anniversary of four years

Yep, it’s been four years as of today. We’ve been through so many difficult times together (and I don’t doubt for a second that there will be more ahead of us). I truly believe that our relationship has grown stronger (yes, cliché, I know) with A LOT of hard work, compromising, understanding, selflessness and many other things that have lead us to this day.

Well I’m not really one for words, so…happy anniversary, Nam. I love you.

{Original sources: {2008} linda // {2009} quy // {2010} steve dorris // {2011} myself}

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Happy Friday, everyone!

And for those living in the States, have a great Memorial Day weekend! I’m really looking forward to my 4-day break… =)

cod teriyaki w/ ginger scallion noodles

{Image from Pick Yin}

Here’s another great noodles recipe for you this week {from Life is Great}.

Instead of re-posting the steps on my blog (like before), I’ve decided to let you check out the original recipe {and view more photos of this dish} for yourself.

Be prepared to drool. :-)

new cards

My {starter} set of business cards from Satsuma Press finally arrived in the mail, and I LOVE them. Thanks, Lynn!

If you don’t know already, Lynn from Satsuma Press is a very sweet lady–not to mention that she is also amazingly talented. I just had to snatch up one of her beautiful letterpress designs and turn them into my business cards. ♥♥♥

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I also want to apologize for the lack of posts lately, as I’ve been really busy with the move (longest/most stressful one ever) and a bunch of other things in my life right now. Hopefully, things will settle down again in June so I can focus on my shop, website and this blog again. They’ve been neglected for too long, and I have so many new ideas to put in place!

tote bags

{I love tote bags, especially these simple book tote bags from the bold banana. And they’re so cheap!}

A while back, N. and I started our “Craft Night/Week” because we were really pumped about doing something creative. So we attempted at making a reversible tote bag {using these fabrics} from bad {as we found out along the way} DIY instructions on some forum discussions.

Well, long story short: we made a lot of mistakes, tried to fix some of them (successfully), and the rest we eventually gave up because the project was taking TOO long. So we left the tote bag as-is. It’s not 100% complete and perfect, but I still use it sometimes anyway. :-)

{Images from the bold banana}

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And I’m posting this note to enter a contest offered by MeridaHome at Erin’s awesome Design For Mankind blog! I want to win the iPad 2. Who doesn’t? :-D

issian {a food review}

{1. shiitake mushrooms 2. HUGE tuna collar 3. duck no robatayaki = BEST duck dish I’ve ever had}

When I was asking around for their favorite sushi/japanese place in Seattle, my friend Stacy recommended Issian {one of her all-time favorite places to eat}. So N. and I decided to go there for my birthday on Friday.

Well, I was not disappointed (except for the octopus w/ wasabi salad). And my absolute favorites are their sashimi and duck robatayaki. I’m definitely going back to try more things on their menu (plus more duck)!

In a nutshell?

+ fresh sashimi
+ good kushiyaki
+ cheap prices
+ great service

{Photos from my Flickr}

the golden rabbit

Um, have you seen the new zakka nouveau’s spring/summer 2011 collection from lovely Satsuki yet?

No? Well, it’s amazing.

You gotta check out the lookbook and then head over to her shop, too.

♥♥♥!

{Images from zakka nouveau}

another year over..

{Photo taken by Linda on my birthday, 2008.}

…and a new one begins.

This weekend I’ll just be working, having dinners with loved ones and moving more stuff back to my mom’s house. Pretty normal, right? Yeah, I just want to keep it that way.

I also hope your weekend will be wonderful, everyone. Always remember to spend time with the important people in your life, and don’t take them for granted.

Happy Friday!

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:: Don’t forget my MAY SALE with 15% OFF on your order with discount code HAPPYMAY15 (sale ends May 29th)!! ::

→ SHOP NOW

matty m

{Love the silky fabrics and flowy style by designer Matty M – via Swirl.}

sometimes i feel this way…

Don’t you?

{Poster from Adapt Creative.}

sabine pieper

{She inspires me with her illustrations.}

sleep elevations

{Beautiful composition in Maia Flore’s collection of Sleep Elevations.}

under the rain

Friday is here so I am happy. Even in the rain. Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

{Print by Cosas Mínimas}

green tea soba w/ wild mushrooms

So you might have noticed my tiny obsession with soba noodles. It’s okay, right? Soba is so healthy + delicious…how can I not be? Well, since I’ve been wanting to try green tea soba noodles, I found this simple {another 5 easy steps!} recipe.

Green Tea Soba Noodles w/ Wild Mushrooms

1-7 oz pack of green tea soba noodles (cha soba)
1 small bunch of chives, chopped
4 oz mixed wild mushrooms, sliced
1 shallot, finely chopped
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic, grated
1 tsp sriracha
½ tsp sea salt

1. Cook the noodles in boiling salted water, drain and run under cold water, then set aside.

2. In a small bowl, mix a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, soy, garlic, sriracha and salt, then set aside.

3. Heat a large pan or wok to medium heat, then add a bit of oil and shallots and cook for 1 minute.

4. Increase the heat to high, add the mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes or until browned and tender.

5. Add the noodles and vinaigrette, remove from the heat, toss to combine and top with the chives.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

{Image and recipe from Snails View}

sunshineeee

{mom + yellows + flats + vessel = HAPPY}

It’s sunny and warm today in Seattle. That’s all I want to say.

katheyl jewelry

I recently got to know sweet Katherine through email, and found that she also has a cute jewelry shop on Etsy. Katherine’s flowers are mostly made of resin, and she incorporates glass beads, faux pearls and Swarovski crystals in her jewelry.

She says:

“I’m an electronics engineer by training but had subsequently moved into the Human Resource functions as well as Executive Search business.

I adore all things whimsy and girlish as well as nature-related (I was a volunteer in the Singapore Zoo for 7 years), so my works in Katheyl are basically a reflection of what I love!”

Find out more about Katherine through her Tumblr or Facebook!

shop SALE!!!

:: SHOP SALE ::

To celebrate the month of May since it’s my anniversary with N. {and also my birthday}, I am excited to announce my first sale since opening my shop on Etsy!

Starting today Monday, May 2nd until Sunday, May 29th you can get 15% off on your order* {before shipping and/or taxes if applicable}.

Please enter discount code: HAPPYMAY15 at checkout to redeem your coupon.

Happy shopping!!!

*not valid on custom order(s)