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Archive for May, 2012

OMG - gorgeous Japanese pearl jewelry. I wish I was rich!

May 26th, 2012 at 04:36 am

I'm researching pearls, as I really want to pick up something in Japan of nice value to enjoy and keep in the family to pass down. Japanese pearls are really high quality, but the jewelry is also artistic and imaginative, unlike pearl jewelry I see here.

I can't afford or justify this piece, but I just wanted to share it with you:

!
amazing

These are "transformer" jewelry - they can be worn several different ways and fit beautifully and so perfectly. I have a Japanese friend that has this one:





another example.


I love the concept.

Creative and beautiful:



I have my eye on this one:




It does not obligate you to an evening gown, it can be worn with most outfits and I think it is lovely.

More:







So intricate and delicate...

All of these are Tasaki, another famous Japanese brand. I want to see these in person in Tasaki flagship store in Tokyo. I'll also go to Mikimoto Pearl Island where Mikimoto pears are produced and sold at the best price. But I know I will see so much beauty I can't take home. It is like visiting a museum in a way. These things are art.

Which one do you think is the most beautiful?

Spur of the moment Georgia getaway. Could you pass it up at this price?

May 25th, 2012 at 03:26 pm

Spur of the moment 5 day weekend kind of thing -- Friday after work (not this Friday) I'm off to the airport, and 2.5 hours later in Savannah Georgia for a romantic weekend with DH. On Monday we'll come back to Augusta where he is working for 2 weeks.

I just could not pass up staying in this hotel for $12 a night (that's the difference between what the employer is paying for DH's hotel expence and its actual cost. I have a weakness for luxury hotels.
















The spa is gorgeous too:





but I don't think I'll be using it at those prices. I thought about it, but the thing that put me off is that they not only mension that they put 22% gratuity on my bill for convenice, but that the ADDITIONAL gratuity is at your discretion, really making it sound like it is expected and you will look like a cheepskate if you don't tip on top of the 22%. Do the math on a $200 facial...)

DH is not working on a weekend, but it is cheaper for his employer to pay for his hotel than fly him home and than fly him back.

My ticket was $308, but we applied for a Delta credit card for their special offer of 75,000 miles and they also are giving $100 off a Delta purchase in the first 3 months, so it brings the ticket down to $208.

Taxi to the airport - $0, I recently discovered a free traffic proof way to LGA - since I have a metronorth pass already, I can go to a Harlem stop (past manhattan traffic) and from there take a public bus that only has 2 stops before going express to the airport. With only carry-on bag it will be easy.

Juggling life and baby, and even making a little extra money!

May 22nd, 2012 at 05:09 am

It is not easy, but we are getting better at making our schedules and errands work with baby's play and schedule.

Last three days:
Saturday we needed to run errands and we went to a little town. I took baby around the town and to his favorite toy shop that has a toy railroad installed. We played there for free while DH went to the post office and to pick up his glasses.

On Sunday we went for brunch in Williamsburg with our friends. We arranged for flexible schedule and left after baby's nap. We had fun seeing our friends and having lunch outdoors, like people who have houses do. Brunch place:


And Monday, DH had an offer to make $125 for doing a focus group after work. It started at 7, so there was no way he could do it if he had to wait until I get home and take the baby, and we had no other arrangements available.

But we worked it out - he drove the baby to my office at 6 p.m., and I took the little one to see Grand Central and we came home on a train while DH did the group. It was an adventure for the baby, he was fascinated by Grand Central and loved looking out of the train window when we rode home.

So with the extra money DH made today I bought this:


for our balcony herb garden. I will put herb planters on all of these shelves and always have fresh herbs available with no waste.


I still managed to make dinner:




Black sea bass in lemon mango cream sause (I know pasta is not very nutritious, but I simply had no time to make brown rice last night).

Today we are invited for dinner at our friends house. Baby is coming along, he will get to explore new space.

I believe it is not only good for us to do these things, but it is also good for him.

So, we are managing to have a life even with our monster commutes and 2 full time jobs and a baby. Now if only we could manage to get enough sleep.

Putting breaks on personal shopping until July!

May 17th, 2012 at 10:51 pm

Since we are going to Asia, I would like to save money to be able to buy something really nice there.

1. We'll be in Japan, so I will make a day trip from Kyoto to Toba and visit Mikkimoto Pearl Island and buy some definitely authentic, high-quality Japanese pearl jewelry directly from the sourse (with substancial savings). Also seems a great opportunity to pick up nice gifts for mom and mother in law.

2. I want a nice piece of asian art for our apartment, and want to have some money allocated for this in case I happen to see one.

3. My skinny husband can pick up some good quality clothig at a nice price while there. He has trouble with clothing in the US, as anything with his neck size tends to be made for someone 40 pounds heavier.

I like unique/unusual things, and when there is a place and memory attached to them, even better. Plus, there is an allure to having something that is not sold where you are.

Booked tickets to Japan and China!!!

May 9th, 2012 at 03:48 pm

For the first time in my life I'll be flying in Business Elite (there is no first on international flights, this is the top level) and I will be in a fully flat bed -- the seat reclines to 180 degree flat. This is like a dream.

My husband will be flying in coach -- but I'll trade with him for few hours so that he can stretch out and rest in my bed and I'll go read something in his seat. It is more economical but still pretty cool.

I'll be spending 6 days in Japan and 25 days in China. I'm making plans on where I want to go and what to see and where to stay on days I don't have class. Last time I was in Japan was 10 years ago, so I don't remember much.

It is my 6th trip to China (2 weeks, 10 days, 7-8 months, 1 month, 1 month) but everything in China changes so quickly, it is like arriving to a new place each time.

I'm just nervous about not seeing the baby for that long. The longest I've ever been away is 1 week.