Shred the Mountain

Last month, I got to take a little time off from work and hit the slopes in Vail with my dad. It was a really nice getaway from the warm weather and just let loose in the mountains. Little did I know that it was going to be -20F! It was so cold many of the locals stayed in! By the time I landed back in LA, I was so grateful for the warm weather. 

The last time I skied before Vail was 3 years ago. So my first day was pretty rough, trying to remember techniques my dad had ingrained into my brain since I was young. Then reminiscing on those days when I "pizza-ed" all the way down or better yet, took off my skies and slid on my butt. 

This trip was a little different. I was skiing with my dad and a few of his buddies (who ski regularly). Uh uh.. no way I was going to let these "old-farts" school me! I was really determined to keep up with them!
With the new policy on the plane, I was able to keep my phone on airplane mode and snap some beautiful photos from above!
Day 1 - Gorgeous blue skies but -20F
Hitting the blacks and the double blacks.. Yikes!
Here's a quick little video I put together of my 3 days in Vail! Enjoy!
 

East Meets West Meets East

Erin and Court's adventure part TWO! You can see part one here!
I noticed a lot more detail this time around trekking along Hollywood Road and hitting all my favorite Soho stores and passing by cute bars. I think it was because I was holding a new camera and wanted to keep snapping everything.
I absolutely love this photo - a great mix of both Western and Eastern style with a red door handle, a swing bench and a very interesting collection of men. Was this bar always there?
My turn!
While trying to find a snack, we found this amazing door! I couldn't get over how random but awesome it is!

Loving my new "sister" ring from The9thMuse by Alex Mika!
We got too hungry and had to stop at the first coffee shop we saw.
Twinsies!
It's rare to see blue skies in Hong Kong, but the pollution wasn't too bad that day! Got to snap a lovely sunset photo from the highway on our way home.

The Fong House

Tucked behind a plethora of trees, flowers and bushes is a one story suburban home in San Marino, CA. When I first parked outside the house, I would've never guessed the interior was so modern and spacious. A few things that I love about it... First was of course being greeted by a little dog, Gizmo, barking at me until I reached down to pet him. Next, I immediately noticed the mixture of Asian and Western furniture throughout. And my favorite, the kitchen! Well..you'll know when you see it...
Eames Chair!
I love the green stained cabinets, and how much light flows through. Such a great space for entertaining a close group of friends.
Gizmo's throne - LOVE this green rocking chair

This is only a handful of photos out of 200 that I took! Almost every corner I turned had something worth photographing - even the flower pots, the built in coffee machine and the decoration on the coffee table.

Alleyway Gems

Erin took me around HK one day to show me all the cool spots that have popped up since I've been gone. We stopped by this cute bar tucked in an alleyway called Brick House that reminded me of NYC. I had a great time discovering new places and finally having some down time to just hang out! 
Then we trekked across Central through Soho and all the way to Sheung Wan area where we checked out the gentrified areas with modern live/work lofts and trendy coffee shops. 
Can you count how many residential buildings are in this photo?
Down comes beautiful old buildings, up goes another luxury building :(
whoopdee-doo!
photos by: courtney

Welcome to 2014!


So many wonderful things have happened to our family in the past month! I had such an amazing end to 2013. My schedule was so jam packed with activities I didn't even have time to breathe! I got to go home for 2 weeks and reunite with my family and friends. It was short with every minute well spent. With my jet-lag, it was very difficult to find the energy to stay awake but I wanted to make the most of it, so I would drink lots of coffee, power through the day with the family, then take a 10 minute nap after dinner and meet up with my friends at night. 
There was so much laughter and happiness shared, many fruitful conversations, and always over great food! I often get a little homesick after I leave, but this time was special, and it's taking me awhile to adjust back to LA life. So.. without further delay, I'll let my sisters announce the great news :D 
- Court
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I couldn't agree more with what Court said, it was indeed an amazing and special holiday.  I originally expected it to be like all our other great Christmases  – the same fun parties, delicious family dinners, opening presents, but this year’s was definitely unique.  While the parties and celebrations remained the same, the dynamics have completely changed.  On Christmas day, we had the entire family in our living room opening presents - from our 90 year-old grandparents to Trish and Ed's new babies.  If you can't picture it, check out our little montage below for a glimpse into our day.  I think the highlight was watching Maddie spend at least half an hour opening and playing with each gift.  It was a nice change to have little ones around the tree.    

I was spoiled and received one too many great gifts, but nothing prepared me for the biggest of all – a proposal from my now fiance (still getting used to saying that word) Tim, my best friend of 14 years who has been there for me through most everything… even after I broke his heart in high school.  It was a "Yes" of course.

I am so grateful to have had such a lovely holiday surrounded by loved ones.  Hope ya'll had a good one too, and wishing you a fantastic 2014.

Lastly... WELCOME Avery and WELCOME Tim!
-Erin

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It's been a busy December at the Tsui household. We welcomed our newest member, Avery, to the family on December 4. She's proving to be quite the feisty one, which I should have seen coming considering how active she was in the womb! We also celebrated Ed's birthday with over 20 of our friends at our annual white elephant gift exchange/Christmas dinner (a rather competitive/intense affair), followed by a busy Christmas/new year season with family and friends. Last week, Ed and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary - he treated me to a relaxing spa treatment at Bliss and a decadent 8-course dinner at Gaddi's, probably one of the nicest restaurants I've been to in Hong Kong! What a huge blessing this season has been - thankful for what God has been doing in our lives, and wonderful family and friends. Looking forward to what 2014 holds!
Sister ♥
Maddie eating/attacking her own apple for the first time
The "Better than Sex" cake from Ms. B's Cakery (top left) for Ed's birthday - delicious chocolate truffle cake but not sure if it really lives up to its name. Maybe "Better-than-other-chocolate cakes" cake? Haha
1st course at Gaddi's: Sea bass tartar with cauliflower and caviar
4th course at Gaddi's: Poached egg with black truffle toast
-Trish