Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I just can't contain this feeling that remains...

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog college Philadelphia
Jumper - H&M, dress (worn as skirt) - Camden Market, bag - Old Spitalfield's Market, cuff - antique, socks - Target, shoes - Marais USA

Today was such a beautiful day! I went to yoga in the morning and realized that it was quite mild outside, so I decided to bare my legs for the first time in 2012. The last time I wore anything of the sort (excluding brisk walks to the gym) was in November, in Barcelona - almost three months ago. In the equivalent time, it will be spring! Yes, I'm already starting the spring countdown, though it doesn't seem so far away when we have mild days scattered through the cold.

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog college Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog college Philadelphia

My friend Toby was kind enough to take these photos for me today - it's nice to have a set of outdoor photos again, since the fluorescent lighting in my room gets to me. I haven't really much else to write about; the rest of my day shall consist of homework and a trip to the gym if I complete enough work! I've a handful (literally - I have to draw hands) of drawings to do and a few reading assignments. Adios!

I hope all is well,

xox Catherine

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A New Start

Silhouette Girl personal style college fashion blog Philadelphia
Top - Monki, jeans - BDG, cuff - antique, shoes - Marais USA

I keep consciously telling myself to be less apologetic and self-pitying, but I can't help my urge to start this long overdue post with negativity: these photos aren't too fancy. And of course, it's been quite a while - more than two weeks! My explanation: I left for school, I moved into my dorm, and I'm still settling in. Campus isn't all that large, but I haven't come across any deserted areas appropriate for photo-taking. So for now, my tiny dorm (and high bed, which makes me look tiny!) will have to suffice.

Silhouette Girl personal style college fashion blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl personal style college fashion blog Philadelphia

Despite all of this stress, I've been adjusting moderately well to college life in the USA. I might be experiencing reverse culture shock in some aspects, but college life here is indeed different from what I experienced in the UK! I've been to the gym more times than I had gone to a gym in my entire life. I suppose it's a productive way to spend time in comparison to endlessly scrolling on Tumblr, but I hope I can find activities on campus that are more in tune with my own interests!

I suppose you can see a bit of it in the above photos, but here's a snapshot of my resting area:

Silhouette Girl personal style college fashion blog Philadelphia

The duvet is from Primark, the world map is from Frankie magazine (purchased on Islington High Street), the other is a map of the London Underground, and the photos strung above are on a card string from Paperchase. I guess I decided to take a bit of my life in the UK back to Philadelphia!

I hope all has been well in your life! Let's hope my next post isn't too far in the future.

xox Catherine

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Monday, January 9, 2012

And it was all yellow

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog Philadelphia
Necklace - antique, jumper - Urban Outfitters, jeans - BDG, socks - Target, shoes - Topshop

For some reason I didn't manage to properly focus my camera during this little shoot, so I decided to have a bit of fun with editing. I'm quite fond of these jeans I picked up at Urban - my weakness, I admit - when they were having a $10 off denim sale. The cut makes me feel rather tall, since the rise is high and the inseam is short. They're fitted but roomy enough so I can breathe and actually move. I've given myself the goal to stray from jeans and skirts/dresses, since I tend to wear those pieces most frequently. I guess these are a step in that direction!

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog Philadelphia

I should probably start preparing for school (in the USA!) since I leave next week, but just the thought of picking up and leaving again is a bit of a drag. I'm both anxious and excited for university to begin! Luckily, I live very close to home this time around and will have the opportunity to see my pets essentially every weekend if I so choose.

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog Philadelphia

Once again I'm eyeing up lenses on Amazon... this excessive shopping spree needs to stop.

xox Catherine

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Vegan Japchae Recipe

Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog vegan japchae recipe
Silhouette Girl personal style fashion blog vegan japchae recipe

I'm not really one for New Year's Resolutions unless food is involved - it was a goal years ago to go vegetarian and then vegan, which did happen. I want to post more recipes and food experiments on the blog, since I've realized how much cooking and baking (and then eating!) relaxes me. Plus it's fun.

My dad's co-worker gave him a bag of Dangymeon (Korean glass noodles made from sweet potato starch) before I left for London, and I then happened to try the dish at a vegan restaurant in the city. I fell in love with its colorful, comforting taste, so I prepared it for Christmas Eve dinner with my family based on a recipe from the aforementioned colleague. This time around I used whatever veggies I had on hand, thus I omitted a few ingredients, but I'll give the original, more authentic recipe.

VEGAN JAPCHAE - makes roughly two large servings

Ingredients:
-Dangymeon noodles (I used 1/3 of the pack)
-Olive oil
-Fresh spinach
-Two or three carrots, julienned
-One red pepper, finely chopped
-One yellow onion, sliced into long pieces
-Green onion, sliced vertically then horizontally
-Shiitake mushrooms*
-Two cloves garlic, minced
-Soy sauce
-Sesame oil
-Toasted sesame seeds
-A block of tofu, drained and pressed, then cut into cubes

*You can use fresh, dried, or canned mushrooms. If using dried, I'd recommend soaking these prior to starting cooking, since it takes a while. Then slice into smaller pieces. If using fresh, just slice them. If using canned, rinse.

1. Parboil the spinach, then drain. Put it in a large bowl, then toss with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.
2. In a wok, saute the onions in olive oil until clear and fragrant, then add to bowl.
3. Use the same process for the carrots, red pepper, and green onion.
4. Saute the garlic until fragrant, then add mushrooms. Add to the bowl.
5. Mix all vegetables in the bowl.
6. Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package, drain.
7. In a separate pan, cook the tofu in oil until golden on each side. Add soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, then cook a bit longer.
8. In the hot wok with a little oil, add all vegetables and the noodles, but not the tofu.
9. Heat thoroughly, then add soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
10. Top dish with tofu, then eat!

I have modified this dish slightly from the original recipe, but I think overall the integrity remains intact. By no means am I an expert on Korean food or cooking, but it's pretty similar to the serving I tried at Itadaki Zen in London. Even if it's not entirely authentic, it's still pretty good!

What recipes are you eager to try this year?

xox Catherine

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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Hello, 2012

Silhouette Girl personal style indie fashion blog Philadelphia
Top - Monki, necklace - thrifted, cuff - antique, skirt - Urban Outfitters, tights - Target, shoes - Topshop

Somehow a new year has come upon us yet again. I spent last night making japchae, fishing for plans, sitting in my bedroom until 11:53pm, arriving at my first (entirely spontaneous) destination at 11:58pm, going to another friend's house after, staying up until 4:30am... you know, typical New Year's Eve. I can't really complain; I saw some friends I hadn't seen since being home, I celebrated, I spent time with people I enjoy.

Silhouette Girl personal style indie fashion blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl personal style indie fashion blog Philadelphia

Today my aunt had my family over for dinner, which was very nice! I planned to take outfit photos in the city, but by the time everyone arrived, it was getting a bit dark. Plus I prefer this outfit without a coat! This space was formerly occupied by a table that has been relocated to our dining room... I think a desk and/or a comfy chair will be quite useful. Seems I'll be taking a trip to IKEA this week! I know many people hate the store for its unusual layout and hard-to-assemble merchandise, but I am quite the opposite - I love it.

Silhouette Girl personal style indie fashion blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl personal style indie fashion blog Philadelphia

I hope your New Year has been treating you well so far!

xox Catherine

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