happy monday...

finally friday...

If I had a choice to be any where in the world right now... it would be just as the picture above <3

Have a great weekend lovelies! xoxo

newly obsessed....

Altruette

If you haven't already noticed, I'm obsessed with all things elephants.

The elephant is generally considered a symbol of good luck and the animal is a symbol of good fortune. Elephants in Asia are symbolizing a kind of divinity and benevolence and that is why in the recent Asia there are still religious ceremonies where offering is made to the elephants, they wash them and anoint them with special oils and pigments so that the community be blessed with good will. They also symbolize wisdom, loyalty, strength, fidelity and longevity.

As a symbol of wisdom, the elephant is said to attain old age and with all its wisdom. The animal is highly revered for its strength and power. With different species, the white elephant having been chosen by Buddha was because he wanted to use it for his many incarnations. The white elephant is a rare animal and their appearance today will still be considered a phenomenon of the gods. It is the most positive animal symbol known with no negative consequence. There are several lessons we can learn from the elephant and these too are used as its symbol: strength, wisdom, solitude, strong sense of loyalty to the family and intelligence. Other communities still consider the Elephant to be a strong symbol of luck. And thus the saying goes keep a lucky elephant at the door to your house so that you can get protection from bad luck.

I was pleasantly surprised to come across the website Altruette. The Altruette concept couldn’t be simpler: 50% of the net profit from the sale of our charms goes directly to our cause partners. Altruette’s partners include established national non-profits as well as smaller groups with talented leaders and ambitious plans to change the world. Beyond financial support, wearing your Altruette bracelet serves another important purpose: it helps spread the word about great causes your friends and family may not know about!

happy hour thursday...

I am in love with this time of year in NYC! It is the perfect weather, comfortable and crisp. I can not wait for Thanksgiving (when I plan to make this cocktail!) and CHRISTMAS! Let the countdown begin...

Apple Cider Margartias

serves 1, is easily multiples

1 ounce Grand Marnier

1 ounce gold tequila

5-6 ounces sweet apple cider

orange segments and apple slices

cinnamon + cane sugar + coarse sugar for glass rimming

cinnamon sticks for garnish

Add a few spoonfuls of cane sugar, coarse sugar and cinnamon to a plate. Run an orange segment around the edge of the glass, then press into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the rim. Add a few orange slices in the bottom of the glass, fill with ice, then add the Grand Marnier, tequila and apple cider and stir to mix. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!

Just Because...

CakE BaTteR PaNcaKeS!!

I’m fairly convinced that the world would be a better place if more sprinkles were involved.

Cake Batter Pancakes

makes about 12 pancakes

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup yellow cake mix

1 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-2 cups milk (I used vanilla almond milk)

assorted sprinkles

Combine flour, cake mix, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl and mix. Add 1 cup of milk, egg and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. You want the batter to look like regular pancake batter; not too thin, not too thick. This will vary greatly on the brand of cake mix you use. Start with 1 cup of milk and add more if needed. I suggest a small taste test as well to see if the pancakes are flavored enough.

Preheat a skillet on medium heat (I use an electric grilled and turn it to 250 degrees). Fold desired amount of sprinkles into batter. Pour batter in 1/4 cup measurements onto skillet and let cook until bubbles form on top, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for 1 minute more. Serve with vanilla glaze.

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

assorted sprinkles

Mix milk, extract and powdered sugar until glaze forms. You may need to add a little more sugar or water/milk to reach desired consistency. Mix into glaze and drizzle on pancakes.

This is what I will be making Saturday morning... Can't Wait!

happy monday!

daydreaming about where to go next... amsterdam, morocco, italy, egypt... or maybe a quick trip to virginia, boston, charleston...the possibilities are endless. maybe i'll find a lobster to bring :)

finally friday...

I am spending the weekend apple and pumpkin picking in Westchester County with my favorite little girl, Victoria.... and I can't wait! I'm looking forward to hayrides, corn mazes, mountains and sunsets.

Fall has arrived... Harmattan

happy hour thursday...

Vodka is essential to a well-stocked home bar (at least I think so!) This vodka cocktail is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Blackberry Crush Vodka Cocktail

Ingredients

4 blackberries

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon Simple Syrup

1 1/4 ounces vodka

Seltzer

Ice

Mint sprig

Directions

In a glass, combine blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup; lightly crush berries to release their juice. Add ice and vodka; top with seltzer. Stir to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig.

newly obsessed...

with these AWESOME missoni ballet flats!

happy monday!

a sneak peak into my weekend...

tribeca naked art...

best way to spend a sunday morning... roxie laying at my feet while i work...

saturday night dinner i cooked for my parents...

happy halloween cake pops!

where i ended my saturday night... tribeca grand hotel.

finally friday...

and i'm outtie... have a fabulous weekend!

I die.... Ladurée in NYC!

Everyone that knows me, knows that every time I am in Paris (or even the Paris airport!), this is my number one, go to spot for Macarons and the most delicious hot chocolate ever. Last January, in the pouring rain, I even dragged my friend because he "just had to try it!" My very first experience with Laduree was in London 6 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since.

Everyone—especially New Yorkers—has been clamoring for the death of the cupcake. Let those pastel-colored, frosting-slathered, sprinkled-adorned, oh-so-cute sugar bombs be over! Can we puh-leeze move on?? And it would appear, with Ladurée’s arrival on Madison Avenue, New Yorkers may finally get their wish: the macaron could soon trump the cupcake as the sweet du jour.

The maiden New York outpost is a more modest affair than the ones in Paris. There are 15 macaron flavors—including the only-in-America cinnamon raisin, seasonal options (strawberry-mint, green apple) and perennial favorites (lemon, cassis)—along with a small selection of chocolates; financiers and madeleines; plus packaged jams and teas. And although they don’t sell viennoiseries or gateaux individuels, you can bring home a candle, journal, tote bag or other branded accessory to prove you’ve broached the famed patisserie’s doors.

Lucky for me, I was able to enjoy these tasty treats on my flight home from Spain (where I was excited for my layover in Paris, for this very reason!)

Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue, (646) 558-3157. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6. Macarons in 15 flavors are $2.70 each.

happy hour thursday....

If your favorite drink is a Bloody Mary... you will LOVE this!

Tomato Michelada
Makes one cocktail

3 oz tomato or clamato juice
4-5 drops Tabasco sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
juice of one lime
kosher salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
3 ice cubes
1 bottle Mexican beer (like Corona or another light beer)

Rub a slice of lime around rim of glass, then dip in a dish of kosher salt to coat rim.

In a separate glass or cocktail shaker, mix together tomato juice, lime juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pinch of salt (to taste - I used low-sodium tomato juice so I added a bit more), red pepper flakes and ice. Pour into prepared salt-rimmed glass. Top up with beer and garnish with a slice of lime.

Bedroom Retreat

finally friday...

Leaving for Las Vegas...

Looking forward to watching the sun rise over this beautiful city with two of my fabulous ladies... (and maybe a few gents! ;)) 

xoxo, lovelies!

in the words of Mr. Big - "It took me a really long time to get here, but I'm here..."

Sex and the City

happy hour thursday....

With shorter days and longer nights, autumn provides ample opportunity for an after-dinner drink by the fire.

Smashing Pumpkin, and Bourbon Cider are cocktails that highlights apple, nutmeg, and pumpkin, and will help you welcome the cooler weather. Pair these drinks with barbecue pork ribs or mac and cheese for a true comfort food (and drink) experience.

 

 

"Smashing Pumpkin"

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

1 oz. pumpkin puree

3 segments of tangerine with peel

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

1/2 oz. brown sugar simple syrup

nutmeg for garnish

 

 

Directions:

First, make brown sugar simple syrup by mixing two parts brown sugar with one part water. Bring to a boil and then let cool down before mixing into drink. Once the sugar has cooled, muddle it with the tangerine pieces in a glass. Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake and pour into glass. Garnish with nutmeg.

 

"Bourbon Cider"

Ingredients:

1 tsp to 1 tbsp sugar

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

4 1/2 oz. dry hard cider

maraschino cherry and orange slice, for garnish

 

 

Directions:

In a champagne glass, stir together the sugar and the bitters until the sugar dissolves. Add Maker's Mark bourbon. Top with cold cider. Garnish with a cherry and slice of orange.

Created by lead bartender Robert Leavey from The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

Hello Baby!

Welcome Baby Alexis Gipp!

Congrats to my wonderful brother George and his beautiful wife Christina!

ps. she has the face of my god daughter, vicky, already :)

Northern Italy and Switzerland

I can not wait to go again.... 3 months.

newly obsessed...

With these gorgeous earring...

Kendra Scott

happy monday!