Tie a Yellow Ribbon

Right now, I'm at a cupcake/coffee shop in my neighborhood "writing" my autobiography for grad school. I came to this shop multiple times this year alone, I sometimes wonder if I look pretentious, or a gal with nothing to do. Or maybe they'll see me as a college student diligently writing away multitude of essays she has to write for history or english(crossing my fingers that this is how I appear to the two cashiers).

 I have to admit, I'm a better at getting work done outside of my house. I find ways to occupy myself in other ways at home, and being outside, I feel less inclined to watch netflix on my laptop. Or maybe it's the air, who knows? But I did not move my butt out here to watch netflix, so I feel more determined to work on school-related things.

The weather these past days in Seattle has been beautiful, I woke up in such a pleasant mood before my alarm rang. A couple more of these weathers and I might half-expect birds to lift my blanket up as I channel my inner Cinderella and break out into a song (no such thing).

I'll be having an outdoor picnic with my friend and sister later this afternoon. Excited eeek! Leaving with a song I've been replaying the past two days.

Friday Favorites

Currently, I am distracting myself in anyway possible to avoid writing this paper I have for graduate school. I haven't even started yet they already gave me an assignment. I would say 'preposterous!', but the professors want to know me better so..yay? Thus to avoid writing this paper once again, I decided to upload a whole bunch of links that touched me in the heart, made me laugh, or made me lust. And who knows, maybe I'll make it my weekly post so I can start writing here routinely..

Amazing pesto pasta I had before my hike at Cinque Terre last year. 

I cried reading this while avoiding my paper in Starbucks...

I'm a little teensy bit obsessed with map prints..I already own this beauty.

Agree, but I still want to see more of the world with my own eyes.

My belly wants you inside me!

I couldn't agree more. YES and a million times yes!

Another way to view the infamous Dove video.

This calls out for summer.

My sole purpose to visit Cali.. and to see my friend S of course :)



Happy weekend! And now back to this paper....

Channeling my inner Effie Trinket?

I love themed parties. Unfortunately, I've been to very few and none of them really lived up to my expectations; some were just regular house parties named as so, and some just failed overall. I'm currently on the lookout for a flapper dress for a 20s themed party. I could go on about how the 20s really wasn't only about the flappers, how it really popularized in 1928 ish, but I'll stop. I really don't know a lot about things, just tid-bits of a lot of things. 

While on the search for an affordable yet doable dress online, I ran into a dress that would be perfect had I wanted to be Effie Trinket. Oh Halloween is so far, but this dress with some Marie Antoinette-esque makeup would fit the picture. I'd DIY this, but the crinkled organza makes the dress more perfect that I couldn't possible copy. 

via H&M 

But I just might DIY this for halloween. Because when else will I be as bold wearing something that is slightly extreme and out of the norm as this? (But again, this is a beautiful out of the norm dress.)

Maybe Effie Trinket traveled back in time to join the Gatsby crew hmm? :)

In Search of the Perfect Black Skirt...

I've been on the lookout for the perfect full black skirt. When I backpacked around Europe, I peeled my eyes for that one impeccable skirt I could wear for years on, one that I would call my favorite go-to outfit. I had found a maroon woolen skirt at Orla Kiely, but the price didn't seem deeming for a maroon skirt. No, it had to be black. I passed it during the sale also, but now I wish I bought it...might've been worth the price in the end bah.

Then I finally found one, I considered worth having. The fullness of the skirt, the pleated folds! Alas, it was Jason Wu, thus impossible to afford. But, on a positive note (I suppose), my size was gone.

So instead of cashing out, I will end this post with a image of my close-to-dream skirt, and adjourn the search until next time...

Jason Wu Sculpted Techno Satin Skirt

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

It's been months since I came back from my amah-zing trip from Europe, and I still miss it everyday. I enjoyed eating, wandering, and am now thinking of doing a backpack trip alone. After going with a friend, I realized I could do this alone, as long as I carefully planned everything. Plus the hotels I stayed at were all friendly and in close vicinity to all the major tour spots. In the future, I hope to visit more museums (I am a huge history-nerd although never ask for information, my memory is horrible), locations, and just soak in the beauty more and relax!


My museum visits started at an early age. My mother was a huge advocate for museums and galleries, so we'd visit all the visiting exhibitions near our town. While my mother insisted on me reading all the details in the display note describing the artwork, I preferred staring at the pieces and imitating the ones I found hilarious. Now, I've grown to enjoy learning more about the artwork while still humoring myself by posing my favorite ones.

Friend and I imitating the statues in the Statue Room

The same occurred at the Louvre walking into the Statue Room. Walking in there was like being Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice(2005) film, where she visited the statue room of Mr. Darcy's Pemberley home. Call me crazy, but I heard 'The Living Sculptures of Pemberley' as I walked around. I was Elizabeth, but without the Darcy scupture. It ended soon once the quirky side of my came out and wanted to pose as some statues. So here is one of my favorite, enjoy!



As Charles Caleb Colton said, 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'.

Girls Season 2

Should be working on my essay, but I found the new trailer for Girls Season 2. Now I just need to wait until my friend Suehee finishes watching Season 1 so I can talk about that and about this trailer. 

On the other hand, Walking Dead. It's getting more grotesque and thrilling! If Glenn or Darryl ever die, that'll be the end of my interest towards the show. 

Money

What if money was no object? What would you do?

While watching this video I found via Swissmiss (one of my favorite go-to for random information), I thought what I would do. I'm going towards the path of becoming an educator, but if I truly were to do something with no regards towards financial issues, I would choose to go into the woods, live in a small quaint cottage with a small vegetable garden,  have a horse, cat, dog. I would drink tea daily while reading, learn to cook, paint, run, swim (assuming I have a lake nearby), and create things. I don't know what these things are, but I find it fascinating when I learn someone created something extraordinary from something plain. Just adding the little detail makes a whole lot of difference.

It was a wonderful 3 minutes of daydreaming in my head. Now I am going back to editing my essays woot!

Booty Booty Booty Rocking Errwhere!

Just recently came back from a wonderful 25 day trip around Europe! My eyes had a feast viewing the beautiful architectures and scenery that is completely different from the view here in America. Pictures will be up later...but for now :)

I purchased a pair of Clarks! I've been eyeing these boots for the longest time, and once I was in Europe I saw them in all the boutiques in Italy, and Clarks. Calculating the cost, I realized it would be cheaper so I waited. Currently still trying to break into them, but I love love them.

Here I am sitting on the Kirkland port with my mismatched socks and Clarks desert boots! Excited for the many other years I will have wearing these beauts :)

Olympics anyone?

It's the last week of London Olympics 2012! If I had all the time in the world, I'd watch everyone of them, but I only managed to watch soccer, or football, and a bit of other sports but mainly SOCCER! Ever since I actually witnessed my first World Cup game in Korea 2002, my interest in soccer peaked to the top. I was never the same haaaaa.

I've been avidly watching the Korean soccer games lately and they will be battling for bronze against Japan tomorrow. One of the few reasons I keep a tab on the soccer games is because I'm crushing major on one of the soccer players. Not going to lie, tall soccer players are one of my many kryptonites!  I was a bit disappointed to find out USA didn't get their team in the bracket but hopefully we'll be there for the World Cup in Brazil woot. At least the girls made it :). I'm so nervous for tomorrow's match I can't stop thinking about it! Either way, I know it'll be a nerve wrecking yet interesting game!

Once upon a time, I had a little but big crush on this boy who sat next to me in fourth grade. He and I always made fun of and chased each other. Slowly, despite all the tricks and chases, I somehow fell for his devilish self and enjoyed every little interaction I encountered with him. One day my fourth grade teacher asked the class to write on a piece of paper the name of our crush and best friend. Little naive me wrote down my sincere answers, and found out that the following year the paper meant to separate us. And that was the last time we teased each other. Fast forward a little over ten years and one week,  I found out my crush from fourth grade won bronze in the Olympics! It was a shock to see his face and name on my screen as I was watching the replays. My jaw figuratively(heh heh) dropped to the floor as my mind was processing what I was seeing. I knew it was him because we kept in contact until four years ago and he talked about judo. At the time, I joked that I'd be keeping an eye on him for the Olympics but who knew?! I couldn't be more proud of him congrats!

One month till I leave for my europe trip :) I'm so excited eeeeeeeeeeeek! I'm still trying to figure out what clothes to take. But hopefully I'll find some excuse to wear this lovely dress I bought from anthro on my birthday tee hee.

I love the water effects on the dress along with the the swirl it gives when I twirl! Shanks anthro once again for a lovely piece!

always,

annie

Come Clean, Leave Colorful!

Happy Mother's Day (yesterday) to all mothers in the world!

Yesterday, my friend C, her boyfriend M, and I attended the Color Run near the Space Needle. We've been waiting anxiously for this date ever since we signed up for it. Tickets ran out within 5 hours, so it's a good thing we signed up right when it opened. C and I were especially excited to dress up. I was thinking of Quailman from Doug, with a cape, and underwear on top of our pants, but in the end the cape was the only thing that passed.

Once we arrived at the Seattle Center, all you could see were people in white shirts. Some runners wore adorable tutus, some with white wigs, and one lady had a white umbrella draped with sheets like a jellyfish. The energy just in Seattle Center was lively and splashy! Everything was perfect, especially the weather thank goodness. In a rainy city like Seattle, our luck turned around!

My friend and I as superheroes, ready to dominate the run. I heard one or two runners say 'I should've worn a cape too'. Yessssssssssssss. There were many tutus but few capes. High-Five C!


After each 1k, there was a powder station where one would intentionally get themselves colored. At first I forgot about the dust and inhaled some in, which resulted in gargling with water once I left the station. I accidentally lost my friends after we went through the green powder section (line was ridiculous towards the end), so I walked and ran around like a lost superhero till the finish line, where I reunited with them yay! Once we arrived at the finish line, we opened our color pouches and traded colors with other people, by splashing one another with the powder.

M threw a huge chunk of the powder at my face without warning, okay he actually did but I failed to pay attention, so I accidentally swallowed some and my eyes caught some too. Thanks to him, I looked like I came out of Avatar, which grabbed a lot of attention. The orange splash I received from a trader helped add the details. Oh, and you can see my contact lense on my left eye.

via Facebook

A picture of the crowd throwing powder, which my friend found on facebook. Unfortunately, I don't have my own because we were inside that crowd throwing our powder.That blue section might be me who knows? I wish I could say I took a picture, but once the MC said 1, all I could see was blue dust from the bag I threw. I had to hold my breath for a while, thank goodness for my swimming practices which helped me with this. It was as if we were being attacked by a colorful harmless smog.


Overall, I had so much fun! It was my first run ever, and I wish I prepared myself more as I planned on, because my whole body ached this morning. The hot bath from this morning helped, but I am not as physically fit as I would like to be . But I plan on running a zombie one this October, so hopefully, I'll be more diligent in my running by then. Here are more pictures from the run that I took and instagrammed to look like pro-work.

I'd have to say, it's one of my more cherishable May memories I'll remember in the long run. The wash afterwards was gruesome, especially my hair but it was all worth it. I can't wait for next year to come so I can do it again. 

Sincerely,

Annie

Glasses on my shirt!

I don't know if anyone's heard of 'pants on the ground, pants on the ground looking like a fool with your pants on the ground' from American Idol a few seasons ago, but that chant was what I was thinking of when thinking of my title. Oh the good years in college with K and C....We sang this song nonstop when we first heard of it.

So here's the link to that wonderful song, via Youtube haha!

A couple weeks ago, I visited Moksha, which I believe is a local boutique, and found this quirky beige t shirt with mustaches all over it. I think there were spectacles too, but after much debate going on in my head, okay it was actually two minutes, I decided to just buy an adorable skirt instead. But I now I wish I was bold enough to buy that shirt, so I'm planning on visiting this week again to see if it's still there.

Madewell currently has a shirt similar to the mustache one I discovered, but with spectacles! It looks so cool, all I can think about is wearing it with an awesome pair of sunglasses and singing 'glasses on my shirt! glasses on my shirt! acting like a fool with glasses on my shirt!'

via Madewell

Having these kind of printed shirts are cool, but ever thought of actually wearing mustaches?
Cool doodle sire. Bravo!

Sincerely,

Annie

What will my next case be?

I wish I was talking about some sleuth case. But unfortunately, I don't have the wits and balls of Sherlock Holmes. Darn.

Recently, my sister and I changed wireless providers to AT&T. Which meant.... we were getting iPhones woot woot. Honestly, I never found the iPhone that fascinating. I mean sure, it looks sleek and refine, but a phone's sole purpose should be for calling and texting others... but then again, having access to the internet when finding my next bus schedule would be helpful. And once I received my own iPhone, let me just say I was marveled by the amahzing structure and beauty. Gah, I fell in love. The one thing I looked forward to doing was getting myself a cute case. BAHAHA, I sound so materialistic, and I'm not proud of it.

So when I went back home, I first searched iPhone cases. I didn't like the nordstrom ones too much, so then I googled certain cases I would like. Thus, here are the cases I want, but probably won't get.

 via Redbubble and Society6

I love the simplicity in some of these, while admiring the beautiful illustrations in others. Sometimes I spend hours looking at other people's illustrations and building my own ideas in my head. I wish I could make something like these! For now, I might just splurge and buy one of these, especially since Society6 has free shipping until Sunday. For now, my heart is leaning towards no. 1 or no. 6.

Sincerely,

Annie

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