The Aftermath...

Oh dear.

Cooking: Roast Turkey

Weather is crap outside, been laying inside all day catching up with friends from home. Wish I was still away from the city, I crave for a cosy dinner, made a turkey roast with home-grown thyme. I threw in some leeks, cherry tomatoes, onions and seedless grapes into the roast. The first night I'll serve with wild rice and herbs, second night I'll jazz it up with classic roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

Of course, warm custard for dessert.

Life: Internet Detox

So i've been on hiatus, well as my friend Nick would call it "Internet Detox" -- off all interweb social network -- I quite like it not haven't spending so much time on the internet and have more time enjoying the weather, doing things, seeing things, and going somewhere.

I got sucked back to myspace because i had to log-on to view some photos of me from a profile so I've slight return to myspace but haven't decided if i shall return to Facebook yet. Facebook is too much for me to handle at the moment. One day i shall return...

Despite, I've been much of a recluse, been going to lots of fashion parties and met some amazing people. Much looking forward to Cambridge for the long weekend.

Film: La Vie en Rose

****1/2 France / UK / Czech Republic. 141 min. Colour 2007. Directed by Olivier Dahan. Written by Isabelle Sobelman & Olivier Dahan . Cast: Marion Cotillard, Gérard Depardieu, Sylvie Testud & Emmanuelle Seigner.

07.17.02.08 @ 3:35 pm Prince Charles Theatre.

I have always hated to go see films alone but I did it today. I was still in a very good mood, still on the high running into him randomly yesterday. Yes, the grin was still present. This is one film I've been wanting to see but everyone saw it without me. So I thought why not? It wasn't so bad going to see films alone. In fact, I've joined the membership, will be going quite often to see those 2nd run i haven't a chance to see the first run.

The film is about the life of Edith Piaf, whom I love, thought it was a great film. Marion Cotillard was great as young to woman to sickly elderly Edith. The film makes you laugh and makes you cry – especially when it ended with her signature song "Non, je ne regrette rien". What an extraordinary life!

Fashion: I Lust for Thee!

Window display in NYC of the 11 piece luggage set used in the film to be auctioned off for charity.


How adorable!!

I just came back from Wimbledon for the screening of the latest Wes Anderson's Film The Darjeeling Limited. I am so in love with the luggages used in the film, which I found out later reading the trailer that, of course, it was designed by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. The luggages were based on the jungle drawings by Wes Anderson's brother Eric. I love, love, love them!! Cutest thing ever! *sigh* if I can ever get a hold of one...

Incidentally, I adore the film.

Cooking: Roast & Bake Sunday

The Pre-Roast.


Smoked Paprika Cinnamon Roasted Chicken with Caramelised Fennel, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Red Grapes.



Served with Couscous (I love that word) and Spinach, Rocket Salad.

Sunday is for roast. This is not a traditional "Sunday Roast" but with the chilly weather this weekend, I crave for a warm roasted chicken. Billie Holiday is playing in the background. An hour of warm aroma of fresh herb (from my own garden, of course) and deliciousness infusing the entire kitchen whilst I watch impatiently like a child, peeking every five minutes through the oven door. I calm myself down with a hot cup of chai tea and catch up on my reading. I've added a sprinkle of cinnamon onto the chicken before it goes into the oven at 220ºC for an hour and a quarter, basting every fifteen minutes. Result is the most delicious, moist, succulent tender chicken that falls off the bone. Red grapes, tomatoes, shallots and fennel all have caramelised nicely and flavour have been condensed to an impeccable intensity of sweetness that nature and oven can ever offer.

I then make a simple couscous (I love that word, couscous. Couscous!) with little onion and sultans with a dash of cinnamon over a little hot chicken stock to go along with the dish. Just for health's sake, I throw in a little spinach and rocket salad. Okay, the dressing is store-bought (Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing), but hey, I'm not full-time Nigella Lawson nor Martha Stewart, at least not yet.


Cardamom Cinnamon Apple Crumble served with Warm Custard.

As for dessert, a classic apple crumble is crying for to finish this Sunday meal. Although, I have forgotten to pick up ground ginger and nutmeg from the store, which I normally would use, I improvise with cardamom and a bit of fresh grated ginger, lots of cinnamon, sugar, and everything nice to marinate the apples. As for the crumble top, it's a mixture consists of crushed ginger snaps, old fashioned boring ole oats, brown sugar and melted butter. Zara offered to make custard to go with the crumble. Delicious. Anyone will definitely beg for more.