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It has been just over a month since we moved into our new apartment - and it's feeling more like home with each passing day.  In our desire to embrace island life, we chose a place with a lovely balcony, one where we can enjoy the lovely view, streaming sunlight and constant breeze all the time. We also have a great deal more square footage than in our former NYC pad - finally we have a dining area, a proper room for guests, and space for flora and fauna! So off we went to the famous Thomson Road strip of nurseries to create a tropical paradise in our own home.

While I was told to shop along the vast row for selection and price, the Saturday we visited was one scorcher of a day. Walking around in fear of sunstroke just to land a potential bargain didn't seem wise. Therefore I'm glad that Hawaii Landscape was our first stop. You only have to see the photos to understand why my search ended there:

DVF at LACMA

We had Martin Luther King day off work so S and I flew out to Los Angeles for the long weekend. 

While I've been to LAX numerous times on SYD-JFK flights, it was my first visit to the palm-tree-and-sunshine-filled City of Angels. We saw plenty in three days and I have lots of photos to share. Throwing chronology out the window, I would like to begin with the most colourful portion of our trip - our visit to the Diane von Furstenberg "Journey of a Dress" exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

Pink walls greet you as you enter the gallery, with vintage DVF print ads, movie stills and pictures of herself and other luminaries in various iterations of the dress:

Cybil Shepherd in Taxi Driver 

Coalface Outfits

Taking photographs for this blog is no easy feat. So my attempts at dressing up appropriately for work is not often documented apart from a few pictures here and there on Instagram. I thought it would benefit me, and hopefully entertain you if I re-posted here what I have been wearing to the office of late: 

Reina

It's the last week of March and I can not wait for it to be over. Regardless of the endless amount of joy this month has brought me: eating out plenty with kindred spirits, overseas friends visiting and sending out our save-the-cards amongst others;  a new project at work is well and truly kicking my arse and tipping my work-life balance in the wrong direction. 

I intend to show you guys the save-the-dates but a fair few are still in transit. Until then, here's a recap of my weekend. 

My lovely friend, C flew in from Sydney late last week. Intending to provide her with a quintessential New York experience, I scored last minute reservations to Babbo. Nothing makes me happier than carbs, wine and great company at the end of a tough work week and Babbo really hit the spot. If you ever visit, try the black spaghetti - I could eat that dish every week. 

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When antipodean guests are in town, my M.O. is to take them to places serving dishes not that easy to come by in the motherland. So, Saturday dinner saw us at Hecho en Dumbo since Aussies need to know there is more to Mexican than oversized burritos. (There is some irony in whether NYC Mexican is really any good but until I make a trip out West, HeD is my go-to). We then crossed Bowery to a new bar, Wise Men, a place so tiny everyone was standing on top of each other blergh. Wanting to salvage the night, we popped into Madam Geneva for solid gin cocktails and even solid old school R&B. With so much Mary J and 112, I am thrilled to have finally found my go-to dance spot. 

C came with only one restaurant on her to-eat list: Red Rooster Harlem. We had grand plans to wait it out for the gospel brunch early on Sunday, but we lucked out with another last-minute table for dinner. Reservation trumped gospel this time since a lie-in was much needed from the night before (#gettingold).

I love this place - the food is top-notch and there is always something taking place in the dining room every night of the week. Regardless, we had quite the chuckle walking in since this is the Aussie version of Red Rooster:

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Anyway, here is Friday's date night outfit: 

Made out of the same fabric as her iconic wraps, this dress is a fun weekend alternative. But as much as I would like to say it's forgiving, it didn't quite the flatter the food baby I fostered after all that pasta on Friday.

DVF Reina dress in Gingko Small (similar here - buy it next week during F&F; here and here), Forever 21 necklace, Prada booties, tired eyes courtesy of work

Before I go, the winner of the giveaway last week is Sarah! The top is on the way! 

Dirt Candy, Wayland and DVF

The only thing as good as a long weekend is the short week that follows. My problem was there were five days worth of work to be done in only four. As expected, the weekend couldn't have come any sooner.

Friday's date night took S and I to the East Village for a return visit to Dirt Candy. We first visited this place shortly after moving to NYC a few years back - and it promptly became foremost in our growing list of favourite restaurants in the city. 

The restaurant does such amazing and clever things with vegetables and deserves all the accolades it's received (including 2 NYT stars). On previous visits, there is usually a standout favourite amongst the dishes we order. Friday's meal of the onion!, beans! (pictured) and corn! though were each so delicious, we made return reservations even before our plates were cleared. 

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We had plans to have an early night but wine and dinner put us in high spirits (ha!), so we walked East through Tompkins Square Park to check out the cocktails at The Wayland. So unassuming from the outside, it has all the elements of a casual bar but with a seriously impressive cocktail menu.  

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I first ordered the Smoked and Roasted, which I now propose to rename "crack", because I didn't put the glass down once it hit my lips (plus I am a sucker for salt-rimmed drinks). Then I rounded out date night with the Evergreen, which is a great evening-starter if I should see one. 

I would be at The Wayland every night if it wasn't located all the way in the boondocks of Avenue C. Good thing perhaps?

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Anyway I wore this DVF dress out on Friday. Except that since I didn't take any photos that evening and I love the print of this dress so much, I give you a photo taken during our Barcelona trip in January 2013:

DVF September 2011 "Wrap of the Month", unwanted accessory: jet lag eye bags

Hope you are having a lovely weekend! 

Green and Gold

I purchased this DVF dress heavily on sale at Bloomies on the way back from hot yoga and immediately wore it out to lunch at Tamarind this afternoon. The Olympics are very much on my mind, which is probably why I unconsciously dressed up in (lime) green and gold. 

DVF dress, Marni sunglasses and sandals, Vintage Chanel

Gold glitter belt (sim), Cartier and Hermes bangles, Michael Kors watch

Speaking of the Olympics, I am appalled by the selective NBC coverage on TV. Holding back on airing popular events live just to show them later at prime time is lame and frankly insulting. 


I am just glad we managed to finish the really nice meal at Tamarind in time to catch the 4x100 men's swim finals on our home laptop. What a exciting finish - kudos to the French team! 

Birthday In Bloom

So I turned 30 on Sunday and I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST! 

A birthday that falls on a weekend is one of life's little luxuries. Celebrations commenced as soon as I left work on Friday, culminating with a afternoon shindig on Sunday at our cosy apartment with our nearest and dearest. 

My birthday eve was thus spent scrubbing and cleaning the apartment down. Unlike the average New-Yorker, we do not employ cleaners since personally nothing feels as clean as if it's been done yourself. We were so consumed with chores that it was early evening before we realised that we hadn't eaten - so off we went to Maialino for pasta; as well as photographs outside Gramercy Park (the one I have a love-hate relationship with).

I love that you can see my patient photographer here!

Darling S spoils me every birthday and I had no clue as to what he'd come up with for the big 30. Being the impatient filly that I am, I couldn't wait till midnight EST and instead received my fancy-pansy present from him as soon as the clocks in Sydney struck midnight (which was 10am EST Saturday!).   

Colour me speechless when I saw the beautiful red box beneath the wrapping ...

Cartier Love bangle, J Crew diamante bracelets, right-wrist cuff from Paddington Markets, Sydney

If you followed me on Instragram, you'd also know that he surprised me with dinner at Daniel. We haven't been back since a phenomenal experience on our anniversary last year and it was even better the second time around. We were still enjoying dessert when it was finally midnight in New York. Perhaps it was the sugar high, or better yet a lovely buzz from the White Cosmos, but ushering in my birthday that moment made me feel like I was truly on top of the world.

The lavishness of this year's birthday didn't end there. I have a long-standing tradition of buying myself a gift (truth be told it's just another excuse to shop). I have been excited for this birthday since Jan 1, so I figured I should start saving then for something truly memorable. A Chanel flap was the obvious choice - and since I preferred the rare combination of navy blue and gold hardware, I was fortunate to find one on consignment for way less than retail AND in immaculate condition.

DVF Karin dress (similar on sale), Anthropologie belt, Prada sunnies, Anthropologie shoes

The weekend was decadent beyond words. Beyond the seemingly materialistic nature of this birthday, I was showered with an insane amount of love and wishes by friends and family all over the world. I can not be more thrilled to reach this milestone and I am even more excited of what is to be.

Lately

Hello there! Welcome to the revamped space-o-mine. Apart from some minor tweaking, I am in love with how fresh the blog looks!

Anyhoo, here are some things I have been up to lately.

#1. Shopping

What's new, right? The thing is, I have been attempting to exercise some restraint on the purchasing front since I am saving up for a HEFTY purchase for my big birthday in June. I did however check out the new ZARA flagship on 5th avenue. One word - HUMUNGOUS! I ended spending a solid 2.5 hours there on St Patrick's Day evening while the rest of the city was getting their drink on. 

Pastel was all over the store and I came out with a couple of pretties. Alas, the denim, although quite on-trend, had shockingly sub par seams - so those went straight back.

I also bought twinsie outfits from DVF for GapKids for my 6-year-old niece and me. Unlike the other truly made-for-kids pieces, the tanks I picked out for us actually look cute on the little AND the not-so-little alike! 

#2 - Eating. LOTS. These are some of the highlights:

While dearest S was out of town last weekend, I enjoyed a solo brunch at The Dutch:

Eggs and grits (via)

My oldest friend in New York and I ate half the menu at Fatty Cue:

1/2 pound deep friend bacon (via)

A wonderful dinner date with dear girlfriends at Locanda Verde: 

Maple Budino (via)

#3 - Dancing. 

With all the dining and imbibing I do, something's got to give. Regular yoga and circuit training aside, nothing brings me as much joy as my Tuesday Indian classical dance classes.  

I have so much love for Bharatanatyam - a traditional art form I have been at since I was 5 - from the rhythmic striking of the bell-clad feet, the seemingly complex patterns formed by the arms and legs, right up to the conveyance of so much meaning through intricate facial expressions. 

 

Performing is an integral part of Barathanatyam and  I am positively chuffed to be gracing the stage for the first time in New York this weekend. If you are in the area this Sunday, the 25th, do come by Dag Hammarskjald Park. We are scheduled to perform at 12.15pm 1.25pm!

I am back in DVF!

WHY HELLO THERE!!

Much has happened since I have been away - I clocked up nearly 70 hours of flying last month visiting Australia and Turkey. In between the resulting jet lag, work has been extraordinarily busy and I had more visitors to entertain as they passed through the city. Excuses aside, I am glad to be back and I look forward to regaling you with tales from my time away in posts to come.

Now to the issue at hand - how wonderful New York is this time of year! The weather is milder than usual, Christmas is in the air, and most importantly, it's sample sale season! 

Although the Diane Von Furstenberg sample sale officially started yesterday, it was a not-so-secret secret that the venue would be open to the public the afternoon before (i.e. as soon as the press were done with their sneak peak). I rocked up to the sale shortly after 6pm on Monday and was in after a short wait. 


The selection was absolutely brilliant and the lack of crowds verged on luxurious. See here for photos of the racks, and also here for a hilarious video taken on the day 1 of the sale. 


I felt like I was swimming in a pool of wrap dresses so imagine the restraint I exercised by only leaving with one - which I promptly wore to work the very next day. 

New Julian LS Dress In Diamond Haze Large

  

Ferragamo Carla Pumps in Textured Brown

Fun combo of mint greenish-grey with fuchsia 

Prices are reportedly slashed towards the final days of the sale though choices may be thin. If you are queue-averse like me, you can pick up this dress right here.