nykeiko plays: I was pretty festive for Christmas...PROOF!

Here's proof on HOW festive I was! Continue reading...

nykeiko eats: Hawaiian poke and donuts for the birthday boy

Hiiii 

I have been totally MiA but it IS the holidays and I am busy consuming lots of food, sweets and doing Christmasy things (which I rarely did before except write Christmas cards maybe) these past few days. Just not enough time spent in front of my computer except at work. 

Well three days before Christmas, it was Dave's birthday and I did buy him some thoughtful gifts (which he thoughtfully returned because he insists he does not want more stuff. The total opposite of me) but my main gift to him was to make him a delicious dinner that I know (and hoped) he would enjoy. 

nykeiko eats: Sushi Yasuda [NYC]

If you Google "Best sushi in NYC". What do you see pop up? There will be many 'Best Sushi in NYC' lists and Sushi Yasuda can be found on most of them.

Sushi Yasuda serves straight up sushi and sashimi with a no fuss menu. I recommend this place for sushi lovers and for special occasions (as it will definitely put a dent in your wallet.) We celebrated our five year anniversary (of our first kiss! Not marriage.)

nykeiko shops: One of those... [AllKnitwear, Of A Kind]

These are one of those hats where people would ask...hey, where did ya get that? So funky cool. I don't know if it's for me but I love the patterns. This one is from Of A Kind. Get it before they sell out forever!

nykeiko shops: Joie, Equipment & Current/Elliott sample sale [December 2014 NYC Sample Sale]

See my review about the sale here on Racked NY.

Joie raccoon sweater $60

I came out empty handed just because I've already purchased a few items I still wear from previous sales. But sometimes it's good to wait for the markdowns. On the last day of the sale last time, those Current/Elliott jeans were as low as $25 a pop which I totally took advantage. Dave even picked himself up a pair (which he hasn't worn yet). Too skinny says his parents! But who listens to their parents anyway (I do!..sometimes).

nykeiko plays: The North Face Speaker Series- Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright in Sufferfest2 [NYC]

If you don't know who Alex Honnold is, watch this and this. He is one of my husband's idol and I have never seen him so excited about meeting anyone before. Alex Honnold is definitely a celebrity in our books even though he's not known by many people (but definitely a superstar in the climbing community.) Not that I'm a climbing fanatic or anything but I just know who the awesome people are out there. I've had my share of blind stares when I talk about this guy. Keep reading to see pictures of me holding his hands ...

#TBT=My #ThrowbackTravels #32: Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina

Hiking the Perito Moreno Glacier

If I had a bucket list, then hiking a glacier would be on it and then I could cross it off!

Another TBT of the glacier here.

nykeiko shops: Peek inside Alexander Wang's sample sale + price lists [December 2014 NYC Sample Sale]

Alexander Wang 'Parental Advisory' sweater on sale for $400

A peek inside Alexander Wang's sample sale. I got myself two bras from the clearance racks ($10) which are the same ones I got from the last sample sale. One for me and one for my sister who told me if I ever come across them again, to get her more. At $10, I didn't hesitate although I only found one small bra and most were extra small or large.

The crowd at the VIP event was relentless and the go-to section is where the bags are at. Just like always. A rainbow of bright colored Rocco bags line the table and lots of evening clutches were being picked up quickly. I don't really like the Roccos but the lilac bags with rose gold hardware were not too bad. Small leather goods start at $75, $150 for clutches, $250 for small bags, $300 for medium and $350 for large bags.

To take a look at what else was offered and price lists, keep reading!

Anniversary!

Modern Romance: Dave gave me this scratchie card revealing a smoochie emoticon (Someone needs a manicure...)

Dave and I just celebrated the five year anniversary of our first smooch. So today, it's 5 years + 1 day.
We had a sweet date on Saturday. It was dinner at Sushi Yasuda followed by a movie.

By the way, this was our first movie in a movie theater this year. Being able to stream movies at home has rendered us (mostly me) unable to get my butt out of the house and go watch movies with a bunch of strangers in a dark room. Our comfy couch, popping my own delicious popcorn and snuggling in our PJs has made the option to stay at home a better one. Maybe 2015 will be better. We're also glad we got to watch Interstellar in the movie theater. Action movies are meant to be watched on a big screen. It's just so much better!

Our most recent shot together on December 2

Dave, I love you with all my heart and you're my black hole. I just can't stay away from you.

#TBT=My #ThrowbackTravels #31: Cloud Gate, Chicago

Looks like a big drop of water!

nykeiko shops: Alexander Wang sample sale IS happening next week! [NYC]

Here's the precious piece of info I got in my mailbox today!

LOCATION: 151 Wooster Street (between W. Houston and Prince Street)

PUBLIC HOURS: Tuesday, December 9 – Saturday, December 13

Tuesday, Dec 9                                  9AM-8PM       Public

Wednesday, Dec 10                           9AM-8PM       Public

Thursday, Dec 11                               9AM-8PM       Public

Friday, Dec 12                                    9AM-8PM       Public                                    

Saturday, Dec 13                                9AM-8PM       Public

AVAILABLE COLLECTIONS

WOMEN’S RTW – Fall 2010 through Spring 2014

MEN’S RTW – Fall 2012 and Fall 2013

HANDBAGS – Fall 2010 through Spring 2014

SLG – Fall 2012 and Spring 2014

WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR – Fall 2010 through Spring 2014

MEN’S FOOTWEAR – Fall 2013 and Spring 2014

WOMEN’S T BY ALEXANDER WANG – Fall 2010 through Spring 2014

MEN’S T BY ALEXANDER WANG – Spring 2014

PRICE REDUCTIONS 

RTW (Mens / Womens) – up to 75%

T BY ALEXANDER WANG (Mens / Womens) – up to 75%

HANDBAGS – up to 65%

FOOTWEAR – up to 75%

nykeiko plays and eats: Where Brooklynites play and eat - BERG'N and Brooklyn Flea [Brooklyn, NYC]

There's a new beer hall in town and it's attracting all the cool cats in Brooklyn!

Berg'n is brought to you by the same people behind the widely popular Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg. First thing that stood out about the beer hall was not the amazing venue nor the insane amount of people drinking on a Saturday afternoon, or the copious amount of craft beer flowing from a beautiful antique bar but, it was the sight of all the young hip parents hanging out and drinking with their babies/children in tow! Why? It gave me hope that having kids one day might not be the end of my social life or coolness (wait, I have to be cool first).

Berg'n is a true adult playground and I love it! Of course, you can't have beer without some food. Smorgasburg staples such as Asia Dog, Mighty Quinn, Pizza Moto and Ramen Burger are permanent fixtures and serving their most popular plates. If you haven't tried the famous Ramen Burger yet, here's the place to try it without the hour-long queue you must endure at Smorgasburg. That day, we went in with a full belly so I have yet to try Ramen Burger (I hear mixed reviews..)!

nykeiko travels and eats: Weekend getaway not too far away in Hackettstown NJ

Our Thanksgiving plans extended to an impromptu weekend getaway with three other couples to Hackettstown, New Jersey. My friend's cousin was generous enough to loan us her house for the weekend. We drank, we ate, we "hiked".  Quick and perfect. When we got back home on Sunday evening, we went straight to Laurie's apartment (with our travel bags and all) to taste some of her Thanksgiving leftovers which we missed out on since we had other plans last Thursday. It satisfied our hunger and we were SO THANKFUL!!!

I've known this girl for almost 25 years ...