Remainder of Winter Break

I've been quite bad about posting as of late. School started this week, and I'm still very much not in school mode. Because of my exam schedule last semester (or lack of) my winter break was extra long—five weeks! But now I am back to my busy busy life, which this semester consists of 6 classes (18 credits) and interning in Brooklyn three times a week.
Here is a glimpse of my birthday celebrations (both at home and in ny with my friends) and our first #girlsweekend where my mum, sister and I saw Darren Criss in How to Succeed!!

clam pizza at Otto

Raspberry-lychee bellini at Mercer Kitchen

Tuna wasabi pizza

salmon and mashed potatoes

almond ice cream bar

Four flowers juice: orange, pineapple, banana and pomegranate juice

lemon ricotta pancakes

ramen at Ramen Setagaya

Jason Wu for Target!

As everyone knows, I love a good designer collaboration. But, I am particularly excited about Jason Wu for Target. Wu gained fame when he designed Michelle Obama's Inauguration gown three years ago. The past two seasons (Fall 11 and Spring 12) have been Wu's strongest, with his signature lady like silhouettes with luxe fabrics and detailing.
After months of teaser images, the full lookbook is finally out! Here are my favorite pieces:

really pretty look, and I already own a similar skirt!

kitty scarf!

love the flippy skirt and the bold color

I want that blouse! (also comes in white)

very reminiscent of Spring 12 runway.

easy DIY

vintage-esque bag

(all images via facebook.)

Home!

Now that I'm a junior, I am truly appreciating my time at home—a fridge full of groceries that I don't have to buy, free laundry, my own room and a queen size bed and of course my family! This year my exam schedule worked in my favor and I was able to come home December 17th!! During winter break I always catch up with my high school friends since we all go to different schools there is only a short period where everyone is on break.
My friend Amy and I love Ajishin, so we always go there. This time, since we both weren't super hungry, we decided to split an udon and then order a bunch of sushi.

Kate and I also had Japanese food, which we made! And then this weekend Kate and I are going to visit Ann Arbor to see Jess and our other friends at UofM! I'm really, really happy that my internship is letting me start next week so I could stay an extra week at home. Because we traveled, I was only home for one week, which is not enough!

West coast travels

I've been home for a little over three weeks now, but I was gone for two of it! For Christmas my family went to visit my grandparents in Portland, and we also visited Seattle since we don't go to the West coast that often.

In Seattle, we hit up Pike Place Market right away. We don't really have markets like that in Michigan. I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of produce (especially fruits) that I've never seen before. We also ate at one of the restaurants and had super fresh seafood.

Dungeness crab roll and lemonade

My mum and my sister and I walked around downtown Seattle a bit. We mostly went shopping, but we also stopped for an ice cream break!!

I kinda regret not getting these Jeffrey Campbell heels. They've definitely grown on me

Honey Lavender ice cream!!

I didn't realize Seattle would have so many hills, like San Francisco. I guess that's the nature of the West Coast?
In Portland, we made sure to go to Voodoo Doughnuts and Big Ass Sandwiches. I liked how downtown Portland has lots and lots of permanent food carts, unlike in New York, where they have to drive off at the end of the day. And not just hot dogs and pretzels, lots of South Asian, Greek, etc. food stands. I wish we had had the time to try a few more.

Finally, I went to Vancouver to visit my close friend Justine who I have not seen in a year. I had so much fun in Vancouver!! I arrived on New Year's Eve, so a bunch of Justine's friends from high school came to her house to watch the various countdowns. The next day, her parents took us around the different parts of Vancouver and we had a really delicious hotpot for dinner. Monday, we went to an Asian mall with a yummy food court. For my last day in Vancouver, we went to Granville Island Market, which I really enjoyed, shopping at Artizia (which there is now one location in Soho) and a Glee marathon.

Yakisoba dog from Japadog, now on St Marks! 

Baked Portugese chicken and milk tea.

One of my favorite parts of this whole two week trip was Uwajimaya in Seattle. It's a Japanese grocery store/market/food court. I loved the food there. The first time I went with my parents and I got Korean, the second time I got a Japanese bento box. And I had to stock up on baked goods for my flight home, and the biggest honeycrisp apples I've ever seen!

Sunrise in Seattle 

Beard Papa cream puffs!

Bulgogi Dupbap 

Last week of the semester!

Well, I've finished my fall semester. whew! My last week was quite busy, with both a final paper and an exam on the same day.  Aurora even brought us cupcakes for the last day of class.

After I handed in my advertising paper on Thursday, I headed to the Anna Sui store in Soho to check out their Family and Friends sale. I was a little disappointed by the selection, but I did pick up a new ring and ID holder

And at the end of the week, I had a day to myself to relax. I went to the Daphne Guinness exhibit at the Museum at FIT and I was super impressed. The overall vibe felt very similar to this summer's McQueen exhibit. There were seven sections, divided into categories like Black and White and Armor. My favorite was Evening Chic. There was a dreamy Alexander McQueen gown and a gilded Chanel cocktail dress.

After the exhibit I went to Ajisen Ramen, a favorite of mine (and my family!) in Shanghai. I ordered the Seafood Ramen, but I wish I had ordered the Fried Chicken Ramen. The non-Ramen dishes looked just as good, so I definitely want to go back and try them.

And the week ended with flying home Saturday morning! I got to LGA in record time on the bus, only to find the security line super long. But there was an abundance of little kids in line to keep me entertained.

My Grandma even made wontons for dinner when I got home. Shrimp, my fave!

Snapshots from the week:

Saw three baby parades that day!