{weekend note}

♫♪ April in Paris by Thad Jones

It's been one of those weeks where I have been putting off major to-dos. That's allowed, right? I mean I did just host the dinner party of the year last week. It was so much fun that I didn't even have time to take snaps, sadly. I guess I'll just have to invite you next time. It's also going to be one of those weekends where I have a list of things I would like to get done, but I'm going to conveniently place it in a little corner where I can't find it. So, I don't know what I'm going to do this weekend. No plans. No obligations. No complaints. I don't know what I'll do with myself, but I am pretty excited about the spontaneity that is about to ensue!

Thus, my mantra for the weekend...   

and of course a few weekend links.

Spotted: The perfect marriage between navy + black.

Lived in & exuberant.

25 map-inspired DIY.

Kate Spade inspired baby shower.

Couture & cocktails.

DIY wine gift bag.

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Give yourself a manicure.

A painter's home.

The recipe you all have been waiting for.

Spring dinner + printouts.

Travel with these.

For more inspiration through the weekend visit here, here and here.

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House made of Euros, literally.

Swaying Myanmar.

Furniture meets digital age.

For the fan of Wuthering Heights.

photographs via {1} {2} {3}

five essentials : travel necessities

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I'm sure some of you know that I travel extensively. Soon enough, my life is going to change a bit and I will be traveling more than I do now! [I will share the news with you soon.] I think I have the packing list memorized by now and perfected my airport security line methodology. So, I thought I'd share my five travel-friendly necessities.

{Touch-Up Tube} I think I have 4 or 5 of these laying between my suitcases, purses and weekend totes. The slim, chic tube holds all the necessary brushes to perfect my looks. They really are great quality brushes and I have even washed mine for prolonged use. They fit in the tiniest purses too! 

{Moleskin Travel Journal} If you've been reading the blog for a while, you will know that I'm absolutely obsessed with Moleskin/journals in general. I am a planner, but when it comes to exploring cities and countries, I like to see where my feet take me. Always, alway note where you've gone, what you did, and any other exciting details. You never know when it will come in use again! Plus, when you're putting together a travel scrapbook, you will have a reference! 

{Portable Charger Pack} I had the hardest time keeping all my wires organized and untangled, so I opted to purchasing this charger pack. The others that I've seen were either too bulky or had chargers that I would never use. This is practical! There's a USB, plus it's Mac friendly, unlike some of the others I saw. I suggest checking out their site and the video. 

{Lo & Son's O.G. Bag} I saw the Lo & Son's bag on Anh's blog and completely fell in love with them. They are a bit pricey, but if you tend to travel a lot or spend weekends here and there, it's the perfect bag for you. What I have laid out on top is only half of the amount that actually fits in the bag. Sturdy, chic and washable. Well worth the money!

{ShaveMate} I will admit that I had my doubts about this. I'm not a fan of carrying shaving cream since the pressure on airplane's bursts it open. A friend recommended this to me and I was not quite sure if I'd really use it. I was wrong. It holds about 8 shaves worth of shaving cream and works just like any high quality razor. Plus, it saves space since I don't have to carry or pack bulky shaving cream! 

Have anything you can't live without or is incredibly travel friendly?

parties & entertaining : spring dinner

It's well into spring and it makes me want to stay outdoors to enjoy the cool breeze and the smell of blooming flowers! Since laying my eyes on these gorgeous flower from Whitney's garden, I've inspired to organized a purple spring dinner party. 

via {1} {2} {3} {4}

I thought you'd enjoy these cute little printables 

I made for you so you can host your own spring dinner party!

Just click and print.

      

Designed by me and pattern created by Jo Klima of The August Empress.

recipe : momma c&é's chicken curry

So here it is, my friends. The recipe you all have been waiting for, asking for, and emailing/tweeting/messaging me for. I actually had tons of fun putting this recipe and post together. See, this is my mom's personal recipe. Her first attempt at making chicken about 20-some years ago and it turned out perfect [obviously]! Since then, she has prepared this dish for countless events and occasions of all different sizes and now, she is known for this chicken dish.

Since I'm not incredibly comfortable with the Indian cuisine, I thought I'd ask my mother for help. It was nice. My mom, dad and I popped a few beers and my parents taught me a few tricks for cooking Indian food. [Yes, both my parents are connoisseurs in the kitchen.] Cold brews, hot naan and spicy curry... can't get better than that.

For more recipes visit my interactive recipe index! 

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Click on the image to enlarge the recipe.

Print on a 3 x 5 index card setting and store with the rest of your recipes!

design : a painter's home

designed by c&é // photos via

five essentials : to the perfect manicure

Make sure your nails are dry before you start filing them. Filing wet nails ends up splitting and breaking the nails. It is important to just lightly file your nails so you don't overdo it and ruin the shape. 

I don't like to use pretentious products just because there is always a positive and a negative behind each product. I just add one pump of handsoap to lukewarm water and soak your hands in them for a few minutes. I suggest a big bowl so you can get your hands in them. The soap will clean your hands and soothe your skin! For the scrub, I use a half-half mixture of olive oil and sugar. It softens up your skin and gets rid of dead skin.  

There are so many techniques for taking care of your cuticles. I use a damp, warm, thin washcloth. Gently press your cuticles back with the towel. I would suggest not cutting your cuticles. This makes your skin and open pores prone to infection. Leave that one for the pros! 

I think the most important tool for a manicure is the buffer. Gently buff your nails around the edges. This prevents snagging and even chipping. The true beauty, however, is that perfectly buffed nails allows for an even coat of polish.

This is everyone's favorite part! Be sure to add a base coat before your polish to keep your nails healthy. After a fresh coat of polish, top off with a top coat to prevent chipping. Let your nails dry then run your nails under cold running water. Yes, this works! I usually paint my nails an hour before I go to bed. Right before heading off to sleep, I run my nails under cold water and it prevent the crinkly lines! Another tip that I used to do when I was in dance shows was spraying just a bit of cooking oil spray on the tips of my fingers.

There you have it! My very own, fool proof manicure methods. I would love to hear any of your tips and secrets, so be sure to share. 

{weekend note}

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♫♪ Topsy by Ike Quebec

As mentioned in yesterday's post, I had a pretty eventful week! It was nice to sprinkle a little fun over all the pressing responsibilities. I do have a special evening to set up and get ready for! The around the world party is tonight and the to do list is just about done. I'll be making the Thai panang curry I shared with you last week, but will use tofu instead of chicken. I've also come up with two signature cocktails that I will share with you soon! So onto my first task, picking some mint from the garden, which is an ingredient in one of my cocktails!  

And for you, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite links from this week.

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Gorgeous Elle Russia spring spread.

I'm liking this simple look.

A spring in her step.

Not too colorful out? Make your own flowers for spring.

Textures, patterns and wood.

Need this perfect, two-toned gem.

My home smells like my breakfast.

Who can braid hair?

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Simple and chic.

A desert getaway.

Cheers to elderflower.

A giveaway.

Snaps by Duffy.

Around the world in one night.

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Battle over Monet.

This article is on my former professor's brother.

Corn chips.

Deeper problems than Kony.

parties & entertainment : around the world

What a great week it has been! I saw the first show of The Hunger Games, completed all my tasks for the week on Wednesday [I know!], and ending the week with a bang as I host an around the world party! Oh, that's not it, I'll be headed over to Meli's on Sunday to teach her how to make one of my favorite recipes. 

More on the around the world party though. I will be hosting friends who are encouraged to cook something from a different country. Yes, it's a potluck! Some countries we will cover are Thailand, France, Germany, Argentina and Greece. Thought I'd share my party inspiration board with you as I get ready for the party fun on Saturday! And I'm sure you're wondering what I'm cooking? My Thai panang curry!

{1} {2} {green striped straws} {aqua globe} {map detail letter} {continents cookie cutters} {globe} {aqua stemmed glassware} {beer from the world}

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Also, I wanted to share something incredibly sweet and exciting! Joy of Frock Files mentioned my blog on her Follow Friday series! Thanks again for all the c&é love.

oh, snap! : brian duffy

I've been snapping away on my Canon AE-1, but I wanted some inspiration on taking pictures of people. Cameras capture moments and memories so beautifully, but it's hard to capture emotion and attitude. So I embarked on a personal research project, looking at photographs taken by renowned photographers of the mid 90s. I came across one, Brian Duffy. The photographs speak to you.

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{via}

Aren't these just stunning and powerful? The last one is my favorite by far. Just think, that particular photograph was taken in Morocco. In the 60s, there were no boundaries, but the world outside our home was so exotic to us. Also, photograph five, I wish that was me. Can't you imagine it? Joking... kind of.

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I've got a few shots left in this next set of film. Then I've got some features to share with you. Any film photographers you think I should check out?

Giveaway : T+J Designs

I absolutely am smitten with T+J Designs. They have fashion forward jewelry for a quarter of the price, and I could go on and on about the quality. I had to share their awesome giveaway with you! Just head on over to T+J Design's Facebook page, like their page and spread the word! Super simple. Right?

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recipe : elderflower cordial

Why didn't anyone tell me about the great treats of Ikea? Seriously, why didn't you? I knew they had some great food and stellar breakfast deals, but little did I know that they served some of the coolest products in the market. Cinnamon rolls, grain bread mix, gooseberry jam. I was in heaven. One of my favorite finds was the elderflower syrup! I instantly picked it up even though I had zero idea what I would end up using it for. Well, here it is. After some google-ing, I've found it my friends and it tastes great [insert big slurp here]!

By the way, my apologies for the low quality photo. See I started experimenting early in hopes to get a good few snaps before dusk. I got caught up in the moment and lost track of time. Next thing I know, the sun is has disappeared and I'm sitting in front of a few empty glasses... 

For more recipes visit my interactive recipe index!

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Click on the image to enlarge the recipe.

Print on a 3 x 5 index card setting and store with the rest of your recipes!

bit of life : getting away

The last few weeks have been exhausting as I had to make some major decisions about graduate schools, then paperwork for that, and all other daily responsibilities thrown into the mix. It's a nice feeling at the end of the day, you feel accomplished. I just, need to get away.

So I took a walk down memory lane into the deep jungles of all my travel photos. I've gotten a number of emails from you all asking about my experiences abroad [I can go on for days and days!], so I thought I'd give you a glimpse of a perfect experience that helped me get away from everything. So, do you need to escape from all your responsibilities for a moment?

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This was, camping in the desert. I don't camp. I can go glamping, glamorous camping, but the whole no electricity thing kind of stresses me out. I overcame that, just this once, and enjoyed every second of it. During the deep summer of 2009, I went camping and stayed among bedouins in Wadi Rum, Jordan. An experience worth sharing. I wish I had an article writing service to better portray how wonderful it was but my description will do for now.

I slept in a hut. No running water. But it was calming. Getting away from all the hustle and bustle of the city, no newspaper at my doorstep in the morning outlining the problems of the world. I sat there in the desert watching the sun, taking in the heat, hiking and the best was the food. The world around me felt painted, the food was fresh and serene atmosphere was as natural as the evening breeze. I couldn't explain to you how nice it was sipping coffee and writing in my journal of all my thoughts that I planned on forget for the next few days I was there. At night, the skies were so clear you could see the entire galaxy. The milky way, constellations, shooting stars. I made so many wishes upon those shooting stars. It was the perfect getaway.

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Now that we're all relaxed, we can go back to reality? I know you don't want to, but we have to. Today I have a few special things on the to do list. I am drafting a "screenplay" for a video I'm thinking of compiling for you! Any special things for you to accomplish today? 

spring has sprung

Thought I'd peak in a little early to wish you a happy spring!
This time of the year is by far my favorite as it consumes picnics, dresses and blooms.
I woke up a little earlier today so I could get ready and then watch the first spring sunrise and it was quite the delight. Hope you find this season wonderful and cheery wherever you are.

design : tres chic

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This clearly isn't as glamorous as some of my other design loves, but I love the simplicity in this home. The combination of rugged, earthy tones and patterns with classic vignettes and finishes. It's hard not to fall in love with something so different, so sweet, so chic.

{weekend note}

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♫♪ Boogie Blues by Gene Krupa

My nightly routine on weeknights is pretty simple. Sit down and read: the New York Times [obviously], the Wall Street Journal, some kind of a political magazine [The Economist, Foreign Affairs, etc.], browse through The New Yorker, and update myself on all things international development from blogs. This takes about three hours of my evening. I love it and find it relaxing to have a candle lit a little Ellington in the background. This week, however, I had the creepiest of creepy dreams about hanging out with Romney and Newt. Then another one about how the Obamas were coming over to my parent's home for dinner and my mom yelling at me for eating all the cookies. I guess I need to lay off the politics?

On a side note, I am excited to be hanging out with Meli of Blush & Jelly this weekend. Stay tuned for some fun over Instagrams, and you can check her blog to see what we will be cooking up. As I go frolic around with Meli, I leave you with these inspirational links!

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100 first lines from novels.

Ulyana Sergeenko does it again, and behind-the-scenes here.

Embroidered vintage books.

Pictures savor life moments.

Inspired by videos like the ones here, here and here.

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A personal touch to sharing pictures.

The joy of self-indulgence.

Looking for something to cook this weekend?

This spring, I'm inspired by...

Treat your host right.

A little spicy; a little comfort.

For more inspiration.

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The power and history of an indigenous language.

The vague world of a cookbook ghostwriter.

Movie night? Free Men.

Leaving Goldman: A must read.

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{ps} happy st. patrick's day!