{happy friday} cheers to the weekend!

I don't care how many things there are to do in NYC on the weekends in the summer.  When it is 90 degrees +, I head to the Shore with friends, take the top off the Jeep and lay myself right on the beach. I am also debating selling my love, my jeep, my Bob, at the end of the summer so I need to spend as much quality cruisin' time with him as possible [wipe tears off of face].

Anyways, you know where to find me if you need me.  You can take the girl out of Jersey....

photo: Robin West

{good eats} bacon on wheels

Good news/bad news.  The good news is, there is a food truck thats sole purpose of living is to feed it's customers amazing bacon products.  The bad news is that it seems to only be in New Jersey.  Since this weekend's weather was not true beach weather, we did what any person in their right mind would do over a holiday and over-indulged at Food Truck Wars at Monmouth Park, NJ.  

The first truck that caught my attention [and nose] was the Bacon on Wheels truck.  To be honest, I didn't have to look at the menu to know this would be the line I would be standing on and luckily, their menu didn't disappoint.  I didn't go for the bacon on a stick [silly, silly girl], but I did go for the waffle and bacon sandwich, layered with thick-cut crispy bacon, a maple cream cheese sauce, powdered sugar and maple syrup for dipping sauce.  Do I really need to say anything else?

I wonder if anyone has ever been a food truck groupie and followed a truck around before?

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{good eats} Dominique Ansel Bakery Cronut

"F. OFF!"

These were the words that came out of my mouth when I gently placed the first sliver of the Cronut in my mouth.  Directed to the Cronut itself.  That insane, flaky pastry with a delicate cream in the center, dusted with sugar and topped with a rose glaze.  Hashtag drool.

Let me back up.  A new madness has taken over Manhattan and the man responsible goes by the name of Dominique Ansel.  He's an evil genius that as of last week, introduced his croissant-donut hybrid to the world and no one has been safe since.  

When I first heard of this last week, I decided to go to the bakery around 9:15am, only to be told that they sold out shortly after their 8am opening.  How is this possible!?  So, as any crazed baked good addict does, I did my research and figured out my next strat.  Tuesday morning I had to run an errand before work and guess what, I had to walk by the bakery at 7:45am to head to work.  6 people in line? I can handle that!

I am not kidding - in the 15 minutes that I waited for the doors to open, at least 100 people were lined up behind me.  NO JOKE.  (I think it's safe to say that New Yorkers have had their fill on the much overdone and overrated cupcake craze).  My plan was only to get the one, but since I'm a generous person, I got 3 to share with some of my favorite faces at work.  When the first interaction at work leaves you weak in the knees, it's always a good day... 

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} SriPraPhai

I am going to be honest, I am not in love my neighborhood.  I have been here for over a year and a half and no matter how positive I try to be, it's inconvenience is starting to wear on me.  MINUS my neighborhood joint that is not only 2 short blocks away from my door, but one of the best Thai restaurants in New York City.  This isn't just good Thai... this is real, authentic, flavorful Thai.  

Every time someone comes to visit me I insist on a trip here, and the first thing I order is always the Ground Catfish.  While it looks a little strange and the texture takes some time to get used to as it slightly dissolves in your mouth, it's insanely good.  The seasoning and spices on their own are worth a trip on the 7 train.

Photos: Robin West

{taking a pause}

Call it a bit of mental Spring cleaning, but I've been having a few realizations over the last few weeks/months.  There is a plethora of negative energy out in the world + I for one just don't have time for it anymore.  I have been making a conscious effort to surround myself with people + situations that are genuine + drama free and the difference that it has made in my life in this short period has allowed me to be the healthiest + happiest I've been in a long time.  No bullshit.  Cleansing the negative energy + toxicity out, and making a conscious effort to keep it out, is seriously life changing.  

I don't know about you, but I have far better things to do + experience this summer than anything that is less than extraordinary.

photo: Robin West

{nice package} YAY for cake!

The words "yay" + "cake" are a natural pairing, so it's pretty genius to be able to slice a cake + have the words right there on your own plate.  It almost seems simple enough to work...

Photos + recipe

{style} psychedelic prints

Rhyme and Echo dress, Guess leopard belt (old), Zara studded flats, Stella & Dot bangles. More style posts here

{style} mod leather + military

Is it just me or did Spring take an exceptionally long time to get here this year?  Walking around the city this past week has been truly incredible... it's like everyone has woken up, are refreshed + just a little lighter on their feet.  To be honest, my favorite part of this specific season is to sit back + watch men as they rediscover the shape of a woman's figure that has been in hibernation for a good 6 months, which tends to lead to walking into parked cars, street signs, or each other.

Zara military jacket, Topshop faux leather dress, J.Crew Etta snakesin pumps, Abro handbag, Kate Spade sunnies, vintage necklace.  More style posts here

Thanks to Kelci + Jess for the photos!

{in my kitchen} fennel + smoked salmon

I took a long weekend + went down to Florida for some quality time with my grandparents this past week.  While the time I spent with them is irreplaceable, I am happy to leave their daily buffet diet behind.

I had some smoked salmon in the fridge that I wanted to use + remembered a Martha Stewart recipe that I came across that I have been wanting to try, and in 5 minutes I was able to tiredly whip up a fennel + lemon zest salad to top it.  It was just what a needed - cool, flavorful + extremely fresh.  This will definitely be repeated weekly in the summer months coming up.

Fennel and Smoked Salmon via Martha Stewart

1 fennel bulb thinly sliced 

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 4 teaspoons lemon juice

Salt & pepper

4 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon

1 tbsp evoo

• Slice fennel bulb with a mandolin
• Mix fennel, lemon zest and lemon juice in a bowl.  Season with salt and pepper
• Lay salmon on a plate, dress with fennel mixture and drizzle with oil

EAT! 

photos: Robin West