Gotta Dash to the Finish Line!

Hi there! I'm neck-deep in my graduate research project and on tip-toe about new, non-blog interests.  But I'm alive, well, and as you can see, still able to do a few blogger's poses!   

        Here I am wearing two of my October loves:  DKNY wedge boots and Mimi di Niscemi elephant belt.

         Wearing: DKNY skirt, Jousse sweater, Mimi di N belt, and DKNYC wedge boots.   

    The balloons in the background are remnants from my 

recent birthday. 

 Wearing: same DKNY wedge boots (so very comfortable I hiked in them at the Interstate State Park!)  Jaspal dress,Mimi di N belt, DKNY tights, Jousse plaid blazer and Oscar de la Renta sunnies

     Let me get my master's diploma first. After that, perhaps I'll be a better blogger!  Meantime, please pardon my lurking over at your exciting blogs. *winks*

Shopping for Fall

I worked in sunny Bangkok for almost a decade, and I've only been in the US for a total of 9 months, so I truly do not have a closet brimming with fall-appropriate pieces. In fact, seasonal fashion transition is, personally, a very new and exciting concept. While I do have some clothes from my previous tropical living that will qualify as fall wardrobe, I must say they are very few indeed.

That leads me to some necessary shopping. Of course. *coughs* I've been slowly picking up clothes that will take me through fall, and even winter, with a bit more style than my bulky thermal coat. Two of my recent finds at our local Saks are these well-made Akris Punto jackets.

I can see this multi-colored 'painted' top/jacket going well with my blue velvet pants from Pink Tartan. It can also warm up and update my mini-dresses.

You can have the sleeves reach the elbow (left) or have them rolled up (right).

The neutral shade of this jacket makes it so easy to pair with the clothes I already have in my closet, but I picture it quite vividly with my Zara snake-print pants (the only thing I bought in NYC!). Aside from its quality, I like this jacket's very interesting detachable collar detail -those bronze buttons do the trick!

So how about you girls, what are you shopping for fall-winter season?

And thank you to dearest Thumbelina Fashionista for giving me this:

Thank you. Yay to another award! It's very heart-warming to have this mention from a style blogger I admire. I hope I can truly live up to this award.

Mango Girl in New York City: The Finale

My blog has become a New York City tour blog these days. I hope you are not too bored!

The trip was such an enjoyable one that I wish we could have stayed on for at least a couple of days more. I would have liked to watch another Broadway musical...probably, 'Wicked' or 'West Side Story'...and I would have liked to do some decent shopping as well...and I'd want to lazily hang out and drink my green tea at some Manhattan outdoor cafe without worrying about a schedule. Perhaps next time.

OK, so I now post Day 3 and Day 4 of our Labor Day weekend holiday in exciting New York City!

Day 3 Wall Street + Trinity Church + World Trade site + Century 21 + St. Peter's Church + Chinatown

This Wall Street Bull was beset by so many tourists who were unabashedly fondling its face and rear end that I felt sorry for it. I, however, respectfully stood by his side while everyone else was scrambling for front or back shots.

New York Stock Exchange

'Crouching leopard, hidden ....' A photo-op with our former president's name.

Wearing: new MSK belted leopard print dress, Jaspal jelly thong sandals, Longchamp Le Pliage bag, and Kenneth Cole sunnies

The ongoing construction of the One World Trade Center at what used to be the World Trade Center site (ground zero) is quite a scene. As I stood before it, a flood of emotions came over me.

Majestic Pizza and Calzone is where you can re-boot after some cutthroat shopping at next-door Century 21.

My lil Pathi finally decides to come out and smell the flowers!

Across the World Trade site is 'New York's best kept secret', Century 21, where I wanted so badly to pick up a Margiela and a Westwood (two brands I never see at my local stores) that were conclusively too many sizes too big for me.

We had 'Hop Kee', as recommended by Grace (VitaMinn Style), in our itinerary, but when we arrived at this Chinatown restaurant the queue was a mile long! And alas we were simply too hungry and exhausted to queue for dinner. So we walked to nearby Zagat-nominated , Joe's Ginger, (which also had a waiting time) where we sampled this chicken dish and the noodle below ...really good food!

pan-fried noodles with beef

The wild animal poses at a Chinatown corner before calling it a night.

Day 4 Liberty Island and Ellis Island Cruise Tour+Brooklyn Bridge+Sushi Samba lunch with my blog idols Lynn and Thumbelina

It was the day I made two new friends...and that made the trip even more special! Because after all the magnificent skyscrapers, the upbeat city tempo, and the non-stop cultural immersions, it was just nice to have sat down for good food and great company. What a way to cap our NYC holiday...with hugs!

Our first stop of the cruise was Liberty Island where we got a closeup shot of the Statue of Liberty. I wonder how many tourists have done this deed.

I'm not saluting but shading my eyes (I need bigger sunnies) from the bright sun.

I'm viewing pictures of immigrants at the Ellis Island Museum. The hubby began to get quirky with his shots...he actually stripped me of my colors to blend me in with the black-and-white photos at the museum's gallery.

Wearing: Anne Klein black mini-dress, Calvin Klein carved out sandals, black leggings, and Warehouse necklace.

photos of immigrants

Ellis Island

stylized Subway shot

walking along the famous Brooklyn Bridge

Tadaa! I'm in awe of these two NYC bloggers!
A pic taken outside Sushi Samba (where we had delicious Japanese cuisine) with beautiful and friendly bloggers, Thumbelina Fashionista and Lynn of allthingsnyc...thanks, girls!
Thanks, Thumbelina, for this pic, too.

What can I say, I LOVE NEW YORK!
And this ends my NYC journal, back to you Minneapolis.

Mango Girl in NYC: Day 2

Day 2 Central Park (Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle) + The Metropolitan Museum of Art + Broadway show, 'Phantom of the Opera' + St. Patrick's Cathedral+ Jollibee

Hey guys! Hope you are still up for more shots of New York City from a tourist's perspective. We woke up early to take in the green scenery at beautiful Central Park...the whole place looks even better than in any of the movies I've seen it in!

That day I felt like I had to wear a dress knowing that we had 'Phantom of the Opera' later. It was kind of a challenge to come up with an attire that can go from Central Park to museum to Majestic Theater and finally to Jollibee in Queens!

early morning after breakfast at the lobby

Belevedere Castle, Central Park

I would have liked to jog, too. Oh and the dogs...so many adorable dogs that my own lil Pathi was squirming with excitement inside my bag! Yes, Martina, he comes with me EVERYWHERE to my hubby's chagrin. haha!

Turtle Pond, Central Park

Shakespeare Garden, Central Park

I've always wanted to sit at a bench in Central Park! Dream come true.

Wearing: Eclipse black empire dress, Boulevard bolero, Warehouse multi-strand bronze necklace Longchamp Le Pliage bag, Calvin Klein wedges, and Kenneth Cole violet sunglasses

Feeling so giddy (and looking a lot like Ms. Bean...click on pic if you want to laugh) at being able to touch an Egyptian tomb at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

You're allowed to take your time and have your moment at these lovely, big spaces at the MET.

amazing sculptures

They have quite an impressive collection of paintings. We spent hours here!

I was excited to see another Van Gogh!

Here's for mama again..."Hail Mary" (1891) by Paul Gauguin


Degas
'Self-Portrait' by Van Gogh

at the MET's rooftop

The Met's steps where people rested, had snacks, and enjoyed street entertainers

Then off we went to watch Broadway's longest running musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera", at the Majestic Theater.

interior of the Majestic Theater

Me and a bit of the hubby while waiting for the show to begin; later, I got teary-eyed listening to familiar songs, "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You". Loved it!

The gothic architecture of St. Patrick's Cathedral, where we attended mass and gave thanks.

OK, now let me introduce you to Jollibee, a very popular Filipino resto...I just had to get my palabok and chicken joy fix! I googled for its address beforehand...it's somewhat faraway in Queens, but went there anyway. I think there are only a handful of branches in the USA; we certainly don't have it in Minnesota.

I'll try to put Day 3 and Day 4 in one post! Thank you for reading my NYC travel diary posts.

Mango Girl in New York City: Day 1

We had a grand time in the vibrant city of New York this past Labor Day weekend! We followed the rather hectic itinerary that we prepared days before we flew...never mind that I had to contend with my achy calves, bathroom troubles, and one sleepless night! We made it to our top ten NYC destinations in good time.

I am so overwhelmed by the hundreds of photos right now that I've decided to blog in parts and pick a few of the better shots. And, as much as I'd like to rhapsodize about every detail of our holiday, my graduate studies demand my time these days, so I'll be briefer than usual.

Here are a few of our Day One's afternoon shots: Empire State Building, Times Square, and a pizza dinner at John's Pizzeria

at the airport

Dressing for ultra comfort --I'm wearing my new 5/48 by Saks Fifth Avenue satin pants (bought these especially for the trip), new WD NY embellished flower cardigan, AIIZ Career knitted top, Saks Fifth Avenue flower necklace, Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag (great for traveling coz it's light-weight and roomy), and the most comfortable shoes I own, Calvin Klein carved out wedges (I walked/ran in them all over New York City!). we lined up for 1 hour and a half before we finally reached the Observatory

a shot of the city from the Empire State Building's Observatory

pulsating and brightly-lit Times Square...it seemed to me like everyone there was a tourist

Hawaiian pizza with added ground beef topping

They say you have to eat NY style pizza when you're there...so did my research and found John's Pizzeria, which, according to gayot.com, is in the 'top ten best pizzas in NYC'.

their two-level dining place is gorgeous; this is the interior's mural

Whew! More to come.

Back from NYC!

We had a grand time in NYC! We just got back today! Feels good to be lounging in my own sofa again.

Thank you for leaving comments on my previous post. Our NYC trip's schedule was pretty hectic, so I couldn't even log on to check my mails. And today I learn that my professor has just given us our new deadline for the final and biggest graduate studies paper yet. AHHHHHH. haha! OK, not really funny...and I think I'm getting serious gas just thinking about what I have to do.

I will be in complete student-mode all month. I'll resume regular blogging and blog hopping (I missed reading your blogs!) as soon as I make considerable headway in my academic endeavor.


And hugs to two very lovely ladies, Thumbelina and Lynn , for meeting up with me!!! Can you guys believe I actually had lunch with these stylish NYC bloggers? I'm so lucky with anything I do 'online', believe me! *winks*

Thank you all for visiting MANGO GIRL! I'm very grateful to you.

Verdant Sequins

I think fall has arrived in Minnesota what with the consistent 60s temperatures this weekend. I'm ready for my sequins...not that sequins are exclusively for fall, but my sequined finds happen to have rich linings, and one is actually a velvet dress! Let's just say they would be a little too warm for 80s summer temperatures.

This Sunday, I excitedly brought out this Carmen Marc Valvo sequin skirt I got from our local Saks last month. I haven't found a 'perfect' match for this skirt yet, but thought this glittery (can't be seen in the photos though) Sinequanone blouse I got years ago in Bangkok would do just fine for daytime look. After our usual Sunday morning services, we stopped by the nearest green park and took photos.

Daytime prim and proper, I'm-going-to-church look:




Wearing: Carmen Marc Valvo sequin skirt in avocado, Sinequanone blouse, Nine West t-strap sandals, Ralph Lauren emerald necklace


Nighttime the-disco-is-right-here-in-the-living-room look:


Wearing: same skirt paired this time with DKNY camisole, new (bought a month ago but never properly debuted here) Vince Camuti leather peeptoe ankle booties with gold zipper details, assortment of gold bangles, and same necklace

Then we had our lunch at Hongkong Noodles, probably our favorite resto last year when we lunched there almost every weekend.

pork barbecue with rice and veggies

the hubby liked this seafood (fish and shrimp) on fried rice dish

they serve a pot of hot tea for free

avocado smoothie as dessert drink

And in another development, our Labor Day business-holiday plan in New York is finalized today! We're going, definitely! I am so excited I have butterflies in my tummy!

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today I wanna be a part of it, New York, New York! These vagabond shoes are longing to stray..."

I dedicate this New York trip to my good friend in Bangkok, Run, who adores this city. I still remember us playing Frank Sinatra's New York, New York in the car's CD player on our way home from work and Run rhapsodizing about the city that never sleeps!

Thank you for taking the time to leave comments...Mango Girl appreciates it a lot! If you would like to exchange links, please tell me.

I'm not sure if I'd be able to blog while on holiday though...gotta enjoy as many fun things we can in such a short time. See you after my NY (should say, the CITY) trip!