Restaurant Week

It’s weird to think how my last post was when I just arrived to the homeland and how this post is with me being back to the city. It’s so surreal how fast time flies but I have never been more glad to be back. As much as I loved being back with my friends and family, there is nothing quite like New York City and she has been spoiling me since.

It was Restaurant Week here when I got back and so my friends and I have been taking advantage of eating in restaurants we normally would not be able to afford. For $35, that will get you a 3 course dinner at any of the participating restaurants which is not bad considering $35 is how much a single meal would cost you at these restaurants. It’s even cheaper if you eat out for lunch for it will only cost you $25 for almost the same meal as dinner. How crazy is that? So far, I’ve tried out 3 restaurants and my favorite out of the bunch is Bobby Van’s.

Bobby Van’s has five restaurants in the city but only three of them were participating in Restaurant Week. My friend and I decided to eat at their branch in Park Avenue because they call it “the original” so why not eat at the original for the first time, right? When we got there, we felt so out of place. It’s exactly the type of restaurant that your business partners there for a meeting or after work. I would definitely take my dad here but I probably won’t go back with a friend. My friend and I felt like we were the youngest in the room, which was extremely awkward but oh well. The food was amaaaaazing! I could still taste it in my mouth!

For starters, we got the Baked Clams Oreganata and it was hard not to eat everything at once. I’m very picky when it comes to clams because I don’t like it when I taste the “sea” when I eat it. I know it sounds weird but you know when you eat something and you taste so many different things that you forget what it is you’re eating in the first place? Yeah. That. When I eat a clam, I want to taste the clam and not the “sea” and this one definitely did not disappoint. Next up was my Pork Chop with Apple and Mango Chutney while my friend got the Petit Filet Mignon. The main course came with creamed spinach and mashed potatoes that go well with the meats. Everything was just so delicious that I barely had room for dessert! The Chocolate Mousse Cake was so rich and creamy that if you are a fan of things like that, you will enjoy it for sure. I, on the other hand, am not really a fan of anything too creamy so I passed halfway.

Bobby Van’s is definitely a treat for all you steak lovers out there like me so do try to check it out! Restaurant Week is still on going so go eat out at these restaurants as much as you can! Who doesn’t want a good meal at a low price anyway?

P.S. This is me and my friend at the bathroom. Lol their bathroom is so nice!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

After 3 dreadful finals straight, a few sleepless nights and a 20 hour flight, I've made it back to the homeland. One of my first stops is an out-of-town trip with my friends and fellow stylish fascinator Deanne of course! It was definitely a much-needed trip after a very stressful week. There’s nothing like a road trip with friends to make everything ok again.

We headed to Tagaytay for dinner and dessert and we laughed all the way there. It was a very chill night filled with good food, good company and a good location with the perfect night breeze. Tagaytay will always have a special place in my heart - good and bad memories included.

Thank you friends for such a wonderful trip! We need to this more often. Kudos to Karen also for figuring out my camera and for such lovely photos. Lol

The Store You've Been Waiting For Your Whole Life

I have less than a week before I finish doing all my errands, study for finals and pack before I leave. With so little time, I try to maximize my days by doing as much as I can. This day was no exemption. Woke up early to get ready for my appointment down in Soho and while I was there, I discovered one of the cutest stores ever. No joke. I wish I could live there. In fact, I think it's even better than...well...Bloomingdales. Cue gasps.

I usually don't divulge my secret places in Soho. I like having things to myself but this store is too quaint not to share. Are you all ready? It's called C.Wonder and you can find it in Spring Street by Lafayette. I haven't been in Soho for quite a while now (a month) so when I got there early for my appointment, I decided to explore. Thank God I arrived early or else I wouldn't have found my new haven. I was instantly attracted to its bright apple green double doors and as I stepped inside, my preppy heart skipped a beat. The store has the same aesthetic as Tory Burch, Kate Spade and Lily Pulitzer mixed with its own chic whim. It’s kinda like J.Crew but think ladies who lunch or 50s/60s housewives. Does that make sense? I could gush on and on about this place and it still won't be enough to express how much I absolutely adore this place.

They offer a wide array of fashion apparel and lifestyle accessories that are way more affordable compared to the other brands that I mentioned. I had such a hard time shopping because I couldn’t get just one thing. I wanted everything in the store! I think I went around the store a total of 5 times before I decided on my purchase. I was running out of time as well so I decided to just get bracelets for my mom and sister and a belt for myself.

I really wanted to take pictures of the store but I didn’t know if I was allowed to take pictures at all. I went online however and I found some pictures from Yelp. I’m acknowledging now that I do not own these pictures so please don’t sue me. These pictures belong to the people who took them. Thank youuu!

P.S. Oh btw, I just found out that C.Wonder is started by Chris Burch. Yes. The ex-husband of Tory Burch. No wonder both stores have the same aesthetic. Don’t worry though, Tory. I still love you.

Eve With Clothes

Forever 21 maxi dress (from Katrine). Topshop fringed bag. Vintage feather earrings from Paris. Forever 21 necklace (used as a bracelet). Charles & Keith white sandals. 

The background makes me look like I'm in the Garden of Eden. Thus, I look like Eve except I have clothes on - thanks to fellow Stylish Fascinator blogger Katrine. But while looking at the photos, I realized that I also look like a mermaid because the dress elongated me! So yes, I'm a mermaid in a jungle. These photos were taken by Ale Rivera (again). Amazing, noh? He just used his camera and played with the natural light. 

Versace for H&M

Whenever I hear the name Versace, I am reminded of prints print and more prints, as well as, skin skin and more skin! Just look at the infamous J.Lo dress during the 42nd Grammy’s in 2000. Not to mention, Elizabeth Hurley’s black safety pin dress in 1994. Versace is very extravagant and sexy that for some can be seen as a little bit skanky. Yes. Skanky. I just had to say it but ever since Donatella took over the company, she has managed to tone down the party image of the company without losing its soul. They are now known for more than just their clothes and accessories. They have expanded the Versace brand into an empire that includes hotels and a home collection making them a household name. With that being said, it was only a matter of time before H&M cashes in the Versace mania and collaborating with them on a limited edition collection comprised of Women’s and Men’s clothes and accessories.

November 19th marked the release of the Collection here in the city and I simply could not wait to see for myself what the hype was all about. I, myself, am not really a fan of Versace simply because it’s just not my style. However, after seeing the pieces in person, I am very impressed. The collection manged to give consumers things that are very wearable and practical with prices that range from affordable to some questionable. When I got to the store, there were still a few pieces left that people could not wait to get their hands on. Fortunately, I was able to get a few pieces for my sister and myself that I am very happy about.

First thing that I got is this fabulous bracelet. Isn’t it just great? I can already imagine the different clothes I could wear it with. It’s almost as big as my watch which I absolutely love. The bigger the better is what I always say.

Next up are these skirt and leggings. The skirt is really for my sister but I would totally borrow it when I can. You can wear it as a high waist skirt with a wide belt and a plain white button down top for a chic look or a corset for a vavavoom look. The leggings I got because recently, I’ve been trying to be a little bit more adventurous when it comes to my style. I have always played it safe and what’s life without a few risks right? I tried them on and I couldn’t take them off! I can already see myself wearing them with sky high pumps and this slouchy grey top that I recently just got from Stylemint. Accessorize with gold necklaces and I’m all set!

As for my outfit of the day, I wore these pair of colored demin I got from Pacsun, Uniqlo thermal underneath my StyleMint shirt, and H&M scarf. Wore them with my Tory Burch flats and my coat from Zara.

P.S. I use my phone and my laptop to take pictures so I apologize for the crappy quality. It’s so hard to take pictures of yourself when you live by yourself. Le sigh.

P.P.S. How come the character for "and" isn't allowed in the post? Weird.

Walking On A Dream

Plain white vintage top. Trunkshow sheer maxi skirt. Beige heels from Charles and Keith. Gold necklace from H&M. Bangles from H&M. Marc by Marc Jacobs cross body bag. Chanel Rouge Coco red lipstick.

I am in awe with the outtakes of my photo shoot with Ale Rivera. I look like a spirit floating through the darkness. Believe it or not, this was just taken in his living room. Good photographers really do know how to work their magic and breathe life into their photos. For this set, he told me to just keep on posing because he was experimenting on something. Well, Ale, I guess your experiment turned out to be a smashing success. Congratulations!

Check out more of his amazing photos over here. 

Paris Nights/New York Mornings

Ray Ban wayfarers. Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick. Esprit watch. Vintage dress and trench coat. Zara clutch. Michael Kors sneaker heels. Sephora orange nail polish.

My rule of thumb: sleek, chic, and elegant is always the way to go. 

Thus the classic red lipstick, the minimalist style, and the mix of high and low brands. 

I had an enjoyable photo shoot with one of  my friends, Nico Gozos, during the break and this was one of my chosen outfits. I love how it's fuss-free and strong at the same time. It's something I would definitely wear if I were in New York or Paris. 

Nico is a great photographer. Check out his site over at Gozzy Photography.