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I've always been a sucker for classics--if you look at my wardrobe, you'll notice that I rarely have trendy one-off pieces. As much as pastels (that lilac!) and prints are all the rage this season, I am still a firm believer of simplicity at its best. These are my top 6 March picks and hope you have as much fun as I do wearing white sneakers with jeans.
Love,
Pristine Christine
Shirt: JCrew, Cardigan: Dries Van Noten, Fedora: Max Mara, Jeans: A&F, Shoes: Superga, Bag: Chloé.
Please excuse the sleeves--I did a poor job of rolling them up fashionably.
It's been a while, everyone. Excited to return to blogging a bit more routinely. There's much to share with you all! This busy metropolitan 7x7 area called New York City is slowly growing on me (excluding the pungent smell on certain streets). I am ready to begin sharing what I have been up to during these last 12 months. Now that I am in my mid-20s, my priorities and focus areas have been changing rather rapidly. Dear Christine will still retain its roots, but it will undergo some revamping. Stay tuned, and please join me for this next chapter!
Love,
Pristine Christine
Tee: Vince, Overalls: DL 1961 Cara Overalls
Until a month ago, the humidity in the east coast had me pining for Fall.
With nothing but a suitcase and a few shopping bags of new clothing, I moved into my apartment--I was anything but ready for the rather rapid switch in seasons. The wind chill is still nothing like Chicago's, but after semi-living in Dallas for nearly two years, my body definitely notices the climate change. Lately, I have come to appreciate Dallas albeit slightly late into the game. Aside from the excruciating heat and humidity, Dallas has plenty to offer. I'll have to accept the funky smell of the Hoboken and NYC streets after some serious rainfall...sooner than later.
While my friends and family in California and Texas continue to enjoy the remnants of summer, I must say a belated, "Adios!"
Being new to the city, I reached out to a college friend and asked if she wanted to hang out on Labor Day. We grabbed brunch at Great Banks and explored the area near World Trade Center. Since Labor Day means fun and casual, I opted to dress down in short overalls and a tee.
Here's a cheer to the beginnings of Autumn as this is my last post to you, Summer!
Mohegan Bluffs. Credit: Amanda C
When things get rough, it's never easy to keep a smile. Human nature, right? If we truly were to live by our values and virtues, we should be able to persevere and see the bigger picture in life. Being a perfectionist, I learned the hard way to let go. At the end of the day, you just need to laugh and leave behind any issue or problem. Otherwise, you lose sight of the greater beauties in life.
As a workaholic, I will need to physically close my laptop or intentionally set up hangouts on a Friday evening. It is a challenge for me to not respond to emails on my phone; I need to do everything in my willpower to not do so. In light of such, I created mini-goals for myself, which are all related to travel. Before February approaches, I would love to visit Cape Cod, The Hamptons, Portland, Toronto, Mohegan Bluffs, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston). Maybe these goals are a bit lofty, but I would be pleased with even a 50% success rate.
With summer winding down, I'll need to plan my travel around the season. Crossing my fingers!
Book: The Principles of Uncertainty
Perfume: Jo Malone, Fresh
As a kid, I loved rubbing my face against my dad's shaven chin or embracing my mom after an active afternoon of running around. The scent of my dad's Giorgio Armani aftershave and mom's changing signature perfume tickled my fancy; for a while, she was redolent of Chanel's N5. My mom always believed that a woman's scent should be as classy as her clothes; naturally, she did not approve of my teenage obsession with Bath and Body Works. Over time, in college, I came to acquire more of her taste in both fashion and fragrance selection. My signature scent slowly transitioned from Trésor in Love (pear, peach, turkish rose, jasmine) to Jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom. These days, I love mixing Jo Malone's sweeter fragrances with Fresh's Pear, Lychee, or Grapefruit perfume. The lasting scent depends on one's body temperature so what works for me may not work for everyone.
With summer in full effect, I want to make sure I leave a refreshing, light, memorable as well as lingering scent wherever I go and whomever I meet. And that is why I love experimenting with perfume--you're able to create your own, unique scent.
Ladies, what's your favorite perfume? Gentlemen, what types of perfume do you find to be attractive?
Unfortunately, today's post is not about food, fashion, or lifestyle--it's about life and style.
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Two Fridays ago marked my last day at C. Four weeks ago, I celebrated my two-year anniversary at C so it was a rather bittersweet ending. Perhaps, I have expressed my gratitude to an excessive degree, but I can't help but to say thank you to everyone for being a part of this journey. I hate using overused phrases; however, my 24 months at C were a well-traveled journey. From the client to C leads to C friends, I have made lasting relationships with some of them. (Shout out to the Bromine Brothers! Visit my instagram to learn about these Better Business Bureau folks.)
While Shawn, Steve, Mark, Jon, and Roger will most likely never read my blog, I want you to understand how these four have inspired me to more seriously pursue a career in consulting. Given that my primary love language is quality time, the time Sh, St, M, and J invested--they may or may not realize this--in our relationship (Working? Lead-Direct Report? Mentee-mentor? Not sure about the labeling!) attributed to the professional I am today. They challenged my perspectives, approaches, frameworks, work-life balance, and prevented me from committing regretful acts. Even now, I am glad they pushed me to take a step back and reassess my view every single time. I doubt I would have matured as much or understood my true capacity had I continued on a comfortable happy-path. Moreover, I am thankful that they felt comfortable enough to provide candid feedback. Those moments are what instilled optimism about this cut-throat industry in me.
My first day at E starts next week, and truth be told, it would be a lie to say that I am not nervous. Let's also not forget that I'm moving east! Shawn remarked, "Why in the hell would you move from California to Jersey?" I wish I could say, "Because I love NJ!" Unfortunately, the real reason is that I want to test my ability to survive in a new city. Maybe that's why I was adamant about attending college in Chicago and--for a fleeting moment--why I harbored a strange desire to live in San Francisco when I first joined C.
Here's a cheer to the journey traveled as well as to the next one to travel. I hope all of you continue embarking on this next chapter with me!
But before I say adieu, I wanted to say thank you and see you, again, to the following:
Mark B, Roger D, Fed B, Shawn P, Steve K, Jon H, Kiran A, Chakra T, Larry S, Pranav P, Brandan M, Karlo O, Brian M, Brandon N, Abe R, Julian R, Chris B, Michael S, Jim H, Rob P, Doris M, Brittney G, Kate B, Amanda Y, Kendall M, Ritika H, Colby K.
My foodie lifestyle has led to abundant adventures in Chicago and Los Angeles in the last 6 years. I love visiting small pop-up cafes, coffee shops, and all the "must" restaurants. Now, food and coffee seem completely unrelated to work or career decisions, right? Hear me out.
I'm passionate about culinary art and nutrition, but this does not mean I am going to become some restaurant venture capitalist. I'm a digital enthusiast, but this does not mean I will transform into a globe-trotting digital evangelist. Without a doubt, I will integrate my talents and passion to create something for the greater good. And for the last 3 years, my brain has been churning, trying to figure out how I can best leverage my gifts to add value to society while learning at the same time.
During moments of intense cogitating, I can't help but to reflect on Ben Horowitz's words:
At first, you may be taken aback and defensively retaliate; I certainly did not respond too well at first. But the more I thought about it though, the more I began to agree with Horowitz: We need to differentiate hobby from passion, and passion from contribution. They're not necessarily mutually exclusive. However, the three are distinct in their own ways. Hopefully, my unnecessarily philosophical statements provide you with something to chew on.
1. Follow your contribution not passion.
2. Charles Schwab CEO tests candidates' ability to handle adversity.
3. Your guide to authentic tacos--not your TexMex stuff.
4. Best coffee roasters. Thoughts?
5. Peach and Lily: The story and business of a consultant-Harvard-business-school-turned entrepreneur.
Love,
Pristine Christine
My alma mater, Northwestern University, and the lake view of the city--one of my favorite areas of the campus.
2015 said hello and good-bye.
2014 remains vivid in my mind. However, 2015 almost feels like both a blur and a pristine, colorful Picasso painting. Is this an indication of my ever-so-growing 40-year-old soul? Apparently, my coffee choice is telling of such. I took a survey in early January, and my refined taste and perfectionist nature is reflected in my choice--an Americano.
2015 was as eventful as 2014, just in a different sense.Through the ups and downs, I have gained valuable experiences. While I may have lost a bit of my starry-eyed youth, I have instead cultivated greater resilience. In the midst of every trough and peak, my fervor to leave a positive impact and to pursue my dreams never died. Discouraged--yes--dead--no.
All in all, 2015 was a year of beautiful...pause...growing pains. Beautiful and pain almost never co-exist in the same sentence, but I view my experience thus far to be synonymous with silver being refined or gold being purified by its master. With the salty tears and hill-top frustrations also came boisterous laughs, shy giggles, and mountainous gratitude. These words best encapsulate my 2015. Sure, there were moments of extreme heartache, but I am thankful to have trekked this path. Along the way, I learned to pull myself back and realign my vision: Was I doing things to be _____ (noun)? Or was I pursuing them because I wanted to ________ (verb)?
So, here's a cheer to all the folks who helped me reel it back in and learn to deal with the punches as they were flung at me. The biggest thank you to:
Meesoh, Amanda, Paula, Jeanette, Michael, Ashley, Crystal, Angel,
Mark Bonavia (he will never read this, but I love this man! Thank you, Mark, for enduring my craziness and being patient with me.),
Y.P., R.D., Shawn, Jon, M.W.,
Karlo , Jim Jim, Michael Sam, Josue, Brian, Kevin,
and my Fam Bam.
I suppose this is a true adieu to you, 2015. It was good while it lasted. I won't forget you.
Love,
Pristine Christine
Taken with my iPhone 5s
During my Vice President's recent visit, he and I shared a brief conversation on home offices. At one point, he asked me about my home office. More often than not, people associate me with Chicago since I went to Northwestern. I cheekily smiled and said, "I like to consider myself a wanderlust, but I'm technically tagged to the San Francisco office." He, too, gave me a slightly confused look and responded, "Well, that's a little strange." To be quite frank, I only had an enviable apartment in the cool district of SoMA, neighboring South Beach amongst other hipster neighborhoods. Nothing else, really. Yet, despite never having really lived there, I paid for the monthly rent, utilities, internet/tv, furniture, and living essentials for an entire year, which still causes me to shake my head. The squared-away area is, without a doubt, a beautiful metropolis but is not "home" for me.
Given my "wanderlust" nature, it's difficult for me to call anywhere home. I know the ins and outs of the best restaurants in Los Angeles as well as the "SoCal" culture and jargon, but I don't own a piece of the city like my dad who grew up here. Having been born and raised in this beachy SoCal region, I naturally feel comfortable when my plane lands in LAX. However, I lost all attachment to the city of glam while attending college in the greater Chicago area (Go Wildcats!). And while I can firmly proclaim my affinity for Chicago, it does not quite feel like home to me either--at least anymore. With another city, Dallas, under my belt, I truly feel lost in my allegiance. Dallas (okay, perhaps, more like the suburbs of Dallas) is familiar yet so distant. As much as I loathe being bloated after a plane ride, I am constantly itching to hop on the next flight to somewhere to explore and satiate my food-venturous life.
Thus far, here are my top memorable meals and recommendations:
1. Xoco* - Chicago, IL - Churros, ice cream, Tortas
2. Mercat a la Planxa* - Chicago, IL - Paella is a must!
3. Geja's - Chicago, IL - Best fondue. No question.
4. Scarpetta* - Los Angeles, CA - Polenta, Spaghetti
5. Sun Wa BBQ - Chicago, IL - Duck, duck, and more duck!
6. Palm Court at Drake Hotel* - Chicago, IL - Most fantastic tea time (better than Peninsula's!)
7. Kansha Creamery - Gardena, CA - Black sesame ice cream
8. Nancy's Fancy Ice Cream - California
9. Bonjour Bakery - Gardena, CA - Freshly whipped cream, strawberry shortcake
10. Stephan Pyles - Dallas, TX - Everything
11. Delbe's Corner* - Evanston, IL - Bagel sandwiches (avocado with hummus and alphalpha is my favorite...)
12. Empanadas place in Pilsen, Chicago, IL*
13. Thai Sookdee* - Evanston, IL - Salty food like all Thai food, but Thai Sookdee will always remain close to my heart.
14. Superba Food & Bakery - Venice, CA - Croissants and tartines (prefer Superba's over Tartine's)
15. Manhattan Beach Post* - Manhattan Beach, CA - Stuffed french toast, coffee, charcuterie, griddle cake, cheddar biscuit
16. Tartine - San Francisco, CA - Croissant without a doubt; my first food-gasmic encounter with croissants. Nothing else was too impressive.
17. Storyville - Seattle, CA - Americano
18. Union Pizzeria - Evanston, CA - Golden beet salad with quinoa
19. NoMI* - The chirashi and salads at the Garden Terrace in the spring
20. Walker Bros. and Clarke's - For when you're just beat up and need a pick-me-up.
21. Gialina - San Francisco, CA - You cannot go wrong with thin-crust Neapolitan pizza.
22. Lou Malnati's - Evanston/Chicago, IL - How can I forget good ol' Lou? Classic, simple Chicago pizza.
2016 may be filled with just as many new stories for the pages of my book. From Virginia to Kentucky to Oregon to New York to... who knows where?
As I try to gain full closure on 2015, I hope all of you are excited for the new year and have been more successful than I in reflecting about the last 12 months. It was--for the lack of a better word--one heck of a ride.
With love,
Pristine Christine
Having grown up in a household of sports fanatics, I grew up attending a number of basketball, football, and baseball games. My mom used to have the biggest crush on one of the best collegiate baseball players during her university days. She knows everything there is to know about baseball; she even knows the stats of every Dodgers athlete.
Now, you can imagine my excitement when I heard that our team would be attending the Indians vs. Tigers game. Two things ran through my mind: 1. Yes, I can wear my cap!; 2. I can scream and cheer my heart out.
The best part about going to sports events is having the opportunity to dress down and be a bit more playful with my outfit. By playful, I mean casual and following a different set of ABCs--Accessible Basic Classy. Keeping things simple, I opt for the Keds/flats, blue jeans, Northwestern cap, solid color tee, and some staple accessory (watch or ring for me).
To think that our team's first week of Cleveland travel already came to an end amazes me. What the Romans said about time proves to be true--tempus fugit! Soon enough, 2016 will creep up on us...
Well, here's a hoorah for the Tigers and Dodgers! Stay tuned for more of my adventures and tips! Chi-town is in scope this week...
Creating a collage without Photoshop or a more sophisticated editing program proves to be a challenge, but I managed to compile my favorite items for this spring. My mantra is always, "Simple and classy."
Part of the fun in maintaining a blog like mine resides in the ability to introduce readers to talented designers who produce stunning pieces. Ming Yu Wang aka Jennifer Wang encapsulates boldness and beauty in the small details--width of band, geometric shapes, material, texture. Often times, people overcomplicate things, hiding all raw charm. Ming Yu does the opposite, for example, by accentuating a rectangle's sharp edges or a circle's infinite smooth surface.
I would hope to interview designers such as Ming Yu and Jennie Kwon in the near future. As someone who enjoys learning about people and their stories, the journalist within me craves to venture out and help craft narratives. At the same time, a part of me does not miss laboriously transcribing interviews.
It's during these moments--at 4 or 5 am--when I ask myself, "What inspires you to wake up every morning and start fresh? Why haven't you give up yet? Why hasn't discouragement crushed your spirits?" Eternal hope. On that note, I challenge you to live today with excitement. For the weary-hearted, persevere and endure for a brighter tomorrow. For those with uncontrollable zeal, continue persevering and enduring.
Happy Wednesday, folks.
Two Thousand Fourteen: A year of unforgettable adventures. When one season ends, another transpires, but we should never bid farewell to the former with a remorseful or regretful heart. Without a doubt, we each endure daily struggles and overcome several tribulations. However, the lessons learned and growth achieved after every process leave a rather sweet taste in the mouth. We're all human--we err more often than we wish. And while it is true that we live in a society that tries to conceal any blemishes, we also have the ability to surround ourselves with people who help us grow by learning from our mistakes and teaching us to utilize those experiences as powerful tools. This, in fact, was the reiterative theme of my Two Thousand Fourteen. Rather than recapping the major events of 2014, I want to take the time to thank various people (not that all of them would read this post) and share twelve reminders and lessons I carried with me throughout two thousand fourteen.
1. Even a pearl must learn to hold back tears. 2. Life changes every 20 feet. 3. "Most failures are not due to bad technology but due to people." 4. Listen, and listen, again. 5. I'm half a person, so we can squeeze 4 people in the back of a cab in India. 6. Embrace resilience. Be resilient. 7. Lean not on your own understanding. 8. If you fail, make your failure worthwhile. 9. Treat every adversity as an adventure and opportunity. 10. Perception is only half-reality. 11. Be true to yourself. 12. Never compromise your values and dreams. A season exists for everything.
The closing of 2014 would not be complete without saying thank you to certain people. These individuals have traveled this 12-month-long journey with me at different periods, but they have all impacted my growth and encouraged me in their respective ways-- The big guy up above, my mother (best friend and role model), my father, my brother, Ashley, Meesoh, Amanda, Paula, Jeanette, Daniel, Angel, Michael, Tina, Eric (Ricdrizzle), Dr. Jina K., Kevin, Connie, Catherine, Karlo, Jim Jim, Jordan, Brandan, Raman, Michael S., Josue, Jessica, Yugant, Steve, Nanci, Brittney O., Tony, Mark, Brittney G., Rob, Doris, Nicole, Armen, Jonathan, Pastor Tim, Pastor Ben.
Cheers to a glamorous 2015! On that note, I cannot wait to see you, again, Chicago!
I shared with you previously that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Christmas indeed was a glorious day for our family. My mom and I, the early birds, brewed some coffee and enjoyed the peace before getting ready for Christmas service. Although my mom had already prepared and planned a Christmas dinner at home, I wanted us to gather together for a quick Christmas breakfast as well. After contemplating between baking a sweet bread pudding and a savory one, I opted for the latter since we would be indulging in Hawaiian Paradise Cheesecake later in the evening. I always believe in cooking healthy and would think you share similar sentiments. My version of savory tomato-mushroom rosemary bread pudding may not taste as rich or buttery, but it still satiates cravings and does enough justice. (Photos were not taken with our DSLR. No need to ruin holiday spirits and mood, right?)
{Ingredients} 4 cups of cubed Whole Wheat Bread 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk 3 Eggs 1/4 tsp Salt Ground Black Pepper 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, etc.) 1 branch of Fresh Rosemary 3/4 tsp Garlic Salt 4 cups Cherry or Sugar Plum Tomatoes, halved 3 cups Mushrooms (Oyster, trumpets, beech, and porcini are my favorites) 1/3 cup Walnuts 1 cup Shredded Organic Mozzarella 1/4 cup Earth Balance Margarine
{For the "Custard"} 1. Pour the milk into a large bowl. 2. Crack open 3 large [organic] eggs. 3. Add the salt and ground pepper. 4. Beat the mixture until you reach a smooth texture.
{For the Filling} 1. In a pan, lightly sauté halved sweet sugar plum/cherry tomatoes and mushrooms with olive oil, garlic salt, and the Italian seasoning. Taste and add garlic or salt as needed. Add walnuts as well. 2. In a 8x8 baking pan, coat the surface with Earth Balance Margarine. 3. Layer with cubed bread pieces. 4. Transfer the tomato and mushroom mixture to the baking pan. 5. Add a layer of shredded mozzarella. 6. Pour the custard over as evenly as possible. 7. Add fresh rosemary leaves on top. 8. Pre-heat for about 10 minutes at 375-400 degrees (depends on oven). 9. Bake until golden (roughly 30-35 minutes) and serve!
Happy New Year, everyone! Off to grandmother's, we go.
I love Christmas more than I love Thanksgiving. For me personally, the holiday's significance extends beyond Santa, cookies, and carols. The special day serves as a reminder of the greatest gift I received, and I feel compelled to share the same joy with others. Gathering with family over a hearty Christmas meal enables me to do so. But I also enjoy spreading the mirth through meaningful cards or thoughtful gifts. What Maya Angelou, one of my childhood favorite authors, said comes to mind--“...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." People won't remember how expensive your gift is, but they will remember how they felt when receiving and/or using it. Hence, I embrace my mother's philosophy of Treat Every Guest Special, for the seemingly most banal man may be the greatest. Bearing such spirit in mind, below are a few ideas that I believe carry intrinsic value.
1. Archipelago Diffuser -- Who doesn't want to wake up to a refreshing scent every morning? 2. Hair Jewelry (similar here) 3. Valerie Confections Assorted Petit Fours -- Savor every moment. 4. Marc Jacobs Daisy Trio Set -- Travel comfortably with these utilitarian sized fragrances. 5. L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream -- For those walkers who suffer from callouses... 6. Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Cleansing System -- Say farewell to ineffective, costly facial massages! 7. Anthropologie Gold Monogram Mug -- A part of him/her glossed with gold.
Merry Christmas, everyone. In the midst of stress and chaos, I am reminding myself daily of the peace and serenity that transcended this earth. Hoping you will as well!
Thanksgiving's just around the corner, and Christmas is just a little over a month away as well. The hybrid of autumn and winter air grows more prominent as we inch closer to the holidays. The full withdrawal from summer causes a shift in the fresh produce that we purchase--maybe not as much for us Californians but a shift most definitely occurs. To name a few, apples, pears, figs, squash, and pumpkin are in season. I love my figs, apples, and squash, but I also enjoy eating persimmons and dates. The dark orange and golden tints of their skin embrace and represent the season quite well. If you remember, last December, I shared a simple recipe to a healthy and scrumptious persimmon snack (click the link!). Chef Travis Lett truly deserves the credit though.
While I am not one to shy away from traditional autumn colors--orange, yellow, red, brown--or flavors, I also like to incorporate some bright, earthy tones.
My mom, who inspires me in countless ways, constantly teaches me the art of transformation. She suggested that we take one of our beautiful creamers, crafted in France, and transform it into a mini-vase. We grabbed a few branches from our berry bush and filled the creamer with them. The contrast between the glossy white and matte forest green adds character to both the room and our vintage cherry red oak bench.
Thank you, everyone, for supporting me and this blog for the past year. If anything, Petite Bites documents much of my journey post-college. My end-goal has always been to empower and inspire people through the simplest means without imposing high costs (I say "high," because time is still a cost!). I promise not to abandon you or Petite Bites even if work becomes increasingly busy. Thank you, again!
Happy November!
It has been a while since I've updated, and I sincerely apologize! I have files of photos to share and posts to publish on the blog, but I'm still learning how to manage my weekly travels without overwhelming my days with just work. What a terrible excuse--2 months of no updates is not permitted ever, again.
For the past 5 months, I have spent most of my days in another state or country--Georgia, Texas, India. I truly feel like a wanderlust, a "condition" triggered in college as I ventured out to the windy city for an education that cannot be matched at another institution (personal belief, but each of us holds a bias, right?). Attending Northwestern University not only refined me as a scholar and individual but also cultivated the envied skills of packing. Filling and emptying suitcases every two and a half months disciplined me into neatly optimizing the space inside. Papa Kim deserves much of the credit, for he is a master packer.
One of the perks of frequenting multiple cities includes witnessing how each season transcends differently. While I anxiously wait for Spring's arrival every year, I appreciate the brisk fall breeze and sharp winter air. To be quite frank, I am not too fond of this season's trends. Remember, trends are ephemeral. Hence, I gravitate toward classic pieces and incorporate only a few trendy ones. My mom's advice regarding fashion will forever remain near to my heart: It's better to invest heavily in a few quality classics than to purchase a closet of less expensive, fleeting clothes. Despite the disappointing runways, I still want to share my favorites for this Fall and Winter. Bold jewelry, simple leather belts, gilets, loafers, and a pair of white sneakers will withstand changing seasons. It doesn't hurt to sling a color blocked backpack like a cool kid either.
Rather than emulating a celebrity, mix-and-match to find your unique style. Most importantly--enjoy and have fun. See you, soon!
Falling asleep seems to be more of a chore as of late. It's not jet lag this time around. Rather, a restlessness of some sort nestles deep within my heart. Naturally, my eyes remain heavy and my head bobs from side to head from lethargy.
{Love: Philia}While this may sound strange, but after the initial phases of homesickness and atrocious jet lag, I've enjoyed the 7 weeks spent with my second family away from home. I'm not one to cultivate attachments to people, given my tendencies to have my guards up, but I have developed a strong affection for my new friends here. Had you witnessed the dynamics between me and them during my first 2 weeks in India, you would have never assumed that we would create memories together. Now, I love them dearly. I may even shed tears when we go our separate paths on Friday. Heck, I grew sentimental at the Mumbai airport as I bid farewell to my UK friend who's become my big brother.
The fact that we shared and still share the same space for at least 9 hours every day allows us to see each other's positive as well as negative traits--there is no hiding. Without a doubt, we openly express our exasperation, but we also lavish one another with much love. Even after Friday, I hope that our plans to hold bi-weekly "scrum" meetings and to organize yearly reunions materialize...
{Love: Eros, Storge, and Philia} Again, living and breathing the same air for 2 months forces you to study everyone's love language. Personally, I'm a quality time and words of affirmation type of person.The term "love language" may sound silly, but I believe in the value of understanding and learning how each individual functions. Attaining such insight is resourceful when mitigating conflicts and misunderstandings between any two people--friends, lovers, family.
I came across Gary Chapman's book on the five love languages back in my second year of college after a disappointing relationship. Nothing in the book was revolutionary, but I did grow more conscious of how my love language affects my relationships with others (ex. how I express my care and affection) and am able to elucidate more eloquently on those details. However, for some, Gary's book may offer new knowledge. If you don't enjoy sifting through pages as much as I do, you can assess your love language online. Highly recommended!
It's already 5:30 am, which means I need to sign off and prepare for a new day. Part II of my traveling diaries will continue this week. Happy Monday!
It's almost three weeks into August, and already, I feel excited for the upcoming season. I am ready to take out my cashmere sweaters, knit hats, scarves, and boots. More importantly, I have every reason to wear my favorite colors: gray, charcoal/black, camel, navy. This Fall, we see bursts of bright tones here and there as cobalt blue and yellow--along with various shades of gray, black, and brown--take the spotlight. If I could critique one trend though, it would be the clogs. Designers and the media have successfully marketed clogs as the fall item to buy, but I fail to see the investment value in them. However, a hybrid of open-toed clogs and booties rightfully deserves attention. A pair would serve well for years, as they strike the perfect balance between classic and modern. Another personal favorite are leather trousers. You can opt for either casual or business by changing tops--chic white tee at night and silk blouses in the day. From stilettos to sandals to booties, matching shoes with these versatile trendy trousers will hardly be a problem. For the final touch, Essie's cobalt blue nail polish will do the trick.
In the meantime, relish the last of summer and enjoy Taco Tuesday! Eat all the guacamole and avocado you can for me.
Sending 5 am Love,
P.S. Can you believe that I'm spending my fourth week in Mumbai? Tempus fugit! Time flies...
The weekend is here, and it feels wonderful to wake up without being bogged down by a 9-hour agenda. I love turning on some morning jams and grabbing brunch (yes, this is in addition to my light breakfast. A working girl needs to eat!). I'm not too keen on indulging in heavy meals, so what I consider to be an ideal brunch would consist of enjoying a perfect cup of coffee with anything related to french toast, pancakes, frittatas, bagels, and gourmet sandwiches. My mom and I found every part of our time at Manhattan Beach Post lovely--the coffee, food, and ambiance.The light, creme fraiche complemented the cinnamon and preserved peaches, while the crunchy marcona almonds added a whole new texture to each bite. During the phone calls that my mom and I have had thus far, she has expressed how much she misses me and our dates. I, too, feel the same and anxiously anticipate my return to the states. Could this be another symptom of homesickness? Possibly. All I know is that I could use some quality mother-daughter time right now.
Lethargy seems to settle in more quickly and frequently these days, but since I loathe taking naps, I'm usually trying to keep myself awake at the desk. As we millennials like to say, "Hashtag strugglebus."
Cheers to a relaxing weekend! Bring out the tunes and griddle. I, for one, treated myself out to a splendid meal at the Palladium Hotel and could not be any more satisfied.
Love,