September 2014 photo diary

Do not be deceived, it looked like a really hot day but all I did was run towards the water and then run back after less than 30 seconds because it was too cold (I forgot I wasn't in the Philippines anymore).

Necklace from Luxirare's e-shop. As if my bitchy resting face isn't enough to say that. 

This wallet necklace is just so... nifty! Especially for someone like me who commutes with a backpack 3 times a week. I like the chain even if I'm wearing a sling bag since it just adds something to my all-black outfits. A bit short for bills but I fold them twice to fit and it's fine. The best for when I need my metro card and school ID while rushing, no need to take off my backpack or reach into my purse.

We waited for about 45 minutes but it was worth it. I didn't know we were coming here for dinner so I was staaaarving, but my shrimp sandwich was the best! Try their apple pie and frozen hot chocolate (duh), you won't regret it. 

Went to the Moscot shop right after a field trip. Sad that I can't justify purchasing eyeglasses after getting my vision fixed. 

I had to sew a huge piece for class without any knowledge in sewing and headed to Mood Fabrics for materials... Instantly reminded me of Project Runway! I remember being obsessed with the first season but after that I couldn't be bothered to watch the next ones anymore. A lot of people keep asking why I'm not in the fashion biz instead-- I absolutely hate sewing, I'm not fashionable (I just like what I like) and I don't think I can survive having to pick fabrics all the time. I do that for furniture/curtains and I dread every minute of it. Anything draped and involving fabrics just makes me hate life. I'd rather shop online or have someone make clothes for me, k?

Fall! Taken at the Machinery and Engineering buildings at Pratt... 

My favourite number multiplied by itself or raised to the power of the same number. I had childhood OCD and did everything in 3s- like turning knobs, looking to one direction thrice (and to the other direction thrice, and the opposite direction thrice again to make it 3), etc... I didn't know that they had a name for that sort of insane behaviour. I'm glad I got over it/outgrew it because I can't imagine having those spells every time I'm anxious. It's time consuming and it doesn't look right in public! Half my life I'd be obsessing over unnecessary details and come on, I don't want to live like Adrian Monk. 

I've always loved the Boost technology by Adidas so I had to get those Y-3 Yohji Boosts... Also copped the Stan Smith pair by Pharrell Williams since a black on black basic pair's missing on my rack. 

Currently my favourite pair- the Puma x Alexander McQueen Move Mid high-tops. Ugh, I keep telling myself that sneakers fall under the NEED list but we all know that's not healthy. 

❤

First month in New York [via iPhone]

Hi, I'm alive! Here's a mishmash of iPhone photos since I don't have my computer yet and I just recently got my camera's charger in the mail.

Enjoy the lack of structure in this post- just wanted to share a bit of the nicer things during my crazy first month in the city... 

My broker suggested Stone Street and it was actually my first time here. Enjoyed some of the cute & quaint restaurants lined up! 

I also went on a Literary Pub Crawl around Greenwich Village with my cousins Beatrice & Mikey. Learned about most of the writers and artists who used to live in the village as well as the history behind these brownstone houses. This was a fun tour so I'd recommend it to all of you bookworms! Check out their tours here.

Not really prioritising my outfit shots right now, LOL. Besides not wanting to carry around a huge camera, my looks aren't so blog-worthy at all and I'm fine with that. This city is more interesting than I am right now. 

Obviously coerced into doing this shot, black on black foreva! 

Some cute things around the 'burbs. 

Well of course you have to go on the toughest ride first when you arrive at Six Flags. Kingda Ka was seriously fun, especially when you get to see everything at the top for a few seconds. 

Yes, I did this at Six Flags. I'm expecting the indoor walls here to be tougher than ours so I'm definitely keen on checking those out. 

Because I'm not allowed to change the structure of my apartment here, it's been a bit of a challenge to choose the furniture and decor. I really miss having a construction team and having the freedom to design my space on a budget. The lengthy process of finding an apartment and finalising the lease took up most of my time on the first few weeks since we had to go back and forth from the suburbs to the city, but my broker was extremely helpful. I ended up buying almost all of my furniture online after visiting tons of stores to save time. It's been fun having to put most of them together. Times like these I'm thankful that I'm not a weakling since everything here is DIY OR DIE. 

Enjoyed this restaurant beside one of the hotels we stayed in- Piacere situated at Little Italy. The owner was even kind enough to offer us more rose after he saw me post this photo on Instagram! Definitely going back with some friends since I enjoyed their burrata. 

A great view from one of the units we checked out.

I met up with Maxine before they drove to the Hamptons since it's been 5 years since we've last seen each other! Max is still the same giggly girl I became close to back in freshman year. 

How do you like my photo? This broken neck pose has to be my new thing. 

Engineering building at Pratt

Interior Design department 

The view of Manhattan from Ray's dorm room in Brooklyn. 

This is Ray, we instantly clicked during the foreign student orientation since her opening line to me was, "I like your face!" plus we're both obsessed with B L A C K. I'm not even kidding when I say that she's seriously my Estonian counterpart, it's pretty creepy. 

Times Square is always crazy so enjoying it from above is a slightly better.

I stay in a historic art deco building. I love the location and I'm so glad we found a reasonably priced unit in Manhattan! It was meant to be, haha! I originally wanted to stay in Brooklyn to be closer to my school but I figured that I'd be cooped up in that area if I were to live and study there.   

The gym is HUGE. This isn't the entire view, taken from the cardio area. They have some equipment for TRX and even crossfit! There's also a studio for yoga and pilates. 

The view from the roof deck is also BEAUTIFUL. Posted a 360º video on my Instagram. 

Grad school isn't fun at all so I'm really happy I get to come home to this view everyday. 

[view full size HERE]

Will be blogging more as soon as I get my computer. Hope you guys liked this short update! 

❤︎

Wicked [via iPhone]

These are the unfiltered shots of the photo I posted on Instagram yesterday- I am totally in love with this Lime Crime Velvetines lippie in Wicked! Thanks so much to Flaunt Your Curves on Instagram for sending me a cute congratulatory gift, this is honestly my new fave shade! 

Other gunk on my face:

brows- MAC eyeshadow in Brun + clear brow set

skin- Chanel Purete Mat pressed powder + Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse (for the eye bags + corners of my nose) + MAC blush in Melba

eyes- Revlon Colorstay Overtime mascara + my dark circles as eye shadow 

❤