What is it about these books that makes me want to buy them all? They're super pretty to look at. I swear, when I have a space for a library, I will get every single one. :-) This collection is from Barnes and Noble.
Look what I found stashed in my luggage. It was wrapped in gold stripes and neon labels.
It was a Florence Broadhurst for Kate Spade piece.
Surprise!
It's been a while since this came out. I have been looking around for a seamless pattern of this Japanese Floral by Florence Broadhurst. But there wasn't any. Boo. I need to make one.
Okay, with most of my in-laws as well. So, there was a bunch of us on a cruise ship going to Alaska. It cannot get more fun than that.
Our port was in Seattle, which one of my favorite cities. I can stay in Seattle for a long, long time. But that's another story.
Daddy and Allie about to board the cruise ship
I had motion sickness during the first night on the ship. I blame it on my OC-ness to immediately take out our luggages' contents. It was terrible. So, to those going on a cruise, bring lots of motion sickness meds, or the patch (but I hear the patch has some vision-related side effect, so be wary).
Allie playing near the ship's glass wall
The views were breathtaking.
I took this panoramic picture (as with the other photos here in this post), and I swear, Mendelhall Glacier is more magnificent in person.
Mendelhall Glacier (on the right)
Mendelhall Glacier -- a closer view
An old train at the White Pass Scenic Railway
Another glacier, this time at Tracy Arm
Totem Bight State Park
Even the view from the stern was amazing.
My favorite part of the excursions we took was the one in Victoria, BC. Kind of ironic that it's not part of Alaska, huh? Well, I'm more of a spring and summer kind of girl.
Here is the most beautiful garden I have ever seen in my life.
The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens
The Lagoon at The Sunken Garden
If I had this garden near me, I would visit every day.
I always get teary-eyed when I listen to this. If I were to change my first dance song during my wedding, it would be this. Sigh. *sniff*
XO
The Luckiest by Ben Folds Five
I don't get many things right the first time,
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns ands tumbles and falls brought me here
Now it was right before the day that I first saw your lovely face
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am,
I am,
I am the luckiest
What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on the street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?
And in a wide sea of eyes,
I'd see one pair that I'd recognize
And I know
That I am, I am, I am the luckiest
I love you more than I have ever found a way to say
To you
Next door there's an old man
Who lived to his nineties
And one day, passed away in his sleep
And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I'm sorry I know that's a
Strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know
That I am,
I am,
I am the luckiest
My lips get dry and chapped easily, so moisturizing them is a must for me. I have always been a fan of Body Shop's Strawberry Lip Balm. It's yummy and make my lips super soft. I love it. I tried petroleum jelly too, but it feels icky and oily to me.
Just recently, I braved the new world of lip color. Yes, lipsticks. So far, in terms of the moisturizing benefits, MAC tops my list. But I still wanted more moisture.
While browsing the cosmetic aisle of my all-time favorite store, Target, I found these Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stains for just about $8. They are new, according to the shelf display, and I thought to give them a try. I bought the color Lovesick. I loved it so much I decided to get all the pinks. I don't think I carry reds and purples that well.
They are light, brimming with color, and still kissable, just as they claim. :) Most importantly, they moisturize my lips perfectly.
I went to Nordstrom just the other day, and found that Clinique has balm stains as well! I think I'm always the last to know about these great products because it looked like they had them for quite some time now. Anyway, Clinique Chubby Sticks sell for about $17. They look alike inside (maybe one copied the other or maybe they have the same supplier, I don't know). Hmm, I must try them too.
It was my first attempt to create a dessert table. On Allie's 1st birthday, no less. I channelled my inner Amy Atlas / Martha Stewart. It was scary. But I think it turned out quite alright.
All photos were taken by Resonance Photography
The DIY dessert table
White-washed bird cage. Borrowed cake stand and easel. Custom table runner. DIY cupcake flags. DIY Lilly Pulitzer paper-covered name. Easy paper flowers. Paper tassels. It was a DIY extravaganza.
I had an all-natural lemon cake done by a professional pastry chef. I think she's the pastry chef of Brasserie CiÇou, a cool French cafe in Greenhills that I have yet to write about. Soon.
The pretty flower topping.
She created the cupcakes as well. The cake was like pound cake. Yummy. I made the cupcake flags, which I shared the how-to earlier.
I bought striped wafer straws from the grocery. They came in various colors and flavors.
-- and got some marshmallow twist pops and some marshmallow bites.
We also bought donut holes from the donut store.
My sister had these cake pops made by her friend.
I also had food-grade polybags with personalized stickers for the guests to put in their dessert loots. At the end of the party, the table was unrecognizable. It was empty.
The dessert table was a success. Thank you Amy Atlas for the inspiration.
Who knew that someone who does not like going to palengkes would love this Seattle landmark? There's something about it that makes me want to go back over and over again.
The market boasts sustainable fish, fresh flowers and fruits, collectibles, preserves, artworks and a few dining establishments.
Blueberries, golden raspberries, blackberries and red raspberries. They are so colorful.
Nothing beats sweet, huge strawberries.
Artichokes
Piggy banks in all colors
Fresh, sustainable fish -- a lot of folks frequent this stall because sometimes you get to see a lot of fish-throwing.
Flavored oil. I would love to sample all these!
...and the dried pasta. They have dark chocolate linguine. Interesting huh?
Here is my favorite -- jar of jellies! You get to taste whichever you want. My personal favorites are the Lavender, Scotch Bonnet Habanero Pepper and Caramel. I bought a Lavender Jelly jar to take home. It will last 3 years, I was told by the owner.
Who can forget the vast flower stalls? Here are some poppies, irises and peonies. Sigh, I wish I can take them all home.
More colorful flowers...
A fruit stall
A tea and crumpet store just outside the market
In one of the restaurants inside the market, there's this corner stool where Tom Hanks apparently sat on.
:-)
In my perfect place, there is a Pike Place Public Market.
