Author: La Vie Partagée

Upcoming IKEA Limited Edition Collaborations for Fall 2015

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At La Vie Partagée, we love mixing IKEA products into our interiors to create a mix of high and low, and not to mention helping our wallet at the same time.  IKEA has limited edition series which are much more interesting than their regular products.  There are two series that are being released in September and October and we are excited to get our hands on them. SITTNING Collection (September 2015) According to IKEA: “The SITTNING collection is based on over 40 pieces of dinnerware, flatware, glasses, cutlery, vases, candle holders and tablecloths. Designed with coordination and composition in mind, these objects are ready to turn an ordinary evening into an extraordinary evening. Made from natural materials such as cotton, mouth-blown glass and solid wood. Available in all shapes and sizes, just like your loved ones.” The moodiness in the various color combinations in this series is perfect to showcase at all the dinners and parties to take place throughout the holiday season. This is a nice tongue-in-cheek place mat to remind guests to put away …

Đậu Hũ Sốt Cà Chua / Stuffed Tofu Braised in Tomato Sauce

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Vietnamese cuisine usually consists of braising proteins or vegetables in a sauce.  Braising in a tomato sauce is a very easy and popular way to incorporate vegetables into a meal.  In today’s recipe, we will share a family recipe for tofu stuffed with minced pork, shrimp, and ear worm mushrooms braised in tomato sauce.  It is a simple and healthy dish.  The tomato sauce is great with chicken and fried salmon filet as well. This recipe is rated medium in difficulty and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Ingredients: 1 lb of ground of ground pork 1 lb of tiger shrimp or any type of meaty shrimp ⅓ cup of dried ear worm mushrooms (This is commonly found in an Asian supermarket.  If you are unable to find it, just exclude this ingredient.) 1 package of fried bean curd (tofu). (This is a pre-made fried tofu which has a denser consistency.) Approx. 2 tablespoons of fish sauce 1-2 stalks of scallion 1/2 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder 2 ripe tomatoes Approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons …

Traveling With Kids Under 2

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The idea of traveling with an infant or toddler can be daunting. Tons of questions crossed our minds when we first traveled with Kyla, our now 2.5 year girl. How much do I need to pack? Should I bring a stroller? What about a car seat? What if my baby becomes that baby who cries on the airplane? How do I entertain my child? Do I need to purchase a ticket for my baby/toddler? We’ve traveled to 15 U.S. states, 1 international trip (Canada) and a total of 19 one-way plane rides, 1 amtrak train ride, and a lot of road trips with our little girl. We’ve encountered tears, bloody ears, and life to our years during our trips. Here I will summarize lessons I learned during our airplane travels with our babe. For most domestic airlines, a child under 2 years old can travel for free as a “lap child” while accompanied by an adult. You will still need to call the airline ahead of time to reserve a lap child ticket. Bring a …

Season Favorites: Fall/Winter 2015-2016

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Fall is almost here and we thought you might want to know about this season’s top colors and other essentials for inspiration. Here are some examples of what is currently trending for the fall. Colors It is all about deep colors and contrast. You can pick strong tones for key pieces or walls to make a contrast with a more neutral palette. Nature is the inspiration like the deepness of the ocean, a sunrise, a foggy forest, etc. The scandinavian combo: black + white + wood is still in the spotlight. Materials Metals, stone, ceramic and glass. Fabrics and prints Play with colors and textures. Wool is a big favorite and velvet is back. Plaid is here for the season but also look out for abstract designs which are trending. Overall, I would say this season is about connecting with nature and the basics. I hope you can find some interesting pieces and create that perfect atmosphere for your interiors. For related articles, visit the DESIGN page. Author: Daniela Olmedo Feature photo:  Thefreshexchangeblog.com

Phu Quoc’s Squid Simmered in Lemongrass, Pineapple and Thai Basil Sauce

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Phu Quoc is known for their sweet tasting squids.  You can see the locals fishing for these jewels right at the dock.  They taste incredibly sweet due to the pristine water surrounding the island.  We were lucky to have these local treats cooked by our first mate on our boat. Click on the link here to read all about our adventures in Phu Quoc. In today’s post, we will recreate the classic Phu Quoc’s style squid simmered in a lemongrass, pineapple and thai basil sauce.  This is a wonderful dish to serve at a dinner party because it is so simple. All you have to do is put it together and let it simmer before you serve. This recipe serves 2 people and is rated easy. Ingredients 1 pound of whole squids (cleaned, remove all of the guts) ½ cup of large sliced lemongrass (substitute with frozen lemongrass, available at asian supermarkets in the frozen food aisle) ½ cup of cubed pineapple (from can) ½ cup of diced Thai Basil 1 cup of water 1 …

Metropolitan Museum of Art: China Through the Looking Glass

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Every year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Costume Insitute put on a costume exhibition.  The theme this year is China Through the Looking Glass.  It is a fascinating and vibrant look at China culture and its influence on cinema, fashion, art, and the western world.  The exhibit also has videos of historical and current fashion trends.  It is a spectacle for the senses and a feast for the eyes. The video below from the Metropolitan Museum of Art posted by the World Fashion YouTube channel is a 7 minute overview of the exhibition with fascinating insight. On a sunny Friday morning, I visited the exhibition.  Aside from the stylish clothes, the way in which the fashion is exhibited on a fake lake, in a mock up of a house, and against video tunnels is spectacular.  The exhibition has extended until September 7, 2015.  I highly advise going on a weekday or very early on a weekend as it gets crowded quickly. The exhibition description from the Met: This exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics …

Bugs: A Hidden Sushi Gem In Its Last Week

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New York is transient by nature with people coming and going at all times.  Some people and moments can leave an impact and a lasting impression.  Bugs, a Japanese sushi restaurant that can seat 15 people located in the East Village, is one of those lasting impressions.  I first met Osaka-born Chef Sho Boo in 2013 when she opened her tiny restaurant that can often be described as a hole in the wall.  This is another connotation for a hidden gem and accurately describes this chef and her restaurant. Coming to Bugs feels like you are coming to Chef Sho Boo’s kitchen where she labors away with an assistant in a makeshift kitchen that comprises of two electric burners, a microwave, a toaster oven, and a rice cooker.  Chef Boo, her assistant, and a waitress work together to put on a meal worthy of any noted sushi restaurant in NYC.  Unfortunately, Chef Boo did some soul searching after the death of her mother this year and decided to travel the world volunteering and learning new …

Bò Tái Chanh / Vietnamese Beef Carpacio Salad

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My family vacations in Virginia Beach every year around this time in August.  The great thing about the family reunion is that I get to spend time with my relatives who are crazy good cooks. Aunt Qua is another amazing home cook and luckily for me, she agreed to spend time showing me some of her best and easy to make dishes.  In this post we will make bò tái chanh.  Bò tái chanh is a refreshing salad with beef cooked in lime juice.  It is the Vietnamese version of beef carpacio.  The pineapple and chili sauce is my family’s concoction to replace the typical pungent fish paste sauce.  A little of the sauce over the fresh lime marinated beef and salad hits the spot, especially during the hot and steamy summer.  I guarantee that this salad will be gone in no time. This dish is rated easy and serves two to four people, depending on if the dish is meant as a side or main dish. Ingredients: 1 lb of eye round beef ¼ …