Wednesday, February 23, 2011

It Looks Pretty & Soft

Has anyone had the opportunity to try on or even feel this jacket from Miss Selfridge? I'm quite interested in getting it and using it as an Autumn jacket as Autumn starts in March for us. I don't necessarily want the upkeep and expense of leather so i've been considering opting for a PU version. This one does look pretty and i love the 'gathering' detail on the waist at the back. I'm assuming this detail is going to help it mold better on the body?

I only have memories of their jeans from the time i spent in England years ago but i'm quite unsure of their jacket. I'd really appreciate if someone could help me out on this. I don't want to find myself in a situation where i would need to return the jacket and have to bear the postal costs so if anyone has felt or even tried this on, please let me know. On the other hand, if you've owned a PU jacket from Miss Selfridge, please feel free to share as well

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Art Of Handwritten Letters

With the rise in popularity of sites such as Facebook and Twitter, the art of communication in our time has drastically changed. I remember when i was 12 years old, i used to exchange hand written letters with my Mum from boarding school. I loved receiving letters and also writing them; i remember how excited i used to get when i received one from my Mum or a pen pal that i kept then. I also loved the whole process of picking out a nice sheet of paper and an envelope in which to write and send off this letter.

But these days, it's all about e-mails, text messages and Ping-ing. I really miss the whole process of writing letters. I appreciate the fact that technology has made communication a much more speedy process and important information can be communicated quickly and easily; and also received at a speedy rate. But i'm pretty sure there are certain information shared that can wait through the time it takes for a letter to arrive at its destination.

Although i'm in a long distance relationship where Facebook, e-mails, phone calls and texts play a large role, i still make the effort to send hand written letters to Le Male. He still gets surprised when he gets them from me because he doesn't expect such in this day and age; he even teases me that i'm very archaic in certain aspects of my life but i don't care. I just love the process of using fine paper, choosing what colour of ink i want to write in and finish off my letter with a spritz of the perfume i was wearing at the time. I think it makes the whole writing process more enjoyable. I also tend to write my letters over a couple of days, i like to spread it out as it increases the depth and interest of information i share in the letter.

I'm now contemplating the idea of including hand written notes and letters more into my daily life as i find it a very pleasing and luxurious experience. The only other idea i have so far is sending out hand written 'thank you' notes and also 'invitations' to people.

What do you guys think of this lost art? Do you or do you not care for it? 

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Je Ne Sais Quoi

I don’t know what it is about Paris and France in general that draws me in and begs for my utmost attention. Maybe it’s the way it’s been idolised in movies and books. I don’t think i’ll ever know until i’ve been to France. I’m not even sure if the bubble will bust when i get there, but i know i have to go there someday so that i can figure it out. Because, it feels like a part of the puzzle that is my life that needs to be solved.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Lady In Purple

Angie Harmon looks absolutely beautiful in this purple dress; i believe it's by Alexander Wang but don't quote me on that one. She looks so good for someone that's 40+. I'm especially loving her simple makeup and glossy hair as i'm sure you all know i'm always about simplicity :) Hope you're all having a nice day

Been Working Out...

I've been working out 5-6 times a week for at least 30 minutes since January and i weighed in yesterday only to find out i've gained an extra 2kg! I don't even know how to react right now especially since my thighs are burning from doing a Jillian Michaels workout! If you haven't read my blog long enough, all you need to know is that i'm not really a fan of her workouts but i've still been putting in the effort to do it since last week because i wanted to do something different from my other fitness dvds.

Right now i'm too upset to even react to my weight gain; considering the fact that i've been passing up on yummy cookies and brownies to stay in shape. Arrgggghhhhhhh!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I Have A Guest...

...and a problem. My friend's fiance has a guest visiting from abroad so she's had to move in with me and she'll be here until sometime next week. The problem is that we have completely different tastes in food. Even though we're both Nigerian, i don't buy into the idea of only eating Nigerian food or only things that have the closest similarity to it. I'm a student, i don't have time or money to waste and anything that i can't find walking into Woolies rarely comes home with me. I make Nigerian food once in a blue moon and that usually coincides with the times i go somewhere else to get my hair done in an African store. I generally eat anything as long as the meat/fish in it isn't something i can't eat or something that makes me gag

But with her, it's all Nigerian food or anything bearing the closest resemblance in smell and taste. So i'm here wondering what i'm going to cook during her time here and i'm pretty much lost for ideas. She doesn't eat curry, i forced her to eat bolognaise, she doesn't eat pasta bake nor will she eat potatoes except it's in the form of chips. I made her jollof rice and chicken last night (or red rice as some people like to call it)

Right now i'm tired and not in the mood for stress, so i'm just going to order pizza for her to have as dinner while i enjoy a meal of tuna pasta bake. I'm too tired to think of any other alternatives and when she's free, i'm dragging her to Woolies to go pick up whatever she can eat because i'm not going to look for the ingredients to any Nigerian meal. 

If you have any ideas other than rice, please let me know. And if you have any lunch ideas that doesn't involve raw veggies, let me know as well. Thanks a lot in advance and do have a nice day :)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

How Was Your Valentine Day?

I hope you all were able to spend it in a way that was pleasing to you; whether you're single or in a relationship. I spent most of my day alone at home, painting my nails a shade of sky blue and listening to 'Nicki Minaj's Super Bass' on replay. I was planning on making myself some brownies but at the end of the day i really couldn't be bothered as i wasn't in the emotional shape or form to even contemplate doing anything. All i wanted to do was to stay in bed all day and sleep

Even though i've been all over the place emotion-wise since last week, i had to put on my 'fake it till you make it' face and go out to dinner with my friends last night. They both got engaged yesterday and i'm so happy for them. She almost killed me when she saw me because i'd known all about the engagement all along and i never said anything, i also helped pick out the temporary engagement ring and it made me feel really good knowing that she loved the ring

Three new girl friends and several glasses of pink champagne later, i was back at home. I had no interest to read a book and TV was boring so i had a nice warm shower, put on my iPod and stayed in bed listening to Keith Urban and i actually woke up to the same music; yes, my earphones managed to stay in my ears all night! Sometimes when i'm in a certain mood, i can sleep through music no matter how loud it is, just as long as it is something i enjoy listening to

I hope you all had a fantabulous day. It's now time for everyone to check the balance of their accounts as February 14 has finally passes; oh snap, mine is still the same as it was last week :P

Do have a good day :)

Monday, February 14, 2011

Panaeng Beef Curry


Ingredients (from 'A taste of Thailand' by Murdoch books)
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 2 tablespoons of purchased curry paste (i used red curry paste)
* 700g beef flank, sliced into strips (i used 450g of stir fry beef)
* 185ml (3/4 cup) coconut milk
* 1 tablespoon fish sauce
* 1 tablespoon palm sugar (i used brown sugar)
* 3 tablespoons tamarind puree (i actually didn't use it because my curry paste already had it)
* 2 kaffir lime leaves, sliced to garnish
* 1/2 long red chilli, seeded and finely sliced to garnish
(serves 4)


1. Heat the oil in a saucepan/ wok and stir-fry the curry paste over a medium heat for 2 minutes or until fragrant
2. Add the beef and stir for 5 minutes. Add nearly all of the coconut milk, the fish sauce, palm sugar and tamarind puree and reduce to a low heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 7 minutes. Although this is meant to be a dry curry, you can add a little more water during the cooking process if you feel it is drying out too much (i personally poured in all the coconut milk at this stage, i didn't bother adding the other half at the end; i also added my chilli in at this point). Taste, then adjust the seasoning if necessary. 
PS: although mine looks pretty watery above, remember i used less meat than the recipe suggested. When it cooled down, it thickened up more so i wouldn't worry if it looks a bit watery; except you like to eat yours immediately. I allowed mine to cool for about 5 minutes before serving
Spoon the curry into a serving bowl, spoon the last bit of coconut milk over the top and sprinkle with kaffir lime leaves and chilli slices. I served mine with rice :)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Never Say Never

Hey guys, how's everyone doing? It's been boredom city over here so i haven't felt the need to post anything because there's nothing to talk about. It's just been work, workout and sleep! I've got 18 days left before i go back to uni so i have to do my best and enjoy the remaining of the holidays. My flatmate's coming back at the end of February and i'm so excited for that. Can't wait to start making noise and staying up late talking about nothing and laughing till my tummy hurts. Due to boredom, i've been doing a mini experiment with recipes and i'll get back to you guys on that one

Until then, stay blessed!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Quirk On

I'm absolutely in love with Carey Mulligan's ensemble. It's a bit quirky and really cool and i'm not sure if it's a look that i can pull off/ put together but i really love it. I'm going to have to look for pants like hers to try on and see if i can replicate this look. I'm currently crushing on brogues but i have absolutely no idea on how i'll incorporate it into my current wardrobe.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Mascara Suggestions

Keeping the theme of my previous post, i'm in need of mascara suggestions. I've tried quite a few mascaras and to be honest, my favourite has always been the more expensive ones and i don't know why! But i really want to try some drugstore brands and see if they match up to the more expensive lines. My all time favourite is the DIORSHOW mascara followed closely by Lancome's HYPNOSE. I've tried COVERGIRL's lashblast, lashblast fusion and MAYBELLINE's original mascara (in the pink tube). I wasn't impressed with any of these 3 and i certainly won't be repurchasing. I think maybe i was expecting too much. But i don't want to give up hope on the drug store brands. I'm still undecided on which one to invest in next. I want length and volume in one mascara! Not too much length like false lashes, but something to add muscle to what i already have; if that makes any sense

So can anyone please give me some recommendations? Mucho gracias :)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Need To Get My Brows In Shape

Happy February everyone. I pretty much slacked all through January in relation to working on myself and this month that's pretty much the only goal i have. I go back to uni on the 28th of February so i pretty much have the whole of this month to do all the things i possibly can before the new semester comes in tow with a huge amount of work load. It'll be my final semester as an undergraduate (yay!) and i'm already looking forward to doing something new for my Masters. I'm one of those people who can't take a break from uni because it's quite difficult for me to get back into the groove of things.

I must say that i've enjoyed this holiday but i do miss the stimulating aspect of trying to learn something i don't know and fighting with my tutorial questions. I know when uni starts there will be some whining and ranting but overall i'm sure i'll enjoy it. Looking back at the last 4 semesters i've had at UOW, i've realised that i haven't maximised it as much as i possibly could. Well, i do have this coming semester and possibly the next 2 years to make up for that because i'm planning on continuing here with my Masters.

My hope for this coming semester is to make some new friends within my degree specialty and also just new friends in general. I believe that i cannot be overeducated! I might be wrong, but it's the philosophy that i've been brought up with and how my immediate family lives. My Mum is beyond addicted to studying! She only took a few years off from uni when she gave birth to me and she's been in uni since i can remember. She always has a new course that she wants to study and i'm always motivated by the excitement she gets from studying for something new. Even as young as she is (she's almost 49!) she's already written a research proposal for a PhD that she wants to do.

She passed her addiction to everyone in her family and also to me; i wonder if we could all collectively put our degrees together and sort of build an education tree just like you'd build a family tree.

Anyway, back to some light hearted stuff! I suck at defining my eyebrows; i barely keep up with shaping them but this month i'm going to push myself to do it. I need to stop slacking and make more of an effort with it so i don't have to visit the Shu Uemura counter often!

What are your plans for this month? I know Valentine's day is around the corner; everyone around me keeps talking about it and wondering what to get their other half. I, on the other hand, can't be bothered. I've never celebrated Valentine's day in my entire life, i've never gotten a gift either. And i'm sure if someone wanted to give me one in the past, they would have considered a book as the most important thing...ha! 

So while others are worrying about Valentine's day, i'll be worrying about getting my sleeping pattern in order before uni resumes. Yesterday i finally fell asleep sometime after 9.30am and woke up at 12.47pm. Yes, i checked the time when i woke up. I did have a nap later in the afternoon though. I'm typing this post now because i got tired of laying in bed doing nothing as i still can't sleep; if you're wondering what the time is here, it's 4.59am. Off to go drink a glass of warm milk!