Back from Hawaii!

WARNING: This post is pictures-heavy!

I'm back from my week vacation in Maui. It was exciting and tiring as well. The first few days we need to wake up early due to the activities we are doing, but overall, it was a great trip!

We started our trip by going to Old Lahaina Luau the same day we arrived. It was a new experience for all of us since we've never been to any luau before. The settings are beautiful and the location is by the beach with a lot of different activities and of course, foods!

I really recommend this place to have your luau experience. The foods were just okay, but the view, the attractions and pre-attractions were great!

We actually got a chance to see how they cook kalua pork! They seasoned the whole pig, wrapped it in leaves and cooked it in an "underground oven".

The next day, we started our day early and headed to Hana. If you've been to Maui before, you know going to Hana takes forever and the roads are crazy! We did make some great stops to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.



I might not go there again if I go back to Maui, but for first timers, it definitely a must! It took us the whole day round trip from our hotel in Kaanapali to Hana.

We stopped at Mama's Fish House on the way back to have dinner. We did not have a reservation and we waited for an hour. However, it's located by the beach so we played with the sands and took pictures and one hour seems like 5 minutes!

Happy Birthday to ME :)

My birthday cake from RV

PS. Hun, next year you need to get me the real thing ;)

My Birthday card from BFFs

My Birthday gift from BFFs

My Birthday RAOK goodies from TLC ladies

My Birthday Card from TLC ladies

Inside Birthday Card

How cute are these Chanel parfume?!?!

I'm officially a-quarter-years-old!!

Celine Hype

It took me a while to find a Celine luggage tote and when I finally found it, I got two instead! Presenting my Celine Mini Luggage Tote in Lipstick Red and Celine Micro Luggage Tote in Black. Both are smooth leather. I wish I can combine the two and get a red micro instead!!

I LOVE Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

from Sibby Cupcakery, San Mateo, CA

Tamarine Palo Alto, CA

We had dinner at Tamarine in Palo Alto last weekend for my friend's birthday . I was surprised to see that the place was not as packed as it was before when I first came there last year. As you can see from the pictures, we were definitely having carbs overloads! For some reason, we ordered so many carbs and few proteins. I don't usually drink alcoholic drinks, but I remembered last time they have a great Mango Mojito, so I ordered that and it's as delish as I remembered it :) The foods are pretty good overall! We were really full by the end of the meals and we didn't have a chance to order desserts. Here comes the good part...food pictures!

Sambal Chili Swordfish

Shaking Beef

Clay Pot Cod

Crab & Garlic Noodles

Sweet Potato Fries

Garlic Noodle

Garlic Fried Rice

Empress Rice

Salt & Pepper Calamari

Tamarine Taste(Taro Root Rolls, Tea Leaf Beef, Shrimp Spring Rolls & Papaya Salad)

My drink! Mango Mojito

Pink/Purple Glitter French Manicure :)

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Rockstar Pink

Miette Patisserie

This weekend we headed to the lovely San Francisco to ride Rocket Boat. We bought this voucher from Facebook deals 1-2 weeks ago and decided to go this weekend. What's better than sweets after getting soaked from Rocket Boat? We decided to try out Miette Patisserie in Ferry Building.

Parking is really tough to find, except if you want to pay the flat rate $12 parking in the parking lot. We finally made it to Miette 30 minutes before they close. Of course, most of the good stuffs were gone by then, but we were still able to buy some delicious treats!

I was having a hard time picking which cookies I want to buy since everything looks really good! They also have a good ice cream sandwich. They are supposed to have 4-5 flavors, but only 2 flavors left when we're there, Blueberry and Chocolate. I prefer the blueberry, but BF love the chocolate.

Here's our haul... We ended up getting a lot of things. My favorite is the chocolate sable. It's the dark chocolate biscuits with some salty finish. I found a recipe online from The Kitchn and I've decided to copy it here in case I lost it :)

Chocolate Sable Cookies

If ever you are in Paris, you must make a pilgrimage to the Pierre Hermé boutique on rue Bonaparte. I made such a pilgrimage during a trip to Paris the first year I was in business, joining the queue that wraps around the block. As I inched into the store, I filled my basket with one of everything off the shelf, including a canister of his chocolate sables – the inspiration for this cookie. The Miette version replicates the same experience of biting into a crisp lattice supporting bits of pure, soft chocolate. Like our Double Chocolate Cake, this recipe calls for both cocoa and chocolate. When you bring these two ingredients together, you get a resounding chocolate taste, much more complex than if you were to use just one or the other. Use a high-quality chocolate and feel free to venture into something more bittersweet. The sprinkling of sugar on top can carry the intensity of a dark chocolate.

Makes about thirty-six 1-inch square cookies

Ingredients
1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup (1 ounce) natural unsweetened cocoa powder (see note)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup (4 1/2 ounces) sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 ounces 70 percent cacao chocolate, grated

Directions:
1. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda into a bowl and set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla until lightened, about 4 minutes. Add the dry ingredients and grated chocolate and mix just to combine.

3. If the dough is soft, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. (The dough will keep, wrapped in plastic, for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.) Otherwise, roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick on a lightly floured work surface into a 6-by-7-inch rectangle. Using a ruler, square the edges as much as possible. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sugar.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the cookies until they are firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.

Note:
We use natural cocoa powder not Dutch-processed, as the Dutch-processed cocoa has been treated with an alkalizing agent that heightens the color but gives it a milder flavor. For this recipe, it is important to use natural product such as Scharffen Berger to attain a deep, dark chocolate flavor.

Essie Hot Coco Swatch

My modern version of french manicure maybe?

I'm so in love with the color combo I did on my nails yesterday. What do you think?

Essie Splash of Grenadine
Essie Lapis of Luxury
Deborah Lippmann Some Enchanted Evening

Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop Swatch

I was so torn on this one, but after asking around, looks like it's a keeper :)

2011 Anniversary

It's my 5th anniversary with the BF last week, but since my family was here, we postponed the celebration to this weekend. BF gave me my anniversary gift a month early before my family came and roses couple of days ago. I must say this is the best anniversary I've ever had!

BF made a reservation at La Folie in SF. I don't know why for the past 3 years, we always end up in a French restaurant for our anniversary. This one is our favorite one compared to the other French restaurants we went to! We both took the 4 course dinner and everything was perfect! The taste is good and the presentation is beautiful.

Amuse Bouche: Hamachi with aioli sauce and potato chip

Amuse Bouche: Corn soup with half-cooked egg

My 1st course: Sautéed Burgundy Snails, in Pernod Lemon Butter, Parsley, Bone Marrow Gratin

BF's first course: “Tasting of Passot Roe”, Sea of Cortez Diver Scallop Ceviche, Hiramasa Yellowtail Sashimi, and Kusshi Oyster

My 2nd course: Lobster and Mushroom Risotto, with Leeks and Lobster Broth

BF's 2nd course: Pan Seared Daurade , on Provençale Vegetables, Lobster Stuffed Squash Blossoms, Sea Urchin Broth

My 3rd course: Rôti of Quail and Squab, stuffed with Mushrooms, Wrapped in Crispy Potato Strings, Truffled Jus

BF's 3rd course: Roasted Emigh Farms Lamb Rack, with Butter Beans and Chorizo, Taggiasca Olive Lamb Jus

Palate cleanser: Strawberry soup with pistachio sprinkles

My 4th course: Organic Strawberries and Valrhona Chocolate Bread Pudding, Basil-Olive Oil Ice Cream, Champagne Sabayon

BF's 4th course: Warm Edam Cheese Soufflé, with Fromage Blanc Sorbet, Crispy Bacon, White Sesame Tuile

Complimentary Petit Four

This restaurant does not disappoint! We already planned to come back some time later. I couldn't say which one is my favorite as everything taste really good! If you're in SF, definitely try La Folie! Highly recommended.

Anyway, are you ready for my gift reveal? I've been using it since BF gave it to me, but I just haven't posted it here. Here you go..

Hermes Constance Belt Kit - Orange/Rouge Garrance w/ GHW

Until next time!! :)