You guys, summer is finally here! Although, in NYC, our weather is still fluctuating. Alas, in good days, i.e. when it's above 80, I like to dress up like Miami's coolest cop, Don Johnson, sans the gun and violence and coke.
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, but aren't moms hard to please? I didn't know what to get her for Mother's Day and she told me that she'd like us to take pictures together. Easy peasy!
You guys! It has been an insane couple of weeks. After getting so sick, then jetting off to St. Louis for a wedding (so glamorous, I know, lol), I'm finally feeling like myself again. Back at the gym, slowly but surely, and trying to take advantage of these warm days that took forever to come around!
Happy April, you guys! I know I haven't been good about my posts, I had a rough 2 weeks where work life took over as my team and I had a deadline. But now I'm back!
We're getting whispers of spring here in NYC then violently being taken that away with another Nor-easter, smh. Nevertheless, when you wear spring clothes, spring will come faster, right? Right? Maybe?
You know that lull right before spring starts, it's almost here, but not quite. And if you're in NYC, you just get slammed with a snow storm, for old time's sake. So the weather has been hovering over 40's, at times even being as warm as 70 (in February!).
How is it March this week already, guys? January lasted for 3 years and we're already in March? Good try, aliens, you can't fool me!
NYC had a whiff of warm weather the other day, which then promptly dropped. Alas, it was a mere indication that spring is around the corner and the end to this winter is near. So what's more spring than florals?
When you think about socks and sandals, doesn't it remind you of dads? I've been seeing this trend for a while now and I was like, let's try it out. I've seen these sheer star socks in different stores for a bit now, but when I saw the ones at & Other Stories one Sunday afternoon, I decided that it's time I try this out.
So you know how marshmallows and macarons just happen? Like you go the store, and they're just there? I mean, who makes macarons? French fairies, thats who!
I have a friend who, when we used to work together, would always get herself a rice krispie treat. It was kinda her thing. So now, anytime I make them, I always think of her. Considering that February came out of nowhere (I hope I'm not the only one who feels that way) and Valentine's day is around the corner, I made a thematic batch.
As most of you know, I have a cat and, over the years, I've essentially became a crazy cat lady. Although I still don't have all cat everything...yet, my eyes caught this recipe and I became obsessed. I had to make it.
Couple of years ago, I stumbled on this picture and I was like, one year, I have to make it. So I did, last year, from scratch. It took me 3 days! 3! Why? Because I wanted to make everything from scratch and see how long it takes. On top of it all, it heavy AF! We're talking about 5 lbs or so.
I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do during summer is cook. And I LOVE cooking. I also like having people over and feeding them.
Oh summer in the city, when you need a shower after you take a shower and your electrical bill is through the roof.
I've been following Empire Grade Purveyors on Instagram and been obsessed with their galettes. So when I stumbled on this recipe, I was like "yup, must try."
With Super Bowl just around the corner, I decided to try out these pretzel dogs. I used this recipe, waited for over an hour for the dough to rise, but my-oh-my, these were delicious!
I'm a little late to the party but everywhere in France in January people celebrate the festival of Epiphany. Galette des Rois means "Kings Cake" and the name is derived from the biblical three kings. When the cake is baked, a trinket or a bean is placed inside and whoever gets it, gets to be the king for the day.
Working in a restaurant in NYC is something like being thrown with a bunch of felons, perverts and "others", none of which generally doesn't shock. So what if you have issues? Don't we all. And honestly, I don't really care if you were locked up for gun and drug possession with intent to sell. As long as you make me a delicious sandwich, get me a beer and don't get in trouble, we're cool. And when the restaurant goes under or migration happens, those new found friendships tend to travel from restaurant to restaurant.
Oh what a year, you guys! I see now that I didn't do a year in review of 2016, but that year (and I'm sure that everyone can back me up on this) was shit.
Happiest Holidays to y'all! I hope you're enjoying much needed time off and time with your family and friends.
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, 2015 is coming to a close. I know I've been saying it quite a bit in the last couple of days but most tend to reflect back on the year they had and reminisce. I wasn't quite sure how I'd like to look back, but then I tried to remember what happened each month since January. Not the entire month, just highlights of each and it's been pretty damn awesome. So here are my highlights of two thousand and fifteen:
When you're trying to make it in NYC, chances are that you're working 2 jobs, if not 3. The problem with having 2 jobs that are complete polar opposites of each other (one in the food and beverage industry, the other's in a law office), besides the obvious lack of time to do anything, is that you have to look office appropriate during the day then like a high end prostitute at night. ...
Pizza is fantastic. It's delicious, not really nutritious but it hits the spot. In restaurant world, unless you're working at an actual pizzeria, pizza can have a different meaning. ...
Ah Paree, the City of Lights, the City of Romance. What can I offer that hasn't already been said? When I was a student, I spent one summer and one spring semester studying in Paris. Last time I set foot there was in 2009.
Oh what can I tell you about this place. It was nothing short of shocking at first, then slowly transitioning into wonder and delight then to food poisoning and having "the runs." Still though. This place was unlike any other place I visited.
After reading about Tulum everywhere, I convinced B to book a vacation there. Since the weather in NYC has been so mild, the temperature there wasn't much of a shock, but upon getting to the beach, we were in heaven.
New York State is quite large, I mean, it's huge. NYC is only a tiny part of the big state and Brooklyn artisans comprise such a small percentage. So we decided to venture to Tuthilltown Spirits in Gardiner, NY. In fact, there is a growth of local (i.e. NY) made spirits and wines that rival those from overseas.
You always read these stories about LA, its traffic and vapid culture. I wanted to see it first hand for myself when I embarked on that journey last February. Although there is some truth to it all, I truly enjoyed my time there.
One of the best things about Europe is their amazing train system. I mean, it's amazing. Did I say it was amazing? As such, getting around makes it so much easier. Although our friends had a cute Fiat, which got us around pretty well, but we did take a train to Monte Carlo under €10. Here's my recommendations on side trips in South of France.
I was enchanted by Nice as soon as we were driving down the Promenade des Anglais on the way to my friends' apartment. The sheer laissez-faire attitude of the place was enough to get us hooked. We had our wonderful hosts show us around and take us out for day trips, but if you get a chance to rent a car and drive around or take a train to come of the less traveled places, you'd be beyond yourself.
If I ever decide to live anywhere else in the world, it would definitely be San Francisco. I knew that the Golden State was different than the Empire State and I was pleasantly surprised when I was there. Between the food, the sights and just their general quality of life, I was swept off my feet, like a teenage girl falling in love for the first time.
Although my law school isn’t the best, it did offer an awesome class and the only reason anyone takes it is to go to Brazil. Initially I was skeptical, but my friend convinced me otherwise. After painstaking 6 weeks in class, we embarked on our journey to beautiful Rio, and oh my god was it awesome.
It's that time of the year again that I like to Alcoholidays. When your weird uncle comes over and your mother gets drunk. Ahh.. family time. Regardless, gotta feel thankful for something right? Here's a low key DIY that'll get everyone in the mood.
I'll be the first to admit, Christ rising does not equate to bunnies and stuff. But once we're over the hump of Valentine's Day, every store brings out peeps and chocolate bunnies. So you know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
I saw this jacket a while ago and as cool as I thought it was, $300 for a blinged out jacket was a bit too much. So when I saw this affordable version, I was like, DING DING DING! I could bling this out myself! So I did.
I don't know about you, but January is rough for me... any year. I always look forward to it, but inadvertently get disappointed. This January was no exception. I find that making things with my hands tends to help.
Happy 2016, everyone! Don't you feel like you can do anything in this year? I do! And what better way to start than with a DIY. For those who know me, you know that I'm a kitty fanatic so it felt (see what I did there?) appropriate to make this elbow patch. All it takes it about 10 minutes and voila!
Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! If you've somehow managed to avoid buying Christmas presents and lo and behold, it is now time to do so! Well you're in luck! You can make this awesome coconut oil scrub (which I have gifted before and gotten positive results) and it'll take you less than 10 minutes.
Buying for women in your life is just so SO much easier than buying for men. I always have countless options for different people and I know they'll love it. I hope you'll gather some inspiration from this board. So here's my list:
I don't know about you, but every year I am always stumped as to what to get for the men in my family and my life. I tend to err on the practical side, staying far away from useless gifts, but trying to keep it special at the time same time. It's a challenge.
If you saw my posts from here and here, you'll see I always wear my stamped necklace. It has my man's name and I tell people that I wear it in case it. L-O-L, I'm such a jokester. ...
Out of all the fall holidays, I feel like Thanksgiving is the most genuine. The reason for that is because the whole idea of it is simply sitting around a dinner table and being thankful. Unlike Christmas, there is no present giving, but simply enjoying everyone's company. This year, for the first time, I'll be having a Friendsgiving and cooking for my band of misfits. I wanted to decorate the house accordingly by making this burlap table run. ...
Hey there! I know I’ve been MIA for a while, but I’ve been busy at work. I wish I had a better excuse but that’s the reality of it. Also, my trusted photographer moved away to L.A. for greener pastures and I simply haven’t had a chance to blog. But alas, here we are.