Explore New York : Chelsea Market

When the hubs and I set out to walk The High Line, our end goal was Chelsea Market, conveniently located right along the line between 15th and 16th streets in the Meatpacking District. A former coworker in California, who had recently visited New York, encouraged me to check out the bustling indoor marketplace filled with shops, eateries, grocers and more. My friend said I'd love it, and she was right.

Having just walked about 25 blocks, our first stop was for refreshment. At a wine bar, naturally. G and I cozied up at a table inside Corkbuzz Wine Studio and promptly ordered two glasses of wine (rosé for me) and some simple but tasty apps: a baguette with absolutely divine herbed goat milk butter and a bowl of castelvetrano olives. Satiated, we went out to explore the market.

We strolled through Spices and Tease, astounded by the massive selection of spice blends, herbs and teas and enchanted by all their beautiful colors. A true foodie's paradise, it really gets your culinary creative juices flowing thinking of all the ways you can use and cook with the various salts and spices.

Next up was a spin around The Lobster Place, a wholesale/retail fish market that, in addition to live lobsters from Maine, is stocked with all kinds of fresh fish and seafood chilling on ice. If only we lived in NYC, this would be our go-to fishmonger. (Probably wouldn't make any friends on the subway or bus if we tried to bring the fresh catch home!)

Luckily, we could take home some goodies from The Filling Station. This small shop is just a joy to visit. You walk in and you're surrounded by dozens of metal casks filled with specialty oils and vinegars in unique flavors, with little cups ready and waiting for your sampling pleasure. Same goes for a variety of exotic salts. After taking in the inventory and tasting to our hearts' (and tongues'!) content, we selected a bottle of tangy-and-sweet grapefruit white balsamic vinegar—perfect for dressing salads—and a jar of beautiful maroon-hued merlot salt. (The hubby loves his merlot!)

Of course we couldn't help but make a quick pit stop at Chelsea Wine Vault. Quick because otherwise we likely would have brought too many bottles home! I left with a cute wine sweater that looks like a football (similar) for G and a bottle of White Girl Rosé for me, simply because it made me laugh.

With the market about to close but feeling like we needed more to eat, we ended our visit the same way it began: with wine and appetizers, this time at what turned out to be a fancy (read: pricey) Italian eatery, Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina. Even though the restaurant looked stunning inside, I opted for us to dine al fresco to see the sparkle of the city lights and the people passing by. 

G and I shared crispy speck and zucchini bruschetta (the freshness of the zucchini did a good job of balancing out of the saltiness of the speck, but I wished the bread wasn't sliced into such a thick slab) and G polished off the prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano fritters, since while they looked golden and delicious they were also extremely cheesy inside (and if you know me, I'm not a big cheese fan).

A return visit to Chelsea Market is definitely a must since, although we passed by it on our way in, we didn't get a chance to circle back before closing time and pop into Artists & Fleas, a space filled with local indie makers selling their unique goods and wares. I'd also love to check out the oyster bar Cull & Pistol, grab a crispy oatmeal chip cookie at the famous Eleni's New York and maybe even a Nutella and banana crepe (my favorite combination) at Bar Suzette. 

One thing is certain: when you visit Chelsea Market, you will never go hungry!

Suit Up + 20% off at Anthro!

I stumbled upon this tankini earlier this week, put it in my online shopping cart and then proceeded to have an internal debate about whether or not to go ahead and take the plunge. (Pun intended.) I love the peplum detail. It's cute, stylish and modest—a hard combo to come by in swimwear but perfect for me since I am not-so-comfortable rockin' a bikini at the moment. (While wedding planning helped me lose a few pounds, marriage has helped me added them all back!) I almost went for the white floral version, but the hubby liked the blue best and it's hard for me to resist bird-printed anything. (Can you see the little hummingbirds? There are fishes, too.)

My internal debate stemmed from the $122 price tag. I was hoping for a coupon code to magically come my way and make the decision of to-purchase-or-not-to-purchase easier and, as luck would have it, today I got my wish! In celebration of Mother's Day, Anthropologie is offering 20% off ALL merchandise (that's pretty unheard of except on Black Friday) with the code XOXO. The discount is only good through the weekend, online and in stores, so if you've been eyeing something like I was, get to shopping! And if you haven't picked up a gift for your mom or other mother figures in your life, Anthro has so many wonderful options to choose from, like this gorgeous candle or this one in her zodiac sign, a pretty pot to add to her garden, an ultra-fem fragrance, a special, whisper-soft robe that will remind her she's beautiful, and a wanderlust-y mug to hold her morning cup of coffee. Find more Mother's Day gift ideas at Anthro here.

I'm tempted to take that 20% off and go on a shopping spree! As my husband can attest, I can easily spend hours in an Anthropologie store, mostly on the home goods side. I want everything. But for now, I'm just hoping I won't hate the swimsuit the moment I put it on. Fingers crossed.

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

Treasure Trove : St. Pete's Brocante Vintage Market

Two weekends ago, shortly after returning from California, the hubs and I decided to break out of our jet lag funk and get back out into the St. Pete sunshine. We stopped by the Saturday Morning Market (where we picked up the produce needed to make this delicious brunch) and then headed over to another, completely different but equally spectacular bustling marketplace: the Brocante Vintage Market.

Visiting Brocante was a must-do item on my winter/spring bucket list and I knew we had to go this month or next or lose our chance forever. (Dramatic, I know, but we're moving to Jersey in June, eeps!) Located on the edge of downtown St. Petersburg and open the first weekend of every month, Brocante is a 15,000-square-foot treasure trove sure to tempt and delight lovers of all things vintage. The large space is filled with fabulous vintage, repurposed and reimagined finds of all kinds, from the weird to the pretty, the useful to the kitsch.

Whether you purchase anything or not, it's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon: Hit up whatever food truck happens to be outside—the sweet corn nuggets from Hott Mess didn't disappoint, and neither did our post-shopping beers at 3 Daughters Brewing, which is right across the street—and then walk through each room of the former piano factory and peruse all the market has to offer. Or, if you're like me, take photos of all the things you love and wish you could take home (if only you had the room!). Much of what caught my eye wasn't all that expensive, but we simply do not have any more cabinet space in the kitchen of our one-bedroom apartment to cater to my undying love for cute glassware and quirky plates. Nor do we have the shelves for more bird figurines or antique bottles. G reminds me of this all the time.

But, luckily, the hubby did allow me to scoop up a sweet little cast iron skillet, in a pretty sage green color, with perfectly imperfect rust spots. A great accent piece for the kitchen, I knew I could put it to use on our counter to corral often-used spices. And it was a deal, I thought, at just 14 bucks.

After the jump, more photos from our trip to Brocante Market, if you'd like to see...

Butterflies

I am obsessed with this embroidered ASOS dress. Ever since I saw it online a couple weeks ago, I have kept the page open on my desktop, unwilling to close the window and dash my own dreams of ever wearing it. I simply do not have the money right now to claim this fabulous flirty frock for my already overstuffed closet, but oh how I wish it had been around last year when I was looking for white dresses to wear to all those bride-related events that a soon-to-be-hitched gal feels obligated to wear white to. I totally would have worn this to my wedding rehearsal, and happily worn it countless times since then. It just feels so fresh, so girly, and just plain fun. It also screams "hello, Spring!", which is my favorite season, and while it may still technically be winter, it doesn't feel like it here in Florida. Plus, I'm a California girl at heart, so I make my dresses work any time of the year. See how I'm trying to convince you (and myself) that I need this sweet little number in my life? Alas, I'll just leave it here for now. It's too pretty not to share.

Weekend Recap : Localtopia 2015

[ A great crowd came out for the second annual Localtopia. ]

On Saturday, G and I ventured to Williams Park in downtown St. Pete to celebrate all things local—to eat, drink, shop and listen to—at the 2nd annual Localtopia. It was a beautiful, 70-degree, blue sky day. The Florida sun was shining and the community was out en masse to support small, independent businesses and local makers of all kinds. The park was packed, and while at times it was a bit difficult to maneuver around all the attendees, plus their strollers and dogs, and the lines for the ATM and (massive!) draft beer truck rivaled Disneyland at times, it was wonderful to see hundreds of people come together under the banner of Keep Saint Petersburg Local. The festival showcased more than 100 vendors, many of which we were first introduced to at this Localicious event last October. After surviving the long lines to get cash, beer and food, the hubby and I had a fantastic time browsing the expansive marketplace—and we even picked up a few goodies along the way! 

Here's a few photos from our afternoon, if you'd like to see...

Winter/Spring Bucket List

Happy Monday, world! After being mostly MIA last week (due to too many open tabs) I'm back and mostly ready for action. This weekend was more low-key than others we've had, but it was nice to just chill at home. Saturday was spent cleaning and organizing, but we did venture out of the house when we got a last-minute invite to hang with friends, make s'mores and drink spiked hot chocolate. Sunday started with an amazing homemade brunch (complete with Bloody Marys!) cooked up by the hubs, and the rest of the day was spent watching football, researching places to eat during my bestie's upcoming bachelorette party, and live tweeting the Golden Globes red carpet fashion (my fave part of awards show season!), for which the hubs again exercised his drink-making prowess by whipping up a martini for me and a margarita for him.

Now that we're almost two weeks into the new year, it got me thinking about how we don't have all that much time left here in St. Pete. I'll be flying back to California (yay!) in mid-February to fulfill my maid of honor duties, G will join me a few weeks later for my bestie's wedding plus another, and we'll be staying a few days after the wedding festivities are over, through my 30th birthday at the end of March. So once we get back to Florida we will just have April and May before it's time to pack up and move north, to Jersey.

With all that in mind, I thought I should compose another bucket list of fun to-dos I hope to accomplish before leaving this (other, east coast) land of perpetual sunshine, where people vacation but we (currently) are lucky to live.

1. Browse the vintage and vintage-inspired treasures at St. Pete's monthly Brocante Market (which my friend Jen of Letters & Pearls just visited) and Rare Hues in Tampa (I learned of the latter this weekend after spying a friend's gorgeous and functional bar cart). We definitely don't have room in our apartment for me to go on a shopping spree, but it is almost just as fun to check out all the pretty, unique goods we are bound to find.

2. Soak up more of Tampa Bay's art and culture scene. Get lost in the surrealist works at The Dali, wander through "Monet to Matisse" and the photographic exhibition "Life's A Beach" at the Museum of Fine Arts and relish more of my favorite medium at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. This was on my fall bucket list, too, but we've only managed to visit the Chihuly Collection.

3. Admire the architecture and the American craft artwork housed inside the Craftsman House. We've strolled by this bungalow several times but I never realized it was public gallery, pottery studio and cafe. As someone who adores the details and character in craftsman style homes, I just thought it was the epitome of my dream house.

4. Shop and dine at St. Pete's new foodie haven, Locale Market, a gourmet, farm-to-table restaurant and curated marketplace brought to the Sundial shopping center by celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Don Pintabona.

5. Explore St. Petersburg's EDGE District. (The next "Third Thursdays in the EDGE" market is happening Jan. 15.) We've been to the main downtown corridor plenty, but we haven't spent much time in the fringe district along Central Avenue, which is filled with unique boutiques, galleries, eateries and bars. I especially want to try Bodega, a highly-rated spot for Cuban food. The Lechon sandwich sounds delish.

6. Attend and support another market celebrating local businesses and handmade goods: Localtopia 2015! The free event happening Feb. 7 will feature tons of indie artists and makers, a craft beer garden and food court, live music and more. The event is hosted by Keep St. Petersburg Local, the same live-local advocacy group that put on the Localicious beer-focused farmer's market we attended in October.

7. Book a staycation at St. Pete's luxury waterfront hotel, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort (to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary, maybe?). At the very least, G and I should grab a tropical drink on the pink hotel's front porch since I've heard it is the best place for people-watching, with the added perk of having a stellar view of the bay.

Now, if the hubby was contributing to this list, he'd add the following: take in a sporting event—hockey preferably, but baseball would work, too. (We did catch a Buccaneers football game already.)

That's it! What's on your bucket list, currently? 

(Top image of a recent sunset over Tampa Bay seen from the Gandy Bridge, 

bottom image taken while strolling the waterfront in downtown St. Pete)

Christmas Wishes of a Creative, Girly, Boho Gal

Just in case you are still on the hunt for the perfect gift for the lady in your life (or, perhaps, yourself), I present my Christmas wish list. I'd be ecstatic to find any of these goodies under the tree, and I'm willing to bet other girly-girls with their heads in the clouds and a bit of a boho streak would be thrilled with Santa's picks, too.

The Photojojo Lens Set to upgrade her iPhone-photo-taking, Instagram-posting game, resulting in professional-quality images that make all that time she spends getting the perfect shot well worth the effort.

A book that feeds her jewelry addiction while also sparking her imagination and desire to create.

Small, lovely spiral-bound journals (left, right) filled with calligraphy-quality paper that promote doodling, daydreaming, list-making and goal-crushing.

Cozy, boho pullover sweaters (left, right) for when she wants to be comfy but still look stylish. 

A textured, jewel-toned frock that is a great base for fall layering, a romantic, crochet-edged faux wrap dress perfect for a winter date night but can also carry into spring, and bib necklaces (pink, black) that can be worn with both.

Chic, streamlined and versatile bags that look luxe (but are a steal) and go with everything in her wardrobe. Top: Convertible Vegan Crossbody in Midnight; Bottom: Slouchy Vegan Tote in Mulberry/Taupe.

Sexy, feminine high-end perfumes that she'll save for nights out with her man and other extra-special occasions. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid, an oriental floral that evokes a warm exotic garden, and Jo Malone Cologne Collection, a set of five most-loved fragrances that can be layered to create a signature scent.

Urban Decay's newest palette, Naked On the Run, since she owns Naked 1, 2 and 3 and, as a true make-up junkie, can't resist adding to her collection, no matter how full the bathroom drawers may be. Plus, this has almost everything she needs for a quick weekend getaway.

A trio of Grace Kreinbrink's peaceful abstract watercolors in shades of purple and pink (Falling Petals, Trickle and Wisteria) because they would be beautiful accent in her mostly-stark master bedroom, plus they perfectly complement her bedding.

A shimmering, foil-pressed print of the Golden State, to remind her of home. 

A lovely and inspiring mug to start her day right—with coffee and encouragement.

What's on your holiday wish list?

(Top image taken and edited by me)

Gift Ideas for Hard-to-Shop-for Men

Sunday is my brother's 28th birthday (Happy birthday, Patrick!) and since he doesn't read this blog (aforementioned shoutout null and void), and his gift is supposed to be delivered today anyway, I thought I'd share what I got the guy:

A Man Crate! 

A what, you ask? Basically, a manly version of a gift basket, without the wicker or ribbons. The wooden crates (or ammo cans, or tactical bags) are packed with snacks, gadgets, gear, and even retro video games, if that's what your guy fancies. The novelty of these gifts really is in the packaging though. The wood crates are tightly sealed and shipped with a crowbar. You can even pay extra for "wrapping," meaning the good folks at Man Crates will completely cover the cardboard box your gift is shipped in with sticky, silver duct tape. You know, just for the hell of it, to make it that much more difficult for the recipient to open. Men like a challenge, yes?

Part of me wishes I had sprung the 10 bucks for the duct tape cocoon, but alas I cheaped out. I'm sure Patrick will still get a kick out of opening his Man Crate with a laser-engraved crowbar. There are tons of crates to choose from: jerky and meat gifts, personalized gifts, hot and spicy gifts, sport and hobby gifts, even, uh, zombie preparedness gifts (a fave of "The Walking Dead" fans, I'm sure). I ended up choosing the Slaughterhouse Crate (pictured at the top of this post), which is filled with six packs of jerky as well as snack foods.

My brother, like most men I imagine, is notoriously difficult to shop for. The fact that his birthday is less than two weeks before Christmas only compounds my gift-giving woes. (Full disclosure: I'm still trying to figure out what to get him for Christmas!) He doesn't love getting clothes, though I have successfully bought him shirts and sweatshirts in the past. He likes video games, but I never know which ones he already has (not to mention I don't like encouraging sitting in front of the TV or computer screen for hours on end), and his other hobbies (computers and shooting/fishing) are a bit out of my price point.

My brother always appreciates beer, though I learned he doesn't want to make it. I got him a home-brewing kit (by Mr. Beer) once and it just sat in the box, unused. For his birthday, I considered sending a beer gift and there are countless options out there, with buckets of beer and fun accessories (some customizable) from BeerGifts.com, Half Time Beverage, Craft Beer Connect, Home Wet Bar, Gourmet Gift Baskets, Gift Tree, Red Envelope and Give Them Beer, which is based right down the road from us in Pinellas Park, Florida.

In case you have a hard-to-shop-for man in your life, here's a few of my favorite beer gifts that I may or may not get for my brother (a girl's gotta keep some things a secret).

Clockwise from top left: Best with Beer snack basket // Wooden Six-Pack Holder with optional engraved plaque // Conceal and Carry Bottle Opener Key Chain // Stainless Steel Growler (or, similar personalized option) // Beer Nut Snack Mix in a beer can // Humphrey Bogart Quote Leather Koozie // Mighty Magnetic Bottle Opener with optional initial engraving

And now I'll leave you with something completely un-manly, but I don't care: a photo of Patrick and I on my wedding day. Love you, bro!

Do you have any tough-to-buy-for guys in your life? If so, please share any tips and tricks or go-to gifts in the comments below!

Wedding Wednesdays : Dreamy but Practical Registry

When creating G and I's wedding registry, I did my best to choose practical, needed items but, of course, I ended up getting distracted by all the pretty things, especially in the kitchen and dining categories. Colorful bowls, plates and glassware. Countless appetizer trays in varying sizes perfect for hosting a cocktail party, even though they don't all necessarily match. Basically, beautiful stuff that we love but don't use vary often.

That's not to say we didn't ask for and receive some functional items. But Thanksgiving showed me that there are some cooking and entertaining basics we are still very much in need of, especially when we actually do host a holiday dinner for more than just the two of us.

So I did a bit of internet window shopping and put together this "dream registry" of real world items that every couple should put on their wish list.

Sturdy nonstick roasting pan and rack, with turkey lifters for cooking holiday birds and gravy, Sunday roasts and even weeknight veggies // Large baking dish with tight-fitting lid that can go from the fridge to the oven to the table beautifully

Simple white platters and serving bowls (not pictured) that go with everything and make food look good // White pitcher with subtle details and enough bling to make it feel special // Wooden trivet to protect surfaces from piping-hot dishes (a wire one would be handy too, and serve as a cooling rack) // Chic oversized serving set for family-style meals // A classic, go-with-everything butter dish, since even butter needs a place at the table // Small spouted serving bowl and gravy boat for sauces of all kinds

Pie dishes, white and ruffled or colorful and sweet, making your dessert look good even if you mess up the crust (or buy it pre-made) //  Rolling pin, for when you do want to try your hand at making the crust from scratch // A brownie dish that would work equally as well for making cobblers, bars and small cakes or cornbread  // Pastry brush for slathering baked goods with egg washes and glazes, or savories with butter and sauce // Pie and cake servers that make getting that first piece out a little easier (and look a lot prettier), in satin-finished or gilded stainless steel (matching cake knife not pictured)

Because every registry needs a splurge or two, a fancy carving set and matching serving duo

Married and engaged couples out there, I'd love to hear: What did you put on your registry?


(Top image via one of my favorite stores, Crate & Barrel)

Old Dogs, New Tricks : Picking up a Hobby

The holiday season is officially here and in full force. You'd think since I am not working at the moment that a holiday wouldn't have the same effect as having days off, but I am finding it hard to bust out of my perpetual food coma (which has been lingering thanks to a fridge full of Turkey Day leftovers) and much of this weekend was spent glued to my laptop while online shopping, trying to find the best deal and hoping a better one wouldn't come along the very next day. Thank you, Cyber Monday. It's a little stressful, don't you think?

Anyway, now it's Tuesday and after a morning spent walking the dogs, doing laundry, cleaning dishes and dropping Jasper off at the groomer, I'm starting to feel like I'm getting back into my usual routine. You know, the one where I sit on the couch, attempt to resist the brain-suck that is the TV and be productive. Ha.

Now, given its title, this post is supposed to be about a new hobby. And no, it's not about my addiction to and skillfulness with online shopping. (Even though I was able to score some good deals and mark a few people off my Christmas list yesterday.) This is about starting a more difficult but hopefully more rewarding hobby with my hubby: guitar lessons!

[ The hubs playing around on his new Ibanez acoustic guitar. Forgive the morning hair! ]

About two weeks ago, G came home and expressed to me that he wanted to find himself a hobby. He loves to cook, he is obsessed with football (San Diego Chargers, woot woot!), but he felt like he needed to do something more, to challenge himself. He decided he would like to learn to play the guitar. G had a bass guitar as a kid, but he never really learned to play more than a few chords. I was totally on board with him picking up the guitar because I've been wanting to learn for years, too. In fact, it was more than three years ago that I bought myself a guitar. 

It was an impulsive purchase; a I'm not getting any younger, seize the day, do what you dream of doing, make it happen, just do it already kind of purchase. I don't regret it, necessarily, but I do regret that the beautiful blue acoustic-electric guitar has just been sitting in its case all this time, not being played. I tried to take a few online lessons via YouTube but I think this is the type of hobby where you really need a skilled expert to teach you. The DIY-approach may work for some things and for some people, but it may also just lead to bad habits and technique. And, as in my case, laziness when it comes to practicing. Paying for standing weekly lessons is a sure-fire way to keep you accountable.

G researched potential guitars and we made a trip to Guitar Center two weekends ago. He ended up going home with a gorgeous mahogany Ibanez acoustic guitar. Fast-forward to today and we have our first lesson this evening. I'll be a bit nervous, I'm sure, but hopefully we will have fun, too. Wish us luck!

[ Me and my guitar, after I bought it three years ago! ]

Do you know how to play the guitar? Or another musical instrument? (I played the oboe from junior high through the beginning of college, and I was actually a vocal major before switching to journalism.) What are your hobbies?