West 48th Street, Manhattan, NY

I am sooo thankful to be writing a Friday post and not feel like I’ve had the wind knocked out of me! It’s a good reminder that whirlwind weeks are not a constant, and when I’m in the thick of it, there is always an end in sight even if it doesn’t seem possible. Major note to self. If only all weeks could be like this one, which felt like the perfect balance between work and relaxation. I finally got on the Me Before You book train and am flying through. I even woke early one morning and read in bed! On a weekday! I also did my first ever business coaching session (with this incredible lady), and am feeling so incredibly in control of the growth of Clara Persis in 2014. I’m only kicking myself that I didn’t hire her sooner. I’ll be sharing all about my experience in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that.

What do you have planned this weekend? Lucky for you all I’ll be cooking up a storm and sharing all those good recipes across the next few weeks… there’s a chorizo tortilla soup, an easy weeknight pasta dish, a twist on a classic oatmeal cookie, and a cocktail to ring in citrus season all in the mix. Here are a few fun links for your weekend - hope it’s a good one! xx

The Williamsburg of your city.

Shortage-proof your condiments cabinet with this homemade Sriracha recipe.

Fast Company‘s Most Creative People in Business 1000

“The Fault in Our Stars” trailer… bring on the tears!

Beat the polar vortex with this list of cute beanies.

A word on breakfast, any time of the day.

J.Crew’s prices may be going down in 2014. #thatneededtohappenlikeyesterday

Love Kelly Oxford’s minty L.A. workspace.

Salted Caramel Rose Cake. Aka the most beautiful baked good, ever.

Hilariously spot on: “A Conference Call in Real Life” video.

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The holidays literally feel like a decade ago. As I look back on January, I can hardly believe how much was squeezed into this past month. Do you feel the same way?

So because of that this insanely delicious coffee cake got a little lost in the mix. Every year I make my family coffee cake for Christmas morning. I tend to fuss around with new recipes, so some years the cakes are better than others. But this year, oh my goodness, this cake knocked our socks off! We could not stop oohing and aahing around the table as we enjoyed the warm from the oven, moist, pumpkin cake. Suffice to say I will not be exploring new recipes next year, I’ll most definitely be making this again. In fact I anticipate one of these babies in my future in the next few weeks, then multiple ones in the fall, and so on. Ya

Ps: For those of you subscribed to the newsletter- things are a little delayed on my end, so the next edition will not be going out until early next week. I’ll put a notice up on the blog when it does!

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One of my blog goals this year is to bring my work a little more to the forefront, and give you guys a taste of what I actually do day in and day out. And that effort starts today (!), with a peak into an event I assisted with a few weeks back in celebration of Frances Largeman Roth’s newest cookbook, Eating in Color. This was such a fun event! Attendees gathered in the gorgeous event space of one of NYC’s chicest co-working spaces, and nibbled on all sorts of mango and lamb related goodies, courtesy of the National Mango Board and Tri-Lamb Group. Think amazing mini lamb burgers, lamb chop lollipops with mango salsa, individual mango smoothies, and mini mango cupcakes. The food for the event was incredible, which completely echoes the recipes and content in Frances’ new book. In fact those buckwheat flapjacks I made a few weeks back? Straight from her book!

I specifically wanted to share this event today, because there’s an awesome giveaway and Twitter party taking place this week in celebration of the book and eating in color with mangos.  My sweet friend Tina of Carrots ‘N’ Cake is hosting the giveaway which includes… wait for it…. a Vitamix!! Yep the grand prize winner will receive a brand new Vitamix, along with a copy of Frances’ book and a box of mangos. There are also multiple second prizes, so be sure to check out her blog today for all the details on how you enter. Ya’ll know how much I’m loving my Vitamix, so do yourself a favor and enter!

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All photos courtesy of Salt & Co.

 

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Between instagram and food posts, I barely take any pics of real life these days. I can be really hard to motivate myself lug my Canon around when it’s so easy to take photos with my phone! But yesterday as I was scurrying around the apartment, getting ready to head off to my bestie’s bridal shower, I managed to grab my camera. Then once I got there, I actually took the camera out of my bag! I only snapped a few pics, and practically none of people (except the sweetest baby), but it was such a change from my normal Sunday routine of positioning dishes in my bedroom (has the best light), and hovering over my bed. It felt so nice.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend…. lots of fun stuff coming up on the blog this week!

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Morning, friends! I had every intention of getting this post out to you all yesterday morning, but it felt like I just blinked and the day was gone… which has kind of been the theme of this week. It’s been an absolute whirlwind and I’m really looking forward to some quiet time this weekend to read, sleep, and celebrate a friend’s upcoming nuptials at her bridal shower. Whatever you’re doing, I hope it involves some quiet time for yourself! Here are a few fun links if you’re in an internet reading mood this weekend, and before I jet off- a huge, huge thanks for all your love and support on the Style Me Pretty feature!! It was the absolute highlight of my week. xoxo

In NYC this Monday? Parsons brings you the chance to hear a word from J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler.

A visitors’ guide to California’s retro oasis Palm Springs.

Lentil Caraway Soup w/ Pistachio Herb Pesto. Dreamy!

10 ways travel may be more stress-free in 2014.

15 Quintessentially New York City Terms

Wow. The woman behind Diesel’s latest ad campaigns is ridiculously cool.

Tour  recent New York transplant (and Instagram star) Elizabeth Olson’s bold new CA pad.

The best times of year to buy clothing for less.

Master mayonnaise at home.

How to fill your hair with big soft waves…. yes!

Finally, just for fun: start celebrating Valentine’s Day now with these teenage power couple pencils!

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