lemon bars

I can honestly say that I LOVE creating dessert bars. From the baking of the desserts, to the strategically packing everything into my car, to the setting of the table; the stress and rush is totally worth it.

This past weekend, I had a dessert bar order (photos to follow ...in another post).  A childhood friend of mine was having a HUGE wedding and wanted a HUGE dessert bar to match.  So much emotions flowed through my body the first hour or so I was there....THEY TOTALLY FORGOT THE DESSERT TABLE...AND THE TABLE CLOTH!!!! -_____- ... seriously, panic mode. I felt a mini break down coming.... I rushed on over to speak with the coordinator (quick cap: i shared with her the situation ...asking for help...and she responded with "what do you want me to do about it!")....SERIOUSLY!?!??!??? (slap her in the face...jk...but she totally deserves one)  but anyways, all in all everything came together in the end. I'm mighty glad it did.  I was able to attend the wedding ceremony and celebrate with the bride and groom.

even with that kinda stress, I still see hope to be in this industry one day (full time).  I'd take this kinda stress any day over a desk job...

10 year goal. still counting down....

on the brighter side, I baked some lemon bars ^^

Its a bit on the denser side.  I think i'll try the same recipe but maybe whip the egg whites and fold the lemon mixture into it to see what it'll do to the texture.

after some trial and errors, i will share the recipe and how each of them came out.

until then, enjoy a lemon bar under the sun ^^

seattle, washington part 1

in no particular order, I share with you places we visited while exploring the great Emeral City.

Voulas Offshore Cafe - seen on food networks - diners, drive ins, and dives.

Food is pretty decent and the portions are shareable.

**not very friendly service. AND the food took almost  1 HOUR for it to come out.  definitely not a place that should've been shown on triple D.  so yes my friends, if you would like to sit and wait one hour for your food while everyone around you gets their food, then I highly recommend it.

on to delicious pastries: Pirosky Bakery in Pikes Place, Seattle Wa.

the aroma that fills the streets leads to you this bakery.  lines run out the door but the wait is well worth it.

a hand held meal/pie is perfect for people on the go.  My favorite has to be the beef and onion. Delicious in my mouth.

Pikes Place, Fish Market

crab, tuna, oysters. all fresh, melt in your mouth awesomeness.

Lola, Seattle Wa

awesome place to go for night time happy hour. 

gyros are a must try along with a side of fries and hummus.

Molly Moons, Seattle Wa

A cute little ice cream store that makes all their unique flavors with local ingredients.

Watch the workers as they bust out fresh thin waffle cones regularly throughout the day.

part 2 coming soon

update

my friends and i went on a mini vaca to Seattle, Washington this past weekend.  And I know you're probably thinking " why seattle?" but lets just get past that question.

It was a nice time well spent away from California and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to go with.  We explored the wonderful city with our smart phones in hand and I will tell you it was quite a journey.  People here in socal drive everywhere, so walking from place to place, up and down the hilly blocks came as bit a of challenge. **side note: did you know that they only sell liquor in state owned liquor stores?  we found that out the hard way -____-.  anyways that was an interesting first day adventure.

I'm currently in the process of editing my pictures and putting everything together.  But I figured it'd be nice to just give a quick update (without pictures) before all my thoughts disappear into thin air.  The food was good and the city was pretty.  You don't know green until you see GREEN.  My goodness, I dont think I've EVER seen such green leaves, trees, stems, you name it.  Nature is greatly appreciated there.  It was literally a breath of fresh air haha.


quick info about life:
Things seem to be going in a positive route and I really do thank God for that.
1. last day at current work this friday.
2. new job starts next week.
3. 2 weddings to attend.
4. 2 wedding dessert bar orders.
5. mini retreat

I cant wait to see whats in store....

preview

a mini preview of Jamie and Alex's wedding.

pictures from one of the photographers: jon kim

Girls Night Out

Once at work, someone asked my friend and I, " what does your friendship revolve around?" and we both answered with "FOOD".

I been blessed with friends who enjoy food as much as I do. Who is willing to try out new hot spots and who are patient with my picture takings (of food).  Anyways, a couple of my lady friends and I decided that we would go on a mini adventure around LA.  

With a friend already out in LA, because of work, we decided that the rest of us would take the metro.  it was like a scene out of a movie: last friend arrived at my house at 3:30pm.  we quickly drove over to my parents store to leave the car and walk on over to the metro station (other side of railroad tracks).  realizing the quickest way around was to walk/slide/run down the hill, we all held tightly onto the rails and down to the street we went. ran to the station, purchased out tickets and in we went into the train.(6:49 exactly on the dot)

we then found a Mr. Churro and felt the need to try a churro.

i mean if a place is called MR. CHURRO, it better be good right? umm wrong.  it was just alright.  from what i think, the churro is fried hollow and then they cut it in half and fill the churro with the cream (not sure if its true...just my assumption). the churro was warm and the cream cold.

i'm definitely still a fan of the churros from Taco Station, Riverside CA.

anyways, went over to Little Tokyo to do some exploring.

Came across Mitsuri Cafe where we bought one of these (no idea what they're called).  its like a mochi with red beans inside.  my friends liked the texture (they like the mochi rice cake texture), me on the other hand not so much.  it was just alright.  

we then each ate a mini japanese dumpling

apologies of the blurriness. 

got picked up from our friend and headed towards the Grove/farmers market.

here some ate oysters.  we then all had a plate of Brazillian BBQ. yumm!!

while pondering on which cafe to go to, we dropped by MILK.

I've been meaning to come here for a while now.  I'm glad to say that i've finally been.  

Didnt try what was originally on my list (blue velvet cake) but I'm definitely glad that I tried something else.

We shared these amazing ice cream sandwiches.  If you're a fan of macarons and a fan of ice cream, we then this is a MUST try.  two awesome creations merging to be one. (i wish i was eating one right now).

Anyways, the chewy texture of the macaron shell marries perfectly with the creamy cold ice cream.

i guess i will soon have to try this out for myself.

maybe mini ice cream sandwiches.

a bit too much eating for one evening, but super fun and relaxing.

happy saturday everyone!

james and susan's wedding part 2

I received more pictures from the bride today.

Thought that I would share with you.

The pictures came out beautifully and I'm thankful that I'm able to share them with you.

i leave you now with my favorite picture.

happy wednesday everyone!

its a day closer to the weekend!!

photographer: Sarah Chen

part one

paulines bridal shower

i was invited to attend a beautiful bridal shower this past weekend.

completely DIY and completely gorgeous.

all crafted by her beautiful brides.

heres a couple pictures from the bridal shower.

(note to self: take pictures of human beings  -__-).

mushroom central. totally one of the most creative things i've ever seen.

i wish i could have thought of that. anyways, take a hard boiled egg and cap it off with a half cut tomato.

it'd be a good idea to make deviled eggs and cap them off (that'd be good. yummm).

now onto the dessert table.

had a whimsical and woodsy feel.

owl cake pops. super cute.

i. love. owls.

*hoot*

continuing with the woody theme, check out them acorns.

i'll end here with the picture of the dessert table.

congrats to the beautiful bride to be.

cant wait to see you on your wedding day ^^