The Color-Blocked Coat

For me, this year has been all about coats. I invested in my first luxury coat and finally got my much dreamed about trench coat. This season I think there has been an emphasis on glamming your outer layer up and differentiating yourself from the black puffy masses. There have been tons of different winter coat styles this season but the one that caught my eye was the Color-Blocked Coat. This jacket stands out from the rest, yet is muted enough for the class, office, or errands.

J.Crew makes a nicely tailored color-block coat in two shades: red for the more adventurous and a neutral made up of greys and camel. J.Crew Colorblock Funnelneck Coat

For something even more unique, try the color-blocked trench coat. This jacket from Nordstrom is great because it comes in three different color combinations,  but my personal favorite is the Burgendy/Black. And you just can't beat the price. Nordstrom Faux Leather & Wool Blend Trench Coat

For something even more youthful, try Jaeger's Multicolor Italian Wool Colour Block Coat. The pops of red against the neutral colors brighten up the coat and really makes you stand out.

My Holiday NYC To Do List

During the holiday time there's nowhere more magical than NYC. I love all the twinkling lights and the festive atmosphere. Just walking around the city makes you feel like a kid during the holidays again. Here's my Top 5 NYC holiday activities:

1. Check out the elaborate holiday window displays at Saks 5th Avenue, Barney's, Bergdorf's, and Bloomingdales while doing your holiday shopping

2. Go ice skating and check out the tree in Rockefeller Center

3. Go see The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center. I don't care how old you are, this show is timeless.

4.  Take in some of the city's finest hot chocolate! Some good spots include: Max Brenner's, Dylan's Candy Bar, Jacques Torres Chocolate, and for something a bit more frosty: Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate 

5. Check out the plethora of holiday markets that pop up in NYC at this time of year. They are always filled with artisanal crafts and goods that make unique gifts for anyone on your holiday list! 

Holiday Cake Batter Truffles

These Cake Batter Truffles are the perfect little treat to impress your friends with at your next holiday party! They were a bit on the sweeter side when I first made them so I cut back on the sugar in the recipe. If super sweet isn't your thing, try dipping the truffles in dark chocolate to even out the flavor. If sweets are your thing then white chocolate all the way!

You'll Need:
1 cup of white cake mix
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon holiday colored sprinkles and more for decoration
Milk, Dark, or White chocolate chips for melting
Wax paper

How to:
In a bowl mix together the cake mix, flour, and sugar. Stir in the melted butter, vanilla extract, milk, and sprinkles. Mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape. Roll the dough into balls and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

While the cake batter balls are in the fridge, melt down your chocolate in a double boiler or on 15 second increments in the microwave. When the cake balls are chilled, dip them into the melted chocolate and lay them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Top your dipped truffle while the chocolate is still wet with more sprinkles. When finished, return the truffles back to the fridge for the chocolate to firm and serve!

Holiday Nails

With nail art being the new beauty trend and the holidays near, here is a fun way to combine the two! The end result is a fun manicure that can add sparkle to any holiday ensemble whether it be Christmas, Hanukah, or New Years!

You'll Need:
One solid, regular nail polish of your choosing
One glitter, more translucent nail polish
Paper plate
Make up sponge

Helpful Hints:
If your going for a Hanukah-themed manicure, try using dark navy as the base and a silver glitter polish
For a Christmas-themed mani, I suggest a cherry red base with gold sparkles
For New Years, keep it fun with metallic nails, such as gold nails with silver sparkles

How to:

Paint your nails as usual, using your solid nail polish as your base. I suggest doing 2 coats. Wait until your nails are basically dry. This is very important! If they're still wet, you risk smudging the base polish. Pour some of your glitter nail polish onto a paper plate to use as your palette for your make up sponge. Next, dip your make up sponge in the glitter nail polish and lightly dab along the top of your nails. I suggest dabbing along the top 1/2 or 1/3 of your nail. Make sure your dabs get lighter as you put glitter further down your nail. The glitter should be fullest at the top of your nail, lightest in the middle. Let the glitter polish dry for a minute or two before applying a top coat.

For some fun mistle-toes this season, try this technique on your next pedicure! Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Spiced White Chocolate Chip Scones

I'll be honest, I have never tried a scone until attempting this recipe. I have always viewed them as an overly fancy tea-time snack that would be complicated to make. On the contrary, the recipe is extremely simple and not as surprisingly, they go fabulously with a hot cup of tea!

It was a rainy day and I just wanted a way to warm up my apartment with the smell of fall.

You'll need:
2 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsn baking powder
1 tbsn ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp all spice
1/2 cup  (8 tablespoons) cold butter
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Recipe makes 12 scones

How to:
Combine all the dry ingredients and mix together. Add the butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly. I put my butter in the microwave for 30 seconds to make mixing easier. Add the wet ingredients and stir throuroughly. Add your white chocolate chips and mix them throughout the batter. Line a baking sheet with parchment or if you don't have parchment, just use an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle a bit of flower on the parchment or pan. Divide the dough in half to make two 5''-5 1/2'' circles that should be about 3/4'' thick.

Use a knife to slice each circle into 6 wedges and carefully separate the wedges so there is about 1/2'' space in between. For a better texture and rise to your scones, place them (uncovered) in the freezer for 30 minutes. While the scones are chilling, preheat the over to 425 F.

Bake the scones for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. The white chocolate drizzle on top adds a nice touch and is simple to do. Melt some white chocolate chips in the microwave for about 45 seconds (make sure to stir halfway through to prevent burning), or until the chips are fully melted. Drizzle the scones with the white chocolate with the help of a spoon. Let them cool and enjoy with a cup of tea!

White Wine Sangira

With the last of summer weather quickly slipping away I wanted to dedicate one more post to my favorite summer beverage: white wine sangria. This is the perfect drink for lounging outside by the pool or trying to start your morning tailgating on game days.

You'll need:
A bottle of white wine (I recommend chardonnay or sauvignon blanc)
Fresca
Orange Juice
Cut up fruit (I like apples, nectarines, and oranges)


How to:
Cut up the fruit into bite sized pieces and soak them in the wine overnight. This will let the fruit absorb some of the alcohol. When preparing the sangria for serving, add the fresca and a splash of OJ. Depending on how sweet you like your sangria, play with the ratios of fresca to OJ. I prefer my sangria on the sweeter side so I use more fresca than orange juice. If you're looking to make the sangria even stronger, add in a few shots of fruit flavored rum. I recommend Bacardi Dragonberry for a fruity mixed drink.

Cheers to the end of summer!

DIY Jewelry Board

In preparation for moving back to Ann Arbor I've been thinking up new interior design ideas for my new apartment. With my growing jewelry collection I've been running out of space in my current jewelry holder so I decided to make my own jewelry hanger that wouldn't only be useful, but decorative! The finished product ends up looking like a piece of art and can be color coordinated to your room.

You'll need:

Cork board
Spray paint (I used white but you can use any color of your choice)
Sharpies (I alternated between black and metallic silver)
Ruler

How to:
I made my chevron print with the aid of a ruler, cause what makes a chevron print successful is straight lines. After making your print, outline the lines with your black sharpie so they will show through the spray print. After your lines are outlined, spray paint your corkboard. Let it dry fully. Once dried, trace over your sharpie lines to make them more apparent. Once your cork board is fully designed, add your thumbtacks in a straight line with the help of a ruler. When done, hang your necklaces, rings, bracelets and enjoy!

The Smorgasburg

 

Recently I've been on the prowl for new and exciting things to do around New York City. Summer in the city is an exciting time with tons of free concerts, art exhibits, and street fairs. So  this weekend my boyfriend and I decided to check out The Smorgasburg.

The Smorgasburg is a weekly food market held in Brooklyn every Saturday and Sunday in the summer.An easy subway ride down took us straight to Dumbo, right on the water. The food market is right by a beautiful park with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River. It's a beautiful place to grab a bite and walk/bike around enjoying the views.

The market offers a large variety of food ranging from homemade sodas to lobster rolls to gourmet grilled cheeses. (I personally recommend the three cheese grilled cheese with apple chutney and the truffle popcorn!)

For any food lovers or anyone just looking for something different and fun to do in New York, check out the Smorgasburg!

The Taste-Tester : Chobani Restaurant

I've decided to add a new section to my blog titled "The Taste-Tester" where I'll post about any special eats and treats I've discovered and where to find these delicious creations.

I first heard about the Chobani restaurant from a few friends of mine and was so surprised and excited to hear there was a restaurant centered around Chobani yogurt and fresh ingredients. I was fortunate to discover that this haven for yogurt and health lovers alike was a short walk away from my office in the heart of SoHo.

Chobani's yogurt bar is an inviting atmosphere with original yogurt bowl flavors such as pistachio and dark chocolate or peanut butter and jelly. I tried the Blueberry Power which is a mixture of Chobani plain yogurt, fresh blueberries, walnuts, chia seeds, and agave nectar. It was delicous and the perfect light lunch. Also the yogurt is served in a Chobani-labeled glass bowl which makes for a nice souvenir after your meal. If yogurt and fresh ingredients are your thing, I highly recommend it!

The Chobani restaurant is located on 150 Prince St, New York, NY

Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt

I am a sucker for cookie dough. It is impossible for me to resist licking a spoon (or three) while baking cookies. Honestly, I prefer cookie dough to the finished product. This is why I love my cookie dough greek yogurt. It tastes like dessert but is actually a healthy meal for only 200 calories!

You'll need:
1 container of fat free greek yogurt
1 teaspoon of reduced fat peanut butter
1 packet of sweetner (I prefer truvia)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips

Mix all your ingredients together and enjoy a great tasting "dessert" that won't leave you feeling guility.

Low-Carb Zucchini Lasagna

So after my previous experimentation with Spaghetti Squash (see my Spaghetti Squash recipe here) I was ready to try another attempt at replacing pasta with vegetables. For me, the combination of carbs, tomato sauce, and cheese can do no wrong. There's something comforting and home-y about the beloved combination. Lasagna fits this category perfectly but it is a dish I usually stay away from due to its high calorie content. Therefore when my friends and I decided to cook our annual "Pinterest Dinner" I jumped at the chance to make zucchini lasagna.

This zucchini lasagna is completely pasta-free. The trick is to subsititue your pasta sheets with thinly sliced layers of zucchini. This lasanga is also vegetarian, but feel free to add ground beef or turkey if you prefer.

Ingredients:
1 jar of tomato sauce
3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
15 oz fat free ricotta
16 oz low fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmegiano Reggiano
1 large egg
1 cup of broccoli
2 cups of spinach

How to:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Using a mandelin, thinly slice your zucchini so that they look like wide, thin noodles. Mix together your cheese, egg, brocoli, and spinach. In a 9x12 pirex dish layer your sheets of zucchini, tomato sauce, and cheese mixture until the pirex is filled.

 

 

Once fully layered, cook the lasagna covered for 30 minutes, then contine to cook it uncovered for about 15 more minutes. The result should be a delicious, healthy lasagna that can satisfy even the worst cravings for comfort food! 



Italian Style Spaghetti Squash

I have been meaning to try spaghetti squash for a while now. The new health craze caught my attention because I am a huge pasta lover and any way to make a healthier "pasta" dish has my attention. Sadly I don't think I will be able to replace my favored angel hair with spaghetti squash in the future. True the strands do look like spaghetti but overall the dish tasted like grated vegetables. I would be inclined to make it as a side dish in the future, for I found the taste to be rather repetitive as a main course.

Spaghetti squash is a great dish to make as a main meal or a side dish if your looking to lose weight. 40 calories a cup compared to the 200 calories in a cup of pasta is hard to beat. Try it and form your own opinion, for you have nothing to lose (but your waistline!)




Ingrediants:
1 (1 1/2 lb) squaghetti squash
olive oil
1/4 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
tomato sauce
capers (optional)
freshly grated parmesean cheese

How To:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut your spaghetti squash in half lenghtwise. Remove the seeds. Cook the squash on a baking sheet until soft, approvimately 1 hour. Let the squash cool slightly and srape out the inside of the squash with a fork to remove the spaghetti-like strands.

In a pan saute the onion and garlic with the olive oil until lightly browned. Add the spaghetti squash and throughouly mix so the squash absorbs the flavor. Then add your favored tomato sauce and capers. Mix the "pasta" thoughouly. Add fresh parmesean cheese for flavor. Buon appetito!

Split, Croatia

Croatia until recently remained a mystery to me. I had no idea what to expect from the now popular tourist destination. Croatia seemed to be an exotic concept, and I had little background knowledge. This past week has been an excellent education on the country of Croatia and a very relaxing break from all the stress of finals and packing up my apartment in Rome. 

Aly and I decided to brave Croatia on our own. We began our journey with a train to Ancona (a city on the other side of Italy) to an overnight ferry which took us directly to Split. The journey was a lot easier than we were anticipating and the night on the boat was made even more enjoyable from our champagne, chocolate, and Batman Begins film (we try to travel in style). 

Once we arrived in Split we headed straight for the beach. Split's beach was a surprise for us. The water is extremely shallow and only reaches your calf for the first hundred feet before gradually getting deeper. It was a crowded and lively beach filled with locals enjoying the day with their families. After our beach day we met up with friends for our first Croatian meal of fresh seafood along the harbor. (I may have developed a slight addiction to Croatian seabass). 

Croatia is lively at night with performances and street vendors making the evening festivities an entertaining affair.

The next day was even nicer weather and we celebrated by stopping by the local daily market for goods for a beach picnic. The farmers market is an excellent place for buying fresh bread, produce, cheeses, and all sorts of artisanal food products. We stocked up on some homemade bread, fresh strawberries, pears, and cheese. 

The third day was by far my favorite. We decided to do a boat tour of the islands of Croatia. We cruised for an hour before getting to the first island. The pebble beach wasn't the most comfortable for lying out but the views were stunning!

After a few hours of sunbathing we headed back on the boat for some lunch and our next stop. Our next island was a very different experience because we needed to dock the boat and swim there. Most of us jumped off the boat into the sea and swam. It was a crazy and unforgettable experience and one I probably won't repeat anytime soon, but I am glad I did it!

After a few more hours in the sun we headed back to Split for dinner and a night out. 

Over the next few days Aly and I explored the city of Split from the ruins to the harbor. Split is a small town but beautiful and worth seeing. 

Amalfi Coast: Capri, Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii

The Amalfi Coast has always been one of my dream travel destinations. It has been raved about from avid travelers as being one of the perfect getaway spots. The south of Italy is beautiful and composed of various islands all offering unique attractions. My friends and I planned this trip from day one and it was to be our last trip in Europe as the four of us. Therefore this experience was bittersweet, but one of the most memorable trips I will have.

We started out on the beautiful island of Capri. On our first day we headed to the port and boarded a private boat and set sail for the Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is one of Capri's biggest tourist attractions and luckily the tide was low enough for us to enter on rowboats. I have never seen water so blue and pure before. The water glowed an iridescent blue from the light of the sun at the entrance of the Grotto. 

After a boat tour seeing the sights around the coast of Capri, we docked and hiked up the island. We spent the rest of the day walking around town. After our (all uphill) hike, we stopped for lemon granitas, a slushy drink common in Capri. It was delicious and extremely refreshing! Capri is known for their lemons. They even grow super lemons about the size of a kickball, so when in Capri, try the granita's, limoncellos, and lemon flavored candies that the south of Italy is known for. 

The giant lemons

Another item that Capri is known for: SHOES. All throughout Amalfi, you'll find small sandle shops with handmade leather shoes. The nice difference between sandal shops here in Italy and back home is that they fit the sandals directly to you're feet and allow you to customize your sandal however you'd like. Our tour guide took us to a famous sandal shop in Capri where Jackie O used to get her sandals made. The selection was enormous and many of us left with a new pair of sandals in tow.

The shoemaker

My new snakeskin leather loafers

After some lunch and shopping we decided to check out the scenery in the best way possible: via chairlift to Mt. Solaro. The ride was so peaceful and was a gorgeous way to see the mountain and views. We ended the day with dinner in town and the night out at the beer garden.

The next day we went to Sorrento to the beautiful pebble beach. It was sunny and hot, a perfect day for the beach. We spent the day sun bathing, walking around town, and those of us who were brave enough went cliff jumping. The water was the clearest I have ever seen. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to! 

Our final day we journeyed to Pompeii to see the ruins from Mount Vesuvius. I was amazed by how much of the city was still intact. We took a guided tour which I highly recommend. And of course we had to try the Naples-style pizza!!