FourSquare

After all this talk about Foursquare and how people actually get discounts from such an app, I finally decided to get down to discover what on earth everyone was psyched about. I had noticed many people 'checking in' at various places on facebook but thought nothing of it but perhaps a new fb game. After farmville, restaurant city and mafia, it wouldn't be surprising that Foursquare was some sort of new game. Then a good friend from NY came over to visit and brought it up again. Which was when he explained the whole thing and how it worked which got me thinking hey...this is actually a pretty sweet idea. Weird name though....

Ok so how does it work.? Basically, after becoming an user of the program, app, call it what you may. You would carry on with your normal daily life but at certain places of personal interests such as perhaps a favourite cafe or shopping boutique as such, you would go on your phone and find that place of interest and click the button to 'check in'. You basically can check in anywhere wherever you have internet access of course for it checks you in via GPS. So why go through the hassle of checking in at various places? Well, if you check in many times and remain at the top of the statistic board at a particular venue, then you would end up being 'mayor' of the venue which would entitle you to certain benefits. E.g. special discounts or free treats such as a free coffee or meal. The special benefits can be found on your devices. You would be able to see who is mayor of such and such and weirdly enough, you start being rather competitive if you're a regular at a certain place. Such as for me, I would consider myself a regular at Cocomaya which is a bakery/cake shop and I would like to become mayor for it. Hehe. Cakeeesssss. However, mayorship has to be maintained throughout a period of 60 days so yes, anyone can take over your throne at anytime. There is also an option of giving 'Tips' where users have left recommendations or suggestions about certain places which can be useful to others. Guess its sort of like a one line review. Good! Straight to the point. Users can also earn 'Badges' which are literally badges or mini trophies which are attained through different specs. Such as visiting a place this many times or completing certain tasks. This aspect seems to be just a visual and ego booster add on but I guess it can help pass time when bored. 

Its a new and fun app which seems to have attracted the masses. Friends can be linked to the app which is sort of freaky because they would know where you are when you check into a place but regardless, if you keep at it, why not earn a free meal or deal if you can?  =D 

So keep checking in !

Just Shatter Me

OPI has done it again. 

They have managed to make all us girls (and some guys) spend that unnecessary 10 quid on a little bottle once again. We definitely do not HAVE to let alone need to paint our nails all the time but there is some sort of charm and delight in doing so. Whenever I take time to sit down and go through my selection of colours wondering which shade would last me through the week, I find myself so at peace. The process of paintings nail is rather tranquil then at the end of it all the nails look so pretty, you're suddenly happier. 

So what is wrong with spending a ridiculous amount on a little bottle of happiness? 

Happiness is priceless isn't it?

The little rebel who has been sold out for weeks is the 'Shatter' from the Katy Perry collection.

Don't let its simple black exterior fool you because once it is applied over a coat of colour, that effect on the top of the bottle is what really happens. It just cracks and shatters which is fricking AMAZING. (Yes grammatically incorrect but just because its THAT AMAZING.) OPI has managed to bring nails to a whole new level. Gel extensions are way better but if you need something special for just a week or so and do not really want to damage your nails, this is the thing. Its eye catching and it fun to use. Its sold out everywhere and all the girls are trying to buy it off e-bay but I bet that will soon not be an option. OPI has managed to dominate the world of nails and it surely deserves that position. 

K's nails. Leopard style!

Food Is The Sweetest At Home

Home-made New York Love 

Yes, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is made from scratch 

Brush Me Up

'Tokidoki'? Oh, yeah Japan no? Um, NO. Tokidoki is not Japanese but actually Italian. To be precise, Roma! Weird huh? 

Simone Legno is the designer and founder of this International brand. Who is he? Yeah, not many owners of Tokidokis actually remember or know of his existence. Pretty sad. Anyhow, Tokidoki is famous for its adorable and KAWAII stylistic characters such as cute animal cactus, babies, or hot Japanese girls. 

Then just last year I found a makeup brush package designed by Tokidoki while flipping through a magazine....probably and shamelessly 'Teenage'. Didn't get it till this year January for it is INCREDIBLY HARD to find and sourcing it came from my beloved J. Thank you so much!!! 

The package consists of three make up brushes with the most fantastic head ends which vary in different Tokidoki characters. I can't be stuffed to explain so just admire !!!!

Dying to use them and at the same time I would cry. What to do?!?!

£5 Per Sakura Blossom

March 11th marked the day when the world was reminded that we as humans do not call the shots on what we call planet earth. Perhaps mankind was getting too cocky and mother nature felt it was time to give us a wake up call and targeted one of the most developed countries in our world-Japan. 

Images and news of the earthquake and tsunami  has covered the papers every single day for the past week. The event shook the world and made time stop for a just a few precious minutes. It made us reflect on how small and useless we really are against our own natural planet, even with all our profound technology and developed knowledge. We can't outdo mother nature because we did not build it from our own hands nor do we have the right to try to control it. Japan's disaster is truly heart breaking and the people did not deserve it at all. When such a disaster occurs, what do we end up doing? Just watch the news? Cry? Just carry on with life? Its tough to admit how useless we really are. However, that doesn't stop us either which is something miraculous about mankind. We never give up and always push forward. Its sorta like an incurable disease. 

Gaga has put out the rubber bands which have the symbolic colours of Japan and says both in Japanese and English, 'Pray for Japan'. Lola has Sakura cupcakes whereby all funds proceed towards Japan's Red Cross. They are sold at Selfridges at 5 quid per cupcake and denote the beautiful flowers of Spring which is when Sakura flowers are in full bloom. This is the season when everyone flocks to Japan to sit under the beautiful Sakura trees whilst sipping matcha tea, admiring the beauty of life-essentially nature's natural beauty. Which is ironic to what happened. It irks our hearts to uproar about the unfairness to Japan but realistically what we really can only do is to donate resources to affected areas and solemnly pray every night for them. Then surely enough, no matter how long it takes, the country and its people will find themselves as the Land of the Rising Sun once again. 

"now-we-oh-lean"

is apparently how the brand 'Nahui Ollin' is pronounced. Opening its doors in 2003, Nahui Ollin has the cutest fashion friendly accessories. Combining retro with a little bit of vintage without sacrificing that "commerical" modern aesthetic appeal. Its line involves bags, purses, jewellry, keychains and alot more itzy bitzy stuff which you probably dont need but buy anyway. 

AJ landed home today and presented us with these little wonders. Superb memory of the shopaholic girl invoked in both K and I and we immediately knew which brand it belonged to. Nahui Ollin's products may be a little bit 'backwards' but are unique and just adds to the sparkle of one's personality. Heads up- Awesome gifts.

Yup thats right, made in MEXICOOO. Not CHINA!!!! 

Its all based on eco-friendly society stuff too so its another reason to spend some cash to save the planet.

PLUS everything is made under the fair trade and sweatshop free practices in Mexico so no worries there!

<3

Pretty Little Things

K has handy hands and out of boredom she came up with this.

 Its SO cute I'm sure it'll set off a new trend. 

A necklace laced collar with a detachable Swarvoski heart skull. Death can always sparkle and be cute too. This adorable yet intriguing accessory can be dressed up for a nice quirky (black) formal outfit if not a casual cute new twist on the French maid dresses. 

Priced at 41.00 GBP, it makes a great gift no? 

Swarvoski has many other really adorable charm pendants which aren't way out of one's budget. 

The ghost charm is just one of the many cute accessories they have- 50.00 GBP

Sparkle with Swarvoski !

Oh Fudge Can Taste Good

Thanks to a fellow classmate, [who can be labelled an extreme food lover] a discovery of new love for fudge was found. <3 

I've always hated fudge, regardless of the flavour. Just because of the extreme annoying chewing motion you have to go through in order to consume the sugary sweet. So when she opened up and offered me a fudge, I was completely sceptical till I saw her bite into it and to my amazement, it broke off SO easily. Upon seeing my reaction, she offered me once again and I shamelessly took a bite and I felt such a sensation. Soft fudge which just melted in my mouth. I had never tasted anything sweet like that before. There was a sweet but not overpowering after taste AND it didn't make me hover for water. So after class, I went over to Villandry to purchase myself a box of this new divine treat. Villandry is a French bistro, restaurant and sub food market place. Very chic and definitely the place to be to chill out with the girls over good food. I found it in a small corner with two sized boxes, one large and one small>After price comparison, the bigger box won. I couldn't wait to share the taste with the gang later on at night. It makes you SO happy. 

It is a high grade fudge which is why the quality and texture is so fine-I did not know this until a friend lectured me that day (x.x) 

The only downfall of this fudge is that it comes in two blocks and it requires you to cut it but then again, biting it off by the block is definitely the way to go too :) 

It is perfect with tea, better than pure sugar. 

Ok here's a non photoshopped version with the actual colour of the fudge :D

Beautiful isn't it? And only priced at £5.99 for a box of two large blocks. Enough calories for a MONTH. 

_________________________________________

VILLANDRY

170 Great Portland Street

W1W 5QB

Smoking Heels

Philip Treacy is the God of all hats and should never be dethroned. And I mean NEVER. It would be complete injustice. 

 His design for Valentino's spring/summer 2010 collection denotes not the typical sun loving season but instead a rebirth of something new and mysteriously cool. Made of lace, tulle and satin, he couldn't have made an even more sophisticated shoe. It eludes one to think with each step taken in them, smoke of elegance just 'smokes' out. Just imagine the hot sexy trail left from them.

They kinda make you want to smoke (o.o)..

Anyhow, they are HOT and kicks Louboutin way back stage. 

Priced at 6,226 USD, maybe we're better off dreaming instead 

Zuma

So, after months of not being able to get a reservation....I GOT IT. Yes, today was the day. I stubbornly shook off the sleepiness, got totally psyched up and within 30 mins was out the door headed towards Knightsbridge.

 Zuma is one of the top Japanese restaurants in London and in my opinion is well above the overrated Nobu at Greenpark. Haven't tried the Nobu in New York but might get a chance this Summer :D

Zuma's concept is of a modern Japanese Izakaya which basically is a traditional nightbar form of snack dining with sake. Dishes are meant to be small and just biters instead of a main course kind of dish such as a donburi/bento. Zuma has taken this traditional form of food leisure to a modern take by reinventing Japanese dishes with a contemporary twist. Such as adding fruits or changing the sauces etc. I personally prefer the traditional dishes but Zuma did not disappoint me.

It is tucked away in a sweet corner at Raphael Street, opposite a service apartment called Knightsbridge estates (I think). I just saw messy rooms when I walked past so its probably a service apartment or hotel of some type. Regardless, Zuma's exterior was something I did not expect. I went there expecting a wooden exterior with traditional decors but what was I thinking, (-_-)" it was a 'modern' Japanese place.    

This is the exterior of Zuma. Simple with a 'no fancy business shit' sort of attitude. Not so sure about the heater lamps or the random trees though. Well it speaks out 'contemporary' so that's one specification checked. If I squint, it kinda reminds me of Bottega for some reason...

Interiors was a 'simple' and 'chic' with a casual sophisticated air. The many chefs seen through the glass panels combined with the floor staff gave the illusion (or maybe it wasn't an illusion) that there was way more staff members than customers. The place did feel rather crowded and strangely enough there was no music being played in the background. The floor staff are fast and efficient, maybe because there are tons of them but they do their jobs well so I'm contented there. 

3 of us lunched today and we had an array of dishes which were small but amazingly filled our bellies amazingly well. 

Lets get started.

"Zuma Dofu" 

in the menu it stated to be 'homemade' and YES it tasted homemade. Looks firm and fresh but once in the mouth, just melts. Simply delicious. The condiments on around it were simple but perfect for a clean tasting tofu. The natto was probably homemade too because it didn't taste like it the packet or canned ones in supermarkets. It wasn't too salty either and left an after taste which made you want more. 

One of the new dishes which was hamachi (yellowtail) with clams and an orange ponzo sauce. 

Fresh and generous sashimi with a light sauce. 

Refreshing.

They could've worked on the presentation though. 

"maguro no tataki" 

seared tuna with ponzo sauce and some crunchy bits which I couldn't figure out. The combined texture worked well. 

Tuna sashimi. Tradition is always best. 

Natto maki which was definitely filled with garlic and some other condiment. 1st two bites were tasty and new but after the 3rd and last bite, they started to taste like vomit. Yes, puke. Perhaps this dish should only be a 4 piece dish. 

Hamachi with greens and I do not remember what is on top of the actual pieces haha my bad.

Pork with bonito flakes

Spicy beef yakitori sticks with peppers 

Would've been tastier if it was served piping hot. 

Roasted scallop with salmon roe. 

SO D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S

Black Cod wrapped in lotus leaf-chinese???!

Looks like honey roasted chicken yeah?

Its baby chicken. 

Roasted lobster 

Fresh and so so tasty. Definitely worth the 34.50 they charged me.

Sorbet and ice cream with caramelized sticks

Green tea and banana cake with ice cream.

Probably the only disappointing dish throughout the whole meal. There should've been more green tea cake for the banana flavour was too overpowering. The ice cream was too soft too. 

The sweet cashew nuts were a nice add texture though. 

The cream on top of the cake was too hard and had no taste. 

Sucks when a good meal is ruined by a bad dessert. 

Overall for 3 people the bill accumulated to roughly 245 quid which isn't bad for Japanese cuisine, let alone 'modern'. 

They do have a taster menu which is only 95 quid and apparently is highly rated from online reviews. Perhaps I'll opt for that for my next visit. 

Zuma is definitely worth a visit if you're on the way to checking off all the best Japanese bites in London!

___________________________________________________

5 Raphael Street

Knightsbridge

London

SW7 1DL

Chipotle Go Back To Where You Came From!

After walking for close to an hour today, my tummy settled for something I should have never gone back to. I had first tried Chipotle in New york and it is the God of all burritos. So when they opened the first Chipotle chain in London just this year January, I thought it would've been the same God. 

Then to my utter dismay, nothing was the same. Okay except the interior was pretty similar and chill lax.

Never raise your expectations to the sky dear food lovers. 

Chipotle is from the States and basically works as a fastfood healthy eating ahem carbs hub sort of thing. You can choose from either tacos, burritos or a bowl as your base and then rice goes in with meat of your choice from chicken,beef,lamb,pork before you choose from the additional array of ingredients such as vegetables, salsa sauce, creams, onions etc. Their workforce is similar to Subway which is a 'train force' whereby one person takes your order and heats up your base then passes it along to another member of staff who adds your meat and so on. Its fast, efficient and before you know it, you're at the cashier paying £6.90 for the eat-in burrito. 

Wahla! Here is the burrito..

Yup its pretty much a normal burrito. 

Thought I'll give an inside view...

It didn't come close to tasting anything like the ones in the States. It lacked flavour, intensity in the salsa sauce and the rice was way too dry. It didn't have that satisfactory feel but it did fill me up. 

Its simple and attractive since its rather new in town. However I doubt customers will be going back for seconds. 

Chipotle is Mexican but clearly should stay in the States. If you're going to franchise, do it right. 

_______________________________________________

114-116 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JR 

Through The Thoughts Of An Ordinary Girl

Last night J and I managed to get pissed together and by pissed I don't mean alcohol pissed but pure mad emotion pissed. And why? Simply because of the pure idiocy of guys. Yes, once again, the male species has managed to enrage us. 

They will never and I mean NEVER understand what a girl truly thinks on the inside while she is cleverly displaying something else on the outside. There is no 'nice' girl in this world who is just purely nice. Humans aren't made to be nice creatures, we have been made to survive. Yes we evolve and develop but essentially we still have it innate in us to survive. Hence there cannot be a nice girl or guy for that matter 24/7 round the clock 365 days of the year. This simply cannot be. Those who are like this, just have repressed negative feelings and guilt within which eventually will bite them in the butt. 

It eventually catches up with us that our guy friends notice a nice girlfriend from one of our friendship groups and obviously would want to get to know them better. Oh yeah and lets face the facts, looks do count. However guys lets just say it once again, GIRLS SHOW A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SIDE WHEN THEY ARE IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE. Girls are doomed to be bitches and we will always be bitching about one another. It is inevitable. If a guy bitches as much as a guy then chances are he is most likely homosexual or bisexual. You can bitch but then you ought to have your facts and good damn reason to be bitching behind someone's back and be ready to admit it at anytime, bottom line-dont bitch if you dont know anything or if youre just bored. 

Of course there is the thing of when you are extremely good friends or best friend with the guy(s) and they understand you completely. Or so you thought so. You can open up completely with them, be yourself, reveal all the faults and scars as well as all the laughter and good memories. Thats what best friends are there for no? Honesty is the best thing for a healthy relationship, regardless whether its friendship or a love relationship. I wasn't honest with my bestie until just a year ago when I just split everything and opened up completely and now its just been a load of my chest and I have someone to talk to about absolutely e-v-er-y-t-h-i-n-g. Best friends are there for you ALWAYS. Like REALLY ALWAYS. Its like an unspoken bond of friendship people make when they become 'best friends'. You will always get to a point of doubting them at some point in life but why would they really lie to you? Why would they make a big deal out of something if it just hurt them that much? Its their cry out for YOUR help. So f*cking help them. 

Opening up to close good girlfriends is one thing, to guys its another. Getting hurt from guys can be seen as cliche but hey IT ACTUALLY HURTS and the pain is indescribable. One of my ex boyfriends has disappointed me over and over. We are still friends and I would like to think we can still read each other easily but recently I have gotten the feeling he only talks to me when he is in need of something. Loof. Regardless, he can be a good friend but a boyfriend is another thing. He has to understand that courtship and 'love' is somewhat a game where you always put your stakes at risk with no regrets. Attraction is something you just feel when you meet someone. Some call it chemistry and yes there would be sparks felt if two people are attracted to each other. I have always been supportive of whom he has chosen to go after but Ive always doubted that hes actually gotten the point of attraction. Has he felt it yet? Has he ever? I'm not writing this to thrash him and this entry isn't completely pointless but I'm just confused as to how such an academically smart person can just not be emotionally smart. My bestie got mad last night also because of him after I went on about how I just do not understand his thinking. He has been told stories and incidents about a particular girl but he is still stuck on  the fact that she is naive. Even if you are brought up a princess, you want particular things and know how to get particular things. Either way, when you are best friends or good friends with someone regardless the bias of what they are shouting about, if they are wasting their time shouting about something and crying too then its something worth to be taken note of. When there is more than one account of a back lashing of such a person then something just can't be right no? Why don't you just stand by your friend's side just for once. Yes, its good and 'right' to be rational or devil's advocate but not everyone wants to hear it all the time and ironically enough rationally never always works out. If a girl is two faced then how can rationally judge her inner self? 

Is it because she is hot and thats why she is 'fine' or 'cleared' for a friend test? We are all shallow but when it comes to reading your good friend's friends, look HARDER. Girls and I guess boys for that matter are never just a plain face during a first encounter. Competition is always among girls because this is provoked by jealously but if friends are good friends, you would always be happy for your friend who has achieved something they deserve. You may feel abit jealous at the beginning but at the end of the day you truly feel happy for them. If at the end of the day you still feel extremely jealous then perhaps consideration of the friendship should be looked upon because you DO have a problem with that person.  

We all make mistakes. True that. However, we make mistakes in order to develop and LEARN from them. Repeating the same mistakes and experiencing regrets over and over just means you're doing something wrong and dude you gotta reflect on that. When I got dumped, yeah the world felt like it was falling apart and stuff but for some reason I still felt the need to just remain friends with him. Why? Perhaps because I felt at the time that the friendship was just not worth losing because of the bad relationship. Few years down the line and I watch or more like hear from afar about the stories of his romances. He still sounds as confused as ever. Playing girls is a big NO no. Hes managed to hurt another girl and is on the way to hurt just one more. Last night, for some reason, the extreme pain which I experienced those few years ago came back and UGH it was not pleasant and I would hate for it to happen to another girl. Its inevitable because it will but I hope he bucks up soon and just lets whatever comes to him to actually just come to him. I sincerely hope he gets better at reading people because it'll save him alot of trouble in the long run. Then again, perhaps a guy is forever doomed to never be able to attain the attribute of reading girls. Thats what makes it a love game I guess. 

However in terms of friendship, never be narrow minded and whether your bestie tells you, be open to all the possibilities and look at it from both a guy's and girl's point of view. Try and understand because we always try to figure out whats going on in your head too. 

oh yeah P.S.

THERE IS NO GIRL IN THIS WORLD WHO IS COMPLETELY NICE  

so look deeper. 

What is so bad about admitting to our faults and innate desires? Striving to be the nicest person is the path to becoming inhuman. I'm not spouting crap. Be true to yourself and people will love you for who you truly are. Plus, its easier being just yourself isn't it?

Take this clown for example...her reputation in HS was a 'nice' person.

She can be a complete klutz and goof who fluctuates between being responsible and irresponsible from day to day. She loves parties and dressed up events but at the same time sweat shop wear while pigging out at home. She admits sex is necessary and enjoys it but still has her expectations and limitations. AKA shes shallow. She's materialistic and has a shopaholic problem but still has it in her head that she wants to make a huge butt fortune before marriage. Shes sceptical of everything in life but still is a dreamer. Ya she has dreams. She lies like everyone else but owns up to all of them and says what she truly thinks. She 's extremely sensitive so she ends up crying alot. Of course shes bitched but she'd own up to it too. She has smoked, does that automatically give her a designated label? She has been hurt over and over many times and never searched for help until recently. She doesn't confine to all the rules in life or morals for that matter but still respects her Azn heritage. She is most afraid of abandonment and failure. She wants to live up to be the seductive and manipulative snake she ought to be.

She isn't afraid to show what she truly is and has a tendency to make a big deal out of everything. Does not trust guys so she will never betray her true friends and will always be by their side when they need her the most. She can get very cocky but kicks her own ass down to reality as well as other people's when she can't stand their self pity anymore. She can be extremely loud and 75% of the time has a messed up room. BUT loves cleaning too. Everything about her is ironic.  

and obviously she can act to be a princess too. Or 'desire' to be one. She just wants to live her life the way she feels the happiest with her loved ones, friends and family with no regrets. You can't tell all that by just looking at her no?

___________________________________________________________

I feel like I have lost my thoughts from this post. 

I need to go to a temple to pray mann. See this is how badly guys can mess girls up.
fml.
No, I love my life.