Re-Discovering Square Word Calligraphy

It’s been a while….

But I was Kinda inspired by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art‘s Art Talk last night’s. The Artist, Xu Bing, ( whom, I’ve apparently been a fan of since HS, but didn’t know about ? ) is a quirky, progressive and conceptually challenge Artist. The way his earlier works challenged the concept of formal language constructions “is so intriguing and relate-able for me as a Second Generation Chinese American ( who is a frequent speaker of Chin-glish and Drama- Aquired Korean/Japanese slang ). There is a strong sense of familiarity and, dare I say, camaraderie when faced with some of his earlier works.

Google: Square Word Calligraphy by Xu Bing – it’s just so cool

I Kind of became obsessed (once more) with his “Square Word Calligraphy” and did Some research to find a “textbook” with little luck. They don’t exist in Mass Print – only at Art Auction T.T  However, thanks to the great internet, I found that THE MET has a piece displayed Online for the world to appreciate ^^. Definitely feeling a new project coming on ^^ ( PM me if you want to study the “manual” together !)

Other more accessible works by Xu Bing: Find/ order them from your preferred book dealer.

 

Have you (re)discovered anything Awesome Lately?

Happy First-Snow!

It started snowing this morning at work and my inner child is jumping with excitement!

I quickly sketched out this drawing at my desk.  I created snow flakes using white out tape ( does anyone still remember white out pens !?!  That would have been perfect, but inspiration makes MacGyver’s of us all.)

I put together an easy holiday greeting card and stationary with this sketch. Feel free to share it with friends and family this season, but please keep it to personal use only.  Greeting card link.  Stationary Link.

Happy First Snow, Kansas City!

Letters to Rudolph – Letter Station How-To

Tomorrow, is December 1st!

I’m so excited for all the wintery things: sweaters, lights, snow and Christmas!!

During this time of the year, we get families with small children that come through the showroom; due to the climate, these kiddos usually hang out with me while the adults do some shopping. In previous years, I just print out some coloring pages or put out some McD toys for their collective playing pleasure. This year, I’ve decided to be extra creative by devised a small letter writing station to Rudolph!

Here’s my set-up:

Santa and his elves are going into major OT, but they’re not the only ones working hard. Reindeer have been training none stop for their once-a-year trip around the globe.  They deserve some love too!

This project really is super simple and there isn’t a ‘right’ way to do it. Grab some paper and let a child’s endless imagination do the rest!  Since my letter station will be in the showroom, I had to stream line the activity – can’t have the kids here all day!

Here’s what I used for my Letter station:

1. cute Christmas themed stationary ( I found mine online by searching for “Rudolph Letter Template” )
2. origami envelop skillz ( jk, this tutorial was very easy! )
3. cup of pencils/markers/pens
4. not shown: stickers for stamps

I also created an “origin story” on the table for inspiration.  (Rudolph might be a bit OOC, though… ).

Pre-printed the letter pages with the mailing address and fold lines on the back; just in case I’m not around to help with folding.  The Address reads, ” To: Rudolph Reindeer 1234 Dashing Way (get it? ) North Pole 82N114W (these are the coordinates for the “north pole”! I think…)

To finish off my letter station, I upcycled a left-over “Love with Food” box into a mailbox!  Its Red and has a reclosable tab for easy “Letter Retrieval” ^^ .  The front has a plastic pouch which A. hides the logo, and B. It’s a great place to store a sample, in case I’m not around!

Here’s how to make an easy mailbox:

1. find a tab closed cardboard box 
2. rotate box to find a single wall side and cut out a small rectangle. (picking a single wall side just makes it easier to cut out the rectangle)
3. Optional: decorate the box for festive cheer!

If you can’t find a tab-closed box, just decorate a used tissue box (the top opening is the mail entrance and exit. )

The concept is all about getting kids to hand-write letters. Add Rudolph to your list when writing letters to Santa ( and maybe a letter to the elves, too? )  Its a great opportunity for kids to practice writing encouraging messages.

Let me know how it turns out. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Thanksgiving: My No-Brainer Menu

Thanksgiving is 10 days away, I haven’t started shopping yet, but here’s my game plan.  Does this post look familiar? Why yes, it does look remarkably similar to my previous Thanksgiving Post ;P)

I included a few helpful links at the bottom to help with inspiration!

Links to the recipe that I will be using ^^ ( in case anyone needs a last-minute menu ! ) You’ll notice, many of these links are from Martha Stewart.  The MSL empire built my culinary foundations, so that’s where I like to search for recipes.

My Thanksgiving Dinner Plan.

Appetizers ( AKA, what I’m eating while I’m cooking)

• Potato Gratins ( with a Twist!)
• Deviled Eggs
• Cheese and Charcuterie platter
  • nothing fancy, just using up what’s in the fridge – so all MY fav cheeses 😉

Main Dishes:

• Old Fashion Turkey
  • I used fresh herbs last year, with veggies in the drip pan.  It was so good! This year, I’m going to try “Flipping the Bird” !
• Lamb shoulder Chops
  • Apparently my dad  doesn’t like turkey – which I thought was his favorite part of the meal!  …Still trying to wrap my head around the years of deceit, LOL.

Sides:

• Cambell’s Green Bean Casserole
  • What it says on the can.
• Wild rice “Stuffing”
  • Goat Cheese or Feta, your choice. 
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • This ATK recipe is gold – sorry Martha!
• Baked Cauliflower
  • I add some curry powder/ cumin to spice things up
• Spiced Lemony Brussels Sprouts
  • Make sure the Brussels Sprouts are in even sections and as always, they taste better with some char 😉

Dessert:

• Croquembouche:
  • Pastry Shells, filled with Whipped Cream
  • one day, the novelty of constructing a tower of concentric circles with creme puffs will get old; but until I’m making one every chance I get ^^
• Chocolate Pecan Pie
  • the recipe calls for Sorghum syrup, which can be hard to find, I use molasses syrup in a pinch.

…and, that’s a Wrap!

Menu Collections:
Epicurious
Martha Stewart – Lots of Turkey Ideas!
Food Network

Stay on Schedule Articles:
7 Things To Do Now – Martha Stewart
Tips for a Stress Free Thanksgiving – WhatsCookingAmerica
Thanksgiving Countdown Planner – FoodNetwork

I’m using an Excel file to stay organized while I preparing large dinner.  I will share it if anyone is interested; its not pretty, but all the columns and formulas are there.

guacamole recipe

very quick post – I’m just too excited !

I formalized my very own guacamole recipe ^^

ingredients:
4 average ripe avocados
1/3 of a head of garlic
1/4th cup regular white vinegar (my special ingredient!)
salt and pepper

Here’s a taco pic (guacamole doesn’t last long enough to photograph  ^^)

Why is white vinegar my special ingredient?

1. It keeps the guacamole fresh!
Anyone else ever cry over brown guacamole? Well “no more!” I say.  White vinegar has less sugar than lemon/lime juice so the color of your guacamole will stay nice and green (if you’re making it in advance,  keep it on the fridge covered. The periphery of the guacamole may turn slightly brown, if so just stir it before serving!)

2.No flavor loss. White vinegar mixes with the avocados to produce bright sweet flavor notes (the garlic is here to give the guacamole a spicy finish)

This recipe is kinda perfect for me in 2 ways.

1. it’s just sweet enough to offset any occasional bitterness from the avocados.

2. I can adjust the saltiness to match the chips/tostadas I’m using without skewing the flavor profile. (have salty chips ? use less salt in the guacamole)

that’s all folks! Let me know what you think about this recipe or better yet tell me,
“how do you prep your guacamole?”

guacamole recipe

very quick post – I’m just too excited !

I formalized my very own guacamole recipe ^^

ingredients:
4 average ripe avocados
1/3 of a head of garlic
1/4th cup regular white vinegar (my special ingredient!)
salt and pepper

Here’s a taco pic (guacamole doesn’t last long enough to photograph  ^^)

Why is white vinegar my special ingredient?

1. It keeps the guacamole fresh!
Anyone else ever cry over brown guacamole? Well “no more!” I say.  White vinegar has less sugar than lemon/lime juice so the color of your guacamole will stay nice and green (if you’re making it in advance,  keep it on the fridge covered. The periphery of the guacamole may turn slightly brown, if so just stir it before serving!)

2.No flavor loss. White vinegar mixes with the avocados to produce bright sweet flavor notes (the garlic is here to give the guacamole a spicy finish)

This recipe is kinda perfect for me in 2 ways.

1. it’s just sweet enough to offset any occasional bitterness from the avocados.

2. I can adjust the saltiness to match the chips/tostadas I’m using without skewing the flavor profile. (have salty chips ? use less salt in the guacamole)

that’s all folks! Let me know what you think about this recipe or better yet tell me,
“how do you prep your guacamole?”

Printables for Mother’s Day

Wow it’s been a long time since I last posted! ( hope you’ve been keeping up via Instagram 😉 )  So many fun things are happening in the garden – so make sure to double tap your favs!

I thought I’d share a few awesome Mother’s Day cards I found online this week ( since Mother’s Day is quite literally right around the corner).  I’ve also linked the design for a custom card I designed for my Mom!

Enjoy!

Printable Cards from the Interwebs (all pics belong their amazing creators! ) Links are in the Description:

http://ohhappyday.com/2016/04/a-mother-is-a-story/

http://www.afabulousfete.com/blog/2016/5/5/50harilieualocwu6smwekecv98ii4

http://weekendcraft.com/journal/mothers-day-card-free-printable

http://lovelyindeed.com/printable-mothers-day-accordion-card/

and Here’s mine:

you can download the File here

This Card is a lovable mix of Chinese and English (#Chinglish ! ) The text reads ” I love you＂half in chinese and half in english.  Definately a throw back to  to my childhood!

Honestly, the dual language develops from a place of desperation.  I wish I could say most of the stories involve times when my siblings and I wanted to explain something important to our parents but couldn’t think of the words in Chinese; how ever it was usually about food! hehehe  Growing up in a mostly Italian-American Catholic school community my parents heard a lot of ” 我要spaghetti ！” I’m sure we had some really profound moments too ( as most children do ) but my parents like to remember the petty, everyday, hilarity that ensues over the You Family ” No Speak English ” House Rule. ( which, is a story for another day 😉 )

Happy Mother’d Day Weekend Internet!

 

Fun with paper fish

I recently finished a paper koi pond at work (looks pretty cool right ?)

The message in the “pond” spells 福 or the chinese charector for blessings. The fact that I made this charactor using fish is important for cultural reasons; the chinese word for fish “鱼” is a homonym for the surplus “馀”.
All in all, this particular pond represents my wishes for a surplus of blessing in the coming new year.

I found the template for the fish over at this blog. There are also a lot of other fun 红包 or red envelope craft ideas and tutorials on the page too!

The instructions use fun colored “ang pow” these are the red envelopes children receive during Chinese New Year. I didn’t have a huge stack of these envelopes laying around when “inspiration struck” so I used some left over wrapping paper. I recommend using a heavy weight wrapping paper but anything will work – even left over coloring pages.
If you have a design in mind, you can make more fish at once by stacking pages on top of each other and cutting 3-4 fish at once. More the merrier, definitely applies!

Once the fish are made apply tape to the bottom of the fins and tail to atrach them any surf you like.

One or two fish look really cool, too! I taped these two to the middle of our conference  table. The table looks much cooler now 😉

I would love to see your fish ponds, too. Happy fishing !!

Royals Win the World Series

The Royals just won the World Series!!!! I am so excited and proud and buzzing with the need to celebrate.

I’m sharing a Free Printable with the internet so everyone can celebrate with me!!!  Link to the file is below:

Royals 2015 Pennants

(FYI – I don’t really get baseball, but the excitement in KC is totally contagious!)

How are you celebrating “the win” ?

Traveling like a Pro

I finally have enough miles behind me to contribute my own “travel like a pro” article!  Proceed with caution…….

I’m heading to China for a 2 week business trip tomorrow morning and I still haven’t packed yet.  Here’s why I’m not freaking out:

Packing only takes 45 mins.    Seriously.

I’ve learned to pick my favorites and haul them with everywhere and anywhere. Here’s how I do it.

Plan ahead:  Sometimes international travel gets sprung on me ( thanks, bossman! ) but usually I have enough time to lookup the weather and schedule for the trip.  This is important to know for what goes into the suitcase.

Know  baggage limits: Most airlines have an option to  “calculate baggage allowance” if you click on their baggage policy.   My standard set is 1 CarryOn Suitcase (a purple fauxcroc roller that’s 22″x14″x10″ ) and 1 large Duffle/Weekender ( Coach has great, affordable, and Large leather totes in the Mens store. I totally Approve!).

Pick Appropriate Favorites:  I love sheath dresses for work – the shape is work appropriate and it works for dinners too. The best thing is, designers produce this shape in all sorts of fabrics, colors, and lengths!

China is still in the height of its summer so I’m sticking to Black dresses ( I KNOW I’m going to sweat. Let’s make sure no one can tell where I am sweating, yes? ) I prefer to pack dresses made of cotton jersey because they can be rolled, wrinkles release overnight, and they stretch! (Bloating happens – don’t be caught with clothes that won’t fit )  The best part?  Jersey dresses are easy to wash and usually dry over night. Yay, for recycling 1 article outfits!

I don’t usually pack any chic clothes for the weekends on these trips; a couple of tees and a pair of jeans pretty much does the trick. Sometimes I’ll pack a dress I just bought( or overalls- they’re super comfy and fun) , but never one of my fav weekend outfits. It’s probably out of fear that I might lose them, but it could be that I just know I’ll be too tired to dress nicely on my days off.  I also pack 2 empire waist jersey/cotton dress to sleep in; they are comfy and double as weekend clothes if need be.

Packing Tip: I fold my dress in half width wise, then in half length wise, and roll.  I wear one set of “weekend” clothes for the plane ride ( so I’m not packing the jeans into the suit case ) and reserve on set of “sleep” clothes for my duffle ( just in case of extended delays or lost luggage ).

Shoes: There’s no way to beat it, just pack cute flats.  I used to strut around in heels for appearances sake, but I have found that no one cares.  In fact, wearing heals kinda scares some peoples out in the field.  my go to set is 1 pair black flats, 1 pair white/neutral flats, 1 pair showering shoes(plastic or rubber slippers), 1 pair sandles/heels.

Packing Tip: I place my shoes clear zippered bags ( sheets and bed linens are usually sold in these – so keep them! ) I usually wear one pair of flats and carry my showering shoes in my duffle ( I’ll switch to my showering shoes on the plane )

Personal Hygiene: I’m a subscription box addict, so I’ve got travel sizes of everything! (except toothpaste, no one ever sends tooth paste…….)  I usually just through my latest birchbox or PopSugar Must Have “winning” into my doppe kit ( also from a sub box ) and call it a day.  I do have a few favorites that always go with me, though:

Lait, Creme Concentre, Embryolisse:  If I could take only one “liquids, gels, or aerosols” it would be this!  A wonderful moisturizer that can be applied as a mask on the plane, night creme, primer, and lotion.  This is probably the reason why I look so stellar in my travel pics ;D

Stainiac, The Balm: this is a light weight thin rosy tint for lips, cheeks, and even as an eye color ( it works really well as an all in one )

Packing Tip: all of my “liquids, gels and aerosols” goes into my personal item ( this makes TSA inspection much easier )  Medications and Sheet masks should also come out in a bag.

Electronics and Accessories: I don’t carry a laptop, just a tablet – for fun, my phone – for work and a trip specific notebook. (most of my work on these trips is making sure my boss sticks to his schedule and keep a record of any changes as we go – so the written word is my friend) so I have it pretty easy on this front but I would like to mention the “chord taco” – these guys keep all of my wire neat enough to slide into my tablet case.

Packing Tip: electronics and their accessories should be in your carryon/personal item.  Many countries prohibit any electronic devices ( including power cords and batteries ) inside checked baggage. China, specifically, requires all electronic devices and accessories be scanned by airport security, separate of other items.

**Update:  On this trip to China, I found out that Mobile Batteries or Phone Chargers MUST have the volts, charging amps and storage capacity printed on the device. ( if it’s not there, you are asked to surrender the device – goodbye adorable blue mobile battery)

That’s it!

Happy travels, everyone!

I’m off to pack ^^