The New Domestic

01/22/13

Vacation Planning

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Positano, Amalfi Coast. 2008

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Provence, France. 2008

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Paris, France for Nuit Blanche. 2007

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Portofino. Italian Riviera. 2006

It’s that time of the year again when I start thinking and planning our vacation this year. I’m looking back at some of the travel posts I’ve done and looking through printed photos tucked away in a box that I haven’t looked at for years. I’m itching to be somewhere far and to surround myself in a totally new culture, sounds and smell. I want to discover new food, explore new places and be inspired.

When traveling, we love the combination of art, design, culture, food and some beach time. I have a place in mind that would have all of that. It’s far but luckily, our little Luna is so easy going and so adaptable. It’s fun traveling with her. Though, traveling with a toddler involves more planning & packing but put that aside, it’s so fun watching her discover new places with us.

What has been your favourite vacation spot?

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Barcelona, Spain. 2006

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Vacation Planning

Bohol, Philippines. 2012

Travel — 9 comments — Posted by: Nerissa

01/08/13

A Getaway to Sook, BC

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : A Getaway to Sook, BC

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a great Christmas holiday. We spent the first few days of the new year on a mini getaway to Sooke on Vancouver Island. It’s always nice to getaway after all the Christmas festivities and just have time together as a family. Last year around the same time, we did a road trip to Portland and did a design & food tour. This year, we just wanted to get away from the city and find a remote place where we can sit back, relax and enjoy nature. We explored a couple beaches in Juan de Fuca strait, walked on some hiking trails, drove to the little town of Port Renfrew and swam in the hotels pool. It was exactly how we wanted to start the new year.

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : A Getaway to Sook, BC

While in Sooke, we stayed in this wonderful hotel called Prestige Oceanfront Resort. I was impressed with the design and styling of the hotel. Each floor of the hotel is a different theme. We chose the Opulent King with full waterfront view and loved it (we originally wanted the Island Colonial King but were fully booked). If you ever decide to getaway and stay in Sooke, I highly recommend this hotel.

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : A Getaway to Sook, BC

Travel — 5 comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/31/12

Goodbye 2012!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Goodbye 2012!

Thank you 2012 for a wonderful year of good times, memories and adventures. It’s been a good one and looking forward to what 2013 has to offer. Cheers to all of you. Happy New Year! -Nerissa xx

All photos from Instagram.

Domestic 2.0 — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/27/12

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

This is the 2nd time I’ve made homemade caramel sauce and it is always a treat. I made this for the Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie I made a few weeks ago. I only needed a bit of it for the pie so we still have some leftovers and have been eating it with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Like any new recipes I try, this is a lot easier than I thought. The only slight difference I made was when I was melting the sugar in the pot, I didn’t wait until the sugar turned reddish-brown as I was afraid for it to burn and I would have to start all over again. I did make sure though that the sugar was completely melted before adding the butter.

Click here for the recipe from Brown Eyed Baker.

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

Food — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/18/12

All Wrapped Up!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : All Wrapped Up!

I love packaging gifts especially over the holiday season. My most favourite materials this year are washi tape & self ashesive colour coding labels. They work perfectly together. With washi tape, you can use it to create simple graphic shapes. In this case, I made a christmas tree shape and topped it with a yellow or red self adhesive colour coding label to give it a festive look.

I packaged this years home baked good for friends with simple white cake boxes, brown paper bags and little red bags from Ikea. Then dressed them up with washi tape and self adhesive colour coding labels. They are so easy to wrap up and so fun too!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : All Wrapped Up!

DIY / Make — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/17/12

Favourite Things : Kitchen Edition

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Favourite Things : Kitchen Edition

1. Wooden Mini Bowl Set 2. Pizzeria Farina house-made chili-infused and oregano infused olive oil 3. Soba Choko 4. Herriott Grace fine rolling pin 5. Half dozen egg crate 6. Two-toned wood spreaders 7. Cast iron enamel skillet 8. Le Nuage 9. Four Wooden mini scoops 10. Heath Ceramics large tea pot 11. Herriott Grace ice cream cone roller

Domestic 2.0 — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/13/12

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

This is the season when I do most of my baking and I love it. Last weekend, we had some friends over and I wanted to make something special. I was craving for both cheescake & apple pie. I thought, there must be a recipe out there that combines the two. So I searched online and found this fantastic recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie from Brown Eyed Baker.

There are 6 steps to making this cheesecake pie: Step 1: making the salted caramel sauce / Step 2: the crust / Step 3: caramel-pacan layer / Step 4: apple mixture / Step 5: cheescake / Step 6: whipped cream.

When I first read the ingredients list, I felt a little overwhelmed but as I read it the 2nd time, I realized it’s all pretty easy and I had most of the ingredients at home.

Anything I do for the first time takes a little longer. But it’s pretty simple to make and plan to make it again. I made it the day before the party as letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight will make it all taste better. I did the whipped cream the next day just before the party started and garnished the top with more salted caramel sauce and chopped pecans.

This recipe is AMAZING. Believe me. It’s a good way to spoil your friends and yourself this holiday season. Click here for the recipe.

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

Domestic 2.0 / Food — 1 comment — Posted by: Nerissa

12/11/12

My Favourite Things : Ladies Edition

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : My Favourite Things : Ladies Edition

I would be happy to have all of these. Though, I think #1 will just be a dream…

1. Rolex 1960S 18 KT. White Gold Day-Date 2. Organic Long Fair Isle Sock 3. Huttenschuhe 4. Hudson’s Bay Company Collection Diana F Lomography Camera 5. Eda Fair Isle Sweater 6. Dieppa Restrepo 7. Fold Over Satchel 8. Chance Boatneck 9. Kinfolk Magazine Subscription

Clothing — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/10/12

Dreaming of Marrakesh Back in Stock!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Dreaming of Marrakesh Back in Stock!

Back by popular demand and featured on Design Sponge, we have Dreaming of Marrakesh back in the shop! We received several emails from people wanting this bag. We listened and made a short run. So grab yours now before it sells out again. These make perfect gifts this holiday season as well. Cheers, Nerissa xx

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Dreaming of Marrakesh Back in Stock!

Shop — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

12/06/12

My Favourite Things : Kids Edition

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : My Favourite Things : Kids Edition
1. Magnolia the Bunny 2. Villa Malmo 3. Anniel Zizi Shoes 4. French Retro Toy Dinner Set 5. Rag Doll, Beatrice 6. Momoll Wooden Kitchen 7. Helsinki Made of Wood Block Set 8. Alphabet Cookie Cutters Tin 9. Favourite Pillow 10. Eames Elephant 11. Wooden Spinning Top

Kids — 1 comment — Posted by: Nerissa

11/29/12

Winter Workshop at Collage Collage

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Winter Workshop at Collage Collage

On Tuesday, I attended the first winter workshop at Collage Collage. We learned to make Pom Pom Garlands and Wreaths. When we got there, all the supplies were ready for us all stacked up on the long communal table. I couldn’t help but admire the mountains of colourful yarns ready for us to use. I was excited.

Once everyone were settled in, Erin Boniferro, the brilliant mind behind Collage Collage gave us a demo to make Pom Poms with a little handheld tool. We immediately started making our pom poms and by the end of the 2 hour workshop, we made over a dozen pom poms each. We had a choice to either make a wreath or a garland. I chose a garland and tied my little pom poms together with a white yarn. I couldn’t have been more pleased.

I went home that evening with 3 rolls of yarns and my pom pom maker tool purchased at the shop. I made a few more pom poms that evening before going to bed. I’ve been making more since then as it’s extremely addicting. I think my house will be filled with pom poms soon!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Winter Workshop at Collage Collage

Collage Collage opened 3 years ago and located near 15th and Fraser in Vancouver. It is a shop filled with art supplies, little toys, books and prints. It’s like a mix of art studio and shop all at the same time. You will be inspired as soon as you walk in. There’s a long communal table right in the middle of the shop where workshops are held in the evenings and weekends. If you haven’t been to their workshop, check them out as they are so fun. They get filled up fast though! Details are here for upcoming winter workshop dates.

Art / Design / DIY / Make / Kids / Places / Shop — No comments — Posted by: Nerissa

11/24/12