tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10740665688814968182024-03-05T12:08:10.492+08:00FOOD & TRAVEL BLOG by Wahdi Farhad Hadithonwahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-44821112274301141272012-11-29T17:17:00.002+08:002012-11-29T17:17:35.171+08:00More towers!It's been quite a while since my last update. In fact, the last update was in September! Anyway, since that last update, I've made a lot of cakes, macarons and macaron towers! Let's take a look at some of my macaron towers that I managed to capture on camera... Miam!
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A small macaron tower on a pastel rainbow cake, adorned with fresh flowers... Ordered by Kak Rifina</center>
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A small Minnie Mouse-inspired macaron tower, sitting on a rainbow cake. Ordered by Aada.</center>
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Super tall! My large size macaron tower; 130 pieces macaron on a 12-inch blueberry, butterscotch and yam cake. Ordered by Siew Lee </center>
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Large size macaron tower without any base cake, ordered by ZUl Hisyam</center>
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Small size macaron tower in electric green and pink with red velvet cake ordered by Taher Musa. And not forgetting the barbie cake, also made by me! ;)</center>
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This is a screenshot of an article about me, featuring my macaron towers. It appeared in a Berita Harian XY Ikon Lelaki issue in September..</center>
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I also brought along my medium size signature black lace macaron tower to a tv interview. This was for an episode of 'Bisnes Alternatif' aired on Astro Awani in last October. If you're interested in getting my macaron towers for any occassion, just email me at : wahdi_usj@yahoo.com.
wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-18378327022559088502012-09-12T15:29:00.000+08:002012-09-12T15:52:54.190+08:00Le Chouette Macaron progress..It has been quiet a while since I last updated this blog. Yes, I'm getting increasingly busy in my kitchen... I do my baking only after work and on weekends, and at times, it can get rather tiring, to be honest... But as long we do things that we like, we will find enjoyment and contentment to the max!. And something just strck me: Today, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron</a> is officially 9 months old! To those who do not have a Facebook account, here are some pictures of what I've done so far, miam!<br /><br />
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</center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-55287339553752592802012-07-02T17:36:00.000+08:002012-07-02T17:36:00.228+08:00My 'Swedish' Sunday<br />
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A few weeks ago, a friend sent me a message on FB asking me to participate in the IKEA Pretty Smart Kitchen Contest, since she noticed that I have been using a lot of IKEA's kitchenware in all my culinary photos. Not knowing anything about the contest,but tempted by the propect of winning the prize of a SwedeCook class, I got all excited to take part!<br />
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So, I sent the pictures below - IMMEDIATELY!!! Hehehe... All were taken from my previous blog entries. Actually, I had thought of sending 20 pictures, but I ended up sending only 16 instead, as the internet connection at my workplace was extremely slow at that time. As I expected... Oppssss! I was being choosen as one of the ten lucky winners! To be honest, I was a bit confident of winning the contest. Why? Because, I have been using only IKEA kitchenware for the past 10 years. Had I not won, I won't be too happy with IKEA! *Only joking, OK! :P
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So, yesterday morning, I eagerly attended the class. The venue was at 19 Culinary Studio in Damansra Heights. The kitchen was awesome, and we had so much fun in it! We were taught to cook four Swedish dishes by Chef Khai.
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook2.jpg" /></a></center><center> There you go, eight lucky winners, here with Chef Khai. Two of the winners were absent. We were given a new IKEA 365+ frying pan and an apron each. Cool! *pity for Jesse, your face was blocked! hehe
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook3.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span> O.k, let's see more pictures!</center><center> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
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After several hours in the kitchen, we learned a lot about Swedish food and of course, some special cooking tips from Chef Khai. Personally the cooking class was well worth it, and I would rate it an eight out of ten. Many thanks to the three IKEA staff! Of course, as in every cooking class, the most anticipated part is the food testing ;) Yeah, to try the food that you've cooked! The four dishes we cooked yesterday were:
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</center><center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook9.jpg" /></a></center><center>1. Jansson's Temptations. Baked slice potatoes with anchovies and cream. Miammm! <span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
</center><center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook10.jpg" /></a></center><center>2. Swedish fish cakes on toast with saffron mayonnaise. Super yummy! <span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
</center><center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook110.jpg" /></a></center><center>3. Lindstromare with pickles cabbage & onion sauce. My favourite! This well marinated mutton with beetroot and herbs tasted perfect! <span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
</center><center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/SwedeCook112jpg.jpg" /></a></center><center>4. Dark chocolate kladdkaka with raspberries. Oh, this is so indulging! <span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
So, if you like cooking and love IKEA products don't forget to like their FaceBook fan page for updates. Who knows, in the near future, you too, might win one of their upcoming contests? Good luck!
wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-47709560598328289842012-06-13T14:10:00.000+08:002012-06-13T14:20:35.305+08:00Macaron towers and some owl-lection!Last week was so interesting! Interesting because I managed to make two macaron towers in a single day! At the same time, I baked a whole lot of macarons and cakes, too. Slept only 2-3 hours for the past week, but it paid off, when I hear encouraging feedback from my customers.<br />
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I still keep a day job, working 9-5, and only get to do my baking at night. How I wish we can have 48 hours in a day ^^. For this week, I have an order for a macaron tower for a wedding engagement, and the theme is white and gold. I am so excited to make it! ;)
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/01-colorfulmacarontower.jpg" /></a></center><center> First tower: A medium-sized, colourful macaron tower with "princess" as its theme, sitting on a fondant cake. It took me five hours to make the fondant base cake. But I really enjoyed every moment of it!<span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/05-purplebluemacarontower.jpg" /></a></center><center> Second tower: A medium-sized purple and blue macaron tower for a wedding engagement. <span style="color: #339999;"> </span> </center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>
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If you are interested in ordering my macaron tower, you can find out the prices below, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732" target="_blank">"Like" my Le Chouette Macaron fan page </a>for frequent updates!<br />
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Anyway, before this "macaron love affair", I loved painting! Now, baking is the new medium to for me to express my art. I still love painting, though!<br />
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There are a few blank, framed canvas at home. I wish one day, I'll have some free time and paint some owls! Speaking of owls, over the past few weeks, I have added a lot of owls to my 'owl-lection' but didn't have the chance to snap a few pictures yet. Soon, I hope! ;)<br />
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Managed to quickly snap this picture on last Sunday, just before going out to meet my customers. I chose to wear the Owl t-shirt, from Jaspal.<br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/07-Jaspal.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span>Picture from mobile phone... Yeah, Netherland!... although they got defeated by Denmark 0-1 in the match earlier in the morning. Have a nice day, Miam!</center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"></span></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-558438417643265492012-06-06T13:04:00.001+08:002012-06-06T13:24:20.164+08:00Red and white macaron tower<br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/laduree2.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;">Laduree's small tower, took this picture in 2009...</span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><br />
Back in 2009 when I first visited Paris to attend a summer photography course, I started adoring Laduree. Every time I passed by Laduree, I got amazed by their window displays, especially their classy-looking macaron towers. That was the reason why I decided to attend the baking class in Paris last year. The best part was, my macaron teacher used to work for Laduree, and she shared a lot of tips on how she made the towers while she was with Laduree! <br />
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So, this month I started taking orders for my macaron towers... yeah, inspired by Laduree, to be honest ;)<br />
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My towers come in three sizes - small, medium and large. I have already received a few orders, spanning from now till early next year. That really got me all excited to make the towers!<br />
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Last weekend, I made a medium-sized, 17-inche tall macaron tower that comes complete with a 9-inch wide red velvet cake as its base. I used about 70 pieces of macarons in three different flavors - red (chocolate + strawberry), white (butterscotch) and white with mini heart-shaped sugar topping (lychee).<br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/8-2.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"> Safely delivered. I'm so happy to see my tower standing tall on the dessert table in the wedding hall. The delivery process was a bit challenging but didn't stop me from looking for taller towers in the future!</span></center><center><br /></center><br />
For the next assignment, I'm to deliver a medium size rainbow macaron tower with "princess" as its theme, for a birthday party. This one will come with a customized two-tier dummy cake. I'm so looking forward to it!<br />
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Anyway don't forget to "like" my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732" target="_blank">Le Chouette Macaron fan page</a> to get frequent updates, miam!wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-21037949495996963102012-05-25T14:21:00.000+08:002012-05-25T14:21:29.957+08:00Macaron Tower<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm so excited for next week!!
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<br />wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-34869259366626821622012-05-18T22:47:00.000+08:002012-05-25T14:12:10.224+08:00Pots, Petals and Pictures<br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/6.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> Our </span><span style="color: #339999;">Paris apartment...</span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><br />
Nowadays, I really look forward to doing my own cooking every time I travel. Renting a fully-furnished apartment for weeks, is such a good idea. Yet, I still find there's a need for me to relax on the last few nights in the luxury of a hotel ;)<br />
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I don't cook everyday during my vacations, since I must allow myself some opportunities to experience what the local food scene can offer me! Nah... of course, only Halal ones, since I'm a Muslim :) <br />
Last autumn in Paris, my brother and I rented an apartment, complete with all the kitchenware we needed. They provided everything, from a stove, till the tiny yoghurt spoons... Of course, I had to clean the kitchenware a la Muslim way, or we call 'samak'. Once done, the fun begins with - grocery shopping!<br />
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Grocery shopping during vacations is so much fun rite? I would go grocery hunting, from the high-end supermarkets like Galeries la Fayette, right down to the smaller local markets. During my previous stay in Paris, <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2009/08/fruits-for-breakfast.html">back in 2009... there was a small marche near my apartment</a>. I loved it so much, because it was stocked with amazing French fresh produce. And to my delight, they had similar marches in every neighborhood. Paris is such a culinary melting pot, influenced by many cultures. There are plenty of specialized mangers... from spice mangers, to cheese mangers and the likes... and that, is the closest thing to a paradise to those who love cooking - like me.<br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/10-2.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;">Every neighborhood market has a fresh flower stall, too...</span></center><center><br /></center><br />
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And I bought this small potted plant for my dinning table, although I was to stay in Paris for just two weeks ;)</span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><br />
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My simple salmon pasta for dinner... looks vibrant with that potted plant, rite? ;) </span></center><center><br /></center><br />
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Talking about flowers, I just love photographing flowers and their boutiques. And just the other day, we had some Turkish lunch near the Gare Saint Lazare. While crossing the busy road, my eyes spotted a crowd of people selling fresh roses... by the roadside! And more surprising, the sellers were all males!<br />
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Anyway, my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron</a> can be seen in this month's Inspirasi Perkahwinan magazine. They were surrounded by a bunch of beautiful, fresh flowers... decorated by <a href="http://www.whatalovelywedding.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WHATALOVELYWEDDING</a>. Miam!<br />
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<br />wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-30303596890638886422012-05-09T09:20:00.000+08:002012-05-09T09:31:42.441+08:00Macaron Cheesecake, and Pleasing My Sweet Tooth in London.<br />
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I baked some cheesecakes last week, one specifically for a friend, Yusuf for his birthday. It has been such a long time since I baked my last cake, so this has proven to be a good re-start!
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<center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/cheesecake06.jpg" /> </a><br /><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center>
<center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/cheesecake05.jpg" /> </a><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center>I posted these pictures on my FaceBook just after the birthday lunch with Yusuf, and to my surprise, quite a number of order requests soon flooded in. So, here we go! You can order your cheesecakes by visiting my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron FaceBook fan page</a>! And to those who already got their cupcakes and cakes, thanks for your orders. <br />
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Speaking of cakes, I still can't forget the yummiest cupcakes I had in London during my last trip there in autumn. There was a day I where went to the Portobello street market to get some ornamental knick-knacks for my house, besides to meet up with my Malaysian friend Izuan, who's currently working in London. I had my brother tagging along, and Izuan introduced us to The Hummingbird Bakery.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/pb5.jpg" /> </a><br /><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center>
<center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/pb6.jpg" /> </a></center><center>Me & Izuan.</center><center><br /><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center>
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I tried a few slices of their cakes and loved their Red Velvet cupcake the most. Naturally, I packed some to take home, too. Miam!!!<br />
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The night before that, I had a small birthday celebration for myself at Costa - just me and my brother. Having caffeine till late at night over some desserts from Harrods was such a simple, yet memorable celebration!<br />
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Then, there was another day when we went to Soho for dinner, and had some yummy frozen yoghurt from Snog. I think Snog serves the best frozen yogurt with a great choice of condiments. I luv their shop - it's so chic!<br />
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Last but not least, to satisfy my sweet tooth, the mandatory gelato and ice cream - a standard feature on my travel itinerary! You can read my review of the best gelatos I had in <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2010/07/gelato.html">Greece</a> and <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2010/11/galleria-vittorio-emanuele-and-best.html">Milan</a>.<br />
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Anyway, my personal choice for London's best ice cream are those served at Thorntons at Covent Garden. The shop was just a few steps from London's Laduree.<br />
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And the best gelato mention goes to Oddono's Gelati, found at Oxford Street's Selfridges!<br />
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A day before we left London for Paris, I saw this display below at St. Pancras International station... OMG, wish I can eat them all! miammm!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." border="0" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/pb28.jpg" /> </a><br /><span style="color: #339999;"> </span></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-57325083694716803862012-04-05T12:40:00.002+08:002012-04-05T14:22:40.701+08:00Better than nothing I guess?<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/87c.jpg" border="0"> </a><br /><font style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> Home accessories shop at Convent Garden, London.</font><br /><br />I love writing, photography, art and cooking - that's why blogging is such a fun thing to me. Not only do I get to share my interests, but at same time they can all be documented in one place, on my blog.<br /><br />Since I've been ultra busy running <a href="http://www.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffacebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron</a> lately, I think I better start writing something here once in every two days - after all, I do love blogging! At least, post a picture and write something... better than nothing, rite?<br /><br />I took the picture above in Convent Garden during my trip last autumn. I took it because I was buying the lamp shade... I bought it in white color, for only 12pounds, if I remember the price correctly... That's so cheap, rite? But till now, I have yet to hang the lamp :).<br /><br />When I looked back at the picture, I noticed the hanging "La Chouette!" OMG, at that material time, I have yet founded <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macarons</a>. Otherwise, I would've bought it! ;)<br /><br />Since I started <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron</a>, everywhere I go I'd look out for anything owl. If I find any nice "La Chouette", I would buy it to add to my collection. Needless to say, I will use them as decor ornaments if and when I open my own shop. But for now, I simply display them in my home office. For the past three two months since I started the business, here are some "la Chouette" in my growing collection! (Feel free to help me add more! LOL!)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/87b.jpg" border="0"></a><br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/87.jpg" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bandung02.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A real "la Chouette" I found in Bandung last year. They were selling it for IDR60 000 (RM20), wish I can adopt a pair now hehehe<br /><br /></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-24792001635292745382012-01-31T12:21:00.000+08:002012-01-31T12:25:24.285+08:00A little hoot from the neighbourhood...<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lechouettekiwi.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Ingredients for my Kiwi macarons' filling...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Oh, wow.. I've been too busy lately to update my blog! How I wish I could continue on writing my Europe entries! After I launched <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Couette Macaron</a>, I got extremely busy! Since I'm not into conducting this business on a full time basis, I do not have the luxury of spending much time in the kitchen. Therefore, I need to manage my time wisely.<br /><br />I just can't believe that up till now, I have baked almost a thousand pieces of macarons! I'm so glad that my business partner has also been working just as hard like me <img src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/blank.gif" class="emote_img" title=";)" style="background-position: -80px 0pt;" /><br /><br />Anyway, many thanks to those who made orders on my macarons! Many more macarons are to be delivered soon! Glad to say that I really enjoy doing this! Thanks again for all of your support. Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732">Le Chouette Macaron FaceBook page </a>to get more updates about my macarons!</div></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/Milano.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/heart.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lc02.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lc06.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lc04.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lc03-1.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br />Laduree, Le Chouette Macaron & Pierre Herme! :-O<br /></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-24396400063161014342012-01-18T17:10:00.000+08:002012-01-18T17:20:59.458+08:00Introducing Le Chouette Macaron!<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette/109954395792716" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/le-chouetteFB.jpg" border="0"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Hi guys, let me introduce my new baby, Le Chouette Macaron! I have officially registered Le Chouette Macaron, and created it's page on Facebook.<br /></div><br /><font size="4"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732" target="blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732 </a></font><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, Le Chouette Macaron's <a href="http://www.le-chouette.com/" target="blank">website</a> is still under construction.<br /><br />Remember <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150510749632668&set=a.182808662667.125155.161897732667&type=1&theater">my macaron contest last week</a>? The person who had guessed the nearest correct answer was Jalina Jal! She won a box of 10 macarons, in two flavors. She collected her prize only last Sunday, I had baked her fresh ones! Just a beat after, I got tagged by her on Facebook - with a picture of her daughter holding the macarons. I liked the picture; both girl and macarons looked so adorable! ;)<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lechouettecontest2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lechouettecontest2.jpg" border="0"></a></center></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/jl03.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/jl03.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Here is the picture by Jellyna Jal</center><br /><br />Anyway, stay in touch with <font size="5"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Chouette-Macaron/222542631162732" target="Blank">Le Chouette Macaron</a></font> on Facebook to get more updates, or to place your orders, as well as stand a chance to win the monthly contest!wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-32930595844727606472012-01-05T16:00:00.001+08:002012-01-06T19:26:18.394+08:00Welcoming 2012 - Macaron Contest!<br>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">E. Dehillerin at rue Coquillière Paris...</span></center>
<br />If I had welcomed the new year in 2011 by baking a <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/01/welcoming-2011.html">mango cheesecake</a>, I have done something different in welcoming 2012 - I baked some macarons! Since taking up <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/10/baking-french-macarons.html">macaron baking lessons in Paris</a> last autumn, I have yet to experiment with it at home due to the lack of time. So, to welcome the new year, I decided to bake some!
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<br />While in Paris, there was a day where I paid E. Dehillerin a visit right after the third cooking class. E. Dehillerin is a renowned distributor of high quality kitchenware and pastry utensils for both professional and hobbyist cooks. Wandering around this interesting shop had made me madly in love with it! It was first opened in 1820, and has successfully maintained its old charm and ambiance, making it totally different than most modern cookware shops we have today. In many ways, its natural and limited lighting and store arrangement style made me feel like I was in a kitchen museum!
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">They have everything that you could be looking for.</span></center>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The staircase that leads to the underground level where you will find more delightful stuff... </span></center>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">I have a membership card, so I was entitled for store discounts! ;) Anyway, as suggested by my baking teacher, I had gone to this shop to get some cooking stuff, as well as some silicon sheets that they use in most famous macaron kitchens in Paris.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">O.k, this is the silicon sheet I was talking about. There are similar types in Malaysia, but of different brands. Either these, or you may choose to use oil or silicon paper...</span>
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<br /></center>Before I set out to bake my macarons, I already have some ideas of the kind of ruffles or feet I would want my macarons to have. From all the macarons I have had in Paris, from Pierre Herme to Laduree to Fauchon, Paul, McCafe and other local pastry shops, my personal favourite style has to be that of Pierre Herme. Their macaron feet are non-uniform, and slightly out of shape - which I find rather artistic and interesting! The way I see it, macarons which are too perfectly or uniformly shaped are nice to look at, but lacks the rugged, "homemade" touch... So to be fair, I decided to bake in both styles! Just to get started, I browsed through all of the pictures I took in Paris. Here are some which I find inspiring...
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Fauchon</span> </center>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">BTW, I love their breads, too! And the casing for their large macarons was simple but nice...</span></center>
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Paul</span> </center>
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >McCafe</span> </center>
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Street Pastry Shop</span> </center>
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Laduree</span> </center>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons4.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>
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<br /><center> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Pierre Herme</span> </center>
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<br />Look at those uneven ruffles... Love it!</center>
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<br />So, I set off baking my macarons using the two methods I've learned. I began with the French meringue style, to achieve ruffles a la Pierre Herme. Needless to say, I had to rely on some tricks to get the intended ruffles.
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<br />Finally! On the left - my macaron shells, fresh from the oven, inspired by a picture of Pierre Herme's macarons- Mogador Flavor(on the right) which <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/11/another-macaron-story-pierre-herme.html">I took at Jardin du Luxembourg</a>.
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdismacarons.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdismacarons.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The result! Exactly as I had wanted them!</center>
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<br />Yesterday evening, I bake another batch, this time with the Italian meringue style... and I had also tried other tricks to get the uniform ruffles. I think they look just as good, but I was too tired to put in the fillings for some proper photography... Anyway, here they are!
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<br />I will post the final pictures once I am done with the filling... and have them photographed in the most flattering way....
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<br />Happy New Year to all of you! </center>
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<br /><center style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Updated!</span></center>
<br />OK, I managed to take a few proper pictures of my pink macarons just now, I am running a small contest over at my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wahdi-Farhad-Hadithon/161897732667">FaceBook fan page</a>. Visit the page to participate. Winner gets a box of my macarons. Happy guessing!
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdimacaron2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdimacaron2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdimacaron.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/wahdimacaron.jpg" border="0" /></a>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-71415831905885339422011-12-31T08:00:00.000+08:002011-12-31T09:50:36.376+08:00Brussels, Belgium<br>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Spending just one day in <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/12/bruges-brussels-belgium.html">Brugges </a>to explore its charm and beauty is definitely not enough. Brugges was a last-minute plan (if you can call it a "plan" at all!), and how I wish I had spent a few more days there to really take in all it had to offer. But as a traveller, I know there's always a "next trip", God willing.
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Downtown Brussels...</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">From Brugges, we took the train back into Brussels, and checked straight into the Novotel Tour Noire, which was right in the city centre. That was to be our "home" for the next two nights in Brussels...
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">... which gave us two full days to explore bustling, "blistering barnacles" Brussels (that's how Haddock would've put it anyway! LOL!). Calling Brussels "awesome" is an understatement: its people were very friendly, there was niceties in the air, and have I told you they are famous for Belgian waffle? It's something to die for!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Yummylicious Liege Waffle! How did they make something so simple, yet tasting so delicious?</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was never a big fan of waffles, since those that I have had were either too soft, or tasted more like pancakes... until, of course, I tried the authentic Belgian waffles in Brugges and Brussels. Native waffles here are softer in the inside with crystallized beet sugar, and a crunchy, crispy exterior structure.They have two types of waffles, I have tried both of them with different toppings: fruits, cream, chocolate ganache, peanut butter, etc. but the plain ones, like the one above, were my favorite!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lowy.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">So far, I love Lowy's waffles the most, over other street shops'...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels5.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">And this greeted me the second I entered Lowy... Ohh, love the smell of fresh breads!</span>
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<br />Toppings you wish you had all the time in the world for...</span>
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<br />Lucikly, the shop was just a few meters from our hotel.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">I love the spacious room, and most importantly, the view out the bathroom window...</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">As usual I took lots of pictures. Let's see some of them...</span>
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<br /><center><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Halal roasted pheasant and crispy fries, that's so yummy! And the staff at this restaurant were so kind, too... One of them warned us not to leave our cameras on the table while enjoying our meal. In Brussles, you will simply get robbed of whatever you leave on the table!</span>
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<br /><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/mannekenpiss.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/mannekenpiss.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The Manneken Piss! We were lucky because our hotel was just a few blocks away, which allowed us to be there very early, before the tourist crowd. We practically had the whole place to ourselves!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Just love the morning rays...</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">
<br />The Grand Place
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Probably the most stunning sight in Brussels is the Atomium... Best to see it at night when they lit it up with small dotty lights, making it look like a futuristic Christmas tree...
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">As if themed to the grand monument itself, everything around it seemed round in shape...</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">
<br />These are two of the earliest Godiva boutiques in the Grand Place area. Open since 1926...</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Brussels being Brussels, the whole city smells of chocolate!</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels24.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels24.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">And what's the best way to sum up Brussels as a Belgian chocolate city? A Manneken Pis chocolate "fountain"!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">United Colors of Benetton?</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Pedal power... No wonder the city's air is still breatheable... </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">*tengok apa tu bro? LOL</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Where there are pastries and sweet-little-somethings, there's bound to be... macarons!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Paul Macaron? I only enjoy Paul in Paris, but Pierre Ledent's macarons are a must when in Brussels, just like Pierre Herme if you happen to be in Paris...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brusselscity11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Loading..." src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brusselscity11.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">McDs in Belgium serve Segafredo coffee and Douwe Egberts espresso... I am impressed!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">And their McD's interior is the classiest of all McD's I've visited.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Hey, that's Tintin!</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">On the way back to Paris, we had Greek mezze platter for lunch in the train. We bought them from a grocery shop in Brussels, and the fresh pink salad tasted exactly like what <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2010/06/mykonos-seafood-paradise.html">we had in Mykonos!</a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">
<br />Some chocolates from Brugges and Brussels, too while we enjoy the scenery from Brussels to Paris.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Looking at the vast Belgian plains, my mind wandered off to the many more things we were going to do in Paris...</span>
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<br /></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-16316209500172156292011-12-21T17:20:00.000+08:002011-12-21T17:22:27.388+08:00JEALOUS?<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lon.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="London" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lon.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />Buckingham Palace</center><br /><br />I blog about food, travel and beautiful places that fascinate me endlessly... However, initially unbeknownst to me, it has stirred envy in some people. I mean, they have actually said mean things about me, and got very jealous in negative ways.<br /><br />Just last evening, as I was browsing through my travel pics to select some as requested by an European-based travel magazine, the pic you saw above caught my attention. So I thought it would be fun to share it on FaceBook. What was supposed to be a fun activity soon blown into an ugly scene - a so-called acquaintance who claimed to work for a local TV station made a personal attack on me, in public! Not just that, he went on to brag about his so-called "successful" life as a glamourous glitterati of local showbiz...<br /><br />Seriously, I find it not only childish, it even scathes the image of both broadcast journalism, as well as that of the TV station he works for. That is just so pathetic, & I'm not going to feel sorry for his under-achieving career.<br /><br />Anyway, on a lighter note, before I posted the "controversial" Buckingham Palace pose on FaceBook, I had posted these pictures below... However, I had not mentioned here that I am actually already home in Malaysia since last month.<br /><br />Recovering from a fever, being home-bound on medical leave yesterday had made me feeling worse than the fever itself... Not wanting to bow to it, I decided to work it out in my small kitchen. Being occupied in the kitchen gave me much cheering up, and I ended up feeling great and happy with what I came up with! Yummmm....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lon.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Calamar" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/05-dinner.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Squid Spaghetti, with lots of garlic and Parmesan cheese for my lunch...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/06-mudcake.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Mud Cake" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/06-mudcake.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />Chocolate Mud Cake with Starbucks' double espresso sauce, for tea time...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/08-salmon.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Salmon" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/08-salmon.jpg" border="0"></a><br />And my favorite Grilled Salmon with Baked Potatoes and Mango Salad, for dinner!</center><br /><br />Hhmmm... how I wish I could update my blog more frequently!wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-23759094889471758152011-12-13T13:00:00.001+08:002011-12-13T13:09:40.002+08:00BBC Good Food<br>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/purple-salad6.jpg" /></a></center>
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<br />Do you remember my <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/01/purple-potato-salad-with-baked-turkey.html">Baked Turkey entry</a>? It's being featured in the latest edition of BBC GoodFood magazine!
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<br />Hahaha... Looks like even my army of toys are curious about it!</center>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="GoodFood" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood7.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br />You can find it on page 11, but there's a minor mistake where they addressed me as a "her" rather than the obvious! LOL!</center>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="GoodFood" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br />They have been so kind to send me this interesting book as a token of acknowledgement. As an ardent traveler,
<br />I really love reading it!</center>
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<br /><center><a href="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="GoodFood" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/goodfood2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br />Thanks, BBC! Well, what are you waiting for? Go and get a copy of the mag. lol!</center>
<br />wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-8817394359671358662011-12-06T14:20:00.000+08:002011-12-06T14:30:38.391+08:00Bruges & Brussels, Belgium<br>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/8.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Sandwich au saumon</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">That morning, before we boarded the Thalys train to Brussels, I got up extra early to make breakfast - Salmon Sandwich ( seen in the picture above ), a pot of cream of mushroom, along with some toast, topped with fried eggs!
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<br />We were to take the 6 AM train from Gare Du Nord in Paris, therefore needed to be at the station by 5.30 AM. With some time to kill, it was nice to enjoy some hot caffeine at Cote' Cafe, while waiting for departure.
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<br />The journey from Paris to Brussels took only an hour and 25 minutes... yet, long enough for me to enjoy the refreshing scenery en route!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels12.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels13.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels11.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels14.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels16.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Smooth sailing: Brussels' Midi terminal finally in sight!</span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels15.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">As expected, we were welcomed by Tintin promotional posters as we reached Brussels Midi - a sign of what's in store for us in this beautiful city. BUT... we had not explored Brussels first... As planned, we switched to another train, this time headed for Venice of the North - Bruges! We spent a full day in Bruges, and only returned to Brussels later in the evening, where we spent the next two nights.
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges7.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Scenic Bruges...</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">OMG! Bruges was so awesome! Only slightly over an hour from Brussels but this canal-rich city is so vastly different and really, really scenic! Only now do I understand why they call it "Venice of the North".
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br />We had walked from the train station into the city center, exploring the city outskirts. Before we reached the lovely spots like what you see in the picture above, we cut through the city park, and bumped into a friendly municipal worker...
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges21b.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Struggling to express himself in basic English, he pointed out that the tree next to us has a very interesting and historical past. I felt honored, that he took the trouble to explain that Hitler had used this very tree as his lookout tower during the war!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges20.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Municipal worker explaining the history of this tree to my brother...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges21.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The 'Hitler Tree'</span>
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<br />Thereon, we explored the city the entire day. I took zillions of pictures! I'm sharing some of them here... Enjoy!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges13.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /></center><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges14.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges17.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges8.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges5.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges19.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges16.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges18a.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges11.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges5a.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/29.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/24-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/23-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/26-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/28-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brugges10.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Brussels" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/27-2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br />Tintin!! *to be continued
<br /></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-28458412752925248192011-11-21T14:00:00.000+08:002011-11-21T14:06:17.488+08:00Tintin Trip, Brussels!<br>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/34.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> Me at The Tintin ( pronounced as 'Turnturn' in French) Shop in Covent Garden, London.</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Finally my most-awaited movie of the year, The Adventures of Tintin is now showing at cinemas nationwide, yippie ! I'm sure many of you are as excited, too? More so, you senior citizen readers out there? ;P
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I did not actually grow up during the Tintin era (*ahem!), I'm still a huge fan of his! I have to blame my brother who introduced me to reading Tintin comics and watching his DVDs many years ago.
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have already seen the film, and was it awesome! I would rate it 5 stars! How about you guys, have you seen it?
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<br />By the way, Tintin fever was so prominent in Paris: from children's apparels to brioche wrapers, to just about anything, all you will ever see is 'Turnturn!'. Not just that, the nicely-adorned bread loaves come with surprise Tintin stickers - there's no guarantee which character you will chance upon!
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<br />And a week before the movie was out, they released a special reproduction of the famous Tintin-in-his-reporter-trenchcoat figurine that comes with a detailed biodata and passport! In the weeks to follow, other characters like Thomson and Thompson, Captain Haddock, Madame Castafiore and the rest, will meet ardent collectors!
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">When we were in London, my brother and I accidentally bumped into The Tintin Shop in Convent Garden. I love the shop so much! But there's yet another shop, in Paris' Montmarte area which I grew to hate the most! Why? It has a huge number of Tintin collectibles - the largest I've ever seen so far! What really rubbed the envy in was, most of their collectibles are really rare and vintage! And costly, of course! LOL...
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/tintin.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Some of the figurines my brother brought from the shop in Covent Garden.</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis8.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The Tintin shop in Montmarte... They have a special section on Tintin at the back...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">GAP Kids cashing in on the hype...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis9.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">PITCH's special edition brioche that comes with various Tintin character stickers.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">*kembung hari2 makan roti ni :D</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis16.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Even regular news weekly magazines like Le Point, carried Tintin on their front page.</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis17.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Dave de Bruges' special edition chocolates...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis11.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Tintin promotional poster at a Paris bus stop...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis13.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The Tintin special reproduction set, complete with a figurine of the hero!</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/49.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> Have to go 'Tintin hunting' for more copies, since most shops have only one copy each. I bought two copies for myslef while my brother got two for himself too.</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis12.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Another movie poster, this time at the entrance of an electrical shop in Paris...</span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/TintinParis15.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">A shop in the suburb Montmarte also offers a huge collection of old Tintin comics, but only in French...</span>
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<br />So, as diehard Tintin fans, we made a special visit to Tintin's hometown... Where else but Brussels!
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/brussels2-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">A huge Tintin billboard proudly standing in downtown Brussels...</span>
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<br />*to be continued
<br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0gyi-Pd05BQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br /></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-15227884975247067582011-11-14T09:37:00.000+08:002011-11-14T09:25:27.967+08:00Another Macaron Story: Pierre Hermé<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme6e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">A French lady joked about swapping macarons. Hers were Laduree, mine were Pierre Herme! No way, Madam... Don't think I want to queue up for hours again ;)</span> </center><br /><br />As usual, whenever I visited <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jardin-du-Luxembourg/154704924551856?ref=ts">Jardin du Luxembourg</a>, a place compulsory for me to drop by would be Pierre Hermé! I went there a few days after my <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2011/10/baking-french-macarons.html">Macarons Class</a>, I love afternoons at Jardin du Luxembourg. The garden is really full of distinctive character. A signature view of this garden is the congregation of veteran localites spending their evening playing chess, often with complete strangers who take them on for a game of mind challenge...<br /><br />Anyway, back to the Pierre Hermé story: They used to trade under the same roof with Ladurée. Personally, I think both of them are now equally successful. If I were to compare them to fashion brands, Pierre Hermé is Hermes (long queues going for their Birkin bags are somewhat similar to those queuing up for macarons!), while Ladurée is Louis Vuitton (more accessible, with more points of sale). The most obvious difference is, Ladurée has its own line of merchandises! Not to be out-done, Pierre Hermé does so in another, classier way; for example, their current collaboration with artist <a href="http://www.nicolasvial.com/site.htm">Nicolas Vial</a> in designing their latest macaron boxes!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Hermé" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme6h.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A normal scene: The long queue at Pierre Hermé...</center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hoping for some macarons, I joined the queue... And what else was there to do, except for snapping some interesting shots while waiting to be served?</center><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Lego" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme7-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Remember this "stylo" lady, with her Lego earrings from the previous entry? I actually spotted her while queuing up at Pierre Hermé.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Lego" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Kiehl's bike" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/Kiehlsbike.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Lego" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Striking window display at Pierre Hermé.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme9.jpg" border="0" /></a> </center><br />Inside Pierre Hermé. Opsss... no pictures allowed!<br />But that didn't stop me from taking some! :D<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme9b.jpg" border="0" /></a> </center><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme6c.jpg" border="0" /></a> </center><br />On my way to the Jardin du Luxembourg...<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Jardin" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme11.jpg" border="0" /></a> </center><br />Setting up some props for the photography session...<br />These are what I bought on that day!!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme5.jpg" border="0" /></a></center></center></center></center><br />Yum! Yum!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme6b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Enjoying the evening's sights, while having my macarons!<br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme16.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme18.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme24.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme19.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some pictures at Jardin du Luxembourg.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme20.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme22.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme15b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme15.jpg" border="0" /></a><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme21.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme25.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/5-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/5b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074066568881496818&postID=1522788497524706758" target="_blank"><img alt="Pierre Herme" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/PierreHerme26.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br />*Thanks to my <a href="http://www.cafe-elysium.blogspot.com/">travel partner </a>for taking my pictures! ;)<br /></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-59139706596717556172011-10-31T16:00:00.000+08:002011-10-31T16:12:57.342+08:00Fashion photography; ParisIt's fall in Europe, and it's the most exciting season, as I get to do much "fashion photography" on its streets. It's interesting, to see how people play with colours, layers, styling and what-have-you to express themselves, as well as showcasing their personality at the same time... Let's check out some street-runway shots, exclusively from yours truly!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis01.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis07.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis02.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis06.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis12.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis03.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis04.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis08.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis09.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis17.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis13.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis14.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis16.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis15.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis11.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />Some believe stealing limelight!<br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis18.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/fashionphotographyparis19.jpg" /></a></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-40780829882093176752011-10-24T07:57:00.004+08:002011-10-31T12:07:05.555+08:00Baking French Macarons!<br><br /><br><br /><center><img alt="pic.1" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Laduree's macarons at 16, Rue Royale Paris... Took this picture a few days ago.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">No, I'm not writing about Laduree macarons.<a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2009/08/macaroons-du-jour-laduree.html"> I've done that before!</a> ;) But I would like to write about this week's most interesting class! It's the French Macarons class! What is most special about it was, my teacher used to work in Laduree's kitchen here in Paris!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">She's really experienced in baking and styling Laduree Macarons before she got married, and started teaching such classes. I just love how she shared with us, her culinary story and some secrets from the Laduree kitchen.<br /></div><br /><center><img alt="pic.2" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons2.jpg" border="0" /><br />There she is, on the right. Luckily the class was conducted in English! Yippie! Glad, since my French is still nothing to be proud of :D<br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.3" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">And that's me, working hard in the kitchen :)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, during the class, we were separated onto two groups. My group was assigned to bake a few trays of Vanilla & Pear garnish macarons in green pastle color, while the other group baked Praline' garnish macarons, in pastle purple color. Let's have the pictures tell the story!<br /></div><br /><center><img alt="pic.4" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.5" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.6" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.7" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.8" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.9" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.10" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons11.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.11" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons12.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.12" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons-1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.13" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.14" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons8.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.15" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons15.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.17" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons17.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.16" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/1-1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.18" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons20.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="pic.19" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/frenchmacarons18.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think my macaroons teacher was happy with what I have baked. I just can't wait to get home and start perfecting it! Au revoir!<br /></div></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-3317200213680408872011-10-18T14:51:00.006+08:002011-10-29T16:11:39.164+08:00Bonjour Paris!<br>
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<br /><center><img alt="Soldes" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/55.jpg" border="0" /> Yummylicious <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">red velvet cupcake from the humming bird bakery</a>... Morning, Paris!
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<br />I spent the whole of last week in London, after spent two days prior to that in Paris. Now I am back in Paris for about two weeks. I had so much fun in London, and will write its story later!
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<br /><center><img alt="Soldes" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/apartment.jpg" border="0" />
<br />My small kitchen in my Paris apartment...</center>
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<br />I touched down at Paris Charles de Gaulle last night, so I have yet to do my grocery... That explains the empty pantry in my apartment! For now, breakfast has to be the last red velvet cupcake I bought in Notting Hill, London... So yummy!
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<br />Some sneak peeks from my week in Loncon. More to come!
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<br />Anyway, I will be attending my cooking class later today in ille de Paris. Till then, see you guys!wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-9648476366682675942011-10-07T15:30:00.002+08:002011-10-07T15:38:12.429+08:00Next Week...<br><br /><br><br /><center><img alt="Soldes" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/soldes.jpg" border="0"><br />*Hope to see this every where next week!</center><br /><br /><br />It's my birthday today! And around this time next week, I would be getting ready to have breakfast, at my favorite cafe <a href="http://carette-paris.com/fr/">Carette</a> in Paris ;). I am supposed to fly to the United States tonite, but my travel buddy had trouble renewing his visa. Just a while ago, he received a call from the embassy saying that his visa renewal has just been approved... on the eve of departure! Wow, that is way too late, and anyway, we have already made a destination change last Monday. Not having anywhere particular to visit at such short notice, I decided to choose Paris!wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-34987032992582358702011-10-04T09:30:00.000+08:002011-10-04T09:40:41.942+08:00Quick update!<br><br /><br><br />Wow! It has been two months since the last entry! Only now have I managed to update this blog, and hopefully, I will be blogging frequently again as before! Anyway, I have been keeping myself occupied by making this video whenever I could steal time the past two months... It's a compilation of memorable moments from my summer vacation in Italy and Switzerland. I really love editing this video,now I can't wait to make more videos! Enjoy! <br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VkVWvWM5Zv0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-80058769734278725302011-07-28T14:50:00.000+08:002011-07-28T15:01:35.432+08:00Mini Acrylic Painting<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room1.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />Before</center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room2.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room3.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room4.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room5.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room6a.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room5b.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/room7.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />After. What do you think? is the painting awesome or not? ;)</center>wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074066568881496818.post-41966309247469873102011-07-11T10:20:00.000+08:002012-05-22T09:44:50.896+08:00Bellagio, Lake Como<br><br /><br><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/boat2.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />Enjoying the cruise...</center><br /><br />I've planned on writing this entry a long time ago and somehow, it kept slipping out of my mind! Anyway, the trip to Bellagio has to be one of my favourite outings during my tour of Italy. It will be a trip I shall remember for a long time...<br /><br />I visited Bellagio with my brother - he being the more familiar one... Bellagio is considered the pearl of Lake Como. This old little town is positioned on a promontory where two branches of the lake meet. Interesting? Very.<br /><br />We took a bus from Milan city to Lake Como. From there, we boarded a ferry to Bellagio. The journey from Milan city to Como took about an hour, the cruise from Como to Bellagio took a leisurely two hours.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como1b.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center>On the highway... from Milan city to Como...</center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/milan-bellagio2.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/milan-bellagio.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como3.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><center>Finally... Reached Como town after an hour on the scenic route...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como2-1.jpg" border="0"></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como5.jpg" border="0"></a><br />The Cathedral of Como...<br /></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como4.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><center>The bus stopped us here at the town square, and we went on to buy the ferry tickets. I quickly fell in love with this town - it was exceptionally windy, since it's surrounded by the lakes.</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como6.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br />We bought the ferry tickets without much hassle, and I managed to visit some local shops while waiting for the ferry... And just an hour later, we were already on the ferry, enjoying the expansive view of Lake Como en route to Bellagio.<br /><br />The ferry ride to Bellagio took about two hours, as the passenger ferry needed to stop at every town jetty to pick up passengers along its way to Bellagio. Luckily, there was a cafe on board.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como7.jpg" border="0"></a> <br />All ready to sail...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/hills2.jpg" border="0"></a><br />George Clooney’s villa on the left. </center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como24.jpg" border="0"></a><br />The outstanding Villa Balbianello... I love its garden setting...</center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/hills3.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/hills.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como8.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Approaching the jetty of Isola Comacina...such a cute Island!<br /></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como9.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como10.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como11.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como12.jpg" border="0"></a><br />A cup of coffee, and home-made sandwiches... and a perfect setting...<br /></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como25.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como13.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Err... that's a HDcam, not a pair of binoculars...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como14.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Some just love the sun... it's after all, the height of summer!</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como15.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Menaggio jetty...only one stop before Bellagio..</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/lakeview.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br />Finally... Bellagio! We just let ourselves get lost in this beautiful town, handsomely tucked among the hills... and emerged much later to have a great lunch!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/flower.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/flower2.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/me-1.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/alley.jpg" border="0"></a><br />A quieter part of town, but no lack of charm and serenity...</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/signage.jpg" border="0"></a> </center> We had lunch at this restaurant - the Eurona, Bellagio... overlooking the magnificent lake. Here, they served a menu which reflects the summer cuisines of the lake district.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/pasta.jpg" border="0"></a> </center> We had a seafood pasta each, and it was yummy beyond words!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/Ikan2.jpg" border="0"></a> </center> We shared a freshly caught salmon trout in herbs. The trout was from Lake Como, and served with buttered rice. Tasty! It's crispy on the outside but tender and juicy inside. I read on the menu which says: “The cuisine of the Italian lake district is one of Italy’s best kept secrets”. Oh....kayyy!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/orgtua.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br />After the satisfying lunch, we continued exploring the town. To me, the old town was an endless succession of shops! Clothing, accessories, jewelry, souvenirs and craft shops where you can find handmade items in olive-wood, mouth-blown glasswares, leather goods, paintings, watercolors, books and etc.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio9.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como-1.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como22.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/como23.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio1-1.jpg" border="0"></a><br />Aaaahhhh..... La bella vita! Such an adorable moment...<br /></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio10.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio2-1.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio3.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio4.jpg" border="0"></a><br />We spent several hours at Bellagio, and only late in the evening did we head back to Milan. While I was enjoying my gelato, I spotted someone familiar!</center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio5.jpg" border="0"></a><br />It's Mr Gurmit Singh, of course! "Mr. Phua Chu Kang" was also enjoying his gelato. We interrupted him for some photos, and he was cool to oblige! And to think we never bumped into him the many times we were in Singapore, and to bump into him in Bellagio!<br /></center><br /><br />On the way back to Milan we took a small ferry to Menaggio, just one stop from Bellagio, and managed to visit the glorious Villa Olmo which boasts of its beautiful park and expansive grounds. Luck was on our side: they were hosting an art exhibition which was open to the public. We visited the exhibition and sure enough, everything leads to the concession stand! So, we had some coffee outside the Villa Olmo before boarding the bus back to Milan city.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio6.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio7.jpg" border="0"></a> </center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.stillwahdi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="stillwahdi.blogspot.com" src="http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh379/wahdi2009/bellagio8.jpg" border="0"></a> </center>The grounds of Villa Olmo...<br /><br />Overall, the trip to Bellagio was simply awesome! Lake Como offers a spectacular, and dynamic landscape while Bellagio tempts you with endless sophisticated shops. Personally, I still prefer <a href="http://stillwahdi.blogspot.com/2010/12/lake-maggiore.html">Lake Maggiore </a>and its flagship town Stresa.wahdihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09916038530458033202noreply@blogger.com14