ming makes cupcakes

Ming makes cupcakes and I drool over them. I love that she photographed them so that we could see inside their yummy bellies. She even has her creative recipes posted next to each cupcake!







What's your favorite? What kind of cupcakes do you gravitate towards?

weekend snippits

I had such a relaxing, wonderful weekend with the people dearest to me. I couldn't be more thankful reminiscing on my four years in college than now. I have been abundantly blessed.

Some sneakpeaks:









from something else this weekend:


bunting made from felt and construction paper cause i'm lacking in a sewing machine and time :).

Hillcrest adventures

Every Thursday I drive to Hillcrest to be a classroom assistant for a 1st grade class there. On the way to school and back to my car, I always pass by some really cute houses! I always forget to bring a camera, so I only have a few pictures.



I included the lost cat advertisement because I felt sad for the owner. Well, I will try to take my camera next time so I can show you more wonderfully decorated homes! Well, just the exterior. I wish I could go inside and see what wonderful set-ups they have.


Enjoy your Thursday :)

What kind of homes catch your eye?

I'm leaving on a jetplane

I don't know where to start. This small box is just a small fraction of what I've accumulated these past couple years in SD. It's a relief to go back to LA this summer and yet depressing to be leaving here at the same time.

How do you feel about moving? What are the first things you pack?

TOAST

I have to say, I love looking at the TOAST website. Their clothing, linen, etc. all seem to have some far-away and yet right-at-home quality to them. I don't know if that even makes sense, but it does to me! Fancy but informal.



Aren't these prints adorable? Is it weird that I'm inspired by the bathing suit to make a print with something similar those colors and stripes?




Their clothing is pretty simple but seems so comfy/cozy! Like a weekend getaway/lazy saturday outfit.

They even have a TOAST "travels" or "stories" section that's fun to browse through:

Carl Kleiner

I'm sure you've seen some of these on the blogosphere (the top ones), but there is more!












Enjoy these shots by Carl Kleiner. Not sure why money is falling into a typewriter, but something about them is just so great! I love the muted and yet wonderful colors! More at his diary! I love exclamation marks!

Sneak peak

With the weekend coming around the corner, I'm trying to squeeze in time to paint here and there and make more card sets.

Here's a nibble (just a taste) of the set I just made (it's a summer themed card set):



They shall be unveiled on Friday! Let me know what you think!

home-life

Aren't these images lovely?

They're from Elizabeth Dunker's flickr. She also makes really cute cutting boards!



I'm a sucker for images of home-life. The ordinary in's-and-out's of people's homes. The books being devoured by window seats. The remnants of breakfast. The still, quiet hour before people go to bed. I love images of those.

Inspired!

Hello!

Hope you all had a blessed Sunday :). I'm excited to say that I sold my first item on etsy!


(photo taken by ngoc minh ngo)


I'm encouraged to make more things, and I just wanted to let you all (like... 2 of you) know that I'm already in the process of making more card sets :). I'll post some this week (hopefully), but I'm also going to be very busy planning a birthday celebration for my signficant other :). Hopefully when I'm more free I can start making other things as well.


Meanwhile... I'm totally enjoying Tara Donne's work, especially her food shots (i'm forever a foodie at heart).








As always, I would love if you said hello!

etsy baby born!

I've done it. I've opened an etsy shop. I've wanted to for the past 2 years, but never found the time to. And I was scared of rejection as well. This past week I told myself to suck it up and be a part of the community!




I only have one item being sold right now, but if that goes well, then I'll definitely add more! I'm selling a set of hand-watercolored cards. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!

the perfect day

I had a perfect day yesterday. The sun was shining in San Diego, the breeze blowing, the chai tea a-pourin', the flowers blooming, and my face was smiling. Life is good. I picked up one of my favorite ladies and we drove to Hillcrest to get some delicious drinks and talk the afternoon away! I feel wary telling you our secret place, but they definitely deserve more business.

1. Here we went: Cafe Bassam




Don't you love the stenciled chalkboard?




BEST CHAI OF MY LIFE. And trust me, I'm a self-proclaimed Chai lover/connoisseur/snob.






The decor was an experience in itself. There were vintage items everywhere! Cups, paintings, jewelry, furniture, guns (yes, firearms), you name it. It was there.

I can't post them all here, but trust me, everything was lovely there. Check out my flickr for a couple more.

Even the patrons were adorable (my friend took these two). There was also a man that looked like a sailor! Yes, hat, mustache and smooth confidence. We kept debating whether or not I should go up to him and ask for a picture. We chickened out.




2. Next stop: Hillcrest's Extraordinary Desserts






They had a children's section for their gift "shop" portion. Very cute.

To be honest, we didn't buy anything. We just looked. :)


3. Now we can't miss this: Balboa Park


A fiddler!






My beautiful friend!




4. Last stop: UCSD (Croutons and Jazz Concert)




Honestly, one of the best performances I've ever seen. I've never seen so many talented people in one room together, working together to make one beautiful harmony. It was free too!


The architecture of the new music center. Very gee-oh-me-tric. I like it.


What does your perfect day look like?

Nest Pretty Things

Adorable much? Check out the store. Too bad I'm too lazy to ever change my earrings. They have earrings called "cascading persimmon earrings". I want persimmon-like flowers cascading from my ears!

Hello morning!

(from foreveristoday)


Things I'm liking this morning:

- Muji pens. I bought some a couple years ago from Hong Kong and loved them. They have been long used up and now I am wishing I had some.
- FOREVER IS TODAY shop! Especially this clock made from a vintage book!
- this cover that transformed a song i hate into something endearing and fun.
- these urban outfitters & society6 laptop skins. even though i'm not sure i'd pay $30 for one. But so many are fun! Like here. Here. And here.
- edamame in a bowl.
- A hot cup of 유자차 (Korean citron tea). Yums.

happiest place on earth

So, if you couldn't guess from my vague picture, I went to Disneyland last Saturday!
I swear, I am never too old for Disneyland nor do I grow tired of it.

These are some of the things I love about it:
(I'm missing a picture of the fireworks... I also love those).



(the relaxing music, atmosphere, and cool little design touches/setups.)



(Dole Whip Float. Despite the fact that it's overpriced, it is so awesome. Perfectly tasty and refreshing on a hot day. Too bad I don't know where to get it outside of d-land!)



(Being a child again...with your favorite people :). )