Into The Great Park

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Gap

Belt: Local Boutique

Sunglasses (the sun was making my eyes super squinty), 

Necklace and Ring: Forever 21

Sandals: Payless
(Thanks to my brother for taking these outfit pics)

I delved further into mixed prints territory today and wore two different floral prints and I'm thinking it worked. The prints aren't really loud and I did wear a belt to break them up. Also when I wore it in public, I didn't get any weird looks or snickers at least in my general direction. So success?

Earlier today my brother and I made our way up to Irvine to hang out with our cousin that's heading to the east coast for grad school. The plan was to go the Orange County Great Park and go on The Great Park Ballon this giant tethered helium balloon that goes 400 ft above the ground. Unfortunately, we got there too late and sign-up list was already filled. Instead, we walked around the grounds. 

 Next time I'll be on that balloon

It was my first time in the park but it wasn't the first time I was there. The park only covers about 1,500 of the 4,700 acres of the former El Toro Military Base. Growing up in Irvine, I remember going to the commissary with my mom or lola (grandma) or going to the shopping center and asking if I can get a churro, Icee or ice cream. It was also really fun to when air show weekend would come around. So to back on the military base and being re-purposed as something the entire city can enjoy is really good.  

Besides the Great Balloon, there's also a carousel and just recently they opened up an art gallery and artists residence named the Palm Court Artist Complex. I was talking to the gallery worker and she told me that it'll be another 25 years before the park is complete. So one day I can bring my grand kids or grand nieces and nephews to visit. I also found out from my cousin that the race track for the U.S. version of Top Gear is near the park.

Playing around with the fish-eye function on my camera

My brother at the Palm Court

My Blue Heaven by Jorg Durbin

LV Plane Sculpture also by Jorg Durbin

One of the old military buildings

Afterwards, we went to a Thai restaurant where I had duck noodle soup for the first time and it was really good. So savory and spicy and something I want to learn how to make. Then we went to this pastry shop called 85 degrees much like the Paris Baguette I went to in New York, you get a tray and pick the pastries you want. 

 

Yum-o! 

They had some interesting pastries such as one with squid ink, but I went with safe bets such as a flaky cherry danish and a raisin milk butter pastry. I brought them home and I'm guessing that they are all have been eaten up. Will have to make a trip the next time I'm in Irvine.

Cause She's My Sister

 Top, Cardigan and necklace: Old Navy

Skirt: Gap

Boots: Reflections

Today was Kristine's last day at home before she heads back to NYC so along with our mom, we had a girls afternoon. First we had lunch over at Public House, a Gastro Pub over in Old Town Temecula. I've been there before and the food was so good that I had to make another visit. Last time I got their mac and cheese and I had to order it again. 

 Called Pablo knows Mac 'n' Cheese, it's made with Béchamel sauce, a mix of local cheeses topped with poblano chilies and herb roasted panko flakes. The sauce was really rich and creamy and the poblano adds a little heat. I almost ate the whole thing, but I was good and saved the rest for later. 

My mom ordered the Pasta with Shrimp all ah cake a! It's shrimp sautéed with fresh basil, roasted garlic, fresh tomato, chili flake and citrus tossed with linguini pasta. When we were looking at the menu, my mom said she wanted to order #14, which she thought was the pasta dish. Until Kristine pointed out that 14 was the price and not the dish number. We had a good laugh over that. 

I don't have a picture of what my sister ordered but hers was the Reuben Goes Public; which was wood roasted corned beef piled on griddle toasted rye topped with a 1000 islands, kraut, and Emmenthaler Swiss. It came with yummy sweetly spicy fries. My sister and I also ordered their weekly ice tea pick and this week it was chocolate raspberry. It had an interesting taste and reminded me of a tootsie roll. 

After lunch we went to the mall for some shopping where I picked up a couple of necklaces at American Eagle on super sale and my sister bought some work clothes at The Gap. 

Finally before she leaves, Kristine and I took some pictures courtesy of our brother Andrew. (He also took my outfit pictures.)

 Can't wait until she comes back to visit during the holidays. 

 

Think Pink!

Dress and Cardigan: Old Navy

Sandals: Payless

After a few months of nice mild summer weather, the heat came out in full force last week. I guess I'll use that excuse for the lack of outfit posts or posts in general last week. :P  The weather is not getting cooler anytime soon. 

Also look, I'm not wearing blue! Now I'm wearing something on the opposite end of the color spectrum, PINK! It's a dress that I bought last year but never wore. I kinda have a few of those sitting in my closet. :P But now it's finally seeing the light of day.  

You can probably tell by now, that I love my cardigans. I probably have at least 10-15 of them. It's the perfect lightweight cover-up. I like the snow leopard print of this one and it's neutral enough that I can wear it with almost anything. 

Rawr!

I had lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries with my friend Rachel and her husband and son. I've just recently heard about the burger chain that the President frequents through the media and that's the Zagat guides #1 burger, topping even In-N-Out. So of course I had to try it and I have to say it met my expectations. The vibe is very relaxed, they even let you help yourself to peanuts. 

I ordered the Little Bacon Burger (it had one patty) with the usual fixings, fries and a drink. The burger was good. It just tasted fresh and really like the bun and I liked the fries too. I have to try it Cajun style on my next visit.  Plus it didn't give me that greasy feeling after I ate it. The only thing is that I wished that they had milkshakes.

Nom Nom

Also thanks to those who entered my first giveaway. I hope to do more in the future and without further ado, the winner is:

Thifa!

Congrats!!! Check out her blog The Student Kitchen, where she and her boyfriend create tasty multi-cultural meals on a budget. I'm going to try some of the recipes.