Out & About #422 | Partial February Visuals Feat. Year of the Dog

It may have been imprudent of me to schedule such a busy series of outings considering that GOT7's comeback is just around the corner. The very notion of teasers has me frazzled, for it not only induces financial suffering, but emotional rollercoasters as well. With a pending world tour schedule and an unquestionably fantastic mini album in its final stages of production, one can only make futile efforts at reducing social activities in an attempt to conserve sanity - er, funds.

That said, I've taken to restricting excursions for the remainder of the month, with the sole exception of my lovely dongsaeng's four-day visit to the Great White North.

1) Recreating Fluffy Matcha Pancakes (over a new stove) with a slight ingredient modification. The results were equally as delectable as the first run.

​2) Yonge and Eglinton is currently a commuting nightmare given the ongoing Eglinton LRT excavations and roadwork. Steer clear and beware of detours!
3) One Zo Tapioca officially has my heart.

4) Low-intensity weeknight badminton runs + post-exercise McD's run

5) Even after abundant trials at varying cake shops, Uncle Tetsu's Original Cheesecake retains its reign over all other fluffy/cheesy counterparts.
6) Breakfast snaps consisting of matcha lattes, hoddeok, sesame waffles, a Chocolate Hot Cross bun, and coffee-flavoured milk cartons.

​7) CoCo runs are inevitable for this addict.
8) One Zo is a close contender: having stunned with its unique drink profile and chewy, housemade flavoured pearls, it has unexpectedly climbed up the list at lightning speed, even going as far as to question my loyalty to the orange-centred drink chain.
The drinks are unmistakably pricier - especially given that One Zo does not offer a VIP discount - so it's probably not a bad thing that its only locations reside in North York and Chinatown (latter yet to be visited).

9) Elegant paper cuttings from this year's Chinese New Year Market
10) Post-waiting Banango Burst to soothe one's soul and stomach - the 5-hour wait for ASTRO was not easy.

​11) Trying Touch in Sol's No Poreblem Primer as a substitute for Shiseido's now-discountinued Refining Makeup Primer

12) Who limits chocolate to Valentine's Day?! Ferrero Rocher is a year-round fave in this household.
13) Chinese New Year visuals comprising of homemade Nian Gao (sticky rice cake) and sesame tangyuan (storebought this time).

​I also made a festive attempt to bedazzle my Matcha Latte. The Cheese Tart from Lucullus wasn't bad either.

​It is customary for meat to be consumed prior to the new year, while the first day commonly revolves around a vegetarian diet - namely Buddha's Delight.

Many retailers also took advantage of the ocassion to introduce Lunary New Year specials. CoCo entitled each customer a gold-adorned red envelope with the purchase of two drinks. (As for why the deal was limited to individual patrons instead of individual transactions is beyond me. Why can't I just purchase four drinks at once???)

Hanging scrolls were hung at the entrance of the luxury aisle, just outside Holt Renfrew. Similar to the previous year, a Lion Dance was scheduled to take place in the afternoon hours. On the contrary, I vacated the premises several hours before the event, as my errands had concluded.

​By the third day, I had replaced vegetarian sustenance with a lunch of Roasted Milk Tea wit Grass Jelly and a Mixed Shawarma Wrap from Safari Grill. Having ordered the wrap in advance, I was pleasantly met with the speediest pick-up process ever. I was in and out of the establishment in under one minute, and the wrap - initially appearing soggy and greasy at first - was flavourful, well-toasted, and absolutely scrumptious. Moreover, the portion size was incredible!

​Here's wishing all readers of this space a Happy Year of the Dog and endless prosperity for the upcoming year!