Part II: Wishlist

Wishlist goodies! What's on your wishlist?

1. Quality candles - I love this one by Flamingo Estate. Anything musky, nature-inspired, refreshing, and calming. 
2. Body care products - fragrant body washes and moisturizer products, like this one from Salt + Stone. 
3. Hand soaps, hand creams - I've been really into hand and body care. This one from Grown Alchemist is a great duo for keeping in the guest bathroom.
4. Hasami Porcelain products - Plates, cups, dishware, mugs, etc. I've been loving the look and texture of Japanese Hasami Porcelains. See ones from Acadia and more accessible shops, like Garmentory.
5. Quality cutting board - It's time for a new cutting board. I've been eyeing a wooden block board, like this one from Boo's. 
6. Metal Tube Squeezer - This is a random product that adds a nice little value to your toothpaste and hand cream tubes. I'm looking for one that's quality, like this one from Izamaya.
7. Home slippers - I could never have enough. Quality cashmere slippers, like this one from Restoration Hardware.
8. Japanese Rice Cooker Earthenware Pot - I'm switching over from electronic or induction rice cookers, and looking into earthenware pots from Japan. I like this Kamado-san Donabe one from Jinen.

I also created a farfetched wishlist for fun, if the budget had no limit...

1. Rimowa luggage - Either the trunk plus or check-in large, for international travels.
2. Rug - A rich, quality rug from an artisan. I love this Lokesh wool and silk rug from Restoration Hardware.
3. Bottega Veneta Andiamo - Probably on my list for the longest. I love the Large or East-West in fondant, both great investment pieces.
4. Ottoman sofa - I'd love to extend our couch and add an ottoman for extra leg room and use. I love this one from Maiden Home.
5. Bespoke Airdresser - I saw this Samsung Airdresser in use for the first time several years ago and had added it to our wishlist, post-home purchase. A modern solution to dry cleaning pieces.
6. The Row Ginza Shoes - No longer in shelves, but it's a classic. I love this elevated flip flop from The Row.

Part I: Gifts Under $40

A several part series for every special person in your life. 

First up, singular small gifts under $40 - perfect for coworkers, friends, stocking stuffers, etc.

1. Yeti Ramblers - 8oz ($25) - The perfect tumbler for friends who love a compact cappuccino to start their day. The Magslide feature is a simple signature of Yeti's and makes for a great cup that fits in the palm of your hand. (Link)
2. Lore Perfume - 'Somewhere but Nowhere' ($28) - Newly discovered fragrance line that smells earthy, woodsy, wintery, and perfect for the holiday season. Comes in a compact, travel size spray with an accessible grip. (Link)
3. Sabre Butter Knife - Set of 2 ($38) - Sabre is a classic French cutlery brand that deserves a place in your kitchen. The signature Bistrot line is perfect for your everyday setup. (Link)
4. Moleskin Classic Notebook ($22) - I can't count the number of these notebooks I've purchased over the years. Moleskin's Classic hardcover notebook is a trusted companion for journalists, notetakers, and doodlers everywhere. (Link)
5. Merit Signature Lightweight Lipstick ($26) - This is the adult lipstick I'd purchase over and over again. Beautifully matte, auburn brown 'MLBB', fall edition. (Link)
6. Goodies Marble Coaster Set ($25) - If you know, Goodies always delivers fine goods at low costs. But, these coasters are truly a delicacy. A set of beautiful marble coasters that fit neatly into the container for only $25. (The website says sold out, but I am usually able to find them in stores.) (Link)
7. Erewhon Glass Containers ($15) - Perfect for the corporate 9-5 friend, coworker, or gym buddy who meal preps. Highly durable, heavy duty and spill proof. (Link)

Godspeed!

Weekly Gems

1.  Short and Sweet by Brittany Howard. Everything by Brittany Howard is a whole experience of its own.
2. Dirty Chai's
3. Walking around the neighborhood in the rain
4. The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
5. Jovi, Nori and Goose

Anthology

The old, the sappy, the happy and hopeful poems of my youth to the present.

Masks
By Shel Silverstein, Everything On It

She had blue skin,
And so did he.
He kept it hid
And so did she.
They searched for blue
Their whole life through,
Then passed right by-
And never knew.

Dream Deferred
By Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking

By Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart
from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Quotes

"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." - John Steinbeck, East of Eden

"That's why I'm talking to you. You are one of the rare people who can separate your observation from your preconception. You see what is, where most people see what they expect." - John Steinbeck, East of Eden

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." - C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

"I asked them to describe their world as it was and as they would like it to be. It was a simple exercise I'd done many times, a way for people to bridge the reality of their communities and their lives with the things they could conceivably change." - Barack Obama, A Promised Land

"Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe." - Dane C. Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly

"He found himself understanding the wearisome of this life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of one's waking life was spent watching one's feet." - William Golding, Lord of the Flies

January 2021

It's a season of changes and beginnings, and I've been forming old habits to offset the new year. 

Currently Reading: Two books, and then some. First, I recently finished "How to Communicate," a psychological self-help guide that explains common blind spots in the individual and provides helpful tools for successful communication in close relationships. Second, I am midway through A Promised Land. It is like a juicier, detail-packed and intimate account of Becoming. I have to say, President Obama writes his biographies in a way that is coherent and articulate; it's always easy to follow and refreshingly honest.

The "and then some" refers to the countless books I've started, but not yet finished. I have dipped my toes in "Democracy in America" (been wanting to read this one for a while), Gentle and Lowly (highly recommended by a speaker I admire), and my guilty pleasure -- High Fidelity.

Reading has been one of my great joys as of late. I like lighting a woody candle, turning on soft background music, and curling up into bed with a good book. It makes me feel like life is simple and enjoyable again. Sometimes, it's nice to escape from our own thoughts. 

Currently Listening: I've been listening to music every day lately. It's necessary to have a good playlist when working from home. I have a playlist titled "Places We Don't Walk" (yes, nod to Bruno Major -- although the compilation is not entirely in his realm or music genre, it's a good starter for the soundtrack). This playlist is a closer look into my thoughts, my mood, my zone. I'm listening to it now, and I already feel toned down -- in the best way possible.

Quote of the day: "I asked them to describe their world as it was and as they would like it to be. It was a simple exercise I'd done many times, a way for people to bridge the reality of their communities and their lives with the things they could conceivably change." - A Promised Land, Barack Obama, 2020

Until next time.

300 Movies in 2020 (extending to 2021... yikes.)

*Ones I liked

Watched:

1. Parasite* -- this was a must-watch. 
2. The Marriage Story* -- an intimate look into the realities and heartaches of marriage and its eventual fall.
3. The Report* -- one of my favorite drama/political movies of last year. I mean, Adam Driver. 
4. Joker
5. Train to Busan* -- I'm awfully late to this one. But nonetheless, I get why it's a top box office. Almost an unbelievably five-star cast.
6. Okja
7. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
8. Hustlers
9. Frozen II
10. 6 Underground (Netflix)
11. Burning* -- definitely not for all tastes, but a slow burning plot through an art house lens. An incredibly captivating cast - with the exception of one (Yeun -- to be frank, I did not find his portrayal of his character too convincing).
12. The Farewell
13. Little Women
14. Ford v. Ferrari
15. Soul
16. Mirani* If you did not enjoy Yeun's performance in Burning, but want to give it another shot -- try Minari. A raw, inclusive lens into the Korean American's immigrant's story in the 80s. Not cliche, and has an appreciative dose of humor and wit. 

Currently Watching:

1. Lord of the Rings
2. The Irishman
3. The Godfather

To watch:

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. American Beauty
3. The Suspect
4. Midsommar
5. Uncut Gems
6. Jojo Rabbit
7. Booksmart 
8. Bombshell 
9. Dolemite is My Name
10. 1982 Kim Ji Young
11. The Host 
12. Extreme Job
13. Along with the Gods
14. Memories of Murder 
15. Snowpiercer 
16. The Handmaiden 
17. New World
18. Secretly Greatly
19. Mother
20. Old Boy
21. Forgotten
22. Babel
23. The Usual Suspects (NYFA)
24. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
25. The DaVinci Code
26. Her 
27. Get Out 
28. The Girl on the Train
29. The Pianist 
30. The Post
31. Prisoners
32. Swiss Army Man 
33. Punch Drunk Love 
34. Into the Wild
35. Beautiful Boy 
36. Searching
37. Kramer vs. Kramer
38. The Godfather II
39. Shindler's List
40. Silence of the Lambs
41. Braveheart
42. Chicago
43. Green Book
44. Moonlight 
45. Birdman
46. The King's Speech
47. Le Mis
48. Hunchback of Notre Dame
49. Citizen Kane
50. Casablanca
51. Psycho
52. The Graduate
53. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
54. Life is Beautiful
55. Memento
56. The Godfather
57. Jaws
58. Back to the Future
59. Robocop
60. Scent of a Woman
61. Pulp Fiction
62. Goodwill Hunting
63. Ghostbusters
64. Cast Away
65. Taxi
66. Inglorious Basterds (Netflix)
67. Boyz N The Hood
68. West Side Story
69. Gran Torino (NYFA)
70. The Vow
71. Hidden Figures
72. Nausicaa Valley of the Wind
73. Green Book
74. Once
75. Burlesque
76. Mid 90s
77. A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (NYFA)
78. A Scanner Darkly
79. Chef
80. Goodnight Good Luck
81. Tropic Thunder
82. Bernie
83. Little Miss Sunshine
84. Dallas Buyer Club
85. Blow
86. Weird Science
87. Home for the Holidays
88. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
89. The Favourite
90. The Game
91. The Theory of Everything
92. An Education 
93. Lion
94. Like Crazy
95. The Birdcage 
96. The Love Punch 
97. Doubt 
98. The Prestige
99. Tootsie 
100. August Rush
101. The Next 3 Days

A New Wave: Ethical Fashion

An article I wrote for The Selected.

For decades, the fast-fashion phenomenon has dominated the global consumer market with cost-friendly and quickly overturned trends. Not surprisingly, there is an overwhelming surplus of unworn clothing everywhere – and this number only continues to grow. Regretful consumer choices, impulsive purchases, and the lure of sale item advertisements contribute to the culture of a fast-fashion marketplace.The $24.99 cost of a cheaply-made, Peter Pan collared shirt seems hardly burdensome at the time of purchase, but reality strikes when it is packed up and routed to Goodwill just 6 months later. For clothing that is worn just once or twice then tossed, where is the ethical limit? In recent years, a growing number of consumers have shown interest in sustainable awareness, and many are looking to switch gears to more long-lasting, durable fashion in their closets. Now, a new wave of ethical fashion is on the rise – and here is our breakdown for a more sustainable world of fashion.

 

Level One: Start where you are.
Take care of the clothes already in the closet. This is perhaps the climax of ethical fashion – because long-term sustainability is directly linked with proper care. Showing careful concern for already-produced items gives it its maximum life in your closet.

Level Two: Shop less. Choose better. (Only buy pieces you love 100%).

This is perhaps the most difficult one. Personally, I admired bloggers who made smart, quality purchases and supported ethical brands, but assumed the lifestyle to be too expensive for a (then full-time student) gal like me. What I failed to realize, however, is that purchasing more in quantity of cheaply-made clothing in contrast to buying fewer but of quality items is less effective, and often more costly in the long run. Check out this scenario: You visit the mall (claiming retail therapy) and spend $100 on 5 items from Store H.

1. You wear the $19.90 swimsuit to the beach, but the padding falls out and becomes irretrievable.
2. The $7.99 denim jeans you put in the dryer comes out two sizes smaller.
3. You go out wearing a set of $5.80 earrings, and lose the left pair.
4. The $2.80 ring turns your finger green.
5. You save the $58.00 fur coat to wear in the winter, but unfortunately it’s only May.*

*To be fair, it was on Final Sale.

Six months later, you don’t recall any of these purchases because they are all either lost or un-wearable. Whatever is left of the purchase gets shoved in the back of the closet, or in a donation bag to Goodwill.

Honestly, this scenario isn’t foreign for most of us. We’ve regretfully purchased smaller sizes on sale, vowing to one day fit in to those ultra-skinny jeans. We’ve had clothes shrink in the dryer, beads fall out, and strings come loose. Most often with low-quality clothing, the hassle of mending, fixing, and replacing heavily outweighs the benefits of spending a few bucks “less” in the moment.

 

Thus, the key to sustainable fashion is to 1) shop less and 2) choose better. Buy with intention, thought, and love. Only purchase items you 100% love, not chosen because of menial factors such as sales, discounts, trendy (for a minute), etc. Your closet is a life-long investment, and items that slip away after a short while gains you no interest or profit in the long-run.
 

Buy with intention, thought, and love.

Level Three: Buy second-hand. Upcycle.

My solution to maintaining style and closet sustainability is thrift shops. Second-hand, consignment stores are incredible gold mines with rare vintage, modern, and stylish gems everywhere. Products are a fraction of the retail price, which allows customers to choose items without considering luring variants such as sales and seasonal promotions. Select thrift shops also guarantee style and quality: Wasteland, Crossroads, and Buffalo Exchange. For true discounts, visit the local Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Fast-fashion has owned the spotlight for decades, but in recent years, sustainability-savvy consumers are growing more alert and aware than ever before. Splitting ways from cheaply-made, low quality products, consumers entering a new wave of ethical fashion is planting roots in the fashion industry. These essential steps toward a more sustainable closet is to 1) Start where you are, 2) Shop less and choose better, and 3) Buy second-hand and upcycle. By adhering to the standards of ethical fashion, it creates lasting and impactful change in the current and future world of fashion.

 

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Go to The Vintage Collection

A Garden in the City

 

Missing New York today. Good memories sprouted here.

Rest In Peace

Sweet baby.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

“It is desirable that a man be clad so simply that he can lay hands on himself in the dark, and that he live in all respects so compactly and preparedly, that, if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety.”

Furniture Inspo

We need a couple tables added to our living room, looking for functionality and design. I'm thinking

1) long bar table w/ bar stools for kitchen/dining table

2) short, small rectangular table for living/tv/sofa area

 

 

Ever Be

Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold
Like a vow that is tested like a covenant of old
Your love is enduring through the winter rain
And beyond the horizon with mercy for today
Faithful You have been and faithful you will be
You pledge yourself to me and it's why I sing

Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips (x4)

You Father the orphan
Your kindness makes us whole
And you shoulder our weakness
And your strength becomes our own

Now you're making me like you
Clothing me in white
Bringing beauty from ashes
For You will have Your bride
Free of all her guilt and rid of all her shame
And known by her true name and it's why I sing

Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips (x4)

You will be praised
You will be praised
With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord
(x2)

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg (excerpt)

And I like you because
when I am feeling sad
You don’t always cheer me up right away.
Sometimes it is better to be sad.
You can’t stand the others
being so googly and gaggly every single minute.
You want to think about things.
It takes time.
I like you because if I am mad at you,
Then you are mad at me too.
It’s awful when the other person isn’t.
They are so nice and hoo-hoo
you could just about punch them in the nose.

Current State

One of our living room corners

our bathroom, courtesy of Crate & Barrel haha

 

My grab & go jewelry

Blue Apron, for the full-time working newly weds

World Itinerary

1. Paris, France
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
3. Brussels, Belgium
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
5. Berlin, Germany
6. London, England
7. Dublin, Ireland
8. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Scotland
9. Zurich, Switzerland
10. Milan, Florence, Rome, Venice, Italy
11. Oslo, Norway
12. Stockholm, Sweden
13. Prague, Czechia
14. Vienna, Austria
15. Budapest, Hungary
16. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Spain
17. Santorini, Athens, Greece
18. Helsinki, Finland
19. Moscow, Russia
20. Jeju, South Korea
21. Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Japan
22. Anchorage, Alaska
23. Vancouver, Canada
24. Melbourne, Sydney, Austrailia
25. Cape Town, South Africa

February

PROS:

• We found an apt and moved to DTLA! Utterly grateful for where we're living, and constantly reminding myself that this is all by the working of God's grace.
• I got a new job! I'm currently working at my childhood dream company, Compassion. I studied Communication and Global Studies in college in consideration of the future path I wanted to take - which was Nonprofit Management. I had no idea this is where I would end up. I am so grateful, humbled, and excited by the work being done here.
• Justin and I celebrated our 11 years! I guess we aren't dating anymore, but it still feels nostalgic to celebrate our old anniversary.
• I took my first flight into Denver, CO and stayed at Colorado Springs, CO for an entire week (Cons will be listed, stay tuned). But overall, I felt overwhelmingly blessed to work for an organization with high integrity and unwavering values.
• Celebrated a successful surprise birthday party for our best friend Eunice, who absolutely loved the surprise. It is better to give than to receive! Amen.
• Invited family over for the first time to celebrate my lovely mom's birthday. I've come to treasure family a whole lot more after being married. I wish I could spend more time with them regularly.
• Had the BEST weekend with my college roommates on the last weekend of February! I love seeing how much we've grown, both together and apart, and coming together to share these joys and sorrows of life. We visited Joanne's hometown, ate a home cooked meal with her family, re-watched La La Land, and ate the most delicious 3-course meal. Cheers to your best year, Jo!
• Worked my first Compassion Sunday event and had a successful turnout of sponsors. I'm looking forward to the many more scheduled this year.

CONS:

• I miss my family. It's been tough only seeing them 3-4 times per month. I also wish I could spend more time with Justin's family and his extended family too. Our schedule and the distance makes it difficult, but we'll try harder this month! (Goal: see grandparents at least 1x per month, see family at least 2-3x per month)
• Colorado people are the greatest people you will ever meet. Living angels. But Colorado altitude is the worst. I made it alive the first few days, but toward day 3, my skin was peeling, I had constant nose bleed, dehydration, nausea, eek.... needless to say I'm glad to be back in LA. I have a newfound love for my city! Ha.
• This has been the busiest month so far. Life is gearing up in fast mode. I don't know how else to put it! Every weekday night I think I'll have open, I feel like it fills up last minute with catching up with friends, running errands, seeing family, other schedules and classes... These are all so wonderful and necessary, but Justin and I actually had 1 free day to spend alone together. (Wait, I realize that wasn't even in February, it was yesterday, March 1. Le sigh.) I'm trying, but no matter how fast or slow I go, I've still spent the 24 hours each day, and I look back to realize there were so many things I wish I could've done before it ran out. No regrets though! It was an incredible, jam-packed month. Just some hard reflecting and moving forward.

To a better me in March...by God's grace!

x Sola

Colorado Trip

And I will unabashedly say that LA is the best city in the world. Ok, I'm a little bias. Not only is it my hometown of 17 years, our recent move to Downtown has me blinded by its beauty.

Colorado is decent. The people have halos on, the roads are wide and clean, the mountains are high, and the nature breathtaking. But Colorado is also a "mile high" above seawater (as you can take by its name). So the air is cool, dry, and raspy. Your skin dries up, your nose bleeds, you have an 85% chance that you will catch a fever/cold/chills/nausea, and you will lose appetite because of it.

But I can't complain. I had the most wonderful time at GMC this past week. The ANZA training at Compassion International probably lands in the Top 5 experiences I've had at a workplace. The employees describe this training program as "drinking from a fire hose" because of the amount of information that is thrown at you in a span of 36 hours. It's true - it's an understatement if I said it was a lot of information. It was impossible to swallow everything. But unlike any other corporation I've been a part of , the leadership shows so much grace to the employees...truly. It's not a selfish kind of ordeal, like the kind that goes "let's show off that we have great perks" or implies any sort of PR motive. It's truly because their love for children, people, and above all, their love for God guides them to love their employees well and honor each other above themselves. I feel so blessed to be here. Everyone tells the new employees that they are here for a reason. "It's a God thing." Because being admitted into Compassion International is not an easy entry. The process takes long, and there are roughly 200-300 applicants that apply to one position on any given week. The competition is real, which explains why HR recruiters begin each interview with prayer. Prayer! How awesome is that.

God, I ask for humility, wisdom, excellence, strength, discernment, and perseverance. Give me whatever it'll take to be a good steward of the talents you've given me. Let me be your hands and feet. I want to uncover the beauty of the work that's being done by your grace. Amen.

Heartbeat

Sounds like a machine gun. I feel anxious, nervous and unsettled. A windstorm of thoughts running by at once.

The xx - I Dare You

Mid-Century Modern

An idea board for our new apartment in Downtown Los Angeles:


^ color scheme & textures


^ an organized shoe closet


^ mix of organic and modern


^ line art for walls


^ a clean, clean kitchen. absolute must. useful items on display only


^ outside patio ideas. greens, table, chairs: relax mode