maine vacation

Is it bad that I haven't even been engaged for a week yet and I'm already thinking of the honeymoon? Kyle and I really love the idea of a winter vacation in Maine...we'd rent a little cabin where we could watch the amazing sunsets and at night, curl up in front of the fireplace together to keep warm. It just seems so peaceful and relaxing. Did I mention I'm also a big fan of lobster...?

(Photos by Broot)

bird house

Sweet little birdhouses from Terrain - I'm really loving the one covered in seeds and corn, just think - you'd never have to leave home if you wanted a bite to eat! Just stick your head out the door and chomp...

we're engaged!

I'm pinching myself as I write this but yes it's true! Kyle proposed to me on Friday night and I feel like I've been floating on a cloud ever since. The actual proposal didn't go down exactly as he had planned, but when he did it I was definitely surprised and oh-so-excited (followed by many, many tears of joy). And the best part is he even got down on one knee!

We had such a lovely weekend celebrating with our friends, families, delicious cupcakes (thanks Runi & Thomas!) and ourselves...I can't believe I'm going to say this but I have a fiance now! Here's to the most amazing weekend ever :)

oh-happy anniversary!

Today is my anniversary with my sweetie (7 years and counting, can you believe it!). I never thought I'd find someone so sweet, handsome AND who makes me laugh until my sides hurt every single day. Unfortunately, we are living in 2 different cities right now but I'm really hoping that will change very soon. Babe, I love you so much and there is no one else in the world I'd rather wear fake mustaches with. Can't wait to see you tonight!

P.S. Check out this New York lottery commercial...puppies in pajamas...enough said :)

(Photo is from our 2007 Mexico trip)

daily puppy

Meet Norman - isn't he just the sweetest little french bulldog you have ever seen?! Ever since Kyle & I saw the show Californication, we have fallen in love with the breed. We would so love to have one to spoil completely rotten someday.

P.S. Check out this frenchie video that my friend Kathy mentioned on her blog...love!

(Via The Daily Puppy)

fall days

So yesterday was the first day of Fall - or as Kyle says "It's not called the first day of fall, it's the autumnal equinox." Haha, and I could not be happier! With fall comes cooler weather, my birthday, seeing friends & family around the holidays...but really my favorite part has got to be the clothes. Everyone always looks so fresh and beautiful in their cute coats and stylish boots. Right now, I am really loving everything from the Toast catalog - and it is taking all of my willpower to not buy one of everything...

flower necklace

Just how stunning are these handmade silk flower necklaces by missrubysue? They have such a girly, romantic feel to them...a perfect fall addition to my wardrobe.

the marshmallow experiment

Haha, this video made me laugh. Oh, the power of kid willpower. I would be the little red haired girl at the end...just watch and you'll know what I mean. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to marshmallows :) Happy Monday!

(Borrowed from swissmiss)

foodie weekend

Short post today but my friend Bob is in town visiting, so I'm taking today off from work to show him all of my favorite Austin eateries (yes, I am a self-proclaimed food tour guide)! Maybe we will eat some yummy Amy's ice-cream too...my favorite :) Enjoy your weekend!

P.S. I know, I have way too many photos of myself with food...I can't help it, I'm Asian - we like to document our lives through what we eat ;)

veggie burgers

So it turns out I may have a slight obsession with veggie burgers...as in I still haven't found the best one ever. Megan and I tried this place and it was really good. You could really taste the brown rice, red peppers and corn...but I'm still not convinced they are all that rave-worthy. Their olive oil french fries are another story though.

Do you know of any good veggie burgers?

fashion week

How do New Yorkers always manage to look so chic all the time, and yet still make it look so effortless? And especially during the week of all weeks, Fashion Week. Is it something in the water up there? I am baffled...not to mention insanely jealous of their sense of style...

(Photos by The Sartorialist)

coffee cozy

How adorable are these coffee cozies by waysideviolet? They remind me of my favorite cream colored, cable knit sweater that my sister bought me several years ago for Christmas. And even though that sweater keeps me ridiculously warm to the point of sweating every time I wear it, I still love it. If only my sweater had a cute little turquoise bow on it...then I'd really be in love!

typewriter cake

I have to say...this is such a creative idea for a cake! How cute are those rolo type keys? :) I'd like to eat them one by one...and the attention to detail is just fantastic. Yum, happy Monday!

(Borrowed from Design*Sponge)

rainy weekend

I think it is officially rainy season in Austin, as it's been raining non-stop lately. And I don't care if we need the rain or if we have yellow grass or if the lakes are all drying up...I still don't like it (unless I am able to hide underneath my bed covers all day).

Are you doing anything fun this weekend? I'm spending another weekend with the boy in Fort Worth...so maybe hiding out from the rain won't be too bad. I'm still hoping for a rainbow or two though :)

Have a good one!

(Photo by minkoff )

vintage suitcase

I love the old fashioned appeal of a vintage suitcase...there is so much history behind each one. RoundTrip makes them a little more "modern" by hand drawing and hand painting recycled handbags and luggage. How cool (and easy) would it be to spot one of these in a baggage claim?

P.S. I also love these matryoshka dolls!

goodbye reading rainbow

So I just found out yesterday that one of my all-time favorite shows growing up, Reading Rainbow, has been cancelled. It makes me really sad to think that my future kids someday won't be able to enjoy the show like I did. Just the song itself brings back so many memories (though I have to admit, the intro seems a little strange to me now that I'm no longer a kid).

It's also where I first discovered my love for this book and this book...both of which are soon-to-be movies this fall! Are you going to see them in the theatres?

p.s. i made this

Erica Domesek is the genius behind the blog, "PS-I Made This...", where she finds daily inspiration and translates it into something we can all wear, use or look at. I like how the instructions are numbered and are easy to read and understand (especially for slow learners like myself). Now to find an old t-shirt I don't like anymore...

peanut butter + chocolate chip

Ok, so instead of baking my meringue cookies as originally planned, I went the "unhealthy" route and decided to bake peanut butter chocolate chip cookies instead. I think it was because I've been craving peanut butter lately like nobody's business...and this would give me an excuse to lick the empty jar afterwards. Needless to say, not only did I lick the entire jar clean, but I also ate TEN of these cookies in one day. Yes, 1-0, ten. These were seriously the most addicting cookies I have ever eaten. Even when I found myself cursing at them out loud...I couldn't help but reach for another one.

Try the recipe here for yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you...

(Via smittenkitchen)

have a lovely weekend

Are you doing anything special this Labor Day weekend? I am staying in town and plan on doing absolutely nothing - with the exception of seeing a few good friends, baking chocolate chip meringues and taking many many naps (oh and watching college football!). Have a safe and peaceful holiday...see you next week!

(Photo by knmurphy)

supermarket sarah

Meet Sarah -- she left her job in the corporate world (presumably in the U.K.) to open up an online shop in her own home. You can find lots of vintage and handmade goodies...and I love the quirky setup of her website - check it out here!

(Borrowed from swissmiss)

vegan for a day

Kyle took me to the Spiral Diner & Bakery this past weekend in Fort Worth and it was delicious (especially for vegan food!). I ordered the classic veggie burger complete with smiley face sauce, yum! The best part about the whole experience was that our waiter looked and sounded just like Macaulay Culkin, but with curly brown hair (he also said phrases such as "totally rad" and "party hard"). I did miss the cheese on my burger though...

Thanks Kathy for the reco!