 |
| Turkeys on a tree |
What I learned on Thanksgiving....
Friday, November 29, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
New on my cozy winter wishlist [M.M. Lafleur]
 |
| The Morandi by MM Lafleur |
New on my cozy winter wishlist is this 100% wool cardigan by M.M. Lafleur, The Morandi. I'm a bit allergic to wool but I usually layer underneath my wool pieces and this piece seems so nicely threaded and non-fuzzy that I think my skin would be able to tolerate it. What I like about it is that it not only looks so practical and comfy, it is totally machine washable! I love a thick knitwear but they are so annoying to wash. You usually have to dry clean or risk deteriorating them but I have been hand washing my knits to save some dineros. I handwash most of my cashmere and wool garbs but it's annoying since they can get really heavy, wet and you have to dedicate an entire hanging rack for the sweater to lie flat on. The Morandi seems like the perfect wardrobe staple...so is everything from M.M. Lafleur actually!
Because this piece is priced at $230, I need to put it on my wishlist for now...
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thank You cards
 |
| Thank you card |
Our goal now is to mail them out by Thanksgiving. Sending the cards out on Thanksgiving would be excellent timing!
Thank YOU for reading!
xx
Friday, November 22, 2013
My feet's best friend [Aveda Foot Relief]
 |
| Aveda foot relief |
The Aveda Foot Relief cream. This is my best friend for the winter time. Actually, almost at all times since my heels are dry and cracked all year long. I've tried many creams but love this one best and often recommend it. I gave it a try when the sales lady told me I can return the bottle, even down to half full, if I was not satisfied with it. As long as I kept the receipt. So, it was like no risk purchase and got the larger bottle (more economical) in case I did like it. I'm half way through the bottle and I've decided that it is a keeper. It smells minty nice too and easy to apply.
Bonus: Helps deodorize stinky feet too!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Elie Tahari sample sale 2013 [November 2013 NYC sample sale]
 |
| Elie Tahari winter coat |
I spotted this coat at the Elie Tahari sample sale the other day. Here's my review on Racked NY.
I'd like to wear a lady-like coat with a fur collar while shopping on Madison Avenue looking like I can afford everything I touch. Oh the power of clothing.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Mackage sample sale [November NYC Sample Sale 2013]
 |
| Mackage..now made in Cambodia? |
Today, I went to the Mackage sample sale here in NY (My review on RackedNY). Mackage is a Canadian lux outerwear brand. There was a ton of stock compared to past sales I have attended. A LOT more. One thing I immediately noticed was that all their coats were now made in China (Shanghai) and some were even made in Cambodia. Cambodia was new. Last year, when I visited the Mackage flagship store in Soho, almost every piece was made in Shanghai, China. None were made in Canada like I remembered. The quality seemed good but something bugged me about this.
When I first shopped Mackage back in Montreal what seems ages ago, Mackage was still a small growing brand with a strong cult following. At that time, all their coats were still made in Canada. I still have two wool/leather coats from them which are both made in Canada and a leather jacket and a wool coat that are made in China. I also remember the last Braderie de Mode I attended in Montreal a couple of years ago, the stock filled up a large room. Things have def changed and the little Canadian company has expanded quickly. They are now mass-produced in China to cater to high demands. That's most likely why there's so much overstocks as well. I'm happy for the brand's expansion but now I'm going to cherish their old pieces which, it may or may not be true, were probably made with a bit more pride and with a bit more Canadian love. From what I saw at the sale today, it seemed the make and quality of my old pieces are also a bit better. Maybe it's all in my head.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
nykeiko wears: One Piece, One Thought...Tom Ford
 |
| Tom Ford |
These Tom Ford Whitney are my very first designer sunglasses I purchased on my own (cuz my momma once bought me a pair of Gucci sunglasses back in high school. They made me look like Ozzy Osborne and I barely wore them. Sad thing was, I picked them) back in college. I did a lot of research before settling on these ones and finally purchased them brand new on eBay since I couldn't really afford $400 sunglasses. They were significantly cheaper on eBay and I remember messaging the seller, who sold hundreds of sunglasses, to swear to me that they were 100% authentic. I think I paid less than half for them but I cannot remember. Over the years, I've acquired 3-4 more pairs of sunglasses and kind of neglected these ones. I had worn them for many years and loved them except they always sat on my cheeks and left an imprint every time but since they were my only pair, I kept wearing them. I recently decided to let them go and it was easier to do so by selling them on eBay so I could make a little bit of money off them. I am glad I did since I was holding on to them for the wrong reasons. They were one of my first designer purchases almost ten years ago, and that's me getting emotionally attached to my clothes. I can't believe I sold them for $80.
 |
| Me wearing my beloved Tom Ford Whitney in SF |
Follow me...
Instagram: @nykeiko
and yes, Pinterest too!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wedding snapshots #7: The rings
Oops, this post is a bit late. I forgot to post this one from my post-wedding days...
Remember when I was all like blablabla it is so hard to choose my wedding band ? Here it is! It's in rose gold and sitting pretty alongside my engagement ring wrapped within Dave's wedding band.
Dave's wedding band is worth chatting about. It is a custom-made brushed white gold band with a rose gold line. My birthstone, a sapphire stone, is embedded in the inner side of the ring...
Remember when I was all like blablabla it is so hard to choose my wedding band ? Here it is! It's in rose gold and sitting pretty alongside my engagement ring wrapped within Dave's wedding band.
Dave's wedding band is worth chatting about. It is a custom-made brushed white gold band with a rose gold line. My birthstone, a sapphire stone, is embedded in the inner side of the ring...
I like the side of my wedding band..the pretty grooves.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Lauren Merkin sample sale [November 2013 NYC sample sale]
Demain: My picks from Isabel Marant pour H&M
I have not been excited about a collaboration for quite some time now. The last one, Phillip Lim x Target was lust-worthy but I wasn't ready to log onto the internet or exit my apartment to jump in line to shop. I had a feeling I would be disappointed with the pieces if I saw them in person. In the past, I returned all my Jason Wu x Target collab pieces except for the lace clutch and I sold my Prabal Gurung x Target heels after I received them. I also looked at the remaining pieces left from the Lanvin and Margiela & H&M collabs and didn't like what I saw and felt. The quality is so poor (I should not be surprised neither). However, something is different about Isabel Marant's collab with H&M. Perhaps because of the promotion tactics via bloggers (because I'm addicted, Fashion toast's instagram, Song of Style) ? The Coveteur? Preview launch parties with lots of pictures? It tingled my interest but I'll just have to see in person.
I'm a fan of Isabel Marant's chic, urban, hip, cool, easy and maybe Parisian look (She got it all?). Some pieces from the collab are too funky for me but some can be really good for mixing and matching. I liked a couple of things from the Isabel Marant X H&M lookbook so if you care about my top picks (pieces I see myself wearing vs pieces that look good on the models), here they are! Stuff ain't cheap...
Update: I got the black lace dress and white lace top!
I'm a fan of Isabel Marant's chic, urban, hip, cool, easy and maybe Parisian look (She got it all?). Some pieces from the collab are too funky for me but some can be really good for mixing and matching. I liked a couple of things from the Isabel Marant X H&M lookbook so if you care about my top picks (pieces I see myself wearing vs pieces that look good on the models), here they are! Stuff ain't cheap...
Update: I got the black lace dress and white lace top!
 |
| Because it is getting cold... ($299) |
 |
| It's wool and classy ($149) |
 |
| Looks so cozy |
 |
| I love lace ...($129) |
 |
| This lace top will pair well with...($99) |
 |
| this jacquard skirt... ($79.95) |
 |
| and tie up the look with these shoes. ($199) |
Follow me...
Instagram: @nykeiko
and yes, Pinterest too!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Packing light? Me? Maybe!
 |
| Everlane snap backpack |
I was at a conference for 5 days and 4 nights in DC. With the recent acquisition of a large backpack from Everlane, I wanted to test out how much it could hold. My goal was to pack as light as possible with exception of my laptop.
I had my outfits planned out which helped since I usually just stuff everything and hoped for the best. To pack light, I opted for two silk shirts and one black pant suit (I'm glad there was an ironing board in my hotel room or else stuffing silk shirts into a bag would not have been a good idea). I wore my jeans and tee for the traveling days. No extra pair of shoes and only one extra tank top.
This is everything I brought minus umbrella, a light waterproof windproof jacket and shoes I wore and a bunch of documents which were stuffed in my purse.
Taking a closer to at some of my stuff I packed.
Click for more pictures....
Monday, November 11, 2013
In pictures: When the sun sets, the hipsters come out to play...Brooklyn Night Bazaar
 |
| Brooklyn Bazaar |
Two bazaars in a day? Yup. That's what I did on Saturday where I attended the pop-up Daily Candy Bazaar during the day and the now-permanent Brooklyn Night Bazaar at night. I'm suppose to recover from a cold but curiosity of what goes around me always gets the best of me. Plus, we had Dave's parents' car this weekend so going to BK Bazaar was a breeze. Only a 5-minute drive from our place.
BK Bazaar is a little bit of Smorgasburg and a little bit of Brooklyn Flea and a little bit of 'je ne sais quoi'. Like a hipster underground amusement park or something. Some of the vendors were new to us and we liked that since we have been to so many types of flea markets, crafts fair, food fests etc. and think we have seen them all. There was also rooms dedicated for mini-golf ($5/ball) and ping pong playing area as well as an outdoor beer garden that serves beer and pizza. New vendors may pop up throughout the year so it might be worth it to check it out many times. This is Brooklyn's way of catering to the indie business-hungry community and supporting the local community. With Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea wrapping up for the winter, this will now be the place to hang out and grab a local draft beer.
We didn't get to see the bands play since we were there early and the "party" ends at midnight. For food, we had a Briskettown short rib sandwich and Sigmund's pretzels (whose warehouse is where BK Bazaar has settled) which were both excellent. We also had a bowl of cold noodles with spicy peanut sauce from Hong Kong street cart that was not so yummy (the sauce was good but why use pasta noodles?!). There was no wait when we got there just a little before 7 p.m. They carded and put a bracelet on anyone that wanted to drink so when we got out almost an hour later, there was a pretty long wait. I guess my advice is to go early, go hungry and bring some cash to find your perfect holiday gift for a special someone or yourself!
See more pictures after the jump
Sunday, November 10, 2013
nykeiko wears: Sunday in Soho
In pictures: Daily Candy Bazaar [Soho, NY]
Welcome to Daily Candy's first-ever bazaar featuring 30 handpicked designers, craftsmen, bakers, boutiques and designers. I passed by hoping to see a performance by the Wicked Cast but classic me, I got the days mixed up. Glad I dropped by anyway to see the happenings.
More pictures after the jump...
 |
| Donate $5 to Free Arts NYC and pick a balloon with a surprise prize |
 |
| Sugarfina shop where I picked up my candy cube prize |
 |
| Lady M! |
 |
| Party skirts |
 |
| Soko Charms |
 |
| Lulu Frost |
 |
| Charms and Chain |
 |
| Basil Racuk bespoke bags |
 |
| Fancy dog treats from Bocce's Bakery |
 |
| Cute potted plants from The Sill |
 |
| Impressive home decor items by Jung Lee |
 |
| Tutu du Monde |
 |
| Hey Gorgeous...selfie in the bathroom |
 |
| Daily Candy Bazaar this weekend only! |
Follow me...
Instagram: @nykeiko
and yes, Pinterest too!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
In Washington DC for work and fun..but mostly work
It was a good balanced work/getaway weekend down in Washington DC. Dave came with me for the weekend and so we got to enjoy the National Mall for a couple of hours before immersing myself with work at the convention center. Other than that, I wish I did more and ate more but I really did go down for work.
Click for more pictures!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Underwater shot series 3...How long can you hold your breath?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)