adding some colors

In interior designing, having a nice piece of artwork is almost like essential.  The only problem is, it's usually pretty expensive, and with the same price tag I can buy nice clothes or shoes.  So as a shopaholic, naturally, I've taken the latter choice in the past.  Luckily, I found these pieces at really reasonable price!  Aren't they so cute?  When I saw these, I thought they were so me, so I snatched them very quickly online.

Our dining area used to be so boring, but it adds some nice touch to it.  Pretty pleased :)

To spice up my not so exciting apartment, I've started taking a flower arrangement lesson as well.  It's on a monthly basis, and it teaches you a variation of how you can arrange pretty flowers.  I have to admit, I'm not so good at it at this point, but it's just been great to be surrounded by flowers.  It totally brighten up the room and I'm quite addicted to it.  These are the last pieces left from the flower arrangement, plus the flower arrangement my boyfriend has given me on Valentine's Day.  I thought my apartment can do better than this, so I added some additional flowers today.

I'm not too happy with the way tulips are arranged right now, but once all petals open up, I'm hoping it may look a bit better, and same goes with lilies.  Just like how I learned from the flower arrangement lesson, maybe I will add mint leaves from my balcony to make the arrangement nicer.  Nonetheless, flowers make me so happy!

best curry

cooked by Le Crueset dutch oven!

I kept the recipe pretty simple, and I only added a few secret ingredients.  But I think the main reason of this success goes to my Le Creuset pot!  I just cooked it for an hour or so and it came out so delicious!  Full of flavors... and naturally after I make a full of curry in a pot, I make this the next day...

Curry casserole! It's so easy to make, yet it's so addictive.  I changed up the white sauce from what I made last time and I think it definitely helped!

With sauteed mushrooms and zucchini in white wine and balsamic vinegar... simple dish can be pretty tasty ;)

status updates

So... I've been totally neglecting this blog for a while.  It's hard enough to keep updating a blog, but I happen to have 2 blogs, which makes it extra difficult!  So I will make it quick, a recap from the President's Day weekend!

@ my first flower arrangement lesson & friend's small birthday party afterwards

Post Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena Half celebration @ Pie 'n Burger in Pasadena

More post half marathon celebration @ Bar Food in West LA

"Too lazy to wear makeup because I'm still sore from running a half marathon" kinda day @ Krispy Kreme

"My boyfriend cooked for me because I was still too sore from running a half marathon" kinda day...

No matter how tired or busy I get, I guess I never forget to eat :)

cozy

I love my bedroom...

I haven't done much after we've settled down in this apartment in June of last year...  The bedroom is still by far my favorite, but I wish if I can hang up a pretty curtain or something...  It's very hard to motivate yourself to go all out on decorating the apartment, when it's just a rental... sigh.

my dream

From Ethan & Allen's

Drool... only if I can live in a house like this :)

simply too much

Dinner of the day: risotto with sausage and spinachi; sauteed seafood and mushroom in curry sauce; miso soup with cabbage and eggs.

As you can see, I made too much risotto last night and my boyfriend and I couldn't really finish it.  Risotto is one of the worst dishes to make too much, because it just tastes soggy and awful the next day... Needless today, I was pretty bummed about it...

spring is here!

 

Yellow cardigan - Club Monaco

Top - From boutique in NYC

Jeans - Genetic Denim

Sandals - Dolce & Gabbana 

As you can see, I took these pictures after I removed all my jewelries once I got home, so it's a jewelry-less outfit!  It was a gorgeous day here in LA, and I already start wearing my summer sandals in February!!!  The color combination is pretty bright for me too, but with this gorgeous, warm weather I kinda like it!

miso dinner

Dinner of the day: sauteed pork with lotus roots, onions, and mushrooms in yuzu-kosho; peppers, celery, and scallions quickly heated with miso and sake; Japanese cucumbers marinated in miso, soy sauce and la-yu; white rice; miso soup with tofu and shimeji mushrooms.

Now that I write about what I cooked today, it sounds like a lot of miso!  Surprisingly you don't feel it as much, because they are all cooked differently.  I'm originally from the area called Nagoya, where it's known for the use of miso in the cuisine, and I guess I'm no exceptions!

cape cardigan

Cape cardigan - LNA

Lace top - no brand from Japan

Cropped pants - BCBG Maxzaria

Pumps - Giuseppe Zanotti

Accessories - Tiffany necklaces & rings, Burberry watch, vintage ring

It's awkward enough to take a picture of yourself in the mirror, but this cardigan has made the experience even more awkward lol.  It looks pretty funky in these pictures, but it just has a very relaxed fit and looks beautiful from the back.  I love all my pieces here but they are all relatively old.  I'm like dying to go shopping and get more clothing, but I'm planning to buy a big investment piece (in fashion) next month, so I really have to stay strong about this...  Can't wait to share when I get it, but until then, I will just keep wearing old clothes...

digging through my closet

Cardigan - Banana Republic

Top - Uniqlo

Jeans - Genetic Denim

Belt - Gap

Leather jacket - Topshop

Boots - Jeffrey Campbell

Bag - Cole Haan

Accessories - Michael Kors watch, Tiffany necklace & rings

Compare to my shoe collection that I'm somewhat proud of (you know girls can never have too many designer shoes and my collection is still growing), I have very few handbags, total of 5 to be exact.  So you would think I'd be using all of them equally considering I only own 5 bags.  Unfortunately, I'm quite obsessed with my Botkier and Rebecca Minkoff bags, I've totally forgotten about this one.  Poor Cole Haan.  I bought this girl back in NY, when I thought spending $200+ on bag was enough.  Oh how much have I changed... but she's still very cute :)

sunday brunch

@ Jar Restaurant

It's been a while since we were here last time, but nonetheless, I was very pleased with this restaurant once again.  Coincidentally, we were seated at the same seat we sat last time, and it made me feel a bit nostalgic.  A lot has happened since.  Food was great, as well as its customer service.  The Lobster Benedict I ordered was superb, but the chopped salad was even more impressive!  If this restaurant was located somewhat closer to Santa Monica and if it wasn't so expensive, we would definitely go there more often :) 

Jar Restaurant
8225 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-6566

www.thejar.com