Friday, July 30, 2010

Lovely Cakes: Spam Musubi

Even though my grandma is no longer physically with us, I know she was happy that we celebrated my uncle's birthday (3 days after she passed). My uncle loves my mom's spam musubis, so he was thrilled to get this cake. I was exhausted after my first day back to work, so I didn't frost it very well. =/ Stay tuned cause my aunty's birthday is coming up and I plan to make a full on rose bouquet cake (my aunty and grandma love flowers). =)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lovely Cooking: Lime Chicken Soft Tacos


Anyone who knows me well, knows how much I despise chicken (unless battered and fried). But in an effort to eat healthier dinners, my J has stressed the importance of our consuming more chicken dishes...which unfortunately does not include fried chicken.

So I went online and found a recipe for Lime Chicken Soft Tacos on Allrecipes.com. It is fast and easy to make, and surprisingly very yummy. This recipe also has 1,202 reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.



Now, I did make a few substitutions which I think made the recipe a bit different:


  1. Instead of throwing green onions into the mixture while cooking, I opted to top the tacos with fresh cilantro before eating

  2. I omitted the oregano

  3. We did not top the taco with lettuce

  4. I used queso fresco instead of monterey jack cheese

  5. I diced an avocado to include as a taco topping

  6. We squeezed a bit of fresh lime juice on the tacos instead of using salsa

Yes, I realize that I made a lot of changes. But it got me to eat chicken and I definitely plan to make it again and again.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Lovely Weddings: Outfit Dilemma


I bought this dress from Urban Outfitters a few weeks ago and I'm still debating if I should keep it. I was planning to wear it to my cousin's wedding which is coming up later this year, but it's an outdoor wedding and the reception will be at a country club... What do you think? How do I accessorize this to make it a little more casual? Should I return it? HELP...

Lovely Weddings: Awesome Cinematography



... I just saw this  adorable video {click, click!} on Style Me Pretty, and can't stand it! At first I thought it was cheesy, but it's so well-made that I think it is just a fun, silly, and upbeat way to document and remember the happiest day of your life!

{image via Style me Pretty}
check out more videos from the cinematographer's blog here.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Obsessions: Steve Madden Annton


I am strangely drawn to this Steve Madden Annton shoe ($129.95). I like that it's a peep-toe-wedge-oxford-bootie all in one because it hits many of the current shoe trends at the same time without looking absolutely ridiculous. I'm not sure how 'office appropriate' it is though, and that usually is the deciding factor in my shoe purchases. What are your thoughts on this shoe? Do you think it can be toned down with the right outfit to be more office appropriate?

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Lovely Eats: Independence day Indulgences

J came to visit the OC for 4th of July weekend and we (R, M and myself) made sure to take her to some of our favorite places and hopefully help her pack on some much needed poundage. All I can say is I am still trying to un-do the damage from a weekend of incessant girly drinks, greasy food, sugar-loaded desserts, and uncontrolled shopping. Thanks so much for coming up to see us, J! I can't wait for more excuses to drink, eat, and shop my way through another indulgent weekend...

{Javier's at the Irvine Spectrum}

{Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles}

{Happy hour at Charlie Palmer}

{Sunday Brunch at Plum's Cafe in Costa Mesa}

{our rendition of K's Japanese Style Sweet and Sour Salmon - recipe to be posted soon}

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Obsessions: Pouchettes

Love love love these teeny mini bags... they would add a perfect feminine touch to any summer outfit.  There is just one thing holding me back from making a pouchette purchase, where would I put all my stuff?  I'm the type of girl who considers hand sanitizer, a pack of Kleenex, Advil, mini-Swiss Army knife, gum, mints, etc. etc. amongst my absolute purse essentials and may not survive with the space these tiny purses provide!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Lovely Creations: Ruffle White Ts

 J's visit over the 4th of July weekend was the perfect opportunity for us to exercise our creativity with a little craft project that H posted about here (thanks R for picking up all the supplies!).  While we had a slow start, (we probably sat around staring at the plain white men's tshirts for a good 45 minutes before picking up the scissors and making the first cut) I was very impressed with the end product!  It's amazing how different they all look and what you can create with just a simple tshirt and thread. 



{from left to right - J's, M's R's, H's}

{Rebecca Minkoff MAC, H&M necklace, Marc By Marc Jacobs Watch Belt, Joe's Jeans Shorts} 

Monday, July 12, 2010

Lovely Eats: Bow Tie Pasta Salad


Found this recipe randomly online. The name and the simplicity of this recipe makes it quite unappealing, but luckily I gave it a try because it was surprisingly tasty and super easy!

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
1 (6 ounce) package spinach leaves
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces prosciutto, diced
salt and ground black pepper to taste
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts



Directions
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the bow tie pasta and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.

Toss the spinach and basil together in a large bowl. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir the garlic in the hot oil; stir in the prosciutto. Remove from heat. Add to the bowl with the spinach and basil mixture; toss to combine. Pour in the drained pasta and retoss. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and pine nuts to serve.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Lovely Finds: In The Mood

{image courtesy of minkette}

Introducing color-changing nail polish by In the mood.  I am totally in love with this concept and dying to give it a try!  When it comes to nail polish, I am extremely fickle and end up wanting to change the color after only a few days.  My poor nails are suffering from all that nail polish remover.  This cool invention may save my nails and me alot of time spent re-painting my nails!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Lovely Outfits: Old is New



I have just two vintage pieces in my entire wardrobe ~ a waist-cinching belt that I found in my Mom's closet from the 70's, and a brown reptile skin bag I purchased in a vintage shop while on vacation in Florence, Italy. Both are definitely favorites in my wardrobe, especially the belt because of it's rich caramel color and cool buckle.

Today happened to be the day I wore both pieces together. The belt adds shape to my flowy pale-pink dress (from T. Lynn!) and the bag adds some office appropriateness to an otherwise too-frilly outfit. I kept warm in the chilly office with my cardigan (pictured above).

{Dress & Cardigan: To The Max; Shoes: Steve Madden; Bag & Belt: Vintage; Cuff: David Yurman}

Lovely Favorites: Everything's better when it's pink!

 {Essie nail polish in Santa Fe Mauve makes my toes happy!}

{Pinkberry yogurt with a hint of Watermelon - so refreshing & yummy!}


 {Chanel Levres Scintillantes in Giggle - the perfect nude lip color}

 {I absolutely love my Hermes Clic-Clac H Wide Bracelet in Pink Enamel}

{can't go wrong with the classic strawberry flavored Mochilato}

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Lovely Outfits: my Tabitha Dress from Anthropologie



While looking up the clothing brand for this post, I came across this blog and found my new obsession, Tabitha dresses. I know the Tabitha dresses may not be "fashion forward" or edgy, but they're just perfect for me! Easy to wear (no need to rummage through my closet for something to go with my top since it's all one piece!), pretty flattering (cinching at the waist and long and loose at the hips and thigh area... and also loose at the top... haha!), and girly happy (vibrant colors and cute flowery prints)!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Lovely Essentials: Beauty Products


Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation $42

{Seriously the best foundation ever. It doesn't cake or crease, and provides very good coverage}

{I have been using this daily, without fail, for over 13 years! It has become such a part of me that I keep one at home, one in my purse, and one in my desk at work. It would be one of the five items I'd choose to take with me to a deserted island!}


{This mascara is my favorite mascara of all time. I've tried a wide range of mascaras: Diorshow, Shu Uemura, a couple of ones by Clinique, and a variety of ones by Maybelline and Covergirl...but this one is my absolute favorite. It comes off in "tubes" so it doesn't flake or make me have raccoon eyes, and makes my lashes so long! I use a mascara primer first though, so it makes my lashes extra full.}

H20+ Hand and Nail Cream $17 for 8.25 oz.
{Another item I'd choose to take with me to the deserted island. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave that greasy lotion-y feeling on your hands. I'm so addicted, I keep it in my car, purse, by all the sinks in my home, and in my desk at work!}
{Hands down the best concealer ever. Provides such good under-eye coverage and easily covers the most noticeable blemishes. It's so easy to use and although pricey, it lasts a really long time!}



Follow our blog with bloglovin