Hyacinth Leaves Plucked Away

In my recently constructed bouquet, I felt guilty for tearing away at the enormous green leaves attached to the Hyacinths. Also, Fil thought that this jeopardized the health of the flowers. I just had to do it. Hahaa - in hindsight I am glad I tore those leaves away as observed in the picture below courtesy of saipua.

By the way, I feel like I may be on a streak of learning flowers. This is nearly analogous to my checking out the entire dog section at the library at age 10 - hoping that I would be able to memorize every breed.

Well, to start...a hyacinth is a bulbous flower from the lily family and often comes in the colors red, blue, white, orange, pink, violet, or yellow growing to be 8 to 12 inches long. These were popular in Europe during the 18th century. In my opinion, these flowers are wonderful when they haven't bloomed yet.

On a final note, I need to acquire a few mini old school bottles like the picture above at the Alameda Flea Market two Sundays from today.  Can't wait - I know I can stuff them with lavender from my backyard.

Rainbows In The Sky

Saw 3 rainbows while on my way to work. This one was by far the most strong and mysterious as we drove closer and closer to our destination - it kept getting stronger, longer, and bolder. I don't normally like unicorns, dolphins, butterflies or rainbows. This one was an exception to the general rule.

Moroccan Spiced Sea Scallops With Lentils

This Friday, I took a moment to pause (yes, because I am so busy) and cooked a very simple dish courtesy of Bon Appetite magazine. Here are few pictures of Friday Dinner:

The raw ingredients: 

Serving 1

Serving 2

Serving 3

Seriously, I can eat a lot - these pictures are a testament to that!

See ;0 for the recipe.

Anemone Coronaria and Eagles

Digging these white anemones with blue middles and digging this song - not so much the album though...

Dining Table Find

I'm always looking to find the perfect dining table.  I always have wanted a more country rustic styled table to go with the mod furniture.  I randomly came across this dining table entitled the Lancaster Country Plank Top Farm Table Distressed Top.  A 5 footer made of cherry wood or tiger maple sells for $1250-1350.  The top is distressed!  Click :) for more tables - this one is mine for now.

Committed to Black

Black transcends wardrobe. It gives space structure.

In my quiet months after having quit BDO, I took an Impressionist class at the UC Extension. Of all the pieces of art that flashed via the projector, I remember feeling an affinity for Manet's art. The man didn't want to be linked to the Impressionist Movement - didn't want to be labeled. His subject matter was very modern in the sense that it was did not mimic 'academic art' and was very representative of modern life. I would like to buy a big print of Manet's "Execution of Emperor Maximillian of Mexico" which is reminiscent of Goya's "The 3rd of May 1808". I love Manet's prevalent use of black.

I found the below picture of Master of Design Student Abbey Nova's home via Design Sponge. I dig the high gloss black door. In a sun lit room - it reflects a myriad of colors!

Akari Lights

My fondness for clean lined mid-century furniture knows few limits.   Last Friday while I was flipping through a UK Edition Elle Decor Mag - I stumbled across the name of the mysterious desk lamp I have been trying to identify for the last 6 months.  This was the Osamu Noguchi's 1N light sculpture from his Akari Lighting line created in 1951.  The light is manufactured by the original company since 1951.  It is made of washi paper and held by bamboo ribbing. I quite like it's petite tri-pod like feet.  1N is asymmetrical and stands at 10" x 15",$95, and to my bliss is available at the Noguchi Museum Bookstore .

While exploring other Akari lights, I also found the 1A similar yet distinctly symmetrical with much more lines.

2009 Lovers Holiday

I had the distinct pleasure of sharing another Valentines with Fil on a Valentines that comes once every 7 years - Saturday.  The day was altogether a light day of smiles.  I was awoken by the Snapple...

The morning was full of preparation as we ascended to Berkeley's Tokyo Fish Market for our sashimi main course namely: Tobo Tuna, Kampachi, Han Hamachi and Uni.  We also bought soba sauce and noodles as a side.

Earlier that morning Fil and demanded that we go to a florist so that I could construct my own bouquet - so following lunch at Gregoire (mmm... Creamy organic egg salad with truffles on toasted white bread and Hothouse smoked cod with potato chips & garlic sautéed spinach on pantofolina) - we dropped by a florist down the street where I created a white ranunculus, hyacinth, and a little purple vignette.  We dropped by the Crixa Cakes bakery across from the Berkeley Bowl and picked up a 'Tunnel of Love".  While at Crixa, we ran into a friend from San Francisco who was in the vicinity on a East Bay Eating Tour.

Dinner ensued like so...

We watched the beloved "Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind" which I believe should be recognized as a Valentine's classic.   "Meet me in Montak..."  Love that movie.

Admittedly, I wouldn't mind re-living yesterday a couple of times.

In a Perfect World ...

there would be a Muji store around the corner.  Here.  Enough said.

Twins

Had my eye on this picture since September 2008 - the sheer coincidence of the Sartorialist running into this matching pair is uncanny.  This is much like a picture torn out from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in the Wonderland'.

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Speaking of twins, I think I'm crushing on these Camper Twins 2046.  It would totally revamp my wardrobe.  I can see myself owning these for years - seriously!!! Oddly enough, I don't like the majority of the Camper inventory but apparently when I do see something I love I do go crazy.  I should assess the budget.  It would make for a nice Valentines gift...

I Found the Internet.

For the past many years, I've never been keen on using the internet much, let alone the computer in my free time. I figure it had something to do with my earnest desire to stay away from the gateway to homework, projects and work alike.  I have been missing out.  

If I hadn't discovered the internet (like last week!), I wouldn't be privileged enough to be graced by the likes of the following video.

Friendly Fires 'Skeleton Boy' by Clemens Habicht from Nexus Productions on Vimeo.

Cream

I find this picture amusing while I eat my 2 servings of chocolate-cake-mixed cake I made last night.  Surely that can't be good for the body.

Huffy Sportsman

I have owned my beloved Huffy for a little over a month now. Although many of the parts have been changed (i.e. wheels, brake system, handle bars, saddle, tires), the sleuth within me is dying to know more about the very core of my bike - the frame.

Upon researching the web, I am confident that my bike is a Huffy Sportsman made within the 1954-1973 period. While I am grateful that I can associate my bike with a name, I am still itching to figure out when it was made. If the frame was indeed made in the the 1954-1958 period, it may have been manufactured in England. Within the 54-58 period, the English bicycle company Raleigh had introduced the Sportsman to the US market via collaboration with the American bicycle company - the Huffy.

Ironically, when I was looking for a bicycle I was intently focused on either buying a European vintage Raleigh (English) or Peugeot (French). I quickly dropped my elite criterion when discovering that smaller bikes were hard to come by as I am a mere 5'3". Essentially, my decision to acquire the Huffy represented my surrender to the American bicycle. Now that I realize that my Huffy may indeed be a Raleigh in disguise - I am nothing but full of smiles! I think I'm going to have to live with the mystery. In any event, I have to say that my Huffy (Pic 1) and the Raleigh Robin Hood (Pic 2) look darn similar. To add to my misery, I wish I had a decal as cool as the Robin Hood (Pic 3). AHHH.

Ode To The Chalk Board

I want a chalk board in my house - for posterity...

Work Tidbits

A few days ago I overheard the conversation of two colleagues at work discussing Valentines Day. Colleague A thought that Valentines Day was a day for amateur lovers as it was probably a lover's catch up day for being sweet.  Colleague B was laughing - as always.  I liked that bit of insight because it's always awesome is when someone does something sweet unexpectedly.

This is the third week in a row that I have heard nails clipped on a Wednesday afternoon in the row of cubicles nearby.  I think I will just have to inspect the situation next week.

25 And At Home

Subtlety Inside

I'm kind of a fan of interior design that incorporates a minority of color within the confines of a primed subdued white or grey exterior.  I'm not saying it should be applied to all situations- I just want to give a nod to this quiet concept.  It comes unexpected. For example, in the picture above you can admire the 'clean look' of the white and chrome yet the yellow-green from the mid-shelf pops and instantly gives the room character. Incidentally, I've been in love this shade of yellow -green for the past few years...

The first time I appreciated this method of 'subtlety inside' was when visiting the Le Corbusier's Casa do Brasil, Cidade Universitária (completed 1959) in Paris. Pure music to my eyes!