The best banana bread recipe

From Bon Appetit. Simple and effective.

I appreciate they tested this recipe several times. 

Non self-healing books for a year of self-healing

I read these books in 2019. They are all humorous and insightful. With the exception of two books*, they are written by women.

Emotional Agility, Susan David

Normal People, Sally Rooney

Conversations with Friends, Sally Rooney

The Odd Woman & the City: A Memoir, Vivian Gornick

Principles of Uncertainty, Maira Kalman

Becoming, Michelle Obama

The Vagina Bible, Jennifer Gunter

Exotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, Balli Kaur Jaswal

Dear Girls, Ali Wong

Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng

Ponti, Sharlene Teo

I Feel Bad About My Neck & Other Stories, Nora Ephron

Anthony Bourdain: The Last Interview and Other Conversations*

Lilian Boxfish Takes A Walk, Kathleen Rooney

Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel

Wherever You Go, There You Are, Jon Kabat-Zinn*

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman

The best fruit cake recipe

When I am in need of comfort, I watch Nigella Lawson bake this cake on YouTube.

The chocolate is a genius and unexpected addition. Last year, I made a whipped cream with orange zest and rum as an accompaniment.

The best butter

Bordier Butter. Tangy, sweet, soft, spreadable, gorgeous.

I used to eat slabs of their chili butter on baguette before school, when I lived in Paris, 2011. When visiting Singapore, my mum would make me buy 9 to 10 blocks of butter and smuggle them home. She would freeze them for months, or gift them to her closest friends.

Because it's unpasteurized, you can't get them in the majority of US states. However, you can get them in Washington. I found them in a nondescript bakery in Bellevue. Shant tell you where, unless you ask.

Best art experiences I've had in 2019

Judd Foundation, New York
A fantastic cast-iron building in SoHo. The sound of tourists drown out from his four-storey home.

Hollyhock House, Los Angeles
Renders most speechless. Impressive door, and surprisingly hip Instagram account.

The Intan, Singapore
A private Peranakan collection, also home to bus-ad man Alvin Yapp.

John Soane Museum, London
Beautiful even on a dreary, English day. Ask the front desk about joining a private tour of the top-most floor.

Joan Miro Foundation, Mallorca
Probably one of the few artists that turned blue-chip status in his life time. Stunning property with ocean views.

Favorite British department stores

Liberty London
Makes me aspire towards having the money to afford a personal tailor.

Fortnum & Mason
Biscuits, tea, hampers, tea towels. I'm ready to retire and do my grocery shopping here everyday.

Harrods Food Hall
Would buy pies here all the time.

Where to eat around Newport Beach

I currently live here. It's pretty mild in all regards, but there are a few spots worth mentioning.

Broadway, Laguna Beach
Panna cotta was beautifully done. Needs some help re: acoustics but food makes up for it, plenty.

Zinc Cafe, Laguna Beach
Fancy avocado toast, green juice, your quintessential Laguna Beach experience. Brunch stops at 4pm, which is reasonable.

Bamboo Bistro, Corona del Mar
Legit pho, and a decent selection of wine by the glass.

Taco Maria, Costa Mesa
Delicious, cleaned up tacos. Heavy on the butter, which is just how I like it.

Saigon Shack, Newport Beach 
Surprising find near Balboa pier. Lovely elderly lady takes your order, feels like the mum you never had.