She Loves Paris; He Loves Barcelona (Part 10 - the end)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Mini Series: 1, 2, 3

Who likes coming home from a fun vacation? Me. Not.

Well I do miss my bed though.

Anyways, on our last full day in Paris, we roamed around Luxembourg Garden (which was gloomy), and walked to a restaurant called La Rotonde in Montparnasse, which was known for their Steak Tartars. It was our goal to try Tartar before we leave. Yes. Raw meat, my friends. Rob was so impressed with the escargot he had at Chez Julien, he ordered some again. This time it was served the real way, which was confusing at first. I opted for the smoked salmon instead.

On the way back, we walked around and bumped in to the Pantheon. There was a protest going on, I'm not sure for what.

The following day was our official last day in Paris. We walked to Latin Quarter one more time and grabbed some croissants & coffee.

Of course what's Paris without Macarons?? So I got some Laduree in the airport. Our layover was in Montreal. I got some Maple Cookies (which were delish) for my co-workers. By the time we landed in LAX, reality sunk in and it was time for me to split with the Pillow. They call it the blues. It sucks. I was glad to see my Dad's face but I was utterly torn saying bye to Rob who was waiting for his shuttle.

Well, Barcelona and Paris will forever be a historical place for the both of us. We got to learn more about each other as a couple and of course, I got another promise ring. So far, it's been about 4 months, and the ring is still intact. Haha... Me and Tiffany & Co have had our ups and downs.

Next month, I will be flying to Switzerland to tag along with Rob while he's there for work. Can't wait.

à bientôt!

Rima

I got 99 problems... (Revisit: 12 Things)

but a ______ ain't one.

You can fill out the blank yourself ;)

This past weekend I got the opportunity to witness awesomeness... in a form of a duo, 2 amazing Men, colliding in the name of music.

Yes people, I saw Jay Z and Justin Timberlake for their Legends of the Summer Tour at the Rose Bowl. And I tell you, it was legend... wait for it... dary.

It was a sold out concert and my oh my the energy was stellar. They performed for 2 hours, nonstop, together and solo. They did great mash-ups of each others hits, it was just super brilliant.

Bonus: I was able to see my childhood BFF, Trish, for quick moment. We haven't seen each other in ages due to our busy lives. Our parents were friends since ancient rome and we both used to hangout as babies. We cool like that.

This last panorama picture was pretty cool. For their last song for their encore, Jay Z asked everyone to get their cellphones out to illuminate the stadium. They closed the concert with Forever Young, dedicating it to Trayvon Martin. That was pretty awesome.

Of course being a fangirl, I recorded some clips for y'all to enjoy... (mind you, please ignore my annoying fangirl asian voice... tryin' to rap)

So this was a personal bucket list of mine to see Jay Z. Homegirl went cray when he did Empire State of Mind. I kept on holding Pillow's hand during that song. Of course I love me some JT. Rob, in the other hand, still can't stand JT's voice. I still giggle when he brings that up. Which means... I cross another list on my 12 Things.

Not familiar with 12 Things? You can read about it here :)

For my last Revisit: 12 Things, click here.

2012 12 Things: here

For my Bucket List: here

As a reminder... Here are the things I want to accomplish in 2013.

1. Attend a Baking/Bread Class.
2. 30 days Work-Out trial.
3. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
4. Watch a live soccer game
5. Try a new crafty skill
6. Attend a Bucket List Concert: Bon Jovi, U2, Coldplay (can't get enough of them!), Celine Dion, Jay-Z
7. The Color Run in Los Angeles
8. Make/Bake a Pie
9. Take more pictures with my film cameras and create an album
10. Swim with the Dolphins
11. Dare Devil: Go Bungee Jumping
12. Take a picture with Ariel, the Little Mermaid

Another thing to cross out was number 8! Yes! I made pie!!! Apple Pie to be exact. It came out awesome. I don't know if number 2 is ever gonna happen. I am that lazy. BUT, this Bikram Yoga is opening up soon by my house. And I love Bikram. Sweat.It.Out.Sister. I can't believe it's the end of July. Holy Schmolly. Any goals that you accomplished this month? Share! moonbeams, Rima (linking up with Peacoats & Plaid for The Collective Monday)

Lot's of Blurriness.

Why? I blame the Green Fairy... Ur... the Phone... Uh... The Absinthe?

This past weekend was my co-workers 40th Birthday (oh hay). Her husband works for the Edison Company (you know... The light company) and he decided to do some celebrating for his loving wife at (what do you know...) The Edison in DTLA.

When I heard about it, I told Ms. Bday Girl, "OH HAAAAAY GIRRRLLLLL... HOOK ME UP I'M SO THERE."

As you may not know, I'm a huge 20s fan. When I heard about The Edison about 5 years ago (beginning stage of The Pillow and I) and I heard that Absinthe is legal in the state of California (the little drunkie in me rejoiced), I told my BFF and Pillow that I MUST GO TO THE EDISON. Why?

1. They were one of the first bar/lounge that served Absinthe at the time.
2. The lounge is in the basement of the old Higgins Building, which was LA's first power plant.
3. The have live jazz bands AND burlesque shows.
4. It was home to my favorite live Cirque, Lucent Dossier, at the time.

This photo was taken in Dec 2008 by LA Times. Yes, we made it to the website. Haha.

Anyways, the bday celebration was great. I got to enjoy some crafty cocktails there. One of the favorites was called "The Mistress". It was delicious. Super easy to drink (derp. It has Vodka, Pomegranate Juice and splash of Prosecco. What's not to like?)

My night was not complete until I have some Absinthe. They had 2 shots, one mixed with Hibiscus and Jasmine and one with Pineapple and something. I can't remember. I had too much beverage when I asked the Green Fairy.

Can you tell the effects of our friend Alky has kicked in already?

Of course we had something to eat. The Pillow ordered some Salmon Sashimi that was fresh. Super fresh. The avocado, fuji apples and red onion really complimented the fish. YUM.

Then we walked around the venue to kill the buzz (particularly for me since I was driving back). I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE the set-up. Very rustic, old, sorta creepy with a Steampunk vibe to it. Classy yet not Ashy. Of course while staring at some awesome chicks dancing on stage (they come out every 30 minutes I believe)...

Dress code is strictly enforced. Lots of people dress up to the era but it's not recommend but I highly recommended because it's fun. I didn't really dress up to the era because we were in the hurry to get high on Indo food.

This is called Batagor, consisted of deep fried tofu, deep friend fish paste and deep fried beef balls, smothered with soy sauce, Sriracha and Peanut Sauce... Complete with Teh Kotak (meaning "Boxed Tea").

Anyways, if you're in town in LA, I recommend the Edison. It is pricey to reserve a table ($50/person!) but you can just simply walk in ($10 cover charge) and enjoy some fine fancy cocktails, enjoy some people watching and some fun burlesque show!

The Edison
108 W. 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA.
(213) 613-0000

Just click on the website. You can feel the vibe already!

paper moons,
Rima

Wanderlust: Link-Up

Oh my favorite Casey... She made a travel link up and I was so excited, I had to participate.

And... the topic for today is EUROPE. Durrr...

As most of you may not know, I recently visited Barcelona & Paris. And that trip was magical. It was so fun and eyeopening. Food was amazing and just the European lifestyle fits me well. Not rushed and hectic like America. You can see that those Europeans love to enjoy life.

Since PillowMan will be in Europe in August (after spending 2 weeks in July), I decided to tag along with him. Thanks for his mileage points, I was able to purchase a roundtrip ticket for $120. Score, eh?


I will be flying to Zurich and spend a day there then head to Neuchâtel to see the Pillow. Then for the weekend, we are thinking on driving down to Milan, Italy, with a pitstop at Lucerne. Then drive back up but heading to Geneva. Then on the way back home for me, I have a 8 hr layover in London.

YES! I will be breaking my London cherry!!! Call it a quicky. #gross. Super stoked!

Now all I have is this upcoming Switzerland trip in my head. Am a little nervous because I will have a day where I'm by myself. I'm still looking for a place to stay in Zurich, so I'm browsing around AirBnB for a place to crash.

Thanks Casey for hosting this! I don't mind co-hosting ;)

moonbeams,
Rima

Plane Ride Outfit!

With my upcoming random Swiss trip in August, I started to browse on what clothes to bring (yes, it's a month away) and what to wear for the plane ride.

Plane Ride Outfit by natziepatzie featuring toms flats

I'm all about comfort. I want easy out and easy go when it comes to going thru TSA/security. Wearing heels ain't my thang and I hate wearing complicated clothes, just incase I need to remove some items. Gah. Been there done that. Too much hassle.

So what type of plane rider are you? Comfy or Sassy?

moonbeams,
Rima

Oooo Switzerland...

I see you in August!!!

Can't wait can't wait can't wait.

bunny kisses,
Rima

Review: My Delight Cupcakery

Mmm... Cupcakes. This is why I bake. I love Cupcakes. Biting in to sweet little crumbly cakes, with buttercream plastered all over your mouth and face... Worth it. 

When I heard about this little cupcake store, My Delight Cupcakery, from a co-worker, I told myself, I need to try it... That was 2 years ago. Haha... #slacker. So this past Saturday, I finally took the time to try it out... Since I had no breakfast and I was hungry. 

Maybe like most baker (or is it just me?) I judge a bakery based on their Chocolate Chip Cookies or their Red Velvet Cupcakes. So of course I had to get some Red Velvet and 2 other flavors.

They serve 2 sizes, Mini ($1.50/pc) and Regular ($3/pc). Since I'm on a trial mode, I decided to get 6 minis, 2 of each flavor, Red Velvet, Breakfast, and Carrot Cake. 

First I bit into to the Red Velvet. Mmm... It was good. The texture of the cake was moist and soft, while the Madagascar Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting was soft. Not stiff (like store-kind frosting), it's just soft... Melts in your mouth. I was really happy with this. I could've eaten 5 of these minis.

Now for you bacon-enthusiast, this would be your cupcake. Buttermilk cake with hints of small bacon bits, topped with Maple Buttercream and MORE mapley bacon bits. It's like eating a pancake tray from McDonalds... but way better. I was impressed with this one. This was the cupcake that make this bakery won the LA Cupcake Challenge. Yum. I bet your boyfriend/husband will love this one.

I love Carrot Cake. So when I saw Carrot Cake in the mini, I had to grab it. The cake was moist, the frosting for me was a tad bit too sweet. Maybe because I ate 2 cupcakes already. But I didn't care. I chowed it down anyways.

If you're in the Inland Empire area, I recommend this little bakery that's located conveniently right off the I-10 FWY. What's awesome, a Starbucks is right next to it! Hah. Coffee & Cupcakes. Perfect.

ps: they have a food truck. awesome!

My Delight Cupcakery
1520 N Mountain Ave, #B108
Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 988-4151

nom,
Rima