One Sweet Lemon

CLARA C -"Use Somebody" + "Fallin' For You" by Kings of Leon and Colbie Cai...

2011-06-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day, both featuring the same peeps. This one was too good not to share. Diggin' on Cara C's voice...

mad skillz

2011-06-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

A search for "electric violin" on YouTube led me to this. Two uber talented artists' cover of "Nothin On You." Clara C and Jason Yang completely rock it here. Cute, charming and obviously endlessly creative (not to mention again, enviably talented).... Check 'em out on YouTube. They've got several collaborations with other aspiring musicians and singers.

60s ranch-style furnishings

2011-06-22T12:20:00.000-07:00

I recently watched the original Parent Trap movie and I couldn't help but notice how kitschy cool the Napa House was furnished. It sort of reminded me of my grandparents' home back in the 1970s when they still had many of their 1960s furnishings.

First off, I'm loving the openness of the Napa House. How cool would it be to have a living room entry that's as spacious as this? I'm loving the stone walls and dark wood beams. The heavy, dark wood furniture is a nice complement to the big open space.

White furniture and light earth tones helps give space a lighter, more feminized feel. I wonder if that circular table is made of stone? My grandparents had a similar coffee table. Round, big and heavy, it was made of carved marble. Sigh... what I would give to have that table now.

I've always loved narrow feet on furniture. I think it makes the piece so much more elegant.

As a teenager, I would have loved having this as my bedroom. Heck, I'd love it for me now. The lamps, the ornate headboard, the white furniture with gold accents. So fun and feminine.

This hanging vanity is genius! The gold chains give it a nice touch. I can totally see using this idea for my daughter's room when she gets older.

While I'm not completely sold on the color schemes used here, I think the overall design idea of the Parent Trap set is still so relevant today. A change of color palette could be all that's needed to completely update the look.

to my dad

2011-06-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

My dad... He's usually the one laughing the loudest in the room. His booming voice is really quite good for that. Easygoing and affable, he's game for anything. Besides golf, I really do believe that his most favorite thing to do is share a meal (and a raucous laugh or two) with friends and family. He also happens to be one of the most generous people I know. Always ready and willing to give. No wonder he is so loved by many.

Thanks Dad, for showing us the value of faith, family, kindness and generosity. Happy Father's Day!

pixies and pirates

2011-06-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. Once again, life has taken over and I've neglected my beloved creative outlet (i.e. this blog). My apologies, my darlings.

It's been a couple of months and boy, has it been busy. Lots of social and professional obligations. I finally went on my girls' trip to Palm Springs. I promise to post some pics next week. We stayed at the fabulously chic Parker Palm Springs. Super cool atmosphere coupled with the friendliest service. It was the perfect girls weekend getaway.

As of now I'm eyeballs deep in party planning. My dear little miss Mia will be turning 5 in July. We had originally thought of doing a Wonderland party, but she is currently enamored with all things fairy. We recently went to a Pixies in the Park charity event benefiting Pitcher Park in Old Towne Orange. Old Towne Orange is a cute little enclave where neighborhood streets are lined with restored Victorian homes. Anyway, the ladies in charge of the event did a wonderful job turning the charming little park into a veritable land of fairy enchantment. Mia and I were inspired!

So, this year we're opting for a Pixies and Pirates party. I think the key to pulling off a perfectly enchanting party is the details. And right now, I am undeniably deep in the details. My dining room has been overtaken by tulle (for decoration), flowers (I'm making jeweled flower hairpieces for the girls) and tissue paper in an array of colors (for hanging paper poms). It's a lot and it's only the beginning. I'm sure as party day draws near, it might get even more chaotic. But Mia is so excited. And really, so am I. Fairy parties are kind of one of the reasons why I so enjoy having a daughter! :)

Below are other photos I'm using as inspiration...

{images via bnute.com, pinkcakebox.com, tradwindtiaras.com and celesterovkwood.typepad.com}

crossbody bags

2011-04-14T07:20:00.001-07:00

{image via everythingfab.com}

I spotted this photo last winter and archived it for the following reasons: 1) I love her classically casual ensemble. Her ladylike pointy heels chicly complements her tan, crewneck boyfriend sweater. And 2) I covet that 80's-style cross-body saddle bag. It's polished, simple and understated. But they just don't make simple, unadorned, smooth leather bags like that anymore. Or do they...?

Enter Nordstrom's most recent catalog (see below). Mini 80's-style, cross-body saddle bags are everywhere. Designers have resurrected their classic designs and reissued it for another go-around. I can already see these bags becoming this summer's accessory staple.

{image via nordstrom.com}

Still, I didn't want to pay $200 for one when I knew that there's a treasure trove of classic finds on Ebay. A quick "vintage Coach bag" search yielded me a plethora of classically chic bargains. So that black cross-body saddle bag I was coveting? I believe it's a vintage Coach Prairie bag. and I bought one off Ebay in mint condition for a mere $30 including shipping. Such a steal!

wouldn't it be nice

2011-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

{image via weheartit.com}

Wouldn't it be nice...

...to just pack up and go somewhere warm?

...and while away the time swinging in a hammock?

...or snuggling with your sweetie?

...eating freshly made ceviche?

...drinking an ice cold drink?

...while listening to the ocean waves crashing in the background?

Dreaming of a beach vacation, yes I am.

Happy weekend my lovelies!

This song always makes me happy!

a-line skirts

2011-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

{Image via LIFE.com}

I was exploring LIFE magazine's online archive of fashion covers when I spotted the August 1969 cover above. I love that whole look -- a-line miniskirt, lace blouse and metal chain belt. It reminds me of Ali MacGraw in the movie Love Story. It also reminds me of all the pretty, 60s-inspired, a-line skirts in Zara's spring line...

{all skirt photos via zara.com}

Aren't these Zara skirts fun? They're vibrant, flirty, and classic. Pair them with t-strap sandals, wedges or chunky-heeled pumps. In the winter months, I can totally see wearing them with bold tights and boots or knee-high knitted socks and clogs.

Brigitte Bardot, 1953

2011-04-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

Brigitte Bardot, the little French ballerina the world had never heard of until 1953 when she frolicked on the beach during the Cannes Film Festival wearing nothing more than an itsy bikini... Bardot was relentlessly pursued by the press throughout the entire festival. This was a defining moment for the kittenish ballerina. The combination of the starlet, the venue and the event launched the young beauty's career and propelled the bikini into the French mainstream.

19-year-old Brigitte goofs around with pals that include Kirk Douglas, who at the time had just finished filming Spartacus.

Bardot's bikini caused such a sensation with photographers that

a crowd of onlookers gathered to watch her pose for the press.

Just gorgeous!

Sarah Kay: if I should have a daughter...

2011-04-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sarah Kay is a Spoken Word Poet and founder of Project V.O.I.C.E.(Vocal Outreach Into Creative Expression). Spoken word poetry is the art of performance poetry. According to Sarah, it involves creating poetry that doesn't just want to sit on paper. Something about it demands to be said out loud or witnessed in person. A series of words so powerful that it must be heard and experienced. Project V.O.I.C.E.'s main goal is to utilize spoken word poetry as an instrument to educate, entertain and inspire. Pretty cool, right?

In the clip above, Sarah talks about the power and lessons of self-expression. She did this for the TED conference, a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. I'm tellin' ya, this lady is awesome. Watch the clip above to be inspired...

"The world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don't be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it."

~ Sarah Kay

annie hall

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Annie Hall... One of my absolute favorite movies. It's witty, eclectic and intelligent. I'm no movie expert, but it seems that they rarely make romantic comedies like this anymore. The dialogue is thoughtful and hilarious. You get to know the characters in depth. And the ending is atypical of most romantic comedies.

For those who are unfamiliar, this is the story of comedian Alvy Singer's (Woody Allen) on-again, off-again relationship with the eccentric Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). It chronicles all the ups and downs of their tumultuous yet endearing courtship. The movie is really quite charming. Extremely well-written and entertaining. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend renting it. Heck, rent it even if you have seen it!

Some of my fave quotes...

Alvy Singer: "If I get too mellow, I ripen and then rot."

Alvy: "Oh stop it, you're having an affair with your college professor, that jerk who teaches that incredible crap course. Contemporary Crisis in Western Man..."

Annie: "Existential motifs in Russian Literature. You're really close."

Alvy: "What's the difference? It's all mental masturbation."

Annie: "Oh well, now we're finally getting to a subject you know something about."

Annie Hall made Diane Keaton a style icon. She made menswear and thrift store finds fashionably chic. Imagine... baggy chinos, mens waistcoats and ties, bowler hat... whodathunk it'd look so good on her?!

Here's how Woody Allen remembers Diane Keaton on Annie Hall...

"She came in,and the costume lady [Nancy McArdle] on ‘Annie Hall’ said, ‘Tell her not wear that. She can’t wear that. It’s so crazy.’ And I said “Leave her. She’s a genius. Let’s just leave her alone and let her wear what she wants.”

Above, some cool, Annie-inspired artwork by Mike Oncley.

Happy Weekend, my darlings!!!

summer dresses by amanda uprichard

2011-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've had my eye on up and coming designer Amanda Uprichard. Popularized by the girls of The Hills (I know, I know, an irritating show), her silk dresses are now popping up everywhere from trendy boutiques to Nordstroms. These are the kind of dresses that have me yearning for summer. Uprichard's breezy silhouettes (I've never met a tulip hemline I didn't like) in candy colors and silk fabrics are decidedly feminine. They make summer dressing look so easy and fresh. Alas, at $200 a pop, I'm gonna have to wait for a sale before these pretty little dresses make it into my closet. But that doesn't stop me from admiring them from afar. Here are some of my favorites.

Okay, so this last one isn't exactly candy-colored. But I love the tiered skirt and the top is a racerback, which I've found to be quite a flattering cut.

the parker palm springs

2011-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

A girls weekend in Palm Springs... I can't think of anything better or more overdue. We wanted an easy getaway and Palm Springs seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Only a two hour drive from Orange County, this desert oasis has everything a girls' weekend needs -- luxe resorts, full-service spas, good eats, vintage shopping, a viable nightlife and an overall kitschy vibe made for fun and relaxation.

In two weeks, I will be basking in the desert sunshine sipping a mojito and taking in the genius design aesthetic of Jonathan Adler. A New York Times review hailed The Parker as "retro-groovy", "hippy-chic" and "glamorously cheeky." Sounds like my cup of tea! Can't wait!

smitten: Chanel mini classic

2011-03-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ridiculous how smitten I am with my new Chanel bag. Beige caviar leather with gold hardware, this mini classic makes for the perfect accessory. Love that this can be worn as both a shoulder bag or as a crossbody. It can go casual or dressy. It's quite versatile really. And when it comes to bags, you absolutely can't go wrong with Chanel, right?

1969 denim

2011-03-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Everytime I hit up Robertson Boulevard, I always make it a point to stop by Gap's 1969 concept store. My first encounter with this store was last Fall. Check out that post HERE. I walked in and had no idea I was shopping at The Gap. That's because the Robertson store is carefully and expertly curated to carry only the hippest of their 1969 line. The layout, the selection and the overall vibe is unlike that of your typical mall Gap.

Walking in, you'll find a wide selection of denim in various washes, cuts and styles. There's actually been a lot of buzz surrounding this season's line and I was really thrilled to discover they came out with this season's most coveted styles -- 70's inspired skinny flares, wide legs and high-waisted trousers. But will they fit well? Are they going to work as hard and look as good as my other designer jeans? I was completely rooting for this line to work as I'm really kinda tired of paying upwards of $150 bucks for jeans.

First off, forgive the photo quality. I decided not to bring my SLR (which I completely regret), so these photos were taken with my Nikon Coolpix (decent pics but obviously not as crisp and sharp).

Overall, most of their styles ran a little big for me. I'm typically a size 25, but I had to go a size down. Once I did that, I found that the jeans fit really well! My fave of the bunch was the high-rise trousers (shown above). I completely loooove them! They fit well around the waist, hips and booty area. The denim is substantial -- stiff enough to hold their shape but with enough stretch for comfort. The fit, the wash, the fabric -- all very well done! In fact, Gap's high-rise trouser jeans feel and look better on me than other higher-priced brands of similar style.

Totally diggin' these white high-rise jeans! Perfect for spring and summer. I can definitely see styling these with a simple, striped t-shirt and skinny belt; or a soft chambray shirt tied at the waist, sleeves rolled up; or a yellow tank with piles of gold jewelry. The possibilities are endless. I included a booty shot to show how well the back fits. Finally, great fitting white trouser jeans that don't make you look wide!

Jeans shopping can be a frustrating experience. But I actually had a great time thanks in part to the friendly staff at 1969. Here's Brian and his colleague (sorry I forgot her name but she was super sweet). Brian helped tremendously as I tried on several pairs, sizing up, sizing down, experimenting with different washes... Patient, honest and obviously loving his job, Brian provided awesome feedback on everything I tried on. It was a good time actually!

The best part? I walked out of there with two pairs of great-fitting denim in this season's hottest shape for less than $150!

For more on wide-leg denim, click HERE.

a very merry unbirthday

2011-03-24T01:48:00.000-07:00

Mia's birthday is three months away and we've decided to do a Whimsical Wonderland Party. It may seem premature to start party planning, but I thought I had better give myself plenty of time so I don't end up doing everything last minute and spending a small fortune in the process. This is how I usually start... Premature brainstorming. And then last minute execution.

This year, however, I expect on doing a lot of the custom creative elements myself -- decorating, baking, favors, invitations etc. Crazy? Perhaps. But with enough planning and preparation (and with the help of Mia's godparents and aunties), I think I may just be able to pull it off.

Below are some super cute photos I'm using for inspiration. Looks like fun, right?

Bright colors and paper lanterns make it a very festive Wonderland indeed.

Alice-inspired "Drink Me" and "Eat me" tags.

Whimsical cupcakes. Why yes, I think I will eat you, pretty little cupcake!

Love, love these paper poms. Martha Stewart actually has a great tutorial on how to make these pretty paper poms. Click HERE to see the tutorial. If I'm not able to find the paper lanterns for a reasonable price, I may just make these crepe paper poms instead. They make the room look like it's filled with bright hanging flowers!

The invitation plays an important role in setting the tone for what's in store on party day.

These get me excited with the prospect of falling down the rabbit hole.

(Images via pizzazzerie.com, jessicaclaire.net and nofussfabulous.com)

the anxious dreamer

2011-03-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

So I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. It's been a doozy of a week, and it's only Wednesday! My poor little Miss Mia had to undergo oral surgery yesterday to remove an abscessed tooth. She had a filling done about two weeks ago and her little baby tooth couldn't withstand the trauma of the procedure. So it became inflamed. Poor thing was in so much pain that she was whimpering "ooweee" in her sleep the night before. It quite literally broke my heart to not be able to make her feel better right then and there. But that's all over now. Her "sick tooth" (as we explained it to her) is out and she is just excited that the tooth fairy visited her last night. Love how quickly kids bounce back! :)

Besides the unforseen tooth dilemma, I've also been dealing with a bit of dreamer anxiety. Most of you know that I left a stable, full-time, advertising career to pursue pastry and entrepreneurship. Luckily I've been able to get some freelance advertising gigs on the side to help sustain me financially. In the meantime, I've been diligently researching culinary schools and pastry programs. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a local program that suits my expectations, needs and budget. It's been two months since I quit my full-time gig and I'm seriously chomping at the bit to get this pastry thing going already! I've even tried contacting local bakeries to see if they'll take on interns. Granted I'm currently only a home baker, but you'd think these bakeries would jump at the chance to get some free labor, right? Nope... No takers. Sigh... Patience has never been one of my virtues.

But I remain optimistic. I'm unfazed by these small setbacks. My determination is unwavering. I shall try. And I shall continue to pursue. :)

chicken tortilla soup

2011-03-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

This Chicken Tortilla Chipotle Soup is my favorite, go-to, cold weather comfort food. It uses chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes, which results in a deliciously tangy and smoky flavor. It really has a wonderfully complex layer of flavors -- the smokiness of the chipotle, the tanginess of the tomatoes coupled with the sweetness of corn and the smoothness of the cheese and sour cream topping... Really yummy! It's a definite pleaser, even for those not a fan of spicy food. Because the chipotle offers a smokier kind of heat versus other peppers, even my spicy-averse sister loves this soup! But the best part is... This flavorful and hearty soup is incredibly simple to make!

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken tenders

3 cups chicken broth

4 strips of bacon chopped (I've also used chorizo or Portuguese sausage in exchange for the bacon. The Portuguese sausage has been my fave as it's really flavorful and can be used in the soup itself)

1 small onion finely diced

4 cloves of garlic finely chopped

1 cup of diced carrots (choose skinny carrots so you can just cut them into round slices)

1 chipotle in adobo chopped (this can be found in the Mexican food section of most grocery stores)

1 14oz. can of red kidney beans

1 10oz. can of whole kernel sweet corn

1 28oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt and Pepper

Pollo de Caldo seasoning (Optional... this is a bouillon powder that I just like to add to any soup I make as it makes for a flavorful addition)

Toppings and garnishes:

Shredded cheese (I use a Mexican Blend, but you can also use a shredded smoked mozzarella)

Sour cream

Chopped cilantro (optional)

Diced avocado (optional)

Tortilla chips (I use really good, restaurant-style tortilla chips. Cabo Chips from Henry's is also a tasty option)

Directions:

Boil chicken broth. Once boiling, add chicken tenders and boil for 5-8 minutes. Remove chicken tenders from broth and dice into chunks. Set aside. Keep broth in a very low simmer.
Cover bottom of a heavy pot with olive oil. I use my 6qt. cast iron pot. The heaviness of a cast iron pot really helps lock in the flavors of the soup. But you can use any pot you'd like, of course. I've just become a huge fan of cast iron cookware for the way it cooks and seals in flavors.
Once oil is hot, add bacon (or sausage if that's what you're using). Fry bacon until crisp. Remove from oil and set aside.
Add chopped onions and saute until tender and transparent.
Add garlic and saute for one minute. Careful not to overcook or burn the garlic as it will give off a bitter taste.
Add carrots. Saute for two minutes, enough to tenderize the vegetables.
Add chopped chipotle. Saute for one minute.
Add corn and kidney beans. Saute mixture for another minute.
Add fire roasted tomatoes. Saute for three minutes. All this gradual saute-ing really allows the flavors to combine.
Add diced chicken. Mix it all together and saute for two minutes.
If you used Portuguese sausage or chorizo, you can add them back into the pot. I don't typically add the bacon back as I don't really like the texture of wet bacon. It's up to you if you want to add these ingredients as part of the soup itself. You don't miss out on anything if you leave it out. Because we fried these in the pot beforehand, the flavors are already going to be in the soup regardless.
Pass chicken broth through a strainer and add to the mixture. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for a few minutes.
Add salt, pepper and optional Caldo de Pollo to season as you please.
Cover and keep on a medium simmer for at least a half hour to allow flavors to develop.

Serving Directions:

Place a liberal amount of cheese at the bottom of a wide soup bowl. Trust me, you'd want to use a nice wide soup bowl for this yummy soup!
Ladle in hot soup right on top of the cheese. The cheese should melt from the heat of the soup. This is the point where I start salivating!
Add crushed tortilla chips.
At this point, you can start eating the soup as is. But if you're like me, I like to add just a wee bit more topping.
Top with a bit of sour cream makes for a creamier broth and I love cilantro, so I sprinkle a bit of that as well.
You can also add a couple pieces of avocado if you'd like.

Trust me when I say that this hearty soup is deliciously satisfying! I made this once during a group ski trip to Mammoth. Everybody loved it for its flavorful fillingness! Perfect for warming up cold, hungry stomachs!

viva los colores

2011-03-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Absolutely fabulous editorial from Vogue Australia. The dresses, the accessories and even the scenery are complete eye candy. These images make me yearn for summer! Well that, and a Mexican vacation! :)

(images via Vogue Australia March 2011)

for Japan with love

2011-03-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

This Friday, I will be participating in a blogger's day of silence in memory of the victims and for the people of Japan...

We've all seen the pictures. My heart breaks to see so many who have suffered and so many more struggling to survive. This is said to be Japan's worst crisis since World War II. Last week's earthquake and tsunami were only the beginning. Since then the country has endured multiple aftershocks and it's struggling to contain a near nuclear meltdown. The conditions are dire. There is no food, no shelter, no electricity, no water.

We cannot sit idly by. Watching. Helpless. Because we can help...

To pledge your support, please click on www.forjapanwithlove.com

an ode to green

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

(Images via pinterest.com)

An ode to green... As with all my posts, click on the photo to see a larger version of the collage above. Do you know how many names there are for the different shades of green? Allow me to count the ways... kelly green, bright green, emerald, lichen, moss, teal, lime green, shamrock, alligator green, seafoam, aqua, celery green, forest green, yellow green, blue green, jade, neon green, basil, olive, pine, asparagus, fern, jungle green, pear, viridian and my favorite apple green. Can you think of anymore?

And because I like this photo so much, I couldn't resist pasting a larger version of it below. I love her pretty green dress especially the ruffles trimming the shoulder and neckline.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

wednesday links: a bevy of how-to's

2011-03-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hello, my darlings. I thought I'd share with you a few ideas that's been floating around on the web. Here's to creativity, fun ideas and never being bored!

Recycled crayons take on new life. These could be really cool party favors!

I've always loved the idea of turning something hard and industrial into something pretty and wearable.

It's ironic how it always takes a little effort to make something look effortless. I promise you'll be able to do this messy side ponytail.

Pretty dip-dye ombre napkins. Perfect for a lovely lunch.

Check out The Glamourai's method on making costume jewelry look instantly stately.

Yummy sugar cookie pops. Here's the easy step-by-step.

Have fun playing, creating and sharing!

pops of green

2011-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, you probably wake up every March 17, get dressed as usual and then upon realizing it's St. Patrick's Day, scramble about to throw on "something green." My go-to "something green" are my green kitten heels. I couldn't resist purchasing them so many years ago even though I knew the color was a bit unusual. I mean, what the heck would I wear with dark lichen kitten heels?! But I was smitten with their ladylike pointy toes, elegant peek-a-boo design, comfy heel height; and of course, the clearance price tag certainly helped motivate as well! As it turns out, the shoes are actually quite versatile. They lend just the right pop of color to jazz up anything from denim to a plain sheath dress. And then of course, they save me from being pinched on St. Patty's Day!

Below are other pops of green that make quite a fashionable statement.

I don't think this outfit would have had the same impact without that kelly green scarf.

The pop of color totally turns up the chic-ness factor!

Shamrock pumps make this quite a charming ensemble.

Brightening things up with a jade-colored sweater.

Absolutely adore bright green paired with crisp white.

Emerald suede platforms are quite the attention-getter.

And I mean that in a good way.

Loove these forest green knee-highs! So delightful and boho chic.

fun things: spring-inspired nail art

2011-03-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

This is kind of one of those random posts I sometimes do. I inadvertently run into something I find intriguing and I'm inspired to share.

I originally wanted to do a post on springy, pastel-colored kitchens. As I was searching for images, I was distracted by some really cool photos of pastel nail art. So I followed my curiosity. And boy was I surprised to find that there are some really interesting things you could do with your nails! If ever you get bored with the typical one-color or French manicure, here are some fun, spring-inspired nail ideas. I could build a whole outfit based on these nails alone! :) My fave is the one directly below.

frivolous weekend

2011-03-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

The season is definitely turning... No longer is there a bite in the air. The sun is out well past 5pm. Boots are being traded for flip flops. Cotton sundresses are seeing the front of the wardrobe rotation. And the ol' bicycle is finally getting some use after months of being stowed away in the garage. Oh yes, I'm looking forward to a pleasantly warm weekend of picnicking, bike riding, random frivolity and luxurious relaxation.

What about you, my lovelies? What have you got going on this weekend?

wanderlust: Paris

2011-03-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

In honor of Paris Fashion Week, here are some inspirational photos of the ever romantic City of Lights. I know I'm a week late as Paris Fashion Week was actually last week. But as I tracked the coverage of the shows, the designers and the drama surrounding the big event, I found that I'm left with a bit of wanderlust. Paris in springtime would be absolutely mahr-velous, dahling!

Unfortunately, work and other obligations prevent me from grabbing the ol' passport. Luckily, there are tons of photos on the web that allow me to semi-satisfy my travel craving. Below are some of my favorites. Dreamy aren't they? As Audrey Hepburn famously mused, "Paris is always a good idea." And I so couldn't agree more...

What I wouldn't give right now to be having breakfast on a Parisian balcony.

I can't think of a better place to wear silk chiffon. Quite a romantic fabric, don't you think?

Twinkling lights sparkle like little golden hearts strung up on branches.

Laduree macarons are like little bites of heaven.

Paris in full springtime bloom.

Even the lattes are beautiful there. :)

(Images via Alicia Bock Photography, Pinterest, Marie Claire, ChelseaVictoria and English Rose Rambles)

never forget

2011-03-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some vintage fashion inspiration. Then I remembered a stash of old photos I had of my mother back when she was just a teenager in the 60s. I thought, perfect!

On the back of the photos, written in my mom's flowery script, "Lilibeth's pictorial, Philippine Modeling Company 1969."

I realize that these were taken when she was 16 years old, only 6 years before she had me. It's amazing for me to look at these. She was so young. And stylish. And confident. Totally full of bravado. And don't get me wrong, my mom is ever still stylish, confident and full of bravado. But to see her at 16 years old, before I was even a glimmer in her eye. Kinda crazy.

Even more amazing is my possession of these vintage photographs. Having immigrated to the States in their 30s and with three kids in tow, my parents had to be decisive as to what they would bring with them. I'm so glad these made it.

Written on the back of one of the photos... never forget.

style crush: Miroslava Duma

2011-03-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

My last style crush (Olivia Palermo) was almost a year ago. You can view that post by clicking HERE. Since then, I haven't really noticed anyone who truly and consistently stood out. Until I ran into the photo above... I was drawn to everything about her in this photo -- her strikingly dark features, chic glasses, slouchy navy pinstripe suit and refreshingly easy hairstyle. So I did some research and wow, I am in sartorial awe of this lady!

Her name is Miroslava Duma. She's a former editor at Harper's Bazaar (Russia), although now she is a freelance writer for various fashion mags. She's a fixture at fashion shows and has been photographed frequently by The Sartorialist. The daughter of a wealthy Russian senator, this lady is no stranger to designer labels. But what I find so fascinating about her is that she has a fairly petite and curvy frame, yet she manages to pull off even the most challenging silhouettes. Surely not an easy feat. Being a petite gal myself, I so love and admire that about her!

Love this slouchy, navy pinstripe suit. I've been wanting one just like it. :) I especially dig that she paired it with a simple white tank and patent clutch.

Yes darlings, that is a teal crocodile Hermes Kelly bag.

I don't know anyone else who can pull off an all-red look with such panache. Check out the Ray Bans too.

Style and attitude!

Love how she sports a youthful but sophisticated sense of style. The jewel skirt is glitzy without being too flashy. Oversized bags can be a challenge for petite ladies, but here she's able to pull it off without it overwhelming her small frame. And look! A light denim ruffle skirt can be fashionable, especially when paired with Chanel!

Polished and pretty in Central Park.

Cannot believe she jumped up in the air like that in platform stilettos. :)

I completely admire how she pulls her looks together. A humongous coat and beanie. Leather shorts and a glittery top. Cinching a white suit jacket with a skinny belt. Fantastic!

All black with a touch of leopard.

Prada lace overlay top with jeans and black wool cape. Check out her mix of accessories: oversized gold watch, leather bracelet and silver bangles. I've always loved mixing metals and Miroslava certainly does that well here.

Camouflage skirt and a leather wraparound halter. A cinched yellow vest with a knee-length tulip skirt. Anyone who's petite knows how difficult it is to make anything knee-length work. And a structured summer dress with straw hat.

A well-deserved front seat at a fashion show.

(Images via wikifashion.com, fashionnicotine.com, citizencouture.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com)

dreamy bedrooms

2011-03-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Cold, wet and rainy... It's spring in Southern California and boy, is it chilly out! While I love the sound of rain, this weather makes me want to cocoon myself in the cozy comforts of my home. And if I had a bedroom like the ones pictured here, I may never want to leave home at all. My favorites are the ones above and directly below. Cool colors, sumptuous fabrics and gilded accessories make for quite a femininely chic boudoir. Hmm, makes me want to redecorate...

cream cheese scones

2011-03-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Aaah, so good to be back home. While I've enjoyed bouncing from one city to the next for work, I very much missed my own bed and of course, my family.

First thing I did this morning? Tea, scones and blogs. I love waking up in the morning before anyone else has gotten up, fix myself a cup of English Breakfast tea (with cream and sugar, please!) and leisurely peruse my favorite blogs and news sites. This morning, however, I was able to enjoy a sumptuous little treat. I had made a batch of cream cheese scones this past sunday and they've kept surprisingly well through the week! I warmed one up, topped it with apricot preserves. A perfect addition to my morning routine of tea and blogs.

This is where I got the cream cheese scones recipe. This book was given to me for Christmas by my friend and Santa Monica carpool buddy (Thanks Chieko!). This recipe uses simple ingredients and it's fairly easy to follow. The scones come out moist, almost cakey in texture and with a mild creamy flavor. They're perfectly lovely served with quality preserves (such as Bonne Maman) and a side of berries. Highly recommend giving it a try for a yummy Sunday breakfast!

Ingredients: (makes 16 triangular scones)

3 cups bleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar (I used a heaping 1/4 cup of sugar as I prefer just a bit more sweet flavor)

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

4 ounces cream cheese, cold and cut into 20 pieces

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into 12 pieces

2 large eggs, cold

1/3 cup milk, cold

Special Equipment Needed:

Food processor

Directions:

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.
In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Place the cream cheese, butter and eggs in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade and pulse 6 to 8 times to combine. Mixture will look a little curdled.
Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the dry ingredients and the milk. Pulse 3 times and scrape again.
Pulse 3 more times and invert the dough into a floured work surface. Carefully remove blade. Fold the dough several times to make it smoother. Do not overwork it.
Divide the dough into two equal pieces and press each piece into 6-inch disks. Arrange the disks of dough onto prepared pan (jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper) about 3 inches apart.
Use a knife to cut the disks into 8 equal pieces, cutting only about halfway through.
Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle sugar on top.
Bake scones until well-risen and golden on top. This took me about 20 minutes.
Cool scones on pan for a few minutes, then separate with a knife at the marked divisions.
Serve immediately with high quality preserves. These will not need butter or cream toppings as they are already rich enough on their own.

Additional Ideas:

Serve with sliced berries.
Or for a tropical touch... Dice papaya and strawberries into small pieces. Squeeze some fresh lemon or orange juice on top of diced fruit. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar and combine well.
Add orange zest, chopped craisins or blueberries to the cream cheese/butter/egg mixture before adding the dry ingredients.

The food processor made the task of making the dough so extremely easy.

One of the reasons why we had Carrera marble installed in the kitchen is because I knew marble makes for an ideal baker's work surface. The marble stays cold even in hot weather so it helps keep dough manageable. I just sprinkle flour and work the dough right on top of it.

Here's to a wonderful weekend!

me art

2011-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

What a cool way to turn your favorite photos into wall art! Me Art takes ordinary pics and turns them into original works of custom art. Utilizing design schemes inspired by famous paintings (think Warhol), drawing techniques (think charcoal sketching) and art periods (think Impressionism), Me Art re-works your favorite photo and reprints it using high quality, artist grade canvas.

I'm thinking about getting one done for Mia's room. What do you think of Me Art? Pretty rad, right?

For more on Me Art, click HERE.

Give Me Art a photo like this.

Get back something like this.

So you can have something creative, fun and original to hang at home.

(all images via meart.com)

wednesday links

2011-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

{Image via Flickr}

Hello, my darlings. It's all about work travel for me this week. But I'm not complaining. In fact, Miami in March feels pretty darn good right now! It's 80 degrees, sparkling sunny and beautiful. After a late evening flight last night, the hotel wordlessly upgraded me. Imagine my gleeful surprise when I opened my room door and found myself standing in a two-story suite overlooking the water! Oh yeah baby, this is how I like to roll...

Some inspiring links for you to gobble up today:

Thanks to this tutorial, I wore this casually chic hairstyle all weekend long.

Spring is in the air with these lovely pastels.

I need new business cards. I'm liking the simple stylishness of this shop's selection.

One of my favorite home tours. Her closet is to die for!

This is perfect for summer. Simple, easy and breezy.

A bit of eye candy. Fun little things.

Newly discovered blog with a wealth of Italian recipes.

Super cute and whimsical Japanese tea party.

Have a happy wednesday everyone!

the glammest of the glam

2011-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

No doubt you've probably already read, seen, or heard about all the best (and worst) fashions at last Sunday's Academy Awards. If you're anything like me, you're probably experiencing a bit of Oscar fashion overload; which is why I wasn't going to do an Oscar blog post.

But I couldn't resist...

There were a few standout gowns that I just found too deliciously divine not to blog about. The running theme for all my favorite gowns -- full-on, all-out, feminine glamour. This, to me, is what the Oscars should be. A decadent display of fabulously beautiful and glamorous gowns.

Halle Berry's nude Marchesa. Sparkly on top and frothy on the bottom with layers of silk chiffon. The color, the beading, the fabrics -- just beautiful!

Hilary Swank wearing Gucci Premiere. Love the color gradation on that feather train. I can just imagine how this dress must have moved with her as she walked.

Whether it's a dress or a bold, crimson pout, I've always thought Anne Hathaway looks best in red. Of all her outfit changes (of which I think she had 8 if you include her red carpet arrival), this Versace is my favorite. The color is deep and the neckline is both sexy and demure. But the bodice detail is what gives it edge.

Mandy Moore's champagne Monique L'huillier is enchanting. Love the crystal beaded bodice against nude chiffon. I like how it gives the illusion that there are diamonds floating on her decollete.

I have two absolute favorites of the night. This is one of them. Mila Kunis in Elie Saab Haute Couture. Delicately exquisite details such as peek-a-boo lace and a dashing violet hue make for an ultra-feminine, modernly romantic gown.

And my absolute favorite... Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Haute Couture. I've always admired Cate's bold fashion choices and her Oscar dress was no exception. Her palest of pale lavender Givenchy gown with its pleated skirt and yellow beading is unlike I've ever seen before. It's impeccable, feminine, powerful, glamorous and completely unique in the most fabulous way.

one pot meal: guadalajara

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

I looove one pot meals. Besides the obvious (hello, only one pot to wash!), there's something comfy cozy about dishing up a hearty casserole or stew on a cold winter's day. This one pot meal, however, is neither a casserole or stew. In fact, I'm not even sure how I would classify this dish. Besides maybe, delicious!

My family calls it Guadalajara because of its Mexican'ish vibe. It's comprised of nothing more than ground beef, rice, tomato sauce and spices. Simmered in one pot, these humble ingredients transform into a delicious and satisfying meal. It's great by itself, but it's best when served with chopped, fresh produce and Fritos scoops. It's sort of a play on the tostada, but heartier! My family absolutely loves this dish. Evan typically ends up eating at least a couple bowls full. And Mia? I made this just yesterday and she proclaimed, "Ummmm!! Mama's the chef!!" Coming from a finicky four-year-old, I take that as quite the compliment. :)

Ingredients: (makes about four servings)

1.5 lbs lean ground beef

3/4 cup of uncooked white rice

1 14-oz. can of tomato sauce

1 medium onion finely diced

5 cloves of garlic minced

3/4 can of water (using empty tomato sauce can so you can get every last drop of sauce)

2 Tablespoons of chili powder

1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust this based on your preference for spiciness)

1 teaspoon of chili flakes

olive oil

salt and pepper

Condiments:

diced tomatoes

chopped cilantro

chopped iceberg lettuce

shredded Mexican Blend cheese

sour cream

Tostitos Scoops (or you can use a tostada shell, or tortilla chips)

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large saucepan or wide pot. I use my Le Creuset braiser and put enough oil to generously cover the bottom of the braiser.
When oil is hot, add onions and cook well. About 3 minutes.
Add chili flakes and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes more stirring well.
Add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper as desired, and saute until cooked through. You want to have a semi-chunky consistency to the beef so DON'T overly crumble it (as you would if you were making tacos, for example.)
Add rice and saute for 2 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and stir. Let boil for a couple of minutes.
Add chili powder and cayenne pepper. Stir while boiling.
Season with more salt and pepper if desired.
Add water. Bring to boil and stir. Allow to boil for a couple of minutes.
Cover and allow to simmer until rice is cooked through. Add a little more water if rice needs it.
Once rice is tender, uncover and cook uncovered for a couple minutes stirring as you go. Consistency should not be dry. It should be thick and hearty like a casserole. Serve immediately.

** Feel free to taste as you go and adjust the spices. If you want it spicier, add more cayenne. The mixture will not be as spicy as you think, as you will be topping it with cheese and sour cream.

To serve:

Scoop Guadalajara into pasta bowl. Add shredded cheese right on top so it melts. Top with lettuce, a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with tomatoes and cilantro. Use the Fritos scoops as edible spoons! Scoop up Guadalajara with the chip and pop it into your mouth!!

Enjoy!

cousins

2011-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

(From left: Cydney, Mia, Cydney's older brother Chris and Elijah)

Mia loves to spend time with her cousins. Since the four of them are so close in age, they have a way of relating to each other that just cracks me up. Mia is the youngest of them all, so sometimes she doesn't get what the older kids are trying to explain to her. But she exerts her opinion anyway. Elijah is the oldest, and quite easily the most cunning of the bunch. Cydney and Chris are the brother/sister duo. They love and fight like only brothers/sisters can. If you can eavesdrop and observe these kiddos for a day, I swear you'd have funny stories to last a lifetime. Here's a little snippet of what it's like when the four of them get together.

Mia: Mama, Elijah won't let me play with his toy!!

Elijah very calmly to Mia: Well Mia, I'm the oldest so you have to give me some respect.

Mia: Cydney, nooooooooo do it this waaaay!!!

Cydney: Mia is sooo bossy. (Rolling eyes but smiling. Cydney proceeds to do it Mia's way)

Chris: I wish you were never born! (after fighting over something)

Cydney: Well too bad. I'm already here!

Kids are clamoring to reach the top of the snowbank.

Elijah: C'mon Chris!

Chris: Wait, I'm helping Mia. She's too little. (clumsily hoists Mia by pushing her tushie up the snowbank)

Mia: I'm too liiiiittle.

Elijah: (exhales) Okaaay, here. Grab my hand. Chris, puuuuush!!

(Picture the three of them bundled in big snow jackets. Chris is huffing to push his little cousin up. Elijah is trying with all his might to pull her up. And Mia, oblivious to her cousins' plight, giggling and enjoying the clumsiness of it. She's no help at all.)

Mia: Mama, I love my cousins! They're my best friends.

style icon: bianca jagger

2011-02-24T09:29:00.001-08:00

Gorgeous... This woman is absolutely fierce. Since you lovelies enjoyed my 1970s fashion post so much, I thought I'd photo profile one of the most iconic fashionistas of the 1970s -- Bianca Jagger.

Born to a privileged Nicaraguan family, Bianca was part of the jetset Studio 54 crowd that included the likes of Halston, Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent and of course, Mick Jagger. Our hats off to you Ms. Jagger. Your daring and unapologetic sense of style helped define fashion not only in the 70s, but for decades to come.

She wore hooded silk jumpsuits like nobody's business.

In her trademark white YSL suit and a bowler hat in Heathrow Airport in 1972.

The iconic white suit was so much a part of her fashion repertoire that she dared to wear it on her wedding day in San Tropez. Unconventional indeed.

In a grecian gown with good friend Halston.

Again with Halston. Gold lame never looked so fabulous.

On her 30th birthday celebration at Studio 54. Of course, Bianca would arrive on a white horse. Why not? It was her party after all.

With husband and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger.

Gorgeous cheekbones. Bianca's exotic good looks definitely helped set her apart from the rest of the crowd.

In a photo by Richard Avedon, 1972.

an affordable vera wang wedding gown

2011-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

An affordable Vera Wang gown. Is there such a thing? Apparently, now there is. The couture designer has launched a new, affordable collection at David's Bridal. The 12-gown collection maintains Vera's signature style and chic aesthetic for a reasonable $600-$1400 price tag. I can practically hear brides rejoicing. The collection is both romantic and modern featuring decadent ruffles, sophisticated silhouettes and impeccable attention to detail -- everything you'd expect from the grand dame of wedding gowns. To see more, click HERE.

pink ruffles, ribbons and cake

2011-02-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

This cake found on Sweetapolita inspired me to do...

...this collage.

Pink ruffles, ribbons, peonies and cake.

I can't think of anything else that makes for a better Monday.

spring inspiration: Charlie's Angels

2011-02-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Much to my delight, the 70s is going to be big for Spring. In fact, your favorite stores are probably already well-stocked with such 70s styles as bell bottom jeans, silk blouses and platform wedges. I am completely loving all of it. So for your fashion inspiration today, I'm paying homage to one of my favorite shows -- Charlie's Angels. Hey, don't laugh! :) These ladies are seriously awesome! I don't know anyone else who can fight crime and solve mysteries while looking so fabulous. :)

Oh yeah baby. Wide leg silk jumpsuits! Quite Halston-esque, non?

Our favorite 70s pinup, Farrah Fawcett. Proof that 70s style is enduring! Her outfit here is fantastic even for 2011.

Kate Jackson in a white, wide-leg suit. Cheryl Ladd and her cowl-neck sweater. And Jaclyn Smith in a silk blouse. All still fashionably relevant and completely wearable. Yes, even the white suit.

Silk v-neck romper and a tunic paired with a skinny belt.

Looking to emulate the Angels? Today's designers have made it easy...

The Platform Wedge by Aldo (style: affina)

The Silk Halter Jumpsuit by Wink

The Gold Medallion by House of Harlow

The Denim Bells by Genetic Denim

The Floppy Hat by Luxury Divas

The Peasant Blouse by Forever 21

The Skinny Gold Belt by *vintage (check out eBay)

The White Suit by Robert Rodriguez

Have a wonderful weekend, my lovelies!

modern vintage

2011-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Just purchased this 1920s-inspired silk blouse by Beyond Vintage. When it comes to shopping for clothes, I have a habit of zeroing in on specific design elements. And this blouse was no exception. I am completely enchanted by the intricate beading and blush colored silk. The photo above makes the blouse look a little taupey, but in real life it's actually a cross between blush and beige tones. I can totally see dressing this up with my dark skinny jeans and booties. In the store, I tried it on with medium blue bell bottom jeans and my beige wedge platforms; and it looked just as fabulous casually styled. At $122 (on sale from $325), it was a decent deal! Happy happy, joy joy! :)

Check it out at Nordstrom.com -- note: the online price is higher than their in-store price, which is sorta annoying.

i want to see this

2011-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a big Sofia Coppola fan. Her films often seem to convey a quiet and deep thoughtfulness -- stories told through a subtle yet profound perspective. But I'm no movie critic. I just know what I like. Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette, and my favorite, The Virgin Suicides. I love it all. Which is why I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie. It's called Somewhere, and it stars the underrated Stephen Dorff and the charming Elle Fanning (yes, Dakota's sister). Check out the trailer above. Looks interesting, right? The film was released in late December, but I didn't get wind of it till I read about it on one of my fave blogs. I'm hoping I can find it playing somewhere local.

P.S. Totally digging the song on the trailer. It's called I'll Try Anything Once by The Strokes.

lovely day

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, my darlings. I hope that this Valentine's Day finds you surrounded by love and all those little affections that make you feel like you're walking on air. I leave you today with one of my favorite songs... a mellow and soulful ditty by the legendary Bill Withers.

Hugs and candy Valentine hearts to all!! xoxo

more sweets for my sweetie

2011-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

So I've really been getting into the Valentine spirit. After all, love IS grand. And what better way to express our love than through food. Baked goods, to be exact. In fact, all month long Mia and I have been playing with easy Valentine sweets.

Last night we made these Rice Krispies hearts. These were super simple to make, so it was the perfect mom/daughter "baking" project. We just made the Rice Krispies treats as instructed on the box. While still warm, we spread the rice and marshmallow mixture into a large tray, making sure the mixture was spread thinly and evenly on the bottom of the tray. We wanted a thin layer (a little more than about 1/2" thick) so that the treats wouldn't overrun our cookie cutters. When the treats cooled, we used cookie cutters to make large, medium and small hearts. Using the leftover candy melts from the cake pops, we then dipped each heart and decorated them with drizzles. Easy, cute and delicious!

be still my heart

2011-02-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, dear Mr. Darcy. My how you have a way with words...

(Images via The Love Shop)

mushroom and asparagus risotto with sauteed tiger shrimp

2011-02-03T19:57:00.001-08:00

Anybody watch Top Chef All-Stars? It's one of my favorite shows and this week's episode featured an Italian challenge. It inspired me to make one of my favorite dishes -- shiitake mushroom and asparagus risotto with sauteed jumbo shrimp.

Ingredients:

Half a pound of jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (I use black tiger shrimp)

1.25 cups of Arborio rice

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 cup of dry white wine (I use pinot grigio)

1 large shallot (finely chopped)

1 cup thin asparagus (bottoms peeled and sliced into 1/4" pieces, leaving the tops about an inch long)

1 cup shiitake mushrooms (sliced 1/4" thick)

1/2 cup grated parmesan or any other hard, salty italian cheese you prefer

6 tablespoons of sweet cream butter

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Pepper

Directions:

Boil chicken broth and water. Add asparagus and allow vegetable to cook until crisp. Then remove the asparagus from the broth. Place in large bowl and immerse in cold water to stop cooking process. Keep the broth in a very low simmer.
Heat oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in large saucepan. I like using my 4qt. Le Creuset pot. Once butter is all melted, add shiitake mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are light brown. Season with a pinch of kosher salt. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
Add about 2 tablespoons more butter in saucepan. Once melted, add the chopped shallot and cook until soft and transparent. I like my shallots well cooked, so for me, this takes about 4-5 minutes.
Add Arborio rice to shallots and cook for a couple of minutes stirring frequently.
Add white wine and cook until absorbed. If you're like me, I'd put a little more than the recipe calls for. Can't blame a girl for liking her white wine!
Keep rice mixture on a rapid simmer. Add about a half cup of broth. Simmer and stir until absorbed. Keep adding broth 1/2 - 3/4 cup at a time, waiting until the previous addition has been absorbed before adding another. Stir frequently. Continue to do this until the rice reaches a soft, creamy consistency. Warning: this part of the process takes a little patience.
Once rice is creamy and soft,season it with kosher salt and pepper. Remove from heat and add a bit more butter if you prefer.
Add parmesan and combine well.
Carefully add mushrooms and asparagus. Cover and set aside.
In a separate saucepan, melt the last 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the shrimp and saute until cooked. Shrimp should be opaque.

Plate risotto with the shrimp arranged on the side. Serve immediately. Yummy, yummy! The heartiness of the mushrooms with the light wine sauce of the risotto is wonderfully tasty. And the shrimp, simply sauteed in butter, makes for a delicious compliment.

Enjoy!

valentine cake pops

2011-02-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to try making cake pops since I saw them on Bakerella's blog. Check her out at Bakerella.com. She's got some super creative and fun ideas on making these yummy cake lollipops.

Allow me to digress for a moment... I'm usually the stressed out career mom who forgets it's Valentine's Day and ends up rushing to the grocery store the day of to buy valentine giveaways. Because I've neglected to purchase them till the very last second, I usually end up getting the bottom of the barrel valentine cards. You know -- the lame cards with the less popular cartoon character and even less popular pieces of candy... The ones left after everybody else has bought the cool ones. Luckily, Mia was still at an age where she doesn't really care what the valentines look like as long as she too has something to pass out among her friends. One year, however, I did feel equal parts of working-mom-guilt and incredulous disbelief when Mia came home with these super elaborate valentines from her classmates. We're talking personalized lollipop cookies, valentine doilies turned into sculptural ornaments and super cool goody bags, people!

Anyway, this year is going to be different. Now that I'm a freelance part-timer, I decided I am going to do some cool valentine confections. Not only will I be able to indulge my inner-aspiring baker; but I figure, it'll make up for the past couple of years of not-so-cool valentines. Yep folks, I decided to have a little fun with it this year.

Enter Bakerella's cake pops... See the finished product above. Super cute, eh?

The ingredients... You can certainly use your own cake and frosting recipe. But I wanted to make it easy on myself for this trial run. So I chose to do Duncan Hines Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. You can have fun with this and do chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. Or lemon cake with vanilla lemon buttercream. Anything you want.

Update: I've made the cake pops about three times now. I experimented with different flavors and ingredients. I found that the Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting was "cream cheesier" than the Pillsbury. And since I like a "cream cheesier" frosting, I now prefer using Betty Crocker. But you, of course, can use whichever brand you like. :)

Per Bakerella's recipe, bake cake as instructed. Let it cool completely and then crumb it into a bowl. Yes, break the cake apart until it's a mixture of fine crumbs. Then add the frosting until you get a moldable but not overly moist mixture.

Roll mixture into quarter-sized balls. Don't make them too big because they'll be too heavy for your lollipop sticks. Plus they grow bigger after they're coated in chocolate. Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for several hours. Or for quicker results, put it in the freezer for 20 minutes or so until firm.

Melt the Candy Melts as instructed on the packaging. You can also use chocolate bark. I chose to use a vanilla flavored pink chocolate and a dark cocoa chocolate. Dip your lollipop stick into the chocolate mixture and pierce the cake ball. Pierce it until it's more than halfway through to ensure the ball stays firmly on the stick. Then dip the cake ball into the melted chocolate. Tap off excess chocolate carefully so as not to loosen the cake ball. Then sprinkle with sparkling sugar or confetti sprinkles as soon as you can. The chocolate dries fast, so work quickly.

Update: I found that after inserting the sticks into the cake balls, it helps to put them back in the freezer or fridge for a few minutes to let the candy coated sticks set. This helps the cake balls stick more firmly onto the stick; which in turn helps prevent them from going AWOL during the chocolate dipping process.

Place them on a styrofoam block to dry. Refrigerate to harden the shell. Aren't they cute?

Mia was so excited to try them! I can't tell you how much she ooh-ed and aah-ed over the pretty pops. "These are so pretty and yummy, Mama!" she says.

I wrapped the tops in little cellophane bags and tied them with decorative ribbon. Adorable, right? These are just the trial run. Next time I plan on using longer sticks so I can have enough room to slide little paper Valentine hearts on the bottom that read, "Happy Valentine's! From Mia."

Cake pop recipe courtesy of Bakerella.

could-have-been love story

2011-02-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

(via Cup of Jo)

Clever, cute and totally relatable... How many of us have stifled how we really feel?

on my wishlist: emersonmade

2011-01-31T11:22:00.001-08:00

I am positively drooling over some of the Spring collection pieces from indie label EmersonMade. Actually, truth be told, I've been ogling a couple of their pieces since last fall. Below are a few of my favorites...

The Trench and The Striped Shirt... these pieces have perpetually been on my wishlist. I think I may have found the perfect versions in EmersonMade.

Always a sucker for high-waisted, wide leg jeans. These bell bottoms feature a versatile medium blue wash.

Pretty, pretty spring blouse.

And oooh, a seersucker dress! What pretty little brass buttons this one has. Oh yeah, I can definitely use one of these.

summer in january

2011-01-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

This weekend brought us 80-degree summer weather right in the middle of January. Ah yes, another reason to love Southern California! The beach called out to us. So we (and by "we" I mean the two instigators above) decided to enjoy this unusually warm January day bike riding and picnicking on the beach. My sister and her kiddos joined us in the fun. As always, the more the merrier!

Miss Mia and her trusty Razor scooter. She's quite the little speedster on this thing. And the sunglasses? Old DKNY cat eyes from my college days. She found them while rummaging through the garage one day. She thought they were "really adorable." Those are her words, not mine. Only four years old and already hunting for vintage finds. I guess apples don't really fall far from the tree.

The beach playground was the perfect place to stop, play and picnic. Mia and her cousins were super duper excited. Can't say I blame them. I mean, we had the beach, our bikes, a playground and a picnic lunch! It seriously couldn't have been more perfect.

This kid cracks me up! I've never seen someone love the swings as much as she does. You shoulda heard her too. There were screams, giggles and outright laughter peppered in between shouts of "Higher Papa!!!"

Oh yeah. This kid looooves the swings!

Cydney, aka Mia's cousin and BFF, on the monkeybars.

I was amazed the kids were actually able to monkey bar across the whole play structure. As a kid, I was never able to do that. And as an adult, I still can't. I mean dude, those monkey bars give the meanest hand blisters!

My sister Jackie, her daughter Jade and I. Jade is 14 years old and already three inches taller than I am. For the record, this photo is actually a retake. The first one had me looking like a short little elf next to my tall niece. So I borrowed a booster seat from the Gelato shop behind us and had Evan take another photo. I'm kidding. But I did sit up a lot straighter the second time around.

Mia and Mama.

The teenager frolicking in the surf...

...so graceful and flexible.

Looking for clams, getting adequately drenched and sandy for the car ride home.

Yes, I'd say this was a triumphantly wonderful summer-in-January day.

happy breakfast

2011-01-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had greek yogurt with honey and almond cranberry granola? I had it for breakfast for the first time today, and it was absolutely delicious! You should have seen me -- heartily content and happily eating my cup of yogurt while reading my favorite blogs. I quite literally scraped my cup into oblivion trying to get the last few yummy bits. Hoping your Friday morning was as enjoyable as mine! Have a great weekend everyone!

macaron love

2011-01-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

(photographs courtesy of Helene Dujardin from Tartelette, and chezus.com)

Oh delectable little French cookie, how I do love thee... I've been on a macaron kick since last November. After much research, I finally found the perfect foolproof recipe. It's courtesy of Helene Dujardin of Tartelette. If you haven't been to Helene's blog, I highly recommend you stop by. It's chock full of great recipes and beautiful food photography.

I have to say, that I was very intimidated at first. Every article I pulled up noted how tempermental macaron batter can be. But I studied Helene's tutorial and followed the instructions closely. And I was rewarded with the most delectable, wonderfully textured pistachio macarons I've ever sank my teeth into. The macarons had the delicate eggshell exterior, the coveted ruffled foot and yummy chewy interior. While my macaron rendition wasn't exactly perfect, they were absolutely delicious!

Since then I've adapted Helene's recipe to make Raspberry Marscapone macarons (also on Helene's blog) and Green Tea with Passionfruit filling macarons. While not every batch came out the same, I'm pleased that I was actually able to pull them off! I couldn't have done it without Helene's tutorial. Thanks, Helene for sharing!

I purchased blanched almonds and raw pistachios, grinded them myself in a food processor. Helene's tip to process them together with the powdered sugar prevented the nuts from turning into paste. And yes, I did invest in a little electronic digital scale. If I'm ever going to develop this pastry-making hobby into something bigger, I figured I'd better start investing in equipment now. Speaking of equipment, if you plan on making these wonderful little French confections, I would highly recommend getting a stand mixer. Otherwise, you will be one tired baker.

Piping the macaron batter was a challenge for me. It was my first time and I didn't have the proper Adecco tip. But it worked out well enough. I used fresh vanilla bean and sweet cream butter to make the vanilla buttercream. The buttercream was a nice compliment to the pistachio. It took my family barely two days to gobble them up!

For Helene's tutorial on macarons, please click HERE.

the dreamer finally gets her time

2011-01-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

I decided that 2011 is going to be the year that I live a little more fearlessly. And I don't mean that in an Evil Kenevil kind of way. I'm not out to jump off a bridge with nothing but a bungee to keep me from splattering all over the concrete below. By fearless I mean, I'm going to finally muster the courage to heed the creative rumblings that have been percolating in my heart. I'm going to muffle my inner-naysayer and listen much more closely to my inner-optimist, the dreamer that's been lurking patiently inside me. This means finally ditching the 9-to-5 gig (though the past several years, it's been more of an every-waking-hour-subsist-on-caffeine kind of gig). Most importantly however, this means finally and very actively pursuing my passions -- pastry making, travel, spending quality time with little Miss Mia, entrepreneurship and writing this blog.

And so this past Monday, I resigned. While I've certainly resigned from other places before, this time was different. I resigned without having another full-time gig lined up. It was scary, exhilirating, nerve-wracking and liberating all at the same time. While I certainly worry about what this means for us financially (and trust me, I know it's going to be a HUGE lifestyle adjustment), somehow I'm confident that the benefits will outweigh the costs.

So first thing on my all of a sudden stress-less to-do list? Thailand! See, you knew I was going to tie in the above photo collage sooner or later. No more worrying about production timelines and strategy deadlines means I have an open schedule. I can take three weeks to wander southeast Asia. Or at the very least, go island hopping in the country with the cuisine I consider one of my favorites. Of course, right now I'm merely researching vacation package options on the internet; but in the process, I'm really coming to the realization that I really DO have all this free time now! I CAN explore Thailand! And I CAN volunteer to assist in Mia's field trips. And yes, I CAN sign up for that pastry program at the nearby culinary school. I can finally listen to those creative yearnings. I'm quite literally giddy with anticipation...

the visual life

2011-01-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

As seen on The Sartorialist blog...

I'm fascinated by this documentary featuring Scott Schuman (aka The Sartorialist). I've been following his blog for quite some time now and I'm always inspired by his photos. The focus of the blog is definitely and most obviously on clothes and the people who wear them. But what I've been most impressed by is how Scott manages to notice even the most subtle details in the people walking along the streets of New York, or Milan, or Paris. Most of us, yours truly included, are so caught up in our own world that we often times fail to notice all the interesting beautiful little elements we encounter on a day to day basis. For me especially, my pace seems always hurried -- rushing from one place to another, thinking of the next thing on the list as I busy myself with other tasks. Many times, it does seem like I am busily buzzing along, hardly taking in my surroundings.

Scott talks about taking the time to "let yourself fall in love, be seduced everyday" by all the things and people we encounter, if even for only a brief moment. He speaks of really "being" in the world we're in, experiencing it, taking it in, relating to it and reacting to what we're seeing.

So never mind that this documentary is actually a marketing tool for Intel's new visual life campaign. Scott's message was one that resonated with me...

chic togs for the kiddo

2010-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

I am completely smitten with the new All Saints children's collection! Hailing from the UK, All Saints Spitalfields offers super cool, completely design-conscious clothing for men, women and children. I'm diggin' how the collection manages to walk the line between classic and trendy with just enough edge to make it interesting and unique. I'm thinking Mia may just get a pair of their leather boots as a late Christmas gift this year. For a peek at their charmingly punky-chic children's collection, click HERE.

baby, it's cold outside

2010-12-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, I know. It's been a while... a month and a half to be exact. My apologies for being such a neglectful blogger. Life had sort of taken over the past few weeks and I found myself just inundated with... well, stuff I had to do. I think the holiday season has a knack for whirling us all about and before we know it, it's a new year.

But I'm back blogging. And in full Christmas spirit to boot! In fact, I've been finding myself tuning into our local easy listening station -- you know, the one that devotes the whole month of December to playing Christmas songs. Yes, yes, I know. I may as well wear a big dork sign on my forehead. But hey, it's Christmas! We're allowed to be dorky, sentimental saps this season, right? Anyway, I'm always thrilled when they play Wham's "Last Christmas" and the Glee cast's "Baby It's Cold Outside." My top two Christmas faves definitely. And because I think Chris Colfer and Darren Criss did an absolutely fabulous rendition of a classic song, I included the clip in this post. Enjoy!

Dan Mills - Socks

2010-11-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

I am lovin', lovin', lovin' this song! I heard it on satellite radio during my drive into work, and it made me smile. It reminds me of a time when my baby girl was merely five months old. She would always sleep with us at night. We (my husband, baby and myself) would spend cold winter nights bundled up and huddled in bed. One morning while making the bed, I was fastidiously trying to smooth out these incorrigible lumps under the sheets. See, I'm a bit of a bed-making Nazi --- tight corners, smooth sheets, even draping on both sides, please! After some rooting around, I dig out one of my husband's socks. Sigh, I thought. He's always leaving his socks all over the place. Then I notice another lumpy bundle closer to the foot of the bed. Darn him, I thought! It's undoubtedly the mate to his rogue sock. I pull it out and ashamedly discover that it was one of mine. Oops! Sheepishly, I continue making the bed. Again I notice a small little lump at the very bottom of the sheet. I reach in and pull out the teeniest, tiniest, multi-colored striped sock. I immediately smile. A little family of rogue socks. My heart melts...

the graceful and loyal crane

2010-11-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

I've always loved origami -- the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding. I love the beautifully printed, sometimes gilded, always colorful sheets of paper. I love the concentration it takes to precisely fold a single paper square, manipulating it just so. And I'm always delighted when all that folding results in nothing short of miniature sculpture. My favorite of all origami shapes is the majestic crane.

According to Japanese culture, the crane symbolizes honor and loyalty. It is a beautiful, graceful and strong bird that is extremely loyal to its partner. And actually, it's one of few animals that mate for life. As such, the crane has become a popular symbol for weddings and anniversaries.

I've been thinking of using an origami crane theme for my parents' anniversary dinner. They've been married for 35 years. Amazing, right? With four boisterous kids, I'm sure those years haven't always been easy. Definitely an inspiration...

Love these paper crane cupcakes. On a side note, I was thinking these would make a great children's birthday party idea. A variety of origami animals atop cupcakes would be adorable. You could also set up an origami craft table complete with paints, glue, beads and rhinestones for kids to have fun with.

Colorful cranes serve as a backdrop for a wedding banquet.

A curtain of cranes surround a wedding couple.

Paper crane cake toppers, place cards, invitations, decor and even a fabric crane boutonierre.

The possibilities are endless!

(Images via weddingpaperdivas.com, hostessblog.com, thegirlinthepinkweddingdress.com)

glorious apple pie

2010-11-06T15:24:00.000-07:00

Look at these gorgeous apples. We picked them fresh off the trees at an organic orchard just an hour and a half from where we live. It was really a ton of fun. What's more, we were able to get varieties of apples not normally found in stores. You can read about our little apple pickin' excursion HERE.

We took home these Glen Seedling, Stayman Winesap and Virginia Winesap apples with the intention of baking a homemade apple pie. I found a basic recipe online and customized it to my liking. It's hard to say how many apples you really need as it really depends on the variety of apple you use. Just make sure you get enough to overfill a pie plate. I used a mix of 10 Winesaps (smaller tart and sweet apples) and 4 Glen Seedlings (large tart apples). You can also use Granny Smiths; but I like to mix the sweet and tart to get just the perfect balance.

Ingredients:

Apples (enough to overfill a pie plate) peeled, cored and sliced
2 pastry sheets (I used Pillsbury ready made pastry sheets)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup water (remove 1 Tablespoon of water from the 1/4 cup to compensate for vanilla)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1 egg white beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core and slice apples. Don't slice them too think as it will take longer to cook. Submerge in a bowl of very cold water to keep them from turning brown while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to thicken. Add water, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and keep on a very low simmer. Careful not to burn it.
Working quickly, remove apples from water and place on paper or cloth towel to dry.
Place bottom crust into pie plate. Make sure you press crust into the plate so that there is no air between the crust and the plate. Brush the crust with the beaten egg white.
Remove sauce from heat. Pour 3/4 of sauce over your sliced apples (make sure the apples are not overly wet) and toss together. Save the rest of the sauce for later.
Pour apples onto crust, filling pie plate generously and mounding it just a bit.
Cover with a lattice work of crust and seal edges of pie. I used the tines of a fork to pinch them shut. Gently pour the rest of the sauce over the crust, spreading it out evenly. Brush with egg whites and sprinkle a bit of sugar on top. This will give the crust a nice, sparkly sheen.
Bake for 50 minutes or until apples are soft and pie is a nice golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for one hour. This will give the caramel sauce time to thicken. Enjoy!

Sauce covered apples overfill a pie plate.

A lattice top crust covered in sauce. Best to spread the sauce evenly to give an even golden color. You can use a pastry brush to hep you with this.

Golden baked, yummy, sweet and tarty apple pie. It really came out quite well, if I do say so myself. It's got a nice caramel cinnamony flavor without it being too sweet. And the mix of apples were a good balance. Just perfect for chilly autumn evenings!

diggin' wide leg jeans

2010-11-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

I'm on a total wide leg denim phase at the moment. I find them so much more fun and versatile than skinny jeans. You can dress them up or down. They can look tailored or slouchy. High waisted dark denim wide legs are my fave. They make your waist look teeny tiny. Throw in a pair of chunky wedges and your legs look like they go on for miles. Not an easy feat for petite peeps like me. In my opinion, they're really the perfect base for a super stylish outfit.

Here are some of my favorite photos featuring these oh so chic jeans. Enjoy and Happy Friday, everyone!

(Images via Glamour UK, Vogue, and TheChicFashionista.com)

One simple question

2010-11-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

I find this video rather inspiring. I love how one simple question can offer a glimpse into somebody's heart. What about you? Where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?...

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Most of you know by now that I work at an ad agency. It also happens to be an ad agency where Halloween is a really huge deal . 100% participation is expected and the department teams get downright competitive as to who's got the best costume. I've aligned myself with the creative team and together we are showing up as the cast of Mad Men. We're all pretty psyched about it mostly because it just seems so apropros. And also because we plan on drinking martinis all day Friday. :)

I think Sergio does Roger Sterling proud. A couple of martinis, a ciggy and lots of attitude are all he needs to churn out advertising genius.

My big plans to hunt down the perfect Jane Sterling outfit never came to fruition. Shame considering there are so many vintage shops lining Melrose (which is just a few miles from our office). Luckily, a below the knee black dress, a tweed cape, some vintage accessories from my own closet seemed to fit the bill. Put in a well-placed cigarette and a haughty expression and I might barely pass as Jane Sterling. Here's Nick channeling his inner Don Draper. Shaken not stirred please!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

More Fun Things

2010-10-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

I recently visited Mitsuwa, our local Japanese grocery store. I cruised down the snack aisle and immediately noticed how different Japanese snacks are packaged. The package designs seem less commercial, more creative, downright artistic even. For example, the engineering of gum and mint dispensers were well thought out, forward thinking and considerate of how the packaging might be of more service to the user. Gum wasn't just wrapped in flimsy, disposable papers. Instead, there were housed in pastel-colored, plastic dispensers with innovative little sliding tops. Candies were shaped to appeal both to your palate and your eyes. I was most charmed by these delightful, little packages of "dolls". So adorable and so very detailed. According to Sato, our Japanese au pair, the manufacturer of these snacks are very traditionally Japanese, known for producing their goods the old-fashioned way. True quality craftsmanship from inside and out. Gotta love it.

Fun Things

2010-10-26T15:54:00.001-07:00

Love this packaging. I always find sardonic wit to be fabulously entertaining. And these tin canisters definitely have that in spades. I'm also digging the retro-ish spin on primary colors. Who needs plain old orange when you can have creamsicle? Or green when you can have chartreuse?

(images via KnockKnock)

Sweet Valley Confidential

2010-10-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

The Wakefield twins are back! And yes, I'm excited. The Sweet Valley series were one of my favorites growing up. And now they're coming out with a prologue. Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later... is due to hit shelves in March 2011, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm totally going to buy one!

These books have a soft spot in my heart. I collected and read the Sweet Valley Twins while in grade school; and then graduated to the more "mature" Sweet Valley High series when I entered middle school. I had a huge collection of the pastel colored books. I remember taking such great care of them, as I did with all my books -- relishing every word and carefully handling the covers so as not to break the paper binding or wrinkle the pages. I wish I had saved them not just so my daughter could also one day enjoy the stories, but also because I think there was a bit of an art to the way they illustrated the covers. I could get into a whole spiel of how cover art for young reader books have changed so much over the years, but I won't.

Instead, I'll leave you with an excerpt of Chapter One from the new book. It's a bit grittier and definitely more adult in nature (umm, Elizabeth Wakefield crying after an orgasm?? Whuaaattt??) than the Sweet Valley stories I remember, which begs the question: Who exactly is the intended audience for this book? Current young readers? Or old, sentimental fogies like me? Or maybe today's young reader is more advanced in terms of subject matter? Eh, who knows.

It's Apple Picking Season!

2010-10-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

What I love most about Southern California is that we have everything we could possibly want within driving distance. Beaches, deserts, mountains, farmland. You name it, California's got it. It never ceases to amaze me what California has to offer. Take for instance, this weekend. We decided to visit Riley's Farm, located in Oak Glen which is about two hours from where we live.

Riley's Farm offers acres of U-pick fruit -- apples, cherries, berries, pears, pumpkins, peaches etc. You can find a link to their site HERE.

After a fairly quick drive (I think we made it in just 90 minutes), we found ourselves parking underneath a bountiful apple tree. We were excited! If the parking lot had apple trees bursting with such large, ripe fruit, we couldn't wait to see what the rest of orchard would look like. Mia had her heart set on a caramel apple. Evan actually wanted to press his own cider. And all I wanted was to get the perfect apples for my first attempt at making an apple pie.

The farm had a colonial schtick going. Employees were dressed in 18th century garb. They had archery classes, candle making demos, live cider pressing of your picked apples, a colonial store with homemade goodies, good old-fashioned hay rides and even live skits of colonial stories. The white and black house pictured above is actually their restaurant and bakery where they serve homemade everything -- chicken pot pie, chowder, apple turnovers, sweet potato pie, hot chocolate, hot cider -- all in the dim glow of lanterns. It was a little gimmicky; but after a while, you kinda come to appreciate the effort everyone takes to make your experience a fun one.

Varieties of apples were grouped all along the orchard, but we're talking acres of land here. The ones we wanted, Virgina Winesaps and Glen Seedlings, were all the way at the back of the orchard. Up the hill. Behind the red barn. Past the apple cider makers. Beyond the small creek. Around the bend. To the left of the pumpkin patch, and just a little further past the berry crops. In short, it was a hike. Okay, okay, I may exaggerate a little. But it took some stamina to get there, man! Mia tried to help as best she could. She insisted on carrying the camera bag. My little sweetie pie.

Though after a couple of minutes, Evan ended up carrying Mia and the camera bag. What a nice Papa! :)

When we finally found the trees we wanted, we went at it. A bit selectively at first. Here's Mia saying that this one's no good cause it's got a little blemish. But the rule is, you keep what you pick. So we went right ahead and put this one in the bag.

There were tons of smaller trees around for the kiddies to pick from, but Mia loved to get the apples high above the branches. All she needed was a little boost from her Papa.

Sato, Mia's Japanese au pair, shined a couple baby ones for them to snack on. These Stayman Winesaps really were delicious! Since it was a rather chilly autumn day, the apples were kinda cold to bite into; which made them even more delicous-tasting. Unlike what you'd get at the store, these organic apples had juicy, sparkling flavor. Seriously like apple soda! Except without the carbonation, of course.

We filled up our two bags. No sense in taking more than we needed. In the end, we walked away with Glen Seedlings (large green apples that are very tarty), Virgina Winesaps and Stayman Winesaps.

After about an hour and a half of hiking and picking fruit. We got hungry. Mia had been salivating over a chocolate chip cookie she had seen in the bakery window at the entrance of the farm. The thing was about the size of her head. Hence, here's the two of us running down the trail in hot pursuit of unusually large chocolate chip cookies.

Mama, of course, couldn't keep up. We leisurely walked the rest of the way. I mean, no sense rushing past the beautiful scenery, right?

The Humbled Commuter

2010-10-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

I'm in my third week of working at the new gig. It's been terribly busy, but luckily, I'm enjoying it. Although I will say that the traffic in Los Angeles is absolutely, incredibly, awe-inducing.

The first couple of days I'd leave a little more than two hours early to make the 40-mile trek up the 405 freeway. Then I realized that it's a matter of finding the sweet spot window and then driving alertly to ensure you're maximizing all possible lanes (i.e. lots of crazy weaving). After a couple weeks of commuting, I thought I had it handled. I had the Laws of Diminishing Traffic Returns figured out. I'd leave home in the morning as late as I dared to risk it; and then I'd obnoxiously weave and dart in between lanes, cutting off slow pokes and other semi-catatonic commuters. I took pride in driving aggressively. I got this, I'd say. The 405 ain't no thang, I bragged.

This past week brought rain to Southern California. And so the stage was set for my humbling... Today the 405 schooled me with two car accidents and a never-ending expanse of slick, wet road glowing with the hotness of brake lights galore. Three hours from Orange County to Santa Monica. At hour two, I completely surrendered and bowed down to what has to be the earthly manifestation of hades.

Besides that, I have to say that I'm enjoying the new job! LoL

I Heart Asian Poses

2010-10-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Never take a boring photo again. Next time you're mugging for the camera, try one of these cute and quirky Asian Poses. Adorable, right? :)

Red Lentil Salad with Mango Chutney

2010-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

I first tasted this Red Lentil Salad at my daughter's school's Open House Night. The school really emphasizes the importance of healthy eating, so it's not surprising that they'd have something like this on the buffet table for Open House. In fact, the school's daily lunch menu usually consists of something fresh, organic and homemade. Tofu fried rice, turkey dogs and homemade whole wheat lasagna are just some of the things that they serve the kids. Anyway, I digress... Back to the Red Lentil Salad. This was the first time I've ever had lentils and I absolutely loved it! I hounded the School Director for the recipe and now I'm sharing it with you because it really is such a wonderfully healthy and delicious dish. It's made with red lentils, apple cider vinegar, mango chutney and just a touch of curry. On top of it being high in protein and fiber, the salad has a deliciously tart and sweet flavor. Really yummy!

Salad Ingredients:

24 oz Red Lentils

1 cup chopped red onion

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 cup chopped raw cashews

1 cup chopped golden raisins

Dressing Ingredients:

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2/3 cup olive oil

2 heaping tablespoons of curry (I used a mild curry)

1 jar of Major Gray mango chutney

Salt and Pepper to taste

Most of these ingredients can be found at Middle Eastern, Indian or other ethnic grocery stores. The ingredients aren't too exotic, so I wouldn't be surprised to find them at a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.

Dice and chop your ingredients as specified. You don't need to adhere to the exact measurements. If you like red bell peppers, feel free to add more than a cup. That's the beauty of salads. You can put as much or as little of certain ingredients as you want.

Place lentils in a large pot and cover with water. Cover and boil for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently. Lentils cook very quickly, so keep an eye on them. You don't want to overcook them. You want them al dente and to keep their reddish color. Cooking all 24 ounces of the lentils actually yields quite a bit of food. Feel free to adjust the quantity as you see fit.

Once al dente, drain and rinse the lentils with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Mix onions, celery, red bell peppers, cashews, cilantro and golden raisins with the red lentils.

In a blender, puree the dressing ingredients (cider vinegar, mango chutney, olive oil, curry powder, salt and pepper) together until smooth. Pour over the lentils and veggie mixture. And voila! You're done!

My salad came out a little thicker than expected. I made the mistake of blending the raisins into the dressing. Oops! Still came out delicious though! Enjoy!

Andrea Bocelli- Con te Partiro

2010-09-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Andrea Bocelli is coming to Los Angeles! When Bocelli sings, you don't need to speak the language to understand what exactly it is he's singing about. You need only listen and feel...

Girls' Day Out

2010-09-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

A couple of girlfriends and I went to West Hollywood to have a bit of a girls' day out -- facials, lunching at Urth Cafe, shopping on Robertson Boulevard etc. I was really looking forward to it, especially since we were going to indulge in a facial at Raya Spa. Besides providing one of the best European facials I've ever experienced, Raya is also one of the most affordable spas I've ever visited. Believe it or not, their prices haven't changed since 2006. The price for a one-hour, full-service facial is an incredibly reasonable $67!!! Crazy deal, right? And no, they don't cut corners. They do the whole shebang -- head, neck and decollete massage, full facial (mask, extractions and all the good stuff that comes with a facial), hand moisturizer with warmers etc. I emerged from my session relaxed, glowing and dewy-skinned.

Afterwards, we strolled down trendy Robertson Boulevard for a bit of shopping. I gawked at all the designer clothing stores and I drooled over the beautiful interior design showrooms. I really wish I brought my camera cause there were so many cool things to see.

In the end, the one and only store from which I actually bought something was a retailer marked simply, "1969". It featured cute, modern clothing for children. I was immediately smitten with a ruffled blouse printed with a skull and crossbones pattern. I peeked at the price tag and was surprised to find out that I was actually inside a Baby Gap! There were no signs whatsoever that tipped me off to this. And the layout, styling and clothing selection were unlike any Baby Gap in the mall. Turns out the Robertson location is strictly a "1969" concept store featuring all their available children's denim plus some hand-selected items from other Baby Gap collections. It was a totally cool kids' store with a hip and modern sensibility.

Apologies for the iPhone photos. It's very rare that Mia would gamely model outfits for me. I just grabbed whatever was near so I could capture the moment. From L-R: Adorable black, ankle-zip skinnies paired with a beaded, heather blue, quarter-sleeved shirt and denim band jacket. The band jacket was on sale for $13 bucks! Who doesn't love a great deal like that? Middle photo shows Mia in the same black skinnies, skull and crossbones blouse and chunky-knit cardigan. For the record, these pics were taken on what had to be the hottest day in 2010. I don't blame Mia at all for sticking her tongue out at me. Last pic shows Mia in purple skinnies and a Rolling Stones tee adorned with glitter. Shoes are blue suede ballet flats with flower embellishments. All by Baby Gap.

Here are some photos pulled from the Baby Gap website. Pretty cool stuff. I always appreciate it when brands surprise me with something new and different.

J'aime mon carre

2010-09-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hermes launched their J'aime Mon Carre (i love my scarf) site in August. It features stylish girls in New York, London, Tokyo and Paris sporting their Hermes scarves in all sorts of creative, ingenious ways. Not surprisingly, each location exudes a hip vibe unique to that city. Besides it being a great marketing tool for the brand, I find that the site actually provides me with something inspiring and fun. J'aime Mon Carre serves as part lookbook and part tutorial on how to artfully wear a scarf -- a skill I previously thought only French girls could pull off :) Seriously, I've always admired how the French can throw on a square piece of silk with such panache. On a trip to Paris one year, I noticed the entire female crew of our Air France flight had on some sort of silk scarf worn in some cool, creative way. So now, I'm inspired. Check it out. You'd be surprised the countless ways one can make use of a single silk scarf.

Fall Wish List Items #1 and #2: Clogs and Such

2010-09-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

(Images by garancedore.com)

Fall is finally here! It's drizzling and overcast. The air is crisp and slightly chilly. And all I can think about is how excited I am that I can finally dress for Fall. I've been mentally keeping a Fall wardrobe wish list for the past couple of weeks. If it was written down anywhere, it would look like this:

1. Black clogs
2. Thick knitted socks and stockings to go with black clogs
3. Burberry trench (this has been on my wish list forever!)
4. Sheer blouse in a neutral color for layering (I live in California, after all)
5. Over-the-knee boots
6. Tweed blazer
7. Army green separates
8. Chunky knitted sweater

This post is obviously about Items #1 and #2 on the wish list... The perfect black clog paired with knitted socks or stockings. My perfect clog would be one that transitions well between seasons. It would have a chunky but refined heel. It would be black leather and adorned with gold-toned studs. My perfect clog would be the one worn by Garance Dore (see photo above). Hers is of a Chanel variety -- gorgeous! After some browsing on the net, I found out I can snag a pair for just under $600 on ebay. Don't think I'm not tempted...

(Images via elleuk.com and What's On With Alexa Chung)

Alexa Chung shows us different ways clogs can be worn for Fall. She's quite the fashion inspiration. As a side note, she's also designed a line for Madewell. Anyway, Alexa shows us the versatility of clogs -- (photos from L-R) pairing it with opaque tights and shorts; a frilly dress and woolen stockings; and bare-legged with just plain black socks. Psst, the brown clogs in the middle photo is also Chanel. Further proof that I should just go out and buy myself a pair of Chanel clogs, don't you think?

Delectable Coconut Lemon Curd Cake

2010-09-19T23:20:00.001-07:00

I've been wanting to make a coconut cake all summer long. After some researching on the net, I found that there are very few actual coconut cake recipes out there. Most are vanilla cakes with coconut filling or frosting. I almost dismissed the idea altogether when I ran into THIS recipe. I'm not usually a big fan of Martha Stewart recipes (most of the ones I've tried have turned out to be mediocre at best), but since this one is originally from the Clinton St. Baking Company, I thought I'd give it a try.

I did, however, do some substitutions and tweaks to the original recipe. I used All-Purpose Flour instead of Cake Flour. Apparently, basic rule of thumb for this type of substitution is: 1 Cup Cake Flour = 1 Cup AP Flour, minus 2 Tablespoons. I also added ten more minutes to the baking time as my cake took a little longer to set.

In the end, it turned out to be a yummy light cake with the perfect complement of tangy lemon curd filling topped off with coconut-dusted cream cheese frosting. Absolutely dee-lish!

Stamps of Disapproval

2010-09-17T01:25:00.001-07:00

These stamps crack me up. I work at an ad agency and I've gotten quite a few of these critiques myself. My all-time favorite critiques: "Are you happy with this?" and "Push it out further." I might reply to the former with, "Eh, I can live with it." But the latter usually sends me back to my desk gleefully thinking that I've just been given free license to be as creative and provocative as I want to be. At which point my boss usually has to reel me back in cause I've waded too far out.

I think I may just gift these stamps to my new executive creative director. I say new because in about two weeks, I will be starting a new job. The office is in Santa Monica, about 40 miles north of where I live. Rush hour puts my commute at two hours. One way. Yep, I know what you're thinking. I'm officially insane for taking this on. But hear me out. The agency has a great balance of for-profit and non-profit accounts. I will be working on campaigns that focus on HIV awareness, water conservation, early education for preschoolers and informing lower income families about proper nutrition. The opportunity to utilize my creativity for the benefit of people/society really sparked the do-gooder in me. Marketing with a cause. What could be better right? Wish me luck!

The Christopher Peacock Kitchen

2010-09-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

(Image via The New York Times)

Kitchen designer, Christopher Peacock, in his signature "Scullery Kitchen." It's sometimes dubbed as the "original white kitchen" and it carries a six-figure price tag. Yup, you read that right. Six figures. Rather pricey, but oh so beautiful with it's white marble, gleaming chrome hardware, clean white cabinetry and stainless steel commercial grade appliances. The aesthetic of this kitchen is traditional. But it's also got quite the modern flair with its simple lines and monochromatic color scheme.

This is one of my favorite versions of the Scullery Kitchen. Dark wood floors act as the perfect backdrop for the white cabinets. I love the Calcutta marble countertops, beautiful Wolf stove, retro-inspired glass pendant lighting and stainless steel sink. Notice the sink is a larger, deeper sink with no partitions. A total cook's sink, perfect for large pots and other cookware.

A mahogany island with a soapstone countertop serves as a focal point for this otherwise bright white kitchen. Personally, I love an all-white kitchen. Something about a clean white kitchen makes me just want to put on an apron and cook. But the dark center island here is quite nice as well. It gives the room a very warm, homey feel.

This kitchen (which I believe is from Peacock's Classic Collection) has a lot of cool design features. Check out the partial butcher block countertop. A fairly bold design element considering the wood drapes along the sides of the island. The espresso-colored ceiling is also a daring choice. I'm not quite sure if I like it. I'd be worried the ceiling would swallow up all the light. But I appreciate the drama it provides. I do, however, really like the floor to ceiling cabinetry, x-frame cabinet doors and the really cool staggered crown molding.

Another favorite of mine. The tin ceiling lends a lot of drama and character. The kitchen itself is a fairly simple, L-shaped design, so the more ornate ceiling and light fixture is a nice juxtaposition. The backsplash is made up of polished subway tiles, which I love.

This kitchen is part of Peacock's Refectory Collection. I had to include this pic if only for the stove. It's a veritable behemoth! I mean, how many burners are on that thing?! Pretty cool if you're an avid cook. I see this as the total entertainer's kitchen. There ain't no dinner party this kitchen can't handle! Not sure if that's proper grammar. But seriously, look at that stove!

For more information on Christopher Peacock, click HERE.

I Heart Joseph Gordon-Levitt

2010-08-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

I know "500 Days of Summer" has been around a while now, but I couldn't resist blogging about it. I just rented the DVD and watched it again this last weekend. For those of you who have not seen it, the plot is about a lovesick young man who falls for a girl who doesn't believe true love exists. But the story is told from a very clever, almost musical perspective. Meaning yes, there's a song-and-dance number and a super cool soundtrack. Besides it being a great story, I couldn't help but think how utterly swoon-worthy Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in this movie. He plays the hopeless romantic underdog quite well, don't ya think? And just in case you needed another reason to love him, click on the clip below. Utterly charming and adorable.

Update: 500 Days of Summer is now on HBO. I should know. I watched it almost every night while on vacation. Yes, I love it that much.

Summertime Nostalgia

2010-08-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that summer is almost over. Unfortunately, I don't think I got the chance to savor it. Summers come and go so quickly for me now. I remember when I used to spend the season just hangin out with friends, sweltering in the sun at the community pool. Or biking at the beach and then having bonfires at night. Someone would almost always bring a guitar and we'd just sit there like beach bums enjoying each other's company. We were idle teenagers doing whatever the heck we wanted. Back then, summer seemed to last forever.

Today it's a different story. I've spent this summer working my ass off both at the office and at home. Between home renovations, work travel and juggling temporary childcare, I think I only made it out to the beach once. But I'm determined to take advantage of the next couple of weeks before Mia heads back to school and Fall starts to creep its way back into the calendar. I've got a few things planned: Disneyland, bike rides in Balboa, the Santa Monica Farmers Market and maybe, just maybe I may even be able to squeeze in a quick road trip. I'm calling it my summer's last hurrah!

In the meantime, I hope that you all have a great weekend! I leave you with an oldie but a goodie. The Dove Shack's "Summertime in the LBC." I listen to this song and all I can think about is driving with friends along Pacific Coast Highway, windows rolled down and wind blowing in our hair. Enjoy!

Style Crush: Olivia Palermo

2010-08-25T13:47:00.001-07:00

Okay, I know there's nothing real about MTV's reality show, "The City." The storylines are mind-numbingly irritating. I can barely stand to watch it. But I can't help tuning in just to see what the cast is wearing. One cannot deny the fabulousness of their wardrobe, particularly Olivia Palermo's. I am, admittedly, in complete style envy. I love how Olivia is always on-trend, yet still manages to come off as classic, modern and elegant all at the same time.

Love how she paired a chunky knitted cardigan with a sheer blouse and black pencil skirt. Looks professional but stylish and feminine as well. This is my ideal office outfit. Though I gotta say, I'd probably end up kicking off those heels under my desk when no one is looking.

Above from L-R: Olivia makes liquid leggings look classy by pairing it with simple pieces and red patent shoes. The fit of her tuxedo-style suit is perfect. Tailored just enough to give it that feminine spin. Of course, a killer Birkin bag makes for the ultimate accessory! My fave of the three though is the knitted shift minidress with the bell sleeves. It's modern-day retro at its best.

Above L-R: Olivia shows us that gray flannel (or is that tweed?) skirts don't have to be boring, leather dresses can be elegant and boho can be totally captivating and ethereal.

She even makes shorts look chic! I especially love the outfit in the middle. The floppy-bowed, white, button-down shirt reminds me of Chanel.

The New York Post's Page Six did a feature on Olivia's Tribeca apartment. Of course, her savvy sense of style is also apparent in how she's decorated her home. Doesn't hurt at all that her mother is an interior designer. I heart those tufted art deco lunge chairs! When it comes to furniture, I go completely weak for anything tufted or embellished with nailheads. As you can see, Olivia's got both those design elements in the chairs and the ottoman. For more photos of her chic pad including a truly envious closet, click HERE. The article is a little dated, but I thought you might appreciate the photos. Enjoy!

Cupcake Recipes Galore

2010-08-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've hit the cupcake recipe jackpot! Check out http://mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com/ for 33 cupcake, 6 cookie and 3 savoury recipes. Super simple to navigate. Beautiful, straightforward food photography. An overall nice collection of delectable and innovative recipes -- you've got everything from the old favorite Red Velvet to the intriguing Sour Cream Fig Cupcake. I think I'll make Cupcake #27, Vanilla Almond with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Yummy!

(Image and recipe from Ming Makes Cupcakes)

How To Be Alone

2010-08-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a great video from poet/songwriter Tanya Davis. It's funny, entertaining and serves as the perfect social commentary on the subject of being alone. Kinda makes me wanna go watch a movie solo... Okay, not really. But sometimes some alone time is good! Like when I wanna curl up with a book, or dance like a maniac in front of the mirror (which I did yesterday while learning how to "Dougie"), or drink wine while watching a True Blood marathon, or when I just wanna eat without having to talk. Now I'm sounding a bit anti-social, huh?

Anyway, have a great weekend everyone! Hope you've got some exciting things planned. I will be at Rock The Bells. I won't be going alone. But I may still dance like a maniac regardless.

A Neutral Palette

2010-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of color. Especially when it comes to home decor. Case in pont: The first sofa I ever bought with my first paycheck out of college was a celery green velvet. The first townhome my husband and I purchased had a huge wall that spanned the living room and dining room. This wall, by the way, was two stories tall due to the vaulted ceiling design of the townhome. I fearlessly painted that wall a deep red. Yeah, I know. RED. Thank goodness it actually looked okay. Good, even. I could come up with other examples. The point is, I have always embraced color.

Lately, however, I think I may be undergoing a slight change of heart. Neutral palettes have been striking my fancy... Light gray walls, white marble, muted taupes, clear glass fixtures, shiny chromes and bright white cabinetry. I'm attracted to it all. Strange considering I used to think that white or color-bare rooms were too stark, clinical and austere. But now I'm not so sure that's the case at all. In fact, I can definitely appreciate the sophistication and overall chic-ness of a neutral-paletted design scheme. I think the photo above from http://www.sletvoll.com/ is a great example of how a perfectly white room can be both modern and inviting.

Below are more photos of white/neutral rooms I like:

My favorite part about this dining room is the ceiling. Creative molding can make any white ceiling interesting.

I love the beadboard walls of this dining room. The espresso finish of the dining table and chairs really help warm up the room.

Love the tobacco-colored floors and the use of glass and silver. I also love how they used patterned rugs to add contrast and interest. Let's call this photo Favorite #2.

This room shows quite a bit of texture with the ornate chair upholstery and chair legs; the contrasting steel, stone and wood finishes; and the dark walls. It's not really a room that I'd have for my home but I decided to include it because the chandelier and mirrored cabinet are such cool pieces.

Who says gold and silver tones don't belong together? I think this living room challenges that notion beautifully.

Rainbow Cupcakes

2010-08-17T12:40:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend Mia and I made the cutest Rainbow Cupcakes. The rainbow stripe effect comes from layering colored batter in white cupcake liners. Super easy, super cute and yummy to boot. Yes, I actually rhymed that last part.

I can see these as the perfect little girl's party dessert. Or even as a fun treat for a baby shower or other girly event.

Here's Mia just grinning ear to ear, excited with the idea of us baking cupcakes together. The ingredients are simple: White Cake Mix, food coloring (not pictured but I used McCormick's Neon colors), white cupcake liners, frosting (make your own or use Betty's version) and flower sprinkles. It's best to use a cake mix that uses egg whites. I'm told it helps minimize browning of the edges of the cake.

By the way, check out our newly remodeled kitchen. It's still incomplete (I'm still searching for glass cabinet knobs); but can you believe this entire kitchen used to be yellow oak with white tile countertops? Anyway, that's for another post, but just wanted to point the kitchen out cause I looove it!

Mia could not wait to get started. The kid was absolutely thrilled, I tell ya. Her Auntie Lichen sent her a homemade apron for her birthday and Mia was just giddy to get that thing on. Adorable, isn't it? Lichen is a dear college friend of mine. Super talented and creative. Check out some of her goodies (aprons, stationery, artwork) on her blog: http://www.blinkblots.blogspot.com/.

So we prepared the cake as directed on the box. We divided the batter into 6 separate bowls and then put different food coloring in each bowl. I suggest doing this a couple of drops at a time to get your desired hue. And every color is different. For example, we only needed 5 drops of the blue before the batter was the vivid blue we wanted. Yellow, on the other hand, was a different story. It took like half the bottle just to get the yellow to show up. I'm exaggerating. But you know what I mean.

We used forks for mixing. You don't have to. I read somewhere that forks would give more control when it comes time to drop the batter into the cupcake trays. I think we would have been fine using spoons. But ah well. The forks make pretty swirly patterns that Mia loved to watch.

Six colors: purple, blue, yellow, green, orange and pink. That's the order that I dropped them into the cupcake liners. Truth be told that layering the yellow and green next to each other probably wasn't a great idea since the colors blend way too well together. Obviously, you can do whatever color order you want.

We dropped each color one by one. Don't try to spread out the batter with your fork. Or spoon. Or finger. Don't even try. Doing so will only mix the up the colors. The batter will naturally spread itself out, so if you want to wait a couple of minutes before putting the next layer of batter, feel free. We, however, are of the impatient variety. We just plowed along layering colors with wild abandon.

Saved Mia's favorite color for last. Pink was our topper color. Mia's quite the girly girl.

We baked the cupcakes as directed and voila! Rainbow cupcakes! Notice ours has a bit of a swirly effect? Yeah, that's from the pouring of batter with wild abandon. But it looks cool regardless. You can't tell from this photo, but the cupcakes are still in their paper liners. the colors really show through quite well, don't you think?

Beautiful and scrumptious! It's a cool surprise! Most people see the cupcakes and think the colors are coming from the paper liners.

Mia exclaimed, "Mama look! The paper is rainbow too!" Indeed it is. Pretty, right?

We frosted ours with cream cheese icing. I'm a sucker for cream cheese frosting. A few flower sprinkles on top and we were done! Almost too pretty eat!

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Ad Campaign

2010-08-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Aaah, Louis Vuitton... Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. So late 50s/early 60s chic. The below-the-knee hemlines, circle skirts, nipped-in waists, bowler bags and even those very ladylike gloves! Marc Jacobs calls it a celebration of feminity. I say it's very Mad Men-esque. I could totally see Betty Draper in one of these ensembles. Most of these are probably not everyday wearable. I mean really, a wool, full-skirted dress? Probably not. But you can't help but notice how beautiful this collection is. And the ad campaign, shot by Steven Meisel, is equally fantastic.

100 Days, 100 Songs, 100 Dances

2010-08-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something to get your weekend started. Absolutely highlarious! It's an awesome playlist, plus the shirt he wears in #15 is freaking hysterical.

Happy friday!

The Ballerina Project

2010-08-05T16:02:00.001-07:00

I was having a particularly drab day, feeling uninspired and just plain blah. Then I ran across an article featuring Dane Shitagi's "Ballerina Project". I was enamored with his photos featuring these graceful ballerinas amidst a gritty, frenetic New York City landscape. I've always been in awe of ballerinas in general. I find their lithe bodies and fluid, gliding movements just so beautiful. I mean, how do they do it?! How do they make their bodies move the way they do, and make it all look so effortless? Anyway, I love how Dane's photos capture a ballerina's elegant aesthetic, the beauty of her disciplined yet flowing movements, all juxtaposed against the creative chaos of NYC. Two seemingly opposing things combined to form something quite beautiful. I was entranced.

You can find out more about the Ballerina Project at http://www.facebook.com/pages/ballerina-project/22455674948.

Persistent rumblings

2010-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been in a bit of a creative funk. I suspect this largely stems from my current love/hate relationship with my career. Some days I love what I do. Other days, I loathe it. Yes, yes, I'm blessed to have a job at all given the tight economy. And I don't mean to sound ungrateful as I appreciate all the opportunities that having a job has afforded me -- you know, stuff like dinners out, winter and summer vacations, swimming classes for the kiddo, cooking classes for me and other such experiences that having a decent-paying career has allowed me to have. I'm fortunate. I know.

But what happens when you crave the pursuit of other creative interests but long hours at the office prevent you from exploring them? Should you contain the persistent rumblings of entrepreneurial hunger all for the sake of practicality (hello, mortgage, car payment and freaking preschool tuition!)? And what do you do when the passion that was once reserved for your career has now been slowly and inadvertently re-directed toward other avenues??? Sigh...

I remember the day when I first learned the meaning of "Carpe Diem". It was in an honors English class during a discussion of "The Catcher in the Rye" that Mr.Schmenk talked to us about the importance of seizing the day. While I appreciated the discussion, I remember thinking to myself, "Duh, how hard is it to seize the day? Just know what you want and go for it!" I was 16-years-old... Young, naive, full of optimism and ideals... free of any real responsibility aside from fulfilling my potential. I was filled with an unending supply of unbridled energy, all of which went towards knowing what I wanted and going for it. It was all so... spectacular and full of promise.

Looking back, I think I could probably learn a thing a two from that kid.

Ode to Debussy

2010-07-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

Debussy, oh how you've kept me company while toiling away on my laptop. I love how you've drowned out the incessant buzz of the office -- the never-ending white noise resulting from some architect's brilliant idea that having zero walls in a warehouse of an office will somehow free up creative energy. I love how instead of hearing everybody's phones ring, or printers churning in action or the hushed voice of a colleague engaging in a private conversation, I hear the lovely movements of water (First Arabesque). Or the sentimental whispers of the moon (Clair de Lune). Or the twinkling of leaves against a gentle young wind (Reverie). For this respite against the frenetic vibe of a bustling ad agency, I thank you, Debussy.

This kid...

2010-07-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

...is growing up too fast.

Her limbs are getting longer, leaner. The baby fat is disappearing giving way to the little girl she is fast becoming. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled if not giddy, with the prospect of finally getting rid of that cumbersome stroller and all the other toddler thingamajigs that crowd our home. I'm just sentimental and in awe of the transformation from baby to toddler to full-fledged, bike-riding, soccer-playing little girl (sniff, sniff).

The Best Lemon Cookies Ever

2010-07-22T07:38:00.001-07:00

I've been on a lemon kick lately. Hence the name of this blog. Actually, there are other reasons behind the name of this blog, but we'll save that for another post.

So yeah, lemon kick... allow me to share with you the best darn lemon cookies I've ever tasted -- Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins. Oh man, they are delicious! Light, crisp and with the tarty sweet of Meyer lemons. Super great for snacking, dessert or whatever. I can see myself using these as the finishing touch to a lemon cupcake, atop a swirl of freshly-whipped cream frosting. Or crushed into crumbs as the crust of a lemon raspberry tart. Or dipped in chocolate! Ok, have to stop before I salivate over my laptop. Seriously people, I cannot remember being so excited over a grocery product. I ate the whole darn box in one sitting!

Texture

2010-07-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

While I love living in Orange County, sometimes I feel the need to get out and experience some urban "texture". Geez, that sounds pretentious! Honestly, Orange County is a wonderful suburb about an hour south of LA. I love it here. But I sometimes miss what bigger, metropolitan cities have to offer -- the grit, the vibe, diversity in ideas and people, funky boutiques and restaurants... oh the list could go on and on. So this past Saturday my sister and I decided to take the kiddos to the Natural History Museum near downtown Los Angeles. Thought it would be a fun and cool thing to do on a blistering hot summer day.

I have to say that we were pleasantly surprised at what the museum had to offer. I figured it probably wouldn't be as large as other metropolitan museums (Chicago and New York come to mind), but it wasn't any less awe-inspiring. Among other things, they had some very impressive exhibits showcasing dinosaurs, and ancient mammals of North America and Africa. The imposing fossil re-creation of a tyrannosaurus rex and stegasaurus were definitely astounding.

And then there were the large, scenic dioramas showcasing different animals in their natural habitats, which were so life-like that my 4-year-old daughter, Mia, refused to even enter the rooms in which they were housed. Part of the this is also due to Mia's intense phobia of large furry things -- doesn't matter if it's a giant teddy bear, Elmo, the Easter Bunny or a sabertooth tiger museum display. If it's humongous and furry she ain't goin' near it. And I can't say I blame her. I mean, a giant, buck-toothed bunny dressed in a pastel tuxedo can be slightly disturbing. But large dinosaur skeletons with their rigid spines and spiky teeth? No problem! She'll sit there and pretend to taunt it and pose all hammy in front of it till the cows come home. Stick some fur on those suckers, however, and she'll be running around like a headless chicken looking for the closest exit. I guess it goes to show that texture makes all the difference.

So I started a blog...

2010-07-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

For the past year I've been a regular reader of several different blogs. It would be fair to say that I may even be addicted. I find blogs a great source of inspiration. They're a wonderful way to share ideas, thoughts, images, experiences, musings... You name it, you can post it. For me, it's always been a one-way street. I read the blogs and rarely ever leave a comment. So it's really pretty weird that I, a staunch protector of privacy and occassional introvert, should decide to let the world in on what goes on in this funny, geeky, optimistic little head of mine.

But I'm doing it. I'm blogging. Starting with this post. This blog will be my nifty little electronic journal -- a means for me to document, realize and capture all those I find curious, inspiring, creative, fulfilling. All those things that make me happy, feel alive. A creative outlet, if you will. A way for me to nurture, express and share passionate pursuits. Sound lofty? Well yeah... that's the beauty of it.