Apr 2017

Suburban Years: In Praise of Design Mood Boards

Suburban Years: In Praise of Design Mood Boards

Since we last connected on suburban happenings (previously: Welcome to the Suburban Years, Lessons Learned in Home Buying, and Move-In Ready), I’ve been channeling my inner Emily Henderson. One of the best #protips that I’ve gleaned from reading way too many design blogs is the general helpfulness of mood boards.

Pinterest is a great tool during initial ideation, but mood boarding allows for the best ideas to be culled in a useful way. Best of all, you don’t even need Adobe Creative Suite or any other fancy software. PowerPoint gets the job done, allowing you to virtually build a room to your heart’s content.

Untitled

In our old apartment, the furniture was composed of either used finds from Craigslist and thrift stores or basic builds from Ikea (hello, Malm). Hand-me-downs from family filled in the gaps. The generally mismatched nature of all of our furnishings didn’t bother me in the least. However, now that I’m hardcore adulting, I am insisting that our house be at least presentable.

living room

For a non-designer with a track record of prioritizing function over form, being able to visualize a room’s color palette and layout prior to buying anything is incredibly helpful. Mood boarding also lets me sit with an idea for a few days and show my vision to The Astronomer for his buy-in and input.

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Mar 2017

California Chutney Tandoori Kitchen – Pasadena

California Chutney Tandoori Kitchen - Pasadena

When the mood for Indian food strikes but time isn’t on our side, The Chaplins head to California Chutney for our South Asian fill. This fast-casual spot in Old Pasadena opened two years ago, and we’ve been fans since the start.

California Chutney Tandoori Kitchen - Pasadena

The menu isn’t expansive, with just six “proteins” to choose from (chickpeas, paneer (cheese), lamb, shrimp, and two kinds of chicken). Everything is boldly spiced, so when you see a dish denoted with three chili symbols on the menu, get ready for some serious heat. On a previous visit, the “Lamb Keema” made us sweat.

A notable aspect of the restaurant is the made-from-scratch chutney bar that includes traditional varieties like tamarind and cilantro, as well as more inventive concoctions like cinnamon-pineapple and mango-ginger.

California Chutney Tandoori Kitchen - Pasadena

June and I usually order two “Naan Tacos” ($8.80) to share. The “Paneer with Kale” is my filling of choice, while June tends to favor the “Tandoori Chicken.” While the fillings are both very good, it’s the house-made naan that keeps us coming back.

The yogurt-based flatbread is freshly prepared throughout the day in the restaurant’s tandoori ovens. It always tastes super-fresh, with a texture that’s tender and wonderfully chewy. We always order an extra piece or two on the side ($1.75 per piece).

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Mar 2017

Here’s Looking at You – Los Angeles (Koreatown)

Here's Looking at You - August 28, 2016

It’s no secret that I ❤ Here’s Looking at You. I was smitten during the restaurant’s pop-up preview in Chinatown and fell even harder during friends and family dinner. My latest visit was more of the same great stuff—delightful food from Chef Jonathan Whitener, solid service orchestrated by Lien Ta, and an inviting and energetic room.

Here's Looking at You - August 28, 2016

Drinks to start were a must. For The Astronomer, a can o’ Uinta Brewing Ready Set Gose ($7).

Here's Looking at You - August 28, 2016

The cocktail list looked superb, but I was in the mood for something simple and bubbly. A glass of cava ($16) fit the bill nicely.

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