music that moves

Without a doubt, music is like water for my soul. I find myself completely uplifted when I hear something that moves me. Here's what's been on my heart this week...

2Cellos

My roommate Alex just introduced me to 2Cellos, and it was like a blast from the past. I played the violin very seriously for more than decade of my life, and classical music will always have my complete attention whenever I hear it! The cello is one of my favorite instruments to listen to, so two cellos is just extraordinary! This Coldplay arrangement is particularly fantastic. (Also great - their Smooth Criminal arrangement! And the Welcome to the Jungle video is awe-inspiring.)

Ellie Holcomb

I love Ellie's music. My friend Emily played Ellie's Anchor of Hope, and I was instantly drawn to her voice. I don't often write about my faith on the blog, but God is an enormous part of my life, and forever faithful -- this song really describes Him better than anything that I could write. (Also great -- Don't Forget His Love)

What's been on your music radar lately?

a sunny weekend with friends

How was your weekend? My college friend Steph came to visit me from Boston, and we spent the sunny weekend catching up at the Standard Biergarten with some of my L'Oreal friends (hey Sorah, Johanna, Riley, & Deeps!). Add in a Latin fusion dinner with Justin, Paul, & Graham at Boca Chica, dancing at One & One, some Phileo frozen yogurt, and stumbling upon the set of Showtime's Californication in the West Village -- it was a great weekend! Loved our little reunion, Steph!

Me, Deepica, and Sorah at the Standard

Clink!

Bumped into this super fun car while walking over to the Standard. Wish I could drive it!

On our way to froyo, we saw a cellist in the West Village! Perfection. (Still think it's one of the sexiest instruments ever.)

Lonny, Johanna, and Steph xoxo

After Steph left, I made a visit to the Frick on Sunday to see the Renoir exhibit and then volunteer ushered at my church. Although I didn't get much sleep this weekend, I can't stop thinking my little mantra: Too Blessed To Be Stressed! Life is good.

Renoir's Dance of Bougival (my favorite)

I also really enjoyed this portait, Lady Peel by Thomas Lawrence. Her red ostrich feather hat and rosy cheeks makes her a knock out spirit in my mind. (Girl crush on a painting, it happens! ;)

helen loves: edition #2

... New favorite style blogger, Anh of 9to5Chic, a sleek water filter jug (need one of these for my work desk), an inspiring quote, a pretty bralet (black, polka-dotted, lacy - just my style!), edgy & simple gold bracelet, moleskins filled with ideas & doodles, and a cherry tomato puff pastry tart. Yum.

Some more things that Helen Loves...

banana bread french toast - say WHAT?!

Stumbled upon this amazing and crazy concept: banana bread french toast! It's like two things I absolutely love just made babies. (Actually, at brunch this Sunday, I had the best banana bread of my life -- so soft and luscious! B Bar is where it's at.) This blog post & recipe seriously just made me very, very happy (and hungry).

(photos by how sweet it is)

life lately...

It's almost a foreign concept to me that we are already mid-way past April. Unbelievable. AND it hasn't been raining every day! (Whatever happened to April showers?) I'm so thankful that this month has been warm & beautiful, but I hope it doesn't pass by too quickly. Here are a few fond memories from April that I'm especially grateful for...

My wonderful family coming to visit from the Philly suburbs last Friday & Saturday (Easter weekend) = lots of exploring (Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Soho) and eating! Here's baby sister Jess enjoying some Shake Shack.

Being Chinese, my family couldn't possibly visit without restocking their supply of Chinese herbs & spices. So to Chinatown we went.... and bumped into the prettiest tiles. The turquoise is so striking, I have this image set as my Facebook cover picture.

We had a dinner feast at Peking Duck House, which is one of the nicest & cleanest restaurants I've ever been to in Chinatown (and you know that I'd happily go to the grimiest nook & crannies for good food). We didn't order their famous duck, but we had lamb chops, shumai, baozi, tofu, and other tasty little eats.

After my family left, I started off Easter Sunday at my lovely coworker/friend Marc's brunch in his Hell's Kitchen apartment, where everyone ate and drank outside on his enormous outdoor balcony. We also celebrated his sweet dog Sydney's birthday. It was so nice to see all of my L'Oreal pals and finally drink that Bloody Mary! (On a sidenote, I was sitting against a maroon couch on the balcony, the color which unbeknownst to me, reflected into my hair. Everyone thought I had purple streaks the entire time, hah! I wish I were that daring.)

On the F train back downtown, I sat across from this man who was selling cotton candy. I just HAD to ask his permission to take a picture. Moments like these make my heart swell and whatever doubt I have about living in New York (going on 5 years!) is instantly squashed.

Despite living here for so long, I had never, ever visited the High Line on the West Side highway. So I dragged one of my best friends from college, Danny, for a nice long walk right before Church service at Redeemer. It was so calming and scenic, I can't wait to go again. (And it's nice that Chelsea Market is right there. Picnic in High Line Park, anyone?)

Drinks/dinner/dessert at Catch, a trendy seafood restaurant in the Meat Packing district. I went with some lovely L'Oreal ladies who a) know how to eat and b) inspire me to do great things in work and in life. (Thanks Farrah, Esohe, Jes, and Sara.)


And this weekend -- Red velvet cupcakes (w/ heart sprinkles!) with Jasmine at Molly's. Can't go wrong with a little sugary self-indulgence here and there ;) We walked around the West Village/Soho for hours and popped into a few stores, like Addidas. Love Jas's sassy pose.

Any fun events from your week? I'd love to hear.

helen loves...

Hi friends! I'm excited to introduce a new weekly series of my favorite things. Hope you're having a colorful weekend, and enjoy!

... A great book on creativity, a sweet dog pillow, bright citron pumps from Shoe Mint, Ted Talks on Netflix (helpfully organized by subject!), pleated skirts, heart-shaped macarons, Baby Lips tinted lip balms (Cherry Me and Pink Punch are favorites). xo

new giveaway! chopsticks, a multi-medium new novel

Ahhh, so excited to host another giveaway! I'm very grateful to partner with the Penguin Group to give away to two (2) Helen Hearts readers Chopsticks, an edgy new novel composed entirely of photos, original drawings, and newspaper clips. The novel follows the love story between Glory, a piano prodigy, and her artsy new neighbor Frank. Told entirely through multi-media content, it's one part graphic novel, one part scrapbook. Definitely one of the most mysterious, fascinating and visually satisfying reads I've had in awhile! Find it on Amazon to read all the great reviews here.

Two Helen Hearts readers will be randomly chosen on Saturday, April 21st to win not only the novel, but also a $10 iTunes gift card to experience the Chopsticks app. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment with your email and follow Helen Hearts via Google Friend Connect (box to the left). This giveaway is open to US residents only.

For more information, check out the Chopsticks official website: http://www.chopsticksnovel.com

Best of luck!

Update: And the lucky winners are Alex and Jess. Thanks for playing!

girls' trip to D.C. :)

Last weekend, my friends MK, Jillian, and I went down to Washington D.C. to visit Anna's home base. We've been trying to visit each other once a month or so, and this is our first time ever hanging out in D.C.! (Remember their NY visit last month?) We had such a fun time catching up, strolling around Georgetown and the Capitol, and dancing until the wee hours. Also, I'm so into this city -- what a great mix of suburbs and urban. Plus, it's gorgeous and so clean! Hope to visit again soon. Here are a few snippets from the trip...

Georgetown: Brunch at Cafe Bonaparte, which looked exactly like a Parisian cafe with pretty ceilings and all the French accents. Also, their nutella lattes blew my mind. Window shopping at the most random stores -- antiques, prom dresses, Zara, and Vineyard Vines to name a few ;)

Farmer's Market anyone? The ones in Dupont Circle had fresh poppies, crisp veggies and pretty handmade soaps on display. I also had a sample of some cold ceviche (which you know I'm obsessed with) and it was yumlicious.

Dinner at Old Ebbit Grill, where we had delicious cocktails and oysters. We dined with Anna's new boyfriend Jerry and his pals. It was fun to meet everyone, and by the end of the weekend, we all felt like old friends. (We LOVED meeting you Jerry!)

Site seeing near the Capitol: Evening strolls to the White House (check out that gorgeous picture I took of Jillian among the tulips!) and WWII Memorial site, which had its fountains lit up. We immediately found the Pennsylvania pillar, which is our home state. Even though 2 of us currently live in other states, high school friends fo' life!

Georgetown Cupcakes: Okay we didn't actually get a chance to try one (the lines were soooo long!), but maybe next time? At least we got a photo op ;)

Hangin' with the girls - that's all I need. Seriously, thank you ladies for being just a phone call or a bus ride away. Thanks for listening to my ups and downs, and just for being awesome friends! And thanks Anna for being a gracious slumber party host ;) D.C., we'll be back!

PS: We also went to Bagels, Etc, which had a huge line, so we knew it'd be good! I got an "Everything" bagel topped with avocado, scrambled eggs, bagon, and hot sauce. Ommm!