{ DIY } Mini Cupid Arrows For Valentine's Ideas

Hello my friend,

How is every one's Australia Day? Summer is definitely the busiest time in Australia, all the big holidays all squeeze in this time frame and we just can't get enough! Coming soon will be the notorious Valentine's Day and summer certainly adds some more heat to it.( The ideas burn out as well and it gets harder every year if you do it yourself...) So after a bit of brainstorming, I went back to simplicity and had this super simple yet lovely idea: mini heart-shaped arrows.  It's soooooo simple and the materials are very easy to find or to be replaced. I actually don't think I really need to post the instruction because you know I just glued paper on the sticks. So what I am going to share is how I modify the materials and uses.


Here is what you need:

*A lover/ a few lovers. (just kidding, you can share your love to anyone.)
*Paper- if you have coloured paper then you don't really need the paints.
*Paints- I use watercolour this time because I like the soft touch it gives.
*Skewer sticks/ tooth picks- I couldn't find any toothpicks so I cut the sticks instead.
*Scissors
*Glue

p.s 1: You can also use washi tape to make it, I think washi tape would probably save more time but my washi tapes are not really fit the Valentine's vibe.

p.s 2: I also used some rose pot pourri to decorate the macarons. You also can use them on everything for this event. They make everything smell great and romantic. I bought these raspberry flavoured macarons and they smell like roses after the photo shoots. Ohh, I really love this kind of surprise.

The other reason I like these mini arrows is they are so versatile. You can play them around on every thing you can think of. I have a few ways to use this cute little arrows:

1. Desert toppers. So go make anything sweet and place them in each piece. Make them heart shapes to step up to another level.
2. Make a card. Who can resist a handmade card says " be my valentine" with little arrows and hearts.
3. Plant decors. It will look great with your pot plants and if your gift is a tiny succulent pot, they will look cute together.
4. Ornaments. You can tie/ stick them to the windows, fridge, branches, backdrops...etc.
5. A cocktail/ mocktail stirrer. I made a jar of sangria and poured them into some chubby glasses. Make some long arrows and stab a couple watermelon pieces then put them into the drinks. What a good party topic as well!!


And most importantly, let's celebrate!!




xxx Aka

{ Freestyle Recipe } Schnitzel Stack with Basil and Ricotta

Hello my friend, have you got out of always-feel-like-eating mood since December? Andrew and I always find hard to say no to a descent dinner. Now we really need to tie up the larger appetite from nonstop eating and drinking since Christmas and replace something tasty and low-carb.

We love cooking and we hate repeating. We do look for some inspirations here and there, however, it is not always easy to get the dream ingredients or we often underestimate the process is not exactly like its look. Anyway, I came cross a low-carb recipe "Layer grilled vegetables with veal for a restaurant-quality meal" from this amazing recipe site Taste and the tasted was sensational. BUT! Sometimes stories come with a "but", that is: I only have a small grill pan...Thus, it took me a bit longer to finish cooking than the actual time due to the original recipe. Today, I am going to show you how I modify this dish and make it an easier version yet healthy. Because this is a freestyle version, so you can replace any element your choice outside of the key ingredients. So, let's do this!

Firstly, here are the key ingredients that you need and I sincerely wish you don't change this magical team:

Some pitted kalamata olives, chopped.
Chopped/ full-leafed fresh basil.
1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved.
250-300g ricotta.

Then, these ones you can simply replace or just so as mine:

Any kind of Schnitzel, about 1 pack and today I used pork and 2 packs( boys love meat...).
1 avocado, chopped or sliced.
1 zucchini, sliced.
Balsamic vinegar to serve.

How to do:

1. Pour a little bit oil( I don't use teaspoon measurement because this is a freestyle version) into a high heat pan and place the halved tomatoes with cut site up then cook it till you see the shapes change a bit. Do not flip because you don't want the juice made the pan burn. You can chop the olives and other vegetables while waiting.
2. Take the tomatoes into a big/ deep bowl and mix with ricotta, olives and basil. If you want a better plating, save some basil and put it on top in the end.
3. Pan-fried zucchini till they look a little bit transparent.
4. Cut the schnitzel into smaller pieces. I did mine about 3cm wide. Place them into the pan and cook them around 1-2minutes both sides. I used the same pan after tomatoes, it's always good to recycle.
5. Layer up the schnitzel, zucchini and avocado on a plate then top up the mixture of ricotta and olives, etc. Drizzle balsamic vinegar with your preference. Voila!!! Here comes a fresh summery dish with beautiful flavours.

You can add some rockets, walnuts and even capsicums. It is so easy to create your own style and every one will love it. Tell me what you think if you try this recipe, I would love to hear different free styles!!!

Stay fresh


xxx Aka

{ My Footprints } Sydney Living Museums

Hello my friend! How's your new year eve? Have you picked up the party mood and are ready for the whole new year? It is a bit hard to face the fact that we all have to get back to work but I can still survive because it's still SUMMER in Sydney!!! (Please don't hate me) Holding the purpose of not-to-waste-summer-time, Andrew and I had a small trip down to Museum of Sydney last Saturday. I have to admit that it is such a shame that we have never been to this little place where preserves tons of historical fun. I didn't know there are so many interesting knowledges and art works within beautiful designed displays. Sydney just like other metropolitan cities in the world and Museum of Sydney stood out to be one of my favourties. Here are some of my reasons:

Spice trading

Fleet skewers

Original Governor house

Firstly, it is built from the first governor house in Australia. This building surrounded by numbers of skyscraper and tourists come from Circular Quay, that reveals difficulties for its maintenance. I love its humbleness even though you can only see some pieces of original. If you are like me, a girl moved to this harbour city with love, there might be more fascinating facts about its history.

Secondly, it is not a grand-mom style museum, all of the displays and installations are very thoughtful and joyful. I don't want to be a spoiler but I have to say the interactive devices of historical story telling were quite impressive. We actually stayed quite a while in terms of the building size.

MoS Cafe

Outside of museum

Lastly, all the themes and display rooms are related to our daily lives. We get to see exactly how people dine, table setting, and the pictures on the wall are amazing! Also, Museum of Sydney plays a role with Sydney Living Museums which include most important museums and historical houses. Go to their website to check out what's on, especially dining event! ( for me)

I probably still talk too much, but I hope every one who has never been there can give it a try. At the end of the trip, do't forget to try the food in the museum Cafe/ bar, the food is great there as well!

Have a great week, my friend!


xxx Aka