Tartan

Shirt: J.crew (matching skirt here) // Shirt: Banana Republic Factory // Shoes: F21 (swooning over these metallic ones) // Earrings + Necklace: F21 (I simply snipped off the yarn chain) // Ring: Madewell

Cold (+ rainy) weather favorite

It's not hard to associate cold weather and hot cocoa. But hot cocoa itself is way too sweet for my taste. Yesterday a cup of leftover coffee was sitting on the countertop when I was having a hard time gulping down a too-sweet cup of cocoa. The lightbulb went off: Swiss Miss + left over coffee (unsweetened) = just right mocha (my version).

I don't usually like the cold, but I love snuggling with Maru, who doesn't mind it if it's cold.

Stay warm folks who are in the cold part of town!

Chocolate

Trying to pick back up drawing.

I like to pick up "splurging" snacks once a while to reward myself for being good!
Tonight I'm munching on Theo's salted almond 70% chocolate.

Black

Top: Thrifted / Jeans: F21 /  Shoes: Zara (also love this from Zara) / Watch: Citizen (style limited to Asia Pacific region) / Earring: F21 / Purse: MAC cosmetics

In my early teen years, my mom was very against the idea of a kid (me) wearing black. I would pick up a black shirt, and her comment was that "black weighs a person down". Granted that I did not have the most radiant face as a teenager, ugh, those insecure years when hormones went wild and the face was

shining with grease (as opposed to radiance), I see her point that black wasn't my best color.

As an adult, I have learned to embrace black. On a day when I get enough rest (still trying to get more of those days), black definitely helps frame the face and bring out the features, especially in the fall when the complexion gets lighter, I'd like to think of it like the face is radiating in the dark. Heh!

Lemon bars

Ever since I discovered the ease of making pastries and sweets, I have tremendously reduced the urge to buy pre-packaged baked goods (read processed) at the grocery store. Homemade baked goods are so much more fulfilling, natural, and I get to control the amount of sweetness I get, which I'm quite picky about.

Lemon bar is my recent favorites in the kitchen. They give the perfect balance of buttery goodness in the crust and the right amount of tang in the custard part. They also transport very well, and has been a crowd pleaser on those days when I bring them in to my coworkers. A caveat to note when transporting them—If you want them to look pretty with the confectioners sugar on top, you have to bring your sugar and a small strainer along. Sprinkle lemon bar with confectioners sugar over the strainer JUST BEOFRE you serve them. I learned this the sad way, I pre-sprinkled them before I left the house. By the time I took them out for sharing, the pretty sugar has already melted. Don't make the same mistake I did!

I used Ina Garten's recipe, with modifications. For the crust, I used 1/3 cup of sugar; for the custard I used 1 & 3/4 cup sugar. I always reduce the amount of sugar listed on recipes by 30% and it usually comes out perfect to my liking, also less guilt while devouring them. I'll be sure to be making a lot more of these for the parties and gatherings in the holiday season.

Neutral Blocks

T-shirt: J. crew // Skirt: Express (similar) // Shoes: Target 

Sunglasses: Forever 21 // Rings: Madewell (current season's ring set) 

Wallet: J. crew (glittered version) // Nails: Revlon "Timeless"

It was one of those days when nothing I put on felt right. Initially I went with a pencil skirt, too fitted, too uptight (read: not-feeling-the-secretary-look kind of day). Then I saw this dress in the corner of my closet, it's usually reserved for more special occasions, but this time it was screaming to be worn. Well, since I already has a casual top going on, I figured I can indulge a little on the dressy side elsewhere while keeping everything understated. I went for it and got a ton of compliments.

When in doubt, go neutral. Part dressy, part casual.

Biker Chic-k

Leather jacket: hand-me-down from my aunt. Fits perfectly, right? (this minimalist quilted version also rocks)

Dress: H&M (similar)

Booties: Gap Outlet (j.crew's version)

Revlon ‘Timeless’ Nail Polish

So I first wore this dress to my sister's wedding. It's a chiffon material with pleats in 2 tier. The bottom piece would work perfectly for a casual / work (in my case) outfit, but wearing the dress by itself will make me look like I got happy hour on my mind while at the office. This leather jacket comes in handy to offset the daintiness of the dress. Add 2-inch booties. Voila! Someone lend me a bike now.

Grayscale basics

Dress: Zara / Flats: Zara (similar) / Sunglasses: Forever 21 (simliar) / Earrings: Forever 21 (similar) /
Revlon ‘Deeply Chili’ nail polish (discontinued, Vixen is the next closest color)

When it gets boring seeing my straight hair, I reach for my 1.5"-barrel Conair curler. At the current state of my hair, I part my hair in 10 sections for the curl. The curler's surface is quite smooth, so the hair just glides through it no zero pulling. With a little bit of practice, now it only takes me 10 minutes to do my hair, preheat time included. How long is your hair routine in the morning?

Blue Fall Days

Gap denim jacket (simliar) / J. crew tank / ASOS two-piece (only the skirt shown here) / Madewell sandals / Forever21 purse (this tan version looks so polished for fall)

For weather that ranges from the 70s in the morning and up to the 90s midday, layering is the foolproof way to stay comfortable all day long. I like to go for something lightweight for the inner layer, so adding the denim jacket on top does not feel too snug and stuffy. The different texture of these pieces balance each other out, but keeping them all in the same color family of (blue+green) ties them together.

She's a lady

F21 sunglasses and earrings, Gap dress worn as skirt, J.crew factory cardigan, J.crew factory flats, Longchamp bag, Revlon “Elegant” nail polish, Revlon “Pink Pout” lipstick

Happy October! The weather here jumps from a cool Summer to a rare 60s in the morning. This is the perfect season the prolong any summer wear with some quintessential fall pieces. Voila—the cardigan. I love that this cardigan is color-blocked at the waist, the black naturally slims the waistline and who doesn't want that?

On a different note, long before the Longchamp Le Pilage tote gets its super popularity in the past few years, I've always loved this cute wing-shape bag. Back in college, I would swoon over the bag that other girls were wearing, not knowing what brand it was. Now that I have my own tote, I can only say it's the most reached for bag day in and out to work. Needless to say, the style goes with everything. I still adore the leather handle offsetting the nylon bag material. The bag is sure is a workhorse that does not add any extra weight from the bag. Usually it carries a 13-inch Macbook air, a 5"x7" sketchbook, and an occasional DSLR camera,  plus my wallet, phone and make-up bag, all in one bag! I am still amazed by the quality. I do have a selfish thought confession: I just wish there are more bag options out there with similar functionality and price point, so us girls don't have to run into 10 of the same bags when we are at the airport.

Breakfast (or teatime) at Tiffany's

Target dress // Jcrew viv bow flats (sold out, totally swooning over these suede ones) // Maybelline Red Revival Lipstick

I definitely had Audrey Hepburn in my mind when I was thinking of inspiration to put this outfit together. Well, she’s easily my all-time inspiration with her being one of the most timelessly beautiful and stylish women I know of. So I was on my way to work that morning, I received a work invitation titled “Breakfast at Tiffany's” at 3pm. I laughed. But why, did someone just read my mind?

Later that day, I found out that my coworker was just being diligent in following the prompt that Google calendar provides. When you create an event on Google cal, it gives you suggestion like “e.g. 7am Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and he just creatively took the suggestion as is! How funny.

My serendipity with Tiffany did not end there. Later in the week, I received a thank you gift in the form of cookies....from Tiff’s treat. (If you haven’t had their cookies, you are missing out. They are dangerously buttery and rich.). I find it amazing how one little thought can lead to a series of seemingly related event. Next I just need to get to Tiffany for some shopping ;-)

 

Blistered Shishito Peppers

These days, I keep seeing Blistered Shishitos reoccuring on different restaurants' menu. Shishito is a Japanese pepper with a mild flavor, they are not spicy, but rumor has it that 1 in 10 (or 20) peppers is hot. I had these for the first time at Second Bar and Kitchen, and I cannot forget about these goodies!

I found these carried at Korean supermarket seasonally. They are incredibly easy to make. I follow this recipe. To improve on these, I think mine need to be even more blistered to bring out more charred flavor. These are incredibly addictive to snack on!