NYC's sexiest subway routes

I have to be honest. There are a lot of ways to describe a ride on NYC's subways, but "sexy" is NOT the first one that comes to mind. Refinery 29's recent slideshow disagrees.

Check our their street style snaps from "NYC's Sexiest Subway Routes."

In short, if you're single and trolling you should really focus on taking the 6 , the L and the N/R trains.

Who knew?

(images courtesy refinery 29)

midi skirt

On an unseasonably warm day last week, a coworker of mine rocked it in an adorable A-line coral midi skirt.

While she looked lovely, I'm not sure it's a length that would look good on everybody.

What's the verdict? Would you guys wear a midi skirt?

I'm tempted to try it out with the Roseblossom print skirt above. Buy it here.

(original image courtesy madewell)

currently cooking: chicken tortilla soup

After a crazy few weeks, the hubs and I decided to take it a bit easy this weekend. We decided to stay in on Saturday and cook up something really tasty...like chicken tortilla soup!

The recipe (via Vogue) we used was meatless and called for a ton of fresh veggies. The chicken flavor comes from chicken broth.

Over wine and some solid tunes, we chopped (and chopped and chopped) the ingredients-bell pepper, onion, garlic and last, but not least, the jalapeno.

I had no idea that jalapeno juice could actually burn your skin. You can imagine the unfortunate scene that occurred after I absentmindedly touched my nose while admiring my mad knife skills. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty.

After everything went into the pot, our place smelled deliciously of cumin, garlic and peppers.
Next, we toasted and cut the whole wheat tortillas and proceeded to feast.

Overall, I give this recipe two thumbs up. It's filling, warm and not heavy-a perfect soup for a mild, blue-skied weekend.

brunching

Just spent the afternoon catching up with my sweet friend R over a brunch at Forty Carrots.

The menu focuses on a healthy approach with the promise of all organic ingredients. Our sandwich and side salad plates were tasty enough though a bit overpriced.

Still, the star of the show at Forty Carrots is the famed frozen yogurt. I kept it classic with the original flavor (although blueberry looked amazing) topped with wildflower honey and strawberries.

A word of warning before you go? The difference between a large and small is night and day. I ambitiously ordered the large and received the bucket of yogurt you see below. Needless to say, we did not finish it!


P.S. Are you guys getting pumped for the Oscars?

(image courtesy romance and revolution)

love ever after

Lauren Fleishman's project Love Ever After kills me. Featuring photographs of New York couples that have been married for over 50 years, the images are intended as a series of "photographic love letters."

The artist was inspired by her own grandparents five decade long love story. She discovered their love's depth thanks to a book of love letters tucked away beside her grandfather's bed.

Feeling misty yet?

(images courtesy lauren fleishman via the senses five)

two boots mardi gras ball

Last night, S and I celebrated Fat Tuesday in style at Two Boots Pizza's annual Mardi Gras Ball.

The event (which benefits the Lower East Side Girls Club) went down at Le Poisson Rouge in the Village and featured some pretty rad acts.

Ladies on stilts dressed in glittering ensembles danced with umbrellas over a lively masked crowd that celebrated to the sounds of Lady Rizo, the Raya Brass Band, the Middle Church Gospel Choir and many more.

Here are a few snaps from the evening. It was a truly awesome way to get a taste of N'awlins in NYC all while raising money for a great cause.

Check out Time Out New York's slideshow of the event here.

P.S. Le Poisson Rouge hosted Yoko Ono's birthday party last weekend and an installation of her wish trees was still in place in the club's main room. You can see a bit of them in the bottom pic.

face stockholm polishes

My oh-so-hip Grandma gifted my sister and I each a trio of Face Stockholm polishes for Christmas. Leave it to Grandma Nora to always be ahead of the game...

I'm always terrified of doing my own nails. It's a rare occurrence that the polish doesn't end up thick, goopy and smudged. In short, my painting jobs often make me feel as if I'm a little kid playing dress up.

I'm happy to report that Face Stockholm's offerings are my answer to nailing home mani and pedis. The polish is light and it dries super fast. I'm also a fan of the brand's palette.

Currently rocking Top Ten (neon pink) on the toes and the more subtle Unclear (beige) on the fingers.

Happy painting!

downton abbey season finale

After a busy week in Texas, I almost forgot that tonight is Downton Abbey's season finale. Are you guys as stoked as I am?

What about poor Bates? Will he be found innocent? Will Mary dump that grumpy geezer and make things right with Matthew? Will Thomas and O'Brien EVER STOP plotting and smoking?

Until this evening answers our burning questions, take a gander at this hilarious bit from SNL. The set-up? A Downton promo if the show were to air on cable channel Spike TV as opposed to PBS. Hilarious stuff, I tell you!

P.S. How hunky is Dan Stevens? Dapper blonde dude with a deep voice...just my style.

(images courtesy velveteen crumbs and tkow)

love is in the air

Happy Valentine's Day, darlings!

In honor of today, my very dashing (yet silly) sweetheart surprised me with the above treat. After all, nothing says "I love you" like a strawberry jelly-filled doughnut...especially when it's heart-shaped.

Here's a lovey dovey song from 2003's imitation rom com Down With Love to keep you in the mood.

san antonio

In exactly 24 hours, S and I will be on our way down to San Antonio for our dear friends' wedding. Since we've never explored the city, we've decided to extend the trip and turn it into a full fledged getaway.

The Alamo, a peek into the missions, the Pearl and plenty o' Tex Mex are all on our agenda.

We've booked a lovely room at Liz Lambert's Havana Hotel on the Riverwalk, and I'm beyond excited to get into some local flavor before we celebrate sweet K's big day.


Bring it on, Texas!

(original images courtesy san antonio visitor's bureau and remodelista)

the paris theater

For as long as we've been in NYC, I've wanted to catch a movie at the famed Paris Theater. Nestled next to the Plaza Hotel with its vintage-inspired sign, the Paris always seemed like such a "New York" sort of place.
Well, after years and years, we finally got around to paying the movie house a visit. We caught a showing of The Artist after work last night. Talk about a match made in Heaven!

Opened in 1948 (actress Marlene Dietrich cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, by the by), the single screen theater definitely transports you to another time. It's cozy lobby features are mod with a dash of art deco.

Walk beyond the ticket booth and you'll find two levels. We settled in the balcony and got cozy with our popcorn.

The theater's single screen is obscured by a thick velvet curtain and jazz standards play until the show begins. In short, it was a bizarrely different experience from catching the latest Twilight at the multiplex (NOT that I'm knocking that, people)!

The experience was wonderful and the movie was GREAT. Click here for the trailer. It's got my vote for Best Picture.

P. S. I really want to learn to tap dance now.

P.P.S. I also now love the name "Peppy."

fake eyelashes

Have you ever worn fake eyelashes? Something about them intrigues me yet simultaneously creeps me out. Apart from our wedding day (when I had my make-up professionally done), I've never worn "falsies."

Still, the results are pretty convincing so...if you are feeling a dash adventurous check out a video below for pointers on applying the strip version.

And for those of you with mad skill, click here for a tutorial on applying individual lashes.

MAC Cosmetics has a nice variety (pictured above) priced for around $15.

(image courtesy luux)

photographic pillows

Clinton Friedman's photographic pillows (available here) are the coolest. I'm particularly hearting the botanical options.

(images courtesy weylandts; spotted on pennyweight)

monday inspiration

Even if Monday means the weekend has come to an end, there's something quietly exhilarating about the fresh start of a new week (after coffee, of course). Oh, the possibilities!

Here's to shaking off those winter blues, dears.

P.S. How about this encouraging orange notebook (click here to order) to record all of your plotting?


(image courtesy apartment 34)

spring dreaming

Madewell's Colorband Shiftdress has me dreaming of spring. Bare legs and bright colors? Yes, please!

My friends always tease me for my love of dresses, but it's not an attempt to be "fancy" that drives me away from pants. Instead, it's the idea that putting on a dress (especially in warm weather) means your outfit is, for the most part, finished.

On that note, happy weekend, friends!

P.S. I made my first gif! Aren't you proud?

(original images courtesy madewell)

real human being

Finally caught Drive last night. After waiting for months for the movie to become available on Apple TV, we wasted no time in ordering it the moment it did.

This movie is nothing like I expected. It was better.

Of all the things haunting me about this flick (poor Joan!) the morning after, I must say the Goose's mask and the below song by College featuring Electric Youth are in a dead race for first place.

Pun intended.