Eight years in the making

Right now I'm in the wonderful city of San Francisco about to venture out to find the local trader joes, but before we figure out how to get lost in the city.. I wanted to share some photos of why we are here in Nor Cal. One of my dearest friends, Jenn got married this weekend to an amazing man. They first met our freshman year of college and have been dating since. I didn't realize this (sorry Jenn!) but the church that they were married St. Peter & Paul Church in North Beach is the famous church. After flying up Friday a.m. we had a bridesmaid brunch followed by a looovely manni and pedi session (my hands and feet are very happy to be outside) The rehearsal dinner was at "the oldest italian restaurant" in San Francisco. Great local wine (thanks to Jenn's family) and Italian food... I mean really, how can you go wrong! Here are few shots from Friday... more to be uploaded!


Tiara (in her handmade beenie) picking me up from SFO at 8 a.m!


Mannie/peddie hour!


Tiara special. My own personal beenie!


This handsome couple at the rehearsal dinner


Tiara, Jenn, Nick smiling

Spring has sprung!!!

Next to summer's in the city, springtime in the city can't be beat!! While Nicole and Jefe were visiting, we went to Central Park for our "Nicole's-in-the-city-must-go-to-Central-Park-photoshoot.
"
Me and Giancarlo in Central Park


"Give me a kiss!"


Group shot!


Nicole and Jefe


Pretending that we're singing in the non-rain

Holy dumpling date!

It isn't often that GC and I get a chance to get out and enjoy the New York night life (lately) mainly because it is expensive and we've got a lot of expenses in the next two months- which we are definitely not complaining about! Last night we went out to New York hot spot Chinatown Brasserie. We've been trying to go for ages (GC went once and fell in love, now it's my turn!) and finally made it there last night.
This place is known for their dumplings. I've never had them, but we ordered two kinds of dumplings. This was all in the "let's get Emily to try new foods" events which, I have to admit.. I've been getting a lot better at. I sorta eat red meat now, so it's a step in the right direction. The first set of dumplings were pork dumplings that were what I think baked into this sorta puff-pasty style. I tried it... that was good for me. I let Giancarlo polish those off. The other set of dumplings that we ordered were a pork/shrimp mix that were wrapped in the won ton paper with a broth inside. There is a traditional way of eating these (which I learned last night) They give you soup spoons in which you put the dumpling on, and then with your chopsticks, you poke a hole and let the steam come out and sip the broth.. then eat the dumpling. Quite the activity!

We also decided if we're going to go out, we're going all out... therefore DESSERT! Again, in the spirt of "trying new things" we picked the only thing that we didn't understand on the menu.. Cinnamon bao. What the heck is a "Bao" well ... we found out. Here is a picture of these tasty little nuggets. Inside there was a frosting-custard cream. It was like little miniture Cinnabons with frosting inside. Little perfect pastry puffs of heaven.. really, need I say more?!

(my apologies for busting out stock photos. Sadly, it was too dark inside for me to take good pictures)

My fortune cookie read: EXCUSE ME
lucky numbers: 4. 22. 32 12

www.chinatownbrasserie.com
380 Lafayette St. New York, NY 212.533.7000

Grey Dog's

If you find yourself in New York City, in the winter (or what is sorta winter-like) and you want to have that "neighborhood" coffeehouse feel, then I recommend this little gem down from Union Square, Grey Dog Coffee. GC and I like to go around the city in the afternoon and find little places to nosh. We can't spend money so we'll split something and usually get a coffee.. our little "going out" without dealing with the expensive nature of the city.

Last night we split the Quiche of the Day which was more like a slice of pie than a quiche, and I can't tell you what was in it other than it just melted in your mouth. Another thing that I need to learn how to cook!! (still working on the whole no-shake with the camera ha.)

We sat inside, with the rain starting to come down outside, taking pictures, eating Quiche and drinking coffee... getting ready for May (hint, hint) It's moments like these that I think I will miss the most.

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Grey Dog Coffee- 90 University Place (at 12th street)
http://thegreydog.com/

Say what!?

The best work out EVER!!! Now let me add in my disclaimer.. I'm NOT promoting a career choice of "stripping," but I have to admit, it is a great workout (all in good fun, of course)

The past weekend I was in good 'ol San Fran with the pouring rain. I attempted to be the trourist because I got in a few hours early on Friday and I wondered around the city, but the weather had a different plan for me. With the rain pouring down, and my pants soaked (and me unprepared with my fancy footware) I ended up at 3 different Starbucks (fully loaded on my non-fat, sugar-free mocha's, extra caffeine- please) and got my culture on at the San Francisco MOMA. FYI.. The MOMA has a great photography exhibit that I got lost in for 2 hours! Sadly, no cameras were allowed. I've been to the city so many times, but not once I have been able to be a tourist. Go figure! But that wasn't the reason I was out there.. it was for Jenn's bridal shower and Bachelorette party. It was a whirlwind weekend, filled with everything from the crate and barrel spring '08 catalog, stripper poles and drag queens. Now I'm officially counting down the days till the wedding!!! (April 5th, T-65 days!)

Here are some fun shots.. more on flickr & kodakgallery

Vroom!

It is a tradition in the Provansal household to visit the San Diego International Car Show... most years we make it but this was the first year that I had been down in a long time. We started off the day hanging out at the condo and then over to the convention center to check out the latest and greatest new cars for 2008/2009. If only I had a need for a car!!

Fuerzabruta!

fuer • za • bru • ta
\ f'where - zah - broo - tah \
1: brute force 2: the new show from the creators of DE LA GUARDA 3: a 360° heart-pounding theatrical experience

From the creators of De La Guarda comes a brand new original work: FUERZABRUTA.

A non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion, and kinetic aerial imagery, FUERZABRUTA is one of the most exciting events of the fall season. Having already taken South America and Europe by storm, this all-new work from the creators of the revolutionary theatre spectacle De La Guarda defies easy categorization.

Featuring mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed - a man running full throttle through a series of moving walls, women frolicking in a watery world suspended just inches above the audience - FUERZABRUTA is a theatrical experience that floods the senses.

This experience is mind-blowing, mainly for the fact that theatre-goers get to get involved and be in the middle of all the action. There are no seats, it is standing only, but there is NOT a bad standing area in the theatre. I am counting down the days till we get to go again!

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com

Light me up!

New York City has tons of great moments that can be seen on TV throughout not only the U.S. but the world. One of those events is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. It has been something that I've wanted to do ever since I moved here but the timing was always off until this year. Giancarlo has a long standing tradtion with his friends that every year, they go and eat at Olive Garden in Times Square (tourist haven) and then go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. Well this year we decided to go just the two of us. So, we ate at Olive Garden (which I haven't done since I was 11) and then wandered over to see the tree. Even at 11 o'clock at night, the crowds were still there and there was a lot of excitement buzzing around. We plan on making another trip sometime this weekend to get some more photos, but enjoy the ones below in the meantime!

Some fun facts:
The first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the Kate Smith Show. It was again lit in 1954 on the Howdy Doody Show.

Between 1937 and 1974, 22 different Christmas displays appeared in the Channel Gardens. The most popular display has been Valerie Clarebout's 12 herald angels -- wire-sculpted figures that were first introduced in 1954. The Clarebout Angels have been refurbished and displayed every Christmas for the past 20 years.


(you tubing it)

Ice Skating at Bryant Park

The home of New York fashion week turns into a free.. yes, free... ice skating rink in the winter. Part of my surprise day in the city last Saturday was lunch at the Celsius lounge and ice skating (or the solid attempt to not fall)

Saturday Surprise!

Just a few photos of Giancarlo and I celebrating our engagement at his parents place. After, he wisked me off to a surprise day in the city where we ate lunch at Celsius, a winter restaurant right next to the ice skating rink at Bryant Park (many heating lamps included!) made an attempt to ice skate in Bryant Park (last time I believe I was four). That night Giancarlo made dinner reservations at one New York's hot spots, The Place. The intimate restaurant is hidden away in the West Village, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Playing in Central Park

And its up!

The before shots of the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. They "officially" light it the first Tuesday in December (which I will post after shots of later)