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LULU Drew The Official 2019 Holiday Card for FIT Foundation
This was definitely the most excited assignment for Lulu in 2019. Lulu was invited to draw the official 2019 holiday card for her school – Fashion Institute of Technology. The postcard was sent to all the special alumni and FIT’s sponsors by FIT Foundation.
As we all know, Fashion Institute of Technology is one of the best fashion schools in the whole world. There are a lot of well-known fashion designers, interior designers and artists are graduated from this amazing school, such as Calvin Klein and Michael Kors are both from FIT.
Lulu is graduated from FIT’s MFA Illustration Program at 2017. She is thankful to her professor Melanie Reim, who always encourages her and made great advices to be a good illustrator. She is very proud to be a alumni of FIT.
Lulu, Yueming Qu was trained in the traditional Chinese painting style who moved from Beijing to New York to obtain second master’s degree in Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After spending 4 years’ in New York, Lulu relocated to San Diego in November of 2018 to continue her focus on professional illustration.
When she was in China, she was different from other Chinese painting artists in that she love using bright colors in her artwork, She love drawing whimsical imaginative views of everyday life, and displaying her paintings in installation style. Lulu decided to come to the United States to broaden her art skills albeit she still uses traditional Chinese painting materials; such as, ink, gouache, and Chinese brushes while drawing the modern city landscapes, fashion and more recently food. She is passionate about combining traditional Asian art technique with modern Western art techniques together to explore more artistic possibilities. For example, she uses traditional Chinese brush and ink to draw the outlines, then uses pastels to make colors.
From the East Coast to West Coast, Lulu always strive to take on more art adventures, bringing more influences from different cultures which she’s very interested in.
You can check out more Lulu’s artworks from her website – qululululu.com or instagram @qululululu.
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Amazing Tasting Dinner with Chef JoJo at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine
Lulu and Ryan officially moved at San Diego for a whole year! All the people ask us which city we love better, San Diego or New York City? I will say I love both, because why do I have to choose from these two amazing cities? Especially about eating, no matter it’s NYC or San Diego, I am very satisfied about the great foods. If I have to compare, the result is – for authentic Chinese and Korean cuisine, I still stand with NYC. But for Mexican cuisine and seafoods, definitely San Diego is the winner.
The Tasting Dinner’s Menu at LIONFISH
This early month, Heydoyou was invited to experience a wonderful tasting dinner at the restaurant at San Diego’s famous nightlife district Gaslamp, it is LIONFISH Modern Coastal Cuisine. Luckily, we met the James Beard award-wining Chef JoJo. Jose “JoJo” Ruiz has again been recognized as a James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader, this time for the newly-opened Serẽa, making it the only restaurant on Coronado Island to receive this recognition. Chef Ruiz was also recognized by the prestigious culinary foundation for the second time as a Smart Catch Leader for Lionfish, making both restaurants the only two in San Diego to receive the recognition.
LULU with Chef JoJo
Fewer than 20 of California’s estimated 76,000 restaurants are recognized by Smart Catch. In order to be recognized by James Beard Foundation, restaurant menus must meet or exceed 80 percent sustainability, and restaurants must submit to three assessments per year. Further, “red” items , or seafood that is overfished or caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life, can only appear twice on menus and must total 8 percent volume or less.
From front-of-house to back-of-house, JoJo ensures that his restaurants implement proper recycling practices throughout its entirety, with the aim to proactively help significantly reduce the harmful impact on San Diego’s ocean and beaches by reducing disposable waste. Under Ruiz’ leadership, his restaurants are in full support of the protection of the oceans, beaches and community for generations to come.
Additionally, Chef Ruiz only uses eco-friendly supplies in his restaurants; from biodegradable paper straws to compostable and biodegradable take-out containers and silverware. His dedication to this cause has allowed him to make Lionfish and Serea nationally certified as “Ocean Friendly” by the Surfrider Foundation . JoJo attributes his learning of sustainable practices to Patrick “Paddy” Glennon, founder of the Culinary Liberation (CLF), which brings together a group of chefs to join forces within their respective communities to promote environmental initiatives in the restaurant industry and promote nutritional education.
About the foods we tasted at dinner:
The beautiful hand crafted cocktail drinks at LIONFISH
(From left to right they are: Dante’s Peak, No Way Rose, Put a Sake’ in it, The Final Rose )
Yummy Appetizers
(From left to right they are: Oysters, Braised Salt Spring Mussels, Japanese Style Tomato Salad, Pork Belly Adobada and Blistered Shishito Peppers)
Entrees!
My Crispy Baja Snapper Fillet & Ryan’s Pan Roasted Lamb Strip Loin
Dessert Time!
Tiramisu Crepe cake and Apple TartI have to say it was an amazing tasting dinner. We definitely enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere at Lionfish at Pendry Hotel. Actually I lived in Pendry Hotel for three days this summer for a conference, I loved the lovely room, the rooftop and their spa. We had a Vip dinner at Lionfish for the conference at the second floor, which is a nice private event room with a long table. The foods at Lionfish always make me feel something really special. I remember the first dish I fell in love with this modern coastal cuisine is their Crispy Rock Shrimp which cooked with Korean Gochujang sauce. And this time, I still love Chef JoJo’s combination of American & Mexican cooking style with Asian cooking influences, such as Japanese Style Tomato Salad, Pork Belly Adobada and Blistered Shishito Peppers. Even for the dessert, the Tiramisu Crepe cake reminds me a lot of the green tea crepe cake at Lady M.
Lionfish also has a great menu for Happy Hour. The fresh oyster is only $1, hand roll is $8 and $10 for their delicious craft cocktails, they are great deals for a fancy pre-dinner party. Now is also a good timing to book your Friendsgiving dinner at 27th, Christmas Eve and New Year Eve dinner to celebrate the wonderful holiday season. Lionfish will give you an unforgettable night with wonderful atmosphere, delicious foods and the love from the ocean.
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Happy Holidays To All Of You!
Merry Christmas, all our lovely readers.
Looking forward to sharing more beautiful and wonderful things
in the New Year with all of you!
Let’s eat delicious and look beautiful together!
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Tavern On The Green – New York Restaurant Week 2018
Tavern On The Green is one place I always wanted to check out because it carries so many fames. My friends always recommend me to go there. But as you all know, New York really spoils me because of too many choices.
But I won’t miss the opportunity any more at this time! My parents’ friends are visiting New York, the first welcome lunch – I chose to go Tavern On The Green. Especially I can bring them to try the wonderful deal for the restaurant week. Also the restaurant locates at Central Park, they must feel so happy to enjoy the meal at this amazing park for the first time traveling in New York.
Let’s enjoy the meal now!
Starting from the Appetizers.
As we are a big group, we tried everything!
Everything is very tasty, and my favorite is GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM FLATBREAD. But be careful, it is a very big Appetizer!
Let’s go Entrees now~
We also tried everything, but sorry I forgot to take the photo of Risotto. Everyone enjoyed the meal so much. I can’t say which one is better because they are all perfect.
We ordered two extra dessert because we have a kid on the table. He super loves the cheese cake dessert.
About the history of Tavern on the Green:
Originally designed by Calvert Vaux, Tavern on the Green was built as a sheep fold in the 1880’s to house the 700 Southdown sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. Robert Moses transformed the building in to a restaurant in 1934, as part of his park renovation. Through the next few decades, Tavern underwent several changes in management, but the iconic view of the park, and the addition of a dance floor, outdoor seating, and lavish menu, kept prominent actors, musicians, and public figures coming back to the restaurant to dine, drink, and celebrate.
After a hiatus starting in 2009, the city searched diligently for a new operator to reopen the iconic restaurant in 2013. The city selected current owners and restauranteurs Jim Caiola and David Salama, previously of Philadelphia, who would bring a fresh, welcoming approach to Tavern. The duo renovated the restaurant with inviting décor and wood paneling reminiscent of the original sheep fold, and, with a seasonal menu more reflective of Greater New York, reopened Tavern on the Green in April 2014.
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Café Boulud – New York Restaurant Week 2018
As a foodie living in New York, one of my favorite things in a year is always New York Restaurant Week! For this year, I tried four different restaurants already. Today, let me tell you my wonderful experience at Café Boulud!
I chose to go there for lunch, which is $26 for two course. I added $6 more for a dessert, which I feel it’s super worthy.
This is the Appetizers Menu, I chose Shrimp Tartine!
Looks beautiful! Tastes awesome!
For the Entrees, I chose Pan Seared Salmon. Yes, I am a seafood fan.
The dish is very pretty, I can’t help myself to draw. ^_^
Dessert! I ordered Peach Melba.
Everything at Café Boulud I can only say, is perfect. You have to go, but don’t forget to make reservation first. It is always packed.
The history of Café Boulud:
Named for the café Daniel Boulud’s family operated outside Lyon at the turn of the century, the modern-day Café Boulud opened in the original Upper East Side location of his eponymous restaurant DANIEL in 1998, when the flagship relocated to the historic Mayfair Hotel space on 65th street.
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The Top Five Fashion School In The World – MILKX HongKong Magazine
Lulu’s 5 illustration pieces are featured on Milkx HongKong Magazine, about the top 5 fashion schools in the world.
The cover of the magazine is a group member of TFBoys – Yuan Wang. TFBoys is also one of Lulu’s favorite boy bands.
The whole spreadsheet features Lulu’s five illustrations of the fashion schools.
Lulu is so happy to draw her school- Fashion Institute of Technology- where she graduated at 2017 from Illustration MFA program.
Other than FIT, the other four fashion school include:
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION
CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
ANTWERP ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
If you want to know more about Lulu’s art, you can check her website. qululululu.com.
