Lanuchan

new series: recipe box

over the past few years, my interest in cooking, food and all things culinary has grown. whether it was the classes i took in college (i took a real cooking class with a lab) or just the increasing number of resources available to aspiring cooks via the web, cookbooks, celeb chefs and more, i know that every week, i find numerous recipes that i want to try.

i'm going to start a new series here on sunshine girl, the first of a few that i want to start, called "recipe box." except, it will be more like a virtual recipe box of course. basically, an overall recap of some of the recipes that made my mouth water throughout the week, and conveniently, all in one place for me to try  and re-create (vs. continually email-ing myself recipes and labeling them--i really do this). it'll also be a good way for me to introduce you to some of the food/cooking blogs i read--there are so many great ones out there! and if you couldn't tell, the theme turned out to be comfort foods, by accident. probably a product of the healthier eating i've been practicing in preparation for last weekend's trip to miami. but now, summer is right around the corner, so i'm going to continue! anyway, here goes, recipe box numero uno

sweet and sour tofu, via big girls small kitchen

beef stir-fry with peppers, via the pioneer woman

low-cal baked onion rings, via skinny taste

eggplant parmesan rigatoni, via big girls small kitchen

birthday blog

i know i'm in miami, but i couldn't help but post. sunshine girl is officially 1 today! it's really flown by. i'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with this here, as all of my previous attempts to blog fell into somewhat of an extended hiatus, but this here is different. it's my little space on the web to share what i like, so here's to 1 year of pretty pictures, fashion, inspiration, decor and all around eye candy. happy birthday to me (sorta) and mostly, to sunshine girl! and here's to another good year..or two..or three or more!

some dainty floral cupcakes and tea

sparkly shoes to celebrate

and of course, a rainbow of balloons!

leave this world behind

well, i'm off to miami tomorrow! it's been a long countdown to this fun weekend, but my bags are packed and i'm ready to go and welcome the 80+ degree weather with a smile. i'm excited to take a nice 4-day  break to go enjoy some great music, sunshine, sand and it's inevitable that there'll be some strobe lights and swedish dj's too. i'm looking forward to getting a tan and going on a getaway with girlfriends and my boy, and to stay at this sweet resort. some sultry pics of marloes horst below, for that last-minute bikini body inspiration. see you all back here on tuesday, and hope you have a great weekend!

via fgr

desert fashion, inspiring offices, sea-themed parties

it's all a part of rue issue 4, which i just love! i think it's one of the best yet. there were so many inspiring spreads, from a sneak peek of the kate spade bedding collection to a blissful desert fashion shoot, a spring and sea themed party and the most inspiring office space i've ever seen. i loved flipping every page (and was even greeted by a pleasant surprise on page 18) and wanted to share a few favorites below. but hopefully, you'll head over there and see for yourself. happy reading!

kriste michelini's inspiring space, full of flowers and frames

a fun, seascape inspired party to start spring right, designed by david stark

an inspiring fashion shoot in the dessert, featuring happy happy, beautiful models

and the prettiest offices i've ever seen, home of bash please--that chevron print wallpaper, chalkboard (good grief), and the wall collages (not to mention, everything else in the office!!), i think i'm in love

and last, but i hope not least, i spotted myself and my friend claire in a candid from the rue nyc launch party a couple of months ago in the showroom of the new traditionalists :)

for japan with love

thanks to utterly engaged and ever ours for organizing this great cause to support japan right now, when they need it most. the photos and news have been devastating, saddening and upsetting. i'm hoping my tiny bit of a difference via a donation to shelterbox will help someone in need across the ocean.

a little more about the cause: "shelterbox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. each large, green shelterbox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.”

i'm also participating in the blogger's day of silence tomorrow, so no posting, just hoping, praying and wishing for japan. try to help out too, every little bit helps.

find out more and donate here

recipe infographics

i love love love these clever recipe infographics by katie shelly. cute and useful, they show the whole cooking process, often lost in text-heavy recipes (which are still useful, but simply not quite as fun). katie brings a fun, visual element to cooking that lets you see the whole thing through. so smart! now, onto pesto, sweet potato fries and eggplant parm!

images via here, found here

faena hotel+universe

wanderlust is what i have. i want to travel and explore. i know it will all happen eventually, i just can't help but be anxious for it to happen. all i know is that when i visit buenos aires for the first time, i'm going to have to check out faena hotel+universe. it looks like the coolest hideaway in BA, with philippe-starck designs and a funky-traditional vibe. the pool, patio, and rooms all look like amazing places to unwind after a day of exploring the city, for a glass of good red wine and some great conversation. some of my favorite spaces from faena below.

images via here, book here

mcqueen dream

someone get me one of these...stat. well ok, maybe that's not so realistic, but a girl can dream. loving these clutches by alexander mcqueen and determined to have one in my life at some point. they scream badass.

via here

fill-in-the-blank friday

there's a fun blog project going on at the little things we do, a great, picture-filled blog from portland. it's called fill in the blank friday, and it engages blogs around the world to take a bit of time on fridays to reflect and share about various topics. i used to do these fill in the blank things all the time when i was younger (back in the myspace/xanga days) and kind of miss them, so i'm considering this the all grown-up version. happy friday, hope it's warming up where you are!

via fgr

1.   The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is...exclamation points (!!!), smiley faces and LOL.

2.  Today I am thankful for...sunshine and the coming of spring!

 

3.  My best friend is...my boyfriend, my girlfriends, and my bed.

4.  A quirky thing about me is...i like to read magazines cover to cover, i'm not a flip-through quickly kind of girl.

   

5.  This weekend I...am going to be celebrating st. patty's day a little early with a parade and some parties in a nearby town, going to welcome some family from china to the us and going to spend time with my best friends. it's shaping up to be a great weekend. 

6.  Something that worries me is...a lot of things worry me, but i try not to let them get to me.   

   

7.  On my night stand you would find...a pump bottle of Nivea lotion, my earring organizer, 2 tubes of chapstick and a random mess of necklaces, sunglasses and change.

candy colors

spring is in the air, i can just feel it, we're right on the cusp! i'm so so excited and looking to bright colors and accessories to move me into the season. i've always loved brights and these candy colored pieces don't disappoint, not to mention that gorgeous naeem khan dress below (swoon). hoping these goodies brighten up your day!

1. sunshine yellow naeem khan gown | 2. strappy, happy, polka dotty heels

3. classic orange hermes cuff | 4. candy-colored fuschia acrylic clutch