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5 Things to Try This Month – January 2021

We are now beginning a new year. I hope everything will be better for everyone. If there are any take-aways from Year 2020, I’d summed up mine to two things: 1. life is unpredictable and 2. don’t take people you have in your life for granted.

Growing up I’ve always known or was told about how life doesn’t always turns out the way we want, and we have to cherish everyone and everything we have. However, as I got older, everything that went on in our daily lives seemed to validate these ideas even more so.

I don’t have any New Year resolutions for this year. I can foresee my stay-at-home life will continue for many more months this year. While I am home, I might as well utilize the time to do things that I enjoy.

Below are my five things for this month.

Nail

For me, when it comes to the nail color for the beginning of the year, there’s nothing better than red.
Gel Nails for Holidays 2019
(Red nails for the January; hope for a great new beginning.)

Painting

I recently purchased some paint by numbers painting kits. The kit comes with a canvas marked with numbers and areas. Each number correspondeds to the paint labeled in the kit. The one I am working on is an Italian landscape. I plan to finish it in January. Once I am done with this painting I want to frame it and hang on my home office wall.

Italian Landscape Painting
(My first paint by numbers project – Italian Landscape.)

Piano

I’ve learned how to play many of my favorite piano songs in the past few months. I want to learn more classic songs this year. I bought a new piano book, The Romantic Era Piano Album. This books has 51 songs from famous music composers, such as Chopin, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky, etc.

When the book first arrived to my home I had so much fun just to scan through the book put sticky notes on the songs I want to learn for now. It will take me months to learn them, but I am so excited to start my new learning journey.
(Here is my new piano practice book. I can’t wait to learn all the classic songs.)
The Romantic Era Piano Album
(My new piano book for this year.)

Accessories

It’s no secret that I love accessories with sequins and glitters. I used to love wearing UGG boots when I went out in the cold weather. Since I am staying home everyday I rarely get the chance to wear UGG boots. My feet get cold in the morning when I’m sitting in my home office working.  Nothing can beat the cozy short sequins UGG boots. If I need to light up my work mood, I know exactly where to turn my eyes to.

March 2021 Glittery Accessories
(My new cozy glitter boots to keep me warm.)

Reading Material

It’s always fun to start the year with a new book. The new book I plan on reading is “Meditation & Mindfulness” by Andy Puddicombe. For years, I’ve heard many people talking about how meditation help them with their well-being and health. I don’t know if meditation is for everyone, but it doesn’t hurt to understand what this is about and try to practice it to see if it makes any difference for me.

January 2021 Reading Material
(My very first meditation book.)

The Cover Image: This picture was taken the last time I saw my nieces in person, right before the pandemic. It was a wonderful time, which I hope to resume to, soon.
Cover Picture for January 2021

All Posts, Top Five

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.

Beauty, Fashion, Food, Top Five, Travel

5 Things to Try This Month – May 2017

May is the perfect time to embrace the Spring season! Among many things I planned to do in May, are: a family trip to Universal Studios Hollywood with my nieces, improve  my makeup techniques, and indulge myself for endless crepe desserts.

Listed below are my five things to try list for May. Hope it will inspire you to enjoy the season of Spring.

Improve My Makeup Techniques

During the first weekend of May, Nordstrom in Bellevue, Washington is hosting an event to promote the beauty brand, Charlotte Tilbury. It is created by the famous celebrity makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury. Before the promoting event weekend, one of the celebrity makeup artist, Kate, from Charlotte Tilbury, was giving a master makeup class on May 4th. I attended the session and had a great time learning the makeup brand’s new products.

Indulge in Layers of Crepes

I love to eat desserts and my recent sweet obsession is the Mille Crêpes cake from Lady M Confections bakery. Each Mille Crêpes cake is made of more than twenty thin layers of crepes and filled with light pastry cream between each layer. My favorite flavor from Lady M is the Green Tea Mille Crêpes cake. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I ordered the Mille Crêpes in Green Tea and Strawberries (seasonal)  to share with my family!

Break In the Summer Sandals

After the record rain in the Seattle area this winter, we finally got some long-awaited sunshine, This is the perfect time to break in your summer shoes. Try something with 3-D flowers, like Charlotte Olympia – Tara Embellished Metallic Leather Sandals.

Charlotte Olympia Tara Embellished Metallic Leather Sandals

Family Trip to the Universal Studios Hollywood

I don’t usually go to theme parks, but when I do, it’s always with my nieces. In the beginning of May, we went to the Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA. Our first stop at the theme park was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To avoid the long line, we arrived to the theme park right at 8:00 am when it was first open. We had the luxury of riding the rides (twice) before the crowds came in. I also took the photo right in front of the Hogwarts Express train with a cast member.

Expand My Reading Topics

I learned some basic Blackjack strategies in the past, but it was all based on the memorization of the Blackjack strategy cards. Every now and then I would play a few hands of Blackjack game in Vegas for fun (but I would only play it when I am with my experienced friends).  This month, I plan to go to Vegas with some family friends and I though it might be interesting to read up on the famous “Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One” book, by Edward O. Thorp. I am only half way through reading the book, but I am already fascinated with the explanations on the game strategies. I don’t plan to play a lot of Blackjack while I am in Vegas, but it would be great to understand what I am doing when I play!

Beat The Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One

All Posts, Top Five

5 Things To Try This Month – February 2016

It’s hard to believe that we are already into the second month of the year 2016.  It feels like it was just a couple of weeks ago we celebrated New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas with friends.

February is one of my favorite months.  One of the reasons is because many of my friends, my brother and I all have February birthdays.  Also, Valentine’s Day is in February.

Below are some of the things I want to do this month and I hope they will help to inspire you.

Drink the Limited-edition Nespresso Coffee

I am a big fan of Nespresso coffee.  I am always looking out for their limited-edition coffee flavors. Nespresso recently released two limited-edition coffee flavors “Tanim de Chiapas Mexico” and “Umutima wa lake Kivu Rwanda”.   Each of these coffees is packaged in a unique color design in pink or green.  I personally like both flavors, but I highly recommend the pink one.  Why? Because it’s the color of the month of Valentine’s Day!

Nespresso Coffee

Read the “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” Book

I picked up this book while I visited the new Amazon bookstore in Seattle.  The book begins by discussing the two different mindsets for people; fixed vs. growth.  People with a growth mindset are more likely to succeed because of their can-do attitude.  It has been a while since I’ve read any self-help  book.  I think it would be a good start for 2016.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Try the Dior’s 5 Colors Glowing Garden Eyeshadow Palette

Although we are still months away from the Spring season, it doesn’t hurt to complete your going-out look with warm shades of this limited edition eyeshadow makeup by Dior.  They will brighten up your look instantly.

Dior 5 Couleurs Glowing Gardens Couture Colours Eyeshadow Palette

Wear the Red Dress on my Birthday

Red is one of my favorite colors, especially when it comes to clothing.  I already picked up a red dress for my birthday celebration.  The dress I got is made by A.L.C., called Aldridge Sleeveless Sheath Dress.  It also comes in black, available on Saks Fifth Avenue.

A.L.C. Aldridge Sleeveless Dress

Send the Teddy Bear Heart Chocolate to Loved Ones

What’s not to love about a box filled with chocolates in a Teddy Bear Heart?  It’s cute and sweet.  It’s a great way to share love with the people you care about.

Sees Candies Teddy Bear Heart