Pho Little Saigon / Las Vegas

I was in Las Vegas for a work conference a couple weeks ago and saw a 24 hours pho place while driving around one evening. In fact, we found the Las Vegas Chinatown! It has a 99 Ranch Market and everything. Anyway, on the way out of town, we decided to cancel our reservation at the French restaurant we always go to and head off strip to Pho Little Saigon instead. So glad we did.



So, so, so tasty. And cheap. The springs rolls tasted fresh and the broth homey. Perfect way to cap off a few days in Las Vegas, ya know?

I got a yummy dessert to enjoy on the road.



Pho Little Saigon
3775 W. Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Cash Only

Got Rug?

Have I mentioned that Sergio and I are in a rug fight? I really want one to finish off the living room -- cozify it. It's not really a fight. I haven't been trying that hard. What's been happening thus far is that every once in a while, I point out a rug I like and hopefully ask him if he likes it too. He usually does not.

Well, he made the mistake of not coming with me to the last Rose Bowl Flea. I was left to be reliant on the enthusiastic advice of new friends so I came home with this.



Micio sure likes it. And I do too. Lots. I just wish it was smidge bigger. Right?

Monday Meow!

The cats love that chair. You can't really see it from the photo, but it's in rough shape.

HPK - Highland Park Kitchen

A new restaurant, HPK (Highland Park Kitchen) in walking distance to our house, soft opened last week. We were patrons at their first brunch service on Saturday. It was entirely empty except for us, the coffee vendor setting up the espresso machine, the sweet waitress, the chef, and the friendly owner, Rudy Martinez. He sat with us for quite a bit and we chatted about the restaurant and the neighborhood. He got us pretty excited about some of the things that are slated to happen on York, like a WINE BAR. Maybe even two! Ahh! But back to HPK (formerly Los Lobos, formerly Marty's).

First, they have classic brunch cocktails: your choice of Red or White Sangria, a Mimosa, or a Bloody Mary. And for $15 your glass is bottomless! yowsa! I ordered the White Sangria. Sergio didn't order anything but after chatting for bit....out came another glass and the entire pitcher! Probably because we were the only ones in the place. The Sangria was pretty nice and went down real easy. It was sweet and perhaps a bit more fruit floating around would have been more lovely, if only for effect. But I'm not complaining. It totally hit the spot.



As for food, I ordered the very fluffy Lemon Blueberry pancakes. I really liked this dish because it wasn't super sweet. It was tarty and tasty, and the juicy blueberries were inside the pancakes! Not just on top. I think maybe the dish could have been benefited from a little extra syrup on the side in case I did want to kick up the sugar levels, but I was happy. Sergio ordered the HPK breakfast which was two eggs, toast, bacon and hash browns. Sorry I didn't get a photo. He said the hash browns were pretty special.



We sat in the coveted window spot inside...but just think of all the leisurely brunches that are going to be had out in the dog friendly patio! We're intrigued by some of the other items on the menu for lunch and dinner, and prices seem good. We're just so happy to have another good restaurant on the block.



HPK officially launches with a party on Wednesday, February 29. Sergio and I will be there to show our support and mingle with our neighbors. Will you?

Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics

I discovered Alyson Iwamoto's work at the recent State of Unique (formerly Unique L.A.) Local Love show.



We chatted with Alyson for a bit. She told us about the labor-intensive process and a cute story of how her husband doesn't know what he's allowed to eat in the fridge anymore. I really wanted one of those gorgeous melon vases. Or the radish one. I ended up with this adorable brooch instead:



This little guy has stolen my heart but I'm sure going to keep an eye out for Alyson's fruit and veggie creations. Find her here: http://www.alysoniwamoto.com

Speaking of the event, I found a picture of us on the State of Unique blog! Mental note: Those pants are way better with a heel.

Happy Belated Valentines Day

Pretend that it's a week ago today, and then watch this. Enjoy!

Dinner with the Gotches

Judging by the fact that nearly all of the few photos I took have Jen in them, I'm obvs obsessed with the girl. We bonded over our mutual favorite brand of pasta - gluten free! I think I prefer it over normal pasta. Instead of tossing everything together, Jen put all the accouterments on the side: toasted pine nuts, prosciutto, shaved pecorino, sea salt flakes. This allowed guests full control over the flavor to fit exactly what their tastebuds wanted. I rather liked this concept and may try it myself!





We ended the meal with a Date with a Unicorn - basically a boozy date shake. The dreamiest drink I've had in ages. In fact, methinks I need to recreate this heaven in a sea salt rimmed glass A to the S-A-P!


P.S. I LOVE that first photo of Jen and Phil.

Colorful Roadtrip

All photos taken with my blackberry or sergio's iphone.

Thrifty Thursday! 2.16.2012

Tomorrow's House by Nelson and Wright.

The print and paper quality is not great. But the photos are super cool. There's an index of architects at the back, with street addresses! I doubt very many are still around or at those offices though.





What's fascinating is that the original owner underlined stuff. I wonder if they were building a house. I wish I knew.


From the PCC Flea.

Bottega Louie Breakfast

A weekend breakfast/brunch at Bottega Louie is really so wonderful. Except it's too loud. For me. There must be something wrong with my ears. We'll be back for sure, but early, before the crowd of loudness.





One day, I'm going to spend my morning at this gorgeous bar, sipping French 75 and nibbling on lemon ricotta pancakes.


Who wants to go with me?

Full photo set here.

GIRL CRUSH: Liu Wen

So I did a little research on a blossoming new girl crush. This girl is a supermodel. And, she is the first Asian face for Estee Lauder, as well as the first east-Asian to walk the Victoria's Secret show. Not clear on what took so long but whatever. And um, she made some Esquire list of sexy women. (Again, whatever.)

Gorgeous.


via Liu Wen's FB page


via Marilyn Agency NY FB page


via models.com


via models.com

Wouldn't it be nice though if couture allowed models to smile again? I mean look, why would you want to lock this up?


via Aujourd'hui a Paris


via Bonae L'Amour

Ahhh! So cute!

via Liu Wen's FB page.

I want to be her. No, I don't really. Well, maybe just a little. Seeing a Chinese face command this type of attention in fashion makes me happy.

Check out this sweet interview with Liu in W Magazine.

UPDATE: She and I share the SAME last name! That makes me illogically giddy.

Thrifty Thursday! 2.9.2012

This perfect butter dish called out to me. No, we don't NEED another butter dish. Don't judge.



The print is called Butterfield.

Unlike our other butter dish, I'm actually going to use this one for butter.

From the PCC Flea.

5. Lunch

Sofia Coppola's Marni for H&M Commercial

Did you spy my girl? The one from the Madewell catalog I obsessed over in the Fall of last year?

Sunday Smiles

Found via Apartment Therapy.

Party - like it's 1988!

A few months ago, we dressed up 80's style in honor of Lior's big 40th birthday bash. The awesome crew over at Urchin totally hooked us up. I think we looked FAB. Don't worry, I had black pumps to go with the leg warmers and socks.




I wish more people hosted themed parties. Dressing up is so fun. If you host a theme party and invite us, we will DO IT UP.

Valentine Sparkle

It's Friday! Thought I'd kick the weekend off with a sparkly, happy, candy color visit with Ban.do's Valentine's Day page. I kind of love it all, don't you?




Every gal needs a little candy in her wardrobe, no?