New York, New Year, and New Things

If it is true what they say that how you spend NYE is how you will spend the rest of your year, well, I am certainly not complaining.   At Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar with a chocolate martini, tray of truffles, and a slice of NY cheesecake I was simply in heaven.  Guess my year will be full of classy nights out, wine, and lots of chocolate!

My favorite part about New York was all the scrumptious food. I could literally eat my way through the city. I even ate a pretzel off a cart which is a pretty big deal for this germ-a-phobe.  Some other notable things I ate were Cannolis from Caffe Palermo, Ladurée macarons (my favorite dessert in the world), a burger and custard ice cream at the Shake Shack, and a plate of penne vodka from La Mela in Little Italy.  We knew the place was good from the Italians just chillin with a table full of empty plates. Had to do a double take when I heard in a thick accent, “Hey Joey, what’s amatta witchu? Why you look so tired? Have some espresso…” among a few other hilarious commentary.

And you can’t go to NY without seeing a Broadway show.  Anything Goes with Sutton Foster was delightful and had the best tap number I have ever seen in a musical, I had a smile across my face ear to ear the entire time. 

 Hidden cobblestone street near Wall St
Brown boots by Cathy Jean
Mustard chunky sweater by Ecoté
Black bargain pants!
Ivory scarf from Debenhams

Now that I am back in LA with a heat wave in January, I could not be more appreciative of my homeland.  This year I have decided to take full advantage of living in LA and go on more outings.  So far I went to Fresh Corn Grill in Westwood (finally!) and grocery shopped at the Farmer’s Market at the Grove.  The people that work there are all fantastic I will definitely be going back to Monsieur Marcel and Papardelle, which has flavored pasta like lavender or chocolate.

And finally my resolutions I hope I keep are to drink more mineral water, learn to pair wines & cheeses, and DANCE more. 

Maybe someday...

Sorry, I can't talk right now I am lost in my imagination

Last night I started Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I read for 6 hours straight and finished the whole thing.  I can’t remember the last time I did that. I should read more often, it exercises the imagination. And this book literally had my heart pounding.  If you haven’t read it yet, go to the nearest store, buy it, and block out the next few hours of your life.

It’s like The Gladiator + My Side of the Mountain!  My mind was blown.  I forgot how much I love reading about people living off the land.  When I was younger, I was going to run away to the mountains and go live in a tree thanks to Sam Gribley, even had a napsack packed once but couldn't find a stick.  I am not much of a wilderness girl on the outside, but I definitely fancy a good adventure. 

The protagonist is a strong, clever young woman and, in my imagination, good looking too.  Everyone in my imagination is beautiful I wouldn’t waste time dreaming up mediocrity.  Also, I favor a female protagonist so even Sam Gribley became a girl so I could imagine myself as the main character.  The book has everything I have been looking for lately in a good read: drama, romance, action, humor, etc. I’m glad I decided on this one.  She even gets a personal stylist at one point, who I can totally imagine to be someone like Santino Rice. 

Don’t worry I won’t give anything away, but you should definitely read it!!! I’m off to start book number 2…

Holiday Traditions

Merry Christmas everyone!  This is my favorite time of year not just for the food, but the other traditions too.  First, and probably the best, is that the weather is ALWAYS perfect on Christmas in SoCal. Never rains, snows (lets be real now has it ever?), has clouds or terrible winds.  75° and sunny even in winter.  That’s why this is the best place in the country…and I say country because Europe always wins, but that’s another story.

The second best thing about Christmas is my Irish-Italian family that gets together for dinner the eve before.  It’s filled with good food and stories that make you laugh til you cry.  There are always the essential stories and things that happen at family dinners:

The Misunderstanding: My father was sitting next to my uncle, and asked about a restaurant closing near where he lived. Like telephone, his end of the table hears “Did Top Hat move in to The Sauce?”, a few people down heard, “Is top hat moving the sauce?”, and finally my end of the table heard, “Is tom cat into the sauce?”  Needless to say there was a few moments of silent confusion, until my end of the table burst out into laughter. 

The Fight Story: My grandfather was in the Navy and upon return to New York City, he was walking through Times Square in his uniform.  (something happens) Next thing you know, he is in a fight with these two guys! Cars are honking, police cars are honking, no one is breaking up the fight.  Well, my grandfather won.  But he was so mad about getting the other guys’ blood on his uniform. What if he needed it again? (his main concern) That was the first time he took out two guys, he said. And then he went home. (That’s how it usually ends)

The Home Improvement Story:  My Uncle decided to clean out the garage and sweep with one of those big, flat brooms shaped like a T.  So he finishes and goes and does something else.  Later that day, my Aunt heads out there to grab something.  As she walks towards the light switch, BAM! She is smacked in the face.  My uncle had left the broom in the path from the door to the switch and my aunt stepped on it.  Apparently it hits you just like in the cartoons.

 

The Cow Creamer: My mother cherishes a creamer shaped like a cow and the milk comes out of its mouth.  Someone always makes a comment when the coffee and dessert comes out.  This time my cousin said she should get two for each end of the table instead of using mismatched ones.  Her response, “Well, I got this for Mother’s Day so I have to use it.” Not sure exactly what she meant by that, but we know she loves that cow.

Some Advice:  When I mentioned I was going to NYC for NYE, my Uncle asked if I knew what the “Pleasant Hour” was and I said I did.  You see, one of my relatives who came over from Ireland, Thomas Kerrigan, played the Irish bagpipes at a free and easy in NYC called “Pleasant Hour”. He was pretty famous for it back in the day.  My Mother suggested I go see if it’s still there.  My Uncle’s advice, don’t go to St. Patrick’s Church and say you are related to Thomas Kerrigan, they will send you a bill.

I always love coming home for the holidays, because there is never a dull moment. Oh and I woke up to this today, true story.

And finally, it wouldn't be Christmas without all the glamourous decorum.

Dancers, glitter, feathers, and jewels cover
our sparkling and classy 7ft tall tree.

You Can't Be Serious Without a Little Silliness

Maxi Skirt and Top by Brandy Mellville
Messenger Bag by Mossimo (great find!)
Shoes by Adrienne Vitadini
Lipstick by Dior in Rouge Favori

Things I learn in yoga class: control your mind, your life…too many worries. You have 

an incorrect view of yourself and we train our monkey brains to see us this way. No excuses, 

you can do more than you think. Balance. The teacher was slightly crazy that day and was 

spouting a plethora of nonsensical things that were somehow 100% true.

Try. Because otherwise you are wasting your time you could be doing something else. As of right now, I guess I am trying to figure out what I am doing. This requires more effort than one would think.

Since it is break I took some time away from my apps to hang out with the bestie. Oh the adventures we go on…only in socal would you be driven around in a golf cart to pick out your rose bushes. Mission accomplished.

And because trying on sunglasses and bright lipstick never gets old:

The bestie in Tiffany's!

Some Things Never Change

Breakfast and Shopping with Friends in Suburbia

What I'm wearing:
Brandy Melville burgundy sweater
Black bargain jeans (yes!)
Authentic Firenze Leather boots
Gold bangles from Bakers

In suburbia, women have two favorite pastimes: shopping and dining.  And when all the girls return home for the holidays, we revert back to our old ways no matter how much we claim college has “changed us”.  It’s like cupcakes, new shoes, and repeated conversations; we know they will make us happy.

I love to visit rich suburbia.  People and places of rich suburbia (because there are many levels and this is the top tier) exude an air of  "betterness" for lack of a better word.  Every native over the age of 16 drives a luxury vehicle, parking lots have larger spaces to accommodate the 90% of people who drive SUV’s, and whether you are a Mexican restaurant or cupcake shop you too have a Range Rover for delivery services.  Now if you drove 5 miles in that luxury vehicle in any given direction, you can always find: 2 country clubs, 5 Starbucks, 4 small shopping centers, a Target, a cupcake shop, 2 frozen yogurts, 6 gas stations, and a mall.  It’s a world I have decided that I wouldn’t mind living in.

I guess people don’t change either.  Meeting up with my high school friends felt like senior year again and we even blasted some Britney Spears (who has recently moved to suburbia) in my friend’s Lexus while we sat and gossiped.  Yeah we all started down separate paths after graduation, but the friendships can still be solidified over a cup of coffee and an update on the girl we all hated in high school. 

Seems that none of us have set career plans yet, which made me feel a lot better.  Maybe I could open a boutique froyo cupcakery in suburbia?  Shop around for clothes to sell, inflate the price a little, lunch date, frost cupcakes, coffee date…all in a days work and be home before the town shuts down at 9pm.  And if business was low, there is always the option for a backroom business that would bring in a higher profit if you know what I mean. Only kidding?