Americans Are Unique

Ordered a Webb Salad in New York Manhatten and this is what came. Its pretty awesome. 

Not to mention opened 24/7 too. 

All hail !

____________________________________________________

119 7th Avenue New York, NY 10010

Watermelon Soju

Holding alcohol has never really been a forte of mine let alone a passion or favourite pass time. It just appears to be the substance which allows people to be more open towards one another as well as allowing them to be more honest with themselves (apart from the crazy actions). However, it doesn't always have to be the hardcore drinking session of straight liquor! What about the people who have a sweet tooth and detest the burning sensation from spirits?! *cringe* 

Yeah there is Baileys, Kahlua and the plain vodka soda mixtures but there is one which beats all for all those sweet alcoholics out there> Watermelon Soju !!! 

Served in half a watermelon and when mixed with the right consistency of soju, its just the perfect treat which satisfies the taste buds as well as the soul. 

And its served in metal cups!!! Its so homey I LOVE IT. 

Oh and if you love this then go ahead and order Yoghurt Soju straight away

<3

Paris Baguette in NYC

Every city needs a die hard bakery and the sad thing is that not every city has one let alone a few. Okay I take that back, every city probably has a remarkable bakery, they are just mad hard to find. And once found, you've got another gem to add to your pouch of treats. 

2 weeks of Summer was spent in the bustling city of New York City and a bakery which definitely cannot be left unmentioned is 'Paris Baguette'. 

Their peach ice tea above displays their logo and slogan which I won't repeat because its the type of how would you put it....abnormally acute English would be found on Japanese stationary products and it'll just spoil the magical moments of this treasure cove. 

Paris Baguette is a small yet fashionable Korean bakery located in K-Town in Manhatten NY. Ever watched Coffee Prince? Well, its got that kind of feel; dreamy white lighting, cute French inspired uniforms, simple and chic interior and ADORABLE cakes and many more treats such as Ice shaved products. The place is simply haven, you walk through the glass doors while peering at what customers are already munching at, you arrive at the wide variety of gleaming bread on either side of you, if you are strong enough to get past this section, you'll be rewarded (or punished) with two cake shelves which just make your heart halt. Before you faint, you reach the counter where you are faced with an extended menu of desserts and drinks which help you calm down before looking back to make the hardest decision of the moment. 

Its literally one of those moments when you just want EVERYTHING and you know you simply can't. Sigh, shopping is exactly the same, except there is an obvious limit with the money. 

Anyhow, so here are the cake shelves:

The photos don't do them justice but they are breath taking in person!!! 

Hard to see but the top right hand cake is a Cappuccino cake in the form of a cup and the form and cocoa power etc, ITS SO CUTE. The matcha cake just makes me wept too.  

The shelf of single slices. So pretty, so precise, so precious!!!

So after much debate, here is what we settled for...I do not recall all the names but there is a variety of pumpkin bread, curry croquette, chocolate bread (SO amazing), custard pan, walnut bread...and theres the one slice of Matcha cake ! If rationing ever came back, matcha powder would be something I'd save and trade for. 

We were hoping to try the matcha ice shave dessert but they claimed to be out of matcha powder which is 

(-_-)"

no one ever runs out of matcha powder. So this was the mixed fruit shaved ice which was SO GOOD anyway so they were forgiven. The syrup they pour over the shaved ice and fruits is probably home made because it does not taste anything commercial or familiar, very light and refreshing. 

The matcha cake slice with fresh and HUGE strawberries was heavenly. Its beautiful to look at and a touching moment to bite away at. I may sound like I'm exaggerating but its THAT good. Matcha desserts are so hard to make and get right because the powder is so temperamental to heat but they got it spot on and if I lived in New York, I would literally be at Paris Baguette everyday. Not to mention, there are alot of good looking people there. XD

<3

Home DIY Fondant Icing

Fondant icing is what those decorative icing pieces are on those fancy cakes everyone stares at in awe and since its K's 21st tomorrow I had a bright idea. Well the whole thing worked out perfectly in my head and obviously reality is so different. 

I wanted to make a 3D pug since K is obsessed with them even though I have no idea why, their faces are...I won't start. So I researched on how to make the modelling icing which I found out was called fondant icing. The recipe online was basically this : 

300 icing sugar

1 teaspoon Copha

1 teaspoon gelatine

1 1/2 tablespoons water

After mixing everything together apparently the result would be an icing ball. 

I never got to experience this for the laziness in me got tempted by the ready sold fondant icing mixture at Waitrose and all that needed to be added was 4-6 tablespoons of water. 

Simple and easy for a quickie. 

So I went about doing so at home when K was out on a photoshoot job and the photo above is what I ended up with.

Major SIGH. 

 I probably had mixed in too much water and the icing 'dough' was too soft and kept 'sinking' as the layers went on. Eventually I gave up trying to mould and build up a 3D structure so what started out to be a cute and adorable pug turned out to be a flatten 2D comical one. To make up for my shame, I managed to build up a few coloured presents which I just brushed on a few colourings. Hopefully they will be transferred to the cake with no problems tomorrow.

However this mini home do experience is pretty fun when you have time. Great activity for groups and the icing is so so tasty.

P.O.C. ¬ Project Ocean Cupcakes

It does not come as a surprise to us that our dear Gaia is slowly meeting its doom let alone the rapture business where nothing interesting really happened at work except when a client came in broadcasting Alison Jackson's photobook of Kate & William's wedding. One word, okay two-extremely DARING. Poor Kate. 

Anyhow, Lola is probably aiming to be the holy cupcake chain of charities for she has done it again and brought out mini cupcakes for 'Project Ocean'. What is this you may ask, well Selfridges has had a whole set of aquatic themed window display for the past 2 weeks now, all basically shouting out, SAVE OUR FISHES. Apparently, its a 'retail activism' campaign joint with the Zoological Society of London, NGOs and artists to actively raise awareness to the public (obviously mainly shoppers ahem housewives) that the stock of fishes in the ocean is rapidly declining and if we keep it up, the legendary fish and chips will be left as a legend. How sad is that :( 

Weirdly enough, things only seem to get through to people via food and it oddly works so fair enough, Lola cupcakes has done it again. Well done. Heres what they look like:

The amount of glitter they put on their cupcakes really scares me but the icing tastes OH-SO GOOD that you really don't care how much artificial crap they spray the nimbles with. 

   

Love With A Small L

Why is it when you when to find love, its nowhere to be found.

 Or when you're in love, it simply slips away. 

Isn't it peculiar that every year there is a period of time when all couples find themselves breaking up or at least moving in that direction. Call me cynical but this relationship pattern appears rather solid and so so real. 

When a mother says, "I don't get it, why is there not a long line of suitors for you guys (K's mum was referring to both K and I) here? You guys are so nice and wonderful so why?" 

You start to think, for this day and age, have guys changed since our parent's generation? Or simply, is it just me? No one likes to think of themselves in a bad light but maybe sometimes we got to face up to the facts that we got to change something or ahem maybe stop being so picky. However, back to the guys changing in our day and age..what about this; is it just me or have guys just not interested in the whole 'wooing' concept anymore. Or were they ever? Obviously it benefits us girls for not only do we find it fun but when the initiative is taken from the guy's side, it just feels better does it not? Its not uncommon to find girls chasing guys nowadays and I'm sure there are still traditional guys out there but the issue arises when both parties don't take action and I'm telling you, its going to get to that point. And they are going to question themselves why they did not make a move with that gal/guy earlier on. Pride? Or do they believe in destiny? Why is a girl-boy relationship so damn hard?! Everyone just wants to find their fated other half and obviously they are not going to fall down from the sky (even though some do-lucky bums) but how many guys do we have to go through before we find 'the one'? Also, whats up with the new accepted concept of loving more than one person? WAHHHHHHWOOOOSH. We want a relationship yet we can't be arsed to put effort into finding one and usually when we want to 'find' one, the desperation label just flips out in neon lights. When they say, something only comes when you least expect it, its T-R-U-E. 

However that shouldn't stop us from going to Paris¬the city of poetic love and open affairs-for FOOD. 

Macaroons will pop into the cracks of the heart with the utmost satisfaction and surprisingly long lasting too. 

Eat Pray Love is the way to go but once we find Love, how long will it be till we go back to find that key to unlock the lock before thrusting it out forever? Then its silly because sooner or later we'll find ourselves back at the same bridge locking up again. 

Wake Up Early For The Breakfast Club

The Royal Wedding on Friday was a world spectacle with all us ladies just wanting to see what Kate Middleton's wedding would be. Personally it was rather plain but yet I'll give it the thumbs up. Reminded me of Sound of Music's wedding dress scene which was weird and random at the same time. 

Friday was the day I woke up unwillingly at 8am and not to catch the Royal Wedding on the telly. A good friend of mine was in the country and we had arranged a morning catch up session. I was thinking where in the world would be open on the Royal Wedding day at 9am in the morning. Remember this is England, nothing here opens early and nothing here closes late. 

A little birdie thought came back to me and whispered, 'what about the breakfast club at soho?' 

So I arrived at the Breakfast Club at Soho at 8.45am with 15 minutes to spare and of course my good friend, 'P' did not arrive until 9.30am. The fact that he was a foreigner in this country was the only reason why I forgave him. Waiting for him wasn't so bad actually because I found The Breakfast Club rather homey and relaxing. Customers would come in and not hang around too long, perhaps because they were off to catch a snip at the Wedding. While waiting for P, a group of 5 men sat on the table next to me and had the most adorable conversation ever about going to Thorpe Park instead of staying in central with all the Royal commotion. I took it that they were all gay since they all seemed to have that kind of 'air' and ever so sweet gestures. One of them had an awesome stained out union jack blazer which I will put on my must buy list. The group of them just seemed to blend so well into the place which crazily just put on a smile on my face while I sipped my morning smoothie. 

The Breakfast Club is situated in a quiet street of Soho and is very very small. They have roughly 10 small tables including the 2 outside ones. Decor has been themed with 'we're going to be retro, hippies, whatever we want so eat up your f**cking breakfast'. The crew they have reflects that theme literally which is pretty cool. The menu is not extensive overall but for a breakfast menu, its pretty darn good. You have  a long selection of how you might want your eggs done, the normal big chunky breakfast plates, healthy crap like muesli and porridge and even a variation of pancakes. EVERYTHING that came out or came up from the kitchen looked freaking delicious. Once P finally arrived, we immediately ordered and of course I was a pig and ordered the Big Breakfast which I did not end up finishing. Greedy me. Guilt ridden. 

Appears pretty run down but once you sit down, strangely some sort of nostalgic feeling begins to overwhelm you. Maybe its the moose.  

Little tidbits of decor with a 80s feel. The flags for the Royal Wedding day of course. 

Forgot to take a photo of it but the last little sign towards the back of the room before the fire exit door says 'Theres no exit, we're hippes!' 

Its yellow mellow cute 

Thought this was sweet 

Loved this part, its an art installation in itself. 

My smoothie and green tea. No complaints about either. Maybe the pricing of the green tea. Come on its just water and a tea bag. 

P ordered the salmon egg benedict which was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s 

My greedy self munching down the Traditional big breakfast. I finally realized why its been called BIG breakfast now. If you're up for a challenge in the morning then this is definitely for you. 

Overall the experience was pleasant, making plans with K about going back next week already. It fills up quick so get there early and apparently as the day progresses their menu changes to hot meals and by the end of the day you'll finally get to order beer. Its basically a place to spend an entire day. DANGEROUS!

Harrods Shouts Out Wedding With Their Window Displays

If there was an official top of the charts list for window displays in the world, Harrods would definitely be ranked high among the top 5. Harrods has always awed not only tourists but also the locals with its array of window displays, each time magnificently fulfilling different themes. 

To commemorate the celebration of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on the 29th of this month, Harrods has on a complete suite of windows dedicated to their special occasion. Each and every window has been decorated differently, ranging from past royal wedding memoirs to fashion wedding gowns. The special sprinkle of this limited window display is that Harrods has specially invited some of the top designers ranging from the fashion world, culinary world, fine jewellery and interiors world to produce a wedding cake based on their brand just for this royal event. 

The windows caught me from afar on the bus on the way to the Victoria & Albert Museum which goes to show that they really are something and totally worth hopping off the bus to go marvel at. 

They seem to have not only have caught my eyes but every single person who walks pass the glamorous building. The display is on until the 30th of April so why not go down and feast your eyes on the one-off creativity and then of course sit down for a macaroon or tea at Laduree. 

The plan is flawless. Just try not to get pick-pocketed.

Matthew Williamson

Paul Smith

Clive Christian

Ladro

Ormonde Jayne

Montblanc

Theo Fenwell

Estee Lauder 

Jo Malone

Wedgewood

Temperley

Escada

Missoni Home

Lalique

Richard James

Van Cleef & Arpels

'To Commemorate the marriage of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton, 29th April 2011' -note the 'MISS', ahem the debate about her being middle class seems to be rather iffy. 

Blessings to the happy couple. Its a fairytale dream come true!

   

Jamie's Italian- A Hidden Trove Behind Westfield

Jamie Oliver is one of the Gods of the kitchen and that is no understatement. He may not be as fancy dancy as Gordon Ramsey or Heston Blumenthal but has been spot lighted as the natural chef. Even though he never seems to wash his hands, his cooking is oh so heavenly delicious and not to mention healthy. 

Out of his 3 restaurants in London, I have only tried two. Those being Fifteen at Old Street and Jamie's Italian at London's "mega store" Westfield. After visiting Barbecoa, 3/3 will be completed but Barbecoa will just have to wait. 

Jamie's Italian at Westfield is sort of hidden all the way at the back of the mall. You would think no one would bother going all the way there but haha nooo, the place is always packed and thats probably only because the place is under the name of Sir Jamie Oliver. Amazing how much a famous name will do to a place huh. Guess thats what branding does. 

Anyhow, Jamie's Italian definitely lives up to its reputation in regard to the standard of food for even though the menu is limited, each and every dish is worth every penny. However, having been there for lunch and dinner on different occasions, I would have to say that the dinner service is much better than the lunch. Simply because during lunchtime, they seem to be rushing everything from throwing out the dishes and swiping pass the tables with waiters butts. Dinnertime has a much calmer ambience hence the food follows suit resulting in a felt 'perfecto' meal. 

Acclaimed to be the 'best' chilled olives with homemade sauce and homemade crackers. I refuse to eat olives so no comment on the olives but everyone at the table said that they were of good quality however as everyone does, the seeds never won favour. Poor seeds.

Baked mushroom with herbs. Extremely light appetizer with organic mushrooms. Favourite part was the crunchy pastry which is delightful when you pick it off from the side of the bowl. 

Platter of different ham, olives, cheese and seasoned carrots. Fave was the sweet cheese with sweet chili marmalade on crackers, sounds weird but oh so tasty! 

Close up :D

Main of lamb with mash potato. Very tender and juicy, dripped sauce complimented the meat well. 

'Posh' chips for they have been oven baked with truffle oil and parma cheese. OOh so rich yet amazingly enough they tasted OHHH so healthy. 

Honestly, I do not recall what this was but I have a feeling my mum ordered it for they look like healthy vegetables. 

Carbonara was of traditional recipe where the yolk of eggs are only used instead of adding cream sauce. Personal preference would be that they use a different type of pasta because I hate udon noodles. 

Truffle pasta-simply BRILLIANT. It looks so light but it taste is so satisfying, it kind of confuses you. Don't worry, its a good thing. 

Tomato baked scallops. The french don't do it well but here at Jamie's they do. Scallops are juicy, the seasoning comes through perfectly and after 4 scallops, you will be screaming for more. 

I'm surprising myself but I can't seem to find my dessert photos at all but once again, their dessert menu is limited to a few cakes and ice cream flavours. The tiramisu is highly recommended for that I can gob down anyday at anytime. The honeycomb ice cream is pretty good for home made ice cream too however the sweet chili chocolate flavour is just weird. But then again, people here in London like weird stuff so hey, why not. 

Jamie's Italian is the place for a light lunch/dinner with the usual groupie of friends just because it has a weird relaxed atmosphere where you would just want to sit there for ages and ages-provided that the sun is out of course.