US Trips

As you are reading this post, I’m getting all packed and ready to catch the flight out of Florida to JFK airport in New York. I was supposed to meet Regina there but as fate would have it, nothing on this trip seems to be going as planned. At this point, I’ve been away from Singapore for close to a month. I’ll spending the next few weeks in New York, Orlando, Vegas, Grand Canyon, LA and San Francisco before heading to Hong Kong to meet my friends. All I can say is that I’ve been on many travels alone and I’ve never been as homesick as I am in this trip. The most unexpected events have unrolled and I’m am a little jittery as to what other unpleasant surprises might lurk round the corner.

The worst feeling is to have a problem that is beyond your power to change or fix. I can only pray for a safe and obstacle-free trip till I’m finally back in Singapore.

XOXO

Renzze

ClubCouture unveiled their Secrets of Soho collection recently and there are so many gorgeous outfits! The pale pink lace panel dress worn by the model above has a unique asymmetrical hemline that would easily take you from day to night.

This collection has got me wanting to visit NYC all over again! I’m so in love with the pale A-line dress on the right of the above picture but it was snapped up so quickly after the collection was released! The black bodycon toga on the left would make a great party or clubbing outfit.

But I might settle for the nude top worn by the model on the top left photo. It looks like something I could wear to work and then pair it with berms for the weekends. The model on the right looks really comfy and stylish at the same time. Wearing the boyfriend cardigan over the gold simmering satin dress blends casual with chic in one outfit.

Either way, Secrets of Soho has got my wanderlust active again and I might plan a trip to NYC end of this year or maybe next year. I miss the sights and sounds of that beautiful city and the very stylish people.

Until I am back wandering the streets of NY, I’ll let my lust be directed at ClubCouture‘s Soho inspired collection. I believe the collection will be a hit so I better start shopping before it’s all gone! Fastest fingers first!

I haven’t had time to blog about my New York trip which I went in January. So I’m just gonna do one post on it. Anyways I spent most of this trip indoors drinking and dining with wonderful company instead of braving the cold winter weather.

Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world by the no. of platforms. I have been to NY several times in the last 5 years especially and have taken trains from Grand Central to New Haven once to visit a good friend. But I was in a mad rush that time and didn’t really take a good look at this place and was inspired to take a 2nd take on the place when it struck me how beautiful the architecture was when I watched Gossip Girl. 

I spent most of this trip shopping rather than taking photos cause it was cold and I love shopping in NY! I did however made sure I went down to the Rockefeller Center to catch the fabulous lighted Christmas Tree before they take down the lights on 9th January. Every time I come to this place it gives me almost exactly the same feeling and the zap of excitement in the air there is undeniably festive. This would be my 5th time taking pictures with the angels and the lighted Christmas tree. I missed the 2003 Christmas light-up in New York by 2 weeks!

I would have loved to have gone ice-skating in the ring… but since they only allow 150 pax in the ring each session the queue is unbelievable and I wasn’t gonna wait!

The next place I wanna share with you is my favorite place in New York. Central Park of course. 

The winter environment of central park is more calming and insightful then the summer version of central park. The ponds have all frozen over and there are no huge flocks of birds… though squirrels are still running here and there.

A walk in the park never fails to refresh me. Most of the crowds are at the ice-skating rings in the park. New York Central Park is one of the few cities in the world that still allows carriage rides. I’ve ridden in one of those before and it was an exhilarating experience especially since I was much younger and more impressionable then. But I’ve not taken another ride since. Partly cause I’m not willing to pay those touristy prices and partly because I feel a little sorry for the poor horses that may not always be treated to the correct standards of care.

It was too cold to spend all day in the park and I needed refueling so that my body could generate more heat for me! Applebee’s here I come! Cheese Bacon Potato soup with a huge dish of baby ribs with chicken tenders about sums up my idea of comfort food in winter temperatures. Oh… and I had my hot chocolate too!

After a hearty meal, I went down to Times Square and spent the remaining day shopping again!!! Yes a little predictable and very boring for bystanders but what would you do in NY if you’ve already been there a few times and seen all the sights? Maybe if the weather wasn’t too cold I’ll consider venturing out to Long Island.

Here’s signing off with a video on my NY trip.

Finally, another free day to do my shopping errands as well as head down to the fisherman’s wharf. The wind was doing it’s thing driving my already messy hair crazier. Summer sales is everywhere… so I had to pop by Old Navy… Bed & Body Works and BCBG on top of others. The yummilicious Bath & Body works bath gels and lotions were going at US5 only I absolutely wish I wasn’t constrained by luggage space cause I can never get enough of their gorgeous smelling products. BCBG was also going at 50% and 30% discount for to-die for dresses… and I have to say their handbags are getting very very stylish…

I’ve already returned my rental car that very morning so off I go to the pier on a bus! I’ve been to the wharf so many times already I think I can make my way there blindfolded. I used to take the touristy trams on my first few times to SF but now a more prudent me will be taking the public trams… just as the locals do.

I’ve always had a hate-love relationship with Pier 39. While I love the scenery and the food… I hate the droves of endless tourists and those honky tonk shops that screams commercial. I would love for this to be a much more quiet spot.

It was a very cold day… and my fingers were getting frozen by all that wind-chill. But I had to come… I had to see the sea lions again… basking in what they consider the most perfect weather for summer.

And the 2nd reason? To have the famous boudin sourdough bowl clam chowder. I’m actually allergic to sea food. But I made sure I popped a couple of anti-histamines before heading to the wharf so I can have my soup…. taking the risk I might break out in rashes.

Some more photos to share before I left my heart in SFO…

Time for dinner at Louise Diner then back to the hotel to pack for my flight.

Spend most part of the day shopping so not much to take. Macy’s… Bed Bath & Bodyworks and H & M all on sale… Had my red trench on when it was turning late cause the winds in SF can be really chilly. Went to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch! It’s like my must visit restaurant for their divine cheesecakes. Food is good and their complimentary chocolate bread is one of my faves.

Here I am in Sauaslito, CA… if I look gloomy in those 2 picture is cause the sun was glaring into my eyes while the pictures are being taken.

Sausalito is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge and is in Marin County. It’s really very scenic and you can view the skyline of SF city across the bay.

The area is filled with marinas and al fresco cafes. We bought lunch and just sat on the grass facing the beautiful waters enjoying the day.

Interesting people that I’ve heard of that lives in Sausalito would be author Amy Tan of The Joy Luck Club and Ken Pontac, creator and author of Happy Tree Friends.

After having early brunch I headed off for a long drive to Half Moon Bay on the Southern side of the Golden Gate. Half Moon bay is a costal city in San Mateo and about 25 miles from SF city. It’s more of a local spot rather than the usual tourist crowds and it’s also the nearest place to go horse riding! I love horses and riding them… and since it’s so expensive to keep my own horse and carry out this sport in Singapore… I tend to take every holiday as an opportunity to go horse riding.

Surfing is one of the hot spots in this region and everyone is out to play in the summer time. It also helps that Half Moon Bay is usually on the cooler side with temperatures peaking around 19C. Temperatures of more than 32C happening only 0.2% in a year so the day I visited was considered a really good day for the beach as it was about 20C.

I spent the most part of the day riding my lovely brown horse named Marlboro. He was a speedster! He loved to gallop and while he’s very obedient with instructions on the rein he get a little pouty when I hold him back on a trot.

He won’t let any horses over take him and will race to be first all the time… winning everytime! Thats my kinda horse! Run with the wind!

The riding area was huge and we were allowed to take the horses to the quieter end of the Half Moon Bay Beach to gallop. The moment Marlboro hit the sands he knew that he was free to run as fast as he can. I haven’t felt the thrill and excitement of riding so fast in more than half a year! And boy do I miss it now just thinking about it.

After riding I drove over with my red little PT cruiser to the nearby farmers market. Cherries and strawberries are in season and I wanted to get my hands on them.One of the farmers was so friendly he kindly showed me around the farm. All the vegetables and fruits are home grown!

They also grow really humongous roses here!