Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I...

1. Added new clothes to my spring wardrobe. I bought a couple of shirts from H&M and found Paige colored denims at TJ Maxx! I was surprised to see those there so soon since it's a huge trend right now and usually designer items found from that store are from past seasons. 

2. Stopped by Georgetown cupcakes (my favorite cupcake store) for a mid afternoon snack since the boy lives close by to them. It's a blessing and a curse I tell ya.

3. Picked up new pillows to add to my couch. They're DKNY and I got them at a great deal from....TJ Maxx. Can you tell I love that place?

4. Met up with the boy after work on Friday and went to happy hour to welcome the weekend. The following day, we also helped celebrate my friend's recent engagement at Mrs.K's Tollhouse in Silver Spring, MD. It's a cute place that looks like it was converted into a restaurant from somebody's home. I ordered the venison and it was cooked perfectly. The boy ordered lamp chops but said he liked my venison better=P

5.  Originally had plans to take the boy to Kushi on Sunday night but he was tired from studying and I also felt like hibernating inside because of the sudden blast of cold weather we got that day. So instead, I cooked a pasta dish recipe I got from the www.thepioneer woman.com and we both approved. It also yielded lots of leftovers which is a great time saver for this upcoming work week.

How was your weekend?

NomNom: Lucky Lamb Snackers

So this past Monday was my precious dog, Mandu's birthday. He turned 3 years old and has been such a blessing in my life. Mandu is the only pet I've ever owned so it's been a learning process on how to raise one, but he's already made such a positive impact in my life. He's taught me to be more responsible, more patient, and has shown me nothing short of unconditional love. Being a pet owner now, I now understand when people say they consider their pets as part of their family.

I'm not gonna lie...with a face like his, it's really hard not to spoil him and when a special day only comes once a year, it means that he'll be spoiled more then usual;) The past couple of years I've been baking a 'pupcake' for him, but I noticed that he'll only eat the icing part (made from cream cheese). The little guy loves cheese, just like his momma.

This year I decided to make something else and unexpectedly came across a recipe from Rachel Ray's magazine. Who would've thought? I could've easily bought a bunch of fancy biscuits for him instead, but to me, putting in the time and effort to make something for your pet (or anyone for that matter) just seems more special.

Mandu is a bit of picky eater so experimenting with this recipe which involves lamb was gonna be an expensive gamble but luckily for me, he loved it. Seriously. The little guy ate it up like it was nobody's business.

 Those eyes. That nose. Dem ears.

So if you're also a dog owner, I highly recommend you make these. He/she will love them as much as Mandu did and if not, Mandu will happily eat them for you=)

Have a great weekend.


Ingredients (adapted from Everyday with Rachel Ray magazine March 2012) Yields: 24 treats
1/2 cup ground lamb (4 oz)
1/2 cup shredded sweet potato
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/4 cup water

Procedure
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet cook together the lamb and sweet potato together until the meat is browned.  Transfer to a large bowl along with any meat juices; let cool for at least 5 minutes.  

2. Mix in the eggs, flour, and water.  Drop a heaping teaspoonful of the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake until browned on the bottom and firm to the touch, 20 to 24 minutes.  Let cool.  These treats can be stored in the refrigerator for one week or freeze them for up to 2 months.

Pseudo-Suit+Textures

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Tweed jacket-Tory Burch

Faux leather shorts-F21

Blouse-Express

Gloves-Neiman Marcus

Shoes-Pour La Victoire

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Today's outfit inspiration comes from NYFW Fall 2012. One of the take home messages I got from NYFW, which finished wrapping up a couple of weeks ago, was that tweed and textural mixing will be huge for fall. I guess I got lucky when I unknowingly purchased my tweed jacket over early winter;)  

Wearing a bow and a tweed jacket together translates as ultra feminine so I wanted to bring a little bit of edge to the outfit by pairing it with leather shorts for a bit of juxtaposition. I normally wouldn't think to automatically put leather and tweed together but one of the things I love about fashion is that it inspires you to think outside the box. 

What are some ways you like to juxtapose elements of clothing?

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I...


1. Was invited to a 'Media Maven and Mimosa' spring trend preview event at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Galleria, VA. They graciously provided breakfast and mimosas while they explained and showed spring trends that will be huge for 2012. Florals, pastels, neons, tweed, clutches, and yellow (the new neutral, referred by Ken Downings) are where it's at this spring. Get on it people.

2. Met with Melanie for dinner at our favorite Korean fried chicken place (BonChon) to catch up on life happenings. Good food+good conversation= good night.

3. Unexpectedly scored Le Creuset items from TJ Maxx for a great deal! I imagine making hot appetizer dishes in these...yum. I was debating between yellow and red and decided to buy the red colored ones. I'm such a sucker for red.

4. Finally took the plunge and bought the Louis Vuitton leopard scarf. I've been lusting after this scarf for over a year now because of the hefty price tag on it and decided to take advantage of Saks Fifth Avenue's reward point system they were having last week and buy the scarf. It's beautiful, soft, and luxurious and am excited to start debuting her in my outfits for you. I see this as another investment piece because leopard is here to stay, indefinitely.

5. Came across a dog recipe that I will be making today. It's my dog, Mandu's bday today (!!!) and he will be spoiled even more then usual. If these treats get the Mandu stamp of approval, I will be posting this recipe for you guys soon!

How was your weekend?

The Cape

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Cape-Alice&Olivia

Shirt-Theory

Pants-Banana Republic 

Shoes-Pour La Victoire

Hat-F21

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

So I have a slight obsession with coats/jackets/blazers. The one thing I love about having four seasons where I live is that I have an excuse to buy coats;) I bought this cape last year after my sister convinced me to buy it because I was initially a bit unsure if I would really wear it. I'm so glad she did though because I love how it's so different from the rest of my conventional looking coats. You can't tell from the picture but it come with sleeves so you have the option of adding another layer to whatever you're already wearing. The cape is also designed so that if you don't feel like doing that, the sleeves won't hang and show. It's a win win situation;)

Is everyone ready for the weekend? My weekend will consist of working, meeting with friends for dinner, and an event at Neiman Marcus I was invited to that I'll share with you on Monday in my weekend updates=) Regardless of what your plans are, I hope you do something fun and relaxing and I'll talk to you on Monday. Have a great weekend.