Bye 2010, Hello 2011

The time we visited was very close to the Xmas weekend so the city of Providence was a bit quiet than usual. On Xmas day we decided to take few photo shots in the Providence city hall. We then went to this park uphill on the other side of the city for a view of the whole city downwards. 

Got home for a quick change, then we headed out for a drive to Foxwoods Casino in CT. We dine in the famous Festival Buffet and stayed a bit in the poker room.

On Sunday morning, we headed down to NYC and as soon as we hit the road, the snow has started to come down. Me being in denial, was persistent to go and stay in the city. I had made myself a to-do list such as go shopping in Soho, Rockefeller, going to Top of the Rock and a nice lunch in MoMa's Bar Room. 


None of that happened except the nice lunch in MoMa with Kazusa and Kenji. The snow was so crazy and by the time we got out of the subway after lunch, nothing was visible. Thankfully, few cabs were still on duty and we made it back to our place in NY.


Not knowing what's going to happen the next day, we couldn't sleep and kept the TV on for weather news all night. By the end of the night 20+ inches of snow had accumulated, three airports in NY were shut down, 1400 flights were cancelled and New Jersey was at a state emergency. How in the hell are we able to go back to DE?


It's a miracle that we made it back to DE. Getting back home safely was my birthday gift for myself.


Remember this post here?

Each of us had to exchange two gifts with two other person. The other persons' name will be selected randomly and each person is responsible to make a "wish list". Here's what I got at the end of the night - Kat Von D Adora make up palette and the Salvatore Feragamo perfume. Neat!

Separately for my birthday, few of my closest friends come up with the Seagate 500GB portable HD for my present. This is perfect to store/back up my pictures as my laptop's C drive has been getting very full. Overall, I'm happy with the presents I received. I am enjoying my last days of my 2 weeks vacation days and looking forward to the new years to come.

Sorry for the long post but now I feel pretty good to end my year in 2010. I hope everyone a happy new year and I can't wait to find out what 2011 have in store for me!

2011 BRING IT ON!

The Breakers

On my first week of vacation, we went on  a road trip to Rhode Island. We tried to leave the state 2 days before Christmas knowing that the interstate traffic will be crazy on Christmas Eve. But little that we know or realized that Christmas this year in on Saturday therefore, Friday is taken as the official Christmas holiday off in most workplaces. So the normal driving time of 5.5 hours turned out to be 7.5 hours in total. We survived.

One of the highlights of the RI trip was discovering Newport's famous mansions - The Breakers. I'm not going to bore you with the historical facts of this building but all I can say that the Breakers is impeccable. They did a great job at preserving the originals. With $19 ticket you can get in to the mansion and take an audio tour into the whole house. Photography is not allowed inside the house but I did some sneak shots when I thought it was safe (no one was around or I saw a lady who's taking pictures); then I realized at the end that all rooms had at least 2 surveillant cameras.. 0__0

Whoops sorry!

Amazing Back Yard View

Happy Holidays

I know it's a bit late but I want to wish everyone Merry Christmas and hopefully you all enjoyed this holiday with your family and/or loved ones. As you all know holidays always come hand in hand with shopping frenzy. It's like sale everywhere.. you just have to be very careful and strategize your shopping moves. Where to shop, when to shop, and what to shop. Maybe I took this too seriously sometimes. Anyways! Here's some of the things I scored in the past week.

Marc New York black quilted down 'Hunter' jacket, $119
Gap Boucle wrap jacket, $50
The AF Jegging, $40
Gap Petite Always Skinny Cords, $45
Enzo Angiolini Women's Urgent Motorcycle Boot, $119
SEPHORA COLLECTION Keep Kohl! Waterproof Liner 03 Keep Brown, $5
Luxe Sweaters for Women: Cashmere V-neck Sweater: The Limited, $118

Holiday Party pt 3

After the festive dinner we had earlier in the evening at Krazy Kat's, we headed back to Hansen's place to continue the party. We had video games, more drinks, gift exchanges and of course Arthur's gingerbread house competition! The night was so fun, I didn't wanted to end!

And here's the Epic Gingerbread House Competition!

Holiday Party pt 2

Another awesome holiday dinner/party weekend last week. The dinner venue was located in Krazy Kat's in Greenville. Amazing food (almost like those iron chef type of food) and drinks and of course great company to complete the event. Food kept coming and wine kept pouring. The dinner ended with a fat bill worth more than half of my rent check. LOL! But what matters is that everyone had a great time. :)

Sherry Crab Bisque

Foraged Local Mushroom "Au Gratin"

Foie Gras Infused Diver Scallops

Vanilla Cognac Brined Kurabuta Pork

Port Glazed Beef Tenderloin

Port Glazed Beef Tenderloin

Look at those Windows

You know, part of the reason why I love to be in the city during the holiday season is their light decorations through out the city. The streets, the stores, the restaurants.. and those holiday windows of the bigger stores like Macy's and Bergdorf Goodman. Each year their creative team would come up with something amazing that made people stop in the cold street of NYC to take a good minute looking at the windows.

Here's a few that I took maybe 2 years ago at Macy's windows in NYC. Not the best quality but I'm posting it them anyways :D

I should be back in the city sometime soon and I can't wait to see these in person.
Bergdorf Goodman made this really nice "The Making of the Holiday Windows" video. You'll see how much work and effort put into a window for this event.

Blushed

Tsumori Chisato / Grizzly Cardigan w/ Pockets, $419
Organic by John Patrick / Perfect Boyfriend Cardigan, $388
Moschino Cardigan Lamé, 449 EUR
Velvet Bow Pocket Cardi, 27 GBP
Miu Miu Bow-back cashmere knitted sweater, $640
What's New, 530 GBP
Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal To The Metal leather wallet, $220

Holiday Party pt 1

Holiday parties lining up my calendar. This one is the first at the Hite family's resident. :)