Only in New york...

think of someone standing on the opposite subway platform as being "framed" by the architecture, and get to hear incredible jazz music for free

you would see this kind of car...

 this sign could be interpreted ambiguously...

would you advertise being second best...

...enough said

have a Fashion Institute of Technology :)

 

Organization

 

Living in New York has taught me the importance of making the most of any space you have.  This has proven to be particularly challenging given the constantly expanding size of my wardrobe and my obsession with accessories.  My roommate actually introduced me to the idea of using cork board to display earrings, bracelets, and necklaces (I had previously used a beautiful jewelry armoire, but unfortunately it was too heavy and too large to make the trip from Ohio to New York).  

 

  

Fashion Moves that I Swore I Would Never Do

Brooches have always seemed dowdy to me, that is at least until I came to New York and realized how useful they are from transforming a drab winter work coat into something more glamorous.  Granted it only took me eight months before I was even willing to consider the possibility of pinning one on my coat lapel.  Due to a combination of the unseasonably warm weather and my college mentality, I felt justified throwing on a North Face jacket or my down JCrew coat.  It was not until I was people watching in a local cafe that I noticed how transforming a classic coat can be, and so resolved to start wearing my "dressy" full-length black coat to work, and my mink fur coat for those selectively freezing days.  There is something to be said about "look good, feel good".

Eating Out

There are so many places to eat in New York City that it is almost overwhelming trying to pick one restaurant.  One thing that I have come to learn is that the best places are going to be located in the most inconvenient places relative to my apartment aka any place below 14th street on the east side.  Nevertheless, I do not eat out that often (maybe once a week).  Not only is it a great opportunity to catch up with friends, but I also like to venture out and try new cuisines having properly done my research to ensure that my dollar is one well spent.  This past weekend, after watching Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri, a place in New York was finally reviewed-The Redhead.  I ordered everything that was reviewed on the show (homemade soft German pretzels with a beer cheese dipping sauces to split as an appetizer, and low country shrimp with grits for an entree) and a couple of things that were not (to drink we ordered the Flying Dog light beer-the staff favorite and a toblerone cookie pie for dessert).  The place was packed-the wait for seating for a table was about 45 minutes (they do not take reservations for groups of less than five, and even then reservations are only for 6:30 p.m. or earlier).  They do, however, have full menu service at both the bar and the small round tables at the front.  

Homemade German soft pretzels with beer cheese

Low country shrimp with grits

Buttermilk fried chicken

Complimentary molasses cookie

 

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 

What constantly surprises me (although that list is infinite) is the number of young women who dislike cooking.  Not only is it economically more affordable then using seamless.com on a daily basis (granted you pay are larger upfront cost, but it pays off-literally-in the number of leftovers, especially if you are cooking for one), but it can also be fun.  Granted I almost accidentally burnt down my apartment when attempting to cook vegetable lasagna-story to come, but it is amazing how enjoyable cooking can be if you crack open a beer or make a quick cocktail before beginning to prep your meal, turn on some tunes, or flip to your favorite television show.  A couple of weeks back I crafted this recipe from Emirl Lagasse, as emailed to me by my mama (http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/creamy-garlic-mashed-potatoes-recipe).  Ends up I had too much leftovers, but it was fantastically easy and delicious, particularly if you are a garlic nut like me.

 

 

Simple Gifts

A couple of days before I had to fly home to surprise my mama for Christmas, I found out that all of the paralegals (the three other girls to be exact) had given cards to their attorneys for the holidays.  Again, something that I wasn't taught at Princeton-embracing the holiday spirit (I hold the fact that I was forced to cram for exams over Christmas and New Year's Eve completely accountable).  In any event I did not want to be the only girl paralegal who did not do something for her attorneys.  At the same time I wanted to do something more original than a holiday card (not that there is anything wrong with doing a holiday card, but since the other girls had already done the cards it seemed best not to advertise the fact that I had done my holiday gifts last minute on accident).  The solution was simple: my mom's pretzel rods.  The deliciously divine combination of salty pretzels combined with the sugary chewy caramel topped with melted milk chocolate and crunchy toffee bits have always been a winning combination for me in the past, and came through in the clutch for me yet again.  If reading that description makes you think that it can't get any better, well it can.  The recipe is so simple!  All that you need to do is melt down caramel in a microwaveable bowl (which proves to be the greatest nuisance of the whole process because you have to constantly reheat it as it cools and gradually hardens).  Once the caramel melts dip the pretzel rods in the caramel, then roll the caramel topped rod in crushed toffee bits so that the caramel is completely coated.  Set aside to cool until you have finished all the other pretzels.  Next melt the milk chocolate chips (I prefer Ghirardelli) in a plastic bag in the microwave.  Cut one tip of the bag off with scissors and leave over night to dry.  Enjoy!

 

 How to be Handy

One of the best things about having my apartment is decorating.  Granted, I am no Martha Stewart, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of adding random trinkets to table tops, hanging pictures, and completing DIY projects.  It is so incredibly rewarding to open a box of a seemingly hodgepodge of wooden boards and screws only to see everything magically transform into a desk or, see below for a bookshelf-courtesy of target.com, before your eyes.  The only unfortunate part is that there never seems to be enough time or money to be able to do everything that I want. 

Before

After

Holiday Nostalgia 

After postings yesterday about Valentine's Day, I inexplicably missed home and being surrounded by loved ones.  Perhaps it's attributable to the fact writing about Valentine's Day evoked such vivid memories and coming down the stairs barefoot to eat my regular breakfast of oatmeal and an english muffin as the cold temperatures seeped through hidden cracks between the window panes and under the door only to find, instead, a beautiful intricately handcrafted box of chocolates.  Whatever the cause it only seems appropriate to capture that feeling of wholesomeness and warm happiness by posting pictures from my Christmas vacation in Ohio.  Also...HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY MATT!!!

Secret Santa at work--my desk was wrapped...literally

The tree at Rockefeller Center

Christmas lights done NYC style

 

Dinner with the family

Lucy

Maddie

Traditional Christmas crowns on Christmas Eve

Brothers

Caroline and Papa

The Star

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day

 Unfortunately, the Christmas holidays, beginning back in December, really threw me off between shopping for gifts for friends and family, packing, and work.  Somehow the craziness did not seem to subside until after January, but am back and ready to share my latest adventures.  Valentine's Day has always been my least favorite holiday given all of its superficiality centering around Hallmark cards, red roses, and tacky hearts.  Personally, if someone is going to give me flowers, it is much more meaningful if they do it spontaneously "just because" rather than due to an obligation as determined by this one day of the year.  Additionally, having been both single and in a relationship on this special day, it always seems like a lose-lose situation.  On the one hand, when you're single, you are never so self-conscious of your situation as when cute couples are constantly coddling and smooching on every street corner.  On the other hand, it is not much better being in a relationship because you feel pressured to do something, yet if feels nearly impossible to do something original when all the available materials seem to be an endless supply of cheesy sentimental cards and red roses.  This year, however, has proven to be different.  I have learned that it is possible to express love without spending unnecessarily large amounts of money, and that it is possible to find original ideas.  Consequentially, I am now a fan of this holiday that I had previously written off.  Happy Valentine's Day! 

Cute Starbucks theme cups

A beautiful sentimental (but not cheesy) card

A Lily Pultizer Valentine's Day pillow

Beautiful boxes

Who needs chocolates when there are clothes?