Where we used to live

and where I left my heart




Images taken from Oh hello friend, whose author found them on Etsy's Urban Pink Photography and RoadsidePhotographs.

Oh how I miss...

A restructuring is in order

While on the train today, I caught a whiff of my mom's old perfume, Lancôme Trésor. At that moment, standing beside sweaty white collar workers and stroller pushing aunties, I was reminded of much younger days when I would tug at the helm of my mother's skirt for attention. When my face was devoid of lines and everything felt better with a mere present of stickers or ice cream.

How human is it to experience such flashbacks through a simple occurrence? I can't wait to go home this weekend for our early Mother's Day celebration. Lately it seems like there's so much to be happy for, but with all my time spent working, it's just so hard to do so.

*Heart beating*

I just loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove this... Is there another word that could beat "love" with a gazillion Os? I think not.

Tulip print dress by Thread Social

But it's so ridiculously expensive at US$588, I'd rather spend the money on a vacation flight :( *Sob

Good things

I'm pulling a Martha and listing the things I like this month :)

• David Koh of The Importance of Salt did an awesome writeup on Macarune recently. I really enjoy following his blog because he has a way with writing about food that makes it so engaging. This time round, I especially like how he picked up on Macarune macarons never tasting artificial. And because I pride myself in picking the freshest (and bestest!) ingredients for the stuff I bake, it's really nice to have someone tell the difference. Thanks David for the super article!

Image taken from The Importance of Salt

• Yixiao of Some Like it Haute did a feature on Macarune too! Thanks Yixiao for your relentless support! Yixiao's a food blogger as well; always bubbly and sweet :) I recommend checking out her blog for places to go, pretty pictures and weekend highlights. Can't wait for our next date night together girl!
• On a less exciting note, but exciting for dorks like me nevertheless, I passed the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) test yesterday! Yours truly is officially GA certified. Woohoo!
• And finally, I'm whipping up a small Macarune surprise this month, so stay tuned...

Spoiled silly

...then tortured silly by the Google Analytics IQ Test I had to take for work.

Having enjoyed a lovely weekend with the family, I was going to start this post with a sunnier disposition. Though after reviewing Conversion University's video-after-video and spending much time deliberating over questions (70 to be exact - eep!), I can only be described by 2 words: utterly exhausted. Thank God I passed! Did I tell you I wasn't the technical sort?

Sporadically captioned photos from our time at home because I need to hit the sack for an early AM meeting:

Here's our lovely Lola who wakes everyone with her playful licks. She's so fluffy - I miss her!


I'm bored. Should I wake him?


...ah heck. Why not?


The bf: Yaaargh! Slobber!!!
Lola dear: Smoooochies#!!


In addition to Lola's licks, we also woke up to freshly squeezed OJ thanks to mommy dearest.

Even better, that morning the bf and I woke up to a bonus: Dad's abalone wanton noodle breakfast. Super yum! Viv coined the term yau chin lo wan tan mee for this, having tried the Rich Man's Fried Rice at Gu Yue Tien

Here's food photography at its best. Credits to the bf and dad for staging the scene. No one brings food alive like you guys do! Check out those dragon abalone eyes!


After breakfast, the boys played pool...


...while the girls sang karaoke


We received some exciting news at home. Littlest sis is a probationary prefect just as I was! How cool is that? Keep it up kiddo!


Dim sum at Gu Yue Tien where we started off with choi sam juice and a dash of lemon juice. Refreshing, though I don't quite know how to say choi sam in English, and therefore can't recreate this myself :(


Something super light followed by soft boiled egg with foie gras. The Chinese is all about balance right?


This one's for you Sandhya!


The 4 sisters. I was actually on the phone with Freda :P


Little sis with her new IC! Berlin shades


Shy littlest sis with dear yee ma


Do we look alike?


Bunny in a bow


♥ The Chong family portrait ♥


Mini reunion with the high school friends. That's me petting Amar on the head - kinda like in a petting zoo. Just kidding Amar!


Catching up with Freda's always good fun. The last time we met was in Shanghai


Group shot that ended the night

More photos later. Gotta catch my Zzzs before I catch the bf's flu...

Macarune's recent event

...was SUPER fun!




I just loooooved baking batches of classic macarons (pistachio rose anyone?) and experimenting with new flavors. This time around, the latter include:

1. Hazelnut brown butter: toasty hazelnut macarons with browned butter buttercream and a sprinkling of hazelnut pralines. Decorated with feuilletine
   
2. Fruity tea: tea infused macarons with dried raspberry topping
   
3. & a surprise flavor: vanilla bean macarons with citrus buttercream and "surprise" fruit gelée center. Decorated with a dash of sprinkles

There was just enough time left to whip up some mini cupcakes for guests

Thanks to all the Macarune fans who made it! And for the bf for helping out with the baking :)

More photos on FB>

Macarons in the making

Baking is hard labor. Baking macarons can be a workout. Don't let anyone lead you into believing otherwise.

I'm soooo ready for a break. Movie night anyone?

Spring's here

These dreamy shots from Anthro's March catalog make me feel like a walk in the botanical gardens...