wanted: getting down to business

Ever since I ordered a gorgeous set of business cards on Etsy a few weeks ago, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect place to hold them. I wanted a case that was pretty but professional. Something I'd be more than proud to pull out of my bag when offering someone my card.
Here are some of the ones I'm loving:

 {Kate Spade $20}

 {Neiman Marcus $50}

{Gigi New York $42}

cupcake tour {week two} kumquat cupcakery and a visit to the smorgasburg

Sorry for the delay on this cupcake post but my poor computer had to spend the night at the Apple store this week. So sad, I know but thankfully it's back and all better. Now back to cupcakes.

Last weekend I ventured into Williamsburg for a visit to Smorgasburg, a food truck meets farmer's market kinda deal featuring over 100 vendors and far too much food to choose from. While I picked up some amazing barbeque, some delicious Serrano ham croquettas and a few other things, we're here to talk about cupcakes. Most importantly, finally getting my hands on a Maple Bacon Cupcake.
Yes, I said bacon. If you know me at all, you know it's one of my favorite things. I'll eat practically anything if it has bacon in it and a cupcake is no exception. This little treat was the perfect combination of sweet and savory, definitely my favorite cupcake from the bunch.
Kumquat Cupcakery doesn't currently have a store-front but this little maple bacon cupcake was well worth a trip to Williamsburg.

Here are some of the other amazing things I picked up. I'll definitely be back for another visit soon. There were so many other treats I was dying to try. We sat down to enjoy all of our finds at the park right around the corner.

 

{view of the city from the park next to Smorgasburg}

wanted: in the trenches

If there's one wardrobe staple every New Yorker seems to own, it's a trench coat. Since bikinis are more of a necessity back home though, I never felt the need to get one. Cue my arrival in the city a few weeks ago to a slew of New Yorkers, including all of the men, wearing fabulous coats.

The classic shape and timeless style definitely make this an investment piece I'm not skimping on. To narrow my search, I decided that whatever trench I was going to buy had to fit the following criteria:

1. Beige or Tan in Color

2. Double-Breasted Buttons

3. A Belt to Cinch it at the Waist

 After some searching and falling in love with one too many Burberry coats, I narrowed my choices down to these three.

Thoughts?

 {Club Monaco $230}

{Brooks Brothers $178}

{Laundry by Shelli Segal $137}

And just for fun, here are a few of the gorgeous Burberry's I stumbled on. With price tags well over $1,000 they're way out of my price range but they're still so nice to look at.
Someday, though. Someday.

pot pie for the pops

In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would share one my dad's favorite recipes. He requested this meal on his birthday last month and I'm sure that if I were home this weekend, he'd ask for it again.

I first saw this Chicken Pot Pie recipe about a year ago on Rachel Ray's Week in a Day and it was an instant hit. I won't lie, it isn't the easiest recipe in the world and it's pretty time consuming but well worth the effort. It's baked with a biscuit top, which is probably the best part, and the homemade chicken broth (should you choose to take that on) is wonderfully flavorful.
As usual, I made my own tweaks to the recipe based on my personal taste. For example, instead of poaching an entire chicken, I opted for 2 large chicken breasts. I'm not the biggest fan of dark meat and this also keeps it more on the healthy side.

 After it simmers for a few hours, I strain the broth and put the liquid back in the pot to reduce. Then I shred the chicken, but make sure it's been cooled.

 Like I said, I won't lie. This recipe can be labor intensive but that's mostly when it comes to the chopping. With everything from potatoes and carrots to onions and celery, you'll be chopping for a little while. But again, well worth it. I saute the veggies for 10-15 minutes, then cover them in the sauce made from the broth and finally add the chicken along with some peas.

I pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it off with dollops of biscuit mix, then bake it off until the biscuits are golden brown.
 This recipe is definitely a keeper and a crowd pleaser!

With dorm life and all, this will probably be my last recipe post for the next few weeks but don't fret. I'll keep you posted on all of the amazing restaurants I'm trying here in the city and will definitely be cooking up a storm come August. In the mean time, I've been posting recipes like a mad woman over on Pinterest. You can check out my food board here.

blue on the bridge

No matter how many times I've done it, I never get sick of walking the Brooklyn Bridge. I've worn out the majority of New York's tourist attractions but for some odd reason, this never feels touristy to me (no matter how crowded it is).
I walked it this past Sunday with a few friends. It was hotter out than it has been these last few weeks so I opted for white jeans and a breezy navy top. After the bridge, we walked around downtown for a bit before heading back. It was the perfect way to end a hectic first week in the city.

 {Top: The Dressing Room; Jeans: BDG; Sandals: Pelle Moda; Bag: Michael Kors; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (similar pair here)}

noms: the melt shop

If you've ever heard me talk about Ms. Cheezious, the gourmet grilled cheese food truck in Miami, you know how much I love when a piece of cheese is pressed between two slices of bread. It's magical, really. Especially when it's fancy cheese.

I met up with my cousin, Sarah, for lunch recently and she introduced me my New York replacement for the sandwiches I'd grown to love back home. The Melt Shop is an adorable little place on Lex and 53rd that features an amazing selection of sandwiches. I was staring at their menu for what felt like hours before I finally decided on the Smokehouse Turkey Club.

 {their seemingly endless menu - I'm planning on giving the Truffle Melt a try on my next visit}

{the adorable Melt Shop kiosk}

 {bite.chew.melt}

 {my amazing Smokehouse Turkey Club topped with creamy gouda, applewood smoked bacon and house-made barbeque sauce}

{instead of fries, Melt Shop serves tots covered in Parmesan cheese which is totally fine by me}

wanted: when life gives you lemons

When it comes to integrating color into my wardrobe this year, I've managed to pick up something in almost every color under the sun (no pun intended) except for yellow. After a quick stop by J.Crew last week though, I knew I had to have something in this punchy hue. 

From tops and bottoms to dresses and accessories, I'm a bit obsessed with finding the perfect yellow piece that looks modern but still classic.

 {Bubble Bauble $150}

{Blythe Silk Button Down $98}

{Cafe Capri $89}

 {Lucille Lace Dress $188}