Valentine's Day Story for Old Navy

The story of how we met: Hank and I met the night of September 25, 2010. It was our mutual friend's birthday party. I seldom go out alone, but that night I really wanted to wish my childhood friend a happy birthday so I did. Call it fate or destiny because I know if I went with friends or even a singular friend, I wouldn't have had the chance to make conversation with a complete stranger! I was at the bar with the birthday boy when Hank turned around and offered to buy the birthday boy a drink, and by default bought me one too. The birthday boy, being the birthday boy, got pulled away and that's how our story began. Hank was lively, spontaneous and most of all, fun. We chatted the night away~

That night he mentioned planning to check out an art fair in Dumbo, Brooklyn the following day with his friends. He called me first thing in the morning (I can tell he had just woken up from his voice), asking me if I'd like to join him. Behind the scenes he told his friends they no longer have to go with him, making it a "date". Hank wore a beige argyle sweater and I wore a loose fitting t-shirt with a graffiti print of monster characters on the front and back. Hank recalls thinking I must not be interested in him to wear an outfit like that!

It was our first time exploring Dumbo. Being by the water and both Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge, it was very scenic. The best part being that there was art just everywhere, both inside the studios and spilling out on the the streets - even a huge installation on the rocky "beach" that leads into the water. 

It was then it became apparent we make a good fit because I am extremely right brained (creative, visual, imaginative), while he is far left brained (practical, logical, analytical). It was almost like we needed the other and clung to each other. We've been inseparable since. This is where we are different and compliment the other's weaknesses with our strengths, but over time we found ourselves very compatible in many ways. I think traveling with someone, anyone, really reveals a lot about your compatibility. That's when we knew there was something long term. We went on our first vacation together to Napa only a couple months in and were engaged and living together by 6 months. It also helped that we had both been in long term relationships in the past and knew what we were (and were not) looking for.

Hank is the most patient and even-tempered person I've ever met. He makes me feel loved the entire range of ways. From the big gestures to being the most hands on husband/father on an every day basis. On top of that, he loves to make me laugh. I don't think there's enough I could do to live up to how he makes me feel. I've learned what love is from him, it's selfless and about doing whatever it takes to see the other person happy.

All relationships take work. In our case, it's about quality time - especially now that we have a child together, and one on the way! Hank doesn’t have the shortest work hours, so we have to make an effort to make time for each other. I'll even follow him into the bathroom while he showers to take any extra chance to talk to each other. When we are home together, we implemented a no-technology "family hour" for eye-to-eye face time. I think it's really important to connect and cherish what we've built so far, not taking a moment for granted. 

This Valentine's Day, we'll probably celebrate it over a nice relaxing and romantic dinner either out or at home. We often leave the house taking turns watching our son, but rarely just the two of us for dates. When we do get alone time, I love how it reminds me of when we were dating and those early butterfly feels.

Thank you Old Navy for this mini Pre-Valentine's day date around downtown!

Read our more from our interview on Heymama.co!

• Photographed by Stevi Sesin

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A day in Dumbo

Fun Fact: Hank and I had our first date in Dumbo Brooklyn - we went to the art fair in 2010!

Over the long weekend earlier this month I spent a fun-filled family day in Dumbo Brooklyn with my husband, son and sister. We left the house without eating breakfast so I quickly yelped brunch spots, and came across AlMar. The Egg in a Cloud dish sparked my interest, but being a family friendly restaurant solidified our decision. The restaurant has high ceilings and the food was as tasty as it looks. It was an ideal brunch! Next time I'd love to try Atrium.

After lunch we wanted Chase to run around so we headed to the nearest playground which was at Pier 5. He loved the sandbox shaped like a boat. Dumbo is a residential neighborhood so here is an extensive list of playgrounds in the area~ 

Then to relax, we picked up some snacks at Peas & Pickles for a picnic at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The views are beautiful right by the river and the iconic bridges. We strolled to Jane's Carousel and Chase (finally) fell asleep in his stroller (he was too excited and stayed up way past his usual naptime).

We figured it's a good time to grab an early dinner with Chase napping, and it's not often we come to Brooklyn so we headed for their famous pizza! We figured the lines wouldn't be too bad considering it's a holiday weekend and everyone was out of town, but both Juliana's and Grimaldi's lines were still too long. So we headed closer to the water where we can always rely on Luke's Lobster. We ate outside and I love that you feel a bit like you're on vacation.

When Chase woke up, we needed to find a bathroom so we got some treats from One Girl Cookies. We got a sample of flavors though Chase ate most of them. It was right by the park so we picnicked again to change his diaper. It didn't feel right to leave without checking out the shops so we went to a bookstore we saw across the street from the cookie store called Powerhouse and then Shibu, a Japanese furniture store. Sadly, both were going out of business.. and almost everything was on sale. I got a blank textbook from Powerhouse to use as a sketchbook which I'm excited to fill with designs and ideas.

We grabbed one last strawberry smoothie for the subway ride back home. It's unfortunate that none of the subway stops in Brooklyn have elevators! I suggested walking over the Brooklyn Bridge but by the end of the day we were all pretty pooped!

Outfits wise - I wasn't planning on blogging the day when we left, so it's simply weekend casual in a white top, denim shorts, and my most comfortable sneakers.

P.S. We stumbled upon this amazing flower garden! It is located by River Cafe between Luke's Lobster. Nothing is more soothing to me than the sound of trickling water and there is a lovely little stream by the entrance to the garden. It's a sweet spot from the urban environment when the flowers are in full bloom!

• Photography by Deborah Chang and myself

Oasis in the City: 20 Ways to stay cool this summer

Summer has officially arrived~ It can get very hot and humid here in the city and everyone migrates to the park to laze under some shade. I personally get drained very quickly by the sun so I will grab a sun hat (with a wide brim), shades and layers of SPF before leaving the house. Here are more tricks to help beat the heat!

1. Wear loose fitting clothes
2. Wear lighter colors that reflect light, darker colors hold in heat
3. Wear cotton or linen
4. Tie your hair so heat doesn't get trapped around your neck
5. Avoid metallic jewelry
6. Keep your feet cool - wear breathable shoes
7. Iced beverage - don't wait to be thirsty to drink, drink every 15 mins
8. Put an iced bottle to your ankles, wrists, or behind the knees
9. Chrysanthemum tea lowers body temperature
10. Avoid caffeine and alcohol which dehydrate you
11. Avoid soda - your body will find it more difficult to store water
12. Eat frequent smaller meals instead of a big meal
13. Enjoy frozen snacks
14. Eat spicy foods: increases blood circulation and makes you sweat (which will feel cool as it dries)
15. Avoid meat - increases metabolic heat production (oops, I ate a hot dog)
16. Stay in the shade - feels 15 degrees cooler
17. Breathe deep, learn yoga's cooling breathing technique
18. Splash cool water on yourself - you can also bring a spray bottle
19. Use a cooling aloe vera aftersun product 
20. Plan ahead: 10am~4pm is the hottest time of day

Stay cool everyone!!

Feature: JencooksKorean Egg Muffins

One of my dearest friends and home cook blogger, JencooksKorean, is always making me drool with her amazing recipes. She often invites us for a love-filled homemade dinner at her beautiful home. Here, we'll share an easy yet impressive snack with you straight from her kitchen. We chose to make egg muffins as #yolkporn has been blowing up on social media and thought you'd probably love to try this! 

Jen is an excellent hostess, and she without fail goes above and beyond. There's always cheese and crackers as well as a glass of wine when she and her husband welcome you. Their place has a beautiful view of the river and there's constant laughter as she keeps it as real as it gets. I feel like you can sense that kind of warmth in a person's cooking. Bon appetit!

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil

Mix together ingredients and cook in a 400 degree Farenheit oven for 10-15min depending on the size of the muffin. Pour the muffin mix into the pan, about halfway crack an egg and cover the rest with mix to the top. Check to see if the egg is cooked through after 10min and continue cooking until the egg is firm. Garnish with scallions and/or peppers if you please.

Cool White

A refreshing all white outfit for the colder season, topped off with subtle yet eye catching pastels.

Mural on 50th Street and 10th Avenue - South West corner

• Photography by Connie Kim of s o k o p h o t o s
• Styling by Connie Kim and myself

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How To: Style a Denim Shirt

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In this post, we’ll show you how we styled the classic denim shirt. Maybe you’ve been playing it safe with white shirts, or you just don’t own one …yet! Here are four examples from a combination of endless styles.

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1. Easy Layers

First, let's start with a casual look for one your comfortable days. You can throw on a textured sweater over your denim shirt, and wear it with a pair of boyfriend jeans. For the bag, go with a big slouchy one because it’ll give it that easy-going feel. A neutral tone will keep the look simple and clean. There's a fine line between "casual" and "lazy", so refine the look with a polished shoe and top it off with a neat hairstyle.

Where to wear: Shopping, Class, Lunch, Stroll, Airport

2. Denim on Denim

For the next look, don't be afraid to pair denim with denim. The denim will recede and act like a canvas for any bold accessories. This way, your favorite accessories will stand out. Not only is this look effortless, but it also feels put together and chic.

Where to wear: Lunch, Vacation, Date, Dinner, Park (swap out for comfy shoes)

3. Serious Meeting

If you have a casual business dress code, try this look. Swap out your predictable shirts with a denim one. Give life to your outfit by adding brooches to the lapels or pairing it with a unique bag, or printed shoes. With this look, you won't blend in or feel dull!

Where to wear: Meeting, Office

4. Tropical Blues

Last, the relaxed fit of the denim shirt compliments a form-fitting pencil skirt nicely. For this look we played with the blue hues of the shirt. Pencil skirts can be a bit serious, so this hand painted print gives it just the right balance of softness. For an airy feel, tie the ends of the shirt and pair it with open shoes. The Guinea pig bag also has the right balance of polished and playful to finish the outfit.

Where to wear: Lunch, Date, Vacation

• Photography by s o k o p h o t o s
• Styled by Connie Kim and myself

Shop the look - mix and match!

How to: Style a Chunky Turtleneck

Wearing: Zara Sweater (similar), BDG Jeans, Zara boots (similar)

A good foundation to a solid closet is to start with the basics. In this post, we'll style this cozy turtleneck. With the right accessories, a simple staple can be transformed into a range of looks. Here are three examples.

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A Feminine Touch

Wearing: ALC skirt (similar), Chanel bag (similar), Valentino Pumps

For a flirty, feminine look, it's as easy as pairing it with the right skirt. Luckily, most skirts will work with an oversized, solid, gray sweater. Experiment with different lengths, colors, and textures. The finishing touch is in the shoes. For a light and airy feel, we went with all neutral tones, and delicate jewelry. 

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Give it an Edge

Wearing: Chanel Sunglasses, Iro Leather Jacket (similar), Aritzia Leather leggings (similar), Tibi Boots (similar), Alexander Wang Tote Bag (similar)

For that cool girl look, a simple trick is: black on black on black. Oh, and sunglasses for a mysterious vibe! In addition to your knit sweater, I recommend adding a classic leather jacket to the inventory of basics in your closet. It took me years to find just the right one, but now I can turn to it to make any outfit on point. 

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Playful Comfort

Wearing: Patricia Chang Donut Bag, J Crew Beanie (similar), Zara Pants (similar), Vince Slip on Sneakers, Luna on the Moon Eye Brooch

For a playful, casual look, style your outfit with quirky accessories. Let your personality shine! I love that this donut bag is a conversation starter. Choose pieces that will bring a smile to your face and those around you. Also, choose cool, comfortable pieces like relax fit pants. To finish, keep your look fresh with a pair of clean white shoes.

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• Photography by s o k o p h o t o s
• Styling by Connie Kim and myself

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