Sparkles & Shimmer

What I wore to have drinks with a friend at one of my favorite wine bars :  Bar Veloce on Second Ave.

Topshop Jeweled Crop Tank, AA Shimmery Leggings, Enzo Angiolini Shoes, Lunessa Earrings:

Yellow

This weekend was productive.   We finally picked a wedding location and venue!   As much as we wanted a tropical destination wedding,  we decided to get married in New York City after all because we really want our family and close friends to be there.   Looks like we will have to save the traveling for our honeymoon.  

What I wore to go wedding venue shopping : UO Dress, UO Hat, Michael Kors Espadrilles. 

Work Wardrobe Chronicle, Convertibles

From work to play...

Dress code at the office from Memorial Day to Labor Day is business casual, which means no suits in summer and open toe shoes!   This dress is safe for work when worn with a cardigan, but also good for an after work date with A.   Plus there are pleats and pockets!   Shoes were part of my first F21 shoe purchase, failed the walk-to-work test but I still likey though.

Club Monaco Dress,   F21 Cardigan & Shoes,   Pink Sapphire & White Quartz Necklaces ( by Vale Jewelry ) From the Young Designers Market on Mulberry.

Tonight...

First night of summer 2009 was just lovely, with that fresh summer scent filling the evening air.  

What I wore to P and F's casual chic banquet in the Hills : F21 Tunic/Dress, Bloomingdales Sandals, F21 Necklace.

Philippines, Stop & Smell the Coconut Pie

Jeepney, a colorful & popular mode of local transportation.

Sugar cane being loaded onto trucks along the roadside. 

I hate "coconut".  By that I refer only to the fake-snow looking stuff which comes in a plastic bag, and all types of coconut flavoring.  Usually anything coconut "flavored" makes me gag.  Fresh coconuts however,  are another story.   During our drive to Punta Fuego,  we passed by endless stands selling fresh coconut juice and homemade coconut pie.  

We picked out some young coconuts at a roadside stall.   This little lady took out a machete and swiftly cut straw openings in them so we can sip their juices.   She surprised us by taking back the coconuts after we were done,  then proceeded to chop off pieces of the shell to carve into rustic spoons so we could scoop out the soft, delicately flavored coconut flesh for our consumption.  Man, is there anything she can't do?   If I were stranded on an island I would want her on my team.

We also had to stop at a Colette's to buy their famous coconut pie.  You can find Colettes all over this area.  The pie was still warm when the shop keeper put it in our hands.  It was not too sweet, fresh, and delicious.  Tasted nothing like the fake coconut flavor that we usually encounter in New York.  Fiance and I love the Philippines!

Pink

Half of 2009 is in the past, and we still haven't had a single free weekend.   I would love to have one day to just chillax.  

What I wore to drinks n chair dancin, because I was too tired to dance standing up.

F21 Tank and Leggings, AA Bandeau Bra, F21 Necklace.

Philippines, Tagaytay

On my second trip to the Philippines,  I finally had a chance to get outside of Manila.   Just 35 miles away from the capital city, Tagaytay offers beautiful views of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.  An active volcano nestled inside a serene lake is something I've never seen before.  This alone was worth our trip.  

There are countless restaurants and roadside food shops to stop in along the way, each with their own vantage point.  This picture was taken next to a Starbucks parking lot, maybe if Starbucks in New York had views like this,  I would actually go in despite of their bad coffee.   

Make it a Destination?

Being passionate travelers, A and I naturally expected to have a destination wedding. Even our engagement took place in Munich, followed by celebrations in Budapest and Prague.  We would love to say "I Do" in a far away land by the ocean.  However, we want everyone we love to be able to attend, and after all this wandering, maybe getting married in our home town is just what we need?

So we started looking at New York City wedding venues, but when temperatures in May hover around the 50's, we dream of getting away for a tropical wedding.  Selecting a country to get married in, is the first and foremost decision we have to make before any other planning can begin.  But how to decide?

A brought home these gorgeous roses Friday, after I've had an especially eventful week at work. I love my Fiance!

F21 Tank,   AE BF Jeans,   F21 Necklace Worn as a Bracelet,   Old Tie Back Bandeau Bra, F21 Shoes.  

My first shoe purchase from F21!  I've been apprehensive about their shoe quality,  but with a wedding to save for,  I have to alter my spending habits very, very drastically.  At less than 30 bucks, these were worth taking a chance with.  Speaking of cost cutting,  I literally took these jeans out of my donations pile,  giving them a second try. 

Ippudo, Ramen so Good It Makes U Cry

Ippudo serves, among other things,  Ramen ( not the kind you douse with hot water ).  Silky, flavorful Tonkotsu broth and al dente noodles are their specialty.  When I lived in Midtown,  I had Ramen at unhealthy frequency because the only eateries near my apartment were Sushi shops, tourist traps, and Ramen houses.  Eating Sushi everyday would have cost me my rent, and nobody in their right mind should eat at Friday's in New York City,  so Ramen became my friend.  

Ippudo's Tonkotsu Ramen is one of the best in the city,  and in my opinion, even better than Momofuku's.  Its tasty broth is the culmination of simmering pork bones for as long as 18 hours.  Speaking of long periods of time,  prepare your self for ridiculous waits during peak dining hours, quite ironic since Ramen is supposed to be a fast food.  Ippudo is located on Fourth Avenue at Ninth Street.

Glow

Bright color for a dreary day. 

Fluorescent Tee( F21 ), Charcoal Leggings ( UO ), Cuff ( F21 ),

Manic Weekend

Had one of those weekends :  no sleep, had to be everywhere and do everything at once, exhausted.  But we got through it together, and were blessed with glorious weather,  so no complaints can be made.  I am lucky to be in love with my best friend.

F21 Maxi Dress, Tiffany Earrings,  Kenneth Cole Bag, Old Navy Flip Flops.  Click on picture for detailed view.

Hong Kong, Cake

In a little makeshift shack on the corner of Mosco and Mott, there once was a Hong Kong Cake Lady, known to everyone who frequented New York City's Chinatown.  For close to two decades, Mrs. Tam worked under an awning that said only "Hong Kong Cake",  making mini custard cakes to order for a dollar per bag.   The cake batter made of humble ingredients like egg, sugar, and flour, was poured into a honeycomb shaped cast iron mold,  then baked on a tiny stove top burner.  The taste was a heavenly mix of fresh baked Madeleine, custard, and really great waffles.  Even in the deep freeze of winter, A and I would endure long lines, shivering while we deeply inhaled the sweet scent wafting from her shack.  We don't know exactly when she stopped showing up,  but the Hong Kong Cakes we grew up craving have not been made in that shack for years.  Imitators mushroomed all over Chinatown, but no one makes them as good as Mrs. Tam.

Fast forward to 2009, we land in Hong Kong.  Our first order of business?  To find Hong Kong Cakes.  Except, we weren't actually sure that Hong Kong even had Hong Kong Cakes. And if it did, surely they were not called Hong Kong Cakes?  Perhaps just,  Cakes? Some expert googling in our hotel lobby taught us that in Hong Kong, these snacks really do exist!  Locals call them Gai Dan Zai, or little eggs. Google also said that the most popular HK Cakes are made by North Point Gai Dan Zai. After trekking back and forth across town, and with help from newly made friends, we finally hunted down the infamous NP Gai Dan Zai in their only location with late night hours. Boy, they were worth the trouble.  Crispy outside, lightly sweet and tender inside, NP Gai Dan Zai were shaped and flavored a bit differently from New York HKCs, but scrumptious nonetheless.

The rest of our Hong Kong food binge :


From street food, to afternoon tea at the Peninsula.

Dim Sum,  of course.

Bar hopping in Knutsford Terrace.

Late night snack of Hong Kong style spaghetti, fish cake and rice noodle soup.

Neon and Black

F21 Grey & Lime Pocket Tanks,  Alice in the Eve High Waisted Skirt, J Crew Tights. 

This tank is actually a neon lime green color, but somehow looks yellow in these pics :(  It reminded me of Gatorade.   This weekend was finally warm enough for tank tops,  then the party ended when Monday came, I walked to work in forty degree weather, covered in wool... 

Don't think I can ever get sick of black dress and pearls.   This version was made Safe For Work by a crew neck cardigan.  The dress is actually big on me,  but I think it cost fifteen bucks so alterations are probably not worth it. 

F21 Shift Dress, Nine West Leopard Print Pumps, Ivory, Pink, and Peach Pearls - Can't remember where I got them.

Rediscovering

Trying to bring some pieces in my closet out of retirement.  I actually don't have much old clothing.  Since I loathe clutter,   clothes are rigorously donated each year.  Here are some remnants of wardrobes gone by.  

Warehouse of London Faux Fur Jacket ( circa 2001 ), Miss Sixty Boots ( circa 2005 )

F21 Slub Tunic, French Connection Wool Blend Tights.

Hong Kong, why don't we have this?

View from Victoria peek through dense fog.

Hong Kong had that urban, electric buzz I love.  We were surrounded by delectable food, beautiful views, vibrant night life...  But I really fell head over heels, for In Town Check-in.  

We saw some airline counters in a metro subway station and discovered to our amazement that we can check-in our bags in town, then be luggage free all the way back to New York!  A and I simultaneously said, "Why don't we have this?"  After a city check-in, we traveled to the airport without burdens.  Amazing.

Cafes and shops on Victoria Peak.

Bus ride to the tram for Victoria Peak.

Sobaya

Hot soba noodles with grilled duck slices ( Kamonan ).

Chef Morimoto once said that if he could pick his last meal on earth, it would be soba. I don't think buckwheat noodles would be my choice for a last meal, but when it snows in April, like today, I want something hot, comforting and delicious.  Sobaya never disappoints.

Our favorite Soba restaurant in New York used to be Honmura An on mercer.  We alternated between the two establishments for over five years.   Honmura An was pricier but served more al dente noodles;  Sobaya offers impeccable broth and better desert.  When Honmura An closed their doors two years ago, we were really glad to still have Sobaya to fall back on.  

Soba noodles hand made daily on-site.

Trio of simmered vegetables : squash, lotus root, Japanese yam.

Soba with fried tofu, spinach, and fish cake.

Milk tofu ( or what I call Japanese Panna Cotta ), black sesame Ice cream.

Sobaya is located on 9th between 2nd & 3rd.

Comfort Food, Comfort Outfit

What I wore for eating soup and dancing, because I like to be dressed comfortably for both activities. Tulip shaped skirt,  pleated waist, tieback ribbon; but basically a comfortable t-shirt with pockets. Gotta love that.

Silence & Noise Boatneck Tunic
Chinese Laundry Suede Boots
F21 Leggings
F21 Necklace

Just Woke Up From Nap Hair

Tulips of a different sort.  Got these pale pink beauties from A,  just to say that he loves me.  I'm happy.  

Hong Kong, a city lover's city

View of HK Island from Kowloon

We had a hotel room with pretty views in Hong Kong, but spent less than three hours in it. There was so much to explore, to taste, in a very short period of time. Sleeping was out of the question.

Hong Kong, is all about the view. It seems that every restaurant, every bar, even every washroom tries to outdo one another with breathtaking views, despite heavy fog and clouds.

Random Office Building


Ferry Ride to HK Island

Me likes pockets

Still battling temperatures in the forties and low fifties,  in April.   I'm sick of wearing a coat. And sick of complaining about wearing a coat. 

AE oversized cardigan

French Connection Dress

Barneys Co-op Pumps

Wore this dress with a button down shirt for work, then ditched the shirt for a cardigan to go out to dinner. Pockets are awesome, lately everything I'm buying has a pair.

Spring, have you met New York?

Taking a short break from travelogues to say: despite proclamations of spring, it's still COLD in New York. I just can't take it anymore. I like distinct seasons, but must winter be six months long?

Still dressing for chilly weather :

American Apparel black long sleeve tee

Insight high waisted flannel skirt

Sisley wool leg warmers