Monthly Archives: August 2014

Seoul’s Sip & Paint

Eek! Can you believe I almost forgot to post about Kelsey and I’s Sip and paint class in Seoul last weekend? Or, as my Uncle described it, gulp and drip. Ha ha ha! You may also know the class as paint and pour, or corks and canvas.

Before I get into that, we started off our morning with an early lunch at the Bakers Table in Itaewon. We grabbed panini’s and soup. It was perfect….well except for my genius idea to have soup. Folks, it was at least 90 degrees out. I have no idea what I was thinking. Perhaps I was excited because I heard pumpkin? Yep, they got me with sweet pumpkin soup.

But really, we had a blast! Kelsey signed us both up as a birthday gift, what a sweetheart she is! We had been talking about the sip and paint class she did in the states with penguins and the fun that she had. I hadn’t taken a class yet, but really wanted to try one out. Luckily, Art & Seoul started to offer a variety of classes to take and Kelsey jumped right on it. That gal! I’m telling you!

The idea is that you get together with a group of friends for a relaxing class of sipping, painting and creating! You bring your own alcohol, tag the bottle with your name, you can bring snacks, but there were some light refreshments to nibble on too.

We were immediately greeted by the lovely host, directed to find our canvas where our paint brushes, paint and smock were. We had a super upbeat and informative instructor that guided us through our masterpiece step by step at the perfect pace. Our instructor was patient and fun! I think Kelsey and I asked for black pain about a zillion times and thankfully she didn’t seem to mind one bit. After all I guess she knew going into instructing us that we we’d be a group of tipsy armature artist.

Half of the class painted Buddha, the other half painted cherry blossoms. We pre-selected Buddha. The colors and creations that I got to see come out on everyone’s canvas was the best part to me. When I was there painting the memory of my grandparents telling me about my dad and I coloring when I was little popped into my head. They asked how I did with staying in the lines on my picture and at the time my Dad say, “Well there is room for improvement.” Dad, hopefully I got a little better with my color technique.

Cheers to many more classes!

Backpackbees

Sisters in Seoul Continued

The past weekend and week were just gorgeous! You know the kind. We did a little exploring around Seoul with the sisters and we’re absolutely diggin’ it! Straight kicking it cousin style. Ha Ha! I’m sure missing these ladies since they have left, I know Kelsey is too.

We treated ourselves twice to Wood & Brick. You guys, this place is just the most sweetest, charming place. Gah! I feel like so many places now pale in comparison. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owners and it only added to my love of this place. They had such a passion for their food, bakery and customers. The best part was they just re-opened the newly remodeled bakery.

Eek! Oh, I almost forgot, french macarons! You know I’ve made it my mission to search them out everywhere we live. Wouldn’t you know that Wood & Brick not only has macarons, but they have delightful ice-cream sandwich macarons too! Think flavors like banana, camel, mango, and green tea.

Ohh and then there was this cake. I celebrated part of my birthday during the week. Yes, you read the last sentence correctly. Part. The rest of the birthday festivities will be this weekend. Stay tuned.

Mr. B and Kelsey whipped up the cake of my choice. Earl grey with a lavender buttercream frosting. It was a silly mess in our kitchen but full of big laughs and memories I’ll never ever forget. Thank you guys!

^ Kelsey after they realized the lavender did not need to be pulverized. Oops.

Ps: These flowers are killing it too. One from Mr. B and the other from my talented friend Sunny. Swoon. I’d love to keep my house full of fresh-cut flowers year round if I could!

Backpackbees

Sisters in Seoul

I love when the sky looks like cotton candy or a beautiful water painting. That was the view from our place of Friday evening. It just begged to be captured for beautiful memories in the future.

So, Mr. B’s other cousins, Kelsey’s sisters, made it to Seoul to visit and travel around with Kelsey before she departs South Korea. They asked me if I’d like to meet up with them on Saturday morning and swing by the flower market at the Express bus terminal, and grab brunch. Unfortunately, the flower market was a bust. I think it has to do with it being so darn hot here. It was a shame they couldn’t see what we did from our last trip in the Spring. Nonetheless there were still some beautiful flowers. (I didn’t photograph).

After we left the flower market, we headed to Dean & Deluca. I’m so infatuated with this place. Each time I go I find myself wanting to learn more about seasoning salts, oils, and whatever else grabs my attention and mind. I picked up wild porcini sea salt and pumpkin butter. To say I was pretty excited is quite the understatement.

Two of us had the summer seasonal ricotta salad, one had tiramisu French toast, and the other the ricotta banana pancakes. The food just doesn’t disappoint! (Again, sorry no photographs)

From brunch we headed to Yeouido island only a few short stops away. We walked through the park taking in all the green, but keeping an eye on the really dark large storm clouds that looked like they were creeping in.

Do you see the gourds that are growing from the top and hanging down? We all joked about it falling on someone, but seriously all jokes aside, that would hurt if you didn’t expect something like that to fall on you. Eek!

From the park we crossed the road and went to the waterfront. Kelsey and I really enjoy the last time we sat with our feet dipped in the cool water. At that time it was really relaxed with minimal people…this time hardly any elbow room. Check out all the tents and children! When we walked under the bridge all you could see were tents upon tents. It looked like we were on some hippy compound, I was digging the vibe. Eventually we settled on a place and relaxed. This really is one of my favorite spots of the city. I love watching the people at the park, looking at the talk buildings across the way, and watching the Seoul boat tour putter up and down the river.

Addresses:

Express Bus Terminal: Lines 3, 7, 9.

Gangnam Flower Market: Exit 1 of the express bus terminal train station, the building next to the Shinsegae Department Store and the Bus Terminal. Go into the bus terminal, turn right and look for the escalators, go up to second floor.

Shinsegae Department (Gangnam) store B1, 19-3, Banpodong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Dean and Deluca: Located on the basement food-court in Shinsegae Department.
Website : http://www.deandeluca.co.kr

Yeouido Park
120, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 영등포구 여의공원로 120 (여의도동)

Backpackbees