Category Archives: Miscellaneous

AsianCajuns at the Wigwam

Before a mega much-over-due wedding update, I had to share these photos with you that Cath and I took last week with our friend Ali.

So sometimes Atlanta is magical. Like 70 degrees in mid-February magical. Last weekend we took advantage of said magical-ness by playing outside in sleeveless attire. We had sandwiches at Victory’s, Kombucha at Savi’s, and then we strolled over to the 4th Ward to take a look at the photogenic, Miami-esque, appropriately named Wigwam (???) Condos.

Aren’t they so kewl? And so very not Atlanta. Also very not wigwam-ish (they are named for the silhouette of what I thought was a cupid but happens to be a 3-ft. pink Native American chief – see above). I love its incongruity. It’s right by Martin Luther King Jr’s historical home and Lotta Frutta which has deeelicious smoothies and slightly taciturn smoothie makers.

I highly recommend visiting historic sites and eating delicious sandwiches this weekend if you guys can. Or, you know what? You guys should just all come down here and we’ll take you around! Okay, good. It’s a date. See you tomorrow!

In the meantime, here’s Cath dancing up the Wigwam stairs:


On Cath: shirt, thrifted; jeans, Blank; shoes, TOMS


On Lar (moi): awesomest dress in the world is a gift from Cath from Creatures of Comfort in L.A.; bandeau (see in photo below), AA; belt, Madewell; skirt, Citizens of Humanity; boots, years old from Target; purse, my favorite and least practical bag and I have no idea where it’s from; bracelets are assorted, one is from my future in-laws from Egypt!

xoxo,

Lar

Date Night with Cath


On Cath: sweater, Target; belt, H&M; shirt, thrifted Helmet Lang; skirt, Limited; tights, Walgreens; shoes, Aldos.
On Lar (moi): pleather jacket, Express; tee, belt, boots, AE; jeans, Earnest Sewn; necklace, c/o Novica.

So Cath and I lived together for most of college and post-college, but for the last nine months we’ve lived <gasp>.<sob>.seven minutes away from each other. I hate it.

Oh, and we even work about five minutes apart. But somehow we see very little of each other. We hang out maybe twice a week, and that’s only if we schedule it. That’s what we did last week. Date night for the AsianCajuns. Actually we kind of had two date nights (but one included the mens).

At our local bbq place Burnt Fork (god bless Southern food!!!):

(Below) My favorite new cocktail at Leon’s Full Service (in Decatur) called the Gutter Pop. I forget everything that’s in it, but I do know there is gin, gin and more gin, garnished with a peel of orange and a bit of clove. I love you, winter cocktail!

When we “grow up” Cath and I plan to live, if not next door to each other, in the same neighborhood. There is a chance that I might be moving outside of Atlanta for just a bit (my smartypants fiance is looking far a-field for postdoc employment). I haven’t told Cath yet, but she’s coming with us. I mean, 2-3 years living more than 10 minutes apart- possibly even an ocean apart!- unfathomable. Kitcath, I hope you don’t mind 😉

ps- A wedding update to come soon! Remember those bookshelves I was talking about? Yeah, two thirds of all the books? Now covered in white paper. Woot, woot!

Ode to Decatur

We tend to mention Decatur (our adopted hometown) a lot on this blog. For those of you not familiar with it, Decatur is a teeny-tiny, progressive city that borders the east side of Atlanta. As individuals and as bloggers, we’ve gotten a lot of support from the local community so we try to give back every chance we get.

In addition to some local volunteering and seeing if we’re smarter than Decatur 5th Graders (turns out we’re about on par), we’re also contributing to the Decatur Tourism blog – the perfect place to go if you are a first-time visitor to Decatur or a long-time resident. You can see a list of the other blog contributors here. I just finished our first post so have a look around.

We also shot a short video a couple months ago for Decatur’s Tourism site that I’ve been meaning to post. I always kind of cringe when I see myself on video, but I love that I’m side by side with Lar. Plus, there was a professional involved – thank goodness for the power of editing!

So let us know when you are next in town! We’d love to be your tour guides.

Am I Bridezilla-ing?


Lar: shirt, thrifted Ella Moss; belt, J.Crew; dress worn as skirt, local boutique; boots, Frye; Earrings and Necklace, c/o June Shin

So I look pretty demure and anti-bridezilla in the photo, right? But I’m worrying that I’m drifting into dangerous territory. What exactly constitutes bridezilla status anyways? For instance, hypothetically speaking, if one were to have one’s ceremony in a private library, would you think said hypothetical bride would earn her zilla stars by wanting all the books the same color. (Oooo that sounds a lot worse in print than it did in my head- I mean, in her head). It sounds a bit “painting the roses red,” doesn’t it? Okay, okay. now what if the Queen of Hearts actually painted her own damn roses. That’s less dictatorial, right? Much more “of the people.” (If you answered “no” then <cough>Off With Your Head!<cough>).

Well call me the Queen of Bridezillas. I’m covering all the damn books in the library in recycled white-ish paper. And I can prove I’m being Queen of the Zillas because I just said “I’m covering all the damn books” when the truth is my mom is doing a lot of the grunt work. I’ve covered about 10 books, she’s covered a couple of shelves (including Shakespeare’s complete works).

See those uncovered, <gasp> colorful books in the photo below? Gone! Get rid of them! I don’t want to see another ostentatious, ebullient display of saturated kaleidoscopic spine-hood!!!

Here’s another example of my Zilla stats: bow-ties. I’m making my menfolk wear bow-ties. And not the preppy kind with plaids or palm trees on them – or anything else they might like. They have to wear what I want <stomps foot>. I ordered these charming clip-ons from Etsy’s vintage section. Aren’t they dapper? Well, aren’t they? F*&% yeah, they are.

Oh and, Boo Radley, I don’t care how many times you decide to back out of your ring-bearer duties (or out of the picture frame while I’m trying to shoot you), you are gonna be in the wedding if I have to get Cesear Milan to lead you down the aisle himself! Oh, and  don’t forget, I’m gonna put a ruffly paper collar on you too. Yeah, that’s right. Ruffles.

Oh and this Bride is telling all her bridesmaids (a.k.a. Cath) that they have to wear Manolos. Anything else and you have to stand outside during the ceremony. You aren’t coming near me in anything less than $550 shoes. (Erm, just in case my sarcasm isn’t reading so great here, Cath actually found these gorgeous Manolo Blahniks for 30 DOLLARS at a local consignment shop called Finders Keepers!!! For realzzzz! Oh and my Diane von Furstenberg shoes are courtesy of Shopbop for $50. Ooo yeahhh).

XOXOXOXOX,

LAR-ZILLA!!!

Messy Ponytail

A cousin of the messy bun, the messy ponytail was inspired by this post on A Cup of Jo, which was inspired by J. Crew’s spring lookbook. Lar and I both took a stab at it on Friday. I love how different our ponytails turned out.

I’m so impressed that so many of you can tell us apart! For those of you who can’t tell, that’s me (Cath) on the left and Lar on the right. The easiest way to tell us apart on this blog is our fall-back, blog-photo-taking faces. I always end up smiling like a goob and Lar does her fish face, kissy look (see above image as an example).

On me: Second hand Echo scarf, American Apparel v-neck, H&M cardi and jeans, Payless shoes.

On Lar: Old Navy cardi, Wildfox tee, Blank cords, Frye boots.

This necklace is one of my favorite Christmas gifts. Pam found it at a craft fair. It use to be a bottle label. The best part? My middle name is Gin. No, I don’t mean that I love to drink gin (I’m more of a beer and wine girl). I mean that my middle name is literally Gin. It was the American first name of my Chinese grandmother. Uh huh.

Lar is wearing a necklace from one of our favorite local jewelry designers, June Shin. At any given time either Lar or I are usually wearing one of June’s pieces.

Now for a bit more about the ponytails:

I didn’t follow directions very well and didn’t realize it’s suppose to be a side ponytail, but I’m happy with the way it turned out. We took these photos after work, so my poof had fallen a little bit. I’ll probably tease a bit more next time and wrap a bit of hair around the band to give it a more polished look.

Lar adorned her side sweep with this cute clock pin. I have no idea where she got it, but once I find out I’ll let you all know.

Even though this weekend started with Apple support telling me I need to spend $130 for a new battery (thank you worthless, expired Apple Care!), I think it’s going to be a good couple of days: three parties that will include a mac & cheese tasting, homemade brews and a delicious meal cooked by a friend.

Hope you’re having a great weekend, lovely readers!

“Don’t be a drag, just be a queen”

Mario Testino for Vogue (see source and slide show here)

Sooo I know not everyone is gaga for Gaga like I am, but I feel kind of compelled to blog about her today. Her single “Born this Way” is going to be released tomorrow. I’m usually pretty stoked for any new Gaga anything, but I’m particularly giddy because I already love the lyrics. Elton John has called it our generation’s anthem and the gayest song he’s ever heard. So that’s a lot of hype, I know, but considering the lyrics, I think I’m gonna love it:

Don’t be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you’re broke or evergreen
You’re black, white, beige, chola descent
You’re lebanese, you’re orient
Whether life’s disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
‘Cause baby you were born this way

No matter gay, straight, or bi,
Lesbian, transgendered life
I’m on the right track baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made
I’m on the right track baby
I was born to be brave

(Lyrics: Lady Gaga)

If you are wondering why I’m so Gaga obsessed, I think Vogue’s article “explains” her really well. Read it here.

Happy (almost) Friday, little monsters!!!

Can You Guys Tell Us Apart?


On Cath: Blouse, thrifted Ralph Lauren; Cords, Blank; Boots, Frye; Bracelet, Aldos
On Lar: Sweater, Lands End; Blazer, thrifted; Belt, Madewell; Jeans, Blank; Booties, Zara
; Earrings, June Shin

I think I (Lar – the one in the gray) totally takes it for granted that you guys know who is who in all of our photos. One of the weird things about being a twin, is kind of forgetting that you are a twin. I don’t go around thinking that there is another person that looks a lot (okay, sometimes exactly) like me. But at the same time, I tend to always talk in the plural even when Cath is not around, or when said person doesn’t even know I have a twin (“We love gumbo.” “That used to always happen to us.”) In case you were curious, speaking in plural when you first meet a guy realllly freaks them out. There have been many an awkward moment in my dating life – “Oh, oh no! Not you and meeee. We’ve obviously just met. <tense laughter>I have an identical twin!” (The twin thing usually softens the initial panic).

So not only do I forget that I am a twin sometimes, I forget to mention it to people I just meet. A few days later they inevitably run into Cath and confusion ensues. We really never, ever have minded the confusion, but we feel bad because the confused person gets flustered and super-embarrassed. This past weekend at a party, a girl came up to me (whom I had never met) and literally turned white-as-a-sheet when Catherine sidled up to her a few seconds later. She did the classic double take and then spent the rest of the evening avoiding me (mebbe it was the nacho breath who knows) and trying to look at me when she thought I wasn’t looking (“Is that Catherine? Or is that Catherine? What is the difference?”).

So I’m sorry if you guys have been confused! I forget about this twin thing, and I’m bad at it in person so understandably it has taken me three plus years to realize it might be a problem on the blog. When Cath and I blog separately, we’re pretty good at mentioning who is writing the post, and you guys are geniuses and usually can fill in the details if we don’t. But just let us know when we are confusing. Oh! And do leave a comment and let us know if you can indeed tell us apart or not. If you can’t, let us know how we can make it easier (short of major surgery or drastic hair color changes). If you really insist, I will consider growing a couple of inches for you. That’s how serious we are I am!

Are We Smarter than a 5th Grader?

Let’s see. 5th grade was about 12 17 years ago, and it took me a while to do that kind of math.this doesn’t look good.

Cath and I were invited to be contestants in Decatur’s very own “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader.” And you know how they got us to agree to embarrass ourselves in front of a large audience? They called us “celebrities!” So we of course humbly accepted. (I’m fairly certain there will be a number of disappointed 5th graders on Wednesday night when they realize they aren’t going head-to-head with a real Decatur celebrity like the Mayor or Fire Chief. Sorry, kiddos!).

Also, it turns out this isn’t just about us being local celebrities, the proceeds go to the Glenwood Academy 5th graders so that they can create a legacy gift of art for the new 4-5 Academy in Decatur. Sweet! Art and education. I really can’t think of a better reason to make a fool of myself, can you?

Locals, you can still get tickets here for the event for this Wednesday night. Non-locals, we’ll be sure to ask someone to capture our most embarrassing moments for your viewing pleasure. Below are some of the real celebrities we’ll be sharing the stage with:

Need a fashion fix? Catch us on Sally’s latest post about work-wear (we’re at the bottom of the long list of inspiring ladies who do the 9-5).

An Engagement Watch and Wedding Beer


Photo courtesy of Pam the Nomad Photography

I Think Men Should Wear Engagement Jewelry Too
I bought Matt an engagement watch which he wears all the time now- le swoon! I did this because 1) I felt kind of cheesy getting a big fabulous gift and not getting him anything and 2) (and this is probably supposed to be the more important driving force) I like us being in this together- this engagement bit. It never made sense to me that just a woman would wear a ring to say “hey! I’m off the shelf, lads. On to the next.” and her man would just walk around like nothing has changed (except his checking or saving account has dwindled). But at the same time, I didn’t like the idea that once we were married, Matt would have to wear a stack of rings on his finger (love the stacked look on the ladies, and sometimes on Keith Richards, but generally I don’t like bejeweled man hands). So I thought, “what is round and manly and can be worn everyday – apart from from a diadem? Why a watch, of course!” (Now that I’m thinking about it, Matt might have preferred the diadem but those are much harder to find these days).

I know about as much about watches as I do about rings. So I made a blind-ish stab in the dark. I knew he wanted something metal and rectangular, and I wanted something more James Bond than Inspector Gadget. So I found this (see photo above) Jacques Lemans watch. Voila! Now we both have things that say “we’re engaged!” Or at least mine does and his says the time . and glows in the dark, and is scratch resistant sapphire, and probably will do the dishes for you if you ask it.

What do you guys think about this idea? I know an engagement ring is placed on the left hand fourth finger because supposedly there is a vein that leads to your heart (don’t all your fingers?), but the watch has got the whole darned artery covered. Watch 1, ring 0.

Also, wouldn’t it be nice to have a new tradition that couples can do if like Carrie Bradshaw and my friend Dexin, you don’t wear rings. And once we get it together and legalize gay marriage, we can have men getting down on one knee and opening a watch box in front of their beloved at fancy restaurants everywhere. How could we not want more of that? How could Rolex and Omega not want more of that?

Speaking of more stuff.


Design by AsianCajun Design (click that link to get to my portfolio site if you guys are interested).

I’m Not Alone on Working on Wedding Stuffs
Thank gawd! I don’t see this wedding shindig as just “my day” and all about “me, me, me.” I think it’s definitely about Matt and I, and it’s also about our families getting to share this day with us with our teeny ceremony. I’m so magnanimous aren’t I? Muahahaha! Little do they know that I’m sharing “my day” because that way, I don’t have to do all the work for it <again, cue evil cackling>. No, seriously, I don’t think it’s just about me, AND I’m also uber excited not to be doing all the work.

In addition to organizing the paperwork and honeymoon plans, Matt (with the help of his wonderful brother) are brewing us our very own wedding beer! Huzzah! I worked up a beer label last night (see above). It’s a work-in-progress, but squint your eyes and imagine it wrapped around a deliciously cold brown bottle. Yum! Go, Crane brothers! (p.s. Crane might or might not be my new last name soon- I can’t decide! More on that later). Beer!

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This weekend Cath and I have a full schedule of dim summing (Happy Chinese New Year) and superbowling, but I might fit in some more wedding plans. Step #1, figure out plans because wedding is less than two months away.

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Instead of Jordan Almonds I’m Gonna Have Homemade Poptarts

Another perk to doing the just-short-of-elopement-size-wedding? I can afford a little more than sugared almonds for my guests’ favors. A few weeks ago I was browsing on Scoutmob’s site and came across Queen of Tarts. Well, actually I came across the words “homemade poptarts.” And a little internet research and much drooling later, I knew there was a reason to have a wedding (apart from the marriage bit), really really really good food.

So I called up the Queen of Tarts herself, and a few days later she delivered a delicious package of poptarts for me to try out – in the name of wedding research of course. Listen to this list of flavors: brandied cherry and ganache, ruby red (grapefruit) and vanilla, prosecco soaked fig with brie, port poached pear, hazelnut chocolate, apple tartin, blueberry and lemon. I thought, better not “risk” it. I better try them all. Again, for the sake of my guests. So I did what any decent (good, valiant, hungry) bride would do, and tried all of them. All. Of. Them.

I wasn’t alone in my careful, methodical approach to determining which flavors are best. I called in a team of experts:

Here’s what I decided. Forget the guests (sorry, guys!). I’m keeping these pastry goodies for myself. In exchange, you guys can take my dresses. I don’t plan to fit into them if I continue down Homemade Tart Lane for the next couple of weeks. C’est la vie. When it comes down to it, as much as I love fashion, I could (mayyyybe) live without it. I can’t live without delicious, heaven-sent food.

Do you want some too, readers? I believe the Queen ships her goodies stateside from Atlanta (sorry, international readers. I’d love to send you some!). To get in touch with her, just send her a message on her Queen of Tarts facebook page. A box of six tarts is just $19. Believe me, it’s a steal of a deal-iciousness.

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Oh, and guys! Thanks so so much for all your help picking out Cath’s maid-o-honor gown. #2 it is! We hear you loud and clear. We loved reading all your comments. We’ll show you how we end up customizing it!