jack white's blunderbuss

My Spotify has been repeatedly playing Jack White's new solo album Blunderbuss for the past few days. I really dig it.

Some tracks sounds like White Stripes Jack. Others sound more reminiscent of the reworked throwback songs he re-imagines with the likes of Loretta Lynn and Wanda Jackson.

Current favorite tracks are "Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy,"  "Missing Pieces" and "Trash Tongue Talker."

(images via stereogum and consequence of sound)

it's that time again...

Happy Friday, dears! Let's get this weekend started.

I wouldn't mind kicking it off with one of these delicious lavender mojitos. Don't they look awesome?

 

Click here for Sugar and Charm's original recipe. Wouldn't these be nice at a Mother's Day brunch? Especially if your mom has been known to appreciate a good mojito or two...

Cheers to a sweet weekend!

(mojito images via sugar and charm)

taxi driver

How cool is this? Apparently De Niro was actually a licensed cab driver in real life...with a fancy hairstyle to boot!

Recently watched Taxi Driver again for the first time in years. It was the hubs's first viewing. All I can say is wow, Bob (De Niro), wow.

amy sia

Textile print designer Amy Sia's creations are right up my alley. Bold and girly...soft and bright. Aren't they something?

I spotted these this week on Design Crush whose post noted that Amy's work is for sale via the site Society 6. Each of her designs can be made into a print, canvas or...iPhone case?!

LOVE these.

 Especially this one!

Purchase your own here.

(images via design crush and society 6)

the wren

 S and I recently met up with our pal R for dinner and drinks.

We started the evening out with a fun dinner at Blue Smoke in Gramercy before walking our dinners off on a stroll down to the East Village where R turned us on to a new favorite watering hole, The Wren.

Situated on the same stretch as Peels and The Bowery Hotel, this trendy spot has an English/Irish pub vibe and a solid menu of gastropub fare (think Weck jars of pickled beet and smoked trout paté, fish and chips, roasted cauliflower soup, heritage pork sausage sandwiches, etc.)

The cocktail menu is tasty and full of concoctions featuring favorite flavors like Tito's vodka, St. Germaine liquer laced with classic mixologist standbys like pink peppercorns and orange bitters.

Here's a shot of my tasty drink, The 7th. Naturally, this cocktail and latter glasses of rosé came in vintage inspired glassware.

Most of the obvious offerings of The Wren bring to mind the bespoke-inspired haunts in Brooklyn, but this place had a different vibe. The crowd was fun, the candlelight cozy and the cost reasonable.

I personally appreciated that the joint was playing The Cure and smelled faintly like Murphy's Oil Soap-a personal favorite scent : )
(original images via societe perrier, citysearch and ye trusty iphone)

peach lipstick

I love this peach lipstick. It's such a fun way to get on board with the whole bold lipstick trend without making a screaming statement.

I must admit, I've purchased a few bright shades, but always feel like wearing them on a regular Monday morning can be a bit much. What can I say? I've always been a gloss girl...

This peach shade is somewhere in the middle and oh-so-sweet. It feels light and springy and just bold enough to be interesting but not overwhelming.

Would you rock it?

Pick up this shade here.

(image via daily makeover)

viral video

Just read on Gawker that Gotye's international smash "Somebody That I Used to Know" is the #1 song in America. Wait, what?

I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but how cool is that? America picks Gotye over Beiber, Minaj, etc. Way to be cool, America!

 This wacky video went viral (170 million views and counting...) and unlike other web-driven acts (hello, "Video Games"), Gotye's song is actually resonating success on the charts. He also appeared on SNL last weekend.

Check out the Digital Short where Andy Sandberg and Taran Killam spoof on the video above. Gotye's looks way better without the face paint, right?

currently cooking: grilled flank steak with tomato salad

Something about the summery temps (90 degrees can not be considered spring I'm afraid...) of late had us craving something fresh and grilled for dinner.

We rarely prepare or even eat beef, but found the sound of this recipe too yummy to deny.

First, we picked up a lovely flank steak and the vegetable ingredients for the tomato salad. The salad recipe suggests a variety of fresh herbs that can be used to add another level of flavor to the tomato mixture. We went with oregano!

After chopping and mixing up the tomato, onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and oregano, we popped the salad into the refrigerator to chill. Next, we marinated the steak while we dashed over to the gym.

After about an hour, the flavors of tomato salad had set nicely. We grilled up the steak and then let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing up and serving. One note? I'd cook the steak for a little less time than the recipe suggests to make sure this cut of meat stays super tender.

Verdict? A great warm weather meal that was both fresh and delicious.

 

(original top two images via skinnytaste)

pants that POP

I have a fear of pants. It's true. I wear dresses and skirts almost every day. Why? Pants are hard.

Trying them on can be a drag. Then there's the whole problem of then deciding on what to wear on top. Please. I'll take a dress any day. Wham. Bam. Ready!

Sadly, years of this approach to shopping has left me with a closet filled to the brim with dresses, but containing only two wearable pairs of pants. Unacceptable.

This renewed commitment to shaking it up led me to purchase these pink pants from Zara a few weeks back, and the adorable ensemble above has left me lusting after that popping polka dot style. Also, how cute is the model's mismatched look?

Buy them here.

(images via j.crew)

it's monday, but...

After a wonderful, sunny weekend, here we are back to the grind. Maybe I should order the banner above from Etsy to hang in my office. It's a nice message to keep in mind.

Daydreaming about the awesomeness of the last  few days also helps. On that note, here are a few happy snaps from the weekend.

New shoes on Friday before...

dinner on the LES with O and C.

 Central Park was popping on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Trees in bloom!

 

Brunch with friends (and their adorable new addition) in Tribeca...

where S ordered weiner schnitzel!

 Next, came a ferry ride across the East River

to Greenpoint 

for a splash of rosé, a dinner party and a killer game of Win, Lose or Draw.

(top image via what anna loves)

"and everybody here would know what i was talking about..."

Happy Friday, dears!

Is there anything better than good weather and the promise of a whole wide weekend to enjoy it?

Heading out on a double date night with some pals in town from the ATL. Museums, brunches and as much time spent outside as possible are also on tap.

Here's a tune to get you jazzed.

Now, get outside and drink in this weather (and maybe something else too...) ASAP!

nerd boyfriend

Have you guys seen the website Nerd Boyfriend?

Roxana Altamirano matches classic male looks (from Jagger to Colombo) with her own current shopping guide for recreating their styles. A truly genius idea!

Here are a few of my fave looks. I must say that Roxana has excellent taste in men/man clothes.

 Hanks working a striped tie.

Jack does jeans.

 Mick has an apple. Moves like Jagger.

Well, hello David Byrne.

Bean.

Nautical John Lennon

Robert Smith of The Cure goes for it in a sweater vest.

And, always and forever, Jake Ryan.

(images via nerd boyfriend)

colorful cords

How nifty are these vintage lamps? Their cords have all been replaced with the colorful options you see above.

Available in EarthSeaWarrior's Etsy shop.

(images via b is for bonni/earth sea warrior)

Stone Barns

Aren't these snaps of Stone Barns lovely?

Spring had begun to turn everything green when S and I stopped by this weekend. We met up with some friends in town from London at the Blue Hill Cafe for coffee and sandwiches before wandering (hiking?) the farm's grounds.

In addition to the Cafe, Stone Barns is also home to Blue Hill Restaurant which is supposed to be quite the culinary experience. Stone Barns also provides all the ingredients used at Blue Hill Restaurant in the Village (a fave of the Obamas).

This four season farm focuses on creating healthy and sustainable food systems. All the food served and sold comes directly from the farm. We even caught sight of the famed Chef Barber picking veggies to cook for that evening's menu at Blue Hill.

If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend stopping by. It's only about half an hour outside of NYC.

P.S. We saw the biggest pigs. Ever. Click here to see an example.