#springbreak2012

While my spring break wasn't as eventful as some of my classmates (ahem, sternies), I still had fun in the city, and got to catch up with one of my good friends.
I started off my break by going to Curry-ya, a Japanese curry restaurant in the East Village which Justine had recommended to me. I got the baked Japanese curry, which had potatoes, carrots, butternut squash and beef, smothered in curry, and the topped with cheddar cheese and an egg, and the whole thing was baked. I really liked their modern version of curry. Definitely a repeat!

After that, I went to Dominique Ansel bakery in Soho to get a St Patrick's Day themed pastry for myself. I wanted the heart shaped macarons, but I think that was only for show. Instead, I got the salted pistachio religieuse, which was too pretty to eat! I also brought home a DKA to save for breakfast.

After the bakery, I wasn't quite ready to go home, so I made an extended pitstop in Washington Square to sit in the fountain and watch the street performers and dancers. I think my ankles even got a bit tan.
The next day I made plans to go to Bubby's Brooklyn with Johnny for a belated birthday and general catch up. The restaurant is located right on the East River in DUMBO, and Johnny lives near South Street Seaport, so we decided to walk the Brooklyn Bridge to get there! It was surprisingly crowded for a Monday, but we eventually made it without getting run over by a bike. At Bubby's I got the fried chicken with sides of mac n cheese (which Johnny ate) and baked beans plus a grapefruit margarita. I wasn't that hungry, but that fried chicken was so good! I think the batter had different spices or something, but it was incredibly flavorful. Plus they had a photo booth and I could not resist. For dessert, we tried to go to the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory, but it is closed on Mondays. I was quite upset since I have never been.

The rest of the week consisted of me going to my internship, eating Vanessa's chicken teriyaki lo mein (sidenote: do not get their bubble tea, the tapioca is sub par) and eating too many popsicles.

really liked my nail color this week: Essie, play date

my fingers were pretty tired after stuffing over 200 envelopes! 

easter themed window in soho

new sparkly sandals that look like ones I wanted last summer from Zara (but I got mine for less than half the price at Nordstrom Rack)

using my hedgeyhog dryer balls hehe

need to get a haircut soon, probably next weekend

pre-spring break madness

yikes it's been a while since my last post! I guess it's mid way through the semester, but my midterms are actually quite spread out. Starting February 29-May 9, I have at least one major thing (paper, test, presentation) every week....but for now I can relax because it's spring break!
Things I will be doing during spring break:

• soo much laundry
• Architecture paper/field assignment 
• grocery shopping
• eating at restaurants no one else wants to go to (specifically curry-ya)
• general wandering around since the weather will be in the 60s
• and hopefully meeting up with Johnny for his (belated) birthday!

basically my daily life, minus class. Plus the weather is supposed to be in the upper 60s the majority of the week!

The highlight of the past two weeks has certainly been going home to see my sister in the school musical!! Because I studied abroad last year, I wasn't able to see Laine in Grease, so I was thrilled to see Annie!! Sadly, all of the pictures are on my mum's camera.

Laine with her dance partner from Grease

Snapshots

yummy food from Ktown

coconut milk tea with jelly

petit fours

the ceiling of the Met

Laine's wilderness letter

lots of panda stickers were involved

Canal st subway station

haven't used scantrons in a while

freshly baked pita

extra gooey baklava

long overdue post coming this weekend/once spring break starts. promise promise! In the meantime, enjoy the trailer for Despicable Me 2!

My week in macarons and shabu shabu

This week was another food filled one. I started off with my beloved Laduree macarons. This time I got two grapefruit, one black currant, one caramel, one coconut and one rose petal. I had really high hopes for the grapefruit since it was a special Valentine's flavor (and I'm still in my grapefruit phase, although it seems to be slowing down), but it was very disappointing. There was supposed to be a vanilla creme center, instead there was a nutty tasting jelly. Overall very disappointing. My favorites are the caramel and coconut.

After my internship on Friday, I walked to the new, downtown Brooklyn Shake Shack to get the Jeremy Lin mint shake. No lines! And the shake tasted like a girl scout cookie. Perfect afternoon treat.

Since we had Monday off for President's Day, I used the long weekend as an opportunity to see lots of friends! Saturday, I had Indian food with Lucas, who I had not seen in a year. Since it was warm that day, I decided to wear my Anna Sui Resort '12 blouse for the first time! I've noticed that I wear a lot more black and grey these days. I still like to wear bright accessories (especially purses) and jewel tone jackets, but I think it's finally happening. I'm becoming a New Yorker. This outfit was also featured on Pose!

On Sunday, a few Shanghai friends and I decided to go to Flushing and eat yummy (and cheap) Chinese food! But before I met up with them, I planned on hitting up a few flea markets on the way to Penn Station, where we were going to catch the LIRR to Flushing. But I never made it! I ended up going in to Joe Fresh near my apartment, and I saw my friends Jessie and Allen! I also picked up a Celine esque denim shirt, which I'm very excited about. I also really like their silk button down shirts, and they come in so many yummy spring colors!! I think I'm going to wait a bit, until they are on sale, so I can get multiple colors!

really liked this blouse, but it was a bit short for my taste. 

super cute! and has a pocket.

Once we actually made it to Flushing, the first stop was Coco! I can't help getting milk tea whenever I'm near Coco. After, we went to the New World Mall, and I stocked up on super cute phone cases!!!

ridiculously cute hk cases, but I didn't get them. next time!

Finally, we went to the restaurant to have shabu shabu (individual hot pot). It was soooo delicious and super filling! I wish I could have it all the time!

no trip is complete without a picture of Gian sleeping

A week of risotto and macarons

This week I was super on top of my school work, which is good. Really trying to manage my time better (like bringing hw to my internship for the slow days), so I can relax a bit at night. Besides school, this week was all about....food.
I made my own risotto! It's actually quite simple, but you have to be patient and have the time to consistently stir the pot until the rice has finished cooking/absorbing all the liquid. I added an onion, mushrooms, basil and lots of cheese.

This morning, I went to Laduree on the UES with the hopes of getting one of their special edition Valentine's Day boxes. Much to my dismay, the store didn't even have them!! I pre-ordered a box and I will have to go back this week. But while I was there, I did pick up a Valentine's box of chocolate-macaron hybrids. I will certainly be displaying the boxes once the treats are gone!

I picked up a new backpack that I'm really excited about using. It's from Baggu and has a really cute cactus print. And it's nice and small, which is perfect for school.

Snapshots from the week:

made lots of press kits this week

cute Reed Krakoff windows on Madison

Prada windows

meh second week

Week two of school and I'm establishing my routine. With school four days a week, interning three days a week, my very important (and packed) tv schedule and soon to be work one day a week, time management is more important than ever this year.
The weather this week was crazy!! One day was even in the 60s! As nice as the weather was, I am certainly missing the white winters I'm used to. I grew up with at least one snow day per school year, usually more! And this year we don't even have snow.
For a late birthday present, Eunice got me this cute dish sponge in Korea! It's so cute I don't want to get it all icky, so she said you can also use it as a loofah.

Since we've moved offices at my internship, the food options have greatly multiplied! This week I tried a Japanese/Thai place that has a good lunch special. I really want to go back to get the $5.50 Thai special, but it's a bit far.

On Friday, my boss treated me to hot dogs from Bark. I got the beans and frank dog and we shared the disco fries. A yummy Friday treat! Especially since I had to make 30 press kits afterward.

This week I wanted to paint my nails a fun/lighter color. I went with this Revlon Top Speed green shade called Wind Fall. 

Friday, on my way to Trader Joe's, I popped into H&M to see if they have a dress I've had my eye on. On my way out, I noticed this mint green beaded collar! Really pretty, but I think I would rather pay the same amount of money for a good quality vintage piece.

I've also been making hk waffles a lot.