Road Trip Up North --- Picturesque

GG Bridge --- Leaving SF.

1st Major Point --- Avenue of the Giants, the majestic Redwoods (about 32 miles).

Our voiture went through this tree --- massive!

My silly "lil" brother, Rej.

We tried to stop him but to no avail; he wanted to go up there.

Nature is amazing.

I am always in awe of it.

Wading to cool off.

I heart rivers. Saw tons of it on the way up.

One of my favorite cars --- 1950s truck model.

Saw this in this little town called Miranda.

Someday, I'd like to buy one and spruce it up (i first fell in love with it when i saw Aidan driving a beautiful green one, from one of the SITC episodes).

We drove, via Highway 101, North. It's by the coast.

The views are striking, yet calming.

We are nearing the California/Oregon border.

Oregon.

The drive to Crater Lake, Oregon.

Crater Lake --- "Mount Mazama collapsed a large caldera, which was later filled w/ Crater Lake." (Wiki)

And... my beautiful Family =)))

We were there until the 4th.

Saw the towns (Ashland, Oregon; where we ended up) 4th of July parade.

I love small town gatherings.

It has more charming characteristics, than big cities.

--- Treasured memories ---

Soonish...

We (the fam and i) also went on an adventure.

Will post more photos when I get the rest of it =)))

Information is Beautiful

... so agree.

Check this website out: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/about/

"...visualizing information – facts, data, ideas, subjects, issues, statistics, questions – all with the minimum of words"

I'd pay more attention if information were presented to me this way. So cool!

Sunsets, clouds and a stretch.

I have been on an awesome trip - I must show you some photos.
Soon, I promise!

Love,
E

Movies Movies Movies...

(as promised)

Needed to see a movie that has substance...

Indeed that's what we did.

You can always (at least for the most part), count on these two directors to give you something to mull over.

We saw these two movies:

Tree of Life by Terrence Malick

***Not for everyone. But i think you'll appreciate it.

Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen (he's back!)

***Simply magical. Go see this---now!

Happy Summer Solstice! Xxx, A

Last Christmas.

Since we haven't really had the time to chat too much lately
I thought maybe it would a nice idea to show you how the
silly season went by here in sunny Australia.

Let's start with Christmas - my absolute fave holiday!


I was right into it from day one with my elfin hat from the
two dollar shop at the fresh produce markets. Ho ho ho!


My mum had sent Christmas wishes on one of my favourite
cards so this one got to hang on our wall, lucky thing.


We had plentiful of food all day every day. Here some Finnish
chocolates, dried fruit and nut, ginger breads and green gooey
ballsy thingamajigs. Oh and a very random Subway cookie too!


Some decorations..


..and more...


..and more food.

Bliss!

Love,
E

All images from here.

Love, love, love.

Lex & Loren - Engagement/Save the date! from Brinton Films on Vimeo.

If this isn't the cutest thing then I don't really know what is!
I found it here. Not that I am getting married anytime soon
but I did notice how close to your neck of the woods this lady
is as she seems to be based in California. You are all such
whimsical little people down (up?) there. Maybe it runs in the
water..

Love,
E

Alamar

[To the Sea]

This is a docudrama about a boy and his father.

About love, loss, and the sea.

Simply done, yet very satisfying in a way.

It's a meditation on life.

When you have the time... check it out.

Happy 2011!

Here's to...

... more love

... traveling

... more meeting new lovely/awesome people

... friendship

... happiness and good health!

Cheers!

love always,

A =)

Somewhere (Directed by Sofia Coppola

I'm beginning to really like Sofia Coppola and her film style.

The trailer above is her latest movie--can't wait to see it!

Thanksgiving 2010

We decided to go away for Thanksgiving.

Initially, the plan was just to go to Oregon-Washington state.

We ended up in Vancouver, Canada and beyond.

We strolled. Ate. Laughed. Relaxed.

Interesting and a charming City.

Everything looked new, architecture-wise.

And the people were great.

Shops and boutiques were everywhere.

We ate in-between our destinations.

This was at Memphis Blues.

The southern style B-b-q here was fabulous!

And yes, the cold did not deter us from getting our cold treats =).

*my family loves their ice cream.

We went to Whistler.

I wanted to go skiing but my brother wouldn't come with me =/

Canada, eh...

Jack Johnson, secrets and a few eggs.

So, last week was crazy. Just work and fun for anyone.
Luckily the weekend brought on some times that we will
not forget anytime soon. Like Jack Johnson. Live!


Everyone was looking so fabulous through my white wine
coloured eyes and the music sounded fabulous in my tired ears.


And yeah it was raining but see here, Elin barely noticed.


Although some of us were feeling a little we for wear..


..I was feeling great! So full of loving in my little heart. Yey.


We were whispering secrets to each other and I don't think
there is anything better than sitting next to your friend, leaning
over and whispering something in their ear, only to hear a giggle.


And Jack was BEAUTIFUL. So good. He donated all his ticket
profits to charity and that made our hearts beat even faster.


The day after we had some eggs on toast from the barbecue
in beach to help with the bit of wine still floating in our bellies.

Love,
E

Who doesn't like Hugs & Kisses?

I'm not a fan of anything mass-produced and corporate-made, esp. when it comes to food. But I DO make an exception now and then.

Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, have always been a cheap favorite when I'm craving for something chocolate-y.

I'm not fond of Hershey's Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate, but like in many social situations, I generally can never say no to Hugs and Kisses.

The combination of the outside white chocolate with milk chocolate stripes, and the milk chocolate inside, is addicting!

Perfect combination.

Although, you can't beat Hershey's Milk Chocolate in S'mores =). That's another exception.

ps: if you can't find them in AUS. and you'd like to taste 'em, let me know =). and i'll fed ex you some.

In my skintight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight.

Have you been Glee'd in yet?
I have.

Love,
E

The finest thing I found in Hong Kong.

Was absolutely my sister.

Love,

E

Monin

I roamed the aisles of every grocery and specialty store I came upon, for this...

Le sirop de Monin

For a few seconds there, I was the happiest person. Lol!

hm... refreshing <3

at Jeremy's

Sequined Beret

What do you think of think?

Will you wear this?

this'll cure what ills ya...

I've been itching to make Chicken Barley Soup for quite some time now.

So, since I wasn't feeling so hot [when i made this], I decided to call M's Mum and asked for her recipe.

It wasn't difficult, tho' a bit time consuming.

Ingredients.

Stalk and leaves of celery.

Parsley

Barley

Rutabaga

Carrots, Onion, and Turnips.

Green Beans.

Zucchini.

I also added some peas.

the result...?

Tada!