Robert Indiana

After a gruelling Soul Cycle class this morning, S and I headed up to the Upper East Side for a bout of museum-hopping.

First stop, food. 

We had a hearty meal of pasta, eggs and the yummiest stuffed pancakes at The East Pole, picked solely based on photos on Nicole's website. Said pancakes will have us back again for brunch (especially since this place takes reservations). Curiosity about the rest of the menu will have me back for dinner. 

Fueled up, we trudged through yucky grey slush towards the Frick, in the hopes of picking up day-of tickets to view the Dutch collection on display (I wrote about it here). Silly me however forgot that Fabritius' Goldfinch was also part of the exhibit, so the lines to enter stretched around the block. Even the The NY Times was on it, while I most certainly wasn't. 

No line is worth standing in frigid temperatures. As such, we moved on to the Whitney for Robert Indiana's retrospective. While we knew the exhibition was more than of his famous "Love" series, my heart swelled when this large, lit-up installation greeted us at the entrance:

Norvel Dress at Nougatine

In a bid to get as much al fresco dining in before temperatures dip, this week's date night took place at Jean Georges' sister restaurant Nougatine Terrace. The full menu is served in the outdoor area - just sans the white tablecloths you will find in the main restaurant - and with a fabulous view of Columbus Circle and its infamous replica of the World's Fair Unisphere.

The only downside of sitting outside is that there isn't a lot of light when the sun sets. My deteriorating eyesight meant that the flashlight app on my iPhone made an appearance more than once. Though nothing could take away from the best part of dinner though - a "simple" warm chocolate cake with a gooey centre, served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream:

via

I highly recommend Nougatine, especially for brunch. I love taking visitors here since the indoor portion has expansive views of Central Park West via it's ceiling-to-floor windows. Breathtaking to say the least. If that doesn't convince you, reservations are welcome at the restaurant - so elusive an offering when it comes to New York City brunches!

Anyway, here's the what I wore out to dinner:

Hair of the Dog

It was a wonderful Friday night. The kind like the ones had many moons ago. With old friends so kindred, they are considered family. Where you dance the night away, shutting down one club after another. And finally getting home just shy of sunrise. Yup, that kind of night. 

Which meant Saturday morning was just a teensy bit rough - but nothing a bit of grease couldn't take care of. So a few hours sleep later, the party reconvened at Cafe Habana:

Michelada with extra spice

Mexican corn cut to share

Who ordered the freaking salad?

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At least I tried to look more put together than I actually felt:

Brunch at Hundred Acres

Greetings from Kuala Lumpur!

I am back at my parents' place together with the fiance and my future in-laws to organise all things wedding-related for our nuptials later this year.

Wedding saree shopping yesterday was a success and today we continue trousseau accumulation with a visit to the jewelers. I am trying to instagram when I get the chance - mostly it's been all the good food I've been indulging in. since if there's anything Malaysians like to do best is eat - but I am attempting to diversify! 

If you've been following my posts there, you'd know of the mille crepe cake my brother surprised me with at an intimate dinner my parents hosted on the weekend. Which brought the birthday cake count this year to five! While I think that's way more cake that necessary for a 30-something, I am not shy to say that celebrations usually extend LONG past the actual day in my neck of the woods.

This year, it began on on my birthday eve with a lovely Sunday brunch in the enclosed garden room at Hundred Acres. 

Marimekko and Penelope's

Earlier today darling S and I brunched at Penelope's - a lovely, homely little spot we had yet to visit despite the fact it's location being a short walk from the apartment.

Anticipating the long wait we most certainly had to endure, running errands in the flatiron/union square area sounded like a fab plan. Plans change, naturally .. especially when one walks past the new Marimekko store a mere 5 MINUTES after it opens its doors for the very first time.

Marimekko

These are the only two pictures I managed to take of the colourful interiors before being politely asked to put away the (iphone) camera. 

The first items you notice as you walk into this very vibrant and fun store are the beautifully hung clothing. I tried on a few items to satisfy my curiousity on fit and quality. Of the latter, everything appeared very well-made, even if only the fabric is made in Finland with the rest of the garment constructed elsewhere. 


I tried on the Arlene dress in a size 36. It's a very cute dress and is great for work due to the conservative colours and design.

I would size down to a 34 due to the generous cut (a trait consistent with the other pieces I tried on). Notice extra fabric everywhere even after cinching the waist with the belt of the same fabric. 

This paperbag-waisted skirt is fabulous - I can't find it on the website but it's of the same fabric as the Arlene dress above. The exaggerated peplum is unintentionally on-trend and it took a lot of effort not to walk out the store with it.

I have on the skirt in a size 34. Although the waist fit right, I will need to take rest of the skirt in a little so that the bottom layer becomes pencil-skirt like.

How I would like the skirt to actually look like

  

Goodness I love you, won't you say you love me too?

Then I tried on these high-waisted flares for fun.

They look rather normal standing still - well, as normal as black, white and red high-waisted FLARES can look like. I will consider this for my wardrobe as soon as corporate America deems this work-wear appropriate ...

Now to what I actually wore:

Tucker blouse and AG Stevie Cords

Kenneth Cole wedges

Best accessory = freshly painted toenails in fuchsia 

Now please excuse me while I spend my Saturday evening pouring over all things Marimekko.