On the first day of spring...

...I was born!

What an amazing, amazing day. I had such a wonderful and lovely birthday thanks to all my dear friends and family.

My sister took me to Tres by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills for their afternoon tea. and I am seriously sad we didn't take more pictures because I stupidly left my camera in the car and said, "it's ok i'll use my phone" when my sis offered to grab it before the valet drove it away. WELL I WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE ON HER BIRTHDAY! Nonetheless we had a lovely afternoon...

Rifle Lamp

Lighted acrylic moose head above fireplace

Afternoon Tea Menu

Delicious little tiny bites 

It looks like it's glowing! But it wasn't

Dressed in our best 60s inspired clothing

After Tea Time I went home expecting to have a lovely dinner with my husband at Sushi Kimugare. I was really looking forward to this place since it got good reviews from Yelp and one of our friends highly recommended it as well! Well lo and behold, he took me to Apricott...a lovely little restaurant in Pasadena that I adore. I had mentioned to him a few weeks prior that they had a private room and I would love to have a birthday dinner there. And he remembered! He surprised me with my dearest friend...

an almost life-sized hello kitty ballon.

and my other lovely friends. isn't this room just gorgeous?!

Tofu Delight

Abricott Burger. 

And here is where all the food pictures ended because my photographer/husband started to eat

Souffle Cheesecake from Francis Bakery.

(This is THE BEST cheesecake in the WORLD)

I'm so happy!! I <3 you guys!

Thanks for coming! 

Thank you all for taking a little time out of your day to wish me a happy birthday and to come celebrate with me. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life!

MORE MAD MEN

Season Five premiers on Sunday March 25! Everyone is gearing up to have their Mad Men themed viewing parties! I wish I could be hosting one but I shall be in Vegas this weekend. BOO! But I'm still dying to get this Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook.

I must have it!

Homemade Bread and Shepard's Pie!

Sorry for the poor quality, these pictures were taken on my iPhone...

Irish Shepard Pie Recipe (via Food Wishes)

Ingredients:

For lamb mixture:

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 diced onion

2 pounds lean ground lamb

1/3 cup flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp minced fresh rosemary

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tbsp ketchup

2 1/2 cups water or broth (use more or less to adjust thickness as needed)
12 oz bag frozen peas and carrots, thawed, drained well

For the potato topping:

2 1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes

1 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of cayenne

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 pound Irish cheddar

1 egg yolk beaten with 2 tbsp milk

Few notes: I found lamb meat at Sprouts Supermarket and I just asked if they can group it for me and they did! I used yellow cheddar cheese instead of white, not because I like yellow cheddar more but because I was an idiot and bought the wrong kind at the store. Also the water should be added into the lamb mixture a little bit at a time! I added the full 2.5 cups of water at once and it was way too much so it took awhile and more flour before it thickened. 

Homemade Bread Recipe (via Food Wishes)

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

1 1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast

1/2 cup AP flour

1/2 cup warm water (about 100 degrees)

Then:
12 oz bottled beer

18 ounces AP flour (about 4 cups)

1 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

Few notes: The first time I tried this recipe I messed up and bought a Gingerbread Ale which is a darker beer and it made a darker bread with a pretty strong beer smell and taste. I did not like it at all so the second time I used Stella Artolis! I should've known to buy a beer that I would actually drink! This one turned out PERFECT. No hint of beer smell or taste.  This is a super easy recipe that makes a gorgeous and delicious bread! Everyone should try it. 

MAD MEN

Lately I've been obsessed with Mad Men! 

(Image via amctv)

Yes, I know I am super slow and this show has been all the rage for the past FOUR seasons. But I'm so happy I got started on it because I am absolutely IN LOVE with this show! Not just for the drama but the hair, makeup, fashion, lifestyle and everything 60s! It seems like everyone is just so careless drinking and smoking all day. Makes me want to drink and smoke all day. Obviously that won't be happening...so for my birthday my lovely sister got me my very own little piece of 60s Mad Men keepsake. 

 Pretty Packaging

 "Mei, Happy Birthday! -Jei"

 Pretty!

 DROOL...

 It's mine!!! I love the 60s inspired packaging, and it is actually based off of Estee Lauder's packaging in the 60s!

The cream blush is very pigmented and it goes really nicely with the cherry lipstick!

I will be posting a look with these items for my birthday mad men themed tea-time at Tres by Jose Andres! Thanks Jei! I can't wait for our girly tea-time next week!

On a side note, I really want to host a Mad Men Party!

A Pleasant Birthday Surprise

Yesterday I was leaving the house and I found a fedex box on my doorstep. And I immediately thought, "oh goodie my replacement blade for my juicer is here!" But then I thought, wait that's not possible I just tracked the package that morning and it was still in the east coast. So of course my curiosity won me over and I just had to open the package before I stepped out. And here is my picture-tale...

Fragile?? What is this...

The anticipation builds

AWWWWW IT'S FROM MY DEAR FRIEND!!

A lovely birthday card...

and an array of wonderfully useful gifts! 

Even Ticky got to play with the box. 

This was seriously such a nice and unexpected surprise. When I read the card I literally said out loud, "awwww." I was so happy not just because I got a present but because someone actually took time out of their day to remember my birthday! Seriously Tudo, you are too amazing for words and I was so touched by this gift! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it so much I will do a post on a makeup look I can compile with your gift. 

It's so nice to know that even though we may not talk or see each other nearly enough, we are still on each other's minds. =) Thank you lovely! 

Event: Style Suite @ Viceroy by Daily Candy & Suave

On Tuesday there was an event hosted by Daily Candy at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica for the premiere of NBC's Fashion Star. The first fifty RSVPs were lucky enough to get their hair done by Suave Professionals in the Style Suite. This was too good an event to pass up! So of course my sister and I went to the Viceroy an hour before the event even started. and yes we were first! 

Before the event started we waited in the Cameo Lounge. The entire hotel was gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It's fashionable, chic and girly. I definitely want to come back and check out this lounge on the weekend especially since they have a poolside bar. While we waited we had a glass of prosecco and an order of the croquettes. Both equally delicious! (I was also famished so I may be a bit biased.) 

After we went in the style suite we both got our hair done and our picture professionally taken! They also had us do a video testimonial about what we thought of the products and the style suite. I thought the products smelled amazing! I totally did not expect that from a Suave product. But their new Keratin line smells like something they would use in an upscale salon. After we got our little makeover we headed into the screening room and there was sushi, veggies, fruits and hor dourves for us to snack on. Of course there was unlimited prosecco. We also got a caricature! Even though we didn't stay for the screening we each left with a gift bag filled with the Suave products they used in the style suite! 

Can't wait to attend another event like this!

The Mr.'s 29th Birthday

Last week was a super hectic week because I was busy planning a surprise birthday party for my darling husband! I decided to host a dinner party for his close friends (well only 7 of them because it was the  most I could squeeze at our dining table). Hosting a formal dinner party is definitely stressful but also really fun and rewarding when you see the look on your guests face. And in this case, my husband was the guest of honor and it was his reaction I valued the most. I'm so glad the party was a complete surprise to him and a great success! Thanks to everyone that helped out and especially the lovely Miss Ahn for taking all of the wonderful pictures! See her amazing blog here.

Without further ado...

The theme was "artsy and colorful"

Yes these are the 36" latex gallons. I LOVE THEM.

Yeap! Everyone got their own fake mustache

Avocado Shrimp Salad

With Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

The glorious prime rib

Dinner is served!

Yes, it was perfectly medium rare and amazing

Dessert

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Thanks Everyone!

What a goofy bunch we are

To my love. Happy 29th Birthday! Just wait till your 30th, I have the most amazing party in the works for you ;)

Dinner Menu:

Avocado Shrimp Salad with Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing
Prime Rib (Recipe by Chef John)
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes (Recipe by Chef John)
Creamed Corn
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream