I can't help posting this elegantly charming ensemble from Valentino's Spring 2012 Collection. I found this on Illustrado Magazine
This top was clearly inspired from my native country, Philippine's - National Clothing for Men- The Barong. The same one that my husband wore to our wedding. :)
I found it stylish and creative. I've always loved the Barong. Never thought we, women could wear it too. :)
Happy Tuesday!
XOXO,
Arni
A summer DIY project seems like an attractive idea. Here are some simple ways to create a zest of interest in a living space.
1. Install a Striped Wallpaper.
2. Old Louvers or great accent finds create a quirky statement.
3. Re-paint existing monochromatic furniture in various tones.
4. Introduce new colors to your existing color scheme.
5. Be as bold and colorful as you can. The whole spectrum is all yours.
Thursday in the gulf is synonymous to the much anticipated 'Friday' in the rest of the world. Thank God it's Thursday. I love the light and sunny mood on Thursdays. Office folks are usually in casuals with a big smile on their faces looking forward to five pm.
I can't help feeling grateful for the wonderful things I love this week. I've decided to decorate the bedroom and convert it to a love nest.
"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."
I was inspired to spice up the love nest by organizing the side tables with aromatic vanilla candles and scented oil in a white decorative diffuser.
The above images of cactii were my personal shots of cactus we found on Isla del Pescado in the largest salt desert,Salar del Uyuni in Bolivia. I used IKEA frames and had the images printed at Portfolio Printers.
Lastly, I can't help sharing this beautiful bouquet of flowers that my husband surprised me with last night. There wasn't any occasion. He came home from work with this. I was incredibly thankful and happy.
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.
Bon Appetit!
XOXO,
Arni
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
I can't help sharing this really cute and refreshing snack to cool down after braving the oven-like temperature outside. Now I'm wondering how this can be done?
Cut the orange in half. Remove the pulp and juice with a juicer. Use the halved orange as a cup for your jello. Leave in the fridge for 24 hours. Cut into wedges before serving. Great for parties this summer!
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:
5 cups of buckwheat flour
4 cups of water
A pinch of salt
1 egg
Butter
Filling for each galette
1 Egg
1 Turkey Ham
A handful from 1 pack of grated Emmental Cheese
Utensils
Bowl for crepe/ galette batter mixing
Crepe/ Galette spatula
Crepe pan or a Large frying pan
Crepe spreader stick (wooden)
Instructions:
1. Blend flour, egg, salt. Add water gradually, stir and whisk quickly until smooth. Allow to cool in the fridge for 2 hours.
2. Heat a large frying pan. Should you have a crepe pan, that would be ideal over medium high heat. Melt a small amount of butter, just enough for the galette not to stick to the pan.
3. Pour a laddle full of mixture into the pan and flatten it with a crepe spreader in a circle. Make sure it's thin. Allow it to cook until it gets slightly brown. Use the crepe / galette spatula to flip it over nicely.
4. Prepare all the galettes.
5. In a separate pan, fry some eggs, sunny side up.
6. Once all the eggs and galettes are cooked. Start preparing galette garniture by melting butter in a pan. Carefully place the galette on the pan and immediately sprinkle a handful or more grated Emmental cheese on top and place the Turkey ham over it.
7. When the cheese starts to melt under the Turkey ham, Add the egg on top and wrap it up by folding the sides leaving the egg visible at the center.
8. Serve hot.
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
This is truly a work of art. Fukoku Tower designed by Dominique Perrault Architecture located in Osaka, Japan. If I could see this for real, I'll be standing outside watching the sun reflecting back and light constantly shifting throughout the day.