Adventures of Yoo

December 6 2016

Holiday Gift Guide – For Your Brothers or Boyfriends

Yesterday, I shared with you some of gifts you could give ladies this Christmas. Now, I thought I’d turn my attention to the men in your life. Here’s a list of items that I think would make the perfect gift for your brothers or boyfriends (and husbands, of course).

Above: Mod Tablet 3
For the jetsetter man in your life that likes to keep things organized, look to the Mod Tablet 3. The magnetic modular case was built to solve the needs of creative professionals. It has 10 pockets for a tablet, phone, cards, and currency and 5 slots for cords, pens, pencils, notebook, and in-ear headphones. If that’s not enough, it’s outside is a Tuscan veg-tanned leather.
This is Ground $349

Men’s Leather Bomber Jacket
A leather jacket doesn’t have to break the bank. This one, by DSTLD, is classic and streamlined. Made from buttery soft broken-in leather, the jacket is designed to feel like a longtime favorite from day one, and only improves with time and wear.
DSTLD $320

Mens’s Classic Full Zip Hoodie
It’s the hoodie that launched American Giant to fame. Soft and comfortable, your boyfriend will never want to take it off.
American Giant $89

Slim Classic Zip-pocket Sweatpant
Sweatpants don’t have to look slouchy. These pants, from J.Crew, feature a tapered leg that creates a slim, tailored silhouette. Good for going out or staying in.
J. Crew $69.50

Everyday Backpack
If you’re looking for the ultimate backpack to haul all of your gear look no further. The Everyday Backpack by Peak Design was created by a team of designers, engineers, and photographers to meet the needs of creative and adventurous people. It can hold an unbelievable amount of stuff including your camera gear or laptop. (I have the Everyday Tote and I love it.)
Peak Design $259.95

The Classic, Gunmetal or Tan
If your man is a minimalist, he’ll appreciate the classic design of this watch. Inspired by the clean lines of the Oslo Opera House, this watch has a two-layer dial and a subtle domed glass. It’s an elegant, high-quality watch with premium components, including a Swiss movement and Italian leather straps.
Linjer $249

Leatherman 830039 Wave Multitool with Leather/Nylon Combination Sheath, Silver
Every person should have this multitool on hand in case of emergencies. It includes a whopping 17 tools: Needlenose Pliers, Regular Pliers, Wire Cutters, Hard-Wire Cutters, Clip-Point Knife, Serrated Knife, Saw, Scissors, Wood/Metal File, Diamond-Coated File, Large Bit Driver, Small Bit Driver, Large Screwdriver, Ruler (8 inch/19 cm), Bottle/Can Opener, Wire Stripper & Lanyard Attachment. It’s even covered by a 25-year warranty.
Amazon $89.95

Skybuds
Skybuds are truly wireless earbuds that charge and store in the Skydock. I love the classic and clean look of these.
Alpha $249.99

The Carry-On
Luggage shouldn’t be heavy or bulky. That’s why the Carry-On would be your perfect travel companion. It’s unbreakable, thoughtfully designed, and guaranteed for life. Inside there are two compartments, one designed for clothes, the other for shoes, toiletries, and other hard objects. Outside is an impenetrable shell that bends under pressure and never breaks. Bonus: It’ll even charge your phone or tablet!
Away $225

Mahabis Classic Slippers
Are these slippers or shoes? The answer is both. A modern reinvention of the house slipper, Mahabis Classic Slippers is a sleek, award winning slipper that transforms into a quasi-shoe with the detachable TPU sole, letting you transition from indoor to outdoor wear in seconds. Made in Europe, they come in two shades of gray with a choice of sole colors.
Mahabis $101

The Down Pilot’s Vest
Looking for a warm vest? This one is made with a rugged plain-weave polyester shell that’s tear and water-resistant, and it has a 600-fill down inside. Warm and lightweight it’s perfect for those chilly nights.
Best Made Company $198

Bookends of the Earth: Rivers
Created by artist and designer Garth Borovicka, this bookend set is constructed with solid wood, the grains and layers of the wood mimic the layers of earth’s underbelly. Realistic model trees, poured resin “water,” and hand-tooled topography create a charming scene.
Colossal Shop $220

Style

December 5 2016

Holiday Gift Guide – For Your Sisters or Girlfriends

I’ve said it once but I’ll say it again. I love my sisters! Aside from Sam, my husband, Grace and Carol are my best friends. We see each other almost every weekend and we never have enough time to just sit and chat. I so appreciate having them in my life. Today, I thought I’d put together a gift guide for sisters or girlfriends. These some items I’ve already bought, some I’ve already given away and some that I hope to give away in the near future.

Above: Cloud No. 1
Max Wanger is more known for his beach prints but his new collections of clouds in equally as beautiful. Love the modern simplicity.
Max Wanger Print Shop $35

Daily Weekly Monthly Planner in Gradient
I just bought this for myself. It’s a good size planner that has sections for the month, day and week. You don’t have to wait to start using it, you can start at any time by just writing it in yourself. (Love the outside colors of this planner. Makes my day just a little bit brighter.)
Poketo $34

Floral Initial, Watercolor Jewelry Dish
If you’re like me, you have all of your jewelry scattered about or lost in some drawer. I’m a big fan of watercolor so I immediately fell in love with this jewelry dish. It’s pretty, simple and modern.
The Painted Press $16

Capture Your Style: Transform Your Instagram Images, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform
If you’re into Instagram, and especially if you love fashion, you’ll appreciate this new book by Amiee Song. With 4.1 million followers, she’s one of those must-follows on Instagram. Not sure how she makes everything look so effortless but each photo is just breathtaking. The book gives you some inside scoops on how to capture picture perfect Instagram photos. (Hint: She uses the FaceTune app.)
Amazon $12.16

Fox Ring, Adjustable
I’m a sucker for animal jewelry and this one made me stop and stare for a while. I love how in the front it’s the fox’s head and at the end it’s his tail. Love clever stuff like this.
Girls Luv It $28

Walt of the Winds!
Made of light blue and white resin with a base consisting of sapele wood, this ring is enchanting. It’s like having a mini story on your finger. All the rings are handmade and each is unique and different from one another.
Secret Wood $145

Amazon Echo
My sister, Carol, has this at her house and it is amazing. She just has to say, “Alexa play Adele” and the device starts playing Adele’s songs. This has way better voice recognition than Siri. Thinking about buying this for our house. (Though also considering Google Home.)
Amazon $179.99

Northern Lights Line Bracelet
Love the change of colors in this bracelet. I think it’s versatile enough to wear every day.
Banana Republic $28

GO ASK Your DAD – If You Can Read This Socks
I recently bought these socks for my sisters but this one I found today is even funnier. For all you moms out there, I know you can relate!
If the Sock Fitz $13.17

Cocktail Party Earring Set
This dainty set of seven earrings is the perfect gift for anyone appreciates pretty and classic design. My sister, Grace, recently bought me this and I’m wearing one of the pairs as I’m typing this. Love the gold leaves one the most.
Anthropologie $58

Laura Mercier Master Class Colour Essentials Collection 2nd Edition
Any woman who loves wearing make-up will appreciate this new collection by Laura Mercier. It comes with 12 eye colors, three cheek colors, two tightline cake eyeliners, a long-wearing cream eye pencil, and two travel eye brushes. It’s like all your neccessities in one, neatly packaged place.
Sephora $125

Art & Design

December 2 2016

Fun Links of the Week

Are you in the Christmas spirit? I feel like we just finished our leftover Thanksgiving food, I’m just not ready for Christmas! I still have to buy the tree and decorate the house but I’m actually looking forward to it. Parker’s almost five now so he’s much more aware of all of the holidays, which is fun, but a bit nerve wracking.

In any case, what are you up to this weekend? My sister, Carol, is getting an award from the California Bar Association. She’ll be giving a short speech. I’ve already heard it and it’s hilarious. We bought new dresses and we’re getting our hair done. I’m so proud of her!

Now, let’s look back on the fun links of the week.

My whole life, I never wore eyeshadow but since my sister turned my on to this, I just can’t get enough. It’s shimmery and pretty. (Love Lottie-Plum.)

Forget gingerbread houses, these are much better.

You don’t have to fly all the way to NY to see this year’s best holiday window displays. (Tiffany’s is gorgeous!)

Shonda Rhimes is my hero. (Her book was inspirational.)

Just bought these instruments for my two boys. (Shhh, it’s one of their Christmas gifts.) via ACupofJo

If you’re in Miami for Art Basel, make sure to drop by the Juxtapoz Clubhouse.

If London’s more your thing, check out their new Design Museum.

I’m all about gift guides. My favorites are from ACupofJo, Emily Henderson and Frenchbydesign.

Cutest apron set for little helpers and tiny chefs.

I think I need this handy little screw.

Can’t get enough of this show. (I’m finally caught up.)

Just bought these leggings for my friend “Kat”.

This short holiday film warmed by heart.

Finally…I did it!

Photo: Mikkel Vang

Art & Design

December 1 2016

Beautifully Surreal Digital Paintings by Loika

I found this incredibly talented digital artist named Loika via Tumblr. For all of his digital pieces, he paints using a Wacom Intuos 4 tablet (medium size) and Photoshop. You can check out his sketchblog here or order a book of his paintings or prints, here. What talent! (I’m tempted to buy the book.)

Art & Design

December 1 2016

Tate Britain Unveils an Upside Down, Floating Christmas Tree

Let the festivities begin! The #1 museum I have yet to visit, Tate Britain, just unveiled its centerpiece to the holiday season. It asked Iranian-born artist Shirazeh Houshiary to hang her version of the Christmas Tree. A stunning pine tree was turned upside down and had its roots covered in bright gold leaf. It hangs from the glass ceiling in the Millbank entrance and is meant to be appreciated from different perspectives at three levels of the gallery, the tip of the tree from the lower floor, the floating body from the ground, and the glittering roots from the upper floor.

As for the artist, she said, “I would like us to contemplate that the pine tree is one of the oldest species and recognize the roots are the source of its continued stability, nourishment and longevity.

“As the roots remain hidden, it is best to seek what is hidden rather than what is apparent. As a Buddhist monk wrote, ‘An old pine tree preaches wisdom.'”

Houshiary’s tree will be displayed near works by prominent British artists such as Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor and Alison Wilding, and marks the start of a new series of festive commissions for Tate Britain.

Staff members pose for photographs at the unveiling of a Christmas tree by Iranian-born artist Shirazeh Houshiary, in the Rotunda at Tate Britain gallery in London, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. The tree is part of the gallery's annual festive commissions and the first for a few years after the gallery space was renovated. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

I love unusual, show-stopping pieces like this!

Style

November 29 2016

I’m Doing It!

Remember that recent post about bold, multi-colored hair? Well, tomorrow I’m doing it! I’ve decided to get my hair dyed in this galaxy-style. (This picture’s hair was done by Sarah Ready.) Because they have to lighten my hair first, the whole process will take four to five hours. I’m just going to take the day off tomorrow to get it done. Hopefully it all comes out well and I’ll have pictures to show you the next day. Wish me luck!

Life

November 29 2016

Thanksgiving Weekend Hike With the Family

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? My side of the family came over on Friday and we had a feast! Everyone stayed over a night and on Saturday morning we do what we always do, we went on a hike at my favorite nature spot, Santa Rosa Plateau. While last year we saw the vernal pools, this time we hiked Granite Loop, which is around the Visitor Center. On this hike, you walk by large oak trees and huge rocks and there’s even a beautiful resting spot with benches. There, we did our own version of the mannequin challenge! (I’ll try to upload it soon.)

Now, let’s take a look at it all in pictures.

I bought my niece, Berry, this adorable unicorn hoodie from Target. (It’s only $20 and it’s on sale right now for 30% off.) She wore it on our hike.

My sister, Carol, is really big into making 3D models. This one is made out of paper, it’s a gold palace. She showed it to me right before we went on our hike.

When we got to Santa Rosa Plateau, I was able to snap this quick shot of Parker with Berry. The two really love each other.

Not everyone was thrilled about hiking. My nephew, Riverton, was a little grumpy.

We went into the Vistor Center and checked out some of the exhibits. This is my sister, Carol, along with her husband Burt.

The kids had a blast looking through the various exhibits. It was like a mini museum.

Carol’s oldest son, Evan, is the apple of my eye. I call him my “first son” because he was the first kid born out of my whole family.

Before the hike, there’s an open amphitheater area for shows. Carol found it the perfect place to practice her tai chi.

Everyone was bundled up for the hike. It was 59 degrees. Chilly for us Californians.

As we were walking we came across star confetti in the dirt. It looked so pretty I had to take a picture of it.

We finally got to the benches and the kids began to prepare for the mannequin challenge. We told them to “freeze”!

This is my Grace’s husband and their two kids.

My sister, Grace, dyed her hair this really pretty red color. She kind of looks like a superhero now. Here she is posing with one of my best friends, Kat.

Take a look at that huge rock next to my family. There’s so many interested sights to see on this hike.

I always like capturing shots of mothers or fathers holding hands with their children. (I secretly wish I had some of those from my own childhood.)

This is my sister, Carol, with her two older boys. They were playing word games. I like how they all look so engaged.

Some of the family walked far ahead of us. I was able to grab this wide shot that shows you just how beautiful and majestic Santa Rosa Plateau is.

The last people to show was the youngest member of our family, Riverton, along with his dad Burt. Again, like the juxtaposition of the huge trees and bushes next to people.

This last picture is of Sam, carrying Logan, and of my two brother-in-laws, Burt and Keith. I know I’m a little biased here but isn’t this a great picture of them? They’re all such great guys, too. I love my family!

Art & Design

November 28 2016

Rainbow Light Projection Magnificently Illuminates Chicago Bridge

Last year, the 606, Chicago’s highly anticipated elevated park and public trail, opened to the public. Chicago-based art duo Luftwerk, comprised of Petra Bachmaier and Sean Galler, was commissioned by the Trust for Public Land to construct a light show for the bridge. Called TransLIT, it was inspired by fauna and flora and it was a display of “motion, color, and light.” As a person who’s fascinated by rainbows and patterns this display caught my eye.

Read more about it on Architect Magazine.

Art & Design

November 23 2016

Happy Thanksgiving! Fun Links of the Week.

Hey there! I can’t believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’re spending it with Sam’s family and then Sam and I are hosting a party at our house on Friday, the day after. My side of the family and some friends are coming. I’m making seven dishes! (Ok, that includes a holiday drink and cranberry sauce.) I’ll see you back on Monday. Till then, have a great Thanksgiving!

President Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom award to Ellen Degeneres. Love both of them, love his speech, love how they both got choked up.

OK Go bends time in the spectacular new video. That’s just 4.2 seconds?

Are you digging the cold shoulder trend?

For some guilty pleasure reading, here’s a new book.

What a dreamy dining room.

What are you grateful for? (The #1 answer doesn’t surprise me.)

This emoji set is cute (and is perfect for the fashionista).

How I’d love to see Annie L’s empowering series in New York. (Lucky Alice Gao.)

7 picture books to teach children about giving to others.

This over-the-top ruffle shirt is so pretty. (Pretty much love all of these trendy pieces.)

Wish I had done this for my wedding. (This guy has traveled to over 75 countries?!)

How I’d love to have this cloud inside my house!

Poketo’s having a 25% sale on their site! (I want everything on there.)

Photo by Taschen.

Art & Design

November 23 2016

Smile-Worthy Illustrations on Love and Life by Mari Andrew

I was looking at illustrators’ accounts on Intagram when I came across Mari Andrew (or @bymariandrew). Some of her illustrations I had seen before, every once in a while A Cup of Jo posts one of her works. I spent the last hour or so looking through her illustrations, which often center around love or life. Couldn’t get enough of them. Here are my favorites.

Newer posts Older posts

Sign up for our newsletter!

Popular