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!

of another happy birthday celebration with this man

I want to take this opportunity to say that I couldn't have found a better partner in life. Things are not that easy lately but you make going through this life worth it. Your coming into my life was the best hope that I've received from Him above, that all prayers are answered in His best way. Let's continue to hold on to each other and to God who has put us together, tread this journey joyfully, and welcome all the wonderful things that are surely coming our way. Let's continue to pray for each other, for our friends, and for our families together. I love you, Nicholas! You gave such wonderful meaning to the phrase love of my life.

of these cute DIY ribbon paper clips

Cute paper clips really up anyone's planner design game. They can be pricey though for such small things but it's really the unique design and the effort it took to make them that you're paying for, so all's good. But I know I won't really be using them too much and only to add that little extra cuteness to my planners so I thought I'd try and make my own. And it's as easy as it looks.

of a casual spring ootd

When you've got an aspiring photographer for a husband, you get to have your outfits of the day taken like a pro! Thanks, Nick, for always being ready to snap me at a moment's notice!

of this vegan superfood bowl

I've been trying out vegan breakfast recipes lately, like this coconut yogurt bowl I had the other day.

Today, I'm enjoying this vegan superfood bowl that's sweet and packed with nutrients and fiber! So what exactly is in this superbowl?

of this coconut yogurt bowl for a vegan breakfast

This week the challenge I put for myself is to go vegetarian or vegan for a healthier and fitter me. I've done this for a month back in Fall and it's surprisingly easy to do when you know what to eat and I've lost seven pounds in one month by cutting out meat and my digestion has been on point.

of balloons and ferry rides on my happy planner for the week of april 17-23

I realize just now that I put the balloons upside down, haha! I intend to be very productive this week and I'm actually off to a great start. I was able to finish decorating this weekly spread on a Saturday night. That usually doesn't happen so that gave me a boost to the start of my week.

of a very pastel weekly spread for april 17-23 on my color crush planner

I always tend to go for light pinks and purples anytime I start decorating any planner I have. Purple was my utmost favorite color when I was in high school and then slowly transitioned to pink. How girly, amirite?

of my 7 money-saving tips for those starting planners

It is no secret to the planning community that designing weekly spreads and dashboards can cost quite a lot. It may not seem much when we're buying our planning supplies but when you look at the frequency of your visits to stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby and to Etsy shops, and how much you spend each time, they add up quite quickly. It is a very happy addiction!

When I first got into it, I easily spent a $100! I've been planning since summer of last year and I can't tell you how many times I've gone to Michaels to stock up on stickers and washi tapes.

But determined to not to spend that much again, I've learned these 7 money-saving tips that helped save me some dough, and still enjoy planning.

of the week of april 10-16 on my color crush planner

Love love this spread! Pinks and purples are always favorites of mine

of my ootd for a spring night in downtown vancouver

I'm always hesitant to post about fashion or OOTDs (outfit of the day) because I'm not really one to be stylish and fashionable. On most days you'll find me wearing a light sweater, jeans, and my trusty mid-length brown boots. So who am I to post about fashion anyway?

Gone are the days where I was more experimental, or always wearing high heels at the expense of comfort, or weekly dress commitment. I've recently purged my closet of clothes that don't fit in the style I want to be seen in from now on. Anything too cute goes out and I'm trying to be more neutral and to dress my age. I'm also learning to mix and match with the pieces that I kept and learn to dress more with less.

of my review of the fujifilm instax wide 300

It is no surprise that I got another camera and that it's the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300. You'd have realized by now or if you don't know yet - I have a little bit of an obsession with instant film photography. I got this one as a steal though or I wouldn't have gotten this so soon after my Mini 90. It's all thanks to Nick buying a Dell XPS 15 9550 from their website. He got a credit back from Dell for $130 that we could use on their website and there's no need to guess what we used the credit for. I only had to pay about $38 extra to get this! WHAT A STEAL, amirite?

of the color crush personal planner of my dreams

Webster's Pages Walnut Color Crush Personal Planner

When I started planning again, I've been blown away by how big of a world it has become! I've been a fan of planners and scrapbooking as a teenager so when I found out the many planning communities and creative planners out there, I was amazed and excited to get back to it! But of course, not before going through the phase of deciding which planners to actually use.

I started with The Happy Planner from Me and My Big Ideas and I love all of it - its format, the design, the stickers, the various free printables out there from generous creative minds - and I was content. But of course, not until I realized that it can grow bulky from the many stickers and photos I designed it with. I still love it of course, but now I want something smaller but still cute and customizable.

of my week on the pages of my color crush planner

Tea and planning time go hand in hand