Zhoumo kuaile!

Mom's here! She got in last Thursday, and she's already walked our neighborhood, eaten soup dumplings and Hunan (spicy!) food, gotten a foot massage, and made a first visit to the fabric market. She's here for three weeks, and it'll be fun to show her our daily routine in Shanghai. Although I think Mike and I provide our guest with rose-colored glasses... not that life is so hard here (we have a driver for God's sake), but it's not without its challenges -- and we show our guests the good stuff!  

The plan is to take a few day trips while she's here -- back to Hangzhou (hopefully in better weather) and Xian (to see the terracotta soldiers). In the meantime, we're celebrating Easter together and her birthday on April Fool's (really).   

Wishing you all a happy weekend and a happy Easter if you're celebrating! 

Fatty Tuesday: La Maison Gourmande

There are lots of Frenchies here in Shanghai, and lots of French restaurants, which makes this francophile a happy girl. "La Maison Gourmande" is a cafe around the corner from us, and, intrigued, I had Mike meet me there after yoga class a few Saturdays ago. I thought we'd have a quick coffee and croissant, but little did I know that we were in for much more than a casual bite.  

Instead of simple breakfast options, the menu offered plates of substance like a beef stew, which Mike ended up ordering. I got the set brunch, which was a collection of small bites grouped into three courses -- the app, the main, and the dessert (below). The food was playful (like the bite of chocolate lava cake inside of an egg shell) and presented beautifully. And it was good -- I wouldn't call it amazing, but overall, very good. The meal, however, came at a hefty price, and I'm not sure I'd do it over again. When it comes to a weekend brunch, I think I prefer quick and casual over formal and pricey.  

Before

After

Shanghai Pajama Party

So apparently it's totally okay to hit the streets of Shanghai in your PJs (and we're not talking "sweats and an old t-shirt" kind of PJs; we're talkin' the whole shebang -- matching pajama sets).  

This one's my favorite 'cause it was taken at about 6:00 one evening, when it was still daylight, in what's possibly one of the busiest and most crowded parts of town.

She even has on fuzzy slippers to match!  No shame. 

Zhoumo kuaile!

A slightly belated post to wish you all a happy weekend. I'm on my own until Monday; Mike is Stateside for a "China break" and to celebrate the wedding of good friends (congrats Nat and Ian!). Here's what's on his list to bring back:

• Red vines
• Sour patch watermelon
• Swedish fish
• Cadbury candy-coated chocolate eggs ('tis the season)
• Toothpaste (to counter the above)
• Floss
• Chai tea
• Trader Joes' Temptation trail mix (the one with the angels, but they should really be devils 'cause you can't put that bag down) 
• These shoes
• And maybe these 
• And maybe two dresses, a tee, and a tote (online shopping! Big thanks to mom for accepting, signing for, and storing our packages.)

I'm keeping myself busy, making plans with friends and taking yoga classes (they keep me sane in a sometimes insane place!). And thankfully (in this case), Monday is almost here.  

  

Chivalry is not dead

I may not have seen men open doors for their ladies or pull out their chairs, but I have seen one trend among young Romeos -- carrying his Juliet's purse. Here's photographic evidence that chivalry in China is not dead: