Birthday celebration (part 2)

Wilfred dress

Proenza Schouler PS1 wallet

Thank you The Gerald for the birthday drink! Here's to 24.

Belle Clementine - Seattle

Last week, my fiancé reserved a long table at Belle Clementine in Ballard for my birthday dinner with good friends. They offer seasonal 3-course family style farm-to-table meals including a drink and dessert. It was like having a big dinner party at home... with amazing food and no clean up.

The night's menu in the kitchen.

Chef David Sanford explaining the evening's menu and where everything was sourced.

Tartine of farm eggs and sardines.

Good food = happy girl.

White russo kale salad with bacon vinaigrette.

Alaskan halibut with pesto on top of mashed roots and tubers.

These mini apple pies were so delightful. This is also my "baby dino" face as the fiancé calls it... it comes out when I'm excited about something, which is pretty frequent. Also, ignore my wonderful Photoshop job of a fleshly-colored oval over my friend's face in attempt of providing him some anonymity.

Thank you friends for coming!

Birthday celebration (part 1)

Walking purposelessly around one of our favorite neighborhoods to eventually meander into a cafe for lunch. Along the stroll we spotted this gangster Marilyn Monroe.

Chill lunch of kale farro salad and caramelized onions steak sandwich at Oddfellows, the cafe equivalent of the high-ceiling, exposed brick, hardwood floors type of space we dream of living in.

Dessert of haupia cake and green tea tiramisu with coffees at Hiroki. The day was slow-paced the way I like, and my fiancé planned a birthday dinner with my friends which I'll post later.

Céline birthday present

Céline tortoise sunglasses

My birthday was this past weekend hence being MIA from the web. I'll have a few posts up from that celebration to come. For now, here's what the fiancé gifted me! Ignore the stickers still on the sunglasses, I got excited and didn't take them off yet before commencing with photos. You'll be seeing more of these Céline sunnies in action!

The Gerald - Seattle

It's been a while since I've done a food post though we eat out almost everyday... The fiancé discovered The Gerald, a gastropub (our fave) that opened in Ballard a month ago, so we had to check it out.

Truffle popcorn, game over.

Poutine with gravy and cheese curds.

Fried chicken maple waffle sliders with housemade veggie chips. I've had fried chicken and waffles a lot but never in slider form and it's genius!

Deconstructed chicken pot pie.

Cyclops.

In bloom

Forever 21 blazer

J. Crew linen tee (similar)

Rebecca Minkoff floral shorts (similar)

Report two-toned pumps (gifted)

It was finally gorgeous enough this weekend to debut these sweet floral denim shorts and my new favorite pumps from Report! Report was amazing to make me a sample before the lovely two-toned neon pink and nude pumps hit the stores in May, but they're available for pre-order. They're so comfy, I wore them while house hunting for 6 hours (haven't found our home sweet home yet) then treated ourselves with wine and dessert after.

Breathe it all in, love it all out

Dolce Vita cropped sweater

WiNK pleated maxi skirt (similar)

H&M sandals (similar)

Banana Republic fringe bag (similar)

This was taken on a lovely lazy day over the weekend. Being three weeks into grad school, the long days and nights that turn into early mornings because of endless reading have set in... I can't express how much more I've treasured those weekends of absolutely nothing.

Easter outfit and brunch

Shipley & Halmos trench coat (similar)

Anthropologie skirt (similar)

Dolce & Gabbana gold flats (similar)

Prada leather tote

There aren't many occasions except tea parties (and unfortunately I go to about zero a year, like most girls over the age of 5) where I can wear this floral skirt, but I do love when I get to. The adorable back details like the bow, pleated tulip shape, and a whole bunch of tulle underneath (I never outgrew my childhood ballerina stage) make the skirt so special.

After celebrating Easter, we had family brunch at Mistral Kitchen, and they are doing 3 for $15 so that was fun. Course 1: olives and charcuterie plate. Course 2: biscuits with sausage gravy and soft-boiled egg. Course 3: citrus pavlova with panna cotta, ginger, and cilantro sauce.

Spring outfit inspiration + 3 watches

Post sponsored by WatchesOnNet

I made this inspiration collage to help me revamp my wardrobe for spring. When the weather starts getting warmer, I like light outfits with fresh colors and simple accessories. These gorgeous watches add sophistication to an outfit, but are also fun arm candy.

1. Blythe silk blouse from J.Crew
2. Le Steel pink round sunglasses by Illetseva
3. Biscay mint jeggings by Rag & Bone/JEAN
4. Rose gold watch by Michael Kors
5. Tank Solo leopard watch by Cartier
6. J12 ceramic watch with diamonds dial by Chanel
7. Klee nude/neon pink sandals by Diane von Furstenberg

Take me out to the ball game

3.1 Phillip Lim trench coat (similar)

Madewell silk combo baseball tee (similar)

Rag & Bone alpaca skirt (similar)

Acne suede booties (similar)

Plush fleece-lined tights

Balenciaga envelope clutch

I've never quite been into dressing that makes complete sense, which ripped jeans with satin heels don't, and maybe that's why I like it. I keep outfits from being too girly or stuffy by having fun, unexpected elements to the look. In this case, I paired the silk+cotton combo baseball tee with a sparkly necklace and an insanely furry sweater skirt (it keeps my urge to get a pet at bay).

Btw, Seattle is like the last kid picked for dodgeball in regards to getting shafted by spring. The sun is deceptive and illusive, it's like the worst lover ever. So many poetic personifications about this foreign orb of light in the sky. All this drama to say, I'm easing into the slightly warming weather with tights and the perfectly light trench coat.