Design Junkie

There comes a time when things around your house start to look outdated and tired.  Well, that's exactly what's happening with our dining table and chairs.  Nothing's wrong with them BUT we could use a little change.  Of course, the practical side of me says I'm being frivolous. But I would like to think that a little updating won't hurt us in the long run as our eyes won't hurt so much every day looking and frowning at our now outdated and tired looking dining set.  Anyways, when and if we get to that time to update our stuff, I'd like to start with our dining chairs.  I'm thinking of these...with some skepticism... 

(the first set of chairs via here; Katie Lee Joel and her chairs from an old Domino (yes, I still mourn the death of that magazine); faux wishbone chairs via here;  and it's cousin :) via here)

And of course, if I could get an entire make-over of some sort, I'd want something like this...

(via House & Beautiful)

And now, I have to laugh at having become such a design junkie!!

Feeling Simple

I truly don't know what it is these days.  I'm really feeling the dark colors and simplest of simple silhouettes. Perhaps it's because I have a lot on my mind (who doesn't, right?!) and I need at least, my wardrobe to be hassle and worry free.  The good thing about falling into this mode is that simple is always classic (albeit at times mistaken as "boring" for some :) Here's a simple and even a bit mod of an ensemble I'd love to see in my closet during this period of seasonal transition. 

a. Adia Kibur Earrings// b. Tibi dress// c. Alexander McQueen The Heroine Leather Tote (seriously, I want to liquidate my 401(k) to purchase this bag...)// d. Ann Taylor Beagle Bangle (too cute)// e. Sam Edelman Opal Pump (to die for nude color, right?!)

Happy Wednesday, we are half way there to the final hoorah and sashaying out of the summer into the fall~~

Dream Kitchen

A close family friend of ours asked for my thoughts on renovating a kitchen. Being a renter, I don't have the luxury of renovating, really anything.  I'm fortunate enough where I do like the set up that came with my place, BUT if I had my way, my kitchen would look like any of these places...

a// b//  d//  f//  (sources for c and e - to be found!!)

I truly don't know how difficult it is to maintain white cabinets but man, they look good! And I love the white & grey granite counters;  they kinda feel apothecary like in a good clean way.

Dreamy, right?  

What kind of kitchen do you dream of?  

What I Eat - Cucumber Kimchi Salad

Holy cow, we are really in the last week of August, aren't we?!
So weird how realization of time passed brings so much mixed emotions... 

I had a pretty productive weekend that included making a delicious salad.  It starts out with julienning a seedless cucumber.

I purchased the stainless Kuhn Rikon julienne peeler (thanks to Sarah from A House In the Hills) in the photo above and omg, it's a must-have for all chefs (or wanna be's like me).  

  
I added some fresh kimchi, avos, baby radishes, a drizzle of sesame seed oil and rice vinegar.  We had this salad with salmon filets and I have to say it was one delicious and healthy meal!  

Hope you have a great last week of August~~ 

TGIF - Whatcha Up To?

TGIF~~ Friday's finally here!
I'm super excited because Randy and I are meeting up with a friend of ours for sushi tonight and this is such a treat because we didn't eat out at all this week!

On Saturday, I will finally go to a local farmer's market with another friend, who is always hilarious. I am excited to get some fresh lox, veggies and to just hang out with my good friend. 

Here's what else is on my mind for this weekend....enjoy your weekend~~

• Carrot Noodles in Peanut Sauce - Sara from A House in the Hills turns out another winning dish

• Ricotta with Lemon Basil - Martha knows best

• Painting Vases - Totally doable, right?! Tx, Creative Mint!

• Simple necklace - so pretty (from Black and White Jewels/Etsy)

Noma, That's All

My friends Nancy and Katy recently went on an amazing trip to England for a beautiful wedding (MJ - congrats again!!), and took the opportunity to fly over to another Euro country, Denmark.  There, they visited a world renowned restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, known for their wildly imaginative and delectable dishes. And guys, the photos Katy took of the 15+ gastronomical creations (more like artwork) left me green with envy. With Katy's generous permission, I share her photos. Enjoy the "food porn" as Katy calls it. 

In the Middle

Yesterday, Jess from Jess Lively (a must read blog for oh so many life lessons) asked a "super important question" on her Facebook page - Long or Short?  As in hair length, of course (what else can we think of?!).  

I've been pondering obsessing over the same question this entire summer as my hair continues to suffocate in a ponytail or a chignon (ok, who am I kidding, it's a bun!). I've  been told by many that I look better with short/shorter hairstyle.  I wish I could wake up and my hair would look like any of these mid length styles...

(all images found here on Pinterest)

So pretty, right?!  I think I'll go for the chop-off sometime at the end of the summer.  It'll be a nice fresh make-over for the fall :) 

We are half way there~~  #alreadythinkingoftgif