We drink because it's what men do. -Roger Sterling

My best friend was having a Mad Men themed dinner on Sunday the 25th, which was the night of the premiere of Mad Men, and invited me for some 60s themed dinner. Thinking that it was a themed dinner, I figured I'd dress appropriate for the occasion and wore a dress I could find that best matched from my closet. I own very few dresses, so a fitted blue and white polka dot dress was the best I could do.

I have a confession to make before I start. I've never watched Mad Men. (gasps, faints, and then gets back up). I didn't even know it existed till two years ago when I walked by Banana Republics and saw the Mad Men collection signs. Even then, I thought it was a huge fashion brand... I even searched up quotes for a creative title about Mad Men. I have no clue who Roger Sterling is at all. All I know is Jon Hamm is in it, and he is supposedly a playboy or something. But I couldn't ignore a steak dinner, along with the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful company of my friend, so I went, half ashamed, half careless.

Now my friend, she loves cooking. I call her my Julia Childs friend (tee hee). She and her friend meet up weekly to discuss ingredients and meals, and occasionally make their own. I recall one time she made her own ramen noodles and broth! It's actually wonderful to have a friend who has a huge interest in food, because I can finally buy someone the cute aprons or cookware I see at anthro without wondering if they will ever use it. Also, I get to eat homemade desserts and meals, which are so much better than store bought. It was delightful watching her and her two friends prepare the meals, making homemade mashed potatoes, steak, tiramisu, and ranch sauce. I had a taste of the sauce (I absolutely hate ranch), and it tasted delicious and smooth. 

Below are some pictures from the night. Unfortunately, I forgot about my camera so I only snapped these, without the tiramisu. I really wish I had because it my first tiramisu. The dessert literally melted in my mouth, although I occasionally breathed in the cocoa powder which led to uncontrollable coughs. 

The pictures are a bit saturated, just because I wanted to give it an old 60s feel haha. 

Salad. These were drizzled with homemade ranch. I thought this was clever to keep it in its form.

The steak. Sirloin. Topped with butter mixed in with garlic and parsley. 

The entire plate: steak, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes. I helped mash the potatoes in with cream, parsley, and butter fyi :).  

A game of bananograms while waiting for Mad Men to premiere. I'm surprisingly good at this, but I don't recommend challenging me. I might lose haha.

The meal was splendid. I couldn't finish the steak unfortuantely but I loved the medium rareness. My friend's roommate gnawed on the leftover meat on her bone, and we commenced to talk about the Hunger Game movie. But that's another story. Here's a link to check out my friend's tumblr about food and their adventures: http://connieandflorie.tumblr.com

How was your Mad Men night?

Sincerely,

Annie

Girl with Blue Hair

via fashionindie

I'm in love with everything about this picture. The dress, the shoes, the haircut, and the color of her hair! It's such a nice pastel blue hue, without looking too brash. Personally, I'm not a big fan of colored hair, especially those out of the norm. But after finding this picture on Best Street Style of Paris Fashion Week, I'm seriously considering it. Along with the same haircut. I know my friends might be vehemently against the idea, but I like being bold with my haircuts and well lately, it's been blah. The past year I got the same trim, and just two months ago I got rid of my layers. It's time for a change and I think my hair needs it.

Kelly Osbourne at Grammys 2012 via celebbuzz

Kelly Osbourne with her new gray/purple hair at the Grammys 2012. I secretly loved it. Am I crazy for wanting to make this change or is it plausible for an ordinary girl living an ordinary life to have such hair? When I finally decide to dye my hair pastel blue, I only hope HOPE, that it doesn't come out flamboyant at all. 

Sincerely,

annie

How do you take your photobooth pictures?

Mine are awkward. I try to look nice in them by smiling, but then I feel awkward forcing myself to smile at a black board, so I begin making weird faces to ease my own tension. I'm more in my comfort zone showing different expressions, but I always go back to smiling in the last picture, as if I'm trying to show that I'm normal in the end.
Looking at these photos from the photobooth at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, I was reminded once again that like us ordinary people, celebrities take funny, weird, and sometimes awkward pictures at the photobooth. And occasionally, we've got the PDA couples too.

Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig via Vanity Fair

This was my favorite from the collection. Who doesn't love Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig, together and apart? I became a huge fan of Kristen Wiig after her skit with Michael Phelps in SNL. And her act as Gilly? My friends and I would always re-inact it and laugh at our own impromptus. Oh those good days... I hope she doesn't leave SNL, for she will be greatly missed. 

Click the Vanity Fair link under the picture for other funny pictures. Here's more from the "kissing booth".

Sincerely,

annie

Audrey Hepburn and Her Turtleneck Sweater

I know some might find it cliche, but I think Audrey Hepburn is one of the most beautiful people in the world, inside and out. Although she mostly played roles where she played sophisticated high socialites, her life outside of acting consisted of pure humility. But what do I know? I never met her, only read about her.

Lately, I've had the urge to find myself a fitted black turtleneck(polo neck) sweater and wear it with either a vibrant skirt along with black tights, black skinnies or anything! I'd like to imagine that I look as chic and elegant as Audrey Hepburn does when I wear a black turtleneck (chuckles). Here's two images, where she looks beautiful as ever despite time passing by.

Audrey circa 1953

Audrey circa 1991

Both pictures via myhumblefash's flickr

And I know many people might go against this, but ever since I watched Star Wars Episode I the Phantom Menace, I saw a strong resemblance between Natalie Portman and Audrey Hepburn. They both have that certain gamine-like beauty that withstands time. Is it just my biased admiration towards both of them  or do they really resemble each other? 

Sincerely, 

annie

El-astic el-astic, fantastic fantastic...

Only my friend Suehee and others who listened to Lucifer by Shinee would get my title. I find it odd and funny how Koreans put in english lyrics only to make the song more confusing, such as Lucifer, etc.

Going back on subject, I've been on the search for hair ties that don't leave a dent. I've been a ponytail girl ever since I could tie my own hair, but began wanting to pull my hair down. It all started from this one comment by a boy who I crushed on in elementary school. So let's start the story with

Once upon a time....
I had my hair down for once, and was sitting by the edge of the sidewalk after school, waiting in line for a chance at tetherball. My crush, a grade older, was playing tetherball against another student and we were all just chatting. Somehow, the conversation led to him saying that I looked cute with my hair down. I don't' know if there was anything insinuated in it, but I immediately felt a mix of embarrassment and happiness (see, I rarely received compliments from guys, especially the ones I liked).

Ever since then, I continued to grow my hair out midlength, and occasionally put my hair down when my crush was around. But it was impossible to put my hair down after it was tied because of the bump I'd get and it would irritate me SO much.
Just a cute (maybe) story I wanted to share about my hair. It's affected me even to this age, where I'd rather have my hair long than short because of that one comment.

Anyways, my crush is over, yet I still hate the dent I get. So I searched and found the new trendy elastic hair ties that look like ribbons are great style-wise, and don't leave dents or headaches.

anthropologie 

manemessage

thetwistband

Personally, I like the anthropologie one the best. They come in five color themes along with one sparkly one. If I ever decide to purchase, I'll let you know whether the dent-story is true or false.

Sincerely,

annie

Happy Galentine's Day!

If anyone watches Parks and Recreation, you'll get me :)

Today I met up with a good friend of mine for brunch along with the hopes of making red velvet pop cakes for the fifth grade class I volunteer for. For brunch Suehee and I went to Coastal Restaurant where they served the fluffiest pancakes everrr. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, mimosa, and one little sad sausage patty while Suehee ordered something (I forgot the name) with spicy eggs and hashbrowns, along with tortillas.

Afterwards, we went two stores away to Victrola Coffee, where Suehee worked on her resume while I read 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto. It never ceases to amaze me whenever I see pretty foam art made by the baristas.

Once Suehee finished, we went to Pike Place, hoping to find desserts for some kids in my class who are allergic to gluten and soy but failed. While going to Le Panier for macarons, two band members asked us to check out their music which was surprisingly good. Then discovered decorative post-its on the wall of one building and learned the building was having a post-it war with the one across from it. The lighting wasn't great, but the second building (second picture) had great post-it arts too. There was a Krabby from pokemon, Mario, and Ghostbuster. I'd look forward to going to work if I had a post-it art war with the opposite building! How about you?

 Before heading home, I had to buy my favorite ice cream from Molly Moon's: Earl Grey. Woot.

Once we arrived back to my place, Suehee and I chatted while I made the cakepops. It took longer than expected, but I finally finished it. I'm so excited to give it away tomorrow! Thanks Suehee for a fun and wonderful day and taking the pictures with your awesome camera! Hope all of you girls had a great galentine's day and happy valentine's tomorrow!

via tumblr

Sincerely,

annie

One of these days I promise..

I've been having europe-fever these days, if that makes any sense. All I want to do is drop everything and immediately pack my luggage with enough clothes, my camera, passport, wallet and purchase a one way ticket to Europe and stay there for at least a good year. Wake up in the morning to the best bread from Paris, eat macarons every fricking single day, jump into the ocean from one of the cliffs in Italy, visit every historical architecture, enter the presence of Sherlock Holmes' territory and maybe 21B Baker Street, walk along the green pastures in Ireland, and most importantly, visit Bath and Pemberly. Ahhhh, that just sounds wonderful, even if I'm imagining it. Unfortunately I can't because one I'm short on money, and two the world isn't going to end so I can't rack up my credit cards.

So for now, I must satisfy my yearning with these beautiful photos EyePoetryPhotography took. But I promise, promise you that I will go in the next five years. And it will be one of the best trips I will ever take. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

annnie