Etude House & The Face Shop Haul

Here are some of the products I had asked my sister to get me from the Philippines. I love Korean  skin care products and I think that they must work, seeing that most Korean women have such lovely skin. I'm not necessarily after white skin, but bright, fresh and flawless skin will do me just fine ;)

Etude House: Collagen Moistfull First Essence

 

Etude House: Total Age Repair Royal Essence

The Face Shop: Special Zone Care Neck Firming Patch; Lifting & Redefining

The Face Shop: "Real Nature Mask Rice" (Real Natural Rice Mask) Cotton Mask

&

Chia Seed Watery Toner and Lotion Kit (Sample)

 

The Face Shop: Essential Masksheet CO-Q10 For Supple Skin Cotton Mask

 

The Face Shop: Baby Face Hydrogel Mask; Hyaluronic Acid Cotton Mask

&

Etude House: Happy Essential Foam Hyaluronic Acid

I have a post with my review on these products coming up and I'll give you my opinion on the results from using these.

Till Next Time =)

Guilty

I know, I know, I know... I haven't posted a new blog entry in a while now, I'm really sorry, but I'm working on a few entries that are long overdue. I have been preoccupied with a few other things, but I will get back to you with posts regarding Fashion, Skincare and Cooking. Watch this space >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Till next time =)

Bibimbap (비빔밥)

Bibimbap, which translates to mixed rice, is a traditional Korean dish that consists of steamed white rice, an assortment of mixed vegetables, gochujang sauce/paste (a sweet, salty and chilli paste), sliced meat typically beef, and an egg.

I have made three attempts at doing this dish and each time I would say it has improved a lot due to the praises I get from my diners (family). 

 

It was very obvious that this was my first attempt. The vegetable and meat slices were large and the arrangement was haphazardly done. In this 1st dish I used:

Cucumber & lettuce (for that fresh crunch)

Spring onion

Button mushrooms

Nori seaweed

Carrots

Paprika chicken breast

and a raw egg (don't worry it gets cooked by the steamed white rice underneath)

 

My 2nd attempt was arranged better and this time I sprinkled on some sesame seeds

The 3rd time's a charm. I arranged it so that the green vegetables were separated by other ingredients to create a colourful wheel. In this dish I used:

Carrots

Spring onion

Shiitake mushrooms (had a better flavour than button mushrooms)

Nori seaweed

Tofu

Cucumber

Beansprouts

Spinach

Strips of beef (rump)

Three egg yolks

Gochujang (substitute) 

& a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds

Recipe:

Prep

• Marinate the beef strips in light soy sauce and sesame oil and set aside for half an hour
• Wash and drain the spinach and bean sprouts
• Slice the following into strips:

> Cucumber
> Carrots
> Spring onion
> Shiitake mushrooms

• Cut the nori seaweed into thin strips
• Cube the tofu as it's mostly impossible to have them sliced thinly as it will crumble
• Toast the sesame seeds

Cooking

1. Once you have all the ingredients prepared, cook the rice, as the 20 minutes to cook the rice is the same amount of time you'll need to cook the vegetables and beef.
2. Use a good cooking sesame oil to cook each ingredient separately and season each ingredient with a little salt/soy sauce and pepper
3. Start by cooking the vegetables with the spinach first and the carrots last (don't cook the cucumber)
4. Then cook the beef last and add a tablespoon of sugar to caramelise the beef slightly.
5. Arrange all ingredients on top of the steaming hot rice. Put the green ingredients at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 points first and fill in the gaps with the remaining vegetables. 
6. Place the beef in the centre with the three egg yolks on top, dollop the Gochujang paste around and sprinkle on the the toasted sesame seeds.
7. Viola! Done =D

 

Notes:

• The cooking time for this dish isn't very long, it's mostly the preparation that takes a fair amount of time
• Make sure you have a sharp knife when you attempt this
• Cook the carrots last as they tend to stain the other vegetables orange, you want to keep all the colours separate
• You don't have to use raw eggs, you could do a sunny side-up or eggs over easy! 
• No gochujang? Make a substitute

Gochujang substitute recipe:

• Miso paste
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Chilli powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Honey
• White wine

Mix the ingredients to taste

(nothing like the real deal, but a great alternative if you don't have any available options)

After you've taken your pictures of your artwork..... uhmmm food. The only thing left to do is mix it well and eat!

Till Next Time =D

Review of L'Oreal Products

So it's been a month since I starting using the L'Oreal products. Before I give you a review I'll just remind you about my skin type and condition. 

I have combination to dry skin, that suffers most especially in the cold weather (I wish the sun would come back so badly). I also have eczema, around my eyes (and hands), that is exacerbated during winter. So my skin is in major need of hydrating and softening products, that will leave it soft and supple. I also wanted products that would brighten my complexion since it was so dull and dry.

L'Oréal Paris Triple Active Fresh Ultra-hydrating Gel-cream for dry and sensitive skin (Day cream)

Texture & Appearance: Just as it suggests, a creamy soft gel like texture, non-sticky and non-greasy and absorbs will into the skin upon application; and slightly peach tinged in colour.

Fragrance: A light refreshing scent, which kind of reminds me of the pond's cold cream.

Product: There is a generous amount of product in the jar and after one month of use, I have half a jar still filled. I use the product generously on my face and neck, so I estimate a jar if good for two months.

Results: My skin feels supple and refreshed throughout the day and there is minimal shine.

L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Collagen Filler Eye (Eye cream)

Texture & Appearance: The product has a light cream texture, with a pearlescent shimmer (maybe for temporarily brightening the eye contour area).

Frangrance: No distinct scent just a generic cream smell.

Product: Since product in is an opaque tube, you can't really gauge the amount of product left. I estimate about 1/3 of the product remains.

Result: After two weeks of use I stopped using the product due to the eczema around my eyes. The product stung like crazy upon initial application and subsided after a while, but was like this every application.

L'Oréal Paris Youth Code - youth boosting night cream

Texture & Appearance: The cream is  soft and smooth and it applies on thicker than the day cream, but just as breathable on the skin. It is lilac in colour, which reminds me of the Olay Regenerist Night Firming Cream.

Fragrance: Lightly fragranced, almost lavender like, which I personally find soothing and relaxing when applying this creamy product.

Product: Just like the day cream, I would say this product is good for up to two months use for a person who uses it generously on the face and neck

Result: My skin feels protected at night and soft and hydrated in the morning.

 

L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Youth Code Luminize (Serum)

Texture and Appearance: A thin slightly watery white product the spreads onto the skin well and is quickly absorbed.

Fragrance: The scent isn't all to pleasant as it reminds me of soapy washing up liquid.

Product: I used the recommended 2-3 pumps daily, but even applied it during my night routine. I used the entire bottle within a span of 3 weeks.

Results: My skins complexion does seem to be brighter and more even. But I wouldn't buy it again as the scent is just to over powering.

So there you have my review for these products. Overall they are quality products and I would definitely continue to use the day and night creams in my skin care routine.

Till next time =)

My First Attempt: Leche Flan

Here I am, proud and smug to show you my first time making this delicious Filipino party dessert staple.

After much prodding from my dad, who was reminiscing about his childhood, I decided to make Leche Flan for the first time. 

Leche Flan is known around the world by many names, but it's basically Creme Caramel. When Filipinos make it, they don't usually include the whites of the egg, but use the yolk (Pula) for a creamer smoother texture. My dad also told me that using the whites of the egg would make the flan taste raw, So I was like, hmmmmm.... yeah, I don't want that. Haha! 

So here is the recipe:

 For the Caramel topping

• White Sugar 50g
• Water 3 tablespoons, enough to cover sugar

Custard mix

• 6 duck egg yolks (don't discard the egg white, maybe used for a meringue or an all white omelette or fritatta)
• Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
• Condensed milk 397g can x 1
• Evaporated milk 170g can x 1
• Zest of 1 Lime

Equipment

•  Large pot and lid OR Steamer
•  Small pot or saucepan
•  Clean cloth
•  Bamboo skewer or  sharp knife
•  Loaf tin container 
•  Foil 
•  Mixing bowl
•  Can opener
•  Sieve
•  Grater
•  Fork/Whisk/Chopsticks

Procedure:

1. Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks and place in different bowls (set the egg whites aside)
2. Beat the egg yolks slightly to mix, avoid creating bubbles.
3. Put in the condensed milk followed by the evaporated milk and mix each time.
4. Add the vanilla extract and the zest of one lime, mix and set aside.
5. For the caramel topping, Place the sugar and water in a small pot and heat over medium heat, stir with a metal spoon to dissolve the  sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, do not stir, wait for the sugar's colour to turn amber, then caramel.
6. Place caramel at the bottom of  a buttered loaf tin and allow to set and harden. This way, when you pour in the custard mixture, there will be a solid clean layer of caramel on the bottom.
7. Sieve the custard mixture before placing into the loaf tin to ensure the mixture is as smooth as possible and remove the lime zest and any other impurities.
8. Cover with foil and place in the steamer and let steam for about an hour. Use the bamboo skewer to test, if it is clean, it's done.
9. Allow to cool and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
10. Turn upside down on a place and serve =)

Serve in nice generous thick slices =D

 

My Slice of Leche Flan

 

No bubbles, just smooth and creamy, through and through

So there you have it, my version of Filipino Leche Flan. I hope yours turns out as well as mine did. Oww and don't forget to cook the egg white omelette.

Till next time =)

Fluffy

Fluffy by francesca008tagle featuring brown boots

River island
$24 - riverisland.com

The Row skinny pants
net-a-porter.com

Gucci brown boots
$1,710 - profilefashion.com

METEO BY YVES SALOMON Rabbit fur gilet
$1,105 - farfetch.com

Hair Extension - Long & Wavy
yesstyle.com

L'Oréal products

Recently I went shopping for new facial products to supplement my new skincare routine that I'm doing during these cold months, while I wait for my sister to arrive with some Asian products from Philippines.

My skin type is combination to dry, during summer it's oily and during winter it's dry, and because of that my skin appears dull. So right now I'm interested in hydrating and brightening products with a thicker formula, but with a light-weight feel.

I went to Superdrug and bought a selection of L'Oréal products:

• L'Oréal Paris Triple Active Fresh Ultra-hydrating Gel-cream for dry and sensitive skin (Day cream)
• L'Oréal Paris Youth Code - youth boosting night cream
• L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Collagen Filler Eye (Eye cream)
• L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Youth Code Luminize (Serum)

I've been using these products for over a week now and I can't state any significant differences yet, but every time I do my skincare routine, my skin does feel much more supple and hydrated.

I'll be doing an upcoming post on these products to tell you how I found them and what the results were for my skin.

Till next time =)