1 Year Anniversary

Well my lovelies it's been a little over 1 year in this fabulous city. I've regretfully not updated as much as I would have liked too but I can say for certain that I've learned so much more than I could ever hoped for.

This includes ...learning to value my true friendships and to love life more than ever before.
Big changes are coming up for me and before I divulge the details- it's time to clean up my bookmarks again!

So here are some of the new links and ideas I have found in the past year and wanted to share!

BE INSPIRED
My role model: Caterina Fake, founder of Flickr and Hunch, and she is one of the world's most productive CEOs
here is her blog !

Reading about the most influential women in IT make me wish I had gone into computer science.

Invoke Agency - an awesome social media company based out of Vancouver.

Ivanka Trump interview - another keen role model for me.

Right Brain vs Left Brain Creativity Test by the Art Institute of Vancouver.

TED - Inspirational speeches by the most motivating people - free!


NEW YORK SECRETS
On Location Vacations - a great site for tracking all the filming going on in your city.

Free Snacks - Now here's an idea ! Stressed and need a pick me up at work ? This company delivers a free snack bag directly to you - at no charge !

My Upper West - a community blog for my neighborhood that I absolutely adore - the UWS.

The Essential 38 NY Restaurants - I must say I agree with this list.

The ABCs of NY Nightlife as per Guest of a Guest.

Hello Kitty said it best: nerds are cool.

ENTERTAINMENT

On Camera Audiences - An easy way to get tickets to all your favourite (yes it's spelled with "u!") talk shows !

Late Night Linesup - Are you like me and want to know what guests are on what talk shows every week to make sure you don't miss something good ? This summarizes all of it for you !

Free TV. I don't have a TV and therefore finding every show online is critical for me!


FASHION FINDS
The future of fashion ; the eco fashionistas - My west coast soul will never stop looking for ways to be more natural!

Dolly Pearl - one of the winners of Daily Candy's entrepreneur competition.

Sugarlime - I know this jewelery company isn't new ... but I just love Karen Buder and how she's from Van ! Jewel on !

I found Vivi Sun at a random street fair. Now I look for her every week! This is where I'm buying all my Christmas presents ya'll.


RANDOMNESS
Retreat Finder - Ever want to just get away ? Search for retreats all over the world to unwind.

Sugar Tuesday - a South Asian focused"Daily Candy"

Cereal Marshmallows. That's it. Without the cereal. GENIUS.

I have a new found appreciation for tea. Tealeaves , proudly based in Vancouver.

T-Dot Exposed. An urban look into the culture of Toronto.

Bizarre Themed Restaurants - the BEST one is Rising Sun Anger Release Bar.

LEND A HAND
The bullying needs to stop. And it needs to start with children. And why is it so much more apparent in females ?

Hello Rewind - get a custom based laptop sleeve and help sex trafficking ? Brilliant.

Thursday Night Dinners - a female based online community; let's support each other girls !

Kiva - ever want to help alleviate poverty ? loans that help change lives !

Crowdrise - Social Fundraising, one of my favourite new startups

big hugs & big heels,

thanks for all the support,

koko stiletto

The Return of the Prodigal Girl

um .... so it hasn't been that bad right ? Let's see January, February, March, April...... August. That's only - what ... 8 months ? Please that's basically nothing. In our entire life time, 8 months is really a few seconds.

I don't even know where to start. Well HELLO I'm still alive (obviously) and I'm still living in the best city on the planet. I've been an official New Yorker for almost 1 year and I can't lie - I still feel like a tourist (most of the time anyway).

8 months have gone by so FAST. I am so proud to say I have been living EVERY single moment up. I'm literally never at home and I am soaking and absorbing this entire city up, as if I am going to be deported tomorrow (which actually happened to my friend).

I received an email from a devoted reader, Miss Nat Chan, who requested that I update you all on NY life. So here are some pictures to show you what I've been up to.



I LOVE my neighborhood. I live on the lower Upper West Side, right by Lincoln Centre. This is without a doubt one of my fave places in the entire city. The building gives off such a regal feeling, you literally feel like this is where New York royalty would live. The fountain is one of my go-to places on hot summer days, and there are tons of different events every day - be it a Mozart Festival, Latin Dancing Competition, or regular NYC Ballet ... this place takes my breath away. Every Single Day.


I have seen 39 musicals (36 of these are Broadway, 3 of them are Off Broadway). I am a theatre junkie to the extreme. I have 1 more show on Broadway left to see (Billy Elliot) and I will have officially seen every single show on Broadway!



Eats and sweets are my LIFE (and theatre of course. Here is one of my most recent yummy finds - ice cream sandwiches at the Hester Street Fair on the Lower East Side.


Spotted Pig (frequented by Beyonce and Jay Z) has topped my list recently as a place to take friends ..... here is the chargrilled burger with roquefort cheese and shoestring fries topped with rosemary and thyme.


I've seen so many celebs I don't even keep track anymore. When I saw Anna I had to get a picture though.






Oh just hanging out with Lucy as per usual......




Oh and Bermuda is only a 1.5 hour flight away. Oh and my friend Peggy LIVES there! Nice relaxing weekend trip to get away from the traffic and noise and garbage and humidity and ....

Oh who am I kidding. I love this city to bits.

I have to figure out a way to catch up on this blog. It will happen - I promise !!

hugs & heels!
Koko Stiletto

Magical Holidays in NY - Chapter 1

Wollman Skating Rink at Central Park


Christmastime at Serendipity. There are even more kitsch decor during the holidays !


Watching The New York City Ballet perform The Nutcracker. Outstanding !


Toy Time


Window Displays at Henri Bendel, my favorite department store!



Window Displays at BARNEY'S - A tribute to Saturday Night Live


Macy's. Macy's opens for 24 hours between the 23-25th. Believe it, it is busy the ENTIRE time.



















Snow day in Central Park


more to come !
hugs & heels,
koko stiletto

Secret

I am officially the worst blogger ever.
But I have a good excuse.
Over the past 2 months I've been involved ..... in a love affair.
Oh the shame.
When I first met New York, I was very pleased. I knew that I had something good going.
Over the next couple of dates, I could feel a deeper connection. But I just pushed those feelings aside, and continued to have fun.
Now it's too late. I'm head over heels. And I'm scared. It's more than lust. It's full blown love. I cannot bear to leave this.

How will I ever be able to go back home?

I *HEART* NY because

• It is a truly a walking city. You can get anywhere and everywhere by easily accessible subways, buses and by foot. Try using Hopstop. Mapquest for walkers. I love this.
  
• It really is the place that never sleeps. I feel much safer walking the streets of New York at night, than the streets of Vancouver. There are constantly people everywhere, at all times of day.My apartment is surrounded by four Starbucks that don't close til midnight or 1 AM. Omg I die.
  
• I am spoiled. On my walk to work every morning I walk by: Lincoln Centre, Time Warner Centre, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, and I can see Times Square and the "2010" lights.
  
• I love meeting other transients. So easy to strike up conversations with strangers. I've met so many random people in the most random places. When my best friend came here for the holidays she was shocked at how much nicer people are here. "They make Canadians look like super snobs!"
  
• Access to everything. Last weekend, just for the hell of it, I decided to line up for lottery tickets to see Rock of Ages again with my friend's brother. This made me realize that I can go see Broadway shows at any time I please. I have the biggest abundance of music concerts and venues to choose from. I can line up for Saturday Night Live tickets. I can go see Tyra's talk show on my days off.
  

Don't get me wrong, I miss Vancouver fresh air and beauty (and friends and family but that is a given).
And believe me, Vancouver has FRESH air. I feel so "clean" when I go back home.

I guess time will only tell, eh? (I've been using eh much more here as well)

hugs & heels,
koko stiletto

PS - Christmas pictures to come soon !

I Finally

got my own internet. No seriously it's taken me this long.

I just finished setting up everything tonight, with my own password and everything. So now I can shop online (oh no)
And yes seriously I gained 5 lbs from trekking to Starbucks late at night, staying until 1 AM to use their free wi-fi (I know the Starbucks here close at 1 AM - heaven!!), and eating their cranberry bliss bars and peppermint brownies.

No more of that! Let's catch up on life !

• Jay's 40/40 Club? Yes
  
• Celebrating Winter's Eve? Yes
• Black Friday shopping? Yes
  
• Trekking down to Prudential Centre in New Jersey with a bunch of Canadians to watch the Vancouver Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils, 5 to 2? Yes
  
• Getting booed out of Prudential Centre? Yes
• Falling in love with the Lower East Side? Yes
• Ethiopian food? Yes
• Daniel Boulud eats? Yes
• Browsing local Etsy market for Christmas gifts that I shall not reveal until later? Yes
• Figuring out that CRUMBS opens at 7 AM & is on my way during my walk to work? Trouble.
  

Oh and two words: bacon cupcakes.

one more: omg.

hugs & heels,
koko stiletto

Be Hated For Who You Are, Instead of Loved For Who You're Not

YES I've been MIA. YES I've been super busy. YES I still love it here. YES I miss my friends back in Vancity (shout out to Rodger and Nicholle!)

What I have to share:

• I am seriously the luckiest b*tch alive. I managed to win lottery tickets for Rock of Ages AND my fabulous friend Ben took me to see WICKED. For Free. Oh em gee everybody should be required to see WICKED. No seriously. YouTube this now.
  
• Yankee Stadium - WOW
  
• Cupcake Crawls - Enough said. I still feel sick from the one this morning.
• Too many good restaurants/bakeries to name. Newest obssession is currently hummus.
  
• Stilettos and boots - please don't get me started.

hugs and [tired from walking so much] heels,
koko stiletto

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world"

thanks to Amy Fabulous for that lovely quote !

here is the backdrop of my tiny tiny apartment. no jokes .... there is not much more than this!

had a wonderful weekend. beautiful weather. new faces. good eats. this weekend was all about the eats. and boots in the sun.

highlights:

• Went to TPOUTINE, a Canadian poutine bar in the Lower East Side. Met lots of Torontonians. Who love Vancouver of course of course. To the Americans, what is poutine you are likely asking? French fries, gravy and cheese curds. Seriously though - it tastes much better than it sounds! Think Chilli fries ......
  
• Sticking to the fry route - went to POMME FRITES with friends in the East Village. Reminds me of FRITZ back home. Rosemary Garlic Mayo. YUM.
• The EATERY has the best breakfast potatoes.
• Fell in love with Alice's Tea Cup. An "Alice in Wonderland" themed afternoon tea/restaurant. Whimsical and fun. Exactly like you would imagine it. The best scones. Perfect tea.
  
• FINALLY watched "New York I Love You". Not as good as "Paris Je t'aime" but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Gotta love Maggie Q. They should do one of these films for every major city ...... honestly though is there a filmmaker out there writing the script for "Vancouver I Love You?" yet ...... (Note 1)
  
• Tried to get standby tickets for WICKED, Mamma Mia and [embarassingly] Shrek. No luck but I have a new strategy now. Will share when it works.
  
• Goodbye Barnes & Noble hello Strand Books, my new fave bookstore. Climbing ladders to get books ?? My dream since watching Belle do it in Beauty & The Beast.
  
• Bought the most unique jewelry from Andriana Santiago and Frou Frou Bijou in Union Square. Love this stuff. Will profile soon.

hugs & heels,
koko stiletto

Note 1: I love how there are midnight movies here on a regular basis. Also love how the Starbucks down the street doesn't close til 1, and the Barnes & Noble doesn't close til 12. Gotta feel bad for my girlfriend in Bermuda where this isn't a SINGLE Starbucks on the Island.......... I know I know. Craziness. I blame the Bermuda Triangle. Hang in there Pegs !

Spotted

On my way home from work today, I saw the annual GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS at Carnegie Hall.

Amongst the spotted, and my reviews:

• IMAN (GORGEOUS)
• Steven Tyler (Random)
• Stella McCartney (TOTAL Bitchface but stylish)
• Gayle King (Lovely lady)
• Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe- the new breakout star from PRECIOUS
  
• Maria Shriver (SMOKING! I was shocked at how beautiful she was ! The most beautiful black gown)
• Serena Williams (Fierce)
• Padma Lakshmi (Meh. She is better looking on TV)
  
• Amy Poehler (THIS woman is FUN.NY)
  
• Rihanna (WOW I can't even explain how gorgeous she is. The most TIGHT body EVER. New girl crush for sure. Looked a little tired from all the press work in the last couple of days but damn that girl is a looker ..... )

weekend updates to come !

hugs & [glamorous] heels,
koko stiletto

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

I did not end up seeing MIMI at M2Lounge on Sat night. Heard that Rihanna was there too. One of the crowdest nights of my life !

Also watched the NY Marathon on Sunday ... wow incredibly inspirational to watch all the runners fly through Central Park.

Good news. I finally bought a memory card reader so NY pictures will be coming very soon !

I shall be sharing with you first and foremost - pictures from the SATC 2 filming !!


There's SJP!




















There's Jason Lewis !

Also .......... Christian Siriano shoes from Payless? Awesome. I'll be getting these shipped tonight.
(did I ever mention that shipping within the US is SO MUCH cheaper than Canada. Sorry I just keep remembering the $100 shipping/custom fee that heels.com surprised me with last year. Not cool).

Speaking of ex Project Runway winners... if you are in NY - meet NINA GARCIA tomorrow ! She will be signing copies of her new book THE STYLE STRATEGY at Sephora in Columbia Circle from 6 to 8 pm.

hugs & [celebratory Yankee] heels,
koko stiletto

I Ain't 'fraid of No Ghosts

Happy Halloween !!!

I've been anxiously awaiting this day the whole week!

• This week I had fun times at a pre-Halloween party at Nikki Beach
  (yes modeled after the one in Miami!)
• Cherry Cranberry Sangria is my new drink.
• My
  
• Attended the 12th Annual New York Chocolate Show ! OMFG. Can you imagine ??? Of course you can. YES it was EVERYTHING you could DREAM of. Every single person that came into this event got a natural chocolate high from the GENEROUS, FREE samples at all the booths. My new love: Chocolate Bacon Bar. Yes. Chocolate = heaven and bacon = heaven, as such, this duo = a natural match.
• Tonight, I am going to M2 LOUNGE'S Halloween Event, which is being hosted by none other than ..... Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon ! Nick is DJ'ing ... I really hope Mimi comes out with an impromptu performance. Would make THE WHOLE NIGHT .
  
• And my costume is ...... DEDADADAAAAAA!!! Nyota Uhura from Star Trek - yes call me a nerd but the deal breaker to this costume was the fact that I could wear a dress and boots (stiletto boots of course) and be warm the whole night. Who really wants to prance around in skimpy clothes in the cold? Really. Honestly. It's POURING RAIN (eek I hear thunder!) right now in NY and we are going to attend the Annual New York Village Halloween Parade before seeing MIMI.
  
  
  UM MY IKEA CLOTHES RACK collapsed today. I mean, it straight up gave OUT, caved in, and crumpled. Along with all my clothes. HM. I think this MAY be a sign that I have too much clothes. DARN !! I presume my options are to a - buy a larger clothes rack, or b - buy less clothes. Tough one, but a is out given I live in shoebox. Awesome.

hugs & [Halloween] heels,
koko stiletto

5ive

I just realized there are five new pairs of shoes in my apartment. Three of these are boots. I LOVE my new Jessica Simpson Grella Boots in Mahoganey. LOVE even more that I get a Macy's International Visitor Discount of 10% due to my Canadian passport :) The weather has been so strange here. Summer dresses one day, then thunderstorms the next. Boots are my only constant. There were no out of town visitors this week so I've finally had the chance to relax , with the following side activities:

• Finally got a Blackberry !! Have no idea how I survived one whole month without one ! Access to information 24/7 - yes please !!
• Attended Shecky's Girls Night Out, received the most awesome swag bag and purchased some delicious Hand Candies.
• Watched a play at Juilliard, Arms of A Man. Great job!
  
• Brunched at Cafe Lalo, as featured in the movie, You Got Mail.
• Signed up for the best text messaging service ever. OMGICU is a resource in NY and LA where people text in their celebrity sightings around the city. Depending on your profile and interests, you then receive these sightings via text messaging instantly. GENIUS. I know.
• I love people who randomly walk and sing on the street. I've had the pleasure of walking behind people who sang "Singing In The Rain" [yes he was a man and yes it was raining] and "Defying Gravity".
  
• Speaking of Defying Gravity, this song is from Wicked.--> Idina Menzel is in Wicked. --> Idina Menzel's doppelganger Lea Michele stars in my fave new show Glee --> The Glee Cast will be signing copies of their new CD at the Columbus Circle Borders on November 3, at 5:30.
  

hugs and heels!
koko stiletto

Dream. Explore. Discover.

Wow. I think I had the happiest shopping day EVER today.

I went to my FIRST BETSEY JOHNSON SAMPLE SALE :)

For those that know Koko Stiletto - you know that Betsey is my fave designer.

For the past couple of years, every time I received an email about a Betsey Johnson sample sale in NY - I had a big frown on my face. For the first time - I was able to be a part of it!!!

This was pure happiness for me.

NY-ers please head out there, just don't buy things in my size hehehe.

There is:
- 1 table of shoes
- 1 table of bags
- 1 table of jewelry
- Smaller tables of small clutches and misc shirts & things
- About 10-12 racks of dresses
- 1 rack of wedding dresses

Wow did I score a deal!!

At lunch time, I picked up 2 beautiful dresses for $50 each.

I went back to the sample sale after work with Nicole (yes isn't the famous Nicole FABULOUS !?!?!) because she wanted to check out the jewelry.

Immediately - I spotted the limited edition Betsey beautiful Valentine shoe.

Um they did NOT have this shoe there at lunch. They must have re stocked !!

These shoes were only $50. They retail for $295, and since they are not even available online - they are technically- PRICELESS!!! Seriously !

I have WANTING this Valentine shoe for the longest time but they sold out immediately in Vancouver last year.

I literally glowed all the way home.

Wow.

What else have I been up to?

• Froze to death walking around the city this weekend with my visiting cousins. Actually I really froze Saturday morning when we waited in line for 2 hours at the Prada Sample Sale.
  
• Celebrated bday at Shang restaurant ! Yum I have missed Vancouver Asian Fusion food. The chef here is from Toronto so that's close enough I guess :) Any other suggestions for not to be missed, unique food joints?
  
• Going to Shecky's Girls Night Out tomorrow. Who else is in ??? I hear the goodie bags are amazing :)
  
• I've had hot water for one week straight no problems :) Hooray!!
• Love my apartment building. I am close to Juilliard so there are tons of students here and the tenant above me sings every once in a while - she is fab and it's like being at a free concert :)
• If you are in NY - meet Christian Louboutin at Bergdorf Goodman tomorrow between 2-6 pm. He will be signing his shoes :)
  

hugs and [new Betsey Johnson Valentine] heels!
koko stiletto

[thanks for all the bday wishes fellow bloggies!]

Birthday Surprise

I am walking back home after a nice Thai dinner with a co-worker.

What do I see?

This is the filming of .....

SEX & THE CITY 2.

Amongst the spotted:

--> Sarah Jessica Parker
--> Kim Cattrall
--> Chris Noth
--> Jason Lewis (pure sex)
--> Miley Cyrus

Yes Miley Cyrus is in the sequel. Hm...no comment.

The scene they were filming takes place at the Zeigfeld Theatre. It is the premiere of Smith's new movie, Heart of the Darkness. Obviously everybody shows up to support.

Samantha tries to dress too young and ends up wearing the same thing as Miley Cyrus.

I couldn't really see the main cast's clothing but I will tell you that the extras were wearing the most gorgeous outfits.

What does Patricia Field envision for next summer?

Side swept buns (LOVE IT) and poufy sleeves.


hugs and [SATC] heels,
koko stiletto

There's Nothing You Can't Do....

.... when you're in New York.....

Wow so much catching up to do!
This past week has been crazy and sorry for the laziness on posts, but my mom came to visit for 1 week and then my great friend Voilen came down from Philadelphia !

This upcoming weekend should be crazy too - it's the birthday weekend !

Highlights to discuss more in detail later:

• Designer consignment shopping in the Upper East Side is heaven. Purchased a new Cole Haan bag for $100!
  
• Mom almost missed flight at JFK airport because E train was not running and we had no idea. It took us 2.5 hours to get to JFK airport via subway, rail and air train. Tip to readers: Do not take E train to JFK - take the LIRR instead !!!
  
• Loves NY brunch so much. Sarabeth's and Balthazar is definitely a "must eat". Any other suggestions for me??
• LOVES being able to watch HULU on the internet now !!! I don't have to get a TV anymore !
• The magazine subscriptions here are cheap !! Uh oh. I'm in trouble.
  
• Damn when did the City get this COLD. Like cold enough that I would potentially waste $30 on a cab everyday in order to avoid walking to work. Locals have been telling me "Girl if you are cold now you are going to die in January". Hm. AWESOME. Should I buy a down jacket soon? It's going to be raining for the birthday weekend :(
  

hugs and [waterproof] heels,
koko stiletto

Stiletto Storage

Ok. My apartment is probably 70% ready.

20% of the remainder deals with my shoes.

I have filled up my [small] closet with my work clothes, and I bought a clothes rack from IKEA for the rest of my wardrobe.

Please note that garments are also stored underneath my kids bed (NOTE 1), and stored inside my kids storage stool (NOTE 1).

I have NO room for shoes.

PANICKING.

I guess at least I don't have lobster shoes - like the ones above that recently premiered at Alexander McQueen's Paris fashion show ???

I can walk in pretty high heels - but these just look like honest torture.

Anyhoo - I have a short term solution to my shoe storage problem.

Actually this is Nicole's idea so I'm just stealing it (isn't Nicole the best!?!?!)

Keep all my work shoes at work!

I have a big drawer with a key....so nobody can steal them either... hehe GENIUS right???

I also remember one of my girlfriend's back in Vancouver who also kept a lot of shoes at work. She broke her leg and wasn't at work for like 3 months. When she came back it was like CHRISTMAS time because she found all these shoes that she had completely forgotten about !

Does anybody else do this?

hugs & [less cluttered] heels,
koko stiletto

NOTE 1: Kid's furniture is cheaper and smaller than adult furniture. And easier to carry on the NY subway. FACT.

Koko & The City & Her Tiny Apartment

So I moved in this week. And ... the apartment is actually smaller than I remember. More like between 150-200 square feet? (damn that's small!)

Well as long as it has hot water I was cool with it.

Yeah that was kind of a problem.

So here are the briefs on what happened when I "tried" to move in:

• The apartment was not clean. I opened the door and there was wet paint everywhere and the bathroom was dirty. Clearly, I talked to the management company. Clearly, I did not move in. So I had to stay an extra day with my AWESOME friend Nicole. Thanks Nicole!!!
  

Here are the briefs on what happened when I "actually" moved in:

• Broken elevator (mm hm don't get me started on how I got my 4 suitcases and 5 other bags up to my room ! At least I'm only on the 3rd floor hey!)
  
• No hot water
• Toilet didn't work
  
• Electrical outlets were clogged with paint
  
• Cold
• Still dirty

That's cool, that's cool - I'm not a princess certainly I could handle this for a couple of nights right?

Wow, let me tell you it was tough! Although I was pretty proud of my home-made suitcase bed :) Will post pictures soon :)

So the handy dandy fix it man came over the weekend VOILA! Koko now has:

• A WORKING ELEVATOR!
  
• HOT WATER!
• A WORKING TOILET!
• (Some) heat
  

YES! Oh... the simple luxuries we get in Vancouver hey ???

Thus, the past couple of days have been arranging the apartment... I'm excited ! Once I get my MAC I will upload pictures to show ya'll !

Here were some of my mini-adventures to get me through the suitcase bed and cold water :

• Saw Mariah Carey at Macy's Herald Square. Killer stiletto boots. Gorgeous. 20 security guards. Here's my account on Lainey Gossip.
• Found a moderately cheap eyelash extension bar in Koreatown !
  
• Had a $10 manicure !
• Celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival in Chinatown.
• Listed to "Alone" by Heart as sung on Glee like 100 hundred times. Yes that is considered an adventure when I am stealing free wifi :)
  

With hot water I am going to be back to normal this week - looking forward to October !!

hugs & [very high] heels!
koko stiletto

Diabetes Foreshadowing

"... but koko you can just save money in NY by cooking all your meals and never eating out"

um no. sorry friends that's not the way it works here.

not in this fine city.

with restaurants, cafes, delis, bars, FOOD! on literally every Avenue and Street.... it's no wonder NY'krs eat out a lot!

here were some of my wonderful finds this weekend:

on eats
Bouchon Bakery
Location: Midtown/Columbus Circle

• This bakery is not only in one of my favorite NY buildings - the Time Warner Centre - it is inspired by French boulangeries - YUM! Totally reminds me of my summer in Paris (which reminds me I still have to do my Barcelona and Paris posts! Ah I'm so bad!)
• The French pastries are to die for. The coffee filled eclairs, chocolate croissants, and chocolate bouchons rival Paris' very own.
  
• Another fave is the TKO - an OREO inspired cookie filled with white chocolate ganache. OMG I die.
  
• This bakery also a great selection of soups, sandwiches and quiche for lunch time.
  

Momofuku Milk Bar
Location: East Village

• Do you dream of Willy Wonka coming to life? If yes and if you are a fan of innovative sweets this place is for you. I will say no more let me tell you about some of the menu items:
  

--> Crack Pie: Toasted oat crust and gooey butter filling.
--> Ice Cream Flavors include Milk Cereal and Sweet & Salty Cucumber.
--> Compost Cookie: Pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch & chocolate chips
--> Candy Bar Pie: Chocolate crust, caramel, peanut butter nougat & pretzels.

• This place also has some of the best pork buns in the city, and features a different bread every day.
  
• Pastry chef Christina Tsoi was selected as a part of Bon Appetit's 2009 Hot 10 for her creative use of cornflakes and other crazy ingredients.
  

oh wow... I really need to start cutting down my sugar intake. From now on - I will refocus my energy on boot hunting ! Next week - DSW here I come!

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

The Cupcake Test

ok I am going to use the Lainey Gossip short cut style of writing now and give the breakdown of my ultimate Cupcake test:

CRUMBS cupcakes > Whole Foods Cupcakes > Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes > Big City Cupcakes > Cupcakes in Vancouver

for realzies. that should give you a good idea of what I've been doing the past couple of days :) (yes cupcake sampling IS considered an activity)

Highlights from the last few days:

on love

• Love this City more and more and more .... will the love ever stop??
  
• Love strolling the streets while listening to Jay Z's Empire State of Mind blasting out of a NYC Taxi.....
  

on celeb spotting

• Saw movie trailer trucks in SOHO. Obviously I followed the trail.
• Led me to watch a film crew filming "The Adjustment Bureau" starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Don't get too excited. Didn't see Matt or Emily (even though I waited 1 hour). Better luck next time I guess !

• Met John Krasinski (Jim of The Office) at a discussion and reading at McNally Jackson Booksellers in SOHO.
  
• He was discussing his directorial debut of the great book, "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men". John is officially on my Freebie 5 now. SO genuinely nice. SO genuinely modest. So cute in person. Read the sexiest monologue out of the book....
  
• Best part of the discussion? He SLAMMED Transformers. Said that they making "bad movies" nowadays and said all studios care about is making money. Effing hilarious. I love him even more.
  

on living

• I've decided to take the 250 sq ft studio. Will post pictures once I get figure out how to live in it !
  
• Just had one of the most stressful mornings ever. I went to sign my lease today but HSBC refused to give me a certified check because they said my account was too new. WTF.
• .....so I went to Chase Bank and they couldn't do anything for me.
  
• ..... then I went to TD Bank and they were less helpful.
  
• ....so I went to the Post Office to get a money order, waited a ridiculously long time in line and then remembered I had a limit on the amount of my debit card withdrawals.
  
• ....then I tried to get money order using my credit card but since I haven't paid down my outstanding balance that didn't work either.
  
• SO finally - I talked the rental management company into letting me sign the lease without any money down. So exhausted now!
  

on stilettos

• Do you know how much willpower it requires to NOT purchase something here? LOTS. I've become a very strong person.
  
• My rule is that I will not start my fall fashion collection until after I've moved into my apartment because I need to see how much $$ I spend on setting my place up.
  
• But no worries - there will be stiletto and fashion posts soon!
  

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

What is it worth?

I think I found an apartment.

On the cusp of Hell's Kitchen and Upper West Side.

8 minutes to Central Park.

20 minutes to work.

Gym. Laundry. Doorman.

Any setbacks?

Oh yeah.

It's 200-250 square feet.

Welcome to NY living hey!

However it may be worth living here because the money I will save is just more money for shoes....

Then again... how will I store all my shoes in this small space??

Thoughts?

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

In a Movie

I still feel surreal and the best metaphor would be I feel like I'm in a movie.

• Surrounded by NYPD and security in midtown due to the UN conference. Craziness. I hope I see an Obama somewhere.
• Still getting used to the streets here. Was supposed to go to Upper East Side (East 76th). Went to Upper West (West 76th) instead.
  
• Was supposed to go to 54th Street. Went to 45th Street.
• Pure torture equals sitting outside Forever 21 in Union Square for 30 minutes and NOT going inside. I was BURNING.
• Watched a tights wearing electric violin player in subway station. I got chills.
• I've eaten 5 cupcakes already (please note that I have been here for 4 days). OMG there goes my diet and my wallet.
  
• Still apartment searching. Am seriously considering Queens now.
  

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

Currently Dreaming

I feel like I'm in a dream.

• I made it past US customs and now I have a 3 year working VISA in the US.
  
• Love the pace of the City. I'm not the only one walking super fast anymore.
  
• Went to CRUMBS on my first day here. Uh oh that bakery is going to be trouble.
• Barely have any clothes here...... when I analyzed the situation a little more realized it's because I used all the room in my suitcases to pack my shoes instead. Hm this may be a problem.
• Currently sitting in a Starbucks south of Central Park, using free WI FI and people watching.
• Will be watching a new episode of Gossip Girl soon and realize that I live in the same city. OMFG.
  
• Am still frantically trying to find an apartment. Midtown? Upper East Side? Union Square? All these areas are so cool - help!

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

Cross Your Fingers

koko is leaving Canadian soil today.

really REALLY hope I make it through US Customs.

Plan B = Go to Toronto.

Wish me luck!

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

Start spreading the news....

... I'm leaving today .....

OH EM GEE IT WAS MY LAST DAY AT WORK TODAY.

SO FREAKING SAD

But I was SUPER happy I got to spend lunch with my closest friends !

Bad news bears - I have to give back my laptop tomorrow.

GULP. OMG how the eff am I going to manage without a computer ???
I have my Blackberry but things still aren't the same....

Anyways - I am going through all my bookmarked websites now before I give my precious baby laptop back and thought I'd post the links here.

It is the true test to whether or not I should keep the bookmark - would I share it with my blog readers or not....

Fashion

Nordstrom - This is the link to my very first Betsey Johnson dress

Haute Katoor Sewing Studio - a cute little school in Vancouver when I wanted to take sewing classes

Cocopunkz - the most incredible hand painted shoes around

List 4 ALL - A hilarious Craiglist-like community; this girl sells the most hilarious stuff - leg slimming slippers???

Pretty Things

Red Stamp - LOVE this stationary

Hong Wedding Photography - BEAUTIFUL Vancouver based photographer

For the Business Girl

Brian Hill - Entrepreneur of the Year - CEO profiles of one of my fave retailers - Aritizia

Jennifer Wong- COO profile of one of my fave retailers - Aritzia

60 Most Creative Business Cards - I think I found this off somebody else's links.....

CASB Content Search - haha. for the accountants.

Media Job Search Canada - A great source for Media based jobs all across Canada

Casting Call Vancouver - Looking to break into the entertainment industry. This is your best bet

LMVH - Job opportunities at Louis Vuitton Group!

Vancouver's Fun Professionals - A fun meetup group

20 Companies that are changing the way we use the internet - very cool ideas!

Two Lists you should look at every morning - very encouraging!

Five jobs for Facebook Addicts - um this is me.

Misc

Wedding Gift Calculator - Going to a wedding? Don't know how much to give. This is GOLD

Lainey Gossip profile - My religion. Nicholle knows.

Find yourself on the internet - PIPL. The most comprehensive search on the web to look up what is out there about you!

Mark Hildreth - A cute singer/actor. I think he's dating Kristin Kreuk

Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver - This is my go to guide of where to go in the city to get a massage therapist, manicure, a drink...

Spanish Songs Translation - love it. Now I understand what they are singing about !

FREE TV ONLINE - The best place to watch your fave show when you forgot to PVR

Just Ask! - A motivational article about giving yourself the opportunities you deserve by asking

Myers Brigg Personality Test - The most accurate personality test out there !

Moving to NYC - 5 things - very fitting indeed;)

Rules to live by - i love number 9

Smutty Shout Outs - I got a shout out from the great CB Committee on Lainey Gossip :)

Flip it out

I think it was written in the stars for me on Friday.
for reals.

Exhibit 1 - I met Paul Melo of Style Quotient and Melo Photography, see here for details.

Exhibit 2 - Sara Mushansky, owner of Best Face Forward styled my locks.

Let me further explain Exhibit 2.
One of the things I will miss dearly about Vancouver is BLO Dry Bar.

LOVE how one opened up this past year near my office at the 4 Seasons Hotel.

LOVE how they take appointments as early as 7 AM.

LOVE how they can make you look fabulous in 30 minutes.

On Friday, I had my last appointment before my big move, and well, Sara Mushansky herself was my stylist ! [we had the same yellow Aldo bag, coincidence or no?...]

No jokes. This was the BEST BLO BLOWOUT I have ever had.

I received comments from EVERYBODY AT work, even the men, who never notice a darn change about hair!

I was so excited I wanted to stay up all night and just bounce my hair around Vancity !

Thank you Sara! Sara you're the best stylist! Check out my curls that lasted ALL freaking DAY!

Sara is also the owner of Best Face Forward, a hair & makeup design group that does makeup out of the 4 Seasons hotel, and also freelance work.

BFF uses only mineral based makeup from HAUT MINERALS , which by the way, is made in Vancouver !

Each session is only $38 and man on man, I know that when I come back to Vancity to visit, I am giving BFF a call !

BFF was also featured on Vitamin V as one of the top makeup artists in the entry country !!!

Please check BFF out, you definitely won't be let down!

hugs & heels!
koko stiletto

Number 122

I had my goodbye lunch today with my co-workers. So effing sad.


Can't believe it's been 4 years since I've started with this company .... so many memories, friendships, hardships, laughs, jokes..... I am so grateful to everybody that I have come into contact with - I will miss you ALL dearly and my door will always be open to you in NY - please don't be a stranger!

And how fitting ... who should I meet on the street today but the one and only Paul Melo, the one half genius behind Style Quotient - one of my favorite websites!

I've always wanted to see Sunny or Paul on the streets of Vancouver shooting "Vancouver's most stylish personalities" with fab cameras.

How lucky I was to be featured today on Style Quotient!

Now I can cross one more thing off my "Things to Accomplish Before I leave Vancouver" list.

Thanks so much Paul ! Will continue to follow SQ religiously while in NY!

and fellow readers if you haven't yet, please add Style Quotient to your Google Reader, this brilliant idea of capturing and showcasing local fashionistas will no doubt be coming to your city soon!

hugs & heels!

koko stiletto

Photo courtesy of meloFotografia