Lady Liberty

Liberty House, Jersey City, NJ

This post is a bit late, but last month I had an amazing dinner with Wil, and my sister and brother-in-law (Christine and Eddie) for Valentine's Day. As much as I love dressing up, I usually prefer hole in the wall restaurants to high end, trendy places. I love eating from street vendors, mom and pop eateries, and true home cooked food. But of course in honor of Saint Valentine and in honor of a day of free babysitting (courtesy of my parents) we wanted to do it up.

Wil and Eddie planned a romantic dinner at Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. This venue is famous for its beautiful views of the NYC skyline since its right along the Hudson River. But what makes it a diamond in the ruff is its impeccable view of the Statue of Liberty. Romantic views, great food, wonderful company, an amazing husband,all made for a night to remember.

Wil, Christine, Eddie and I enjoying our 3 course dinner. (at first glance this picture looks like a split screen duplicate)I enjoyed a delectable fish entree (sorry for flash)

How adorable are these heart shaped desserts - a perfect ending to a perfect dinner.

Far Away From Home

Gabriel Viggo 9 months

The month of February was filled with a lot of traveling for our little family. The month began with a road trip to Tampa, FL. The middle of the month we found ourselves on a plane New Jersey-bound for a trip that was meant to last 1 week but ended up as three weeks. And to end February, we flew to snowy Minnesota to celebrate Wil's birthday with friends and family. Its been fun, but i'm kind of looking forward to time off here in quiet Atlanta. We'll be flying overseas within a few weeks so i really want Gabe to be able to enjoy his own crib for a little bit.

While we were in NJ, I was able to do a lot - see a lot of friends, catch up with people i haven't seen in awhile, spend time with family. We were also able to attend one of my good friend, Archieline's son, Connor's baptism. Its always so nice to catch up with everyone. Here Wil, Gabe and I are getting ready to party for Baby Connor. As you can tell from Gabe's smile, he's excited to party and meet his buddy.

Pieces of New York

Last time I came home to NJ, i reserved a lot of my time for family. Mainly because both of my sisters were here and we're never ALL together at the same time. This trip, I made it a point to catch up with a lot friends i haven't seen in awhile. This week, I spent a whole day in NYC and caught up with friends and colleagues of my past. It was a great day to say the least. Amidst a long, snow-filled winter, my day in the city was sunny, bright and 65 degrees. Who could ask for anything more? I roamed the city streets at my own pace, walking in and out of shops along 8th Ave. I sat down at a corner Starbucks and drank my tall caramel macchiato while sitting along the window facing ledge - people watching.

I had a great lunch catching up with my girlfriend who i haven't seen in literally 4 years. we wandered through the brick walled building of Chelsea Market. Imagine stalls of various foods, fresh cut flowers for sale, stores selling cute knick knacks, organic stores selling home made jams and honey.

My next stop was Billy's an adorable, small bakery with CUPCAKES!!

After sharing a cupcake and taking a little coffee break with one of my fab friends we started our trek to soho.

Along our walk we couldn't help but stare at the Catherine Malandrino window. We couldn't resist the temptation and we walked inside. Beautiful clothing, beautiful designs, hefty pricetag....

We stopped my the Marc Jacobs store - loved all their accessories, their bags, jewelry, rainboots. Right across the way was BookMarc - their bookstore. This was my heaven. As much as I love accessories, i don't know why, but nothing is as beautiful as a large, colorful, coffee table book. This store had everything from The Louis Vuitton book, the YSL book, everything for all the major designers. I want!! My only problem now is, since Gabe can reach on top of the coffee table, he has access to all my books, so i'm going to have to temporarily put them away. So for now, no new books for me :(

I loved visting Tommy, Zara, Forever21, Intermix, Apple, as well as small indie boutiques. After basking in the sun, walking, and shopping in the west village and soho, i ended my day eating falafels and baklava in the park benches of Washington Square Park, by NYU.

I love my friends, I love my life. Life is good.

Rice to Riches

One of my most favorite dessert places in NYC - Rice to Riches. Its been so long since I've had rice pudding so I was craving these delicious bowls of goodness. Everyday there are about 20 different flavors of rice pudding. You can mix and match, add toppings, and customize as you please. Tiramisu is always a staple for me. My new flavor of the day was cheesecake rice pudding...it tasted as good as it sounds. The store is cute with its retro colored decor. Witty signs adorned the walls and ceilings helping ease the guilt you feel for eating all those carbs.
The minute i put that spoonful in my mouth - i was happy. Guilt did not even cross my mind :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Greetings from NYC! Have a beautiful Valentine's day!! Looking forward to spending the day with my wonderful husband and with my sister and brother in law. I know my parents are enjoying theirs seeing baby Gabe's smile in person. It feels great to be home.

Serendipity

Serendipity - by definition from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries.
3. An instance of making such a discovery.

Life is all about making discoveries. Going down different paths of life opens doors for different opportunities. I completely believe that everything happens for a reason. Circumstances and situations push us to go down certain paths and towards a certain destiny. Its up to you to find happiness in that destiny. Don't take anything for granted. Appreciate life and where its brought you.

I'm so fortunate to be where I am today. Of course, I have a supporting family with a beautiful baby boy. I have so many friends in different states that I never thought I would meet had i not moved around a bit. It always bring me joy to see my different groups of friends together.

One of my fondest memories was from March 2009. My closest girlfriends from Minneapolis came to visit NYC so I could show them around for a few days. Not only did I play tourist with them, but my closest friends from NJ came too! It was such a blast. The weather, although gloomy, was surprisingly warm and we had so much fun wandering the streets of midtown, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city. There's an energy within those streets that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. I remember passing through Rockerfeller Center, Radio City, St. Patricks Cathedral, Tiffany's on 5th, Magnolia's Cupcakes, Central Park...so many great landmarks all shared with many great friends.

As much as I had fun, i didn't truly appreciate it until we were all sitting in the famous Serendipity cafe. There they all were, friends from different states, in my favorite city in the world, all laughing, bonding, having fun all while sharing their famous "Frozen Hot Chocolate." I literally took a step back to soak it in. I was lucky, I am lucky.

Well, although i'm faraway in Atlanta, yesterday, i was able to recreate a piece of that in my mind. I took my first spoonful of Starbucks "Signature frozen hot chocolate." It was divine to say the least. I'm happy :)

Snow in the City

"Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow." Its absolutely gorgeous here in NJ/NY. We had a huge snow storm last night -just one day shy of making it a White Christmas but thats ok - if it came earlier our guests and family wouldn't have been able to celebrate the holidays with us so I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

Now my whole family is home, including baby Gabe, we're all in our pajamas relaxing, watching movies, baking, eating, laughing.....everything that reminds me of home.

If i were to guess we had about 10 inches last night and everything in sight is pristine white. Love it. I've already seen snow in MN - they had 20 inches afterall, but nothing beats the first snowfall of the year. Its when everybody still appreciates the snow. After this though, when it prevents people from going to work, when kids stay home from school, and when the roads are slippery, people are going to start coursing this weather. So for now, I'm enjoying it with everyone.

Stay warm everybody

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)

Shopping in NYC

Oh my gosh - I did so much shopping its not even funny. I miss NY. I miss people watching and seeing how NY'ians master the effortless chic look. I miss shopping in unique eccelectic boutiques and street vendors.

I found a fab statement ring - i think it channels Olivia P - what do you think?

ps - my nailpolish color is Essie's new color - Merino Cool
I found these great - casual bangles with clover charms on them. I think it tones down my jeweled bracelet from JCrew and it looks stylish layered with my Michael Kors watch

Leaving Home

Again, sorry for the lack of posts, I've been here in NJ for the past 3 weeks. It was meant to be a week and a half trip home but it ended up getting extended to 3weeks!! Wil even had to assure his coworker that we weren't having marital problems :) It was just nice being here - around family and friends. It was a nice change from the quiet, lonely, pace of Atlanta. I miss3 being in my own bed, but i know i'll miss being around the people i love more.

A lot has happened these past 3 weeks that i'd love to share. i'll have more time to myself once i'm back home. But in the meantime, here is a beautiful pic of NJ from the NYC side. I've always loved staring back at the other side from across the Hudson. Not only is it picturesque but it brings back great memories of when Wil and I were just dating. Since we were in a long distance relationship, our time together was so limited so we made the most of our weekends. We would go for dates in NYC and watch the sunset from Battery Park - this is the view we'd always stare back at.

Its such a bittersweet feeling leaving tomorrow. I know everyone here got used to having Gabe around and its going to be such an adjustment for them not to see his smile or hear his giggles for awhile. Luckily, we'll be coming back for the holidays. But in the meantime, Ciao NJ. We'll be back real soon.

A Fab Friend

Each of us have different friends for different aspects of our life. Some are there for work issues. Some are there to listen to you cry. Some are there help you fight battles against the world. Some are there to tell you how fab you look in your new dress. Some are there to tell you how you really look in your new dress. A friend who is all of these to you are few and far between in life. But I am lucky enough to have one of those. I call her the Carrie Bradshaw of my life - she's my fashion mongul and she's the one who keeps me sane and grounded - Alba Nela. She has impeccable taste and knows how to make anything work in her wardrobe.

She and I met while working together at Tommy Hilfiger a few years back. She's just beginning to follow her own dreams of becoming a fashion advisor/stylist to all who want to look just as classy and fabulous as her.

Follow her blog - www.albanela.blogspot.com

Alba also has a featured spot on my website, www.designsbykcayetano.com called, What Would Alba do, where she takes pieces from my jewelry line and shows how she would style them with her existing wardrobe.

She's having a launch party next weekend in NYC that I'm fortunate to be a part of. It's a clothing swap that Alba will be helping girls style in new ways with my jewelry. So can't wait!!!! Plus, i'm so homesick - i miss my family in NJ and i miss the hustle and bustle of the city!! Big Apple - here I come!

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)