DIY: Natural Bug Spray

Hello friends, it's officially summer!

Can you believe it? July 4th is literally right around the corner! As you spend more time outdoors in your new summer dresses (extra 25%  off sale at Anthropologie!), hanging out by the pool, or barbecuing, don't let those bug bites ruin all the fun! Just the other day, I was in the backyard for less than 20min and got 4 mosquito bites on the same arm! So today, I'm making a natural bug spray at home and sharing it with you.

Cheers: Skinny Margaritas (3 Ways)

Cheers, my friends! It's my birthday today and I can't think of a better time to share these skinny margarita recipes with you. They are my go-to summer drink in addition to Frosé of course. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and have an extra one for me ;) You can read more about me and my hometown from my recent posts.

• Serving size: 1 drink
• I've gotten used to the taste without sweeteners, but feel free to add some agave syrup to your liking. 
• Warning: They are strong! You'll definitely feel it after one drink (or halfway through).

See: Yantai, China

Hello friends! Is it just me or does anyone else feel so lazy at this point of the year, when the sun is out and work is the last thing on your mind? I hope I'm not alone!

Today I'm showing you small bits of my hometown: Yantai, China. Since the primary purpose is to visit family and friends, I didn't do much sight-seeing. I'll be sharing with you street views as well as interesting decor.

My hometown Yantai, 烟台 (outlined in red) is part of Shandong Province (where Confucius was from!), on the coast of Bohai Sea (渤海). It's right across from Seoul in South Korea, where we used to have layovers. Beijing is an hour away by plane. To the north across the Bohai Sea is Dailian and some of our distant relatives live there. Yantai also borders Qingdao. You might have heard of Tsingdao Beer and that's where it is! In Yantai, we produce and eat a lot of seafood and you'll see some below.

Interesting Fact: Yantai, which literally translates to "Smoke Tower", got its name from the smoke towers that send light and smoke signals back in the days. Learn more about Yantai on Wikipedia.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

One of the busiest streets in Yantai: Nan Da Jie (南大街), South Street

How To: Rainbow Nails

Hello friends, Happy Friday!

I'm inspired by all the rainbows I've seen for Pride Month, so today I'm sharing with you an easy, but attention-grabbing rainbow nail design (ideas from this video I saw years ago). I promise you it looks a lot more complicated than it is :).

• Base coat and top coat, I'm using:
• NAILS INC. NAILKALE Superfood Base Coat ($15)
• Gel Effect Top Coat (discontinued), they now have 45 Second Top Coat with Kensington Caviar ($15)
• A white nail polish, I'm using China Glaze "White on White" ($7.50)
• An assortment of nail polishes in rainbow colors, I'm using:
• Reddish pink: Revlon "Optimistic" ($6.29)
• Orange: China Glaze "Sun Worshipper" ($4.40)
• Yellow: Sally Hansen "Mellow Yellow" ($2.49)
• Green: China Glaze "Highlight of My Summer" ($7.50)
• Blue: essie "In The Cabana" ($9)
• Purple: wet n wild "On a Trip ($1.99)
• Dotting tool ($1.93) -- If you don't have one, a toothpick or bobby pins work as well. 

Shopping Haul: Memorial Day Weekend 2017

Hello friends, how was your weekend?

I saw Wonder Woman this weekend and it was really good! I'm at Albuquerque, NM for work these two days and hopefully you've seen some of my adventures on my Insta Story. Today, I'm sharing with you all the goodies I picked up during Memorial Day sales: Nordstrom Rack, Anthropologie, J Crew Factory, and Kate Spade. I've got a little bit of everything: for work, weekends, summer and even fall!


1. Rebecca Taylor Ref Suiting Pietra Pant (Sold out)

Self: 97% viscose, 3% elastane; Lining: 100% polyester
Size 4 (Paid $61.43)

You might be surprised to hear that I actually don't have a pair of formal black pants. Finding the perfect pair of jeans is hard for me, but finding the perfect pair of black trousers is even harder. I hate when pockets make my hips look wider. This is a work wardrobe staple I've been searching for a long time and I'm so glad I finally found it! Other than the waist being a little loose (definitely needs a belt), everything else is perfect. Here, I've paired it with my VB for Target stripe collared top (You can see my other pieces from this collection here). 

Photo Credit: 6pm (left)

2. ATM Square Front Sport Blazer ($227 at Neiman Marcus)
Shell: 100% wool; Lining: 51% acetate, 49% nylon 
Size 6 (Paid $59.19)

I felt like a total winner when I saw this blazer, which I've tried on before, but can't justify the price, was reduced to 90% off (originally $650) and in my size! It's a lightweight wool blazer and makes a great transitional piece. It can be dressed up with the black trousers above or dressed down with jeans. I'm so excited to add this to my closet for many years to come!

Photo Credit: Neiman Marcus

Get to Know Me!

Hello friends, Happy Friday!

I thought we'll kick off my birthday month with something more personal. This is a very popular tag on YouTube and it looks really fun. The one I'm using has 30 questions, compared to the original one I believe has 25. I hope you'll find it interesting and learn something new about me!

1. What is your middle name?
I don't have one! When I (finally) get my citizenship one day, I will have my legal, Chinese first name be my middle name.

2. What is your favorite color?
Neon pink! Obviously...

3. Who was your first best friend?
My girl cousin that was 6 years older than me.

4. How tall are you?
Probably 5'5"? But I always say I'm 5'6".

5. Cats or Dogs?
Puppies! I love poodles.

6. Funniest moment throughout School?
I don't think there is...

7. How many countries have you visited?
Just China and US so far. But I really want to go to Cancun or Cabo, maybe later this year?

8. Are you in/gone to college?
Yes, I graduated from Harvey Mudd College and studied Engineering.

Two engineers having fun