A Sweet Valentine's Day

My friend Grace has finally returned from Paris! She invited me to the grand opening of her Petite Patisserie on Valentine's Day.

"I've missed you," I said, giving her a hug, "and your baking!"

"I've missed you, too." She smiled. "Let me show you everything!"

The pastry cart was totally amazing. And the treats! Grace has always had serious baking skills, but this time she really outdid herself. I could feel my stomach growling as I admired one delicious item after another.

"I'm so glad you're here," Grace told me. "You're my first customer!"

"What about me?" Lana was manning the treat buffet table next to Grace's cart. It overflowed with extra goodies Grace had whipped up for the big day. 

"Free samples don't count," Grace laughed.

"Looks like more customers are on the way," Lana answered. "I don't have time to eat my slice of red velvet cake before they get here!"

"I'm so glad you could both make it!" My friends Cecile and Lane arrived, along with Cecile's dog Henri.

"We wouldn't have missed it for anything!" Cecile even brought flowers for Grace. All in all, it was a super sweet Valentine's Day. 

Love,

Vivienne 

Lunar New Year Fun

Did you know that it's a new year? I don't mean 2016...I mean the lunar new year. Happy Year Of The Monkey!

I celebrated with my friend Lane Tam.

My mom and her mom grew up together. I can't remember NOT knowing Lane. She and her family have always been generous about sharing their traditions with me. Mrs. Tam taught me how to eat with chopsticks when I was in kindergarten. 

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, we had delicious noodle soup!

It was a bright sunny day, perfect for a festive meal.

You might not know this about me, but noodles and pasta are my favorite things to eat. I grabbed my chopsticks and enjoyed every single slurp!

After we finished our meal, we got a special treat. A red envelope!

The red envelopes are a Chinese New Year tradition. The color symbolizes good luck, and each envelops contains a gift of cash or coins. Lane and I are already planning a trip to American Girl Place to buy a little something!

Do you celebrate the Lunar New Year? I wish you all the best, this year and always!

Love,

Vivienne 

Do You Want To Build A Snowman

We've had some wintry weather here recently! I love snow, and I got to bust out some new winter clothes, which is a definite plus.

Sugar and I went outside and built this snowman to surprise my friend Lana. She goes to Holy Angels Acadamy with me and is one of my best friends. 

Lana liked the snowman and was rocking some winter fashions herself. 

The three of us posed for a pic, and Lana began to sing.

"Do you want to build a snowman?"

And I sang back my answer. "It doesn't have to be a snowman..."

Suddenly, our snowman vanished! And was replaced by...

Queen Elsa!!!!

We could hardly believe it! Even Sugar stood back in amazement. 

Elsa said she was sorry for making our snowman vanish, but she heard us singing and wanted to drop by. We could hardly speak, we were so dazzled by her.

She used her magic to bring our snowman back, then said goodbye before she disappeared.

Was it all a dream? Or was it the magic of winter and our first snowfall? Lana and I know which side we fall on...

Love,

Vivienne