Apartment therapy for a thursday!

I discovered Apartment Therapy the year I move to US, that was in 2008. And I started visiting the site regularly last year because it's on the Flipboard app and it's lovely to look at these beautiful house tours! Very inspiring! 

Here's one that puts me to shame. It's a rented apartment (my biggest excuse for not making a bigger design effort is that it's a rental!) in NY.

I love the black and white chevron wall and
the antique-looking brass mirror.

Don't you love the pillows?

Love the clean white look.

I love, love, love a farmhouse table!

I have the same desk from West Elm but
my study area so doesn't look like this!

Fresh flowers make me happy!

Matt surprised me with a bouquet of flowers when I was over at his place for dinner on Tuesday. He didn't have a vase at home, so he stuck the bouquet in a drinking glass. I brought them home and gave them the home they deserve, a vase! Noticed this morning there are tulips and lilies too (thought it's mostly gerberas), and they're starting to bloom. Such pretty flowers :)

Outfit for sister's wedding

Outfit for sister's wedding by chococolatecrinkles

This is my first attempt at creating a set on Polyvore. It is fun, but it ain't easy! I have new found appreciation for those beautiful sets that I see. My little sister is getting married in 3 weeks and I'll be going back to Singapore for her wedding. I've bought the dress, earrings and shoes. I'd be looking for an evening clutch this weekend. So much for wanting to save money and spend less in 2012, I'm way over my shopping budget for this month!

More Jason Wu for Target!

Target has posted a sneak peak the look book for the full Jason Wu for Target collection. It is super cute! I was gaga over the Missoni for Target collection. But let's be honest, it's not exactly understated. It's obvious that it's MFT! But this, I love, love, love! Understated elegance, clothes that you can wear everyday.

Additions to my "want" list!

Jason Wu for Target...I want!

Here's a sneak preview of the Jason Wu for Target collection that will be available in stores and online on February 5. Darn, I'm going to be on a plane back to San Francisco that day!

I love, love, love the collection. The blue dress, black and white handbag, striped sweater and baby blue skirt! Super cute!

Source: T Magazine

Source: Style.com

Source: Style.com

Cooking with kale

Doesn't this look delicious? It's healthy too, wholewheat pasta with kale. The recipe can be found here.

Source: Martha Stewart

I didn't buy kale when I was Whole Foods yesterday. Instead, I bought Romaine Lettuce to make a green smoothie. But I do have baby spinach and leftover turkey meatloaf (I'll blog about that later) in the fridge, going to make pasta for dinner. Next week, I'll try to make kale chips and pasta with kale. 

Cheers to 2012!

Source: WallpapersHD iPhone app

Did you make any new year resolution? This year, I decided not to make any new year resolution. Instead, I'm going to live by the following mantras:

#1 Focus my intent
I learn this from yoga. Our instructor is always telling us to clear our minds and make a commitment to ourselves for the next 90 minutes to stay in the room and in our practice. I would like to do more of that, when I'm working out, when I'm catching up with a friend, when I'm in a meeting...

#2 Be fearless
There are posters on the wall of the Facebook office that say "What would you do if you have no fear?" I spent far too many years of my life afraid to do or say things because I was afraid of what people would think of me.

#3 Be content
There is this realization that I am blessed with so much. Instead of wishing for more and focusing on what I don't have, I want to always remember to count my blessing in 2012.

#4 Live simpler
I guess this is in line with #3. I didn't want to say, "live simply" because I know I enable the occasional shopping sprees and fancy dinners every now and then. But I think there's a need for me to cut back on the constant indulgence.

#5 Eliminate waste
I want to stop wasting time, wasting resources, wasting money. Instead, I want to focus my time, resources and money on people and activities that brings happiness to me and to them.

#6 Honor my body and mind 
No more negative thinking, self-talk or self-doubt. God loves me for who I am, and I want to embrace and love myself, all size 8 of me!