My new love

Let me introduce to you all my new love: a miniature orchid Jenn gave me for our holiday gift exchange. How precious is it??? LOVE. My orchid count is now up to 6. Yep, I'm an orchid girl.

SNOW

It's a snow weekend here in DC area. Snow, snow, and more snow.

I'm so glad I went to the grocery store last night to get the food. But the salsa event has been canceled for tonight, and I'm not sure if this weather will prevent me tomorrow from meeting up with Radha and Jenn for dinner and a gift exchange...that would be oh so sad!

Earrings for me, Anna and Jenny

A while ago Jenny came to DC for a business meeting, and I went shopping with her to help her find a few accessories for an upcoming wedding. She chose beautiful chandelier earrings that I've been meaning to replicate for a while.

Then after our trip to Puerto Rico to visit Laura, Jenny lost her earrings! Oh no!

Below are acquamarine-colored earrings I made for myself, and topaz-colored earrings I made for Jenny and Anna. I'm in LOVE with how they turned out.

Why I love orchids

How can you not love these gorgeous flowers? Orchids are my favorite flowers. Here's one that's blooming for probably a 5th time: I've had it for years.

Gorgeous! Don't you agree?

Puerto Rico

I'm back from Puerto Rico. Jenny (she's on the picture on the left) and I went to visit our good friend Laura (she's on the photo below with me) last week. We all started working within a week from one another 8 years ago.

Since then Laura has moved to Florida, and then Puerto Rico with her husband and had two adorable boys. Jenny has moved to NYC, earned MBA and is now living in NYC.

And I'm still here...

This was my second and Jenny's first trip to Puerto Rico. I was so looking forward to seeing Laura and her family again and soaking in a bit of Puerto Rican sun.

Unfortunately Jenny could only stay a few days, while I stayed the entire week! I got to see Laura's oldest son play soccer, we made several delicious dinners, went to her in-laws for Thanksgiving, baked a chocolate flourless cake (YUM), went shopping, painted our toenails and watched Nip/Tuck and Glee. On my last night in Puerto Rico, Laura and Carlos took me out for Argentinian food and I got "a bit" tipsy on white sangria: what a perfect end to a fun vacation!

We had a fabulous time together. I did not take a ton of pictures because we mostly just hung out and did everyday "stuff." But here are a few from our day trip to the Old San Juan and one of the forts.

These gorgeous orchids live on a tree right outside of Laura's house. They only bloom for a day, and I was lucky enough to witness this rare event! They even had a very mild, but sweet scent.



And these are the gorgeous views of the clear blue water. Don't you just want to jump in?



I will blog about food later this week on Mango & Tomato.

Orchids and Jewelry

Hi, All.

Here are a few photos of my once-again-blooming orchid and the new green jade necklace/bracelet set I bought in San Francisco. Toodles for now :)

Orchids & Photos

It looks like I've pretty much abandoned this blog: sorry, things have been busy with cooking, making travel plans and stuff.

Here are a few photographs of my new orchid. Whole Foods was having a sale on orchids (9.99), and I just could not refuse :) This beauty is nearly 3 feet tall and has 7 unopened buds--meaning I will hopefully enjoy it for quite some time. (click on the photos to see better detail)

And here is an orchid I've had for probably 5 years: this is at least the 4th time it will bloom (yes, I'm proud of myself for keeping it alive).

And finally, here is a display of some of the photographs that I did not manage to sell during the gallery showing: I decided to hang them above my TV: you like?

Another baby gift

One of my food blogger friends is having triplets! Three boys!!! So I decided to make her a little painting using the pattern of her nursery decor as inspiration. I think it turned out well, and she loved it! I'm so happy!!!

Fingers and toes crossed that everything goes well and the boys enjoy this picture in their nursery.

Shopping Time

I've all but abandoned this blog. Sorry...lately there just hasn't been much going on.

I have, however, been feeling like shopping a lot. Everything from a trip to Puerto Rico for Thanksgiving, to food bloggers' festival in San Francisco...below are some of my latest purchases.


1) White Franco Satro bag--I got mine at DSW and know will have a really hard time waiting for next Spring/Summer to start carrying it. I can't really pull off a white bag in Fall/Winter, right?





2) I also bought a few things at Ann Taylor Loft, definitely one of my most favorite stores:

a. a ruffle top, b. a few camisoles (in deep pink and bluish color...and now am tempted to get the other colors on line)




3) A pink Toshiba netbook for my travel! (Special help to Misha for finding the color I wanted)


4) I also bought a matte black plate in World Market and a pretty white teacup (I'll post those photos on Mango & Tomato later next week)


5) Two new dresses from Macy's, which I bought a few weeks ago during my shopping time with Jenn (note that the first one has a different pattern from what is pictured)

I think that is about it for now :)

A necklace redo

A long, long, long time ago I bought a necklace at Ann Taylor Loft. It had pretty beads and a gold-toned chain. I wore it for a bit, but then the chain began to discolor and looked horrible. No more jewelry buying for me from Ann Taylor Loft: sorry, but I do still love their clothes.

here is the photo of the original necklace

Anyway, I decided to redo the necklace using new silver wire and silver chain and the original beads. Here is what I came up with: the necklace can be worn long or doubled up. I'm quite a fan.
Click on images for better detail!

More Roses

Last Friday I took the roses that I bought on Monday home because they were still "alive," and I did not want them to be alone in my cubicle over the weekend :)

Saturday morning I decided to take a "few" shots of them. Thoughts!?