Chocolate

Trying to pick back up drawing.

I like to pick up "splurging" snacks once a while to reward myself for being good!
Tonight I'm munching on Theo's salted almond 70% chocolate.

Black

Top: Thrifted / Jeans: F21 /  Shoes: Zara (also love this from Zara) / Watch: Citizen (style limited to Asia Pacific region) / Earring: F21 / Purse: MAC cosmetics

In my early teen years, my mom was very against the idea of a kid (me) wearing black. I would pick up a black shirt, and her comment was that "black weighs a person down". Granted that I did not have the most radiant face as a teenager, ugh, those insecure years when hormones went wild and the face was

shining with grease (as opposed to radiance), I see her point that black wasn't my best color.

As an adult, I have learned to embrace black. On a day when I get enough rest (still trying to get more of those days), black definitely helps frame the face and bring out the features, especially in the fall when the complexion gets lighter, I'd like to think of it like the face is radiating in the dark. Heh!

Lemon bars

Ever since I discovered the ease of making pastries and sweets, I have tremendously reduced the urge to buy pre-packaged baked goods (read processed) at the grocery store. Homemade baked goods are so much more fulfilling, natural, and I get to control the amount of sweetness I get, which I'm quite picky about.

Lemon bar is my recent favorites in the kitchen. They give the perfect balance of buttery goodness in the crust and the right amount of tang in the custard part. They also transport very well, and has been a crowd pleaser on those days when I bring them in to my coworkers. A caveat to note when transporting them—If you want them to look pretty with the confectioners sugar on top, you have to bring your sugar and a small strainer along. Sprinkle lemon bar with confectioners sugar over the strainer JUST BEOFRE you serve them. I learned this the sad way, I pre-sprinkled them before I left the house. By the time I took them out for sharing, the pretty sugar has already melted. Don't make the same mistake I did!

I used Ina Garten's recipe, with modifications. For the crust, I used 1/3 cup of sugar; for the custard I used 1 & 3/4 cup sugar. I always reduce the amount of sugar listed on recipes by 30% and it usually comes out perfect to my liking, also less guilt while devouring them. I'll be sure to be making a lot more of these for the parties and gatherings in the holiday season.

Neutral Blocks

T-shirt: J. crew // Skirt: Express (similar) // Shoes: Target 

Sunglasses: Forever 21 // Rings: Madewell (current season's ring set) 

Wallet: J. crew (glittered version) // Nails: Revlon "Timeless"

It was one of those days when nothing I put on felt right. Initially I went with a pencil skirt, too fitted, too uptight (read: not-feeling-the-secretary-look kind of day). Then I saw this dress in the corner of my closet, it's usually reserved for more special occasions, but this time it was screaming to be worn. Well, since I already has a casual top going on, I figured I can indulge a little on the dressy side elsewhere while keeping everything understated. I went for it and got a ton of compliments.

When in doubt, go neutral. Part dressy, part casual.