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All Posts, Food, Travel

The Bearfoot Bistro Restaurant in Whistler, Canada

Recently, my friend and I decided to take a quick, impromptu weekend trip to Whistler, Canada. Whistler is a fantastic ski resort area about two hours north of the Washington (state) border. On our first evening in Whistler, we decided to eat at the Bearfoot Bistro restaurant, Unlike most upscale restaurants in Whistler, the Bearfoot Bistro is not located inside a hotel; it is a standalone establishment.

Overall, I’d give our experience a rating of 8 out of 10. Both the service and the food were very good but not amazing.

I’d describe the Bearfoot Bistro as a modern restaurant with no particular emphasis. To cut to the chase, out total bill, including wine, was about $115 per person — certainly a bit pricey, but not crazy expensive.

My friend and I both had a five-course meal. My meal started with albacore tuna tartar, garnished with spicy octopus/calamari. This was followed by foie gras and chicken liver parfait. It was good but not exceptional. Next was wild mushroom risotto with parmesan cheese; I added scallops and it was excellent! My fourth course was braised lamb with Brussel sprouts and squash puree. It was light and not gamey and I liked it a lot. My fifth and final course was my dessert; I had the pecan and bourbon ice cream tart. It was very good.

Albacore Tuna Tartar - w. Octopus
Albacore Tuna Tartar – w. Octopus

If you’re ever in Whistler, Canada, I recommend that you give some consideration to the Bearfoot Bistro. It’s a bit pricey, but overall, well worth the experience.

Foie Gras & Chicken Liver Parfait - with Fig Puree
Foie Gras & Chicken Liver Parfait – with Fig Puree
The Bearfoot Bistro Restaurant at Whistler, Canada
Wild Mushroom Risotto with Scallops
Praised Peace Country Lamb
Praised Peace Country Lamb
Pecan & Bourbon Tart - w. Pear & Bourbon Tart
Pecan & Bourbon Tart – w. Pear & Bourbon Tart
All Posts, Fashion

Mary Jane Pumps by Saint Lauren

Do you own a pair a Mary Jane pumps?

I really like Mary Jane style pumps. When I was young I often wore that style. Recently, the Mary Jane style has been updated and modernized. In particular, Saint Lauren recently released five creative designs that are especially interesting.

Saint Laurent Patent Leather Mary Jane Pump Nordstrom

Saint Laurent Patent Leather Mary Jane Pump

Of the five Saint Laurent styles — Gold Glitter Leather, Patent Leather with Silver Glitter Heel, Animal Print, Patent Leather with White Stripe, and Patent Leather with Multi-Stripe and Kitten Heel — my two favorites are the Gold Glitter Leather and the Patent Leather with Silver Glitter Heel.

The Gold Glitter Leather style is beautiful but I think it could be worn only on special occasions. The Silver Glitter Heel is the most versatile. I can imagine myself wearing this style to work or for an evening out almost anywhere.

I wondered about why this particular style is called “Mary Jane”. It turns out that the Mary Jane style, which is characterized by a closed toe and one or more thin straps, has been popular for many decades. The style first became called “Mary Jane” starting in 1904 because a hugely popular newspaper comic strip called “Buster Brown” featured a young girl character named May Jane who always wore the style.

My male friend especially liked the Saint Laurent Animal Print model. He thought that style combined classy and sexy. But I thought the Animal Print style was better suited to a younger girl rather than a woman. What do you think?

Mary Jane pumps have been fashion staples for over 100 years. If you don’t have a pair, consider adding one or more to your wardrobe for the Winter or Fall seasons.

Saint Laurent Glitter Mary Jane Pump

Saint Laurent Glitter Mary Jane Pump

Saint Laurent Animal-Print Mary Jane Pump

Saint Laurent Animal-Print Mary Jane Pump

All Posts, Food, Travel

Breakfast at the Tableau Restaurant in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world. But I’ve always been sort of surprised that there aren’t too many super nice places to eat breakfast in Las Vegas. Las Vegas isn’t really much of an early-morning city.

There are plenty of places to eat breakfast in Vegas but most of them are either buffets or very casual cafe-style restaurants. Probably my favorite restaurant to eat breakfast at is the Tableau restaurant in the Wynn hotel. Tableau has a great menu, great service, and great ambience.

The menu has the basic breakfast items such as eggs with bacon or sausage, and pancakes. But Tableau also has some special items. I love Tableau’s orange and chocolate French toast. And the special Tableau breakfast potatoes are like little potato pancakes.

Tableau4

Breakfast at Tableau, Las Vegas

The presentation at Tableau is always just right. The jams come in elegant little ceramic containers, and there are cute little salt and pepper dispensers. The service at Tableau is a perfect balance of semi-formal and casual.

If you are a breakfast person, the next time you are in Las Vegas, consider making a reservation at the Tableau restaurant in the Wynn hotel.

For more restaurants in Las Vegas, read “Five of My Favorite Places for Breakfast in Vegas” and “Top Ten Restaurants in Las Vegas“

All Posts, Fashion, Travel

Traveling Outfit for My California Trip

After being in the rain in Seattle for weeks, it’s really nice for me to go to sunny Orange County, CA, to visit my brother and sister-in-law and my niece.

Last night while I was packing I knew exactly what I was going to wear to the airport! I wanted something light, layer-able, and that would keep me warm while I went to work in the morning, and then would make me comfortable when I flew out in the afternoon .

For my top, I wore a short sleeve light gray t-shirt and my most recent favorite cashmere hoodie sweater. I also wore a moto faux leather jacket that I bought last Spring. I always love the combination of hoodie weathers with a short jacket/blazer. It’s a casual and stylish combination.

For bottom, I worn my new Citizen of Humanity skinny jeans in black. They’re so comfy; almost like a legging. Usually I prefer True Religions with crystals for skinny jeans, but the comfort  of this new Citizen skinny made it an easy choice for me.

Citizens of Humanity Skinny Stretch Leggings – $178 via Nordstrom

Citizens of Humanity Skinny Stretch Leggings

For shoes, I wore my Vince Blair 5 slip-on sneakers in black. If I really want to upgrade my look after I arrive to Orange County I can always take off my cashmere hoodie and put on my red slingback Christian Loubouton.

Vince Blair 5 Slip-on Sneakers – $195 via Nordstrom

Vince – “Blaire 5″ Slip-on Sneaker in black

Of course, my outfit is not complete without a handbag. Since my clothing and shoes are all in neutral gray and black, I wanted something to brighten it up. I choose my Louis Vuitton Alma in the new Cerise – bright orange color.

Now, I am really ready for the sunny California!

Louis Vuitton Venis Alma in Cerise

All Posts, Fashion

Walley Smock Sweater by “Marc by Marc Jacobs”

Recently I bought a sweater that’s unlike any I owned before. It’s called the Walley Smock Sweater by Marc by Marc Jacobs. It’s an over sized, loos fitting, sweater with a chunky knit material and crewneck.

I was looking at new Fall apparel and came across the Walley online. I knew I wanted it right away! The styling is casual, but trendy. The sweater is hard to descript in words, but in some ways it’s sort of like a cross between a sweater and a sweater dress.

Walley Smock Sweater - Marc by Marc Jacobs

When I bought the Walley, I already knew what I’d wear it with–a black legging or skinny jeans, a long sleeve black or white blouse, and tall black boots.

The first time I put on an outfit featuring the Walley, I was very happy with the way it all turn out.

The Walley comes in three colors: black, gray, and olive green. All three colors are nice and your choice should depend on what you plan to pair the Walley with.

I highly recommend that you check out the Walley Smock Sweater by Marc by Marc Jacobs. An unusual sweater like this is a great way to try something new!

 

All Posts, Fashion

I Love My New Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots

Last year I bought a pair of Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots in Burnt Red. I liked the style and color very much, and so when I was in San Francisco for a birthday gathering a few days later, my friends and I went shopping and we all bought a pair of boots from Saks. I got the Frye’s.

Frye Phillip Riding Boots in Burn Red

(To buy the boots click here or the image above.)

After I bought the red pair, a few days later I saw the same style in Black. I really liked the Black, but I hesitated because, first, I had just bought a pair boots (the Burnt Red Frye’s), and second, I already have several pairs of black boots.

Frye Phillip Riding Boots in Black

(To buy the boots click here or the image above.)

But I really wanted those black Frye’s!

So, several months after my trip to San Francisco, one night I was browsing online and discovered the Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots in Black, on sale! This time I didn’t hesitate and bought them immediately.

Fast forward a week later, I received my boots. I wore them to work the very next day.

I love the way the boots fit me, their feel, and their look. I was in great mood all that day long. As Lady Gaga sings, “You are who you wear it’s true. A girl’s just as hot as the shoes she choose”.
Walley Smock Sweater - Marc by Marc Jacobs

All Posts, Fashion

Fall 2014 Trend: Over-the-Knee Boots

Boots that are over-the-knee have been around for many years. You might remember in the movie “Pretty Woman”. Juliet Roberts, when she was “working” (as a call girl), met Richard Gere, and was wearing black patent, over-the-knee boots with high heels. At that time, such boots were considered a bit too sexual.

PrettyWoman

Fast forward to Fall 2014. Over-the-knee boots are the current fashion trend. In 2014, tall boots usually come in either high heel style or flat sole style. These boots come in several different materials, including leather (both with and without a pattern), suede, and combinations of synthetic and leather materials.

Frye Shirley Riding Over-the-Knee Boots

My current favorite is Frye’s “Shirley Over-the-Knee boots“. I am a big fan of all Frye’s boots and what could be better than Shirley wearing a pair of “Shirley’s”! The leather on this style is soft, unlike some boots which can be a bit too stiff. And the style is versatile enough so that the boots can be worn with skirts, jeans, or casual dresses.

If you’ve been thinking about a new pair of boots for this Fall or Winter, check out over-the-knee boots.

Frey “Shirley” Over-the-Knee boots – $477.95 via Nordstrom

Frye Shirley Over-the-Knee Riding Boots

All Posts, Fashion

The New Louis Vuitton Alma PM in Cerise Red

Red is a funny color. There are so many different shades of red, and even the slightest difference in color can make a huge difference in perception.

In August 2014, LV released a new color for the Vernis handbag and accessories. It’s a stunning new red hue named Cerise. The Cerise color is very difficult to describe in words. I’d say it is a bright red with hints of orange.

CeriseBag

(* The photo above shows my Cerise color Alma bag next to my Pomme d’Amour color wallet and key pouch.)

When I first saw a picture of an Alma PM size handbag in Cerise color in the Bellevue, Washington LV store, in late June, I just had to ask my favorite sales guy Dean to reserve one for me when the store received their first (and only!) one.

As it turned out, the Bellevue LV store received a single Cerise Alma PM handbag a few days before the official launch date of August 1, 2014. So Dean called me when the bag arrived, to alert me that the bag was there. I wasn’t able to go to the store in person, so Dean sent me a photo he took on his cell phone.

I was pretty sure I liked the new color, but I wasn’t completely convinced I had to have it. I showed several of my friends (both male and female) the photo, and they all loved the color!

But I still hesitated to buy it, because I already had a Vernis bag in red. However, it was a slightly darker red called Pomme d’Amour. Anyway, to make a long story short, I finally made up my mind and bought the Alma PM in the new Cerise color!

I think I made a good decision. I love my new Cerise bag and have gotten quite a few compliments while carrying it in Las Vegas and everywhere I go. The bright color always brighten my mood!

All Posts, Fashion

Cashmere Hoodie Sweater for Fall

I am a big fan of cashmere sweaters for the Fall and Winter seasons. Each year I like to add some new cashmere sweaters (from V-neck to turtle neck) to my collection. I usually like to get non-basic colors, such as different shades of red, green, purple, and blue. This year I am more into a particular basic color – grey.

One of my all-time favorite designs for cashmere sweaters is the zip-front hoodie. In my opinion, it is quite versatile. I can wear one over a tank top and zip it up as a regular sweater. Or wear one over a tee-shirt and unzip the sweater as a  jacket.

Another way I like to wear a zip-front cashmere hoodie sweater is to layer it with a blazer. This combination adds some fun and style to the outfit. It’s perfect for a casual Friday at work or outing on the weekend.

Ann Taylor Cashmere Hoodie – $189 via Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Cashmere Hoodie

JCrew Cashmere Hoodie

JCrew Cashmere Hoodie

Vince Cashmere Blend Thermal Hoodie – $395 via Nordstrom

Vince Cahmere Blend Thermal Hoodie

All Posts, Fashion

Plaid for Fall 2014

One of the must-have trends for Fall 2014 is plaid. This season, we are seeing a lot of plaid from top to bottom. Plaid shirts, skirts, pants, jackets, handbags, and shoes are all making their appearance in Fall fashion.

Out of all the plaid clothes and accessories, my favorite is the skirt, such as Saint Laurent Paris’ mini-skirt. I had a short skirt and a dress in a similar pattern when I was little. Seeing the Saint Laurent Paris’ mini-skirt reminds me how much I loved my plaid. Pairing them with black tights was my favorite.

Even though it has been many years since I wore a plaid skirt or dress, my passion for plaid never diminished. Burberry cashmere plaid scarves are one of my annual cold weather essentials.

Although I am very fond of plaid accessories, I don’t necessary like every plaid stilettos. Manolo Blahnik shoes has a “BB Pump” with a plaid design in green, light brown, blue, and several other colors. To be honest, I really don’t like it that much, but I can see how some people might like it a lot.

Have you updated your wardrobe with plaid design? It’s not too late to start, now. Check out Nordstrom, Saks, .

Saint Laurent Paris Tartan Kilt – $1,750 via Nordstrom

Saint Laurent Paris Tartan Kilt Skirt

Manolo Blahnik BB Plaid Pointy Toe Pump – $695 via Nordstrom
Manolo Blahnik BB Plaid Pointy Toe Pump