What I have been up to lately

Not only have I been eating healthier and cooking and burning in the kitchen, I have been completing my  jewelry line, Lilith and McRae. I've been working on the S/S 2013 Collection, Serica Via. This collection is based on the cities and countries along the Silk Road.

There's a lot of colors and a lot of earthy tones.  I've used czech fire-polished beads, semi-precious stone beads, and cute charms; stacked bracelets and snake charm necklaces and bracelets (it is the year of the snake). I am still working on the collection because I am still waiting (2 months) for some of the items to come in.

My shop is up, check out what I have over there: Lilith and McRae

The Work Room

I love designing and trying new things to come up with my own creative aesthetic. And although its just Spring, I have already planned my Fall collection, too. I will keep you posted on that :)

But here's a true peak into my creative process.. I love to call it my workroom :)

My Week in Food

As you all know, I have been working towards becoming a vegetarian. Don't get me wrong, I have fallen off the meat wagon a couple of times this week but I am determined. And honestly, I have made some delicious nosh.

Fresh Strawberries and Dark Chocolate. Dessert has never been so good :)

I wanted to share some of my recipes with you.  All of my food takes an hour or less to make. You can do them in the morning before work or at night when you get home. 

I made some delicious salads

 

 homemade hummus and tahini

 and my special vinaigrette that I created in my apartment three years ago.

 

Here are the recipes for my delicious meals.:

Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette:

Ingredients:

 

1 Tbs Olive Oil

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 Tsp crush red peppers

1/4 tsp black pepper

Juice from one large lime

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Directions:

Mix it all the ingredients together and throw it on some salad :)

Spring Salad:

 

1/2 avocado cored and diced

1 1/2 cup fresh kale or spring mix

6 Strawberries cut in halves

1/2 orange peeled and diced

1/4 cup dried cherries

1 Tbs nuts of your choice

 

Toss ingredients together and add vinaigrette.

 

Tahini: 

 adapted from About.com

Ingredients 

2 1/2 Cups Sesame Seeds

3/4 cup Olive Oil

Directions:

Toast sesame seeds for 5-10 minutes, tossing the seeds frequently with a spatula in a non-stick pan.. Do not allow to brown. Cool for 20 minutes.

Pour sesame seeds into food processor and add oil. Blend for 2 minutes. Check for consistency. The goal is a thick, yet pourable texture. Add more oil and blend if too thick.

Hummus: 

adapted from Inspired Taste

Ingredients:

2 cups of dried chickpeas (soaked in water for a few hours), also called garbanzo beans
1/4 cup (59 ml) fresh lemon juice, about 1 large lemon
1/4 cup (59 ml) tahini (we used recipe above)
Half of a large garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, depending on taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3-4 tablespoons water
Dash of ground paprika for serving

Directions: 

1.  Pour garbanzo beans into processor, reserving about a tablespoon for garnish. Place lemon juice, tahini, chopped garlic and salt in blender. Blend until creamy and well mixed.
2. Transfer the mixture to a medium serving bowl. Sprinkle with pepper and pour olive oil over the top. Garnish with reserved garbanzo beans.

How to Wear Denim This SS 2013

Spring is in the air and I am loving it. I spent all day biking here and there and spring cleaning. I always have a major urge to just clean the house. But I did take a few breaks in between to write this post to catch you ladies up on some SS2013 fashion trends. This trend has been popular for the last two years and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. Colored denim is a fun and easy way to be fashion forward and slowly adding color to your wardrobe, leading up to the summer. Here are a few celebrity style and fashion bloggers take on the trend.    

Yellow Denim and Leopard

No matter what you think of Rihanna, the girl has a way with clothing and is always fashion forward. What a great way to welcome the spring with the color that represent newness and freshness. Yellow denim is definitely a fun and new way to wear denim.

How to Wear Denim SS2013 by lattes-n-lipstick featuring chiffon tops

Berries on my Hips--Red Denim

This fashion blogger took red denim to a whole new level and it definitely screams spring and bloom. Red is a powerful way to wear denim. Adding some rock n roll details and you will definitely feel new.

How to Wear Denim SS2013--Red by lattes-n-lipstick featuring a leather moto jacket

Teal the End--Teal Denim

Posh Spice is always immaculately dressed. I have never seen her with a hair out of place and this casual look she is wearing is still very chic. Teal is dark enough to hide our lumps, but bright enough to be vibrant. If you are not into bright colors, teal denim is the way to go.

How to Wear Denim SS2013--Teal by lattes-n-lipstick featuring skinny leg jeans

Apricot Blossoms--Apricot Printed Denim

Here is a seemingly effortless way to wear denim. This apricot printed pant with a denim top and oxford shoes will come off cool yet effortless. Adding a gray boyfriend blazer tones down the color, giving it a more refined feel.

How to Wear Denim SS2013-coral by lattes-n-lipstick featuring vince camuto tote

Weight Loss--It's Time, How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off

I recently read an article about women being overweight in our society and of course it was pertaining to men--how women should lose weight to attract men. Even though, I disagree with this allocation for why women should lose weight, I do believe women should adopt healthier lifestyle and that starts with me.

I never struggled with my weight until in 2003 I went off to college at the age of 27. A lot of unfortunate events happened and I put on a whopping 60lbs. I have since then lost the whole 60lbs to put on 30-40lbs of it again.. Thank god the 20 never came back. A lot of it was due to the fact that when I was depressed or stressed, I would sleep all of the time and I was attracted to fried chicken. Gotta have that fried chicken. I never over ate but my eating choices were terrible.

In 2009, I lost 40lbs thanks to the help and instruction of Jen Fugo over at The Gluten Free School and the information she provided me were healthy and not fad. I fell off the wagon and I am picking myself up again using those same concepts that she gave me before.

Me in 2009, after losing 40lbs

Since being in Korea, I have lost some weight but it was hard at first because I found myself depressed being here. Yet, I am very unhappy at what I see in the mirror. Don't get me wrong, I believe that I am beautiful no matter what but am I healthy? I am not.

Me in 2012 before coming to Korea.

Me now..

So I have decided to change my life. Yesterday, was the last day that I would eat meat. Eating meat always made me feel sluggish and unhappy so I have decided to rid it from my life. Eventually, I will  do away with fish as well. I will not be totally vegan, but I am moving toward that goal. My body deserves it.

I have also adopted a work out routine and a buddy system. I work out to Neena and Veena every other morning and I do yoga on the opposite morning. My goal is to drop 30 lbs over the next 5 months and I believe that I can do it in a very healthy, non judgmental (of myself) way. And I am bringing you along with me. Every week, I will chronicle the foods that I cook--I am a bit of a mini chef--and my results. The biggest thing that I must do is to completely eliminate things that I am allergic to out of my diet, namely gluten and dairy.

So I hope you all will come along for the ride.

Until next post.

My Life Lately

It's been almost nine months since I darkened the shores of South Korea and much has happened. I work 10 1/2 hour days teaching at a Hagwon in Daejeon with some of the cutest, smartest and badass kids this world over.

Before taking this job, I didn't much like children but I must admit I have had the time of my life with my students. We are always laughing and I am always yelling..in fact I had laryngitis for a week from yelling at kids. But at the end of the day, those kids hug me in the halls and love on me. They are the ultimate adorable--doesn't change my mind about having them tho.

I'll be leaving in 5 months and 2 weeks. Embarking on a new journey. I have booked my tickets to India, Nepal and Ireland. Three of my dream vacations are happening in one year. I will be in Europe for a couple of months so I hope I get to see some of my blogging buddies and followers. Eventually, you will begin to see pics of me again...I am working on some weight loss before I stand in front of a camera. What can I say? a bitch is vain..

I am looking forward to my future and sharing it with you all.  I'll be turning 37 years old next month and I feel as if my life is just now beginning. Be prepared for pictures from around the world. I would share pics of my students but unfortunately there are weirdos out there. But here are some photos of their artwork and such.


Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out my jewelry shop.

Here's my last 8 months in a few pics... stay tuned for more

This pic is too cute for words. Daniel enjoyed drawing

I call this piece the Korean Madonna..

One of my new students Jessica thinks everyone should be a princess or queen

A bouquet of flowers from my first ECP7 class at their graduation

Another bouquet of flowers from my first ECP7 class at their graduation

A Sunny day in Taejeon

my buddy Jack, whom I get to dog sit from time to time.

A pagoda in the center of Seoul

Inana Hamsa Necklace available at Lattes and Lipstick Shop

More art from the kiddies

My first manicure in Korea, two weeks ago, sad I know..