Are you ready?

[Aww this never got published?]

For the best day ever?!!?

Just went on a long hike with my old roommate along dusty trails, past thick bushes hiding bunnies, in front of a grazing deer, under a sky painted in fading majestic colors, over grassy hills like something from a children's fairytale with capes tied around our necks holding jars of fireflies for light to lead the way, along the small pond that was a potential marriage proposal location, outstretched hands brushing skinny yellow stalks as we walked, on the concrete sidewalks, to the car, over freeways to Sprouts leaving with bags filled with summer corn and other produce, down the street to Target, pushing a shopping cart down the Asian aisle to reach the last key ingredient.

Sweet chilli sauce.

You know where this is going right?

We made Jean's corn salsa.

It takes about a day for the flavors to mingle, get comfortable with each other and start absorbing each others tastes. By tomorrow they will be finishing each other's sentences, indistinguishable, one bowl of awesomeness to accompany lime sea salt tortilla chips.

And it will be the best day ever.
(Although, today was pretty great already.)

Hooray for Thursdays!

I love my local library!(just saying)

Flowers greeting you on the paved path.

The statue of the man eating a hamburger and reading on the bench.

Last year, the library started closing early on Thursdays due to budget issues.

Rushing can be such a pain.

But now, Thursdays are open until 9pm again!

Hooray for new stories all week!
(past 6pm)

About today

Things about today I'd like to forget:

A "good morning" that turned into bickering that later involved a "you drive me crazy" and "why is love a battlefield". How do corny pop lyrics weave themselves into my arguments so seamlessly? How can I ever take keep a serious face with a backstreet boy song being hummed in the back of my brain?

Actually backstreet boys was yesterday.

This is about today.

Maybe I don't want to fight, I just want an opportunity to sing some good ole' 90' s ballads.
I'm in so need of a karaoke night.

Things about today I'd like to remember:

* listening to sound clips from am audio diary of a girl born with cystic fibrosis from teenager years through college- her coughing, upbeat attitude while her parents worried and cried, and her realizations of though she will likely die soon she is alive right now and should just go with the flow right now.

* after years of searching, finally finding a pair of nude patent pumps that spare enough space for my disproportionate extra-large big toes. Yay christian siriano for payless! (I don't normally shop there but they have some impressively comfortable and cute shoes, if you don't mind man made materials)

* hearing a story about george foreman grills being some peoples' kitchen. Especially for low income and homeless people. Then hearing george foreman talk about about growing up hungry in a family of 7 kids. The happiness in his voice when he heard this news. After retiring from boxing he had a hard time making friends so he'd their bbqs. Hearing people compliment his food felt better than winning a boxing match. (My cooking might not be great yet but not everyone has 3 meals a day.)

* the feeling of hooray when I finished reading Genesis. Back on track to reading the bible in a year, except now it's bible in half a year.

* most importantly, next time I wear this dress to work, or anywhere, wear a slip.

Bag Lady Inspiration

 

Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected of places. 

I haven't found a tablecloth that contrasts with white plates without turning the setting too dark. I considered purchasing burlap and cutting it into placemats but that might be to scratchy on the hands. No scratchy scratchy thank you!

 

Image Sources: oliveloafdesign, texturezine

The Bag Lady Papers: The Priceless Experience of Losing It All

 By Alexandra Penney


After purchasing some thick brown packaging paper I almost gave up on all wrapping paper (until I recently realized it is a nice way to get patterns/pretty colors in a banner and other paper crafts, much more economical than scrapbook paper.Brown packaging paper on the table might feel slightly Macaroni Grill, but I LOVE doodling while eating there. Tablecloth for next dinner party has been determined. Thanks Bag Lady!


Actually Alexandra Penney is anything but a bag lady. 

Quite an adventurous life. She spent a year in her twenties living in Europe traveling the continent. Other titles included beauty editor at Glamour magazine, Editor-in-Chief at Self magazine, painter, photographer, professor at FIT, fish mongerer, one of the originators of the Pink Ribbon campaign for breast cancer awareness, author, sexpert. After this book, I am convinced she was Candace Bushnell's inspiration for Carrie Bradshaw. This book was actually about a woman who had invested all her money in Bernie Madoff, lost it ALL when the truth about his Ponzi scheme came to light and confronting her lifelong fear of becoming a bag lady.

One of freelance jobs she picked up after realizing her financial stability had been pulled out from under her amidst the great recession was writing a blog for the daily beast. Link.

You can read most of the book on Google books. Link.

Happy Sausage

Happy Sausage.

What a funny magazine.

I didn't know there were so many things to write about sausages...
...how to incorporate sausages in every meal
...ways to prepare sausage
...various types of salami
...people who make homemade sausage

Published in Hong Kong.

Is it normal to eat a corn dog at 3pm there? Does that constitute an afternoon snack?

Kitty in Taiwanderful

Finally uploaded some pictures from my trip earlier this year.

This is my Ohana.

Happy Friday!

Ready for your closeup?

People do the darnedest things to get on television.
I think it would be interesting to work on a reality tv show,
to see the behind-the-scenes...
all the crew capturing and directing the s
that entertain the rest of us.

Would you ever be on a reality show or news segment?

Asian talk shows are crazy.
There is a always a room filled with enough people to make any fire marshall sweat.
They are always playing games and making celebrities and layman alike do ridiculous things,
all emphasized by silly sound effects.

I walked by this somewhere in Taipei...

Ready for your closeup?

Privet House

New plate set acquired!

I thought I was a modern chic kind of girl and end up with something simple, sleek, with clean lines like my old housemate's square plates. As if they had been folded, a crease made from the center square of the plate to its four corners. Apparently, I am well on my way in the inevitable unconscious process of becoming my mother. Vintage aesthetic rules. Am I only a few years away from bordering my walls with a floral print?

Target is finishing up it's housewares collaboration with Privet House.
I found a great deal on a set of plates, bowls and cups. I probably would have skipped home if I didn't have to drive shop far. Am I embracing this change?

Check out the collection before it's gone.
Privet House, The Shops at Target : Target


Privet House

"A charming Connecticut shop with locations in the sleepy hamlet of Warren in the hills of Litchfield County and in the bustling town of Greenwich in Fairfield County, Privet House bills itself as ‘An Emporium of Home Goods, Antiques and Curiosities’. "

Sounds like the opening to a fairytale or a fabulous adventure. Check out their website.

http://privethouse.com/

Bet You Can't

Bet you can't lick your nose with your tongue.

But 

I know someone who can.

Silly puppy.

Chilewich

For my next event, I'm debating between pulling out the super floral-tastic china (minus tea pot?) my mom gave me years ago as "my future wedding gift" for a tea party or to do a fancy dinner party. FYI, fancy to me doesn't mean foie gras and caviar, it simply means I'm not using paper plates.

My church moved. It is now dangerously close to a shopping center. I am suddenly spending much more time browsing Sur la Table, Crate and Barrel and Z Gallerie. 

I was quite set on a tea party until one Sunday at Sur la Table I chanced to pull out a drawer and meet these cute poppy napkin rings on clearance.

Here is a similar one at Sur La Table. Link.

This was my gateway into the world of table settings. Aiya. I have entered the rabbit hole.

Next, I'd like some place mats. (Mind you, I don't have plates, but perhaps I will probably get there.) 

My criteria: I'd like something that isn't cotton, something I can clean with the swipe of a damp rag.

Perhaps there are other options, but all I can think about is Chilewich. Especially the Dahlia. I'm a bit hesitant at $10 each, but I haven't seen anything else like it. If paired well with contrasting colors, they can be quite stunning. Don't you agree?

Chilewich specializes in modern decor and also makes woven rectangular and square place mats.
You can find their stuff at Sur la Table, Crate and Barrel, and other places.
Or just go to their website: http://www.chilewich.com/

  Source: Pinterest

Friday pick me up

Yes, it's a bit Disney/tween-bop sounding. Ever since the wedding I've had this song stuck in my head. Whenever I need a jolt of energy this song makes me tap my toes and wish I was home so I can jump around and dance full out.

Good Time - Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpfSEZLuWxY

I expect to be blasting this at the movie theatre tonight. Can't wait.

(But if that isn't your thing and would like to start your weekend off by sulking try

Bauhaus- All We Ever Wanted Was Everything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44-OubTdPFE

You can go back to the first song when you're ready.)