swag.haven

Raise your glass.

2011-10-16T21:28:00.000-05:00

The past few months have been full of great trips. I've gotten to see so many of my favorite faces and feel incredibly lucky to have such lovely people in my life. As always, my trips were very food focused and I must say, my tummy was quite happy.

Mini recap of a couple of my trips:

Chicago.

Yes, she's wearing panties under there. :)

Seattle.

Best seafood bisque chowder EVER.

This spread was in a grocery store!

To more adventures...

Lucky lucky.

2011-08-27T16:51:00.000-05:00

Following a work trip to the city, I had the pleasure of spending an extended weekend in NYC with the amazing Brandy+Andy, who always spoil me with grand food adventures every time I'm in town.

Cocoron Soba. Now this is soul food.

Two attempts and a long wait later, we finally made it into The Meatball Shop. Completely worth the wait!

The Meatball Shop's fresh ice cream sandwiches!

Joe Shanghai's soup dumplings! I loooooove this stuff!

Bau Haus pork buns. Little morsels of deliciousness.

Bau Haus chicken and tofu buns.

Pistachio cupcakes.

We were hoping and praying to get in to see McQueen's exhibit. Unfortunately, the line was wrapped around blocks and blocks. 10+ hour wait... insanity.

Oh how I love this city.

Summer lovin'.

2011-07-09T18:18:00.000-05:00

Dancing on air.

A nice, summer day strolling at the Art Fair on the Square... This was, by far, the coolest display there.

Summer summer summertime. Love it.

Solitude, tonight.

2011-03-12T21:26:00.000-06:00

... and I'm back from hibernation.

Work's been busy and winter has been brutal. It's safe to say that I have gotten much tougher when it comes to dealing with freezing cold weather. The transition from South Carolina's mild winter to Wisconsin's snow and blizzards was a smack in the face. But yes, I survived! It's March and it's still snowing... but, the temperature is slowly creeping into the 30s and 40s, which means Spring is somewhere around the corner. I hear we'll still get the random, freak snowfall through April but I am so unbelievable anxious for Spring weather to be here! Hibernation is no bueno for the waistline, no bueno at all.

And, the Lunch Chronicles continue...

I've been on several trips the last few months of work, but fail miserably at documenting my adventures. I was, however, able to sneak in a few hours of site-seeing (well, more like randomly wandering) in Philly during my trip a little over a month ago.

The view from my hotel room: Philly City Hall

Liberty Bell

A real Philly cheesesteak! Geno's cheese whiz wit.

Smoke salmon tapa and dessert... I can't seem to remember from where.

Unfortunately, I didn't snap any pictures of the deliciousness from my trip to NYC except for one...

Smores cupcake from ChicaLicious (I think?)

Mmk, back to curling up in my Snuggie. :)

Good love, hood love.

2010-11-20T11:32:00.000-06:00

A big thank you to my favorite New Yorkers B+A for all of the deliciousness experienced the last few days. New York is such a great city. There's a certain energy that pumps through the city that is just so contagious. Love love love. I can't wait for my return in February. There is just so much to see, do and EAT!!

Sadly my phone's battery was close to death every night, so I don't have pictures of all the goodies. The few I have will have to do. Some notable dishes not pictured: B's truffle mac&cheese // A's bacon wrapped cornish game hen.

bisousciao macarons. Sooo yummy! And incredibly cute packaging.

(Pumpkin Pie, Spiced Chai, Pistachio, and Sour Cherry)

Talk about presentation! Miso Duck.

The famous BauHaus! I had the pork belly steamed bun. Freakin' unbelievable... like biting into a little piece of Heaven.

Good trip, good trip indeed. I'm already making a mental note of all of the places to try on my next trip. Can't wait! Love y'all B+A!

Easy come, easy go. That's just how you live.

2010-11-12T22:11:00.002-06:00

It's going to be a busy winter! I'm hopping on a jet plane this Tuesday and heading to the big city for work. I am so uber happy my customer is in NYC. I got super lucky with this one! I've got lots and lots of work trips coming up in the next couple of months--NYC, Portland, Dallas, Philly, NYC again--along with a trip Denver to see the sister and the kiddies for Thanksgiving. I looooooove traveling. This job is awesome! I am so grateful to be where I am right now. It amazes me to think of how much has changed since this time last year. It's unbelievable. If I've learned anything from the recent happenings, it's that life is fragile and uncertain. It's up to each and every one of us to make life all that it can be. MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Yes, make it happen.

And the Lunch Chronicles continue with more of the deliciousness I am spoiled with every day at work...

Cajun Catfish / Red Bean Salad

Pot Roast / Roasted Potatoes, Onions, Celery and Carrots / Cauliflower Puree

Stuffed Poblano Pepper

Life is good.

It goes on and on and on and on...

2010-10-24T09:04:00.000-05:00

Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" always makes me smile... and tap my feet. Love it.

It's getting cold here in Madison, WI and it's safe to say that I was not made for the cold. Winter is going to be a slap in the face for me this year. Oh how I miss the South Carolina sun. Everyone tells me to go to The NorthFace and just buy up the store of all my winter needs. I just may have to. Normal coats aren't going to cut it against the Wisconsin cold.

In other news, I've been staffed to a customer in NYC! I'm so uber excited. Just the thought of going back to New York City makes me giddy. I wish they'd hurry and plan a trip on-site already. I'm getting anxious! But for now, well today actually, I'm heading to Minnesota for a few days as support. I've never been to Minnesota, though I'm told I'll be in a dinky little town. Oh well, I'm happy to get to travel... even little towns have their charm.

And now, the compilation of meals I've had over the last month. I didn't realize it until after I looked at the pictures, but it's been a fairly carb-heavy month for me. I guess I'm getting ready for the cold and hibernation. Lol. But nonetheless, deliciousness. Apologies if a few photos are blurry. In my excitement to eat, I sometimes hastened the picture-taking process and didn't allow the camera to focus.

Moroccan Chicken with CousCous

Braised Short Rib with Polenta and Balsamic Salad

Fancy Sausage Mac & Cheese

Beef Brisket, Beans and Texas Toast

Sage Brown Butter Sauteed Butternut Squash Ravioli over Greens

Breakfast Burger... Beef, Bacon, Hashbrowns and Fried Egg

Paella Soup

Beef Stroganoff

Fried Crusted Goat Cheese Salad

Honey Almond Crunch Gelato!

Yes, the cafeteria at work is amazing. My only request is that they incorporate some southern goodies into the menu... shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, etc. I've also been craving crawfish like mad, I want some!!!

So Iron Cupcake Milwaukee (like Iron Chef but with cupcakes) decided to make their way to Madison to put on Iron Cupcake Madison and I, of course, would not allow myself to miss such an event. The theme was "coffee" and I must say it was one delicious event. I hear they're going to make it a monthly event here in Madison. Let's hope so!

Iron Cupcake Madison

My adorable little nephew Preston is a contestant in this year's BabyGap/GapKids Casting Call! Please help and vote for him once a day, everyday! Click Here to Vote for Preston!!

All right, time to start packing. Then I have a nice five hour drive to Minnesota ahead of me. Geez louise. Have a happy Sunday everyone!

On the streets kicking rocks, circling the same block.

2010-09-20T18:48:00.000-05:00

I've had this song playing for days. It's so cute. Bruno Mars - Somewhere in Brooklyn

College football is upon us and I lllooooovvveee it! My Gamecocks have been beasting it and I am uber proud of my boys! Go Gamecocks!!!

Life pretty much revolves around work and college football these days. I wish I had more to report, but football = love. I can't wait for October to roll around for the NBA to start up again. Football and basketball?! I may just explode with excitement!

I went on a major shopping haul recently. Unfortunately, I have no one to help me document the ensembles. I got some goooooood stuff, I assure you. I'll have to figure out some way to show the goods. Which reminds me, I still need to upgrade to an acceptable SLR camera. Note to self: Get on that. Oh, also note to self: Find a better shoe storage solution. My room looks like a shoe store exploded. My exorbitant amount of shoes has taken over its designated area. What is a good way to organize and store 50-ish pairs of shoes, heels, boots, flats, etc? Hrmm. I knew this shoe obsession would cause me hassle one day. Lol. And to think, I left a good chunk of my shoe collection back at mum's house. I'd be living in a shoe jungle otherwise.

More documentation of the deliciousness I am spoiled with every day at lunch...

Seared salmon (with some sort of ginger sauce) // Greens & Celery Salad

Well, that made me hungry. Dinner time! Toodaloo.

Frolic and play and dream and dance.

2010-09-08T18:33:00.001-05:00

It's starting to get colddddd here in Madison! I feel completely unprepared for the weather that is about to ensue. It was in the 40s the other morning and I darn near froze to death walking outside. I'm told it'll get about 70 degrees colder than that... 70 degrees COLDER?! What??! My wardrobe is utterly ill-equipped for an intense winter's weather. Y'all know what that means? Time to shop! :) I did pick up a sweater and jacket this weekend in preparation for the coming cold, but I think my closet definitely could use a dozen more sweaters, a handful of long sleeved anything and some thermals... lots and lots of thermals! I'm actually starting to get scared... this winter is going to be a major shock to my body. Oh South Carolina, how you spoiled me with your sunshine. I must say, however, it is super nice to be away from that intense Southern humidity. I guess it's a give and take. I just hope I make it through winter without becoming a popsicle!

Even with the cold weather beating me to pieces... I still can't stay away from the homemade gelato at work every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hehe. ;)

As usual, work is spoiling me with meals I am utterly amazed at. Lunch is the most exciting part of my day, every day. I've even made friends with the culinary folks... they see me coming from a mile away. I'm the giddy little girl, uber excited to see all the deliciousness being offered.

Fennel-crusted pork tenderloin over couscous // Walnut & goat cheese salad

Chicken breast with roasted veggies, a blackberry (?) sauce and kale chips... Kale chips = DELICOUS!

Pork, rice and mole... Y'all wouldn't believe the calorie count on this one if I told y'all. It's was uhh... a lot.

You all may have noticed a little red dollop of something in all of these pictures... it's Sirarcha! Lol. Being the ridiculous little Asian that I am, I put hot sauce on the side of everything. I can't help it, I just love that stuff.

(By the way, all these pictures were taken with the new love of my life... my Droid X! Amazing quality, right? I love this thing so much. I think I'm starting to form an unhealthy attachment to it!)

Half way through the week. Yay! I can't wait for this weekend. S. Carolina v UGA this Saturday! So excited, can't wait to see my boys kick some Bull Dawg behind! GO Gamecocks!!! Man, I love football season. :D

All I ask of you.

2010-08-30T18:49:00.000-05:00

So it's been about a month since I moved to Madison (yes, Wisconsin) and I am lovingggggg it so far. I know, who in a million years would have imagined me moving to Wisconsin? Madison is such a great town. It is definitely, 100% a college town but with tons of culture and quirk.

With the new town comes the new job, and I must say, I still wonder how I got so lucky to end up with this gig. The culture is uber awesome and the campus is beautiful. But the absolute BEST part of going to work everyday is LUNCH. The food is amazing. Today's feast...

Porcini Crusted Tofu over Couscous & Walnut Spinach Pesto // Tomato, Herb & Balsamic Salad

I know. They spoil us. I can't believe I eat this kind of thing everyday... and it's all super inexpensive.

In other news, I finally upgraded my piece of junk phone for a beautiful new Droid X which happens to house a beautiful HD camera so I promise to document all the deliciousness. No excuses this time! My new Droid X also gave me the nudge to join the Twitter train... follow me @haleythu =)

Oh, Carolina football starts in 3 days!! Let's get it, boys!

And the World is Our CandyLand.

2010-07-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

For my dear friend Janna's birthday, we spent the day decorating cupcakes! We love it. It's soooooo much fun spending hours just letting out your creative juices and making adorable little morsels of goodness.

My pride and joy from today's batch of cupcakes...

Fortune Cookie Cupcake.

(The fortune cookies are made out of caramel squares and the chopsticks are actually Pocky sticks! For the fortune cookies, simply roll out a caramel square into a flat circle. Fold the circle into a half circle, then fold it one more time meeting the two ends. Don't they look like real fortune cookies? Hehe. Love it!)

Rubber Ducky Cupcake.

(Ice a cupcake with white frosting. Use a donut hole for the head and place on one side of the cupcake. Use a Pocky stick or pretzel stick to keep the donut hole in place. For the tail, cut a marshmallow diagonally and place it on the other end of the cupcake opposite the donut hole with the pointy side up. Apply a thin layer of white frosting over the donut hole and marshmallow. In a shallow bowl, melt white frosting in the microwave--nuke it a few seconds til runny--and add in yellow food coloring. Hold onto the cupcake liner, flip the cupcake upside down and dunk it into the yellow, melted frosting. This part is tricky, be gentle and make sure the entire top gets coated. Be sure to let the excess yellow frosting drip off before turning the cupcake upright again. For the beak, use an orange Starburst or orange fondant, with green Laffy Taffy or Starbust as the leaf inside the beak. The eyes are just M&Ms held in place with white frosting.)

Be sure to do all this in a cool room. The extreme Southern heat made it all a little more difficult to mold, frost, ice, etc.

What a fun day! I'm definitely going to miss my amazing SC gal pals. Oh, by the way, I move to Madison, WI in two days. =O What a change! But I'm definitely excited for the new job and a new city to ~~conquer~~ explore. ;)

L is for the way you look at me.

2010-07-13T17:53:00.000-05:00

There are some couples who you know have 'it.' The kind of love that warms your heart and makes you want to say, "Aww" every time you see them together. Hung & Thu definitely have 'it.' The wedding was absolutely breathtaking, and seeing the two of them on their happy day was amazing. Congrats again!

(Photos taken from my cousins Ei and Nghi; I need to upgrade to a DSLR soon, I feel so technologically behind.)

Hung & Thu

7.10.2010

So in love.
Beautiful.

Where the Green Grass Grows

2010-06-23T23:56:00.001-05:00

Please don't hate me. I know I've been incredibly absent... downright neglectful! Apologies. Unfortunately, I can't share with y'all all of the deliciousness of the summer so far since my laptop decided to crash out on me. Once I get all of my programs back, I promise to share all of summer's goodies.

Favorite summer buys so far: super cute, 'in-yo-face' owl necklace & a pair of L.A.M.B stilettos on CLEARANCE (steal of the week!)

I've been back at home in SC for a few weeks now, thoroughly enjoying being around the gals and the bro. I didn't realize just how much I missed them all. This summer has definitely been all about having a good time. Much needed FUN.

I think this picture captures the summertime essence quite nicely. Laughs all around.

Exciting few weeks ahead... all culminating in my move. Yes, another move. But this one, I'm super excited for! =D Woooot Woooot!

Nomad's Land

2010-05-15T00:30:00.001-05:00

In my nomadic fashion, I've been roaming quite a bit these past few weeks. In the last month, I've been to:

Atlanta, GA

Athens, GA

Columbia, SC

Charleston, SC

Jacksonville, FL

Gainesville, FL

Orlando, FL

West Palm Beach, FL

Biloxi, MS

Mobile, AL

Yes... that's just been this past month! It's been a busy traveling month filled with hours of driving, endless laughs with incredible friends, spreads upon spreads of delicious food and a bank of new memories to cherish. My time down here in Florida and the gulf coast area will be ending in a week or so, and although I am SOOO very ready to leave, I can't help but say that this place--moreso the people of this place--have stolen a piece of my heart. To those who have touched my heart, thank you. [I know, I'm a big marshmallow.]

And the adventures begin... Unfortunately I didn't do any paparazzi justice and neglected to have my camera charged and ready on my travels. But here is what I've got.

South Carolina

Tried and true. Galbi from O-Bok... must stop whenever in Columbia.

I love yogurt. I mean LOOOVE. Yogen-Fruz, the smiley face is such a cute touch.

Tempura fish topped with artificial crab, spicy mayo and eel sauce from Tsunami.

Dinner with my fav gal pals outfit. H&M blazer, Elle skirt, Love Culture sheer top, Colin Stuart shoes.

Orlando, FL

Having lived in places with no dim sum for the past, err, 4 years... Every visit to a big city calls for a trip to submerge myself in the deliciousness that is dim sum. =D

Turnip cake dim sum.

Salt & Pepper Squid. A classic favorite.

Dim sum spread at Ming's Bistro (?). I think that was its name... ah, my old mind fails me. =T

Time to PLAY!!

I can't even remember the last time I've been to an amusement park prior to this trip. There's something about the thrill and anxiety of high speeds and fast turns that just makes roller coasters just so much fun. Oh, and there were absolutely NO lines on the day of our visit so we were on rides galore! Yay!

Surf's up, duuuuude!

I just had to. =D Toooooon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure.

Gainesville, FL (Better known as: Gator Nation)

Being a Gamecock in Gator Nation was, well, a bit intimidating. Sitting in The Swamp, surrounded by orange and blue felt incredibly odd... I just wanted to go around and spread some Garnet & Black around. =D

Salmon Salad at Peach Valley Cafe.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad.

Western omelet with country potatoes.

West Palm Beach, FL

Off to WPB to celebrate the graduation of my absolute favorite Gator ever, Diana. We were spoiled with a feast! Thank you soooooooo much for hosting us! Oh, and for feeding us so very, very well!

Vietnamese classics.

Goi! I loooooooooove goi. (Vietnamese shrimp salad.)

Happy.

You can't go to West Palm and not hit up the beach. I am happy to say, I am quite sun-kissed... a summertime must.

I know, I know... I've been slacking on the picture snapping, outfit documenting and updates posting. I swear, I'm trying! =D

Thank you to my loves, Pamela and Diana. Y'all made my time in Florida/Alabama more than worth it. 'til our next reunion! <3 "With great friends, every moment is a good one."

Where to next, you ask? I have not a clue. Life is an epic tale, we follow as it unfolds.

Let's Get Lost

2010-04-09T04:28:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you have to get lost before you can find your way again. I think I'm ready to get lost. I've always been on this straight and narrow path, believing I knew where I was going. Recently, I've come to realize I may not be headed in the right direction. And though I've always been one to plan with precision, making certain I knew which turns to take, I think I'm ready to forget directions and get lost. I think it'll be good for me.

BCBG silk pants, Love Culture sheer tee, Marc by MJ shades.

I took a one day trip to Biloxi, MS to meet up with some fellow Gamecock alumni for some fun. I was hoping Lady Luck would be on my side, but apparently she decided to steer clear of me. Sad. It was great to see some familiar faces again, even if it was just for a few hours.

I took a left.

Imperial Palace Casino Resort & Spa. Biloxi is an interesting place. It has nothing, yet everything at the same time.

Not quite Vegas, but hey, we ARE in Mississippi.

IP's buffet was great and quite filling (as with most casino buffets), but for me, the best meal of the day was during our quick stop at this little Vietnamese restaurant for a light meal to hold us over until the dinner buffet. I was more than delighted to see an array of chao (rice porridge) on the menu. Most restaurants don't bother to have such a simple dish on their menu. For me, it was just the bowl of comfort food I needed to make me feel like being home at mum's again.

Chao & Goi Vit (Rice Porridge with Duck salad) from Kim Long Restaurant. Love.

P.S. My back has been killing me more than usual lately. Is this the universe's way of telling me I'm getting old? =)

Too Much Juice

2010-04-02T03:44:00.001-05:00

After nearly a month, I finally had a weekend off so some uber special visitors came to town and we had ourselves a little weekend tour of the Panhandle. Pensacola, Destin, and Mobile... a nice little weekend spent just laughing with good friends and doing a whole lot of nothing. The best moments come naturally and this past weekend definitely had its moments. The weekend of inappropriate comments, as it was dubbed, was a good one.

In Mobile, AL we went to a flower festival and, of course, my favorite part was seeing the floral fashions that ensued... Dresses made of flowers!

I wonder if it itches on. =T

Flapper-esque.

The piece-de-resistance!

And, of course, there were some super pretty flowers...

I love the hint of yellow in the centers.

Some other cools pieces...

Alice in Wonderland!

The Velvetine Rabbit. A classic.

Cute little figurines we saw. I don't know why but I like these... they remind me of old, Vietnamese men lounging around in their nong la.

While most see a rooster, I see a Gamecock. Go Carolina! U-S-C Goooo Cocks!

And, of course, the eats...

In Destin, FL.

Jim 'N Nick's cheese biscuits... OMFG. It was unanimous. These were the best damn biscuits EVER. Word.

Banana Dock Cafe in Mobile, AL...

I can't remember what these were called... Not 'Eggs Benedict' but something very similar, except this included a slice of tomato and some sort of translucent brown sauce.

Diana's salad with strawberry bread!

You can't live near the Gulf and not eat crawfish! Mmm! Nice and spicy, just the way I like 'em!

April proves to be a busy month. Biloxi, Mobile, Georgia and then FINALLY home to South Carolina... I think. My travel plans are always swift to change, but regardless, this will surely be a fun traveling month.

I have so many new additions to my closet, yet I've realized the steady decline in my fashion focused posts. I do apologize. I promise to share all of my new goodies with y'all soon. I definitely can't wait to rock those Eryn Brinie petal shorts from my NYC trip... the beautiful weather these days surely do permit. =)

Concrete Jungle

2010-03-21T13:47:00.005-05:00

New York City, I love you.

I've been living in a small town for so long now that every time I visit a big city, especially THE big city, I always feel like life is being pumped back into me. I absolutely love NYC, there is just so much to do and see. There is so much of LIFE going on around you, wherever you are in the city. Love it, love it, love it!

I had a super short 1.5 day stint in NYC and, of course, that meant eating and absorbing everything I could before my departure. Thanks to Brandy and Andy, my resident New Yorkers, for everything! Love y'all!

Now, the eats...

Every NYC visit entails a trip to Pinkberry. My fav! They now have these cute "Mini" cups. Adorable and the perfect size when you want just a little pick-me-up. Oh, and the new cheesecake bites topping is a winner.

Lunch time at Baoguette.

Banh mi.

Sticky rice with chicken and Chinese sausage. I love lap xuong.

With food in our happy bellies, it was time to wander and shop. I snagged an awesome pair of petal shorts from Eryn Brinie plus some trousers at a steal for $29! Some pieces to look forward to in future posts! =) Amidst the wandering, we stopped at Baked by Melissa, operating out of a small window on the side of a street. It was adorable.

Such cute packaging.

Teeny tiny morsels of baked goodness. $5.50 for 6 mini cupcakes. Entrepreneurial geniuses, I say.

Dinner time...

TaiSho for some yaki-tori. This place was PACKED to the brim. Mind you, it was a Tuesday night. NYC... this city seriously never sleeps. And I love it!

Hello, Mr. Tuna. You were delicious.

Shrimp in some sort of mustard mayo sauce. Abso-too-da-lutely one of my favorites.

Spicy tuna. A classic good eats.

Yaki udon.

Noodles, seaweed, asparagus, some sort of mayo cream sauce? Who knows, but it was goooood!

Half a day left... More eats, of course.

Republic. Very cool noodle house.

The artwork on the walls all comprise of noodles. How fitting.

On the menu: Curry Duck Noodles, Wonton Noodle Soup, Green Papaya & Mango Salad. Happy campers, indeed.

And for dessert...

Crumbs Bake Shop. We went with the classic Red Velvet. Uber moist and delicious. Not to mention... huuuuuuuuuge. =]

Now, the whole purpose of this visit wasn't just to EAT... Although, for me, it was a rather important element of the entire trip. Hehe. The trip was for an interview-an interview that, I hope, will allow me to leave this small town and relocate to the big city for good. No word yet, but I'm hoping a space for me will open up soon enough. *fingers crossed* Either way, at least I got a free trip to NYC. =)

Interview outift. Robert Rodriguez silk pants, H&M blazer, Brandy Pham 'Tie Yourself a Bow' halter top.

P.S. I woke up with back pain yesterday. Yesterday also just so happened to be the day of my double deuce birthday. Coincidence? I think not! I'm getting OLD! =O Haha. I kid, I kid.

Filling the Glass

2010-03-06T16:23:00.003-06:00

Babies and food... that pretty much sums up my week's vacation. 3 days in Denver and 4 days in Austin... all focused around the little munchkins and some deeeeliciousness. No complaints here. A quiet week lazying around was exactly what I needed. =)

Everytime I go to Denver, I always insist on eating at New Saigon. Luckily my sister obliged and we headed to New Saigon for a sisterly lunch. It was even better than usual since I've been a bit deprived of super good Vietnamese food.

Goi and shrimp chips! I looooove goi. Any type of goi! What do you call goi in English? Not sure... I just know it's goooooooood. =)

My favorite at New Saigon. All of this deliciousness if brought to you along with spring roll wrappers, noodles and veggies galore. Pick and choose what you want in your spring roll and roll on!

They grow up so fast... ah, I feel old! Lol.

There is nothing more precious than seeing a mom with her daughter. Such beauties.

Can y'all believe how grown Alex is now? I still remember when he was a tiny little thing with chubby cheeks slobbering all over the place. Oh how time flies...

Then it was off to Austin. What else would I do on a Sunday in Austin but head to dim sum? Classic. The bro-binos and I headed to New Fortune for dim sum while mum made her rounds at the Asian store. Ah, just like childhood... I miss those days.

Dinner time...

Very cool bar. I like the soldiers.

Peppercorn tuna... Mmmm.

It's tradition. Hah.

Everything's bigger in Texas... even the alcohol bottles. Look at them in comparison to those cups and carafes. HUGE.

We celebrated my birthday a smidgen early... Only a couple of weeks left of being 21! Oh, my youth is slipping awayyyyyyyyy. Hehe.

Now, the main reason for this trip was, of course, to see the new addition to the family. He's adorable. Down right precious! Say "Hello" to Preston...

"Look, there's a baby in a basket!"

Daddy and first-born. Love it.

Great vacation. Now, back on the grind. This month is an exciting month for me. Opportunity awaits... Pray for me come March 16-17th. BIG things are in the midst!

Oh, I snatched up some awesome goods during my trip, including a fiya pair of boots and what could be the closest thing I've seen to the perfect pair of pants. I shall share them with y'all later!

Everybody Knows, Nobody Really Knows

2010-03-03T00:07:00.003-06:00

It's just after midnight here in Austin and tonight is the very last night of my relaxing vacation. Everyone, including the most precious little newborn on Earth, is asleep and the house is quiet except for what sounds like the TV coming from broham's room. I like these quiet moments, especially this one. I get to reflect on this past week's super chill vacation and browse through pictures of my adorable nieces and nephews. It really is an amazing feeling, looking into the eyes of these little kiddies. I can't even begin to explain the magnitude of love I feel when I play and spend time with them. It's this kind of feeling that makes me realize the truly important things in life.

It's so easy to get swept away by the ups and downs of life. Sometimes, we feel as though we're lost, just wandering... wondering if the light at the end of the tunnel will ever come aflame. Just remember, all these ups and downs, these feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness, they're all temporary. In the grand scheme of things, they are merely a paragraph or chapter of an unfolding tale. These past few weeks, this past week in particular, have taught me that life is what you make it. If you want a change, be the change. If you find yourself in chaos, be the order. Life is a gift. It is sometimes difficult, at times unbearable, but always a gift. I think we all need a friendly reminder sometimes.

The newest love of my life. My heart melts every time I look at him.

My sister, her mom, says she's just like me, personality, swagger, all of it--just pint sized. Hehe.

"She is full of energy, loud, super silly and talks a lot, with a hard head and at times incredibly stubborn... just like YOU." Hah. I can't argue with that. (I'm working on the whole hard-headed and stubborn thing, I swear.)

More pictures of the little munchkins when I get back home, plus shots of the deliciousness I've consumed while out here. 'til then!

I am; therefore, I will.

2010-02-21T19:11:00.002-06:00

Since I had to work on Valentine's Day, the roommate and I had a pre-Vday dinner at Global Grill in downtown Pensacola. I was super excited about this meal. Why you ask? Well, upon my arrival in Pensacola, I wasted no time in researching the best places for a meal. To my delight, Global Grill popped up as the #1 recommendation on TripAdvisor... so I just HAD to put it on my list of places to hit during my time here. I perused the menu (mainly tapas with a few main entrees) ahead of time and knew I was in for a treat. When we arrived, the restaurant was completely booked, so we had a seat at the full service bar and enjoyed our meal from there with a nice glass of wine. The service was amazing and so was the food! Definitely a place to try if you're ever in the Pensacola area.

Quite cozy. The restaurant is narrow, but long with tables running front to back, a bar to the right and super cool artwork on the walls.

My country heart required that I try the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese... MMm!

Fried crab with Asian slaw and sesame rice ball. REALLY good... like, REALLY REALLY good.

Our entree... Seared tuna steak with fried asparagus and mashed potatoes. Amazing!

Unfortunately my camera couldn't capture the lamb lollipops... every stinking picture I shot turned out incredibly fuzzy. I really need to sit down and figure out the functions on that thing one of these days. =]

In other news...

I've got quite a week ahead of me. A few more days of work then... vacation time! Woo! It'll be a multi-city trip for me this time: Denver and Austin to visit the siblings and the little loves of my life including my brand new cute-as-a-button nephew, Preston! Ahhh, I love my babies. I will be sure to play paparazzi and share their darling little faces with you all upon my return. And what could make things even better?! Denver and Austin are home to some BOMB fooooooood! =D So excited!

My time in Pensacola is nearing its end soon also, I'm just not sure exactly when that end will be and where my next destination will be. It's quite nerve wrecking waiting and not knowing what lies ahead... I've got my fingers crossed! Hopefully I'll end up where I belong. Please oh please send me to THE, or at the very least, A city! Hehe. Wish me luck!

Hit the Ground, Running.

2010-02-09T17:01:00.002-06:00

I tend to think a lot. I'm told so all the time, but it really isn't something I can stop or prevent from happening. So, the endless pondering continues...

There are some people who know what they want, who know what they love, and were blessed to discover their passion or calling in life early. To those great people, I admire you. Then there are others, yours truly included, that aren't so sure or even worse, have no stinking idea. The trick here, however, is to never give up hope. I honestly and truly believe that one day, it may be one day soon or one day decades from now, we'll all figure out what and where we are suppose to be in life. In the meantime... do everything. You can't know what you DO love, until you know what you DON'T love. Experience is never a bad thing. Hitting the pavement and working your behind off is never a bad thing. Get it all under your belt, season yourself and soak in anything and everything around you. Then one day, while you are exploring all that is available to you in this world, you'll find it... your passion, your calling, what you want to do and what you should be. Have faith that things will work out. Just have faith.

Mmmmk and that ends my mind's babble for now. Today, in celebration of my dear cousin's birthday, we decided to grab lunch at the newly opened Shark Fin China Bistro. We had seen the sign up months ago when construction started and have been patiently waiting to see what the final product would look and taste like...

For starters, I had the House Egg Drop soup with Shitake mushrooms and greens. A little bland for my pallet, but with a drop of soy sauce or a dash of salt, it'd be money.

Lettuce Chicken Wraps for an appetizer... Pretty good. Just about a notch or two below PF Chang's bomb lettuce wraps, but for this little town, pretty good.

Szechuan Shrimp. Surprisingly good. I can't seem to figure out what's in the sauce... slightly sweet, mostly mild, no real tomato or chili sauce flavor but it had a hint of something that I just couldn't put my finger on. No complaints on this one though. I just wish I could figure out what was in it!

And for dessert, the classic Fried Ice Cream. It was huuuuuuge! Way bigger than any other fried ice cream I've had. It was good, although there was a slight tang to it either from the crust or the sauce included around the perimeter. Not a bad tang, just a tang.

The best part of Shark Fin was definitely its aesthetics. It was quite beautiful inside. Very crisp and clean, with sweet details like flower engravings on the walls, stunning wall art and a nice mix of recessed lighting and floating lamps. I'd definitely go back just for the aesthetics and atmosphere.

Pretty, eh?

It was a muggy day today. The sky was definitely warning us of all the rain that was about to ensue. (It is currently raining with some fierce winds added to the mix.) For days like these, I opt for comfort.

apt. 9 top, F21 pants & belt, knee high socks, Bakers boots.

I think it's time for a hair snip snip. =/

My birthday is over a month away, but I went ahead and treated myself to an early birthday present. =)

Don't worry. It's just my birthstone... not a diamond. I'm not at baller status for that quite yet. =T (Aquamarine stone, white gold band.)

I'm really quite excited for these next few months... new adventures await!

The Hype

2010-02-01T21:36:00.004-06:00

A short, but wonderful weekend with a great group of friends in the city of bright lights, around the clock entertainment, unbelievable architecture and SINister in every corner. I made my first trip to Vegas this past weekend to say bon voyage to a good friend moving to the other side of the globe.. and the trip was magnificent! The city is so awesomely beautiful, I had to convince myself everything was real. 'Twas a grand weekend, a grand weekend indeed!

...and yes, Lady Luck was on my side. =)

In the lobby of the Venetian, our abode for the weekend.

Gorgeous and great company...

In the wee hours of the night in front of Treasure Island... TI was VERY kind to me. =)

Wynn.

F21 top & mini, black stockings & knee-highs, UO bag, Steve Madden stilettos.

The lights ceiling at Blush, inside Wynn.

I generally avoid buffets, partially because I can never seem to eat enough to justify the price and partially because I tend to have a slight phobia against the general sanitary aspects of most buffets. BUT, being in Vegas, I was told that experiencing a true Vegas buffet was a must-do on any first timer's trip. So, I happily obliged...

The BBQ counter...

Mmm. Isn't it adorable?

Safe to say... we had a bit of a sweet tooth this weekend. =)

Inside Wynn.

Aldo oxfords, The Limited blouse, Coach scarf, Michael Kors bag, random tights, shorts, and sweater.

I love how all of the hotels embraced the Lunar New Year theme. Dep qua!

Inside the Palazzo... I believe. Maybe?

The Venetian exterior. I love the gondolas! And just look at that architecture! Beautiful!

The Venetian interior ceiling.

Fierce.

Planet Hollywood from the Bellagio.

Lanterns everywhere!

I'm in Paris!

Harrah's. Humongous! The Harrah's in NO is nooooo comparison.

I can't help but reference The Hangover every time I think of Caesar's Palace. =) "Did Caesar actually LIVE here?"

The last night out... Grand Luxe Cafe, Haze, and more blackjack. =)

Express sheer blouse, F21 skirt & necklaces, studded booties.

Thank y'all for a wonderful first Vegas experience! Good luck and have fun in Singapore, Toan!

I'll have to plan a Vegas trip for longer than 1.5 days next time... there's just so much to see and do. Ah, such great times! Fosho.

These are the Moments

2010-01-20T00:11:00.004-06:00

I love reunions! And no occasion warrants a reunion better than a wedding. I made my way to New Orleans this past weekend to share in the grand festivities in honor of my cousin Cam's wedding to her now husband Tom. It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding and the weekend was full of amazing food, hilarious laughter and the best company anyone could ask for. My stomach was SO SO SO happy after this weekend. New Orleans knows how to eat! That's for sure.

Upon arriving in New Orleans, I met up with my awesome cousins and brother at Herbsaint, located on the corner of St. Charles and Girod St. (I stole this photo from my cousin, Ei. I love you Ei!)

Herbsaint's Duck... Hands down, we all agreed this was our favorite.

Lamb & Andouille Sausage. Great flavors and incredibly rich. A few fork-fulls was enough to satisfy anyone.

Shrimp & Grits Cake. Being a southern bumpkin, there is absolutely no way I could resist some shrimp and grits. The grits cake was a nice little variation to the traditional dish. Mmm.

On our last night in New Orleans, we roamed over to Snug Harbor after hearing amazing reviews from our cousins about their gumbo. Unfortunately, when we got there they were out of gumbo! Sadness, indeed. Instead, I ordered the oyster sandwich with a baked potato topped with sour cream, cheese, and green onions. Good meal.

The night before the wedding, instead of a rehearsal dinner, Tom & Cam decided to hold a traditional Louisiana crawfish boil. (I can see y'all drooling already!) I loooooooove me some crawfish, so this feast definitely hit the spot!

OMFG. Real Louisiana crawfish... that's where it's at!

We were also showered with oysters on the half shell! I swear, I felt so spoiled... and thoroughly stuffed!

Also on the spread... fried alligator (we ARE in Louisiana!) and meat pies (ridiculously delicious!) Gah, I should've taken some back with me... they were soooooooo good! Mmm.

My gorgeous family. (Again, this photo and the next few were also stolen from Ei and her amazingly awesome camera. I want I want!)

After stuffing ourselves at the crawfish boil, it was time to throw down. I love reuniting with my hilarious and always-down-for-a-good-time family. We headed to Harrah's Casino and stopped in at Masquerade, located inside Harrah's.

Haha. I love them.

My hilarious Uncle Mike! He cracks me up every single time. (I'm still sad we didn't get to duet and kill it at karaoke... next time, fosho!)

Finally, it was wedding time. And what a beautiful wedding it was. Cam was absolutely breath-taking. I swear, I have such a gorgeous family... how did I ever get so lucky?

The bride in her Vietnamese ao dai at the ceremony.

The reception menu. (And the last photo stolen from Ei! =D Hehe.)

The groom's cake! Of course, being in New Orleans, it had to be king cake!

The wedding favors. Hundreds of homemade cookies baked by the bride herself. They were amazing! Everyone always raves about what an awesome cook Cam is, now I know why!

The wedding cake. Red Velvet... need I say more?

The happy couple. (Isn't she beautiful?!) To Tom & Cam... May you both enjoy a lifetime of great laughter, great food, great happiness, and GREAT love. Cheers!

Sheer Perfection

2010-01-06T22:09:00.003-06:00

Beautiful. And environmentally friendly... Perfect.

I am really loving this Mr Larkin line. I love the lines, the cuts, the feel... the whole identity of the brand. I think I'd die if I ever gained possession of "Elsa" up there. Ah... a girl can dream. I can't seem to find the "Amber" trousers for sale anywhere (hence the lack of a picture)... if anyone comes across it, please share! It's perrrrrfect!

-www.mrlarkin.net

Allow Her to Surface

2009-12-29T20:33:00.003-06:00

"We all have passions. If you think that you don’t have a passion, think again, you do… but you just don’t know what it is at this time. Perhaps you’re not ready. Perhaps you’re doing something from preventing it from showing its face. But it’s there… Waiting for you. Waiting for you to discover her. All you have to do is allow her to surface. And I can’t tell you how to do that — only you know how. Let your mission to uncovering your passion start today. Have a great day."

"When I fall, I get back up. When I make a mistake, I know that I’m learning. Let failure be your greatest teacher and not something that destroys you. Don’t think of failure as a bad thing, it’s quite the opposite. Take a risk. Take a shot."

-mindpetals.com

Word.

F21 pants, The Limited button-up blouse, DVF scarf, wrap shirt turned draped sweater, apt.9 heels.

chicken farm (a legit chicken farm!)

wack-a-mole

getting schooled at Wii

cartons full of leftovers for the week

... 'twas a great Christmas indeed.

Oh, and I came to find out my aunt grows sugar cane on her land... FRESH sugar cane! I die.

And to top it off, a home-made edible fruit arrangement by my dearest auntie. I love that she feeds me... =D

See y'all in 2010!

'Tis the Season

2009-12-22T19:49:00.002-06:00

It finally stopped raining a few days ago, but the rain was followed by some super chilly weather. Luckily, on my day off today, the sun decided to make its return and we were sitting pretty in the low 60s. Now that's December weather I can appreciate.

I had ordered a pair of shoes from Aldo and was uber excited when they finally arrived. Unfortunately, my excitement soon died when I realized they were way too big for my tiny feet. It's tough wearing a size 5, I say. So I made the trip to return them today at the store. Of course, it's Christmas week so the mall was jam packed with last minute shoppers and excited little kiddies waiting to take a picture with Ole St. Nick. The scene was adorable. It was the cutest thing seeing their faces light up as they made their way onto Santa's lap. Just seeing the pure awe on their faces made my day. 'Tis the season, indeed.

Ahoy, matey. Feeling a little nautical today.

BCBG blazer, SV Vera Wang blouse, some shorts I can't for the life of me remember where or when were purchased, black tights, Colin Stuart booties, bow made from a dress tie.

When I first moved down to Pensacola, one of the first things I did was search for Vietnamese food. My body has a hard time going for more than a few days without some Vietnamese flavors, so it was dire that there be some readily available when I craved it. Luckily I found some not too far from my humble abode. In fact, there are two right next to each other only a minute or two away from where I stay. I elect to frequent Golden Palace, a Chinese and Viet combo ran by the cutest elderly couple. The first time I went in to get some Pho to go, the woman spoke to me like I was a relative, asking me questions in Vietnamese and all. I still remember when her husband commented on how my cousins and I were good kids for attending temple earlier that morning. Hehe. So cute.

I usually stop in once a week or so and get an order of Pho to go after a long day at work when I'm too tired to cook or can't convince myself to settle for fast food. Today, I was really in the mood for some ca chien (fried fish) so I decided to pay them a visit.

Golden Palace's fried tilapia with ginger sauce (I had yet to pour the sauce on).

Christmas is only days away... my how time flies! 2010 is right around the corner too, I hope y'all are ready. =) Happy Holidays!

Rained In

2009-12-15T20:35:00.004-06:00

It hasn't been very sunny here in the Sunshine State. Of course, Pensacola is hidden in this little corner and sometimes feels more like southern Alabama than Florida. I digress. Anyways, it's been raining a muck the past couple of days. And, as my luck would have it, the universe decided to have it rain cats and dogs on my one day off this week! And no, ladies and gentlemen, this wasn't the light, sprinkles type of rain; this here was the 'go outside and get washed away' type of rain. So, being stranded indoors for the day and unable to go on my regular food-ventures on my dear day off, I decided to bust out the apron and bring back some of my own culinary craftiness.

It's been a while since I've actually cooked consistently for myself. Since the real world hit me, I usually find myself too tired to whip up anything of real sustenance after a day at work. 'Tis a shame, I know. I still remember that little girl who use to bake tins of cookies for her neighbors and spent afternoons in the kitchen coming up with concoctions both good and bad. What happened to that girl? Oh yeah, she grew up and got a job. Lol. I kid, I kid!

With it being all ugly and rainy outside, I thought something warm and comforting was in order...

Braised chicken in a chili-mustard tomato sauce over white rice. =)

I love one pot dishes. Pan sear chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and spice mix of choice in olive oil, a touch of sesame oil and garlic. Add diced tomatoes, chili paste, a squirt of mustard, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix and cover with lid. Let sit on medium heat for 10-15 mins or until chicken is firm and cooked through. Serve over rice.

In addition to letting the chef in me come out today, I figured I'd utilize my time spent indoors today getting some Xmas work out of the way. I didn't realize, or maybe elected not to remember, how LONG it took to wrap Xmas presents. My fingers are actually tired. Hah!

How am I getting all this to the post office?! =/ And this isn't even all of it...

I just thought these Santas were super cute. I feel jolly just looking at them. Hehe. I hope everyone is ready for the holidays! Cheers all around!

Brand New

2009-12-06T21:32:00.004-06:00

I've had "Empire State of Mind" on repeat in my head for days now. Such an uplifting song!

"New York,

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do!

Now you're in New York,

These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you,

In New York, New York..."

In other news, I spent my day in beautiful Destin, FL today wandering the shops at Silver Sands Outlet and visiting my aunt and uncle over yonder. Destin is so stinkin' beautiful, I love just sitting there and taking in the beauty of the beach... white sand, blue water. Ah, it's like heaven sometimes. Sure it's a little cold for the beach, but who said it was too cold to admire it, right?

Weird how my purple tights turned out black in this picture... fluorescent lighting for ya!

Black and blue... and, err, purple too!

(Yes, my living room is bare... Except for that KitchenAid mixer right there. Don't tell her, but thats my sister's Xmas present. Hehe. Shhh!)

Zara ruffle front dress & scarf, F21 crochet beanie and long vest, AA white tee, purple tights, Colin Stuart black platform heels.

Since I won't be able to go home for the holidays, I decided to treat myself to an early Xmas present. Work has been exhausting and will only get worse with Christmas fast approaching, so a little pick-me-up was due...

What's in the bag?! Oh, the anticipation...

Merry Xmas to me! I just love how vibrant the yellow on this bag is. The stud detail on the corners and the fact that it's a crossbody/shoulder bag completely sold me. Oh, and at 65% off... Done deal! Total score. =D

When I was looking up Silver Sands to see what type of stores the outlet had, my eyes lit up when I saw there was a gelato cafe! I was so excited, my mouth was literally watering on my drive there.

San Gelato Cafe. I die.

I tried the Biscotti and Pink Guava... I know, odd combo but it was surprisingly super well balanced. The Pink Guava gelato's fresh and super mild sweetness countered the rich Biscotti gelato nicely. I was happy. Oh sooooo happy!

After shopping and my beloved gelato time, it was off to visit my dear aunt and uncle. I always get excited when I visit them. Why you ask? Because they feeeeeeed me! Lol. They own Saikyo, a Vietnamese and sushi restaurant. And let me assure you, my aunt can cook! And my uncle knows his sushi! They not only fed me a bowl of Pho (Vietnamese noodles soup) at the restaurant, but they sent me home with goodies! They're so sweet.

From my auntie... This here will be tomorrow's lunch. =)

From my uncle... This here was tonight's dinner. =)

"One hand in the air for the big city,

Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,

No place in the world that can compare,

Put your lighters in the air

For New York, New York...."

I seriously need to find someone to have a jam session with. =T

Zip It.

2009-12-02T21:16:00.003-06:00

I love my off days. =)

a is for Audrey zipper and tassel green top, f21 harem pants, Gianni Bini brown boots

I love the zipper front on this top, but the tassel has got to be what sold me. I think it's just the sweetest little touch.

On my days off, I always try to have a food-venture. A few weeks ago I drove by this place and made a mental note to def hit it up when I found time. Jerry's Cajun Cafe and Market, decorated wall to wall with LSU gear and full of Cajun favorites.

Cajun Catfish with Cajun potatoes and toast. I love catfish... so soft and tender. Mmm-mmm good.

My dining partners had the Molten Chocolate Cake w/ vanilla ice cream for dessert. A classic. I personally had Jerry's Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce... but the picture didn't turn out so well. =/ It was good though, my taste buds can testify.

Score of the week: $4 Levi's & these beige Apt. 9 strappy platform heels for $12. Woo!

The linen closet has become my shoe closet. Lol.

Animal Instincts

2009-11-23T20:51:00.003-06:00

I'm so thankful for my dear little cousin Cindy who is always up for trying out new eateries with me. Tonight, we decided on dining at 2 Stix, a cozy sushi and Asian bistro. Of course we couldn't stop ourselves from ordering sushi (it's impossible for me to say, "No" to sushi), but in addition to that, I damn near drooled when this lovely creation of deliciousness hit the table...

Peking Duck Lettuce Wraps! It's been FOREVER since I've had duck... Mmmm. So good!

The restaurant's dim lighting and my inability to find the right setting on my camera doesn't do the duck justice in these pictures. But you can just imagine how juicy and flavorful it was... just imagine.

Marineblu zebra print top, Arden B. studded vest, F21 pants, Colin Stuart booties.

And for the chilly night, I simply untucked the top, put on my Daisy Fuentes sweater and Aldo oxfords and the look takes on a casual, relaxed feel.

She's Country

2009-11-23T19:51:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure why, but on this particular day I woke up feeling country. Perhaps it was my conscience missing Carolina? Many of you know I'm a bit of a southern, country bumpkin at times (as evident from the country blasting out of my car stereo). I had the urge to slip on some boots and when I found this red, white, and blue scarf hidden amidst my goods... it seemed only fitting to let the country girl in me come out.

Playing with colors. SV Vera Wang top, Diane von Furstenburg scarf, Puma boots, old pair of shorts, satin belt, lace leggings.

I lurrrrrve these Puma boots, especially at such a steal! Thanks, Ebay.

A dear friend of mine gave me this DVF scarf and for the longest time I had forgotten I even owned it. You can imagine how tickled I was to come upon it while rummaging through my makeshift closet.

Keeping things country... on one of my trips these past few weeks/months, I had a pit stop at the Memphis airport where I stumbled upon Neely's BBQ. I don't know if there are any Food Network fans out there, but y'all may be familiar with the Neely name from "Down Home with the Neely's." Well, with all the hooplah surrounding their BBQ, I thought I'd try some and see what the frenzy was about for myself.

Neely Chopped Pork with baked beans and potato salad.
I'll say the food was pretty good, although I'm afraid to say I've had better barbeque in my day. Then again, this was via an airport restaurant, so maybe I'm not getting the real Neely experience.

Ole!

2009-11-20T21:02:00.003-06:00

Being a major foodie, I was excited to try a vibrant Mexican spot recommended by a co-worker today. After the wide array of Asian cuisines out there, Mexican food would be the next personal favorite of mine. So, after work, I hit Tijuana Flats, an eclectic little place right down yonder from my apartment.

I love the bright colors and eclectic art everywhere. Very cool.

And this here is the Chimichanga & Enchilanda combo... and yes, I did finish every last bit of this down to the last grain of rice. Lol.

Their taco salad. I personally didn't have a taste, but I can't imagine anything with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole (yum!) tasting bad. Lol. Yes, I'm a guac girl.

F21 sweater, necklace & belt, apt. 9 top, some old shorts, tights, and Aldo oxfords.

Not as vibrant and eye-catching as my swimming fish necklace, but equally adorable. Carrying some wisdom with me... hooot hooot.

Diplomat

2009-11-16T16:59:00.002-06:00

What a great weekend! Reunions are the BEST. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera along to the show and the subsequent festivities! But this past weekend was exactly what I needed... good times, great food and amazing company. Haley = Happy.

I decided to play dress up last week when Tropical Storm Ida made her debut in Pensacola. Yes, while others were worrying about the wind and rain, I was rummaging through my closet coming up with a new ensemble. And here was the result...

BCBG ruffle top, The Limited white blazer, Daisy Fuentes denim leggings, Bakers booties

I love the shape of this top.

Blue Bird

2009-11-10T21:17:00.002-06:00

Work has been rough, so I am a smidgen excited to get away for a couple of days to revisit my beloved Georgia! It's been a few months (post-graduation life) since I've frolicked around Atlanta and its vicinity. Definitely a loved place of mine. And, to make it even sweeter, a much needed reunion with them Gators, Bull Dawgs and, most importantly, my Carolina Gamecocks! Yay!

Night in Saigon 6. A charity culture show put on my the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Georgia every year... This will be my 3rd consecutive year attending and it's sure to be great. Proceeds will be going to this year's uNAVSA (Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations) collective philanthropy project, VAHF (Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation). As the Southeast CoRR representative for uNAVSA, I'm quite proud of the VSA at UGA... all their hard work will surely pay off! Do join if you're in the area! Friday, November 13th @ UGA.

I like the flutter effect of the sweater vest... Up, up and away!

French Connection dress, F21 sweater vest, leggings, Steve Madden shoes.

Marley & Me

2009-11-04T20:22:00.002-06:00

And now, the last day's batch of photos from my amazing trip to Chicago. It's indescribable, the feeling I get just thinking about such a beautiful city. I can't wait until I get the chance to breathe its air again and feel it's energy.

Just a walk away from the Loyola-Chicago campus sits Carmine's, a cute Italian eatery Kimi and I decided on trying after her morning of class.

Outdoor dining... the weather was perfect.

Beef Stronata with a dollup of ricotta cheese on top. Mmm-mm good.

I love the color on this. Oh, and it was delicious too.

And for dessert... Red Mango! I have ridiculous cravings for PinkBerry all the time since my last visit to NY, and Red Mango definitely helped ease those cravings. Original + mochi + Fruity Pebbles + almonds = Happy Haley. =)

As if we hadn't had enough to eat, I couldn't pass up some musubi! Stop in Aloha Eats for a little taste of Hawaii... tastes like childhood!

A stroll through Wicker Park and I find Marley and Dr. King... Inspiration lives.

BDG tank, wrap shirt turned shaped sweater, Express blazer, Guess denim, Bakers boots.

I thought it was cool how the wrap shirt turned shaped sweater went under then over the blazer, adding some movement and flow. Me likey.

Atop the World

2009-10-29T23:50:00.005-05:00

I remember Sundays way back when when the siblings and I would make our way to Golden Harvest in Michigan and have us some mmm-mmm good dim sum and bonding time. Ah, the wonder years. So, while in Chicago, I had a hankering for some real dim sum Sunday morning just like the old days. So, we meandered on down to China Town for some foodie euphoria and playful wanderings.

Look what I found smack dab in the middle of China Town... a GAMECOCK! (Gooooo Carolina!) Okay, okay, maybe it's a rooster from the zodiac, but hey, I can't help but notice anything remotely Carolina Gamecock related. =T It's in my blood.

Then, I felt like taking over the world, Pinky and the Brain style, but that seemed a little difficult to do. So what was the next best option? Being on top of the world. And that's exactly what we did... sort of.

From the SkyDeck of the Willis Tower, also once known as the Sears Tower. I am invincible.

Dinner time and Kimi suggests Bananas & Foster, located just a ways over from the Loyola-LakeShore campus. B&F is this quaint, yet elegant, yet warm little place holding no more than a total of ten small tables... Adorable, and definitely a winner. What can I say, the girl knows where to get some damn good grub.

Kimi's grilled salmon. The dill def did the trick with this one.

Tilapia with grilled onions and roasted red potatoes... Mmm. I don't know what the chef put in that sauce, but it was definitely that good stuff. (Apologies for the blur.)

Ky's pork tenderloin with sweet potato mash and mango chutney. Yes, we were all very happy campers; or, err, happy diners!

Even with uncomfortably full stomachs, we couldn't end the night without a sweet treat. I usually don't demand dessert, but with such great company raving about this must-visit ice cream shop, who would dare refuse? Not I. Most certainly, not I.

Margie's Candies. Freakin' huge... and we finished two of these monsters. Fosho. =D

F21 blouse, BDG tank, AA lame leggings, Bakers booties, Agaci jacket, UO bag.

Oh Damn

2009-10-28T23:24:00.002-05:00

At the mention of breakfast in Chicago, my bestest Kimi suggested Lou Mitchell's without hesitation. "They're the best for breakfast, in my opinion," she said... And with that statement, off we went to eat us some good food.

Smoked Salmon Bagel plate... I love smoked salmon bagels and Lou Mitchell's was right up top with the best of 'em.

Thick Cut French Toast... Mmmm. With it came a jug (yes, JUG) of pure maple syrup. I die.

Spinach & Feta Omelette, or as I like to call it, "Fluffy Goodness." Kimi's choice (of course I had a stab at it too... how could I not?!) and we surely weren't disappointed.

After Lou Mitchell's, it was exploration (and walk off all this food) time... Chicago is ridiculously beautiful. Something about tall buildings, skyscrapers, and amazing architecture makes me feel alive. Gah, I miss it!

See me? =D

I thought these huge panels at Millennium Park were super cool. The faces change and are of visitors who come and go. I'm told they actually squirt out water from the mouth area... Ridic.

I feel so small. Lol.

The infamous Bean! Look at that skyline reflection!

Oh damn.

After a full day of exploration (these photos are just the tip of the iceberg), a trip to Uncommon Ground was the perfect treat. Kimi ranted and raved about it, and now I know why. If you get a chance to go, let me say this... Warning: Your mouth will water.

Duck Duo. Mmm... I can still taste it! (Not pictured: Sweet Potato Fries w/ Goat Cheese dip... A must!)

Kimi's fish... I believe it was flounder? All I know is that it was damn good. Mmhmm.

F21 pants and blouse, BDG tanks, The Limited blazer, Bakers boots, UO bag

A Little Taste...

2009-10-25T22:15:00.002-05:00

My Chicago trip ended about a week ago, yet I'm still feeling withdrawal. What an amazing city... Chicago is right up there with NYC as one of my fav cities and perhaps future residence. A more detailed visual tour of my trip is on the way, but for now here's a little amuse boushe to wet your appetite.

Loyola University-Lake Shore Campus view of Lake Michigan. I spent quite a bit of time sitting and staring here... That there is true beauty.

Having been deprived a some good ol' Vietnamese cooking since I moved down to Pensacola, I surely had to stop in Argyle and visit one of its many Viet restaurants. Tank Noodle... Ca Co To (Fish in Cast Iron Pot) and Banh Xeo (Savory Viet Crepe). Mmmm.

From the Shedd Aquarium and Planetarium area, this is what I see. Can you say, "OMFG?!" What I would do to wake up to this every morning...

Business and Pleasure

2009-10-21T00:16:00.004-05:00

The past month has been quite nice in that I’ve been able to do some traveling for work. Most recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful city of Birmingham/Hoover, AL. Okay, okay… I know what y’all are thinking, what the hell is in Birmingham? Rest at ease, I thought the same thing too. To my surprise, Birmingham was the home of some super scenic views and BOMB shopping. I must say, I left a very, very happy girl.

The view from The Summit. Pretty bangin’ in my opinion…

Lounging around the hotel room in some damn comfy gear.
F21 pants & necklace, BDG white tank, some wrap shirt turned shaped sweater, beanie to top it off.

I am in love with this swimming fish necklace! Def one of my favorite recent buys.

I also had the privilege of visiting our offices in Menomonee Falls, WI. (I can hear y’all struggling to spit that name out. Say it with me “Men-Nom-Mo-Nee.” Great job!) I set one mission before heading to Wisconsin, and no it wasn’t to make a good impression in front of all the important suits at corporate or to come back with a new wealth of knowledge to better myself (not that I didn’t do them anyways o_O)… no sir/ma’am, my mission was simple: Find a cheesehead hat! I’m a simple girl. =) What can I say, but “Mission: Complete.”

Soul, Child, Soul

2009-10-20T19:49:00.004-05:00

Just down yonder about 50 minutes away from Pensacola is the bustling city of Mobile, AL. And no, I am not being sarcastic when I say “bustling.” Okay, maybe there was a tinge of sarcasm… but just a tinge, I swear. In comparison to Pensacola, Mobile is quite a happenin’ place. In fact, there in Mobile I had the opportunity to attend BayFest—a yearly music festival. On the lineup: Musiq SoulChild, Avant, Luda, T-Pain, Akon and my personal reason for purchasing a ticket… Billy Currington! (What can I say, South Carolina turned me into a bit of a country girl, just a smidge though… I promise. =/) Unfortunately, my work schedule flip-flopped last minute and I wasn’t able to see Billy, T-Pain, and friends. I was, however, able to catch Musiq SoulChild, Avant, 3 Doors Down and some randoms along the way. Highlight of the trip? Bumping into my homie Avant afterwards at Club Insanity… if only he would’ve busted out with a serenade of “4 Minutes” or “Lie About Us.” =D

The BayFest Southern Belles… I fit right in, huh? I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am truly thankful I had the opportunity to live and grow in South Carolina. (Go GAMECOCKS!) Many of you know how much of a southern bumpkin I can be, but something about the South makes you learn how to chill. Oh and y'all can blame the South for the country music bumpin' out of my car at times... for those of you fortunate enough to have ridden in my car during those times, this is where you SMILE.

Just a funny shirt some kid in his pre-teens was strutting at BayFest. Who doesn’t appreciate a little witty humor… especially when it’s referencing some yummy crawfish!

Avant. Need I say more?

F21 pants, Lovely Day top, Bakers booties

Re-Routed

2009-10-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Preface (Circa early September)

I had always imagined what life would be like after graduation… where I’d be, what I’d be doing. I imagined myself amidst bright lights and big cities, soaking in some crazy intense energy and feeling the life pump through me. Well graduation came and went, and by some cruel twist of fate I ended up leaving my beloved South Carolina (Go GAMECOCKS!) not to head to the big city life I had always imagined, but to a quiet, or uhh, quaint little beach town. Oh cruel world, why must you do this to me?! Bah humbug! Have no fear though, lovely folks, my time here is merely a minor detour. I’ll be amidst those big city lights soon… soon I say!

In the mean time, I figured I’d at least try to enjoy my time here. I mean, living by the water doesn’t exactly suck and Pensacola has its little treasures to offer. And per request from some dearly missed roommates and amigos, I thought I’d share my adventures with you all. Enjoy.

White sand, blue water… can you say, “Awe-mazing!?” This here is Destin Beach, a mere 50 minutes away from my current humble abode and undoubtedly the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen in my life. Honestly and truly, y’all must witness this in person for yourself… Fosho.

When I got here, all of my coworkers advised me to go to McGuire’s Irish Pub. Now I know why… sure, the food is pretty satisfying but that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. McGuire’s ceilings and walls are COVERED in dollar bills… I’m told they have over a mil hanging in there. Is this freakin’ insanity or what? Of course I had to add to the collection with a “Carolina Gamecock” dollar. If you happen to make your way to Pcola and McGuire’s, look out for my dollar.

Sushi and I are true homies. We are down for each other whenever and wherever. So, I was pleasantly surprised when this beautiful concoction dubbed the “Pensacola Paradise” came to me at Ichiban restaurant. I knew it’d be love at first bite when I saw those dollops of Sriracha on top. Mmm.

For Jeanette… your favorite! Courtesy of Sweet Things, Tuan's Bakery.

F21 mini and blouse, Gianni Bini booties, Candies clutch (on clearance for $7!)

Colin Stuart booties, UO bag (a steal for $10!), F21 sweater vest & swimming fish necklace, SV Vera Wang t-shirt, Daisy Fuentes jean pants (on clearance for $6!)