GPOY: SATURDAY
What I wore: Long sleeve striped top with elbow patches from Pimkie, Printed high-waist skirt and belt from Zara, Necklace from Forever21, Retro matte lipstick from Mac
What I wore: Oversized sweater and printed high-waist skirt from Zara, Necklace from Forever21, Sunnies from Splash, Retro matte lipstick from Mac
What I wore: Jacket with oriental-ish design and printed high-waist skirt from Zara, Necklace from Forever21, Half bustier from Oysho, Sunnies from Splash, Retro matte lipstick from Mac
What I wore: Sweater from Pimkie, Stripe pencil skirt from Zara, Vintage sunnies from Burberry, Watch from ASOS, Bracelets and ring from H&M,Retro matte lipstick from Mac
What I wore: Floral print top from Forever21, Stripe pencil skirt from Zara, Vintage sunnies from Burberry, Watch from ASOS, Bracelets and ring from H&M,Retro matte lipstick from Mac
What I wore: Polka dot bustier from Oysho, Stripe pencil skirt and envelope clutch from Zara, Blazer from Splash, Vintage sunnies from Burberry, Watch from ASOS, Bracelets and ring from H&M,Retro matte lipstick from Mac
MEET MAGGIE-MOO
Her name is Maggie, she is a six year old English Beagle from Thailand. We got her from our friend on Mum’s birthday a couple of weeks ago. She was an unexpected gift and she’s the best thing I’ve ever had (here in the UAE). It may seem like I’m overreacting and such, but I’m glad my feelings of homesickness went away - I missed my dogs in the Philippines so much, it hurts! Thank goodness, Maggie-moo always cheer me up.
She is intelligent, adorbs, loving, cheeky and has the best personality. She is house and crate trained. She loves children and does excellent with other animals. She can be lazy like a bulldog, too. We cannot let her off lead in an open field as she won’t come back, will have to wait 3-4 hours for her return. She is always hungry. She need a lot of exercise though, but we get used to walking her!
Ta,
Is x
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!
I have the most supportive and loving Mother ever. Words cannot describe her importance. I’m the world’s most happy creature when I know Mum is happy. Happy happy birthday, Mum! (Please excuse the silly face)
What I wore: Oversized sheer blazer with stag print from ASOS, Polka-dot corset from Oysho, Random plaid scarf from my closet, pants and shoes from Zara (Hahaha, sorry there was no full-body photo)
This year for Mum’s birthday we took her out for supper at Han Kook. She said it’s the best birthday she has ever had in a long time because our friend surprised her with an unexpected gift (see the next blog post for more details). It was a great birthday indeed!
It was our second time visiting Han Kook. As a starter, our waitress brought us a selection of complimentary side dishes but this time it was different sides from what we had before (except for the Kimchi, of course).
It was originally Dad’s silly idea
Dad and the birthday girl
Me and my lamon buddy, Ate Cha
Thursday night marks the start of the weekend here in the UAE, as everyone gets ready for the weekend like spending the holiday outdoors and with friends. As you may have noticed, we didn’t get a room (traditional Korean-style booth), cheesus cries them booths were all occupied ended up getting a mediocre table, whatever, I don’t care, it’s not the end of the world. Note to self: Reserve early, get the room/table you want!
Korean-style sticky rice
You bring Bulgogi, we cook it. You bring Bulgogi, we grill it. Either way works.
Korean seafood pancake
Korean-style fried chicken
I LOVE KIMBAP (Korean sushi rolls)! This was my first time tasting these rolls. It looks and tastes quite similar to Japanese sushi/maki rolls but without the Kikkoman soy sauce and wasabi. Yep, it’s kinda similar to Futomaki. So if you like Japanese sushi/maki rolls, you will prolly enjoy Kimbap, too.
I am very pleased if I made you hungry!
Ta,
Is x
THURSDAY NIGHT
We were on our way home (waiting for a bus ride home) from participating in the christening reception of Elysia Angela (Dad’s friend’s daughter) held at the Philippine House Restaurant.
What I wore: Oversized cardigan with elbow patches and corduroy skinnies from ZaraTRF, White top from Forever21, Retro style watch from ASOS, Sandals platforms from Primadonna, Bag from Aldo
Waiting for bus #44 going to Karama Street
Nah, just bored!
Ta,
Is x
ARABIC TEDDIES
Their faces are just naturally angry looking, and they’re massive, too!
Saw these teddies in Al Muhairy Shopping Centre, btw!
Folks and I eat at Kowloon’s every chance we get. The food is consistently good, the prices are totally reasonable and their service is quick. I don’t know most of the dishes (except for the dim sum choices; there are plenty I’d like to try in the future) and just browsed their menu list. Folks ordered the meals though. After all, munching these meals in a cold night was satisfying.
Ta,
Is x
LOVE MCD’S BREAKFAAAST
The newly renovated McDonald’s in Khalidiyah Street
Mum and I waiting for our breakfast order
Dad fell asleep, while he was waiting for his breakfast (?)
Go for morning goodness at McDonald’s
I had a Sausage McMuffin with Egg
Ta,
Is x
나에게 생일 축하 (NA-EGE SAENG-IL CHUGHA!)
나에게 생일 축하 (Na-ege saeng-il chugha!) eng sub. Happy birthday to me!
안녕하세요 잘 지내 (Annyeonghaseyo jal jinae?) eng sub. Hello, how are you?
나는 자네들 모두 잘 맞길 바래요 (Naneun janedeul modu jal majgil balaeyo!) eng sub.I hope you’re all well!
We fancied a culinary change and it’s been a while for folks since they’ve had Korean food and I never been to a Korean restaurant before, so we visited Han Kook for some ethnic delights.
On arrival, we remove our shoes to enter a private, traditional Korean-style booth. We sit on the floor at a low wooden table, that’s long enough to accommodate a group of eight or nine people.
Portable gas stove/grills built into the table
On each table there’s a little button that you press to call your waiter/waitress. (Un)Fortunately our waitress was so attentive I didn’t get the opportunity to use it!
Bag and coat/jacket rack
Traditional Korean tools and utensils
The variety of food on offer is pretty impressive, with 42 menu items including beef, duck, ribs, chicken, soup and noodle dishes. We’re spoilt for choice and not overly familiar with Korean food so we enlist the help of our friendly waitress, to make some recommendations.
But, before we expand on that, I don’t have any ‘insider knowledge’ of their menu at all really (except for Korean’s infamous fermented cabbage, Kimchi). So I asked my reliable full-blooded Chinese (no-longer-Chinese-anymore, lol) and now, she has a Korean heart super friend, Achie Teng, for food advice. She then advised me to try Bulgogi, any Korean Pancake and Kimchi Pot Stew.
We’re keen to try a range of Korean dishes so we order Bulgogi, Korean style seafood pancake and fried chicken, and Duk Mandoo Kuk. Folks didn’t want to try the Kimchi Pot Stew as they were afraid of the spiciness of it. I will try KPS soon - looking forward to my next visit!
I would say Korean style rice is more sticky and chewy. It goes really well with all kinds of Korean dishes.
We nibble on a selection of complimentary side dishes before our main meals arrive.
Next, we sample the Bulgogi. We did enjoy this dish as much, prolly because the dish is served raw and we need to cook it for about 10 minutes or so to get the right taste, colour and consistency. Y’all know the excitement where you are seated at a table with a stove/grill where you can cook your own food. I found this concept of cooking your own food very amuuusing.
We loved the seafood pancake though. It’s light, seasoned and tastes a bit like an omelette, with an tasty combination of green onion leaves, prawns and shrimps lightly fried together. We can’t help but dip our pancake in the black-bean and sesame seed sauce for more savoury taste.
Duk Mandoo Kuk (Rice Cake with Dumpling Soup) doesn’t really appeal to us immediately. We don’t enjoy this dish, just an ordinary dumpling soup, I reckon. We should’ve tried the Kimchi Pot Stew instead.
I must agree, the chicken wings were crispy. Crunchy exterior and perfectly moist on the inside. We were extremely quiet at the table, munching away and savouring every minute of this delectable meal.
Huge portions and a varied menu that’s sure to impress even the fussiest of eaters. We are already looking forward to our return visit to Han Kook and to ordering our favourite meal. Oh wait, this post is supposedly about my twenty-third birthday celebration, but it turned out to be a restaurant review, lol.
What I wore: Leather jacket, red top and black shorts from Pimkie, White top from Forever21, Retro style watch from ASOS, Tights from Splash, Bag from Aldo
Ta,
Is x
TWENTY-THIRD
1. It was a lovely Saturday morning
2. Gorg morning view from our porch
3. Quiet neighborhood is quiet
4. Beautiful flower boxes on their window
NEW MALL IN TOWN
These were my lunch (I can’t remember the name of this restaurant I ate at in Mushrif Mall). What I like about this new shopping mall is the great selection of restaurants to choose from.
Bought a black leather bag at Splash
Dad and the massive Croc
Mum got herself a new pair of Crocs for her birthday to replace her old one. Actually, unfortunately, I paid them (It was a good thing I brought some extra money). She wants me to pay for them, like it’ll be my birthday gift for her. Demanding Mum is demanding. Sigh. So, advance happy birthday, Mum!
What I wore: Oversized kimono-like top from Zara, White top, multi-color knapsack and leather boots from Forever21, Retro style watch from ASOS, Tights from Splash
These photos were taken (the last three photos), while we were on our way home
Ta,
Is x
SABAH EL KHEIR
Sabah el kheir, y’all!
After grocery shopping, I bought undergarments at Oysho, then we visited Gap. Mum was finding the perfect gift for Dad on valentine’s day. And, while I was waiting for her, I took a few photos of my outfit.
Hahaha, so this was my grocery odd outfit last week (please excuse my pale face). On a different yet informative note, ‘Sabah’ means ‘morning’, ‘al/el’ means ‘the’, ‘khair/kheir’ means ‘good’. Sabah el kheir is prolly the equivalent and very common way of saying Hi in the UAE. Sabah al-ful is another way, as a respondant pointed out, but it’s less used, and more stylised.
What I wore: Oversized cardigan was Dad’s hospital jacket, Sunnies from H&M, Mini cloth sling bag from Baguio Philippines, Black shorts and tights from Pimkie,Gray shoes from ZaraTRF, Vintage Casio
Happy kid is happy!
Ta,
Is x
