambled gently, poured in 2 cups of rice and added anchovies seasoning. I didn't use salt as the seasoning was enough to taste. This fried rice recipe is flexible so you can use seasoning of your choice. I personally feel either chicken or anchovies seasoning work well.

Then, I poured in the leftover fried fish sambal and chicken into the rice and continue tossing them till the rice has uniform color. Beforehand, I shredded the fish and chicken into small pieces. You can use your leftover grilled fish, chicken or meat for this recipe. Leftover grilled fish or chicken taste the best. However, you can also use boiled chicken breast for this recipe. 

This recipe serves 2. But if you're cooking for the whole family, you can always add more ingredients to balance the amount of rice you use. Happy trying and bon appetite! =)

Chilli Fusilli With Prawns Topped With Cheddar And Parmesan Cheese

Binge Eating

Okay, I lost myself totally last night. I don't know what was up but I couldn't help it. I was feeling "hungry" or not gastronomically satisfied. I went on a binge eating over a span of just a few hours! Started the night watching dvd and eating my sis's squid-ink udon and along with some other side dishes like chicken and potatoes.

After the movie, I went to check my facebook. I saw a few packs of spicy crackers and some mini breads that my sis bought after work. I ate two packets of the crackers and two of the mini breads! Drank almost a pitcher of iced water after that. Then I thought, maybe I'm ok but about thirty minutes later, I went on to eat a plate of sambal fish with rice! That was when I stopped eating. Spent a few hours online and then headed to bed around 3am. I couldn't sleep well as I was awake every hour to pee and it was just difficult to fall back asleep. I thought it must be the food that I ate few hours back.
  
Morning came, I woke at around 9am - typically I would sleep in on weekends but for that instance don't feel like to. I went to do some cooking and hanged the laundry to dry and then ate lunch. It was around after lunch I started to feel funny. Indigestion - oh no! I think I went on a few rounds to the loo and there were alot of belching and breaking wind too. I felt terrible. And strangely, I stopped thinking about food. The thought of it just make me wanna puke!

Mama was kind enough to give me a foot massage as I told her I feel so weak in the knees and that I wanna try to nap after this ordeal. Soon after the massage, I was already on dreamland. I woke up re-energized. I'll post separately a picture of my lunch in a bit.

Chicken In Spicy Coconut Gravy

I cooked this 2 days ago and come to think of it, it has been sometime since I last ate this dish. Due to the usage of coconut milk, I try not to eat it too often. It is really a fragrant dish and the spiciness can be adjusted based on your own preference.

I ate this with rice and my fave drink - Coke. Delicious...

Arabic Belly Dancing Basic Moves

My new found work out! Absolutely loving them! They are way better than all other cardio exercises that make you feel all drained. I love these work outs - total body work out. And it makes you wanna do them over and over again. I feel so energetic and refreshed the last time I did them.

• Arabic Belly Dancing Basic Moves Part 1 

• Arabic Belly Dancing Basic Moves Part 2

• Arabic Belly Dancing Basic Moves Part 3

• Arabic Belly Dancing Basic Moves Part 4 

Must find time to do them again soon! Please enjoy them like I did. Ciao for now.

Skin Deterioration Due To Insomnia

Those who know me personally know I have weird sleeping patterns that 
changes like the seasons. Oh boy, what can I say? I'm not sure if this is hormonal changes or whatsoever...There will be hell days whereby I won't feel sleepy at all and stay up all night like a nocturnal being. Then, there will be days whereby I sleep as early as 8pm. 

My skin seems to deteriorate lately as for the past three weeks, I had late nights and trust me when people say sleep is important - it really IS! No amount of day/night creams, serums, or face packs/masks will work wonder to your skin if you don't get enough rest. Cos these products will pair with body rest (sleep) to bring the magic to your skin.

I really need alot of products slapped on my face now for real! And enough 
rest....ZzzzzzZZzz need my sleep badly but I can't sleep! And please don't 
suggest sleeping pills cos I don't take them.

Dull View From My Bedroom Windows

Wished that I've a good view from my bedroom windows. The view just sucks totally. Nothing to see as there is a block opposite blocking my block. Buildings around my area were built too closely. Come to think again, if this opposite block doesn't block my view, I'd still have another building blocking my view! Used to be a big lush field however the government built a high school on it.

 Day time view from bedroom windows

Night time view from bedroom windows

I live in this neighborhood for at least 25 years and it used to be undeveloped back then. As a matter of fact, I loved the way it looked then cos there were so much greenery, lush fields and open spaces. The air seemed fresh then I recalled loving the view on the fields - morning dew on the grasses. The mornings air was misty, cold and super fresh. For past 10 years, more buildings were built on the open spaces. You name it, my neighborhood got it. Factories, offices, automobile marts, car repair centers, subways and schools. Sigh...big one...The neighborhood feels so "cluttered". Maybe its a high time we move?

Oh well, my family did think of moving but with the government policies on buying/selling your homes...we think twice. Such a hassle...and part of the sale proceedings goes to government...Like WTF?! We are sooo stuck in here. Damn.

Yummy Berry Tarts

Bro bought these home last night. Not really fond of tarts but with exception

for Portuguese egg tarts. I tried these and they were not bad...

Bags Wishlist

Okay I can rattle on and on about my bags wishlist but these are really top of my list. Balenciaga covered giant work in pomegranate and Mulberry's Hayden tote. Awwww....aren't they pretty?

Chanel Obsession