Stolen heart

Spending our lunar new year out of the country is a norm in my family. Our travel destination this year was Japan, and we managed to cover quite a few cities and towns- Kyoto, Osaka, Odaiba, Shizuoka, and Tokyo.

Before we left, I already knew how much I would love Japan and was eagerly anticipating my first visit. All I can say is that, Japan has left me wanting more. The convenience of the cities, cleanliness, the people, THE FOOD!! I did not expect to like this country so much.

I had Japanese cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner the whole trip and when I came back, I still wanted more. I liked it so much that I even went to the extent of making them at home.

It's only been 2 days since we got back and I'm already trawling the web for good and easy Japanese cooking sites (Just One Cook Book is an excellent site!).

Toasting sesame seeds

My first attempt at Tamago-yaki, pretty easy! I used the recipe from Just One Cookbook, but would definitely add more mirin next time as I prefer them a little sweeter.

I also made Salmon Fish Head Miso Soup (doesn't look appetizing but I assure you was DELICIOUS!), a Coral, Rocket & Baby Tomatoes Salad with Citrus Sauce and Tamagoyaki. So simple yet hearty.

I've also always been interested in making bentos for lunch but never made the effort. This morning I actually got up earlier and made my sister and I each a set of the below:

Would love to make more bentos to take to work, and will be sharing them along the way.

Please do share if you have any links to easy cooking/bento making tips!

IM HOIIME(home)!!

No, that wasn't a typo- Australians tend to pronounce most words with 'O's with an 'I' after it. Confused? Put simply, home would be pronounced hoime, Coke would be pronounced Coike and 'I don't know' would be 'I doiiin't knoiiiii'. HAHA.

So yes, I'm hoiiiime! I've packed up 6 years worth of my life (11 pieces of luggage) and shipped it all back with the exception of some shoes and another suitcase of clothes still at my sister's. Its been 2 weeks exactly that Ive been back and the unpacking's almost done. I try to spring clean my wardrobe every 2-3 months but its amazing how much crap I still hang on to.

Believe it or not I brought back alllllll my cosmetics and even stocked up on some before coming back. And when I got back, I bought even more.. so much for trying to save up :( OH but good news they actually have Asience here now! YAYYYY!

Some new, most old.. and thats not even all of it :S

I used to have an obsession with lipglosses, then it moved on to shoes. I only have ONE pair of lips.. no more glosses/lip colours/balms for me!

Before I left I made it a point to try and dine at all my fave restaurants and do all sorts of tourist-ey things. I also FINALLY got to try Darren's dishes wf! Long overdue- about 2 yrs I would say. But the wait was def worth it HAHA mMMmmm (getting hungry thinking of the food) well, that's what you get when you know someone who works as a chef at the Hilton *nudge nudge* ;D

Chef at work.. he kept kicking me out of the kitchen

Salmon on a bed of crabmeat+potato(?) with asparagus and Bernaise sauce

rack of lamb with salad and cauliflower something (HAHA sorry I forgot what it was! but it was yummmmy)

mmmm.. fried icecream with strawberry coulis

♥Green apple sorbet! with the apple painstakingly carved out (:

Chef and I (: I was so full I had to remove my belt HAHA

OH before I forget, everything was made from scratch (: It was so good seriously. Now I know why he doesnt cook for people often. Mmmmm thank you, large meimeiiii!

Okay Im off to watch my fave K-drama of the moment 'Boys Before Flowers'! Anyone who knows me I have a thing for Korean boys HAHA. My eye candy in the drama? KIM BUM ♥! aka So Yi Jung..

Oh oh ohhh~♥

he plays a Casanova in the drama..

Okay just one more pic! HAHA Awwww♥.. who can resist that face?

Updates on my last 2 weeks in Melb next! (:

ROAST!

Two nights ago, I made roast lamb for the first time ever and it was a success! The ex-bf made it for me a few times (yeah, hes a better cook than I am) and I finally decided to make my own using his recipe. My sister and her boy loved♥it so much that we're making roast again tomorrow. Yum!

I ♥rosemary so I used more than required..

may not look it, but it was really juicy.. mMmm

I got my wish, it rained the whole day and was cccc-cold!

its currently 10 degrees as I type.. (:   ♥

my sister♥ we used to be able to pass of as twins

Its going to be a cold week, cant wait to break out the jackets! Woohoo! I've also bought some diamantes and crystals online after reading this and having a look at her other projects. Inspiration (: Imma bling my nails and maybe my camera/phone. 

Moomba Waterfest starts tomorrow! Ive been going every year since Ive been in Melbourne, not so much for the rides/carnival food but more to see the lights, sounds and people. Feels nostalgic everytime Im there.. as if Im a kid again. Okay will post pictures after the weekend, hopefully roast tomorrow turns out good. My sis is going to attempt it this time because I have been making dinner almost everynight this week! Wish her luck!