Thurs. 08/19/2010 - Smith & Chang General Goods in JC

Gabi told me there is a store a couple of blocks away from her place, a store I would love it. And yes I loved it. It was merchandised in very much tasteful way. Great mix of vintage and new. And most of all, I was proud that one of the partners (Chang) is a Korean.

[Smith & Chang]
I really liked every corner of the store and every objects he brought here. Katrina once told me there is a store in Texas, that it's so well done, and you can spend hours in each corner. Smith & Chang was more like it, I could stay in each corner for long time and check out every single piece one by one. Everything was special or looked special -even the ones I am already familiar and can find elsewhere-. I wish I can pulled up my future store like this level.

The store is right next to Hamilton Park.

Extra: The old railroad next to Gabi's

Wed. 08/18/2010 - The Best Latté in JC

It's really my personal opinion...but I think latté at Beechwood café in Jersey City is the best!

Latté and Breakfast Burrito at Beechwood

I was again playing with "Cellar Door" eye mask here.

Beechwood Café

P.S.
I was at Bigelow to do some last minute shopping...and found this. The Bigelow Cat. Sleeping between the window and the display board. I even knocked the window to see whether it's real, and it was real.

Tues. 08/17/2010 - At Marco & Pepe

After I left HiJong's, I came to Jersey City to stay at Gabi's place. Gabi was still at work -it's 9pm now and she's still at work- and I had lunch at my favorite place Marco & Pepe. Every single dish is excellent there, but since it was lunch, I had light salad which was the absolutely perfect. I am so expecting to have Macaroni and Cheese or Fillet Mignon very soon with Gabi.

[Marco & Pepe]

Grilled Salmon Salad and Toasts with Nutella

And I was also working...These are o some eye masks my partner developed and what I will work on in the future in Korea. BTW, our company is called "Cellar Door", and when you open it, you will find precious treasures in there like these eye masks.

Tues. 08/17/2010 - At HiJong's

So, my old friend whom I met in Paris and also who was the first friend in NY, HiJong kindly put me up at her place for several days until today. She lives in a cute Tudor style house in West Orange, NJ surrounded by gigantic trees. While I was staying there, I totally experience American family life, and a happy one. I was so happy to her happy with a good husband and two adorable boys.

HiJong's House. The neighborhood has many Tudor style houses, but I thought hers is the prettiest.

It still has these great details, like original crystal door knobs from early 20th century when the house was first built.

Mon. 08/16/2010 - Central Park

I had some last projects that I had to finish for my new job before I leave. The project was that I had to take picture of the products that my partners developed in Central Park. Whenever I am in Central Park, it seems like I am always lost there, and never bale to be in the same place. I always went to hunt the locations for the shoot, but I couldn't really be able to find the same spots...but at the same time, it's in a way good that I can always find something new there. And even though today was pretty hot, it seems like we are already going into fall...

[Central Park Going Into Fall]

[Shakespeare Garden]
So, this was the first time I was in this garden...which I didn't even know exists...

Peeking through the park...

Me working hard...

People enjoying last bit of summer...

The spot I had to find today, but couldn't...

Lake looking quite different on a sunny day...

On the sunny day...the buildings almost looks fake somehow.