Vacation Recap

by Ikhlas // 9 July, 2012 // 7 Comments

Hi guys!

How’s it going? Wow, it feels like FOREVER since I’ve blogged. Technically, it’s only been about 2 weeks, but a lot has happened since then. For one, I’ve gotten a tan for the first time in my life! Exciting right? NOT.

I was hoping to write this post on Saturday, since I was still bubbling with excitement, but I was still super tired and car-legged (not jetlagged). Today’s my last day off before I go back to work tomorrow, so I figured I’d write this while I’m not even more tired from work.

Well, where to start? Continue reading →

Recipe: Coconut and Chocolate Chip Squares (and Goodbye)

by Ikhlas // 26 June, 2012 // 2 Comments

Hi guys!

Sorry about the general lack of updates lately. I wish I had exciting stories to share with you, of travelling through the jungles of Asia or climbing Mt. Everest, which have prevented me from blogging. But alas, I’ve just been busy scanning random stranger’s groceries on a daily basis and listening to how, apparently, I’m doing this all wrong, and then coming home to complain to my family about this whole process. It’s been so much fun. NOT.

But now, I’m going on vacation to Florida, so I’m trying to put this rough past behind me. For a week or so.

Since we’re driving down to Florida, a mere 21 hour journey, I’ve got to keep my wits about me, especially since I’ll be travelling with a pair of baboons, also known as my brothers. Since my mom dubbed me the Official Trip Planner, they’ve thrown up every wrench in the planning process. Apparently, they’ve decided that they have ideas and opinions of their own, and clearly don’t care what I think.

In order to appease them, and to ensure that they won’t resort to eating me when they’re hungry in the car, I’ve made them these coconut and chocolate chip squares.

I’m sure most of you know this recipe, since it’s not exactly original, but I figured I’d share it anyway. Just so you’d have some sweet pictures to tide you over until my next post. 🙂

Here it is:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips
1 package sweetened, shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix your graham cracker crumbs and butter in a baking dish, creating a thick and even base. I’ve started using a cake spatula (one without holes or anything) to press down on the crust, to create more of an even layer.
Pour your condensed milk on top, just letting it settle onto the crust. You probably won’t need a spoon to spread it evenly or take it out of the can, since it flows on it’s own nicely.
Top with coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans, alternating between layers as you choose.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until edges are golden.
Let it cool outside for about ten minutes, and then put it in the fridge for about an hour or two. This will make cutting it easier, as the condensed milk will have settled by then.

And there you have it! It’s pretty easy, but yummy, and has been a favourite in my family, ever since I started making it when I was ten. Again, it’s not original, but is pretty easy, especially since it’s one dish and you can just toss it all on.

Other than the burning question of what snacks to take with us, I’ve also been concerned with what clothes to pack and what books to bring, naturally.

My shopping addiction took care of the clothes department, but the books department has been woefully neglected of late, which you might be able to tell given the lack of book reviews on here lately. So on Sunday, I decided to rectify this and went to the library, not only to pick up my holds, but to also browse the shelves.

I was also helped out by a friend who sent me a book yesterday. I won Natalie’s giveaway a few months ago, and requested Shadow and Bone, which I have been DYING to read since I heard about it a few months ago. Check out her blog here!

I’ve had a hard time resisting it since I got it on Monday, since I’ve been saving it for the road, so I’m hoping it lives up to (and maybe even exceeds?) my expectations.

Anywho, that’s pretty much all I have to say! Hopefully after my vacation, I’ll be back to (somewhat) regular postings here on the blog, about books and writing and fashion. At any rate, I’ll have lots of pictures and shopping to share with you anyways, when I get back.

I definitely won’t have a chance to update the blog, but do check out my Facebook page for random pictures and news, which I’ll try to post.

Especially since I won’t be able to resist showing pictures of this!!!!!

Have a great week. 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Ikhlas

Review: The Reckoning

by Ikhlas // 22 June, 2012 // 4 Comments

In the sequel to the hit The Taker, Alma Katsu returns in The Reckoning with another heart-wrenching, spellbinding, and evocative story of immortals Lanore and Adair.

Lanny thought she had seen the last of Adair some 200 years ago. She hasn’t seen or heard of him since the night she entombed him, with the help of Jonathan, in the basement of his own home. That all changes one night when she receives a message from Adair himself. He’s back.

And so begins Lanny’s journey to the ends of the earth to escape Adair’s clutches and his knowledge, as she seeks out old friends and foes in attempts to learn more about his secret powers and a way to vanquish them. But Lanny’s reckoning is coming, no matter how far she runs or hides, and Adair will find her. Soon.

Continue reading →

H&M Haul

by Ikhlas // 13 June, 2012 // 3 Comments

So originally this post was supposed to be about nostalgia and how I’m basically drowning in it at this time of year. Last year, at this time, I was convocating from one of Canada’s, and the world’s, most prestigious universities. Last year, at this time, I was filled with hope and excitement for the future.

Last year, at this time, I was excitedly attending classes at an amazing Creative Book Publishing Program, preparing for a passion-filled career in book publishing.

This post was already going to be a bit sappy and depressing, but since I just heard back from a job position that I had applied to, and it wasn’t good news, I realised I couldn’t write that post without succumbing to a bold black type and CAPS LOCK for the whole post in order to vent my anger and frustration.

So I’ll spare you that, and instead we’ll look at pretty pictures of frivolous pieces of clothing and accessories, yeah?

So, as usual, I didn’t go in planning to spend a whole whack of money, yeah? I went in trying to exchange this beautiful ring in size, and a few other things latched onto to my arms as I walked around the store.

Let’s start with the ring I exchanged it for.

It looks kind of brown in colour here, but it’s actually a pale pink and has a star shape inside of it it. I’ve never bought a circle ring before, but fell in love with the colour and style right away.

I also bought this sheer, pale pink scarf, which was originally $13, but then ended up being on sale for $5! God, I love when that happens 😀

Of course, it’s lined with those cute little bobbles at the end of it, which I absolutely love, and has this shiny quality too, which I haven’t worn before.

Next in the accessories department is this gorgeous turquoise and pearl necklace, which is super long, just how I love my necklaces to be. 🙂

This pale turquoise is really in right now, and it took all my might to not even glance at the pink one. It was difficult, but I did it! LOL.

But given how beautiful this one is, I might have to go back to pick up the pink one too, so I can do some mixing and matching.

I’ve been looking for some sufficient cover-up options for a few months now, since I’m sick of all my clothes and also because they don’t fit anymore. That’s why the next item isn’t that exciting or daring, but is something that every hijabi needs to have (at least I think so).

Yup, boring I know, but my other white cardigan is looking kinda worn, so I’m excited to have this to brighten up my outfits.

The next item is a cropped t-shirt (it doesn’t look too cropped in the picture, but I assure you, it’s cropped), and it’s something that I would have never glanced at had it not been on sale. Oh God, now I sound like my mom, who gravitates first to the big SALE sign on clothes.

But anywho, this little t-shirt is so not my style, and you’ll know this if you’re a follower of this blog. I like pink, lace, fun, and flirty. But that’s exactly why I love this shirt, because it’s so different from everything else I wear, which I’m slowly getting sick of.

Can’t wait to pair this with my navy maxi dress!

Last, but most definitely not least, is the piece de resistance! I’d found this maxi dress on the H&M website ages ago, and tried looking for it since then, only to be met with confused looks from the associates.

I figured I’d missed it, but then it showing up in their advertisements for their summer collection, so I knew it hadn’t come in yet. I started calling in so many times that the girl at one store knew me by voice!

Anywho, to make a long story short, I got my dress. And it’s so darn beautiful.

It’s got this really funky tribal pattern all over it, which I don’t have anything in, and it’s so fun and colourful.

It’s also got this fabulous beading along the neck area. Here’s a closeup:

Anywho, that’s everything! And yes, I know, that was a lot of stuff. ^_^ I actually bought the dress last week, and then everything else today.

Hope this post filled with frivolous things has cheered you up slightly, or if you weren’t down like me, hope it at least made you smile. 🙂

And now I should really get back to writing that book I keep procrastinating on…

Thanks for reading,

Ikhlas

Recipe: Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

by Ikhlas // 4 June, 2012 // 4 Comments

So I’m back, like I said I would be, with a yummy recipe for you all. Actually, I have one and a half recipes for you guys, but we’ll get to the half recipe in a bit, yeah?

So I still haven’t got my computer back from repair yet and feel like I’m slowly dying inside. The desktop is okay, as desktops often are, but its no Harriet (that’s the name of my laptop…doesn’t everyone name their electronics?!). The keyboard is funny and the screen is massive so that even though my glasses give me perfect vision, I still find myself squinting. Harriet, when will you be home?!

So anyway, the party I had on Saturday was a hit. I made little loot bags of candy and chocolate, and handmade cards/envelopes. Oh, and I also made these guys.

When I began making them on Friday night, I practically had to lock them up in the fridge and away from my brothers’ hungry eyes as they begged me to have one each. But I’m kind of a food Nazi and refused to let them have a bite, until the party was over and my lovely guests (and I) had devoured their share. You might be thinking that I’m not a very nice older sister, and you would be right! Hehe.

Anywho, normally I make these in the regular sized cupcake pan, but since shopping is a necessity for me, I just decided that I needed a mini cupcake pan, since I didn’t have one and honestly, it would be an investment, since I could now make everything I ate MINI. Continue reading →

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