Shopbop Recent Purchased

Tags

beauty, blog, Blogging, Fashion, Photos, reviews, Shopping

Walala, my favorite shopping website, Shopbop.com is having its promotion event now!!! You can take $50 off when you purchase $250, $100 off when purchase $500…

If you love this website as well, go and bring your babies home now!!!

Let me show you my recent purchases at Shopbop!

First, it’s the pink lovely Malia Jacket By Zoe.

by zoe tweet jacket

The color is so lovely and the material is great! Will be perfect for the spring and fall!!

I really love how Lauren matches this tweed jacket with jeans and Balenciaga Work Bag!! Chic!!!

This jacket is made from France and it looks similar as Chanel! that is how I love this one!!! It had been sold out on Feb! So, When I saw it back on shelf, I just can’t help myself to order this one which is totally a good buy for me! The tweed jacket will stay on the fashion trend forever!

The second one is Jean-Michel Cazabat- Emma Two Tone Pumps

Jean-Michel Cazabat Emma Two Tone Pumps Review

I believe bright colors blocking is leading the spring trend this year! And this pumps is definitely on the trend! Really love the details of the green sneak skin leather and the bright blue color combination!

The third one is Free People Fitted With Daisies Dress

This one is super lovely!!!

This dress is super cute and it has 4 different colors. Blue, White, Black, and Orange.

I got the blue one because I already own too much white dresses.

Look at the Lace details of the waist!! Totally in love with it and I already decide to wear these three to my master graduation event this Friday!!! So exciting!!!

Let’s see how I match these three together.

Tweet Jacket: Malia Jacket By Zoe
Dress: Free People Fitted With Daisies Dress
Heels: Jean-Michel Cazabat- Emma Two Tone Pumps

Also, I got another 3 purchases for work from Banana Republic & Endless!

The top and skirt are from banana republic during the 30% off promotion period.

I don’t have to say how much I love the bow blouse!!

Banana Republic Tie-neck blouse

and this skirt is so cute with those buttons! You don’t have to worry about those buttons because they can’t be opened!! just a couple cute decorations!!

Banana Republic Knit safari skirt

The KORS Michael Kors Women’s Courtney Pump is only 3″ which is super comfortable for walking! Also the combination of stones and leather look chic and elegant! Perfect working look!

KORS Michael Kors Women’s Courtney Pump

I’m thinking to take the black one home since it is on sale right now!

Top:Banana Republic Tie-neck blouse
Skirt:Banana Republic Knit safari skirt
Pumps:KORS Michael Kors Women’s Courtney Pump

So… What do you think? Do you buy anything from Shopbop during this promotion?! Let me know please!!!

Mother’s day dessert: Strawberry Mille-Feuille

Tags

blog, Blogging, food, Recipes, strawberry dessert

The price of the fresh strawberry is so cheap lately. Safeway always has buy one get one free deal! I got 2 boxes of them and decided to make Strawberry Mille-Feuille!

Traditionally, a mille-feuille is made up of three layers of puff pastry (pâte feuilletée), alternating with two layers of pastry cream!
With my recipe, I would love to taste the combination of cream and fresh fruits! With fruits, this dessert will taste more light and have more flavors in it!

Let’s see what we need to prepare.

For custard sauce

1pc egg yolk
2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon corn powder
1 cup milk

Instruction for custard sauce

Step 1: Mix egg yolk with sugar
Step 2: Put corn powder into step 1
Step 3: Start to add milk slowly into the mixed
Step 4: Use microwave (500W, Medium) to heat the mixed around 1 min and take it out. Blend the mixed together carefully.
Step 5: Repeat step 4 around 3 times.
Step 6: Blend the mixed carefully and put it to refrigerator until cold.

For Mille-Feuille Ingredients
Source:allrecipes

2 cups milk
7 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 whole vanilla bean
3/4 cup castor sugar or superfine sugar
1 pinch salt
6 egg yolks
1 1/2 (17.5 ounce) packages frozen puff pastry
1/2 cup apricot preserves (optional)
confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Directions

In a small saucepan, heat milk until small bubbles form. Drop in the vanilla pod, remove saucepan from heat, and set aside to cool until just warm. In a medium saucepan, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and egg yolks. Beat for a moment, then gradually whisk in warm milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until the custard thickens, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Transfer custard to a bowl, and allow to cool, stirring from time to time.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out the puff pastry into a single sheet about 1/2 inch thick; it should be the same size as a 17×14 inch baking sheet. Place the pastry onto the baking sheet, and prick all over with a fork.
Bake in preheated oven for 28 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool pastry on the baking sheet.
When the pastry has cooled completely, transfer it from the baking sheet to a hard surface, and cut lengthwise into three 4 to 5 inches wide strips. Spread one strip thickly with custard. Place a second strip directly over the first. Cover with the third strip, and dust with confectioners’ sugar. With a very sharp knife, cut into 8 rectangular portions.

You can also use the cookie cuter to create different shapes!!

Hope you guys enjoy my strawberry dessert recipe & Happy Mother’s day!

High-Low Maxi Dresses Review

Tags

beauty, blog, Blogging, Fashion, high low dress, reviews

I recently fall in love with the current trend of High-Low maxi dresses.

Let’s see how those Hollywood starts represented this trend.

I really love how Kristin Cavallari wearing this high-low skirt for shopping!!! looks really relaxing and chic!!

Source: liveinfashion

And those stars just rock& roll the red carpet with this wonderful trend!

See how Sophia Bush took to the red carpet for the 26th Annual Genesis Awards on Saturday (March 24) in Beverly Hills, California.

Love the hot pink dress with the black lace! elegant and hot!

After reviewing these perfect examples, let’s see how I demonstrate these  hot 2012 spring high low maxi dress trend!

The first is soft pink Love Chiffon Wrap Hi Lo Dress. I got it from ASOS. The martial is Awesome and soft. Especially, it is made in UK! When I saw this dress on-line, I just can’t stop my fingers to click the buy it button!

The second dress is much cheaper! I got it from Forever 21. Even though the martial is not as good as ASOS, the result is pretty great with this price! ( this dress just sold out online, go & check out at local store! they probably have some dresses left!)

Last one, Sheer Shirtdress w/ Belt is from Forever 21 too! and it still has stocks online! It only costs $19.80 which is heap and good looking!

The quality is quit nice as well!!! The coral color looks like spring too!

Next time, I’m going to match this with blue shorts.

So will you give the high low hemline dress trend a chance?

You can find more high low dresses at these stores:

ZARA ASYMMETRIC PLEATED SKIRT

ASOS Warehouse Butterfly Maxi Dress

ASOS Love Chiffon Vintage Rose Wrap Hi Lo Dress

ASOS Glamorous Chiffon Bandeau Hi Lo Dress

Leave me a comment if you love this trend too!! XOXO

Nominated For Sunshine Award

Tags

Blogging

I was surprised and very honoured to receive the nomination of Sunshine Award from wherefashiondares yesterday! I’m extremely happy until now!!! I love cooking, writing, and sharing my fashion with you though this blog! Receiving this nomination starts to giving me more enthusiasm to continue sharing more stuffs that I love with you guys!!! Thanks all of my followers too!!!!

Firstly, I would like to give my thanks to wherefashiondares from http://wherefashiondares.wordpress.com for nominating me for this award… I love her blog and her fashion taste! I think if you like fashion, you probably will love her blog too!!!

Here are the instructions:

• Include the award’s logo in a post on your blog
• Answer 1o questions about yourself
• Nominate 10 other bloggers
• Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated
• Share the love and link the person who nominated you

Here’s my q&a:

1. My favourite color: PINK!!
2. My favourite animal: Rabbit (I had a rabbit before and I miss her so much! This is also a reason that I named my blog as Coka Rabbit)
3. My favourite number: 7
4. My favourite drink: Water
5. Facebook or Twitter: Cokarabbit@twitter!!!
6. My passion: Jazz, Dancing, Swimming, Travel, Food, Fashion, Music!
7. Prefer giving or getting presents: I love both of them. I love picking gifts for my friends and love receiving the surprises from my friends as well!! (probably I will start a giving away at my blog soon!) Any suggestion?
8. My favorite pattern: Leopard print in any color
9. My favorite day of the week: Saturday! Wake up late and get bed late!!!
10. My favorite flower: I love Pink Roses & Tulip

Now, I’m going to nominate those bloggers I love!

1. wandsandpliers: Love her beauty, fashion, & food notes!

2. astimegoesbuy: She has a great taste of fashion and love her DIY stuffs!

3. printandpattern: If you want to know the newest fashion trend, then you should follow her blog!

4. monpetitchoublog: I Love her recipe and those yummy food photos!!!

5. stylemebad: Love her fashion style! Her style is fun and chic!

6. monicacph: She shares lots of fun fashion posts! It’s fun and creative!

7. dailydoseoffresh: Really love her recipes! They looks great and easy to make!

8. babeandablender: Great recipes!

9. makesomethingmondays: love her fashion style & her incredible photographs!

10.Julia: Love her fashion sense!

Hot Tools Ceramic Deep Waver Review

Tags

beauty, blog, Blogging, Fashion, reviews

The deep waver hair curl tool has been really popular lately. And I think having the loose “S” beach waved Hair will be perfect for this summer.

I actually did lots of research online and finally decided to chose this Hot Tools Deep Waver with Ceramic Tourmaline And Pulse Technology
. And it works perfectly on me!!! (It also has 4.5 out of 5 stars high review from Amazon!!)

I used it 3 times already! I think I can’t live without it for the entire summer now!!!

My original hair style:

Then, after I used this tool

Beach waves

I really really satisfied with this result!!! And the curls can last for the whole day!!!

This is the original package

and this tool has a great design!

You can lock the plates together for storing it easily.

You also can adjust the temperature from 280F to 430F depending on your hair condition! I used 350F to curl my hair.

It’s so easy to use and I think it only took me 20 mins for curling my entire hair!!!

I personally think this one is more easy to use compare with the traditional curling irons. Here is the official tutorial video of how to use this tool.

If you are thinking about getting a waver, you should take this one
into the consideration!!!

Macaron Recipe

Tags

blog, Blogging, food, marcaron, party food, recipe, Recipes

These colorful and cute little Macaroon can catch people’s attentation right away. They are not just good looking, they taste super good which have crispy shell and chewy inside.

I always love to make these cute little dessert to treat myself for hard working. Eating & watching them can amazingly heal my mind and tired body.

Let’s see what we need to make these cute little things. (recipe is from http://www.yumsugar.com/Basic-French-Macaron-Recipe-21651110)

Ingredient:  (makes about 32 macaron shells)

45g almond meal or ground almonds 
45g cups powdered sugar
1 large egg white at room temperature and preferably aged up to 3 days
35g granulated sugar
1 package of flavor mix or 5g chocolate powder or 5g green tea power.

Steps:

1.  Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. If you have time, draw 1-inch circles on the back of each sheet, spacing the circles at least 1/2-inch apart. 

2. If your almond meal is very coarse, grind it with the powdered sugar, and the flavor in a food processor until fine. Sift the almond meal-powdered flavor sugar mixture twice through a mesh sieve.

Note: I was making the strawberry flavor Macaroon

3. Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) and begin to beat on medium-high. When the eggs are frothy, gradually add granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time until fully incorporated. Continue to beat the egg white mixture until glossy and stiff peaks form when you lift the beaters. Be careful to not overbeat the meringue (e.g., the meringue takes on a clumpy texture).

Note: It takes me around 7-10 mins to finish

4. Add half of the sifted almond mixture and gently fold it into the meringue using a flexible silicone spatula. Lift from the bottom, up around the sides, and toward the middle, being careful to not overagitate the meringue and lose too much air. Once the almond mixture is predominantly incorporated, add the second half and repeat the folding motion.

5. When the almond mixture is just incorporated, you will need to transform the batter into the appropriate texture. Using the flat of the spatula, “punch” down into the center of the batter, then scrape more batter from the sides to the center, and punch again. You will need to repeat this 10-15 times (or more, depending on your arm strength and the beginning texture of your batter) until the batter slowly and continuously drips back into the bowl when you scoop it up with the spatula. Think of the consistency of molten lava. For the best results, punch the batter a few times, check the consistency, then punch a few more times, etc. Do not make the batter too runny or the macarons won’t rise as they should, and you could end up with oil stains on the surface.

6. Pour batter into a pastry bag (or any tools that you used to use) fitted with a 0.4-inch tip. In a pinch, you can also use a gallon size Ziploc bag: just snip a teeny bit from one of the bottom corners. Twist and clip the top of the bag to avoid overflow. On your prepared baking sheets, pipe out 1-inch rounds in the circles you drew (remember to draw the circles on the back side of your parchment to avoid ink or pencil stains on your macarons!).

I’m using this Nordic Ware Cupcake Frosting Decorator Press. I find out this is more easy to use compare with pastry bag. If you have this, I use the round tip.

7. Preheat your oven to 380F.

8. Holding the baking sheet in both hands, rap each baking sheet firmly on the counter two or three times. This smooths out the tops and helps form the “pied” or frilly foot on the bottoms of the macarons. Allow the piped macarons to dry, uncovered, for at least 15 minutes. The macarons should form a very thin, smooth crust where, if you tap it lightly with your finger, the batter will not stick to your finger. If after 15 minutes, the batter is still sticky, let it dry longer. This may take up to an hour on humid days.

9. Turn off the heat and place both baking sheets at the upper side of the oven and put 2 baking gloves at oven when you close the oven door. Heat it for 6 mins.

10. Move the baking sheet into the down side and move away the gloves then close the door. Turn the heat to 250F and bake it for 12mins.

11. Turn off the heat and let the baking sheet stay at the warm oven for 6-10 mins to dry the Macarnoon.

12. Remove them from the oven, and cool on baking sheet placed on a wire rack.

13. When fully cooled, assemble the macaroons with your choice of filling (I normally just put fruit preserves into the macaroons).  The assembled macaroons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

There you go, you can have a dish of wonderful and colorful macaroons !! They are perfect for parties!!

 

 

Color Flavors:

Green: green tea
Purple: raspberry
Pink: strawberry
Brown: chocolate
Blue: cotton candy

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Tags

Blogging, cabbage roll, food, Meat Dish, Recipes

With the rainy season here in Bay area, I’m trying to make something meaty and healthy. Then, I had an idea that I could make some stuffed cabbage rolls with cream sauce which are excellent for raining weather!!! I think it totally makes sense when you know that the cabbage rolls come from the cold climates of Russia and Eastern Europe. (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong )

Stuffed Cabbage Roll 

Here are the ingredients that you need.

1 1/2 pounds ground pork, chicken, or turkey
5 pieces of Garlic chives (optional)
1 large green cabbage
1 green onion diced
20 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tablespoon ginger sliced
1 tablespoon dried parsley
5 large mushrooms, diced
1 small carrot, sliced
1 egg,
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
2 tablespoon of white wine
2 tablespoon of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

1. Put the ground meat, green onion, garlic, ginger, mushroom, salt, white wine, carrot, soy sauce, pepper, and egg into a big bow. Mix them together and put aside.

2. Bring four cups of water to boil in a stockpot – make sure there is enough water to cover the cabbage. Turn the heat down to low, toss in the cabbage and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Take the cabbage out of the water and set aside until it cools enough to pick it up, reserving 1 cup of cabbage water. Be sure to set it on a place, as it will drain water everywhere. Remove 20 leaves from the cabbage – make sure to grab leaves that have not split – and allow them to cool on paper towels. If the inner part of the cabbage isn’t soft enough to roll, boil it for another few minutes after you’ve removed the outside leaves.

4. Slice the heavy part of the cabbage stem carefully and don’t break the cabbage stem. ( do this step will help you to roll the cabbage leaves easily with meat)

5. Put a small amount of step 1 mixture at the cabbage leave and roll them together tightly.

6. Put the Garlic chives into the boiling water for 2 mins until the chives become soft then you can use it as a rope to tight the cabbage roll. (optional)

7. Put the cabbage roll into the steamer or pan, steam the rolls for 15 mins. (if you choose to use pan to cook, remember to put 2 cups of water into the pan.)

Cream Sauce Ingredient:

3 tablespoon of butter
1 cup of cabbage roll gravy (from steamer or pan)
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of all purpose flour

1. Put gravy, milk, butter, salt, and cream into pan.
2. Melt flour into 50 ml of water then pour into the pan.
3. Cook until the sauce become creamy and boiling.
4. Serve the stuffed cabbage roll with your cream sauce!

Then you can serve hot by pouring over with gravy!

Here is my cabbage roll dinner!!! Yum Yum!

You also can serve with garlic tomato sauce!

They are easy to make and so delicious! Please try this out and tell me how it goes!

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Recipe — Matcha (Green Tea) Shortbread Cookies

Tags

Blogging, cookies, Dessert, food, green tea, Recipes

I’ve been thinking about how can I integrate green tea powder with desserts lately. Today, I got an idea, why don’t I just try to make some cookies for my afternoon tea?

Green tea is always my favorite because it tastes light not just sweet. This dessert can match with tea, coffee, and juice. I believe they are good looking enough for the party too!

Here are the Ingredients that you need for making 25 cookies.

2 cups bleached all purpose flour
1 -2 tablespoon  Green Tea Powder Matcha green tea powder (Matcha)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (unsalted at room temperature — See Note 2)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (more if your tea is very intense)
1 egg

Directions:
1. In a mixer bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.

2. Add the egg slowly to the butter & sugar mixed and mix them together evenly.

3. Divide the butter mixture into 2 separated bowl ( for two different colors).

4. Sift 1 cup flour, powdered tea and salt into a bowl and mix slowly until dough just comes together. This is the green tea dough.

5. Sift 1 cup flour and salt into a bowl and mix slowly until dough just comes together. This is the butter flavor dough.

6. Put the green tea and butter dough into refrigerator for 10 mins or until dough has firmed to the touch.

7. Pull dough together carefully in a log, approximately 2 inches in diameter.

8. Cut the green tea dough and butter dough into 2 inches long cylinder.

9. Put 1 green tea cylinder dough and 1 butter cylinder dough together and put another 1 green tea cylinder dough and 1 butter cylinder dough on top of them.

10. Cut the colored dough into half to get the chessboard colored dough.

11. Place on a parchment or Silpat lined cookie sheet, approximately 1 inch apart.
12.Bake in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 16 to 18 minutes (or until the cookies are just starting to turn golden around the edges), turning the pan halfway through the baking time.
13. Remove cookies immediately from the cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack.
9. Store in an airtight container or wrap well and freeze.

Pink Skinny Jeans Review

Tags

beauty, Blogging, Fashion, Jeans Review, Pink Jeans, Skinny Jeans

Jeans that aren’t blue or black are having a moment this year. I think Pink color jean is leading the fashion trend now.

My favorite Kate Middleton just showed her different looks in the Pink Jeans.

I love how she matched the pink jeans with the navy posh gold button blazer. She looks chic!

Also, I’m surprised that pink jeans can go with sport look!! Kate demonstrates the pink jeans very very well!!

Let’s move to the Hollywood starts.

Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Lauren Conrad, and Jennifer Aniston are putting pink jeans on them this spring!

They are convincing me that I should definitely get the pink jeans for this spring!!! SOOOOO…. I did!

Here is my pink jeans from Maison Scotch 

Actually, I can smell the spring just by looking at the pink color!

really like the details of the button!

I matched this pink jean with my ZARA shirt and white lace blazer.

And matched with my recent favorite Black & White look.

Have you purchase the pink jeans for the Spring yet?

If you love the pink jeans, you can also browse more selections from these brands.

J Brand Skinny Jeans (kate is in this one)

TopShop $80

Cheap Monday $65

ZARA pink jean $59.90

Rag & Bone/JEAN $ 187

House of Harlow 1960 Necklace & Tory Burch Belt Review

Tags

beauty, Fashion

I have to tell you that this :House of Harlow 1960 Pyramid Station Black Resin Necklace
House of Harlow 1960 Jewelry Pyramid Station Necklace with Black Resin is my recent favorite jewelry. It’s so edgy and chic. he length is adjustable from 18″-20″ so you can wear it with different necklines. It also matches perfectly with my black & white spring style!!(get it from :AMAZON

Actually, not only me, lots of Hollywood starts are the fans of House of Harlow.  Nicole Richie has gone from strength to strength with her House of Harlow 1960 jewelry collection.

Also, I found out this necklace can match with my recent purchased, Tory Burch Turnlock Belt 

Let’s see how I match with my black & white look!

Take a closer look!

Top: ZARA
Necklace:House of Harlow 1960 Pyramid Station Black Resin Necklace
Skirt: ZARA
Belt:Tory Burch

And I think this tory bruch belt is a nice investment. It is so cute at the details! the lock look is so cute!! You have to turn around the lock to unfasten your belt!!

This is for today!!! Will share more ZARA spring purchases at my next post!!!

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