Holiday Staycation

Sometimes, nothing beats a "staycation", especially on a holiday weekend in New York. Crowds vanish, the city is quiet, and while hard to believe, it's pretty easy to find a same-day dinner reservation.

To take full advantage, I invited my Mom and sister to visit from Minnesota and Vermont, over the 4th of July. We had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of walking, shopping and eating!

Because it rained almost every day in June, the flowers are certainly in full bloom. The photo on the left is from our rooftop, where we had a prime view of the fireworks show. And on the right, gorgeous purple hydrangeas we spotted on a walk through Chelsea. 

It seems that most of my favorite restaurants in the city have 10 tables, or less. Mom and I enjoyed a lovely lunch of Nectarine and Snap Pea Salad with Avocado Toast at Smith & Mills, while we waited for Annie to arrive. 

The High Line is a public park, built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. Despite the extreme heat, we walked up and down the High Line, stopping for lunch at Terroir on the Porch, of course! 

After a very busy afternoon, we were certainly ready for a relaxing dinner. It must have been our lucky day because we were seated at one of dell'anima's coveted outdoor tables. We celebrated and kicked off the evening with a glass of Franciacorta... Cheers!

Our dinner was amazing - And, we shared several courses, as they do in Italy!

Insalate

Roasted Beets with Pistachio, Candied Fennel, Pecorino Romano

Primi

Bucatini Alla Arrabbiata with Calabrian Chilies, Tomoato, Parmesan Breadcrumbs

Tajarin Alla Carbonara with Speck, Egg, Ramps and Pecorino

Secondi

Pollo Al Diavolo with Broccoli Rabe and Chilies

Contorni

Roasted Cauliflower with Capers and Lemons

And for dessert, we surprised Annie with a homemade Coconut Cake - She turns 25 at the end of July. Nothing wrong with celebrating "Birthday Month", right!

Thanks for such a fun few days, Mom and Annie! 

Happy Canada Day

About a week ago, tremendous flooding hit Calgary and the surrounding area. Damage done to homes, businesses and the city's infrastructure is extensive, and many people are still evacuated or without power. While everyone we know is safe and sound, my thoughts and prayers go out to all Calgarians! 

In light of these recent circumstances, and as a way to pay tribute to Canada Day, I thought I'd share what I love most about the Stampede City. Happy Canada Day to my family and friends up north! 

1. Situated in the heart of Banff National Park, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited! 

2. The white cowboy hat symbolizes the spirit of Calgary. Upon arrival at the airport, you will surely be welcomed by volunteers wearing the recognizable cap. 

3. For an authentic, lively, dining experience downtown, Mercato is highly recommended. The Bistecca alla Florentina is amazing (and made with Alberta beef, of course).  

4. While known for the coffee, I prefer the Timbits (bite-size donut holes in every flavor).

5. For true relaxation, the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs can't be beat. The pulsating waterfalls and mineral pools are simply rejuvenating. 

6. Watching the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome is SO much fun. I've certainly become a true hockey fan! 

7. During the Calgary Stampede, cowboy boots are a must. The best can be found at Alberta Boot.

8. Pure Canadian Maple Syrup on pancakes is a given... Delish! 

9. During the winter months (which is a significant portion of the year), skiing at Sunshine Village shouldn't be missed. The views from the mountain peaks are breathtaking!

A New Fitness Challenge

About a month ago, as I mindlessly climbed on the elliptical machine, I realized that I had fallen into a fitness rut! Who else has been there? 

As I gave more thought to my lack of motivation... The reason was simple. I've basically had the same gym membership and workout routine, since I graduated from college. My 45 minute, semi-hard workouts certainly had their benefits... But, I've definitely reached a plateau and my muscles have become used to the same repetitive exercies. Hence, I'm not improving my strengh, endurance or flexibility. Ah, yikes... No wonder I'm in need of a change! So, here we go... It's time to shake things up a little bit. 

Over the next few weeks, you'll find me exercising beyond my comfort zone; fully embracing the new world of gym classes NYC has to offer. And don't you worry, each class will be followed by a review, with commentary from not just me, but also my sister-in-law. We're in this together!

Our first class will be tonight at boutique boxing studio, AEROSPACE NYC!

Former middleweight boxing champ Michael Olajide Jr. and ballet dancer Leila Fazel (who also created Ian Schrager’s Agua spas), opened this sleek, industrial-looking fitness center in the meatpacking district in 2005. The studio offers a handful of total-body workout classes, all of which use a variation of techniques that stem from boxing, including the signature Aerobox class, the upper-body-focused Aerosculpt, and Aero3, which, like the rest of the classes offered here, is set to loud dance music and uses only free weights and jump ropes for equipment, focusing on footwork sequences that require not only endurance but quite a bit of coordination. Aerobarre, taught by Fazel, incorporates ballet moves like sautés (jumps) and is designed to give lean, dancerlike results. (NY Magazine).

*Image via AEROSPACE NYC

A Neat & Tidy New Year

While I don't usually make formal resolutions for the New Year, I do believe that January is a time of new beginnings and starting fresh. With the Mr. traveling on business, there was no better time to sweep, scrub and Swiffer our apartment this past weekend. So, today, I'm revealing a few of my favorite ways to achieve a clutter-free home for 2013.

1. European Sponge Cloths - So much better than paper towels... Extremely absorbent and reusable.
2. Smarty Dish - One capsule = Clean, shiny dishes, every time.
3. Wine Glass Cleaner Brush - The rounded shape eliminates all red wine spots and stains.
4. Pretty Dish Soap Bottles - Pour dish soap into pretty bottles to display on your counter.
5. Acrylic Cosmetic Organizer - Arrange cosmetics neatly in an acrylic organizer.
6. method All Purpose Cleaner - Great for any surface and the scent is nice too.
7. Casabella Water Stop Gloves - Always wear glove to prevent dry skin.
8. 1-Litre Shampoo & Conditioner with Pump - Stock up, and use a pump to release the exact amount.
9. Miele Olympus S2121 Canister Vacuum - The BEST vacuum - Perfect for hardwood floors!
10. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - White walls demand a Magic Eraser. I use mine once per week!
11. Elephant Bank - Have a place to save loose change... It adds up.
12. Vase of Fresh Eucalyptus - A fresh, hoom scent in the winter is invigorating!

Come On In... Take A Seat

New York City is an interesting place when it comes to living situations. Real estate is at a premium and square footage is, for the most part, non-existent.

When I moved here five years ago, I was fortunate to be able to live on my own. But, with that said, my studio was the size of a shoebox, fully equipped with a mini-fridge. It's very sad how similar that sounds to dorm-life!

(You would stop laughing, if I told you how much I was paying for rent).

So, when the Mr. and I finally found our "we're adults now" apartment in Tribeca, I have to be honest, I jumped for joy with excitement! And, I think screamed a little bit inside, too!

We absolutely love the space and I'm having a wonderful time browsing all the furniture and home decor boutiques, in search of the perfect accents for our home. Our approach to design is modern and minimalistic, with a touch of warmth. This style fits perfectly with the condo's aesthetics, which makes our building even more fitting.

As very few of our own things arrived with us as we moved (an International relocation is much more complicated than you would think), I've been trying to put together the apartment "room by room". Let's just say it's a work in progress.

I'm not the most decisive person when it comes to fashion and interiors because I like to see all my options. And, in a massive city like New York, you can imagine this takes a little time. I'd rather wait to find something I love, than purchase something quickly and only like it.

Today, I'm going to reveal the progress of the lounging area in the living room. We're so lucky to have high ceilings and an entire wall of windows. There's just something about natural light that feels so refreshing and airy.  To compliment this loft-like area, we chose a simple, grey sofa that was streamline, yet comfortable enough for the occasional weekend movie marathon. Bright, geometric accent pillows are always a great addition to any comfy couch. I found ours at Dwell Studio's new flagship shop in SoHo. 

{Dwell Studio, New Chevron Ash Pillow, Dwell Studio, Labyrinth Persimmon Pillow}

When it came time to decide on a coffee table, the more delicate and invisible the shape, the better. Room & Board had some wonderful options. Ultimately, we decided on the Portica Cocktail Table. I absolutely love it. 

{Room & Board Portica Cocktail Table, Room & Board, Wool Cable Rug, DVF, Gold Leaf Square Coasters}

Sometimes, modern silhouettes tend to lack a feeling of warmth. To counter that, we purchased a gorgeous braided wool rug that is situated under both the sofa and the coffee table. It feels like a cozy sweater on your toes. And, it also disrupts the industrial feel of hardwood floors, granite countertops and glass windows. 

Granted, we're still in need of artwork, pictures and decorative accents, but I'm extremely happy with our lounging area (work in progress). And, truth be told, it's functional, yet stylish!

{Crate and Barrel, Cameron Queen Sleeper Sofa, Aerin Brushed Nickel Floor Lamp}

Father's Day Cards

(All Dads, Father-In-Laws and Grandpas should stop reading this post, now).

Why is it that almost every Father's Day card consists of the following: a picture of a golf ball illustrated in primary colors that reads #1 Dad?

As I stood in front of my selection today at the store, I realized what I was seeing just wasn't going to cut it. Back to the small, letterpress boutiques, I go. These are much better choices for today's modern Dad!

Happy (early) Father's Day! 

{Letterpress Anchor Father's Day Card from Paper Source}

{Father's Day Stripes Letterpress Card from smock}

{Classic Dad Gifts Card from Rifle Paper Co.}

{Letterpress Dear Dad Father's Day Card from Paper Source}

{Tweed Father's Day Card from Rifle Paper Co.}

Mother & Daughter Moments

I very much think this is true: the farther apart you live, the more, extra special, get-togethers become.

Ever since I was in college, my Mom and I have planned "Mother/Daughter Weekends". They're always something to look forward to, and usually involve going out to lunch, window shopping and later enjoying a glass of wine at a quaint restaurant. This weekend was no different! Especially because the Mr. and I are now living in a different part of the city: Tribeca. There were lots of new places to explore.

My mom arrived on Friday afternoon, and leisurely strolled around SoHo, until I finished my workday at the MAC office on Prince Street. It was a gorgeous summer evening and we decided it was the perfect time for a cocktail. We headed back downtown to one of the best restaurants in the city (according to Jeff and me): Locanda Verde.

To start, we ordered a crostini of Fava Beans, Mint and Pecorrino on Prosciutto Bread. Then, shared the restaurant's famous Papperdelle with Lamb Bolognese and Mint. Followed by, the Grilled Branzino with Cannolini Beans and Salsa Rosa. There was absolutely no room for dessert, after such a fabulous meal!



Saturday morning breakfast has always been one of our favorite things, so we woke up early to sip one of the best cups of coffee found in New York, HERE. It's even a Swedish cafe (yay).

The rest of the day was spent walking around the city, exploring Tribeca, the West Village and SoHo. We browsed every boutique, from flower shops to bike stores. My favorites were Angelica and Adeline Adeline, also mentioned HERE.

If you didn't already know, but probably assumed, my Mom is also a foodie (a very good thing)! So, as you can imagine, we made our way along Bleeker Street, but were not surprised to discover that the line for Magnolia Bakery cupcakes extended around the block. We were crunched for time, a little bit, so didn't end up waiting. Which also meant, no vanilla buttercream frosting for us (sad).

Our long walk continued to the world famous, Murray's Cheese shop. After about 30 minutes of contemplating what to buy, we decided on the Cave Aged Gruyere and the Finocchiona (Italian Salami with Fennel). So, so good!

 

No weekend in NYC is complete without a brunch reservation. We had planned to meet one of my best friends, and bridesmaid from our wedding, for a leisurely meal at Marc Forgione in Tribeca.

My mom and I arrived at the restaurant a little early. We were able to sit at a perfect table outside and enjoy the sun, a good meal and great company, for a few hours.

The menu was divine... We ordered wine and the most gourmet Eggs Benny, I've ever had (see below). I will be recommending this neighborhood gem to everyone I know!

My mom flew back to Minnesota Sunday night, after our non-stop weekend of being "on-the-go". It was such a wonderful time, we're already planning the next trip!

Garden in the City

April showers bring May flowers... True, even for urban apartment dwellers!

My sister-in-law and I spent Saturday afternoon 'gardening away' in hopes of turning their urban rooftop into a more zen-like space. The area receives direct sunlight all day... Perfect conditions for many flowers and most vegetables and herbs. 

As we had a lot of ground ('rooftop') to cover, we divided our tasks accordingly. I focused on the vegetables and herbs, and Trish handled all the flowers. 

The vegetables were planted in a large bed of organic soil and peat moss, mixed with Miracle Grow fertilizer. 

Twine divided the bed into 12 inch sections, to ensure proper spacing for growth. We decided to use seeds for the vegetables: Radishes, Green Beans, Green Peas and Butter Lettuce. Since tomatoes grow quite large, those were placed in their own large pot.

For the herbs, we purchased seedlings. I can't wait to have an abundance of fresh basil on-hand for all my summer-time recipes! 

What I love most about Trish's rooftop garden is her use of vertical greenery and flowers to cover the, otherwise boring, cement walls. These vines are very young, but just imagine what they will look like mid-summer!

Happy Gardening!

BIG CITY, small world

Moving is always extremely overwhelming… No matter how well you organize, and pack, and then unpack. It almost seems never-ending.

But, good news, I’m happy to announce, it’s almost complete! A few of our key furniture pieces will be delivered tomorrow morning (which is wonderful, since we’ve only had a mattress for a week) and our downtown space will start to feel a little more like home. More styling and décor tips to come!

…

One thing has always surprised me about New York: How can it be so big, yet seem so small?

This thought has entered my mind a few times now, since we’ve arrived and it’s only been one week. I guess, in a city filled with 8 million people, you learn to appreciate the little things that truly make a place your own.

Last Saturday, we were invited over to our brother and sister-in-law’s apartment for dinner. It was a gorgeous night, so we lit the BBQ and enjoyed some good wine and fun company on the rooftop. After several hours, the street noise started to quiet down, but yet, the dull roar of our conversations continued. Sometimes, the city can be the most memorable when you feel like you’re the only ones in it.

Another instance... Monday was our first night in our new apartment in Tribeca. As mentioned above, we had a slight hiccup with deliveries over the weekend, so the only piece to arrive was the mattress. I wanted to check my email and watch a little TV after work, so I situated myself in a nice chair in the lounge of our building (because our cable and Internet have yet to be connected). In the lounge, who do I see? A sorority sister from college watching the hockey games with her husband. Such a welcoming surprise and a very, very small world! We're so looking forward to spending time with our friendly neighbors soon!

*Image via Lion is the New Black

A New Venture:: MAC Cosmetics

I've got some big news for all of you on this lovely Tuesday... I got the job!

Next week, I will be starting a new chapter in my career at MAC Cosmetics in New York, working as Global Marketing Manager - Color Collections and Collaborations in their head office in SoHo.

My responsibilities will be focused on Global Marketing, Product Development and Brand Management for all the color cosmetic collaborations within the company. I'm so looking forward to the opportunity and couldn't be more excited about such a dynamic brand!

The past few weeks have been a little busy, as you can imagine, so I haven't been keeping my blogging schedule as "daily", as I usually do. Give me one more week and I'll be back on track!

The Mr. and I are currently packing all our things for the big move into our new apartment downtown. He'll continue to commute between Calgary and the city for work... So delicious cooking posts will be focused on weekends :) More on that later... And, keep an eye out for an upcoming feature "How to Decorate Small Spaces" in NYC.

Have a great day!

Signs of Spring

Tulips in the City

Aside from the very near April showers, this is my second favorite (behind fall) time of year. And, I don't want to speak too soon, but I really think Spring is here to stay!

Bright colors and budding flowers. Green grass and fresh veggies. Lovely sunny weather. These are some wonderful, sweet signs of Spring.

Fresh Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Coffee and the Paper in the Park

Brown Farm Eggs

A Pretty Bicycle for the Greenmarket

Weekend Notes

Hello, Monday. It's hard to get back to reality after spending a few days last week in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. It was our first time there and we will definitely be going back during the summer!

We stayed right by the water in a quaint, new hotel called Forty 1 Degrees.

Many of the hotels in the area are small and family owned. The service was wonderful and the space was very modern and cozy. The view from the room looked out on the water... Simply stunning!

The rooms were open and airy, complete with a fireplace and modern amenities.

This Grill was a great spot to sip a glass of wine and look out at the gorgeous view.

I loved all the flags and pennants: most situated on hotels and historic buildings. All in all, what a charming beach town!

Rifle Paper Co.

Even though this winter has been unseasonably warm, I'm really in the mood for Spring! So, for a little pop of color, I like to turn to Rifle Paper Co., one of my absolute favorite stationary lines.

These bright items are certainly on my Springtime wish list:

1. New York City Print, $40. I love maps and shots of city skylines. This whimsical illustration would be a great addition to any apartment.

2. Botanical Coaster Set, $18. Over the holidays, I used my Kate Spade New York Gold Confetti Coasters. They're always a hit at any gathering. These would be a colorful update for Springtime brunch.

3. Heirloom Recipe Card Box, $135. Organizing my recipes is a top priority for Spring cleaning this year. This beautiful box will be a pretty addition to our kitchen. And, the recipe cards are adorable!

4. Vintage Telephone Notepad, $8. I always carry a notepad to jot down thoughts and ideas when I'm on the go. You just can't get any cuter than this one.

Honeymoon:: Ravello, Italy

I hope all of you had a love-filled Valentine's Day! My husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at home, complete with champagne and chocolate dessert. He surprised me with beautiful long-stem roses and a gorgeous Ippolita necklace, which I can't wait to wear! We also spent the evening looking through the latest compilation of our wedding pictures. Our photographer put together a keepsake photo journal filled with our favorite shots... It's such a great way to relive the most wonderful day of our lives!

While I have shared some of our wedding photographs on Ella Modern, I realized haven't posted any pictures from our AMAZING honeymoon! We spent more than two weeks relaxing in London, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. The trip was unbelievable and unforgettable!

So, over the next month, I'll share our favorite highlights from the trip. If any of you are considering an Amalfi Coast vacation, be sure to send me a note for a full list of recommendations. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Ravello, the Amalfi Coast's most peaceful and charming town, has an air of sophistication, glamour, elegance. The town is situated high in the cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast and the Bay of Salerno.

We stayed at the luxurious Palazzo Sasso, a five-star hotel converted from a 12th-century palazzo. The views from almost every point on the property were mesmerizing! Here, we savored a true taste of Italian cuisine, as the hotel is home to a two-Michelin star rated restaurant, one of the best in the Amalfi Coast.

We were lucky to be in Ravello during the annual music festival. The renowned Ravello Concert Society was hosting a performance in an outdoor, castle-like setting, just a few minutes from the Palazzo Sasso. We decided to have a quick cocktail and antipasto before our night out.

Ravello is situated high, high up in the cliffs. Sitting by the pool, in the manicured garden, was the most relaxing way to spend the morning.

And, if the afternoon, we would venture to our private beach club down on the water. Trust me when I say, it was extremely hard to leave!

Beautiful gardens, lush greenery and family-owned vineyards fill Ravello's landscape. The colors of the flowers against the cliffs and pastel buildings were simply stunning. I found myself in awe as I explored the quaint town.

We enjoyed one last lunch on the patio before having to leave this magical place... Ciao, Ravello!