emotion is a virtue. for you, it is the one fatal flaw.

This is how I looked on Nov. 15, 2012:

pullover: Forever21, gift from Kim.....top: Walmart.....jeans: Forever21

boots: Payless.....coat: H&M

I love this wool coat even though it is way too big. I bought it back in February on super-clearance, and I just can't part ways with it. Well, it does come in handy wearing it over my work suits.

I met up with Becca in SF to see Susanna Hoffs at Red Devil Lounge on Polk St. 

Susanna Hoffs is amazing.

'cause they don't know about us, and they've never heard of love

June 7 - Brian and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary by having dinner at our favourite spot The Grill On The Alley in downtown San Jose.

This is how I looked:

sweater: H&M.....shirt: Gap.....skirt: Target

shoes: Steve Madden Girl, DSW.....handbag: Dooney & Bourke

And, oh! We sure did feast!

 

Perfect Pear and Blood Orange martinis

  

ahi tuna tartare

 

Brian had filet mignon topped with foie gras. 

I had braised short ribs.

 

We each had a chocolate souffle.

another resolution

Another resolution is to learn more about hockey so that I don't have to ask Brian about each stoppage in play. I do know about icing and offsides.

Here's a helpful chart I scanned out of an Anaheim Ducks souvenir mag:


My favourite signal is the one for charging because it looks like the ref is leading a conga line.

This is how I knit.

Here are two videos of me knitting.

Knitting a sock and listening to Luciana.


Knitting a shawl and listening to Sheena.

The first video was made with my new camera, Canon PowerShot SX230 HS.
The second was made with my trusty pink Canon PowerShot SD40 Elph, purchased in 2007.

Why, yes, I'm a Canon digital point-and-shoot fan for life.

Happy New Year 2012, part deux

Another resolution for 2012 is to cook and bake more.

This afternoon, I attempted cinnamon rolls. The recipe I used is from The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook. This recipe uses whole wheat flour and uses less fat than conventional cinnamon roll recipes.

I messed up rolling them because I did not put enough flour on the counter.

I improvised a vanilla maple syrup cream cheese glaze because I love maple syrup. As soon as I pulled the pan out of the oven, I covered the rolls with this glaze. Mmmm.

These rolls are delicious.

A few pics from this afternoon. The first three were taken by Brian.

Happy New Year 2012

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to knit several projects with yarn I already have in my stash.

I rediscovered my love of knitting recently when I made a pair of wool socks for my dear friend Em for her Christmas care package.

So, this is me on Jan 1, today, knitting.

Excuse the unflattering angle. I am wearing the baggiest hoody ever. The way my body is turned is a comfortable position for my knitting. I'm leaning on my left side to rest my left arm on the back of the chair. My left hand doesn't do much when I knit because I'm so right-handed dominant.

This is how my hands look when I knit.


I'm a firm believer of the Magic Loop method for knitting socks.

And, yes, I'm knitting another pair of socks for Em.

you're uninvited, an unfortunate slight

I am forever obsessed with Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited."

I am currently obsessed with Matt Cardle, winner of X Factor 2010.

Therefore, I am really, super, mega obsessed with Matt Cardle's live cover of "Uninvited."

This cover is ACE, yo.

with the blessing comes the worry

Nov. 19 - I randomly put on a tie while sorting through boxes of stuff. The tie was in one of the boxes.

This is how I looked with that tie:


sweater: JC Penney.....t-shirt: Worcester Sharks store.....skirt: NY & Company
leggings: Target.....socks: Target.....boots: Avenue
tie: Brian

The Worcester Sharks are an American Hockey League (AHL) team. They are affiliated with the San Jose Sharks. Brian and I checked out their store at DCU Center back in 2009. One of these days, we'll go to one of their games. Any hockey is good hockey.

I better get those cha-cha heels.

The holiday season doesn't start until I watch this hilarious clip from John Waters's cult classic Female Trouble:


It's got everything going for it. It has drag queen Divine causing drama. It makes fun of the sanctity of Christmas. And it goes to show that you better get a girl her cha-cha heels if she asks for it.

I've seen Female Trouble several times, but this is the scene that stays with me.

"Not on Christmas! Not on Christmas!"

break free, break from the chains

I am terribly excited for this Sunday.

We're going to the super-matinee showing of The Muppets in DT SJ. Buttered popcorn from Camera 12 is the best movie theatre popcorn. Fact.

And! My TiVo will be recording Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On.


"Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On" Trailer by TVGuide

By the way, Carnie is my fave of the group.

hold me tight and don't let go

I get a kick out of watching X Factor UK and USA videos on youtube.

I get an even bigger kick when contestants sing my fave 90s songs.

Last year, Cher Lloyd kicked ass with her rendition of "Stay" by Shakespear's Sister. I never would have thought this song would be used on any singing competition, but, wow.


This year, two acts surprised me on Movie Week.

Janet Devlin performed "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer. Her mentor, Kelly Rowland, definitely chose the right song for her to sing that week. It kept her out of the bottom two. Her performance was charming, especially with her Irish accent.


Little Mix did a killer rendition of En Vogue's "Don't Let Go (Love)." The week before, Kelly said that the group was "one touch away from En Vogue." She was so right. Could you imagine how giddy I got when I heard this? It was like a dream come true for me to hear this used in a tv singing competition. My only criticism is that their harmonising in the chorus is missing the top note. Other than that, this rendition was awesome!


Bonus: While the song isn't from the 90s, it's by a band that is. The Foo Fighters. Say what! Josh Krajcik was the only contestant to bring it for Rock Week. He performed "The Pretender." What an amazing performance. And it figures that it would take the right contestant in order for Dave Grohl to clear his song for a tv singing competition.

What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?!

Wednesday, July 13 - Brian and I attended the Starlight Cinemas showing of Spaceballs in San Pedro Square.

I will always love this movie. I saw it in the theatre when it first came out. I saw it last year in Berkeley. I had to see it under the stars!

I got to take a pic with the person with theee best costume. His Barf costume was awesome! It came as no surprise that he won the costume contest!

I go to shows.

I went to three shows last weekend.

May 19 - Prince @ HP Pavilion, San Jose

May 21 - Kylie Minogue @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco

May 23 - Rival Schools, Suedehead @ The Blank Club, San Jose

When a show puts me in a good mood, I buy merch. However, I didn't buy any merch at the Prince show because none of the shirts really caught my eye.

The swag:

Kylie Minogue

I bought this shirt because it has the tour dates on the back
and because I love how Kylie looks on it.




Suedehead

The fact that I can see the hanger through the shirt means I'm wearing a tanktop under it.
No biggie.

Rival Schools

I can't wait to get a hoody with this same logo. Love it.

good things are coming. don't be so selfless.

Monday, May 23 - Rachel and Shawn came down to see Rival Schools at The Blank Club in San Jose. Because I live so close to The Blank Club, I got to hang out with my dear friends.

We had such an awesome time! Dinner at Pizz'a Chicago and then rocking out to Rival Schools!

This is how I looked that night:


leather jacket: Wilsons.....sweater: H&M.....t-shirt: Gap
jeans: Steve & Barry's.....socks: Target.....sneakers: PacSun

Here's footage from that show.
My big noggin can sorta be seen -- I stood in front of the bassist.

i can't disguise the pounding of my heart. it beats so strong.

This is how I looked on May 19:


sweater: JC Penney.....dress: Forever 21......leggings: JC Penney
socks: Target.....boots: Macys.com

I dressed for ultra-comfort for the Prince concert at The Shark Tank. That was truly one unforgettable experience! Prince danced around like a twenty-something and can still wail like no-one's business. I am in awe of his guitar talent. Sheila E. performed "Glamorous Life." Amazing.

A song that I loved hearing live was "Take Me With U." Thanks to youtube, I've become obsessed with women singing covers of that song.

Duke Spirit


Texas


Sharon Jones & Dap-Kings

Prince knows how to write songs for women. - Part Three

Today's Prince obsession is: "Manic Monday" by the Bangles

i don't care 'cause i love you baby, that's no lie

I wore that plush purple sweater again last Sunday. It's so comfy.

This how I looked in the purple sweater paired with jeans and boots:

sweater: Target.....t-shirt: Marshalls.....denim leggings: JC Penney
socks: Target.....boots: Avenue

Later that day, Brian and I headed out to a bar to watch the Sharks play against the Canucks. Sadly, the Sharks lost. Awwww.

This is how I looked with my Sharks jersey thrown over the entire outfit
BEFORE seeing the game:

My jersey is #3 Douglas Murray. It's autographed by him and several other players.

the arms of Orion, that's where I want to be

This is how I looked today:

baggy purple sweater: Target.....skirt: Walmart.....leggings: JC Penney
mini-socks: Target.....shoes: Aerosoles

I am a superstitious Sharks fan. I banned purple from my wardrobe until the Sharks vs. Kings series ended. So, I was anxious to start wearing this particular purple pullover again.

And, yes, I also banned red from my wardrobe for the Sharks vs. Red Wings series. That ended at Game 7 on Thursday, May 12, on a good note. Well, good for Sharks fans. That night, all of San Jose breathed a sigh of relief.

Starting tomorrow, it's going to be Sharks vs. Canucks. I will ban green AND blue from my wardrobe until that series ends.

And for good measure...

GO SHARKS!!!

car flag: handed out at Fan Appreciation Day, the last Sharks game of the 2010-2011 season

Prince knows how to write songs for women. - Part Two

Today's Prince obsession is: "Love... Thy Will Be Done" by Martika

Prince knows how to write songs for women. - Part One

I am obsessed with the songs Prince wrote for women.

Today's obsession is: "The Glamorous Life" by Sheila E.