Baked Goods!

So lately I've been making these little things here and there. Earlier this year I made TD a little French Cheese (I forgot to take a picture but he's the cutest thing. I'll try to get a picture.).

I figured he would need a friend, so I sent him over this toast and cupcake a few weeks ago. The cupcake is for LD, his little sister.



She's cute and chatty.







He's got personality (and move-able eyebrows). I think TD named him Butters Scotch. But I would have to check with him on that.

Chinese New Year

So let's go back in time a few weeks. Can you believe it? Chinese New Year was already almost 2 weeks ago! Where is the time going?

So this was my families small little meal that my Mom made on the Friday before Chinese New Years. It was so good. My mom is a phenomenal cook, mostly when it comes to Chinese food. I, on the other hand, am not so much a cook but more of a baker. But I still like to try. You knowww.



This is Shanghainese Nian Gao. This is one of my favorite dishes and I do eat it year round. The funny thing in my family is that we have all these traditions but we don't really remember the reasoning behind it. So...according to Wikipedia, ""nian gao" is a homonym for "higher year." The Chinese word 粘 (nián), meaning "sticky", is identical in sound to 年, meaning "year", and the word 糕 (gāo), meaning "cake" is identical in sound to 高, meaning "high". As such, eating nian gao has the symbolism of raising oneself higher in each coming year".



Steamed buns for the Peking Duck! Nom, when I was little I would forgo the duck all together and get two buns. Yea, I'm pretty greedy.



Delicious! You better put some hoisin sauce on it too!



Some Char Siu, or barbeque pork.



Now this is kind of special. This is Fat Choy with Tofu, Mushrooms, and Oysters. The dark hair looking thing is called Fat Choy. It's actually black moss. The literal translation is hair vegetable. No joke. We eat it for Chinese New Year because it sounds like prosperity or striking it rich. Like the last two syllables in Gung Hay Fat Choy. Ya dig?

Oh, apparently, a research team from the biochemistry department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong said that international research has shown that fat choy, besides having no nutritional value, has also been found to contain Beta-methylamino L-alanine (BMAA), a toxic amino acid that could affect the normal functions of nerve cells. Professor Chan King-ming of the team told the media that eating fat choy could lead to degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia. Thanks Wikipedia for dashing my love of fat coy!

Ok, Chinese lesson over for today!

Lent

So after some reflection I have re-evaluated Lent and the reason for it.

I had originally given up white carbohydrates (i.e., white rice, white bread, white pasta) thinking that would suffice as my sacrifice for Lent. However after church today I discovered that Lent isn't about causing suffering or empty traditions. It's really about self-reflection. Now, I'm defs not the preachy type and I feel that religion is a very personal thing and I will not impose my beliefs on you dear readers, so don't you worry.

However, since I have done some reflection, I have discovered that I spend a lot of my day looking at other blogs. Now, I love reading these blogs and learning about all the things that other people can do with their time but I have neglected much of my own personal time by reading about others. So instead of reading about how others do things, I have decided to spend that time doing my own things. So as a result, blog posts may be lacking throughout the week or perhaps they may be less pictorial and more loquacious (big word alert, hah, I'm not even sure if I used it right). So if my own word musings bore you, I will not be hurt if you decide to go elsewhere for the next 32 days. Until then, expect a change in what I post or if I post at all.

Blogs I Love, you will be missed but I shall see you around Easter! With probably a huge catch up read. =)

Tea Pahty?

via: Adore Vintage

I would like to have a tea party. Like a legit scones, and English tea party. Would you like to join?

Simple Diary

Oh man oh man. I want one of these. I've kept a journal since I was eight. I've been pretty good at it too. Keel's Simple Diary is great for people who want to start but never really follow through. Each page has a prompt and each page is a little different each day.

And plus, don't you just love the colors! They also come in red, orange, blue and brown.

The Rotunda

I took my mom to The Rotunda, which is the restaurant on the fourth floor of Neiman Marcus in Union Square.



They started us with a complimentary Chicken Consommé and what tasted like a buttery garlic little cracker. It looks big in the picture but it was a tiny little cup.



Then we had the famous Popovers with Strawberry Butter. Remember my post? I got the idea from them. But there's were better than mine, no doubt. I need to perfect this little treat.



My mom ordered the Crabcake Ceasar Salad.



I ordered the Warm Scallop Salad. So good. So fresh tasting and everything. The scallops were cooked just right. The dressing was a little too buttery but really good.



Good food = Happy Mom. I get that from her. Hehe.

Nick Dewar

RIP Nick Dewar. I unfortunately only discovered him after I found out from Design Sponge that he had passed. Lovely artist.

Vanessa Jackman

Vanessa Jackman is an awesome street style blogger. These are just some of my favorites.







The hair! The print!



That bag!













The skirt!




The shoes!

Our Love

"Who travels for love
finds a thousand miles
not longer than one."
- Japanese Proverb

One day,
we'll have
it all.

I
love
you
TD.

Happy Early V-day!

Happy Early V-Day. Luckily for some, this is a three day weekend (thanks to President Obama, and others) so enjoy your loved ones.

Also Valentine's Day also falls on the Lunar New Year! So Gung Hai Fat Choy! I will be spending time with my family because unfortunately for me, my boy is about 400 miles away. But I'm not big on Vday. I'd rather feel that lovey dovey shit all year round, ya dig? So I'm kind of skipping Valentine's altogether.

Well, my mom is my Valentine this year. I'm taking her to the city on Monday and having lunch at The Rotunda. Will defs post about it. Will be back Tuesday!

Peaking

I am loving this sneak peak from Design*Sponge of Emily Hensen's home.



I love the idea of framing the tv with other pieces of art. It keeps it from looking too confrontational. I want my tv to blend in.



I will definitely want a chalkboard wall.

Oh, did you catch the books in between the legs of the table? What a cute idea!

Barbie Basics

Via: Nitrolicious

My love for fashion is probably the direct result of my love for Barbies. As you remember from this post, I have a thing for dolls.

Mattel recently introduced a Barbie Basic line, that is bascially a Barbie dressed in a LBD that you can customize with your own personal style. I'm a fan.

To celebrate the launch of the LBD-loving Barbie Basics line, 12 CFDA fashion
and accessories designers, including Isaac Mizrahi, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Roy,
Justin Giunta, Lorraine Schwartz, Alexis Bittar, Monica Botkier, Deborah Lloyd
of Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Albertus Swanepoel, Phillip Crangi and Devi Kroell,
created one-of-a-kind dolls spotlighting their unique points-of-view. Starting
January 28th at 10pm EST through February 7th, these individually styled pieces
of art will be auctioned off on eBay with the entire net proceeds directly
benefiting CFDA education initiatives and scholarship program. The opening bid
begins at $100.