"MAKE YOUR BEDROOM A LOVER'S PARADISE.  Turn your ordinary bedroom into any lover's dream without a lot of expense. Remove clutter and anything that doesn't belong, and replace it with scented candles and fresh flowers. Hang pretty curtains and find some comfy bedding. Place mirrors to reflect candlelight, and misting fountains for a romantic effect."

GET THE LOOK

1. Silver Large Tea light candle holder  by Rocha.John Rocha @ Debenhams

2. Dark grey slim photo frame Betty Jackson Black @ Debenhams

3. Wooden Sticks Decorative Diffuser Set by Fruits & Passion

What are your plans this weekend?

Have a great one!

XOXO,

Arni

How's your weekend going?  My week was an emotional roller coaster. I've been mostly on my own recently.  The hubby had been on constant trips overseas.  Today, I picked him up at the airport.  I wanted to treat him to a dish he mentioned craving for during one of our online chats while he was away.  For the past few years, he was always saying, "Why don't you try to make nasi goreng?"  I promised him I will, but never gotten around to do it.  So here it is.  Unfortunately and fortunately, there are no ready made base gede or special Balinese spice paste that comes in a jar.  I literally had to purchase a marble mortar & pestle to mix in by pounding the ingredients.

Nasi Goreng means fried rice. It is considered the national dish of Indonesia. A popular favorite in Malaysia as well. Nasi Goreng is available in various recipes It's basically stir fried.  The main ingredients are: rice, shallots, garlic, sweet soy sauce or kecap manis, red chillis, bird chillis, black pepper, fish sauce and the base gede/spice paste.  There are different variations from veggies, seafood to chicken or turkey. Or you can mix them altogether.I like  the taste of carrots and green beans with the peanut texture.

For the recipe and how to prepare this tasty dish, check out this video from CookingHalal:

Verdict:  I enjoyed it very much.  The husband liked it but being an unlikely fan of ginger requested that I skip the ginger altogether next time.

How's the first day of the work week going?   Yesterday, I had a hard time continuing the big painting. I ended up working on another unfinished piece instead.  By 3PM, I felt like doing something else so I thought, "Why don't I bake?"   I have never baked my entire life.  However, I have given myself a challenge to be able to master carrot cake so that I could make one for my Mother- in-law's birthday this summer.  So here it is.  My version  is pretty rough and it's great that it's moist but a bit rich.  I love the way the carrot and walnuts blended together with cream cheese icing.

It was exciting to do.  I just followed  Joy of Baking Recipe.  Do give it a try and it'll take your mind off whatever it is you feel like you're stuck in.  It made me feel better despite all the mess I've done in the kitchen. :)

XOXO,

Arni

via Cutesy Food

How was your week going?  I've been preoccupied with the hubby lately,  now that he has returned home from his expedition.  I have decided to treat him  to a popular French Brittany specialty after getting the ingredients at the supermarket.

I was fortunate to have tried the original Galette Complete during a visit in Bretagne/ French Brittany.  This is wonderful with Cider.   I was in a hurry so I purchased a ready-made Galette.  However, you can also make some from scratch.  Unlike crepe, the galette mixture uses buckwheat flour and should not be sweet. Galette complète  is also known as Crêpe jambon-œuf-fromage.

Galette Ingredients:

Filling for each galette

• 1 Egg
• 1 Turkey Ham
• A handful from 1 pack of grated Emmental Cheese 

Bon Appetit!

XOXO,

Arni

What to do on a Saturday?  For those living in the gulf with no work today and wouldn't like to spend money except for gas, try this: 

At 6:00 AM, drive to Jumeirah Beach Road turning right (Abu Dhabi Bound) at the intersection before Jumeirah Beach Hotel towards the open beach.   There you'll have this magnificent view of Burj Al Arab.  

I was alone.  The weather is refreshingly cool. Take a thermos of hot coffee with you, a shawl and you're good to go.  If you'd like to linger further, grab a mat with you and a good read.  It is relaxing because there are lots of parking space available  and you don't even have to pay for a parking ticket yet this early in the morning. 

I unwillingly tried it recently and loved it.  The above photo however was taken around 9AM.   The waves at six are huge and there are a lot of graceful surfers on the water and joggers on the shore.  There are occasional tourists along the pavement snapping away.  The salty breeze and sound of the waves will definitely resonate throughout your day.

XOXO,

Arni

XOXO,

Arni

Ingredients: Serves 2

3 plump big red tomatoes, seeded and diced

2 cloves of minced garlic 

2 cans 185g of light meat tuna in brine, drained.

1/2 tsp salt

Ground black pepper

Optional:  Chili flakes

Spray vegetable oil on a medium sized pan.  Saute the minced garlic until golden brown. Add in the tuna flakes with a fork.  Stir allowing the tuna to absorb the garlic flavor in medium high heat.  After 30 seconds, mix the tomatoes and slightly stir.  Simmer.  Once the tomatoes are soft, lower the heat to medium.  Stir once in a while. Add in chili flakes (optional) and a dash of salt and pepper for more taste. Leave it on low heat until the tuna dries up. Wait till it gets crunchy and slightly crispy.  Serve hot.

You can have it with plain rice. You can also add sweet corn bits or chopped green beans.  
Personally, I like having it plain with cornichons on the side.  

Bon Appetit!

XOXO,

Arni

How's your Sunday unfolding?  For those in the gulf, how did your weekend go?  Mine was a lazy and quiet weekend. Lots of introspection and self pampering of sorts. 

Each of us has our own definition of happiness.   Some are looking for them outwards, but the best ones are usually found within.  Not in the collection of things, but in the delightful celebration of each moment, and in the subtle yet persistent search to feel whole by finding our passion and our purpose.

I usually experience it whenever I'm holding a paintbrush as I breathe linseed oil and turpentine. A connection to God instantly takes place.  As though I was born to do exactly this.   I braved the outdoors a few times as well as the silent peeks from passersby.  I usually seek a quiet spot,  with my mp3 player  continuously giving tribute to Mozart, Vivaldi and Bach.  Everything feels right and I am tearfully ecstatic despite the fly circling around me and my utter disbelief once to see a passing boat-full of  french visitors and tourists on the water in front of my easel. To my surprise, they started taking pictures of me as the tour guide announces at the boat speaker, ''Regarde, il y a une artiste!''

To those of you who found joy in  what you're doing and to the rest of you who are seeking  a better place of wholeness and fulfillment.  When in doubt, I dare say, "Why not?"

XOXO,

Arni