New Orleans Photo Diary -- Part 1

New Orleans, home of jazz music, Mardi Gras and the warmest people  you'll ever meet.  Also, their food is just too darn good!!!  My taste buds just couldn't get enough of the spices they used in their dishes.  I was really excited to spend Christmas in the city because I've never really gone anywhere before besides Macau.  Moreover, it was the first time my siblings and I have spent Christmas together, so it was pretty special.

The drive to New Orleans was exciting even though I wasn't able to stay awake the entire time.  The weather was definitely not in our favour and I was not expecting dense fog, rain, humidity or a hot Christmas, but it was still a fun trip.  For the most part, we spent our time shopping and of course, eating!  I shall return with Carlos or my parents for more "noms".  Mmmm mmm!

Beatrice Quarters.

Before I even got off the car, I immediately spotted this little cafe where Pamela and Arbi were going to take us which at first I thought looked a little bit old school.  My reason for thinking that way at that time was probably because of how it looked from the outside, not to mention it looked like it was for kids.  Of course, my view changed the moment we sat down and were given menus.  Everything there is adorable!!  From their menus to the waitresses' uniforms and the presentation of their food.  The ambience was just perfect as everyone seemed to be in their most relaxed state.

The food was really delish!  If you have a sweet tooth like me, then you'll love the cakes/desserts they offer.  Oh and the strawberry milk tea was just heavenly yummy!  I'm probably exaggerating too much, but it was really good cause it was the first time I've ever tasted something like it.  It never even occurred to me that such a drink existed.  Haha!  Anyway, if ever you're in Jakarta, the drink is a must-try!  I hope you enjoy the photos.  Till next post. :)

How weekends should be.

Weekends are honestly my favorite time of the week because that's usually the only time I have for myself, my family, friends and of course, Carlos.  However, there are some Saturdays wherein I still have to go to work which just pisses me off!  As if being in the office from Monday to Friday isn't enough.  Gah!  

Anyway, I'll stop complaining now since it won't get me anywhere. :)  Instead, I'll just tell you about how I spent my weekend last week.  Weekends, for me, are usually spent on pigging out!  Lots and lots of pigging out here and there no matter who I'm with because that's when I get to stop and think about what I really want to have.  And I'm never usually in a rush so yea.  Last weekend, my childhood friend, Ana, asked me in the middle of the week whether I wanted to go to HK and without hesitation I said yes!  Therefore, we went to catch the ferry right after work on Friday, put our stuff down in our room and headed to Central where we had breakfast for midnight!  Aaaah yes!  The Flying Pan is just pure love since they're open 24/7 and serve good food! 

We then went to LKF (Lan Kwai Fong) afterwards where we just had a pint of beer each since we were exhausted from working for the whole day and everything.  However, I did have a lot of fun chatting with my dear friend and it was nice being able to hang out with her.  :)  

The next day we checked out and went to Mong Kok, probably the busiest and crowded district in HK.  And the first thing we did was to look for a place to eat because we were starving and so after walking for a couple of minutes, we decided to eat at this place called Teawood.  Aaah yes!  I remember wanting to eat there with Carlos a couple of months back but it was packed so we decided not to.  However, Ana and I were able to get a table right away since there weren't much people at noon.  We both ordered a set meal plus their yummy dessert below.  It was sooooo good and I recommend you all to try it if ever you're in HK, this is a MUST!

Headed to Causeway Bay and then to Central after doing a little shopping in Mong Kok and let's just say I'm a little broke at the moment.  Hahaha!  But it was totally worth it!

We both thought the day (Saturday) went by really quickly and maybe it's because we were having too much fun!  Oh well!  I just hope we can do this again sometime soon and hopefully with a lot more people because after all, the more, the merrier right?  Hope you all had a great weekend and liked the photos!  Cheers!

xx,

Regine

I consume. I gain.

How've you been loves?  It's been a while since my last post.  I've been really busy the past two weeks, what with all my deadlines for writing my papers, editing my portfolio, performance, presentations for my classes and I haven't had the time to take any photos except of food.  HAHA!  I've been stuffing myself with FOOD while doing my assignments as you can see from the photos below.  I feel as though I've gained some weight but oh well... I really can't help it, I've been getting my energy from these treats since I haven't been sleeping more than I should.

Anyway, I hope you guys like the photos and I'll be posting more photos of food and well enjoy looking at them.  Till next post loves!

xx,
Regine M.

Cinnamon Sugar Coated Muffins stuffed with Kinder Bueno!

Hi everyone!  Care to try this yummy "Cinnamon Sugar Coated Muffin stuffed with Kinder Bueno"?  I'm a huge fan of desserts and I had the urge to bake something or make something sweet for that matter since after all, it is the Love month.  And so, I was surfing the net when I remembered a food blogger I'm following on instagram named Erwan and decided to check his blog called thefatkidinside.com.  I came across the muffins but what really caught my eye were the words "Kinder Bueno" which is why I just had to try to bake them.

Here are the Ingredients I used to make them and they are of course also on Erwan's blog. :)

1. 1/2 cup sugar

2. ½ tsp salt

3. 1/2 cup milk (whole)

4. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose or self-raising flour

5. ½ tsp nutmeg

6. ½ tsp cinnamon

7. 2 1/4 tsp baking powder

8. ½ kinder bueno for each muffin

9. 1 large egg

10. 1 tsp vanilla extract

11. 1/3 cup (5 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

Topping:

1. ½ cup sugar + 3 tsp cinnamon

2. Butter for topping

Sooo, after you've gathered all the ingredients, you have to mix all of them one by one in order according to Erwan, the first one being the butter, followed by sugar, egg, vanilla extract, milk, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and of course the kinder buenos! 

And after you've mixed all the ingredients, the batter would look something like this!!

After you've finished the batter, fill each of the tins by half (buttered) or as you can see, I used paper cups since I do not have a tin and add the pieces of kinder buenos and then cover it with a little bit more mixture so as to bring it to 3/4 fill.

Bake them at 350°F for around 12-15 minutes or you could use a toothpick to see whether the dough would stick or not... 

After getting them out of the oven, let them cool for about five minutes and brush them off with butter and roll the buttered part in the cinnamon sugar.

And voila, you can then enjoy your yummy muffins!  Hope you try this recipe!  Thank God for food bloggers!  Hahaha!  

I hope you liked my photos and I know I'm no professional at baking but I do hope to get better because I have the passion to bake.  Cheers!

xx,

Regine 

Pigging out, pigging out and more pigging out! :)

Another week has passed and just like that it's February!  There's so much to look forward to in the month of February.  Anyway, here are some of the random photos I took during the week.  As you can see, there's been a lot of pigging out which is why I believe that I would have to go on diet during the Lunar/Chinese New Year holidays which I know might be unlikely.  Anyway, I've been pigging out with friends and of course my boyfriend, plus I studied for my French exam with a friend and watched "Hansel & Gretel" at the UA cinema.  This week was great and I'm looking forward to the holidays because I honestly need a break from school, the professors and not to mention, assignments!!!

Oh and here's what I wore when I hung out with Caloy last night.  

Top: Forever 21, HK | Cardigan: Marks&Spencer, HK (Mom's) | Shoes: Pull&Bear | Leggings&Bag: Cotton On, HK | 

I hope you all had a lovely week as well!! Cheers to the Love month! :)

xx,
Regine M.

New Year's Day!

Hi guys!  Well, it's 2013!  I thank God for the past year and for every blessing we've received.  I had a blast the past year and I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record since I've mentioned that I can't wait to see what it's store for me this year in my previous post.  I went for mass with my family and lunch on New Year's day where I had the best time since we were all together except for my sister who's not in Macau.

With my little brother who's not so little anymore.

Parents!

Lunch!

Ciao!  I'll be posting about my afternoon with the boyfriend and friends!

xoxo
Regine M.