Tag Archives: 5 Things to Try This Month

My monthly column shares some new fashion accessories or interesting things of the month.

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5 Things to Try This Month – December 2017

We are now finally in December. Needless to say, most of the things I’d like to do in December involve some sort of holiday celebration. See below for my list.

Nespresso Holiday Coffee

Each holiday season Nespresso releases its holiday limited-edition coffee and espresso. For 2017, they offer three flavors for the Vertuo line and three flavors for the Original line. My favorite pick for the Vertuo line is the Peppermint and for the Original line is the Liquorice. You’d be surprised on how great the Liquorice flavor tastes with the steamed eggnog.

Luxury Hair Treatment

I don’t usually do much when it comes to styling my hair. The most I do is to put Moroccan oil on my hair after I wash it. A friend recently suggested to me to try the hair brush by Mason Pearson. Since I have long and thick hair, I bought a Mason Pearson’s Junior Mixture Nylon & Boar Bristle Hair Brush. After brushing, my hair instantly became shiny and fluffy. I love the way my hair looks.
Mason Pearson Junior Mixture Nylon & Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Invest a Velvet Jacket

Velvet is one of the big fashion trends for this season. Since it’s the holiday season, it is the perfect time to invest in a velvet jacket that you can wear to special events or holiday parties. The two most versatile colors of the velvet jackets are black and red. But you can always add some sophistication to your outfit by wearing a bordeaux velvet jacket.
Stella McCartney Velvet Blazer

Christmas Brunch by the Fountain

I’ve been to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve before and had a great time. This year I will be joining my family in Las Vegas for Christmas. It will be my three-year old niece’s first time to Las Vegas, and I think it would be fun for her to eat brunch by the Fountain of Bellagio. I know just the right spot for the gorgeous fountain view and it’s one of my favorite restaurants in the Bellagio hotel, Lago by Julian Serrano.
Lago by Julian Serrano

Holiday Celebration in the Theme Park

Last year’s New Year’s Eve I visited Spain and watched the fireworks from our W Hotel in Barcelona. This year, I will be in Orange County, California, visiting my brother’s family. And I plan to watch the fireworks from one of these theme parks in California.
Disneyland Holiday 2017

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5 Things to Try This Month – November 2017

November is the beginning of the holiday season. It’s time to think about what to do for Thanksgiving and where to shop for the Black Friday sales. It’s also a perfect time to update your wardrobe and bundle up for the cold weather.

Below are some of the things I suggest for November.

Update Beauty Product Collections with Glitters

As we are getting closer to the holiday season, beauty product companies are rolling out items with glitters and shimmery. It’s time to get a head start on building your Year 2017 holiday beauty collections. My suggestion is to start with the MAC’s Snow Ball Gold Pigment and Glitter Kit.
MAC Snow Ball Gold Pigment and Glitter Kit

Kick Off the Holiday Season with Nutcracker

Last weekend, my friend invited me to watch Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. I watched the Nutcracker Ballet a long time ago, but it was in December. Although I wasn’t ready for the holiday season before I watched the show, with the holiday decorations I saw and the music I heard during the Nutcracker Ballet, it all definitely got me into the holiday mode.

Bake Dessert for Friends and Family

The only times I’ve baked desserts have been during the holiday season. In the past year, I’ve mastered my baking skills for a couple of desserts. For this year, I’d like to add a new dessert to my baking list, so I can get ready for the holiday feasts with friends and family. And I am planning to bake a lot of cheesecake from scratch.

Invest in a New Warm Jacket

Last year when I visited Spain in December, I knew I would be sightseeing in various cities on daily basis and I’d need a warm jacket to help me get through the trip. I bought a Canada Goose jacket for the trip and it really served its purpose. A warm jacket like the one I bought was a good investment. For this year, I am looking into getting another down jacket in a different style and color.

(Picture taken at Toledo, Spain.)

Upgrade to New iPhone

My first iPhone was the 3GS, which I purchased in Year 2009. I love using iPhone so much, so I’ve been getting a new iPhone every two years. This year, Apple released two iPhone devices: iPhone 8 or iPhone X. I know I want the iPhone X and can’t wait to get mine!
Apple iPhone X

All Posts, Beauty, Fashion, Food, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – October 2017

When I think of October, I think about the changing color of the maple leaves and the chilly weather in Seattle.  These are the clear signs of the arrival of Fall. 

Below are five things I’d like to try this month to help me enjoy the Fall season.

Bake for Fall

I love to bake pumpkin loaf in the Fall. I’ve been having my eyes on the Williams Sonoma’s Nordic Ware Fall Loaf Pan, and I finally bought it last week. I plan to use my new Fall loaf pan to bake different kind of cakes this month.
Nordic Ware Fall Loaf Pan

Sea Urchin Feast

Sea urchin (uni) is one of my favorite seafoods. It tastes especially good when it is freshly opened up. On this past Friday, my friend hosted a uni feast party for our October gathering. We paired the uni with sake, and it was perfect. I plan on hosting a uni feast for my family this weekend.

Add Long Earrings to Wardrobe

Swarovski recently came up with new long crystal earrings. This is the exact earrings I’ve been looking for. This will come handy when I dine out with my friends during the upcoming Seattle restraurant week.
Swarovski Fit Long Pierced Earrings

Attending Private Fall Shopping Party

Nordstrom is hosting a private Fall shopping party this month in its local stores. I will be joining my friend for one of these private shopping events at the Nordstrom in Seattle area this Sunday. And we plan to get together for drinks before the event starts.  We are very excited to check out the shopping party!

Experiment with Skin Care Products

My skin tends to get dry in Fall and Winter. To help myself get through this season, I plan to experienment with different kinds of body lotion and ointments to keep my skin moisturized throughout the season.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream

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5 Things to Try This Month – September 2017

September is the beginning of the Fall season. Luckily, there are still a few sunny days left before the chilly weather kicks in. Below are five things that I am trying for September.

New Liquid Lip Colors

Rouge Dior Liquid Lip Stain is one of the latest beauty products Dior has launched recently. For someone like me, who loves lip color products from Chanel, Dior,and YSL, it’s hard to resist the temptation of getting my hands on the new Rouge Dior Liquid Lip Stain. Out of the 27 new Rouge Dior Liquid Lip Stain shades, I bought Impulsive Matte, Spicy Metal, Impetuous Satin, and Rock’n’Metal. I guess these should be plenty for me to use in September.

Black Truffle

My friends and I plan a trip to Las Vegas in the beginning of September. One of our favorite restaurants in Las Vegas is “Sinatra” at the Encore Resort. It’s part of our tradition to try their pasta dish with black or white truffles at the Sinatra restaurant. And I expect our upcoming experience will be as great as always.

Making Paella

While I visited Spain in the past January, I really enjoyed eating paella at different local restaurants. I haven’t found many restaurants in Seattle that offer great paella. My goal for this month is to try to make paella. I just bought a paella pan and I am looking forward to trying it.

Embroidered Hat

Embroidered hats have been very popular in the summer. If you haven’t tried one, it’s not too late to do that for September. Usually, it’s hard for me to find a hat that fits me perfectly, but I found one for my September trip to Las Vegas. Embroidered Beach Hat

Bookstore for Fun

Amazon just opened another brick-and-mortar bookstore in Bellevue, Washington. I had the chance to visit it a few weeks ago. I found a new book that I’d like to read for September. The book is “Thinking Fast and Slow”. It’s a book about behavioral sciences and explains the systems that define how we think and respond at every moment of our daily life. I can’t wait to read the book and find out more about the topics.
Think Fast and Slow Book

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5 Things to Try This Month – July 2017

July is the beginning of the second half of the year. It is also the month for the 4th of July holiday; it’s time for some fun with friends and family.

Below are my top five things to try for this month.

Celebrate the 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of the holidays I love to celebrate with family and friends. To enjoy the special holiday, what can be more fun than donuts with America flag and my favorite Long Shadows wines from the wineries in Walla Walla, Washington?

Classic Sandal for Summer Wedding

I am going to a friend’s wedding in Lake Louise, Canada, this Summer. I am still looking for a dress for the wedding reception, but I just found a simple and classic silver sandal to go with any color and style of silhouette. It’s Casanova Sandal 105 by Aquazzura.

Floral Lace for Brunch

This is a perfect month for outdoor brunch with friends. A floral mini dress with a layer of lace would be perfect for the outing. Try Self-Portrait’s Floral Vine Cape Mini Dress.
Self-Portrait Floral Vine Cape Mini Dress

Read a Book

A re-make movie, “Murder on the Orient Express”, will be released in November, 2017. This is based on a fiction story by the famous author Agatha Christie. It’s about a millionaire being murdered on a stopped train strained by a snowdrift. The movie cast includes some of my favorite actors and actresses, such as Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. I can’t wait to read the book before the movie is released.
Murder On The Orient Express Book

Visit Special Exhibition

Artist Yayoi Kusama’s exhibition is now available in Seattle Art Museum this Summer. I plan to visit the exhibition, “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors”, in July.

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5 Things to Try This Month – June 2017

June is the beginning of Summer, which is the perfect time for many kinds of outdoor activities (despite the heat and humidity). The activities I am referring to can be anything from hiking to wedding receptions.  I am not a big fan of physical exercise, so hiking is out of question for me. The best I could do in terms of exercise is walking or an indoor exercise class.

Below are some of this things I’d like to try for June, which includes some commitments to keeping myself healthy. 

Indulgent on National Doughnut Day

June 2nd is the National Doughnut Day! My family loves to eat sweets; we used to buy two dozen  doughnuts and finish them in three days (and we were lucky enough to maintain our weights)! We haven’t done this for a while, because this was very unhealthy. But for the National Doughnut Day, I plan to buy a dozen of assorted doughnuts to indulge my sweet tooth.

Get Into Shape for Summer

For years, my family-care physician has been telling me to get into a weekly exercise routine for personal wellness. I’ve been putting it off until now. My goal for this Summer is to try the Pure Barre (small movements to build toned body muscles) classes whenever I can. After my feast on the National Doughnut Day, I think I would really need to work it off!

x-pure-barre

Concert for Reminiscing  the Old Times

This month, the New Kids On The Block, Paula Abdul, and Boyz II Men will be performing in the Key Arena, in Seattle, Washington. My friend is a big fan of the New Kids On the Block group, so she asked me to go with her to watch the concert. It has been a while since I watched any concert. I am looking forward to the performance.
June2017Concert

Picking a New Pair of Shades for This Summer

Sunglasses is a wardrobe essential in the warm seasons. Picking up a perfect one that fits to my face and my style is not an easy thing. For this month, it will be my mission to find a new pair of shades to add to my Summer wardrobe. Chloe – Carlina Round Sunglasses.

Chloe Carlina Round Sunglasses

New Luggage for Domestic Traveling

When I travel domestically within the U.S. I prefer to use the medium size of luggage (about 26 inches in length). Since I fly frequently throughout the year, it takes a toll on my current go-to medium luggage. 

It’s time for me to get a new go-to luggage, and I just ordered the Rimowa Salsa Deluxe Multiwheel in Red. I’ve heard that Rimowa luggages are very durable and I love the red color. I think it will be much easier to spot the luggage on the baggage carousal at the airport. I can’t wait to start to use mine!

Rimowa Salsa Deluxe Multiwheel Luggage

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5 Things to Try This Month – September 2013

September is one of my favorite months of the year. It is because I love Fall fashion and I enjoy the holidays that are coming up. Not that I don’t feel sorry that Summer is over soon, but I love the season change which helps me to appreciate each season more. There are many things I want to try in September. Below are the top five on my list.

Bake Regularly

After I baked the Apricot-Ginger Pound Cake last Friday (see 5 Friday Favorites), I am now in a new baking mode. I want to get into the habit of making desserts more often, so I can show off my new skill during the holiday season.

Chocolate Cupcake

Be Prepared for Fall Fashion

September is always a fun month in the Fashion and Beauty world. I can’t wait to attend the Art of Fashion Show hosted by Neiman Marcus and the Beauty Trend Show hosted by Nordstrom. During this time of the year I get to see all the new Fall trends and stock up the accessories and products I need.

Check Out the Chanel Fall 2013 Makeup Collection

Chanel launched its makeup products for Fall – Collection Superstition. Kkhaki brown for eyes and apricot/peachy shades for cheeks and lips are the color theme in this collection. These colors complement each other well to create a soft and yet sophisticated look for the new season.

Chanel Fall 2013 Makeup Collection

Try Girlie Skirts for a Fit-and-Flare Style

The mini skirt is one of the key pieces for this Fall fashion. It’s time to choose a girlie skirt to spice up the look. For a conservative approach, try T by Alexander Wang, Bonded Jersey & Neoprene Skirt, and if you’re in a more trendy mood try Free People’s Cheetah Jacquard Skirt.

T by Alexander Wang, Bonded Jersey & Neoprene Skirt

Visit the Luminasia Light Show

Luminasia is a light show with a different twist. Luminasia takes the traditional art of Chinese lantern making and evolves it into a fascinating art form. The show is at the Washington State Fair in September 2013.

Luminasia

All Posts, Beauty, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – August 2013

Here are my top five things I would like to try for August 2013.

CC Cream for Your Hair

Alterna’s Caviar CC Cream

We’ve seen many companies launch CC cream or “Complete Correction” for face. If your face deserves such special treatment, what about your hair too? To protect your hair from heat and UV, and keep them smooth and soft, Alterna’s Caviar CC Cream ($25) is a great way to start.

Cocktail Reception with Jason Wu

Nordstrom hosted a cocktail reception for Jason Wu to promote Fall 2013 collection for his Miss Wu line. The event was on Thursday, August 1, in Bellevue, WA. Not only did I get to chat with him at the event, I even got a new dress autographed by him during the reception. Read more.

New Makeup Line by Marc Jacobs

Makeup Line by Marc Jacobs

I’ve been waiting to see Marc Jacobs’ new makeup collection for months.  It is finally launching in August at Sephora. I can’t wait to attend the special launch event on August 9! Read more.

Polka Dots with a Touch of Colorblock

Linen Colorblock Dot Top

I am a big fan of polka dots. For a choice of new tee, what can be more delightful than picking JCrew’s polka dot top with three-quarter colorblock sleeves? I can see myself wearing it on a laidback Sunday with friends.

Try a Nutrient-rich Food

Makeup Line by Marc Jacobs

Quinoa, has been in the spotlight as a healthy, nutrient-rich food lately. It is packed with good things such as Vitamin E, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. Unlike most healthy green vegetables, such as broccoli, which loses its valuable nutrients when boiled for too long, Quinoa maintains its nutrient benefit regardless of how you cook it. Since I’ve heard so many great things about quinoa, I’d like to add it to my regular diet.

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5 Things to Try This Month – July 2013

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Here are my top five things I would like to try this month.

Asian-inspired Fine Dining in Las Vegas

Andreas Restaurant at Encore, Las Vegas

Andrea’s restaurant in Las Vegas is the latest addition to the Encore hotel. I’ve been wanting to go there since they opened. It’s a trendy restaurant with steak, seafood, Chinese Dim Sum, and Japanese sushi.

Dream Interpretation Journey

It’s a unique kind of spa experience offered in QUA Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. During the session, the trained dream coach will help you to better understand your dreams using Jungian archetypes (whatever that means!). For fun, I’d like to try it while I am in Las Vegas for my friend’s bachelorette party.

Pamper Your Skin with the Secret Oil

Kate Somerville’s Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment

Try Kate Somerville’s Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment,$65. Dilo oil is the common natural ingredient the native women on Fiji Island use to protect their skin from aging. Kate Somerville’s Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment combines dilo oil with other beneficial ingredients to improve skin hydration and firmness.

Reinvented Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

Louis Vuitton Speedy for Prefall 2013

Louis Vuitton has reinvented its iconic Speedy 30 with sequins on Damier canvas for Prefall 2013 – Damier Paillettes. The bag has already been launched and comes in three colors: red, blue, and black. The bag in black is my favorite.

Unlined Sexy Demi Bra for Summer

Victoria's Secret New Unlined Demi Bra

Victoria’s Secret launched new unlined demi bra for its “Body by Victoria” collection. The new bra is made of thin layer of lace. It’s sexy and perfect for summer weather. I have my eyes set on “Lilac Frost” and “Timeless Pink”.