Family Style Meals

Yesterday, I assembled a place setting for a solo meal. It was a bit mismatched but as they say, "If you want to be happy, surround yourself with things you love."  

Today, I'm dreaming up a meal for friends. Maybe a weekend brunch at home? My husband and I like to entertain every now and then, and for our next gathering, this is the look I'm going for:

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Wood, white, glass and gold...I think these are timeless, match the existing serve ware we have, and can be both casual or dressy when the occasion calls for it. They don't have to be expensive -- these can be department store or thrift shop finds.

The sugar and creamer set (1) can double as a serving device for sauces {example: soy sauce and wasabi for sushi night}. The wooden plates (2) can hold anything from appetizers to dessert. The glass tumbler (3) can be used for cold or hot drinks, as well as soup or veggie sticks with dip at the bottom. Silver is the color for silverware, but why not gold utensils(4)? I found this toast rack (5) super cute! I think they'll still work for flat bread or rectangle crackers  {with a bowl of spinach dip on the side}. Maybe chocolate bars for an evening of chocolate tasting? Graham crackers for make-your-own S'mores? Or you can flip it over and serve a selection of cheeses or hors d' oeuvres on the flat side.

Dining pieces that do double-duty is always blah to TADA! And just for some crafty DIY, why not fold a cloth napkin to hold dinner rolls for an extra TADA!?

A Meal for One

Dining alone can be blah, but because I can't avoid it, here's my idea of turning a solo meal into TADA!:

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   It's a mismatched affair! But hey, my meal, my style, right? The merry mix-up has 

   shades of blue, and a floral theme as the common thread. The pretty plate (1) 

   brightens up any home-cooked lunch or dinner. A cute cup and saucer (2) perfect

   for coffee or tea. A fancy rack (3) for freshly-toasted whole grain bread, while the 

   bowl (4) is just the right size for my morning oatmeal or yogurt with fruit and 

   granola. I'm getting giddy over the flowers on the beverage glass (5) for something

   simple like water or just-pressed juice. Put these together on a tray, maybe with

   a bud vase and a pink peony, and eating by myself won't be so bad.

   And because the weather is extra cold outside as I write this post, I might just

   make this satisfying dish. How about you, how do you put the TADA! when eating

   without company?

A Baker's Dream

It's a week of wishes! I'm making a few vision boards to keep me focused on the things I need to learn/improve/pursue. I feel that pictures that match my "To Do"  list helps me aim for the prize. 

Today's theme is "baking". I'm fond of baking and I like to decorate and package these homemade goodies. I think this is an act of affection and any expression of thoughtfulness is TADA! 

It's been months since I last baked anything. Life just seems to take over. But since friends' birthdays and the holidays are fast approaching, it's time to take out the flour and sugar, plus a few items to get me excited:

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These cookbooks (1,2) are filled with old-fashioned recipes for comforting cakes. I already know they taste as wonderful as they look. The KitchenAid stand mixer is one of the best wedding presents anyone can ever receive. Adding a paddle attachment with a built-in scraper (3) will help make mixing extra easier {no need to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula}. If you're into decorating cakes, cookies or cupcakes with different colors of frosting, this icing bag stand (4) keeps everything organized. And finally, if you are a fan of brownies, especially the crisp, fudge-y edges, this baking pan (5) was made for you! 

If you want your cakes to go from blah to TADA!, you'll find a few cake decorating ideas here.

For the Home Office

I appreciate your visit to my blog today! I have another "wish list" and this one's for the home office my husband and I share. Our office doubles as a TV room, and a guest room if needed. I'll share a photo one day when it's a little more spruced up.

Here are a few items that I think will add some personality, as well as function, to our work space:

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The light fixture (1) is banker's lamp knock-off. I find the juxtaposition of old world pieces like pharmacy lamps and secretary desks with modern technology like laptops very appealing. Lighting a candle (2) while working keeps me alert and "in the zone". This little golden piggy (3) will secure a batch of well-loved books on our shelf, while the clear acrylic tray (4) can hold a series of jars carrying often-used supplies like pens and highlighters. The tray will make it easier to take these from office to the craft table. Also, several accordion envelopes (5) are nifty to store coupons and receipts.

Now that I know what our office needs, I can hunt for these at thrift stores and possibly do some blah to TADA! I'd like to try making my own golden pig bookends! It should be easy, I just need to follow this guide.

A Week of Wish Lists

I hope you had a restful weekend! As I've mentioned before, I like to make lists. Crossing out each item is always a big thrill. I've recently tried visual lists and discovered that they're TADA! Most of what I put in that list, I was able to accomplish. Many people talk about this {example: "The Secret"}; that you must visualize your goals. A lot of it is hard work, but sometimes, the universe offers it to you.

This week, let me share a few "wish lists". They may appear a little shallow but there's always a goal behind it. Today, it's a "Sewing Wish List":

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I'm a big crafter but I'm a sewing machine novice. I know, I just have to do it and practice. This board will remind me to do just that. It's made of some adorable little things like this Singer sewing machine (1) that looks like grandma's vintage model but 

it's electric {choose any stitch just by pressing a button}!  

Do you agree that cute accessories are a great motivator? The sewing basket (2), pair of scissors in an owl case (3), and mini tape measure (4), I'll want to use everyday. And with lovely fabrics (5), I'll be able to turn some blahs into TADAs! 

If you're a beginner like me or if you're sewing machine savvy, you might appreciate this pattern and instructions for an oven mitt. Happy sewing!

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Hello there! Today's post is about one magical place in London. It's called the Victoria and Albert Museum, or simply, the V&A.

It's the world's greatest museum focused on art and design. I made sure to stop by on my very first trip to London many years ago. And I thought, it was time that we were reunited.

Earlier that day, I had come from the Tate Britain and I had very little time to explore the V&A {they close at 5:45 pm daily, except Fridays}. This wasn't a very good idea, squeezing two museums into one day, because of the overload of information/visual stimulation, and it just leaves you hurried. I like museum visits to be slow, just taking your time exploring one room to the next. But such is the life of a tourist -- need to maximize each precious day!

Anyway, notice the spikes at the museum entrance?

They're really inverted traffic cones painted black and white. Blah to TADA!, right? This shows that the museum has a cool sense of humor.

Right past security is the foyer with this glass chandelier hanging from the cupola by Dale Chihuly. Isn't it gorgeous?

Also in the main lobby are these chairs that spin like tops when you sit in them. Quite fun! 

I'm not a fashion blogger but I'm one to appreciate beautifully designed and meticulously sewn clothing.

So I decided to check out the exhibit Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, showing off ballgowns, red carpet frocks and catwalk designs by talents like Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Hussein Chalayan. It's on-going and runs through January 6, 2013. I have no photos to share, but you can read more about the exhibit here and get tickets here.

The V&A has an extensive fashion collection. Below are a few photos of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries:

Photos of mannequins dressed in couture, projected on the gallery's walls.

A history lesson on fashion through the years: 

The limited time I had at the V&A was blah, 

but all the things I saw was TADA!

I'm already looking forward to my return

and will definitely pop into the cafe'.

Look, even the museum shop is mind-blowing!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

The Saatchi Gallery

I went on a trip to London a few weeks ago and one of the things I wanted to do was to visit some museums/galleries. Admission is usually free {except for some special exhibitions} which is TADA!, right? The quiet time for a few hours is another TADA!, plus you'll never know what you may find.

I've been curious about the Saatchi Gallery, primarily because I used to work at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising. One of the founders of the ad agency, Charles Saatchi, is an art collector and he opened the Saatchi Gallery to showcase his collection.

The gallery, which was once located in London's South Bank, sits in a new home on King's Road {near Sloane Square}. 

However, Charles Saatchi's art collection is not on display. Instead, the gallery is a venue for young artists or international artists whose work have not been exhibited in the United Kingdom. What a great opportunity for them to launch their art!  

It puts the spotlight on contemporary art and the exhibits change quickly.

When I was there, "Korean Eye" was featured. It's a collection of works by contemporary Korean painters, sculptors and photographers.  

Here are some of the pieces that caught my eye:

"Battle of Conception" by Debbie Han

These are made of Celadon ceramic and remind me of characters on a chess board. I like the symmetry of repetition but if you look at their faces, each one is different.  

"The Floating World" by You Myung Gyun

This hanging sculpture is made of ink on newspaper. It's quite sad, like a burnt pinata. I wonder if the artist is saying that this is the sorry state of our planet.

"A Storm in a Teacup" by Choi Chongwoon

Mundane objects like a teacup on a stool. But if you look closer:

"A Storm in a Teacup" by Choi Chongwoon

The tea inside the cup is spinning like a whirlpool!

A bit of science infused in art.

Cardboard art by Kim Hyuen Jun

These are made of cardboard packaging {blah to TADA!, woot! woot!}

Cardboard art by Kim Hyuen Jun

I didn't dare sit on it for fear of being thrown out. 

Doesn't it look like an aged leather seat?

Cardboard art by Kim Hyuen Jun

 I can see this chair as part of a bachelor pad or modernist home.

Toy installation by Ahn Doojin

I found this a little bizarre. It's composed of odds and ends like toys, skewers, Styrofoam and the like. I could see that they're made of the blah, but I'm unsure of the TADA!

 Toy installation (details) by Ahn Doojin

A closer look at the same piece. I did make me wonder, though, how long the artist collected these objects. Were these his? Were they inherited? Did he collect them from strangers? It's art that makes you think. ;-)

"String Hands 0246" by Hong Sungchul 

This one, I found impressive. It's a photo printed on elastic string producing a 3-dimensional effect.  

"String Hands 0246" by Hong Sungchul 

I liked the symbolism of elastic string as both "anxiety" and "release" depending on how tight the string is wound. 

"The Nora Collection" by Cho Duck Hyun

These are portraits made with graphite and charcoal. At first glace they look very serious and traditional. But if you stare longer, some frames are deconstructed. I also like that the pieces of cloth {from the veil, dress or blanket} extend outside the frame. 

"The Nora Collection" by Cho Duck Hyun

This gives the illusion that the heroine just walked into the frame or is ready to step out.

"Dancer in Nature"/"Irrelevant Answer" by Lee Gilwoo

I like the technique used in these paintings, like they were made of a gazillion polka-dots.

"Dancer in Nature"/"Irrelevant Answer" by Lee Gilwoo

 The artist used a soldering iron, Indian ink and coating on Korean paper. What a unique combination!

"Theresa" by Hyung Koo Kang

This looks like a photo of Mother Theresa but it's really an oil painting on aluminum. The focus on her hands in prayer and the wrinkles of service are very powerful. 

"Honeymoon Island" by Yoo Haeri 

I was drawn to the colors of this painting, 

they seem to radiate joy. 

To be totally honest, I have mixed feelings about contemporary art. Some confuse me, and some make me think twice whether these can be considered art. But hey, based on this exhibition, I think I'm starting to appreciate it!