Wise Words

“If you have to cry, go outside.” – Kelly Cutrone, whose show starts Monday night at 10pm on Bravo!

 

A Nice Little Getaway in Alphabet City

Just when I thought there were no more surprise spaces left in New York, this adorable little place called Elsa was sprung on me. Deep down in Alphabet City is a tiny little bar room with enough charm to fill the entire place, with an unpretentious hipster crowd, if such a thing exists- yummy drinks, and lots and lots of candles.

It fronts as a tailoring shop by day (yeah, yeah, we’ve seen this before) and a bar by night, but it was nice to be in a Milk & Honey type place without being at, well, Milk & Honey. Think of it as the East Village version of Little Branch – just you, him, and the cocktails, at half the price, half the hassle, and twice the loveliness.

Elsa is located at 217 E Third St in the East Village.

Sweet & Salty

 

 

Trust me, sounds odd but they’re the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

 

 

 

Potato Chip Cookies

1 pound of butter (4 sticks), softened

1 cup sugar

3 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups potato chips, coarsely crushed (use cheap chips)

2/3 cups confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar.  Slowly blend in flour and vanilla.  Gently fold into potato chips.  Drop dough by well-rounded taspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Wet a fork to prevent sticking and flatten cookies gently. Bake 15-20 minutes until just barely browned.  Cool and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.  Makes 4-5 dozen.

-Georgia On My Mind Cookbook

 

Perfect Bed.

For a day like today. I’m supposed to be in Nashville, but after 12 hours, several trains, and getting stuck in the Philly airport, I’m back in my bed…I suggest you stay there, too, to stay warm!

The Secret Closet

via design*sponge

Breaking New: February is Pancake Month

I don't know how I didn't know this, but February is Pancake Month at Clinton St Baking Co, only the best place EVER to get pancakes. They're like putting buttery, yummy, giant fluffy cupcakes in your mouth. I prefer them with no syrup. There was a time in my life when I'd eat brunch or lunch at my friend's house almost every Saturday and Sunday just because they were a block and a half away and ready in 15 minutes...important because normally there is a solid 2 hour wait to get into the tiny establishment. No worries now, since in February the pancakes will be served Monday thru Friday from 8am-4pm and 6-11pm.

Pancakes for dinner!!

If you want to get fancy, try the specialty pancakes below. I prefer them plain....but those poached pear ones do sound amazing.

Feb 1st, 2nd, 3rd: chocolate & blood orange pancakes w/candied orange glaze

Feb 4th, 5th: poached pears with vanilla bean whipped cream & warm maple butter

Feb 8th, 9th: fresh coconut pancakes with passion fruit syrup and bananas

Feb 10th, 11th: roasted apples with candied walnuts and warm maple caramel

Feb 12th, 15th: chocolate chunks, fresh raspberries, and raspberry-caramel sauce

Feb 16th, 17th: brown sugar pecans, bananas and cinnamon maple butter

Feb 18th, 19th, 22th: classic chocolate chunk

Feb 23th, 24th: fresh blackberries, pecan streusel, warm maple butter

Feb 25th, 26th: crunchy bananas with cinnamon-chili-chocolate sauce

Big sticky syrup kiss xo

Two First Looks: Village Tart & Choptank

 

I usually pay incredible attention to my surroundings, so I was surprised this one snuck up on me like it did. Village Tart, now open, is located next to the now-defunct Civetta,  just a ways down from La Esquina and Cafe Select. Kenmare has been quite a hot spot as of late, and Village Tart will no doubt bring the chic set down to this corner of the block.

From Pinchet Ong and the guys behind Permanent Brunch  comes a sweet and savory menu full of mouth-watering tarts, cookies, and bars. (Click here to see full menu). The full cafe and bar won’t be open until Feb 1, but for now I’ll get my kicks on the Debbie Harrys (blondies, get it?!) that are nut-less – so, so hard to find anywhere. It was brown sugary deliciousness and on the small side, but it packed all the flavor I needed into one little slice.

 

images via Thrillist

I also took away a slice of the Nutella tort, which was light, softly chocolately, and covered in some sort of white goo that I still can’t figure out. It’ s going to be an expensive habit, but gourmet tarts are worth it, right?

 

Second up is Choptank, new to Bleecker street where the old Q Bar was. The fare is Chesapeake Bay inspired, heavy on the seafood and clean on the interiors, including a fully heated back porch that I can only speculate will be incredible in the summertime.

images via Urban Daddy

My reason for going to Choptank in the pouring, torrential rain? The fried chicken. I saw a preview menu with Fried Chicken with Black Pepper Honey and my craving for it became so instant that nothing else would satisfy it.

fried chicken image via always hungry ny

My friend and I started with the Virginia Ham plate – succulent, thinly shaved bits of salty ham served with butter, biscuits, and honey. Unreal. Up next was the main event, which completely lived up to its expectations. Not so stellar was the shrimp po’ boy my friend ordered, but it didn’t matter because there was enough fried chicken to go around. Dessert (of course) was banana bread pudding with caramel ice cream – just thinking about it again makes my mouth water.  Two very sticky thumbs up!

2 Things From the Kaiser on My Must-Have List

Gun shoes and designer footballs. Just saying.

What To Get Your Gal on V-Day

Personally, I think Valentine’s Day is pointless, and not just because I don’t have a serious boyfriend to take me out and pull out all the stops. I always think that gift giving should be done randomly and when you see something that is truly special for the recipient, but to help out all you guys who will no doubt leave it until the last minute, here are a few things that your gal might go for.

 

    

1. Macaroons, J. Chanceux by Vivian Lay, 203 Mott St, $6 for 6* 2. Plaid bralet and ruffled bloomers,  Steven Alan, 103 Franklin St or  229 Elizabeth St, $68 and $38* 3. Crazysexycool brass heart necklace, In God We Trust, 265 Lafayette St or 153 Ludlow St, $40 (other styles available, customizable with two weeks notice)* 4. I love you more than….hand cut cards by Storey Shop on Etsy, $12.50 for this particular style* 5. Custom love letter (up to 25 words max), Lineacarta on Etsy, $8

Wise Words

“Paris isn’t for changing planes, it’s for changing outlooks, for throwing open the windows and letting in la vie en rose.” – Sabrina Fairchild

Genius Strikes Again

McQueen ad campaign 2010. Like everyone else’s, Raquel’s laying down, but covered in snakes.

Some more of the supine spring 2010 ads:

 

Lara Stone for Vuitton

Daphne Guiness for Akris

Derek Lam

Gucci

Georgia Jagger for Versace

 

Zac Posen for Target

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, here they are. Get excited – April is soon and something to look forward to! My favorite looks, all under $80.

 

Cintra Wilson on the Super-Exclusive Lily et Cie

 

Stephani Diani for The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/fashion/14CRITIC.html

Interesting article on one of Hollywood’s ritziest and most exclusive vintage shops.

Guys, You’re Breaking My Heart!

I conducted a very loose poll with a very unscientific method to get some results about what guys think about fashion. And the results, while not surprising, were funny, educational, and a good jumping off point for some style tips playing right into guys’ favorites.

#5 HIPPIE HEADBANDS

This I understand. Sort of. It’s a weird, very hipster New York wannabe gypsy look, worn almost exclusively by those that have never worn patchouli. A more guy-friendly option for head adornments? Just a regular headband. My guys weren’t opposed to it at all. It’s chic, sophisticated, and a little innocent.

Mischa, hippie style Blair looking lovely

My favorite Blair headband, if you were wondering:

#4 DESIGNER BAGS

I see a Chanel bag and I think “must have classic,” “worth the investment",” and “drop dead gorgeous.” Guys look at it and see 10 Nintendo Wiis, 2 Playstations, and 1 deluxe Guitar Hero. Something you both can get into is a cross-body bag – it’s chic, comfortable, and gives off a laid back attitude. Best time if ever there was one to break out your high school Prada nylon messenger bag. Hey, you’re recycling!

Please, especially don’t put a dog in this.

#3 PETER PAN COLLARS

Ok, most guys who took the poll confessed that they had to look this up. Peter pan collars are meant to evoke a school-girlish charm and add femininity to a blouse. Small children still wear these, sometimes with bows and ribbons. Not buying it? Try just a crisp popped collar on a button-down. Sexy, not school-age.

#2 HIGH WAISTED JEANS

I have a feeling that most guys’ minds immediately flashed to poor Jessica Simpson in those highly unflattering jeans, the kind that have a tendency to make you look like you’re carrying a small child even if you are not. Fix this, but do it on the sly. Wear those high-waisted jeans for the reason you love them – to make you look longer and leaner! But don’t tuck things into the jeans – let them out over. No one will have to know they’re high-waisted.

Poor thing Penelope gets it right

#1 RUFFLES

This was a shocker to me – really, guys? And then I realized that our references for ruffles are very different. I see ruffles as the modern version, soft and sexy and oozing femininity. I’ve been informed, however, that the mental image that comes to mind is one of Scarlett O’Hara or Queen Elizabeth II. I know ruffles can get out of control, but girls, I say just go with it and give yourself this one. Their lacking vocabulary isn’t our fault. As I’ve been informed, “You say Ruffles, I think potato chips.”

No. Unless you’re going to Old South.

Welcome to the modern ruffle, guys.

Lulu*s, Cynthia Steffe SS2010, Proenza Schouler SS2010, Lulus, Central Park West for Piperlime, Rebecca Taylor SS2010

Remember, always wear what you’re comfortable in first and don’t worry about guy hot/girl hot stuff. Strut your style! And if you are wondering what ranked #1 on most guys lists, it was either a tight dress (blah), or a tank top, tight jeans, and high heels. Try these:

Kain tank, Revolve Clothing, $79

Notify Jeans, The Outnet, $67.50

Dior platform sandal, Neiman Marcus, $337