Make Every Day Thanksgiving

2012-01-24T19:59:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm... I want Shake Shack!

2012-01-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

Asked my 2 besties to be my bridesmaids today...and they said YES!

Maurizio Cattelan

2012-01-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

I went to the Maurizio Cattelan exhibit at the Guggenheim and it was awesome! It was disturbing and interesting and I would definitely go again.

Miss My Family

2012-01-03T19:32:00.001-08:00

Had a great time in the Fort of Wayne over Christmas. I am heartbroken each time I leave home, never knowing when I will be back again. Until next time FW!

A New York Story

2011-12-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

Saw this post on Thought Catalog and felt it was a special NY piece.

Move here when you’re 18 or 22, maybe even 24. Come from somewhere else-the north, south, west, Xanadu- and come to realize that everyone living in New York is a transplant. Even the ones who grew up on the Upper East Side end up moving into a place downtown, which, as you’ll soon discover, is like moving to a different city.

Discover the cruel and bizarre world of New York City real estate. End up spending an obscene amount of money on something called a broker’s fee, first and last month’s rent and a security deposit. Cry a little bit in the leasing office but remind yourself that you’re so happy to be here.

Picture hearing a man playing the saxophone outside your bedroom window. End up hearing a lot of sirens instead. Figure it’s okay because it’s New York and you’re still so happy to be here.

Go out to bars in the Lower East Side because the Internet told you so. Fall in love with a bar called, Max Fish, and always stay out till four in the morning. Eat a falafel and have someone pay for a cab back to your apartment. Watch the sun start to rise while going over the Williamsburg Bridge and feel like your life is becoming some kind of movie.

Eat bad pizza but trick yourself into believing it’s good because it’s made in New York. Do the same thing with bagels and sex.

Meet people who will be your best friends for three or four months. They’ll help you transition into city life and take you to weird bars in Murray Hill. It will be like the blind leading the blind but once you get a firm grasp on things, you can stop returning their phone calls.

Watch your life in New York go through phases. Spend a summer in Fort Greene with a lover and get to know the neighborhood and its rhythms. Once the fling ends, forget the blocks, parks and restaurants ever existed and don’t return unless you have to.

Encounter a lot of people crying in public. Watch an NYU student cry in Think Coffee, a business woman in midtown sob into her cellphone, an old man whimper on a stoop in Greenpoint. At first, it will feel very jarring but, like everything else, it will become normal. Have your first public cry in front of a Bank of America. Cry so hard and don’t care if people are watching you. You pay good money to be able to cry in public.

Work long hours at a thankless job. Always be one step away from financial destitution. Marvel at how expensive New York is, how when you walk out the door, $20.00 immediately gets deleted from your wallet. Understand that even though no one has any money, everyone is privileged to live in New York City.

Go home for the holidays and run into old friends from high school. When you tell them that you live in New York, watch their eyes widen. They’ll say, “Oh my god, New York? That’s so crazy. I’m so jealous!” Have a blasé attitude about it but deep down inside, know they have good reason to be jealous.

Go home and feel relieved to be away from the energy of the city, that punishing 4:00 a.m. last call. Spend the first two days eating and sleeping, getting back to normal. Spend the last two days feeling anxious and ready to get back to your real home. Realize this city has you by the balls and isn’t going to let you go.

Someday you might grow tired of it all though. You might start crying in public more often than you’d like, have a bad break-up and want to pack it all up.

Certain moments of living in the city will always stick out to you. Buying plums from a fruit vendor on 34th street and eating three of them on a long walk, the day you spent in bed with your best friend watching Tyra Banks, the amazing rooftop party you attended on a sweltering hot day in July. These memories might seem insignificant but they were all moments when you looked around the city and felt like you were a part of it all.

When you leave the city, you probably won’t come back. Eventually your life in New York will seem so far away and sometimes you’ll even wonder if it really happened. Don’t worry. It did.

Skittle Burger

2011-12-11T16:50:00.001-08:00

I love burgers and skittles, so this little post is perfect!

(Image via Serious Eats)

A New York Wedding?

2011-11-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

I am dreaming of a New York wedding, but I know it will cost A LOT of money. According to www.costofwedding.com, I can expect to pay 50-100% more than most other places in the U.S. What is a girl to do?

Moka Pot

2011-11-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

I bought myself a moka pot (an Italian coffee pot) and I LOVE it. It's quick, easy, and makes a mean cup of coffee.

Guatemala

2011-11-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a business trip to Guatemala. Me and 5 of my coworkers visited 2 of our vendors to see their factories, dyeing, knitting, printing, sewing, and washing facilities. It was a glorious week and such a great learning experience. After working during the week, we stayed the weekend in Antigua, where we drank, shopped, ate, and explored.

I'm Engaged!!

2011-11-07T19:16:00.001-08:00

Funny Gals

2011-10-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Guess Who's Going to Swedish House Mafia?!

2011-10-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

Rob is so sweet and got us tickets to see Swedish House Mafia at the only 2 shows of their "One Night Stand" tour. The first show is at Madison Square Garden on December 16th, and the other is July 14th in the UK. Yep baby! We are going abroad to see them I can't wait!

2011-09-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Do you love the family portrait?

The Urban Yardsale

2011-09-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

I am passionate about finding the trends and nice things on the cheap. I love to thrift shop, online shop, and consignment shop. It's all about finding the best deals for the best price. I love it so much, that I decided to start an entire blog based on shopping tips and trends. I call it "The Urban Yardsale". Check it out!!!

Homemade Matzoball Soup

2011-09-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Rob and I have been sick this week, so we decided to try our hands in making our own matzoball soup. We bought a chicken, celery, carrots, onion, and matzo meal. The whole pot was homemade and we couldn't be more proud. Rob hand-rolled his matzoballs, but I made them with 2 spoons. My theory was that mine would be fluffier and he thought the same with his. Mine were oblong and looked a bit funny, while his were "prettier". Who had the best balls? I did!!!

Amateur Photoshopper

2011-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

I just put Photoshop onto my computer and had myself a giggle at all the funny images I created. I'm not a pro, but I am learning some tricks. The pics are definitely random and make no sense, but I like them anyway.

Hurricane Irene

2011-09-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

Last week was quite exciting. Not only was my bestest friend visiting for the weekend, but we had an aftershock from an earthquake in Virginia and then a hurricane scare. We even had a mandatory evacuation from our apartment, which freaked us out, so we moved all of our electronics into the closet and bathroom (in our studio apartment) and cleared everything away from the window. We then went to Rob's parent's house in Jersey where we took shelter, only to later lose power (when the city had power). Luckily for all of us, the hurricane did not hit and the city was back to normal within a day or so. The only remnants of the hurricane scare are the bottles water and non-perishable foods.

DIY Hair: Jamie

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

Jamie is a fellow lover of braids, so the other week, her and I decided to have a braid-a-thon. We were both interested in how to french fish tail. After watching a few different Youtube videos, we finally found one that showed us how to do it. Unfortunately for me, my version didn't turn out so good. So I decided to throw up my half french fishtail and add throw it into an up-do. I need some more practice. Any takers?

Yard Sale Chic: Bargain of the Summer

2011-08-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

On the way home, I made a pit stop at Century 21 and found myself the BEST BARGAIN OF THE SUMMER! I bought a satin cocktail dress by Phillip Lim and an ombre mesh skirt by Jil Sander for a grand total of $29. The dress retailed at $895, but I bought it for $20. The skirt retailed for $775, but I bought it for $9. The total saving was $1,641. If that isn't the best shopping steal you have ever seen then I want to know where you shop.

Funny Fam

2011-08-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

My cousin had a "photo booth" at her wedding and it was FAB! I love my family!

2011-08-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

"They define my lifestyle as a wild life wit style." - Kid Cudi

Hi Mom and Dad!

2011-08-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

I miss you guys!

Photobooth with Roberto!

2011-07-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

BBQ Time

2011-07-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Do Californians and Floridians appreciate BBQ's as much as us New Yorkers? Having a grill is a rarity in Manhattan, and any chance I get to partake in a BBQ, I'm there!

White Wedding Part 2

2011-07-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after my cousin's wedding, I went back home for my dear friend Ann's wedding. It was sooooo beautiful and sooooo much fun. It was one of the best weekends I've had in awhile. I am just so blessed to have great friends and family!

White Wedding

2011-07-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

My cousin Jennifer got married 2 weeks ago and it was such a great time. Jennifer is 4 months older than me and is the closest person I have to a sister. I love her and was so happy to be a part of her and Josh's big day.

Magical Horsey Powers!

2011-07-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

(Image via Et Musique Pour Tous)

4th Annual Hamptons Vaca

2011-07-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was my 4th year in a row spending the 4th of July in East Hampton with Rob and his family. I love this tradition and I am so happy to be apart of the festivities. We mainly eat locally grown and homemade goodies, drink wine, swim, lay in the sun, talk current events, and play Scrabble. It's not the posh party scene that some people think it is. It's a beautiful getaway that can get as crazy or as calm as you want it. Can't wait for next year!

See you soon!

2011-06-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

I will see my cousin Liz as well as the rest of my family next weekend for my cousin Jenny's (AKA Trang's) wedding!!

Cousin Time!

2011-06-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

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My cousin Liz (AKA Tien) came to visit for the weekend and what an awesome time it was. Liz isn't big into shopping, clubbing, or drinking, but she is definitely into eating good food. This was her 2nd time visiting me and we made this trip into a food tour. We had a list of to-eats and we crossed off just about everything.

The best thing we ate: lobster and crab rolls from Luke's Lobster
The worst thing we ate: we missed out on the $24.95 Sunday lobster dinner at Mermaid Inn

And all the food in between:
* Hand-pulled noodles from Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles in Chinatown
* Cheese slice from Bleeker St. Pizza in West Village
* Vegan carrot cake with lychee tea from Teany in L.E.S.
* French macaroons (green tea, pistachio, and raspberry) from Koryodong in Korea Town
* Liege waffle with spekuloos and whipped cream from The Waffle Truck in Tribeca
* Korea fried chicken from Bon Chon (we had this twice!)
* An assortment of mussels and oysters from Flex Mussels in West Village
* Gelato from Love Gelato Co. in West Village
* Pickles from Chelsea Market in Chelsea
* Banh Mi sandwiches from Saigon Shack in West Village
* Lobster mac and fried brussel sprouts from Mermaid Inn in East Village

We already have the next places to eat planned for the next trip!

Yard Sale Chic: AE Sample Sale

2011-06-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

I recently got to experience my first work sample sale. I've been to tons of sample sales in NY, but never to one of my own. What is a sample sale you ask? When manufacturing clothing (jewelry, handbags, accessories, etc.) you go through lots of development before you land on a line for the upcoming season. Once a line is booked, there are rounds of pre-production samples that are made to be reviewed, some a rejected and others are approved. In short, you can't come up with the perfect line in one shot, and a sample sale is a way to sell off perfectly good samples at a very cheap price. When I say cheap, long sleeved shirts were $4, jewlery was $.25, outerwear was $10, bras were $1. Not all sample sales are this cheap, but ours definitely was. There were bought samples from Europe, L.A., Asia, and all over the U.S. used for inspiration, so people ended up with $300 dresses for $5. I ended up with a ton of great items all for a whopping $37. Can't wait for the next one!

Items purchased:
* See by Chloe dolman long-sleeved tee
* 2 AE plaid oxford shirts
* AE striped tie-back tee
* AE Sheer tank
* AE Anorak
* AE drop shoulder sweater
* 2 Aerie bras
* A pair of Aerie underwear
* A bracelet
* 2 necklaces

Downtown

2011-06-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

This weather has been up and down and hot and cold, and to be quite frank, I don't mind the rollercoaster of weather we've been having. I love laying out when it's hot, and I've grown to love running when it's a bit chilly out.

I've been running/walking a few miles each weekend all around my neighborhood and Tribeca. I've discovered a new pier, some shops, and lots of restaurants. I really enjoy being in this part of downtown Manhattan. There's a lot of history, landmarks, parks, and a lot of beauty. I'm falling in love.

Silliness

2011-06-13T19:27:00.001-07:00

Court and I have been taking silly photos together for the past 8 years!

Songs I Love: Di Doo Dah

2011-06-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Jane Birkin is beautiful and so is this song. A fun and flirty song that automatically puts me in a good mood.

Paleo Challenge: Finale

2011-06-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was the last day of our 3-week Paleo Challenge, and yours truly was the winner! Yep! I lost the most percentage (3%). That was a nice $90 in my pocket :)

So how have I been doing post challenge? Well I definitely indulged in cheese, crackers, and wine on Friday, then had a cobb salad and some bread on Saturday, then Sunday I had soft-shelled crab (fried) and a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich.....so you can say that I have definitely cheated.

Well, it's a new week and I plan to stay as close to this diet as I can. With this diet and frequent exercise, I hope to tone up. I'll tell you how it goes.

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Weiner

2011-06-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

Congressman Anthony Weiner from Brooklyn just came out to the public that he has been sexting and such with a few women. What got Weiner in trouble was a photo he sent to a woman in Seattle with him in his underwear. This is funny to me, because I just watched Weiner on an NY1 interview totally denying the accusations. He laughed and said how funny the situation was. Nonetheless, here is another politician in the dog house. And people think I'm bad for not voting... maybe this is why.

Paleo Challenge: Last Week Part 2

2011-06-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

It's hard to find a satisfying snack on Paleo. There's only so many nuts and berries you cant eat, so I am now snacking on seaweed. It's so tasty and a good source of vitamins and minerals. Did I mention that it's only 30 calories per serving (which is half of this pack).

DIY Hair: Aparna

2011-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to braid (and I think I do a darn good job at it)!

* Part hair in the middle
* Start a french braid on one side, but instead of grabbing hair each time you braid, only add hair on the outside of the braid (away from the center part)
* Keep braiding until you reach the nape of the neck, then stick a large bobby pin to hold it in place (or ask the person whose hair you are braiding to hold it in place)
* Braid the other side
* Then start braiding the 2 together in a normal braid

The End

Paleo Challenge: Last Week

2011-05-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

It's the last week of our 3-week Paleo Challenge, and how am I doing? Well....let's just say I've done my fair share of cheating. However, I've eaten MUCH better than I used to. I haven't had any rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous, cereal, etc in almost 3 weeks. I've had bread once. My main fails are tortilla chips, popcorn, dark chocolate, and alcohol. Oh...I had one slice of pizza and some french fries over the weekend. Oops!

Being that it's the last week, I need to make an effort to work hard at this diet. Today, I made a paleo-friendly taco consisting of romaine lettuce leaves (as the tortilla), ground turkey, and homemade not-cho cheese (made from cashews/garlic/roasted red peppers - cashews are not paleo because they are processed, but if raw foodist eat it, so can I). I will definitely keep these on my menu.

Business Trippin'

2011-05-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

I had my first business trip with AE today. My team's senior production coordinator, head of the design teams, and I went to Pittsburgh for the day to try and finalize our Holiday 2011 women's line. We took an 8AM flight from New York to Pittsburgh. The AE "campus" is pretty cool, equipped with its own gym and food court. We worked all day, had our meeting with the execs, and then got on our flight out at 7:30PM. I'm back and feel more knowledgeable about our business. Can't wait to report back to the bosses :)

Paleo Challenge: Day 6

2011-05-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

I've actually begun to lose some weight. It's only a pound or so, but at least it's something! Tonight I made rosemary flax seed crackers. I looked around on the web for an easy recipe, and found a few that I liked. I made my own Frankenstein hybrid of a few recipes, so basically came up with my own version. I don't own a measuring cup, so I just eyeballed everything. I must have a good eye because everything turned out great.

Ingredients:

Flax meal (ground up flax seeds)
Sunflower seeds
Sesame seeds
Garlic powder
Dried rosemary
Sea salt
Agave nectar
Water

I mixed all of the ingredients together, trying to incorporate the wet ingredients in a good ratio to the dry (making sure it wasn't too wet). I sprayed a baking sheet with olive oil then spooned the mixture into 6 big flat circles and stuck it into a 375 degree oven. After about 15 minutes, I turned the crackers over, cut them in half to make it easier to bake, then I baked another 15 minutes. I then sprinkled some pecorino that I chopped up (because I also do not own a cheese grater). Stuck it back in the oven for 5 minutes, took them out, let them cool.

According to WebMD, flaxseed is a super food and has many health benefits:

Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75- 800 times more lignans than other plant foods
Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.

These were sooo good! I'm excited to have found such an easy way to get my cracker fix without ruining my diet (except for the cheese).

Paleo Challenge: Day 4

2011-05-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was good all day until they brought in Pinkberry to work. So I had a little cup with some fresh strawberries and raspberries. It was cheating, but at least it was yummy!!

For dinner I made Italian chicken sausage, mashed cauliflower, and haricot vert. For a late night snack, I made kale chips. Mmmm kale chips (Homer voice).

Obsessed!

2011-05-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Cute, comfy, and for a good cause...gotta love Tom's!

Paleo Challenge: Day 3

2011-05-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm on my third day of non-processed high protein and low carbs. So far so good! I thought I would be really tired, but not the case at all. Of course I miss my carbs, but not as much as I thought. I regularly keep track of my calorie intake, so to see how often I've been eating now, but with way less calories, I realized how many unnecessary carbs I was eating. So instead of eating a lot of fillers (bread, rice, pasta, etc) I've been eating loads of veggies, fruits, nut, meats, and fish.

For breakfast, I've been eating eggs and fruit. For lunch, I made a stirfry that lasted me 2 days and today I had a salad. For dinner, I made a coconut milk-tomato-beef stew with eggplant and mushrooms. That will be a keeper in my monthly menu.

I walked 2 miles after work today, did some pilates, and can't wait to see this diet (and hopefully lifestyle) begin to work.

Roberta's

2011-05-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with pizza (which will be missed while I'm on this Paleo diet), and I have had my fair share of pizza all over this city. Last Friday, Megan suggested we go to, not just her favorite pizza place, but one of her fav restaurants in all of NYC..Roberta's. Roberta's is tucked away in Bushwick, Brooklyn in an old garage with graffiti covering the outside. You would never know that the doors would open to pizza heaven. This would be my last meal before my diet, and it was the perfect last supper.

We had to wait for a table, so we went out to the backyard bar where there was a wedding shower going on (What a great idea!). So we drank, chatted, and peeked into wedding shower.
Our name was called, we were seated and handed menus. It's a pretty simple menu, pizzas, salads, and a few entrees (not just blah entrees, but foie gras and such things). We decided to start with 2 orders of the Snap Pea Salad and 2 orders of the Bibb Salad, then we ordered 2 Cheesus Christs (a 4 cheese delight), a Porta-baller (portabellas), a Beastmaster (supreme), and a White and Green with an egg cracked on top (a blend of cheeses, arugula, and lemon).

The salads came and were AMAZING! If I knew how to make those salads, this Paleo diet would be a breeze! Anywho, then the pizzas came and we all ate until we wanted to puke. They were awesome! The dough was crunchy on the outside, slightly chewy in the middle, with delicious fresh toppings. Definitely not your typical pizza (even for New York standards).

We didn't stop there! We ended up ordering dessert - Sweet Tea gelato, Banana Marshmallow gelato, Panna Cota with Rhubarb, and a Mint gelato-peanut butter crumble sundae. Ummm YUMMM!! All of the gelato was home made and tasted exactly as they should.

At the end of the night, we ended up spending about $40 each for all of that food, a drink, tax, and tip. I will definitely be coming back this summer.

Goodbye Dear Friend!

2011-05-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was one of my dearest friend's last, and boy will I miss her. Her and I had many random days together just walking around Manhattan and Brooklyn, hitting up thrift stores and flea markets, eating donuts and brunch. I will see you soon Coxy!!

(Above photo was candidly taken as Megan read a Goodbye card at her last supper last Friday.
Love it!)

Paleo Challenge: Day 1

2011-05-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today marks my first day of the Paleo Challenge. What is that you ask? Well, it's a diet in which you eliminate any foods that are processed. This includes breads, pastas, oatmeal, legumes, dairy, tofu, etc. You mainly eat meats, fish, non-starchy vegetables, fruit (in moderation), and nuts and seeds (no peanuts because they are a legume). They say you can't eat cashews because they cannot be eaten raw without being processed when harvested; however, I will be eating these. Why? Since I cannot eat cheese, I have decided to experiment with cashew cheese, which is what vegans and/or raw foodist use. If they can eat it, so can I!

This Paleo Challenge is something a few of my co-workers and I decided to do. We all put in $10 and are giving ourselves 3 weeks to try it out. Whomever loses the most body weight percentage wins the money!

I'm going to the grocery today, so here is my shopping list:

* Iceberg lettuce (for lettuce wraps)
* Pine nuts
* Raw almonds
* Avocado
* Cauliflower (for mashed cauliflower)
* Coconut milk
* Eggs
* Portabellas
* Almond butter
* Kale
* Ground Turkey
* Beef (for making a stew)

What will I eat today? Well, you can eat eggs on this, so I plan on having an omelet with veggies for breakfast. Not sure what I will have for lunch and din, but I'll fill you in on my progress.

DIY Hair: Alexis

2011-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not typically one to brag, but I am pretty darn good with hair. To prove it, I am finally going to post hairdo's. Of course I can do better hairstyles on others than myself, so unfortunately I am mostly my own hair model. So if anyone knows anyone who wants their hair "did", let me know!

Hair DIY Numero Uno: Alexis
* I parted her hair to the side
* Started doing a normal french braid on the larger side of the part, braiding around the shape of her head
* When I started to come to full circle, I pulled out a few of her layers and pulled those into the braid
* Then I stuck in a few bobby pins to hold it in place

THE END (all in 5 minutes or less)

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

Even my mom wanted to try Photobooth....the keyword is TRY. Miss my mom already.

Photobooth

2011-05-08T19:20:00.001-07:00

Love the Photobooth app for iPhone!

Btown Reunion

2011-05-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a trip back down memory lane AKA Bloomington, Indiana where my brother just graduated from IU. This was my first time back since my own graduation there in 2007. I was expecting it to feel unfamiliar, but instead, it felt like I was home again.

Rob and I didn't get in until midnight, but we went out to Sports and partied until last call. My bestest Lesa came down to party like the old days and that we did. Of course I also got to see my parents, aunt and uncle, as well as my cousins and my cousin's brand new baby. Oh what a great weekend it was....Back to reality.

Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger

2011-04-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

A harmonious marriage made in music heaven has come down to this Earth in the form of Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, which features the duo of Sean Lennon (John Lennon's son) and Charlotte Kemp Muhl. They are a bf/gf couple, whose tunes are soooooo beautiful.

I recently saw an interview with the couple and they talked about being on their own label, taking care of their own publicity, and basically doing everything themselves. By doing this, no one can tell them what to do or how to sound. They are pretty snazzy. I'm glad I found out about them.

(Image via Stereogum)

Jersey Shore Jr.

2011-04-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

This photo is nothing new, but it's just so hilariously cute I had to share it to even more people.

My only question is.....Where's Vinny?!

(Image via No Creeps Please)

Documentary Obsession

2011-04-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Netflix, my obsession with documentaries has only heightened as I have a slew of options to choose from. I've always enjoyed watching reality tv over other genres. I have a deep interest in learning how others live - from the very richest to the poorest, from learning about Muslim, Christian, or Jewish traditions, and overall gaining and idea of people's perspectives on life around the world. I always said that in another life, I would have been a sociologist.

Here is a list of some documentaries that have impacted me the most:

1) Jesus Camp - A Christian camp in North Dakota that teaches and encourages children to be evangelists and spread the good word of Jesus.

2) Exit Through the Gift Shop - A documentary about Thierry Guetta, who loved to film everything and ended up catching some graffiti artists in action, which turned into an obsession. He ended up meeting legendary street artists Banksy and Shepard Fairey, and later turned himself into a renown street artist.

3) Which Way Home - This follows a group of young boys from El Salvador and Honduras who ride atop trains through Mexico to try and reach the U.S. It's a long and dangerous trip that often ends of death or deportation back to their impoverished homes.

4) Seoul Train - People often forget about North Korea and the millions of people who are dyeing in the hands of their cruel and unforgiving government. They are isolated from the world, and this documentary shows you the people who try and help them escape as well as a peek inside North Korea through hidden cameras. (I cried through most of this documentary).

5) Forgiving Dr. Mengele -Dr. Mengele was a Nazi doctor who used Jewish twins for genetic experiments, which were often pure torture. One of the surviving twins brings us back to this time in detail as well as where she currently is in life.

6) Steal a Pencil For Me - This follows a love story that could influence a blockbuster romance film. During WWII in the Netherlands, a married man, Jack, falls in love with a woman, Ina. There love does not grow until they have been placed into labor camps where they write secret love notes to one another. They are later sent to the same extermination camp where they end up surviving, and later meet once again, marry, and lived a happy life.

To Miami and Back

2011-04-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Rob and I just got back from our annual Miami trip. As usual, we stayed at the Hilton Bentley, ate at our fav restaurants, Prime Italian and Joe's Stone Crab, rented a cabana on the beach, drank Miami Vices, and attended Ultra Music Festival. Growing up, my family did not take many vacations, so our annual Miami trip means a lot to me. It gives me a sense of tradition, something that I hope Rob and I continue to do.

So here we are back in NY. Goodbye sunny 86 degree weather, hello 40's and snow!

Hamentashen?

2011-03-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hamentashen? I noticed the writing on the display case at Baby Cakes because it was literally calling my name...Tash!

So what is a hamentashen? According to Wikipedia:

A hamantash (also spelled hamentasch, homentash, homentasch, (h)umentash, pluralized with -en or -n {sometimes singular is spelled this way also}; Yiddish המן־טאַש) is a pastry in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine recognizable for its three-cornered shape. The shape is achieved by folding in the sides of a circular piece of dough, with a filling placed in the center. It is traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Hamantaschen are made with many different fillings, including prunes, nut, poppy seed, date, apricot, apple, fruit preserves, cherry, chocolate, dulce de leche, halva, or even caramel or cheese.^[1] Their formation varies from hard pastry to soft doughy casings.

The name hamantash (המן־טאַש), is commonly known as a reference to Haman, the villain of Purim, as described in the Book of Esther. The pastries are supposed to symbolize the defeated enemy of the Jewish people, and thus resemble the "ears of Haman".^[2] Another possible source of the name is a folk etymology: the original Yiddish word מאָן־טאַשן (montashn) or German word mohntaschen, both meaning poppyseed-filled pouches, ^[3] was transformed to Hamantaschen, likely by association with Haman. In Israel, they are called Oznei Haman (Hebrew: אוזני המן‎), Hebrew for "Haman's ears" in reference to their defeated enemy's ears.

Jello Shots

2011-03-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

We ordered jello shots at the bar on Friday and they were delicious! Mine was a "Tequilerita" which was lime jello mixed with tequila and topped with a gummy worm. Silly to pay $3 for one of these guys, but there are no regrets from me. It was worth it to feel like I was in college again.

Bluegrass Brunch

2011-03-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

Nolita House is one of my favorite places for some brunchin'! They offer some perfect hangover grub such as Biscuits and Gravy or Eggs Benedict and then some not-so-traditional items such as Mediterranean Baked Eggs and that beloved Dr. Suess favorite, Green Eggs and Ham. Add in a complimentary sangria or mimosa and some rocking live bluegrass music and you have yourself a perfect day.

Tequila!

2011-02-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends Susie was in town for a visit and so was my friend Andrew. Saturday night, we ended up with a group of IU grads, lots of tequila, hookah, a bouquet of flowers, and dancing. It was a joyous night and brought me back to the glory days of IU.

Egg

2011-02-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

One of my dearest friends Megan is moving to Portland, Maine in a couple of months, and before she goes there is a long list of places to visit and restaurants to try. For quite sometime now, Megan has talked about having brunch at Egg in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, so finally we all made it there this past Sunday. It's a little space with VERY minimal decor, but I did like the trip back to childhood with the crayons on the table. The brunch menu was also simple, but down to the point. No frills or fancy ingredients, just good food. I had the country ham and cheddar biscuit with fig jam and a side of cheddar grits. It was the perfect cure for a hangover!

P.S. Grits are not the most photogenic food out there, but damn did they taste good.

Sunday Lovely Sunday

2011-02-13T18:40:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend the day than going to Ikea! What makes a trip to Ikea so fun? A lovely sunny day, free water taxi ride with a great view of the Statue of Liberty, meatballs with lingonberry jam, and a great deal on new sheets and pillows!

Will You Be My Valentine....AGAIN?

2011-02-09T21:49:00.000-08:00

Excited to spend my 4th Valentine's Day with my love!

Yard Sale Chic: Fashionable Warmth for $50

2011-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for the perfect cape coat/poncho/blanket coat, whatever you call it. They are all the rage this winter and finding a good one for a good price has been very difficult. Luckily for me, I found a hardly worn, native print, Dolce Vita wonder on eBay for $50. Shwing shwing!

Carter Man

2011-02-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

This may look wrong to some people, but I find it hilarious and adorable. I guess you just have to know his parents :) Carter is the cutest!

Songs I Love: Sous Le Ciel De Paris

2011-02-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

I often find my music through commercials, movies, or tv shows. When watching An Education, I came across this song by Juliette Greco and fell madly in love with it. I don't speak French, but sometimes I pretend while singing songs (just like my dad!)

Dumb-Dumb(s) of the Week: Weed Catapult

2011-01-27T20:05:00.000-08:00

U.S. surveillance cameras caught some Mexican drug smugglers catapulting marijuana across the border to the U.S. I guess the smugglers aren't THAT dumb because it's actually pretty smart and they got away without being caught. I think the solution to this would be to legalize the green stuff and then there would be no need to catapult it over!

More Snow

2011-01-27T19:51:00.000-08:00

This has been the snowiest winter I've had in NY. The first snow storm, I got stuck at home and Chicago and since then, we've had snow once a week. The first storm put the city at a standstill, and Mayor Bloomberg was highly criticized for how he dealt with it. So since then, he's really picked up the pace. Last night, there was another 12 or so inches that came down, and when I woke up the snow had mostly been swept aside. No snow day for us today :(

Another Birthday Celebration

2011-01-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely time for Courtney's 26th Birthday the other weekend! We went to Cafe Mezcal for some tacos, had some yummy drink concoctions, and enjoyed the awesome music. Afterward, we headed off to The Eldridge for some drankin' and dancin'. I love celebrating Birthdays!

Culture Club Volunteers

2011-01-27T19:13:00.000-08:00

Some of my co-workers and I started a little group called "Culture Club" where we participate as a group to enjoy NYC more and become more "cultured". There are tons of things to do in this city, but sometimes you need some friends to do them with. Not only do we go to shows, find new restaurants, go to baseball or basketball games, but we also read books and push one another to be healthier. Our new venture is to volunteer. We signed up to become volunteers at New York Cares. We have orientation in February and then we will be able to sign up for various events around the city. This is something I wouldn't have done without a push from others, but I know it will be rewarding.

I must also mention that our club drink is the "Pickle-back" (a shot of whiskey with a shot of pickle juice for a chaser)

"Bowlin....Flossin"

2011-01-27T19:02:00.000-08:00

I went bowling for the first time in NY last Saturday for a Birthday shin-dig at Bowlmor Lanes on 44th St. I've never been a big bowler, but I certainly enjoyed it. Why did it take me so long to go?!

2011-01-25T18:59:00.001-08:00

It's a "bummer" kind of day....sigh

2011-01-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

Where do I see myself in 5 years? I often tell myself that I could move closer to home (maybe Chicago or Indy), but then I can't imagine being so far away from NYC. How can I leave this amazing city? But in 5 years, I hope to be married with a baby, and being closer to home would be better when I have a family of my own. So until then, I need to take advantage of this fabulous city!

iPhoto and Atticus

2011-01-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas was the first time I got to see Atticus walk (or run), talk, and play. He is almost 2 years old and is already sooooo hilarious. Look at this photo I took of him playing with the webcam. He loved making faces. I just love seeing him grow-up!

Cross-dressing?

2011-01-03T21:01:00.000-08:00

My friend Eryc says his style (which is fabulous BTW) is often inspired by women's wear. I told him that I usually take my fashion cues from stylish men. I am a girl who likes to dress more like a boy (with a feminine flare)...just like these gentlemen on Stylesightings.

Goodbye 2010!

2011-01-02T12:49:00.001-08:00

2010 was a pretty good year albeit not the most eventful one yet. However, I still have my health, my job, my family, and my friends and that is what means the most to me.

What do I look forward to the most in 2011? Getting into shape, a job advancement, my cousin's wedding, 2 weddings of very good friends, a new niece or nephew in February, and a possible engagement??? YEH to a new year with new possibilities!

Long Journey Home

2011-01-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

I will admit that I was luckier than most, but like many people this past week, my flight back to New York was filled with lots of uncertainties. I was fortunate enough to be "stuck" in Chicago for some time, where I got to catch up with girly-loves (so basically, I had a free vacation).

After many delays and cancellations, I made it home. To make things better, I was in First Class on an international plane, which meant the seats laid all the way back (like a bed). My journey home could have been waaaayyyyy worse.

Family Time Is The Best Time

2010-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

I LOVE MY FAMILY! The best part of the holidays is spending time with my family. I never had a sister, but my 4 girl cousins ARE my sisters. They are amazing and I had such a great time with them all. My cousin Jennifer made her first prime rib and it came out AMAZING! I'm glad I have good cooks in my family. My vacation was filled with the 3 F's - friends, family, and food!

Saturday Outing

2010-12-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Megan I just had a LOVELY Saturday! We went to Friedman's Lunch in Chelsea Market for some yummy brunch and gift browsing. Then we headed off to the Union Square Christmas Shops where vendors from all over come to sell jewelry, hats, exotic teas and spices, ornaments, essential oils, and so much more. Then we headed off to ABC Carpet and Home where we checked out a bunch of home goodies that are WAY out of our price range, but oh-so pretty to look at. The weather was great and so was the company. A very nice day indeed!

FREE Holiday Cheer!!

2010-12-07T19:34:00.001-08:00

I could listen to Holiday music at all times of the year! So I loved discovering that Target.com is offering 14 funky-fresh holiday songs (FOR FREE) from some hot musical acts (i.e. Best Coast, Blackalicious, Guster, etc). Check it out!!

And so it begins.....

2010-12-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Time for Holiday parties! Nothing says "Christmas!" like a fun party with good drinks, yummy snacks, a little Christmas decor, and GREAT FRIENDS!

DIY Project: Dye Leather Bag

2010-11-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

I love a nice bag, but I cannot afford $1,000+ for a brand new one. So what do I do? I buy secondhand via consignment and/or eBay. Now people always ask, "How do you know it's real?" RESEARCH. It's easier when buying consignment because I go to reputable shops and I can see the bags with my own eyes. When buying on eBay, I always check out the seller, "What kind of feedback have they received from past buyers?, What have they sold in the past?, Does the price make sense (no luxury bag will be re-sold for pennies)?" I also make sure to only consider items that have a lot of good pictures and make sure they capture the key points of the bag (i.e. Serial number, zipper brand, any special marking particular to that brand).

A few months ago, I found, not one, but two Marc Jacobs (not Marc by Marc Jacobs) bags. They were not in perfect condition, but I got both for a wonderful deal of $400. The first bag had a minor stain on the inside of the handle (not even visible to the public) and a little tear in the inner lining. The second bag had dye transfer from the previous owner wearing something red that rubbed off on the handles.

So I asked the seller how she would fix this dye transfer issue. She told me to use Tarrago leather dye. I found this dye at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply for a measly $5.95. There is an array of colors, and I was fortunate to find a close match to this greyish-blue color. This was the easiest fix! Basically, all you do is take the Preparer and rub it on the area you plan to dye with a sponge. Then you shake up the dye and brush it on. That's it! So now my once-red handles are no more.

So let this be a lesson to all you shoppers.....you can get a great deal on slightly damaged goods. With a little patience and time, you can wear designer items at a fraction of the cost.

2010-11-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

(Image via Milly)

Bun Thit Nuong - MY FAV!

2010-11-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

I crave Vietnamese food ALL the time, and unfortunately, NY doesn't have a great selection of Vietnamese fare. Nonetheless, I get my fixes at subpar Viet eateries and I cannot wait to go home for my parents' cooking.

Taking headwear to a whole new level

2010-11-13T19:17:00.001-08:00

(Image via Refinery29)

Good Luck In L.A. Kanable!

2010-11-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

A rowdy evening in Mehanata's Ice Cage for Kanable's last weekend in NYC. How many shots can you take in 5 minutes?

2010-11-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

A friend is someone who will bail you out of jail. A best friend is the one sitting next to you saying "boy was that fun." - The Maugles

Family Visitors

2010-11-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

FINALLY some family members visited me here in NY. I have been here for almost 3 1/2 years and the only family to visit me were my parents 3 years ago for one weekend. It's been awhile since I've been home, so it was very nice to have my aunt and cousin come last weekend. We had such a great time eating, shopping, and walking around. It went by way too quickly and I already miss them. The best part was seeing my aunt get hit on by not only random men, but random teens and women. She is gorgeous isn't she?

Halloween in Chicago

2010-11-10T20:15:00.001-08:00

It's official, going to Chicago for Halloween is my new tradition as this was my 2nd year in a row. I just love getting all dressed up with my girlfriends and going all out. It reminds me of all the themed parties we went to in college. It's been about 2 weeks and I can't wait to book my next trip. See you ladies when it gets warm out!

Dumb-Dumb (or Bravest) of the Week: 20-year-old Police Chief

2010-10-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Valles Garcia is a 20-year-old police chief in one of the most violet areas of Mexico - Praxedis G. Guerrero. This is an area where roughly 2,500 people are killed a year over drug violence. Yes, I have called this girl my "dumb-dumb of the week", but really sometimes being the dumbest also means you're the bravest. May God watch over her and may she influence others to stand up for what is right.

Silly Boy

2010-10-17T19:23:00.001-07:00

Atticus is now a walking, talking, and silly little boy. Gotta love this little guy!

2010-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm praying for all the Chilean miners to get out safely. Can you believe they've been there for 2 months? Now this will be a story to share with your grandkids one day. God bless!

Yummo!

2010-10-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

I generally don't like to cook meals that take longer than 30 minutes, so when I look for recipes, I look for fast and easy. So when I came across this recipe for Lemony Smoked Salmon, Green Peas, and Chive Past Salad, I just HAD to make it. So yummy and soooo easy!! Nothing like surfing the interwebs for some new recipes.

My Look Book: Spring 2011

2010-10-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

Just a few looks I liked from Spring NYFW. I'm totally digging the sheer pants by Phillip Lim! Sheer and satin fabrics as well as prints seem to be "what's in" for Spring 11. Fun, sexy, and flirty!

(Images via NY Mag)

Auntie Part 2

2010-10-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be an auntie again! Ok, not an auntie in the American use of the word, but in Asian cultures, close friends and/or family who are my mom and dad's age are referred to as an aunt or uncle. People my age are referred to as cousins, and people younger are considered nieces and nephews. YEH! My cousin is 14 weeks pregnant! So really I'm going to have a new 2nd cousin, but who wants to say "he/she is my 2nd cousin"?

Worldly

2010-10-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

I've had an itch to travel lately and these 2 folks on YouTube are only turning that itch into a rash. I love their knowledge of accents from around the world, yet ashamed that I'm not even fluent in Vietnamese. Boo. Hiss. Sigh

Venomous Villains

2010-10-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

It's one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" moments when I first read about M.A.C.'s new line called "Venomous Villains". Where a slew of make-up essentials are themed on some narsty Disney villains - Maleficent, Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and Dr. Facilier (from The Princess and the Frog). Something about this line reminds me of the play make-up I had when I was little. How fun!

(Image via M.A.C.)

Zip-Off

2010-10-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these boots by Loeffler Randall. I like the exposed zipper look, so when these boots are knee-high, they look fun and trendy. Then VOILA! zip off the top part of the boot and it becomes a bootie! I always love buying clothes with multiple ways to wear them, why not shoes?

I also need to point out the fab metal piece at the front of the boots. Lurv it!

(Image via Refinery29)

Thought Provoking...

2010-09-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

(Image via Cool Hunting)

Charge!

2010-09-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

I've been using Rob's computer for the last month because I was too "busy" to go on eBay and pay $10 (with free shipping) for a new charger. But I FINALLY bought it and I'm glad I didn't spend $80 at the Apple store. Shwing shwing!

Songs I Love: Kid Cudi + Vampire Weekend + Best Coast = RAD-TASTIC

2010-09-28T18:08:00.000-07:00