I read this great article in the New York Times last week about the comfort (and perks) of being a restaurant regular. Long-time critic Frank Bruni says, "What you have with a restaurant that you visit once or twice is a
transaction. What you have with a restaurant that you visit over and
over is a relationship." It's so true. Since moving to New York—as crazy as this sounds—I find that I rarely go to the same restaurant twice. It's mainly because there is always so much new and interesting food to experience and try, but in the back of my mind, I miss having a regular haunt.
In Boston, Eastern Standard was my go-to spot. They knew my name, my drink order (an Au Provence), and somehow always managed to squeeze me in when no reservations were left. So far, Brooklyn has become my best shot at reclaiming this kind of intimacy when dining out. I've been testing the waters with both Van Horn & Company (love their B.L.A.T.) and Ted and Honey (their veggie burger is to die for). I go frequently, and the ease of familiarity between myself and the waitstaff is slowly starting to sink in. Bruni is right—it's about the relationship, not the transaction, and I look forward to stopping by.
Do you have a regular restaurant? Where is it? I'd love to hear!
P.S. Colonie, pictured above, is another place I'm courting as a new, long-term spot. :)
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For my birthday this year, I got the sweetest gift ever: An Instagram one-a-day calendar from Matt. It's made by a genius company called Printstagram that, in just a few simple steps, takes 365 of your Instagram photos, and turns them into a tear-sheet chronicle of the year. The best part? The paper stock is thick enough and the image quality is so crisp that instead of discarding each page after the day has passed, you can turn them into little notecards to share with coworkers or friends. Or you can just pin them up. :)
My jaw dropped at Matt's creativity—but also at the realization that I've taken more than 365 Instagram photos. I had no idea!
What do you think? What other interesting ways have you found to display your Instagram pics?
Are you a fan of French cinema? When I was in college, I took a course entirely devoted to the topic, and I loved it. Recently, I've been brushing up, courtesy of the Film Forum in New York and all the terrific films they play. As I mentioned, I finally saw Contempt, starring Brigitte Bardot, and directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Next up, I'm watching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, this time starring Catherine Deneuve, and directed by Jacques Demy. Both movies are distinct—one a drama, one a musical—but both deliver loads of French charm, humor, and, of course, fashion. :)
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Cheers to the weekend! I'm off to Montauk to see my former roomie say 'I doooo!' So excited to skip town and get out of the city for a couple of days. :) What do you have planned for your Saturday and Sunday off? Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:
A wedding timeline.
Cinema type board.
Weekend sailing.
Gorgeous look at 40 weeks.
The chicest garden party ever.
Pretty coats for a rainy day.
Ribboned veggies.
Lady in red.
Dog surfing.
(Image via The Fresh Exchange)
Remember last year when I had seven weddings? This fall, I only have two, but I'm so excited for both! The first one is in Montauk, the second one is in Maine—I can't wait to get away, toast the brides and grooms, and relax. :)
Do you have any weddings this fall? What are you planning to wear?
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Princess Kate! In sequins! Did you see these pics of Kate Middleton at the Tusk Gala last week? I love her Jenny Packham dress. Hard to believe it's only been about eight weeks since she gave birth to Prince George. She looks stunning.
Did you see her in skinny jeans, too?
More Kate here, here, here, and here.
(Images via Pop Sugar)
Sending happy birthday wishes to my beautiful mom today! :) Doesn't she look so cute with Leroy, our dog? Such a great pic!
Any other September babies out there? As you already know, it's my favorite month. :)
Every Saturday this month, Matt and I have been waking up and going straight to the farmer's market near Borough Hall in Brooklyn. The reason? To pick up as many heirloom tomatoes as we can carry. 'Tis the season after all, and the mouth-watering selection—well over 10 different varieties—is impossible to resist. I pepper Matt with questions like, 'Do you think we got enough black princes? Let's get one more' or 'Are you sure we don't need another green zebra?' The selection process is made all the more fun by the vendor, who allows you to sample bites of each kind.
Let's just say Matt and I purchased enough heirloom tomatoes to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner this week. :)
A great recipe for an heirloom tomato salad (with burrata!).
More tomatoes here and here.
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As fashion week in New York draws to a close, I thought I'd join in on the Instagram fun, inspired by Anna Wintour. Did you see that she snapped her very first selfie to celebrate the arrival of Vogue's famed September issue? All she asks is that we do the same—and tag the Instagram pic #Voguestagram. Very clever marketing strategy, don't you think? I gave it my best shot! ;)
By the way, did you see Vogue's very first Instagram photo shoot?
(Image via Instagram)
For my birthday last week, Matt and I celebrated with rooftop pizza at the Fornino outpost in Brooklyn Bridge Park. You couldn't find a more gorgeous spot to enjoy a pie, some wine, and that fall nighttime air. But that view. Woah. September and October sunsets are some of the best, I think, and this night was no exception. It was the perfect place to toast to a new year.
The pie we loved most? The Al Roker. It's a combination of tomato, mozzarella, fontina, carmelized onion, soppressata, roast pepper, and rosemary. It's a signature for the restaurant, dreamed up by the famous weatherman himself.
The good news: This rooftop restaurant is bringing in heat lamps, and plans to stay open as late into the fall and early winter as it can!
What books did you read this summer? As I gear up for the next meeting of New York Women in Communications' Young Professionals book club (check us out here and here), I thought I'd look back at some of the books I read this summer. Truthfully, Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple might be the best book I've ever read. It's unique—and fun.
Now, I'm on to my next book: David Sedaris' Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, which I'm enjoying so far.
What's next on your reading list? Would love to hear your picks!
PS—More recent books here and here.
In our new Brooklyn apartment, there is a tiled back splash above the stove. I didn't think there was much I could do to make use of the space, but then I discovered this helpful tutorial over at Seventh House on the Left. Now, I just need to figure out what to hang. I love all the clever and cute ideas above! I'm also contemplating using the space for this. No matter what, I see a fun weekend project in the near future—will post pics of the final result!
(Images via CasaSugar Home)
My darling readers, happy Friday! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? I'm excited to kick back and relax—and also to cook up some homemade blueberry pancakes. Last weekend, I picked 10+ pounds and while we ate through a lot of them, we still have so many more! (Note: This is definitely a good problem to have.) Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:
Colorful wrists.
The best way to say 'I love you'.
Music to focus by.
How to exit a taxi gracefully.
Yes! Nick Miller!
Dazzling blue.
Aca-awesome.
Amazing advice (thanks, Joanna!).
Living vicariously.
I'm intrigued.
Perfect scrambled eggs.
By the sea.
(Image via Pinterest)
How often do you switch up your nail polish color when you go and get a manicure? I prefer to pick a new color every season, switching shades of polish at the same time I rotate the clothes in my closet. :) Don't get me wrong—I love variety and trying new things, but I like having a go-to nail color at the ready. Enter Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Orange Fizz. It's subtle, classic, and gorgeous. In the past, I've opted for darker shades (like this or this), but this pink and orange blend seems like the perfect way to seamlessly transition from summer to fall.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite fall nail color yet?
(Image via Daily Dose of L.I.E.S.)
It's been a while since we've talked a cappella here, but the news of a Pitch Perfect sequel was a reminder that I'm overdue. :) Did you see the first film? If not, you better catch it now—not only is a follow-up flick in the works, the cast is recording a holiday album due out just in time for Christmas this year.
I remember when the Wheatones—my former group—used to travel around to sing holiday music at local nursing homes, children's hospitals, and more. There was something so fun about switching up our set list, learning harmonies for classic Christmas tunes, and then taking it on the road.
Now, the big question: What will Anna Kendrick sing on this new holiday album? (Click here to listen to her impressive pop rendition of "Cups".)
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September, already? I really can't believe it. But this is my favorite month of the year. Maybe it's because this month includes my birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary (this year, they celebrate 39 years!), but there's more to it than that: September always feels like a fresh start. The air feels crisp and clean, a routine starts to take shape again, but—thanks to summer—our energy has been renewed.
Don't get me wrong. This summer went by way too fast. But I'm ready for fall to begin! Especially when it means the return of Homeland, French lessons, apple picking and more. :)
What do you love most about September?
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