Hearts Are Floating For...The Great Wall of China

I'm still in awe over my visit to the Great Wall. There really are no words to describe its magnificence and beauty. Pictures don't even begin to show how detailed and massive the Wall really is. Not to mention steep. It was a wintery, cold day when we visited but once we took the cable car up the mountain, it was surprisingly very warm. Walking the Wall is not a leisurely stroll. I got quite a workout climbing endless, narrow and steep steps. I was very thankful that Bill made me buy a new pair of sturdy boots for this trip. It was over an hours drive from Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the Wall. We wound through the countryside and tiny villages where farmers hearded their sheep down tiny roads. So many amazing sights that I will surely never forget.

Disclaimer: I'm standing at the top of a staircase and holding on for balance. This is not an awkward senior portrait pose. 

Hearts Are Floating For...The Weekend

This weekend was relaxing and productive all at the same time. Friday night, we stayed in with a bottle of wine, pizza, and continued watching my new obsession, Downton Abbey. I also watched hours of red carpet coverage of the Academy Awards only to be slightly disappointed by the lack of any excitement...fashion and otherwise. Here are a few other highlights.

I love using British expressions so when I saw the "Car Park" at a local shopping area, I was beyond thrilled. And in Leawood, Kansas of all places.

The Drum Room. I love that there is live music while eating dinner!

  

We joined a gym. It was necessary with all the eating out we've been doing. And I have to say, it's quite nice. Like working out in a ski lodge. The amenities are pretty good too (hello outdoor pools!). Check it out...

Woodside Health & Tennis Club.

Hearts Are Floating For...The Latest Denim Trends

Usually you will find me in either jeans or a dress. And as much as I love my jeans, they can get a bit boring. That is why I am always searching for new ways to wear them. My favorite denim trends right now are a pop of color and the ankles rolled in little cuffs. Initially the thought of both scared me. It brought back memories of the 80s and the pale pink pair that I sported in college. But this time around, they are a bit more sleek and sophisticated.

Paige Denim Verdugo Ultra Skinny Legging Jeans

Gap's 1969 Mid-Weight Always Skinny Flood Jeans

Hearts Are Floating For...Chicken Satay Stir-Fry

It's been awhile since I've even had to think about making dinner. For the past year, I've only had to worry about myself and often just settled on a bowl of cereal. But now that Bill and I actually live together seven days a week, I've had to be a bit more creative in the kitchen. I'm still a bit of a culinary novice but as long as I have a recipe, I seem to do okay. At least there have been no complaints from an always hungry guy that I need to feed. I recently bought a wok and made this Chicken Satay Stir-Fry.

I improvised a little and added baby corn and bamboo shoots. Also, I used brown rice rather than jasmine.

Hearts Are Floating For...18th and Vine

This weekend continued our indoctrination into life in Kansas City. We spent Friday night sipping martinis at The Blue Room in the historic 18th and Vine jazz district. The music was unbelievable and Lady D serenaded us with some Anita Baker and Sade. Lady D also happens to work with Bill so we had an amazing seat front and center. Afterward, we headed back to our neighborhood and finished the night at Anthony's, an old-school Italian restaurant with good food and wine.

The rest of the weekend consisted of shopping, a movie date to see Chronicle, and dinner at another new to us restaurant, Nara. (Great atmosphere and sushi!) On Sunday, we strolled the farmer's market at City Market, had lunch at Bloom Bakery, and then walked along the Missouri River. Every day has been a new adventure. I can't wait to keep exploring!

View of our home from the Missouri River

Hearts Are Floating For...A Yellow Haired Girl In Another World

It's been about four weeks since we returned from our trip to China and I'm still amazed at the whole experience. Admittedly, I was in such a state of culture shock, that I was often battling homesickness and the comforts of the western world. But I knew this was a once in a lifetime trip and had to remind myself to just roll with it.

The first six days were the most difficult. We flew into Shanghai and then drove almost three hours to Suzhou where Bill would be working during the days. I was feeling very much like Charlotte without a Bob Harris during this time. Lost.

I did manage to get out a few times. The first being with Sonia, an executive admin from Bill's workplace, who shuttled me around for a day. We had lunch, shopped, shopped, and shopped some more. I didn't buy anything (surprise!) because most of the stores were similiar to a F21 or H&M and I needed to save room in my suitcase for items that I couldn't buy back home. We also stopped at a silk factory - and I did buy a scarf.

At the Suzhou Silk Factory - The quilts are made by layers upon layer of silk. I'm attempting to help stretch the next layer here.

Over the weekend, Bill and I were able to explore on our own. We discovered that WalMart exists in China although it looks very different than what we're used to. The first thing that's evident is the pungent smell coming from the food area where dead animals await to be purchased. What? You don't think dangling dead chickens would go over in the US? I refrained from taking a picture. But I did take this one.

Bill...look he's so excited to see what's inside!

The other highlight of this portion of the trip was his company's annual dinner to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This "yellow-haired" girl was a fish out of water. I sipped my Tsingtao beer and watched Bill sing a rockin rendition of Jumpin Jack Flash during karaoke. (Not one person knew the song except us and the one other American at our table.) I somehow won a giant stuffed dragon. I'm still not sure how and why but there they were shoving it into my arms. And I discovered that in China they don't flush used toilet paper but rather throw it in a basket. (Now think 200 women, 3 toilets, and one big mess that I will let you imagine.) 

Lots more to come....  

Hearts Are Floating For...Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Take some time today to surround yourself and others with love. Whether it's your significant other, family, friends, coworkers, strangers, beloved pets, or even yourself be sure to be kind and remind everyone how special they are to you. We'll be celebrating later tonight with a romantic dinner at the Savoy Grill. Here are some other fun things to do for V-day.

• Buy yourself a decadent coffee creation complete with a heart shaped design swirled into the drink.
• Polish your nails in a bright pink or classic red. For fun, add a few designs using a nail art pen.
• Pick up a bunch of pink peonies or gerber daisies. I like these better than the predictable red rose.
• Eat candy...a chocolate truffle or two, or three or four.
• Take a bubble bath surrounded by candles.

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

xoxo

* Image via Tumblr

Hearts Are Floating For...Birchbox

Do you love getting packages in the mail? Do you love beauty products? I happen to love both so when my sister-in-law gifted me with a subscription to Birchbox, I was ecstatic. Birchbox was founded by two Harvard Business School alums. (Fun fact: Other amazing fashion/beauty businesses to come out of Harvard grads are Gilt Groupe and Rent the Runway.) Founders Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna started the company as a way to help women navigate through the endless products that can be found out there. Each month, a pretty box with 4 or 5 high-end samples are sent to you. The site allows you to fill out a profile so what you receive is tailored to your needs. If you like a product, you can purchase the full size on the site. And there are tons of how-to videos to show you how to wear the latest hair and makeup trends or maximize your beauty potential. I love the thrill of what may be in each shipment and plan to keep them coming indefinitely.

The packaging alone is so pretty in shades of hot pink with a black bow. My first shipment contained:

* Blow Up Daily Volumizing Conditioner

* Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink

* Juicy Couture Signature Fragrance

* Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers

* Zoya Nail Polish in Kristen

*Wichcraft Granola

So excited to try this nail color!

Hearts Are Floating For...Crate & Barrel

I'm not into buying matching furniture. I'm not even really into buying multiple pieces from the same store. But desperate times call for desperate measures. For the first five days here in KC, we had nothing to sit on. I mean nothing...unless you count the air mattress that now has a slow leak thanks to one of the cats. By Thursday, we at least had our real mattress but we still have no where to sit. As I mentioned in my previous post, we learned the harsh reality that a couch takes 8-10 weeks to deliver. *Gulp* Thankfully, we found a style and a stock fabric that only takes 7-10 days! It's simple and comfy and certainly better than sitting on the floor. In a fit of exhaustion, we also threw in a desk and two bedside tables. Everything will be here on Saturday and I'm very much looking forward to a night on the couch with take-out and a movie.

Portico Sofa in Spruce - Bonus! It's actually slipcovered so those nasty food and pet spills can be taken care of in the wash.

Dawson Nightstands - These were a necessary purchase. Why? Because the bedrooms in the apartment oddly enough do not have lights. So two nightstands with lamps were top of the list. Now I can stop reading while sitting under the light of the walk in closet.

Spotlight Ebony Desk - Now our computer has a place to sit as well.

P.S. Photos of our place will be coming soon!

Hearts Are Floating For...Bed, Bath & Beyond...If We Have Time

Saturday was a blur of shopping for our new apartment. It's amazing how many things I managed to leave behind (or opted not to take) that are really needed to function. After six hours, and about six stores (minus a lunch and coffee break) I was able to round up quite a few things that I am happy with.

First stop, Z Gallerie. I didn't fall in love with any of the furniture but I have my eye on bedding and a print of Boston that will remind me of home. In the end, I walked out empty handed.

Crate and Barrel - Lots of pacing, indecision and fretting over furniture. Turns out that it takes on average 8-10 weeks for delivery of a couch. Not a problem if you are upgrading. Big problem when you have nothing to sit on. More to come on this soon.

Potterybarn - Same pacing and fretting. Bill fell in love with the Manhattan chair and I've always wanted a leather piece for the living room but the big question is....will the cats destroy it? What do you think?

Williams-Sonoma - I had a gift card so I splurged on my first real kitchen knife and a cutting board. Look out...I'm armed and dangerous.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro Santoku Knife

Bed Bath and Beyond - The spot for all the mundane things needed: shower liner and hooks, a utensil organizer, and trash cans. I also had a slight meltdown when Bill insisted we buy a bath rug that looked like it belonged in grandma Ethel's house. P.S. I won. See below.

My sleek and pretty trash can. Much nicer than the bag that's been sitting on the kitchen floor.

Restoration Hardware - We were greeted at the door with a friendly sales associate that informed us that they were having a bath sale and specifically mentioned that bath mats were 25% off. Oh, really? This is where I won. No granny accessories here. Just this:

Plush Pile Rug (It's ridiculously soft.)

Hearts Are Floating For...Jason Wu For Target

I am admittedly a bit of a cat lady. And to prove my point, Daisy is sitting next to me with her paws on my lap as I write this post. So of course I squealed when I saw the ad for the soon-to-launch Jason Wu for Target Collection. The spot stars Milu, a cute, black cartoon kitty, who springs to life and accidentally creates the line while playing around the studio. Now if I can only teach Daisy and Bella to rub up against a sewing machine and whip me up a dress or two.

The collection is Parisian inspired with a decidedly nautical feel. From easy-to-wear dresses to simple and ladylike separates, I predict they will be flying off the hangers a la Missoni. So where will you be spending Super Bowl Sunday? On the couch guzzling beer and eating nachos or out scooping up some new looks at Target?

My favorite look - black, girly, and so very me.