Oh, what fun it is to ride

on a Plasama car!

Have you seen a plasma car?  This little car is so light and nimble but uses no power. All you do is twist twist twist, wiggle wiggle wiggle your handle :-)

I first saw some mom posted it on the a Chinese forum and thought about buying one for the kids.  However hubby objects to it so I had to backed off.  His reason is that the kids are old enough to ride a bike, what fun would it be for something simple like this.

We again saw it at A friend's daughter's birthday party and both my boy and girl had a blast with it and hubby was totally sold on this.

And no competition because you can ride together. (I guess you can still fight about who gets the driver seat)

We pick one up from Costco the next week and had kept it in-door.  It runs even more smoothly with the hardwood floor.  This little thing is so nimble.  A full 360 turn in the messy kids room is not a problem.

And it is sturdy.  So finally I couldn't help getting on it myself any more.

We twist and we laugh and we go to pretent super markets and trying to back up to the tiny space between the two couch as our parking spot.

If you need to buy a gift to kids, you should consider this one.

Glowing Leaf -- OOTD

Is that interesting that some company will give you MLK day off while the other ones do the President's day? I haven't heard any private company give both day off, however. I guess that is what the floating holiday is for.

Our nanny was able to help us out on MLK day so we sneak out for a few hours to watch a movie.  Believe me, after you have kids, it become a true luxury to watch movie in the theater especially if you don't have extended families in the area.  I wish I had chosen some other movie.  This movie is a bit serious and a bit heavy.  I admit it is a good movie,  granted that Jeff Bridge's performance impeccable, 

and Hailee Steinfeld as young Mattie Ross is so charming, but I don't like the movie,  much like the way that I don't like Hemingway's books.  I also felt the ending of the movie unnecessary.  Another problem?  The heavy accent in the dialogue, although adds the details a classic movie has,  is very difficult to understand for a non-native speaker like me. Overall, not my cup of tea.   I guess it is Oscar season, brainless movie usually come out in the summer.

I did however get to watch a really funny Indi movie call "Outsourced" on netflix this weekend and the title summarize the story plot fairly well.  It is very light hearted.  I wonder if someone from India would think it is funny. Unfortunately none of my Indian co-worker had watched it.

Top: JCREW cashmere sweater

Bottom: Anthropologie Glowing Leaf Skirt

Coat: JCREW stadium coat

Boots: UGG
Purse: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q  baby  Groovee

Review: De Chelly Dress and Sun Shades Dress

De Chelly Dress:

This dress has a 5 star review on Anthropologie's website.  I can see why.  It is simple and sweet.  The cotton material gives more a casual every day look. The diamond motif looks like polka dots at the first glance.  The cotton of this skirt is pretty heavy weight and the lining is pretty thick so this would not be a skirt for hot summer as it might look.  The skirt is quite full and the inner lining gives more body,  adding some curve to straight shape, which is what I needed  The neckline is cut well so it is flattering, but not revealing.  Shoulder strap is wide and has buttons to secure your bra.   The peachy flush adds a little bit color to the overall neutral color. As you can see, it hits right about knee.  It could be a inch shorter, but no big deal.

My biggest problem with this dress is the zipper. It is not that the dress is tight or anything,  it just doesn't run smoothly because the sewing around the waist area.   The size 2 has room, but the side zip choke up on the waist.  I should have try another size 2 but my little one is getting impatient.   The Size 4 zip up, but still not without some effort. Shoulder strap became bit long with the sizing up to 4.  (5'4, ~120lb)

Sun Shades Dress:

This Dress had earn its name.  My daughter loves the color and prefers this one over he De Chelly Dress.  I think the color really brightens up you mood and somehow it felt very Kate Spade.  This dress is cotton and machine washable which is a big big plus. I tried a size 2 as the store ran out of size 4.  The zipper is in the back and I couldn't really zip it up myself.  To my suprise, once it is up, it if very fitted and not tight at all.  Like the De Chelly Dress, the skirt is full and the lining is fluffy.  The cotton is thick so it is really not a hot summer day dress.  The length hit a little bit below the knee.  I think it can be a bit shorter, but I am OK with the length. I would have prefer wearing this with a Dark Blue or Black Cardi just to set off the color of this dress on the shoulder area, and small ruffle around neckline might be a good addition too.

Both dresses are wish listed and hopeful the day of sale will come before it gets sold out.  On the other hand, I had so  much trouble with the zipper, with the morning chaos, it might add more annoyance to happiness for owning one.





Finally I leave you with my OOTD.   The color is a bit of mess I know.   But it has 3 of my favorite things: An old Chord Jacket from JCREW, The Lucky Brand Boot cut Jeans, and the Anthro Scarf, which is my very very first Anthro purchase.

Top: Anthropologie Palacio Blouse
Sweater: JCREW femme cashmere cardigan
Coat: JCREW Chord (Really old, can't remember the name)
Jeans: Lucky Brand Bootcut
Scarf: Anthropologie

The superior mother

Wall Street Journal published this article by Amy Chua titled "Why Chinese mother are superior" and people are talking about it.   The reaction has flooded our company's parent mailing list and also coffee room discussion.  It is very interesting to see the different sides o debate.

I don't know any Chinese mother who is like what she described. I don't even know any Chinese mother in China does that.   Personally I felt this whole generalizing Chinese mother thing is a business strategy to sell her book and for that reason and that reason alone, I am going to wait for the library copy if my curiosity peeks.  I felt that she already exploit me somewhat by stating things that obviously not a fact and I refused to be exploited further :-)

So what is all those nonsense about no playmate or having sleep over and what is wrong with getting a part in a school play?  I had to beg the teacher to let me see my daughter's class rehearse because we wont' be able to attend the final performance with an previously booked flight which will cost $1000 to alter for the family of 4.  I think parents are just generally proud of their children as long as they are putting their mind into the things.  How well or what they do is less relevant.

I do see myself pushing my daughter to practice and not given up, however I think western parents push for the same thing. Discipline is what gets you to achieve a higher level for any interest you would have weather it is sport or music instrument, with the likelihood of Chinese parents pushing music instrument more and western parents push sports more.  At young age children lack of the motivation to drive themselves and those are the time they need a lot of encouragements and external motivation to help them over the hump.

In any case, parenting does not come with a Manual.  Learning on the job isn't easy  and I think all the parents doing it by trial and error.  Amy Chua's kid is still small, for her to claim victory is a bit too early.  Chinese philosophy also believes that the good things can go bad and bad things can go good, there was never the absolute.  What measures success is highly questionable and happiness comes in variation of forms.  To say my daughter achieve this and that as a measure of good parenting, I am not so sure.

This article do make me think about what I want to achieve as a parent.  So here is my expectation for my daughter when she grew up:

• general good health, 
• respectful for herself and others, well mannered
• financially self-sufficient and content
• remain close relationship with the family members
• have a healthy hobby she enjoys or express herself
• self-motivated and self-discipline to learn
• responsible
• Optimistic

Hope I am not asking too much. Here I leave you a picture of the superior mother with her superior daughter ;-)  It is funny when we took the picture my daughter say "Mommy, I think you are the most beautiful.  Do you think I am most beautiful?" "Of course" I said, "and most lovable and cutest and most special" Then she got carried away and say "and Daddy is the most handsome and Aaron is most handsome....."

Top: JCREW Silk Tied Crew neck 

Bottom Anthro For Flora Skirt (2009)

Thousands of Petals -- OOTD

Are there time you felt overwhelmed by the amount of frills and ruffles, all those things you normally love.  Then all the sudden it all became too much?


 Not today because I felt quite adventurous to pile them all on in one outfit! Tiers, ruffles, tulle, flowers, polka dot, sequence, beads, chiffon? You name it!

Top: JCREW Vintage cotton amour tank (buy it here)
Bottom: Leifsdottir Paso Doble Dot Skirt (buy it here)
Caridgan: Ann Taylor Loft Floral Trim Caridgan
Shoes: Matisse Women's 'Holmes' Booties (buy it here)

Hope I haven't overwhelm you. :-)

Sale Finds under $50

• Matisse Women's 'Buccaneer' Over-the-knee Boots $41.99 
  While I don't own these boots, I had good experience with Matisse boots in the past.  Their leather are very soft and the boots are very comfortable.  

• JCREW Cord Atlee skirt  This skirt didn't look like much at first.  The I saw how cute it look on Jan,  The Girlest Boy Mom.  It is so versatile and casual piece for the winter and the short length really works out well for petite girls. With the price of $24.99 +30% off, you just can't go wrong with it.  You can my outfit with this skirt here

• JCREW Tiered silk ruffle dress ($49.99 + 30% off) is a party dress, but it is very comfortable.  Good for a evening out. I wore this dress to Jay Chou's concert at New Year's Eve. I wish I have a better outfit picture than this, but my camera ran out of battery 5 second before the count down and I did not have a chance to take a outfit picture. 

I guess after the whole shopping season, everyone is sort of on shopping ban? Hope you can still have some room for some good deals.  There is also maybe a sale tomorrow form Anthropologie?  Happy Shopping!

Have a JCREW day!

It has seemed that I toggle between JCREW and Anthro.  With the 30% off sale JCREW had at year end, I had purchase quite some JCREW without consciously knowing it.  One of the great thing about JCREW is its color palette.  Once you find something flattering, it is almost hard to resist another color.  The sizing has been consistent for the most part, which makes the on-line shopping easy, although I had realize the recent tank shape items seem to run large so I downsized most things sleeveless to size 0.

(Top: JCREW Pleated flutter shell, Skirt:  Cord Atlee skirt (Buy it here $24.99 + 30% off) Cardi: JCREW Cashmere femme cardigan Boots: UGG Australia)

In general JCREW felt easier to put together than Anthropologie items.  I think sometimes Anthropologie items has that too MUCH feeling.   They overpower you and all you see is the cloth itself rather you if you know what I mean.

Another complaint is that Anthro is also fuzzy with the majority of items needed dry cleaning or hand wash.  I wonder have anyone try to wash Bailey 44's jersey items that are made out of Rayon? It says dry clean, but I wonder if you can get away from handwash and dry flat.  It is ridiculous to have to wash a jersey item dry clean because unlike sweater, you have to wash it every wear and the dry cleaning bill quickly adds up.  I think one of those days I will be fed up enough to risk it just to see. Before that I am hoping if someone has already done it can share their experience.

Having to hand wash or dry clean jersey items sometimes gets me suspicious.  It is as if the manufacture just forego the pre-shrink process to save cost.  There are a lot of items from China that has good unique style, frills and ruffles, all the things Anthro are good for.  But the quality is low.   They are gone after a wash.  I can't help wondering if those handwash/dry clean jersey items from Anthro came from that same manufacture,  except that it is mark up 10 times.   Do you have issue with caring Anthro's items?