My first Treat Yourself Tuesday

This is my first ever Treat Yourself Tuesday post! Thanks Becky for hosting - she also inspired this more fashion-centered post.

NEW ANIMAL PRINT FLATS I definitely needed some new all-purpose flats - my old ones from Aldo were 5 years old! I don't have a full-length mirror...

CLARKS MOCASSINS Mom bought them at Ross for just $12.99. They're stuck on my feet; I even want to wear them into bed.

Trader Joe's CHEESE TRAY is only $4.99!

It went perfect with my new nightly habit of WINE and wrapping presents/stocking stuffers.

I picked up these 2 wrapping papers from Marshalls. I decided to get multi seasonal prints.

Plus, I wanted to make The Beauty Department's DIY Nail Polish Storage. :)

Any cool craft ideas?
How did you treat yourself?

MIMM: Nightlife, Day Tripping, and... Errands

This weekend had a little bit of everything: nightlife, day tripping, and the usual errands. I'm not much into staying out late anymore, but this was fun and more "mature" - we met up with some people from my friend's new office job.

Friday night was my friend's work party. She started this week and hadn't met anyone yet. They held it at the MARVELOUS The Federal Bar, an old bank turned restaurant and bar!

Upstairs was huge - a long bar where the tellers must've been, tall tables with stools, and then booths.

The private party was held downstairs and the food was set up in the old vault. They served MARVELOUS food: salmon, chicken, brocollini, salad, and new potatoes, cheeses, and I got 3 drink tickets - I got champagne.

In the vault is a door to an old speakeasy!

We played Blackjack and I learned to play craps, and received raffles for prizes. I won a... breakfast basket. It wasn't a very good basket, but I still won something.

Of course I made friends. :) We played pool at [almost-empty] The Port and then went dancing to island music at a crowded Hawaiian-themed Mai Tai.

Saturday was Unique LA, a holiday show that features local artisan goods and edibles. I love seeing all the creativity and MARVELOUS creations.

Beautiful venue too! We got 360 views of downtown LA.

On my way home, I stopped by The Pizza Press for a late lunch/early dinner. The location is hard to find, embedded between some motels. The pizza was MARVELOUS though - I built my own with sausage, salami, artichokes, pineapple, onions, and roasted red peppers.

I was tired and decided to stay home, drink wine, and finally watch "Despicable Me." It made me laugh and cry!

I considered going to the Rose Bowl Flea Market on Sunday but didn't want to make the drive. Instead, I ended up doing what I usually do on Sundays: shop.

TJ Maxx was my first stop. I love it during the holidays - they have so many good things!

North Carolina-based Moon Rabbit Foods coconut flour

I don't eat many doughnuts but when I do, I go to Sidecar Doughnuts. It was on the way and they had new flavors.

Butter & salt, which was unassumingly MARVELOUS

Huckleberry apple

Has this ever happened to you? I walked out of Whole Foods with a pint of ice cream & a bar of chocolate!

Ciao Bella Pumpkin Sea Salt Caramel & Theo Nutcracker Brittle

Despite all my extravagant & MARVELOUS food purchases (not pictured), I made a mid-day green smoothie for lunch.

Afterwards, I headed over to visit family... they wanted to go shopping too.

MARVELOUS "Popular on Pinterest" cheetah print flats (and a pair of red suede flats) for $15

Mom bought me some MARVELOUS Clarks' mocassins/slippers from Ross for $12.99!

What was MARVELOUS about your weekend?
What kind of shoes do you wear on a day-to-day basis?

Fall Survey

I found this fun fall survey from Travels with Mary and thought it was perfect for this lazy Sunday.

Apple picking or pumpkin picking?
I love apples but have ignored them as of late. The orchards in Southern California are awful. The best orchard is Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, North Carolina right outside of Asheville. They have an abundance of beautiful apples that you can try off the tree. The atmosphere was welcoming.

Last year, my cousin & I went to a pumpkin patch. We didn't get pumpkins there though.

Favorite apple recipe?
I made Joy the Baker's Russian grandmother's apple pie cake one year with a friend. He was pro.

Favorite pumpkin recipe?

I have so many! Every year, I bake Joy the Baker's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They're cakey. I also love Powercakes' pumpkin power roll. Those take awhile to make so if I'm in need of a quick fix that's super healthy, I'll make pumpkin cheesecake mousse with cottage cheese.

Favorite soup recipe?
The only soup-y entree I enjoy is a hearty chili. I enjoyed a beef and black bean one today with my friend Lawrence at Seasons 52. I also got a carrot cake shooter, which I opted over pumpkin!

Here's a recipe I'm going to try: bacon and eggs chili.

This slow cooker Thai chicken soup does look good though:

So does this avocado chicken corn chowder:

Football: on TV or in the stadium?
I've only gone to high school football games and never had any idea what was going on. So far I've gone to three of them.

Favorite Football team to cheer for?
I don't watch football, but everyone seems to like the Steelers.

Daylight savings time... love it or hate it?
I'm yearning for rainy days. All this California sunshine is insane! Hah.

How do your workouts change (if at all) for Fall time?
My workouts don't change with the seasons. More so, they change with my life. Right now, I'm doing tons of only at home workouts.

Favorite Halloween candy?
Chocolate and sour candies are my favorite, but I look forward to those caramel apple pops.

Any fashion essentials for Fall weather?
Boots! I finally bought boots last year. This year, I'm adding scarves. So far I have one scarf though.

Do your meals change when the weather changes?
I want warm comfort food and anything pumpkin.

Favorite Fall dinner?
Chili. See above. Maybe I'll find a good mac & cheese recipe too!

Favorite Fall dessert?
Apples warmed in the microwave with cinnamon.

Best thing about Fall?
Cups of tea, snuggling in my giant blanket, and fall festivities.

Worst thing about Fall?
Finding a Halloween costume that's awesome and not slutty.

Best thing (that will happen) in Fall 2013? 
So far, I fell in love. Maybe. Hopefully I will get to see him again soon.

Answer some or all of these!

MIMM: Jill's wedding

My cousin Jill tied the knot with her boyfriend of 10+ years this weekend. This is one of the first non-super Asian or traditional weddings I've attended, mostly because none of my friends are married yet.

MARVELOUS nail stickers for my aunt

MARVELOUS outfit of the day for my cousin's wedding

With one of my more MARVELOUS cousins on her special day.

MARVELOUS favors.

Spent time with my MARVELOUS mom...

...and my cousin.

MARVELOUS centerpiece with a beta fish!

MARVELOUS first dance

MARVELOUS photo booth pictures with my cousin...

...and my mom & aunt.

Asian food that wasn't too bad except this taro paste dessert... weird.

MARVELOUS wedding

Tips to a successful wedding: only invite close family members, have a candy bar even a simple one, & of course, have an open bar. Except I was too hungover to take advantage beyond red wine and champagne.

What's the best wedding you've been to and why?

MIMM: #yogainspace & Patchwork Take 2

After 3 months, I went to TurboKick. I was addicted to TurboKick for 2 years after my Zumba addiction. I dripped in sweat and my heart was through the roof every time. 

My body got tired though and my feet started to hurt. I stopped going to TurboKick and major forms of cardio regularly a year ago. The past 3 months, the most cardio I've done is run 1 mile.

After Saturday, I don't foresee myself going back. I have not seen adverse affects from less cardio.

I do see myself going back to Meat Headz quite often. I'm trying to eat in to save money, but I did get this paleo sandwich for 50% off. :)

I was late to learn about the #yogainspace challenge but started when I woke up. 

Front of the house with blooming hydrangeas

 

In the backyard. Check out my thick legs. Not ashamed - they're getting more defined!

I was starving after the photos! I made myself a 3 egg white omelet with shredded chicken, spinach/kale/chard, and avocado with Tapatio & Sharone Hakman's BBQ sauce.

Note to self: I need to work on my sauce game. I should invest in good BBQ sauce or ketchup.

Eating outside with the dogs on an overcast day

Yes, it's almost summer but my coffee with leftover Dunkin Donuts gingerbread flavor.

Off to yoga in my Old Navy outlet-purchased lululemon rip-off. Less than $15! In other news, that bra I'm wearing is 4 years and on its way out. :(

I rolled with regular yoga today with one of my favorite instructors and killed it!

Hunger struck immediately after so I picked up some Chobani.

I LOVE patterns!: tried on yoga pants at TJMaxx and bought Bungalow 360 bags for me, mom, and my cousin, in that order.

Mom and I went to the Patchwork Arts & Craft Festival in Long Beach. 

Ukelele players!

Lots of dogs

Some houses on our walk to the festival:

Springtime and purple

I love desert plants! I have no idea what these are called though.

Someone is obsessed

Everything about this dinner is right: blueberries, cottage cheese, protein powder, ice/water, hidden greens, and some crushed graham crackers on top. Recipe here.

I bought a Costco-sized bag of frozen blueberries. Suggestions?