Statement Necklace Rules!!

This BCBG Max Azria necklace and green wooden bangle are my birthday gifts from dear Pei. I like the fact that the necklace is resembling some tribes but doesn't make me look like one. Thus, I don't have to try to dress like one to match up that necklace, I can be just ME!! 
{You know if you try too hard to achieve one particular look and you might end up like you are going to a Halloween party.... a disguised yourself!! We wouldn't want that, right?}

A statement necklace can actually save your dress-up time cause' it works with any plain outfit!

Accessory: (from left, top down)
J Crew vintage green stone cuff, BCBG Max Azria wooden bangle, Momo's March wood bead bracelet, Madewell knotted bracelet, J Crew black threaded crystal bracelet, Momo's March wood beads bracelet

My Outfit du Jour
Korean made deep V tank drawstring blouse, Wilfred bustier camisole, Agnes b. collarless tweed jacket, mlphosis lace shorts, Jeffery Campbell platform sandal, Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bag 

Green bag, green jacket, and mixed green espadrille, although they are in different shades, they still give me a very pull-together look!! 


  Have fun with a unified color!
xoxo Rachel 

Multitasking, without doing it on your own!!

I never notice I loved gray so much that it seems everything of mine such as my bags, my clothes, or shoes and now even my house would all coordinate in perfect harmony.


How?


I'll tell you later! 

Hermes' Gris T. Birkin (Gray-- beige gray), Chanel 08' gray jumbo classic, Alexander wang Gray (lavender) Rocco Duffel bag.  

This whole afternoon while we are making Rugelach (here is the recipe) in the kitchen , our painter finished one wall in our family room as well. {It has been a while since the last time I felt that I am a house-keeper as I am always on-the-go and seldom stay home whole day.} 

Rugelach 

(We only sprinkle cinnamon sugar and almond bits as fillings.)

We all try to be "Multi-tasking", don't we!!!?  But who says we have to do everything all by ourselves!! ^O^ It is just as good as it gets to have someone does house-painting for you and the other one demo./teach us how to make Panna Cotta ( a cold Italian custard, often served with fruit sauce or caramel syrup), Rugelach and Garlic bread!! And then we get to appreciate the nice work done on the wall and enjoy the succulent fruit tart right out of the oven all at once.  How sweet!!! 

I always eat warm dessert with couple scoops of Vanilla bean ice cream!!

It is always healthier to eat your dessert with fresh fruits on top! {No custard nor cream on this fruit tart, just the way I like it!} 



A very special "Thank-you" goes to my little fellow blog reader- Anna (the one with blue shirt)!!  She made a list of 3 semi-home cooking recipes for us so Yu and I benefit the most. She just graduated from high school and is going to be a fresh-man in UC Berkeley this year!! 
{Ah, how I love blogging, and flaunting.....oh, no, I mean she is only 18... so young! ... I know, I am young too!!! *wink*}



Easy and light dessert, Panna Cotta { Ah, we didn't garnish it, maybe we should!! Just to make it  picture perfect?... hum,... anyway... }

before:This is our original wall color in the family room. 

Ooh, la la~~~

I just can't get enough of gray... ( Benjamin Moore paint in Dior Gray.) See how much I love gray and now I have it on the wall as well. Oh, and look at that apple green new floor carpet, it echoes my green wall too. 

after: with nature lighting, and wall lightning 
 

only nature lighting 



with nature lighting and one floor lamp

I love our modern family room very much, how about you!!?
Try a new color on your wall, will you?! ^_*
xoxo Rachel 

Distinctive Style!

Remix music is so popular so is fashion style!! 


Today I dug out my "old" Thakoon dress, BV bag, Marni platform, and remix them with new colors from couple baubles I purchased recently. 

You know, you can carry any kind of bag as a clutch on you...don't let the bag limit your style!! {+^.^=}

My Outfit Du Jour


Thakoon draped and fringe trim dress
Bottega Veneta lambskin tote 
Vintage green/blue bead earrings
J Crew vintage inspired green sapphire cuff
Africa colored turquoise necklace 
J Crew brick red socks
Marni 09' taupe peeptoe platform mary-jane

Love the prints, front and back drapes of this Thakoon dress....

elegant, sexy and fun all in one!!

 Previously styled look w/ Peter som Mongolia fur scarf. 

Here is an awesome restaurant and bar that I'd love to share with you!

Pasta Moon 









Irene's family + Rachel's family = Endless ecstatic! 


Today is Monday again but the joy and quality time spent with family and friends last weekend is a super power charge for this whole new week ahead. 


Have yourself Recharge from whatever you do. 
xoxo Rachel 

Easter Preview - Filoli Garden!

My ODJ

1. Top:

Wilfred floral cami.

Mustard cropped cardigan

2. Bottom:

Chanel 11' Cruise skirt 

3. Accessory:

Elfi Altendorfer safety pin spike necklace with yellow spacers

Chanel 11' oversized sunglasses
reclaimed silver earrings with mink fur 

Chanel distressed black reissue 226 

4. Shoes:

Moschino Cheap & Chic teal ruffle boots

 Irene and my family had a pre-Easter Sunday fun.

Ps. Please don't forget to join my Skin Detox - A Perricone $150 or less Giveaway! (US and Canada only)

Let your inner and outer beauty shine through~~

Have fun with friends!! ^^

xoxo Rachel 

Food for Soul!!

You must have encountered this situation that you want one thing for dinner but rest of the family want another. Like my family, when I cook rice, there must be someone, at least one person who wants noodles instead.....^%$#*(^$>#;... so now I am trained to out-smart my kids that I'd cook both rice and noodles whenever I need to fix a quick supper just to satisfy all their taste buds!! 


I am also smart enough that I'd prepare one set of ingredients that work for both dishes. The only difference between these two dishes is additional "egg" added for fried rice and "cabbage" incorporated in Yaki soba, instead. Aren't they looking delicious!!? 

Garlic beef fried rice and beef yaki soba!!....Both dishes have beef, carrots, and green onion. 

Weekend has always been our family's quality time and today is such a wonderful weather that we went to Santa Cruz's beach.  We'd spend as much time with our kids as our best possibly can on the weekends and I know those happy memories will last life-time!!

Yeah~ Looks like Ilona is actually flying the plane!! ^^



J crew shirt, J crew school boy blazer, Fallon spike necklace, J crew studded belt, Paul and Joe sister shorts, Chloe wrap sandal, Chanel 10' Rouge/orange 226 reissue, San Diego hat co. striped hat. 



Beige, camel, caramel, .... whatever colors, they are family! ^^

Go and spend some quality time with your family!!
xoxo Rachel 

One Week Before Girls Outing to Las Vegas -- family time!!

Last weekend we had total 3 birthday parties at PUMP IT UP. I am glad that this year is almost over and I can recharge myself while await another kid's birthday party in January 1, 2011. ~ man ~~ 

Ilona is very strong and outgoing but when it comes to meet total strangers/other older kids at the party, she is still that little girl of mine. ^^



She only goes half way...but impressive enough! 



Little hamster funny face... 




Heidi grows up fast.... she is prettier and prettier day by day. (Mother's proud here!) 

We have a non-stoppable holiday schedule after our Europe trip in December so I haven't had time to put up our Christmas tree just yet. (Now I am not so sure if I even want to bother putting it up.) But we are going to have a quiet Christmas at home for sure after my 3-day-trip w/ girls next weekend. 

This Marni Washed gabardine trousers is a better fit harem/suit pants.  That means your butt won't look like there has been stuffed w/ a diaper if looked from behind and it still keeps the dropped crotch look in front !

People dress up anything at their pleasure, but elegance and decency are main keys when it comes to dress myself up. 


On me:
Wilfred rusty rosy pink cami. Michael Kors roll neck big knitting sweater, Valentino For GAP ruffle jacket, Marni gabardine trousers, Chanel 11' Cruise brooch, Elfi Altendorfer purple agate necklace,  Kelsie suede wedge, Chanel 10A Maroon tote.



This is the last birthday gift for my gal friend for this year~~


 A set of earrings and necklace.  They would look stunning against black dress or pink dress. (There are black onyx, clear crystals and green crystals...... an inspiration look from Cartier or Chanel w/ only the fraction of their cost!) ^P^



My thumb n' index fingers are applied w/ Deborah lippmann big glitter nail polish w/ different green polish as base. 

The other 3 fingers are applied w/ Burlesque green and multiple glitters.
(Picture source: http://www.alllacqueredup.com/2010/10/opi-holiday-2010-burlesque-collection-glitter-swatches-review.html)



OPI multiple color glitter and green base.




All I want to try NOW is the salmon pink glitter (far left) nail polish from set of 3 limited edition celebrity manicurist Deborah lippmann nail polish!


Are you ready for this holiday?  
How about giving yourself some sparkles!
xoxo Rachel