Veggie Tempura

Really, folks -- It's easy! Choose your veggies, and get tempura flour from the Asian market. Most large grocery stores have it now in the Asian food section too. But be patient - it takes time to prep and time to fry all this up. Mix the flour with water till you get the thin batter consistency you like, fry it in hot veggie oil till the batter is done/crispy. Drain on paper towels. To get the most authentic batter, add 2 cups tempura flour with 1 cup rice flour (but i don't often have it on hand so I skip it). I love all veggies and recommend you use whatever you have on hand. Today I've got potato and sweet potato (both steamed) and freshly sliced eggplant, mushroom, and zucchini.

Fry it up then serve over rice, or over noodles. We have soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles - YUM!!!!) Serve the noodles warm in some of the water from boiling and add in some Memmi (Japanese noodle soup base). You can also use Memmi + soba water for your tempura dipping sauce (or buy a tempura sauce at the market). Tanoshinde ne!

Givenchy Vintage: Made by Me Rose Dress

The famed Givenchy 1956 evening dress pattern (my most coveted vintage pattern and a valuable antique). Finally done. OMG! I love this pattern. It calls for a long bow tail in the back which I skipped this time around. I just figured I wouldn't really wear that. This silk (a gift from Nancy) was perfect for this dress. The back is airy and open, the bodice has a comfortable fit (a bit loose, but room to stretch my shoulders). And I love the rhinestone buttons down the back. Happy day. Dress fabulous, feel fabulous.

Korean Tofu Salad with Citrus Dressing

When I was in Korea, I had this amazing salad at the Hancook Restaurant at Seoul Tower. So I tried to recreate it. Thinly sliced firm tofu, fried in a bit of oil, then cut in triangles. Very thinly sliced green peppers (and red and yellow and orange if you like) and red onion sauteed for just a few minutes to soften them just a bit. The dressing was veggie oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. Toss it all together and let it sit in the fridge to marinate as long as you want. I served it over a green salad.
Mine wasn't as good as the one I had in Korea. Their dressing was a bit sweet. Maybe I'll add agave or brown sugar next time I try to make it. I've also read about some soy+sesame+orange juice dressings -- that sounds good too. Happy cooking.... <3

Made by me: 1940's Blouse

Oops, I did it again.

I disappeared for 2 weeks. Life is busy. It happens.

I finally finished this great blouse. The 70 year old pattern (!!!) was very delicate and I was a bit scared I'd rip it to pieces but I think it's gonna survive, and I hope to make at least one more top from it. I just love the style. It's well fitted, has pretty details (like gathering at the neck, a nice square shoulder, and buttons down the back). I'm sure I'll be able to pair it with other items. But when I was sewing it, I had this teal skirt in mind. I'll have to let my imagination roam wild...
:)

Have a great weekend. I'm trying some new recipes this weekend. I'll have a report for you next week.
xoxoxoxo

Summer dressing: T-shirt dress

You can't have enough light fabrics for SoCal summer dressing. I scored this Jason Wu for Target jersey dress in the spring and am finally wearing it! No, it's not the 4th of July, but I think I've clearly established a "red, white & blue is good all summer" theme. And I'll wear anything that vaguely matches these shoes so I can wear them as often as possible. I found this awesome purse when I was in Korea last month. I wanted one similar that I'd seen on ModCloth, but then I came across this one for 1/10th of the price in Seoul and I had to have it. The only issue I have with T-shirt dresses is they have no shape. Gotta belt it. Otherwise, I feel like I'm wearing a muumuu or caftan, and this isn't Hawaii or Morocco. I cannot rock that. Happy summer day. :)

Made by Me: 1960's shift

I finally finished this dress... and have already begun on a vintage top made from the same fabric. I like the eyelets in the fabric and the blue and teal flowers. But I think a heavier fabric with a lining would hang better because of the weight. But I live in warm SoCal so I use very light fabrics for most everything. And re-claimed and re-purposed is my favorite kind of fabric!

I got this pattern and fabric for a dollar at an estate sale.

 

I LOVE my nude patent wedges! They are perfect for summer, and go with just about everything.

Happy sewing!!!!
xoxoxo

Made by Me: July 4th T-shirt

I'm always ready for the Independence Day holiday. There is nothing I love to celebrate more than INDEPENDENCE. Not necessarily my country's, but the independence of the mind, of the spirit, of creativity, as well as the ideas of being responsible and self-sufficient. And let's throw "fiscal" independence in there too. I like the idea of being "independent" in all of these ways. So to celebrate I threw on this festive "cut-up" t-shirt I made a few years ago. Rebellious, yes, but in the spirit of the history of the holiday.
Hope you had a great holiday!
xoxox

Made-by-me skirt too. Remix wedges. Worth every penny.

My assistants, making their first blog entry.