Day Dreaming…

Beautiful day in NYC. I’m sitting in my office playing with my Mac and day dreaming. My mind is in La La Land. Can’t wait for SUMMER!

Another Year…Another Birthday!

February 28th, 2010: MY BIRTHDAY

Sunday evening I got together with my closest friends @ Casimir restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Instead of throwing a big bash this year, I opted to have an intimate dinner. Since my entire 30th year had already been a big party itself, this birthday I wanted to switch it up a bit by doing something more low key with the closest people in my life, my NY family.

“Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life.”

An intimate evening with the people that spice up my life….

I LOVE the intimate feel of this restaurant.

ME! & my besties! My bday wouldn’t be the same without them.

Twee, another one of my besties that now lives in NYC! So happy to have my girls here!

I didn’t want to do anything big this year. Intimate dinner w/close friends was the way to go.

I LOVE the food here! This crusted salmon dish was so YUMMY! Casimir-Alphabet city gem!

Guilty indulgence….french fries!

People I absolutely adore…

My brother from another…

The perfect evening…

Next stop…drinks at “My little secret”…cute new spot in NYC!

These two always crack me up! I HEART them! They spice up my life!

My girls showed up rocking YUMI KIM!

JDM,always putting a smile on my face.He also gave me the best bday present ever!I owe you one.

Mi familia!

Thank you for another amaaaaazing bday! Good times! I’m so blessed! ***so happpppy***

Casimir Restaurant
103 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009-6279
(212) 358-9683
www.casimirrestaurant.com

Coterie Time!

I can’t believe it’s Coterie (contemporary trade show where buyers from boutiques and dept stores attend to view collections from designers) time again. It felt like the last one just happened a few months ago. Whoooa, I wasn’t prepared for this one at all. 1/3 of my samples didn’t make it in time, but what could I do? Gotta do what I do best, work with what I have & make the most of it because THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Yup, it’s that time again….time to show my buyers summer & fall collection.

Marissa-rockin Fall YUMI KIM w/ME!

ME! & the lovely ladies of Free’s Shop Japan. They’re TOO TOO CUTE!

YK featured in Free’s Shop Spring look book! Hands down,they make the best look books I’ve seen out there! I’m always so impressed! LOVE…LOVE…LOVE!

After a long day….this definitely hit the spot. Korean BBQ

Spicy tofu soup-perfect for this cold weather we’ve been getting in NYC.

Day#2-the madness continues…

Vicky & Jolie holding down the booth!

I couldn’t help but do some shopping at my neighbor’s booth. Super cute leather jacket!

The man of the hour…

Twnz Showroom rocks!

Love these ladies! Great energy, good people, & a bundle of fun!

Be on the look out for Caprichosa. Amaaaazing knits at an amaaaazing price!

I couldn’t leave the show without doing some shopping right? Stopped by Jeffrey Campbell’s booth and placed an order with Jeffrey himself (who’s suuuuuuuper nice!). Yeah…I went a little crazy @ JC.

After 3 days of Coterie I wanted a good hearty meal to end the crazy work week. I met up with my crew and grubbed at THE MEATBALL SHOP!

So glad I finally made it over to THE MEATBALL SHOP-my neighbor! Gotta always support my fellow business owners in the LES!
I am the biggest foodie! I want to try everything!
They have salmon meatballs!
Absolute heaven in my mouth. The perfect ending to a long week. Thank you.

GLOBAL GLAM PROJECT Launch Party @ W Hotel!

FEBRUARY 17th, 2010-GLOBAL GLAM PROJECT Launch Party @ W Hotel

Wednesday night I attended the launch party for GLOBAL GLAM PROJECT at W Hotel in Times Square. It’s been awhile since I’ve trekked my way above 14th street. I know…I know…it’s pretty sad to admit,but once you live downtown, going above 14th streets seems so far away!

Check out my evening-Global Glam Project Launch Party…
Global Glam Project Launch Party @ W Hotel Times Square.

I always feel like a tourist in my own city when I visit Times Square.

ME! with Nadia, Jolie, & my models rocking YUMI KIM for W Hotels!

Met the lovely ladies of DANNIJO- big fan of their jewelry!
Tough week at the office. My girls need a drink…uh,make that 2.

My favorite piece in the exclusive collection- Claudia Jacket in WHITE!A Must Have!

The WONDER WINK WOMEN…wow,I can’t believe how long we’ve worked together.I HEART them!

Meet the designers of 2010 Global Glam Project for W hotels-Yumi Kim, Rebecca Minkoff, Deepa Gurnani, Dannijo, Dolce Vita, Suzanna Dai and Wink!
The collection will be in W Hotels THE STORE in April! Don’t miss out-stock is limited!
That’s a wrap to another festive night in the city.

Wish I could have stayed longer, but Coterie Show is right around the corner. So much work, so lil’ time…story of my life….

First day of Tet-Temple Time!

Every Tet (Vietnamese New Year) I go to temple to pray and light incense. It’s a tradition that I’ve shared with my mom since I was a child. My Mom always told me it’s important to kick start the New Year in a positive way. You should pray to Buddha, give thanks for the previous year and ask him for his blessings and good luck for the new year ahead for you and your family. Now that I’m all grown up, nothing has changed. I still make it a priority to keep the tradition going. Besides getting together with friends and family, the tradition I look forward to most during New Year, is attending temple to pray.

FEBRUARY 14th, 2010: First day of TET

BEAUTIFUL!

Time to pray for better fortunes and leave the past behind. New Year….New Start!

THANK YOU, Buddha, for all your blessings! I am so grateful!

I always feel at peace when I’m at temple.

Guanyin, Lady Buddha

After shaking the wooden cup with sticks (New Year’s tradition @ temple) to get my fortune for the year….this is what I got.THANK YOU! Looks like I’m going to have an excellent Year of The Tiger. Yaaay!

Happy New Year everyone!
Keep the ***POSITIVE VIBES*** flowing this year!

Buddhist Temple I visited:
NEW YORK BUDDHIST VIHARA TEMPLE
214-22 Spencer Avenue
Parkside Hills, NY 11427
(718) 468-4262

Mahayana Buddhist Temple:
133 Canal Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 925-8787‎

Spread the LOVE!

When Valentine’s Day rolled around this year, I woke up early that morning and baked a bunch of sweet treats to give to my friends, doormen, and special people in my life as a way of saying THANK YOU. Since I was a child, I’ve always had a fascination with arts & crafts, cooking, and decorating. I think I secretly wanted to be the Asian Martha Stewart…ha. If fashion doesn’t work out, this is going to be my PLAN B.

Check out my sweet creations this Valentine’s Day…

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Remember…don’t stop SPREADING THE LOVE!

XoXo,
Kim

Year Of The Tiger!

Growing up, TET (Vietnamese/Lunar New Year) has always been the biggest and my favorite holiday. Besides looking forward to getting li xi (red envelopes filled with $$-sign for good fortune) from my elders, I always loved getting together with my friends and family to enjoy a big feast. Now that I’m older, I don’t want to forget and let go of these traditions, so every year I host a dinner party with my closest friends to ring in the New Year. It’s important for me to hold onto my roots and culture, in hopes that one day I can pass it onto my kids and give them the same experience I had growing up. This is a part of who I am, and what makes me ME.

LUNAR NEW YEAR’S PARTY 2010- YEAR OF THE TIGER!

I am very superstitious (mom’s influence),so every new year I try to have an auspicious menu.
Dumplings represents togetherness and heavenly blessings.

It’s a tradition that I spend it with loved ones on new year.

I pulled out my red table cloth (red-symbol of good luck),and ordered noodles-stands for a long, happy life. Chicken stands for prosperity and joy,while shrimp represents happiness and good fortune.

Set the tone right for the year…on a POSITIVE note!

Positive people in my life that I adore.

Smiles…Smiles…Smiles….good energy in my home for the New Year!

My intimate dinner party turned into a fiesta! I guess the more the merrier!

Sweethearts…

Awww,they drove in to spend new year’s eve with me. Can’t break tradition!

Lunar New Year & Valentine’s Day landed on the same day this year.

Candies are for a sweet New Year. I grew up eating this LUCKY CANDY during the New Year.
Brings back memories!

People in my life that makes me giggle.

Of course,always gotta start my new year with the love of my life, YUMI!

Happy New Year everyone!
I have a feeling the Year of the Tiger will be a memorable one!

XoXo,
Kim

It’s so hard to say goodbye…

Thursday night my YK Family and I got together for Jessica’s going away dinner. It’s been a bit since we all had last seen in each other, so it was really nice to sit down with the crew to play catch up and send Jessica off the right way, with LOVE and LAUGHTER.

FEBRUARY 11th,2010: JESSICA’s GOING AWAY DINNER

Jessica & ME!

Isi & Jolie–all smiles!

Our original plan didn’t work out, so we ended up at SPICE. Nothing like good, cheap yummy Thai food!

My favorite dish at SPICE- TAMARIND WHOLE FISH—so YUMMY!

My YK Fam…

Time to tell stories…

Ending the night on a sweet note!

Jessica, I’m still in denial that you are leaving.
I think it will hit me next week when I’m looking like a hot mess in my office frantically looking for the inventory & sales reports, and then realize you’re not going to be there to save the day by saying,”Here you go, I have it all right here (with a smile)!” Thank you so much for being more than delightful to work with. I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me & YK the past few years. You will definitely be missed! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

My best always,
KIM

Take my breath away…

I woke up to this view my first morning in my new apartment. It took my breath away.

I’m so thankful each and everyday for being able to do what I LOVE, having an amazing group of friends & family, and now getting to wake up to this beautiful view every morning.
I am blessed. Thank You…Thank You…Thank You.

TOKYO, throw your hands up in the air!

January 25th, 2010- Last Night in Tokyo!

Our last night we went out to dinner and somehow ended up at a club, got our hair done to look like Barbie, & then danced the night away with the cutest & coolest Japanese girls! What a night….so much freakin fun! This was another one for the books!

Late night dining in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Stanley can’t wait to go back and tell my nephew all about his Asia trip!

Interesting shops in the side streets of Shibuya.

You never know what you may find….

Taking a nice stroll after dinner.

Ended up at a random club and got our hair done to look like Barbie by the dance floor…LOL!

Janet getting pampered!These guys were so silly! Love them!!!!

My crazy bestie from the Westie showing them how to party!

Definitely a night to remember! We had a BLAAAAAAST!Thank you, ladies for showing us a great time!

View from my hotel room. Good night, Tokyo!

The perfect way to end our TOKYO trip!