It is now August and this is my first blog post for 2011. Damn. Where did the time go? Well there have been a few changes since that last post. First of all, I redesigned my main site (www.christinatruong.com) so the blog layout no longer matches. Then I said to myself, I would update the blog layout first before I write any more posts. As you can see, that hasn’t happened. Now I want to redesign the main site again to follow a responsive design so… the blog has fallen by the wayside before it even really got started.

In other blog news, I’ve been working at the lovely Teehan+Lax since January and recently contributed to the company blog and wrote a piece about my views on being a woman in web development, aptly titled, “That’s what she said: thoughts from a female dev.”

The blog post led to an opportunity for me to get involved with a new group in Toronto called #ladieslearningcode which is “a collective of women working to empower everyone to feel comfortable learning basic, beginner-friendly technical skills in a social, collaborative way.” Find out more here.

The first workshop ran yesterday (Intro to JavaScript) and I think it was quite a success! Pearl Chen, a Research & Tech Manager at CFC Media Lab, led the workshop. I volunteered to do a lightning talk about responsive web design and as an assistant JavaScript instructor. This was the first time I’ve done any type of public speaking so I was totally nervous! But I caught some “oohs” and “ahhs” during the demo so I’d say that was a success as well. :)

I’ve also moved into my new condo in April, finally after 3 years! When I first bought it, it wasn’t even a hole in the ground yet so it’s been a long time coming. I’m in the Junction now and I’m loving the neighborhood. What foodie wouldn’t enjoy living in an area that has Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, pizza restaurants (and more) within a few blocks? See for yourself: http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/n/39/junction

I also have a new site to add to my roster of freelance projects that was completed a couple months ago. www.tinktoons.com

I guess that’s about it. Hopefully it won’t be another 7 months till the next blog post!

The Cupcakery

Back in 2006, when I was completing my web design studies, the final project was to create a real website for a real client.  The instructor had us make a bid for which project we wanted and explain why we were suitable for that client.  When I saw that there was a cupcake shop called The Cupcakery, I was all over that one and managed to snag it.  Lucky for me because she was so great to work with and is still a client now.

This weekend I re-did the image gallery, added categories and updated the images.  I had to optimize and re-size all 80 images and I swear by the time I was done, I could taste the frosting.  Good thing for me, I don’t live near St. Clair W. or else I’d be there all the time.  Although there was a point where I was going about once a month…

However, it’s been awhile so maybe it’s time for a visit.  These pics are calling me.

Photo source: http://thecupcakeryTO.com

I LOVE boots.  As much as I love summer and warm weather, I miss wearing my boots.  My two favorite looks for this season are the over the knee boots and the military style.  I decided to get the flats for the over the knee boots because I didn’t want to end up looking like Pretty Woman and in basic black because I also don’t want to look like Rick James!

The over the knee boots (Steve Madden) are still sexy even though they are flat.  I said I wouldn’t buy anymore boots after that purchase but then I saw this military style hotness that is the Guess boots in Vegas and couldn’t resist.  I paid $189US for them and was starting to feel some buyer’s remorse until I saw that the exact same style was $250 in Canada!  But I love the ribbed knit detail on the side, the shape of the toe and the grooved sole.  I love them so much, sometimes I just walk around in them at home for fun!

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I’ve never been to Harlem, nor do I know much about the Harlem Renaissance but what I do know is that Harlem Restaurant serves damn good food.

According to their website:

“Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, Harlem celebrates the joy of Toronto’s cultural diversity and the art of entertaining. It is a rebirth of creativity in Food, Art, Music, and Cocktails.”

I usually go to the east location on Richmond St. but when I heard they opened a location on Queen West AND they added chicken n’ waffles to the menu, I had to check it out.

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The Harlem East location finally added the chicken n’ waffles to the menu which was good for me since I prefer that location better.  Just as a note for those who may be checking out Harlem for the first time, the food preparation is not always the same.

Cornbread:

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Mac-n-Cheese

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I still love it though because no matter the variation, it’s always tasty.  I’ve been to the restaurant more times than I can remember.   Here’s a few more items I’ve tried (that I have pictures of).

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I also recommend the chicken or catfish lafayette, jerk meatloaf and the ribs.  And don’t forget about the sweet potato pancakes available during their weekend brunch!

If I haven’t already made it obvious, this is my favorite restaurant in Toronto.

:)

Today is my 2nd annual 30th birthday, filled with good eats and treats. All you can eat Japanese food for lunch (Aji Sai on Queen West), cake in the afternoon, haircut at Urban Textures on Gerrard with my fave stylist, J.C., mojitos & pasta at The Corner Place on Jarvis and an ice cream cone at McD’s to end the night!

I guess I made my love of shoes pretty clear. Check out the card the girls at work made for me. Soooo cute and sweet!

R.Kelly – Thank God It’s Friday

That is all.

I have a problem… I can’t stop buying shoes!  Especially when I see them for such a good deal, how could I pass them up?  Here are the latest additions to the collection.

endless.com $38.58

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Aldo $48.74

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I love both so I can’t really decide which I like better. Depends on my mood I guess.
Here’s a couple R&B & hip-hop tunes that feature the same beats/samples.

Can’t Believe – Faith & Carl Thomas vs Phone Tap – The Firm

Bag Lady – Erykah Badu vs Xxplosive – Dr Dre

The Roof – Mariah Carey vs Shook Ones, Part II – Mobb Deep

After weeks, months, years of going to bed late and waking up early, my old ass finally couldn’t keep up anymore and went to bed at 9:30 last night and promptly fell asleep shortly after.  I haven’t gone to bed before 10pm since I was probably 10 years old.  The evil internets is usually the reason why I’m up so late.

I get caught up watching youtube, streaming tv shows or looking at foolishness like these sites, below:

Engagement Man : Awkward Family Photos »

Apology Fail: Fail Blog »

JoeyPorsche: Hot Chicks with Douchebags »

Not that I would ever spend a Friday at work this way ;)

Original source:  Hallmark eCards -  http://bit.ly/auQnYT

For more Hoops & Yoyo:  http://hoopsandyoyo.com/