TGIF - Whatcha Up To?

TGIF!! I couldn't sleep well last night because I was so excited that it's Friday.  I always get so excited about Fridays (almost as extreme as the way I hate Mondays).  It's not like I have anything grand planned. Just love the idea of being able to be on my own schedule. 

I do want to try making this salt-baked sea bass using a recipe from Goop.  

It always surprises me how much salt you see on the dish - yet the fish always comes out tasting so moist and not overly salted.  

Over the weekend, I also want to get rid of some clutter. I always have this strong desire to keep things decluttered around the house, in case I have to move.  I think it also has to do with getting older too.  I just feel like I need less clutter around me - I mean, I can't remember where things are anymore!!  

Hope you guys too have a wonderful, at-my-own-schedule kinda weekend~~

Latest Obsession - Antlers

Faux ones, of course.  I've always loved faux antlers.  Not the ones with the actual head and all, but just the antlers on a plaque. I found these Suzanne Kasler atelier antlers from  Ballard Designs and really like them. 

From Ballard Designs

I live in a loft with very high ceilings everywhere.  One place that really needs help is the space around our big t.v.  (ugh, t.v.'s are such problems when it comes to designing and decorating!).  I've come to realize that we need something 3D behind and around the flat t.v.screen and I think these faux antlers may just be perfect. Any suggestions for faux antlers?  

Holiday Gifts I Received (w/ Update)

**Update:  The Reiss dress is beautiful in person BUT it's way too snug.  I mean, you have to be pretty thin emaciate to fit into this dress and you will NOT be able to consume anything more than 2 sips of cocktail.  For me, the chest was too big (nothing new) and the hips were very snug (like if it were any tighter, I'd get a muffin top).  While it looked sexy, I found it way too unpractical for me to keep, even at its more than 50% off price. If I were to go up a size, the chest and shoulders will be too big. So, it's going back.  I really really wanted to love this dress but it's just not happening :(  

Here's a little show and tell of some of the gifts I received this year during the most recent Christmas.

a & b:  Like many women all over the world, I have been totally crushing on Kate Middleton's style.  When KM wore this Reiss dress meeting our First Lady, I was totally in love with the dress and completely jealous of KM's body.  My friend Nancy has the same dress in royal blue and she too looks amazing in the dress.  So, I've been dreaming of getting a Reiss dress for some time and two days ago, I just randomly went on the Reiss website and saw that there was a major sale going on. My husband has been asking me since November what I want for Christmas.  And truly, I had nothing specific in mind. And bam! I saw the above dress on sale and I knew immediately that was going to be my present from Randy.  The pink sweater was also on my wish list for some time ever since I saw it on Naomi from Love Taza. That too was on sale! Combined together, the dress and sweater ended up being more than 50% off the original price! 

c:  We received this gift set of NEST votives from a dear family friend.  We instantly felt so posh just looking at the box they came in.  And yes, they smell AMAZING.

d:  I gifted this pair of Freye Veronica Short Boot to myself with the promise that I will not purchase anything for myself in January!!

e:  This is a set of 6 Jo Malone fragrances I received from a family friend as well.  I've so wanted anything Jo Malone for so long but could never justify the purchase.  So, this was definitely a surprise and a perfect gift!  

There you have it - some of the gifs I received this past Christmas.  Yup - I made out like a bandit!!  

GOODBYE 2012 & HELLO 2013

I hope you all had a wonderful and fun-filled New Year's Eve and Day.  I can't complain about how I spent my last day of 2012 and first day of 2013.  I successfully cooked two live lobsters despite not having a ginormous boiling pot and went onto finish the dinner off with ice cream with fresh strawberries and chocolate mousse cake. Randy named the dessert "Chocolate Moonrise".  I like it! It was truly a simple yet completely satisfying last meal of 2012.  The first day of 2013 was spent catching up with some friends via Facebook and emails, while downing 2 cups of coffee.  I love those kind of leisurely mornings when I am not on a specific schedule.  Later, we went to the movies and saw 'Les Mis'. I can't say I loved it.  BUT it was indeed impressive and I did enjoy all the songs I haven't listened to or played in a very long time. 

I assume some of you guys are wondering if I made any new  year's resolutions.  Not really. For me, it's just too much pressure on myself to set a specific list of resolutions.  If anything different from the past, I want to continue blogging and stay creative because that was one of the best things I decided to start in 2012.  

So, goodbye 2012 and here we come 2013 - ready for another roller coaster of whatever life gives us! 

Image via here

Last Party of 2012

Image via Coco + Kelley

Ok, are we ready for the last party of the year or what? Actually, I'm totally not ready.  I'm so sad to say good bye to 2012 and the winter holidays :( I do however, feel truly blessed to have gone through another year in good health, which I value on a daily basis as I get older, and especially after Randy's recent mishap in Colorado. 

I'm celebrating the last day of 2012 at home with Randy and the our two pups.  And we are going to do so with a glass of bubbly and fresh lobsters (sorry if that gross some people out).  In fact, we already started the bubbly thing yesterday when we got really cabin feverish while waiting out a mini snow storm. 

Hope you have a great New Year's Eve and Happy New Year!!

A glass of bubbly (Martini & Rossi) with fresh berries

recipe and image via Simply Recipes

Let's hope this is how the lobsters come out after I boil them - NOT moving...

One Girly Look for New Year's Eve

I'm staying in this New Year's Eve (as discussed here).  But if I were going out to a party, I'd love to rock out this ultra girly outfit. I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for these lovelies to go on post-holiday sale.  

a.  Tulle Tendril Bib - Anthropologie
b.  Perforated Vegan Leather Dress - Erin Fetherston
c.  Crystal Venus Flytrap Earrings - J.Crew
d.  Cooper Quilted Strap Watch - Kate Spade New York
e.  Tri Lock Merino Clutch - Topshop
f.  Tamsin Classic Pumps - Loeffler Randall

Peaceful Sunday

Hi there~  Sorry I've been so MIA.  I gotta tell you, it's hard to get my head back into the normal routine of things after Christmas.  Especially when on Christmas Day, my husband fell while snowboarding and hit a rock, resulting in 2 broken ribs and a contusion to one of his lungs.  You can imagine the state of my emotions and mind since then.  But Randy is getting better and adjusting to being INCREDIBLY uncomfortable, in a lot of pain, and unable to do a lot of the things he used to be able to do, as simple as sitting down or standing up. Yeah - this was indeed a memorable Christmas Day.  

Everything started to feel more settled yesterday when it started to snow here. There's nothing more serene than the quietness brought on by snow.  

I have no big plans for the new year's eve or day.  I think Randy and I can enjoy some quiet down time with our puppies, cuddling on the couch, with a little glass or two of bubbly.