A Year in Review ::: 2014 Part I

A walk down Troutman Street with my pup friend (up top).

A few of my favorite things.

Surprise Party my sister and I threw my mom.

The best musical (but really) I've seen! Book of Mormon.

A night at the New York City Ballet with my sister.

A night out on the town with old friends.

Epic manicure by Ria Lopez in Greenpoint

The Empire State.

My cactus friend.

Juiceeeee<3

United Palace Theatre in Harlem, a must see.

Brunch with this guy.

Morgan Ave.

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Ice cream from Sundaes and Cones in the East Village

Portugal v. Ireland in the World Cup Pre-match

Yankee Game with my family for Father's Day

Atlantic City for the weekend with my guy.

The lake for my bestie's Bday. Not pictured: Grapefruit Juice Mimosas.

Beverly Hills Hotel Pool.

The Den

This is one of those local, like behind my s.o's apartment local, spots that is almost too good I want to keep it to myself.

But since I am a coffee shop fangirl, I simply can't hold back and not share the best ones I find.

The Den opened in South Williamsburg, during the Summer of 2014. Just past Wythe on S 3rd street, The cafe features one of the most spectacular views of the Williamsburg Bridge. 

 The sight of the Williamsburg Bridge with the Freedom Tower and Lady Liberty sneaking up behind it, while drinking your coffee from the big bay window of The Den's seating area is a really special Brooklyn moment, that could only occur, as it did, in South Williamsburg; an intimate moment with you and your city, even with the hundreds of people drive across the bridge as people go about their own day.

 The other best part is the burst of yellow!! 

(This is one for the ihavethisthingwithfloors books).

 The track lighting on the ceiling immediately captures your attention and helps lead your eyes to the bay window.

The lofted seating, is spacious with tables and chairs both high and low for casual or long time stay. 

 The cafe also offers wifi access, and there's nothing better than to be in a great atmosphere while trying to be inspired to get work done 

"Whenever I meet people for the first time I assume that they have a great story to tell and that it's my job to find it"

That espresso machine is a golden goddess, just look how pretty she is with her Christmas laurel.

             Nothing better , and I mean nothing, than sleeping in on a Sunday followed by a latte.

 What i'm wearing: Sweater (Loft), Coat (Forever21), Denim (Madewell), Sneakers (Nike), Bag (Balenciaga), Sunnies (Karen Walker)

-Stephanie

Home for the Holidays

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

With the Holiday's right around the corner, it is important to keep the Christmas sprit alive and put time aside after work to get together with close friends to do something festive. 

Allie and I decided that baking Christmas cookies would be both fun and, strategically, we'd get to eat those cookies after a few days of admiring how adorable (to our very surprise and delight) they came out.

A few snaps of the cheesy Christmas decorations at my apartment. Stockings and lights from the dollar store, and a real tree my mom and dad surprised me with the first weekend in December.

Our supplies. 

Let's be serious, we weren't coming off of 11 hour shifts to make real dough. We did compensate by buying the glitter frosting for that extra touch.

A pine needle fragranced candle and holder from Home Goods. Wreath, also from the dollar store conveniently located behind my house.

An amazing hot chocolate mix with, spiked with peppermint schnapps made by my cousin Brit.

Hot Chocolate ready for it's close up.

And let the baking begin!

We had to improvise and finish a bottle of wine to use as a rolling pin. I think we get points for creativity and resourcefulness.

We also could not find cookies cutters in any stores in Bushwick, so making our own cut-outs it was!

I have to say though it made for more fun, and pride when they baked without getting so enlarged and fat you couldn't recognize their original shapes. 

Some shapes we nailed, (the cup of coffee, Rudolph, Christmas trees) others not so much (some ornaments and snowmen).

Allie's batch.

My batch.

This night was an absolute blast! With the end of the year quickly approaching, business tends to get a little hectic and stressful, so I can't tell you how thankful I am I got to enjoy a night with the closest ladies in my life have a few drinks, share more laughs than I can count and bake dozens of cookies to eat (without guilt, because in January that will be so 2014)!

- Stephanie