DIY Mod Podge Black Glitter Flats

I’ve a few small crafty projects line up but still collecting materials for them. However, I’ve been eager to start on an easy project that involved Mod Podge. I’ve seen Mod Podge being used everywhere; from coastal, shoes, tray, etc. When I saw LA in the Bay’s DIY Glitter Heels, it was my motivation. So I decided to Mod Podge an old pair of flat with black glitter, it was super easy. My feet have high arches, so it’s hard for me to find a perfect flats. I love these Soft Spot, but I’ve putted some wear and tear to it. I won’t re-invent the wheels with the steps; so if you want to start your own project, check out her blog.

I picked up these material from ACMoore, I love a bargain so I went ahead and search for a coupon online. Found 40% off coupon, I’m a happy camper.

Outdoor Mod Podge
Black glitter
Flats
Bowl - I just used a foam bowl that way I can just trash it afterward.
Form brush

I bought the Crystal Clear Spray for another project, I was going to give it a try as a top coat, but end up didn't used it.

I was home doing this by myself so I couldn't take the step by step photos as my hands were sticky, but I promise it was super easy. The reason I choose Outdoor Mod because I want it to protect from the rain. However, next time I probably won't use Outdoor Mod Podge for the top layer; it felt every thick even thought I only did one layer. I'll probably try the regular Mod or the Mod Glitter. 

Bonus: I was taking these photos for the blogpost, and Leilani came to posted for my camera as well.

Have you done any project with Mod Podge? How do you like it? Please share your projects!

Stir-Fried Mussels with Basil

I’ve spent hours on cooking some of the special dishes before, when it’s necessary. But after a long day at work (9 ½ hrs), I’m always trying to find a way to whip up a quick delicious dinner. Having said that, today I’m sharing with you a dish that takes no more than 15 minutes. It could be good appetizer for 4 or could be a meal for 2 pairing with some steam rice and veggies. Bonus: basil is from our little garden in the back yard. I love cooking with freshly picked.

Ingredient

1 1/2 lbs kiwi mussels
1 white onion (peeled and slices)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
Bunch of fresh basil
1 tablespoon tum yum paste
1 ½ tablespoon water
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil

Prepare

• Rinse mussels and dry.
• Peel, rinse and slice the white onion into not too thin slices.
• Minced the garlic
• Remove the basil leaves from stems and rinse.
• In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon Tum Yum paste, 1 ½ tablespoon water, ¼ teaspoon black peppercorn, ¼ teaspoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon fish sauce.

Cook

• Heat up a wok or fry pan, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and minced garlic. Cook until garlic turn light golden.
• Add mussels, onion and seasonings mixture. I place the mussels face down so it could absorb the seasonings.
• Cook 5 min on medium heat, add basil, stir and turn off the heat.

Do you like mussels? What is your go to lazy day recipe?

HomeGoods and Ross Haul

Last Friday I had a day off, and after a lunch date to catch up with an old co-worker. I wander around HomeGoods and Ross, and found couple things  for the house. I’ve been looking for a small size vintage mirror for our small entry wall and I finally found it, well I found two that I love.

Mirror from HomeGoods, I love it but the size is a little small.
I might keep it for somewhere else but not for the entry wall.

I needed new set of measurement spoons,
and I love that it's ceramic and colors.

Ultra Soft Memory Foam Bath Mat Set from HomeGoods.
I have the gel mat in the chicken,
  but wanted something soft for the bathroom as well.
 Can't afford the price for a gel mat, so I was happy to find these.

White Umbrella Stand from Ross,
 but I'm using it as a vase in my dining room

Mirror form Ross.
Really happy to find this;
 prefect size for the entry wall, I like the antique look and color.
 It even match with the mirror cabinet below it. Plus I got a 15% off bargain.

This is just a sneak peek, I'll take photos of the entry way once I'm done with it.

Have you score anything from Home Goods, Ross, TJ Max etc.. lately? Do you bargain for some discount if the product has minor scratch?

Thit Vit Kho Sa (Vietnamese Braised Duck with Lemongrass)

Do you remember a while back I wrote about replicated this recipe from my mom? Turn out that it’s also the hubby’s favorite dish, once a while he asks me if I could make the duck dish that my mom made for us. Well I’ve talked to her, and I wasn’t far off; but now I've perfected it and ready to share. I hope you’ll like it. I usually serve it with rice and cucumber or mustard green pickles, but really any kind of veggie is good.

Update on Mini Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

My long over due update on our mini raised bed vegetable garden. I’ve been meaning to keep track of the progress, but instead got too excited and busy cooking every night with fresh veggies. I got to say, we are doing pretty good as the first time gardeners, only if I can keep the squirrels away. I was so mad they ate all my eggplants in 1 day, and my red ripe tomatoes that I was going to harvest the next day.

before

after

Tomatoes

Fresh Pomegranate Ginger Ale

Have you been fried from the heat these days? I’ve been neglecting this blog due to preoccupied with “Gossip Girl” on Netflix. If you’re still surviving from the heat, do try out this fresh pomegranate ginger ale; guarantee it’ll keep you cool and refresh. I’m inspired by Fresh pomegranate ginger ale that I had at Big Bowl a month ago. I love just to eat fresh pomegranate, but I thought I would try to make my own ginger ale since I'm a fan. Perfect time for this weather, I found a pomegranate in the fridge that hubby got it while we were doing grocery last week. I have been making this every night.

Kho Qua Xao Trung (Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs)

I’m glad that we have decided to start a mini garden this year, and I would say it’s doing very well. I love picking fresh vegetables from the garden to cook every night. One of my many favorite vegetables is bitter melon (Kho Qua/Muop Dang); I know not everyone like bitter melon, but I just love it and luckily the hubby love it too. Check out my previous recipe Vietnamese Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup. However, today I’m going to share with you a tremendous simple recipe using bitter melons from our garden and eggs.