my christmas

Christmas was another day of fun filled family activities.  My sister and cousin happen to choose gingerbread house making as the activity for the night for the kiddos.  I happen to partake in gingerbread house making because I have never built one myself.  How crazy is that?  I have a niece who stated she builds one every year.  Oops on me, I had to build one.  For the following day, on my sister's birthday, my family and I brunched at DTF dumpling house and pigged out on some tasty dumplings.  We ended her birthday extravaganza with a dinner and the anticipated movie, Somewhere, written and directed by Sofia Coppola.  The film had the similar mood as Lost in Translation and the coolest part is seeing the inside of the Chateau Marmont.  I was surprised it looked like a shit hole, but then again, it has the old hollywood feel decor and the comfy couches made the chateau feel like home.

My gingerbread house.

 

My sister's cupcake cake with some delish macaroons! Oh so yummy macaroons.

DTF dumpling house, such good dumplings and isn't this adorable?
My fav drink during dinner, PCN, yum!

My two sisters enjoying their burgers. Somewhere mood board of Sofia Coppola.

cabo wabo birthday

Yes, I left my 20's :), the best years in my life to date. I don't know how my 30's will be, but I just hope it will surpass my memories of living in Europe, switching careers, finding myself, etc. It has been a crazy ride, and I luved it. I had to celebrate this momentous occasion, I mean, you turn 30 once, what a stepping stone. I had to think for a moment of where I could go that wouldn't be so far, but your out of the country. My parents have a timeshare in Cabo, Mexico, which means free lodging. Perfecto, I'm in. I went to Cabo San Jose, Mexico with my sisters to celebrate the BIG 3-O!

It was an amazing time! Los Cabos, Mexico is only 2 hours via plane from LAX, and you just have to pinch at yourself how close it is and how beautiful it is too. I had reservations in going because you think, what the heck are you gonna do in Cabo? Party, drink lots of beer and dance with some frat boys? Please, I'm 30, and I never did that when I was in my 20's. I was never the sorority type-kinda gal, more like the art geek who gets excited that Warhol will be in L.A., or finally Sunland has Cartoon Network. No prejudices here, I looked up of some stuff to do, my sis did some research herself and voila, Los Cabos has got some amazing beaches, el arco, arsty fartsy town like San Jose de Cabo, shit, we were busy with things to do (like lounge by the pool) and places to see (El arco, lovers beach, etc.). To sum it all up Los Cabos is California's gem and which I had great memories of my big 3-O :).
The pool

Me at El Arco

My favorite picture I took in Cabo of my sister Darah.  It was perfect because the cowboys didn't knowwe were taking pictures of them in it.

My sister Lizzi at Lover's beach

Me and my sister Darah at a local ice cream shop.

My birthday dinner at Mona Lisa restaurant that has the best views of Cabo San Lucas.

wicked birthday

will write a blog about it... hopefully I will have time.  Oh so good!

b*day shindig

The shindig was a lot of fun and I was so happy everyone had a good time, maybe it was the sangria that did it. It was so nice for people to come and celebrate my Birthday with me; I felt so special. I am glad everyone enjoyed the food, even some vegetarians in the house were happy with the food. The highlights were great friends, good food, and interesting conversations. It was a successful get together since many of us do not see each other often, and it was nice to catch up.

skin + bones birthday

Birthday lunch with the family and the Skin + Bones exhibition @ MOCA. My birthday was the last day to see the exhibition, so it was fitting to spend the afternoon and see some great clothes and amazing architecture. The first piece displayed was the Babushka dolls by Viktor & Rolf couture collection of 1999 and it was my favorite. Here are the explanation of the process by Viktor & Rolf: 

In the winter of 1999 we appeared on the cat walk ourselves to dress a single model, Maggie Rizer, in nine layers of jewel encrusted dresses. After each layer, the small pedestal on which Maggie stood would rotate, giving the audience an opportunity to see a particular set on her before the next layer was laid on. When the final veil had been draped around her, Maggie was carrying approximately 70 kilos (100 lbs.) of richly decorated textures on her shoulders. We intended this presentation as an ode to exclusivity and unavailability, the things that give fashion its aura. Once occluded by the next layer, the previous layer remained present on stage, but impossible for the audience to see.

One sight to see is the ultra hip and modern Prada building in Tokyo. According to my sis, the fitting rooms are made of clear glass and when you want to try clothes on, smokes comes up and then covers the clear glass so you can have your decency.

Later that night, I had dinner with Ken to Cafe Santorini. The restaurant is on the second floor of this old brick building across from Laemmle's theater in Old Town Pasadena. We sat at the terrace which offered views of the courtyard below and provided a great atmosphere to enjoy our yummy food ; it was a nice b-day, since it was on a Monday.