yay for giveaway!

Hello hello hello lovely friends! Weekend's here! What will make our weekend more exciting than a giveaway? I am so honored to host an amazing giveaway from the generous people of Mailboxes of CSN Stores. They have the greatest stuff you can find online-from furniture, home improvements, housewares to bags, shoes, and luggage. You should totally check it out.

The Giveaway

One US or Canadian reader/follower will call one of these his/her own.

Parinda Ginger Handbag in Mocca

This bag is perfect for everyday use. The aesthetic front flap design added that extra chic points.

(from luggage.com)

Baggallini Monaco Small Silver Hardware Clutch in Steel Blue

This is a great handbag by day and perfect evening clutch by night.

(from luggage.com)

Travelon Ladies Tote Bag with Croco Trim in Black

For all the stylish jet-setters out there, this one is for you!

(from luggage.com)

Sydney Love Quilted Croc Hobo Bag in Red

Don't we all need a bag that can give us all the space we need?

(from luggage.com)

Travelers Club Bottom Expandable Rolling Duffel with Bonus Packing Cube in Black

(from luggage.com)

U.S. Traveler 28" Polyester Rolling Duffel in Black

(from luggage.com)

U.S. Traveler Koskin Leather Sport / Travel Carry-On Duffel Bag in Black

(from luggage.com)

Nexxt Snooze Wall Clock in Black

I really find this clock cool! This is my first four words when I wake up. Isn't it yours too?

(from EveryWallClock.com)

Nexxt Later Wall Clock in Black

When I saw this, I know I just need to include this as an option. It's because of the picture I tumbled on Tumblr:

Cool, I know.

(from EveryWallClock.com)

How to win?

...for an entry, leave a comment stating what item you want to win.

...don't forget to include your e-mail or website link.

...be a follower to have two entries (please tell me if you're already a follower).

...post this giveaway on your site for an extra entry (send me the link through a comment).

The giveaway ends on January 31, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

oh, italy

People always dream of a faraway land different from where they are. To most, it's New York. But for me who's already here, I dream of Italy. I really don't know why but maybe because of the food (when it comes to Italian foods, who cares about carb???) or maybe a part of it is influenced by Casanova. All I know is ever since I'm a child, I always dreamt of that place. And I hope one morning I'll wake up finding myself there. Until then, the occasional walk at NYC's Little Italy should suffice.

While my friend took this photo, I was inside a store. Of course, I didn't go out empty-handed. I went home hand-cuffed with this sweet thing. 

I bought this for $10, and I think it's really overpriced. But I can't go home thinking "I should have bought it!", so I thought I need to buy it for my sanity's sake. 

"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." 

--Anna Akhmatova

AWARDS

I'm so blessed that I'm surrounded with real and sweet people here in blogosphere. You have no idea how these awards mean to me. Thank you so much lovely ladies!

Rica passed me three awards. How sweet is that? If you haven't been to her blog, Sassy Rica, you've been missing a lot. It's not just because she's my friend, but that girl got style. Seriously, check her out.

I wanna pass this award to amazing bloggers who always make my day. Your blogs are so inspiring. Thank you so much for drawing a smile on my face with your lovely posts.

A Haute Mess

Alphabetachic

Being High maintenance, Not Bitchy

English Rose

I wanna pass this award to these beautiful ladies. These ladies breathe fashion and they fly with style.

Annabu

Barbro Andersen

Because I'm Addicted

I wanna share this award to all of you. All of you inspire me. What a great joy it is to know you. =)

********************

I was lost for words when Nina passed me this award. Coming from my fashion icon  herself (yes, you are Nina!), this really means a lot. Visit Ballerina's Closet Obsession once and then you'll find yourself checking it back everyday. And her sweet personality shows in her perfect panache. Nina owns a closet every woman would kill for. And oh, if you visit her blog, prepare a towel or napkin because I'm sure you'll drool over her shoe, bag, and jewelry collection. If you forget, don't say I didn't tell you.

I wanna pass this award to ten amazing bloggers:

A Daisy Chain Dream

A Wife's Charmed Life

Beneath the Crystal Stars

Zarna's Runway

Higher Than Heels

What Would a Nerd Wear

We Were Damsels

Vanilla Ice Cream

Fabulocity in Amish Country

Audrey Allure

********************

I also thank lovely Marta for passing me this awesome award. This lady is gorgeous beyond words. Take a look at her on her blog, I Love My Wardrobe. When you do, I'm pretty sure you'll be inspired. Her style is epic.

I am tasked to list seven things I love to do, this should be easy...

1. I love to read books. And I read books like there's no tomorrow.

2. I love to watch Disney shows like Wizards of Waverly Place, Suite Life on Deck, etc. (except Hannah Montana)

3. I love to shop alone but it's better to shop with my mom.

4. I love to read blogs and connect with amazing bloggers.

5. I love to eat bananas dipped in a powdered milk.

6. I love to watch Knicks games. But not as much as I love to watch the Yankees.

7. I love to keep my stuff in order. I'm a little OC, I admit.

Now, I wanna pass this award to seven lovely ladies:

Mahryska's Daily Dose

Quirky Explosion

Denise Katipunera

London Rose

Sidewalk Chalk

COSMICaroline

Diane

Enjoy the rest of the week lovelies!

out of my mind

Have you ever had those days when you totally don't have any idea what to wear and you just put on whatever your hands touched out of a wandering mind? Today was one of those days. And for whatever it's worth, I don't think it's that bad.

I honestly regret wearing this because even with a wool trench coat on, I can feel the chill go into every cell in my bone. High 30s plus 100% precipitation plus 20 mph wind... yeah, what was I thinking?

Anyways, thank you so much for your super encouraging words for me about driving. It boosted my enthusiasm in going behind the wheels. I got my learner's permit already (yay me!) and watched the 5-hour mandatory video (I barely made it; it's like a lullaby on a rainy night). So tomorrow's the real thing... I gotta sleep! Sleeping while learning how to drive is not a pretty scene.

drive me not

How's everyone doing? I was quite busy these past few days working on my learner's permit for driving and other stuff. I haven't been behind wheels my entire life (does Wii wheels count?). I'm used to having my dad (or somebody else) drive me before. Of course I always have the trusty metrocard or if not, I'll just hail a cab. Since I can live here without a car, I really didn't bother going to a driving school before. But now, circumstance is forcing me to go and get a license because I'll be working out of the city. It's exciting. It should be easy, right? It's not that I need to balance (a skill I don't have) or what. I have a mixed feeling about it. Please pray for those who will pass my way while I'm driving. =)

Moving on, I saw Giles Pre-Fall 2010 from WWD and just thought of sharing this to you. The collection has a fresh perspective of making everyday things grand.

I love how the garments are structured yet the soft draping gives every piece that perfect balance. My favorite is this fitted coatdress:

The bronze leather really oozes that edgy mysterious look with a little sultry touch.

Lastly, here's an overdue outfit. The hat and gloves really pop. I love playing with colors in winter. Why blend in if I can stand out? These photos show how I drown in the ocean of blacks.

Have great weekend everyone!

the night belongs to Valentino

Phantom of the Opera is my favorite broadway show ever. I can watch every night and still drop a tear or two whenever Phantom cries hearing Christine and Raoul sing. There's nothing worse than unrequited love, don't you think? Wait... actually, there is. When you see that perfect dress and you want it so bad you need it BUT your size, by some curse of nature, isn't available. Worse, I know. =)

Anyway, I'm out of the topic... So yeah, I watched Phantom of the Opera with my friend. To my excitement, I forgot to recharge my camera. It didn't make it by the time we're in the theatre. I only got this photo to immortalize that moment.

The infamous chandelier.

So here's what I wore. It doesn't look like it but that's actually five layers without the coat.

To finish up the outfit, I went to get my coat but then something led me to check out my mom's time-forsaken coats with such unexplainable anticipation of finding a treasure. And I did. I saw a long coat (perfect for a chilly day) hanging. When I checked its size, I gasped as I read "Valentino" and "Made in Italy". I was like, no way... no way I'm not gonna wear it. Then I called my mom why didn't she tell me about having it. She said, "Oh, I forgot". Uhmmm Mom, you don't forget Valentino. It perfectly fits me, like it's made just for me (and my mom, before). The moment I laid my hands on it, Valentino and I became one.

We moseyed along 5th Avenue before heading to the theatre.

This Bergdorf Goodman's window display spoke to me in ways that connect my love for fashion and fantasy. Fashion, after all, is a fantasy. I just have to share this. Bergdorf always have that window display that could stop me whenever I pass by.

For the last time, I took a picture of me with that tree, again. And on the side note, the wind makes me feel like I'm wearing only one layer. Pictures just can't hide it.

I wish everyone a great week ahead!