Category Archives: Miscellaneous

28 September 2011

A Weekend in Charlotte

While Lar started her search for her future home in Scotland last week, I went off gallivanting to Charlotte, North Carolina. The trip was for work, but I was able to convince Troy to come with me so we could explore the city together.


Outfit details: Lulu’s dress, Kate Spade bag and American Eagle boots.

I have a tendency to pack a lot of black clothes for conferences, but check out my hotel closet for the weekend – only one black item:

A big reason for all this color? Lar left many so many of her clothes that I can now go a whole day without wearing black (accessories not included).

Obviously this day wasn’t one of those non-black days:


Outfit details: Sweater from Lar, FCUK for Sears skirt, American Eagel boots, Maison Scotch necklace (came with a dress).

I wore heels the whole weekend while walking around the city. It wasn’t nearly as painful as it sounds. I found these American Eagle boots online and they’re the perfect height for walking. I know that sounds crazy, but I have yet to find a pair of ballet flats that are comfortable.

Unfortunately I didn’t discover any hidden boutiques in downtown Charlotte, but that probably has more to do with the fact that I was working most of the time and only there for two full days. I’d love to go back and explore more. Troy and I had a great meal at Enso the first night we were there and found some decent beers at Growlers Pourhouse in NoDa.

Have you guys ever been to Charlotte? Any favorite spots?

A Lar Edit (10:00 pm British Standard Time):
I can’t believe I almost forgot! Do you remember that wedding inspiration shoot I styled for photographer Aharon Hill this past July? Well it also made it onto Style Me Pretty – the Georgia edition! Woohoo! Click here to see more photos.


Photo by Aharon Hill

Category: Cath's Style
18 Comments
25 September 2011

XOXOs from Edinburgh!!!

Helloooo Lovelies!

I’ve missed you guys this past week! Cath and I have talked a few times via video Skype, but it’s weird not being able to just pick up the phone and call her (I have a temporary phone here that just does local calls and texts).


Skype is such a wonderful, wonderful thing:

Oh, so here is my new home town (just the castle-y bit):

Matt and I haven’t had much time to play tourist (good thing that we visited last year or I would be seriously grumpy). Since the moment we got into town, we’ve been scouring the city for a permanent place to live.

At the moment we are staying in Leith, which is a lovely town in the northern part of Edinburgh just by the sea (the Firth of Forth to be exact). We are staying with a wonderful Scottish man named Tom and his cat Suki, found via Air BnB (highly recommend it if you want a good place to stay at a very reasonable price).

Our nightly ritual after a long day of flat/apartment-hunting? Chatting with our host Tom and then snuggling up with cat Suki and watching BBC’s iplayer (and possibly eating some cookies/biscuits in bed – sorry about the crumbs, Matteo!):
When you guys come visit us, I’ll take you to this delicious pub in Leith called The King’s Wark. 600 years ago King James I (of Scotland) wanted a place to wet his whistle after stepping off his ship in Leith harbor before journeying up the hill to Edinburgh Castle. I wonder if the ham-smoked chicken pot-pie was as delicious six centuries ago?

I’m sorry I haven’t taken more touristy pics of Matt and I about town (probably much more interesting than these that I managed our first couple of days). We’ve both been a bit jet-lagged and very stressed with looking for an apartment. This is how Matt looks at me when I whip out my camera:

I promise my next few posts will have some more interesting visuals for you all to take in – something more satisfyingly Scottish. Oh! And here is a sneak peak of our soon-to-be site! That should be up and running in just the next little bit:

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with my only other pretty Edinburgh shot (this gorgeous city deserves a much better introduction – you guys will love it once I get my act together ). AsianCajun readers, meet Edinburgh Castle:

Hope you guys had a luverly weekend!!!

xoxo,

Lar

 

Category: Edinburgh
28 Comments
21 September 2011

Two Big Things

One:

Do you remember Lar’s amazing wedding? Do you remember how talented her wedding photographer was? Well, photos of her wedding were featured today on Style Me Pretty – one of the biggest wedding blogs ever!

 

Two:

On the very day Lar and Matt’s wedding gets featured on SMP, they just happen to be flying over to Scotland – their future home for the next one, two or three years. Yep. Lar left today (sob!). I’ve pretty much been a blubbering idiot all day. Needless to say there have been a lot of tears. A LOT. But there’s Skype, GChat, Facebook, and, most importantly, this blog that will keep us close even if we’re thousands of miles apart. Expect a new AsianCajuns blog look in the next few weeks – something that will make it a little more obvious that we have now gone international. I’m even hoping to post some more videos. Who knows? Maybe we’ll have some Edinburgh vs. Atlanta posts. The sky’s the limit! In the meantime, travel safe, Lar and Matt. I miss and love you guys!

Original print from Society 6.

Category: General AsianCajuns Info
33 Comments
21 September 2011

Missoni Madness

The Missoni for Target line came out when Lar and I were flying back to ATL from our cousin’s wedding. Not thinking that most of the items would sell out by morning, we had plans to meet up with our talented jewelry friend, June Shin, to go check out the line later that week. Naïve? Definitely! We returned home cursing our inability to judge the popularity of such a great collaboration. And we call ourselves fashion bloggers. Sheesh.

But all hope is not lost! We’re super lucky to be friends with one of Atlanta’s best, most seasoned shoppers. I’m going to keep her/his identity under-wraps so let’s call just call him/her Bubba. Bubba brilliantly hit up all the Atlanta Targets last Wednesday and filled up Bubba’s trunk with Missoni clothing, home goods and luggage.

We met up with Bubba the other night to take a look at the loot in a parking garage in Buckhead. It felt like the type of clandestine meetings you see in movies. Actually, it wasn’t that sketchy. We were meeting up with Bubba to get some burgers at Holeman and Finch, and he wanted us to preview his “trunk show” before we got our grub.

Look at all the Missoni goodies:

Bubba had everything from travel pillows to kids flats. I was tempted to get these pumps and still might. I love them. They’d look amazing with black tights and this lust-worthy sweater dress (that I don’t own). Lar wanted this knited skirt:

But then she realized it wouldn’t fit in her luggage for her move to Scotland *sigh*. Nevertheless, we can’t thank Bubba enough for this Missonity Missopportunity opportunity (sorry, trying to figure out how to cleverly combine Missoni and opportunity. Fail).

What do you guys think? Should I get the pumps?!

Category: Decatur/Atlanta
11 Comments
18 September 2011

Mozart Yumminess

Gah! The countdown is on. Lar is officially leaving in less than a week – make that in 3 days. Here are the questions I’ve been getting: “How are you doing?” “What are you going to do when your twin leaves you?!” “Have you and your sister ever lived apart?” “When are you going to visit her?” My answers: I’m hanging in there-ish and super excited for Lar. Going to stay super busy with work, school and blogging. We’ve only lived in separate states for 4 months (that was the longest time apart ever). Already planning my trip for December – hopefully we’ll be together by Christmas – woohoo!

Lar and I have been trying to make the most of our remaining sister time by eating and shopping our way around Atlanta. For example, Mozart Bakery on BuHi. It’s a great Korean Bakery with a couple of locations in Atlanta. This particular one (above) is where they do all the baking. I personally feel that Asians don’t use nearly enough butter and fat in their pastries, but that must just be my Cajun side coming out!


Look at Lar in her element! She has a big sweet tooth. I expect her to find the best bakeries in Edinburgh by the time I come to visit.

Lar’s outfit: top from Rockit Boutique, Squash Blossom Boutique necklace, Ashley Watson bag from Evolve Boutique, Zara skirt, Mango booties.

There’s me munching on some type of biscuit bread – it was delicious. Lar and I have been trying to eat less gluten lately. . . we clearly haven’t been very discipline about it.

My outfit: Target sunnies, Forever 21 top, Norma Kamali for Walmart sweatpants, shoes from Eviva Boutique (closed), and purse from a boutique in New Orleans given to me by Lar.

A couple of things you should take note about my outfit: I’m wearing sweatpants. I love getting away with wearing elastic waistbands in public. Also, my awesome purse? It’s just one of the hundreds of items Lar is leaving me – she’s only taking two large suitcases to Scotland, what?! My closet has pretty much doubled since Lar starting packing. Expect a post on my closet soon.

 

 

Category: Decatur/Atlanta
5 Comments
15 September 2011

These People Know How to Throw a Wedding

The lovely lady on the right is our Cool Cousin Genn (we never just say “Genn” – you always have to add the “Cool Cousin” part if you want to be accurate – see below). She and her hubs are uber-creative and spent a year art directing/designing their awesome carnival-themed wedding. Every bit of the decor was designed and executed by these arty love birds, including this photobooth (and her fascinator):

Hand-made bunting and table cloths (those are hand-painted strips, ya’ll!):

The carousel/ticket themed center-pieces:

And not only was it a beautifully designed wedding, it was tremendous fun too because they had it at Glenn Echo Park: a historic amusement park in Washington D.C. The reception was under the old bumper-car pavilion. And how do you make a historic bumper car pavilion even better? A traditional Chinese dragon dance! Awesomeness on top of awesomeness:

The old carousel actual works, and Pastor and Genn took all their guests for a spin:

Cath and I both ended up on some taciturn-looking ostriches:


Loved the old amusement park buildings:


Guests were encouraged to wear fascinators and bow ties. Cath and I did our best cramming in feathered headwear into our carry-on luggage:

Doesn’t Cath look awesome?! I just loved the back of her dress especially. She looks vaguely flapper-esque without looking like she is wearing a costume:

Here’s a sneaky pic of our dapper dad (our mom has made me promise to never put a photo of her on this blog – harumph – but she looked stunning!).

Thanks for such a great party, Genn and Pastor! You guys are such a loverly couple!

—–

On an unrelated note: I’ll being taking a brief break from blog land (sniffles) because I leave for my big move to Edinburgh with my mans in less than six days (breathing deeply into paper bag). I haven’t started to pack and I’m trying to squeeze tons of friend and family time in.

BUT! Be ready for a blog design update and posts between Atlanta/Decatur via Cath and Edinburgh via moi, very soon! Wish us luck! We are still sniffly when we think about moving apart from each other. It’s sure to be an emotional next few days/weeks!

xoxo,

Lar (on the move!)

Category: Cath's Style, Lar's Style
24 Comments
9 September 2011

Putting the Asian in the Cajun

When Cath and I first moved to Atlanta we had a mighty hard time finding good Chinese food. We grew up going to the Cantonese restaurants in Chinatown D.C. (which is sadly nonexistent now except for a few authentic places nestled between a Legal Seafoods and Urban Outfitters). Our mom (the Cajun part) cooks delicious Chinese food, as does our dad (the Asian part) – though his is a little too authentic for us (“too many pickled cucumbers, dad!”). So we’ve been spoiled little AsianCajuns.

Atlanta doesn’t really have a Chinatown or a Japantown per se, but it does have a magnificent road called Buford Highway that is home to some of the best Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican places in city. You can get amazing “ethnic” foods elsewhere too, but this particular road has it all.

The other day, our foodie sister took us to one of the best Cantonese places in town, Bobo Garden. You can’t resist a cartoon, mustachioed Cantonese chef, can you?

A Bobo feast: sea bass, tofu, squid, crispy noodles, Chinese fried chicken, chow fun (my personal fav), pork, lots of ginger and lots of green:

We let Chowdown Atlanta navigate the menu for us, but we were all stumped at what “At the End Powder, Face The End of The End of Noodles” was. And “Risotto” on a Cantonese menu?:

This delicious, light and gingery soup, gave me my first taste of “1,000-year-old egg.” It looks off-putting but I swear it’s delicious:

My favorite dish was this deep-friend sea bass. It was light and delicate, but full of flavor:

We had to have the wait staff help us stack all the dishes to fit on the table. The dude in the glasses did a little dance every time he put a plate down (best service ever!):

After Bobo, we hit up Quickly for some bubble tea – just across the street. So yummeh! Read Chowdown’s review of Quickly’s Duluth location (they have really good fried chicken and ramen too):

On Moi/Lar: Target sunnies • Bobi tank • Citizens of Humanity skirt • silk corset by I Heart Norwegian Wood • shoes are Jeffrey Campbell


On Cath: H&M top • skirt from Boogaloos Boutique • Dolce Vita sandals

We hope you guys are having a terrific weekend! We are up in D.C./Maryland for our cousin’s wedding and more Chinese food – woohoo! to both!

Category: Cath's Style, Decatur/Atlanta, Lar's Style
13 Comments
8 September 2011

Hello Fall!

It’s finally fall here in Atlanta – at least for a few days. I mean, it’s been downright chilly at 65 degrees! Perfect jacket weather – my favorite kind of weather. To celebrate, I wore the TopShop jacket Lar got me in Scotland last year.


Outfit details: TopShop blazer, Gap blouse, Limited skirt, Aldo shoes, Vivid Boutique necklace, cuff from a boutique in LA (forgot the name) and Kate Spade purse.

 

I can’t wait for this weekend. Our cousin Genn is getting married in Maryland, so we’ll be having some great quality family time for the next few days and eating lots of Chinese food. Lar and my parents flew up to D.C. today and I’ll be joining them Friday morning. Lar brought her computer so we’ll be blogging from our home state!

Of course this means we won’t be in town for Fashion’s Night Out – bummer. Any of you Atlanta fashionistas attending the local FNO events? They all look like so much fun – especially all of the pop-up shops. Let us know if you go! And FYI: Shopbop is selling the 2011 FNO gear here. I’ve had my eye on the printed shortsleeve tee – it’s very Suno-esque.

I have to finish up this post since its past midnight and I need to start packing. Lar was able to fit a week’s worth of clothes in a carry-on so surely I can do the same for five days, right? Here’s hoping!

 

Category: Cath's Style
13 Comments
5 September 2011

Kitchen Re-do!

This blog runs the gamut these days, doesn’t it? Foodie posts, embarrassing self-made videos, author interviews – you name it, we write about it! That leads me to my next non-fashion/style topic: kitchen renovations! Even if you don’t care a hoot about interior design or DIY house projects, aren’t you still a fan of Before and After shots (especially when the “before” is made to look extra specially bad)?

 

Here is our kitchen looking tired and frowning (in bad lighting and poor photography, messiest it’s ever been):

And ta dahhhhh!

I just threw some things on the countertops so they wouldn’t look so naked in the picks. Below are some details shots of the wall color, subway tiles, and marble (oooo marble).


The blackboard paint wall isn’t actually new to the kitchen, but I dusted it off and made a shopping list, taped up a photo of Matt’s beautiful grandma and some rosemary, and, with a nod to our soon-to-be new home, wrote a Robert Burns quote above the closet doors (read the Selkirk Grace with a Scottish brogue please).

You might have noticed I’m showing you just one corner of the kitchen. We have yet to finish painting the rest of the walls and my dad (wonderfully talented man that he is) will be installing a plate rack as part of our new (and only bit of) custom cabinetry. I’ll be sure to bore regal you all with more pics when that’s through – if I have time before we take off for Scotland, that is!

It’s still a work in progress, and if I had all the money in the world I would do things a bit differently. But with just about $4,000 dollars gone and many hours of labor from some wonderfully sweet and generous family members, I think it looks like a whole new glorious cooking haven.

p.s. You can read about why we decided to do a kitchen reno the month before we move to Scotland here. Having done it, I wouldn’t recommend this combination (moving overseas and doing a DIY upgrade to your kitchen) to anyone you like or hope to keep sane. I’ve been eating a lot of these (see below) when I feel a little blue from all the stress – I know it’s a terrible habit, but sooo delicious and temporarily calming.

Category: Lar's Style
17 Comments
2 September 2011

For A Little Happy: AsianCajuns Attempt Lanvin Dance

For the next few days, we’ll be at the Decatur Book Festival (see our post below), but we wanted to leave you with a little somethin somethin in case you have a spare minute this long weekend (happy Labor Day!).

Now even if you aren’t a fashion fan, I think you will still love this video that Lanvin shot for their Fall 2011 campaign (that’s the delightful and talented designer Mr. Alber Elbas making an appearance at the end):

Pretty awesome, non? Cath and I are in love with Mr. Elbas (“he” makes an appearance in our video too!), so we had to do a tribute no matter how embarrassing.

Disclaimer: we might have taken a few liberties with the choreography; that might or might not be the real Alber; we in no way think we look anything like the tall and willowy Karen Elson and Rachel Zimmerman or those lovely boys in hats; music is I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) by Pitbull).

Hope you guys have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Cath and Lar

Category: Uncategorized
25 Comments