NYE 2012: The Dress...

Wow, major case of insomnia here lol.  I've actually been up cleaning my room and only finished now haha..'Tis what happens when visitors are coming over for dinner.

This year we are going to party it up for 2012! We are going to be at the Fairmont Waterfront--it's going to be a fun night!

Here are my two options...

Bright Nights Train Ride 2011

As previously mentioned, The Bright Nights Train Ride at Stanley Park is an annual tradition that we try not to miss--not even in the rain!

We had a package with dinner included, but since it was packed at Old Spaghetti Factory we had to opt for a faster type of meal--Vera's Burger.  It was delish nonetheless!

We ended the night at Kwong Chow Congee Noodle House for their Congee and Spare Ribs in spicy salt and pepper.

Train Ride...The Polar Express!

During the train ride, there was a new attraction--Polar Express! The conductor (which would have been Tom Hanks in the movie) would dance around to the Polar Express scene and train backdrop...It was not bad actually, better to see it for yourself!

Train ride Part 1

 

An annual tradition for my bf and I, the Bright Nights Train Ride!

It was a package, dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory and two tickets to the train ride.  We tried to take advantage of having dinner before going on the train ride but since it was amazingly crazy at the restaurant tonight (was everyone using their dinner vouchers!?) we had to postpone for another night..

Here is the first video I shot at the start of the train ride.  With pics to follow!

Winter Warmth

It's weird to think that winter only started three days before Christmas Eve! lol..the winter chill always gets around the beginning of December, then heightens during the 21st--Winter Solstace!

When i was younger, the finer the sweater was spun the better.  I hated chunky sweaters and of course, anything 'cable knit' was too frumpy!  Of course as I've grown older I've learned to appreciate the chunkier knits for their soft, comfy 'blanket-ish' feel.

Check out my two recent chunky sweater purchases for winter!

Boxing Day 2011: shop til' we dropped! (almost lol)

This is an annual tradition with my cousin for years now.   We join the thousands of shoppers in the annual tradition after christmas day to hunt for the best deals, otherwise known as Boxing Day!

This year we started earlier...It was necessary considering I had my eye on a few things lol.

To see what I bought...read on!

One last party before the party!

My bf and I had a date night and party'd the night away the eve before Christmas eve.  I love having date nights with my bf...even the rain didn't deter us from having some fun!

Christmas in Vancouver..love!

My cuz and I decided to venture out to downtown Vancouver to check out their lovely holiday decor and take some pics...

Mery Christmas and Happy Boxing Day! (belated)

Hello lovelies!

I hope that everyone had a great christmas like i did this year...lots more blessings than problems so I'm happy!  Of course the holidays weren't without abit of drama but it's what makes life more real and interesting right?

Christmas dinner went of like a hitch even though a few people were more than an hour late, but the food was great...We had the traditional turkey, stuffing, beef rendang(!? lol) mashed and sliced potatoes, baked salmon and more!  It was a gourmet delight and we have my cuz and her familia to thank for slavin away all day for the feast!

Two days later was Boxing Day!

lots of goodies in store, and equally many shoppers eagerly shopping!  We got mauled a few times bu survived the day with stuff we wanted.  I got a good haul out of it! lol..I will post soon!

Next up....New Years Eve dinner at my house and party! lol.

How did everyone's holiday go?

BCBG Resort 2012: Santa came early this year! =)

What better way to ring in the new year than...

*pause for effect*

BCBG's Resort 2012 Collection!

I love the vibrant spring colors and the flowy dresses and tops...If you have a moment, don't forget to check out the collection now online! (and I bet instores).

Pasta Tuesdays and the ponytail!

It's tuesday night..where else to go but Boston Pizza for Pasta Tuesdays! lol.  It's a good time to load up on carbs lol.

While I usually wear my hair down if not always, but I rushed to get ready for work this morning and thought it best to keep it up from then.

I've been wearing my hair up more and more, usually the ponytail, and sometimes for a twist, i'll braid the top middle part...its cute and practical! lol.

Mondays...so black and white.

Mondays are not usually days I dress up for work--still recovering from the weekend, I usually dress down and low key until I adjust my sleeping patterns to somewhat normal levels lol.  Last monday however even though I woke up in my usual somewhat groggy state,  I felt better after my shower and decided to dress it up for once!

One of my fave dresses of the moment, the houndstooth pattern is always a classy choice for a work attire--it doesn't hurt that black and white are my fave color combos! lol I know, you're thinking, this girl must not have a wild imagination for colors, well....you're right lol.  I'm usually monochromatic, clean and simple when I can help it!

Pardon the ragged worn-out makeup look lol, i took these pics after coming home from work instead of before-hand lol. 

The fine art of gift-giving

My tree is trimmed and the fireplace has its stockings.  I am all excited for the holidays which are now in full swing...

The one thing I have still to finish? The gifts! lol.

This year, I'm not going all out with presents, just for close loved-ones and the exchange gift at the family christmas dinner.  The one person who I am having a hard time for this year? my boyfriend.  For someone who ends up buying anything he may want or need, it's hard to find that special gift that says 'i love you'. 

What do you give your significant other for the holidays?

Christmas Party weekend!

This weekend was a crazy busy weekend filled with both mine and my boyfriend's work christmas parties.  The weekend started off with us rushing to get to River Rock Hotel & Casino, check in right away and then make sure that everything is set up at Tramonto Restaurant for the dinner.

Most everyone was late, and unfortunately my other boss didn't make it due to a personal reason, but all in all it was a great night and things went off without a hitch.  The field guys behaved themselves for the most part and we did our company name proud.

On Saturday, we went to my bf's work party at the Convention Centre downtown.  It was a little hard nursing a slight hangover from the night before but we made it on time to check in, relax and enjoy the room before rushing to get ready and getting down in time for the announcement to take our seats.  It was very different from my work christmas party as it was over 3000 people in attendance!  I had fun even if the headache didn't really go away.  The party was a success, and big enough that it included a football sized main area, and a small jazz lounge upstairs! lol.  It was an amazing night.

if you wanna see both my outfits and the rest of the pics...

Can't get enough of...

Okay, so it's not like I don't have enough shoes already...From a previous post, the shoe shelf doesn't exactly plead my case for my need for more shoes lol.  I just couldn't resist! I don't normally buy shoes from Aldo, but this one just kinda leaped out of the bunch and said 'buy me!' lol. 

Love, love these shoes! Metal heel, platform that goes upto about 5 inches? it's a match made in shoe heaven!

my new sunglasses!

So I got an early stocking stuffer from santa this year--I musta been real good this year! lol.  I know it's 4 degrees right now and barely a hole in the clouds to indicate any kind of sunshine, but I always get things out of season anyways lol so it's nothing new to me!

I've been wanting a good pair of aviator sunglasses for a long while now, and although my first choice was to get the coveted pair of ray-bans, I opted to go another direction when the opportunity popped up....

BCBG Personality test: Charm Schooled!

This morning I was interrupted by our IT because a back-up had to be done for my work-related software.  I was happy to oblige seeing as how it gave me a bit of time to sip some coffee and check out my fave sites! lol.

I happened upon the BCBG Personality Test online while perusing their website for the latest and greatest..afterall, I needed to scope out anything I may try to get during boxing day! lol.

wanna know which one I am?

Happy December 1st! Let the festivities begin...

The tree is up, fireplace mantle has our stockings hanging and the poinsettas are out on display...

yep, it's definitely christmas!

Now that it's December 1st, it's more socially acceptable to greet everyone 'merry christmas' and moreover, it is more than ok to string up the outdoor lights and sing carols--even have christmas parties! I am more than excited to go to two christmas work parties and enjoy the holiday festivities around town. 

What do you do in town to stay festive and merry?

If you're in town in the Vancouver area and looking for festivities, please don't forget these annual traditions:

Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens.  It's been a tradition for me every year to go with my boyfriend and enjoy the lights, (the coldness lol) the dancing light show at their pond and take lots of pictures!

Bright Nights Train Ride at Stanley Park.  Another fun tradition for me and the bf, we take a 10 minute (i think) train ride through their nicely decorated holiday park!  I love taking a ride in their mini train.  We usually like to do the dinner and train ride package...A dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory with I believe $11 redeemable for an entree for each ticket and then a ticket to the train ride!

but....Don't forget a welcomed addition...

The Robson Square Ice Rink! It just officially opened today! Want to skate in the open fresh air and have hot chocolate right at the heart of downtown Vancouver!?  Here's your chance! It's open til' late every night!

I hope everyone enjoys the holidays as much as I am!