I have a new obsession: Cafe Gitane in Nolita. I went there twice last week. It’s a little sliver of a cafe with a handful of tables inside and 4 small tables for two on the sidewalk. The menu is fresh, delicious, and (surprisingly) inexpensive. Because of the restaurant’s location in trendy Nolita, the crowd is pretty cool and the people watching is fun. I even saw the ginger from Modern Family there and a guy I’m pretty sure was Alexander Skarsgard.
The avocado toast is life changing. Thick multigrain bread smeared with avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. One of the best things I’ve ever eaten. I’ve thought about it multiple times a day since I first tried it. The chicken satay is also phenomenal. The peanut sauce is beyond delicious, and the accompanying carrot salad is light, fresh, and flavorful. Do yourself a favor and stop by if you’re in New York. Enjoy a glass of rose at a sidewalk table and feel transported to a different city.
I used to use only O.P.I., but I started getting into Essie more a few years ago. O.P.I. has some great dark shades (You Don’t Know Jacques, Russian Navy, Lincoln Park After Dark, etc.) and a few pretty pinks, but I don’t think their range is nearly as good as Essie’s. Essie has tons of fun, bright colors. Have you heard that Essie just opened a flagship salon in New York? It’s on 65th between Madison and Park. I would love to check it out, but I’m not sure I really want to spend $32 on a manicure… I could be talked into it, though.
Shots I took during a sunset cruise on my friend Katie’s boat
Refinery29 is, hands down, one of my favorite websites/blogs. I get a million emails everyday from different fashion/lifestyle brands I subscribe to, and truthfully I usually spend a maximum of 5 seconds looking at each one. I open almost every single article on Refinery29, though. The stories are relevant, fun, cool, interesting, and a million other positive adjectives.
One piece I loved recently is 20 Free Summer Events in New York. There are so many free events in the city that I had no idea existed, and some of them are really cool. For instance, I popped into MoMA’s free Friday nights last week to kill time before a dinner with friends. I’ve also been to the High Line and L.O.V.E.D. it. Separate post to come on that. For now, check out the link and start crossing things off the list!
I have been absolutely obsessed with sandwiches lately (even though I’m not really supposed to be eating them…). And bacon. Hard to believe that I was a vegetarian until just a few months ago… Anyway, all of these sandwiches have me drooling. I made the lazy egg and cheese sandwich in the third row all the time during finals week. SUCH a good technique. Quick, easy protein that tastes so good! Egg and avocado is the best combination, I’ve discovered. And I can’t wait to eat lobster rolls this summer!
Top row: Roasted tomato Caprese grilled cheese
Second row: Oyster po’ boys; Fried chicken sandwich from Joseph Leonard; Avocado, egg, + cheese sandwich
Third row: Egg salad sandwich, Lazy egg and cheese sandwich, Salade Lyonnaise Sandwich
Fourth row: BLT with goat cheese and avocado, Salmon BLT, Lobster roll from Luke’s
This dress from Madewell just may be my favorite item of clothing I’ve bought this year. It’s made of sweatshirt material, so it’s literally one of the most comfortable things ever. It’s also very flattering, as it’s tight on top to show off curves but loose below the waist. If the dress came in multiple colors, I swear I’d buy it in every one. I have to restrain myself from wearing it to work everyday. I’m already picturing it with tights, boots, and a blazer come fall…
Also, the sweet salesperson at Madewell told me about their shopping parties. If you arrange one, they’ll provide you with a stylist, desserts, and discounts. You get 20% off your purchase, while your friends get 20% off purchases over $125. Sounds fun!
Go out right now and pick up a copy of Mrs. Lilien’s Cocktail Swatchbook! The book is chock full of delicious looking cocktail recipes. I had the pleasure of trying a raspberry and cucumber wine spritzer at a party celebrating the book at Jonathan Adler in SoHo on Thursday night. I met Mrs. Lilien herself and found her very sweet and tres glam in glittery eyeshadow. I trust that the rest of the recipes are as fabulous as she is.
