Coffee Talk

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I was pretty darn PUMPED when Sarah tagged me in this series. My pre-vacation overworked brain is complete mush and my blog inspiration is waning a little. So why not ring in Wednesday and tell you some random things about myself? Proof of my useless brain rests in the fact that I actually played the “Coffee Talk” game wrong and answered the questions Sarah posed to her readers, not the actual series questions. But such is life! They’re random qs none the less. Let’s do this:

1. What is your dream job? Hmmm I do love my current job, but I kind of see dream jobs as the jobs you obsessed over as a kid. Like wanting to be an actress or fireman and astronaut. My brother wanted to be an ice cream truck driver so he could sample all the ice cream, naturally. I, as cliché as it is, wanted to be a Broadway star or ballerina. Both would be preferable. And this is totally still my dream, let’s be clear on that. Apart from that, I’d say having my own product line or store is a bit of a pipe dream right now. We’ll see!

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2. Favorite city in the U.S.?  You all know that I love New York, but I though it’d be more fun to share a few other cities I love, and those include San Francisco and Chicago. San Francisco for the food and balance of indoor/outdoor life, and Chicago for its livability. Such a great city and so affordable to live there! Err.. at least more affordable than New York. Also, I’m really hoping to make my way to Austin soon.

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3. Favorite Artists? This one’s easy. My dad! Above is a pic of his opening in Italy we attended last fall.

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4. Do you collect anything, and if so what? As someone who doesn’t love having a lot of things, I don’t have traditional collections. But I will say I work to collect quality pots and pans, i.e. all Le Creuset and All-Clad. And perhaps one day some Mauviel….

5. Favorite newly discovered band? Ha! I’m the worst with music. I mostly listen to radio stations on Spotify, but “Josh Henegar” who I found via Simple Mom makes awesome playlists. He introduces me to all kinds of artists I’d never find otherwise.

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6. Most visited websites/blogs as of late: I’ve been really into Levo League lately, such a good resource for career driven ladies. I loved their recent piece on How to Navigate the Burnout Zone. I get lost in all their articles.

Aaaand now I tag Erin, Jen, Jacquelyn, Mandy.  Answer all questions above chicas!

Image Credits: Ballet shoes, San Francisco, All Clad, Girl at Desk

On My Bookshelf | October |

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I can’t believe my trip to Mexico has almost arrived! It’s mildly terrifying how fast the year has gone, but if it gets me closer to my vacation, I’ll take it. I’m particularly excited about this trip because I will not be taking my laptop. You read right, no laptop for four whole days! I’m already starting to feel anxiety about this, but I’m going to power through. The world will keep turning without me on my laptop for a long weekend. So between the plane and beach I’ve got lots of time to read. Here’s what I’ve got on tap… [Read more...]

Creamy Carrot Coconut Soup

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Saturday morning, as I lay in bed, trying furiously to sleep in but happy enough to just kind of be in a half sleep wrapped in our new bedding, I got to thinking about why I love to cook. When I have a particularly draining week, I often think to myself “Shouldn’t I just lay on the couch all weekend and veg? Wouldn’t that be best for restoring my energy?”  I do want to veg. I want to veg for approximately three to four hours, the time is takes for me to watch all the television I missed during the week. But that’s usually done with by Friday night or Saturday morning (yes, this girl stays in most Friday nights). And shortly thereafter I get the urge to cook, to make my weekly pilgrimage to the farmer’s market and grocery store, taking my time as I sort through the items on my list, and then heading home to spend hours in the kitchen… filling my home with good smells, and good food.

To me, homemade food is love. I love to cook for others and have others cook for me. I love spending hours in my kitchen on the weekend with multiple pots bubbling and a podcast or good movie soundtrack humming in the background. And I love the way my fridge feels when it’s filled with ready to go, good for us food and leftovers. It makes me feel back on track and like all is right in my world. It restores me.

So even though my lower back sometimes gets tired from standing at the counter for so long, or my eyes relentlessly sting from chopping onions, cooking is energizing. It’s my safe place and where I want to go every weekend. This soup is where I went this weekend, and it’s so incredibly good. Here’s to a great week!

Ps: Sun Dried Tomato Soup, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

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Weekend Wishes

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Eat: Coconut Macaroon Pancakes (Everything about this sounds amazing. I actually just made a modified version of them for breakfast, and they were as good as I’d hoped.)

Add: delicate bracelets (Usually bracelets get in my way, but I love the idea of these.)

Find: a warm coat (The two options I had my eye on are sold out already! Any suggestions?)

Have a great weekend!

Life Lately | October 25th |

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I’m not gonna lie, I am so excited to see this week come to a close. It was a doozy! Note to self: preparing for an in home photo shoot will take over your life and take one hundred times longer than you think. That is the truth right there. Anyway… thankfully my weekend has next to nothing on tap except for cozying up with my latest Bon Appétit issues and making lots of soups and stews and warm yummy things for dinner. It finally got cold this week! And I love it. I’m craving things like butternut squash, lasagna, homemade bread… do you feel me? Despite the chaos, here are a few things on my mind this week:

  • Loved this post from The Well about getting personal on your blog… how much is too much?
  • How to Get Clumps in Your Granola
  • I officially need a cape for this winter season.
  • Major discovery this week- the Blueberry Muffin Larabars are the best ones. EVER.
  • Martha got a little angry at bloggers- I’m thinking about writing about this, but especially loved Lisa’s post on whether bloggers are experts or not.
  • Pumpkin Pecan Ice Cream Sandwiches. I mean do I even need an explanation?
  • Five Mental Tips to Jumpstart Creativity- I can totally relate to numbers one and five.
  • Emily’s career advice on interviewing is spot on. Her points on selling yourself and the give and take aspect are so true!
  • Did you see Hunter came out with new rain coats? Molly’s got me dying for one.

I hope you have an incredibly relaxing weekend- I’m definitely going to be focusing on these practices. Cheers! xx

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Behind the Scenes with Eva & Paul Denim

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I’ve said it time and again but one of the best parts about my job and journey as an entrepreneur are all the incredible people I get to meet along the way. Case in point- Julia Kastner, founder of Eva & Paul Denim, a brand new organic denim line. I dropped by Julia’s studio a few weeks back to learn more about her incredible products, how she got her start, and even try on a few pairs myself! I can tell you first hand- my legs, hips, and rear have never looked better!

Learn how Julia broke into the highly complex world of denim (let alone fashion), the process behind creating an organic/fair trade product, her invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and more after the jump!  [Read more...]

Five Easy Relaxation Techniques

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You know that feeling after you’ve had a massage? The masseuse has just finished, you’re in a complete daze of relaxation- you literally could not feel any better. I always wish there was an add on for a “post massage nap” so I could stay on the massage table for another hour and sleep. Does that exist? Anyway, after my massage Sunday evening I was on cloud nine. I felt so relaxed. I bounded out of the massage room excited to tell my masseuse how much I loved it. She was glad to hear that, but was more concerned about telling me how tight my back and neck were, and how I really needed to focus on decreasing stress and relaxing. Insert palm to forehead motion.

It’s not like she really needed to tell me. I knew my body was a bit out of whack, especially since I was still getting over my first ever migraine which arrived with a vengeance last Thursday. Every few months my body signals that it needs me to slow down, and this would be one of those times. So, in an effort to relax more, I’ve been… [Read more...]

Dressed to Entertain: Game Day

Game Day Outfit | perpetuallychic.com

Not all entertaining occasions demand a party dress, sparkly heels and perfectly styled hair. With football season now in full force, and baseball season on its way out, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some ideas for sporting your favorite team in style. And given that my two teams are doing so well, I just had to sneak in not one but two looks for you. So whether you’re hosting a tailgate at your college alma mater or a NFL-watching party at home, I hope you’ll be inspired to step up your game-day attire!

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I’ve never been a big fan of the oversized sweatshirts and unflattering t-shirts that many sports teams sell en masse. My preferred way to show team spirit is with one simple, effortless touch—the baseball cap. I start there, then dress it up. If you’re lucky enough to live where the temps haven’t yet dropped, this first look is for you. Sneakers can be tricky, but pairing them with a miniskirt lengthens the legs for a tomboy chic vibe. And a plaid button-up infuses a hint of fall fashion—just be sure to choose a plaid shirt that ties in the same colors as your team cap.

Game Day Outfit | perpetuallychic.com

For the second look, I mixed textures by pairing coated black skinnies with a slightly sheer tunic and a buttery-soft leather jacket. I love the casual way the feminine silk blouse hangs loose below the crop of the jacket, and the way it also balances the slimness of the pants.

Game Day Outfit | perpetuallychic.com

By the way, coated pants are such a great substitute if you want to try the leather-pant look—they’re more breathable and a fraction of the cost. I finished this look off with the sneakers, again, and my second team cap. And since this particular outfit is made up of neutrals, any colored cap could easily work.

Game Day Outfit | perpetuallychic.com

Any big sports fans out there? What’s your favorite team to cheer on?

Look One: Plaid Shirt (similar) | Miniskirt (similar) | Sneakers

Look Two: Leather Jacket (similar) | Silk Blouse | Coated Pant | Sneakers

Cape Cod Chopped Salad with Maple Dijon Vinegrette

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I took a few days off from blogging last week to recoup from an unusually hectic week. The blogger event I’d been working on with LHJ Magazine for close to the past year took place last Thursday- and while incredibly exciting to see it all come together, it wore me out! I’m still catching up on sleep. I spent most of the weekend at home lounging on the couch, cleaning, and getting ahead on some projects that needed finishing before a shoot in my apartment this week. Sunday was my little version of heaven- a Soulcycle class, some cooking, and a massage. I can’t even remember the last time I had a massage. It was just what I needed.

And then this salad- it’s what I cooked. It blows my mind that [Read more...]

Salon Nights with M.M. LAFLEUR

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Hi friends! Popping back in here with a fun afternoon announcement. One of my beloved clients M.M. LAFLEUR, an online fashion company for professional women, is hosting a series of Salon Nights this fall where they bring industry leaders to talk about how to break into various businesses. I attended their first one last week and I have say, it was truly the best networking event I’ve been to all year (and I can’t even count how many I’ve been to!). Tomorrow they’re hosting their second one, focused on how to break into the business of… wait for it… food and drink! For any of you in the NYC area who have been thinking about starting your own business- whether it’s food related or not- I can’t urge you enough to go. Truly! So often people ask how I started working for myself or built up my business and a key portion of my answer is attending events just like this.

Tomorrow’s “Breaking into Business: Food & Drink” will take place at The NoMad Hotel from 7-9 pm. Tickets are $25.00 but include delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres (yep, this was my dinner last Wednesday night). You can register here. Learn even more about M.M. in their recent NY Magazine article- and if you make it tomorrow, definitely let me know!