Aligue and Mushroom Pasta

This is one of my side that I also want to share. Aside from being a fashion designer/enthusiast, singer, writer and nurse, I am also a cook. Well i try to be. I love things that are related to creativity. I'm an artist, so I try every bit of artistry there is. When it comes to cooking, i love experimenting, adding unconventional ingredients to create a new taste. My specialties are pasta dishes. To start of this new self-proclaimed "expertise" on my blog, I want to share my recipe for Aligue Pasta. It is a crab paste base pasta. Aligue is the Tagalog term for crab fat. Most of the aligue pasta recipes there is uses the paste itself as a sauce and just sauteing it but i have a different take on it.

First of, we need to boil the pasta: Any pasta type will do but since I only have the regular spaghetti, that's what i have used for this dish: (You can also use fettuccine) then after the water was brought to a boil add pasta and cooking oil:



After the pasta was done, put it aside and strain immediately, to prevent the pasta from being overcooked.

Get the sauce ingredients. You will need crab paste, (aligue) this usually comes in bottles and/or can and you can buy it at any local grocery stores. I choose this brand, because of the taste, it is somewhat bland and spicy at the same time. Most of the aligue there is has lemon juices and a bit salty, but this brand is somewhat bland but still the crab fat flavors is still very very distinct:



Saute the crab paste, and tuna using olive oil. Normally, aligue pasta doesn't have tuna, but i just added it as i need meat on my dish. This is just an option if you prefer aligue alone it is still okay or you can add your favorite seafood like shrimp, squid and clams. I use Olive oil since it is the most healthy oil there is. I try my best to use healthy ingredients on my dishes. Since crab paste is rich in fat and they say it can add up to your cholesterol, i use Tuna since it has Omega 3 that helps fight cholesterol.



Add Mushroom, season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder and my secret ingredient which i use most of the time on my recipes: the Italian seasoning. It is a mixture of 5 different Italian herbs: Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram and Basil. It is perfect for tomato-based sauces and also good for green salads, dips, soups, and dressings.



After simmering for 5 minutes, add tomato sauce. As i kept on blabbering, this is not the usual aligue pasta as they don't add tomato sauce on it, most of the time they use cream or just plain aligue. But since this is fat-rich food i try to balance it with healthy options. Let it simmer again for 5 minutes:



Mix it with your pasta and add Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon or calamansi and voila you have the healthy Aligue and Mushroom Pasta:

Back To School Look

This look was inspired by a contest held at our office, "Back To School". We have to wear an outfit inspired by going back to school. Most of the team dressed up for the occasion. Some wore school uniforms, preppy look, scout's uniform and professors just to name a few. The event was done to promote camaraderie. team spirit and to alleviate some of the stress at work. Winners will receive gift certificates from their chosen restaurants. This is a good way to have fun at work. To tell you more about my look: to start of, My top was a classic white polo from Lee, which i accessorized by wearing a red, blue and black polka dots tie and a brown printed jacket. For the pants, Red jeans which I got from Robinson's Department Store. Top-sider shoes in Red and white leather from Cardams. My bag was created out of faux-fur, and gold straps from my old bag.

Enchanting Gaga

This look was my entry for Spookbook Costume Contest.

All of the pieces in this look were created by me. I was inspired by Lady Gaga's outfit when she performed in the Brit Awards 2010 Alexander McQueen Tribute.

For the one piece, i used stretch tulle and covered it with lace. I also applied gold applique to the edges of the lace to enhance the design of the outfit. The tulle cape was multiple layers of tulle. I used ballerina skirt application to achieve the fluffiness of the cape at the neck area,

The boots were my creation also. Shoes are my specialty. It is made out of yellow alligator skin leather. You can check some of my creations at facebook.com/kylsdesign.

Hope you guys like it.. ^_^

Violet Hues

I can say this is one of my most favorite looks I have pulled of so far.  I am wearing my black, violet and white stripes shirt from Bum Equipment, a local clothing store in PH.  The fabric used for this shirt is so breathable and soft that you feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all. 

I have made the pants for this.  This was my attempt in making a low-crotch pants/cargo pants.  I have found this amazing pink denim at a local fabric store in Marikina Market Mall and I immediately envisioned the pants that I want to do with it.  Here is the picture for a close-up look.






These shoes were my favorite. Aside from the fact that it is animal prints in pink, two of my most favorite things in the world, this was my very first creation for shoes.  I started making shoes when Espadrilles are really making its comeback.  I decided to create not the usual espadrilles type, but use out of this world fabrics and prints and this was the result.  Here is a close up look.






Till next post..

XOXO
Kyl♥

Post Indepence Day Look..

Post-independence day.. I had this look a week after US celebrated their Independence Day.  My top is a simple tee with a different type of v-neck neckline in red and white detailing.  I bought this from SM, A local mall here in the Philippines.  I actually bought this accidentally.  I am really not a mall-type kinda shopper. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against it its just that most of their clothes are in small sizes good thing I lost some weight. :-).  My pants is what i call butterfly pants, i named it butterfly since the effect that the pockets gave when you do not close the buttons all the way up has a butterfly effect. For my shoes, this is the flagship of the look since it is an American flag-styled vans sneakers. This has been with me for almost 5 years now, hence the somewhat dilapidated look. For my accessories, i am wearing a black rosary-type necklace but instead of a cross as a pendant I changed it with the letter K.  colored beads, and triangle knapsack.

Photography by Jed Green.

Something Baggy

Something Baggy..

In fashion they say, someone who has a big built should never wear loose clothing as it adds up to their built.  I say go right ahead as long as something in your outfit is fitted.  I wore this somewhat baggy cargo pants because  I just love the way the pockets go with the pants.  It is somewhat utilitarian and fashionable at the same time.  I love the placement of the pockets.  If we are not too careful, yes it might add up to your built but sometimes it can hide and sometimes enhance the part of your body that needs noticing. 

I wore a fitted Monakiki shirt. I just love the print of this shirt.  It is quirky and cool.  This is what I'm talking about not wearing all loose clothing.  I hope I was able to compliment the pants with a tighter top.  I am also wearing one of my early creations.  An espadrille type shoes.  I used a gold leather with embossed design of leaf.  Here is a close up look:



For my jacket, it was knitted jacket i bought from one the thrift store I featured on my going green post. 

Going Green

Going Green..

I named this look going green because of evident use of green palette in the outfit. The green cardigan was bought from my favorite thrift store in Anonas, Quezon City. There is a mall-type building with wide variety of thrift stores where they offer clothes, bags, accessories and even make-up and shoes.  Sometimes it can get pricey especially if it's new arrival but since I always go there I know when it is on its 50% off and even 70%.

The pants were from Bench.  It was one of my favorite pants because this was the first pair I own where the fit was awesome.  It is supposed to be skinny-type but I lost a lot of weight ^_^ go figure.

The shoes I bought from Cardams.  A local shoe store in Manila.  It is very comfortable and I love the color. 

We Found Love Acoustic

Here is my acoustic version of We Found Love by Rihanna:

We Found Love Acoustic


This is my own version of the popular dance/rnb song of Rihanna.  This version was previously sang by Jessie J.  I am a big fan of those two girls.   I always copy Rihanna's hair some say I look like her.. :-)

I also like Jessie J's way of singing.  She is full of soul, and I love the way she puts her on twist on a song.

I hope you guys like it..

My Own Version of Uninvited by Alanis Morissette.

Waiting in violet..

They say color-blocking I say go floral.. Black stretch denim which I bedazzled with black sequins on the side, silver leather shoes, espadrilles-style made by me of course, silver rosary and bag from SK-II.

New Begginnings part II

I never thought I can leave my current job. Ive been with this company for three years now. Honestly I never thought I can see my self working elsewhere but here. But then i gained all my strength and filed my resignation. To tell you honestly i gathered my strength to resign because the sole reason why i stayed here also is about to resign. He filed his resignation first and then i said to my self why should I stay at this crap work where I felt there is no career growth? So i did. One factor also was that there was a position open in the company Operations Manager and i was up for it unfortunately i recently knew i was not chosen because they say i was emotional and practically gay. The nerve!! They knew how good i am but because of my sexuality i was not promoted. You see i currently hold a position of Accounts Manager and the only position will be Operations Manager so I said to my self there is no chance here and plus my Mcdreamy as I fondly called the love of my life was about to resign and we are not in really good terms. So i made a decision of moving on and leaving this work that i love behind. So i did. To tell you honestly its been one month since i get over the recent leaving. And then i garnered all my strength and look for a new job i say to my self that i need a nice working environment and i need new people in my life. The first company that i have visited is APAC. its a call center company and to my surprise i was hired the next day. It has been a blessing that ever since i tried to apply for a job i always got it the first time. Maybe it was plain luck or i was just really good. So enough about the bragging. Now I am enjoying my new work. really. Im really loving it. I feel very fabulous now. On my new job we have a circle its what i called the In CIRCLE and i am their queen hehehe.. I love the attention that i am getting here and the friends that i have gained. They say when someone closes a door they opened a window and there it is a big window infront of me...

New Beginnings

New beginnings are great experience.  Its about starting new things, gaining new experiences, and meeting new people.  For me its the latter.  I gained some new friends.  The new division in my work.  They consists of 10 people. Most of them are my friends.  Six to be exact.  To tell you honestly i love being with those people.  All of the things seems to be light, we had fun, they appreciate me a lot, they were there for me and most importantly they love me. Its not like some people dont love me, its about most of them adored me expressively. To tell you more about how we get close, we
started hanging out because many of them are smoking.  So they became my constant smoking buddies, and then some of them were assigned to me because i handled the new venture for our company which is Business Transcription.  Thats when we get a chance to know and to be with each other.  Actually it started badly, because you see, Our MD (managing director) and i got into a quarrel about me not getting all the jobs assigned to us (at that time we only have two BTs and each file was in a minimum of 60-minute dictation and the TAT [turn around time] was four hours, so imagine how 3 people would do that so i only get two files).  So thats where they came in.  They were assigned to my as Business Transcriptionist.  It was a memorable experience coz every morning when we finished up, we had breakfast and bond.  Some of them were my constant drinking buddies also.  I really had a great time when i'm with them.  Its a great feeling when  you have someone to had fun with.

Chief Complaint: Cardiomegaly

I thought our date will be the best date I ever had, but I was wrong. We met at exactly 6 p.m. I have waited for him until he was finished with his work. It was almost 3 hours of waiting. I haven’t had any sleep because I came from a graveyard shift.  We ate at Pizza Hut Bistro and had coffee at Gloria Jeans.  Most of the time, it was silent, maybe it was the waiting or the lack of sleep but it was a nightmare. It's as if we were both on different planets. It makes my heart grow so big and so heavy that it is beating as if it wants out of my body. After the dreaded date, I just pampered myself by watching my second favorite comedy series Ally Mcbeal to give myself a good laugh. To my amazement, it didn’t work. Now, I couldn't help but wonder, why do we have to resort to something comedic in order to escape our worst date ever?

Never happier..

I couldnt be any happier... This is my day.. The happiest moment of my life. This whole facade was because of one man and one man only. My oxygen. I started the day with a good conversation with him. We talked a lot, but got cut off cause my father was calling me. We are going to market to stock the fridge. Then i went online..We talked again, flirted and before i knew it he was asking me out.. I was really excited and never been happier. You see, this was our first date since ages? I really can't remember the last time we were out. So I was never happier. I just hope nothing's gonna come our way and the date was going to pursue. I was so happy. I couldn't help but wonder, is this for real or am i dreaming, well  I was certainly awake.

The power of love..

It is indeed a very good day for me today. At first i thought i was about to lose a friend, not just a friend but one of my very good good friend that i consider at work. He was planning to resign. He told me first and I was so shocked at the same time so sad when the news broke to me. He told me the reason and to tell you honestly it was a good one. He was offered way better than he was receiving at our company right now. And who am I to hinder that one good opportunity? If it was before maybe i begged him to stay, but i have grown. I am not that type of person who will hold it against someone if ever they will leave. You know i have some parting issues. I couldn't accept the fact that someone close to me is gonna leave me. But that was before. I should not stop anyone from getting their dreams, from achieving their personal growth. So now i learned how to let go. Friendship, a true friendship is not gonna end that easily. So i handled that news very well. After my talk with that friend of mine, I had a long talk with my love. Sometimes i wander how that guy really made me feel elated. We had a good and long conversation. We tried to catch up. We talked a lot of things. And it made me feel good somehow as the sadness drifting to me like pouring rain. I had also a good conversation with our HR. I had a first impression to her as if she was a snob. Somehow it was dissipated, but not totally actually. I felt good. And then to my surprise my friend told me he really thought about it and realized he cant leave us. By us i mean one of our friend, cause you see he was in love with one of our good friend. He cant bear not to see her. Now i couldn't help but wonder,, how love can be that powerful, well i can understand. I was on the same feeling and sentiment months ago.. We really cant bear to leave our love behind. How powerful love really is. Even mountain can be moved...

Man.. Polygamous..

I was at work. Just another typical day for me. I thought i wouldnt be able to write here and that would be very sad. It was when one of my MTs who was my batchmate, we were one of the pioneers in RDSI. It was when I accompanied her downstairs and i had a chance and idea to put something here. We talked a lot of things. It amazes me how insightful our conversation can be. Mostly our talk circled on how man was polygamous. Why is it man cannot be contented in loving or being with only one? Am i talking generally here? Is really man really polygamous and cant control their emotions and urges? Why it can be very difficult for man to love one woman or should i say man? She has husband, and there has been a chance when her husband had cheated her with another woman. It was very saddening to know that man can be so dense and insensitive as to how this things happened. Is it just for the enjoyment? Is it just sexual urge? Or is man has no contentment at all? There is this guy in our work.. He is my friend actually, who had abondoned his original friend and took another to be his companion. So later on, his original or should i say his first friend fall for him, and just like that upon meeting a new girl leaves her hanging without any talk or words whatsoever. I actually felt her agony and pain. It can be very painful to feel that way. The feeling that you have given almost everything and in the end he will just leave you hanging. Some guys can go back to their wives, girlfriends, or friends, but others just cant. When the time come that they will come back are we ready to accept and forget? Are we ready to forgive and make up? Most of us will say yes, and some of us will dont. I salute those who wont. But sometimes the one who was left behind can be very blind, deaf, and numb. They will accept the one they love with open arms. Now I couldnt help but wonder; will man be like this until the end or are we ready to move on, do something and stand up about this?..