Do you have moments when you just want to declutter your life and start with a new you? I know I have and that goes for my wardrobe to my diet.

For the longest time I had a wardrobe that's just full of plain and understated garments. I wasn't very experimental with clothes so I was too afraid to mix and match patterns. But as I grew older I discovered more about myself and started to play around with outfits; picked out pieces that are more chic and stylish.

As for my diet, it's such a whirlwind. I wasn't really fat but I knew I could look better. Eating anything that's carbs is my weakness. From breads, biscuits to dessert you name it. It's just so hard not to eat that one last cookie. I've been there and went up and down the scale but one day it just hits me, I can't do it anymore. I had to stop and completely change how I approach things, so I did. Now I'm on a well-balanced diet and try to exercise ever so often. I went from 55kg to 47 kg, now that is something. It took time but it was worth it. I feel like a new person.

Whatever it is that you want to rid off in life, remember that it's all about you. It's about being better and becoming the person you never thought you can possibly be. Don't base your decisions on other people because at the end of the day, you know what's best for yourself. Starting anew brings a light and refreshing feeling. So don't be afraid, take the chance and become a new you.

Remember those caramel coated apples that you used to eat as a kid? How about home cooked pancakes that mom used to make during the weekends? Surely remembered mine and I had great memories with it. Now that I live far away from home and the weather is starting to change, it's nice to see how far I've come.

Fall is here and apples are abundant everywhere, why not whipped something up that reminds of you the good old days; caramel apple pancakes perhaps? This recipe from Buns In My Oven is simply amazing.



For the pancakes:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk (or 3/4 cup regular milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar - let sit for 5 minutes)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted

For the apples:
1 medium tart apple, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
tiny pinch of salt
caramel ice cream topping, warmed

To make the pancakes:
1. Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the buttermilk, vanilla, egg, and melted butter until well combined.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk together until most of the lumps are gone. Do not over mix.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.
4. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet and cook until bubbles form on the surface. Flip the pancake and cook until browned on the bottom and the center is done.

For the apples:
1. While the pancakes are cooking, set a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter to the skillet and melt.
2. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to combine.
3. Add the apples and stir to coat.
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

To serve:
Top the pancakes with the warm apples and drizzle the warmed caramel sauce on top.

image and recipe via

I don't know about you but I admire girls that are so high up their alley. Like they always look good and are in the know about everything. They are go-getters and are living the life they wanted.


I aspire to be that girl but I guess I set my standards too high that it has become a challenge. Like for me thin is weighing less than a 100 pounds, a successful career is being a director of a fashion brand, a luxurious life is living in a posh east side condominium (hopefully next year) with a closet filled with beautiful designer clothes and shoes. I want all that and more. It may sound so ambitious or materialistic but don't we all have that somewhere inside of us? Like we'd totally sing Fergie's g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s song for all we care. It's the high life and I admit I want that.

I'm slowly working on it; doing all kinds of diets, incorporating workouts into my lifestyle, investing on quality pieces - my first Ferragamo flats and some other designer bags that I own and treasure - and trips (london is love), reading my daily dose of advertising and fashion news before going to work, indulging in fine cuisines - French is my absolute favorite, and for someone to tell me "You're 24 and fabulous" only means I must be doing something right. What I'm trying to say here is stop dreaming and start doing. If you want to jetset ala Paris Hilton, go! If you want to look like Victoria Beckham then please do so. Because nothing is more fulfilling that being able to be the person you've always wanted to be. Besides we only have one life so make the best of it.