Someday, I will own one of these --

I don't know how to sew --

But I would like to think that I can learn how to sew.

Maybe in the near future?

I've been asking C for some advice on which sewing machine to get and this seems to be the best one right now:

Such a cute, cute bag!

Thank you, MM (and Ina Garten)! --

My mom's birthday is today and we've been thinking of a nice gift to give her.  Like me, she likes to buy things for herself because she has very specific preferences in clothes and shoes.  And she's not a techie (and actually gets horrified at the cost of some of our gadgets) --

We decided to just make her something --

I found this really simple recipe from MarketMan's blog for a Fresh Mango and Pecan Cake --

We made it yesterday -- and gave it to my mom this morning.





The most difficult part of this was the prep -- but I'm glad I had the help of our cook and helper who peeled and cubed the mangoes (and quietly watched, without complaining while chunks of butter were flying out of our bowl while we were creaming it.)

While it was baking, the house smelled so, so good.  (I love, love, love the smell of cinnamon.)

My sister delivered it there this morning and I was so anxious about how the cake tasted -- Johann got tired of my fretting that he called up my sister to ask her about the cake.

She brought home a few slices:



And it was really yummy.  (I zapped it in the microwave for 20 seconds.)  I could imagine this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Asos love --

I really love that some websites offer international shipping.

I love it more when they offer FREE international shipping.

Book Depository has earned my undying loyalty because of their wonderful service.

Now I've discovered that Asos offers the same wonderful deal (restrictions on some items) --

And I've been drooling over skirts, dresses, accessories -- oh, to have money for all of the things I want. ^_^

They carry merchandise from Cath Kidston, River Island (when I visited the UK in 2000, I really loved shopping at this store), Mango, etc.

ASOS | ASOS Lace Hem Knitted Skirt at ASOS
-- pretty lace hem!

ASOS | ASOS Midi Knitted Skirt With Lace Trim at ASOS
-- longer version! pretty lace hem!

ASOS | ASOS Pussybow Short Sleeve Blouse at ASOS
-- I normally find ties and ribbons fiddly, but I really like how these blouses look.

Darling | Darling Lace Trim Ditsy Floral Blouse at ASOS
-- very dainty. I don't think this will look good on me, though. ^_^

ASOS | ASOS Floral Metal Keeper Detail Satchel at ASOS
-- another cute satchel. Love that they used a floral print on something so masculine. ^_^

ASOS | ASOS Boxy Flat Lock Clutch at ASOS
-- I need a clutch and this one reminds me of the envelope clutch that Rosario (the movie) carried

ASOS | ASOS Double Buckle Canvas Satchel at ASOS
- I love canvas and leather together. There's actually a Dooney & Bourke bag that I want that's a really insane combination of them.

ASOS | ASOS C'est La Vie Skinny Wristband with Hanging Eiffel Tower Charm at ASOS
-- I am thisclose to getting this bracelet. But I am worried that the kids will yank it and break it.

ASOS | ASOS Enamelled Robots Long Cluster Pendant at ASOS
-- Robots!

... etc. (I really could just go on and on ...)

Go and see all the lovely stuff at Asos!

How I'm feeling ... and why I am thankful for my husband --

On the surface, I look like I'm fairly nicely "together" --

I have plans and schedules and I'm hardly ever frazzled.

I'm the stable one; the responsible one; the "go-to" girl --

On the inside, I am frazzled and I am constantly battling insecurity, uncertainty, inability -- all the negatives in life.

I'm having an internal epic battle right now -- epic in its epicness.

And I'm glad I have a husband who listens and doesn't judge.  A husband who knows when to step in to fix things and one who knows that listening is helping and fixing.

But I am still battling.

Goals for the week --

Apple Beignets with Caramel Sauce

Okonomiyaki <-- must look for Okonomiyaki sauce

Bon Chon Chicken

Some random things --

My mom makes this amazing chunky chicken sandwich filling (?) and I've been gobbling it up like crazy.  Sometimes, I just plunk some on a piece of lettuce, roll it up and eat it.


My mom's been making me batches weekly -- and I'm enjoying every last mayonnaise-y bit of it. ^_^


* * * 


I found this posted on the discussion area of a Youtube video of Justin Bieber singing "Baby" --


Calling him FAKE won't make you REAL
Calling him DUMB won't make you SMART
Calling him WEAK won't make you STRONG 
Calling him UGLY won't make you BEAUTIFUL 
Calling him MEAN won't make you NICE.
Calling him GAY won't make you STRAIGHT! 
Calling him RUDE won't make you POLITE.

* * *

Looking forward to summer --

We have 1 family trip planned in May -- just me, Johann and the 2 kids.  

I'm a bit worried because it is La Nina and the weather might not be nice when we go.

Classic White Shirts --

I used to live in Navy and Black -- and then I tentatively accepted colors and added gray and pink and other colors.

I have 1 white shirt in my closet (not counting the white M&S shirt I borrow from Johann to wear with leggings) --

My biggest problem with wearing white is having the right undergarments.

At a recent event at my kids' school, I saw a mom wearing a white shirt and jeans -- such a classic, classic combination. And she looked so perfect and fresh.

It's almost summer and the weather calls for lighter-colored clothes --

I'm in the market for a nice tailored white shirt or blouse --

And I've been browsing around and these are really nice.

Anthropologie

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

In search of: Well-fitting shorts --

I dream of owning a pair of shorts -- shorts that fit me nicely and shorts that flatter my lack of figure.

I've tried shorts in many stores -- my problem is that most shorts are low-rise and are very snug at the hips, of which I have an abundance of.

I recently read an article in Marie Claire (they have a writer who focuses on fashion for plus-sized women) which gave me hope.

Trouble is, I don't know if I can go about buying shorts online -- I think I need to fit them.

~sigh~

And summer is here na. I want to expose my knobby knees!

900th post: More recipes to try --

These have been open in tabs on my Chrome page --

Might as well keep the links here for future reference:
Caramel Surprise Peanut Butter Cookies -- three of my favorite words = Caramel + Peanut Butter ... how can I resist?
Philly Cheesesteak -- we actually cook a "milder" version but I want to see what an authentic sandwich tastes like ^_^
Carrot Cake -- over at Allrecipes.com, this had the greatest number of reviews and very good ratings.  I'm trying to figure out how to make it as low sugar as possible for my dad (and myself).  The carrot cakes I remember the most from Manila are the ones from Sharleen Tan (of Qitchen) and from Chocolate Kiss.

We used to bring home a carrot cake for my mom and, to this day, whenever we serve carrot cake, she always mentions that her favorite is still the one from Sharleen Tan.

My funniest memory of Chocolate Kiss is being pregnant with Seth and getting an insane craving for it -- one time, I was crazy craving for it and Johann wasn't home that I went to UP by myself and got a few slices to bring home. ^_^

And I've made these already: Eggs Bakes in Ham Cups -- the shape is intriguing (and new) for my family.  Seth was even convinced to give it a try.  (He who inherited his mom's love-hate relationship with egg.)

Happy 900th post (on Blogger) to me!

In Praise of Digital --

It started a few months ago, I was getting frustrated with my kids' DVDs because they would not play properly from all the scratches and smudges.

It isn't that the kids don't handle the discs properly because they do -- I think it just comes from daily wear-and-tear.

I decided to look online for solutions to this -- from using metal polish to fix the scratches to getting protective sleeves for the discs -- but I felt these solutions just added to the expense and weren't foolproof.

I don't know how the idea got into my head, but I started looking at digital copies of shows (from iTunes US) and discovered that:
a.  They were cheaper.
b.  I didn't have to worry about losing discs anymore.

We already had the iPod (and my husband's iPhone) so all we needed was a way to connect that to our TV.  My husband got an Apple Composite Cable in Singapore and, voila! -- we were in business.

So now my kids' shows are all stored on our iPod -- and it makes it easier for us to bring it around (I don't have to pack discs for trips anymore.)  Plus, I can have a variety of shows loaded and not have to worry about bulk. ^_^

Then, for Christmas, I wanted to give my husband a subscription to his favorite magazine SFX -- he asks people to get him the latest issues (when we know someone going abroad) -- and he hunts for older issues at Booksale.

The cost of subscription is GBP60 (about US$90+) -- ouch!

Thank goodness for Zinio!  We got the subscription for GBP20 -- so now he gets it as the digital version is released and I don't have to worry about his magazines cluttering up the house!



... I sound like one of those paid posts.  Hahahaha!

Ultimate Temptation!!! Kate Spade Sample Sale!!! --

Until February 18!!!

Click here!!!

The Wellesley Quinn is so, so tempting!
Porcelain or Mustard? <-- hypothetical question only

I want: this skirt --

When I was reading up on Kate Spade, I stumbled upon Sandee's blog and fell hard for her daily Kate Spade outfits.

She took it to the next level and started making a skirt ala Kate Spade and is now selling it.
Clickety click here to go to her shopping page.

- That's Sandee and her really pretty skirt. ^_^ (Image from her blog.)


It is such a beautiful skirt -- the shape is flattering and the colors are so playful!

Now she's giving one away for Valentines' Day. Click here for the details.

I wish H&M had an online store --

These are my favorite pieces from the current line:

In Stores Now. Visit hm.com to see more.

IN STORES NOW. VISIT HM.COM TO SEE MORE.

-- such a quirky bracelet! I can imagine dipping the edge of this on my kid's soup or noodles! Hahaha!

In Stores Now. Visit hm.com to see more.

-- very cute bag! Summer-y colors!

IN STORES NOW. VISIT HM.COM TO SEE MORE.

-- my husband likes how this one looks. ^_^

In Stores Now. Visit hm.com to see more.

-- and this one just looks so light and comfortable

3D Tin! --

I started a new blog at the start of the year.

It is a result of my reflection and resolution for the year -- to embrace who I am and to voice it out; to explore and develop other facets of myself (for so long, I have become 1-dimensional: Tin of my family) --

The blog is called "Tempt Me" -- and it's where I blog about all of my impulses (99.9% shopping-related) --

Please know that I do not buy plan to buy everything that I write about.  (I cannot afford many of the things that I write about.)

It actually surprised me -- for the month of January, I only "wanted" 16 things -- it seemed more in my head but, when I started to sit down to write about them, the things went through an unconscious filter and I ended up with just those items. ^_^

Dreaming of: a Louis Vuitton bag --

If I could get just one LV bag, which one would it be?

I know I would get it in the Monogram Canvas (yes, yes -- brand wh*re is me)

The Neverfull seems to be the classic choice and I would get it in the PM because I think the MM is a bit big (and the GM is definitely out of the question) --

I also like the shape of the Alma --

And there's the Speedy -- I seem to gravitate towards this shape.  I am also considering a Dooney & Bourke bag that is in a similar shape.

The Lockit is nice -- but I think it's too big.

All pictures screencapped from the LV website.

Love at first sight --

My first Kate Spade bag arrived a day before Chinese New Year --

My first ever splurge on myself (I've splurged numerous times for the kids) and it is beautiful -- and, more importantly, it makes me happy seeing it.

What I love about Kate Spade are the little details -- the stripe-y tissue to protect the contents of the package.  And the dustbag with a little thought from Kate Spade.

And the bag -- the bag was breathtaking.  Nice weight and nice color.  (Even my mom noticed my bag and complimented me on it.)

I've been using it every day since it came -- and I love it!  It's a nice size and holds all of my things (and my kids things as well!)

I was worried that the black and white would be hard to match outfits with (and slightly regretted not getting the mustard or the green -- which would have been easier to) -- but it wasn't!  It goes with everything!  (Well, maybe not everything ... but in the 3 days that I've used it, I've had no problems.)

I also got a wallet --

It's a Jane Street Neda in Green with Eggplant.  Again, I worried about the style (notice how much I worry?) -- it's a zipped-type and I wasn't sure how easy/hard it would be to access my cards and stuff.  And there was no place to put a picture of the kids!

But I've grown to like it and appreciate it -- I don't have to worry about Anya touching the money in my wallet!  (Or pull out cards and misplace them)

Trust me, the purple looks so, so nice!  (Now I am tempted to get a purple bag!)

I want: a plaid bag --

I know that plaid is a pattern -- but, regardless of color combinations, it seems to be a "neutral" and can go with anything.

I'm in the process of adding color to my wardrobe -- and, for some inexplicable reason, I seem to be focusing on my bags.

Ruby Park Small Damien by Kate Spade (on sale for $123 from $275) <-- there is a bigger version of it -- but I like this one better. ^_^

Burberry seems to have cornered the market on really, really nice-looking plaid bags -- and it's difficult to just pick one Burberry bag (or plaid) --

Nova Check Bowling Bag ($595) -- lining comes in black, white, raspberry, blue and yellow

Small Haymarket Check Tote Bag ($575)

Dooney & Bourke also has some nice plaid bags:

I LIKE:

Plaid East/West Handle Top Zip by
Dooney & Bourke

East/West Handle Top Zip ($140 at Zappos)

I LIKE:

Small Handle Drawstring by
Dooney & Bourke

Small Handle Drawstring ($136.50 at Zappos)

If I could just win a teensy bit of money from Lotto, I would get the Burberry bags. Will keep on dreaming. ^_^

A weekend of British accents --

Johann and I are stuck at home (sort of) because Seth is sick and we need to monitor him.


It hasn't been an uneventful weekend for us, though -- we used the free time to watch The King's Speech yesterday (Colin First should win the Oscar for this portrayal) and we just finished watching Never Let Me Go just now.  We were warned that it would be a depressing film but that is not the feeling I have come away with -- right now I'm actually quietly thinking about how provocative the movie was.  Bottom line, I am in awe.


The King's Speech is about George VI's efforts in trying to correct and speech impediment and the man who helps him.  The late George's speech problem is real but it also becomes a metaphor of how a monarchy that has existed for centuries is coming to terms with the reality of modernization (public broadcast radio) and of war.  I think that George's journey from reluctant successor (and stammerer) to king  was wonderfully portrayed by Colin Firth and I'm glad he got an Oscar nod for this role.


It makes me wonder if Queen Elizabeth or her children (and grandchildren) will watch this movie -- and I wonder what they think of it. ^_^


Never Let Me Go is a very timely movie (interestingly enough, it's set in the late 70s to mid-90s = almost a "period" piece) -- at a time when we are trying to push the boundaries of science and trying to improve the quality of life of the human race, one wonders at what cost this is all happening.  The movie is set in a different reality -- about 3 children and their pre-determined futures.


There is a sadness to the movie -- the attempt to delay (but not deny) their future; the reflection on the brevity of life and its meaning; of love and friendship --


I was especially moved by Kathy's (Carey Mulligan) final thoughts at the end of the movie -- We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time. 


For those who plan to watch Never Let Me Go, I will share the same warning we got when we told friends we were watching it:  Have a happy movie lined up after this one.  ^_^

Kate Spade checklist: Stevie --

I love how floppy the Stevie looks. And I love that it looks like it can carry a lot of things.

During my recent quick trip to Manila with my son, I realized I didn't have a bag big enough to carry my essentials and my son's essentials.

Cornelia Street Noel Stevie

Marivaux Stevie
<-- of the current Stevies, this is my favorite. I love the quilted pattern of the fabric -- gives it an interesting dimension and texture.

Hit the Dock Stevie
<-- This is a fun one that comes in Blue and White Stripes and Yellow and White Stripes. (A bit too casual for me, I think.)