Eclectic Interior

I love eclectic home style. Eclectic can never be boring. It'slike seeing a colorful page of a drawing. Always fun to look at. This home I found on Eclectic Living Home is one of those cute and eclectic home. Full of many things all over the place and so colorful. Just as perfect place that you can describe as eclectic and fun interior. 

 

  

(images via eclecticlivinghome)

Midweek Snack

It's time for midweek simple recipe. I just had a pizza yesterday but I didn't order bruchetta as a side dish which I usually have when I'm having a pizza. So I guess why not making one at home..just  a simple bruschetta yet delicious =) Here's a simple recipe of bruschetta that I found via A Taste Of Koko. Enjoy!

5 Minute Bruschetta

Ingredients:

• 12 baguette slices 
• 3 dry farmed tomatoes, or whatever tomatoes you have on hand
• 3-4 large basil leaves, chopped
• Fresh head of garlic
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt 
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Heat up a pan and drizzle some olive oil. 
2. Toast the baguette slices for 4 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat and immediately rub with cut side of a head of garlic. The warmth of the bread releases the garlic's aroma.
4. Top the freshly toasted bread with the chopped tomatoes and basil. Season with Kosher salt and cracked black pepper. 
5. Serve immediately.

(recipe and image via A Taste Of Koko)

Things To Remember

What are the most important things in life? I am sure that we all have different answers to that question. But often in life there are those things that we can all think are acceptable to everyone. For example those moral things we taught by our parents or maybe those caring feelings we must spread tho those in need and more. I found this list about the most important things to remember via myrandomstuff. 

 

The Ten Most Important Things To Remember

1. The most important thing parents can do for their kids is to have a good relationship with each other. This is where children get their lessons in life on how to be with another person. Set a good example.

2. The most important thing a man can do for his love is to cherish them. If your mate feels your love and knows that you are there for them, it creates a very strong foundation.

3. The most important thing a woman can do for her partner is to be a great cheerleader. We all need to know that we are the star player in the eyes of the person we love.

4. The most important thing to know about yourself is that you are good enough. You don’t have to be the best at anything to have a great life. Don’t let anyone’s criticism of something you’ve done keep you from feeling good about yourself.

5. The most important thing to feel is that you are loved. Life without love is just tolerable. I really think that feeling the love, where ever it comes from, is the only way to truly experience life to its fullest.

6. The most important thing to do in life is to contribute to the well-being of humanity. Everything else aside, the knowledge that you have made the world a tiny bit better just by being here and trying to help is a great way to get you through the rough patches.

7. The most important thing to remember is that special person who has been good to you. That teacher in grammar school who helped you discover a special talent you have. The one who won your heart. The person whose name you’ll never know who pulled over to help you change a tire.

8. The most important thing to give to yourself is time. Life is a limited window of opportunity. Wasting time (which is different from relaxing) is one of the ways we hurt ourselves. Anger, resentment, feeling too sorry for ourselves, and plotting revenge are just a few of the ways we waste the precious minutes of our lives.

9. The most important thing in the world is the people who are in it. Look, if we were really meant to be alone, there wouldn’t be so many of us on the planet. Your mission is to find those deserving of your talents and time and to treasure and share your life with them.

10. The most important thing in life is to feel that you are living it to the best of your abilities. Knowing that you are reaching your potential is comforting. You want your life to end with as few regrets as possible.

(article source: myrandomstuff.se - image source: favim)

Being a Mother

 

The last three days I was not feeling well. I had a gastric problem. It's a common gastric problem in which the gatric acid level raises. It feels so uncomfortable and I feel so very sick. I can feel the pain on my stomach, nausea, dizzy and much more all in one time. But when you're a mother of a child, the worst thing when you're sick is that you can't fully take care of your child. It's so sad hat I can't really play full time with my baby daughter due to being sick. I went to the doctor and took all the medicine that the doctor prescribed for me. And everytime I took the medicine, I keep having this positive thinking that this pain will go soon and soon I will be able to play and take care of my baby daughter again full time. Somehow the positive thinking about being well works. Finally on the third day of me being sick, I can sleep well. And waking up this morning feeling much much better than the days before. I think it's a natural feeling of being a mother that when you're not feeling well, you have to get up and say to yourself that everything's going to be fine =) Have a great weekend...

(image source: chickabug.com)

Dalai Lama

Found this image (via) of Dalai Lama's quote about what surprises him most. About man and being on the oresent. Sometimes we forget how to just live for the moment that all we do is being busy with other things and forget to enjoy the real life. Read the quote below...what do you think?

Infographics

Often we need some visulizations when it comes to read new information. I think it's fun when we can see and read a useful information combines with interesting images. I'm now liking infogrphics, information with graphics in it. Below are just two of thousand infographic images. It looks funbut at the same time it also gives us many infomation.

(image source: djdesignerlab.com)

Heavy Flooding

Rain rain..it's been raining since the last couple of days which make a heavy flooding in Jakarta, the city where I live. Luckily there's no flood in my neighborhood, the heavy flooding hit the central business district of Jakarta, some housing areas and some other areas. Traffic jam was unavoidable which has made the city became chaotic. There are certain place here that are still hit by heavy flooding. My prayers are for those who have been evacuated. Here are some of the pictures on the heavy flooding yesterday. I love rainy days but if the are areas that are hit by heavy flooding, I wish the rain will stop soon and make all things back to normal.

 

(image sources: jakartaupdates.com, jakarta.tribunnews.com, sains.kompas.com)

Great Idea...

The images below (via yesemails) are those images tat will make us say "wow, that's a good idea" or maybe "wow, I never knew I can do that" =) Turns out that there are lots of things we think we know but we didn't really know. Just like the images below. Hope the images will be useful for you or at least can make you smile =) 

(You can flip a toaster on its side and grill cheese in it)

 (If you place a wooden spoon over a pot of boiling water, it won't boil over)

(You can run a paper bag through your printer)

(Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.

If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster)

(Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.It will stay fresh much longer and not mold! (but you can scrape off any mold and still eat the cheese without changes in flavor! )

(Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.

Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and stronger flavored)

(all images via yesemails.com)

Eccentric Home

Something eclectic and eccentric surely will never be boring, right? I love eclectic things, I love seing something pop out in the middle of common things. As well as interior and home decor go, I love eclectic type of decor. Want to see the perfect example of the most eclectic home I've seen so far? Below are the images. It's an eccentric as well as eclectic home in Notting Hill, London (via 1kindesign). Bea Deza, a fashion designer, is the owner and the designer of the house.

(all images via onekindesign.com)

One rule..

I found this really great website that posts only quotes about many things.The site is called "thatonerule". It's about rule that each one of us have and about things that we can always remember as a note to self. For those of you who's really into quotes and such, you'll love it =) Below are some of the images from the site. Have a great Monday...

(all images via thatonerule.com)

Sweet Chocolate

Chocolate can never be wrong..chocolate cake can always be right for any moment. That's what I always feel. How about you? I can never resist a chocolate cake. Here's a weekend recipe of "Chocolate Moelleux aka Chocolate Lava Cake" by Culinary Couture. I love chocolate lava cake so much. I can eat it anytime..breakfast, lunch, before bed..anytime. The image below is so mouth watering...oh wow, I'm going straight to the kitchen now and make one. Have a great weekend everyone..Have a sweet one =)

Chocolate Moelleux aka Chocolate Lava Cake

Yield: 2 moelleuxs

Ingredients:

• 50 g dark chocolate/1.76 oz.
• 55 g butter/ 1.94 oz.
• 25 g all purpose flour/0.88 oz.
• 50 g sugar/1.76 oz.
• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Grease two mini pudding moulds. Sprinkle some cocoa powder over the butter and shake the moulds to evenly coat them.
2. Pre-heat your oven to 200°C/400°F.
3. Whisk 1 egg and 1 egg yolk. Add the sugar and whisk. Add the sifted flour and whisk. Melt the butter together with the chocolate. Add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and whisk.
4. Divide the dough over the two moulds and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye to them as you really do not want to overcook them!

(image and recipe by culinary couture)

Better Sleep

Having a baby means that I don't have enough sleep. I think all mothers who still have babies think so too. Every three or more hours I need to wake up in the middle of the night just to check my baby or to feed her. But I'm now get used to wake up twice everyday for my baby. That's why I don't feel sleepy the whole day because of the habit. I came to think that it's not the length of your sleep time that's important but it's the quality of your sleep. Here's an article by Allison Tsai via HealthCentral about how to make your sleep better. It's really important to have a good sleep so that we can wake up in the morning with a fresh start. 

 

 7 Snacks to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep

1. Banana with a small glass of milk - A small banana is best, as they still contain a large amount of sugar. Combining the amino acid tryptophane with carbohydrates as well as calcium and magnesium can help your brain relax and your body nod off to sleep.
2. Small bowl of oatmeal or cereal with milk - Look for a high fiber cereal and try to avoid oatmeal with a lot of extra sweetner. In addition, calcium has been proven to help the brain use and process tryptophan, while magensium, a natural sedative, acts as an "assistant" to calcium helping it to be absorbed into your system.
3. Small yogurt with granola sprinkled on top -   This is good because you can get cups of yogurt that are pre-portioned. Make sure that you are not overeating, as too much food puts your digestive system into overdrive, keeping you awake.
4. Half a bagel or a few crackers with peanut butter - You can also substitute peanut butter for an ounce of cheese or a slice of turkey on top.Timing your snack is also important. The effect of tryptophan-rich foods will not take effect for up to 45 minutes.
5. Sliced apple with 1 ounce of cheese - You can get creative with the fruit, if you don't have any apples. Your possibilities are endless when combining tryptophan and carbohydrate-rich foods. Be creative and take note of what works for you.
6. One scrambles egg with toast - Make sure you are eating a slice of whole grain toast to keep it healthy. And keep in mind that a healthy lifestyle in general will contribute to good sleep. Regular exercise, healthy meals and a diligent bedtime routine are all improtant for good sleep.
7. Chamomile Tea - This is a bedtime favorite because it has a mild sedating effect.

(article via healthcentral.com- image via weheartit)

The story...

When you read the image above, what do you have in mind? At a first glance, I thought it was just another common quote about life. But when I read it again for the second time, I was saying to myself maybe the quote was right. After all this time, we were always looking for a happy ending but fail to make a good story to make the ending. Maybe after all, it not only about how we want to be at the end but how we go towards the ending. Maybe it's the story that matters the most. Maybe...

(image via weheartit)

New Year's Resolutions

Good moring =) Hope you all had a great weekend. I have a question to ask..is it too late to make new year's resolution? I hope not, since we can all say that this is still the very first week of the year. Don't you think so? I usually make new year's resolutions but the last couple of years I didn't make any. I just live my life just the way it goes and make changes as things go by. So, I found this article called "7 New Years Resolutions You Should Try" written by Aprille on All Women Stalk. I think it's good to try one or more of the recommended ideas. So, here's the list...

"7 New Years Resolutions You Should Try"

1. Show More Kindness - I find myself collecting more and more stuff each year. Sometimes I get in a cleaning mood and end up throwing tons of stuff in a cardboard box. I try not to look in the box again and close it up as soon as it is full. There is always some place around here accepting donations, whether it is one of the local churches or the thrift store in the next town. I feel better knowing that someone else will get good use out of my things.
2. Bake Something Twice A Month -  Choose a different neighbor each time. The neighbors don’t have to be right next door, either. I live out in the country, so people are spread miles apart. I like to bake during the holidays and take goodies to the bank, post office, grocery store, the hardware store, and the local gas station. These are the only businesses in town. Living in a community where houses were closer, it would definitely be a lot easier to bake more often.
3. Take A Family Outing - Look for free things to do with the family. That way you won’t have to save up money and the outing won’t have to be canceled due to lack of funds. Go on a picnic, take a walk through a favorite park, visit a festival that is in town, or make it game night indoors if the weather is too sketchy to be traveling in. Maybe you could work things out with friends and rotate to each other’s houses once a month for dinner and a movie.
4.  Cook An Exotic Meal - Tons of recipes are available online and most are easy to follow. The hardest part might be finding the right ingredients. Try making a dish from a different countryeach month or maybe pick a region of the world and cook up a few different entrees from this same country for an entire week out of the month. There are many possibilities with this resolution!
5.  Make A Charitable Donation - I find myself collecting more and more stuff each year. Sometimes I get in a cleaning mood and end up throwing tons of stuff in a cardboard box. I try not to look in the box again and close it up as soon as it is full. There is always some place around here accepting donations, whether it is one of the local churches or the thrift store in the next town. I feel better knowing that someone else will get good use out of my things.
6. Pamper Yourself - Take time to lounge in a warm bubble bath, then paint yourtoe nails or soak your hands and give yourself a manicure.If you can afford it, I recommend getting a massage, even if it is only a half hour one. It’s amazing how relaxed you will feel afterwards! Pampering doesn’t always have to include something physical either. Maybe eating lunch at a favorite sandwich shop or hanging out at a bookstore for the afternoon is more up your ally. Anything that you don’t normally get to do that makes you happy could count as pampering.
7. Go Vegan Once A Week - Every Monday I get an email from a website that promotes Meatout Mondays. These recipes are usually very yummy and easy to make. I find this method of taking time out from eating meat to be easier than trying to find recipes in a cookbook. The recipe comes in my email, I gather the ingredients, and then make it for the family. Not everyone is as thrilled with this as I would like, but they really are tasty. I also feel like I’m helping my family eat healthier too.

(article via allwomenstalk - image via weheartit)

Bunting DIY

I am currently obsessed with making craft especially on making DIY party decorations. On Sunday, there will be a traditional ceremony for my nephew and I'm making him a dessert table as a gift from me and my daughter. Hopefully it will all go according to my vision. So, here I am just finished making paper buntings for the dessert table decorations. Here are some of the inspirations...Have a great weekend.

(image sources: image 1, image 2, image 3)

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year 2013

 

 I guess "Happy New Year" is the best thing to say on this posting. It's been a week since my last posting. So, holiday is over..back to reality. I hope you all had a great journey in 2012 and hope that we all will have greater journey in 2013. Bring it on 2013 =) Here's a really perfect quote to start a fresh new year. And below is a greeting for all of you from my daughter...xoxo

 

“Make New Year's goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully living life in the year to come. 

Goals give us direction. They put a powerful force into play on a universal, conscious, and subconscious level. Goals give our life direction.

What would you like to have happen in your life this year? What would you like to do, to accomplish? What good would you like to attract into your life? What particular areas of growth would you like to have happen to you? What blocks, or character defects, would you like to have removed?

What would you like to attain? Little things and big things? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have happen in friendship and love? What would you like to have happen in your family life?

What problems would you like to see solved? What decisions would you like to make? What would you like to happen in your career?

Write it down. Take a piece of paper, a few hours of your time, and write it all down - as an affirmation of you, your life, and your ability to choose. Then let it go. 

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” 

 
― Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go: Hazelden Meditation Series