Coated Skinny Jeans

It.Is.Finally.Cold.

Seriously.  I'm not complaining about the beautiful weather we have here in So Cal recently.  I mean, 80 degrees in January?  Only in LA.  But it just doesn't feel like winter.  My kids still wear T-shirts and shorts to school, and can't understand why I make them take a jacket with them every morning (it's chilly without the sun).

I was finally able to put on some cold-weather clothes.

 I usually don't wear stuff like this. It's usually just the sweater and a pair of cotton leggings.  But I felt like it was a boots kind of day.  So here's the breakdown:  the jeans are from Rag and Bone, and I love them because they're not super coated, which can make them so incredibly tight. You can find them here at Nordstrom.   I'm wearing a Banana Republic chambray shirt that I got last year, but I can't find it online anymore.  I like mine because they're fitted.  But here is a very similar one I found on the J Crew Factory website.  It's got the same color and it's also fitted as well.  The sweater is way old from Gap, and of course they're not available now.  But I looked around online and found this really cute one from Ann Taylor.

And now the fun stuff!  Accessories!  My boots are from Cole Haan and yet again, they're gone.  Here is a pair from Nordstrom that's really cute.  And I wanted to add a touch of color to my outfit, so I put on my necklace from Forever 21, you can find a similar one here.  What can I say, I love turquoise.

Here's the necklace up close - sorry I can't find them for you online.  But the necklace in the above link is even cuter!

That's it for now.  Happy Thursday!  Tomorrow is finally Friday!  Yay!

Xoxo,
Lin

Old Dress Repurposed

The kids just got back from Chinese class, and since I got take-out for dinner tonight (yes, this mother needs a break sometimes too), I have a little time to write my post.

I went to the gym this morning and took a great class that left me breathless and sore all over.  But I felt fantastic afterwards.  I took a shower and felt even more charged - I figured I could use this energy and think up a post to write.  I put on an outfit I had wanted to blog about for a while, even though I had no where important to go.  LOL.

The white lace top I'm wearing is actually a dress.  I bought this dress from H&M two years ago, and I've only worn it once.  It was cute at the time, but SO short!  I paired it with stockings and wore it to a Christmas event, I think.  And that was that.  I mean, I've got 3 kids!  It's just a little bit embarrassing to be parading around in such a short dress.  :P  I brought it out of my closet recently and was going to donate it, but then I remembered another blog post where the author used her dress as a shirt.  So I wanted to try that look too.  And what do you know, it works well!  Who knew you could use a dress as a shirt?  Genius!  I paired it with a gray skater skirt that I bought at Nordstrom last year, gray stockings from H&M, and a pair of Vince Camuto booties.  Then for accessories I had on a long necklace that I bought at a local store where I live, but this necklace here is so cute that it would work as well.  I wore white flower stud earrings that I bought at Francesca's a while ago, but here is a really cute pair as well. 

My dress was so old that you can't find it in the stores nor online anymore.  So here is a similar one from Forever 21.  Here is the skater skirt from Nordstrom.  Here is the pair of ribbed tights I wore.  Here are the Vince Camuto booties - ok, can I just say that I LOVE these?!  They seriously are the most comfortable shoes and they go with everything!

And the best part is...in case you want to feel sexy and wear that short short dress by itself sometimes, you can definitely do that too!  ;)

Hope this post inspires you to repurpose some old clothes from your closet too!  Good night!

Xoxo,
Lin

Another Tofu Dish!

What can I say, my family (ok, maybe not the boys), LOVE tofu.  My daughter will eat tofu all day long if I let her.  And why not?  It's so good for you.  I love tofu.  I love it in any texture.  It captures the flavor of anything you pair it with.  It's like miracle food.  I can give you 10 different dishes I make with tofu, easily.

So today, I'm presenting you with something I make all the time.  I made this last week for dinner.  I have also perfected this dish as well.  For all you Chinese friend out there, you know this dish all too well.  It's something you've eaten growing up.  It's like the easiest yet tastiest dish to make.  Ok, ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please...

MA PO TOFU!

 

You're probably like, "WHAT??  Seriously?"  Well, I'm sure a lot of people have had this before, but it's SO delicious!  I wanted to share this recipe for the people that have never made this before just because I love it so much.  It's SO EASY to make.  Here's the recipe:

1 package of tofu (the regular kind - silken is too soft for this)
1 pound ground beef
1 stalk green onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tsp corn starch
1 tablespoon water
2 tsp hot sauce - optional (I used Sriracha)
3 tablespoons oil

1) Cut tofu into small cubes, set aside. 
2) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in frying pan (I used my trusty wok), throw in ground beef and stir fry until nearly done.  Scoop up, set aside.
3) Heat remaining oil in frying pan, throw in chopped garlic, let cook until golden.  Put in tofu, gently toss around until coated with oil.
4) Add ground beef and soy sauce.  Stir fry until everything is cooked.
5) Mix water and corn starch in a small bowl.  Pour mixture into tofu dish.  Stir until dish turns into a gooey texture.
6) This part is optional.  Add hot sauce.  I usually scoop up some tofu for the little ones, set aside, then add the hot sauce to the remaining dish for me and my husband.  Then I add the chopped green onion (my little ones aren't fans of that either).

Serve hot!  Once the dish cools, the gooey texture from the corn starch goes away.  This dish is meant to be served in a thicker texture.  But if you don't like it, you can skip it.

Now, here's a disclaimer.  All the measurements I list in the ingredients, I kind of just estimated.  I don't cook using measuring tools.  My mom didn't, and I don't either.  I just kind of eyeball it, and from 15 years or so of cooking experience, my food usually turns out pretty delicious.

Happy cooking!  Thanks for reading!

Xoxo,
Lin

Casual Sunday

I had to enlist my hubby's help on this one...

I wanted to post some style tips but I can't take pictures of myself.  So my husband took some pictures of me.  I told him, "Don't laugh!"  But it was I who kept giggling uncontrollably.   It's really difficult to try posing as if you're supposed to be on a magazine.   Especially when you've got nothing remotely near what it takes to be a model.  ;) 

But I had a cute outfit that I put on which I wanted to share with you all.  I was inspired by all these fashion bloggers online these days.  And I've been getting style tips from Pinterest as well.  I had a pair of red pants that I just didn't know what to do with anymore, but I saw a post that involved a pair of shorts and a red blazer.  I thought to myself, I've got blazers of other colors, and I have a pair of red shorts, what if I just reversed the outfit?  Since today seemed kind of cloudy, I decided that I'd do the pants instead.

It's a very simple look, easy to pull off.  I just put on a white T-shirt from Nordstrom, my red jeans from Express (old - but here's a similar pair from Old Navy), a blazer I got from J Crew last year (which I actually found online for you at the J Crew Factory store for a discounted price!  You're welcome!), and my nude Charles David pumps (I couldn't find the same pair online, but here is a similar pair from Nine West).  For short girls like me, The best way to elongate your legs is to wear nude pumps.  For accessories, I chose a very simple snowflake charm necklace and matching snowflake earrings.  Both from Banana Republic (I got them on sale, they're all out now.  But here is a necklace, and here, a pair of earrings that has the same effect).

You can pair this outfit with a long necklace too and hoop earrings.  The look will be just as chic. :)

That's it for now!  Thanks for stopping by!

Xoxo,
Lin

Valentine's Day Goody Bags

It seems like Christmas was just yesterday, and the stores are already displaying items for the next holiday - Valentine's Day.  I don't know about you, but ever since our kids were born, holidays are all about them.  And when holidays come around, I'm always trying to think of what to give their classmates.  Sure I'll do the cards on Valentine's Day...but I want to do something more, since this is my daughter's first year at school.  I didn't want to do the usual stuff, stickers, tatoos, pencils, erasers, plastic toys, etc.  

Don't get me wrong. My kids love goody bags in all shapes and sizes, especially K.  I can always use those pencils and erasers now that the boys have actual homework to do.  But those plastic toys..I'm just not a big fan.  The kids play with them for about 2 minutes, then they get tired of them and toss them either on the floor, all over the couch, or on the dining table.  If I'm lucky enough to avoid stepping on them and giving myself a huge gash in my foot, I have to pick them up and toss them in the trash.  Which ends up in the landfill.  Ugh.

So every time there's a holiday, I try to be original, or I try to find things that they can actually use.  This Valentine's Day, for K's pre-school class, since there aren't too many of them, I decided on giving the kids something they can use their imagination on.  And the best part of it is, it's recyclable!  I now present you with...

ORIGAMI PAPER!

Yup, origami paper.  The possibilities are endless.  This little sheet of colored paper can turn into whatever you want it to be.  The kids can use their creativity and make anything out of them.  And since it's paper, it's totally recyclable.  I LOVE that.  How many people give origami paper as Valentine's Day favors?  You don't even have to limit this to Valentine's Day!  Halloween, Christmas, Birthday favors...heck, do a St. Patrick's Day goody bag if you want to.  :)   I found some origami folding instructions online (just Google "origami folding instructions").  Given it's a Valentine goody bag, I chose hearts.  Here's the diagram I printed out:

I had this printed earlier but can't seem to find the site where I found it. Google (hence Blogger) shut down for a while and I lost track of things. But click here to another origami heart instruction.

I cut the sheet I printed in half (since they're two different instructions), and inserted a half sheet in each goody bag along with the origami paper:

I got the tiny origami papers at my local Daiso store.  For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a Japanese dollar store.  Everything there is $1.50.  Since Baby K's class is relatively small, I can do a pack of origami paper for each student.  I wouldn't do it for the boys' classes.  There are just too many kids.  There are about 500 sheets of paper in this particular pack.  You can open the packs and divide up the portion.  You can even buy just one pack and insert, say, 25 sheets, in each bag.  That's plenty for little ones.

If there's no Daiso near you, try the local craft store.  Amazon sells them too.  Click here for some.

Well, that's it for today's post!  Hope you liked my idea!  Come back often and come back soon!  If you like my blog, please comment below, and follow me!  Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Friday, everyone!

Xoxo,
Lin

 

Top Ten Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas

Ok, so I see these "Top Ten" lists are very popular on blogs these days.  I couldn't resist making one of my own.  Again, my post involves food...what can I say?  I love to eat and I'm a pretty good cook.  And these are the least time-consuming posts since I cook nearly everyday for my family anyway.  When I get the chance to make myself look halfway decent, I might post some style advice and some skin product recommendations...

I'm sure a lot of parents already know half the stuff on this list, but for those of you who are new to school  aged children, I compose this list for YOU!  It is SO hard trying to get 3 kids ready in the morning; having to be at school at exactly 8am.  So often times I have my kids eat in the car on the way to school.  It takes us about 20 minutes, so that's plenty of time for breakfast.   Hopefully this list gives you some alternative ideas...

In no particular order, here it goes!

10) Cereal - I'm SO not proud of this one, but on those days when we're running incredibly late, I just pour some in a tall cup (to prevent spilling), pour some milk in, stick a spoon in it, and...VOILA!  Who knew you can eat cereal in the car too?

9) Frozen Waffles - You can get any kind at the grocery store, but I find the Trader Joe's Frozen Belgium Waffles to be delicious.  Seriously.  I just toast them in the toaster, cut them into cubes when done, put syrup on them, some chopped strawberries and/or bananas.  And again, in the tall cups, stick a fork in it, and you got waffles on the go!  Or, you can make waffle sticks.  Cut waffles into strips, then put them in a syrup-filled cup.  Forks aren't even needed!

8) Pancakes - this one takes some time to make, so I don't make it as much.  Sure, I can also use frozen pancakes in the market, but I don't know.  I'd just rather make my own.  I'll make a whole bunch then freeze them.  When I need some, pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds.  Add syrup and fruits.  And again in the tall cups!

7) Scrambled Eggs - I put shredded cheese in mine.  Makes it even tastier.  If you have time, and you're able to actually eat this on the breakfast table, you can place your scrambled eggs in the middle of the plate, cut up a piece of toast into 8 wedges, then place the toast around the eggs, pointy side out.  Voila!  It's a sun!  My kids LOVE this one.

6) Quesadillas - my kids are so picky.  They want nothing to do with their quesadillas if they're filled with anything other than just cheese.  But you can do chopped avocados if your kids will eat them.

5) Egg Burritos - Not your typical breakfast burritos.  This is the Chinese style.  What I do is I beat the eggs, add some salt in them, pour them on the pan (with about 2 tsp of oil), swirl it around so the egg coats the pan.  Heat until the bottom is cooked but the top is still a little wet, like this:

Then I put a piece of tortilla on top.  Flip the whole thing over so the tortilla is on the bottom, like this:

Let cook until the wet part of the egg is cooked.  Then you lay the whole thing on a flat surface, roll it up:

then cut into 4-6 pieces.  Depending how big you want them.   The end result looks like this:

4) Onion Pancakes - you can buy the frozen ones at the Chinese markets.  They look like this:

Then all you do is heat them up in the frying pan (oil optional), until it's golden brown, then go on the other side.  I then use a pizza cutter and cut them into wedges.

3) Oatmeal - This takes some preparation ahead of time.  So set aside some time on Sunday afternoon for this.  My nanny cooks these for us because her version is so delicious.  No instant oatmeal here!  She makes it with brown sugar, milk, chopped apples, and a little bit of cinnamon.  Then when they cool, I put them in ice cube trays and freeze them.  Once frozen, I dump these oatmeal cubes in freezer size Ziplock bags.  When I need them, I just pop them in my microwave!  My rule of thumb is 15 seconds for each cube.

2) Trader Joes Hash Browns - these are SO convenient!  They are formed like the McDonald's hashbrowns, use a little bit of oil to fry for 4 minutes on each side, and they're super crispy.  Cut them into fours, put them in a cup, and pour some ketchup on them.  This is what the packaging and the hash brown looks like:

1) Yogurt Parfait - My children (ALL 3 of them!) love these.  I use a clear cup because it's so pretty to look at.  Makes the kids want to eat them more too when they're aesthetically appealing.  I layer mine in this order, from the bottom up:  jelly or honey, yogurt (I use Greek yogurt, healthier), granola, then chopped fruit.

I hope this list gave you some ideas to change up your breakfast routine a little!  My boys are so picky...I can't have two of the same things given to them two days in a row.  So I have to change it up.  Thank you for stopping by!  Tomorrow, if I have time, I'll post a Valentine's Day goodie bag idea that should be more interesting to assemble than the usual ones you get (stickers, tatoo, you know what I mean).  Come back tomorrow!

xoxo,
Lin

Rebirth! ...and a Delicious Recipe!

It's been SO long since I last posted a blog...I just never knew what to blog about.  I mean, there are fashion blogs, food blogs, makeup blogs, home decor blogs, mom blogs, etc, etc.  I'm not an expert in any of these areas...sometimes I'm barely making it through the day!  Then last night, a light bulb went on.  I was thinking, what if I blogged about all these things?  I can do a mesh mash of everything that I am!  I'm a mom, I don't look like a super model, but then I've been told I've got some style here and there.  I know how to highlight the good features and hide the flaws (those darn hips).  And exactly how many of us are supermodels anyway?  Alright, maybe I can post some fashion stuff.  I'm not a master chef, but I can cook, and the food I put on my dinner table are healthy, easy to make, and tasty.  Ok, I can post some recipes too.  I'm not a professional makeup artist, but I can make myself look decent, know which products to use.  I'm not a child psychologist, but I've got 3 kids...ok, you get the gist.

So here I am, right after MLK day, and finally having a little moment to myself to start back on the blog.  It feels strangely quiet, having had 3 crazy kids screaming and running through the house for 3 straight days.  So even though I'm coveting this rare quiet time, I need some background noise - I've got Elementary playing on my DVR.  I made a really delicious dish last night that I wanted to share with you guys.  It's a Korean dish that my college room mate taught me how to make, and since I've been making this for a long time (ha, understatement!) now, I've got it down to perfection.  This is easy, delicious, nutritious; you've got your protein and your veggies in this one dish. I've had to make it three different ways to accommodate everyone's taste (no vegetables for the boys, no egg whites for my daughter).  But since my daughter has gotten over her egg allergy, and she loves the vegetables I put in this dish, I just tell the boys, "Too bad, eat the veggies or you get nothing!"  Well, they're eating it now!

Korea Beef Patties

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion
1 medium carrot
1 box silken tofu
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt (or less, depending on preference)
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil for frying

1) peel carrot, shred it into fine shreds.  I find cheese graters to be perfect for this job.
2) chop onions into tiny cubes
3) combine carrot shreds, onion cubes, ground beef, tofu, salt, and garlic powder.  I just make sure my hands are washed really clean and then I get down and dirty with the ingredients.  Set aside.
4) heat vegetable oil.
5) use your hands to form the beef mixture into patties, dip them into the beaten eggs, then fry in frying pan.
6) to speed up the frying process, I usually cover the patties while they're frying.  I fry the patties for about 5 minutes each side, then I lay them on a paper towel lined plate for the oil to be absorbed.

Then voila!  You just enjoy!  You can either eat it the way it is, or dip into various sauces like my family does.  I like mine with ponzu sauce.  My husband likes his with tonkatsu sauce.  And my children like theirs with ketchup.  To each their own!

Lin