All posts tagged: featured

Light It Up

Published by

I asked my friends what topic they want me to write about next and many agreed on lamps. Coincidentally, I had planned on writing about this topic for weeks. I know there are so many options to pick from ranging in price and style. It is a hard to make a decision. Lamps can be pricey, especially the ceiling lamps. Any good designer will tell you that there is a lot of time and work  behind a beautiful piece. Think of these lamps as if you are buying a valuable piece of art. So if you run into one that is a bit higher than your budget, don´t automatically eliminate it. Maybe you can adjust your budget with other things to make room for the lamp. The trend right now is to have beautiful and clean lines. It can be a wire shade. It can also be a structure that parts like branches in a asymmetrical way or in a very symmetrical design. My favorite colors are white, black, copper, brass and gold. The light bulbs have …

Blue Crabs Sauté in a Roe Sauce

Published by

The northern Atlantic coast is known for its blue crabs. While vacationing in Virginia Beach, my family went to the fish market called the Shellfish Company and bought fresh blue crabs right off of the boat. My Aunt Qua created this simple and easy dish for us. Needless to say, the taste testers ate all of the crabs as soon as they were prepared. This recipe is rated easy and serves 4 people. Ingredients: 6 female blue crabs (as you will need the roe) 1/4 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder 3/4 teaspoon of sugar 1/8 teaspoon of salt 1/8 teaspoon of pepper 1/3 cup of yellow onion 3 cloves of garlic (approximately 2 tablespoons) 1 stalk of scallion 1 Thai Chili Directions: Prepare the crabs Twist the tail off of the crab and discard. Snap off the claws and legs. Use a towel and pull apart the shell of the crab and get rid of the grey, furry-looking thing (the lungs). One side of the shell will have the body of the crab. The other side will …

Airline Lounge Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Lounge at Narita Airport (Terminal 2)

Published by

I often take Japan Airlines to my destinations in Asia and I always look forward to freshening up and relaxing at their Business Class Lounge in Narita Airport.  The Japan Airlines Business Class lounge is called the “Sakura Lounge”.  The lounge has a great mixture of western and eastern amenities.  Both Business Class and Premium Economy members have access to the lounge which can prove to be crowded at certain times. Location The Sakura Lounge is located at the T2 Main Building on the second floor after passing through security for connecting flights. For Japan Airlines Premium Economy customers, make sure to go to customer service located right after security to get lounge access pass if it was not given during the initial flight check in. Layout The lounge is split into two floors.  The first floor (same floor as the entrance) is busier and has the main food area of the lounge.  The bottom floor is accessible by descending down the grand staircase.  On the bottom of the staircase are storage lockers for small …

Chè Bông Cau / Sticky Mung Bean Pudding

Published by

Chè is a traditional Vietnamese sweet pudding or soup like dessert often eaten in the afternoon or late at night. This dessert can be served warmed or chilled, depending on the ingredients.  There are over a dozen varieties of chè depending on the region of Vietnam.  Chè can be made with mung bean, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, tapioca, gelatin, dumplings or a variety of fruits and is usually topped with a spoon of coconut cream.  Today, we will introduce a basic but delicious chè made of mung bean.  Chè bông cau or sticky mung bean dessert is made of whole steamed mung bean cooked in gelatinous simple syrup.  This snack is often a favorite of high school students on their way home from school. Ingredients: 2/3 cups of dried split mung bean 3 tablespoons of tapioca starch 5- 6 tablespoons of sugar (for the chè and the coconut milk) 1 can of coconut milk 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract (not pictured) Directions: Part 1:  Cooking the mung bean Steam 2/3 cup of dried split mung bean for 20 …

Weekend Unexplored: Boston’s Freedom Trail Through the Eyes of Bostonians

Published by

The Freedom Trail is a unique experience in Boston that is a must do!  The trail was created 60 years ago and marks the 16 sites that are fundamental to our understanding of the revolutionary war and creation of the Republic.  The trail is identified with a red brick path along the road and is easy to follow. I have done this trail several times in my life.  This time around, I took my dog and invited my college friend and his dog to re-explore the trail.  We hope to provide insights on which sites to visit and which detours to consider along the trail. The trail is best done early in the morning before the throngs of visitors descend upon the sites. TIP! There is a free downloadable brochure that you can save on your phone.  There is an explanation for each site so no need to actually pay for a “tour”. 1) START at Boston Common (139 Tremont Street) The Freedom Trail starts at the Guest Information Center in Boston Common.  Boston Common is America’s oldest …

Upcoming IKEA Limited Edition Collaborations for Fall 2015

Published by

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

Published by

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

Published by

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

Published by

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

Published by

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 …