Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sweet SIgn

So recently it was my mom's birthday and I decided that I was going to make a piece of artwork for her. I wanted to do something a little bit different and so when I saw this canvas at Michael's, I decided to go for it. Usually when I try to paint something, it never turns out the way I want it to, so I decided to forgo that frustration this time. I had a piece of magenta, textured felted that I used as the base. Next, I created wire letters that spelled out 'mom' (or 'wow' depending on which way you set it down). To make the letters, I took beading wire and then bent it into the shapes with wire cutters. However, I found that you can't make the complete letter and then put on the beads because they don't fit over the bends... I should have know that, right? For the finishing touch, I added three different shaped buttons to opposite corners. It was a simple way to give her a reminder that I am always thinking about her.


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sassy Water



Everyone knows that you should drink at least 8 cups of water a day. However, I have not been very good at that but I have gotten much better recently. I challenged myself to drink more water and came across this recipe on Pinterest. Known as "Sassy Water", this is a combination that is supposed to help get rid of excess water weight. How does that happen when I am drinking water you might ask? This isn't just water. This is water with a few key ingredients...cucumber, lemon, ginger, and mint. The cucumber is a natural diuretic and the ginger helps your metabolism and soothes the GI tract. The best part about this is that it is super simple and refreshing! The trick is to drink the whole pitcher every day for four days and you will be on your way to feeling much better on the inside. It's so delicious I think that I might just make this from now on. It makes drinking plenty of water much easier!

Ingredients:
1 peeled cucumber, thinly sliced
2 small lemons, thinly sliced
12 mint leaves, whole
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

Directions: Combine all ingredients and pour 8 cups of over water over the ingredients. Mix and let sit overnight for the flavors to combine. If you want to strain the water you can, but I had somewhat of a strainer on my pitcher lid, so I skipped that. Then pour yourself a nice big glasses and make a toast to your health. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Sunday Brunch at Norma's

Brunch is one of my favorite meals because you can have sweet, like pancakes and waffles, or salty, like eggs and hash browns. For me it's always a challenge to pick between the two. However, when I stopped by Norma's at Le Parker Meridien, I was in luck. I got to have a little of both in one dish. When we sat down, the chef sent out a blueberry mango banana smoothie. It was served in this cute little shot glass and was refreshing and light. I could definitely drink that every morning... if someone made if for me of course. The coffee was served in a french press table side, so it was definitely much better than the coffee made in big batches. But that was just leading up to the star of brunch. Super cheesy french toast. I know, I know it sounds odds and I was hesitant at first, but I am telling you it was so incredibly delicious! The bread used was not the traditional challah bread and there were caramelized onions in the middle. (I have no idea how them got them there, but it was such a surprisingly yummy addition.) It was topped with shredded cheese and pepper bacon and served with au jus and maple syrup. I have didn't jump on the maple bacon bandwagon a while ago, but I should have because it's so delicious! This dish was salty and sweet all in one bite - the bread and caramelized onions were slightly sweet, the cheese and bacon were salty, and the syrup was the ingredient that tied it all together. I would have to say that this is by far the most creative and best french toast I have had. If I had my choice, this would be my "go to" for brunch. If you are in the area make sure to pop in an enjoy a delicious brunch, but go early or make a reservation because it fills up quickly.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Totally 'Wicked'

If you want to see a theater production or musical, one of the best places to go is Broadway in New York City. Walking down the streets and taking in all the show marquees is really amazing. There are so many great shows that it's hard to decide which one to see because every show seems to get rave reviews. However, Wicked was the show on my list. I literally have not heard one bad thing about the show from women or surprisingly men. So we ventured to the Gerswin Theatre, which is located near Columbus Circle, to take the magical adventure that is Wicked.

Gerswin Theatre was much bigger than the ones I have been to previously. Once we got to our seats, it was hard not to notice the incredible set. Stretched across the top of the stage was a giant dragon with red eyes that would later blow smoke and flap its wings. The backdrop was a map of Oz and the sides were flanked with wooden staircases. It was obvious that the show really does take you to a magical place. What is 'Wicked' about you ask? It is the story about the witches of Oz and how they get to be the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch. Everything about this show is amazing. The plot moves along rather quickly so it's easy to follow, there is a good balance between singing and talking, the costumes are beautiful, and there was a surprising amount of humor in the show. (I think the humor is what probably makes it so appealing for both genders.) However, the cast did a phenomenal job! They were perfect for the roles and I literally felt like I was in the story and definitely did not want it to end. If you are ever in an area where this show is playing, go see it! It is absolutely fantastic and fun for all ages. I can't wait to go see it again.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Serepidity

When someone says Serendipity, a movie might pop into your head. However, it's the restaurant called Serendipity 3 that's featured in the movie that made it famous for me. Once you walk down the stairs, you see all the tables have these soda fountain type chairs and the decor is whimsical. They serve food, but I went for their one famous dessert... frozen hot chocolate! It is somewhat like the texture of a milkshake, but with ice chips in it. The chocolate flavor tastes more like a chocolate malt than a milkshake. It is served in a bowl and topped with a healthy dose of delicious whipped cream and freshly grated chocolate. It's so delicious, but something that you have to share! It's pretty addictive and definitely makes everyone's heads turn when they bring it out. Whenever you order one, someone at another table will ask you what it is. They have other flavors like mint and peanut butter chocolate, but we decided to stick to the original. It makes you feel like you are at an old school soda shop because you are sharing it with someone. I have to day that it's probably one of my favorite things and something that I need to work on recreating at home.

Basically, you need to share all of their desserts. This is the size of their sundaes and it's not a joke. It's like everything is larger than life. This was just plain vanilla ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream, and of course a cherry. The hot fudge was more like partially melted chocolate that wasn't too sweet...definitely not the plain old fudge out of a squeeze bottle. When you order dessert, just know that you won't be finishing it. They are so good and reasonably priced. Though this place is a bit hidden, it is definitely worth going to. Plus it's open until midnight, so it's a great late night find. There may be a short wait, but I can guarantee you it's worth it! Make sure to stop by and try anything off the dessert menu because it all looks so delicious!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Sightseeing Galore

One of the neat things about New York is how you can just walk into things. While we were walking around the Madison Square Park area, we ran into the famous Flatiron building. This uniquely shaped building has made several film and TV appearances and was one of the first two skyscrapers in New York. We also tried to stop by the 9/11 Memorial, however, we didn't know that you needed to reserve a time. The tickets are free, but you need to reserve a time, so we walked around the visitors center and put it on the list for next time. Since we were down in the Financial District, we of course had to make a stop at the New York Stock Exchange. Though we didn't get to go in, there are tours you can take where they take you inside and give you all the insider information you are dying to know.
Photo Courtesy of Tony the Misfit
Walking down Wall Street, we also happened to stumble on Trinity Church. Literally we turned a corner and there it was. (And yes, it was in the National Treasure movie.) It was beautiful and it was like a step back into history. It was a stark contrast to all the modernness of New York today, but it was beautiful and a reminder of the roots of our country. There is also an app for your phone called History Here that will give you the location and information on all the historical things around you. This is especially handy if you are somewhere and are walking around on your own. Being able to walk around and take in all the sights of New York was amazing and is a reminder to always stop and enjoy life.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Take a Walk Down Butter Lane


There is something magical about a cupcake. I think it's because they come in so many different shapes, sizes, and flavors. During our travels, we decided to take a walk down to East Village to Butter Lane for one of their cupcake classes. We made three different cakes: vanilla, chocolate, and banana with six different icings: vanilla, raspberry, chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, cream cheese, and cinnamon cream cheese. Now I know that banana sounds weird (and I was skeptical at first too), but it was light and delicious. The teacher was really knowledgeable and made the process really easy. Though it helped that everything was measured out already, but it the cupcake process is really easy. The thing I found interesting was that the batter was mixed for a lot longer than I thought. I guess that's how they get the light and airy cake. The basic steps to making a cupcake start with creaming the butter and sugar together. While that's mixing you put together the dry ingredients which were flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs one by one until they are fully incorporated. Then you mix in half the dry ingredients, all the buttermilk, and the other half of the flour mixture. I thought it was also interesting that we used buttermilk...Something I will have to try when I make these at home. Lastly, gently add the mashed banana and then it's time to go into the pan. *Side note: apparently the best way to mash a banana is with a paddle attachment in the mixer. We used an ice cream scoop which I have recently started using because it makes for much easy batter filling and more even cupcakes. They go into a 300 degree oven for 23 minutes and when they come out they are delicious.


While we were waiting for the cupcakes to bake, we started on the three basic icings. We were handling the cream cheese icing which only included butter, cream cheese, and confectioner's sugar. So, obviously not the most healthy, but then again icing isn't really healthy, but it was delicious. It wasn't overly sweet, didn't leave a film in your mouth, and was light and airy. Another interesting lesson I learned from the class was the best way to test if a cupcake is cool enough to ice is to test it on the inside of your wrist that way you avoid destroying the top of the cupcake. As they finished cooling, the teacher showed us how to make the other three icings. I guess I never really thought about making a few different ones. Butter Lane makes their cupcakes with as many fresh and local ingredients as they can. They make all their preserves in house and you can really taste the difference. When she was demonstrating how to do the chocolate peanut butter icing, she said you can't use organic peanut butter because it is too oily, which is good to know.


Next, we were shown the proper way to ice a Butter Lane cupcake. Interestingly enough, you take a dollop of icing and smooth it out on the side of the bowl. That gets all the air bubbles out and makes it easier to smooth into a ball. Once you have the small icing ball, you hold the spatula at a 45 degree angle and put the icing in the center and spread it out. Then for the finishing touch, you put an indentation in the middle and leave a little bit of the cake showing. You each get to take home a box of 9 cupcakes and get to eat a few while you are there, so this is definitely worth it. However, there was no way that we were going to eat 18 cupcakes in a day, so we gave them away but of course saved a few to try. If you get a chance, take the class because you get to make some new friends, learn how to make a few varieties of cupcakes, and you get some to go! There is really no losing in this situation. We had so much fun and really enjoyed Butter Lane!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Donut and A Stroll Through the Park

There are few perfect days that I get to experience. Everyone jokes that the seasons around here are spring and summer. There may only be a handful of fall and winter weather days, so I appreciate them even more when I get to experience them. On this beautiful morning in New York, we found ourselves down by Chelsea and the Flat Iron District. The goal was to find the Doughnut Plant. Now, I know that one: doughnuts are not healthy for you and two: that you think they are always them same...wrong! Let me just say the Doughnut Plant does not make average doughnuts. When you visit, you can choose between yeast, cake, or doughnut seeds (aka giant doughnut holes). Not only are the flavors out of this world, but they are much bigger than your average donut. I warn you though, once you eat these you will never want to go back to the regular ones.  Since I don't eat doughnuts too often, I was okay with the splurge. Though I usually prefer cake doughnuts, I decided to try a cake and a yeast doughnut as we took in the peaceful scenery of Madison Square Park.


Yes, the square thing is indeed a doughnut... a peanut butter and jelly doughnut that is. What more could you ask for then two childhood favorites rolled into one. And boy, did it taste exactly like it's sandwich counterpart! It was crunchy on the outside and the inside was a good ratio of jelly and doughnut. The cake doughnut I had was tres leche. It was almost beyond words and I am drooling just thinking about it. The inside was soaked in the milk and then it was glazed on the outside. It wasn't too soggy or sweet and the flavors exploded in my mouth. We opted to try the seasonal flavors which were raspberry and orange blossom cashew. The raspberry one was very natural tasting, but wasn't overwhelming sweet and its color was beautiful. I wasn't sure what to expect with the orange blossom cashew, but I was pleasantly surprised. The crunch of the cashew in the outside and the twist of citrus proved to be a very complementary pair. It was a light and refreshing flavor and not something I have ever had before. All I can say is that Doughnut Plant is somewhere that you should definitely check out if you are on the area because it will completely change your view on doughnuts. It's probably really good that there isn't one here because I think I would definitely be eating doughnuts way more often than I should!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Table for Tapas, Please!

Photo Courtesy of Amsterdam
So getting to go on vacation and see a friend was a real treat, especially when it happens in the beautiful city of New York! I haven't had the opportunity to visit the Upper West Side during my previous travels to New York, so this was great. We went to this place called Amsterdam Restaurant and Tapas. I love tapas because you get to try a ton of different things and you don't feel overly full afterwards. We opted to try fried calamari, spicy Thai garlic shrimp, duck tacos, and sweet potato and apple pierogies. We got so caught up in the delicious food and chatting that I didn't get to take many pictures, so forgive me.

The calamari had a great seasoned coating and the remoulade sauce was amazing. The spicy Thai garlic shrimp were super spicy, but they were light and full of flavor. I have never had duck before, but we were feeling adventurous so we gave it a shot. It wasn't too bad, but it really wasn't my favorite and I probably won't be trying it again. The duck was similar to chicken and the sweetness of the pear added an interesting twist to it. However, it was the sweet potato and apple pierogies that were the favorite of the night. For those of you that don't know what a pierogi is, it's a dough that is first boiled and then fried and stuffed. I would have never put together sweet potato and apple together but it was heavenly! It was fluffy, sweet, and full of autumn spice. These are definitely something that I would eat more often if I was closer... but it's probably good that I'm not.

Since we were in the area, we of course had to take a detour through the Columbia campus. Even at night it was beautiful, though much smaller than some of the other campuses I have been to (which isn't all that surprising). This was the main library of the campus when it first opened, though it has since been changed to an office building. I didn't get to see it during the day, but I am glad that I got a chance to visit while I was up there. It's definitely something to stop by and see if you are in the area.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel

I was lucky enough to be able to jet off to New York City this weekend for a short getaway. I love New York and the weather was beautiful, so it was a great way to kick off fall. I decided to go off the beaten path and chose a boutique hotel called Fitzpatrick Manhattan located in Midtown. This hotel is run by an Irish family (so everyone had fantastic accents) and was perfect for a more manly experience. It had dark wood, library chairs, and lots of leather. There is some old world charm, like the mail drop, and the pictures of the owner with special guests made it feel personal. The canopy bed made the room feel cozy and it was surprisingly quiet. The staff was very attentive and friendly and the rooms were bigger than I anticipated. If you are looking for a neat little hotel, this is the place to go. If you have some other fun places you stay, let me know because I am already planning my next trip!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A New Classic Combinatination

So we all know that black and white is a timeless combination, but leave it to fashion to mix everything up. This fall one of the hot new color combinations is black and gold. I do have to admit that I adore this. There is just something about the sleekness of the black with the subtle shine of gold that makes something stand out without looking gaudy. I found this great pair of black and gold strappy heels from Madden Girl at DSW. The t-strap in the front is sophisticated and classy and the straps keep of modern and fresh. This is a great new twist on a pair of black heels. The gold woven in adds shine and seems to catch the light in just the right way when you wear them. I will definitely be using this a lot because they can instantly dress up an outfit. The key is to keep it simple and not introduce additional colors. These two can stand on their own, so let them shine! Let me know how you will wear black and gold this season.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Pretty in Polka Dots

While walking through Target (dangerous I know), I saw this precious polka dot top. It's a perfect transitional piece for fall. Not only does it have the peplum hem, but the polka dots are hunter green, navy, and red. It has a brushed gold zipper that runs down the back. It is 3/4 length and a light fabric. Around here, this will a great layering piece that will work well for much of the fall. For those of you not here, this will be a transitional piece, but a good one nonetheless. There is something about polka dots that are playful and casual, but yet they can be sophisticated and dressy...perfect the the girl inside us all. This can be dressed up or down, so I am thinking that this will probably be a go to this fall for me. Thank you Target for another great buy!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Perfectly Polished


Burgundy is one of the "it" colors for fall, so of course it is going to show up in nail polishes. I found this color by OPI for Sephora. It's beautiful burgundy mixed with gold called "What's Your Point-settia?''...early Christmas color, I think so. Either way, it's still a perfect color for fall and will give you that subtle pop of color you are looking for. I used the Butter London Nail Foundation as the base coat, three coats of color, and then gave it a finishing touch of Hardwear, also by Butter London. I promise you that even though doing a base coat and top coat take a bit of time, it is well worth it. It will make it last so much longer. I did three coats of the color to make it even and a deeper, richer color. I don't usually tend to paint my nails, except for special occasions because it always seems to chip the minute I leave the chair. However, I have made it successfully through a day without it chipping! I know it doesn't sound like a lot but it is definitely a feat for me. Though the weather doesn't scream fall yet, it's getting there and there is no better time to embrace the fashion of fall.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Party Pretzels

It's that time again when it feels like everyone is getting engaged, which means that it's time for showers, luncheons, and a night out on the town. This time I am attending a wedding shower and was recruited to help make the party favors. We decided on chocolate dipped pretzel rods with sprinkles. The great things about these is that they aren't super hard to make (just a little bit time consuming) and they are colorful and cute. I mean most people tend to smile when they see things with sprinkles on it, right?! The hardest part about this recipe is melting the chocolate. Chocolate can be a little fickle as it can burn and harden or melt things. (And yes, I have had personal experience with this.) The best way to do it is to put about 1 cup to 1.5 cups in a glass microwavable container. Microwave it for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat and this time when you stir it may not look like it is all melted, but just keep stirring and you will find that the heat from the chocolate will melt itself. If necessary, you can repeat again for a third time.

After that it's pretty easy. Take the whole pretzel rod and use either a spoon or a knife to cover about 2/3 of the pretzel in chocolate. I found that a spoon worked best. Once you have a thin layer of chocolate on the pretzel, roll in sprinkles and place on a wax paper lined tray. The chocolate doesn't have to be perfect because I ended up covering it all with the sprinkles. If you are going to make some of the chocolate visible, make sure that you don't have any spots where the pretzels shows thru. If you aren't a fan of sprinkles, you can use nuts, coconut, or another kind of drizzle. Freeze for about an hour and then you are all set!

For the favor wrapping, we put two rods in a small cellophane bag and placed a label on the front of the bag and then taped it shut. These are simple favors that have a lot of color and pizazz and aren't really that expensive. It can also be a really fun gift or dessert for a party, so make sure to keep this recipe on hand. Chances are you will probably have the ingredients on hand, so it can also be just a fun snack. Try them out and then come back and let me know how you customized them!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Book Review: The Beautiful Fall

I love reading, however, I haven't had much of a chance to read for fun. I got this book as a gift from my sister, who knows that I love fashion. This book, called The Beautiful Fall, is a wonderful account of the life of Yves Saint Laurent, the man behind YSL. His life was glamorous, rich, troubled, and a bit strange...all things that you would expect in fashion. His friends turn into rivals and create a rift in the industry, all while trying to climb the social ladder and make beautiful collections. This book delves into the man behind the magic and what it's really like to be a fashion designer. It also talks about the culture and the careers of other industry stars. If you really want to know about how a designer turns a brand into a powerhouse, then this will definitely provide an inside look. It's well written and very informative without being textbook like. If you are looking for a different read, this would be a great one to read. After you read it, come back and let me know what you think about it. So cozy up and enjoy!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Happy Macadamia Nut Day!

The day after a holiday is always a hard adjustment, so why not celebrate macadamia nut day?! These nuts are from Australia and have recently been linked to lowering LDL and total cholesterol. Sadly, they are a bit high in fat, so they aren't exactly the healthiest nut, but the do make a pretty good. snack. They make an even better cookie. Yes, I am talking about the infamous white chocolate macadamia nut cookie. Even though I am not a white chocolate fan, every once in a while this kind of cookie just sounds good. So break out the nuts and the cookie recipe and celebrate the day!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Truluck's

Houston Restaurant Weeks is sadly coming to a close. However, I had time for one last outing. This time it was to Truluck's. Know for their crab, this place had a definite romance to it and luckily for us, we got to sit at the owner's favorite table. We started off with some Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and some delicious gingerbread. It wasn't a cookie, just bread that tasted exactly like that. The wine was crisp and light, which paired well with the dishes we had.
For the first course, we had a delicious lobster bisque. The best part was that it was served at the table. The bowl had a few pieces of fresh lobster meat and a touch of horseradish goat cheese in it. The bisque was brought out separately and poured at the table. The soup was absolutely amazing. There was a hint of spice to it and the green onions added a subtle onion flavor without overwhelming the delicate lobster. It was creamy and had some depth to it, but it wasn't so heavy that you felt full after eating it. 
Since Truluck's is known for not only their crab, but also for their steaks and seafood, we decided to try it all. Beef 'Rockerfeller' was a play on oysters Rockerfeller. It was two beef medallions, each topped with a fried oyster and situated on a bed of loaded potato cakes. There was a spinach fondue over the top and it was served with green beans almondine. The green beans had some crunch to them and were full of flavor. The potato cakes were some of the best potatoes I have ever had. They had some crunch on the outside and were warm and creamy on the inside. The beef was cooked well and wasn't dry. The fried oyster add a nice texture different to the dish. The crab alfredo had blue crab, king crab, and snow crab. It was topped with some fresh bruschetta and toasted bread. The alfredo sauce was light and complemented the crab well. The bruschetta added some freshness to the dish. It was a great twist on a traditional favorite.
Dessert was definitely not a disappointment. Luckily, I got to try two, a chocolate malt cake and carrot cake. The chocolate cake was moist and had a great chocolate flavor. It wasn't too heavy and there were berries mixed it. It was topped with a light chocolate mousse like icing, a chocolate drizzle and a few fresh berries. It was decadent and something that I got to take home and enjoy twice. The carrot cake had a wonderful cream cheese icing, some spiced pecans, and a butterscotch drizzle. The cake itself was a taste of fall with the spice flavor. The pecans were a nice crunch and the butterscotch was a nice touch. I don't think I have ever had butterscotch with carrot cake. Overall, this meal was beyond amazing. The impeccable service was just the icing on the cake. The next time you are looking for a special occasion restaurant, be sure to try this one out. Thank you Houston Restaurant Weeks and Truluck's for this wonderful event and for such a great last dinner!