vibrant

No exam for the rest of this week!

My vibrant trousers made its debut today. It's probably my first trouser that features any sort of color other than black and white :) So ridiculously comfortable and just so me.

I tried the tazo chai tea today. It wasn't bad really, but I still can't stand the unnecessary spices they put in it. I diluted the spices with milk and some sugar, which helped erase the lingering cinnamon (and almost fruit cake like) taste after drinking it.

 I just realized how I seriously need a new pair of pixie  (or as some call it "granny") boots. Mine has obviously seen better days after being severely abused for nearly five and half years now. I might just go with a simple, black (or dusk brown) Chelsea boots next. The lack of laces and long-rounded body give chelsea boots a  ridiculously relaxed and masculine vibe which I thoroughly enjoy. 

For dinner, I finally made my favorite tilapia dish. I tried to make it like my mum's divine tilapia curry-soup dish, but I'm just not that great. Nevertheless, the tilapia came out great and topped with quinoa, it was an ideal healthy, gluten-free meal (at least for a college student with limited resources).

 dish: tilapia cut into small pieces and seasoned in curry, turmeric, cumin, red chili, black pepper, red pepper, parsley, cilantro, and onion powder. Fried on a skillet with olive oil just barely cooked and then put into a saucepan with chopped tomatoes, spinach and a can of diced tomatoes. Sprinkle some salt, 3 green cayenne pepper (diced) and some more curry powder. You can stop here and let the dish sit on medium to med-high heat, but personally, I enjoy my dishes more on the thicker, soupy side so I poured a cup of water after letting the mix sit for 5 minutes. After 10 to 15 more minutes, it's done! Bon appetite :)

exam week comfort

Took my first calculus midterm today and I could cry of happiness. Baggy everything and my chucks were the highlight of this week. Comfort over trendy, period. Finished off the exhausting day with my boiled veggie salad with scattered seaweed, some organic unsalted peanut butter on an English muffin and a cup of yummy Darjeeling tea. I just enjoy food :)

veggie salad: boiled corn, sugar snap peas, broccoli, regular peas topped with red chili peppers, seasoned black peppers and lots of seaweed (here, i cut mine into small rectangular bite size pieces. Sometimes i roll my veggies with seaweed into small sushi-taco hybrid). Seaweed is the best topping for any salad or even just as a snack on its own. Salty, crunchy and packed with Vitamin A and C (what more can you ask for).

:) tee

all images by me

harem pants and stripes

(Zara trousers and top, bracelets and rings all gifted, Fossil case, converse, a steaming cup of tea)

It was all about comfort today, but when is it not. Some harems, a striped sweater and my battered converse helped me feel slightly put together after a less than stellar night's sleep (procrastination is bad. absolutely terrifyingly bad).

food accessory for the day:

Maple and brown sugar oatmeal with a cup of milk, one banana (diced), a handful of gluten free granola, a smidgen of hot water and an unmeasurable amount of assorted nuts and cranberries. I find oatmeal to be the perfect food to carry when you have late evening/night classes or just need a transition meal in between lunch and dinner. As for side drink: 4 cups of coffee and one cup of tea. Woe is me.

:) tee

all images by totem tee

Mornings

Some Oolong Tea, reading and a serious cuticle massage is my favorite way to attack a new day. I have been trying to help my unhealthy obsession with coffee with the next best thing: tea. My favorites are Oolong and Earl Grey. Both are very earthy in taste and like all tea, looks like muggy, dirt water mmm. And the cuticle massage...let's just say, growing my nails is definitely not my forte (it has been on my new year's resolution list for 8 years now and still counting). As a chronic nail biter, I find that the only way to "fix" my terrible habit is by coating my nails with just about anything, whether it be a hardener, moisturizer, hand cream or cuticle cream. Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream has been my trusty friend for four years now and I don't see myself switching partners in the near future (unless the company discontinues it, in which case I'll probably cry). 

♥ tee

all images by me

Want: Oxfords

images from google

I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pair of oxfords. Alex Chung's oxfords are the perfect example of what I'm looking for: Masculine, Rounded-toe with a bit of point and showcasing subtle, understated but noticeable designs. She even styles them brilliantly. Clothes with a more easy, boyish fit but also with subtle details of femininity and softness.

Some that fit the bill:

Oxford Love by screamtashii featuring low heels

love, totemtee