My Big Brother and SoHo

I had another wonderful "date" today. It was brother and sister bonding today, which is cool b/c all my siblings are older and are usually busy w/ work and family (just like me). So this was my Sunday:

1. Arrived at my brother's apt at Chelsea (btw, his doorman said "Your beautiful sister is on her way up" ... Somebody give the man a tip please!! LOL)
2. Started out w/ noon brunch at Le Belle Vie - their Bellini was delicious. My brother treated me to brunch as my advanced birthday treat. Thank you, Kuya!
3. Headed out to Barney's Co-op to look at the beautiful clothes, all in the 3-digit price range
4. Was brought to Chelsea Market (not many New Yorkers know about it b/c it seemed to be a "hidden treasure")
5. Walked through the Meat packing district where we passed more window shopping of these posh stores
6. Went furniture window shopping to give me ideas on decorating my apartment (West Elm, Jensen-Lewis, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn). I found THE sofa I want, along w/ a small dining table, and a buffet). Now I have to just wait until the condo is finished in Feb./March(?)
7. Stopped by H&M, Bloomingdales SoHo, G Star, David Z, Jeffrey (another store of $300+ items) and a WHOLE BUNCH of other stores that we couldn't even remember. Thank God the majority of stores we went to were expensive. That way, we don't spend money. It's amusing the way the sales people on the floor look at you up and down, check out what you are wearing, and try to decide if you could afford anything in their store. Of course I could afford something in their store!! Maybe a zipper of a really expensive bag, the button of an expensive jacket, or the shoelace of a really expensive shoe. xP
8. Saw some ppl dressed up in their costumes already, getting ready for the Halloween parade.
9. Got hungry, and went to Republic in Union Square. Their Coconut Shrimp wrapped in noodles and Spicy Seafood salad is TO DIE FOR. If you are to go there, just order the appetizers. I think we were so hungry from walking all over downtown that we didn't even talk, just kept shoveling food in our mouths.

I also passed by this bar called Rawhide.. I just thought the name was interesting.

Today, Mass was great b/c a new priest (hopefully he stays) was delivering the homily and did such a great job. I like priests who talk to you like human beings as opposed to talking to you w/ this attitude that they're better than you in some way. He even related real life stories to the lessons of the Gospel. I like that stuff - relating Jesus' stories to the stories of the present.

We were walking all over the city from 12 - 6:30PM. That was a good workout. The Parade is going on now, and I wished I could go, but I had such a good time today that I don't care anymore. I know I had a much better time w/ my Kuya rather than going to a parade that will happen again next year. Maybe next year I'll go, or maybe I will have a day w/ my Kuya again...