So I thought since Cath told you about her Sunday in Decatur a post ago, I would tell you about mine across the pond. For one, I put on a dress! I haven’t worn one of these in roughly five months because they expose the legs too the wily Scottish wind (how is this the country where men decided to wear skirts sans knickers?!).

What did I get all dressed up fer, you ask? To walk two blocks from our flat, buy some delicious German bread from Konditormeister Falko, and come back home. 20 minutes later I was back in my sweats another tres chic outfit. We then proceeded to eat butter, jam and bread for the next hour (my first slices of bread since I started that diet thingy). My, it was delicious!

This is what it looked like on our two block walk (blue sky!):

We spent the rest of the afternoon reading, and I started a mini art project (I’m calling it Sheep in Party Hats… because, you know, the world needs more sheep in funny attire):

The scuba dress I donned to buy bread is from Primark — a shopping trip that happened in December, before I let my guilty conscience get the better of me. The dress and belt were only £17 -ish, so you can see why it will be a hard vice to back away from. I did get this ring on Friday that’s from a fair trade shop called One World Shop to make up for my sinful shopping:

So not a particularly productive Sunday, but isn’t that how they should be? What did you guys get up to? Any lazy plans for this weekend?

Oh and thank you for the sweet comments about our wedding! xoxox

—

Hi Cath!

How was your midterm?! It sometimes boggles my mind that we’ve been out of undergrad for so long. “Midterm” sounds like something 21 year olds worry about. Are they easier at 28?

It’s been so warm here (mid 50s!) that sometimes I keep the window open all afternoon! Lovely!

Miss you so much!

Love,

Lar

I hope you guys don’t mind some personal horn-tooting, but remember that teeny weeny wedding we had last year? Well it’s in the Spring/Summer issue of Atlanta Wedding Magazine! Woohoo! Yippeee! Huzzah!

I feel like I hit the jack-pot in Atlanta wedding vendors: they all listened to the vision I had and helped make it happen in three months. And the queen of all the vendors was without a doubt my lovely wedding photographer, and now wonderful friend, Aharon Hill (all these photos in this post are swiped from Aharon’s blog). I stumbled on her  just googling Atlanta Wedding Photographers, and feel so incredibly lucky!

It’s kind of ironic to have our teeny wedding mentioned anywhere because I still kind of feel like The Anti-Bride. Matt and my mom had to convince me not to elope. I’ve just never been a big wedding person. Getting to be with this wonderful human being (hi, Matteo) for as long as I’m here … words can’t express that euphoria! The hype of a super big party with a super expensive dress … eh.

Once I was convinced I should at least have a mini-ceremony for immediate family, I thought “okay, I’ll treat this like a styling job.” And I knew that if I was going to put the creative effort in, I wanted it captured on film. I spent the majority of my budget on photography and flowers, and the rest was three months of DIY blood, sweat and tears (wrapping all those books in white paper!). I had major help from my family and friends, Candler Park Flowers, Red Queen Tarts, Tinsel and Twine and of course Aharon Hill. Et voila, dream mini-wedding!

If you guys want to read more about all my wedding stuffs: click here (or under Categories, Lar’s Wedding Stuffs).
Engagement photos: click here.
Wedding photos: click here.

The wedding was also mentioned on Style Me Pretty here and here and the engagement was mentioned on Wedding Chicks here.

Okay, done with the horn-tooting, I promise!

P.S. Local Atlantans, definitely pick up a copy of Atlanta Weddings Magazine if you can (Barnes and Noble carries it). The cover shoot was styled by the uber-talented Ginny Branch. And if you are Top Chef fans, Kevin Gillespie’s wedding is shown on the pages right after mine. You go, peachy city!

—-

Dear Cath,

Sorry if you feel bludgeoned over the head with all this wedding stuffs again. Thank you for searching hi and low for a copy of the mag for us!

Good luck on your midterm today!

Muchos LOVES,

Lar

Today was rainy and a little on the cool side, but it was also a Sunday followed by a holiday Monday – woohoo! At least those of us who work for the government get tomorrow (that’s President’s Day for you non-United States-ian readers) off. So tomorrow I’ll be thanking the presidents for an extra day of studying for my midterm on Wednesday and the chance to get to sleep in just a wee bit.

Sunday was also great because my friends invited Troy and me over for lunch. We had vegan tacos, fried plantains and coconut rice. It was so delicious. Usually I end up wearing jeans and a t-shirt on Sundays after a week of blouses and pencil skirts, but I thought I’d step it up a bit this weekend:

Outfit details: Norma Kamali for Walmart shirt, J.Crew sweater (from 10 years ago), Blank corduroys, and H&M shoes.

I twisted together a curtain pull and black knotted necklace I got at a secondhand jewelry sale. I just recently cleaned my AsianCajuns name necklace, so I threw that on for a little sparkle.

Troy wore his trustworthy Chuck Ts. Sometimes we end up wearing our Chucks on the same day and I worry that we’ve become one of those lookalike couples. Good thing he isn’t part Chinese and part Cajun too!

Along with the Mexican/Cuban/Panamanian food, my friend also made this awesome fruit salad: watermelon, mango, pineapple, cucumber and jicama. Anyone else out there a Fiestaware fan?

After lunch, I went home and finished my reading for book club (we’re reading this book and I love it) and then ended the evening by watching Drive for the first time, which made me want to wear tight-fitting jackets, drive a vintage car, and chew on a toothpick. I’m always a little thrown off when I’m more inspired by the guy’s style in the movie than the girl’s. Why does Carey Mulligan’s character wear so many damn long, flowy skirts?!?

Happy President’s Day!

______________________

Dearest Lar,

Look at the card that Alison had on her kitchen counter when I came over for lunch today:

Do you remember when we danced at the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange for two summers in a row? Well, apparently Alison’s friend is the artistic director of the company! Such a small world.

She also has this on her kitchen wall, which reminded me of the blue version you had/have in your Atlanta house:

I love RLand’s work and want to get the Pray for CATL version at some point – maybe when I’m not desperately trying to save money to come visit you in August!

So glad we finally got to Skype each other today!

Miss you, as always,

- Cath xoxo

Want to know an Edinburgh secret? This place — this little defunct police box masquerading as a coffee stand — has some of the best curries and samosas Matt and I have ever tasted. The Bollywood Coffee Box has only been in Edinburgh for about as long as Matt and I have been here (six months — blimey, how time flies!). I figure that’s the only way there isn’t a massive line here every single day: it’s still an undiscovered gem.

Shamefully Matt and I walked by it for months always thinking “we should try some chai or one of her chickpea curries,” and then scurrying past to the warmth of our flat. Four months of wasted time and deprived taste buds tsk, tsk.

And it’s not just the delicious food that comes out of the Bollywood Coffee Box that makes visiting a delight, it’s the proprietor. Nutan is one of the sweetest, warmest people I’ve met in Edinburgh. Every time Matt and I visit, we’re left feeling lighter and happier. Oh and did I mention her fullsized curries (with saffron basmati rice) are only £3. Happy belly and happy mind for about $5!!! Deal of the century!

For those of you in Edinburgh, here are the details:
Where: Right off the Links where Bruntsfield Place and Bruntsfield Terrace meet
When: Every day, usually 11 am to 8 pm
What: Coffee, chai, snacks, curries (vegetarian and meat), samosas, pakoras, parathas

For those of you not in Edinburgh, when you come to visit, this is where we’ll take you for your first meal (so you don’t have to drink our green juice).

This is what we eat when we go to Nutan’s:

You hungry, yet? Whatchu waitin’ for? Get your bollywood booties over this way! Nutan will welcome you with the best smile in the world:

For any Dr. Who fans out there, Nutan really does own the TARDIS. I mean how else can you explain how she makes all these delicious foods in a space smaller than most people’s closets? Not possible! It would only make since that she’s the Doctor and instead of a sonic screwdriver she has a sonic spoon.

P.S. Is she not wearing the most perfect sweatshirt ever? This was not planned — just one of those serendipitous things that happen when the stars align.

—-

Dear Cath,

I can’t believe we discovered the Bollywood Coffee Box just two weeks after you guys left – argh! I know you aren’t the biggest curry fan, but I think you would love this. I can’t wait to introduce you and Troy the next time you are in town (August?! I hopes, I hopes!).

Love and Curry!

Lar

p.s. She was playing the Lagaan soundtrack the last time we were there! Though Nutan admitted to not loving the movie because there’s too much cricket in it. Another meeting of the minds.

Thank you to everyone who entered the Shabby Apple Dress give away. I used Random.org to choose a winner and the lucky lady is. . .

Congrats Calli! Below is the dress she mentioned in her entry, the Frabuous dress:

Calli, shoot me an email asiancajuns (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll get you set up with our Shabby Apple contact. Congrats again!

Hello Lovelies and Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you so much for entering our Shabby Apple dress contest. I’ll announce the winner later on this week, so stay tuned.

Valentine’s Day came early this year. Over the weekend my parents hosted a brunch to thank everyone that helped us out while we were in Europe for the holidays (dog sitting, house checks, drives to the airport, more dog sitting etc.). And because my mom is basically Martha Stewart (just nicer and much less egotistical), she had the house done up with Valentine’s Day flair.

Exhibit 1:

Exbit B: The brunch menu. I think my mom gets bonus points for making half the menu vegan and/or vegetarian-friendly.

Drinks included coffee, tea and mimosas. Cuppa anyone?

Exhibit D: Mimosa extras. Orange zest, maraschino cherries and lemon slices.

Since this is suppose to be somewhat of a fashion blog, I’m including a picture of what I wore to brunch. Not the most elegant outfit for such a splendid meal, but super comfy for the weekend.

Outfit details: H&M sweater, Gap tank, Muji watch, scarf from Swish in Edinburgh, Blank cords and Feiyue sneakers.

________

Dearest Lar,

Do you and Matt have anything fun planned for Valentine’s Day? Is it as commercialized in the U.K. as it is here? It’s supposed to be cold and rainy tomorrow night, so Troy and I have planned a cozy night in. We’re ordering the special Valentine’s Day menu from Oakhurst Market and plan on sharing at least one bottle of wine. At least!

We’ll also be taking Toby to his last obedience class – so romantic, no?! He’s been doing so well. If he gets a diploma, I’m totally framing it and hanging it up somewhere – maybe over his dog bowl – ha!

Speaking of dogs, here’s a pic of Boo Radley on Sunday:

And one of your Toby:

I’ll be wearing one of my hot pink tops to work tomorrow in honor of the holiday. Will you be wearing your pink sweatpants at home? I kid, I kid.

Love you,

Cath

I thought I was doing really well. I’ve been good about eating super healthy (still mainly gluten free and all vegan) and shopping at local shops for food. I’m trying to learn how to meditate and incorporate more yoga throughout the week. Matt and I have cut down our T.V. watching and actually sit around the table for dinner and talk. We eat sprouted mung beans and organic carrots when we can afford it. I was feeling all very back-patty…

And then…

I got this comment from some anonymous person in the previous post (Weekend Wear for Cold Climates):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/23/primark.children

Just a little link that I originally ignored because I thought it was spam (ahem,  Anonymous) and because I didn’t want to read about child labor and slums (such a downer for a Saturday night — feel free to cringe). I assume Anonymous linked it because I mentioned I got my Regata Gala sweatshirt from Primark.

For those of you stateside, Primark is like H&M and Target had a baby and then sold that baby for cheaper than Walmart prices. When Matt and I first wandered into Primark here in Edinburgh, our eyes lit up. We could actually afford fun, frivolous things again. What with traveling and trying to save for the future — again more back-patty action — we/I can’t really afford trips to Top Shop and Zara (£40/$63 for a blouse, no thank you!). At Primark we can buy fuzzy hot water bottles, armloads of clothes, cute necklaces, socks, scarves, pillows and belts for only £40. Heaven!

Now at the back of my mind I did have that niggly sensation (aka guilty conscience) because I knew if I was buying a necklace for £1, someone on the other end wasn’t making very much money. I’ve had the niggles when shopping at other places (Forever 21, H&M, Target, Walmart, etc.), but the sensation is never so great that I couldn’t tamp it down with… buying more cute stuff! For instance, this weekend Matt and I needed a pick-me up and we decided to just have a looksee at Primark. You can see what I bought here:

See that expression smiley with a twinge of guilt: Tank and hair feathers from Primark • Skinnies from Madewell (now I’m questioning you too, Madwell! Read here about their social responsibility) • Hunter Boots (how do you treat your rubber workers, Hunter? The only info I could find was that all Hunters used to be made in Scotland, originally Edinburgh –woohoo!– but they had to move shop overseas in 2008 due to financial pressure — bummer).

Two out of three ethically-made pieces here! June Shin necklace (jeweler based out of Atlanta, Georgia) • Snoozer Loser quarter-holder necklace (independent online boutique based out of New York) • Primark feather hair thingie (errr….)

I went to upload these photos into an AsianCajun post about Edinburgh and springtime (it would have been a lot less wordy — sorry!), and that’s when I saw Anonymous’ link. Niggly turned into full on face-punch. Dang it! So I did a bit of (internet) research. It is true that since 2008, Primark has tried to stop child labor at their supplier’s factories in Bangladesh and India. But since then, very little has been done to change the terrible circumstances of a vast number of people working in the garment industry — all so I can buy a cute tank for £2.

I know other retailers are culpable, and probably the best bet for not buying something that supports subsistent living conditions for thousands is by visiting your local charity shop and thrift stores. For staples like tees and good fitting jeans and work clothes, I’m going to find companies that have invested in fair trade principles.

How about you? Do you guys have any great tips on where to shop (and not spend an arm and a leg) on ethically made clothing? Do you even care about this or does it just make you tired — another thing to do better! (I know that’s how I feel, but I really will attempt to adjust my shopping habits). Do leave comments about this! I’d love to hear tips on how to be a more conscientious consumer and if you guys struggle with this too.

Eeesh! That’s a lot for a Monday isn’t it? How ’bout some pretty crocuses to leave you feeling happy after all that serious talk:

p.s. I know this issue is much bigger and more complex than I covered in this single blog post. Please feel free to just add to the conversation in the comments below. I’ve been reading War of Want’s Love Fashion Hate Sweatshop campaign, and they suggest that you shouldn’t boycott your favorite high street stores because that means loss of jobs for those on the other end (already making too little to live on). Instead, they suggest you campaign for workers’ rights. Read more about how to do that here.

—-

Dear Kitcath,

Sorry to be so wordy lately! I really did just want to write a post about springtime in Edinburgh, and just couldn’t!

I’m looking up some good places in the UK to shop that won’t leave me with a guilty conscience. I feel like Decatur has so many great places: Mingei, Evolve Boutique, Green Mosaics, etc. I need to find the Edinburgh equivalents!

Love and Happy Monday!

Lar

I know it might be hard to trust style advice from someone who has ‘fessed up to her love of sweat pants, but I think I found a perfect winter weekend outfit for Scotland. Oh, did I mention it involves a sweat shirt? Wait it gets better! It involves one of those sweat shirts that says some sort of fakey sporty thing on it. For instance, did you know (says my sweatshirt) that I was on the varsity regatta rowing team in high school? In the photo above, I’m daydreaming about all the time spent on the river and at regatta galas…. those were the days…(I just googled “what is a regatta?”).
Psst…Cath and I attended a public high school that wasn’t anywhere near a river, or boats, or galas and I’ve always had a preternatural dislike of things involving teams and water… and paddles, for that matter.

But I love a cheap dark gray sweatshirt even if it makes blatantly untrue claims about my prowess in high school and the water. So I bought it and wore it this way:

Mendacious sweatshirt from Primark ($10-ish!) • thrifted jean button-up • Next skinny jeans • Frye boots

I’m pointing to my head in the photo to the right because I just got my first hair cut since June (when Cath and I went together to get twin cuts and donate our hair). I’m going back to the salon in a few weeks to have my hair lightened organically (no smelly chemicals). It’s Edinburgh’s only organic hair salon (I didn’t know hair salons could be organic until I googled it). I’m trying to go as chemical-free as possible with my beauty supplies.

Anywhoodle, what are you guys up to this weekend? Any Regatta Galas (or is that a summer thing)? Oh! And you still have a chance to enter our Shabby Apple giveaway (just click here for details) if it’s before Sunday evening. I’m crossing my fingers for you!

—–

Dear Kitcath,

I found this at Waitrose today. It’s like the UK version of the Larabars! It’s delicious — a bit fruitier than the Larabars with smaller bits of nuts. On the back it has a union jack and says “Gleefully Made in Great Britain.” I’ll stock up on some for when you next come to visit.

Can’t wait to skype chat tomorrow (tomorrow? Sunday? which is best?).

Love,

Lar

We’ve received a few requests about our green juice, so here’s the lowdown.

For those of you who think this looks disgusting and would rather stick to your chocolate turtle mochas (my favorite! it’s like desert in a cup for breakfast!), I totally understand. But seriously, green juice is quite tasty and instead of depleting your bod (but you taste so good Mr. Turtle Mocha!), it gives you tons of nutrients without making your body work so hard — by juicing, your body doesn’t even have to break down the fiber to get to the good stuff (wait, isn’t fiber good stuff? Yes! I’ll get back to that in a sec).

First things first, the recipe:

Our juice recipe is inspired by Kris Carr. You can of course change up what goes into your juice. When we run out of stuff, we just use what we have. We’ll also save broccoli steams from the previous night’s dinner and juice those.

If you want to see a juicing recipe in action, here’s Kris Carr making juice, not war:

No juicer? No problem!
You can make delicious green smoothies instead! There’s a great veggie-full green smoothie recipe at the bottom of this Crazy Sexy Life post.

Why bother with a juicer? Can’t I just stick to my blender?
Most definitely. A green smoothie is still uber healthy and nutrient-rich. A smoothie is also great if you need something to last you a little longer — it’s got more yummy fat from your avocado and vegan milk. The upside to juice is that it gets rid of the fiber so your body can absorb the nutrients better.

So where do you get your fiber? You eat whole veggies (and grains and legumes) in your other meals. I originally thought “ooo look at me ‘eating’ veggies in the morning, I don’t have to eat another veggie all day.” Sadly this is not the case — you are adding more delicious veg to your diet with juice (yea, you!), but you still have to eat your solid/whole veggies too. So it’s really a win-win once you get over the fact that you didn’t cheat the system (fist shake).

What do you know, you’re just a blogger!
Exactly! I’m not telling you to do this or that it is scientifically proven to enable you to climb mountains in a single leap and turn your pupils into rainbows and sparkles. Matt, Cath and I thought we would give juicing a go and see what would happen. So we’ve been drinking green juice every morning for five weeks. Usually that’s all I have for breakfast, but then I’ll have a snack before lunch (I tend to eat about every 2-3 hours). Matt eats museli and Cath eats oatmeal in addition to their green juice to get them through the first part of their day. By drinking it in the morning I definitely feel more awake and energetic. It’s not like caffeine with its jolt/instant stimulate. The energy I feel from the green juice is more continuous and never gives me a sugar crash.

We decided to blog about it just so those of you who want to try it, feel a little more encouraged. If you talked to me just six weeks ago, the idea of drinking leafy greens for breakfast would have made me look at you funny while I reached for my buttered crumpet and scrambled cheesy eggs. So I know a little information can help you get on your way.

So how about it? You guys gonna give it a go? Let us know and let us know how you feel!

Oh and don’t forget to enter our Shabby Apple Giveaway in Cath’s post below (if you don’t, I’ll be forced to post more fishy-face photos of myself on models’ bodies – creepy!):

Don’t you love “my” outfit? It’s from the Shabby Apple Inca Trail collection.

—-

Dear Kitcath,

I wanted to play Shabby Apple dress-up too. I think you look so much cuter, though I do have to say my background is better. Funny how Edinburgh can sometimes look like a dessert, huh?

Can’t wait for our skype date this weekend!

xoxoxox,

Lar

This contest is now closed.

Two giveaways in (almost) as many weeks on AsianCajuns! Thanks to all of you who entered the Feiyue contest. For those you who didn’t win, why don’t you enter this Shabby Apple dress giveaway!?!

If you aren’t familiar with Shabby Apple, it’s a website that sells beautiful women’s dresses that you won’t find at the mall. For example, this dress I’m wearing:

My Shabby Apple outfit: F21 cloche, Shabby Apple Dressage dress, shoes c/o Sole Society from this fabulous party.

My outfit is every so slightly inspired by Downton Abbey. Anyone else obsessed with that show? I’ve finally caught up to the fourth episode of the second season and just love the clothes. The dresses are so feminine and elegant. It makes me wish I had more reasons to dress up.

The next time Troy and I go out to a fancy dinner (Valentines Day, perhaps *hint, hint, Troy*) or maybe a trip to the symphony (oh la la), I’ll wear this Shabby Apple dress. I know it’s called the Dressage dress, but 1.) I don’t see how anyone could wear this while riding a horse and 2.) the idea of riding a horse scares the hell out of me. So fancy dinner and a concert it is!

Look at the gorgeous pleats:

And a close-up of my not-so-dressage-friendly-shoes:

Contest info:

One lucky reader will win a dress of her choice. I’m loving the new Mad Hatter Collection for spring – just a thought .

How to enter:

1.) Like Shabby Apple on Facebook
2.) Leave me a comment letting me know you’ve done so and let me know where you’d wear your favorite Shabby Apple dress.
3.) The contest will end at 5 p.m. this Sunday.
4.) I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday.

Lagniappe (A little extra):

For a limited amount of time, AsianCajun readers can get 10% off of their order at www.shabbyapple.com by typing in “asiancajuns10off” at checkout

Best of luck!