blushing style: July 2010

This Guy...

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Happy Birthday Love

Charcoal and I love you very very much and we are very happy to have you in our lives.

thumbs up

chanel nouvelle vague nail polish, fjallraven kanken backpack, saint james striped shirt, genetic jeans

My current go-to bag (in my favorite color) and botched nail(s). I like to steal Lulu's nail polish when I see her lol. I'm currently trying to kill time before my aunt, her boyfriend, a cousin, and my younger brother get here from LA. BF is currently in Alaska and I won't see him for another week. This weekend I have to show my family around doing touristy things I never do and missing Wolf Parade. Speaking of bands I liked in high school, anyone listened to the new Arcade Fire? Still not sure what I think about it but I'll get back to you.

In other news, I had a dress named after me, so thanks Modcloth! I'd be wearing that dress right now if the weather weren't so bad in the Bay Area right now. I'm saving it for LA next week. I also answered a couple questions for their blog here and after rereading it I just realized that I'll never be as suave or cool as I'd like to be. Maybe I should have fudged the answers to seem more interesting lol. //sarcasm

Nicole Richie Rocks Gold Like No Other

Love her shades, gold rings, and gold + leather bracelets.

Ever since she ditched the pink uggs and Paris Hilton, she keeps getting better and better even with a baby

screenshot from Asos Magazine.

In My Own Perfect World

(Forever 21 Loose Knit Top, Belted Shorts courtesy of Style by Marina, Topshop Wisteria Wedges, gifted Botkier Ava Crossbody Bag)

Say Hello to my new favorite shorts. I'm happy to have found shorts especially since I don't own that many shorts besides my usual denim cut-offs, which I think is a bit ironic as I love wearing short stuff.

On another note, thank you for the kind words and warm thoughts via email, comments, and twitter regarding Charcoal.

Charcoal is doing much better. He started eating today and is almost back to his normal self.

Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the week!

Shop Shop Shop

I just updated my Blog Shop at Shop Song of Style.
For those who follow my twitter, Charcoal has been sick and we took him to the Vet yesterday and the vet bill was ALOT. I was super shocked when I heard the numbers.
It's more than some people's monthly rent.
Therefore, all of my proceeds are going to his Vet Bill and also to STARS, a no-kill animal shelter organization.
I'm selling a bunch of shoes (Balenciagas, Pour la Victoire, etc) and lots of cute clothes!
So SHOP SONG OF STYLE!

Lace and Leather Were Meant To Be

(Gifted Leyendecker Lace Tank, Society for Rational Dress Brown Leather Skirt, Kelsi Dagger Open Toe Zipper Boots, Vintage Leather Shorts, Rings on index fingers courtesy of Charlotte Russe)

Gilt.com always has crazy deals and I don't know how they do it.
Yesterday, they had crazy deals on Alexander Wang and today they have crazy deals on Leyendecker (the slashed shirts they have are simply amazing)
Here is an invitation code for you guys
http://www.gilt.com/invite/songofstyle

Le Fous

Can't remember the last time I fell in love with an editorial this much.
I'm seriously dying over the mix of prints and colors.

More HERE found via Honestly wtf

ippuku in downtown berkeley

A few of you may have already seen a couple pictures on my Twitter from our trip to Ippuku, a Japanese izakaya that just opened in Berkeley this month right off BART downtown. Shochu is their specialty, accompanied by typical Japanese bar grub such as yakitori and other grilled delights. I actually had no idea that an izakaya was opening in the East Bay until Brent told me that one of his favorite customers at his wine store was one of the owners! I have to admit, we haven't been eating out at nicer restaurants lately since we've both been a bit busy.

The space itself is something you have to see for yourself (although this blog has some fantastic behind-the-scenes photos from before the place opened), but the first thing you see is this right above the bar. Pretty impressive, right? It wasn't until after we talked to the bartender that we found out about the different variations of shochu that existed made from sweet potatoes (imo), barley (mugi), etc. and that Ippuku actually carried a couple bottles which are rare even in Japan! If you're adventurous and willing to try a different type of drink, come here. The staff is super helpful about explaining the types of shochu and specific bottles and we actually ended up trying (and getting drunk off) quite a few: one made from sweet potatoes called Ayamurasaki, two from barley, Sasayaki and Gokoo (the latter is actually aged in barrels for three years and has an oaky taste, if you're into that), an Awamori (long rice) one which I can't remember for the life of me, and finally, my personal favorite of the night, a drink made from black sugar (Kokuto) called Amami which was preeeeeeeeetty effing good. Before you think of us as total boozers, I must add that these drinks were spread out throughout the three hours that we were there. But anyway, now that that's out of the way, let's move on to the food.

Starters: chicken gyoza (Jidori Gyoza) and a Chinese-style chicken salad (Ban-Ban-Ji)

Next: pork belly skewers (Kurobuta Bara), chicken breast (Mune).

Then: chicken thigh with leek (Negima), minced chicken with egg yolk (Tsukutama).

See those last skewers with the egg yolks? Those are actually the second and third ones we ordered of that plate since we liked the original one so much when it was brought out to us. When it arrived at our table, it was the only plate we had not ordered ourselves and contemplated saying something to the waitress; however, once we finally decided to keep it and took our respective first bites, we looked at each other at the same time and realized it was probably sneaked into our meal on purpose (touché!) and were thankful when we ended up ordering two more as our last bites of the night.

In addition to the shochu, I convinced Brent to order these chu-hai cocktails which came with their own citrus reamers and meyer lemon halves! At the time, I thought it deserved its own cheesy video (since I love anything that involves being hands-on with food) and ended up with this completely necessary bit. Hmph, it seemed like a good idea at the time...

Finally, a maccha sundae of green tea soft serve topped with mochi, anko, and ten-kasu. I'd call it a perfect way to end the night but we were actually there much longer (with more drinks) talking to the chef's wife, Erin, who was a complete delight and amazing hostess. If you're reading this, thank you so much for your hospitality and wonderful service!

stuck in the kitchen

A.P.C. shirt, GAP legging jeans, parka from a Korean boutique, Miu Miu clogs

I totally forgot to blog these photos, man I've been so out of it lately. Life's been a bit hectic but I'm dealing with it. I'm kind of tired of these kitchen photos but it's the best I can do when I don't have someone to take my photos during the day. Not much to say other than HOLY FUCK HOW GOOD WAS INCEPTION?! I'm so tempted to watch it a third time. JGL! AHH!

This has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I'm due for a Rapid Rewards free round trip flight from Southwest after my next flight to LA (I'm seeing Real Madrid play LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl!). Where should I go? New York? Chicago? Portland? Help me choose!