Memosne: August 2011

Stuff - Lanvin Cinematic



I hoped to write a food review, but they're fickle...instead I stalked people on facebook. One of my friends posted this and I fell in love! All the awkwardness makes it strangely endearing to me. =P

Orange Zest


Whoa, is summer nearly over already? It feels like it's just begun...but I guess how it always is. Life passes by way too quickly...sometimes it leaves me with the feeling of grasping at straws. Going into the new school year is equally nerve-wracking and exciting. Since coming back from Taiwan, I almost forget how it is to go to my university. Is that strange? Going to university is like trying to ride a bike again I guess.



For me something that exemplifies summer is a beautiful, light, summer dress. In fact, sometimes I can't even wait until the seasons change and I start pulling out my lighter, thinner dresses during the chilly Canadian spring.



What I love about this dress is that it's so unique and starkly different than all the other dresses in my wardrobe. For the first time, I didn't have any buyers remorse after purchasing this little gem. I've gotten a lot of compliments on this dress and honestly that was a welcome surprise. When my parents and I were walking around Holt Renfrew the Louis Vuitton worker came up to me and asked me what model camera I was holding. When I told him he said "Take a lot of pictures of yourself in that dress with that camera, you look good." I was shocked! However, I was happy to oblige. ^_~


The pattern and the cut of the dress are both unique, its a fusion of a spaghetti strap style and an off the shoulder dress, with two asymmetrical ruffles. <3



Anyway, thanks for coming! I hope to see you again soon. =)

+ Love

Kitcho - Taipei


Kitcho. Kitcho, Kitcho, Kitcho. I can sing praises on high about this sushi restaurant. It's definitely my favorite place in Taipei for sushi. If you can't make it to Tokyo....go here instead. It is a very delicious (and perhaps cheaper?) alternative.


To me this place represents the clean, trendy, modern sushi bar that pays homage to the legacy of sushi and yet, isn't afraid to take the cuisine in a new direction. The decor reflects that ideal: with clean lines, soft ambient lighting, and modern yet delicate artwork. However, in contrast to the rest of the restaurant, the sushi bar fully lit, with clean bright light. The contrast in lighting make the restaurant reminiscent of a small theater. A stage where the actors, in this case sushi chefs, can perform and a modest auditorium in which spectators can observe.


And boy do they observe.


Although there are two rooms in the back for a more formal seating, the majority of the restaurant is dedicated to bar seating. For good reason! The chefs are completely in their element while behind the bar. Watching them meld traditional sushi ideals with modern techniques, you'll be completely entranced by their knife acrobatics, wielding of the kitchen torch, and their precision in which they use their chopsticks.


Each piece of sushi and each slice of sashimi are are meticulously prepared for consumption. I can guarantee you that if you dine here, you will be completely satisfied.


As a diner you won't just be impressed by the cuisine, but also by the wonderful service and casual banter. I never once had to ask for a refill on tea and the waitstaff cleaned away empty plates and cups quietly, efficiently, and politely.


They also provide you with the essential tools to eat sushi: chopsticks, soy sauce plate, a finger wipes, and a nice hot cup of tea.


This is a photo heavy post...so click on the jump to see the meal! <3 

Roses are red, Violets are Blue...


Guess who thought it was Wednesday two days ago?! Hahaha, how summer vacation melts the mind. Oh well. <3 Today, it's going to be a bit simpler...just an outfit post. Boyfriend helped me take this photos and <3 it makes me giggle. Whenever he's around I can't keep a straight face. He makes me so happy!


This is one of my favorite outfits as of late. I think it's just a nice outfit to wear out on the town, school, or maybe to business event. I ordered my top off of the Korean clothing website, G-Market, and had a rather sub-par experience with the whole site. >< Although I'm pretty happy with the top, it looks markedly different from the picture that it was advertised in. Unfortunately, I can't find the image, but the cut and the color are both different compared to what was pictured.


The day that these photos were taken, we were bumming around Granville Island. Granville Island is definitely one of my favorite places to chill. The "island" is very scenic and right on the water, there's a large market, an enormous selection of ready to eat food, and best of all there are lots, lots, and lots of crafts people selling their wares.


The most famous "shop" in Granville Island is probably the "Broom & Co." Two girls inherited the ancient art of broom making from their parents and opened up a modern shop to keep the trade going. It was their parents that actually made most of the promotional broom and racing broomsticks for the Harry Potter movies! They display this fact very proudly on a card near where they sell their "racing brooms."


I do apologize for the lack of "good" outfit photos. For me, when the boyfriend is around the time is so fleeting, I'd rather spend time making silly faces with each other than prancing about making him take photos of me. <3 I'm also learning how to use my DSLR anyway. Maybe I'm just making excuses. Oh well!  LoLoLoL, thank you guys so much for reading! I hope you'll come back soon! 

+Love 


Cheesecake Etc.

Hello there! >< I have nothing to say. Just...I'm sorry and I'll be better from now on. Someone told me that you either write a blog or you don't. I'm going to. RAWR RAWR RWAR. So here's the first Wednesday post with many more to follow...

To open up this blog again, I wanted to share one of my favorite dessert places with you guys. It's one of the hidden gems of Vancouver and one of the best places for late night dessert eats. Cheesecake etc. As you may be able to ascertain from the name...this place only sells cheesecake. In fact, they're so successful at selling cheesecake, that's essentially the only thing they one the menu. Their hours are odd and it shows you how popular the cheesecake is! They're open from 7 pm to 1 am daily...errr nightly.


The decor is very dark and reminiscent of a plush billiard room, the lighting is minimal, the tables and chairs are made of dark wood, and there is often live (or recorded) jazz playing softly throughout the area. Since I've come here they've expanded their floor space tremendously and, although I can't say for certain, can sit around one hundred people. They have not only widened and deepened the original store, but took over the empty space for lease next to it too!

All cheesecakes are baked in-house and come in both original and chocolate flavor. Although Cheesecake Etc.'s specialty is cheesecake, they also offer delicious home made baguettes and a wide array of tasty drinks as well (I recommend their apple cider, especially in the winter months!). However, I do have to give one major, major, MAJOR warning to all you cheesecake lovers out there. This is a crust-less cheesecake. BLASPHEMY.


I know, I know. I thought so too. Believe me, when I eat cheesecake I want the crust obscenely thick, but after I ate the cheesecake here....well....I became a believer of crust-less Cheesecake. It's so light, fluffy, and creamy...you'll forget all about your passion for crust.  

I know the strawberries look like cough syrup, but believe me....they are delicious. 
I bring all my friends, both local and out of towners, to this place to late night eats. The Original Cheesecake with strawberries is heavenly. The strawberries have been turned into a slightly runny, concentrated, red sugar juice, loaded with chopped strawberries. Honestly the strawberries are so deliciously, sinfully, sugary they meld with the creamy cheesecake and the light whipped cream perfectly. I wouldn't dream of having the cheesecake without them.


Cheesecake Etc. also offers "seasonal" cheesecake which is their trademark cheesecake covered in a restaurant made seasonal fruit syrup. During the summer Cheesecake Etc. usually makes a blueberry syrup, loaded with whole blueberries. A counterpart to the brighter sweeter strawberry "chunky syrup."

On to my opinions on the chocolate cheesecake, you should try it. Personally...it...it just doesn't taste right. Their original cheesecake is far superior. When I first tried their chocolate cheesecake, I remember the chocolate being so strong that it conflicted with the cream cheese of the cheesecake. It created a strange taste and a even stranger aftertaste that lasted awhile. Although that's my personal opinion. =) If you love it, tell me! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I've never had the baguettes before, but my boyfriend gave rave reviews about them when we stopped here to vanquish his midnight hunger. =) It provides a savory alternative to the cheesecake, although they also provide a sweet baguette with cream cheese and jam for individuals who just don't like cheesecake. >< I would advise those individuals not to come here though. =P

As for the service...I find the entirety of the waitstaff to be very fickle. Sometimes they're great and my friends and I get great service. At other times we are treated like we owe them something and they don't really pay attention to us. However, the arrival of the cheesecake always seems very timely.

I've rambled on long enough! I'm sorry I don't have pictures of the interior, my mind was one the cake. All in all, I'd strongly recommend this gem for midnight snackers and Vancouver visitors who want dessert. Thanks for coming and thanks for reading!

+ Love

Kid Friendly: Yes and No
The late nights and the ambiance if more for adults, but the restaurant welcomes children.
Price: $$$ and $$$$$
Repeatability: Yes



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Contest Winners!

Hello All! This is a bit embarrassing, but I finally managed to get out the contest winners and I'll be contacting you personally shortly. Since it was a pretty small giveaway, it was easy to work out who was who and who did what. =) The random number generator chose 6 and 16, while the corresponding contestants were Joey and Rachel! =) Congrats you two!

I'll do a post tomorrow as well. I gotta kick my butt into gear!

Thanks guys!

+Love