New York, I Love You. Manhattan, New York

Welcome to the Upper East Side ... I will make you my home one day

The Beautiful Metropolitan Museum of Art

Inside the Met. Ready for battle

Inside the Met. Huge! We were looking for the Exit

Inside the Met. An Awesome Exhibit! Finally saw original Alexander McQueen couture

Otis Reunion! My career girl booboo, Li Li, took me to the West Village

The Meatball Shop

After the Rain

 

 

 

Our last day in New York was jam packed; the morning starting off with a BANG! Or a storm to be exact. But, I was in my shorts (which caused quite a reaction, are people not used to seeing shorts anymore? lol) and we trudged on to the Upper East Side. Once again, we took our own walking tour before finally reaching the Met. 

Oh the Met! We didn't have much time, but we went through the exhibits that we were interested in, including the Baroque period with original furniture and household items from Louis XIV himself. Georgia and I just LOVE pomp and circumstance and these gilded rooms were full of it! Though the museum has really outdone itself with amazing exhibits, the happiest surprise for me was the Punk: Chaos to Couture. For fashion lovers, especially, this exhibit was a dream! Original couture pieces from the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Junya Watanabe, Commes Des Garcons ... and the wonder that was/is Alexander McQueen all in one place. I died. I couldn't believe they displayed a few of his originals. We weren't allowed to take our own photos, but those are a few of the pieces.

The rest of the day was spent attempting to walk through Central Park. Of course we failed, like everything in New York  everything in the city is super-sized. But, from the Upper East Side we walked all the way back to Times Square, our hotel, rested for a little and then separated to meet with our friends from back home.

My buddy (I haven't seen her in 2 years!!) from Otis College of Art and Design, Li Li, took me to the adorable West Village where we went balls out at the Meatball Shop. Definitely a yummy place to eat!

The night ended where we began, Times Square. We had an early night for an early flight home. 

Dear New York, 

I will come back to you again! 

xoxo

Some Good Ol' New York Fashion. Manhattan, New York

Speaking of dreams, this little kid popped into my picture. A child of promise.

"Pulitzer and Hearst they think they got us, do they got us?" "NO!" Yes, I am every bit a pansy.

Midnight dinner at Bryant Park

Finna Eat!

So ... not everyone can pull of the shaved side part look, but she works it so well. Her casual ensemble from head to toe is fresh and cool. Love the sandals! Nails are even perfectly manicured okay! Now if only I could pull off that hair. But alas, I'll leave it to awesome girls like her. Take note everybody!

Another photo op that I couldn't pass up. Let's talk about her polished and chic look, all white with orange accents: the belt and bag. Her dress, with small pleating at the neckline, is perfect for work or dressed down with minimal sandals for summer lounging. She has just enough jewelry on and what tops her look is ... her beautiful hair! Folks don't be afraid to DRESS UP. If you're going to get dressed, go all out, that means hair to toe! And that is the recipe to fabulous. ;)

Both of theses fabulous women I met were in Bryant Park. I have to say that Georgia and I fell madly in love with this place. It's beautiful, everyone looks photo ready, it's just my kind of place. But, besides the park, we visited the awe-inspiring Statue of Liberty . It was a muggy morning, but that couldn't hold down the grandiosity that is Lady Liberty. 

In the evening we watched Newsies The Musical! This is for hardcore Disney fans or Christian Bale fans. If you've seen the movie, which is one of our favorites, they changed some parts, but it's a lot of fun and the dancing is spectacular. You should definitely check it out even if you don't know what its about or if you just love a sausage fest! ;)

Thoughts on the style in the post?

Empire State of Mind. Manhattan, New York

Georgia in her androgynous 80's look for our New York evening walk

This must be the library where dreams are made of.  New York Public Library

The window displays were the best I've seen. Ermenegildo Zegna

My dear Jimmy Fallon chose this week of all weeks to not have any Late Night tapings. 

The walk

Times Square!!!! Dream Realized!

Sisters atop the Empire State Building

"In New Yooork, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do ..."
Oh, Alicia Keyes and Jay Z, you are right. I've literally dreamt of visiting NYC for YEARS! I was excited!

My sister, Georgia and I arrived in New York in the afternoon, but didn't leave our Midtown hotel, Spring Hill Suites Mariott, until the ripe hour of 8:00pm: the city was still bustling. We took our own walking tour, visiting FAO Schwartz, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios and of course Times Square. Our goal was to be at the Empire State Building by 11:00pm.

Why? Because if we had gone during peak hours, we probably would have spent the entire day in line! Think Disney Land and you kicking yourself for not having a Fast Pass. So for us, walking past rows of red ropes that would have been a nightmare wait felt exhilarating. ;) Our first trip to NYC was off to a great start! ... That pizza we had in Times Square helped too though lol. The pizza was the best pizza I've ever had #realtalk!

Chi Town's Finest: Photo Diary. Chicago, Illinois

A Wedding at the Chicago Cultural Center

The happy couple, Nowie and Jun

Maids of Honor actin' a foo'. My sister Georgia and Cousin Jill.

The infamous bean ... or Cloud Gate

The sisters at Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain 

Doin' it deadly! This is how you do it in the Windy City. Love these girls' style. Git 'em!

My cousin had a beautiful wedding at the Chicago Cultural Center 2 weeks ago. It was nice to see my two other sisters and the rest (not all) of the Clariza clan again. With great live music, a never ending amount of food, and a crowded dance floor of folks young and old doing the cupid shuffle, the wedding was a blast. It's always a party when the Clariza's come to town.

P.S. Chicago is an interesting city: pretty parks, a random, but awe-inspiring river in the middle of an urban landscape, a mix of historic and ultra-modern architecture and that AwesOme Chicago style pizza, there's something for everyone there. Oh, and the people are very friendly. I was pleasantly surprised. 

You have to go to: Giordano's Yes, the pizza is as amazing as they say. Trust.

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A Vision of Lights: Photo Diary. Honolulu, HI. July 17, 2013

The Beginning: Model Emma De Vries Dancer: Jordan Stevens

Bejan and Mari. These two again! But I don't know what I'd do without them. 

Emma and Lyle. Good Pictures? You know it.

Make-up: Vanessa Li

A treat for the cat lovers. Popoki, the cat modeling my headdress.

Last photoshoot in Hawaii for my LED light dress. Thank you everyone for an amazing shoot, despite the two folks gathering materials for a meth cookout. Beautiful park though. *Highlights above

Photography: Lyle Amine (you really need to LIKE his page Lyle Amine Photography)
Make-up: The equally amazing Vanessa Li (Vanessa Li :: Style Engineer)
Hair and Headdress: Me
Talent: The beautiful Emma De Vries and amazing dancer, Jordan Stevens (check him out in this music video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_rd2FP_SQ) He's also danced for Rihanna and Miss Janet herself.
Location: Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden

Bejan Moers. The Modern, Honolulu. July 26, 2013Th

Miss Jazmine. Don't bother her, she's classy, but if you're cute ... maybe

Bejan and Hope 

Salem

Uthpala

Katt

Salem

This girl!! 

With a design-ready name like Bejan Moers, you're sure to be treated to a great fashion show. Bejan had a showing at The Modern hotel in Waikiki a few weeks ago. His collection,"Warrior," infuses leathers, upholstery, and a slew of unique fabrics to create his sleek designs. The silhouettes are simple, but don't let that fool you, look closer and you'll see that each piece carries unusual seams and other unexpected design details, not to mention that the clothes are all meticulously sewn. He's brilliant I tell you! Modern indeed. *Highlights from the show above.

My good friends and fellow designers, Mari Nakamura and Jazmine Nakamura or as I like to call them, The Nakumura Sisters (they're not sisters, but it has a nice ring to it haha), came for support. We were/are Bejan's hair and makeup team and biggest supporters!

Watch out for Bejan in the Hawaii and soon to be New York area. And keep a look out for Mari and Jazmine in Hawaii. These cats are the best up-coming designers from 2013. #realtalk.