An Incredible Couple: Charles & Ray Eames

(Source: Eames Exhibit, Art & Science Museum)

"Take your pleasure seriously" - The Eames

The Art & Science Museum currently has an awesome exhibit, "Essential Eames," which I visited over the weekend (the previous exhibit was also pretty amazing, The Art of Brick).

Charles & Ray were two pieces of the same puzzle -- meant for each other.  

They loved each other.
They shared life together.
They created together.

I usually just associate chairs with Eames (we have several knock-offs around our apartment), but I learned this dynamic duo was so much more...

Inspiring: 180 websites in 180 days

I live in a bit of an alternate world where coding skills are valued more than sportz skills.  At Google, engineers are treated like gods.  The rest of us make money to enable those gods to make cool shit.

I'm okay with this.  

I don't have any grand delusions that I'll one day become a Google engineer.  That being said, I've been hemming and hawing the past 2+ years about learning basic programming.  I even forfeited $600 for a Berkeley "Intro to Python class" that I never got around to (I did, however, start dating my "study buddy" for the class, Alan).

All that being said, I've been super inspired by this artist's self-learning journey.

The Darker Side of Dove

I've been a big fan of Dove lately -- strongly influenced by their Dove "Real Beauty" campaign (I even blogged about it).  Then, I watched the GreenPeace advertisement from 2008 (above), mimicking the real Dove ad (below).

Dove, like many other products, contains palm-oil.  In fact, Unilever, Dove's parent company, uses the most palm-oil in the world -- 4% of total production.

Is palm-oil that bad?

Liking isn't helping

Most ads go unnoticed.  Some annoy.  At best, they entertain.  On a rare occasion, they leave an impression.  

Last week, I saw this ad campaign for Crisis Relief Singapore.

"Real life photographs are interposed with “thumbs up” hands and the copy: “Like Isn’t Helping. Be a volunteer. Change a life.” It’s a call to move on from social networking to turning up to help."

Although it may feel good to "like" or "+1" the latest social cause on your newsfeed, it doesn't do much.  It's not a real action.  Non-profits need money and volunteers.

For more thoughts on giving, check out my post here.

Emily is getting married!

One of my closest, post-college friends is getting married this weekend in Cambridge!  

In 2008, we both to a leave of absence from our consulting firm to volunteer at a microfinance non-profit, Kiva.org.  In the midst of "do gooding," we bonded over a love of beer, gossip, blackberry messenger, fancy dress, shabu-shabu karakoe, not being a consultant for awhile and general mischief.  I also loved her British accent and constantly failed at imitating it.  

When she returned to London (where she unfortunately broke her nose the first day back in heels at the office), I knew the only way I could return to normal work was getting on a project in Europe.  We soon reunited for even more fun, traveling around Europe on an expense account.   

In advance of the wedding, I collected a lot of photos from our last 5 years of adventures for a scrapbook.  Here's some of the dirt I dug up on us (I must say, we look pretty fun)

I can't help myself

It's Friday.  I'm working from London.  And, I've been listening to this song on repeat.

Nothing says cool like my subtle head bobs in the office cafeteria.

Happy Friday!

Sous Vide Made Easy

A few months ago, our lives changed...

If I ran a company...

(Source: Heather & Ivan Morison)

I went to a Women's Media Network event yesterday entitled "If I had a daughter," which featured a speaking panel.  The line-up was impressive, sprinkled with VPs and Directors

I admired their accomplishments, grit and savviness.

But, I did find one things missing though...

Plate Culture: Airbnb for Dinner Parties

As I've mentioned before, I really like the concept of shared tables & chance encounters.

Well, last night, at a Women Media Networks event, I met a woman working on a start-up called Plate Culture -- homemade happiness :)

It's a bit like Airbnb for dinner parties and pop-up restaurants.  It's been such a success in Kuala Lumpur that they're looking to expand to Singapore next.

And, guess what...

The Best Sauce You'll Ever Have

Alan & I threw a little dinner party on Saturday night.  

Alan's head chef.  I'm sous chef.  And, per usual, our apartment was an absolute disaster on Sunday morning.

Anyways, it turned out to be a success.  We made arepas (somehow Alan managed to get maize flour hand-delivered to our apartment in Singapore.  Yea, internet & hipster boyfriends!) with two types of fillings: avocado chicken & brisket with black beans.  I even handmade mayo - boom.

But, the best part of the meal was this secret sauce.  Save it to Pocket right now.

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1 cup e.v olive oil
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 1/2 cup of yellow peppers
• 1/2 cup of mango
• 4  cloves garlic 
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon mayo
• 1 tablespoons oregano
• salt to taste

Directions: 

• Put all ingredients but Olive oil in food processor one chopped, gradually mix in Olive oil until desired consistency.

We have a lot left over, and I'm not embarrassed to say I've had a few spoonfuls since Saturday.

DIY Retreat: Meditation, Art & Photography

"The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself." - Anais Nin 

I really like being by myself.  I'm a closet introvert. 

I previously mentioned I went to Chiang Mai, but I didn't mention why.  

Sights & Sounds of Chiang Mai

A few weeks ago, I took a much needed getaway to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I stayed at the Baan Orapin B&B for $60 USD a night (including breakfast).  The property was the definition of relaxing -- giant trees, winding pathways, white sheeted canopy beds, etc.  

A sense of peace came over me as soon as I arrived.  I unplugged and forgot about the day-to-day stress I get caught up in Singapore.  I was free.  I did what I wanted, when I wanted.

If you have the opportunity to go, take it.  You won't regret it.

Here's some photos from my trip.

Tip: How to Declutter your Gmail inbox

(Source: The Lisa)

Hate opening your gmail because of all the Groupon-clone & E-harmony emails you're receiving (I get it... I'd want to send some cheeky emoticons to you too)?

Well, here's how to prioritize your gmail inbox in 2 steps.

Creators & Discoverers

We have a set of posters hanging in our office that taunt me.  They make me feel like a loser.

Thomas Alva Edison, Age 14.  Built his first lab and later a light bulb.
Alexander Graham Bell, Age 18.  Started experimenting with sound, went on to invent the telephone
Ada Lovelace, Age 13.  Fascinated with maths, went on to write the first computer program.
Marie Curie, Age 18.  An interest in physics led to breakthrough cancer treatment.
Louis Braille, Age 16.  Invented an alphabet for the blind.  

My Introduction to Pop Culture

I'll admit it.  I live in my own world - a little "Tamara" world created in my brain.

I don't like: 

- TV (except for Girls, Jon Stewart and Arrested Development)

- Top 40 hits (goodbye Taylor Swift)

- Most movies (you've got to play at Sundance or be super depressing to catch my eye)

I'd choose a good book over People magazine any day, and I don't get the Kardashians.

I sound like a TON of fun, right?

Anyways, I'm on a rotation to the YouTube team, so I've been ramping up my Pop Culture knowledge.  Here's some very popular videos that are news to me.

You know you're almost 30 when...

(Nicholas Nixon's "The Brown Sisters")

I saw this exhibit a few years ago at the SF MOMA, which documents 4 sisters over 30 years.  

I loved it.  

Found it engaging and thought provoking (I mean, I still remember it -- that's a big deal).

On a similar-ish note of 30 years of aging, my college friends and I have been making our own "You know you're almost 30" list after seeing this on Buzzfeed.  Here's mine.

Forget 40. What about 21?

Source: Harold Lambert

"Why do we work so long and so hard? The mystery here is not that we are required to work or that we are expected to devote so much time and energy to its pursuit, but rather that there is not more active resistance to this state of affairs." - Kathi Weeks

I'm glad I have the ability and freedom to work, which for females, is a rare moment in history.  In fact, I generally like work -- accomplishing goals, acquiring skills, having a built in community, free lunches (yea, Google!), etc.  

But, after 7 years, I don't understand why we work so much.

The Beauty of Less

(Source: The Uniform Project)

When I got ready to move from San Francisco to Singapore, I learned one thing: 

I had way too much shit.

Long-form advertising for your brand

I'm familiar with long-form journalism.  I even like to indulge myself in http://longreads.com/ every now & again when I have the attention span.

But, I've never thought the concept could apply to advertising.

A story of dedication: Wat Rong Khun

(Source: Wikicommons)

Last week, I went on a two day meditation retreat in Chiang Mai.  After a LOT of silence, I chatted with a couple from Menlo Park on our ride back into town.

Per usual with other travelers, we exchanged stories of our adventures.  During their trip, they went to Chiang Rai (outside of Chiang Mai) to see the elaborate white template above, Wat Rong Khun.

It's still a work in progress.  The artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, started the project in 1996 with estimates of completion by 2070.  He says "only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop by project."

In a world of quick profits and fluttering interests, I found it refreshing to hear a story of dedication.  Dedication to art.  to craftsmanship.  to personal beliefs.

For more photos, click below.

What's dangerous about Rick Perry

(Source: Maryanne Chastaine)

I lived in Texas for almost 2 decades, so I think I'm entitled to comment on the current governor.  The other day, I blogged about Wendy Davis, the woman that's been filibustering Senate Bill 5; the bill would be one of the most conservative abortion laws in the country, limiting abortions in Texas to only 5 locations in the state (as an FYI, it's 696,241 kilometers squared).  

Regardless of your moral view on abortions, this is an underhanded way to effectively reverse Roe vs Wade for the citizens of Texas and would very likely result in illegal, back-alley clinics.

So, lets say you agree with Senate Bill 5.  Why is Rick Perry still dangerous?