Thursday, March 21, 2013

Backstage at the AIA Fashion Show

This was my first time being backstage of a show from start to finish. I got to see models getting their hair, make up and nails done… having an up close look at garments… feeling the high energy and excitement of when the models take the stage… witnessing how quickly models need to get dressed and undress for the next look… and capturing all of this while trying to stay out of everyone’s way. I’m usually the quiet photographer all dressed in black standing at a distance waiting for my shot. I love absorbing everything that’s going on from behind my lens…
You can see more photos here.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Happy Spring!

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.  
- Bern Williams
  
Flowers from Marigold and Mint tucked inside of Melrose Market
Happy first day of Spring...

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Shangri-La Vancouver

We stayed at the Shangri-La during our weekend getaway to Vancouver and it was beyond wonderful! I was mesmerized by the glass chandeliers... I stopped and smelt all the fresh flowers.... and the romantic dim lights gave me dreamy eyes... this place was definitely made for lovers...


1128 West Georgia Street 
Vancouver, B.C., V6E 0A8, Canada

Monday, March 18, 2013

Vancouver, BC

I am a very spontaneous person and I count myself bless to have someone who can easily adapt to this as I can imagine it could drive some people crazy. Spur of the moment, my beau and I took romantic getaway to Vancouver, B.C. this past weekend. The planning all started over dinner last Thursday night when we thought of how we’d like to spend our weekend. At the end of dinner, we agreed to the location and logistics. That night he booked our hotel, we packed and the next day we were on our way.


Although a bit cold, something beautiful about Vancouver during this time of the year is how blue the snow covered mountains are. Also, the sun doesn’t set until after 7:30pm and there is something so magical about the golden hour. I think Seattle has a lot of similarities to Vancouver; however, I don’t think about these things when I’m home. It could be that I’m just a sponge when in other cities.


While in Vancouver we stayed at the beautiful Shangri-La. We ate at Zakkushi and had the best yakatori ever, Zabu Chicken for some delicious KFC (koren fried chicken), and Kirin for fresh and authentic dim sum. We shopped on Robson street and had drinks at Xi Shi Lounge. We had a few romantic but cold walks - one around the Vancouver pier and the second at Spanish Banks Beach which had a beautiful view of the city skyline and mountains. These photos were captured during our walks…


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Things to Remember About Sydney

Don't you hate it how once you get home from a dream vacation it feels like... well, a dream. Our time spent in Sydney feels like never happened and since I have the memory of a five year old I thought it would be a good idea to document the things we saw, ate and loved...

What we ate...
for brunch:
Bills for a modern Australian brunch
Mad Spuds Cafe for potatoes
Pieno for coffee and all day breakfast
The Tea Room for high tea
for dinner:
Din Tai Fung for dumplings
The Winery for the wine selection
Chefs Gallary for fresh handmade noodles
Sake Restaurant for fresh sushi 

What we saw...
Botanical Garden with the most beautiful greenery
Hyde Park for a romantic walk
Sydney Opera House to watch La Boheme
Darling Harbor for a perfect view of the Sydney Opera House
Taronga Zoo for a special appearance of kangaroos and koalas
Hunter Valley for wine tasting
Bondi and Manly beach for some R&R
Art Galleries for our creative minds

What we loved...
104 degree weather and the fact that it was their summer and our winter
the diversity of foods available to us
how Aussies love their coffee just as much as Seattleite do!
hearing Australian accents!
retailers closed at 6pm most nights and everyone got to go home and enjoy their families. something i think the US should adopt! ;)
the shopping and boutiques

and where we stayed...
Westin Sydney 
Bayview Boulevard Sydney

Off the top of my head these are the things I can remember about Sydney...

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Barking Frog

This past weekend we drove 30 minutes north of Seattle to Woodinville for some wine tasting. It's always a good idea to fuel up on some great food prior to wine tasting so our first stop is always at one of our favorite places to grab brunch - Barking Frog. As many times as I've been here I always get the same thing - the breakfast burrito with a side of potatoes. Why change it up if you know it's always going to be good right? 
 
 
P.S. Dine around Seattle starts this week and Barking Frog is on the list.

Friday, March 1, 2013

5 Attempts to Beating the Winter Blues

It’s been a little over a month since my sunshine sabbatical and I am starting to have a case of the winter blues. As much as I love living in Seattle, the winters can be really harsh with cold  rainy short days following cold rainy long nights. I've always tried taking a warm vacation in the middle of winter but sometimes spring just doesn't come fast enough and I find myself identifying with the depression drug commercials you see during daytime television (joking but not really). Thankfully my wake up call is never too far away. Here are five things I did this week to try and beat my winter blues... 
One: Booked a trip to somewhere warm. My sisters and I just booked our trip to California for seven days. Just thinking of the beach, sunshine and fun times with my sisters makes me instantly happy. I know paradise isn't too far of a reach.
Two: Called a friend who I knew was much happier than me. One of my girlfriends is engaged and so over the moon happy. Nothing can bring this girl down which is so awesome. I love talking to her because she’s just beaming with positive energy. That kind of happiness is infectious!
Three: Did something nice for someone I love. This is my favorite thing to do regardless of the season or reason. I love doing things for the people I love. My beau is a wonderful artist but he doesn't get to practice enough due to other obligations so I signed him up for a class which will give him dedicated time to do so. 
Four: Took care of myself. I read a quote on pinterest that made me LOL but it really stuck with me – ‘I really regret that run.’ – Said no one ever! When I’m feeling down the last thing I want to do is go for a run but once I make myself do it, I immediately feel better. I also tried to go to bed early and get lots of sleep.
Five: Do something I love. I started working on my floral pants / skirt and it’s amazing how changing directions and focusing on something you have a real passion for can change your entire mood.  
… and this one especially got me through the week - watching this Taylor Swift goat video with my cute 4-year-old nephew who couldn’t stop laughing and imitating the goat.

Happy Weekend!