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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Weekend Trip in NYC ~ 紐約の敗金之旅





這個週末去了紐約幫媽咪辦些事情。忙完後就是玩樂囉^___^ 媽呀~~~~原來我敗金的能力真的很強耶(現在正在看bank statement而嚇倒的可憐的我)...嗚嗚...紐約之行吃到很多美味的好東西﹗大滿足﹗托朋友的福﹐有幸到L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon吃法國料理。太幸福了^0^

我在Kinokuniya書店買到很多點心﹑甜品書﹐所以很開心。還有買到很多在SF買不到的食材(edible gold, dragee等等)及模具(我買了15個慕斯rings)。天呀﹐我快樂瘋了﹗還有當然不能不去Fashion Ave囉...嘿嘿...怎麼說我都是未來的Vera Wang ~___~

我很滿意這個紐約之行。下一個目標存錢去日本~

I just came back from NYC and was bummed that I didn’t catch a glimpse of snow. I was in town for some family matter and stayed for a couple more days to do some shopping. I traveled alone, my 1st. Therefore, I did a lot of homework before the trip. I am not kidding you; I have a notebook full of shop names that I must visit, info & cost on how to get around and my drawing of simplified city maps. I am usually very spontaneous but I was told by many to be more cautious. Do not snap pictures of random things, do not walk around town with a guide book, do not act too bubbly, do not ask for avocado on salad and sandwich, do not repeat the same mistake from the previous NY trip (whatever), do not leave purse or wallet unattended, blah blah blah….. People, I took the advices and I came back in one piece! Aren’t you proud of me?


View of Central Park from hotel. People enjoying their afternoon at the park.

I stayed at Park 79, a boutique style hotel nestled in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood. I intentionally wanted to stay away from downtown because I couldn’t bear with the hectic tourist traffic. I heart this hotel and would stay there again. Park 79 is a great choice for the young and savvy traveler because the hotel is savvy, stylish and affordable! The location is very convenient since Subway is only a block away so you can jump on and go visit SoHo, Nolita, Greenwich Village and etc in just a heart beat. If you just want to stay in the area, there is also an amazing selection of shops, museums, and fine dining near by. Check for yourself when you are in NYC!




When in NYC, it is hard to say no to shopping especially for a shopaholic like me! However, I didn’t buy too many cloths because I burnt all my money on pastry/baking related tools and ingredients. Trust me, they aren’t cheap! I have heard of Dean & DeLuca for the longest time and been dying to visit the store (I just found out that they have a location in Napa Valley, which is like an hour drive from my place.). When I finally step foot into their SoHo location, I was overwhelmed with excitement. The store was small but it has a vast selection of spices, condiments, and chocolates! I got myself some kumquat (hard to get in SF) so I can make that kumquat pound cake from Hidemi Sugino's book! The pastries in the café, colorful macarons (I had 3 with a cup of coffee for lunch!) in glass domes, the aroma of roasted coffee beans, I was in heaven =p




New York Cake Supplies appeared in the resource section of Martha Stewart’s Living and Wedding magazines very often so how could I not pay a visit when I am in town?! Getting there was a breeze by subway, 22nd and 6 Ave! I almost pass out when I stepped into the store because I was flushed with excitement! So many pans, mousse rings (I bought 3 of each shape you see here @__@), cookie cutters, candy molds, cake decorating tools, and BLOCKS of Valrohna chocolates! OMG~~~~~~~~~




Of course, I dash in and out some of my favorite stores on 5th and downtown. I told myself that I pay less tax; therefore, I save at the end >0< Also, I met up with a friend who is currently interning at Marc Jacobs. She gave me an I'm not a Plastic Bag by Anya Hindmarch (she has 4!), knowing that I would want one but couldn’t get any. Luv you, Kat! Mood Fabrics was another shop that I have to visit. If you're familiar with Project Runway then you must know about this place! Great store and is way bigger than Britex in SF.




Another thing to do in NYC is to eat around town! I ate most of my meals from local cafés and there were so many unique one in Upper West Side and Soho. I love the Dean & DeLuca café (several locations in NYC) coz that was where I rest and recharge after hours of walking! Another highlight of this trip was that I ate at the posh L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, thanks to Kat again! It was a marvelous dinner!






Everything was great except one thing: I don’t like to stay in a hotel by myself! I am afraid of ….you know...>< I left the light on all night and when I still couldn’t sleep, I turned to my sketch book! Then again, I love traveling on my own coz I can do things at my own pace ^0^

22 comments:

  1. 對不起 左邊那兩個刪除的comment都是我的
    因為我話沒有一次說完 覺得留好多個看起來怪亂了
    結果想不到變成這個局面 = =

    總之
    真是太羨慕你了
    我好久沒到東岸去遊戲了
    你買了很多好物耶!!!
    真好~~

    對了 某一天 我在SJ的Kinokuniya
    一時想到看過你說 妳在那邊買過很多好書
    你可以推薦幾本嘛
    我想 看不懂日文也可以看圖片 :P

    oh, and the fabric place looks like one the store they went to in that show.....forgot the name ..haha
    anyhow, glad u had fun, u sure did a lot within such short amount of time. And u had macarons for lunch huh, nice...
    HAHA
    okidoki~
    Mellie was here~~~

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Vi,

    New York looks so alive from your eyes :P You bring colors and fashion to audiences' eyes. To me it's more black and white version (well, a very blue tone)...

    I have the exact same glass jar of saffron that you got and I love mariage Freres's tea (well, I generally have ~ 20+ different kinds of tea in my pantry anyway). It's very impressive that you get so many goodies in such short amount of visit time. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. Dear Venus,
    I can imagine how excited you are!
    so many goodies you get, I am so envious!! OMD, you buy 15 mousse rings....crazy ar! ^++++++^
    So many good books you buy, I am eager to see what you will make!
    Don't keep us waiting...

    take care
    Mayu

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  4. love ur pics~~so pretty~
    and a big fan of shopping~~
    love N.Y.C toooooooo
    未來的vera wang.
    超級期待喲.

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  5. How fun was that!!! It has been a while since my last visit to NYC. The cake supply store sounds amazing. I would definitely like to pay a visit next time when I'm in town.

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  6. Hi Mellie ~
    I already cleaned up the mess you made =)

    不用羨慕, 快買機票飛吧~ I think this is the best time to do so since they have winter special for ticket and hotel! I was amaze that I got so much done too. I guess it was because I didn’t have to do the tourist thing! You know that waiting in line thing just takes up so much time @_@ Also, well planned and executed daily agenda also helps ^____~ The fabric store where PR filmed is call Mood Fabrics. It is like a candy store to design students and designers alike!

    阿Vi好書推薦:
    - 杉野英実のデザートブック(The Dessert book by Hidemi Sugino) – only Japanese book that came in both JPN+ENG!!! He uses a lot of surprising combos!
    - お菓子の学校(2) チョコレートのお菓子 – best idea book for chocolate DIY presents.
    - My アニバーサリーのお菓子(My Anniversary Sweets) by 加藤千恵 – any book by 加藤 sensei is great! Refreshing and ultra pretty!

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  7. Hi Blue darling ~

    In my eyes, NYC is an energetic, vigorous and sleepless city! So I presented it this way =)

    OMG~~~ we share the same interest. Friends and family said that I can open a tea store with my inventory of tea selections at home =) Other than Mariage Frères, I like Harney & Sons, Lupicia’s blended tea (Melon and Momo blended Oolong are my favorites), Rishi’s line of organic tea and Tea Forte (such cute packaging)! I collect teawares too; from Eva Zeisel’s Classic Century collection to Villeroy & Boch to Japanese and Chinese bone china. One day, I will share with everyone ~

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  8. Mayu~~~~~ hug =)

    Once I lock-in a target (things in this case); I will try my best to get them. 上山下海我都願意>0< I think because of this character trait, I believe that I will make a great buyer or personal shopper! Yes, 15 mousse rings @_@ coz it is hard to get at where I live so I have to seize them when I see them! And those dragees, they are banned in California so I have to smuggle them back. Talk about obsession!

    No worry, I won’t keep everyone waiting for long. A Valentine’s Day special is under way!

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  9. Hi Andrea ~

    Thanks a million! I am glad you enjoyed the pictures. New York should be on everyone’s must-visit-once-in-life list ^___^

    Hehehe…Vera Wang…I like to day dream! Hey, at least we share the same initial!

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  10. Hi Butterfly =)

    NYCS is a must visit destination for all baking/pastry enthusiasts~___~ I hope you can control yourself from putting everything in your basket (unlike me)! I’ll be skimping on latte and skipping lunch for the month to come >_<

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  11. Thanks Vi!!
    I'll go find those books.
    and while you were away, I made a cake w/ fondants, then I see those dragees you got fr. NYC.....I think I could use some of that on my cake.
    Do you think Michael's carry those?
    (期待你變成Vera Wong的那天 = )

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  12. Hi M~

    You won’t find dragées on the shelf of any stores in California :( They are banned in CA (btw, the only place on earth) and internet merchants refuse to ship to CA address too. Pâtisseries in CA would ask you to sign a waver if dragées are used as decoration. How crazy is this, right?! Find out more from here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/23/MNGS03SUEM1.DTL

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  13. hmm...O......K......
    = (

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  14. Hi Vi (the future Vera Wang), your NYC trip reminds me of mine (but 7 years ago!). I was very excited, too.
    I'm a bit envious but am also looking forward to your new coming desserts/cakes with all the 上品 NYC-memory purchases on! :D  

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  15. wow wow WOW!!!
    I'm tooo envious of ur trip~~
    It's been 2 yrs since I last been to NYC. Your post makes me feel like its about time to visit my friends there again. hehehee...

    What a coincidence! I just bought 4 Mariage Freres Teas and some saffron too. ^^

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  16. Vi,照片拍得很美!購到很多漂亮的紀念品喇!我也感受得到你的興奮~簡直發揮女生原始的本色哦!!!呵~呵~

    小軍很期待你把那些紀念品變成你的「藝術品」的一部份哦!

    渣魷~渣魷~

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  17. Hi martini~

    I think people who came across me when I was in NY would have labeled me either A.D.D. or that I’m visiting from the countryside. I was that excited ^____~

    Eh…about making dessert with stuff I purchased/smuggled…it is SF’s raining season. Therefore, it has been a drag for me to even get out of bed so let alone go into the kitchen and whip up something. I’ll get back to it shortly.

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  18. Hi Verano~

    You should make NY your & Mr. Lee next vacation destination then. I think you should take the cats too =)

    I love Mariage Freres tea. 4 cans of tea! Are you a tea fanatic too?

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  19. 小軍~

    呵~呵~呵~講到shopping我敢認#2, 邊個敢認#1?! No joke, Shopaholic Hall of Fame 有我張相!

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  20. Venus 小妹,

    >>..Shopaholic Hall of Fame..
    嘩..我替妳未來的夫婿流冷汗喲 :S
    哈哈 .... :P

    Anyway, 妳的照片很美呢 !!

    曾是字母人的萍水過客
    http://i.cn.yahoo.com/iamrickyu

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  21. take the cats too?? I'd love to, but I don't think Turbo would fit into our suitcase. XP

    I don't know if I'm a tea fanatic, but I'm definitely a Mariage Freres fanatic. I have over 20 flavors/kinds of their at home. -_-"

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