today’s desk view: ornate verticality

Lovely ornate sides across the street from my current job site. A beauty.

(image by: vivien chin)

3d printed dress

3d printed dress by Michael Schmidt. Covered in 12,000 Swarovski crystals.

(image by: albert sanchez)

roller girl

This made me smile. At 66th street Lincoln Center subway stop on 1,2,3 line

(image by: vivien chin)

the dakota

The famous Dakota Apartments in the Upper West Side.  Sadly the site of John Lennon’s death.

 

(images by: vivien chin)

petite abeille + tin tin

Cute Beligian restaurant with yummy french toast, waffles, and a Tin Tin themed decor!

 

Petite Abeille
466 Hudson Street
New York, NY
10014 

 

(images by: vivien chin)

sweet trifecta

Sweet Italian treats from Eataly complimented the home cooked butternut lasagna last night. Tiramisu w/nougat (left); apple tart (top); semifreddo (right).

Decadent and light at the same time. Just perfect!

(image by: vivien chin)

blood orange salad

Just had this really delicious salad recently at P.J. Clarke’s that I want to start making on my own. It consisted of spinach, butter lettuce, blood orange slices, spiced pecans, and goat cheese with a blood orange vinaigrette and topped with a home made crouton.

So simple, but so good!

P.J. Clarke’s
Lincoln Square
44 W 63rd St
Upper West Side
New York, NY 10023

(image by: vivien chin)

kit kit kittys

today’s art view in union square.

(image by: vivien chin)

sky opens

Stumbled upon this pic of the skyline and sky opening from Central Park this last Fall.

 

(image by: vivien chin)

moving day

In 1886, a contractor in Los Angeles claimed he could move the Fort Moore High School by hoisting it on top of scaffolding and use people, rollers, and horses to slowly migrate it to its new location. It unfortunately proved to be too difficult and had to be lowered back to the ground midway through the move. I wish they left it on the scaffolding. These are really great images.

(images from bldgblog)

baffles and bastions

These approaches for baffled entryways really should be implemented more often. In particular, Serpentine and Labrinthine. I will have to start implementing these in designs.

An image excerpt from “Baffles and Bastions: The Universal Features of Fortifications” by Lawrence H. Keeley, Marisa Fontana, and Russell Quick.

(image from bldgblog)

ginger turban tiger

Ginger person with turban riding a tiger?!? What! Best graphic.

(image by: vivien chin)

green tea kit kat

My new favorite candy straight from Japan! Thanks M!

(image by: vivien chin)

bridging

Near Madison Square Park…

(image by: vivien chin)

shrimp chips

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)

morimoto

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)

restaurant week_morimoto

[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)

fat witch bakery

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

soup dumplings

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)

rooftop cube

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

(image by: vivien chin)

light arches

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

(image by: vivien chin)

sweet creation: very berry cherry ice cream

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)

sweet creation: red bean ice cream

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)

metropol parasol_j mayer h

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)

lychee bubble tea

I think I’ve just found my dream drink. Lychee bubble tea made with fresh lychee fruit mixed in all about. They did not skimp at all!! Not just flavored juice with tapioca balls! Too bad I can only find this in Sacramento, CA. NYC get going on this!

(image by: vivien chin)

red rabbit

One pill makes you larger, one pill makes you small…

One large red rabbit installation suspended in the new Terminal B at the Sacramento Airport. Can I take it home with me? Love the facets.

(image by: vivien chin)

sparkly roots

If only all roots sparkled like these!

This art piece reminds me of the one suspended above the Grand Central Market entry. This one lives in the new Terminal B at the Sacramento Airport.

(image by: vivien chin)

stairway to…

So yellow! Stumbled upon this at Van Alen Books when walking around the city.

(image by: vivien chin)

waffles & dinges

An oh so delicious snack from the Waffles and Dinges food carts around the city. As seen on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown on the Food Network as well.

(image by: vivien chin)

cheese blintzes_sarabeth’s

Recently tried brunch at Sarabeth’s in the Upper West Side and it was spectacular. Passed by this place many times, but never took the time to stop. It is well worth several return visits. I had the cheese blintzes which were little pillows of sweet goodness topped with I want to say sour cream and apple sauce with strawberries. I fell in love with their homemade English muffins. It’s a must try. Not your ordinary Thomas’ English muffin style everyone serves! Comes with their signature preserves.

Sarabeth’s – West
423 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024

(image by: vivien chin)

la frileuse

“Winter” by Jean-Antoine Houdin. Bronze Cast.

On show at the Met.

(image by: vivien chin)

figurengruppe

“Figurengruppe” (Group of Figures) by German artist Katharina Fritsch on display in the MOMA garden now.

9 life-size sculptures including St. Michael, a Madonna, a giant, a set skeleton feet bones, angel, and a snake

(images by vivien chin & justin kruse)

wine & roses

Tried this place out last week. Relaxing way to pass the time during a lazy afternoon. Outdoor space and beautiful weather was definitely a plus.

Wine & Roses
286 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023

(images by: vivien chin)

mermaid inn

Mermaid Inn is the best! $1 oysters during Happy Hour is the best treat with a glass of wine and some fries. Just tried their Lobster Mac & Cheese tonight. Seafood and comfort food hit the spot tonight. They have a couple locations around Manhattan and the happy hour special is everyday from 5pm-7pm.

Also love the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish you get with your check! Haven’t see one in ages.

Mermaid Inn
568 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024

www.themermaidnyc.com

(images by vivien chin)

echo_jaume plensa

“Echo” by Jaume Plensa in Madison Square Park. Sculpture of a girl’s head. No your eyes are not playing tricks on you. The image is not distorted. Very cool sculpture.

(image by: vivien chin)

the shack

Fair shake & shack burger via shake shack. It makes my tummy happy & makes laundry go by much faster :).

fountain

Fountain @ Lincoln Center.  Cool and refreshing to lie next to it this last saturday.  Beautiful weekend…

(image by: vivien chin)

a salt & battery: fish & chips

I love love love fish and chips. Finally stopped in and ate at this tasty place I always pass by when i’m in the area.  Love the name – “A Salt & Battery”.  Tried the Sea Bass and Sole (with chips of course!).  Everything was delish and perfect!  I will definitely be going back.  If you love fish and chips, check this place out.  Fun sightings: Ballot from Bobby’s Flay’s Throwdown on the Food Network on the wall and a poster for deep fried Cadbury Eggs for Easter weekend.  (Melissa, you are probably the only one I know who might be willing to try those deep friend Cadbury eggs.  I know how much you love Cadbury eggs!!)

A Salt & Battery

112 Greenwich Ave
(between 12th St & Jane St)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 691-2713

(images by: vivien chin)

subway view: poetry

Seen while getting off on the uptown platform on the NQRW.

(image by: vivien chin)

penthouse theatre view: glowing esb

The view behind me as I watched the play, The Boys in the Band, whose stage was built in a penthouse loft located in Chelsea. Beautiful night!

(image by: vivien chin)