recap of the last week

1 & 2: Catching up with one of my girls at English Bay. Oh yes, we are extremely lucky to have this as our city's backyard.
3: Snacking on some matcha ice cream slushie, red bean slushie and butter and condensed milk toast at Bubble World in Burnaby, BC.
4: Enjoying the company of a rainbow during a trip downtown.
5. The lobster course at Dai Tung for a newborn's one month birthday. Although the lobster looked delicious, I did not touch it, simply because I was and am too freaking lazy to pick out the meat. (holy I am a princess)
6. The droolworthy blue ocean roll at Akasaka in Surrey, BC. A highly recommended Japanese/Korean restaurant. (no really..yelp it)
7. No girls night is complete without some fun makeup: MAC lip pencil in Magenta and lipstick in Girl About Town.
8. BFF's birthday: Partying like a rockstar at Mirage nightclub in Surrey, BC.

It seems I forgot to ask you all in the last post what all your new year's resolutions are! For those who are curious, mine is simply 'no regrets'.

And judging from the pictures above, clearly it was not to lose weight. Damnit.

Outfit post on the way!

xoxo, amy.

holiday hiatus

Wearing: Top, jeans, shoes & ring: F21 | Necklace: gift from mom

Sorry for the cruddy pictures, but this was what I wore on Christmas Day to dinner. The shirt was a gift from one of my sisters and was the perfect top to wear to hide the food belly after stuffing myself with a turkey that was cooked to absolute perfection, mashed potatoes and gravy, cheesecake and pecan tarts.

And I've been MIA during this month due to excessive eating and hanging with my favourite people. Below is a recap of the things that are making their way through my digestive tract:

Top left to bottom right:

1. Tomato bruschetta prepared by a girlfriend during an Xmas potluck get together.
2. Tiramisu for dessert from Argo's Cafe
3. BBQ duck spring rolls at Crime Lab. Freakin delicious.
4. Veggie Burger at Crime Lab; goat's cheese, tofu & mushroom patty on a fresh ciabatta bun with cucumber, tomato, avocado, lettuce & aioli served with yam fries. This is easily one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had.
5. All you can eat sushi and Korean BBQ at Shabusen on Granville. Yes, this was for a table of five. Yes, we also failed at consuming most of what was on that table .
6. Drinks at The Marquis; gin & tonic and tequila shots for our good friend Shy's birthday.
7. This picture does not do the turkey justice, but it was what I could manage after the family devoured the turkey in mere minutes. The white meat was so tender I swear it melted in my mouth. My cousin's husband is an amazing chef!
8. Biggest and most colourful jello shots I've ever seen or consumed. An Xmas getogether with a few of my volleyball mates.

Needless to say, I have put on a couple of happy pounds. I am happy, but my NYE dress probably not so much.

Hope everyone had an amazing holiday so far. Tomorrow's New Years Eve!

xoxo, amy.

recap of the last week

1. Creola - mmm...spicy Italian chorizo sausage sauteed with garlic in a classic marinara sauce. This was my portion/dish. Needless to say, I had it for three meals. And I enjoyed every morsel of it. I probably could've had it for 5 meals but my sisters stole some. haha
2. Pepperoni Pizza - both dishes from Neighbour's Restaurant on Victoria Drive. The food is great and the staff really does make you feel at home.
3. Mango ice cream cake from La Casa Gelato on Clark Drive for our friend Andrew's birthday. This was such a delicious, delicious cake!
4. Sliced beef, a component of a Vietnamese dish called Bò Nhúng Dấm, at Song Huong on Nanaimo Street. After years and years of eating Vietnamese food, this is the first time I've had this hot pot style dish. The beef's cooked in a vinegar type base, then rolled up with herbs and other vegetables in thin rice paper. It's similar to a salad roll but with beef instead. So good, I am definitely going to have this again.
5. My sad finished product.
6. The rest of my week: work and passing out from copious amounts of extra-strength NeoCitran.

Sorry for the lack-of-outfit post. Starting my day while it's still dark outside and coming home late leaves no time to take decent pictures! Also, I've been in garbage pajamas all weekend and no one wants to see that either. :)

xoxo, amy.

recap of the last week

1+2: Beef brisket and wontons in spicy soup, salty peppery chicken at Beefy Beef Noodle on Main.
3: Sushi and sake at Sushi Oyama in Burnaby
4: Getting lost in baby Noah's dark grey eyes.
5: Late night munchies at the new Denny's in Abbotsford. Yes, first Denny's there, ever.
6: View from above at Republic on Granville.
7: Gladiators, rum and coke.
8: Hangin with the girls. DJ J-swing was playing old school R&B. Doesn't get better than that.

Good food, good company. I always say I'm happiest when I'm surrounded by food and loved ones:)

O ya, outfit:

 

Haha sorry for the cheesy grin guys. Sometimes, it's just weird to take a picture by yourself, right?;)
Here's a laid back look for the bar. I wish I had a better outfit to show you guys. Ooh, and I really like the back of that girl's dress in the first pic!

Wearing: Tank, matte leggings and sequin bra: F21 | Clutch: Nine West | Accessories: from HK | Shoes: Aldo's McCorkle (these are the ones from the last post that didn't really show up. They are so comfortable, I got them in grey too:)

xoxo, amy.

bean salad recipe: the more you toot, the better you feel

So I'm not much of a cook. At all. Who needs to learn when you have extremely talented friends and family? But lately I've been trying, and have gotten great success (spinach lasagna), and also dishes that can pass as poo (mushy meatloaf).

Amyway, I came across this delicious bean salad recipe on Bunnie's blog and now I make it anytime I'm craving for something fresh. It's delicious, healthy (high in fibre, low in fat) and best of all, there is no cooking or baking required (amy-proof). All ingredients are customizable depending on how much you like/don't like something.

Here's my version. Hope you guys enjoy! (thanks, Bunnie!)

 Ingredients:

• can of corn 
• can of beans; red, black, etc. (I get the mixed bean one to add variety and to also eliminate any confusion for myself. haha)
• avocado, diced
• tomato, diced
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped cilantro (less or none if you're not a fan. I love cilantro)
• 2 limes (this will be your dressing)
• salt and pepper to taste
• spoonful of sugar
• serves 4-6 I think. I'm not entirely sure because I usually eat it all.

Directions:

1. In a big bowl, combine corn, beans, avocado, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. (drain out the liquid from the cans beforehand)
2. Add salt and pepper. I like to add a tablespoon of sugar to help bring out the flavours in the salad.
3. Roll limes on a hard surface and cut into halves or quarters. Squeeze lime juice into bowl and mix. 
4. Add more salt/pepper/lime juice according to taste.
5. Sit back with a fat bowl and flip through magazines. ahh... 

Note: This can also double as an appy with tortilla chips, but I like it on its own.

Don't worry Carrie, it's vegan.

xoxo, amy.