Retired Song of the week- Week 7 Aceyalone Moonlit skies

I love RED VELVET cake

I can't remember exactly when I fell in love with Red Velvet Cake, but I think it was some time two years ago, and in New York City.  I think part of my fascination with Red Velvet Cake is that it is so unique, and so inconsistent...thus making it not just a simple task, but a quest to search for one that is flavorful (buttermilk and cocoa undertones) and moist. For the past two years, I have searched out red velvet cake/ cupcakes in nearly every city I visit (though I did not find them in Taipei or Tokyo). So far, my favorites are: 1) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cafeteria Red Velvet Cake, Manhattan, NY; 2) Red Velvet mini cupcakes - Kumquat Cupcakery, Brooklyn, NY; 3) Les Glaceurs: Glaces and cupcakes Montreal (see first photo).  

Recent Red Velvet Cake: Lulu's Bakeshoppe

For my 29th birthday, Jason searched all over Boston to find a Red Velvet Birthday Cake and he scored big with a delicious, moist, richly flavored one from Lulu's Bakeshoppe in the North End. For now, this one just may take the cake, but if any of you out there have any secret knowledge about Red Velvet cake/cupcakes, please share. :)

Chictopia

I love fashion. I find it fascinating and fabulous! One of the most striking parts of the 6 or so hours I spent (11pm-5am) in Tokyo city was the incredible fashion. The women and men were totally decked out. I saw combinations of trends that were fearless and whimsical. For example, the above outfit witnessed in the subway station was "average" for a Saturday night in Tokyo. I've never seen so many false eyelashes, designer handbags, funky vests and hats, and over the knee socks in such high concentration before. It was awesome. Sometimes I wish I lived in Tokyo I could play dress-up everyday.

The other day, my friend Jess shared the following website with me. http://www.chictopia.com/ There you can check out some more interesting looks to inspire your next trip to the mall. :)

Crunchy Crullers

I have a lot to share about Taiwan - but I thought I'd start with these photos of our final breakfast, and favorite meal of the trip. Crunchy Chinese Crullers and Soymilk! Also in the first photo, are other tasty Chinese breakfast treats, rice rolls, steamed mini buns, potstickers....

You can sometimes buy frozen crullers and pancakes and make your own breakfast sandwich to eat with soymilk at chinese grocers. I hope you all get to taste this deliciousness. The crullers can be dipped in soysauce if you like it salty, or dipped in sugar if you have a sweet tooth! Yum!

Where was this photo taken? - ANSWER HERE!

I've done a lot of traveling lately - but I thought before I go ahead an post my Taiwan trip, I should answer "Where was this photo taken?" from early October. I want to thank Laurent for his guess, and for his enthusiasm. He was the only person who guessed, and it was a good guess.

The photo was taken at the bean sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park. Also known as Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor. For more photos from my weekend of shoe shopping, reception venue searching, popcorn eating, fireworks, and fancy drinks in Chicago with my fabulous girl friends Sara and Eylul, click here 

Birthday Eve

Today is the eve of my 29th birthday. Although most people seem to look to 30 with apprehension, I have to say, I'm quite happy about turning 29. Sure, I can't believe how quickly the past few years flew by. But every year, has been a good, solid, enjoyable year. I am looking forward to another fantastic year of - learning and exploring, feasting and celebrating, loving and laughing! Thank you to all my friends and family who have made my life so fun to live. Hooray!

Retired Song of the week- Week 6 Bruce Springsteen I'm on Fire

Love it.