I have a “bad” habit of spotting adorable cupcake kits, swooning over the design and colours of the liners and toppers, and then impulsively buying them. I buy them thinking to myself "These would be so perfect for [insert event/Holiday]", even though I have nothing planned yet for said event/Holiday. I was lured in such a manner … Continue reading Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
For my first post in the newly added category of my blog, I thought I'd start with a dish that is dear to my heart. It's a recipe that's been passed on from my Mom. I've watched her make this dish my entire life, and the aroma of roasted eggplants brings me back to my childhood, and … Continue reading Authentic Baba Ghanouj
People often ask me why my blog is called "My Turquoise Bag". I guess it is a bit misleading since I don't make or sell bags. Yet those who know me, know that turquoise is my favourite colour, and I am known to have a obsession for bags and purses. To me, a bag represents … Continue reading New to the Blog: Recipes & Meal Ideas
Themed bars are my favourite corners to set up when hosting a party. Aside from the functional benefit of having a designated area for thirsty guests, it's such a fun decor addition to amp up our event. For previous parties, I've dressed up our kitchen bar in taco theme and mermaid theme, so when Christmas comes around, I … Continue reading Creating a Hot Chocolate Bar
People embrace winter in different ways. Some people take it as the perfect time to travel to warmer climates, others welcome it to play or watch their favourite winter sports, and a select few choose to embrace this season by journeying off to snowy adventures. For my boyfriend and I, winter is a time to … Continue reading 4 Easy Holiday Hosting Ideas
I wish it was socially acceptable to dress up in a costume at any time. Like, if I woke up one morning and decided to wear fairy wings to work, I'd want that to be okay with HR. But until that happens, it seems us costume-and-makeup enthusiasts will have to embrace Halloween as the designated … Continue reading Enchanting Unicorn Costume
The cusp of Summer and Fall always feels bittersweet to me. It’s the turning point between my two favourite seasons, so I always feel a bit wistful when one has ended, yet excited for the other to follow. Freckled shoulders and tan lines showing signs of a summer well spent, start to fade just as … Continue reading Camping Between Seasons
My Instagram is no stranger to perfectly-placed flat lay shots of cozy Afternoon Tea spreads. If you know me, you know that I'm obsessed with tea, antiques and delicious treats, and going for Afternoon Tea checks off all those boxes. My first experience with High Tea was when I planned my best friend's bridal shower, and I've been … Continue reading Hosting an Afternoon Tea
The term "Like Mother, like Daughter" couldn't be more true when it comes to my Mom and I sharing the love for simple pleasures in life. In fact, adopting the joie de vivre philosophy in my life was always been influenced by her - she's always taught me to be humble, present, appreciative and grateful. Part of … Continue reading For the Love of Lavender
The heatwaves this summer have been pretty intense. But if you look at your rosé glass half full, heatwaves are the perfect excuse to host/organize/attend a pool party. You know when it's so hot and humid that you tell yourself, "Man, I could just jump in a pool right now"? Well, I figured why not … Continue reading Mermaid Pool Party
"Is your hair real?", the woman asked as she touched my curls in admiration. I did not know this woman. She was a complete stranger, yet there she was, touching my hair while I was volunteering for the Toronto International Film Festival. I wasn't sure if I should have been flattered that this woman deemed … Continue reading Updated Curly Hair Routine
I’ll never forget the reaction of my Grade 4 teacher when I showed her a photo of my recent trip to Lebanon during our Show & Tell session. The photo showed me standing in front of the iconic Hard Rock Cafe guitar, in Beirut. I was so excited to pass this photo around to show … Continue reading Travel Stamp: Beaches of Lebanon
I think it’s common to feel a sense of pride when we talk about our country of origin or birthplace, especially when we no longer live there. Reminiscing about our hometown ties us to our identity and our culture, and explains a lot about who we are, no matter how detached we may be from … Continue reading Travel Stamp: Ehden
I think there’s a certain aspect of romance to old family photographs. I don’t mean the old family photos at Chuck E. Cheese birthday parties in the 80s. I’m talking about those black and white photos of our maiden mothers, our newlywed grandmothers, or our handsome great uncles in some sort of distinguished uniform. It’s … Continue reading 90 Years Loved
I have acquired the nickname "Crafting Owl" because my creative ideas seem to come to me late at night. I've been known to sporadically pull out my craft box and try to create whatever my mind is visualizing at that very moment, and it always seems to happen between the hours of 10pm-1am. I can't … Continue reading DIY Bar Sign Using Mexican Tiles
Apparently, a game night soirée was long overdue as our friends kindly reminded us (ahem, requested). The last game night we hosted was simple and cozy: I made homemade lasagna, and red wine and Cards Against Humanity were enjoyed until the wee hours of the morning. This year we wanted to try out the game … Continue reading Fiesta Decor for Taco Nights
A couple of weeks ago, I styled the First Birthday party of my best friend's baby daughter. There were many elements that I loved about this party, the birthday girl being the main one since she is a scrumptious little bunny doll that I wanted to smush every chance I got. Additionally to baby Chloe, … Continue reading DIY Tutu Skirt for Baby High Chair
Being an auntie to my friends' kids has given me carte blanche to spoil them and adore them unconditionally (and then hand them back when they're pooping and crying). My most ultimate favourite auntie role, aside from cuddles and chubby cheek smooching, is crafting and styling my friends' babies' special events. Okay, maybe I appointed … Continue reading Event Styling for a Baby Girl’s First Birthday Party
This year for Easter, I really wanted to step up my egg game. The past two years I've kept the Easter decor to a minimal, gracing our space with only a vase of fresh tulips and a small bowl of Cadbury Mini Eggs. But let's face it, the tulips never lasted and certainly neither did … Continue reading Two Easy Ways to Decorate Easter Eggs
The bare and beige wall above our couch desperately needed some colour. After browsing uninspiring wall art in home decor stores and online, we had the idea of creating our own little gallery of travel posters. Not just any travel posters - we wanted our gallery to represent the destinations we've ventured off to in … Continue reading Gallery of Travel Memories
When my friend asked me if I could give her antique chair a little tender loving care, not only was I excited to revamp a piece of furniture (which I haven't done in so long and miss doing terribly), I was just so extra thrilled that a friend asked me to do it for her. … Continue reading Friends With Chairs
I have to say, this ongoing winter has turned me into a hibernating bear. As you can see, it's been a while since I've posted, and my prolonged laziness can be attributed to these cold dark days and evenings which have made me cling on to blankets, snacks and This Is Us a little more … Continue reading Cozy Corners
I wish I had a photo of my bare face when I was in my twenties. Not because I had glorious skin and I want to reminisce on my youth. Oh, no no. The exact opposite of that. The photo would serve as victorious reminder of how far my skin has come since then. You … Continue reading Current Skincare Products and Routine
If you're a decor enthusiast like myself, then you must get excited when the seasons change because it entices you to decorate your home with seasonal embellishments. And you most likely love decorating especially during the Fall season so you can nest a cozy abode to retreat to as the air becomes crisper and the daylight … Continue reading Simple Fall Decor for Small Spaces
Halloween has always been one of my favourite holidays because it's the time of year you are exposed to people's creativity, humour and artistic dedication to become anyone or anything they want to be. As a kid, I loved Halloween mainly because it was the only time my parents allowed me to wear makeup. As … Continue reading Fun and Easy Halloween Costume Ideas
Retrophiliac - noun. Someone who has a strong liking for things from the past. You know that strange sensation you get when you feel like you've lived another life in a past era? I get feeling that a lot. My whole life I've always been drawn to nostalgic time periods. I feel immediate connections whenever I … Continue reading My Top 10 Favourite Vintage Finds
When it comes to makeup, I have a tendency of keeping the eyes very simple. I usually grab my Kat Von D brown eyeliner and Lash Paradise mascara and call it a day. Sometimes I don't even bother with eyeliner and I just do mascara. And there are days where I don't even do anything … Continue reading Stepping out of comfort zones with colour mascara
Earlier this year, I did a bit of career soul-searching. I decided it was time for me to step up the ladder and change my professional scenery. I polished up my resume and re-entered the world of job searching, networking and interviewing. I lived in this world extensively for a couple of months, doing phone … Continue reading Job Interviewing and Dating: The Hopeful Similarities
Two autumns ago, I posted some snapshots of a cozy weekend getaway I enjoyed at our friend's warm and inviting rustic family barn. This summer, that same friend married his lovely long-time girlfriend at that barn. I thought it was so meaningful for them to choose to get married there, and being the event planning … Continue reading The Magic of Barn Weddings
One of the best things about discovering an artist is when their work speaks to you, straight to your heart. When you see your thoughts, your experiences, your emotions, basically your life, reflected through the artistic imagery of a complete stranger. That's the kind of connection that makes art so unique. I felt that way … Continue reading Life in Drawings
