yay!

Yay it's Friday!

There is lots to look forward to this weekend but I must say it's been a pretty good week all round. To top it off my very talented twin sister Yen won the QLD Premier's Emerging Design Leader award last night! Yay! Am so proud and happy for her! 

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friday thoughts...

 via Phuong on Pinterest

cosy...

It's a grey and rainy day here today in Singapore after we were treated to some spectacular thunder and lightning at about 4.30am this morning!  So here is a bright and cosy little French apartment to brighten the mood... everything about this, makes me happy!

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chocolatey goodness...

Libby, my aunty-in-law, shared this awesome looking recipe today on her blog for Nutella Mug Cake (yes in a mug).

I think it's another one to add to the list of failsafe recipes and she says it really is as tasty and as quick and easy as it seems (seriously, who doesn't love a recipe with only one step!). 

Nutella Mug Cake
Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons self raising flour
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons Nutella
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Method
Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. (Time depends on microwave wattage. Mine took 1 /2 minutes.) Top with ice cream or whipped cream and a little chocolate sauce if desired.

Note: Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may have to increase cooking time.  Makes a large serving so you may want to divide up into smaller mugs.

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friday thoughts...

via Phuong on Pinterest

colour....

It is a beautiful sunny day in Singapore today (as is usually the case) but it is starting to steam up and the shops are full of spring/summer brights.

So I am currently on a mission to embrace summer and add more colour to my work wardrobe which is mostly at the moment made up of shades of black and grey with hints of beige!  You look at my wardrobe and 2/3 of it is black! Classic and failsafe but a little BORING.

So today I am wearing a bright orange cap sleeved dress with lace trim, brown bow belt, tan suede 4.5inch heels and toting around my trusty blue bag.   I am loving the orange + blue colour combination - you really can't go wrong with colour wheel complementary colours... 

lady diane...

I have blogged about her before, but I really do LOVE Diane Kruger's style + she gets to go out with that cutie Pacey...  I am loving the neon lace but I think she needs to smile more though :)

spring frolic....

Just gorgeous... Stella McCartney 2012 Resort Collection

failure is freeing...

“It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It’s not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound reinvention."

"Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen"

- Conan O’Brien from his Dartmouth University commencement address, 12 June 2011
 

birthday wishes...

Source: houseofbliss.blogspot.com via Phuong on Pinterest

Happy Birthday to my mum-in-law Cath!  She celebrates her birthday today after one of the hardest years anyone has ever had to deal with. A source of constant inspiration and strength, I hope you have a lovely day today Cath! miss you and love you xx

saturday mornings..

Saturday morning, cup of tea in hand, peanut butter toast, waiting for big sister and brother to arrive, the Mr being goofy + listening to the soundtrack from 500 Days of Summer (one of my fave movies and an awesome soundtrack) = pretty spectacular morning!

Source: lace-and-love.tumblr.com via Phuong on Pinterest

brights...

A good friend of mine just got back from a recent French jaunt with the most beautiful buttery soft green oversized clutch.  I think I am a little inspired!

Source: thefancyteacup.blogspot.com via Phuong on Pinterest

Source: frichic.com via Phuong on Pinterest

Source: yslaurent.tumblr.com via Phuong on Pinterest

Source: everythingfab.tumblr.com via Phuong on Pinterest

friday thoughts....

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Phuong on Pinterest

stacks...

Working late but listening to Bon Iver's Stacks.. LOVE (the song that is not the late work...)

just so pretty...

Lanvin Ankle Strap Pumps

sisters...

My big sister and brother-in-law are having a quick Singapore stopover this weekend on their way over to Europe for their big holiday extravaganza.  This is the first time they have visited us since we moved overseas so am very excited to show them around our new hometown!  Lucky for me my twin sister is also visiting next month... Love my sisters - miss you guys! xx

Source: flickr.com via kj51280 on Pinterest

tea time...

I love evening tea time, almost as much as I love morning coffee time!

Source: onbluepoolroad.com via Phuong on Pinterest

marina run...

The Mr and I have been extremely demotivated recently with our running...  We signed up to two races in April and May and missed them both because we didn't do enough (or rather any) training.

We are determined to get back into it!  I don't want to sound like some sort of crazy running junkie but once I actually get going, I really do like it - it's great for clearing my head and just having some 'me' time...

I have been thinking for ages that I need to run around the Marina Bay area after work as it is right near my office.  So I finally did a loop today which took me around the bay from Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), past the Marina Bay Sands, the F1 stand, the Esplanade, the Fullerton Hotel and back to MBFC.   It was such a good idea as it is such a beautiful area to run around at dusk.  I am going to try and do this a couple of times a week...

I should have taken photos on my phone but here are some pics I found on the interwebs :)  I feel very lucky to live here...

Marina Bay Financial Centre (my office) is far left,  the Merlion and Fullerton on the right


Source: flickr.com via Rob on Pinterest

Marina Bay Sands


Source: google.pl via dziewczynka on Pinterest

red velvet...

We had an impromptu little dinner party last night and whilst there was no strawberry shortcake on the menu, I did bake my first ever batch of red velvet cupcakes.   I love red velvet cupcakes but surprisingly have never made them before.  I always thought they were going to be a little bit tricky... but not at all. Cath and Han passed on a recipe they have used recently and I was so happy with the results!  Definitely a crowd pleaser and there is just something about cream cheese icing that makes everything taste better!

Red Velvet Cupcakes (makes 12) 
60 g Unsalted Butter, room temp
150 g Caster Sugar
1 large Egg, lightly beaten
10 g Cocoa Powder
20 ml Red Food colouring
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
120 ml Buttermilk (I used normal milk and it worked out fine too)
150 g Plain flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Bicarb Soda
1 1/2 teaspoon White wine Vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting
300 g Icing sugar, sifted
50 g Unsalted butter, room temp
125 g Cream Cheese, slightly softened

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 170c. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with patty cases.
• Place butter and sugar in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add the egg and beat until everything is well mixed.
• In a small bowl, mix the food colouring, cocoa powder and vanilla extract until it makes a thick paste.
• Add the paste to the butter mixture and beat thoroughly until the colour is mixed evenly through the batter. Be sure to scrape down any stray batter from the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. The mix should be a deep rose pink/red.
• On slow speed, slowly add half the buttermilk until well mixed then add half the flour until well mixed. Repeat for the remaining milk and flour, beating until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the salt, bicarb and vinegar, turning up the speed and beating for a couple more minutes.
• Spoon a heaped tablespoon of mixture into each paper cases until no more than two-thirds full.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top of a cupcake bounces back when lightly touched. (A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean).
• Once the cupcakes have cooled slightly in the tray, remove them and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
• Beat the icing sugar and butter until well mixed.
• Add cream cheese to the mix, beating until completely combined.
• On medium-high speed, continue beating the frosting until it becomes light and fluffy. This takes around five minutes.
• When the cupcakes are cold, ice.

I think the next experiment may need to be these red velvet whoopie pies!

Source: flickr.com via Phuong on Pinterest

Saturday afternoons...

Great little tune for a relaxing Saturday afternoon...
Friendly Fires: Paris (Aeroplane Remix ft. Au Revoir Simone)

friday thoughts...

Source: stumbleupon.com via Phuong on Pinterest

oh serena...

I love teen shows, always have and I'm sure I always will.

Whilst many may dismiss them for being trashy or not relevant or whatever, I still love them and they have certainly helped me through many an angsty day.   From Gilmore Girls, the OC, Dawson's Creek to the latest Glee and Gossip Girl - I love them all and I realise this may make me a bit of a tragic but oh well :) 

Gossip Girl is fun and whilst it is a bit ridiculous most times, I love the fashion and insight into the crazy world of the Upper East Side.  Blake Lively who plays Serena on Gossip Girl often annoys me so much but I have to admit she looks pretty freaking amazing in this editorial from the latest Glamour US issue.  I am in love with the styling and all the shorty shorts.

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hindsvik...

I have been reading the Hindsvik blog for a little while now which is written by a young couple (Daniel and Valeria) who are renovating and redecorating their home.  This clever couple also have their own vintage/homewares store on Etsy and I am in love with so much of their stuff!

maxi skirts...

I am a big fan of the long maxi dress.... throw it on and it always looks good.  Easy to dress up or down and it is the perfect all year round item of clothing.  It is also great for travel as you can squish it up. As it is usually made of light fabric, it doesn't matter if it creases or is a bit wrinkly because that was the look you were going for anyway :)

Recently I have been hunting around for a long maxi skirt to add to my wardrobe (preferably with pleats) but I haven't managed to find one I like yet... the search continues...

Source:  all via Phuong on Pinterest