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{NYC 4567} Central Park // LES // East Village // Lower Manhattan // The High Line

September 28, 2012
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Remember the time we went to New York City and I lazily put off finishing up the rest of the vacation posts?  These memories shall not go to waste, and so we must continue.
Had to show Adam the beauty that is Central Park on our 4th day.  We had a delightful picnic in the park and spent the afternoon exploring.  That evening we had a magical New York moment when we felt a few raindrops and ran 2 blocks for cover, able to take shelter at a tourist gift shop.  I forgot how spectacular East Coast storms are.  The city goes from calm to complete storm chaos in just seconds.  
{Day 4 NYC Recommendations}
WHERE TO WALK: Take 5th Ave up to Central Park and then walk through the park.  We took Madison Ave. back down and happened to stumble upon Laduree!
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: Our picnic in Central Park was complete thanks to our accidental discovery of The Plaza Food Hall.  We got delicious, fresh sandwiches, and iced coffees.  As mentioned macarons from Laduree are a must.  Dinner was vegetarian Korean fare at Hangawi.
WHERE TO SHOP: It’s always fun to drag your unassuming boyfriend into Tiffany’s to make him really uncomfortable
LESSONS LEARNED: Don’t talk to anyone in Times Square.  They prey on tourists and we were naive enough to purchase tickets to a comedy show, even though we knew better.  Next time, I’ll stick to your recommendations and avoid lying sales people!
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A brand new neighbourhood to discover, was the East Village/Lower East Side.  Looking back, I wish Adam and I had spent more time there and would even consider staying in the East Village next time around.  It was just full of life and personality, very much like our hood here in Vancouver.  What’s with the East side of cities, right?  
{Day 5 NYC Recommendations}

WHERE TO WALK: We could have spent days walking the East Village.  So much to explore, so little time.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: Coffee and/or ice cream from Van Leeuwen. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped for drinks and appies at Café Habana.  Their corn on the cob is a must.  Also had a fancy pants meal at Spice Market in MePa.
WHERE TO SHOP: Stumbled on Tokio7 Consignment Shop and had to refrain from purchasing Chanel, Dior, et. all at bargain prices.  A real gem.
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Tried fitting in a ton on the last day and a half, leaving us with the post NYC exhaustion.  Took the subway to Battery Park, where we made our 10 second acting debut in a Bond No.9 Video.  Then we explored Ground Zero, braved Century 21, and then walked all the way over to The High Line.  I know, my feet are still upset about it.  On our last day, we went back to SoHo and took the train to Grand Central Station.  Tried to do some afternoon reading in Bryant Park and were both falling asleep!  Perhaps 7 jam packed days in the New York heat was ambitious, but we’d surely do it all again.
{Day 6/7 NYC Recommendations}

WHERE TO WALK: Battery Park for views of the Statue of Liberty.  We avoided the crowds at the 9/11 Memorial and did a self guided tour through St Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church.  Very powerful.  On the other side of town, The High Line was worth the walk.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: Got our pizza fix at Numero 28 in the East Village and then a few blocks to McSorley’s Old Ale House for beers.

Phewf.  NYC recapped, if you have any specific questions please don’t hesitate to ask 🙂

Travel

{NYC 3} Brooklyn: Bridge // Flea // Willamsburg

August 15, 2012
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This was my favourite day!  Hopped on the 6 to the Brooklyn Bridge, so we could both experience our first walk across it.  This was also the first day I brought my 35 mm 1.8 lens along with us and it sure saved the day.  The views from the Brooklyn Bridge are stunning and we went photo crazy.  Once in Brooklyn, we explored around DUMBO for a bit and grabbed a small bite.  Took a cab over to Lafayette and Vanderbilt aka the Saturday Brooklyn Flea.  Cannot say enough great things about this flea market!  So much amazing junk, art, treasures, handmade pieces, and local food vendors.  We spent a few hours soaking it all in, taking shade and Popsicle breaks when necessary.   I also bought a beautiful necklace from Jessica DeCarlo Jewelry, which I’ll be showing you very soon.

We then cabbed over to Williamsburg and spent the day shopping and sitting at McCarren Park watching a squirrel hang upside down, two overlapping baseball games, and general BK life.  We had happy hour drinks and the most deeelicious meal at Allswell on Bedford Ave.  They change their menu daily, which means you’re getting a fresh, local meal.  Highlights were the spicy fried chick peas and vegetarian flatbread.  Their patio is small, but definitely worth trying to score a spot on.  Easily took the L train back home to refresh and have some late night drinks.  It was a Saturday night on vacation after all!

{Day 3 BROOKLYN Recommendations}
HOW TO GET THERE: Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a must.  The L Train is also super easy/speedy.
WHERE TO SHOP: I have a soft spot in my heart for Flea Markets, so I very much recommend paying the Brooklyn Flea a visit.  Also worth seeing is Beacon’s Closet for their great treasures.  Bought a shirt from an awesome vintage store that I cannot remember the name of.  Will look into this and get back to you.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: People’s Pops Popsicles.  Coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee .  Dinner and drinks at ALLSWELL on Bedford Ave.  Ended the night back in NYC with drinks at the Ace Hotel Lobby Bar, which was always full of cool people.  We shared some great convo over 90’s R&B jams.  The BEST!
Travel

{NYC 1+2} The Ace Hotel // Midtown Sights // West Village // SoHo

August 14, 2012
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It really was the city that never sleeps on our first day in NYC.  Neither of us caught a wink of it on our red eye flight, and arrived at our hotel at 9 am.  We had many hours to pass until our room was ready, which we spent experiencing all the necessary tourist attractions.  After 28 hours of awakeness, our room at The Ace was ready and we were able to check in.  We were welcomed by an incredibly (by New York standards) spacious flat.  Decorated in a dark, simple bachelor pad meets art deco inspired space with the most amazing views of The Empire State Building!  We had a quick power nap, refreshed, and went back out to walk and explore the city at night.  Such an amazing first day!

{Day 1 NYC Recommendations}


HOW TO GET THERE: My favourite YVR to JFK flight is the oh-so-smooth Cathay Pacific red eye.
WHERE TO STAY: The Ace Hotel @ 29th and Broadway.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: Overpriced but super hip brunch at The Breslin.  Iced coffees at Stumptown.  Mexican dinner at Dos Caminos.  Sit on the patio and enjoy their margaritas, fresh guacamole, and delicious tacos!
WHAT TO DO: Must-see tourist attractions like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Empire State Building, and the Flatiron Building.  The Night-life in the Meat Packing District.  We happened to catch an outdoor salsa party before dinner.
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Having completed some very touristy things the day before, we set off to discover more neighbourhoods instead.  Starting in Union Square, we made our way through shops (mostly for AC relief) until we hit Washington Square Park for a water and people watch in the shade.  Kept exploring through the West Village, where I found Carrie Bradshaw’s doorstep and Magnolia cupcakes.  Made our way down to SoHo from there, where we did more shopping at an insane sample sale and even witnessed a real NYC traffic jam!  Followed by few afternoon drinks and appies from Delicatessen.  I definitely had a touch of heatstroke on this day, ended up napping and then we went for a late sushi dinner in Korea Town.  Ended the day with hot fudge sundaes from McDonald’s and found a giant outdoor screen and seating showing the Olympics while on the walk home.  Sat for a while and enjoyed our ice cream and some Olympic events.  Another great NYC discovery.
{Day 2 NYC Recommendations}

WHERE TO WALK: Start at Union Square and walk Broadway until you hit the NYU buildings.  Make your way over to Washington Square Park and then back up through West Village.  Then down to SoHo for shopping and celeb sightings.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK: Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery in the West Village. Coffee from Dean and Deluca in SoHo.  Drinks and appies at Delicatessen in SoHo.
WHERE TO SHOP: The Strand bookstore is all kinds of amazing.  DSW in Union Square is no place for a shoe addict.  Great boutiques and shops along the way in the West Village.  SoHo has lots of shopping.  Big names such as Madewell, TopShop, Aritiza, J. Crew, Scotch & Soda, as well as lots of awesome little boutiques.
Life Relationships Travel

the best day ever in NYC

July 24, 2012
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the first time i ventured to new york city, was in the summer of 2005.  it was a confusing time in my life, as there were some tough decisions to be made when it came to school, relationships, and growing up in general.  playing on my discman was the brand new coldplay x and y album, and most importantly the song fix you.  as our red eye flight approached jfk, the lyrics “lights will guide you home” played and before even landing in nyc, i had already fallen in love.  it had been a long dream of mine to visit manhattan and when we woke up the next morning to see it in the daylight, i was so thrilled that i threw up.  just like an excited puppy would. 

two years later, i found myself on the last day of our second family vacation to new york city.  and though i was two years older and wiser, i was once again in nyc to do a little soul searching (or perhaps i’m just a drama queen.  nah, boys are just the worst).  i call this particular day the best day ever in nyc.  and though it might not sound that special to you, it’s a day that i often think of and smile.

i spent the best day ever in nyc alone, which was a rarity on a family trip with 19 others (how do the duggars do it?).  it was not to be wasted, and i was on a very specific mission; i was to act only as new yorkers do for the entire day while on a quest to find the spot where sally drops off harry at the beginning of when harry met sally.  my favourite movie and my favourite city.  with the sun shining and coldplay on my ipod shuffle for nostalgia, i set off.

my observations led me to walk as fast as i could like i was in a big hurry to something super duper important.  this was both fun and great exercise.  i also stood on the closest possible edge of the sidewalk or on the street itself when waiting for a moment to cross.  and of course, i took the subway with ease to my memorized directions to washington square park (a real new yorker wouldn’t carry a map with them).  i even pretended to check my phone at times, though international roaming made it impossible to actually use. 

i was asked for directions 3 separate times by tourists on the way to the park.  twice on the subway platform and once while walking.  “people actually think that I’M a new yorker”, i thought and i was even able to correctly answer their questions.  found my own way to washington square park and sat to read a magazine and people watch.  i then made my way over to the washington arch, snapped the above picture, and then stood in awe for a good 10 minutes.  felt an indescribable sense of happiness that i’d set off on a journey, though such a small one, and completed it.  nothing could ruin my mood.

took my time wandering around the city, getting lost in its beauty.  stopped in a coffee shop to rest my feet, shopped in any decent looking boutiques.  snapped a few more city pictures, with my favourite songs still playing in my ears.  and just when i thought this simple nyc day couldn’t get ANY better, i heard someone yelling through my head phones.

“hey, you!  hey, girl with the sunglasses, slow down!”  they were yelling at me.  thinking i’d maybe dropped something or worse, that i had toilet paper stuck to my sandal or something, i stopped in my tracks and took my ear phones out.  i swivelled around to find myself face to face with an incredibly handsome man in a suit.   “i’m sorry,” he said, “but i was having lunch with my co-workers and saw you walking past.  i just had to come talk to you.” 
was this a joke?  this kind of thing NEVER happens to me, and certainly not in vancouver.  i stood frozen, unable to say anything at all in return.  “i just ran this whole block to catch up to you, you sure do walk fast,” he said, breaking the silence.  after explaining that i was from out of town, and him admitting that he was actually from new jersey (pffft) i believe we even exchanged numbers despite the fact that i was seeing someone back home.  for all his flattery, the least i could do was give him my phone number, right?  

we never saw each other again and to be honest, i don’t even remember his name.  but in a moment of time when i desperately needed something good to happen, new york pulled through for me.  it was then that i realized that i’m a city girl.  not because some stranger hit on me (but really, i wouldn’t complain if it happened often lol), but because before this day, i would have never gone to a coffee shop, eaten lunch, or wandered around downtown alone.  i wouldn’t have dreamed of having an adventure myself.  the best day ever in nyc opened up my eyes to a world of possibility. 

i moved to vancouver soon after and i’m still with that guy i was seeing.  if you happen to still be reading, i’m so excited to announce that in exactly a week, we’re headed to new york city for a much needed vacation together!!!  but we need your help.  we’re looking for your expert new york recommendations, for anything from restaurants, shopping, sight seeing, must-visit neighbourhoods, cool things to-do etc.  your suggestions are much appreciated, thank you lovelies!

Beauty Featured

The Glossier Products I’m Obsessed With

February 15, 2019
glossier, no makeup look, what to get at glossier

What the heck is Glossier and why is everyone talking about it?

NOTE: This is not sponsored or affiliated Glossier at all. I’m just a fan! This post does, however, contain affiliate links.

I know that some of you have been Glossier supporters for years, and rightly so. Me?  I was a huge snob, ignoring all the buzz about it and not bothering to understand what made it different than any other beauty brand. But, last month I was listening to the episode of How I Built This with Emily Weiss and learned her story. I was very intrigued by the concept of a cosmetics brand that was powered by the people, so on my first day in New York City, my gal pals and I beelined it for the Glossier flagship store.

You all know my love for a natural, no makeup makeup look and you guys, GLOSSIER WAS PRETTY MUCH MADE FOR ME WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

The store itself was incredible, the experience is a must if you’re ever in LA or NYC, or if they pop up in your city. Also, the price points were better than I’d imagined. It’s a miracle that I didn’t leave with one of everything, honestly.

What I love about the products that Glossier is creating, is that they’re very light, but most are super buildable. The following 4 products are ones that I’ve seamlessly added to my everyday makeup routine and have been using daily for a month now. They are:

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Featured Style

What I Wore 2017

January 3, 2018

These lewks are sooooo last year 🙊

Last January, I made a list of fashion resolutions that I, of course, had not looked at or even thought of until I started writing this post.  One year later, I realize that I actually kept most of them in check!  Except for the bit about wearing high heels more often, because forget that.  I just don’t have the motivation to be a few inches taller for all that discomfort.  Though I do now notice the irony of me wearing pumps in the top photo.  You’ll get more of the story on that if you scroll to the end of this post.

I haven’t done an outfit roundup in years and I thought it’d be fun to break things down by season.  Scrolling through these looks, it was definitely a bit more of a minimal year style-wise.  I mostly stuck to basics and jazzed things up a bit with accessories.  This has helped me streamline my wardrobe and invest in lasting pieces instead of constantly indulging in fast fashion.  I like to infuse some trends in there, of course, but I’m doing what I can to minimize the overspending and overconsumption, which is also why I tend to repeat pieces and wear things I’ve owned for years.  I always try to link to similar when I can, but if you have any specific questions about outfits, let me know!

This is only a snapshot of what I wore in 2017, of course. If you click on the STYLE tab on the top menu bar, it’ll take you through a preview of all the outfits I’ve featured, well, ever.  Hope you enjoy these seasonal OOTD’s and I look forward to chatting 2018 with you all tomorrow!

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Featured Travel

A Trip To New York With eos

August 11, 2017

alicia fashionista, canadian travel blog, 24 hours in new york, vancouver travel blogger

Did you know that eos stands for evolution of smooth?

NEW YORK!  I freaking love New York so much, I can’t even tell you guys.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity to go, even for 24 hours.  And honestly, we managed to get a heck of a lot done in such a limited amount of time!  We attended a spectacular eos event, hung out in the LES, spent an evening in SoHo, watched a crazy thunderstorm roll in, took outfit photos at the gorgeous Library, walked Bryant Park to Times Square, and wandered the West Village.  Our group of Vancouver gals included Cee, Lyndi, Samantha, and Sydney and we had such a great travel dynamic. You should go check out their blogs if you don’t already follow them!

I attempted to vlog the journey, though I massively failed when I basically forgot to get any video footage on the second day.  I hadn’t had a cup of coffee since before we’d left Vancouver, so my brain was mush!  Anyway, it’s still great fun, as you can see in the video and photos below:

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Featured Style

Hi and Low

August 2, 2017

alicia fashionista, vancouver style blog, mid size blogger, canadian fashion blog

This turned into a list of what’s happening this month.  I’m okay with it.

In those moments that the heat is heavy, lingering in the air, and the light hangs on as long as possible, it feels like summer is inching by.  I’ve been doing my best to savour it with each cannon ball into the water, overheated stroll around the neighbourhood, and every completely justifiable ice cream cone.  But, just like that, it’s August.  And thanks to all those years in school, it feels like we’re halfway through this glorious season of recharge.

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Beauty Featured Home

Fresh Balayage Vlog

May 18, 2017

brunette balayage, long hair golden balayage, alicia fashionista, chris weber, artel salon vancouver

The last time I consistently coloured my hair, I was 19, single, and testing out the theory that blondes have more fun.  And though, I ended up not being able to afford the upkeep, I always felt really confident with the lighter locks and look back at those years with such fond memories.  I’m obviously a natural brunette (those Asian genetics are strong within the Quan family) but truthfully, I feel the most ‘me’ with some lighter colour mixed in there too.  Maybe it even has something deep down to do with my mixed heritage.  I’ve truthfully never considered that until this very moment.

I recently shared what I learned about going golden balayage, but since the lovely Rosie left town, I was desperate looking for a new stylist.  I was so excited when THE Chris Weber suggested that I see him with the help of his friend Ali Eskridge.  You see, Ali just moved back to Vancouver from NYC and is building up her local client base and Chris is technically full and unable to squeeze in new guests.  Teaming up was a brilliant idea, and two senior stylists and 3.5 hours later, they created absolute creamy balayage magic!  If you’re also in need of stylist, Ali is your gal, she was beyond awesome!

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