My Current bible

is the IKEA Catalogue 2012.  I'll be lost in time flipping the pages and drawing inspiration.  My favourite chapter is Home Organization.

Nutella Breakfast Roll-ups

Saw this easy recipe insert from Today's Parents magazine. I made my version the next day for Mini Shabu. I used mixed berry jam instead of Nutella, to abide by the nut-free policy in school, and added sprinkles. This is his bento.

Banana roll-ups, Cheese sandwich, grape tomatoes, fortune cookie, sesame biscuits & orange

Nude Platforms

Liking this blush cork-soled platform by Charles & Keith. I like that nude coloured shoes elongate the legs while the platform adds you some height.  Will find out if this is comfy.



Saw it from Stylebible's Jae's 30 Days, 30 Ways

Photo taken from Stylebible.ph

My Kitchen

The kitchen is the busiest room in my house. Not only it is my throne. It is the hub of all other things non-kitchen – mails, calendar, homework, office supplies, gadgets, and whatnot. So... A place for everything. Everything in its Place. This is my mantra.

What used to be an empty wall, we put up a collage. We had IKEA’s Spontan magazine rack  and magnetic board as the focal point, and filled the rest of the space with assorted frames in the same silver scheme.

All paper trails from school and elsewhere go into those coloured folders. Kids' school/daycare calendars, grocery list, library book list are pinned on the magnetic board, making it disappear in the background. Good!  The frames hold memorable family photos and kids’ artwork, which we constantly update one frame at a time.

We kept the MARKOR sideboard even if it doesn’t match the kitchen’s new theme. It's hard to let it go, after all the hours we put into the assembly. Besides it provides ample storage. On top, a breadbox, a tray of glass jars & vitamin bottles, the tired rice cooker and cereal boxes.

This drawer keeps an assortment of tea which we drink a lot of especially at Fall/Winter, noodles, yummy instant noodles, and pasta.

I have saved the emptied babyfood jars knowing someday I will make good use of them. Now they uniformly house my spices.

Beside the stove I have all the cooking sauces.  In lieu of a drawer liner, the aluminum tray catches all the drip if any.

This drawer is for all the disposable wraps and bags. I use an empty box to keep grocery bags we later use to line the trash cans.  I snatched the small red container from the kids for my rubber bands.

This is the bento corner, for the Tupperware®, lunch and snack boxes. The lids and all the bento tools are in the plastic bins from ONE’s.

An organized space makes life more organized. Especially in this high traffic space.

Boys Haircut

Last weekend, I took on the daunting mission that is to cut my boys hair. I have had this on my GOALS for a long time - how much we shall save if my 3 boys let me cut their hair. Mr. Hotpot goes for haircut every 3 weeks. The money I can use for shopping at H&M, lol.

This haircut cape (my sister got me from Taiwan’s DAISO) has been sitting in my closet for a year now. Okay, maybe 2.

So finally, on my recent trip to Winners, I bought this 24-piece grooming kit.  Note to self that if I fail at this, I will lose only C$20, but I will not regret not ever trying.  For my very first attempt with Shabu, I used the No. 6 attachment -  3/4", not too short. So in case I go wrong, we can still make a run to the salon for a fix.

And... we didn’t really have to =]

Johnny Rockets

@ Square One

Each table has a tabletop jukebox. I don't think it's working.

I always order the Chicken Club Sandwich - grilled chicken breast with applewood smoked bacon, iceberg lettuce, fresh tomato & mayonnaise on triple-decker sourdough. It comes with a load of fries, which is a little bland.

I eat only this portion. The bacon is sooo good.

The Cookies & Cream Milkshake is to die for.  Nevermind that it costs $6.49. You get an extra on a separate mixer cup.  This makes you feel like you're getting more than you paid for.  But really, they just used a smaller glass.  This is best shared.  Share the calories. Share the tummy ache you'd get if you finish it all yourself.

Dear Sashi

Three years ago today, you gave me the most excruciating pain of bringing you out to this world.  I remember Daddy's voice on my ear, “it’s okay, this is gonna be the last.”  LOL.  However, your first cry fell on deaf ears as I fainted shortly after letting you out and I can only see you through the oxygen mask on my face.  You really had me at hello =]

You were such a good baby all along, I keep saying, it’s easier the second time around.  But you have also showed us what Terrible Two is really like. We were drawn to your charm & wittiness, we didn't mind being twisted around your little finger. On the flipside, you constantly amaze us with your budding motor skills and increasing vocabulary.


You are very different from your brother, both of you having very distinctive qualities. You're equally sweet, but most days you are like cats and dogs.  It's now double trouble. My attention span has gone shorter, but my patience  longer.  Nonetheless you make us proud and happy twice over. 

Happy Birthday, Sashi!

Love Mom.

The Laughing Cow

The Laughing Cow® cheese is perfect for Shabu's bento, as they are individually wrapped. It stays fresh and cool until nutrition break.  I am very impressed with the innovative easy open foil wrap. There's a red tab you just pull and it will unwrap in a straight line. No mess. How neat! 

Made pizza using garlic/basil pizza sauce & shredded cheese on a bun with strawberries, grapes, apple slices & Laughing Cow® Party Cubes (assorted flavours)

Cheese pan de sal, peaches, carrot sticks, grapes, Jello & Laughing Cow®


I also snack on crackers with Laughing Cow® Light cheese wedges.

Coloured Tights

To jazz up the boring skirt. 
To partner with my oxfords.
To wear for Fall.

Purple Opaque tights

Teal leggings

I want these 2 colours.

Where's Yoshi?

Berry sandwich sushi, grape tomatoes, banana slices w/ blueberries & Super Mario gummies

First attempt at making sandwich sushi. In lieu of a rolling pin, I used a drinking glass to roll flat the bread with wax paper in between. Spread some berry jam, roll and cut as if making sushi.