CoryStyle.com

New Jumbo Seafood Dinner with HBS Pals :)

 

Always a Chinese favorite of ours in Boston: New Jumbo Seafood :)

Check it out if you're in Boston, their seafood IS super delicious, especially the shrimp and lobster!!

 

 

 

Jelly Fish appetizer :)

 

 

 

Maggie, Dave and Mike ready to eat!

 

 

 

Pork Hock Thinly Sliced appetizer--with pineapples and sweet & sour sauce

 

 

 

Sauteed Baby Bok Choy with Garlic--a MUST HAVE at every meal!!

 

 

 

Sauteed Peapod Stems--Peter and I did not discover this until the past year, we kept seeing other people order them and finally decided to try them out.  I love them, though if I had to choose between these and Baby Bok Choy, I think I'd have to still choose Baby Bok Choy...it's very close though!

 

 

 

House Special Hot Pot--I always have a soft spot for hot pots at Chinese restaurants since my Dad and I used to always order them...it's a great way to get a good mix of seafood, meats, tofu and veggies, all in one delicious saucy pot!

 

 

 

Jenny, Carl and Maggie--thanks Maggie for dishing out the rice :)

BTW, Jenny has on a super cool lace top and necklace!

 

 

I *think* this may have been a Soft Shell Crab special--they do really good "fried" squid and such at New Jumbo Seafood--it's always seasoned very well as you can see from these pics :)

 

 

 

Coconut Crispy Chicken--I am not sure why "coconut" is part of the name but it's basically the "House Special Chinese Roast/Fried Chicken" at New Jumbo Seafood--maybe they brush the skin with some coconut sauce?  Either way, it's delicious!!!

 

 

 

Honey Walnut Shrimp--it's funny but this is one of the few dishes both my Chinese and non-Chinese friends LOVE every time!

 

 

 

Peking Pork Chops--Peter's favorite dish at New Jumbo Seafood, we ALWAYS have to get this haha

 

 

 

Fried Stuffed Tofu with special soy sauce dip :)

 

 

 

Stir Fried Lobster with Ginger & Scallion--I actually am liking lobster more and more these days...though my favorite is still the ones we had in Hong Kong with the Yee Mein and Cheesy Sauce...so sad cos most Chinese restaurants in the U.S. have no idea what I'm talking about when I ask about this :(

 

 

 

I think this is one of the many times Peter and I got so preoccupied with eating that we forgot completely about taking pics of what we were wearing and all haha...*oops*!! 

Craigie on Main Brunch & Out and About HBS

 

Ever since I went to Craigie on Main with my friend Mijin for brunch last Fall, I had been wanting to bring Petah with me.  I knew he would love the Corned Beef Hash there as he loves Corned Beef Hash and this one had some of the most tender and tasty meats!

 

So off we went to brunch at Craigie on Main with our pals Amy and TQ :)

 

P.S.--We did not leave disappointed nor hungry at all...in fact, we were STUFFED!

 

 

 

House Made Donut with caramel syrup...delish!  Better than Dunkin' Donuts---jk haha, of course it would be!  One of the saddest things though is that there are NO Krispy Kremes in Boston or possibly the State of Massachusetts...damn Dunkin'!!! LOL

 

 

 

poached pear, organic yogurt, Concord grape coulis 

 

 

 

The "healthy" option...coriander and cashew granola, milk or organic yogurt :)

 

 

 

 

Scallops with Grits...*nom nom* ;)

 

 

 

The "not as healthy" option...Local Grass-Fed Beef Burger--Shelburne Farm cheddar, mace ketchup, house-made bun, crispy potato fries

 

 

 

 

The "favorite" at Craigie on Main's brunch menu!!!  

Grass-Fed & House-Brined Corned Beef Cheek & Smoked Beef Tongue Hash--slow-poached farm-fresh egg, crispy onion rings

 

 

 

TQ, Amy, Petah & Me!  Love the "open" kitchen too, it can be somewhat mesmerizing to watch the Chefs hard at work and in such rhythm...it is almost second nature for them to be in such a bustling environment.

 

 

Oh wait, we're not done yet!!

House-Made Profiteroles--canela ice cream, rum-Valrhona chocolate sauce

These were a huge hit despite the messy/dirty fingers we all had at the end of the meal haha

 

 

Apple Tartin with green tea ice cream :)

YAY for fruity desserts, I find it so hard to get yummy fruity dessert options at many restaurants here...it's usually, as in 95% of the time, always a Chocolate of some sort :(

 

After that delicious brunch, Peter and I were ready to pass out in bed...but...before that, we decided to roam around the HBS campus and let Bow Wow run around!

 

 

Me--Chanel Grey Blue Tweed Jacket, Calypso St. Barths Ivory Lace Top, AG Black Twill Skinny Pants, Christian Louboutin Miss Boxe Black Leather Wood Platform shoes and Christian Dior Limited Edition Black leather Ruffle New Lock Bag

 

 

Me--Chanel Grey Blue Tweed Jacket, Calypso St. Barths Ivory Lace Top, AG Black Twill Skinny Pants, and Christian Dior Limited Edition Black leather Ruffle New Lock Bag

 

 

 

Me--Chanel Grey Blue Tweed Jacket, Calypso St. Barths Ivory Lace Top, Cartier Love Bracelets in Yellow Gold and White Gold, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond tennis bracelet

 

 

PZ--Surface to Air Navy Blue Cotton Jacket, Burberry Polo Shirt in Red, Citizens of Humanit Jeans, Salvatore Ferragamo White Sneakers with Brown Patent Velcro Straps

 

 

"Wait Peter!  Stop running off without me!!" LOL

PZ--Surface to Air Navy Blue Cotton Jacket, Burberry Polo Shirt in Red, Citizens of Humanit Jeans, Salvatore Ferragamo White Sneakers with Brown Patent Velcro Straps

 

 

 

Loved this shot with the "greenery" on both sides and a stretch of walkway down the middle...as if Peter is about to disappear into the horizon...

 

 

 

 

On the grassy lawn on campus, Bow Wow was really enjoying himself outside (which usually consists of him sniffing and marking as much as he can, and also running around at full speed like a little crazy doggy that he is :)

Me--Calypso St. Barths Ivory Lace top and AG Black Twill Skinny pants

 

 

Hi there Bow Wow!

Isn't he just such a crazy little speedster? hehe

 

 

Calypso St. Barths Ivory Lace Top

 

 

 

Christian Louboutin Miss Boxe Black Leather with Wood Platform wedges...love love these, one of the first pairs of Louboutins I got back in L.A. from Barneys NY :)

 

 

 

Cornerstone Ranch Horseback Riding w/ HBS Pals :)

 

Peter organized an outing for horseback riding at Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton, MA...somewhere very far east of Boston.  I was initially hesitant, as I am a natural "scaredy cat" and worry about things like falling off the horse or running into a tree branch while riding somehow.  Yes, it may be ridiculous, but if it were to happen to any one person, that one person is usually me =X

 

 

Here I am getting prepped for the ride, I think the lady at Cornerstone Ranch could smell my fears from a mile away, but thankfully, as a result, gave me the most well-behaved and calm horsey...

Me--USC Black Hoodie Sweatshirt, Genetic Denim Black Skinny Jeans, Francois Pinton Jacky 2 Black sunnies

 

 

Peter on his horsey, ready for the ride!

PZ--Nation LTD Blue tee, Neil Barrett for Paladium Taupe Suede Boots

 

 

I made it onto my horse! YAY!

Me--USC Black Hoodie Sweatshirt, Genetic Denim Black Skinny jeans, Chanel Black Rainboots with White Camelia motif

 

 

Tiffany on her horse, now, Tiffany is a seasoned pro at horseback riding.  She narrowly escaped a bad accident when her horse got all crazy and tried to throw her off, but Tiffany sensed it and was able to jump off in time before getting smushed and fallen on by her horse!

 

 

 

Lucas and Tiffany...

 

 

 

Deema and Bassel showing us how cool they are and how it's done in Dubai LOL, so cute!!

 

 

 

Yes, that's a goat roaming around...I guess the farm animals know not to get in the way of the horses.  I could only envision Bow Wow being there and going all crazy and scaring off the horse and then getting kicked or stomped on...so sad to imagine, but yah, good thing we didn't bring Bow Wow!

 

 

 

Me--USC Black Hoodie Sweatshirt, Cartier Love Bracelets in WG and YG, Francois Pinton Jacky 2 Black sunnies

 

 

 

Deema, looking gorgeous with her horsey :)

 

 

 

PZ--Nation LTD Blue tee, Citizens of Humanity Jeans, Neil Barrett for Paladium Taupe Suede boots, Gucci khaki brown leather sunnies

 

Providence Tasting in L.A.!!

 

 

Another tasting was scheduled during our short stay over in L.A.--this time, we headed off in the direction of West Hollywood to check out Providence.

I had read and researched around online, Chowhounds being one of my favorite forums to go to for local foodie's feedback, and Providence seemed to continuously receive high marks and praise, PLUS, they are very seafoody-based, which is perfect for me (I can't ever seem to do more than 1 or 2 meat courses during tasting dinners, plus many a times, the meat course will include Lamb or Venison or something far too "gamey tasting" for me).

 

 

 

The location is a bit odd, it's all by itself off Melrose Avenue, but on a very quiet, residential part of Melrose...

 

 

 

 

Bryan, Peter and I all decided to try out their "Mocktails," I always love it when restaurants have creative drinks made for those of us who do not "drink" :)

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche--Mojito Iced Gelee & Screwdriver Glob

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche #2--Carrot Soup Shot, Cheese Puff & Prawn (loved the miniature bites and creative sets!)

 

 

 

 

Japanese Kampachi--with red shiso pearl tapioca, cucumber and enoki mushrooms (YUMM, love Kampachi anything haha)

 

 

 

Santa Barbara Sea Urchin in a Farm Fresh Egg--this was beyond amazing, Peter and I don't even love Uni but we loved this course, so rich and velvety!

 

 

 

Hokkaido Sea Scallop--with beets, almonts and nori

 

 

 

Wild Pacific Halibut--with sesame seed crust topping, asparagus and a lemon creme puree (not my favorite since I don't usually love the lemon taste with fish and we're not fans of asparagus at all, but the fish was cooked perfectly and was very tender!)

 

 

 

 

We added a truffle pasta supplement to our tasting...here is the famous box of truffles!!  Ahh, the fragrance!

 

 

 

Pasta with Truffles--so simple yet so delicious!

 

 

 

 

This was my Salmon substitute instead of Veal...

 

 

 

Veal Tenderloin--with spring onions, crushed butterball potatoes and a garlic confit

 

 

 

Hello Mrs. Cheesecart again!! 

PZ--Burberry Vintage Turquoise Blue Short Sleeve Polo, Cartier Santos 100 watch

 

 

 

 

I can't even recall which cheeses we selected but the fruit preserves at Providence are second to none, seriously, I think next time we go back, I'm going to have to ask them to bring a huge bowl of the fruit preserves for us...we loved it so much, I think I'd eat just that instead of the desserts haha

 

 

 

We asked for a non-Chocolate dessert as P and I are not huge Chocolate fans...this Apple Panna Cotta with slices of cucumber and apple and sorbet was delish!  So refreshing and light but tasty!!

 

 

 

Some kind of fruit cake with blackberries and ice cream :)

 

 

 

Peter, Me and Bryan :) (Bryan actually looks super sleepy and food coma-ish in this pic haha)

Me--Louis Vuitton Blue Silk Printed Top

 

 

 

Our parting gift desserts from Providence, though at this point, we were so full, we barely made it out the door and home to sleep LOL

 

 

 

 

Off to L.A. We Go!!! Melisse Carte Blanche Tasting :)

 

 

 

As sad as we were to leave Hong Kong and Japan, after being on the road for a few weeks, we were super happy to make a stop over in L.A.

After being in the east coast for so many years now, I never pass up an opportunity to fly home to the land of 75 degree weather, sunshine, amazing food, shopping, and bestest friends :)

I had dined at Melisse, L.A.'s Michelin 2-star rated French restaurant, previously in March with my best friend, Bryan...we were so overstuffed with truffles, and blown away by everything, I knew I had to bring Peter here this time around!

 

Sadly, we had no idea that June was not really truffle season, so (to Peter's great dismay and sadness), the Carte Blanche menu was much much lighter on truffle infused dishes...BUT, we still enjoyed every single bite over the course of 4 hours...at the end, we all were ready to "roll home." hehe

 

 

 

We thought we could use Peter's Birthday...yes, much later on July 4th, as an excuse to do this Melisse Carte Blanche dinner :)

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche--Grape, Goat Cheese & Pistachio (it's funny, but sometimes our favorite course is the Amuse Bouche haha)

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche #2--Blue Mackerel Sashimi with Light Citrus Salad

 

 

Carlsbad Oyster with Melon Gelee--*slurp slurp*

 

 

 

Egg Custard with Black Caviar

 

 

 

The ever famous "Egg Caviar" with Lemon Creme Fraiche & American Caviar--so so YUMMY!!!

 

 

 

 

I believe this was a Santa Barbara Spot Prawn...

 

 

 

This was either Arctic Char or Salmon with a sweet pea foam broth

 

 

 

Sorry--memory is spotty as there were so many courses...but this was Quail Egg on some kind of meat...

 

 

 

What could be underneath all these pasta flakes...??

 

 

 

A nice juicy Filet Mignon...I just wished it was more fatty haha

 

 

 

 

The Cheese Cart has arrived!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yogurt with a Strawberry Sorbet--super light and refreshing!

 

 

 

Chocolate Overdose--Mascarpone, Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Souffle...way too much Chocolate for me, but I know most others would be all over this :)

 

 

 

This was like a Peach or Mango Icee topped with a light fruit sorbet

 

 

 

Macaroons & Caneles--LOVED the Caneles, they have a soft custard center and a nice thick caramelized crust

 

 

 

Strawberries and Cream!

 

 

 

I think at this point, we were all ready to go home and pass out, but it was an amazing meal spent with 2 of my favorite (and most stylish) friends in the world :)

 

 

 

 

Day 4 in Hong Kong...out and about with PZ's Parents

 

 

 

 

Peter's parents came to Hong Kong for a day to meet up with us, so we went off to explore Kowloon and do some shopping :)

 

 

 

I have to say I was very impressed how every few shops is a jewelry store in Hong Kong, and sometimes, you would even see the same brand jewelry stores directly across the street from each other!!!

Here is a nice solid 24kt yellow gold Mickey @ Chow Sang Sang, one of the major jewelry store brands in Hong Kong...I love how Disney and Peanuts characters are so popular in Hong Kong that you can get cute and well made but licensed Mickey or Snoopy jewelry pieces.  Whereas in the U.S., you usually only find animated character jewelry in costume jewelry form or 14kt gold plated at best...

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Converse Silver Glitter sneakers :)

 

 

 

With Peter's mom buying chinese medicine and herbs :)

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with diamonds

 

 

Browsing the streets of Kowloon :)

 

 

 

Doing my best to blend in with the Disney characters LOL

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Converse Silver Glitter sneakers :)

 

After a long day of walking around and shopping, we ended up going to Lei Garden for dinner :)

 

 

Pickled Cucumbers appetizer, very light and refreshing!

 

 

 

Sliced Beef appetizer-I forget which part of the cow this came from, but it was delicious...and nothing too weird like brain or something LOL

 

 

 

Candied Walnuts with sesame :)

 

 

 

I think we got Winter Melon soup, but I don't think I've seen a pot of soup presented like this in the U.S...I remember how we used to have Winter Melon soup in a whole Winter Melon back in the day...ahhh so yummy!

 

 

 

Char Siu--BBQ Pork, nice and fatty and juicy, just the way we like it!

 

 

 

Peking Duck!

 

 

 

Crispy Pork--it's so miniature but fresh with perfectly crisped skin and a nice layer of fat :)

 

 

 

Stir Fried Baby Bok Choy with Garlic--this is always our "go-to" favorite chinese veggie, so simple yet essential.

 

 

 

Steamed Egg Custard with Seafood--it's like the Chinese version of Chawanmushi!

 

 

 

I forget which dessert this was, but I think it may have been Fried Bananas?

 

 

 

 

PZ's parents and us outside Lei Garden Hong Kong :)

PZ--Trovata Magenta Short Sleeve Polo, Penguin Blue Plaid Shorts

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

Day 3 in Hong Kong Causeway Bay & Dinner with an old CIS friend :)

 

 

Lunching at Lei Garden Bistro with Petah!

 

 

PZ--Junk Food Tide Charity Red tee

 

 

 

Delicious Roast Suckling Pig--it's just so small and cute!  The crispy skin and fat were perfection :)

 

 

 

 

Wonton Noodle Soup--very soothing!

 

 

 

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond pendant necklace, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Diamond Key

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello gorgeous Chanel and Hermes bags!!  How come I don't come across these at all in consignment shops in the U.S.??!!

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Theory Grey Bow Tie Cotton shorts, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was at the 1984 LA Olympics!!! Ofcourse I was a baby and barely knew what was going on, my Dad just told me that I ended up a super tanned baby after that week hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

My old home and stomping grounds!!

 

 

 

So many memories here...

 

 

 

 

Peter found some amazing fresh fish sung at a Hong Kong department store, he said it was so amazing, so much yummier than pork sung :)

 

 

 

One of the many fresh juice and bubble tea stands around Hong Kong that we frequented :)

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Theory Grey Cotton Bow Tie shorts, Roberto Coin Cento Diamond stud earrings, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Mini Hoop earrings, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Diamond Key, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond necklace

 

 

 

And that was where all the bubble tea went...hehe

Me--Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Oliver Peoples Black Gold Rim sunnies

 

Dinner was very special, as I got to meet up with an old CIS (Chinese International School) friend whom I had not seen in many many years!  She was basically my best friend when I was living in Hong Kong and our "mums" would pick us up from school each day and we'd hang out and play at each other's homes...ahhh to be a little kiddo again and turn back the time...

 

 

When we sat down at Ye Shanghai, the hostess quickly brought over a mini chair...for my bag!!  Isn't that genius?!!  How come more restaurants in the U.S. don't do this...I always hate having to find places for my bag since putting it on the floor is not an option for me, I usually end up sharing half my seat with my bag and that usually does not make for a very comfortable meal!

Me--CLU grey cardigan with ivory white silk trim, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Chanel 18K WG Diamond Double Star "etoiles" ring

 

 

 

 

Tofu with Pi Dan--yummmmm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peking Duck!!

 

 

 

Pan Fried Sweet & Sour Fish :)

 

 

 

Sesame Ball Dessert Soup--I love chinese desserts!!  I'm always sad with most U.S. Chinese restaurants as they don't offer any real dessert options, just sliced oranges and a fortune cookie LOL

 

 

 

Fried Banana Balls--I can never turn down Fried Bananas :)

 

 

 

 

 

Fred, Vivian, Me and Peter :)

Peter--Hermes Pink Blue White Dress shirt

 

Day 2 in Hong Kong...Mandarin Oriental Afternoon Tea & Hong Kong Jockey Club :)

 

 

 

Peter and I kicked off our 2nd day in Hong Kong with a yummy stop at Tai Ping Koon in Causeway Bay for some "Hong Kong/American cafe" style lunch :)

One of my fondest memories from living in Hong Kong as a child was going to these types of "cafe" places with my parents and getting Borscht soup--something I still love today hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chicken Wings are amazing here!!!

 

 

 

Enjoying loads of yummies at Tai Ping Koon; ;)

Me--Ali Ro Silk Floral Dress, Penny Preville 18K WG Diamonds Emerald Diamonds, Roberto Coin Cento Diamond studs, Cartier 18K YG Heart Ring

 

After some browsing around, we were off to the Mandarin Oriental in Central to meet some pals for afternoon tea...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me, Charles, Ianz and Dave :)

 

 

 

 

 

Nice view of Hong Kong :)

 

Then it was off to Crystal Jade in Times Square for dinner with our South Africa pal Conor.

 

 

Spicy Wontons--sooo good!

 

 

 

Hot Beef Noodle Soup :)

 

 

 

Xiao Long Bao--of course we stuffed a few in our mouths before we realized we had to take a pic hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valley Hong Kong Jockey Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me--Ali Ro Floral Silk Dress, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic Watch

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 6 more Tokyo!!

 

 

 

Our last official day of the HBS Japan Trip 2011--so sad *sniff*

As some of you may well know, Peter and I are NOT "early birds" but we are "fatties" enough to wake up at 6am for Tsukiji Fish Market tour...yes, the place where all the fresh fish are prepared and sold off to restaurants and markets!!!

 

 

YAY!!  We have arrived!!!

 

 

 

 

This whole experience was really quite amazing...such a bustling place so early in the morning!

 

 

But first things first...we must eat, lots of delicious fresh sashimi!!!

As with everything on the Japan Trip, our trip planners had arranged everything impeccably, so all we needed to do was "sleepily" follow them into a small hidden gem, where others had already begun wolfing down fresh pieces of sashimi by the minute.

 

 

Hello delicious piece of Toro!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uni--Sea Urchin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't these just look so fatty and yummy?? *nom nom nom*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The place was super compact, yet the one waitress and sushi chef seemed to work perfectly hand in hand, and they were very polite but efficient.

I will admit though that Peter and I were still so sleepy, that we have little recollection of that meal, sadly, we wish we had been more awake to truly enjoy each and every bite haha

 

 

 

 

After that scrumptious sashimi "breakfast"...we headed off to the Tsukiji Fish Market...technically, we were not supposed to be wandering in there that day, something about it being closed off to the public...but hey, we're pretty stealth :)

 

 

Fresh Wasabi!!!

 

 

 

Amazingly enough, it was MUCH cleaner than I had imagined...

 

 

 

Fresh Shrimp!!

 

 

 

 

Hello Mr. Fish, someone will make a great meal tonight!!

 

 

 

Ginormous Octopus ;)

 

 

 

 

It's a scallop in an oyster shell!!!  So cool!

 

 

 

This was pretty crazy, a huge fish sliced upon and being prepped into sellable sashimi pieces!

 

 

 

Aren't these Squiddos huge?

 

After our "little secret mission" around the Tsukiji Fish Market, we had some time to browse the fresh produce and food stands surrounding it...

 

 

We came upon this grilled meat skewer stand...and well, Peter can never turn down a meat skewer...oddly enough, this is WHALE!!??

 

 

 

 

Had no idea people even ate whale anymore, or at all...but it was pretty fun watching them scorch it with a flame blower on top of the grill!

 

 

 

I don't think I was brave enough to try it, but this is what it looked like...Peter said it was very fatty/oily tasting...and tasted kind of like chicken?!! LOL

 

 

 

More fresh fruit and crazy expensive BUT delicious Mango!!

 

 

 

 

 

Back at our hotel, we noticed a fresh display of flowers by the elevators...I think we noticed them changing these daily!!

 

After a little rest, we set off to explore/shop around Tokyo...

 

 

Monica and me strolling, well scurrying off actually, to do some shopping!!! YAYYYY hahaha

Me--Ron Herman Vintage Free City Hot Pink Hoodie, Gucci brown monogram belt bag

 

 

This was a super cute statue of a dog who was so loyal to his owner, that when his owner died, the dog came back to this one spot to wait for his owner every day, until the dog had passed too...gosh, how come Bow Wow isn't this smart? JKK haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when we got back to our hotel, the flowers had bloomed!!

 

 

As this was our last night with the Japan Trip group, we had a final night of food and fun :)

 

 

Me--Catherine Malandrino Black Silk Silver Studded dress, CLU Grey Cardigan with Ivory White Silk Trim, Cartier Love bracelets in YG and WG

 

 

 

Our amazing HBS Japan Trip crew....thanks to all the organizers for such a wonderful experience and time in Japan!! :)

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 5 Tokyo Touring Around :)

Our last destination on the Japan trek---Tokyo!!! :)

 

 

Can't kick off a morning without a $25 dollar mango, right?  We finally got around to trying the crazy expensive but fragrant/gorgeous looking mango we bought from our Osaka day trip!!!

 

 

Yes, didn't you know all mangos come with an instruction booklet on how to prepare and eat it? hehe

 

 

 

 

And yes, it was DELICIOUS and "Oh so sweet!" success!!!!

 

 

Here is a picture of the main lobby area of the Hotel Okura in Tokyo:

 

 

It definitely had a very 1960s/1970s feel to it but in a good way, the architecture and decor really made me feel like I traveled back in time (well, to a period I wasn't around for...but could imagine from old movies :)

 

And off we went on our Tokyo city tour, checking out more temples and shrines...

 

 

Love how huge and bushy and GREEN this tree is and how it basically took up the whole picture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So cute, as we were doing another HBS group shot, some Japanese students saw us and really wanted to join in on the picture fun :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our lunch at a yummy Kushiage Restaurant--loads of fried yumminess!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a funny story about this bag, we saw it while strolling on some free "shopping" time we had, but Peter was anxious to get some ramen first cos he was still hungry...anyhow, we snapped a picture with it and when we came back 45 min later...they had sold the ONE AND ONLY PINK bag :( :( (this photo is a reminder for PZ and all the boys who say "it'll be there, we'll come back for it later...")

 

 

 

 

The ramen that cost me the PINK Hello Kitty bag above *sniff sniff* (haha, I'm so bad, I've given Peter so much grief about this already, and so sad for him we took a picture of me with the bag...cos he'll always remember when he sees the picture LOL)

 

 

 

 

PZ and Ianz and Charles, looking down this glass window on one of the high buildings in Tokyo...

 

 

 

Peter's facial expression is so priceless (and cute) hahaha

PZ--Junk Food "Tide" charity red tee, Penguin Blue Plaid Shorts, Gucci Limited Edition Blue and Gold Croc sneakers

 

And later on at night, Peter and I explored the Akihabara "electronics" district...you could wander endlessly there, marveling at all the anime and gadget stuff :)

 

 

 

 

For din din, we tried to replicate our previously SUPER delicious Japanese BBQ outing in Kyoto...went to "Gyu-Kaku" in Tokyo, unfortunately, the meat quality and flavoring fell far short of the yumminess we had in Kyoto...so sad, if we ever go back to Kyoto--we hope to find that place!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we still ate it all haha :)

Me--Wren Burnout White Tee, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with diamonds, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond Pendant Necklace, Chanel 18K WG Diamonds Double Star Ring and Anita Ko 18K YG Spike bracelet with pave diamond spike