Photolog 2022: Bourguignon-Style Beef Meatballs with Rosemary and Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Bourguigon-style beef meatballs with rosemary and creamy mashed potatoes

As there was a blizzard today, I stayed at home watching Emily in Paris (Emily has absolutely no redeeming qualities, no character development, and extremely misplaced arrogance, but Paris is beautiful!), and thought there was no better day than to cook French-inspired comfort food. And, thus, for dinner, I made Hello Fresh's bourguignon-style beef meatballs with rosemary and creamy mashed potatoes. Now, I need to point out the obvious: this dish doesn't resemble any sort of authentic version of beef bourguignon. In fact, this recipe uses white wine instead of red wine, and bourguignon is literally defined as "cooked in red wine" so this shouldn't even have the word bourguignon associated with it. But whatever it is, I want to live in it, bathe in it, marry it. 

I really need to cook with wine more often. 

Photolog 2022: Snow Day

First blizzard of the season
The sunset after the blizzard
There was a pretty crazy blizzard today. We've gotten over 30cm of snow, schools and government services are shut down, highways are closed, and people have been stuck in traffic for hours. But at least the sunset was pretty.

Photolog 2022: Steak Bibimmyeon

Steak bibimmyeon
Steak bibimmyeon
After watching numerous livestreams of BTS deliciously eating steak bibimmyeon (most recently here and here), I thought it was finally time to try it myself. I'm pretty sure Jin started this trend among the boys a few years ago when they were on tour, and now all of them are obsessed with it. I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to try it, as it is quite literally the simplest of dishes — it only requires a good steak, a pack of Paldo Bibimmen, and about 10 minutes. But now I know why, no matter where BTS travel in the world and no matter how much money they make, this is still their #1 food request despite being able to eat whatever they want at whatever cost. The combination is insanely addictive and unlike anything else I've ever tried. The noodles are sweet and spicy, the steak is juicy and savoury, and I added some sesame seeds for a touch of nuttiness. IT'S INCREDIBLE. Way better than steak jjapaguri, in my opinion. Only problem now is self-control...

Photolog 2022: Coffee & A Cherry Danish

Coffee and a cherry Danish

Rory: Hey, Luke.

Luke: Rory.

Rory: Um, I'll have two coffees and two cherry Danishes to go, please.

Luke: Two coffees and two cherry Danishes.

Rory: Oh, and some napkins.

Luke: One of these is for her, isn't it?

Rory: Who? Oh, no no no. They're all for me. I am super hungry today. I was debating ordering three, but I'll tell you how I feel after two.

Luke: Tell you what, I'll give you one Danish and one cup of coffee, you can sit over there and eat, and when you're finished them right over there where I can see you, then I'll bring you a second one.

Rory: You're really just gonna stand there and watch me eat a Danish?

Luke: Cable's out. I'm starved for entertainment.

Rory: Okay, this is insane. So you guys had a fight, big deal. You know you're gonna make up anyway, and what better day to make up than Danish Day, the happiest of all days? The day when we all say, "Hey, let's forgive and forget over a nice Danish and a cup coffee."

Luke: One Danish, one cup of coffee, take it or leave it.

Rory: I'll take it. I still think you're being silly.

[Luke hands her a cup of coffee and a paper bag.]

Luke: Thank you for sharing. Come back soon.

[Rory walks out carrying the bag and the coffee and walks over to Lorelai.]

Lorelai: Well?

Rory: He would only sell me one.

Lorelai: Ugh! Didn't you say they were both for you?

Rory: Yes I did, and he knew that I was lying.

Lorelai: Did you do the blinky thing? You always do the blinky thing when you're lying.

Rory: I didn't have to do the blinky thing. He knows you well enough to know that you're not gonna go a whole day with no coffee and especially no Danish.

Lorelai: Ugh!

Rory: Why don't you go in there now and just make up?

Lorelai: Why don't you give me half your Danish and some coffee?

Rory: I'll give you the Danish but I'm keeping the coffee.

Lorelai: What is a Danish without coffee?

Rory: The eternal question springs up again.

Lorelai: There's no point in even eating a Danish without coffee.

Rory: I'm going to school.

Lorelai: Sad Danish, lonely Danish, step Danish!

Starting the day off right with a Gilmore Girls breakfast.

Friday Five: Feeling verse

This week's Friday Five:

1. When did you take the road less traveled? December 2019, when I quit my full-time job at MAC. I had good pay, good benefits, and excellent RRSP contributions. And because I was hitting my 10 year mark, I also would've gotten 4 weeks of paid vacation. But I was MISERABLE AF. Management was awful, goals were unrealistic, the makeup industry is having a steady decline (in sales, in ideas, in originality, in artistry — you name it), customers are assholes, and retail is terrible in general. My mental health couldn't take it anymore, and it's a huge reason why I ended up having to take medication for high blood pressure. So I quit, despite having a lot to lose. Which has lead me to where I am now, and — knock on wood — I am a lot happier for it.
   
   
2. When have you told the truth but told it slant? When I call in sick to work. Like, when I'm not feeling that well, but I could have gone in to office. I tell an embellished truth. 
   
   
3. When did you most recently strike out? Last week, when I went to check my lottery tickets and DIDN'T WIN. Imagine that.
   
   
4. In what way is today like a summer's day? It was actually sunny today! (Nevermind that it was -10℃ with harsh, bitterly cold winds. THE SUN WAS OUT.)
   
   
5. Where do you go to find yourself? In my bed, or maybe the shower. Those are the places that I do the most contemplation. I am definitely not one of those people who need to go to a forest or a lake or a mountain or a beach (or anything nature-related, really) to think or relax or have an epiphany.

Unboxing: BTS for Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue

(Warning: This post is long and photo-heavy.)

For January 2022, BTS appears in Vogue Korea for their BTS Special Edition issue. There are three separate group covers. I bought all three Vogue Korea covers, along with the 8 different GQ Korea covers, in a set from Aladin. Each issue, however, includes the same content: group photos, individual member interviews in both Korean and English, and individual member photo spreads. I must also note that both Vogue Korea and GQ Korea share the same photoshoots (concept, outfits, etc.) and interviews, however, the writing styles and actual photos featured in the two magazines are different. 

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issues
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Cover A
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Cover B

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Cover C

“They say we need to concentrate on the present rather than pursuing our dreams. I believe having a dream can be important. I hope there are others who still retain a little boy or a little girl in their hearts and continue to believe in old-fashioned values, such as hard work and hope." —  RM

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon

You can find the full English-translated version of RM's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"I just try hard to achieve a better version of myself, which other people seem to see in me." —  Jin

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin

You can find the full English-translated version of Jin's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"I realized that I didn’t know who to be angry with anymore. Finally, I was able to look at myself. I’d been making a weapon out of anger and a sense of inferiority, but around 2018, my self-destructive rage slowly started to subside. I realized that I couldn’t channel creative energy through only those sorts of emotions any longer." —  Suga

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi

You can find the full English-translated version of Suga's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"When I go on stage and face my fans, I’m so glad to have become part of BTS. It makes me realize that I am where I am now because of those people who watch me dance and sing and who give me love. That’s the moment when I can truly enjoy being myself, j-hope and Jung Hoseok." —  J-Hope

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok

You can find the full English-translated version of J-Hope's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"I thought about myself, what I liked, what I didn’t like, what my preferences were. I had a lot of time for reflection, and I learned a lot. These days, I’m more than just fine. I feel I’m allowed to be happy." —  Jimin

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin

You can find the full English-translated version of Jimin's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"I was able to grow with help from people around me. There may be many bumps on the road ahead, and I may experience pain at some point, but I’m not afraid. How I proceed in those situations is the most important thing." —  V

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung

You can find the full English-translated version of V's interview for Vogue Korea here.

"I don’t have clear answers like, ‘This is how I’ll live!’ But what’s clear is that I want to decide for myself how to live my life. Perhaps there will be an afterlife, but who knows? This is the only life I’ve got, and it’s short. I’d never do something that everybody agrees is wrong, but where various ways are acceptable, I want to live on my own terms." —  Jungkook

Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook
Vogue Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook

You can find the full English-translated version of Jungkook's interview for Vogue Korea here.

Each issue retails for ₩10,000 (plus shipping fees if you live outside of Korea).

Unboxing: BTS for GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue (Photo Spreads)

(Warning: This post is long and photo-heavy.)

For January 2022, BTS appears in GQ Korea for their BTS Special Edition issue. There are 8 covers (which you can see here) — one group, and one for each individual member. I bought the 8 covers, along with their 3 Vogue Korea covers (which I will post separately) in a set from Aladin. Each issue, however, includes the same content: group photos, individual member interviews (in Korean only, though GQ Australia has the English-translated versions which I will link), and individual member photo spreads. This post features selected group and member photo spreads.

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue (Group)
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Group Photo
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Group Photos
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Group Photos

"Only once the moment has passed and we’ve processed and identified our feelings do we look back and share a more coherent version of what we’ve gone through. In doing so, people realize we, too, are human, which bridges the distance between us. I truly believe we need to open up to a certain extent." —  RM

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — RM / Kim Namjoon

You can find the full English-translated version of RM's interview for GQ Korea here.

"The words 'live as you please' really spoke to me. It made me realize that those who hate me will hate me regardless of what I do, but those who love me will stay by my side." —  Jin

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Kim Seokjin / Jin

You can find the full English-translated version of Jin's interview for GQ Korea here.

"If you love something too much, there comes a time when you have to give it up for that very reason. You need to keep it at a certain distance if you want to pursue it for a long time and if you don’t want to be consumed by it. If you give it too much meaning, it becomes very difficult to continue." —  Suga

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Suga / Min Yoongi

You can find the full English-translated version of Suga's interview for GQ Korea here.

"I’m always attempting something new. In the process of turning something abstract into something concrete, I carefully consider the feedback I get. Since the experience helps me develop as a person, I can find reasons to enjoy the process." —  J-Hope

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — J-Hope / Jung Hoseok

You can find the full English-translated version of J-Hope's interview for GQ Korea here.

"You shouldn’t stop after coming close to your dream, or even after fully achieving it... I believe we’re able to keep growing and evolving because we’re constantly pushing ourselves to show all that we want to do." —  Jimin

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jimin / Park Jimin

You can find the full English-translated version of Jimin's interview for GQ Korea here.

"I don’t ever want to lose my principles. I know it’s impossible to always do the right thing, but for me, it’s very important to act with honour. I’d hate to be involved in any situation where my honour is compromised. Whether I’m performing on stage, working on my music, or introducing myself, my confidence comes from having a clear conscience and sense of integrity." —  V

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — V / Kim Taehyung

You can find the full English-translated version of V's interview for GQ Korea here.

"I’m always wanting to be perfect and I’m always trying to climb higher. I do think I have enough talent, but I also believe I’m lazy. I have two completely contradictory tendencies. I want to climb higher, but at the same time, I don’t want to. They say the hexagon is the most perfect shape. But there’s a crack in mine. It’s not perfect. It wants to be, but it keeps breaking." —  Jungkook

GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook
GQ Korea January 2022 — BTS Special Edition Issue — Jungkook / Jeon Jungkook

You can find the full English-translated version of Jungkook's interview for GQ Korea here.

Each issue retails for ₩10,000 (plus shipping fees if you live outside of Korea).