Make Your Own Green Tea Latte

As a huge green tea enthusiast, green tea latte or maccha latte is a huge thing for me. I need my green tea latte, or any green tea offering in that matter, to still retain that deep and rich bitterness of green tea instead of being too milky and barely taste of green tea powder at all. Starbucks still has my favorite green tea latte now that I’m no longer in Japan where everyone know exactly how I’d like my latte to be, but sometimes when I’m at home and craving for some green tea latter, I like to make my own latte. I got this recipe from just one cookbook which has another amazing Japanese food recipe on her site.

250 mL milk | 1 tbs hot water | 1 ½ tsp green tea powder (or to your liking, I use 1 tbs) |1 tsp sugar

1. Sift green tea powder to get rid of lumps then mix them with hot water , stir until smooth in the cup you’re intended to use later.

2. On saucepan, heat your milk and sugar over medium heat until small bubbles start appearing. Turn off the heat. If you have frother, you can froth it at this stage, seeing as I do not, I don’t, and it’s okay, the latte still taste amazing.

3. Pour the hot milk into the cup with green tea paste. I like to stir them together before sprinkling some more green tea powder. If it’s too bitter, you’re free to add sugar to your liking. Sip them while they’re hot.

 Have you tried making green tea latte on your own?

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What I Ate Recently

If you’re here expecting makeup, get ready to be disappointed. Or not, because I present with food. And, really, who doesn’t love food?
 

Tendon Tenya

Good ol’ Tendon Tenya, it is one of my favorite places to eat back when I was living in Japan. They’re crazy affordable, fulfilling, and delicious. While I always went for the classic tendon back then, coming here, I experimented with the menu. The recent one I tried was the curry udon with ebi-tempura, which perfectly satisfied the udon and curry lover in me.

Hokkaido Baby Cheesecake

While everyone was raving about Pablo Cheesecake’s arrival in Indonesia, I, who had stupidly ate one whole of their cheesecake a day before returning to my country (along with extra 1.5 kgs), wasn’t feeling the excitement. Instead, I was curious to try this equally dainty yet inviting offering from Hokkaido Baby. I tried the original and green-tea, both of them earned two-thumbs up for me. I like my cheese-cake to be on the balanced side; light yet still maintaining the richness of cheese, which if wasn’t done well can ended up with bland cheesecake. The green-tea one is definitely another favorite too! When it comes to green-tea desert, I’m incredibly picky; the deeper the green-tea’s bitterness, the better, and this one nailed it!

Starbucks Scarlet Velvet Cake

I’m that person who goes to starbucks just for their ice coffee but orders each and every new food delicacies. One day, I found out they have this scarlet velvet cake for sale, and intrigued – since the last time I ate their red velvet roll-cake, I was disappointed – I decided to give it a try. Surprisingly, it’s good. Nothing earth-shattering, but it has good balance of moist yet not too moist cake and light, yet flavorful icings.

Those are the three new menus that I tried recently. Have you tried any of them?
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Another Girls Day Out

I treated two of my lovely friends; Amez & Mba Agi for pasta lunch at Pancious last Sunday as part of birthday tradition. When it comes to our hang out place, we seems to have this fixed schedule and place. Started by hitting either Pancious or Genki Sushi when we have budget, or grab anything from nearest fast-food joint. I think it became a once in a month habit last year to visit Pancious and have their pasta instead of their pancakes with ice tea or earl grey milk tea as companion.

After we're done with lunch, we will hit any makeup counter including Sephora and indulge ourselves in shameless swatch fest while joking around, sighing over the beauty of newly launched items, and making mental note which one to pick for next payday. In short, a long window shopping spree which could last for two hours with us talking all the time, giggling uncontrollably, and being embarrassing together (#unitedwestanddividedwefall).

Since this only started last year, this tradition is not even a year old, but I hope this can last forever. We might 'meet' everyday through twitter and LINE, but nothing beats meeting in person. They're truly lovely people, my friends, whom I connect with in so many levels. We might not think alike, have different personality, but we click together at this one vital part. I hope we can meet very soon and the next time it shall includes actual shopping haul.

What's your favorite hang-out place and activity?

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Tokyo Trip Recaps - Foods

Today marked the first of July but I decided to forego the usual 'monthly to do' and 'monthly favorite. Instead, I'm going to write another recap of my recent trip to Tokyo. Today's recap will be about food, specifically 3 places that  I enjoyed plenty of delicious food while I was there, and if my memory serves me correctly, I think I happened to savour more western food than Japanese ones. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. Food is food, regardless. And as much as I love Japanese food, I'm not protesting when I was given equally delicious western food. It also happened that I did not snap any Japanese food due to the poor lighting. But I hope your eyes do enjoy the other pictures my lenses managed to capture.

Cafe Coconoha | Asakusa Solamachi | Official Site
This cafe deli offers variety of Japanese style pasta and desserts, focusing on pancakes. Located just beside Tokyo Sky Tree lobby, this place seems ideal for people who wants to enjoy their lunch (or brunch) before getting into the tower. I ordered confiture pancake; 5 slices of mini, fluffy pancake topped with equally fluffy whipped cream with apricot and strawberry jams to eat with. I personally fancy the apricot more thant the strawberry which was too sweet for my liking. Overall, the cafe has nice ambience and delicious, pretty food, I'd love to eat here to try their other offerings if I have chance to.

Dean & DeLuca | Shinjuku Lumine | Official Site
This New York origin cafe & deli was probably the cafe that I visited the most while I was there, especially the one in Shinjuku (I think it's purely because I visited Shinjuku a lot). I remember visiting here a couple of times when I was still a student and fell in love for their pretzel. Honestly, I didn't buy much food there, only their pretzel, but I never skip to buy their ice coffee. Simple ice coffe because I'm falling to that cliched no morning without coffee. Dean & DeLuca in Shinjuku station was small, but I love there because it's located in the station and people just came and go. Like I've mentioned, I'm truly fascinated with the organized chaos of Tokyo.

Dominique Ansel Bakery | Omotesando, Harajuku | Official Site
*above is not the picture of Dominique Ansel. I did not snap any photo there for lack of time and lack of lighting.
Another New York origin eatery. This infamous bakery is apparently sooooo famous in Tokyo, I probably queued there for 20 minutes and waited another 5 before getting my seat, before having to leave again since there're still long lines waiting for empty seat. We're lucky enough that Dominique himself was there (he bumped into me, and I had literal fangirl moment back then). I got myself cronut (passion fruit summer edition) while Amez tried the infamous DKA (DOMINIQUE'S KOUIGN AMANN) and Frozen S'more™. We both had Matcha Latte for drink. Honestly, they're delicious, but I personally am a fan of more subdued yet still there, lingering sweetness, so they fell too sweet for my liking (maybe this is what people called American's sweetness? ) The matcha latte was too rich as well, but after I let it sit for a while and let the ice melts, I came to appreciate the depth of its bitterness. Overall, a splendid place but maybe if I visit next time, I'd like to visit during less crowded hour to thoroughly enjoy their sweet offerings.

Sarabeth's | Shinjuku Lumine | Official Site
Why, oh, why, I ended up at another New York origin restaurant, dear me? Right, because my sweet, precious Japanese friend told me she had been wanting to eat here and who am I to resist, really? Despite the slightly mind-blowing price (I shelled quiet a lot while I ate there), I was very pleased with this restaurant, by far the second most delicious food I ate in my trip! I ordered their signature classic Fat and Fluffy French Toast. Now, this is the kind of sweetness I love; subtle, yet lingering, faint trace of sweet indulgence that's both decadent yet gentle. It came with fresh blue and rasp berries, two slices of banana, and dusted with icing sugar. Since the restaurant is also very popular, they limited our time there (approximately 70 minutes). Despite the short time, I really enjoyed eating there. Might consider second visit if chance permits, but this time, I'll try to come as early as possible (because I queued again, for 40 minutes!)

Kaiten Sushi | Shinjuku
*above is not the picture of sushi, obviously. I did not snap any photo there for lack of time and lack of lighting.
The most delicious food I ate there was, of course, kaitenzushi! We found this small kaitenzushi restaurant at Shinjuku but I forgot the name. I ate about 6 plates with 4 of them being salmon (I really love salmon). The sushi chefs (two grandpas who kept smiling at us because he obviously knew we're foreigners but I was speaking in Japanese, long live, grandpa!) were making sushi in the center, and despite my stay there, I think this was my first authentic kaitenzushi experience. They're superb, fluffy rice, and fresh fishes! If only I could live surrouned by fresh sushi forever (had a I truly love raw fish and sushi moment)! My biggest regret was not capturing its beauty with my lens, but I guess I was too preoccupied with how delicious they are, truly savoring them to even remember my camera.

The other food I had was courtesy of convenience store, mostly consist of onigiri, snacks, and cartooned milk coffee. My lovely vietnam friend also got me two cute donuts with giraffe and 'thank you' icing decoration. The donuts were moist, not too sweet, but the icing added the right amount of flavor.

That wrapped up my Tokyo Trip Recaps! Overall, I had a pleasant experience there. As mentioned in previous post, Tokyo is no longer tourist destination for me, more a home, another home that I lived in for short period of time but left me with many sweet and meaningful moments, blessed me with many great, inspiring people. Yet, it doesn't mean I have known Tokyo completely, so there's always some new place for me to venture, some new things for me to discover. If I could (and budget allow), I'd like to make this trip to Tokyo annual thing, but, well, only God knows, isn't it?

What kind of food you'd like to try in Japan? Have you tried any restaurants I mentioned above?

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Favorite Turquoise Non-beauty Product

After my sleep-over post a couple of weeks ago, I'm coming back with non-beauty related post! Still with turquoise/mint-green-themed post, this time it's for non-makeup products. While for makeup/skincare, the items are gathered unconsciously, I have to admit for non-beauty, I purposely look up for turquoise colored-items. Sadly, the color does not match my complexion well so I do not have any clothes/top in this color. But I have some items in this color that I always use, or carry around daily.

Stradivarius Embossed Card Holder in 505 Aquamarine

I mentioned this card holder in my 'New in April' post. This is both impulsive and non-impulsive purchase, I had wanted card holder in similar color in Kate Spade but I cannot justify the price (1 card holder equals to 20 cheeseburger set + McFlurry. I'm sorry, but #foodovereveyrthing). One random visit to Stradivarius then found me snatching this card holder to the cashier with very little thinking. It comes with a pocket where I store my namecards and Starbucks card.

Stradivarius Embossed Zip-Up Purse in 505 Aquamarine

Another 'I actually want the Kate Spade version of this but I can buy myself 60 sets of cheeseburger and McFlurry' item. This wallet was also present with the Card Holder but I didn't buy it until about a month later before a meeting. Actually, I was tight at budget but the staff told me this was the last one in entire store, AND in another branch as well. With what is thinking, this is the last item-mentality, I purchased this one, then literally dumped my old wallet before proceeding to meet my client. This turned out smaller than my old (tattered, and battered) wallet, but it holds more card in it which is really practical.

Daiichi 2016 Schedule Check (Calendar Type)

I have two of this; one is the 'journal type' which I keep in the office; then this 'calendar type' for blogging purpose. I write down all my blogging schedule in this one and keep it beside my laptop and desk calendar. Every beginning of the month, I will bring all my three planners (another one is from jeeva for all-around planner), and match schedule. Might not be the most convenient for detailed planning but for marking dates and scheduling, this comes in handy. Plus, the paper they're using is of high quality, thus it's really easy to write on this, some planner comes with measly paper which actually affects my writing.

Forget Me Not To-do List Desk Note

I purchased this when there was a bazaar at the lobby of my office building. They actually had other stationeries like greeting cards, notebooks, and planner but my eyes were naturally attracted to this one; turquoise, and bird? Check! I use this note to write down blogging or photo ideas, sometimes random thought that comes for my story as well, or even simply to list down what do I need to do for the day.

Starbucks Tumbler for Ice in Grande

Ha, I am that person who goes to Starbucks for their tea not their coffee (lies, I go there for coffee but I'm limiting my caffeine intake because sometimes it affect my skin) and have the tea-bag in for a whole day refill!Since I went there regularly, I thought of buying their tumbler but never had the motivation until I saw this one. There was a phase when I'm addicted to vintage, floral pattern and I think it still lives on even though just a tinny bit, plus, the turquoise color makes it hard for me to resist it. I just hope they come in venti size instead of Grande.

SMxSUM Market SHINee Gourmet Popcorn in Sweet & Salt

Oh, this gorgeous popcorn is back again. Meet the most beautiful popcorn tin you will ever see in your life! Actually, the whole popcorn products are drop-dead gorgeous, if I had a chance, I will be getting the Red Velvet, and maybe TVXQ one as well. Not only the packaging is pretty, the popcorn is also delicious, I have sadly run out of the actual content and now have the tin remained in my plant house for decorative and collective purpose. Have any idea what should I store inside?

The next turquoise colored item I'm looking for is probably bag, but since I'm really, really picky when it comes to bag, I don't see it happening until at least new F/W items arrive in store. I'm actually hoping for footwear as well, preferably strappy sandals with white-platform. Anyways, tomorrow is SHINee anniversary and I'm so excited to celebrate it by eating something special, I think I spot a peppermint cupcake in the new eatery near my office!

What are your non-beauty favorite? Do you like anything in turquoise color?

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It was a month ago

...I took all these pictures.

Greetings! These last two months had been hectic and draining for me, mentally and physically. It all had to do with work but I won't 'blame' it on them. Instead, I'd like to thank everyone for the opportunity that had been given to me. Despite the seemingly endless workloads and the increasing night where I found myself awake longer than necessary, I managed to find comfort, either from people around me or small thing such as delicious food (or your favorite artist announcing their solo album yass).

A lovely friend from when I was staying in Japan came to my country for a study until December, and despite how much I wanted to spend more time with here, a meeting once in a month is already a blessing for me. She's such a kind and precious girl who had helped me a lot during my stay back then. She also taught me how to skate and said I might have a knack for it; yes, that was my first time skating.

It is through something like this; meeting friend and having a good time, just talking, forgetting depressing thought and having lovely time overall, that I gain my comfort from. I love being alone or having my own space and time but sometimes (or, lately), I feel like I need a company, it doesn't have to be two, just one, who's willing to pour all their attention to me and let me do the same to them.

This is getting into depressive note very fast w I apologize. On the brighter side, as I mentioned above, my favorite singer released his (2nd) solo album and it's absolutely glorious! I'd love to talk about it on another post.

Oh, don't forget to check lovely Amez's beauty blog 「blingvoyage,」which I sort of run together with her! See you next time!

Sushi Saturday

To be honest, I was not a fan of sushi. The first time I tried sushi it tasted sour and horrible, like rotten something so I declare myself as non-sushi fan until the end of last year when I suddenly crave for one and mom was in the mood for some 'unusual' food then we crashed at Sushi Tei, and, wow, what did I miss? My favorite is everything-salmon! I recently fall for uni/sea urchin, I didn't get why people do not like it. It's pricey, yes, but it tastes so good, no better than salmon tho in my opinion. Nigirizushi is my favorite, with a little dash of wasabi they're perfect! I don't really like makizushi here tho because nigiri just beat them all in every single field. I splurged (?) for sushi last Saturday with my friend but I regret nothing. Except maybe I regret that I did not eat more because I'm still craving for one.