Hello everyone! Happy Holidays!
Sorry I haven't updated the blog for so long. I've been busy with life and work and managed to travel a bit. Here's a snippet of my favorite coffee shop in Hong Kong- the Charlie Brown Cafe!
서울시
Bright autumn leaves transforming into deep, dark shades of gold. This is autumn/winter cusp in Seoul. A beautiful season to enjoy and savor.
Forest bathing in Nami Island. Leaves from the metasequoia trees have fallen blanketing the ground in a soft color of cocoa.
Goodbye autumn, hello winter. Christmas is just around the corner.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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I finally found the best online collage, poster and photo card application on the web! FotoJet is so fun and easy to use and you will enjoy making your own unique collages that are just perfect for blog posts, Facebook posts and timeline covers. Did I also mention that it also has the best and trendiest lay-outs and templates for photo cards and posters? I think need to take more photos so I can use them on FotoJet. I just love all the creative possibilities that this wonderful application offers. Give it a go, will you?
Here are just some of the templates that I tried:
Here are just some of the templates that I tried:
Saturday, August 15, 2015
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I can't tell you enough how much I love these homemade raised doughnuts! I made them one sunny Saturday afternoon where perfect weather conditions made the yeasted dough rise beautifully. I also had fun experimenting with various glaze flavors such as matcha green tea, chocolate and sprinkles, pumpkin spice cinnamon sugar, chocolate almond and chocolate caramel. Best of all, I sort of got over my fear of working with active dry yeast. I used to mass murder yeast by getting the water too cool or too hot. To solve the problem, I got myself a candy/meat thermometer as I have observed that yeast will only work its magic when barometric conditions are right.
I have also tried various doughnut recipes in the past such as mini bundt pan cake donuts, homemade donut balls and baked vanilla lemon sour cream donuts but I consider raised yeast doughnuts the best. All that rising action makes for fluffy, airy, munchy result.
I got the recipe from here. Check it out as it is super awesome. Happy doughnut making!
RAISED DOUGHNUT RECIPE
Ingredients:
Glaze:
1 tbsp warm water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup confectioner's sugar (sifted)
Directions:
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes
I have also tried various doughnut recipes in the past such as mini bundt pan cake donuts, homemade donut balls and baked vanilla lemon sour cream donuts but I consider raised yeast doughnuts the best. All that rising action makes for fluffy, airy, munchy result.
I got the recipe from here. Check it out as it is super awesome. Happy doughnut making!
RAISED DOUGHNUT RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup warm water (100-110 F)
- 2 packages active dry yeast (4 and 1/2 tsp)
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 3/4 cup milk, lukewarm
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups sifted all purpose flour
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying
Glaze:
1 tbsp warm water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup confectioner's sugar (sifted)
Directions:
- Pour 1/2 cup of warm water into a small bowl, and stir in the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Allow the yeast mixture to stand until it forms a creamy foam layer on top, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Place milk and vegetable shortening into a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until the shortening has melted and the milk has tiny bubbles around the edge. Remove from heat.
- Place 1/4 cup of sugar and the salt into the work bowl of a large stand mixer and pour the milk and shortening into the bowl. Mix on low speed just to dissolve sugar; and allow mixture to stand until warm.
- Beat in the yeast mixture, eggs, and 1 cup of flour on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining flour to make a soft dough.
- Continue beating the dough on low speed until dough leaves the sides of the bowl, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 2 or 3 more minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball and place into a large greased bowl. Grease the top of the dough, and cover the bowl with waxed paper. Set the bowl into a warm place; let the dough rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Punch down the dough and roll out on a floured work surface to 1/2 inch thick. Cut doughnuts out of the dough with a 3 1/2-inch round doughnut cutter with a 1-inch smaller cutter in the center. Let the doughnuts rise on the work surface until very light and fluffy, 40 minutes to 1 hour.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Gently pick up and drop the doughnuts into the hot oil, working in small batches of 2 or 3 at a time, and cook until the doughnuts are light golden brown, turning once, about 2 minutes.
- Drain the doughnuts on paper towels to absorb oil.
- In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of warm water and vanilla extract, and stir in the confectioners' sugar to make a glaze. Spread a thin layer of glaze over the warm doughnuts.
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
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Friday, July 24, 2015
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More than a month ago, Laura from Blue Eyed Night Owl informed me that I won in her Blippo Blog Giveaway. I haven't won a giveaway in ages and so I was especially thrilled with the news. I was excited for the fact that Blippo is a kawaii shop that offers lots of cute and quality Japanese novelty items for people who love and live the kawaii lifestyle. From plushies and stationery to bags and Japanese fashion magazines, Blippo has something for everyone. Blippo also has a Japanese candy and kawaii -in-a-box subscription service at a very reasonable price and with free worldwide shipping too.
Monday, July 13, 2015
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Image from Bloomize |
More origami crafts! This time it's a DIY paper doll face and speech bubble tutorial from Clara of Bloomize. So many crafting possibilities for this clever tutorial. I can actually imagine myself making these cute origami doll faces for cards, scrap books, journals and handmade gift wrapping.
The weekend is here too. Have a good one!
Friday, May 15, 2015
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Image from Zakka Life |
Happy new week sweetlings!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
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I love this baked donut recipe from The Semisweet Sisters. The addition of sour cream and lemon flavor gives it a lovely, cake-y texture. Dipped in vanilla glaze and sprinkled with candy confetti, it becomes a wonderful snack time treat.
BAKED VANILLA LEMON SOUR CREAM DONUTS RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp lemon extract
Glaze:
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cups milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/8 tsp lemon extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease a donut pan with oil.
- In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, egg, vanilla, oil, & sugar.
- Add flour, soda, salt, & nutmeg (optional) & stir together until well combined.
- Fill donut pan with batter & bake for 12-16 minutes or until the top is springy to the touch & the sides are turning golden brown. Remove from oven & let cool in pan for 5-10 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.
- In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar & milk together. Glaze should be thin so donuts can easily be dipped. Add milk or powered sugar to get the right consistency.
- Dip cooled donuts have cooled down a bit dip the donuts into the glaze, flipping them over so both sides get covered. Add sprinkles. Set on a cooling rack to dry.
Recipe adapted The Semisweet Sisters
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
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Saturday, May 02, 2015
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Images from Kim's Little Monsters on ETSY |
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
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Image from Spoon & Tamago |
How cute is this matryoshka nesting doll with a surprise bikini girl inside? This clever, conversation piece doll was designed by Mato Ryoko to spread awareness on the need to focus on a person's inner essence rather than outer, physical appearance. For more amazing Japanese designs and innovations visit Spoon & Tamago.
Monday, April 27, 2015
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Are you a fan of it-bunny and stylishly fab Fifi Lapin? Head over to the Fifi Lapin blog to print and play with your own Fifi Lapin paperdoll.
You may also want to take a look at the Fifi Lapin shop for pretty prints and jewelry.
Friday, April 24, 2015
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Friday, April 10, 2015
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Images from Miss Von Smith
If you're looking for cute, quirky web elements to add to your website or blog check out Japanese site Miss Von Smith. The MT Masking tape elements are really cute finds!
Thursday, April 09, 2015
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