Happy Lunar New Year 2023

Gung hay fat choy! We have kicked off 2023 with a trip to Palm Springs, and then a little celebration at home for the Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year, since more Asian countries/people celebrate than just China). You may remember all our activities from 2022 and our at-home celebration from 2021. We didn't go as big this year, but that doesn't mean it wasn't as fun.

We'll be checking in with some local Lunar events, but in the meantime, let's look at our at-home celebration.

Yeah, not sure why this is so blurry. We just had tater tots with bacon & eggs.

We actually started our day with a Zoom brunch with friends, where we wore our old firecracker headbands, because they're awesome. 

I brought back these fun Lunar New Year animal plates, because they are timeless and they are the perfect size. I also want to call attention to this flavored water that was like a very light and not-too-sweet soda. I purely bought these based on the cool see-through cans. We had a mango and a pineapple and I highly recommend them. I also have these lovely Chinese highball glasses from Cost Plus World Market. Let's move on to the rest of the table.

I really thought I needed a new runner for this year and found this adorable Year of the Rabbit topper for our coffee table. I brought back my pink fish vase, because fish are very symbolic as a New Year food and image. I ordered a fish platter, but it didn't get here in time. I picked up a lucky jade succulent from Trader Joe's that comes with a lucky envelope you can use. Onto food!

Clementines, tangerines or oranges are another symbolic food of Lunar New Year, because they are both gold (orange is the closest you can get to gold in food) and look like money bags, which symbolize prosperity. I got almost all my food from Trader Joe's, again, so we had this Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice. A+, highly recommended.

Again, I got Chicken Shu Mai. You can also get it with pork, but we aren't really pork people. It comes with a teriyaki soy sauce, which brings me to one of my favorite things...

At some point, I got these egg cups that have little bunny feet and tails. They are great for soft-boiled eggs, but also perfect for dipping sauces, so if you're looking for a sturdy dipping vessel, egg cups are fantastic and the ideal size, especially for bite-size things like these shu mai. 

I also picked up some Vegetable Spring Rolls, because vegetables are important, and the Philly Cheesesteak Bao, which I know aren't traditional, but they are delicious. Bao, and dumplings, are very popular Lunar New Year foods, because they also look like coin purses and money bags. Trader Joe's has potstickers and soup dumplings, both of which are delicious options, too. 

Red envelopes are given out to children during the New Year celebrations, though people often add money and give them to adults as well, Start your year with a bit of prosperity to manifest it all year long. I picked these rabbit ones up from 99 Ranch, a chain Asian grocery store. They are sparkly - love it! - and they were only $.50 for 6 envelopes. The same ones were $5 at a different store.

After dinner, we did these scratch-off fortunes. These were not as good as other ones I've purchased, as I took a bunch to work and found that half of them had typos on them. I should have ordered again from the same company as last year. They were also prettier and had actual fortunes. These just seemed to have attributes, like you'd find in a Panda Express fortune cookie. At least those have lucky numbers though. These fish fortunes are fun, too.

Also from 99 Ranch were these date mooncakes that we had for dessert. They had several different varieties, but since I don't love matcha (don't yell at me) and I'm not sure what Lotus tastes like, I chose these. Imagine a really cookie-heavy Fig Newton. I would have loved more date filling. Mooncakes symbolize family reunion and completeness. Everyone can benefit from a little bit of that (unless your family is problematic, in which case, surround yourself with chosen family).

I just threw this photo in there so you can admire my fun Lucky Cat short kimono. And these banners are gorgeous. If you're wondering about the rest of the backdrop, it's just a red tablecloth I had on hand.

If you're at my house celebrating something, you always have to have some sort of headgear or glasses, so this year we have lucky fish and money bags.

You can make your at-home celebration as big or small as you wish. It's easy to fit your budget. In the past we've ordered foods from a local Asian restaurant, but you can easily have a filling dinner for the whole family from the grocery store for $40 or less. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, they have a ton of easy-to-make foods at reasonable prices. 

Likewise if you have an Asian store near you, it's easy to find traditional foods that you like, but the labels are almost entirely in foreign script. This is fine if you're adventurous, want to ask a salesperson, or use Google Translate on your phone. I did this with a packet of gold papers that I thought might be napkins. They weren't. I always have a fun time looking at fun new foods and drinks.

I hope you all have a wonderful year full of prosperity, love, kindness, and generosity. Do you celebrate the Lunar New Year or another annual festival?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may result in me being monetarily compensated should you make a purchase through them. Your support helps me run this blog and I thank you in advance for using my links (even if you buy entirely different things).

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Underwear

Your underwear, though not seen, plays a crucial role in your overall comfort whenever you dress, especially on vacation when you may be a lot more active or switching between multiple activities. According to a survey, the average woman owns about 34 pairs of underwear, and it is important to ensure that those pieces are comfortable and stylish. As a woman, your appearance and sense of style go beyond how you look. More importantly, it has more to do with your personal confidence and that’s what others pick up on. Believe it or not, wearing the right underwear can give you a much needed boost in confidence everyday.

Photo by Castorly Stock

Invest In High-Quality Fabrics

Quality underwear may cost more, but it's worth the investment. High-quality underwear is made from durable fabrics and is designed to last longer, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, quality underwear is more comfortable and less likely to lose shape or stretch out after a few wears. As you focus on quality, it is important to consider the fabric. Look for underwear made from breathable and moisture-wicking materials, such as cotton or bamboo, to keep you fresh and dry throughout the day. The fabric of your underwear can greatly affect comfort and breathability. Cotton is the most popular choice for its softness, breathability and absorbency. However, for a more luxurious feel, you can also try other fabrics, such as modal, bamboo, or silk.

Choose the Right Fit

Make sure your underwear fits well to avoid discomfort and visible panty lines. It is best to look for pieces that have a snug yet comfortable fit and sit smoothly against your body. Getting the right fit also includes your bras. The most comfortable bras can go a long way in enhancing your confidence and preventing sweat. A well-fitting bra will not show visible lines in your outer clothing. Did you know that wearing underwear that is too small can lead to discomfort and even health problems? Meanwhile, wearing underwear that is too large can lead to bunching and riding up.

Photo by PNW Production

Special Occasions

Do you have a variety of underwear styles on hand for different occasions? For example, you should have a few seamless thongs for tight-fitting clothing. Additionally, you can get a few pairs of boyshorts for more casual looks and high-waisted or full-coverage briefs for more formal occasions. Again, do you have them in different colors, especially neutral ones? Not having the right underwear for different occasions can cause discomfort. It can also cause you to waste a lot of time trying to find the right fit.

I usually wear different underwear on days I'm out running around than I do on the airplane where having a bit more breathability is nice, since the airplane can be very stuffy and warm. I also bring boyshorts or long line (like bicycle shorts) for under dresses/skirts and to sleep in if our accommodations aren't that cool.

No matter the type of underwear you choose for different occasions, remember there are seamless options for each. Thanks to fashion technology, various threads and fabrics enhance your comfort and style when wearing these undergarments. Remember to keep records of the combinations or types that worked best for your comfort as you experiment with different styles.

Whatever style you decide is best for you and are perfect for packing, always keep your comfort, hygiene, and functionality in mind. You don't want to realize halfway around the world that the undergarments you have on are actually the worst. If you think bra shopping at home is terrible, just think about doing it in another country where you may not even speak the language. Use the above tips before you pack and stay comfy and looking good.

Free Art in Palm Springs

As you know, one of my favorite things to do in a city is to take a walk to look at street art. So many cities work with local artists to beautify their streets, buildings, trash cans, and electrical boxes. Palm Springs is no different and there are tons of great photo opportunities all over. Unsurprisingly, I was ecstatic.

Why yes, I do love you Palm Springs!

Over the 5 days we were in town, we saw so much free art, not including all the amazing architecture, which is a whole other thing of its own. 

The art starts as soon as you get off the plane. The airport is mostly outside, with great places to sit, picnic, view art, let the kids play, sip coffee or wine, and even learn a little history. Throughout the grounds are a scattering of sculptures, including two of these beautiful scenic rams.

Downtown and Uptown are chock full of commemorations of previous residents, including former Mayor Sonny Bono, who got his own bronze statue (there's a bust of him at the airport, too, before you get to the Sonny Bono Concourse). You can see how well loved this statue is as a photo op. Seconds before I took this, there was a whole family climbing on him for a picture, and seconds after I took this, I took one of Eric with him. There's also a plaque that tells you all about why Bono was such a honored member of the community.

Across the street, a little bit up the block, you'll find this bronze statue of Lucille Ball. We actually missed her the first time we went down that street. If not for Pokemon Go, we may not have seen her at all. It was very sunny, so you'll have to pardon all the terrible shadows. Lucy came to Palm Springs before her career had taken off and then returned again and again once famous and married to Desi Arnaz, staying in the best hotels and even making a movie there.

The streets are lined with colorful benches, each done by a different artist. Make sure to walk all the way around them, because there's something different to see from each angle. Each has a completely different vibe and I was loving it. There were pop art ones, nature ones, and ones celebrating Pride. There was even one outside the airport that looked like a giant plane ticket on top of two piles of suitcases. Very clever.

It's not all sculptures and benches though, because there also seems to be a cool mural tucked around every corner. I saw so many I couldn't take photos of while I was driving, but I did stop outside a hotel I wanted a photo of and this was on the wall between it and the hotel next to it. Swoon!

Here are 3 different pieces of art in one picture: Fault Line Meditation by JEVPIC, 
Line-Segments-Palm-Springs by Ryan Campbell, and Palm Springs Babies by David Cerny

We never made it to the Palm Springs Art Gallery, even though we had every intention to get to it. We did enjoy the park across the street from the gallery one evening, where there is So. Much. Art. For free!

Enjoy this different view.

The street leading to the museum greets you with a gigantic Marilyn Monroe. This 26-foot statue, entitled Forever Marilyn, celebrates another one of Palm Springs' famous residents. You can also take a self-guided tour and see what is dubbed the Marilyn Monroe house (from the outside), one of the homes she rented throughout her career.

I loved everything, no matter how weird, out front of the museum, but I especially loved this one called Suspended Time, by Gonzalo Lebrija. This car is surrounded by a small black lake, giving it an awesome mirrored effect.

This is actual water.

What did I think of Palm Springs and all its amazing art? There was a piece of art to describe that, too. Wow by Midabi. With so many things costing money, self-guided walking tours are a great way to do something cool for free. It's one of the best free activities in my opinion, because city art is a wonderful way to get a feeling for a city and the people who live there.

What's your favorite piece of street art, or your favorite city for street art?