Dumpling Date

Last Friday, the husband and I went out for dumplings at Mandoo Bar, an unassuming little place in Koreatown. We're big fans of their boiled and fried pork and vegetable dumplings. You even get to watch the staff make them through the front window. A heaping plate of steamy comfort food on a rainy New York night, that's what I call a hot date.

Bold Blood Orange Soda

I love the ridiculously bold color you discover when you slice into a blood orange. I decided to translate that vibrance to liquid form by making my own blood orange soda. I liked the ratio I ended up with, but you can certainly make it more orangey or sweeter depending on your taste. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint. It's the winter fruit that tastes like summertime in a glass.

Blood Orange Soda
1 cup blood orange juice (4-5 oranges)
3 cups sparkling water
1 tablespoon simple syrup, chilled

Weekend in Photos

It was a fun, relaxed weekend. Jonah and I had a date night on Friday, then went on a little shopping spree at Grand Central Market. We had wine and sandwiches with friends at Milk and Roses on Saturday and a few people over to watch the Oscars on Sunday. I went a little nuts with the themed food and before I knew it, the Best Picture nominee puns were out of control. To top off the award show fun, I won Amy's Oscar Pool! I don't which I'm prouder of, my win or coming up with War Horseradish.

Thoughts of the Week

All food should be this vibrant.

A solution for the indecisive cook.

You can't beat neutrals for sophistication.

But these candy-colored jeans are calling my name too.

What kid (or grown-up) wouldn't want a Lego staircase?

These bagels are on another level.

Let's all go exploring this weekend.

What dudes should wear.

Thrifting is one of those skills I never acquired, but maybe it's not too late.

Dessert for breakfast is as close as I get to anarchy.

Sometimes love is about seeing the big picture.

Happy Friday, friends! The photo above is some street art I see in my neighborhood on my daily walk to and from the subway. I think it's kind of strange and beautiful at the same time. Hope you all have lovely, refreshing weekends!

Happy Ho Ho

When a sweet tooth craving strikes, sometimes it's best to just give in. This week, I treated myself to a fancied-up Ho Ho from Bouchon Bakery. I love their spin on the Oreo, but this little goodie was just too cute to pass up. Adorably wrapped in silver foil, you'll find soft chocolate sponge cake and blissfully light whipped cream coated with a thick chocolate shell, fork required for cracking. It was all I could do not to open the box and eat the whole thing on the subway, but I think dessert tastes better when slowly eaten off a pretty plate ... while wearing pajama pants.

Brotherly Love

I don't typically delve deep into personal matters around here, unless you count where I ate brunch last weekend, but this is a special case for a special man. Tomorrow, my brother Benjamin leaves his home in Savannah, Georgia, to move to Curia, Ecuador, for a year-long mission. He'll be working with an international team to plant a church there and care for the people of this small village.

The Lord completely transformed Benj's life about 5 years ago, taking him from a path of drugs and alcohol and condemnation and bringing him into forgiveness, community and redemption. He lives his life solely for Christ with a servant's heart and a gentle spirit. Just thinking of the man God has made him brings me tears of joy and gratefulness. Now, he's diving into this adventure because plainly and simply the Lord asked him to. He makes me a proud sister and an inspired believer. I can't wait to follow his journey from afar.

Matthew 28:18-20 -- Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In Not So Plain Sight

Lately, I've been inspired by ways to store things in public view. There are very few spaces to hide things away in New York apartments, so why not think of clever and stylish strategies to keep objects out in the open rather than jamming them into a closet. And you get to avoid awkwardly screaming, "don't open that!"

[mail shutter; embroidery floss in a bowl; bookshelf bench; hat collection; kitchen storage; jar of matches; pen and pencil jars; wine storage]

Weekend in Photos

It was a beautiful, sunny weekend in NYC. I was invited to a tea party by the lovely people at Chambre de Sucre. They introduced their latest sugar products and treated us to tea, prosecco and some yummy food from Kyotofu and Two Little Red Hens, not to mention a gorgeous view. There was a tasty Sunday brunch at Cafe Cluny with the husband, some reading time with my new Kindle and an attempt to make tomato jam. It turned out a little sweet for my taste, but I'm eager to give it another go. Anybody have a good recipe?