hell's kitchen flea market

love the idea of painting and stacking old suitcases to use as sidetables

This past weekend I ventured into Hell's Kitchen to check out the weekly flea market that happens every Saturday and Sunday.  It's a great place to go if you're looking for something unique that isn't in every Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn in the city, and has a variety of items ranging from vintage clothes (with plenty of questional 'designer' labels), furniture, glassware, old books and magazines, jewelry, and just about everything in between.  The Hell's Kitchen flea is perfect for uncovering a great bargain or gleaning some inspiration for DIY projects or empty spaces in your home, but it's also just as fun to just peruse through the merchant stalls with coffee in hand and admire all the interesting vintage wares.



great backdrop

 

western style



I came thisclose to buying this (and still a little regretful I didn't)

old-time character

pretty vintage candy holders and milk glass vases

love the idea of this as a coffee table

day's end

Boone!

Since starting this, I have never properly introduced the adorable, four-legged member of our household that occasionally pops up on here.  Meet Boone. He's a cutie. And a rascal, at times. And the biggest cuddler you've ever met.  We adopted him this past April from Fuzzy Love Rescue, a non-profit shelter in North Carolina that rescues dogs from kill shelters. We're so grateful for their initiative because without it, we wouldn't know our Boonedog and his love of peanut butter, instigating play time with any dog he sees, chewing on his toys (and apparently our shoe laces lately), and that he is a great traveler and has the cutest floppy ears ever. 

macaroni and cheese

This should actually read 'shells and cheese' (I like that shells scoop the cheesiness up more), but that title doesn't have quite the same effect. Don't get me wrong - I like my Kraft mac'n cheese just as much as the next girl, but there's something more satisfying and wholesome about making your own from scratch than from a box. The weather has officially gotten cooler, so it fits that the meals should start getting warmer and more comforting, and this recipe certainly fits the bill.  I prefer when savory dishes like this are browned and crispy, so after baking, I grated fresh grated parmesean on top and popped it back in the oven for about ten minutes longer.

hipstamatic nyc

I recently rediscovered this iPhone app, Hipstamatic, and have re-fallen in love with it. Here's a few of my favorite shots from this weekend strolling around the city. We have so much fun together (when our schedules actually permit us being together) - I love being able to meander aimlessly around the city, stopping at random parks or shops or restaurants, and have such a great time with no agenda at all. And that he indulges me with as many 'holding the camera out, trying to get both of our faces in the frame' photos until I get the 'perfect' one.

weekend notes

fall decoration

 The weather was so beautiful this weekend (fall is definitely the best time to be in NYC) and I was so glad that my broken toe would finally entertain footwear other than flip-flops (I've felt beyond ridiculous these past two weeks walking around in the skimpiest shoes possible in the middle of October). So, boots on foot, I ventured out to the Hell's Kitchen flea market, indulged in a little retail therapy (Old Navy, you really surprise me sometimes), and went to a restaurant we noticed in the West Village a few weeks ago but haven't had the chance to check out until now. We also got into the Halloween spirit by watching some scary movies, purchasing a pumpkin (with plans to carve it soon), and we may or may not be actively searching for a Halloween costume for Boone (now that's scary ...).

our old meeting spot

people watching at a chelsea starbucks

love that my new sweater from old navy looks and feels like a pendleton blanket



so happy that al fresco dining is still an option



currently coveting ...

I really, reaalllyy want one. After seeing so many great polaroid photos over here (my latest obsession), I decided that this would be a really wonderful way to capture New York, as well.  I imagine posting them in cute little corners around the apartment, and even being a little crafty by making homemade cards and framed photos for gifts.  But I'm currently in 'don't spend any money' mode right now, and have even been taking my lunch to work (third week and going strong!), so this will likely have to sit on the unneccesary purchases shelf for a little while. Sigh.  So fun though, don't you think?

cranberry-pecan bread with st. andre cheese, apple, and watercress

It seems I have an affinity towards sandwiches - as seen here and here - so it should fit that this is usually my afternoon meal of choice on most workdays.  One of my favorite lunchspots in the city is Cafe Clementine (formerly Coumbine 227), located in Tribeca.  They have great daily specials (including homemade soups and salads), and every once in awhile they will feature an absolutely delicious sandwich comprised of St. Andre cheese, watercress, and sliced apple layered on raisin-walnut bread.  I decided recently to make my own version and was pleasantly surprised that most ingredients were easily found at my local grocery store, except for the bread, which I substituted with a delicious cranberry-pecan loaf found at Whole Foods. 

new york, i love you

As I've mentioned previously, John and I are preparing to leave New York in a few months (I have a love/hate relationship with this decision, but for many reasons, it's time to move on and try something new).  Despite having lived here for almost four years, there are still a number of things to check of my "list" before we go.  We come up with new ones all the time, but here are some of the few that are currently at the top:

1.) Picnic in Central Park
2.) Visit the animals at the Bronx Zoo
3.) Visit the dinosaurs at the Musem of Natural History
4.) Try the famous frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3
5.) Attend a few more Broadway shows - Rock of Ages and Memphis are priorities.
6.) Skate on the ice at Rockefeller Center
7.) Have a pastrami sandwich at Katz's Deli - must watch When Harry Met Sally beforehand.
8.) Hang out in the park at Union Square and then eat something chocolately at Max Brenner - John is a chocoholic and has never been.
9.) Attend a live show at SNL
10.) Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons being blown up the night before in Central Park.
11.) Stroll around Coney Island
12.) Share a giant sandwich at Carnegie Deli
13.) Attend a movie at Lincoln Center - I've been told it still exudes the 1920's-30's.
14.) Make one last trip to the Meatpacking District spot we met at.

joe's shanghai

Joe's Shanghai is by far one of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC. Although it has a number of locations throughout the city, our favorite is in Chinatown. From the outside, it looks like one of those hole-in-the-wall places, hidden on a tiny dark street with a florescent lit sign above the door. The biggest giveaway that Joe's is not what it seems is the large crowd of people that always seems to be waiting on the street for a seat at one of the many communal tables inside. The establishment's claim to fame are the soup dumplings (pork or crab) that are made fresh to order and are served piping hot in bamboo steamers, and I love the refreshing slices of orange that are served gratis at the end of the meal.