LinSanity

Gian...G-ON...like 'G' + "ON"...like neon, but with a G. That's usually how I explain to people how to pronounce my name. Yo. So hopefully you've heard about this dude, Jeremy Lin, who plays for the New York Knicks. He's pretty awesome, good at basketball, and people have made up some ridiculously awesome phrases with his name...LinSanity, Linning, All I do is Lin Lin Lin, VaLinTines Day, Super Lin-tendo...the list is extensive. Oh yeah...and he's Asian. The dude graduated from Harvard. He plays Fruit Ninja like an Asian video gamer. He's friends with all the other "more recognizable" Asians on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr/Everything else. So the dude is pretty up there on the Asian scale...but the dude is a freaking baller. For real. Saw someone post this Jeremy Lin video last week.



I love how it combined his baller status with his Asian-ness in the most ridiculous way. If you've never heard of Jeremy Lin before, ask someone who watches SportsCenter about him. It's been crazy...and awesome.

Here's a video for a song that's been stuck in my head all week. Good song. I suggest turning up the volume on your computer/phone/tablet and enjoying the music...Fun. - We Are Young.



Good song huh? Listening to Fun. makes me miss listening to The Format...kind of like listening to Jack's Mannequin makes you miss listening to Something Corporate.

Here's one more video by OK Go...Needing/Getting.



These dudes really think through the process of making their music videos. Saw these dudes in a small segment on Sesame Street...it was pretty cool as well.

So there's your Viral Friday for the week. Hopefully you enjoyed these. Questions? Want to talk more about this stuff? Feel free to comment. Peace out.

Pectorals

WARNING: Viewers discretion is advised!! 

Due to the topic, I felt like I should give a fair warning to those who are sensitive to bresticles. Here is the thing.... do you know this guy, Mark Long, from MTV, most currently on Battle of the Exes?

 Him with the cast and obviously he is on the front row.

So there is no secret that this guy has a rockin' body. He works out! Well the other night as Gian and I were watching Battle of the Exes on MTV, I caught a glimpse of reality that made me feel jealous and yet utterly sad. I realized that this 40 something year old man has a better rack then me! No seriously!!!! I refuse to show you an image side by side to save me some credibility and to save me the last ounce of womanly pride I may now have.

Look at his pectorals. Look how they curve under and make a shadow.... ohh how I lack that!! I have never wanted fake boobs as much as I do right at this very moment.

 Even if I try to flex or tape my ladies to the center, they never do this....

I can honestly tell you I have never coveted a man's chest the way I have with Mark Long because usually our chests are quiet similar. 

No offense to Michael Cera, I love you to a million pieces, but we share the same body type! And because I love you, this should make you feel better.

So you see my problem right?!?! Mark Long has officially made both genders jealous of his very masculine body. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be envious of so much testosterone. THANKS A LOT MARK!!!! 

**Disclaimer: These photos are not made to be viewed in any form of sexiness and only made for the use of pointing out Mark Long has a better rack then 90% of the female population.**

The Bachelor Look-A-Like

I have never been a fan of The Bachelor. I have never seen a whole season, just a hand full of episodes. As each season starts, I don't think twice about it, until I see everyone's comments via Facebook and Twitter and then I regret the lack of interest I had and once again feel out of the loop. However, two weeks ago, I was at my sisters house. She forced me to watch her addiction and I must say I loooooooooooooooooved it!!!... but that is not to say that I haven't seen an episode since, even though I really want to!!! 

While enjoying our little show, I shared an image to my mom and sister of who I think the bachelor looks like, and it's fair to say they almost laughed diet coke out their noses.

I apologize for the poor quality of these photos... this was done from my phone.

These have become our family's newest and favorite images. I promise you will never see Ben Flajnik the same!!!  In case you are wondering who this cartoon character is, it is DW from my childhood show Author. They are anteaters! Don't they share a striking resemblance? 

Brown Sugar Buttercream

This butter cream was the most amazing frosting I have ever had!!! I would eat it by the spoonful if I hadn't made it myself to learn how much butter it takes to make buttercream.... but I freaking loooooooooove butter... remember my previous post?

Ingredients:
3 large egg whites {eggs at room temperature makes things so much better for baking}
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice {I did not use this and it still tasted great}
3 sticks of butter {YIKES!!!}
2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt

Directions:
*Bring sugar and water to a boil over medium heat

*Once sugar starts to starts to boil, bring heat to a medium-low. Start beating your egg whites with a whisk attachment on your electric mixer. Add lemon juice if desired. Beat until white make soft peaks.

*Be sure to look at your syrup frequently. Let cook until 238-242 degrees using a candy thermometer {I just let my syrup boil on a medium-low heat until my meringue was making soft peaks}. Once there, add hot syrup directing into beating egg whites and continue to beat for another 6 minutes so the meringue can cool down.

*Place your hand at the bottom of the bowl. If it is cool to the touch you can start adding the butter slowly with small slices or chunks. Beat for 6 minutes and then add vanilla and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.

I used my frosting for cake bites {which was one box of yellow cake mix}. I would say it took about 90% of the frosting. I then dipped the cake bites in milk chocolate and butterscotch. This frosting would be magical for anything you make! Seriously, it was so good. I hope you enjoy it too!

Australian Voice Message

.::Viral Friday::.

ALOHA FRIDAY!!! Hope you are having a great day that will lead to a great weekend! Here is this weeks video...



Hahahhaah if only every school said how they really felt! "Press 6" was my favorite one. What was yours? Ohh, Did you hear about the private school here in the States doing drug tests for their students? I think it is brilliant!!! Call my crazy, but I think it's a nice way to hold teens accountable for their actions.

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN

"Press 6"

Homemade Twix Bars

I found this recipe in one of my cook books. It was freaking awesome!!! The shortbread is soooooooooooo good. If you want a yummy treat that will haunt you for days, then this is the cookie bar you need to make!

Short Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter {cut into small slices}

1 cup heaping all-purpose flour

1/4 cup heaping sugar

Directions: 

*Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C

*Grease bottom of a 9" square cake pan

*In an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, mix all ingredients until they start to bind together

*Press into pan and level the top

*Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden

Caramel

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter

1/2 cup heaping sugar

3 tbsp dark corn syrup {I used brown sugar - see notes below}

14 oz sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

*Place the butter, sugar, corn syrup {or brown sugar mixture}, and condensed milk in a heavy bottom pan

*Heat gently until the sugar has melted

*Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer 6-8 minutes, stirring, until very thick

*Pour over baked shortbread and let chill in refrigerator for 2hrs {I waited about 45mins}

Chocolate

7 oz of chocolate of your choice. I used milk chocolate. 

Directions:

*Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave {follow directions on package}, then spread over the caramel 

*Let chill in refrigerator for 2 hrs or until chocolate has hardened

Notes:

*Substituting corn syrup - 1/2 cup of firmly packed dark brown sugar and 1/8 cup water, mix together with spatula and follow as directed above. This will not give you a caramel coloring like the dark corn syrup would. DO NOT ADD ALL OF BROWN SUGAR TO THE RECIPE, this is just a substitute, only take 3 TBSP of this mixture to add into your carmel recipe. 

*Be sure to not make the caramel or chocolate layers too thick. It is important to keep the ratio even between the three layers otherwise it can be overwhelming in appearance and taste.

*You can make some fun designs in the chocolate if you are feeling frisky!!  

ENJOY!!

Wordless Wednesday: Cookie Monster

I Will Always ♥ You

Valentine's Day is a spectacular day where we get to worship the emotion of love for a whole 24 hours! Whether that be puppy love, motherly love, romantic love, friendly love, or strictly coworker love, we get to acknowledge the positive emotion that makes the world go round.

If you can think of all the things that love has done and can do, you begin to realize just how powerful love really is.

The one thing that every person has in common with each other is the desire to be loved. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what trials we have faced, we all desperately want to feel loved by someone. By nature, this is the common ground we all share.

Since meeting Gian, my life has changed in the best way possible. I truly can't imagine anyone better for me. I know every one says, "My husband is the best husband in the world!!!" Gian really is!!! Let me clarify, he is the best husband in the world for me!! I don't want to belittle or steal the credit from your spouse, problem solved right?!?! ahhahaha

I won't go off about why I am in love with my husband, but I do want to share my favorite part, which is a strong partnership and unity. Not only that, I think he is perfect for me!

So Gian I hope "you know I will adore you 'til eternity" and I am so happy that you will "be my baby" until the end of time. That is the best Valentine's day gift I will ever have! 

Let us come together and share such a joyous emotion with all we meet. For those significant others, let us remember how we felt the day we realized we fell in love. For our family and friends, let's express our gratitude to them for their unconditional love! Happy Valentine's Day, and if you can find it, you will see that Cupid has struck you with an arrow!

Proposal Fail

.::Viral Friday::.

Although it is technically Saturday, there is no reason I should not continue the viral worthy material. Since Valentines day is just around the corner, I thought I would offer something for those skeptics who are opposed to a day of worshiping love. For those of you who are in favor of love, this is still a great laugh... however sad it is for these gentlemen... it does not make you heartless!!!



Ahahahahahah I laughed out loud for reals!! Not to say my heart doesn't go out for these men, but why in the world would you not have some kind of conversation about marriage? Is it that these relationships were that bad?!? Not entirely sure what the answer really is, all I know is that I am so glad to have seen such footage!

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN

Happy Valentines day!!! 

Best Marriage Proposal EVER!!!

.::Viral Friday::.

Wow, finally it is February!! Did last month go by slow for anyone else? So glad to welcome the new month because it means we are that much closer to spring, and it is also the month of L-O-V-E!!!

Since Valentine's day is approaching fast, I thought I would share with you this video to help get you in to the mood of romance! He has some seriously awesome talents to make this video which turned out awesome by the way! Gian showed this to me right I think 2-3 years ago and I was almost in tears! IT IS THE BEST PROPOSAL EVER!!!



Did you enjoy this as much as me? Did it leave you with a little lump in your throat? Love is a many splendid thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All we need is love!!! {If you haven't seen Moulin Rouge yet then go do it today before you waste any more time!} For shizzle, love is the most spectacular emotion. Without it we would be nothing. Have a wonderful weekend and I hope it is filled with love!

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN

L, O, L, O, L, O L.O.V.E

Today

My whole life, I envisioned being a working mom. When I was in the 3rd grade, I remember sketching dresses and by 18 I knew I wanted to own my own bridal company and be the next Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier. My mom was a working mom and my dad worked too. I thought my parents did a great job at making it work for our family. I never thought about being a stay at home mom, not ever once.

My mom worked my whole life... in fact, she still is working and it never bothered me. I felt like it made us strong and independent children and adults. My mom was such a good example. She possessed great work ethics and was a go-getter. She was/is an entrepreneur and a very successful, powerful woman. I had no worries that one day I could be just like her. She was my shining star and I loved her no less because she worked.

We had nannies to help my parents out until they come home from work. It totally sucked when my mom had to go to work when I was sick or couldn't be the parent to chaperone on our field trips, but that was just a few days out of the whole year. My mom always tried to get those days off, but most of the time couldn't because her job required so much of her... and yes, it did break my little achy breaky heart.

While I was living in LA, I was hanging out with some friends from high school and one of our friends made a comment, "If a woman is going to be a mother, then she should stay at home and be with the children." I passionately disagreed with him and said, "My mom was a working mom and we turned out great. There is nothing wrong with a woman working and being a mother at the same time!"

Then something changed literally in a flash. During my last few weeks at FIDM {Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising}, we had a guest speaker come to one of our classes. She was very successful in the fashion industry and it was such a treat to be able to talk to her and ask her questions. She mentioned that she had two kids and held various positions in the industry for major companies. Then a person in the class asked her how it was being a working mom. At that moment, she shared a story that changed my whole perspective. She said, "It was really hard. My husband and I worked 10-14 hours a day at times. One day I came home and my second son was walking, eating solids, and had four teeth. I had no idea how much I had really missed until that moment."

That broke my heart. I realized I had two dreams - be a designer of a my own company and a mother who wouldn't have obligations that took me away from my kids. At that moment I had made my decision. I would be a stay at home mother and when the timing was right, I would pursue my dreams of owning my own wedding dress company.

Now that I am a mother, I am pleased with the decision I have made, but I would be lying if I didn't tell you I feel like I have made a sacrifice or that at times I get very sad and I may or may not just sit there and cry because I want so badly to follow through with my dream of owning my own company. It is my identity, it is my talent, it is my passion, and I feel like it is my calling. I sometimes feel like my education and talents are being wasted, but these are the things I am willing to sacrifice because I know that a family can't wait because I know that this is the kind of relationship I want to have with my children and nothing will ever fill that void for me.... but it's still hard for me to feel this kind of inner battle with myself.

I have so much respect for families that can make it work or families who have no other choice but to have both parents work. I truly, do-ly get it, but being a stay at home mom isn't as easy as it looks either... each family, no matter what their circumstances are, are making some sort of sacrifice to make it work the best for them.

I don't know when or how, but the one thing I can tell you is that one day I will own my own company and I will make a name for myself in the fashion industry {not because of some vain purpose of wanting to be huge, but because I know it is my calling and purpose}! My passion is too strong to ever fizzle away, no matter how much time may pass or the number of failures along the way. I will fulfill both dreams because dreams are what you make them and only we can set the limits of what is or isn't possible.... but today, today I will keep dreaming. Today I will be the mother I want to be. Today I will enjoy every moment {even with every fuss and snarly tooth that tries to rip it's way through}. Today I will keep my passion under the surface so one day I can funnel that energy into fulfilling my passions and talents... TODAY I am living the dream that I love dearly!!

What does today mean to you?

Wordless Wednesday: Diaper of Bubbles