Monday E-Design: Yellow & Grey

I have this crazy obsession with wanting to constantly update and change things around my place. For example, it wasn't too long ago when I bought a new shower curtain(see here).  I really thought I was done with my search for that perfect shower curtain...until I saw the this one from West Elm (see below). Now, I want to brighten up my bathroom with everything yellow and grey.  Here's what I'm thinking of (but probably will not act on so as to comply with a self-sworn promise not to purchase anything in January).   

a, c, and d from here.
b from this Etsy shop.

FYI, everything except "Keep Calm & Carry On" is from West Elm, which will make the shopping spree much easier, especially with the current 20% all bedding & bath sale. (Ugh... so tempting!!)

Sunday Cuddles - My Sweet Babies

No words can describe the sweetness of my puppies sleeping head to head...love spending lazy Sunday afternoons with my babies. 

One More Show & Tell - Chemex Coffee Maker (w/ UPDATE)

**UPDATE:  Guys, I tried Chemex and it's a success!!  It does not take that long to brew.  And the taste - it's clean and light, like a really well brewed espresso.  I am in LOVE.  Definitely worth the investment (and it's a modest one compared to some of those fancy schmancy coffee makers that cost more than $100+).  Big THANKS to my pollyanna, AMIE :) 

Remember me talking about how I made out like a bandit this Christmas?  Well, I have one more gift to show off.  We have a pollyanna gift exchange every year at work and we always do it after the holidays so as to take off some of that holiday shopping stress (plus more stuff on sale after the holidays).  Here's what I received from my pollyanna - a Chemex coffee maker!    

Isn't this a beauty?   I've been told by a coffee afficionado that Chemex is the way to go. I cannot wait to try this out over the weekend.  If you are wondering where to get one, you can purchase a Chemex at Williams Sonoma (where my pollyanna got mine), Sur La Table, or any other reputable kitchenware store. 
(p.s. I'll update this post after I try my first cup of Chemex brewed coffee :))

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