A New Addition

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Blouse-Alice & Olivia 

Coated skinny jeans-Rag & Bone

Hat-H&M

Purse-PS11

Bracelet-Hermes

Ring-David Yurman

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Hi everyone, I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to my purse family: the PS11! I've been eyeing her for over a year now and finally took the plunge when Saks was having their Friends and Family promotion and included Proenza Schouler in their designer list. This bag embodies everything I love for everyday usage: it's a cross body, there's a strong structure to it, the design is simple yet there's a definite cool factor. She will definitely be making repeat appearances on the blog;)

Have a great week! Xo.

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I....


1. Played around with my new iphone that was finally delivered last week. I didn't have time to get acquainted with my new phone yet since it was a hectic and tiring week at work, so I got to play around with it this weekend. Now I need to find a nice case for it...

2. Wore my new Clover Canyon dress for a night of classical music at the Strathmore Center in Rockville, MD. I'm so in love with the print...

3. Was invited by Washington Performing Art Society for a night of piano classical music by pianist Yuja Wang at the Strathmore Center. Confession time: I've played piano for 18 years of my life and was thisclose to majoring in piano performance in college because it was such a huge part of my life but life ultimately led me to another profession. Attending classical music performances whether it be conducted by a solo pianist or an orchestra is something that I enjoy tremendously, so a big thanks to WPAS for inviting me this weekend. Be sure to check out their monthly calendar for performances that vary from classical music to dance and jazz.

4. Dined at Rose's Luxury in Washington, DC. It just opened up several weeks ago but I've been so curious about this place because the Chef is an alum of Momofuku Noodle Bar and I'm part of the cult following of David Chang's empire. I don't know even know to begin but I'm in love with everything about this place. I love the fact that there are two separate dining areas which is catered for couples and larger groups. The 8 (?) seat bar seating downstairs is situated right in front of their open kitchen which allows you to see the staff at work. Chef Aaron Silverman was in house and was overseeing the staff and serving the dishes to the customers. He even explained on how to optimize the flavor components on some of the dishes we ordered that night. The popcorn soup w/ lobster is getting lots of hype which literally tastes like what you would imagine a popcorn soup to taste like, but with lobster bites. Mixed feelings about this one. The highlight for me of the night was the caramelized cauliflower w/ Greek yogurt and raisin puree (and I don't even like cauliflower!) and the spicy pork w/ lychee and crispy garlic which played wonderfully on the sweet and savory notes. I probably could've had 3 bowls of that dish. Be warned, they don't take reservations but I HIGHLY recommend checking this place out because I have a feeling it will become popular very, very fast.

5. My friend Sung and I were getting some snacks and coffee at Dean and Delucca in Georgetown and while we were walking out, we noticed a macaron shop, Olivia Macaron that was next door. We were both curious about it because we had no idea a macaron shop would be opening up in that area, so naturally we ordered macarons to taste test. We asked the staff how long the shops been opened and they told us it just opened up last week! We ordered the lemon, rose, pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla, and rasberry flavors but the only ones that stood out were the pistachio and rasberry. I would've liked the outside texture to be a bit softer and some of the flavors to be more pronounced but since this shop just opened up I am willing to give it another try later down the road.


How was your weekend?

NomNom: Snickerdoodle Cookies

The first time I encountered a snickerdoodle cookie was at Reading Terminal in Philadelphia several years ago. I know, what has my childhood been about for me to come across it so late in life? Anyway, the follow day I attended a friend's bbq and was excitedly telling them about my new cookie discovery as I usually do when it comes to anything food related I enjoy. One friend nonchalantly told me that she has the best snickerdoodle recipe from Magnolia Bakery. Yes, the famous Magnolia Bakery that is probably more well known now for being featured in Sex and the City. On a side note, I don't think their cupcakes are that good but this snickerdoodle cookie recipe makes up for that tremendously.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what a snickerdoodle cookie tastes like, it is reminiscent of a sugar cookie that is rolled in a simple yet delicious concoction of cinnamon and sugar. Not only do these cookies taste like awesome, but the texture is right up my cookie preference alley. I prefer cookies that are soft and chewy---none of that hard and crunchy texture will be up in here. Ever.

Another great quality about these cookies is that they continue to stay soft and chewy for days later. Cookie and coffee for breakfast the next day? Obviously.

Have a great weekend. Xo.


Ingredients (Adapted from Magnolia Bakery) Yields: 3 dozen
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons cinnamon, for sprinkling

Procedure
1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla and beat well. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Wrap the dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

3. Preheat over to 350 degrees.

4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches for expansion. (I recommend leaving extra room between these cookies because they spread more than most.) Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

5. Cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

On Repeat

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Sweater-Vince

Button down-Banana Republic (old, similar style here)

Skirt-F21

Shoes-Kor Michael Kors

Purse-Balenciaga

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Necklace-Alexis Bittar (similar style here)

Happy Wednesday everyone! It's been a busy past couple of days which is a contributor to my lack of post on my usual Monday weekend snapshots (sorry!) and a special thanks to Mel for watching my little Mandu for a couple of days:)

When life gets busy, I am a repeat offender with my outfits. I might add variations to my outfits (change out pants to a skirt or vice versa or add different accessories) like I did when I initially wore this sweater HERE. But now that the temperatures are starting to drop, I decided to layer the cropped sweater with a long sleeve button down instead of a tank to add more warmth. I'm a huge proponent of recycling the items you already have in the closet and remixing it...trust me, your wallet will thank you.

Have a great week. Xo.

NomNom:PB&J S'mores

When I was younger, I would consume a lot of PB&J sandwiches. I'd add some banana slices in between the bread and wash it down with a cold glass of milk and that was pretty much my idea of the perfect sandwich as a kid. Now that I'm older and much more uhhh fancier....I still eat it the same way. Same goes for s'mores. Eating them now is such a throwback to happy childhood memories by the campfire.

So this super simple recipe is literally a hybrid between a PB&J and a S'more. It's so easy to make that I'm not sure if I would call it a recipe but more like an assembly. You spread peanut butter and jelly on one side of a graham cracker and the other cracker half gets a generous spread of hazelnut chocolate and marshmallow creme and then they kiss. Oh.my.yum.

This is one of those type of desserts/snacks that will appeal to both kids and adults and well, visually it looks fun to eat. I mean, who doesn't love fun? Add sprinkles or chocolate chips if you're feeling a little extra that day.

Enjoy your weekend. Xo.


Ingredients (Adapted from Chef Elizabeth Karmel of NYC's HIll Country) Yields:6
1/2 (14.4 oz) box graham crackers
Peanut butter
Chocolate ganache or hazelnut-chocolate spread
Strawberry, rasberry, or grape jelly
Marshmallow creme
Sprinkles
Mini chocolate chips

Procedure
1. Break a graham cracker in half. Spread a generous teaspoon of peanut butter on 1 cracker half and a teaspoon of chocolate on the other half.

2. Spread a thin layer of jelly over the peanut butter and thicker layer of marshmallow creme on the chocolate,

3. Place the 2 halves together and press gently to seal the filling. For a more finished presentation, dip the sticky edges of each s'more in sprinkles or mini chocolate chips.