Date Night

2 week countdown until Valentine's Day!! Woo-hoo!!

I'm really looking forward to vday this year. Last year, Wil and I had a lot going on so we pretty much overlooked it - a sin - i know. Valentine's day is a pretty important holiday in my book. A lot of people think its so commercialized and its just a day for people to spend money on chocolates and flowers. But I disagree, how wonderful is it to have a day dedicated to being romantic, getting surprised, sending candy grams in school...Yes, people should be romantic all the time, but its still nice to have a day dedicated to PDA.

I love Valentine's day so much that i usually skip sending christmas cards and send valentine's greetings instead. Why be one of hundreds of christmas cards that get thrown out when you can be the one valentine's card that goes on the fridge?

This year, Wil and I are heading back to New Jersey. Not only am i excited to be home, but my mom and dad said they didn't mind watching Gabriel while Wil and I go on a date. I can't wait. Its so rare that Wil and I get to go out on our own. I'm really really looking forward to it.

I can't wait to dress up!! Have you planned your Valentine's day outfit? I have no clue yet what i'm wearing but here's sophisticated but fun outfit i created.

valentine's day by kleano featuring chains jewelry

ドレス
79,800 JPY - mirabella.jp
Stella mccartney dresses »

fancy fur coat
$140 - usa.frenchconnection.com
Fancy coats »

"I Love You" Hearts in Shop All at Dylan's Candy Bar
$22 - dylanscandybar.com
Dylan's Candy Bar »

Women's Christian Louboutin Patent Pointed-Toe Pump
$695 - neimanmarcus.com
Patent shoes »

Y-Mail Metallic Leather Clutch in Silver or Gold
$445 - ysl.com
Silver handbags »

ABS Pave Goldtone Chain Link Bracelet - Max and Chloe
$125 - maxandchloe.com
Chains jewelry »

David Yurman Albion Rose Quartz Earrings
bagborroworsteal.com
Rose quartz jewelry »

Ted Baker Sammy Pearls Long Single Strand Necklace
$29 - asos.com
Strand necklace »

3-D Hearts Set of 4 - Red : Target
$20 - target.com

Secrets of Cartier - History of Cartier - Bazaar.com
harpersbazaar.com
Cartier bracelets »

Cartier Bracelet
cartier.com
Cartier bracelets »

This little piggie

Gabe's my little piggie. As most of you know, Gabe has an extensive pig collection (courtesy of his dad's love for all things round and pink.) So, it was only right that Gabe have a piggie hat for the cold weather. here we are with my sister visiting Athen, GA this past week. Its a great college town where the University of Georgia is located. It has cute boutiques and pubs in its downtown area. Gail's boyfriend Jim went to Supply training there for the Navy years ago so we decided to visit it for the day. It was a nice day trip for us. Gabe had a great time showing off his hat :)

I'm wearing an H&M turtleneck sweater with my David Yurman ring. Gabe's wearing a graphic tee with a Carter's l/s onesie. I ordered his hat from etsy.com. Gail is wearing an American apparel top with a United Colors of Benneton scarf.

Stripes

I'm all about stripes. I think my whole wardrobe i packed for my NJ/NY trip consisted of stripes - even Gabe's wardrobe and blankets had a lot of stripes - lol.

Here, Gabe and I are, at Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ with my close family and friends. It's one of my absolute favorite places to go. Its a large asian grocery store with various japanese food stores/stands next to it. You can get sushi, Udon, teriyaki, fried icecream. My new food for the day was black sesame icecream. Don't knock it til you try it. It was amazing. I'm wearing a cotton top from H&M. Gabe's in a Giants onesie - of course he couldn't get away with without wearing it - he's in Giant's/Yankees teritory.

Here I am with baby Gabe at Burger Palace - great burger joint in Bergen NJ. I'm wearing a wool jacket from Tommy Hilfiger, grey pashmina, David Yurman cable bracelet. Gabe's wearing a l/s onesie and jeans from Old Navy

Here I am at Pinkberry (big smile) with my great friend, Cheryl, and my baby sister, Christine. I'm wearing a dolman striped sweater from H&M.

Here Wil and I are sitting like an old married couple. It was a beautiful fall day for pumpkin picking with our friends in NJ. The trees there were gorgeous - nothing beats fall in the northeastern part of the country. Wil's in a button down shirt and shorts from Banana republic. I'm wearing Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies, Club Monaco jacket, striped shirt from H&M, oragen pashmina, Michael Kors watch.

Chinatown

On of my absolute favorite stops in NYC is Chinatown. I don't know. I love how crowded it is there. I love the colorful stands and street vendors. I love getting a good bargain. I love the awesome food. I feel like i'm in another country when i'm there. I almost feel like i'm back in Singapore again - probably because I haven't been to China yet. lol.

It was fun walking around holding Wil's hand. I think its because we don't get to go out often without the baby. My parents watched Gabe that day so we were able to do the couple thing :) We walked around, did some shopping, got some bubble tea, ate at a hole in the wall restaurant and ate Hot Taho while sitting in a mini park in Chinatown - my kind of date :)

(i'm wearing jcrew shirt, target leggings, louis vuitton tote, michael kors gold watch, jcrew rhinestone bracelet, david yurman pearl earrings, Zara belt, ray ban sunglasses)

Celebrating Gabriel

On September 19, 2010 Gabe received the Sacrament of Baptism at St. Thomas More Church here in Atlanta, GA. Wil and I were so happy to have him baptized at that church. Its such an inviting community with great pastors and we couldn't be happier. 30 of our close friends flew into town to celebrate with us. Friends and family came in from New Jersey/New York/Minneapolis to be with us. It was a blast! Its always fun when my NJ friends mesh with my MN friends. Plus it was fun for everyone to finally meet our baby boy.

Just like we did it in Aruba, we tried to make it a weekend long celebration.

On Saturday, Sept 18 - we had a welcome dinner at our favorite local Italian restaurant - Anthony's.

On Sunday, Sept 19 - we had th Baptism and a beautiful outdoor reception at Park Tavern near Piedmont Park here in Atlanta.

On Monday, Sept 20 - we had a goodbye brunch here at our home before everyone took off for home

Here are some bits and pieces from Gabe's big celebration. A lot of TLC went into this party with a lot of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) party ideas.

(Gabriel in a vintage christening gown from his godfather - RG. RG wore this at his own christening 30 years ago)

(Gabe getting baptized by Father Brian at St. Thomas More Church in Avondale Estates. Godparents Gail and RG were there to witness it)

(All of our family and friends who flew in for the occasion sqeezed into a big family shot)

(The celebrant at his baptism reception after a long nap. Gabe is wearing a Gap button down shirt with Burberry shorts)

(Our table setting in the outdoor patio at Park Tavern in Atlanta, GA)

(Beautiful DIY centerpieces, Blue and white ceramic vases from Home Goods, fresh blue hydrangeas from Dekalb Farmers Market)(White cutout vases from Home Gooods)(Our lil family :) I'm wearing an H&M dress, Fioni shoes, and a David Yurman cocktail ring. Wil's wearing a DKNY pinstripe suit with a Burberry tie, Kenneth Cole shoes. Gabe is wearing a Gap button down with Burberry shorts)(DIY cupcake stand that i created with a crystal cross on top. Cupcakes from Atlanta Cupcake Factory - 2 flavors - Red Velvet with Almond frosting and Sugar Cookie Caramel Cupcakes. SOOO good. )(My family pic: Jim -Gail's boyfriend, my middle sister Gail, my dad, my mom holding Gabe, my youngest sister Christine, her husband Eddie, me, and my love Wil)(Favors were handmade rosary bracelets courtesy of Designs by K Cayetano. I loved that i was able to make something meaningful and special for our guests) (The handmade rosary bracelets were blessed and placed in sheer pouches with personalized ribbons as favors for all of our guests at Gabe's baptism)

Our first vacation

We were lucky enough to do a mini weekend getaway to the beach with our cousins and their kids to Hiltonhead, SC. Being an eastcoast girl, i've always heard of Hiltonhead but never really looked into it as a vacation spot. Since it was only 5 hours away from Atlanta we decided to make it our first vacation with Gabe and we were NOT disappointed. It is absolutely beautiful there. The beach was amazing. The water was lukewarm and the waves were very calm (perfect for kids to play in). The town of Hiltonhead is so serene with its lush greenery. Spanish moss hung down from the massive trees. Many people roads their bicycles around town. There were cute shopping areas with antique shops, souvenir shops, icecream shops etc. My favorite find was a store called Black Market Minerals, they had an amazing selection of fabulous beads and stones for a jewelry designer as well as ready to wear jewelry. I couldn't help myself from buying a few pieces. We loved the beach town so much that we're seriously contemplating renting a beach house for his 1st birthday and having our friends and family come down with us. We'll see :)

lush greenery around townShopping my heart out at Black Market MineralsFamily pics during a nice dinner there Grilled chicken with pinapple salsa, rice pilaf and

a side of salad with Greek feta vinagarette. yum!!!


Me and the love of my life :)

my outfit:

top - French Connection ribbon tie top

shorts - H&M boyfriend denim shorts

earrings - david yurman pearl earrings

sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses

More pics to come of our beach time!!