Feels like 10 degrees

Don't you hate when the weather report for today tells you that the temperature will be in the 20's but the wind is so windy that it feels like it's below 10. Being from Louisiana the winter in new york has been one of those challenging things my body has been trying to overcome. I would love to do things around the city but when it's extremely cold outside I just want to bundle up, drink a cup of tea, and stay indoors.

The bf decided since it was my day off that we should go do something. I really didn't feel like venturing out into the city so we went ahead and stayed in Brooklyn. We grabbed lunch at a Thai restaurant called "Song"" located in Park Slope area. It's a pretty hip place with great ambiance, clean line interior decor, and features a live d.j. The waitstaff is pretty attentive and the food was affordable, large portions, and food is fresh. It's definitely on my list of good eats. We ordered a small fried calamari appetizer, bf had pad see yu noodles, i had the pad thai, and for dessert we had fried banana roll with ice cream and strawberries.

 

@ home sipping peppermint tea, watching some t.v., and staying warm = content 

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Style Spotlight

Q&A 

w/ Aileen Hanna 

Aileen Hanna is from Subic Bay Philippines. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Textile, Apparel, and Merchandising from Louisiana State University in May 2007. Her passion and love for design stem from her early childhood in Japan. She credits her father for serving in the military giving her the opportunity to travel. Her active lifestyle through running, basketball and soccer has been a constant drive of inspiration, as well as her Filipino background. Like an athlete, she is determined to perform higher than capacity to reach a goal. Prior to graduation, Aileen spent her summer in New York City where she held an internship, as a design assistant, for Regatta U.S.A. Passionate about the city and its renowned fashion scene, she now resides there. (autobiography courtesy of A.Hanna)

AA: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
Aileen: In college. I've always liked fashion but I never thought it could be a career. I took a fashion intro class and I enjoyed it so much that I switched my major. 

AA: Where do you find your inspirations for your designs?
Aileen: Everything! When I walk around the city, people's fashion, arts, fabrics .. I enjoy sitting in Union Square and observing the different types of people passing by.

AA: Name some designers that you would love to work with?
Aileen: Right now, it would probably be Anna Sui and Proenza Schouler.


AA: What's your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?
Aileen: It would have to be the runway. Being able to see your final pieces on stage and knowing how hard you've worked on it .. it's rewarding.

AA: Finally do you have any fashion advice or styling tips you can give to my readers?
Aileen: Layers. Layers. Don't be afraid to use colors. One of my favorite quotes are, "It doesn't have to match, it has to go together" by Stacy London (What Not to Wear). 

To know more about Aileen Hanna and her upcoming projects please visit her website

Aileen Hanna

inspirational pieces by Aileen Hanna

NYC restaurant week coming soon ..

It's that time again when majority of people emerge from hibernation to experience NYC finest events, "Restaurant Week". Being an avid admirer of food .. I mean who isnt? .. I literally feel "like a fat kid in a candy store." When the economy isn't doing well and more people can't afford to eat in expensive restaurants .. restaurant week is an ultimate adventure. There are several restaurants (usually pricey swanky places) that participate in this local event. It allows customers to experience high-end dining in budget friendly prices. Each restaurant varies but majority have the 3 course prix fixe meals (Lunch $24.07 Dinner $35).

Here are my top 5 choices that I am dying to try:

1.) Fig & Olive

     Mediterranean

 

2.) Morimoto

     Japanese

3.) The Boat House

     American

4.)  The River Cafe'

      American

5) Lupa
    Italian

Stay tuned to see which restaurants we eat at :) 

visit. nycgo

Soup Dumplings + Avatar = Awesome Date Night

Another night off and I'm super excited to have a date night with the bf. Since it was pretty cold outside we decided to head to Chinatown to one of our favorite good eats called Shanghai Cafe. I know a lot people prefer Joe's Shanghai but honestly if you want to avoid the wait this is the place. The pork soup dumplings are exactly the same and tasty. If you ever decide to check the place out order the shanghai fried rice, shanghai pan fried noodle, and the scallion pancakes. Trust me. It's deelicious!!!

                pork soup dumplings                          shanghai pan fried noodle

On our way to the movies to watch Avatar . It was an amazing movie and I loved everything about it especially in 3D.

Burr!!! I'm a ninja whose trying to stay warm :-p


 Home at last and our babies are happy to see us.

we took photobooth pictures @ the movies and I must say it was a perfect way to finish our date night

Sketch.

"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."  ~Stella Adler

Drawing, its something I've always enjoyed doing and I thought I was pretty good at.  I hardly sketch nowadays but when I do get a chance the touch of the pencil pressed on my sketch pad feels great. I'm finally off tonight after a long week .. no patients .. no graveyard shift .. just me and my sketch pad. I was contemplating what I wanted to draw and there I saw my favorite picture of my boyfriend and me. The picture was probably taken 6 years ago and we were 40lbs thinner. lol. Anyways, I just love everything about this picture it just captures the youthfulness of our relationship. I heart you. 

Enjoy!

Adele - Hometown Glory

Represent. Be a New Orleanian.

During the Christmas holidays I had the chance to go back home to visit my family in Louisiana. It's been a long time since I been home and I definitely was excited to spend quality time with my family. Anyways, the day after Christmas my family and I decided to have lunch and tour one of the local plantation homes. The plantation we visited was called "Oak Alley Plantation" its absolutely beautiful with the 20+ oak trees featured in the front lawn. As a child growing up I was always fascinated learning about historical events. Despite the fact that slavery was active during that era it's part of history and I enjoyed learning about it. Well, the good news is that Oak Alley Plantation was noted for their benevolence and justice with their slaves. It is noted that many of slaves were emancipated long before the Civil War began.

Jersey: #9 Drew Brees Saints Coat: Worthington Leggings: Old Navy Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson  

Boots: Uggs Handbag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Geaux Saints !!!

Starry Night meets Amber Village

( Vincent Van Gogh famous painting "Starry Night" featured in MoMA )

My friend from California was in NYC for the weekend and we decided to hit up Tim Burton's exhibit at the MoMA. Unfortunately, when we arrived it was sold out for the day. We decided to stay to see the other collections since it's Free Admission on Friday Night after 5pm.

( Dress: H&M Coat: Worthington Boots: Aldo Handbag: Marc by Marc Jacobs )

I believe this mirror painting was from Andy Warhol .. isn't it groovy I was able to take a picture of me and the painting. 

After the museum headed to the village to have dinner at Amber Sushi restaurant. It was my 1st time there but I thought it was affordable, great decor, atmosphere was laid back, and of course the food was dee-licious. Ordered a sangria crispy duck with rice it had a sweet sauce garnished with mango, pineapple, and bok choy it was pretty amazing.