Tasty Green Apples

I'm still alive. I've been pretty busy.. sorry. But thought I'd give "Tasty" and "Glutton" Tuesdays a break since I haven't done an outfit post in awhile. So I did a twist up on it. Tasty Green Apples... you know Tasty Tuesday in Green Apple color because of my outfit... nevermind.

These photos are from a couple of weeks ago. So I apologize for just now getting them up.

:: Outfit Details ::

Green Lace Top :: Zara, slightly diff but similar color here

Neon Yellow Tank :: Zara, similar here

White Linen Wide Leg Pants (old) :: Urban Outfitters, similar here

Leather Sandals :: Target

Turnlock Black Leather Tote :: Marc by Marc Jacobs, newer version here

80s Sunglass :: Gucci

Layered White Bead Necklace :: Francesca's Collections, similar style here

More outfit posts to come... I hope!

P.S. I went back to Portola Coffee Lab. One of the most hipster coffee spots in the Orange County. Delicious iced mocha with house-made ganache!

Landry Fields & Cameron Jones

Guess what?!?!?! I have to share with you! Over the weekend, I got to meet some NBA basketball players! I don't know how many of you watch NBA games or how into athletes you are but, I think this is the coolest thing ever.

I was honored with a chance to meet Landry Fields and Cameron Jones. If you are not familiar, Landry played for the New York Knicks alongside Jeremy Lin and Cameron Jones currently plays for the Indiana Mad Ants (NBA Developmental League).

Cameron Jones selecting his style type with Steve Chiang of den.m bar

The two athletes were coming into the shop to get fitted! Can you believe that? Two NBA players WANT to wear our den.m bar jeans! Amazing!

Landry Fields selecting his with Zach

Zach, writing down Landry's choices

Measurements time!

By the way, I just learned this that day of the two guys coming in but, wearing shorts to your fitting is not the best thing to do. Apparently, shorts are thicker and harder to measure around for your denim jeans fitting.

For Landry and Cameron's sake, I opted to not photograph some of the "embarassing" measurements such as their inseams. I'll spare you this time guys! :)

Landry and Cameron are the nicest guys ever. I really enjoyed working with them. Very polite, funny, and just all around good guys.

The two guys also took home some of our denim ties too! Can't wait to see them sportin' our stuff :)

From Left to Right: Kat (me), Landry Fields, Steve Chiang (one of four den.m bar partners), and Cameron Jones

And just for kicks... a picture to show you how freakin' tall they are compared to us!! I literally bent my head as far back as I could to look up and greet them/shake their hands when they walked in! Cameron is 6'4" and Landry is 6'7".

Good luck to Landry Fields, who just signed with the Toronto Raptors and to Cameron Jones in your career with the NBA as well :) Look forward to crossing paths with you more often!

...Still a little starstruck. Wouldn't you be?

:: Outfit Details ::

Polka Dot Sheer Sleeve Top :: Zara, similar here

Mint Denim :: Zara, similar here

Taupe/Pink Flats :: Zara, similar here

Double Pearls :: Francesca's, similar here

Gold Chain (old) :: Similar here

P.S. While posting these pictures, I realized that I am all Zara'd out!! Not intentional... just coincidence :)

Tuesday Twist :: Sugarlips & Coffee Chemistry

We had some great weather this past weekend. I can't wait for more like it. The sun was out, it was very toasty out, perfect skirt weather!

P.S. Get ready for a lengthy and picture heavy entry :)

:: Outfit Details :: 

Navy Asymmetrical Shell (old) :: Woo, similar here

Peachy Prim Lace Skirt :: c/o Sugarlips

M.A.C. Clutch in Yellow :: Rebecca Minkoff

Round Tortoise Sunglasses (old) :: D&G, similar here

Yellow Leaf Print Scarf :: H&M, similar here

Cobalt Faux Suede Flats (old) :: H&M, similar here

The thing about this Sugarlips skirt is that it's really lightweight and layered. It makes a great summer skirt because it keeps you cool and cute at the same time! I actually wore it for a second time to have brunch/get coffee (pictured above) but this time, opted not to wear a scarf (too hot!) and went with a short sleeve basic tee and some accessories to spruce it up!

:: Outfit Details ::

Totally Turnlock Helena Tote :: Marc by Marc Jacobs, similar

Basic Black Tee :: Forever21

Bangles :: Forever21 & T+J Designs

Turquoise Bead Necklace :: Francesca's, similar here

Can I also share with you how awesome Portola Coffee Lab is? A friend and I had been looking to go together but either could never go when they were open OR just could never find a time to go with one another. I decided to drag the friendboy, along with his sis (she is quite the coffee fiend herself) to try this.

Kyoto Technique

So many gadgets and Japanese coffee "chemistry" equipment! This was one of a few different brewing/drip coffee techniques.

Baristas actually wear lab coats while creating the perfect coffee.

Siphon Technique

Siphon method. That light lamp underneath gets that water boiling QUITE hot!

Once the water boils, it rise to the top part of the glass (where it is now empty). The barista will then add freshly ground coffee into the top, stir, the remove the entire apparatus from the heat lamp. He'll then cool it down by wrapping an ice cold towel around the base, as the coffee then gets filtered and siphoned back down into the bottom.

Left to Right: Soy latte (yes, with latte art), Kyoto style Black Coffee, Iced Soy Latte

Do you have a favorite coffee spot? What's your favorite thing to wear for weekend brunch/coffe runs?

Pumped Up (Purple) Kicks

There's no room for Mundane Mondays here. Which is what led me to putting some color on. My goal as of well, 4-5 months ago, was to live outside of my black and gray wardrobe a little and explore colors more often. Luckily, I work in a place where people need my fashion expertise so if I can look the part, they'd be more willing to entrust me with their optical fashion choices. I'm always capable of looking the part but there's always 1. Do I feel like trying? or 2. Do I have anything besides black and gray or anything outside that monochromatic scheme?

Long story short, I've started to add small doses of color into the wardrobe. Luckily, most everything goes with black... And luckily, I've ventured out of the "black heels only" phase.

Hachi, sneaking into the picture...

Sometimes you've just got to stop and *sniff* the flowers

Still couldn't resist some grays in this post. Gotta compromise, right? Like I said, "small doses".

And, of course Hachi wanted in on the shoot.. hence his lil cameo in the first photo. I decided to scrap the original picture I chose and use the one with him in it. He tried so hard to make it in... why not give the diva him some photo love? Let this post be a twist to his old "Hachi Monday" posts (where he can be seen here, unforgettably here, not to mention here, annnnd finally here).

:: Outfit Details ::

Chiffon Floral Blouse :: Francesca's, similar here

Gray Pencil Skirt :: J.Crew, black version here

Purple Pumps :: DV by Dolce Vita, black version here

A Weekend in Maui :: Day 2 Pt 2

After walking in the morning, the friendboy and I decided to head back to Lahaina and enjoy some burgers at Cool Cat Cafe. They were quite tasty... so tasty I forgot to take photos of them... sorry!

:: Outfit Details :: 

White Tank :: J.Crew, similar here

Dragonfly Tank/Dress (old) :: Urban Outfitters, similar here

Rainbow Heart Denim Shorts (old) :: Roxy, similar here

Turquoise & Gold Necklace :: Francesca's, similar here (I like this one better!)

We also roamed around outside at the nearby Banyan Tree Park. These trees are amazing! I remember visiting this park when I was younger and was amazed at how large these brances were. Now, they are everywhere! In fact, there are posts holding these branches up because they're so long/big.

via Instagram

:: Outfit Details :: 

Nude Tulle Dress :: Uniqueen TopShop Dress

Turquoise & Gold Necklace :: Francesca's, similar here

Gray Pumps :: Kenneth Cole, similar here

Caramelised Maui Onion Soup – Three-Cheese Crust

White Cheddar – Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

Skillet Roasted Vegetables

Caesar Salad – White Anchovies, Herb-Garlic Focaccia

Sirloin Steak w/ Mushroom Ragu

Grilled Mahi Mahi – Cucumber Mint Salad, Red Curry-Ginger Coulis

Banana Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce and Ice Cream

Chocolate Creme Brulee

Melon Flavored Cotton Candy

For the rehearsal dinner, we ate at DUO at the Four Seasons Hotel in Wailea. It's one of the groom's favorite restaurants in Maui... and for good reason! We had a pre-fixe menu that was set by the soon-to-be-married couple and it was amazing! The restaurant and hotel property was beautiful! If you're ever in Wailea in Maui, definitely check them out and try the food. It is delicious! My favorite, Truffle Mac n Cheese. I actually had the sirloin and the friendboy actually got the Mahi Mahi. Both were so juicy/tender. The cotton candy at the end of everything was a parting gift from the restaurant. Everyone gets it!

A Friend in Tweed is a Friend Indeed at Yamashiro

I kind of borrowed the post title from a Paul Frank frame name.

Anyway, this past weekend, we celebrated the friendboy's sister's birthday! Happy Birthday C! She wanted to have a birthday with a nice view. So we took her to Yamashiro in Hollywood. It's on top of a hill and overlooks Los Angeles. Nice view of Downtown LA, Hollywood night lights, and the valley!

We had some delicious food there. I haven't been there in some time and I think when I did go last, we only had appetizers. I can't even remember what I ate last time but I can remember this time! Plus we took some photos. Talk about picture-perfect memory. ;)

Started off with some cocktails. I ordered a "Bernheimer Basil Mojito" (muddled strawberry & basil). The friendboy swapped his "Yama-jito" (cranberry juice, sake, cane sugar, and mint) with the birthday sis and drank her "Lyhcee Margarita" (it was a bit strong).

We had some Fanny Bay oysters on the half shell. It was served with an interesting Wasabi sauce and better yet, a Yuzu sauce! Very tasty!

I'd show you pictures of the Kurobota Pork Carnitas (why does this menu item sound redundant to me?) but we didn't get any :( It's okay... we had the above Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice appetizer. I really like crispy rice! I know this isn't "true sushi" but it was pretty delicious and paired well with the rice texture. If you ever want really good sushi, please go to Sushi Zo. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny... or maybe thousands. Make sure you get omakase and eat til your heart's content!

Friendboy and I both got the Shoyu Glazed Black Cod. We usually try to get something different but I really wanted this and so did he. So we decided, why not? Very tender, flaked nicely, light "shoyu" (soy sauce) flavoring. Served with Shiso mushrooms, spinach, and wasabi mashed potatoes. Decently sized also.

Friendboy's parents ordered the Himalayan Salt Plate. On this plate, literally made of salt, is served with American Wagyu Beef and you get to sear and cook it yourself on this salt plate. It comes served at over 400 degrees and you just cook to your liking. And there's no additional seasoning required because the plate is... salty. Very neat concept. I've always wanted to try this Himalayan salt plate out for cooking. I've seen it sold. It's not cheap for the block of salt. But you can reuse it. You just rinse it off and reheat/reuse again. P.S. for the bite of steak that I had, I can attest to the flavorful taste.

We did not forget dessert! Well, actually, we forgot to take pictures of all the desserts... except for this one. Dessert Sushi. You're probably thinking, eww... dessert fish? Actually, if you look closely, it's fruit on top of rice pudding. That "wasabi" is actually green tea ice cream. Cute idea!

Since we had out camera on us (for the food), we were able to sneak some photo ops in!

Some scenic views of Los Angeles.

Friendboy pretending to be a fashion blogger also. :) I chose to omit some of his other "poses". Trust me, it was for your sake.

Have a great week everyone!!

:: Outfit Details ::

CoCo No. 5 Tweed Blazer :: UniQueen, similar (& awesome one) here

Lace Top :: H&M, similar here

Skinny Jeans :: Gap, similar (& better quality) here

Fuschia Pumps :: Chinese Laundry, not the same color (can't find it!) but diff color here 

Pink & Brown Woodstock Bag :: R&Em

 Layered Jumbo Pearl Necklace :: Francesca's, similar here

Ivory Earrings :: Forever 21, similar here

Purple Sunnies (old) :: Marc by Marc Jacobs, similar here

:: Friendboy Outfit Details ::

Navy V-Neck Sweater :: J.Crew, similar here

Pink V-Neck Tee (underneath) :: H&M, similar here

Boot Cut Jeans :: Joe's Jeans

Tweed Oxfords (gifted by ME) :: Urban Outfitters, similar here

Modern Wayfarers :: Prada, similar here