notebook cookbooks

I personally think this gift pack from Singapore is brilliant! A pack of recipes of best menus most popular found in Singapore. The whole bundle is fun! One book holds one recipe. The first page gives you a brief description of the dish, followed by the ingredients needed, how to cook, and then the illustration of how the dish should look like. The rest of the pages are blank for you to use to take notes. I just love the whole idea! Two thumbs up for The Ministry of Information, Communications and The Arts who produced this notebook and FARM who designed it.

Last, this looks like this is my last post in the year 2011. Have a great new years eve. BIGLOVE!

kimono coasters

When my husband asked what I wanted from Japan, nothing specific came up in mind so I just asked for something unique and cheap. I didn't want him spending a lot on something I might not like, right? So when he came back and pulled these out, I couldn't be more happier... Yeah, I'm so easy to please :D I was wowed by the beautiful prints on each of every coaster and the shape couldn't be more Japanese, a Kimono! So it says on the box, the coasters are made from Washi (Japanese Paper) which is handmade of vegetable fiber. It is very strong and age resistant, full of softness and warmth. Nevertheless, I'm not going to use them as coasters. They're too sweet. I think I'm going to frame them in a deep all-white colored frame. I'm not going to risk them getting ruined by coffee spills or tea stains. Also, the other box of coasters my husband intended to give to a relative just might not reach the address. Naughty me. Oh well, I'll trade them for some Japanese Marshmallows. How's that? ;) 

Oh, it's Christmas and holidays! Have a joyful time today with your loved ones. 

sweet souvenirs

A lovely handmade pouch and cotton scarf from Chiangmai, from my sister. 

Fine chocolate 'Monggo' from Jogja made from pure dark chocolate using 100% cocoa butter. It tastes supreme! They have chocolate with cashew nuts, caramel, praline, and ginger. The packaging is also as sweet and made from recycled paper. Cool!

A batik shirt for the little one bought at Mirota Batik. Speaking of the kid, our trip to Jogyakarta yesterday was his last experience flying as an infant. For our next planned flight, he will no longer be sitting on my lap and will be strapped up in his own seat. Oh my, how time flies :)