What I'm Digging This Week

Happy Friday friends! Though it's a rainy miserable one today, I can't help but be skipping along since it's almost the weekend. Last night I went to the eye doctor to get my eyes dilated. Has anyone gotten this done before? I have to say (I know I'm kind of a baby about these kinds of things), but it was pretty miserable. Everything was super blurry and all the lights looked like fireworks. Good thing I didn't drive there or I wouldn't have made it home. So I ended up laying around without cooking or blogging last night. So instead of yummy recipes or restaurant roundups, today I'm bringing you a few things that I'm digging this week!

My favorite on-the-go breakfast. I started drinking smoothies a couple of months ago and absolutely love them in the morning. In my usual mix is almond milk, a piece of fruit (usually a pear or banana), a few scoops of canned pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract and if I work out in the morning, some vanilla protein powder. Oh and just last week I turned my smoothie into a green monster by adding a handful of baby spinach! Yum!

Parenthood. I finally caught up on like 5 episodes this week and I somehow forgot that this was my favorite show in the Fall. Shaun doesn't watch it so it can be tough to keep up with it, but I'm vowing never to let it spiral out of control again. I must make time each week for this wonderful show!! Anyone else watching?

Deborah Lippmann Dark Side of the Moon. I have my nails painted with this gorgeous color this week and am loving it. Though this brand can be pricey, the quality and color are tops.

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AMC's Best Picture Showcase. Shaun and I are going tomorrow to catch up on our Oscar films! I've wanted to do this every year and never went for it, but this year we are going all out. The day starts at 11:00 with Winter's Bone, followed by Black Swan, Inception, The Social Network and The King's Speech (the latter of which we already saw, so we will probably skip out on that one). On Sunday I'll be watching the Oscars with my mom and am already devising some fun eats for us...any suggestions?

The Hunger Games series. I was very hesitant to try these books out. When my sister Christine told me about the description, I looked at her and said...why would you think I would like that? But as she is usually spot on with all things pop culture, this series has not disappointed! I have loved every moment of it, though if I might, Mockingjay has been leaving a lot to be desired. I'm about 2/3 of the way through it and am hoping for some serious pick up soon!

 

Aruba. It never gets old. I always reach a point in the winter when I approach the end of my tolerance for cold, dreary weather. I'm almost there and dreaming of my favorite family vacation spot, and home of my 2008 wedding.

 

Oh and while we're on the Aruba matter, I could really go for one of these for breakfast today...

 

Followed immediately by a slice of this.

I guess I'll have to settle for rain and the impending weekend instead, with hopes of a cupcake at some point :)

So what do you think? What are you digging this week?

Things I'm Crushing On

Last night I went out for dinner with these lovely ladies (minus the handsome man)...

 My sisters Christine & Kimberly and our friend Danielle...and my cute husband

We went to La Carbonara, one of my favorite NYC restaurants. It's quaint, cozy, serves up delicious Italian food and is fairly inexpensive. I dig it. We followed up dinner with a little trip to Milk Bar in the East Village. I'm sorry to report that I forgot my camera! But I plan to make many more trips in the future so I can give you a proper rundown.

Meanwhile, since it's a snowy Friday and I'm all about comfort, I thought it would be fun to share some things that I'm like totally crushing on this week.

Momofoku cookies

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Though I could have easily devoured anything on the menu at Milk Bar (including cereal milk-flavored soft serve...is that genius or what?), I must have had residual holiday cravings since I went with a single cookie; a cornflake, marshmallow and chocolate chip concoction that was sticky, sweet and just all around wonderful.

Panko breadcrumbs

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I used these in Rocco's buffalo chicken tenders and my life has been forever changed. Crispy chicken in the oven? Sans oil? Yes please.

Boardwalk Empire

The clothing, the set design, the indulgence, Michael Pitt...it's a gorgeous production and a gripping story. Oh and the fact that it's yet another show to come out of New Jersey doesn't hurt either. As for Steve Buscemi? At times, I forgot it was him. Somehow I see an Emmy in his near future. Shaun and I burned through the first season in one weekend and are now on a serious hunt for our next TV-on-DVD obsession...taking recommendations.

Jets/Fantasy Playoffs

Though I'm still bummed about the Giants, I'm excited for round 2 of Fantasy Football and I'm happy that my favorite Jets fan is happy. Jets party to commence tomorrow night at 6pm for the 8pm game.

Arnold Cinnamon Raisin Sandwich Thins

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I forgot to snap a photo, but had to share anyway. They're cinnamony-raisiny goodness for 100 calories. Plus, when toasted they make the office kitchen smell like heaven and suddenly everyone wants to be my friend.

Tea, especially when served in my Anthropologie R mug

It's yummy and  pretty. 'Nuff said.

Anjou Pears

I received some in a Harry & David holiday gift basket at work and have been eating 1 per day ever since. They are juicy, sweet and delicious! A nice change up from my usual apple.

My Built Lunchbag

Shaun got it for me for Christmas and I have used it everyday since, even if only to cart a banana and Babybel cheese to work.

More snow

It's happening in NYC right now! Good thing I got my rubber boots on!

So there you have it...all the things I'm loving right now. What are you crushing on this week? What are your weekend plans?

August Favorites

Another month gone by and this one signals the end of summer, though you wouldn't know it by the heat wave on the east coast this week. While I can't believe how the summer has flown, it's been a particularly fantastic one and I'm excited to round up my favorite eats over the last bunch of weeks.

Lipton Cold Brew Iced Tea
A refreshing way to hydrate. Though I love me some carbonation, fresh iced tea with a slice of lemon is just the ticket to enjoying a warm afternoon on the terrace. Oh and extra love goes out to my Cuisinart coffee pot, which dutifully multitasks as an iced tea pitcher until further notice. Gotta love a space and money saving item like that!

Using whatcha got
Like my skillet chicken parmesean or my daily at-home iced coffee, I’m all for using up ingredients that are already in my own personal pantry rather then shelling out for unnecessary goods. While I love a good sushi or pizza delivery, I also see the value in saving some coin on a random Thursday evening by finding inspiration in my own cupboard. Though I could actually feel my mom cringe when I made my skillet chicken parmesean, I was able to concoct a bona fide delicious dinner without breaking the bank or slaving over the stove - and getting in some quality blogging, TV, and terrace time to boot.

Otto's Truffled Honey and Brandied Cherries
Oh, mama, I could eat just about anything drenched in these two accoutrements. The ultimate complement to any cheese platter, Otto's truffled honey and brandied cherries are out of this world amazingly delicious. In fact, I once proclaimed that they'd top my Best Thing I Ever Ate list, and I'm sticking to that proclamation. I enjoyed these during girls night with my mom and sisters and just can't get them out of my head.

Yellowstone National Park

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my wonderful August vacation to Yellowstone National Park. Sampling local eats in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Gardiner, Montana added an extra bit of excitement to an adventurous and awe-inspiring sight filled vacation. From microbrews to bison burgers, the food, or scenery for that matter, didn't disappoint.

La Carbonara
One of my go-to restaurants and one that has not yet made it into a Restaurant Roundup. A tiny yet charming Italian restaurant on 14th and 7th, La Carbonara serves up fresh Italian dishes. I like it so much in fact that I tried to replicate their orrechiette with sausage, cherry tomatoes and broccoli rabe in my own apartment kitchen, but with a few alterations.

So there you have it. My monthly roundup of delectable eats, all of which were enjoyed this past month. But what I really want to know is, what did you enjoy over the last month? Did you test your skills in a new recipe? Or stumble upon a fun restaurant?