Hermes Paris

Check out these window displays at Hermes, Paris. They're inspired by Turkish ceramics... colorful and luxurious.

Dexter

Can we agree that this is the best TV series opening sequence?! The blood orange... I applaud you, Showtime.

Hotchocspoon

These delectable chunks of chocolate are tacked onto the end of a spoon, ready to sweeten any cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They are created in the Netherlands by the The Chocolate Company. I really appreciate the plethora of exotic flavors they come in... forty-six to be exact. There are classics like hazelnut, espresso, and tiramisu, but there are also daring flavors like chili and wasabi. Some even come with a shot of whisky or amaretto! I can't pass up sharing a great chocolate creation.

Movie-Album-Food

The Monday ritual has returned! This one is for you, Brittany Murphy.



Sex. Clothes. Popularity. Is there a problem here?

Coffee Mug Gingerbread Houses

I thought this was a creative, tasty idea for the coffee drinker. Go to notmartha.org for directions on how to make them!

Gift Wrap

So have you have the perfect gifts... now it's time for the perfect gift wrap.


1. I adore these simple snowball trees. Purchase at Kate's Paperie.

2. This would look amazing with a red bow. Purchase at Kate's Paperie.

3. Large poinsettia print by Snow and Graham.

4. Classical holiday floral print by Wooster and Prince.

5. Another bold print with mistletoes by Snow and Graham.

6. The picture is small, but the gold and red pattern is lovely. Purchase at Kate's Paperie.

7. My personal favorite. Purchase at the Rifle Paper Co.

Holiday Dress Picks

Tis the season to be a little materialistic. Haha, actually quite the opposite! I've been bad (don't tell Santa!) and have scoured the internet for my favorite holiday dresses. A million sites have already displayed their seasonal favorites, but here's what I'm currently coveting...

Happy Birthday, Whitney!

A little known fact about me is that lolz is my third language. HAHA! Happy birthday to my good friend, Whitney- queen of lolz.

Disregard this post if you don't understand the inside jokes.

A Return to the Blogosphere

I've officially awaken from my blogging slumber! It was hard to stay away for so long, but I needed to focus on completing my undergraduate degree! Just some quick updates...

I had two great Thanksgiving dinners- one with my family and one with Marc's. I love all the dishes of a Thanksgiving dinner, and wish I could eat them all year round!

On the left is the lovely centerpiece Marc brought to my house.

But the BIG NEWS is that I GRADUATED! Finally, finally, finally.

(Sorry about the photo quality!)

My family, including Marc and my aunt and uncle came to celebrate. We had a graduation dinner at Ella in Sacramento, which I HIGHLY recommend. The tuna carpaccio I had was topped with an assortment of herbs such as dill, mint, and cilantro, mustard dressing, and a poached egg. A flavorful combination. I also recommend the hazelnut gnocchi! The following morning we went to Zocalo for Mexican brunch... another excellent restaurant.

Feels good to be back!

100th Post

I've come out of my blogging hibernation to tell you that I will be performing in the UC Davis University Chorus this coming Friday (Dec. 4th) in Vaughn Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem. It's going to be an amazing collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra. I've been a choir girl ever since the first grade and have had some of the best experiences of my life touring with the Peninsula Girl's Chorus to New Zealand, New Orleans, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria, and with the Palo Alto High School Choir (a neighboring high school) to France and Spain. After all these years of great opportunities, it makes me sad that this coming performance will be my last for a long while, since my academic career is soon coming to an end.



This is my 100th post! But sadly I must go back to my hiatus... so much to do within the next week!

Hiatus

Sadly, I'll be taking a short blogging hiatus. Check back frequently though- I'll be making a full-force come back very soon.

Meanwhile, I'd love some feedback! Anything you'd like to see on The Red Topaz? E-mail me: theredtopaz@gmail.com

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read my blog!

Image from here.

Movie-Album-Food

In honor of Fight Club's 10th anniversary. One of my personal favorites.

Sweet Packaging

Deliciousness matched with excellent packaging presentation.


1. Consuelo Castiglioni, owner of Marni, designed these chic golden boxes for Paris' Ladurée pastries. Inside this treasure chest are eighteen maracons, each adorned with a golden leaf. Luxurious! These boxes with matching macarons will be available for the 2009 holiday season.

2. Brooklyn based Mast Brothers Chocolate pride themselves on being the only "bean to bar" chocolate makers in the Big Apple. These chocolate artisans make every bar by hand! The wrappers remind me of darling Christmas presents.

3. Gü is a UK Pastry company specializing in Belgian chocolate. This packaging is simple, sleek, and the dark chocolate souffles on the front make my mouth water. PLEASE visit the site and take in all of the incredible photography! YOU. WILL. DIE.

SF Food Wars

This past summer was the founding of SF Food Wars - an organization that hosts a series of themed cooking competitions for amateur and professional chefs alike. People who aren't as good in the kitchen (me) are invited to the Stable Cafe in the Mission to sample and judge their creations. Two competitions have already taken place- one centered around mac and cheese, and the other, mini cupcakes. A third will be held on December 6th, when the competitors will create their most comforting holiday side dishes! Tickets go on sale Monday!





Blueberry Dragon Fruit Chocolate Ganache Cakes- first place winner!

Movie-Album-Food

I've been slacking!

Stephen Wiltshire

The other day I came across this story about Stephen Wiltshire, an autistic artist who has mastered drawing and painting cityscapes from memory. Wiltshire was invited to leave his hometown of London, and come to New York to draw a panorama of the city. He drew an accurate, detailed panorama of New York on a 18x3 foot canvas after taking a brief twenty minute helicopter ride over the city. This piece can be found in London along with several other panoramas the the same magnitude. Savantism is very interesting... makes me think back to Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man.

It's hard to see pictures of Venice without getting incredibly nostalgic, but this is one of my favorites. Please visit Stephen Wiltshire's site! I recommend watching the videos.


ps- I've decided the script font I've been using is too much for post content. Stay tuned for more changes.

The Phantom Las Vegas Spectacular

Introducing...

Scarlett Johansson's Broadway Debut

Showtime's Dexter

Gilt Groupe's JetSetter

Pumpkin Treats

Jimmy Choo for H&M Reminder

Shoes Or No Shoes

Vogue's Champs Elysees Exhibit

Being a vintage fashion magazine enthusiast, this news excited me: To celebrate Paris Vogue's ninetieth birthday, a selection of their finest magazine covers are being exhibited along the Champs Elysees! Although I unfortunately haven't seen them in person, I would imagine it as an incredible culmination of works by some of the most acclaimed photographers and artists. Go see it before November first!

ABC Party (2)

Remember this? These dresses are made completely from "bathroom tissue" for the 2009 White Cashmere Collection. Great for any ABC party. Talk about budget fashion!



The color palette is of course pink to spread breast cancer awareness.

Wedding in St. George

I've never been to Utah prior to my cousin's wedding. The ceremony and reception were held in Snow Canyon, which was beautiful. Congrats to my cousin Eric!

Feist

A rainy day calls for comfort music. I absolutely ADORE Leslie Feist! I will never tire of her album, Let It Die.

Movie-Album-Food

Indulge simultaneously. Inspired by this.


Lost In Translation - Air Moon Safari - Ramune

Las Vegas,NV - Saint George, UT

I will be at wedding in Saint George, Utah this weekend! We'll be staying in Las Vegas though, which is two hours away.

Fall Recipes

It's time for me to finally admit that summer is over. Summer may be my favorite season, but I love the flavors of fall! Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, ginger, citrus, cloves, apple... the list goes on. They all contribute to amazing fall dishes. I wish I had better kitchen skills and could create my own recipes! Until then I'll just post some delicious ones created by others.

Fabulous fall recipe #1: Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal found on Budget Bytes (apparently it's 75 cents per serving)

1 cup steel-cut oats
15 oz. can pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
5 Tbsp chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar

STEP 1: In a large pot boil 4.5 cups of water. Once it boils, stir in the oats. After adding the oats, add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well.

STEP 2: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the oatmeal is as thick as you like it. Remember, after you remove the oatmeal from the heat completely, the oats will thicken further.

STEP 3: Divide the oatmeal evenly among 5 resealable containers and refrigerate. When you are ready to eat your oatmeal, simply microwave for about 1 minute 30 seconds and top with 1 Tbsp. of chopped walnuts (and milk or whatever else you prefer). The refrigerated oatmeal will stay good in your refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Movie-Album-Food

The Monday ritual returns. A film, an album and food that should be enjoyed simultaneously. Dedicated to Kate Winslet who is thirty-four today!



Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Beck Sea Change - Cotton Candy

LovEvolution

Yesterday was LovEvolution in San Francisco! This crazy event started with a parade of twenty-five floats, and eventually turned into a raging dance party in the Civic Center. So many crazy costumes... yet, so many people without crazy costumes... or clothes... or anything at all. My favorite part was getting to wear my red bob.

World Card Making Day

I've always been a fan of DIY projects, yet I have little time/funds to complete them. Today is World Card Making Day! I appreciate the efforts to promote hand-written, personalized mail. Card making is inexpensive and doesn't take an exorbitant amount of time, so perhaps I'll be sending some mail out.

Picture of the Day

I love this photo by Crazy Ivory, and I think you know why. Shout out to Lana Huyen for the tip!

Flags of Food

Flags made of food from that country... very clever. Found on Kitchn.com.

Japan (tuna and rice) Italy (basil, pasta, and tomatoes)

Australia (meat pie) Switzerland (charcuteries and emmental)

India (curries, rice, and a pappadum wafer) Greece (kalamata olives and feta cheese)

Brazil (banana leaf, limes, pineapple, and passion fruit) Vietnam (rambutan, lychee, and starfruit)