Last Minute New Year's Eve Dress Shopping!

Ok it's time to panic! It's New Year's eve and I still don't have a dress for tonight! Ay Caramba amigos. It's too late for me to even rent the runway. What am I going to do? Gonna take my ass shopping today and hope for a miracle. In the meantime, I have been browsing the information superhighway for some dress ideas before I go out on the hunt. Here are some cute NYE cocktail dresses I've picked out from some of my fave shops!

1. If I had enough time to rent the runway I would have rented out this bad boy for the night:

HERVÉ LÉGER Metallic bandage dress

Retails at $1490 via Net-A-Porter or you can rent it for $150 via Rent the Runway

December Birchbox 2013 - Sparkle and Shine For the Holidays!

Ho Ho Ho my holiday Birchbox is here and I have officially been a member of the fabulous Birchbox community for 13 months! This month, I received a gift separate from my normal box. To celebrate our glorious union, Birchbox sent me a beautiful red leather keychain to go with my eiffel tower charm! It has a tiny pouch where I could keep my favorite sample on the go :)

December Holiday BarkBox 2013

TGIF Homies! Leo's Christmas Barkbox just came in the mail and now our apartment is full of puppy cheer. This month's box was exceptionally wonderful because there were not only one, but TWO dog toys for my baby to enjoy.

Look at little Leo Creepin' :)

Christmas + Holiday Peppermint Oreo Truffles Recipe 2013

No Baking Necessary! Happy Humpdee Homee. Last night, my sister Xtina came over and we made some de-licious Peppermint Oreo Truffles. They were super easy to make but, require around 3 hours + to make because of the chill times required with the recipe. The Holidaze are here and it's time to put together your best festive fare for your precious guests!

Kylie Jenner's Black Sunnies - Perfect Everyday Sunglasses 2013

Happy Mondee Homiez. Today, I want to talk about the perfect Everyday sunnies. I have been on the prowl for some dope ass everyday sunnies but have been having the hardest time finding something suitable for me.

I wanted something that was inexpensive since I have lost about a dozen pairs in the past few years. One year, my friend Blake carried me into the ocean while I was wearing my beautiful Marc Jacobs Tortoise sunnies and they were never to be seen again. I found a style that I love and that looks amazing on Kylie Jenner. I tried google image searching the pic above to find these sunnies, and went through all her instagram comments like a stalker to see if anyone had mentioned where she them but no one could identify exactly where they were from!

Eventually I found a few similar pairs in all different price ranges :)

Tory Burch Reduced Price Sample Sale NYC - December 2013

prices have been reduced on EVERYTHING!!!December 13 - December 14

December 13 - December 14

Friday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

·   for women

·   ready to wear, footwear & bags

·   fall / winter merchandise

·   all sizes

The Gift of Downloads: 12 Days of Free Downloads from Apple!!!

I have a present for you this Humpday Homies.

Starting December 26, Apple will be giving away one downloadable goodie each day until January 6. This would be the first time this promotion will be available to those of us in the U.S.

Each day, Apple will set the price of an app, movie, song or book to zero, at which point you’ll have 24 hours to grab it. To make things easier on yourself, you can download Apple’s 12 Days of Gifts App to alert you when each new item becomes available.

Get your app now: Days of Gifts

November Barkbox 2013

I know it's December, but better late than never! My baby Leo and his cousin Adam loved the November Barkbox so I have to show you all what goodies they enjoyed~!

I really get the most out of every Barkbox, and I promise you that you will not regret signing up. Leo stays healthy and happy thanks to Barkbox, and its completely worth the money if you ask me. I know I've said all this before, but they never seize to amaze me. I'm a working girl and I don't always have time to research new toys and treats for Leo to experience so I love that someone else does it for me. Also, it comforts me to know that everything is made in the

good ol' U.S. of A.

Skating in Shaolin - RollerJam USA

I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car

Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far

For somebody who don't drive, I been all around the world

Some people say I done all right for a girl

Happy Fridee homieez! I am so happy to start my weekend and I hope you all have have a fabulous weekend ahead of you. My Booski has been super busy lately studying for an exam so we haven't been out much but, he will finally be done this weekend and I am super excited to steal all of his time and attention.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a fun date/outing idea for you and your lovahs/friends. People often ask me what Allan and I do to have fun so here is something we did and loved a while back. #rollerskates

Gossip Girl: Blake Lively Cashmere Wool Lapel Coat

I saw a picture of Serena van der Woodsen aka Blake Lively wearing this a while back and have been obsessed with it ever since!

This is a cashmere wool blended lapel coat and I have no idea who the designer is. I saw the picture floating around and so I went on a hunt. Eventually I found a korean website called Nibbun and used my Korean skills to try and order myself one but it was really hard to navigate their website so I kept looking elsewhere. Eventually, I found this jacket on a website called Flora22 and had to get my hands on it. I love it soooo much and so many people have been asking where I got it so I am sharing this with you amigos.

Impressive Cocktail Fare: Thanksgiving and Christmas Recipes 2013

The holidays are here and I want to share with you all some of my favorite and scrumptious recipes you can use throughout the year~!

via purewow

This year was the first year I ever made a full Thanksgiving dinner, and I incorporated a lot of fun and healthy recipes from Purewow. Purewow = "PureWow is a digital publication dedicated to finding ways to make your life more interesting, beautiful and manageable. Our motto, "Elevate the Everyday," drives us to deliver irresistible discoveries to our readers every single day."

1. This is one of my favorite recipes I snagged from Purewow.

The pig becomes the blanket

HOT POCKETS

Crispy prosciutto-wrapped cauliflower

Healthy & Delicious!

Burlesque Thanksgiving Eve 2013 - Night @ The Box NYC

Waddup Homiez. 

The holidayz are here and I'm sure you are all sick of Thanksgiving leftovers by now, I know I am but that won't stop me from sharing with you the golden recipes I found/used for gobble day in tomorrow's post perhaps. Also, lo siento for my absence as of late, I have been working on trying to find some ways to redesign Les Bananas and hope to bring you a fresh look sometime in the next month or so. 

Today, I want to share with you my amahzing experience with friends on Thanksgiving eve 

@ The Box NYC.

If I could explain this place in one word = OPULENT

The Box has a sister club in London and it's just as swanky and exclusive. It's pretty expensive to party @ the box so make sure your wallet is stuffed before you get there.
The Box = "Theatre of Varieties" and their burlesque performances are STEAMY HOT. Photos during the show aren't allowed but a snuck short vid of their sexy opening act.

You're Invited: November BIRCHBOX Holiday 2013

Happy Mondee Homies. Cheer up this short work week with the Holiday 2013 November BIRCHBOX.

PARK AVENUE GARAGE SALE NYC NOVEMBER 2013

WHAT IS PARK AVENUE GARAGE?

Park Avenue Garage is not your typical neighborhood garage sale. Park Avenue Garage, New York’s only luxury pop-up, features new and gently used discounted merchandise from the personal collections, showrooms and walk-in closets of fashion and interior designers, celebrities, artists, stylists and socialites.

Participants from the past sales included a selection of New York’s top tastemakers. Alexa Hampton, Phillip Gorrivan, Jed Johnson, Anne Dexter Jones, Catherine Adler, Ann Caruso, Alexandra Lebenthal, Lem Lem, Bibhu Mohapatra, Douglas Hannant to name a few.

Building on the success of our past sales, we will continue to partner with a variety of local charitable organizations with individual VIP shopping cocktail parties. A donation based on the proceeds from the evening shopping party and the week-long sale will be given to the featured charity.

They will kick off our opening night celebration on the evening of Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 10 West 56th Street.

The store will open to the public: Wednesday, November 20th - Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 11am-6pm daily.

VENDORS

Park Avenue Garage, the ultimate shopping experience offers 4 floors of luxury goods for your home, your closet and everyone on your holiday list.

Today's Special: Dog's Diner Mutt Meatballs Treat Mix

I made dog meatballs! Meatballs for dogs, NOT meatballs made out of dogs :)

Little bit of Boston & a whole lot of Napa - November 2013

“Walking through To Kalon, admiring its contours and vines, smelling the richness of its soil, I knew this was a very special place. It exuded an indefinable quality I could not describe, a feeling that was almost mystical.”

— Robert Mondavi  

Happy Mondee Homieez :) 

I think it's safe to say that Mercury is no longer in retrograde and that the universe is a bit more cheery now that the holidays are coming up. May the forces be with you.

I have finally caught up on my life and want to share with you a tidbit from my journey in Boston and Napa. Work was super stressful and I barely got any sleep but, I did enjoy a nice suite at the Boston Harbor Hotel and a full day of wine tasting in the Napa. Below is my recap.

...

The Boston Harbor Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Boston. Located on the historic Rowes Wharf Harbor, they are a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and a part of Boston’s only Forbes Five-Star waterfront hotel. The view of the Marina is breathtaking and the chef always makes a mean lobster roll on croissant.

Opening ACT POWER OF 10! Support the Arts in your NYC Public Schools today!

Soome

Thank you Blake, Max, Meggy, Sarita, Dan, Tom, Joe, JonKay, Azlina, Tony, Allan, Ginger Spice, Jessica, CACA, Christina Marie and Cassie for your thoughtful donations! Thank you for extending your kindness and support for the under-served teens in New York. If we're homies and you haven't donated, you're time is running out ;) Hahah yes that's right! Peer Pressure! Brown bag your lunch today.

Isabel Marant comes to H&M via PureWow

Via PureWow PARDON MY FRENCH Isabel Marant comes to H&M

This jacket: Coming to an H&M near you.   She’s the arbiter of French cool and she's even gone so far as to  convince us that our sneakers should come with a wedge heel. Now, big news: This highfalutin designer is going mass. Introducing Isabel Marant for H&M. Available tomorrow--online and at select stores nationwide--this buzzed-about collection oozes Marant’s inimitable style but at a price point you can expect from the people who brought you a $3.99 T-shirt. But take note: This isn’t your average Target-esque collab (i.e., utter chaos). H&M has set some hard-and-fast rules for shopping the collection. For instance, online shoppers are limited to one piece per customer (we’ve got our eye on that dress). If you plan to be one of the folks standing in line outside the store, you’ll need to wait for a bracelet before you enter, and then you'll be allowed to buy only four items. Meaning there’s no chance anything will be left by 5 p.m. Head over to the slideshow to check out our favorite pieces from Marant’s H&M collection, plus a few uncanny comparisons to her runway looks. And tomorrow, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Matilda on Broadway @ Sam S. Shubert Theatre NYC 2013

Recently, Allan and I went to go see Matilda on Broadway and it was FANTASTIC! It was so charming and so unforgettable, I may have even felt a glisten of tear welling up at one point. I grew up watching the movie and I too, stayed up under the covers wishing I had magical powers to punish the adults who were so selfish and unfair. When I was a tiny little one, I recorded this movie <-- on top of an old VHS tape and watched it over and over again. The musical was just as spectacular, not just because of Roald Dahl's genius script, but because of the amazing actors, set design, and music. The show revived my love and affection for dear old Matilda and I would watch it again a hundred times more. I still hear their tunes playing in my head.

Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse. -Roald Dahl

Fall/Winter 2013 Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale NYC/LA/SF

See? I'm trying to make it up to yous for being away for so long ;)

SAMPLE SALE

Goodbye Mercury

Dear Mercury, EAT YOUR HEART OUT (I'm sorry, please stop torturing me).

Hola amigos. Dreadful Mondee is here yet again, and I am finally back from my business trip! Hopefully the rest of my year is full of holiday cheer, and less dramatic to say the least. The past few weeks have been awful, and full of heinous catastrophes! I heard that this was due to Mercury being in retrograde, affecting all things Gemini in horrible, horrible ways. I was never all that into astrology, but Susan Miller seems to be on point lately with her predictions and warnings, so I am going to tread lightly amongst this earth for the rest of the year. Maybe I have been a naughty girl this year, because it looks like Karma's back for some vengeance. That's right, my life isn't all gumdrops and rainbows but surely, you already knew that. All I can do, is get my shit together and walk proud with my head up high. If you haven't heard about the affects of evil Mercury, you must be lucky because the retrograde is now coming to a close with just a bit of lingering effects in the next few days. It feels good to be humbled, doesn't it?

Les Bananas Halloween Special with Nicki Minaj + Lil Wayne + Raptor Lobster

Happy Halloween from your royal highness Nicki Minaj & king Lil Weez.

A Millionaire I'm a ChungMoney Millionaire tougher than Nigerian hair.
Who's the baddest witch in town?

CLUB MONACO SAMPLE SALE NYC FALL 2013 - October + November Discount Shopping

clothingline sample sales

BEST HIDDEN BRUNCH SPOT NYC = Fell in love @ Ciao for Now

I think I found my favorite brunch spot! Cozy, cute, homey, quaint, and the food is just as amazing as your nanna's home cooking. It looks like it's a bakery/cafe from the outside but actually connected to a diner on the right side of shop. My boo Allan, brother from another mother (Kreamy Kat), and I went for brunch on Saturday and every single place was crowded!

We stumble upon Ciao for Now and I swear it's the best secret spot! I peeked into the windows and saw that everyone looked so cute and happy so I had to go in and try the place out. As soon as I walked in, I could already tell that the crowd was so genuine, there were magazine editors, fashion consultants, and people who were wearing brands from Patagonia to Hood By Air. You will also DIE for their Almond Brioche French Toast. Everyone cool was there for some amazing eats. Guys, we have to keep this our secret...Shhhhh.

October Bark Box 2013 - Spoil your Dogs Rotten

Treat your baby with a Barkbox! TGIF homies. I have been so busy with work but I missed you all so much! Today, I want to share something special for dog-lovers.

BarkBox is a subscription based e-commerce company and content curator for dog-lovers! Like Birchbox, Barkbox sends you a box of goodies carefully picked out to make your pup give you extra kisses. They also have a cute blog called Barkpost and it's low key on the same level of Buzzfeed, but for dogs.

Every Month, my precious angel Leo waits for his special Barkbox with bated breath. 

This month was no execption.

NEW YORK CITY SAMPLE SALE - LAURA MERCIER, James Jeans, Manrico, and more!

clothingline sample sales October 22 - October 24

Nescac in New York City - Dinner @ Cata and drinks @ Mister H (Host Committee)

Hola amigos. You guys won't believe me, but I actually went out this past weekend. 

October Birch Box - Beauty Delivered

I figured this would be the perfect month to share my BirchBox with you because, this October makes it exactly 1 year since I have had my BirchBox Subscription. In 2011, I went to a Baby Buggy event to celebrate its 10th Anniversary during “A Night of Comedy with Jerry Seinfeld & Friends” at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. As I was walking out, I got a free BirchBox at the door. Little did I know, this little box changed my life!

I wait for my Birchbox every month with bated breath! Birchbox is a $10 monthly subscription service — you fill out a beauty profile, and then every month, a little box of high-end beauty samples from the likes of Kerastase, Laura Mercier and Nars arrive at your door. This company has revolutionized how woman sample and buy their essential cosmetics.Their YouTube channel offers product demos, and the website has tips and tutorials to help you "discover products you love."

Birchbox is owned by the same women who own Gilt Group AND Rent The Runway and they are smart as fuck. Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna met at Harvard Business School. They inspire me to become a power betch myself ;) 

Chewy French Almond Macaroons - SUPER EASY RECIPE!

God I hate Wednesdays! But I bet these bad boys will surely brighten up your Hump Day Blues...

Smorgasburg NYC @ Brooklyn Bridge Park!

Brooklyn Cool, before Brooklyn was Cool. Just in time for lunch, I have some food porn for you here. Yesterday, Allan and I were supposed to go apple picking with Leo but were running a bit late, and so we decided to go to Smorgasburg instead at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I used to live around the park in Brooklyn Heights, so it was quite nostalgic and heart warming to come back to the neighborhood. The food market used to be at the Tobacco Warehouse but recently moved to Pier 5.

We walked around with warm apple cider and tried different kinds of food from all over the world. From jerked chicken to vegan vegetable pie, they've got something for everyone. 

Are yous ready? I have way too many pictures to too show yous ;)

Live Q&A with Bobbi Brown + Smoky Holiday Looks with Rogelio Reyna

"I go for the girls who photograph well and look different. I don't need a girl who looks like Barbie."

- Bobbi Brown on October 10 @ The Bobbi Brown University NYC

Aloha my Sugar Toots. Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I have been super busy with class/work/life and was just trying to get my shit together, I'm sure you can understand.

Any-who, I'm back and have something just fabulous to share with you.

Yesterday, Ginger Spice and I went to a super-ultra-fab Bobbi Brown event hosted by Sephora @ the Bobbi Brown University in Soho. It was an event with a live Q&A session with the one and only Bobbi Brown, and master class tutorial on Smoky Holiday looks with Makeup Artist, Rogelio Reyna.

We also got to take home a full size Old Hollywood palette before it even hit the stores!

SUPER SLUTTY BROWNIE RECIPE

Hands down the most sinful recipe ever. Super Slutty Brownies! I've heard of this recipe but, have seen most other blogger make this out of scratch it and it seemed like too much work!

I recently stumbled upon a recipe that uses shortcuts and it's the perfect recipe for me. After a long day of work, classes, and taking care of my growing son Leo, I don't always have time to spend 3 hours in the kitchen. So why reinvent the wheel when someone else did all the work for you?

SUPER SLUTTY BROWNIE RECIPE

Autumn in NYC + Hot Dogs in Central Park

Like many other New Yorkers, fall is my favorite season of the year. I love looking forward to apple picking, pumpkin carving, Halloween, and countless reruns of Hocus Pocus on ABC Family.

 Soon enough it will be cold enough to enjoy spiked warm apple ciders and hot chocolates. The sky is filled with crisp clean air, the leaves all start to fall in warm earth tones, and we all get to wear our sexiest fall jackets + boots. To celebrate and enjoy this beautiful season, our little family took a day trip to Central Park and met up with Leo's baby cousin Adam.  

VeeV a la Vida!!! Natural/Organic/Low Cal for you

Happy Friday Nanner Crew :) Are you VeeVin it up?

Lady luck came around and helped me win the VeeV Miami summer tours challenge a few weeks back, and the prizes just recently arrived!

Thank you so much Veev! I <3 you and your cocktails are dope. I hope Ricky Ross raps about your dranks someday ;)

What did I win?

VeeV green sunnies and giant case of VeeV Vita Frute Cocktails!

NYC Fall/Winter Sample Sale schedule!!!

Hey Homies. If you're in town, be sure to check out these awesome sample sales!

XOXO

CC

our upcoming fall / winter schedule starts columbus day monday october 14 October 14 - October 16

Chanel Espadrilles + Malawach Brunch @ Cafe Orlin

Espadrilles are super cute, simple, comfy, and they go with almost every outfit depending on it's color. Espadrilles were hot and in season for spring/summer of 2013, and all of the cutest bloggers were stomping all over town in their favorite pair.

'So I am a tad bit late but, a working girl like me must save her dollas/shop smart, and so I waited a bit longer than everyone else to get my Chanel baby. Once it arrived, I took precious out to brunch with me & Allan to Café Orlin in the East Village. 

Every time Allan and I walk by Cafe Orlin, there's always a long line with people waiting up to 30 minutes for a table. I wanted to know what the hype was all about, so Allan and I finally decided to go and try it out over the weekend. We ignored our grumbling stomachs until about 2 pm so we could have a later brunch, hoping we would miss the crowd. It was good thinkin' because we only waited for a bout 5 minutes to be seated inside.