Last of the pages from the 2024 gratitude journal

 

Well hello there friends! Let's finish up the 2024 gratitude journal.

First up...lunch at Yoro Omakase. First and last time at this restaurant. The food was really good but the portions were so small...that we went to eat something else after. *LOL* Well, I couldn't give it another chance even if I wanted to...the restaurant is no longer in business.

Next up..we had suckling pig with the extended family.

Ahhh....my first Demellier bag.

And also my first order at Teatsy for this gorgeous glasss/walnut teacup.

Bought myself some scents.

And got some gifts from Europe from the bestie. A scent and a recycle bag.

Ahhh...Christmas pressies from my cousin F.

And some from the bestie. :)

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Friday's desk - more pages from the gratitude journal

 

Still sharing pages from the 2024 gratitude journal...

This one was when I first got my Apple Watch.:)

I frequent this steakhouse chain in Vietnam called Moo Beef. Back in 2024, they had a 50% off steak promo on Mondays!

The next day I went for the Vietnamese fine-dining set lunch at Ly Club and the following day I got my Christmas nails!

 And of course, Japanese food.

Then I got myself some flowers from the supermarket that made me happy. :)

The left page is a one-dish meal that I consider comfort food. Chicken macaroni soup. I loved this as a child but now make a more elevated version, *winks*

The right page was my second bag from Senreve. It was way smaller than I expected and can be worn as a waist bag, shoulder bag, cross-body bag and clutch. But it came in handy for most of my trips in 2025 so it was a great buy.

This was my first go at making Hainanese chicken rice and it was well-received.

My roast chicken with veggies is always a family fave.

The left page features the first char view I made using the conventional oven. I have since simplified the process to get it done in the air fryer.

The right page features my first Pandora bracelet! I won the heart charm in the brand's claw machine promotion back in July of the same year. I didn't want to spend too much so I bought a second-hand bracelet.

I realised that 2024 was mostly a single bowl for lunch kind of year...which deserves a revival for 2026 so that I have less cleanup. *LOL*

The right page feature my trio of bracelets. I got a pair of lab-grown diamond bracelets to go with my Pandora one.

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Friday's 9 pages from the gratitude journal

 

Sharing more pages this week because it's 2026 and I'm still sharing the pages from my 2024 gratitude journal *sheepish music plays in the background*

Anyway, this one was all about the Ballarini pans I scored at the store. I love these Italian-made non-stick non-Teflon pans...even though I usually use stainless steel pans for daily cooking. These are great for eggs. :)

Love a light lunch of bacon and egg on sourdough toast and a latte. 

Also tried in-fills for the first time. Didn't like how thick the nail tech made them but really love the colour I chose. :)

The next pages features celebrating my cousin's birthday and the pressies she bought me in Melbourne.:)

This one features an evening outing with the folks to the Chinese Garden during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This was when we brought the folks to Sentosa to enjoy sand and sunshine.

Ahhh...my Nanobag haul! I did give some away.*winks* 

Then there was dinner at Long Beach Seafood. Always a treat.

And the "gifts" nephew #1 bought me when he went to Oz for military training. I gave specific instructions and he complied. *LOL*

Happy weekend friends!

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Thursday's desk - some pages from the gratitude journal

 

Happy Thursday friends! As you know, I love to pick up some kitchen bits every time I travel. Meet my new wood friends! :)

Also decided that since I don't have photos for every single day, I could do a double page spread for a single photo! *winks*

Here's another! :)

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Friday's desk - 5 pages from the gratitude journal

 

I was supposed to meet my cousin F for her birthday dinner but she fell ill. Instead of staying home, I decided to just have a fancy dinner by myself at this Italian restaurant called Prego. Haven't been there in ages...the food was still excellent. :)

Apparently I really like Italian because 2 days later, I was in Ho Chi Minh for another Italian dinner. Opera at Park Hyatt Saigon serves the best tiramisu ever. The food is on the pricey side but always yummy.

On Tuesday, I went with French cuisine at Le Corto. If I have no lunch appointments, I will usually have lunch here..the lunch menu is changed daily. "Are you here for lunch again?" "Yes!" *winks* Fine dining at lunch is always a whole lot cheaper. Plus this restaurant is a five minute walk from my hotel.

Then on Wednesday, I had my nails done. Also at a nail salon about a five minute walk from my hotel. Basically, I like to walk to all the places I frequent even though taxi rides are cheap because sitting in traffic is no joke. Especially if you have a driver who likes to honk a lot. 

On Thursday I ordered the French toast at the lounge and it came all fancy and obviously needed to be in my journal. *LOL*

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Another 6 pages from the gratitude journal

 

Filling up my gratitude journal with bits of my life brings me immense joy.  I'm waiting for my 2026 journal (Hobonichi Daily A6) to arrive from Japan. :)

I wasn't great at taking daily photos in 2025 so I'm switching things up for my 2026 gratitude journal. That would mean using my stash and ephemera in different ways. Which allows for more creativity. Definitely looking forward to that.:)

What about you? Are you keeping a gratitude journal for 2026?

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5 pages from the gratitude journal

 

I love keeping a gratitude journal to remind me to appreciate things in life. Like the 5 days I spent in Ho Chi Minh last July. First up, glam nails. Bling, glitter and all. :)

Then there is this matcha tiramisu that I really enjoy. It's always sold out so I am always happy to get to eat it. 

Then of course, I love all things bunny so I was happy to pick up this pink cutie!

Also decided to get a haircut and highlights. 

And lunch at my fave Vietnamese restaurant - the best elevated Vietnamese cuisine.:)

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6 pages from the gratitude journal

 

Ahh.. .this was the one where I brought my folks with me to attend a kintsugi workshop organised by Cle de Peau and Sephora. It was fun and we got some awesome door gifts too. That was when Sephora still organised fun events.. these days not so much.

This is the reason why I love to take food photos...it reminds me of the meals I used to make...so that I can make them again. Like this loaded pork chop baguette with a salad for lunch.

It has been more than a year since I last made a brownie. Time to make another!

I love going to the wholesale centre to get flowers. I get a big bouquet and put them in various vases to enjoy them around the house for a few days. :)

These days I wait for an eyeshadow palette to go on sale before I get it. There's really no urgency to get it the moment it comes out and I can take my take reading reviews before making my decision. 

Since Covid, I've pretty much bought all my bags online. Doing my due diligence and watching reviews before buying them on sale. My bag requirements are simple - I need to be able to wear them in at least 2 different ways (crossbody, shoulder, backpack etc) and they need to have a protective bottom. I love this one that I got for travel. It's lightweight but sturdy...I can fit another small bag in it..it fits under the seat on the plane.

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