chicken burrito pizza

Last night we were craving Mexican, but didn't want to resort to our standard variety nachos or fajitas, so we decided to try a recipe I had torn from a health & fitness magazine that looked not only delicious, but was super nutrionally-packed, as well (recipe here).  All of the different elements, from the pico de gallo to the whole wheat crust, worked wonderfully together, and it was a nice departure from more traditional mexican-influenced flavors.  We used to have "fajita fridays," but now we're thinking it should be "pizza wednesdays" instead.

refresh

As I keep mentioning, John and I are preparing to leave New York in a few months to take on an exciting new project that we're both very much looking forward to.  Over the past few months, I've revealed some hints as to what this new endeavor is (seen here), as well as one of the developments that we will be working on (seen here).  Today, I'm going to let you in on another project that we will be working on, which is an outdoor shower.  Here are a few of the images that are currently inspiring me, and that I hope to take at least a few ideas from for our own attempt at such a great outdoor feature.  It's relaxing just looking at them, don't you think?

oh, suede shorty

Forever 21 really does exceed my expectations sometimes. Some days, I wonder what they're thinking and why they ever thought metallic, leopard, and leggings were meant to be together, and other days, I think they're on-trend geniuses and costing masterminds.  What else can explain how they were able to bring me these amazing suede shorts for under $25?  I'm in love with their updated 70s vibe, and plan to wear them in the fall with tights and a long cardigan, and in the summer with a tucked-in oversized tee and flats.  They're that perfect mix of vintage and modern, and look much more expensive than their F21 price tag implies.

tourist-ing

This past weekend my sister and her friend came to visit. She's never been to New York so we hit many of the touristy sites and a few of my fave spots. It was so fun to view NYC through the eyes of a tourist again, and gave me a renewed appreciation for all the great things this city has to offer that I usually take for granted. Here's a rundown of our most notable stops:

1. Tried the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
2. Sitting on the steps in Times Square
3. Paying our respects at Ground Zero
4. Blowing the budget at Century 21
5. Eating in Chinatown at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Nha Trang One
6. Strolling through Little Italy and Soho
7. Having a brief chat with Randy Jackson outside his hotel in TriBeCa (the American Idol geek in me was freaking out!)
8. Dining at Spice Market in the Meatpacking District, and then hitting a few nightclubs in the area and around Chelsea
9. Struggling to choose at City Bakery
10. Shopping for souvenirs at the original Macy's on 34th st (they've already started decorating for Christmas!)
11. Stopping by The Pond at Bryant Park and listening to Frank Sinatra while watching the ice skaters.
12. Window shopping on 5th Avenue
13. Margaritas and Mexican at Blockheads
14. Wandering around Central Park before it was finally time for the girls to go :(


Ps. Even though my sister said she loved all the places we went to, she said the best part of New York was just being there, taking in the atmosphere of such a bustling, lively city filled with so many different people (and, funnily enough, riding the subway :)

patched up

Lately, I've been noticing an increase in a detail that those of us in the industry refer to as "trim" (basically any detail on a garment that isn't the main body fabric ie. buttons, thread, etc.).  In this case, it's the addition of suede or leather elbow patches on cardigans and sweaters and it seems to be everywhere for fall. I love that it is an unexpected detail that makes your outfit just that little bit more updated and interesting.  I love this look with a casual pair of jeans, riding boots, and big cozy scarf to match.

Elbow Patch Cardigan by Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen

Zara Long Jacket with Elbow Patches

 Urban Outfitters BDG Crew-Neck Elbow Patch Pullover Sweater

Forever 21 Leatherette Patches Cardigan



H&M Cardigan

ino'

Recently we tried out a restaurant in the West Village that I've heard a lot of great things about - 'ino is a tiny cafe and wine bar that has this great Italian ambiance and serves the most incredible paninis I've ever had.  I had the cacciatorini, goat cheese and black olive pesto panini, and it was beyond delicious - not to mention a hard choice to make as the menu boasts what seems like more than one hundred panini combinations.  The space is small, without feeling cramped, and its location on Bedford St. provides the quintessential West Village dining experience of a charming, unique eatery on a charming, unique street - incredibly cozy and intimate with an almost speakeasy feel, and a great choice if you're in the neighborhood.

 

weekend notes

snowy paw

This past weekend has been pretty eventful - we had our first snowstorm on Saturday (and Boone's first-ever play in the snow), so it provided a great excuse to stay indoors, watch movies, and play board games with friends. On Sunday, we met up with good friends of ours from Canada who were in the city on vacation. We went to Blockheads (one of our many favorite Mexican restaurants in NYC) and took in Rock of Ages on Broadway (I desperately wanted to get on stage and start rocking along by the end). Lots more sightseeing on Monday (and watching the incredible annual NYC Halloween Parade), and later again this week when my sister comes to visit! It's so fun to play tourist in such a great city.

might be for Halloween but probably not ...

best Vietnamese takeout from Nha Trang One

halloween parade!



a peek at boone's costume

 
ps. ...

trying to figure out what this white, cold mush is ... too cute