Philippines

Taking a little break with my little family :) we're heading to Japan and to the Philippines! Looking forward to the mango shakes, laying by the pool, shopping at all the little bazaars, eating all the yummy food, and spending tons of time with my sisters and family. Best of all, I'm looking forward to sharing this with Gabe. i'll try to update during my trip but incase I can't, have a wonderful two weeks!!

These are a few pics I found online, can't wait to share our actual photos with you.

The beautiful Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard,

adorned with colorful capiz lanterns

Serendra - a place of serenity, our condo

The pool at Serendra

Jeepney's - popular mode of transport in the Philippines

My other love

My other love, Wil, is another year older! we celebrated his birthday last week - both in NJ and in MN. in MN, we had an impromptu dinner with our close friends and family and had such a great time catching up and just hanging out like old times.

in NJ, we ate at a famous filipino chain, Max's in Jersey City. The food there was amazing. It was a bittersweet meal since, aside from Wil's birthday, it was also our last family dinner in NJ. After being there for 3 weeks it was so hard to leave my family. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that i'm going to see them in a few weeks for our fam trip to the Philippines! Can't wait!!!

Happy Birthday, my love. I love you so much.

famous filipino dessert - "halo-halo"
our little family
Gabriel Viggo 9 months old
Jersey City, NJ

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.

Late Latte

I'm getting my latte on late this afternoon :) and i'm loving it. I tried the caramel brulee from Starbucks -its a good substitute for my normal caramel macchiato.

Don't you love hot coffee in cold weather?

Leftover turkey

image courtesy of 5magazine.wordpress.com

While I didn't have any turkey this thanksgiving, I know how it is to have tons of turkey leftover from Thanksgiving. In fact, that's probably what i look forward to the most - since i'm not a big fan of baked turkey, i do look forward to the recipes afterwards that we use the turkey with.

So incase you need some fresh ideas here are a few for you. Enjoy!

1) Sopas - this is my absolute favorite filipino soup - but trust me - you don't have to be filipino to enjoy this hearty, flavorful soup. It brings back childhood memories of after we would play in the snow, warm, steaming bowls of sopas would be waiting for us on the kitchen table.

ingredients:

3 servings turkey
1 potato cubed
1 pack (500 gms) elbow macaroni
6 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup milk (I usually use fresh milk, but creamcheese can be used)
chopped green onions (or you can use a regular onion)

- Pour water in a big pan. Add the turkey and potatos and bring to boil. Simmer for at least 10 min. (if you have the bone place this in the broth to make it extra tasty)
- Add the macaroni. Cook for 10 min or until al dente. Season to taste.
- Pour in the milk, and bring to near-boil. Do not let the milk boil because it will curdle at the side of the pan.
- Serve into soup bowls and sprinkle with lots of chopped green onions.
- Serve piping hot!

2) Turkey salad - instead of chicken salad on a sandwich, you can use pieces of turkey. This recipe is for Dijon Turkey salad but feel free to use your favorite chicken salad recipe.





Ingredients:

4 cups chopped leftover turkey
1-1/2 cups chopped celery
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon Mustard
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper





- Mix all of these ingredients together
- on 2 slices of bread place some lettuce and a scoop of the turkey salad.
- Enjoy!





3) The loon omelete - this is courtesy of one of my favorite date places in the Twin Cities - the Keyes Cafe. Wil and I would go there on Sunday mornings after church - right before he would take me to the airport to fly back home to NJ. Those were bittersweet dates but the food was still yummy :)





Ingredients:





3 eggs
bits of leftover turkey
wildrice (so minnesota right?)
mozarella cheese
mushrooms
cream of mushroom





- beat the 3 eggs in a large bowl
- mix in the turkey, rice, cheese, and mushrooms
- place in a large frying pan and cook
- once its done serve on a plate in a trifold and top with the cream of mushroom sauce

So Thankful

Sorry for the lack of posts - Mr. Gabe and I were sick with the flu! What a horrible feeling. I haven't had the flu in a long time - a cold, yes, the flu, no. It wouldn't have been so bad if i just had a simple cold but taking care of a baby when you're feeling naseuous, achy, and tired is not fun - especially a sick baby. There was nothing we could really do but rest it out and drink lots of fluids. Luckily, we're A LOT better. So i learned with adults the flu bug lasts only about 24 hours but with baby's, it can last from 3-5 days. I'm fine now and Mr. Gabe is about 90% better. yey! Wil and I have been waiting for him to feel better for awhile! He had a cold for a few weeks and he just ended his flu bug. I'm hoping these boosted up his immune system. we'll see.

Anyway, we were able to celebrate our first thanksgiving as a family. It was so nice having the 3 of us together to start our own traditions. It was nice and quiet. We had Christmas music on, Wil played with the baby, I wrapped Christmas presents and cooked a nice dinner.

I haven't conquered the turkey yet so i was going to bake some cornish hens for us. I even got Gabe some sweet potato to try as his first baby food :) But since he was still under the weather, I held off. Anyway, Wil's not a big fan of thanksgiving food (neither am I) and so we had a Thai Thanksgiving. I cooked thai basil beef and chicken pad thai. Yum - it was soooo good.

This thanksgiving was also special because Wil and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. I can NOT believe its been 4 years since our wedding in Aruba. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was a vacation for everyone - including us.

This year I'm so thankful for everything in my life. I know how lucky I am. I have an amazing husband who would do anything to give me the world. I have wonderful friends and family. We're so lucky my husband has a job that allows us to see the world. And the best part, is our adorable son - Gabriel. We've been waiting so long for him to come into our lives. And its still so surreal that he's finally here. Our lives are finally complete.

Hope you all had a wonderful and special thanksgiving.

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)

Craving

I don't know why, but i'm craving a refreshing Bellini right now.... and its a little past midnight....

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)

Sweet Tooth

I just found my new favorite spot here in Atlanta. The Atlanta Cupcake factory. Its located near the Virginia Highlands area -

and its absolutely adorable. You literally feel like a little kid

in the store staring at all the amazing colorful and yummy looking cupcakes.

I went there to other day to order some cupcakes for Gabe's baptism.

I went in thinking this was going to be like every other bakery.

But when i saw a flavor called, peanut butter chocolate bacon cupcake,

i knew this place was different. Wil of course tried this one. I got a

sugar-cookie caramel flavored cupcake. All i can say is,

i literally died and went to heaven. Both flavors were amazing.

I know, I know, you're asking, bacon?? on a cupcake?? i thought the same thing.

But i promise you, the mix of the salty and sweet flavors complimented each other. It really was that good. Atlanta Cupcake Factory, 624 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GAPeanutbutter, chocolate, bacon cupcake Sugar cookie caramel cupcake

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!!