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Out & About #1078 | Decoding the Decadent, Geste Croissanterie, and Pre-Vacay Madness

3/7/2025

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Reverse engineering a packaged product is a feat only Claire Saffitz can pull off in 24 hours. Devoid of a culinary school background but brimming with ideas and intense, offbeat cravings, I decided that attempting to recreate President's Choice The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie would bring me closer to two goals:
  1. Having crunchy chocolate chips on demand - since I've succeeded at many crunchy-chewy variations
  2. Economic freedom - should I successfully crack the code, I'd be free from constantly investing in a product subject to inflation
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1) The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie - Trial Batch #1
​The idea was not dissimilar to my seemingly endless quest for brownies - which, of course, I've yet to conclude a winner to parallel (or better yet, overthrow) the fudgy, delectable Farmer's Market Two-Bite Brownies.

I'd start by reviewing the ingredient list on the packaging, in particular noting their sequence. My assumption was that each ingredient was slotted by quantity. Surprisingly, chocolate chips was first. This was the singly easiest element to tackle, for I already had a 1 kg pouch of The Decadent Chocolate Chips in my inventory!
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​The next step was to determine the ever-critical ratio of butter to sugar to flour. Forming the foundation of all cookie recipes, this trio would not only determine the resulting texture, but colour and shape as well. By reviewing a handful of SK's sturdier cookie recipes, I'd find ones that involved chilling and slicing ("log" cookies), egg-less (shortbread), and barren of baking soda. The Decadent was none of these, but the ingredient quantities served as a good starting point for Test Batch #1.
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© Quirky Aesthetics, 2025
​Ingredients
  • 125 g unsalted butter 
  • 60 g granulated sugar
  • 80 g brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 180 g AP flour
  • 15 g milk powder
  • 210 g chocolate chips
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
​As with most cookie recipes, softened butter is creamed with granulated and brown sugar until airy. Next, egg and vanilla are whisked in. Finally, dry ingredients (flour and leavener, if any) and mix-ins are folded into the dough.

Given the high flour content, I had no qualms that this dough would be sturdy and even a bit difficult to mix. Much to my surprise, it wasn't excessively difficult to portion. This was likely the first indicator that more flour was needed.
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The rounds portioned using my 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop retained its textured edges even after baking. Asymmetrical mounds settled into a moderately domed cookie with faint ripples along its circumference. Meanwhile, the rounds that had been scooped then rolled into spheres emerged smoother and flatter. The interiors differed minimally, if at all.
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Perhaps the external differences could be owed to baking in the middle of the oven versus the lowest rack. With the finnicky nature of my oven though, I doubt placement would induce dramatic differences. The apparatus can't even maintain heat properly!

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Out & About #1075 | Brownies & Butterscotch Chip Cookies Feat. The Wild Robot, NESTFEST Restream

2/21/2025

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As one would expect, I wasn't about to let my freshly procured  ̶b̶a̶t̶c̶h̶  haul of Hershey's Unsweetened Natural Cocoa sit untouched for long.

Powered by an objectively nourishing and comparatively healthy breakfast of oatmeal and raisins, I readied the kitchen for a pan of brownies.
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1) The Brownies To End All Brownies
​NYT Cooking's Triple Chocolate Brownie video had dropped just four days ago, and had been lingering in my mind since. Suffice to say, I headed straight to the YouTube video I had sent to my baking coworker. Sunday Baking's Mochi Brown was my undeniable go-to, however I was intrigued about the impacts of brown sugar and espresso powder.
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​The original ingredient list reads as follows:
  • 113 g unsalted butter
  • 113 g bittersweet (70%) chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tsp instant espresso powder
  • 150 g granulated sugar
  • 110 g dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 64 g AP flour
  • 47 g Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces chopped milk chocolate
  • 4 ounces chopped white chocolate
  • Flaky sea salt

Yield: 16 brownies, 2 in x 1.5 in
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Relieving was the list of ingredients in metric units. I lined a pan of similar size, then proceeded to arrange my tubs of sugar along the counter. I had anticipated a handful of tweaks, including a reduction in sugar, however it wasn't until I dumped the remainder of my stick of butter into the bowl that all amounts were roughly scaled up by 5-7%.

Ingredients:
  •  ̶1̶1̶3̶ ̶g̶ ̶u̶n̶s̶a̶l̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶t̶e̶r̶   →  128 g unsalted butter
  • ̶1̶1̶3̶ ̶g̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶t̶e̶r̶s̶w̶e̶e̶t̶ ̶(̶7̶0̶%̶)̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶,̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶    →  135 g 52% chocolate couverture  
  • 1 tsp instant espresso powder
  • ̶1̶5̶0̶ ̶g̶ ̶g̶r̶a̶n̶u̶l̶a̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶u̶g̶a̶r̶   →  120 g granulated sugar * reduce by 25%! (effective 120 g)
  • ̶1̶1̶0̶ ̶g̶ ̶d̶a̶r̶k̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶s̶u̶g̶a̶r̶   →  95 g dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • ̶6̶4̶ ̶g̶ ̶A̶P̶ ̶f̶l̶o̶u̶r̶  →  30 g AP, 30 g cornstarch
  • ̶4̶7̶ ̶g̶ ̶D̶u̶t̶c̶h̶-̶p̶r̶o̶c̶e̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶c̶o̶c̶o̶a̶ ̶p̶o̶w̶d̶e̶r̶   →  60 g cocoa powder
  • ̶4̶ ̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶i̶l̶k̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
  • ̶4̶ ̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
  • ̶F̶l̶a̶k̶y̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶ ̶s̶a̶l̶t̶ * should have added this
  • 22 g olive oil
Directions
  1. Line a 8 in x 8 in square baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 365 F.
  2. Place diced unsalted butter and chocolate couverture in a large, heat-proof bowl. Gently melt in bursts in a microwave until just fluid. Do not subject the chocolate to prolonged periods of high heat.
  3. Dissolve instant espresso powder in the chocolate-butter mixture. Add in vanilla. Mix well and set aside. Let cool to at least room temperature before using.
  4. Combine eggs, sugars, and pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Thoroughly aerate using a whisk until thickened and pale in colour. The mixture should be able to form loose ribbons in the bowl, then vanish within seconds. A hand mixer is not necessary; this consistency should be able to be achieved by manually whisking with a wire whisk.
  5. Ensure chocolate-butter mixture has cooled to at last room temperature. Continue to let cool if still warm.
  6. Fold whipped egg mixture into chocolate-butter mixture. Combine well.
  7. Add in flour, cornstarch, and cocoa powder. Fold gently until no streaks of flour remain.
  8. Drizzle in olive oil and fold until homogenous.
  9. Transfer to lined baking pan, spreading the batter to the corners of the pan.
  10. Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes. The surface should be set with signs of crack propagation, while the centre slightly moist but not runny.
  11. Let cool completely before slicing.
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Obvious differences were:
  1. Natural cocoa powder in place of Dutch-processed
  2. 52% chocolate coverture in place of 70% bittersweet/dark chocolate, chopped
  3. A small amount of olive oil in addition to melted butter
  4. Omitting the use of a hand mixer in favour of a good ol' wire whisk
  5. Baking continuously within the range of 330-360 F, without removing the tray halfway and banging on the countertop
​The batter was awfully thick, should you ask me, and didn't require the 2h cooling period that the recipe had specified.

After about 1h of cooling was enough to provide the slab with a sense of sturdiness. They did not resist the pressure of a serrated knife, though premature sampling definitely confirmed the need for extensive cool time.
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When sampled at room temperature approximately sixty minutes after being removed from the pan, NYT's recipe was horribly cloying. My first takeaways were that: there was far too much sugar, followed by an absurd amount of flour/dry ingredients. Moreover the use of a hand mixer for a basic recipe hardly ever translates well. Of course, I alluded the tooth-achingly sugary qualities to my choice of natural cocoa and 52% chocolate, noting that further sugar reductions could likely take place for a more palatable outcome. I achieved a modest surface crackle, but nothing like the wispy shards of Sunday's edition, which strictly utilized granulated sugar and not a drop of molasses.

Dark brown sugar contributed noticeably nutty, caramel tones, but could potentially be swapped for light brown sugar as to preserve moistness without overwhelming the chocolate-forward profile. I wouldn't eliminate molasses altogether though, for the moistness achieved was rather splendid.

Using a small amount of olive oil also helped to create a pliable, fudgy cross-section. The interior was glossy and inviting, and even retained subtly herbaceous notes of the oil of choice. Those unfond of olive oil can opt for a neutral-tasting alternative, but steer clear of canola at all costs.
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I appreciated the lightly fruity aura of natural cocoa, but can see the value of Dutch-processed in the face of sweetened chocolate chips or substantial chocolate shards. Although the cocoa choice ultimately boils down to personal preference, the acidic component of natural cocoa should be noted when adjusting the recipe for pH variations.

​A sprinkle of flakey salt is often recommended if readily available. To prevent the addition from masking the inherent qualities of the formula though, I opted to omit it for this trial.
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All in all, I was generally pleased with the turnout, which yielded sixteen sizable squares worthy of a cookbook cover page. Visually speaking, this may have been my best batch yet. That said, it was not the most aromatic, despite easily achieving a high score in terms of gustatory pleasure. Maybe I'll take greater care to fully dissolve the instant espresso next time.

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Out & About #1070 | NESTFEST + CNY Visuals Continued Feat. Snake Installations

2/2/2025

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When GOT7 hinted - then readily provided spoilers - for their long-awaited comeback, many ahgases had speculated the possibility of a concert. While most of us yearned desperately for a world tour, the likelihood of seven members aligning their schedules for an extended period of time was low. At the very least, a domestic show would occur - this was later announced to be the two-day event known as "NESTFEST".

​Tickets rapidly sold out, prompting the boys to add a third show as well as an additional livestream. International fans could take part virtually on either February 1st or 2nd via the Beyond LIVE portal, which apparently supported streams for other popular artists such as Taeyang and NCT. As the site notified ticketholders that streaming capabilities would only be possible for Windows users through Edge and not Chrome, I prepared accordingly, setting up my laptop and replacing batteries in my Ahgabong Version 3 in the designated viewing room well in advance of the 4 AM start time.
However, there was no way to predict a black screen blocking off viewing capabilities and a horrifically irritating, stuttering connection. My laptop was a recent acquisition with minimal usage, but the Beyond LIVE site quickly sent it to the grave of blue screens. I was left with no other option than to download the mobile app. Despite missing the first six minutes of the show, the rest thankfully progressed without interference.
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It wasn't the first time I had voluntarily subject myself to sleep deprivation for KST-favouring livestreams. From the 7 for 7 Showcase in 2017 to the HOMECOMING Fancon in 2022, I thought I had grown accustomed to these odd-hour airings. But age is not a aspect to be argued with. Even just two years has made a difference in terms of exhaustion levels.

I could barely bring myself to execute the fanchants and strived intensely to remain awake for the entire duration of the show. NESTFEST would proceed for a whopping FOUR HOURS - a period in which some of the members would excuse themselves for the bathroom at least once. By the point of ending ments, I must have dozed off, for I awoke to Mark's tearful, heartful message to fans and the supportive group hug that would assist him in completing his speech. Jinyoung's and Jackson's ments were wholly excluded from my memory. Thank goodness for the upcoming re-streaming session!
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​The boys performed a wonderful combination of timeless classics, new releases (PYTHON and OUT THE DOOR!), solo hits, and transitioned into an encore segment led by Encore. Eleven years into their musical career, the heptet reinvented beloved title tracks of Girls Girls Girls, A (original and Remix), and the ever-humourous 하지하지마/Stop Stop It and furthered the musicality of Playground, 따라와/Follow Me, and 너란 Girl/Magnetic. FISH was tossed out unexpectedly by Mark as one of the encore tracks chosen on the spot, but ultimately excluded due to hesitation from the leader. Throughout their unfiltered ments and playful performances, it dawned on me that I not only knew every single song, but the lyrics and era from which they derived. GOT7 answered to the burning desires of both long-time and new ahgases, even extending fanservice to the second floor of the venue during the encore.

Approximately three years will pass before another comeback, but, as our selfless, courageous leader had assured in his ending ment, GOT7 will return when the opportunity is right. The small bird within me nods with every ounce of energy in her, in spite of my body expressing exhaustion at the treacherous time difference (3:40 AM to 7:55 AM!).
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​I collapsed into a fitful slumber on the couch for roughly three to four hours, awaking around noon to immediately delve into chores. Adulting must resume.

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Out & About #1068 | Pre-CNY Visuals, Orange Yogurt Cake + Chocolate Pecan Cookies

1/27/2025

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The Year of the Snake approaches steadily. Chinese New Year has been historically celebrated in our household with feasting, funds, and fiery red decorations. Nian Gao, or Leen Go/年糕, is another quintessential component of the traditional holiday.
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This space has seen numerous iterations of the formula, though the past few ​years has remained more or less consistent.
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I'm moderately proud of having organized the festive decorations and relocated them away from the kitchen, where they had previously found. Despite possessing a plethora of zodiac animal plushies though, the snake was, unfortunately, not a member of the existing collection. A giant pink serpent with disintegrating insides were summoned for the annual New Year Cake display, but ultimately reinstated to its dusty post on the couch shortly afterwards.
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​The Leen Go was chewy, tasty, and not cloying in the slightest. Amusingly, this year's edition revealed itself to have drier edges. On the fourth day of consumption, microwaving would lend the centre a soft gooeyness and the edges an unmistakable sturdiness often associated with pan-fried nian gao slices.
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Creations of the week(end) included:

 1) Orange Yogurt Cake

In recent years, I've strictly purchased Astro's Balkan yogurt to pair alongside homemade granola. Its tanginess complements the crunchy, hearty profile of nuts, seeds, and oats, while its texture loose enough to crumble readily for seamless spoonfuls of yogurt and granola. Activia's vanilla yogurt did not provide the same eating experience. Despite bearing lovely base notes of aromatic vanilla, the texture was lumpy and seemingly synthetic. By reading the ingredient list, I confirmed this was indeed the case: starch stabilizer was the culprit behind the off-putting consistency.

Naturally, the next step was to deplete the container in a manner that did not involve direct consumption. I turned to SK's Grapefruit Yogurt Cake.
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Originally, I debated the use of butter instead of oil, contemplating a modification of Ciao Kitchen's Lemon Pound Cake. However, making adjustments were not as straightforward as desired: the recipe was scaled for three mini loaf pans, exclusively relied on cake flour (which I did not have), and used under 100 g of sour cream, ultimately defeating the core objective of exhausting my yogurt supply. Reddit had advised increasing the amount of butter if using in place of oil, given that butter was comprised of both liquid and solid fats while oil was wholly liquid. But the conversion ratio was not clear, and furthermore provided solely in US measurements (cups or tbsp) instead of metric. To simplify my concurrent loaf construction project, I'd resist altering SK's cake guideline altogether - save swapping one citrus for another.

The instructions were read with haste, thus compromising accuracy of the steps. My version used two bowls, along with application of cake-making principles that may or may not reveal their worth in the final product. For clarity sake, both the ingredient list and process are detailed below:

Ingredients:

i) Loaf
  • Zest of one orange
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • 230 g plain yogurt
  • 195 g AP flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 120 g canola oil​
ii) Orange Syrup
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar *
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Out & About #1067 | GOT7 Winter Heptagon, Car Complexities Again + Fast Dining Finds

1/21/2025

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It should come as no surprise that, as the obvious ahgase I've made myself out to be, GOT7's comeback has been the topic of greatest concern since its initial announcement with Jinyoung's discharge. ​(That event in itself summoned plenty of ecstatic wails and relieved sighs, of course.)
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One of my first Black Friday purchases were sticker sets and notepad from AhgaseBaby. Due to the Canada Post strike though, this package did not cross the international border until early into the new year. Not long ago, the package finally found its way into my hands.

The set included a handful of freebies, including purple heart stickers bearing GOT7's rebranded, post-JYPE logo in a lovely lavender gradient. My main order consisted of an Encore sticky note pad, MBTI ahgase sticker sheet, and an IGOT7 heart sticker. The timing of its arrival could not be more ideal, for there was just a few days left before the official release of WINTER HEPTAGON.
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​Words could not wholly describe the experience of witnessing the first OT7 release since 2022. PYTHON was everything ahgase could have wanted but never expected: GOT7 had succeeded in reinventing their sound as a unit, but remaining true to their core. The track showcased overwhelming charisma, evident through a "flex yet wholesome" (termed by yours truly) storyline, and furthermore exhibited the incredible growth of each member in their solo pursuits. The undeniable uniqueness and simultaneous harmony of it all re-affirmed the analogy of the group being a rainbow: individually discernible yet completely cohesive.
In spite of the wintry, bone-chilling conditions accompanying my office commute, the journey was far from dreary and lonely. For the first time in a long time, I experienced happiness that originated from the soul - a sense of pure bliss and inner peace, seamless and unattainable in any other endeavour. Limited are the joys that the external world can provide, even with the elimination of disruptions incited by one's surroundings. But the impacts of GOT7 are everlasting and eternal, therapeutic, restorative, and invigorating in ways that only ahgase can appreciate.

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Out & About #1038 | PATH Updates + Halo Halo at Eats Manila (The Grange)

9/27/2024

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​Extremely hectic weekends have caused work-from-homes to transition towards catch-up periods for sleep, chores, and the occasional home improvement task. It is with undying regret that I declare this extent to chaos to persist for at least another few weeks due to prior schedule commitments.
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Office days provide a breather that melds social interaction with focused work. My baking coworker instantly brightened the otherwise overcast day with coarse sugar-speckled blueberry muffins.
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​Due to damp external conditions, lunchtime was spent navigating the PATH and associated connections, exiting onto ground level only when necessary. I had come downtown equipped with waterproof footwear, though wasn't about to risk frizzy hair due to utterly unwarranted levels of above-seasonal humidity.
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Observations included:
  • The arrival of cozy fall/winter accessories at Hudson Bay
  • Early morning coffee promos at Nadège
  • An upcoming Flower Market within the TD Centre
  • Storage bins on clearance in the Zellers portion of Hudson Bay
  • Adorable Trick-or-Treat baskets at Shoppers
  • Purdy's Less Sugar Dark Chocolate collection, which signified the dietary shift towards lower sugar intake in customarily sweet treats
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Out & About #1037 | IKEA Hej Days, Red Sail Boat Bakery + Pacific Mall

9/22/2024

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Even before embarking on the day, I knew a strenuous schedule lay in store for me.

Adorning ahga-attire was mandatory. Of my many merchandise tees on hand, I sought out comfort in my thoroughly worn Eyes on You t-shirt, pairing jeans and sneakers to account for the round of errands that would precede the concert. BamBam's AREA 52 cap, the beaded Jinyoung bracelet from my coworker, and asymmetrical feather earrings would seal the look. I was now ready.
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​The Thai ahgase and I had agreed on a 12 PM meet-up at Yorkdale.
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While I departed late but arrived sooner than expected, she was not only late but further requested stopping for Starbucks before continuing. Despite my ceaseless concerns of the kiosk being amongst the slowest of all locations, she insisted on coffee. Meanwhile, my plans for us to collectively obtain coffee from IKEA would be delayed/dismissed. Lo and behold: the Starbucks app estimate was wrong and we hovered about the kiosk for an additional seven minutes before gradually descending back to the parking garage
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​When the drink was finally delivered, I asked the barista for an empty cup, causing him to glance over at the Thai ahgase's drink, thinking that we'd be sharing the drink. He warily handed me a Tall cup, to which I grimaced but did not pry further on the basis of time. Frankly, the size assumption was not appreciated; other locations would hand you a Grande cup in the case of water requests or ask whether a preferred cup size exists.
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Yorkdale was a driving monstrosity for those that do not frequent the area. Departing the garage, I realized that the 401 on ramps had changed location. Detouring about Dufferin, I eventually found my way towards Sheppard and continued to IKEA on local roads.

​September 22nd, which coincided with Jinyoung's birthday, would mark the third and final instance of the Swedish homeware store's Hej Days promotions.
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Truth be told: I was none too keen about back-to-back weekend visits. However, I was irritated that the items I had just purchased had gone on sale! Hej Days was, in essence, both an instigator and act of redemption for more Rykta bins.

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Out & About #1037 | BamBam BAMESIS Showcase Tour in Toronto

9/22/2024

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Read Part 1 HERE !
​A schedule had been released ahead of time, though, given the organizer's treacherous lack of planning to date, we had reservations towards whether events were to follow through as planned.
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Lineup for entry was slated to take place as early as 5:30 PM. By the time we pulled into the asphalt lot of Global Kingdom Ministries around 5:50 PM, a decent-sized crowd had clustered about the entrance. There were well over 50 people, we noted, which meant that those huddled up front consisted not only of SVIP attendees. As predicted, most were dressed in black and red, as to maintain consistency with the album colours of BamBam's latest album.
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​There was an abundance of parking and, of course, no need to pay. I pulled into one of many spots in the lot while the Thai ahgase continuously expressed her anxieties. Suggesting that she determine the answers to her ceaseless inquiries about tier categorization and queuing, I'd hover near my trunk to source the Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun from Red Sail Boat Bakery. The sweet-savoury parcel would constitute my (exceptionally early) supper.
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​I quickly wolfed down the bun before 6 PM, then joined the lineup. The round was, peculiarly, still warm, despite being contained in my cooler bag for a few hours. Perhaps it was hunger, but the bun was perceived as quite the delicious bite. Plenty of cha siu was found within the specimen, then laced with a delightful cookie crust. Featuring a surface sturdier than Akko, I needed not worry if I'd lose the topping while eating on the go; the bun was similarly sturdy, yet far from dense. We had a winner!
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The schedule had noted an entry time of 6 PM. But, as expected, we weren't ushered inside until at least 6:10 PM. SVIP ticket QR codes would be verified at the door; meanwhile, proof of VIP tickets would be dismissed.
Moving single-file between the double doors to the reception desk, we were provided red wristbands, BAMESIS lanyards with SVIP designations, a tour poster, and BamBam photocard of choice. Being amongst last ones in the queue, our choice of photocards was limited to two. That said, my complaints are few, for the quality of the bonus items was of a good caliber.
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VRS Production was unapologetically Filipino in every way possible, with not a single team member not displaying the signature cheesy tendencies. Photographers and videographers would capture the entry process of the fans, as well as the transition to the upper level for the fansign event.
It was with much relief that I found clean, brightly-lit corridors and bathrooms on the both the upper and lower levels of the building. I had envisioned a layout to be akin to Notre-Dame, wherein the seats were uncomfortable wooden benches and indoor plumbing facilities were nowhere in sight. The Thai ahgase scoffed, clarifying that Notre-Dame was a cathedral and that churches indeed possess bathrooms.
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​The location for the SVIP Fansign was a space no larger than the standard classroom. A table and tour poster were set up at the front of the room, lights positioned on either side. Fabric-lined chairs would be arranged some distance away from the table, in five rows of ten chairs each. After all, the SVIP upgrade was limited to just 50 VIP ticketholders.
We found ourselves filing into the last row, eyes glazing over a tour poster with sticky note instead of the BAMESIS albums we were promised. The team had apparently "ran out" of albums, thus supplemented the last two rows with "partial albums" and tour posters. The "partial" albums involved "sharing" a single album between two people, in which the CD could be signed by one and the photobook by another. Needless to say, this sent the last twenty unlucky fans into an uproar. The SVIP upgrade had promised a benefit of two albums, leading most, if not all, fans to refrain from brining their own copy from home.

These obvious frustrations prompted an interim resolution: Somehow from somewhere, more albums would emerge. Each SVIP ticketholder would be compensated with one full album; the second album would supposedly be shipped out after the show, though further details were not provided.
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Pens and sharpies would circulate the room to allow fans to write down their name for the fansign. We were informed that BamBam would copy the name - and/or message - on the sticky note onto the chosen page for signing. Also discussed was the procedure: Each SVIP ticketholder would be entitled to one minute of interactions with BamBam. Upon nearing the end of the time slot, a "15 seconds left" sign would be raised. This sign would then be flipped to reveal "Times Up" at the end of the sixty-second period.

"Wow!" I turned to the Thai ahgase with shock, "A whole minute!!"
​
Shortly after settling our album concerns, BamBam strode into the room without warning. By this point, it was 6:30 PM.
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​Each row would be summoned in sequence and instructed to queue along the side of the room. Then, one by one, the fans would be gestured towards the table and the timer would be started. Members of staff and local security hovered about the perimeter of the room, yet none invaded into the signing zone. In stark contrast to previously attended events, staff did not situate themselves between the artist and fans, nor did they touch/push/shove aggressively. One member of staff hovered next to BamBam, but the scene was otherwise very intimate and exclusive.

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Out & About #1033 | Solo IKEA Trip, Ahgase Touch-Up at Yonge/Lawrence + North York Eats

9/7/2024

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When it comes to tackling house duties, 48 hours is hardly a lot of time.
My browsing partner would be slated to return for a short-lived stay, and there were a number of preparations required in advance to ensure unobstructed execution of tasks.
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Non-negotiable was the assembly of shelves. Leading up to the weekend, I had undertaken a number of virtual (and physical!) visits to IKEA to finalize my shopping list. The Swedish furniture store is aggravating in that not all products are eligible for shipping. Moreover, merchandise availability varies across the GTA and Click & Collect incurs an addition five-dollar fee. Up until Friday evening, I had resolved to obtain all items on my list from the North York store - that is, until one of them sold out.

The unforeseen decline in stock had elicited a last-minute change of plans: IKEA Etobicoke would assume the first stop of my itinerary instead.
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Departing at 9 AM, I hit all the reds venturing along my regular route to the GO station. The trip was swift via the QEW, albeit stressful given sudden narrowing of lanes and needlessly assailing behaviour from surrounding drivers. Pulling in around 9:30 AM, I was surprised to witness high visitor volumes in the surface lot. The covered parking area was comparatively quieter, but exceedingly busy for the first hour of store opening.

Thankfully, more visitors were interested in browsing the showroom and hadn't yet made their way to the merchandise areas. The washrooms were also of decent cleanliness in the early hours, though the same commentary could not be validated at my time of departure.
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​Navigating the aisles was a breeze, save the horrible cart with wheels full of hair. With time, wielding the dysfunctional apparatus and arranging the weighty items would lead to fatigue. I hadn't realized that the warehouse and common items (storage cases, plates, etc.) were stored separately either. Although I had managed to procure all articles of interest - and a few extras - the solo expedition on a schedule was not amusing in the slightest. And I'd envision the trip to be even more stressful during peak hours. People were already speeding through the aisles in the covered parking area!
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​A Cinnamon Roll with Icing would serve as my reward. The base of the bun was barely cinnamon-y, but passable. Horrendously tacky and cloying were the centimetre-thick squiggles of icing, being comprised of just icing sugar and water as opposed to cream cheese. The concoction would be wholly better without it.
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​Around 10:20 AM, I'd climb back into the car, head throbbing but ready for my next schedule. The touch-up appointment with Kettle had been arranged several weeks ago, with the location being a relatively new studio in the Yonge-Lawrence area.
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BRINGMEYOURSKIN was located about five minutes south of Auberge du Pommier, just a short drive away from York Mills station. Street parking would be enforced along Yonge Street, thus I took to the nearby side streets. Posted signage confirmed that one hour parking was permitted Monday - Saturday between 8 AM - 6 PM.
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​I walked past the studio without realizing, as the second-level storefront did not really attract attention. Despite being denoted as "Open", the metal door did not budge. I hovered about for at least five minutes before realizing that it was, indeed, open, but just too heavy to shift with a light tug.

Climbing the steep stairwell, I was immediately welcomed by a member of staff. "I have an appointment." I voice trialed off while scanning my surroundings for Kettle. The space was compact, with a coat rack and tattoo chairs positioned near the landing area. Admittedly, it was odd to find the studio's waiting area and reception desk further away from the entry path than the servicing grounds. The constant inflow of customers posed somewhat of a distracting presence to artists and clients alike.
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​Kettle would emerge from her station by the window, then gesture towards the waiting area at the rear of the unit. Similar to La Maison, a waiver would be required of me before proceeding with the appointment. Situated on the stout coffee table was a double-sided menu stand: one side featured the QR code for PMU (permanent makeup) for brows, while the other for tattoos. The listed clauses were near identical to the Vancouver parlour, but did not require proof of ID to be attached to the form.

Located in the corridor between the waiting area and servicing chairs was a cramped single stall washroom with grimy shower stall (used for storage). The layout was astoundingly typical of Toronto, being both poorly maintained and difficult for guests to move about comfortably. Given the downstairs neighbour of My Roti Place/My Dosa Place, greasy fumes laced with Indian spices wafting upwards were also inevitable.
BRINGMEYOURSKIN was roughly one fifth the size of La Maison, if at all. That said, the studio was located in a much, much nicer area than Hastings, as Kettle would agree.

​Since our first encounter in the sketchiest section of downtown Vancouver, she had been travelling the world - and also received hair extensions. Having visited Bali and other parts of the nation (Banff, Montréal), I was eager to ask of her Canada travels briefly. She noted preference for Toronto over Montréal due to the availability of Korean food, and also expressed relief towards the cleaner, calmer neighbourhood of Yonge-Lawrence, understandably.
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The touch-up was remarkably quick, just as the original tattoo had been. With the reference image beside her, she retraced the ahgase outline, etching the shape in darker, bolder lines. 

At the end of my visit, I extended a number of recommendations for coffee:
  • Don't Yell At Me for lattes, namely the Brown Sugar Coffee Latte, Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Latte, and Osmanthus Coffee Latte
  • Third Wave Coffee for black coffee, namely the Cold Brew
  • Hazukido for americanos, namely my beloved Orange Americano
​The same care instructions previously provided would apply for the touch-up, though this time she had recommended Aquaphor instead of Vaseline.
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​Bidding Kettle farewell, I resumed exploration of the BIA district.

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Out & About #1032 | Home Organization Cont., Cong Caphe + AGO

9/6/2024

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I can never quite predict my sleep patterns. Sometimes, I crash into bed and remain stationary until the whirring buzz of my alarm. Other times, my body is fatigued yet the mind is restless, pouncing back and forth between thoughts conjured by recent stressors.
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Truth be told: alcohol aids not in promoting deep sleep, but rather a drowsy, relaxed sensation that transitions to disrupted slumber. Small quantities rarely render an impact, however, but I'd be mindful of consuming too much too late.
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​With barely four hours of sleep under my belt, the morning commute was indeed a struggle. Nearly zombie-like in my demeanour, I sluggishly eased into the morning after an incredibly justified intake of cold brew.
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​My coworker surprised me, along with another member of the team, with a handmade bead bracelet. While slightly juvenile for my tastes, the gesture was appreciated nevertheless. Mine would be appropriately themed in green, with colourful, cubed letter beads strung together to read "Jinyoung". Naturally, it summoned a giggle from me and I happily slid it on my wrist.
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Despite the splendid weather, inadequate rest had suppressed sharpness, diminishing my ability to command alertness and consequently discouraging my initial contemplation of cycling in the city.
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Recently introduced by Amazon was a streamlined return procedure. Instead of a shipping label, a QR code would be sent to customers to enable drop-off at any Staples, Canada Post, Purolator, or Intelcom location. The method neither required a shipping box or printer, nor incurred any additional charges to the customer. If desired, though, one could opt for a Purolator drop-off with "box required".
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Located at the northeast corner of Armoury and University is likely one of the neatest, most spacious Staples outposts in the city. Besides a Mos Mos coffee counter and dedicated workspace with glass walls (termed "Staples Studio"), the location also offered a "solutionshop" section with a separate counter for Amazon returns. A member of staff would scan the QR code, print a label, and tack it onto the return item in a matter of seconds. Then I'd be on my way. The process was swift and seamless, and ideal for individuals without printers such as myself.
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IKEA would constitute the following stop.
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In response to move-in week for post-secondary students, the homeware giant had introduced a number of new dorm-friendly items. Although the selection was impressive, I ultimately strode out without making a single purchase. For starters, I'd need to take measurements to ensure feasibility of the items. Secondly, I was keen to avoid transporting items back home on a rush hour commute with limited GO train seating.​

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    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.

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WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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