food | happy thanksgiving!

b r u s s e l  s p r o u t s

s t r i n g  b e a n  c a s s e r o l e

c o r n

h a s s l e  p o t a t o e s

t u r k e y

t u r k e y ✕ p l a t a n o s ✕ y u c a  f r i e s

s p a n i s h  s p a g h e t t i

m y  p l a t e

d e s s e r t  s h o o t e r s

p i l l s b u r y  c o o k i e s

c h i n e s e  d e s s e r t s

I hope all of you are super stuffed from your Thanksgiving dinners, I sure am!  The one day where it's okay to stuff your face.  There was way too much food tonight, but everything was so good.  My family has some Dominican background so that's why we have platanos, yuca, and spanish-style spaghetti (which is one of my fave dishes ever).  My mom preordered the turkey from Popeyes, yeah I didn't know they sold turkeys either, but once a year on Thanksgiving they do.  My grandpa and my great-uncle are both chefs, so they cooked most of the food.  We had our turkey "peking duck" style, so we had the white bread, put a slice of turkey in it, put some cucumber, and then hoisin sauce.  The turkey was too dry for my liking, I don't think we're ever gonna have turkey for Thanksgiving again.  For dessert we had shooters from a nearby bakery called Teaspoon, pillsbury holiday cookies, and some fried chinese desserts -- some filled with peanuts, some filled with vegetables, and yeah I don't really know what else but anything fried is always good. 

Super stuffed right now, but I'll probably be hungry in two hours.

Thankful for my family, friends, and everything positive in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

coco made me do it

I've been wanting these for about two years now, and I can't believe it either.  I can finally call these babies mine!  So it turns out I got the platform ones, but they're still beautiful and I'm still obsessed (and they give me an extra inch that I need) This was the last size 5, and the next size was a 10.  They're so perfect, but I'm sad I can't wear them until it gets warmer.  I've been wearing them around my house since we got home.  Obsessed.

welcome to the jungle

Photo credits: Kyle Braganza

So this was actually yesterday, oops.

The day started off with two artistically challenged people attending an art class, thank you groupon for deals.  After painting, we had a few hours to kill so we decided to go look for hipster walls to take pictures in front of.  We walked on Mulberry St. and we saw Audrey Hepburn, but there was a table in front of it so not ideal.  As we were strolling, we came across an old vintage-looking bench in front of a cute little restaurant.  Gave my phone to my photographer for the day, and he loves candids so he always snaps when I'm not ready. (except the picture above, that was totally posed, i laughed naturally like that but he missed the shot so he said "do that again!") Then on Kenmare St they finally painted over the "What Lifts You" mural, which is legit all over instagram #basic, and painted a "Welcome to the Jungle" with an elephant. (more candids)  We went to eat some steak after at Striphouse, and it was goooood. I love steak.  Thanks for dinner, my suga daddy :)

The night ended with our fail surprise party for kyle, he knew the whole day.  I tried. But he had fun, and barely remembers the night so that's all that matters!

Top: H&M ✕ Jacket: Forever 21 ✕ Tights: Urban Outfitters ✕ Shoes: Forever 21 ✕ Bag: Ebay

off the grid

Photo credits: Evelyn Lesmy Ng

This is my first ever #ootd post and I wish I could post them daily but unfortunately I don't have a photographer everyday, womp.

Today was definitely the coldest day of the season so far, and it's just getting colder and colder.  I am not ready for it.  Please bring summer back for this summer baby.  Colder weather calls for darker colors, haha who am I kidding, this is my color palette all year round.  I've just recently bought this shirt, and I absolutely love it.  I love the whole grid trend going on, gonna buy me some grid-patterned American Apparel clothing soon (yay for store credit, makes me feel a little less guilty.)

Top: Forever 21 ✕ Jacket: H&M ✕ Pants: American Apparel ✕ Shoes: Kenneth Cole ✕ Bag: Prada

fashion | alexander wang x h&m

As you all should know by now, H&M's annual designer collaboration was with Alexander Wang this year.  I knew I had to get my hands on some pieces of this collection because I mean.. Wang.  Clothing and accessories at a cheaper price while still having his name, count me in.  

I wasn't THAT crazy where I'd go line up at stores though.. ain't no one got time for that.  I have classes on Thursdays anyways so that wouldn't have happened either way.  Thank God H&M finally has online shopping, so I got to experience the chaos of trying to cop the collection online along with 92873958 other people.  It took me an hour to buy four items through the website.  A whole hour because the server was crashed due to the high volumes of people, and I swear I clicked the "try again" button at least 300 times that morning.  But I had to do what I had to do.

I love the minimalism of Alexander Wang's work.  Black, white, and gray.  All the pieces have a relaxed feel and are super comfortable.  The material for the crop tops and tank top feel 'expensive' while still being comfy.

My mom went to the H&M in Times Square and was able to get a black "This is an Alexander Wang tank top."  While she waited on line, a sales associate asked if she wanted water.  She tried to be funny and texted me saying "I'll charge you $20 for this water bottle." 

Overall, I'm glad this collaboration happened because if it weren't for these affordable prices I don't think any Alexander Wang pieces would be hanging in my closet as of now.  But H&M made that happen for me.  Wonder who the next collab's going to be with!