Safari in the city

Banana Republic Safari dress (similar in yellow, on sale!) / Nine West sandals (this is even more versatile) / Tote bag via design conference / Forever 21 sunglasses / Forever 21 earrings / Madewell stacked rings (sold out, but similar) & Southwestern ring / Tissot watch / Nails Revlon Sheer Pink

Bling in the rain

J. crew vintage tee / Forever21 Military Jacket (old, similar from Macy's) / J. crew factory floral fringe necklace, on sale now / Forever21 jeans / Madewell patent flats (also love this holepunch version & fall version in suede) / Zara umbrella

Meet Maru (first seen here). He is my 5 year-old Shih Tzu who came home with me since he was 3 months old. He is the most skiddish pup who has the biggest personality at home. When we are outside, he loves being held so he feels secure. He’s the happiest when he’s running on “his” lawn. Just watch him smile! A lot of people asked me what his name means. It is a Japanese word meaning round, ball, or completeness. To me, he is total fluff ball who is completely perfect.

Since he’s so photogenic I thought I’d make him my guest model on this blog. Be sure to see him again very soon. Maru is wearing harness by puppia in brown because he pulls on the leash. The harness distributes the pressure evening across his chest, it helps to avoid him choking himself over his collar while he pulls (this little guy is strong). It also calls out his boyhood because he tends to be called a “she” regardless.

Beer barbeque chicken

As the work week progresses, I tend to get less disciplined with meal planning. Needless to say, by Saturday morning, the dreaded question of “What's for lunch?” comes up. My Saturdays are mostly "chore" days, being able to have lunch at home really lets me work the day more productively without doing a lot of extra driving and lingering at restaurant (slow eater!). One saturday morning, I did a little googling on chicken recipe, and found this recipe. I opened the fridge: drumsticks, dark beer, thyme, whole grain mustard and some lemons. Just what I needed. How perfect!

I did some modifications based on what I had: Mexico dark beer instead of German beer, using a grill pan instead of a charcoal grill. It turned out to be some very juicy flavorful chicken I’ve made in a while. I really enjoy that tanginess and the hint of beer. Totally worth giving it a try.

 To go with the chicken, I whipped up a quick beet and spinach salad to go with it.

Pho Elize

 

Madewell blouse (similar in white) / J. crew shorts / Madewell satchel (also in brown) / Madewell sandals / Nail Polish Revlon Charming

Elizabeth Street Cafe (check out their cute website!) is a French Vietnamese cafe here in Austin, it has the cutest everything from interior decor, patio, menu, website... all the way to its signage. I discovered this gem through my friend Sam. She introduced me to their papaya salad and pistachio macarons. Both are wonderful selections! I personally dig their iced jasmine tea and cream puffs. They also serve vietnamese sandwiches (bun mee) and rice noodles (pho, sounds like “fa”).  This place makes me want to visit Vietnam and its unique beauty and French-influenced colonial culture.