Near Madison Square Park…

(image by: vivien chin)

My most recent creation is this floral motif ring.  It’s crocheted with a deep, wine colored yarn that has black shiny thread intertwined to give it a sparkle.  It was fun making a little piece of jewelry to dress up the outfit.

If you are interested in one of your own, they are available for purchase at the nummymins ETSY store online!  Thanks for the support.

(images by: vivien chin)

Slouchy Tam Hat is now on sale at the nummynims ETSY store!  Check it out HERE.

Saw this intense window display at a store called, Beads of Paradise, on 17th street and Broadway. Sooo many dolls and one riding on the back of a heart covered in roses!

(image by: vivien chin)

Went to Resto last night for Restaurant Week dinner last night. I didn’t take many pics, but my favorite things I ate last night were the deviled eggs on top of a pig toast and the Beignets with chocolate sauce. The Beignets are even tastier dipped in coffee! The deviled eggs are from their regular menu and they are just divine. It’s the best combination of food you could ever put together to make a deviled egg. Definitely worth a visit. The food is great!

(images by: vivien chin)

Night view of the Empire State from in front of the Church of Transfiguration on East 29th street and 5th ave or Broadway. Nice view when walking back from dinner to the subway last night.

(image by: vivien chin)

Nummynims now has an Etsy Shop!!  Currently I just have my yoga mat bag (as seen in a previous post).  I hope to add more products soon.  Don’t really know what to expect from it, but it sounded like a fun idea, was easy to open, and who knows maybe I’ll get some bites from a few fans out there!

To check it out follow this LINK.  Let the fun begin!

Just completed crocheting a yoga mat bag for myself. Connie introduced me to practicing yoga over the past couple months (p.s. she’s a great teacher!) and now I finally have a reason to take my may out of my apartment to yoga studios.  Yoga has provided a really good way to release from the crazy routines we put ourselves into and also get healthy, strong, & flexible!

This bag is made of Thick and Quick Lion’s Brand yard.  The drawstring opening and straps are all integrated as one. I knit the strap using the icord method with the same yarn as well as some of the deep wine colored Glamour yarn integrated in for a slight sparkle and texture (see detail images).  The bag is soft, comfy, and beautiful.  I really like the simple design and am excited to use it.  I’ve used it once for a fundraiser class last week and it was well received!

(images by: vivien chin)

My favorite Chinese New Year Tradition is having these fried up to munch on. Here’s my batch from last night.

(image by: vivien chin)

Saw this at the pet store while getting a toy for Kali. For $30….

Just met Connie and Tony’s new puppy yesterday! She’s probably the epitome of cuteness. Breed: Lowland Polish Sheepdog. Loves: Napping under the table, playing with her toys (especially the green and pink “cuz” that I got her…hehe), and just being cute like a stuffed animal at her young age.

I’m free to doggie-sit whenever! Hint hint…

(images by: vivien chin)

Go little box people go!!!!

Thanks Jeff S. for the find!

Happy Chinese New Year!! It is the
Year of the Dragon.

Here are some lion dancers above getting ready to perform. My favorite!

(image by: vivien chin)

Some exterior and interior detail shots of Morimoto’sfrom my recent restaurant week visit. Designed by one of my favorite architects, Tadao Ando.

The wind was really whipping the entry curtains. Worth a visit if you get the opportunity to eat there. It’s a little bit of a splurge so save for special occasion. Located at the end of Chelsea Market in New York.

(images by: vivien chin)

[Iron Chef] Morimoto always has his restaurant week menu only available on weekdays at lunch so its hard to attend if you work. Finally this year I went because of the MLK Jr. holiday. Delicious and delectable. The black cod bento box w/ sushi, tempura, salad, and miso soup is the best and I chose a berry panna cotta for dessert which was equally as satisfying.

(images by: vivien chin)

Tasty brownies at Fat Witch Bakery in Chelsea Market. Love the logo and the name. They even sell little baby ones as shown.

The tastiest morsel of food to warm you up on a cold day. If you are ever in Flushing, go and get some of these little steamed soup dumplings filled with soup and meat. Sooo delicious! Also try the scallion pancakes with beef.

It is right off the Main Street subway stop on the 7 train (last stop on the line).

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao
38-12 Prince St
Flushing, NY 11354

(images by: vivien chin)

Just saw these today. These iPhone cases are covered in so much bling! Something only an Asian mall in Flushing can produce! Adorable, but not so functional…oh well who cares!! It’s causing me to use a ridiculous amount of exclamation points though!!!! Hehe..

(images by: vivien chin)

Woke up to this on the back terrace. Weeeee!

(image by: vivien chin)

Here’s a stealth shot taken (@ curtain call) of the opera, “The Enchanted Island”, performed at the Metropolitan Opera House [Lincoln Center]. I went on Saturday and it was fantastical! Notice the suspended mermaids!!  The opera took you from land as well as down to Neptune’s kingdom under the sea.

A Baroque Opera in English that combines “The Tempest” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” together with music by classical composers like Vivaldi and Handel.  Set design by Julian Crouch combines both built set and projections beautifully.  The costumes were created with wonderful textures and colors.  I really loved it.

Here are some images of the costumes and a few set design drawings found at the NYtimes site:

Very Alice in Wonderland-like.  Nendo designed this climbing wall at the new Illoiha Omotesando fitness club in Tokyo.

I would love one of these for myself!  Now where to find the room for it…

(images from dezeen)

I can’t help but show this awesome excerpt of a “couch potato” costume made with Marimekko fabrics! As featured in the book, “Surrur” (cover as shown). Book is on display currently at the Marimekko Flagship store at Madison Square Park next to Eataly.

Next Halloween perhaps???

Spotted this nice project yesterday walking from Chelsea Market somewhere on 15th or 16th st. between 8th and 9th ave.

(image by: vivien chin)

Currently installed at Chelsea Market-a dense array of Christmas lights.

(image by: vivien chin)

Unlimited sangria bar at Calle Ocho in the UWS!

Started my New Year’s Eve having brunch here with sangria, their delicious bread basket, plantains, and Spanish frittata on crab enchilado.Yum yum.

Reservations needed because they fill up fast as they are only open for a few hours for brunch.

(images by: vivien chin)

Wild rice pilaf with beef strips. (top)
Indian curry with rice and mango chutney. (bottom)

Delicious! Try these next time you are at Rice.

(images by: vivien chin)

(image by: vivien chin)

Crocheted scarf using the loveliest combination of blues I’ve seen. Used Lion Brand “Homespun” yarn. Love the extra waves with this yarn.

Bag sewn as another sewing machine project with hand sewn letters. Happy Birthday Connie!! Hope it’s keeping you warm!

(image by: vivien chin)

Underwater ink photographs entitled “Aqueous Fluoreau” by Mark Mawson.

The colors are spectacular and the forms are just visually magnificent.

(images from colossal)

An oldie, but goodie.  Rediscovered this project recently during an design inspiration search.  Curtains laced with magnets making these extra sculptural and free form.  Love the facets!

“Magnetic Faceted Curtain” by Florian Krautli

Still yet to go into production I think.

(images from apartment therapy)

Esther Stocker’s, “What I don’t Know About Space” Installation at Museum 52 in London.

(image from Esther Stocker site)

Just finished crocheting my first hat! It’s a slouchy tam hat style made with Lion Brand Yarn: Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. Took only less than 2 hrs to do even with a few alterations to make it fit tighter per my preference. Very satisfying first attempt at a hat!

(image by: vivien chin)

Second ice cream made was a berry mix ice cream. Yum yum.

Ingredients: heavy cream, whole milk, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, vanilla, sugar

(image by: vivien chin)

First attempt at making red bean ice cream was a success! Just got an ice cream maker and ready to create some delicious frosty treats. One of my next goals will be lychee ice cream. Can’t wait!

Ingredients: heavy cream, whole milk, cooked Asian red beans, vanilla, sugar

(image by: vivien chin)

Installation by SOFTlab at Bridge Gallery in New York City.  I (heart) binder clips for construction.

(images from bridge gallery)

Embarking on new adventures! Just purchased this book, “Famous Frocks: Patterns and Instructions for Recreating Fabulous Iconic Dresses” by Sara Alm & Hannah McDevitt. I just bought a sewing machine to learn how to make my own clothes as well doing some artistic material explorations if the machine can handle it. I’ve never made my own clothes before, but this book seems perfect. The are dresses from the 1930′s-1980′s I believe. Seeing some patterns for Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Jackie O, Diana Ross and more. Perfectly matched to my love of the retro and dresses. Ready to design!

I’ve decided all airports should have rocking chairs. Sac airport = genius move. It’s entertaining, relaxing, and passes the time.

(image by: vivien chin)

Last view as I leave Grandma’s to go back to NYC. Miss you Cali.

(image by: vivien chin)

Latticed, timber canopy as part of the Redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon in Seville, Spain. Houses farmer’s market, bars & restaurants, archaeological museum, etc.

So many of my loves in one: Spain, public spaces, timber construction…

(images from dezeen)

Can’t leave California without having some in-n-out. If only I had some Firestone’s fries to go with…and some Bali’s…Don’t worry Shake Shack. I still love you too. Haha.

(image by: vivien chin)