It’s amazing how much can happen in one week! This week I started a new job, I met more new people, I saw/experienced new things…
Here are some highlights.
View from the new job/office in Beverly Hills. Rest assured it’s just the neighborhood I happen to work in this time, it doesn’t make me snobby or whatever stereotype it has attached with it 🙂
Wearing my new Link of Hearts necklace. It adds the perfect amount of shine to an outfit and serves as a visual reminder of mental clarity. I wore it almost every day this week- at work, on the weekend. The separate blog post that I promised, here
work day with the Hope side showing on my link of hearts!
super relaxed Saturday- with the Courage side showing this time!
Getting treated to a Brunch at the Thrive House… on a weekday…! (yes)!
I was invited to join an intimate brunch celebrating the launch of Thrive Algae Oil, the first ever Culinary Algae Oil exclusively available in LA.
I know Algae Oil sounds weird/gross but its actually just like any other oil, except sustainable and better for your heart.
Thrive house was the temporary home to Thrive Algae as they spent the month showing Angelenos how to Thrive, through good food that’s better for the people and the planet.
Once I stepped into the house overlooking the valley, I was in awe. This photo doesn’t do justice to the view.
The custom menu made with Thrive Algae Oil
The oil was light and buttery!
The table spread
Close up of the spiced carrot pancakes
heart shapes “Toad in a hole” with quail egg. This was so perfectly crisp yet soft at each bite. The smoky ketchup was a great complement
The frittata was my favorite.
Fun fact: Thrive Algae Oil has the highest level of monounsaturated fat (the good fat) and has 75% less saturated fat than olive oil. Plus it’s good for cooking- baking-and salad dressing. Basically everything I use oil for. I’m excited to try using this at home!! I’m no food expert but I think Algae Oil might be the next big thing in Food.
Lights! Camera! Food! event at Maru
AAJA-LA (Asian American Journalists Association of Los Angeles) held an intimate event on plating and food photography at Maru, which just re-opened about a month ago in West LA. Chef Jason Park spoiled us with a generous offering of Maru menu samplings which included anything from sashimi, salads to black cod, skirt steak.
Chef Jason Park
What Chef Jason Park ended up feeding us was much more extensive than what was advertised. Thank you for your generosity!
Maria and Ryan talking about photography and plating
I was also very excited to hear the Founder of The Art of Plating, Maria Nguyen, talk about the growth of her instagram (which I’ve been following for awhile now) and some of the behind the scenes action that goes into creating such beautiful shots. (a photo from the instagram below)
Joseph Lee’s Solo Exhibition at Trunk Gallery in Venice
As you may know, I’m a huge fan of artist Joseph Lee, who I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know (his interview here). I’ve seen see him in action live painting at the Tar Pits, I’ve seen his work on display at the Angel City Brewery, I’ve seen his work on display at West Elm. Naturally I was excited that he was going have his exhibition. Well deserved and about time if you ask me 🙂
This exhibition really allowed you to see his full creative process and experience the raw but compelling portraits in person. Trust me when I say that they look awesome in photos but they’re even better in person.
Live painting session set up
I went up close to admire the strokes. Really amazing
It was truly incredible to see the final product of a year’s worth of his work and 2 weeks of him hibernating in this space. I’m so excited for what he has in store for him in 2016!! The exhibition was only on this weekend 11/20-11/22, so its no longer up for view but you can follow him on @joeyunlee
The next day, I had the best kimchi I’ve had in awhile. I facetimed with my parents back home and shortly thereafter was reminded of how much I miss my mom’s cooking, especially homemade kimchi. So…. I went to Koreatown here in LA for anything that might be able to quell that craving.
Decided I’d try Myung Dong Kyoja (heard it was good for its dumplings and kalgooksoo). It was too warm out for a hot dish so we ordered cold noodles.
Pork dumplings in a shape I’m not used to (Korean dumplings are usually in half moon shapes).
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They were so generous with the kimchi and it was delicious. I ate an inhuman amount because I hadn’t eaten it so long…Still not as good as my mom’s but it was good enough for us to ask for a refill!
Then we went and checked out the new dessert place Cotton Hi. I remembered seeing it a few weeks ago when it was still under construction so I’m glad it was finally open! It’s so cute- perfect for dates and kids- and it made me feel like a kid again. I got the simplest offering: Vanilla softserve with lemonade cotton candy (vanilla with salted caramel cotton candy is pictured on the right). What they serve is 100% organic and they don’t use preservatives, artificial coloring or artificial flavoring hence why it’s white. Scoop a bit of the cotton candy with the ice cream and it’s simply delicious. Perfect portion size and amount of sweetness!Â
Then I hung out a bit by MacArthur park (close to Ktown) by the water for my dose of nature. Tried to read but just ended up lying down there on the blanket I had. To be honest it was a kind of sketchy crowd, but not much gets in between me and nature/a good view.
Sundown. Can’t believe its almost December and its still warm out!
Everyday is an adventure and I love exploring whatever I can/catches my eye.
It’s hard for me to do individual posts so I’ll try to do weekly recaps like this when I can!
Let me know if there’s anything I should put on my  LA to-do list! Be sure to follow me on instagram for daily updates.
Related blog posts:
Interview with LA based artist Joseph Lee
What dating a non-Asian taught me about myself April 8, 2017
Confessions of (Asian American) Hollywood Assistants July 12, 2017