Not quite a spring meal but Vancouver has seen, rather unsurprisingly, some rains come through with chilly winds that I immediately longed for the warmth of a hug in food.

Quickly heading over to my trusted vegan blog, I hunted for that soup and found a recipe for a creamy coconut soup. Seeing as I have most of the ingredients at hand already, I set to work.

With bated breath, I started chopping up onions, zucchinis, red bell peppers (aka paprika), crushing garlic and vegetable bouillon cubes, and opening up a can of coconut cream and a jar of sundried tomatoes.

of my not-so-"hushe"-ed bad habit that is the bad habit

It is an undeniable fact, that at 31, and the late bloomer that I am, I got hooked on makeup. And got hooked on it hard.

I wouldn't have guessed it really as for the years before that, I could've lived off BB cream and blush and be perfectly happy. Now, I am mildly obsessed and borderline addicted to collecting eyeshadow palettes. And to be honest, I probably already have all the shades I would ever need or wear! But alas, I still cannot have a full stop at buying them, especially when I discover ones with great reviews and at affordable prices!

Such was the story the last time I bought new eyeshadow palettes. Last December, I told myself I would be done buying them - I think I got four new palettes in a month so a full stop is the only next step to do. I did great for about three months - the longest streak since I started my little makeup collection. 

I have no recollection how it happened but I found myself on the Shop Hush (saddens me to say this, but as of this writing, the site is now unavailable while they make some changes) and their huge banner said "60% off sitewide." Uhm, giiiiirl! SAY NO MORE! I was already familiar with the Bad Habit palettes that they sell and know them to be great dupes of popular brands at affordable prices. Add in this huge sale, and the palettes came to as low as $5! You bet by the first hour I've already put a purchase in!

of that sultry palette I didn't know I wanted

I have been avoiding watching reviews and tutorials on YouTube of the new Sultry palette that is Anastasia Beverley Hills' newest palette release. It's not that I'm not a fan, but I'll be honest - my initial thought was it just another ABH palette. You'd think I'd jump onto buying any palette released by ABH (I've got Modern Renaissance and Soft Glam - and they're two of my most favorite palettes) but I've just not been too fond of the Norvina palette they released before Sultry. I used to love purples but I've realized they don't look good on my eyes. So I was pretty "meh" when I heard about this new release.

of my little country dreams

Sense & Sensibility was on Netflix and my Jane Austen heart soared. No second thoughts, no more wasting precious hours scrolling through its thousand titles to find something to watch - I found a "home" for the next hour and a half.

Take me back to the olden days, I say, and pressed play.

I don't recall how I got introduced into Jane Austen's novels, but I know it was Pride & Prejudice (as many others) that got me hooked. I mean hooked. From there on, dreams and daydreams consisted of lords and ladies, houses and tea parties, eggnogs, books read by the fires, walks and picnics at the park. 

of this grapefruit and avocado crudo recipe

In my resolve to eat healthier and follow a vegetarian meal plan on weekdays, I've borrowed some vegetarian/vegan books to look for more creative and delicious ways to eat healthier.

This grapefruit and avocado crudo appetizer is one of the interesting recipes I've encountered from Michael Natkin's Herviboracious book. And of course, my initial reaction was disbelief that these two could go well together. But I was still willing to try.

of the colorful blooms of tulips at the abbotsford tulip festival

I had the chance last week to tag along with Nick when he did the engagement session of our friends at the Abbotsford Tulip Festival. I'm so glad they decided to do it here, it was definitely the perfect location for a spring engagement shoot!

of my ootd for diner with my girlfriends

A quick post on my outfit of the day for a night out with my girlfriends. It was a much-needed catch up time and my birthday dinner as well, so it was a really special occasion. I don't look like it in the photo but I promise I was really excited for it!