I've been trying to convince myself to do some exercise for quite sometime now. But it's only recently that I got myself to finally do it. Actually, I was doing pilates and yoga before but I just stopped.

Since it's the new year and things aren't exactly going my way, I thought why not do something to make me look good and feel good. In short, I want to be thin. And if there is one thing I want to achieve this year that's just it. I'm not overweight or anything but I know I could look better.

Here in Singapore, everyone does it. It's like a culture thing. Everyone wants to get fit, look good and just look drop dead gorgeous. The amount of money they spend on gym memberships and pilates/yoga classes are out of this world. But hey, who said you need to spend all that buck for something you can do at home. So 2 days ago, I settled for running, outdoor.

Morning runs are the best as it burns stored fat rather than the food inside our tummy. I've been reading a lot about it and since I'm a newbie in this, I found this site to be very helpful. It has all the information you need on how to start running. I just think that everyone must engage themselves in some sort of activity no matter how young or old they are.

Some people just find it hard to be motivated. I've been there but after reading this quote, it just changed me.

We all know how difficult it is to do your own french manicure. Getting those white lines straight is too much of a task. Lets face it, not all of us are gifted with a steady hands. So let me share with you some tips and tricks in doing your own french manicure.

You'll need:

• Top coat
• Base coat
• White nail polish
  
• Natural nail polish (I used Orly's bare rose)
• Pure acetone
• Small rounded brush
• Tissue or small towel
  

French Manicure - Tips and Tricks:

1. Apply the base coat on the tips of your nails, covering only 1/4 of your nail.
2. Do the same when you apply the while nail polish. I suggest you do two coats for a more
opaque look.
3. Dip your small round brush on a pure acetone and tap the access on a tissue or small towel.
4. While holding the brush, rest the edge of your hand onto your hand where you are doing your
nails.
5. Slowly maneuver the brush to remove the excess white nail polish, creating a straight line.
6. Do this several times until you're satisfied with the lines you've created.
7. Apply a top coat of your choice.

Most of you would probably know that I'm currently in my hometown for a short vacation. That's the reason why I haven't posted as much but I'm excited to share a lot of things to you once I manage to transfer my photos into my laptop.

Moving along, do you ladies know that I have a subtle obsession with red nail polishes? Apparently Aliza Licht of Donna Karan International shares the same obsession as me. Red is indeed a power colour and looks perfect on pale skin. But I'm not really into blue toned reds. I find that it doesn't look good on me as compared to brown toned reds. For a while I've been using OPI Marooned on the Magnificent Mile. But I think I've grown out of it and wanted to try other shades. If you have any suggestions, let me know!


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I can't deny. I have a thing for greys and pinks. It sort of became my ultimate chic color combination. In fact, if I have my own apartment one day I'll make sure these will be prominent. I just love how a rustic, woodsy type of interior can be soften with a touch of pink. I don't know where this painting is from but it just works well all together.


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Whenever new year hits I make sure to have a list of goals in mind. Apparently losing weight has always been one of them. There are constant struggles here and there but I've convince myself that this time I'm going to do it and before the year ends I will reach that goal. No more yoyo diet! Other than that I want to earn more and save more and of course, go back to my first love, reading books.

What is your goal for 2012?

New Year's celebration might be over but that doesn't stop me from getting bubbly, french 75 that is. In my book, anything with lime in a cocktail is definitely a go. While most people prefer blueberry or blood orange, I like mine a classic.


French 75

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2 ounces gin
3 ounces plus 1 tablespoon chilled Champagne
lemon peel for garnish

In cocktail shaker, combine lemon juice, sugar, gin, and ice cubes and shake to chill. Strain cocktail into Champagne flute and top off with Champagne. Garnish with lemon peel and serve.

image here and here

What a better way to start off the new year other than a classic buttermilk pancake? I love pancakes and if there's one thing I'd eat anytime of the day, this would be it. Growing up, my mom would make these for us every Sunday. So she kind of claims that Sundays is a "Pancake Day". As a child, I would always look forward to it and I would wake up early just so I can eat them fresh out of the pan. Now that I live away from them, I still make these every once in a while and it just brings back all the memories.


Buttermilk Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
¼ cup sour cream
2 eggs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 to 2 teaspoon vegetable oil, for greasing the pan

1. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. In a second medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, eggs and melted butter.

2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients; gently stir until just combined (batter should remain lumpy with a few streaks of flour). Do not overmix. Allow the batter to sit for 10 minutes before cooking.

3. Heat 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Using a paper towel, carefully wipe out oil, leaving a thin film of oil on the bottom of the pan. Using ¼ cup measure, portion batter into pan in 4 places.

4. Cook until edges are set, first side is golden brown, and bubbles on surface are just beginning to break, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a thin, wide spatula, flip pancakes and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer.

5. Serve pancakes immediately. Repeat with remaining batter, using remaining oil as needed.