oscars 2011

Every year, my best friend and her family invite me to their Oscar viewing party. We drink mojitos and champagne, eat tons of appetizers, and watch everything from the red carpet to the best movie of the year. It's our "superbowl" party, and every year, we outdo the last. Since bakeries are banned from making "oscar" cakes now, aunt suzie found this amazing popcorn cake with all the movie watching amenities. We all contributed in the kitchen, and had the most fantastic of meals while we watched the 2011 Academy Awards. We all saw different movies that were nominated for Best Movie ... mine was Inception and Toy Story 3 .. so that was what I rooted for. What were your favorites??

 

 

french air

There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even - the French air clears up the brain and does good - a world of good.

 

— Vincent Van Gogh

packed for the bar

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be heading out to Ontario to check in to the hotel. I'm not bringing as much this time. Just the bare necessities. For some reason, am not that nervous. I am not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but I don't feel like I know enough even though I've been buried in books for months. Guess we'll find out in May...

cat eye shades

tom ford cat eye glasses

house of harlow cat eye sunglasses

 Note to self: need to make a trip to Aldo soon!

my love

I realized at 5 pm today that it was Valentine's. This damn bar has made my days blur and I actually mistook today as a Sunday. I've never celebrated this holiday, even when I was in a relationship. It just seemed less special since everyone else was celebrating it, and the incredible amounts of mushy-ness drove me insane. Nonetheless, I'm not that cold hearted.  *_*  I thought about wearing red today, and even pulled out a dress that's really cute to wear out...but I didn't go out...so I'm reposting some pics of Paris ... because this is what I think about when I hear the word "love".  Paris is the city of love. Everything that embodies this word is boxed up in this gorgeous city. Couples walk hand in hand, the views are breathtaking, the history bringing everything to life....and who can forget the aprodasiac foods! Being a single girl in this city still makes me happy because the French don't just embrace the couples kind of love, but also the love of oneself. Here, in this city, when I was 17, was when I first fell in love...with me. I learned more about myself in Paris than in any other place I've traveled to. It allowed me the opportunity to explore my curiosity and passions, my friendships/relationships, and most importantly, my individuality. Since then, I've been back 3 times, and each time, it gets better. These pics were taken this last winter by Kat when we spent a heavenly month living in the Marais after a worldwind tour of Asia and Eastern Europe. We decided to walk to La Tour Eiffel that day, and it was bitterly cold, but I got myself a choclat chaud et une crepe nutella, and smiled gleefully at the camera [see below].

h&m hearts romper, gap long-sleeve tee, zara tights, h&m neck scarf

nirrimi's valentine

[one of the best messages to convey love i found yet]

my beautiful girl,

you are asleep beside me, and despite the deep rumbles and grating gears of the passing vehicles on the highway outside our window, I feel so content, listening to your breathing, and the wind in the tall backyard tree, and now it is silent of all cars and trucks and roadnoise, and now it is nicer than it was before. with you I have learnt the most about myself, and consequently the world, and with you I am calmest, clearest, happiest, realest, warmest, and all other superlatives that could be used to describe just how right things are with you. I have said it a few times but I'm not sure I've ever truly been able to express just how much I appreciate you, your presence in my life, all of the things I have learnt from you both directly and indirectly. the world will change and change often, sometimes dramatically, but I know our love will always remain. we are the strongest of the strong, and I will never leave your side.

thank you for all that you have blessed me with. i am indebted to you.

yours for all time, and timelessness,
m

blancs manteaux

I lived next door to this boutique in Paris. Everyday I walked by the window and stared wistfully in. Finally, I went in before going home, and found the most beautiful grey/black cape of my life. It fit to perfection, but through some idiotic frame of mind, i didn't buy it. The price was steep, but now i regret not getting it everyday. How can I get it now???

  blancs manteaux

 

winter what?

It is 75 degrees F outside. Winter what? I don't see no winter here in cali cali. It's superbowl sunday XLV [Steelers v. Packers], butI can't really watch it. It's Professional Responsibility today for me, and I must finish all 6 essays to turn in. The game will start soon, and the neighbors will be screaming and bar-be-queing...and I'll be back at my desk. However, I'll have the tele on mute, so I can keep a lookout for the half-time show to take my break...it's the first time since the janet jackson fiasco that a woman [fergie] is the front[wo]man for the half time show, and i'm kind of excited for the black eyed peas to rock it.

 I love the color block pattern. I got this dress a few years back when I was at UCLA. My Italian roomie saw this dress on a trip down to Main St Huntington Beach, and begged me to take her back to Huntington Surf and Sport to get it. No problem, that's where I grew up! Luckily, they had TWO of these dresses left, one in her size and one in mine. She made me get it and I haven't regretted it.

hurley dress, H&M slippers

chúc mừng năm mới

 

 Happy Tet!!! I am not attending any festivals this year because I'm cooped up studying, but it was a nice day out, and I was rockin' these Thai pants. I figured, it's red. It's comfy. It's fun. It'll be my Tet outfit post.

 harempants from thailand, toska black cropped sweater, h&m white tank, aldo shades, old navy flip flops

polka dots

club monaco shirt, armani shorts, michael kors ballet flats

Didn't really wear this today. I have been cooped up in my house doing barbri essays for 10 hours, so I'm in my Thai pants and wifebeaters most of the day. Last night, I lost of feeling in my legs and my stomach starting to look like a buddha belly, so I knew it was time to get out of the house. Went to Pilates, put on a fresh outfit, and took these pics. If i was going out today, this is what I would wear!  I stole the ballet flats from my cousin who is visiting for the week. *_* I'm back in my Thai pants now, finishing up wills and trusts. Really really want to get shabu shabu tonight...

Lunar New Year is tomorrow! This is the red item for the day.  Tomorrow, I'll look for something with more red in my outfit shot to celebrate Tet. I'm not as joyous this year for Tet, mostly because of the bar exam and my tunnel vision. It's always been my favorite holiday, but this year, it seems to be a lot more low key for my family. I still would like to see some cherry blossoms, but I haven't had the time to go down to Little Saigon to pick my lucky branch. =/