Just Made My Day

After a particularly gruesome work week, chancing upon the Just Made My Day website was like entering an oasis of relief.

Just Made My Day is an online forum where people can go and tell stories about the nice things that people have done for them. Postings range from "My mom just made my day by picking me up early from school" (This would have totally made my day too) to "My girlfriend just made my day by being the most beautiful person both inside and out" (The single independent lady in me gagged a little, cliche much?).

I love the concept of Just Made My Day and despite my cynical self just aching to rear her ugly head, I did feel a much needed calming sense of kindness wash over me.

Details:

Just Made My Day

Fridge Art

My 4-year-old nephew made me this card for Valentine's day and yes, that is Spiderman (he didn't draw Spiderman himself but requested that my brother draw it on the card).

I am proudly displaying it on my fridge along with the little painting (see right hand corner of picture) that he made for me back in December. You gotta love the little guy!! I'm definitely a proud aunt!

Giveaway!

I'm obsessed with paper goods. Always have, always will be.

In my youth, my friends and I used to exchange letters written on cartoon character notepaper (think little mermaid, suzy zoo, batz batz maru). Throughout the years, I managed to amass a huge collection of said stationary. Every trip to Japan/Taiwan/Thailand brought with it a purchasing frenzy of stickers, cards, notepaper and notebooks; all of which cost an arm and a leg. Today, there still exists a huge box of unused stationary from that collection. While I no longer use kiddy-character themed stationary, I refuse to allow Mama T to throw them out!

Now that I am older, my taste in paper goods has matured and I've long said good bye to Sanrio characters. Just today, I stumbled across a giveaway on elephantine for some really beautiful notecards and gift tags from Kristin Sanchez. With not a single hello kitty in sight, the subtle and dainty prints on Kristin Sanchez's paper goods are really my cup of tea. So check out her store on Etsy and also sign up for the giveaway! I know I did!

Details:

Giveaway on elephantine

Kristin Sanchez

Abeego

Abeego Wrap

I don't want to toot my own horn, but I must say that I am the master of the packed meal on the go.

My training for said title started in college. I cannot tell you the countless days that I've had to go straight from 6 am morning practice, to weights, to class, to another class and then to afternoon practice; all with about 15 minutes in between. In other words, the perfect amount of time to run from one location to another but not enough time to stop and grab a meal. Therefore, in order to feed myself, I've had to pre-pack a whole days worth of food (breakfast, snacks and lunch) to go.

Even now that I am a "real person", I still pack and bring my own lunches to work. So the training continues. To become master of packed meals, one must have the foresight to plan ahead, creativity to be well creative with food choices (so you're not eating PB&J sandwiches 3 times a week) and also the flexibility to understand that meals will not always be warm (its a cultural thing where we Asians only like warm meals). The only obstacle I've ever really faced with packed meals is the guilt from using plastic to store my meals.

So, you can imagine my delight when I recently discovered the all natural food storage options from Abeego! The cheerful, reusable packaging is made from hemp/cotton fabric that is infused with beeswax and plant extracts, which provides for a natural fluid-resistant coating. So say good-bye to ziplock bags, saran wraps and plastic containers and hello to eco-conscious food packaging!

Abeego Snack

Abeego offers 3 different storage options- the Abeego Wrap (13" by 15" and perfect for sandwiches), the Abeego Snack (cones that hold 3/4 of a cup of treats) and the Abeego Flats (6, 9 and 12 inch squares that act as lids for bowls). Each style comes with red, green, blue or purple stitching with corresponding buttons and string for closure.

Abeego Flat

Abeego products are easy to clean with a little cold water and soap. So enjoy a plastic free and durable product while you join me in training to become the ultimate master of packed lunches on the go!

Details:

Abeego

Images Courtesy of Abeego.

Happy Chinese New Year (A little late)

Last week, in preparation for Chinese New Year, I decided to make my 4th aunt's almond cookies. In the hustle and bustle of the weekend, I entirely forgot to share it with you guys. However, since CNY technically lasts for a while, I figure a "late" posting is alright.

I haven't celebrated CNY with my extended family in Singapore since I left home at 15. In my high school and college years, this didn't bother me that much and I actually went a couple of years without really celebrating CNY (unless you count trying to use CNY as an excuse to do a get out (of practice) swim. p.s none of my coaches fell for this). However, in my recent quest to regain some of the Chinese/Singaporean identity that I so casually tossed aside upon arrival in America, I find myself longing to be back in Singapore doing Chinese New Year up BIG! But I won't complain because I did have that steamboat extravaganza this past weekend. Anyway here is my 4'ee's Almond Cookie recipe.

Ingredients:

3 cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of icing sugar

2 teaspoons of baking powder

3 teaspoons of baking soda

1 1/4 cup of almonds, chopped and lightly baked

1 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 cups of corn oil

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix all above ingredients in a bowl and formed preferred shapes (I make 1/2 inch balls, perfect for popping into your mouth whole) and bake for 15 minutes.

3. After 15 minutes, turn tray and bake for another 10 minutes.

Happy Chinese New Year! It's the year of the Tiger (my year), so 2010 sure is going to be a great one!

Susie Cakes: Classic Marble Cake

It was a co-worker's birthday the other day and my boss's wife was so kind as to go out and pick up the Classic Marble cake from Susie Cakes in Brentwood. While I have had the cupcakes from Susie Cakes, I do not recall them being as superb as this. Their classic marble cake well... takes the cake!

The base chocolate cake had vanilla and chocolate chip cake (an unexpected but pleasant surprise) swirled into it. Filled with chocolate and vanilla buttercream and topped with chocolate buttercream, each bite was moist and chocolately; dense but not too dense; and most importantly, had the perfect cake to frosting ratio. Delicious!

Details:

Classic Marble Cake

Susie Cakes

11708 San Vicente Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90049

310 442 2253

Tasting Table

Photo Credit: Tasting Table and Whole Planet Foundation

I subscribe to a multitude of daily foodie-type electronic newsletters to keep me updated on the latest trends in the food and wine industry (and also so coming up with content for the Blue Lifestyle minute is that much easier).

One such newsletter is the Tasting Table, a daily email on food and drink culture. Tasting Table offers a national version that covers general food trends, and a city specific version that highlights the latest food culture in your particular city.

This morning's national newsletter was regarding the Whole Foods Market Whole Planet Foundation. Whole Planet Foundation is an organization that supports microlenders in 18 countries, empowering nearly 300,000 impoverished people by allowing them to create or develop their own sources of income.

In the spirit of giving back, the good people at Tasting Table are teaming up with Whole Foods and are donating $2 to the Whole Planet Foundation for every new subscriber who joins the table through their Prosperity Champaign Page by March 31st. Since I am already a loyal subscriber of Tasting Table, I thought I would help them out by inviting you guys to subscribe and raise money for the foundation. It doesn't cost you a penny and in return you will support a good cause and get daily emails on food culture!

Details:

Tasting Table

Sunset

I took this picture outside my apartment after work about a week ago. It had been raining (or threatening to at least) earlier that day and the sky still held those telltale signs.

A Weekend in their Wild Little Kingdom

I spent the long CNY/Valentine's Day/Presidents Day weekend with my brother and his family down in Orange County. Per usual, I had such a good time hanging with my nephew ("I'll play whatever you want to play auntie Nic"), cooing over the cuteness that is my adorable 11-month-old niece (she just started walking a couple of weeks ago) and just hang with my brother and sister-in-law.

The little one going to town on her lunch. This girl can eat! Just like her aunt!

In celebration of Valentine's Day, my sister-in-law and nephew made the most addictive peppermint bark using white chocolate, dark chocolate and peppermint candy canes leftover from Christmas (hey now, the candy canes keep with the V-day color scheme). I even got sent home with my own to-go bag full of the peppermint bark, complete with a red heart sticker! Thanks Sarah!

White Chocolate chips being melted down to make the bark.

My nephew lending a helping hand

Then, in celebration of Chinese New Year, we had a bountiful spread of steamboat. Steamboat is by far one of my favoritest meals ever! Steamboat and me = BFF! (Sorry meeks!) I'm still stuffed from the feast but it was so worth it.

And in celebration of um Sunday morning, my sister-in-law, Sarah, made blueberry muffins just cause! *mmmmm* I cannot tell you what a joy it is to wake up to the smell of homemade blueberry muffins, especially ones that I did not have to wake up early to make. Check out Sarah's beautiful blog, Our Wild Little Kingdom, for a post about said muffins along with the recipe and her thoughts on comfort food/the memories that blueberry muffins hold for her.

For more pictures from this weekend and from our steamboat extravaganza, check out Sarah's latest blog posting.

Oh yes! And if you haven't already noticed, I decided to combine both my blogs (eatings and adventures) into one just cos I thought it would be better if all my posting were located in the same space!

Diamond Stud Earrings

I got my ears pierced for the first time when I was 5 or 6 .

I say for the first time because those holes closed up about 2 weeks after I got them pierced. How you ask? It's a long story but I will give you a shortened version.

I had gotten my ears pierced a couple of days before my family took a little vacation to New Zealand to visit my 3rd aunt. Some time while we were there, the princess in me decided that I had to take a nice long luxurious bubble bath and my 3rd aunt suggested/insisted that it had been long enough since I'd gotten them pierced and I could take off my earrings and wash my ears. (Now this was approximately 2-3 weeks after I had gotten them pierced and I was 6 so I didn't know better!?!) After a 20 minute earring-free bath, I came out and the hole in my right ear had just gone and plugged itself up (gosh darn those super healing resilient skins cells of mine!). I distinctively remember my aunt pinning me down as she attempted to shove the earring back in and drawing blood from that earlobe (I have a crazy family I know, and for all I know, she didn't really pin me down, but this is how I remembered it!)

Anyway needless to say, it was a lost cause and I spent the next 10 years without ear holes before rectifying the issue when I was 15. Since then, I have been experimenting with different types of earrings and have found that I have a love affair with studs. They are simple, classic and only work to enhance your features rather than take away from them.

For my everyday wear, I spot my little pearl studs that mama T gave me for my 21st birthday. But little pearl earrings are sometimes just a little too proper for a big night out on the town. For those nights, I would turn to these extra studly CZ studs by Sonya Renee. These diamond studs are not only very budget friendly and scream special occasion, but they manage to still keep that classy feel that I love about studs! I think these studs would also be perfect for a budget-conscious bride on her wedding day. But on the other hand, I would not say no to wearing them for some everyday glamour.

Details:

Extra Studly CZ Studs

by Sonya Renee

$45

Happy Valentine's Day!

" Love is always bestowed as a gift- freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love."

- Leo F. Buscaglia

I came across this quote this morning and thought it was completely appropriate for the Valentine's day weekend.

I could not agree more with Mr. Buscaglia, love is something that we should give without expectation of any sort of return. Yet how many of us actually love that way? How many of us can honestly say that we love someone without expecting them to be there when we need them, or to change themselves on our behalf, or to want do the dishes, or to remember our birthdays/anniversaries, or just simply love us back? I know I can't. In fact, I seem to expect (even demand) the most from the ones I hold closest to me.

Why then, can we not love unselfishly? Why is our love so imperfect? Besides the fact that humans are so innately flawed, I think the thing about love is that when we allow ourselves to care that deeply for another, we feel vulnerable and begin to think that the ones we love should return the "favor". Self-preservation and the fear of getting hurt make our love selfish. But the truth of the matter is, if we truly love someone, it should be unconditional and without expectation. "We don't love to be loved; we love to love!"

So this Valentine's day , let us all share some expectation-free love with the ones you hold dear! Happy Valentine's Day!

Casual Dinner Party for 6

A couple weekends ago, I decided to throw a spur of the moment casual dinner party for 6 of my friends. Because it was such a last minute decision, there was no real theme to the night's menu (and also because I entirely forgot my shopping list when I went to the grocery store :D).

Needless to say, I think the dinner (food and company wise) was a success. Here is a recipe from that night.

Chicken Pot Pie:

This has got to be my favorite chicken pot pie recipe. I mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of buttery or creamy sauces and the same applies for pot pies. This pie gets its velvety richness from the olive oil, wine and milk rather than from butter.

Ingredients:

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

4 carrots, diced

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups 1% milk

1 package of frozen peas

A good dash of nutmeg and paprika

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

2 store bought 9 inch pie crust, thawed if frozen

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cook the chicken breast in a pot of simmering water until cooked through. About 10-14 minutes. Then let cool and shred.

2. Meanwhile heat the oil in a sauce pan over medium high heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring, until softened but do not let them darken. About 8 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for about 1 minute. You want the flour to cook and turn a little yellow.

3. Add the wine and cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes (be patient here, I wasn't once and the depth of flavor did not develop). Stir in the chicken and peas; and season with salt, pepper, nutmeg (this is what will make people go 'Mmmmm what is that I taste?') and paprika. Stir to incorporate.

4. Transfer the mixture into your two pie pans and cover with the pie crusts, pressing to seal. Cut several vents in the crust and place the pie on a baking sheet before placing in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbling and crust is golden.

Makes 2 medium pot pies of one large pot pie.

Oh and I am sure there are some out there who would rather make their own pie crust and I say more power to you! I will be the first person to admit that I use store bought crust to make my pies (Hey! Don't judge, I am merely a home cook not even a home chef!)

Enjoy!

Campanile

Dine LA week(s) just wrapped up in LA this past friday. While I usually try to hit at least 3-4 restaurants during the promotional period, I only managed to try the Dine LA Menu at Campanile this time around.

Campanile has been a longtime fixture in LA's dining scene. Opened in 1989 by Executive Chef Mark Peel, former Pastry Chef Nancy Silverton and former Wine Director Manfred Krankl, the kitchen at Campanile has had its share of LA chefs come through its doors over the years (Suzanne Goin, Ben Ford, Suzzane Tracht and Govind Armstrong).

Set in a faux-Tuscan style building that was initially built for Charlie Chaplin, Campanile has a rustic feel to it and a crowd that cares more about food than about fashion. With a distinctive bell tower that rises above the building (and gives the restaurant its name), Campanile is divided into three dining spaces- the airy front courtyard which boasts a small tuscan-style tiered bird bath, the middle dining area that has an american bistro feel to it and a view of the kitchen action, and the back room which is quieter, darker and therefore more romantic.

For my appetizer, I ordered the herbed goat cheese ravioli with pancetta, spinach, currants and pine nuts. The pasta of the ravioli was over-cooked and limp but the spinach, currant and pine nuts were a lovely combination with the tangy goat cheese. Oh! And let me not forget the walnut bread from the La Brea Bakery that is housed in the same building as the restaurant space. Earthy and nutty, I felt like the artisan bread reflected the authentic quality of the restaurant.

For my main course, I had the pan roasted tai-snapper with sauteed escarole and rosemary aiolli. My fish was cooked perfectly with a lovely seared crust on the skin side, each bite just melted in my mouth. The rosemary aiolli was not overpowering and provided the perfect sauce on the plate. Meanwhile, the crunchy and slightly bitter escarole was a great compliment, tying the whole dish together.

My friend order the duck dish (grilled duck breast with fennel, lemon-thyme potatoes and crisp leeks) for her main course and let me try a bite of her food. I have to be honest here and say that I was horridly let down by the duck. It was just... well... not ducky enough (for lack of a better term). My friend even commented that her duck almost tasted like pork and while I didn't quite taste pork, I definitely did not taste duck! The whole point of eating duck is for that gamey and rich duckiness! Needless to say, I'm glad I did not get the duck.

Since there were only 2 options on the dine LA menu for desserts, my friend and I did it right and each ordered one. We shared the chocolate pudding with whipped cream and chocolate chip cookies, and the apple cobbler with vanilla ice-cream. When the desserts arrived, I was underwhelmed not by the small portions (I was not complaining b.c I was already stuffed from the meal) but by the lack of anything special. The chocolate pudding was just okay and the chocolate chip cookies tasted like something I could make out of my oven. The apple cobbler was a notch better with fresh crispy apples.

Details:

Campanile

623 South La Brea Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323 938 1447

GO BRUINS!

Back in my collegiate swimming days, Beat SC week was always my favorite week of the season. There is something about that cross-town college rivalry that just lights a fire in your belly! Beat SC week was always marked by certain traditions, one of which was having current UCLA athletic coaches and/or former swimming alumni share their favorite Beat SC memories with the team (whether in person or via email). Some memories were inspiring and got you pumped up to compete, others were just down right funny, some sent chills of Bruin Pride up your spine, but no matter how different each memory was, all of them always always made you want to BEAT SC!

Below is the email that I wrote to the team the year after I graduated. I added a little commentary in blue, but otherwise, this is what I wrote to them:

* Oh yes and to any Trojans/ Trojan Fans who happen to read this post, sorry but don't take it personally. You know you'd say the same thing about us :) *

*******

For those who know me, they can attest to the fact that i would hardly say I hate anyone or anything. I always feel hate is such a relative (and strong) term. But let me tell you, I HATE THOSE TROJANS! They are obnoxious, un-classy and while they think they are all that, they really aren't!!!!!! (Case in point, all the NCAA violations that their athletic department has had to deal with! SHADY! Only USC I tell you.)

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I would like to say that while I've had my share of personal victories swimming against the trojans, I think that at the end of the day what has really stuck with me is the thrill of racing against those girls and experiencing the rare magic of our team coming together, feeding off of each other's energy, owning the deck and enjoying the exhilaration that comes with it!

That being said, my favorite beat $C memory was during my junior year, when we KILLED them at their home pool (which always makes the victory that much sweeter). The meet was one of those hotly contested ones where the lead changed hands several times over the course of the day. I still remember every event in which a teammate stepped up and fought their hardest to put their hand on the wall before the trojan in the next lane. (I mean one teammate who swam the mile and did not ever 6 beat kick (kick continuously) or even kick at all for that matter threw in her legs the last 50 of the 1650 yard race just to beat that trojan by .14 of a second! Or how about the 50 free where UCLA went 1-2-3 shutting out the trojans! Or how about the first relay where we just wanted it more and got to the wall .1 of a second earlier... yeah it was that close and yes I just realized that this means bubbkis to most and I'm getting a little over excited here, but you get the point, it was GREAT)

That day, the W (the win) came down to the last relay where the winner took it all! It was such a nail-bitter and I recall cheering so hard for that relay that I literally lost my voice.I mean we've all been there and done the whole screaming at the top of your lungs, jumping up and down, waving your hands around like a deranged woman, all in the name of cheering your teammates on. Needless to say, it was all worth it when we showed those trojans what we're all about :)

While beating the trojans was definitely icing on top of the cake (a very delicious one might I add), what made the meet so memorable to me was how every single Bruin exemplified competitive greatness, stepping up and being at their best when their best was needed. We raced our hearts out and left it all in the pool. Thinking about how much heart, soul and BRUIN PRIDE we had just gives me the chills and that right there epitomizes what the $C dual meet means to me.

The thing that non-swimmers have to understand about dual meets is that both teams are usually still in the middle of the season and a lot of times are unshaven, untapered and just beat down from normal practices. In other words, at the the end of the day, winning meets doesn't always come down to which team has the faster swimmers. Instead the win goes to the team that wants it more, the team that is going to come together, get into that zone and be the better team that day.

So ladies as you head into your $C dual meet on saturday, whether its your first, your last or somewhere in between, treasure it and get caught up in the moment! Swagga on deck! Radiate bruin pride! Be there for your teammates and feed off of each other! But most importantly, enjoy yourself! Lastly, know what an honor it is to represent the winning tradition that is U-C-L-A and BEAT $C!!!

********

So to end this blog, I only thought it appropriate to do an 8 clap! Come on now, all your Bruin fans, on your feet and I want "every man, woman and child" to join in.

And... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... U...C...L...A... UCLA fight, fight, fight!

Good luck this weekend ladies! BEAT SC!!!!!

Details:

UCLA vs. USC Dual Meet

Spieker Aquatics

Saturday Feb 13, 2010

12 pm.

Valentine's Day Garland

I wish I were more crafty.

Mama T says I can blame my swimming career for this lack of skills. According to her (courtesy of Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers), talent/natural ability can only get you so far, instead 10, 000 hours of practice is required to hone (Insert Chosen Ability) skills. In my case, I was so busy focusing on my swimming that I missed out on those 10,000 hours needed to develop rock star crafting skills.

Anyway, just because I ain't no Martha does not mean that I can't try (or blog about it for that matter). Whitney over at Whisker Graphics recently posted a free template to create your own Valentine's day garland. Not only do I adore the simple and sweet graphics of the garland, but I also love that to create said garland requires minimal crafty skills. I think the garlands would look darling tapped across a mirror, in front of your fridge or in the archways of your home.

So go ahead all you fellow non-crafty goddesses, make yourself some Valentine's day garlands because it's never too late to start clocking in those 10,000 hours!

Photo Credits: Whisker Graphics

Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle

With Chinese New Year, Beat SC week and Valentines Day all coinciding on the same weekend, I have been entirely showing favoritism toward the first two festivities and completely ignoring v-day (my excuse is that I am currently a party of one). However, when a PR company sent some conversation hearts to my office today, it got me in the mood and I though I would share the love.

Here is a fun and creative Valentine's Day gift idea that is cheap (free) yet personal. Visit Puzzlemaker and create a customized crossword puzzle that incorporates words and clues from your relationship. For example, 5 across: Where did we first meet? Answer: College.

Coming up with the words and clues to create this crossword puzzle is half the fun, re-living them with your partner is simply icing on the cake! Enjoy!

Sugar Paper

In keeping with this week's theme of Bruin blue and gold, here is a beautiful floral patterned stationary set. With delicate mustard-hued buds and robin's-egg-blue stems, this note card is the perfect excuse to send a loved one a "I'm thinking of you" note. These delicate letterpress are printed on 100% recycled paper and come with a corresponding charming kraft paper envelope.

Details:

Sugar Paper

$26 for 10 cards + 10 envelopes

The Stand

Being a recent food truck convert (thank you Grilled Cheese truck), I found myself prowling the streets of Westwood last thursday evening trying to look for the Komodo food truck. Not only did I have issues finding where the truck was parked (my fault- didn't check their latest locale tweet), but when I finally found the truck, they were closed for the night (their fault- they said they would be there till 10 pm and it was only 8.45 pm and they didn't even send a "sorry we're sold out" tweet until about 9.30 pm. To top if off, when I did find the truck, they were not at all apologetic about being closed!).

That experience reminded me why I was so resistant to the food truck craze in the first place! Expending all that energy to locate and track down a truck with no guarantee of food is not exactly my idea of fun. Unreliability aside, not having somewhere to park my behind and enjoy my bounty is not really my deal. The one thing I love most about food is its ability to draw people closer together, as they gather around a table to dine.

Anyway, needless to say, it was Thursday night, I was getting hungrier and grumpier by the minute and was entirely unimpressed. Desperate for food, my friends and I finally settled on grabbing hotdogs at The Stand.

Too hungry to know what I was craving, I ended up ordering the kraut dog- steamed dog, sauerkraut and deli mustard. I would never claim to be a connoisseur of hotdogs but this kraut dog left me wholly dissatisfied. The hotdog itself lacked any sort of flavor or texture (maybe because it was steamed) and the only thing I could taste was the overpowering deli mustard.

To make matters worse, they ran out of regular and sweet potato fries and I had to settle for slaw as my side. Any place that runs out of fries (my one weakness... well one of many) does not rate high in my books.

Details:

The Stand

1116 Westwood Boulevard

Los Angeles CA, 90024

310 443 0400

Ban.do

It's Beat SC week! Well if you follow UCLA Swimming and Diving it is :)

So in honor of this awesome week, I thought I'd share with you something that I love in that beautiful Bruin blue and gold!

Ban.do is a LA based company that hand makes the most gorgeous head pieces. I discovered Ban.do during my Supper Club internship days when I had the opportunity to go to their show room and meet owners Jen and Jaime, who by the way are just real sweet hearts. (They googled me before I came over and when I walked into the show room were just a bunch of giggles asking me if I swam and talking to me like we were old pals.)

This particular piece is from their black label collection and is called Happy go lucky. The large yellow rose and vintage blue flowers make for a girlie and cheery statement piece, perfect for a special occasion brunch, or just something to spice up a jeans and t-shirt outfit.

While their black label collection may be a bit on the pricey side for some, Ban.do also does a cheaper line, heart by ban.do, where all pieces are priced under $50.

Details:

Ban.do

Color Story: Red

1. Hand Built Porcelain Plate from Raquel Masri, 2. Vintage Inspired Rosebud Earrings from Larque By Jason , 3. Heart Twist Lollipops from Hammond's , 4. Summer Strawberries Notecards from Linda & Harriett

In honor of the fact that Chinese New Year and Valentines Day falls on the same day this year. I thought I would do a mini color story with red, the color of luck in Chinese culture and the color of love around the world! Gong Xi Fa Cha and Happy Valentines Day to all!

Whist

As I gaze Whist-fully at the pictures from my brunch at Whist, I cannot help but salivate (just a little) over what is now my favorite beet salad ever! But I'm getting ahead of myself here...

Recently, an old friend and I caught up with one another at Viceroy Santa Monica's Whist. Like Tavern, Whist's interior demands that I give it a little shout out. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the restaurant reads like a dramatic and modern version of a proper English parlor. My favorite thing in the restaurant is the green-mirrored wall devoted entirely to a display of black and white fine English china, which provides for a stunning and elegant focal point. The patio space of the restaurant is equally whimsical. With private dining cabanas (perfect for a intimate celebrations), plush leather seats and black and white accents sprinkled through out the patio, the outdoor option echos the chic and retro-glam feel of the interior space.

To start our feast, my friend and I split the roasted beet salad with baby lettuce, candied hazelnuts and truffle pecorino panna cotta. I love this salad for so many reasons that I almost don't know where to start (deep breath)! First off, the beets were served two ways- thin slices of pickled red beets, as well as the roasted halves of red and yellow beets. The pickled slices stood up perfectly to its roasted counterparts and added a nice crunchiness to the salad. Meanwhile, the tartness of the creamy (and insanely sublime, might I add) panna cotta cut the sweetness of the beets perfectly. While there was a lot happening on the plate (beets done two ways, bitter salad leaves, candied nuts, cheesy panna cotta) and there was a lot of playfulness with textures, I appreciated that the flavors of this beet salad were focused and succinct. I covet this beet salad so much so that I told my boss, who was interviewing chef Tony DiSalvo later that week, to tell chef DiSalvo that I heart his sophisticated riff on the beet salad and will be back for more! :)

For our main course, we shared two dishes, the first was an order of the eggs benedict- poached eggs, rosemary ham and hollandaise served with tuscan potatoes (I told you I love love love EB). The star of this dish was definitely the creamy hollandaise sauce. I'm not typically a huge fan of creamy sauces (I don't like whipped cream or anything doused with too much butter- yes I know there is a general intake of breath here) but this hollandaise sauce managed to be rich yet light at the same time. The roasted tuscan potatoes were sprinkled liberally with fresh rosemary and chili peppers which tied in nicely with the rosemary ham.

The second dish we shared was the strawberry french toast with fresh strawberries and strawberry jam. I'm usually a pancake girl (left over influences from an ex-boyfriend) so I have not had french toast in a long time but for some reason, this french toast sounded good to both of us. The strawberries smelled divine and were nice and juicy; and the strawberry jam was lovely too, not too sweet or too lumpy. French toast wise however, I was not too impressed with the sogginess of the bread and was once again reminded why I usually pick pancakes over french toast.

For dessert, we had the spiced pumpkin bread with spiced quince, candied pecans and brown sugar ice cream. Presented in a gorgeous copper dish, the pumpkin bread was beautifully spiced and perfectly moist. My first bite immediately conjured images of fall in my head. The fragrant quinces were the perfect compliment to the autumn flavors going on in this dish and added an interesting bite. Unfortunately, the brown sugar ice cream lacked the molasses punch that I was expecting.

Details:

Whist Restaurant

1819 Ocean Avenue

Santa Monica CA, 90401

310 260 7511