the little things

hey everyone. apologies for the lack of posting the past two days. i have been in new york city trying to get out of the unemployed situation. (as much as i love having the freedom to go to the beach whenever the sun is shining.)

speaking of, this past sunday, i had the most amazing beach day to date. the sun was shining, i was surrounded by great company and there were even a few margaritas involved. [photo below]

just a few of the little things that have made the past week so wonderful:

a light pasta with summer veggies

view of the marina and bay from our lunch table

the best beach day

the reason for the perfect beach day

a wonderful margarita 

my cat licorice

a picture of me on my grandma's table 

finding this on my phone

beautiful sunny skies in nyc

nyc cabs on park avenue

this weekend cannot come any sooner!! on friday, i will be heading up to rhode island for the weekend with a few of my best friends to celebrate the 4th of july a little early. i cannot be more excited to spend a little quality time with my loves and also get to work on my much needed tan!

what will you be doing this weekend? will you wait to celebrate the 4th?

j

a good recipe

i have always enjoyed having a larger kitchen. i love cooking- though i am no pro, it is a stress reliever and it is so satisfying creating a good meal/dish. (i have had my share of flops, but you don't know until you try.) having been in japan for three years, i wasn't able to cook as much due to a lack of an oven and workspace in the kitchen. (that is what i keep telling myself, anyway.)

back at home, with a big kitchen in front of me, i was inspired to cook. these two are my favorites from the past few days: peach cake (recipe courtesy of giada of the food network) and chilled carrot soup (recipe courtesy of martha stewart). i usually don't use recipes when i cook, but it has been a while.

peach cake

the peach cake was really sweet, so i did not make the icing that was a part of the recipe, but i would recommend a dollop of whipped cream, coffee or a cup of milk.  before i even put dinner out for my family, i discovered that my mom and brother ate a quarter of the cake! needless to say, it was good. 

carrot gazpacho

chilled soup is the perfect meal for a hot day (another day with record highs in NY!).  i was hoping to grab fresh parsley for garnish- it had totally slipped my mind- substituted with dried parsley.  the chilled carrot soup would be really good with added veggies, or grilled zucchini as a topping. ideas for next time!

as always, have a fabulous weekend.

j

the little things.

the first day of summer. what is not to love? this is first full week of being unemployed (doesn't get any easier...) so i have really needed to focus on the little things around me in order to stay positive.

not needing a better excuse than celebrating love for a reunion

spending the first day of summer at the beach

footprints and shadows

splitting two meals with a best friend because you cant decide what you want more

talking a quick stroll through central park

happy hump day!

j

new york resolutions.

every year on new year's day, i come up with a list of resolutions. we don't need to mention the fact that most of them don't make it to february. going along with a similar idea, i have decided to come up with a list of resolutions meant for new york. though the list can go on and on, i managed to condense the list down to ten. this i can handle. i promised myself that i will follow through.

1. laugh, even if just for a moment, every day

2. eat healthy, but treat myself to something sweet every day

3. take pictures every day: remember to take it all in and enjoy it

4. be active: go to yoga at least two times a week and start ballet again (and maybe even break in my new sneakers...that i bought a year ago)

5. find a good balance between work and life- life should take priority

6. be giving

7. find the best that NY has to offer

8. be positive: make the most of every moment

9. surround yourself with those you love and those who love you

10. do what i love and what makes me happy: do not settle for anything less


j


photo via deviant art

new memories.

this past week back in new york has been absolutely wonderful.  i have already been able to do a lot of the things that i have wanted to do and have already made so many new memories. this past weekend was not only was it my first weekend back in the united states, it was a friend's wedding. it was such a great end to the first week back. oddly enough, it does not feel as if three years has gone by.

here are a few new memories via my iphone.

j

the first ever u.s. glossybox.

it finally came! for months, i have been watching bloggers in europe post pictures every month of their newest glossybox- the moment i saw it became [finally] available in the united states, i hopped onto their website and ordered one right away... honestly, it was probably within 2 minutes of receiving their notification email.  i could not be more excited.  having just got back home, i haven't had a chance to try any of the products yet, but will be sure to let you all know once i have.  i am already looking forward to next month!

the following products were inside:
1. amore pacific: moister bound refreshing hydra-gel
2. burberry beauty: lip misting natural sheer lipstick copper no. 202
3. marvis: marvis whitening toothpaste
4. phyto: intense hydrating mask
5. zoya: nailpolish in "meg"

what product would you try first?

as always, have a fabulous weekend!

j

a moment of serenity.

whenever i want to have a brief moment of calmness, i head to the local shrines.  i say a little prayer and though i am not a very religious person, it feels as if i have cleansed my soul and some sort of spiritual change. [whatever that even means...]  in the past week, i visited two of japan's most recognized shrines: izumo-taisha [izumo, shimane prefecture] and hachimangu [kamakura, kanagawa prefecture]

 izumo-taisha

hachimangu

where do you find your moment of serenity?

j

a way to say "arigatou, nippon."

japan, thank you. though it ｗas at times a love/hate relationship, i have so many dear friends and wonderful memories to thank you for.

just a few of my favorites over the past few years:

and now, i am leaving on a jet plane. お疲れ様です、日本。 また遊びに来るからね。。　

j

頑張れ、日本。