New Year, New 'Do

Happy Year of the Goat/Lamb!!  We are gearing up for our first Chinese New Year or Spring Festival as they like to call it here.  On Saturday we head out to Phuket, Thailand for our getaway.  I, for one, cannot wait as I've been here for 6 months without leaving the city.  I'm ready to break out!  I heard on the news it is the largest migration of people on the earth.  Good luck to us getting to our destination!

Lily, my trusty ayi, came in last week with the most darling new hair cut.  As I was gushing over it she explained to me that during CNY many Chinese women get a new 'do to celebrate the season.  This is also the time of year they buy new clothes, shoes, and items for the home.  Well, when in Rome...

I'm also ready to hand out the hongbao (red envelopes with money).  Oliver and Ben are especially excited.  They received their first this past weekend from our sweet friend, Fiona. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope

Our neighborhood and all of Shanghai is decked out in red and gold lanterns, and silk spring blossoms.  Such a beautiful, festive time of year and I've truly taken to it!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bangs for CNY!

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Have it Made!

choosing fabrics

love these - they make great gifts

YIKES!  Today's air quality index was around 250.  The sun tried to peek out, but the smog/pollution was just not going to let that happen.  It's just not safe to be out and about in air like that so I did what any sane woman would do and headed out to the fake market.   Guess what?  I was there yesterday, too.  I think one should make a couple of trips in order to make the right choices.  You can get pretty excited down there and just go mad crazy bargaining and spending your money.

The school where we send the boys, Concordia, is having a gala in March.  Quite a few of us ventured into the market yesterday to find dresses to be made.  Some were successful, some were not, and some of us still are waiting to see where we fall on the success scale.  I was looking for a cute ball skirt to pair with a great tee or white blouse.  (my post-prego body is just not ready for new, fancy dresses)  I found something and my fingers are crossed that it works.  I saw the bottom of a dress and asked the tailor if they could just make it a long skirt for me.  He said, 'ok', but they always say, 'ok'.  We shall see.....


After seeing some fabrics and styles yesterday I pulled some of my favorite dresses out of my closet and took them back to have them copied.  I can't make it to J. McClaughlin or DVF here in Shanghai, so why not have something similar made at a fabulous price??!  My sweet ayi, Lily, gave me a price I should ask for and I was able to get them to agree to it.  YAY!  Next week I will let you know how they turn out.

Also, wanted to post some fun pictures of the past weekend.  My neighbors organized a progressive dinner and our house was #4 of the evening.  I served up a delicious beef tenderloin and Lily made spring rolls (she doesn't like to call them egg rolls - i do :) and bacon-wrapped green beans.  My darling friend, Laurie, and I donned our Chinese best and I think we looked quite lovely.

If all goes well my skirt will look something like this but longer.

Progressive Dinner Party fun!

Lily and I have a great time in the kitchen learning new things from our different cultures.  We share a ton of laughs especially over my Mandarin language skills.  She was caterer extraordinaire on Saturday night!