a sunny weekend with friends

How was your weekend? My college friend Steph came to visit me from Boston, and we spent the sunny weekend catching up at the Standard Biergarten with some of my L'Oreal friends (hey Sorah, Johanna, Riley, & Deeps!). Add in a Latin fusion dinner with Justin, Paul, & Graham at Boca Chica, dancing at One & One, some Phileo frozen yogurt, and stumbling upon the set of Showtime's Californication in the West Village -- it was a great weekend! Loved our little reunion, Steph!

Me, Deepica, and Sorah at the Standard

Clink!

Bumped into this super fun car while walking over to the Standard. Wish I could drive it!

On our way to froyo, we saw a cellist in the West Village! Perfection. (Still think it's one of the sexiest instruments ever.)

Lonny, Johanna, and Steph xoxo

After Steph left, I made a visit to the Frick on Sunday to see the Renoir exhibit and then volunteer ushered at my church. Although I didn't get much sleep this weekend, I can't stop thinking my little mantra: Too Blessed To Be Stressed! Life is good.

Renoir's Dance of Bougival (my favorite)

I also really enjoyed this portait, Lady Peel by Thomas Lawrence. Her red ostrich feather hat and rosy cheeks makes her a knock out spirit in my mind. (Girl crush on a painting, it happens! ;)

Doggies in the West Village

I love pets, but I've never been blessed with a pet before - the goldfish I had in third grade (that died in a week) doesn't count. I swear, after graduation, I'm getting a precious doggy! I would love walking him/her through the streets. These little guys are from an adopt-a-pet store in the West Village on sixth ave.

My friend Mark and I were really sad to leave them. The last time we visited was in August - I can't wait to go back again and take one back home with me. Ah, all in due course.

life lately... august recap

Hi lovelies! I'm still reeling at the fact that it is past mid-September. While I love autumn, I'm feeling bittersweet about summer passing by so quickly. This August marked my 1 year anniversary at work, which made me reflect on both how much I've grown and learned, as well as how fast time flies when you're working!!! So here's a little recap of my life through August and early September... captured by Instagram (my obsession). It's important to me to remember the little blessings in life, so I'm going to get as detailed as I can (don't mind the rambling)!

Food Fair, Brunches, and Gelato...

August was definitely a foodie month. Jen (a blog friend turned real friend) and I went to the Brooklyn food fair Smorgasburg to try as much food as we could consume (like the fried rice with egg above). I also had Sunday brunch every week at places like Veselka (a neighborhood favorite --see how big those pancakes are above?), Linen Hall (beautiful ceilings), and Cafe Minerva in the West Village, which I love for their delicious french pressed coffee :) And of course, you can't keep me away from Gelato ti Amo, the gelato & sorbet place next door -- I probably go there at least once a week! Luca (the owner) is a friend, and it's always nice to have neighbors who are really great people too.

Washington D.C. Trip...

First weekend of August, I went to visit one of my best friends Anna in D.C. (again). We hung out with Jill and Audrey (two girlfriends from our high school) and Katie (Anna's sorority "little"), and it was such a blast. I had no idea that D.C. could be SO hot in the summer (it was almost 100 degrees that weekend!), but we had a great time enjoying Jazz in the Garden, a Nationals baseball game, walking through Georgetown, brunch at Clydes and more. (I found the beautiful graffiti above on the Georgetown campus - isn't it gorgeous?)

Fashion Week!

To be honest, Fashion Week really intimidates me! Especially Fashion's Night Out, when Manhattan is a complete hot and scary mess.... and of course I still participate ;)  The energy in the city around this time of year is intoxicating. I was lucky to be invited to Glam Media's NYFW blogger dinner-- meeting other New York based lifestyle and fashion bloggers was an absolute dream! I loved hanging out with the girls at my table, and getting to know the team behind Glam, who impressed me to no end and were super fabulous to boot. I also had a chance to attend Harlem's Fashion Row for work, as well as visit Birchbox's fun Sample Stop with my L'Oreal friends and to catch up with my friend Deepica.

Long summer walks...

 

Okay, this sounds cheesy, but I adore New York summer walks. Living in a walkable city is so important to me... I get to see so many things along the way (like this pink brownstone 3 blocks away from me in the East Village and this kooky NY Magazine spin-off in Nolita). There's nothing a good, long stroll can't fix. This past weekend when my family came to visit, one of the best things we did was walk the entire High Line, an elevated park on the West Side that used to be rail road tracks. The views are spectacular--case in point, the rainbow-colored WWII-inspired couple kissing mural. My mom, sister, and I also indulged in popsicles while walking -- a heavenly summertime combination.

 How was your August? Are you ready for fall?

PS: Some other Life Lately recaps from this year.

what are your plans this weekend?

I know it's only Wednesday (hump day), but I'm already really looking forward to my first weekend back in New York in what feels like forever (after SF, Bahamas, and Philly visiting my family). My goal is to be outside as long as possible since the weather is improving (thank goodness!). On weekends, I have a habit of power-walking through Soho, West Village, and East Village while chatting on the phone or listening to a podcast, people watching, and taking photos. I actually just stumbled upon the above photo of a restaurant called Freeman's which I had instagrammed 2 years ago while on such a walk! Isn't it so cute? I love how off the beaten path it is, tucked away in Chrystie St.

I'll also be catching up with my friend and former L'Oreal colleague Adam at brunch, meeting another friend Adam (funny coincidence) for coffee to plot out his career path (which sounds so devious, no?), attending a Crunch workout class, and working on my application to a theology seminar. What's your weekend looking like?

(Top photo via Nicole Franzen, bottom photo of me taken by my friend Danny in Soho)

new york city guides: where to brunch

For over a year now, I've been thinking about blogging my favorite things to eat, see, and experience in New York City -- my own NYC guide of sorts. After 6 years of living in Downtown Manhattan, I'm finally ready to get started! (Better late than never right?). As a huge foodie, I think it's only appropriate to kick off with my favorite meal of the day: Brunch (a meal so important to New Yorkers, it deserves a capital "B"). Here are some deliciously eggy, cozy, and chic brunch spots I love and hope you'll enjoy as well.

Clockwise from left: You can't go wrong with eggs benedict at Calliope; dinner at Paprika is great, but their whipped green eggs for brunch is worth an extra trip; B Bar gets extra points for their complimentary banana bread baskets; San Marzano's $18 pizza, coffee + unlimited mimosa brunch is unbeatable, and you know my thoughts on breakfast pizzas. 

Clockwise from left: Gemma is delicious and inside the fancy Bowery hotel; Veselka is everyone's go-to Ukrainian, 24-hour diner-restaurant with family-style portions (love their pancakes & corn beef hash); Cafe Minerva's french press coffee is decadent and brunch portions are perfect; Zoe is underrated but I remember everyone's meal looking so good and really enjoying my shrimp & sunny eggs on grits.  

Clockwise from left: I've been going to Cafe Mogadore for years and have tried almost everything, but the Moroccan Benedict is a stand out (the omelette pictured above is great too); while Corner Shop Cafe is in the smack dead center of busy Broadway Street in Soho, the food and great prices are worth a visit; newly opened Tinks is already known for their chicken and waffles; Prima has cool industrial decor and is generous with the hollandaise sauce on their eggs benedicts :)

Other very popular brunch places that are worth mentioning but have longer waits:  Extra Virgin in the West Village, Clinton Street Baking Co. in LES, and Cafe Orlin in the East Village. For drunk brunch options (unlimited drinks), see this list. Feel free to add your favorite brunch places in the comments section!

(Instagram photos by Helen Hearts)

happy friday + have a foodie weekend!

Somebody please tell me to stop eating like I have a 12-year-old boy's metabolism. (I don't and I wish.) Onion rings on top of meatloaf on top of even more mashed potatoes for dinner last night -- isn't that just a heart attack waiting to happen?!? Too bad I finished the entire thing- eeks! Yes, I had a food baby. Yes, it was like 3 months along.

So how was your week lovelies? I had quite a food-venturous few days (as you can tell), mostly related to my burning need to cross off more items from the Vanity Fair NYC Summer Guide (which is a must-read for anyone who's living in this vibrant city). Yesterday, I went after work with some intern friends to Press Lounge, which is a massive 3,000 sq ft roof deck on the Ink48 Hotel in Hells Kitchen that overlooks a stunning view of Manhattan's west side...

And tomorrow night, I'm grabbing dinner with some school friends at Choptank, a newish seafood restaurant in the West Village that I'm super excited to try out! But until then, I think I need to make like an exercise-venturer and have some alone time with my treadmill, a long lost friend indeed. Ciao, have a great weekend!

life lately...

It's almost a foreign concept to me that we are already mid-way past April. Unbelievable. AND it hasn't been raining every day! (Whatever happened to April showers?) I'm so thankful that this month has been warm & beautiful, but I hope it doesn't pass by too quickly. Here are a few fond memories from April that I'm especially grateful for...

My wonderful family coming to visit from the Philly suburbs last Friday & Saturday (Easter weekend) = lots of exploring (Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Soho) and eating! Here's baby sister Jess enjoying some Shake Shack.

Being Chinese, my family couldn't possibly visit without restocking their supply of Chinese herbs & spices. So to Chinatown we went.... and bumped into the prettiest tiles. The turquoise is so striking, I have this image set as my Facebook cover picture.

We had a dinner feast at Peking Duck House, which is one of the nicest & cleanest restaurants I've ever been to in Chinatown (and you know that I'd happily go to the grimiest nook & crannies for good food). We didn't order their famous duck, but we had lamb chops, shumai, baozi, tofu, and other tasty little eats.

After my family left, I started off Easter Sunday at my lovely coworker/friend Marc's brunch in his Hell's Kitchen apartment, where everyone ate and drank outside on his enormous outdoor balcony. We also celebrated his sweet dog Sydney's birthday. It was so nice to see all of my L'Oreal pals and finally drink that Bloody Mary! (On a sidenote, I was sitting against a maroon couch on the balcony, the color which unbeknownst to me, reflected into my hair. Everyone thought I had purple streaks the entire time, hah! I wish I were that daring.)

On the F train back downtown, I sat across from this man who was selling cotton candy. I just HAD to ask his permission to take a picture. Moments like these make my heart swell and whatever doubt I have about living in New York (going on 5 years!) is instantly squashed.

Despite living here for so long, I had never, ever visited the High Line on the West Side highway. So I dragged one of my best friends from college, Danny, for a nice long walk right before Church service at Redeemer. It was so calming and scenic, I can't wait to go again. (And it's nice that Chelsea Market is right there. Picnic in High Line Park, anyone?)

Drinks/dinner/dessert at Catch, a trendy seafood restaurant in the Meat Packing district. I went with some lovely L'Oreal ladies who a) know how to eat and b) inspire me to do great things in work and in life. (Thanks Farrah, Esohe, Jes, and Sara.)


And this weekend -- Red velvet cupcakes (w/ heart sprinkles!) with Jasmine at Molly's. Can't go wrong with a little sugary self-indulgence here and there ;) We walked around the West Village/Soho for hours and popped into a few stores, like Addidas. Love Jas's sassy pose.

Any fun events from your week? I'd love to hear.

many a magnificent manhattan view

Tonight at 9pm on the 9th floor of an NYU building overlooking Greenwich village, I lost my breath. No, I don't have asthma! Sometimes, the beauty of this city catches me off guard, and tonight the view simply overwhelmed my senses. I was gripped by the magnificence and vibrancy of the place I'm so lucky to call my home.

West 19th Street

West 43rd Street

I've walked these streets for 3+ years, lived in 4 Manhattan addresses (Greenwich Village, Union Square, Gramercy, & Little Italy), and I still can't help but pause and gasp at the sight. Below, cars crawled up 5th avenue like ants; city lights flickered like burning candles under the darkened sky; and the Washington Square Park fountain seemed small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

Central Park South

I love how no matter how large and busy the city seems, New York still feels so intimate. The photographer of these photos Joseph O. Holmes phrases the sentiment well: "I trust my heart and I wrap myself around these streets like I'm in love"...

(Photos via 20x200)

kimono

I love the effortless chic that a kimono-inspired print gives to an outfit. My roommate from this past summer (when I subletted in the West Village) owned an authentic kimono robe, and it was so luscious. Too bad you can't wear a house robe outside. (Or can you?)

PS: Happy belated Mother's day!

(Jacket and dress from Zara)

happy new year! a recap of 2010 :)

Happy New Year friends! I welcomed 2011 with both my high school and college friends in New York, which was a ton of fun. As exciting as 1/1/11 is, New Year's is also a time to celebrate the passing year. 2010 was full of tremendous experiences and life lessons learned. Here's a little recap of my year, if you'd like to see...

In January, I spent my first full month back in the U.S. after a semester in Europe, reunited with frozen yogurt & New York Restaurant Week, and started letting "my beat" build.

February was filled with little bursts of inspiration. I played shoe paparazzi and was inspired by all sorts of NYC related things, like the Soho House and a new HBO show.

In March, I went to brunch, showed you my bag, and had an amazing Spring Break trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina!!!

In April, I fell in love with Sylvia Plath, thrift shopping, and Crif Dogs... I also attended the Tribeca Film Festival (with my all-access "A" pass!) and celebrated my 21st!

May marked the end of junior year; I relaxed in Philadelphia and enjoyed a few cozy frozen yogurt & coffee shop trips.

In June, I moved to my West Village summer apartment, started my marketing internship at L'Oreal, visited the Brooklyn Flea, and read tons of Alice Munro.

July was crazy! I watched Prince Harry play polo, partied on the Kiehls float in the NYC Pride parade, and ate tons of yummy food, like crab.

In August, I moved into my Little Italy apartment (yes, lots of moving!), celebrated the end of summer with Vietnamese/Mexican food, Almodovar films, and had my first ever blog giveaway.

September was full of senior year celebration. I accepted L'Oreal's full-time offer, hung out in my new apartment, explored entrepreneurship, and had cupcakes.

October brought a Harvard trip, eccentric apartment pictures, another blog giveaway, and Halloween! (I was a cat)

November was relaxing & full of thanksgiving. I felt especially thankful for my girlfriends, my sister, and life's little lovely moments.

In December, I had apple sandwiches, met the Rent the Runway co-founders, and toasted my dear friends.

While 2009 was filled with travel and adventure, I grew even more in 2010 both personally and professionally. I'm so grateful for all of 2010's blessings! Excited to see what 2011 brings! :)

PS: Here's my full recap of 2009!

(1st photo via sally m, the rest by me)