Good finds: Olive Juice.

I fell in love with this quirky video by Celia Rowlson-Hall, a New York based filmmaker and choreographer.
Her video Olive Juice is absolutely charming, using quotes and idioms about love and arranging them in a choreographed short film.

View her short film here!

This short film totally stole my heart. View more of Celia's works on her website.

Summer drink: Coffee Jelly Iced Mocha

Summer can't be complete without summer drinks! Today, I'm loving my coffee jelly iced mocha.

If you can find an instant coffee jelly at your local supermarket, this drink will be super easy to make! It's ok if you couldn't find one, just simply follow these instructions.

Coffee Jelly / Pudding (found via allrecipes.com)

1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatine
2 tablespoons hot water
3 tablespoons white sugar (Optional)
2 cups fresh brewed coffee

- Dissolve gelatin in the hot water in a small bowl.
- Pour gelatin mixture, coffee, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Pour coffee mixture into glasses for individual servings or a large pan for cubing.
- Chill in the refrigerator until solidified, 6 to 7 hours.

//

Iced Mocha (adapted from homecoffeerecipes.com)

2 shots of freshly brew espresso
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar
Ice
Milk or soy milk

- First put the cocoa powder and sugar in your cup. Next pour in the espresso shots or coffee. Stir well.
- Pour coffee jelly into the glass, follow by half a cup of ice.
- Fill the cup the rest of the way with the milk and mocha espresso mix.
- Enjoy!

Summer essentials, V.1

Summer in Japan can be brutally hot! If you are visiting Japan this time of year, make sure to pack

and wear light. I love Zara long dress shirt (from 2011 collection) // Tank tops in every colours are a 

wonderful idea, found via my pinterest // Summer nail polishes via Harper's Bazaar // Last but not

least, my current favorite Tom's Correa Sandals

Coffee, lately

In both June and July, I went on a coffee frenzy. I've had  chance to commute to downtown Tokyo
several times and I have been collecting my data! Here are a few places I stopped at recently.

Makers Coffee, Yoyogi-Koen.

Cool space and great coffee. They have a pretty cool table for people who love to get their coffee fix
and work on their project! Too bad that half the time I'm there, they're closed.

New Coffee Steppers, Harajuku.

This place was an absolute surprise! I walked around the busy neighborhood and stumbled upon
this little gem of a coffee shop located inside a design store. New Coffee Steppers is a little shop created by the
owners of Little Nap in Yoyogi-Koen.The barista was kind enough for me to snap a picture
while she made her free pour! Absolutely gorgeous!

Sarutahiko, Ebisu.

This tiny coffee shop is located in the posh neighborhood Ebisu. It's quite a popular and
long standing coffee place with wide selections.  It was absulutely crowded so I was glad
we were able to get some seats! Really great mocha here!

That's it for now! I'll be sure to make more coffee stops in the next few weeks! 

So glad Japan's coffee scene is starting to pick up!

June Wish list

Aritzia Babaton Everly Camisole / Rebecca Minkoff Marlowe / Poketo key ring / Ray-ban Clubmaster /
Loeffer Randall Sandals / Panasomic Lumix GM / Thymes Bergamot Cologne

seoul cafe wrap up

Wrapping up my Seoul cafe hopping post!

Something that I always do while I travel, I cafe hop in foreign cities.
I find it exciting to visit local cafes and try carefully crafted coffee. This time, I planned to
try out at least 5 places but my schedule did not allow me so I only visited 2.
They were both very good in different ways.

First stop, 5extracts in Hongdae. The cafe, a 10 minute walk from Honggik university station, 

has a nice rustic decor that is cool but cozy at the same time. 

I tried a caramel latte, something I rarely have but I was glad to get a little sweet kick in my
coffee. The result was not disappointing, very warm and the latte art was beautiful!

My second stop was Coffee Lec. Located in a small alley in the fancy area of Garosugil, 

cafe owner Sean An was Korea's Barista champion from 2011. 

Coffee Lec reminded me of a Jazz bar with a 1920's vibe. I spent about a good hour or two chatting with my good friend
while taking a break from shopping. The mocha I ordered tasted wonderful and the service was amazing as well. 

Definitely had a great coffee experience in Seoul. I'm so glad to see people dedicated to making good coffee!
Please check back for more updates to come at Milk+Toast+Honey. I will cafe hop at local cafes in Tokyo again!

Spring salad

Inspired by my trip to Aroina Tabeta, a very authentic Thai restaurant around Yurakucho area, 

I made this spicy and fresh salad dish. The original was a spicy crunchy fish salad, 

but I tried to kick it up a notch by using calamari! 

 

Ingredients:

-red onions or shallots, thinly sliced

-leafs and soft stems of celery, thinly sliced

-halved mini tomatoes

-diced red or yellow peppers

-Fried or baked choice of seafood. I like using fish or calamari.

-sprouts

-handful of cilantro

-peanuts

-lettuce

Sauce:

- lemon or lime juice of 1/2 a lemon or lime

- 2 garlic cloves

-1 + 1/2 chili

-sliced ginger

-cilantro roots, thinly sliced 

(this is optional but it will make the salad more aromatic)

- fish sauce (nam pla) 1 +1/2 tablespoon

- brown or white sugar 1 tablespoon

directions:

-mix the dry ingredients together (except the fried seafood and lettuce), set aside

-crush the garlic and chili together, add the sauce ingredients and make sure to mix well

-add the sauce ingredients to the dry. mix thoroughly.

-layer the lettuce leaves and then decorate the plate with the salad. 

-add the fried seafood on top and voila! it's done!

Recipe and photos by Fern.

Souvenirs from Japan, V. 1

If you are travelling to Japan and not sure what get for your friends and family, why not check out some of my lists?

Hiragana bookmark for book lovers / Onzen bath salt / Greentea flavored KitKat is definitely a must! /

Sushi USB / Last but not least, Jagabee (I find this to be very addictive!)

You can find these everywhere in Tokyu hands, Loft and drugstores :)

The Jamism

 I was introduced to the Jamism by my good friend, Clair who designed the logo for the cafe.

The Jamism focuses on using organic products to make great tasting jams without using any

sugar or preservatives! Instead of my usual coffee, I opted for Kiwi and lemon soda which

tasted refreshing and totally suitable for summer.

Soomin, the Jamism's owner decorates the cafe with a warm atmosphere. I feel very at home

once I stepped in. Furthermore, I tried the Jam Plate which is served with

croissants and fresh jam selections to try out. 

Before I left for Japan, I did not forget to bring along some of her fresh jams with me.

It was super difficult to make up my mind since they all tasted amazing but I

decided to bring back kiwi and blueberry.

 

If you ever have a chance to visit Seoul, please pay the Jamism a little visit. 

The cafe is located in Pangyo station! Totally recommended! 

For more information, visit the Jamism's website here!

Off duty

Zara faux leather sweater / Bag and Shoes I bought in Tokyo / GU pants / Canmake nail polish in smokey beige

Short stop to Seoul!

Last week, I went for a short trip to Seoul. Since this is my second time in the city,

I didn't want to do too many touristy things I did on my last trip. Instead this time,

I went strolling and experience things local Koreans do on typical weekends. 

A view from Dongdaemun.

This is the newly launched design center, DDP, located in downtown Seoul. The center, designed by

renowned architect Zaha Hadid, is super futuristic and suave. I felt like I was in outer space. 

Strolling in Seoul's fancy shopping area, Garosu-gil, which means tree lined street.

A Street musician in Hongdae.

All in all it was a great long weekend. I feel refreshed and am ready to tackle another month at work!

 More updates on cafes I visited in Seoul soon!

All Photos taken by me. :)

streamer coffee company

Time to hop another cafe. For my latest expedition, I hopped Streamer Coffee Company in Shibuya.

I've always wanted to try this place out since it is owned and operated by Hiroshi Sawada,

Japan's very first free pour latte art champion. 

The cafe indeed lived up to its reputation. We were lucky enough to get latte made by Mr. Sawada

himself. I must say this is the most beautiful latte art I've ever seen, so precise and crisp.

The latte was smooth and delish as well!

If you are around the Tokyo or Osaka area, be sure to check Streamer Coffee out, it's totally worthy!