BACK!

Minor blip on my end.  I thought Blogger deleted my blog but I got it back.  Will blog new shoe acquisitions in a bit.  Nothing exciting so don't hold your breath.  :)

Mango Lassi

When my mom came to visit, she brought me some champagne mangoes.  I love mangoes, especially the ones from the Philippines and champagne mangoes are closest in taste.  Sweet, huge, firm and simply yummy.

When I saw these mangoes, it immediately reminded me of a friend's blog post.  I am a big fan of Indian cuisine and I never fail to order mango lassi when I am indulging myself.  So, with big, fat, yummy mangoes at hand, why not make some lassi?  The only ingredients needed can be found on your pantry/refrigerator (well, except for the mango I guess).

Pop all that in the blender (or in my case, a Magic Bullet) and you get yummy lassi.  A perfect treat for any day!

Since I used a Magic Bullet, my lassi is a little bit more chunky.  But, I do like the little bits of mango in my lassi.  Also, I didn't add any ice cubes so I had to keep my lassi in the fridge until it reached the temp I wanted.  Here's the "recipe":

1 champagne mango
1/2 cup Fage greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tbsp sugar (I used the raw kind)

Pop everything in the blender until it reaches desired consistency.  You may add ice cubes if you want.  If you want a more tart flavor, increase yogurt to 3/4 cup and decrease milk to 1/4 cup.  It's all about proportions so play with it until you find the combination you like.

Enjoy!  xoxo

Tiffany Sunglasses

I just bought sunglasses so I shouldn't even be looking at any more, right?  Well, as soon as I read this post on The Glamourai, I knew I had to check them out. 

I'm not your typical Tiffany girl.  Hell, I didn't even like Breakfast at Tiffany's (the book was better) but I have to admit, I do browse the Tiffany site more often than I should.  I can't help it, I love the Peretti line.  Now that they have added sunglasses to the mix, I'm not sure I can resist.

My faves:
1. Locks- interesting lock detail on the legs.

2.  1837 - what's Tiffany sunglasses without the signature Tiffany blue?

3. Garden - the butterfly detail is a cute touch but I think it's just I can't get enough of aviators.

For more Tiffany sunglasses, click here. xoxo

Big News

I almost forgot about my big news!!  This is what happens when too many things are going on at once.  Anyway, in a little over a week, I will be starting my new job at NYP/Cornell - one of the best hospitals in the country!!  If that isn't amazing news, I don't know what is! 

Thanks to everyone who had my back.  I love you all.  xoxo

Busy Bee

These past few weeks have been hectic.  As I mentioned before, I've been busy with work, I've been sick, I've moved apartments and have played host to my mom and brother.  Listing all that just makes me dizzy. 

For all my hard work, I "rewarded" myself with a new pair of sunglasses.  I haven't bought sunglasses in a LONG time and when these popped up, I knew they were meant to be.  Of course, you have to know that I'm rationalizing but it's ok because I deserve them.

 

 

 

DSquared2 Bi-colored Sunglasses

Additionally, while my mom was in town, despite my sick condition, we stopped by Soho for some retail therapy.  Since I moved to a smaller space with not nearly enough closet space, I couldn't justify new clothes.  Besides, I really don't need any new clothes since I still have some with tags on.  I resisted the temptation, aren't you proud?  Well, not entirely since I didn't get off scot free.  Not clothes, but a small cuff from Madewell.  I kept on hemming and hawing but as my mom loves to tell me...if you like it, you buy it.  So I did. 

Madewell Dandelion Cuff Bracelet

This cuff has a matching pendant/charm and necklace which I might go back for (particularly the pendant).  How cute is it though???  I'll tell you...VERY.  Great job on the jewelry line Madewell.  Can't wait to try on the new Textile Elizabeth & James Madewell Exclusives!!  Will blog when I get my hands on it. 

xoxo

Moving

April has proven to be a really busy month.  I finally moved to the night shift at work and on top of that adjustment, I have been sick for the past two weeks and moving to a new apartment next weekend.  Needless to say, I have been stressed, overwhelmed and severely lacking in sleep. 

BUT, there's good news to be had from all the chaos that has been the past month.  First off, my new place is AMAZEBALLS.  It's smaller than my place now since I will be moving from a 1-bedroom to a studio but I am head over heels in love with it.  Yes, I have to downsize but it's much needed.  I have clothes that have not been worn in a while that need to be donated and much more.  So, yay for downsizing!

Now for some pics:

I can't wait to start cooking in my new kitchen.  It has top of the line appliances from the Whirlpool Gold line.  I also have a 5-burner stove and a microwave that doubles as a steamer!  Can't wait to post pics of all my new cooking adventures... well, time-permitting of course.

My new bathroom is also pretty.  It doesn't have a curtain rod or doors right now but I am looking into my options.  Home Depot is my new best friend.

Don't you love my new place?  Now on to other good news... well, that can wait until Monday so stay tuned!!

Makeup Post - my first?

I think this may very well be my first makeup post.  I wear makeup minimally.  On regular days, it's eyeliner, mascara, tinted lip balm and powder.  For a night out, it's usually heavy on the eye makeup and a nude lip.  I'm not an expert on makeup and I like to try different brands.  There are some brands that I like and I usually stick with those brands, but once in a while I do like to venture out of my "comfort zone".

Latest makeup haul

Ok, since I'm not an expert on makeup, once in a while I consult with my friend JJ - who is not only a shoe guru but a makeup one as well.  Recently, I asked her about eyeliner.  My go-to eyeliner is the MAC Eye Pencil but these liners tend to run and by the end of the day, I look like a raccoon (not all the time but most).  I still love them and as you can see I bought a couple - Ebony and Coffee.

MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee and Ebony

I mean, what can I say...I'm a pretty stubborn gal.  But I did listen to her suggestion and added a new eyeliner to my arsenal.  After going back-and-forth with JJ about it (MUFE Acqua vs Urban Decay Glide-On), I decided to go with her suggestion.  Deciding on a color was another factor but I stuck to my trusty black.  Urban Decay has 3 different blacks so I picked one that's different from my other liners and picked Oil Slick - black with silver glitter.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Off to the next product, concealer.  When I was in LA, I was playing with my mom's makeup kit and I fell in love with her concealer.  Since I was at MAC, I decided to pick one up for myself.  This concealer is amazing - perfectly creamy and blends so nicely.  I used my fingers to blend but I'm sure someone could do better with a brush.  Also, in the pic below, the concealer looks darker than it actually is.

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer in NW30

This next product I picked up from MAC is one of my favorite mascaras - X.  I was introduced to this mascara in 1999 when I had my makeup done to go to the Hustler Christmas party.  I've been using this mascara ever since.  It makes my eyelashes so voluminous but not in the spider-leg kinda way.  I love it.

MAC X Mascara

After I left MAC, I headed to Sephora where I picked up the rest of my haul.  Since that particular Sephora (Flatiron District) didn't have the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, I went ahead and picked up the original - Naked.  I've been hearing rave reviews and I absolutely love eyeshadow palettes so why the hell not, right?  I still had Christmas money left over.

Urban Decay Naked

While at Sephora, I also picked up a highlighter - not that I know how to use it but it looks so pretty on.  I decided on Makeup Forever's (MUFE) Uplight because this was the one I saw used by pixiwoo (my fave makeup peeps on youtube).  I tried the different colors on my skin and decided on #32.  I still need to figure out how to use it though.

MUFE Uplight in #32

I also bought blush.  Not that I use blush all that often but I like having the option.  Since the only blush I have is by Nars, I bought another one from them as well.  This time I picked a hue slightly darker than Orgasm.  I'm not sure I'll be able to tell the difference, but oh well.  The color I wanted originally is no longer produced (Gina).

NARS Blush in Torrid

The last product that I bought is more of an impulse buy.  It's a makeup setting spray.  You're supposed to spray it all over your face to make your makeup last up to 16 hours.  I bought the travel sized one since I'm not sure how often I'll use it.

Urban Decay All Nighter

As an aside, I do love shopping for makeup but the girls that work at Sephora in SoHo are such f*n bitches.  That's why I didn't buy anything there.  I ended up in Flatiron where the person I asked about the Naked 2 palette didn't look like she knew what I was talking about and proceeded to go to the corner of the store and text.  Nice customer service there.  This is why I'd rather shop online.  Although, I had a more pleasant encounter at MAC and the Sephoras in LA are so much friendlier.

No Shoes This Year

It's hard to walk around in heels in NYC.  The pavement is uneven and you walk miles and miles and miles.  I've realized the best solution to this problem is a pair of wedges - preferably ones with straps.  Now this year, I promised myself no new shoes (you know, tuition comes first) but these are seriously testing my resolve.  Sigh.

Pierre Hardy, $695

Bottega Veneta, $820

Missoni, $1,055

Images from NAP

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has a great new year's celebration!  I am going to be spending New Year's with my family and will be cooking part of dinner - mainly prime rib and baked spaghetti. 

Some changes to this blog in the new year - as I have not been shopping as much owing to becoming a full-fledged student again, you won't see as much purchase-related posts as before.  I'll try to post some outfit ones when I can but that might be few and far between as well.  Some new posts you might see - I'm still dabbling but you might see some cooking/baking related ones, book and cookbook reviews, maybe some movie reviews.  I guess the new posts will depend on what I have going on and how busy I am going to be.

Here's to an amazing and prosperous 2012!  May we all achieve everything we are working towards and may our lives be filled with love and happiness!  Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Image

Shipped!

YAY!!

Mad for Plaid

I love plaid shirts (and I love guys in plaid shirts too).  I have quite a few and I'd love to have more.  I'm on my way to school today to meet friends for a pow-wow sesh.  The weather has been on the cool side lately so I decided to wear one of my never-worn plaid shirts (I have quite a few of those too). 

Top: Rebecca Taylor
Jeans: JBrand
Shoes: Chloe
Jacket: UO Renewal (not shown)

Oh, and yeah sorry about the hair.  

Trinkets

First off, I want to apologize for the quality of the pics on my blog.  I usually use my iPhone to take pics and occasionally, I bust out my digital camera.  The pics for this entry were taken with my digital camera and while natural light would have been the best, it's late and I had to make do with apartment lighting.

Ok, back to this post.  Like most girls, I have a fascination with costume jewelry or trinkets as my mom likes to call them.  She prefers that I buy actual jewelry but with said trinkets, I never have to worry about losing them or insuring them.  I have to say that I have a preference for rings but I do tend to buy a lot of earrings as well.  I'm working on the necklace and bracelet department but I have to admit that they do bother me when I'm wearing them.  Anyway, these are my most recent acquisitions:

1. These first two were from a street vendor outside of Eataly.  All her pieces were $10 and I had a tough time narrowing it down to these two.  I love the delicate nature of these pieces.  Now I'm not exactly a delicate flower but once in a while I like feminine pieces.

without flash

with flash

2.  I bought this next one when I was in LA in August.  I was gonna wear it to Val's wedding but it didn't really go with the outfit I ended up wearing.

 

3. I bought these next two pieces from my friend's Etsy store.  Again, I had difficulty narrowing it down to two pieces but I'm really happy with both.  I can't wait to wear them and I can't wait to buy more of her pieces.

4. Last week, I found myself on Times Square (don't ask).  I also just read about the opening of a massive Forever 21 there so I decided to take a gander (And no, Forever 21 opened earlier this year but I just recently read about it).  I actually haven't been inside a Forever 21 store in a long time.  It's always an overwhelming experience and the Times Square store makes overwhelming such an understatement (another post on that next time).  Of course I couldn't leave without a souvenir.

with flash

without flash

5.  This bracelet was an impulse buy.  I was paying for other stuff at All Saints and there it was all pretty just staring me in the face.  Of course, I had to have it too.Oh, and these come in different color charms.  I wish I bought the red one too.

on my wrist

close-up of charms

Ankle Boots

I've always like ankle boots but since I'm on the short side (5'4), it's hard to find the right ankle boots that won't make my legs look stumpy.  I think the trick is to find one that hits right at the ankle or lower for shorter-heeled or flat ones and just a hair above or at the ankle for those with higher heels.

The closest I've come to ankle boots/booties are these:

L-R: Burgundy Lapono, Taupe Mamimo, Black Patent Moulage (all by Christian Louboutin)

They're not exactly ankle boots/booties but like I said, they're the closest I have gotten to finding ones that actually work for me.  Also, these three pairs are in storage in Los Angeles and I have really been dying to wear a pair out since it's getting cooler here in NYC.  I have asked my mom to send me at least one of them but if they don't get here soon, I just might lose it and actually end up getting a new pair (not the best idea since I am without income right now).

The contenders:

Suede Wedge Booties, One by Elizabeth Brady

Wedges are great for NYC - they're not as bad on the ball of the foot since you have more support (or at least it feels like it).  Plus, I don't have anything gray BUT I'm not sure about the suede.  With the rain and snow, I don't think suede will survive a New York winter.

Leather Biker Boots, Burberry

This on the other had, is perfect for NYC - on the more comfortable side being that they are flat and totally my style (very rock and roll).  Problem is, they look sorta like two pairs of flat boots I already own.  Still didn't stop me from gawking at the window in the West Village.  I must've walked by the window to check these out more than 5 times, on the same day and in the rain.  Obsessed much?  A tad bit, yeah.  I still haven't tried them on for fear that I might actually walk out the store with them on.

Leather Wedge Ankle Boots, Pierre Hardy

This third pair is what you get if the first two pairs ever mated.  The perfect compromise - you get the toughness and the edge of the biker boots and I guess the wedge from the first pair.  Oh who am I kidding?  It's gonna be the second boot.  I just know it.



Images from Shopbop and Net-A-Porter.

Domestic Goddess??

I try sometimes.  I'm not that good at the cleaning part but I think I've got the cooking down pat.  This past weekend was gloomy and overcast so I decided to make something to cheer me up.  The answer - Mini Oreo Cheesecakes!  I'm not a big fan of cheesecake but I know people who are and nothing makes me happier than cooking for other people.  The result?  Pure sinful heaven!

before

AFTER!!

Just looking at the pictures make me want more, ugh!  See below for the recipe (it's super easy).  Happy baking!!

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes
Adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
Printable Recipe
Makes 30

42 Oreos (~1 package), 30 left whole, and 12 coarsely chopped
2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
Pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners or grease well with non-stick baking spray. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each cup.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.

Val's Wedding

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I went back to LA late August for a short vacay and to attend my friend Val's wedding in Berkeley.  My friend Jen drove to LA from Arizona to pick me up and we drove north.  If you know me or Jen, you know it won't be a straight drive and you know the entire trip would just be pure silliness.

We left LA at 6am and we arrived in San Francisco at 9:30pm.  Good times!

Mandatory Hearst Castle stopover since we've both never been

silliness on the Heart Castle grounds

um, more silliness...

Pretty waterfall on the drive up....bruises on my leg on the hike down :(

Cocktail hour at the wedding

Alcohol + dancing = crazy Jen

I think the chick who took this pic thought we were/are retarded

I have more pics and Jen has even more (and sillier) pics....maybe I'll post more next time.