I'm way behind on blogging about things that have surfaced in the past week or so. Namely 1 extended weekend in Philly but I had to write this as soon as I could or else I burst of excitement and glee. I just got back from a lovely luncheon with my man and he presented me with a divine surprise.
As a result, I've been rendered completely unproductive at work. *GRIN*
THANK YOU my love!!!

Woodbury Common Run #1

Two fifth's of the Lee clan are staying with me and we decide to hop into a zipcar and drive to Central Valley, NY - home of the famed Woodbury Common - designer factory outlet mecca! We clearly did not estimate our time correctly and ended up forgoing several stores but that always means we'll be back again. Nevertheless, we did quite well for ourselves.

Woodbury Common is quite overwhelming - with hundreds of stores both high-end designer like Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga etc to Chelsea Premium Outlet regulars like Banana Republic, GAP, Nine West etc. We planned a strategy of attack and at the end of the day, we did pretty very well for ourselves and scored awesome deals.

The highlight? A fabulous pair of DVF peep-toe patent pumps from Saks Off Fifth (with additional 30% off thanks to the VIP coupon book! SCORE!) - and they make me smile when I wear them & actually are quite comfortable.

I'm looking forward to my next trip there already! Thanksgiving sale perhaps?? *wink*

The Graduate

He did it! The Sloanie is offcially a grad. And this photo says it all.

Well done babe!

Spent our last weekend in Boston together with the Lee Clan and did the sights & sounds of New England. Namely, Essex, Gloucester & Rockport. Fried clams, sun, sand and sea and tons of jumping shots.

Congratulations J! I'm so proud of you. xxx.

The one thing I can't seem to get away from...

The Harajuku Lovers Label has FAB shoes. I found this delicious fact @ DSW and my girlfriend and I tried on these lovelies and I'm smitten! I'm sheepish to buy them because over the weekend, I already purchased 2 pairs of shoes... :S Yeah, I just might have a problem...I can't say no to a gorgeous pair of shoes. Bags, clothes, jewelry - I can pass them by...but a FAB pair like these? It was so hard. Plus, they are comfortable! Sigh...should I???

:)

Its nice to be back in the city again. Thanks babe, see you soon.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2009. It's a New Year and I've been inspired by several blogs to recall the year that has past. Like all years that have gone by, there were highlights and lowlights.

Great times, good times & not-so-ok times.

It's been filled with lots of travel thanks to obliging family & a globetrotting significant other.

There have been hot, hot summers and very cold, snowy winters.

I've also had 3 glorious months of enjoying the company of my better half being in the same city.

There were sleepless nights, restless nights and long summer nights.

There was road trips, weekend getaways and spring breaks.

I've graduated from my post-graduate program with far better grades than I'd ever received in undergrad and understood that the power of passion makes doing what you love so much easier.

I've also learnt the importance of love, family and spending quality time.

That good friends are hard to find and I appreciate all the wonderful ones I've made in my new home of New York.

I've toasted the town, stumbled into bed and woken up next to the man who hasn't tired of me after 2 years and loves me for who I am.

I am grateful for 2008 and I look forward to a better, brighter 2009.

Happy New Year Everyone! I wish you all Love, Life & Laughter (as quoted by my dear cousin's tri-colored ring)

In lieu of Jamaica

To explain the long absence, its been a crazy several weeks and J had planned a trip to Negril, Jamaica during the dull, cold month of November. But as luck would have it, what started as Tropical Storm Paloma became a Category 4 Hurricane which swept the Caribbean nixing our much anticipated Jamaican getaway. In the most heroic nature, J rearranged the plans, was on the phone with Expedia all night and sent us packing to Cancun, Mexico - booked & ready to go in literally less than 10 hours before our departing AA flight. My boyfriend is amazing.

We arrive in Cancun with rain, but it would be the only day the rain came down and the rest of our mini vacation was spent soaking as much sun as we could before heading back to the Northeastern cold. Highlights of the trip included:

Chichen Itza - Yucatan, Mexico

A very well-read tour guide educated us on the Mayan history and explained the different ruins, including the largest ball court in the Americas, an observatory tower which many modern-day towers are modelled after, a sacrificial sinkhole and of course, the magnificent Chichen Itza temple itself, which has been named as one of the new seven wonders of the world!

Of course, lotsa sun, sand & sea!

Jordan jumping into a fresh water cenote! I didn't have the guts to jump from such a height, so I merely splashed into the cool water from a safe distance :D

At this point, we went snorkelling & no digi cams were allowed. Underwater pics to follow, IF they turn out ok.

Just me, my boy, my Nikon & my wayfarers.

Our all inclusive resort, with attached infinity pool & as many pina coladas and guacamole you can eat satiated us plenty & we surely rolled out 5lbs heavier. Although for future references, I'd prefer a much more secluded location with more beach and less people. Mayan Riveria? Cabos San Lucas? Note to self for next time :)

It was a wonderful, much-needed vacation. It wouldn't have been pulled off if not for J's awesome planning. Thanks for a wonderful trip babe, I can't wait for our next one! And yes, one day we'll make it back to Jamaica!

JUMP!!!

Acadia National Park - Summit Mountain

These shots alone paid off the Manfrotto tripod :D Good call babe.

he's here!

NYC Weekend Highlights: Jordan bussed down for a visit - we spent the glorious weekend eating, sleeping, walking, sweating in the subway and checking out Times Square, 5th Ave & The new Apple Store.

We're the luckiest girls ever!

Backstage at Fashion Week in the coveted Bryant Park tents!
Our professor arranged a trip to Fashion Week to get a tour of the tents, no promises were made about catching a show because admittance is invitation only. However, the IMG PR & Operations guy who was giving us our tour managed to get us in for the Chaiken show and we even got to fill the seats of the no-shows! I sat on the 3rd row and caught all the action! It was sooo exciting and I truly felt so previledged and blessed. Not to mention, the instant cool-factor when you step out of the tents into Bryant Park where hopefuls gather to see if they can catch a way in or a sneak peek at famous so-and-sos coming out along with the papparazzi tailing behind.

After the show, we hung around to snap our own photos to capture the moment and then managed to slip backstage with the help of a photographer who was trying to pick all 5 of us up at the same time. Nevertheless, we followed the models out of the tent into the park and parted ways. I went home to get on my hands & knees to clean up my apartment to make way for my boyfriend's arrival. How glamourous.

jackpot!!!

Good God - I am truly blessed.

Yesterday I managed to get into the 3pm Fashion Industry Makreting class AND score a chance to go to NY's most coveted Fashion Week. My prof is taking our class to the tents at Bryant Park today - although I'm not sure what show we're seeing exactly - Nevertheless, its an awesome opportunity and I'm stressing as to what to wear as I type this! Whoppeeee!!!

Photos to come soon and Jordan's coming to NYC today! *YAY*