Introducing the Friday Find

Just a quick post as I am sure we all have important Friday night plans. (I have a date with a bottle of wine and a good book in about 15 minutes and I cannot be late.) I wanted to introduce one last brand new blog feature this week … the Friday Find. Every Friday, I will share a new website, recipe, brand, etcetera that I have discovered during the week.

This week I have been addicted to Poshmark. This is a website as well as an app on the IPhone that allows you to create a virtual closet of items you wish to sell. You can create this closet completely using your phone. You are also able to shop the closets of others. Poshmark takes care of the shipping and coordinating payment. I have already made $120 by selling items I had cleaned out of my closet!

Now, I am not saying this app is perfect. Some of the other seller/shoppers can be ridiculous. I am not a fan of the general predilection for the use of endearments such as “hun.” I am also not a fan of the concept of “trading” on the site as it is not backed by Poshmark and there is no guarantee the other person will ship their item.

But, overlooking the negatives, I am a big fan of this app. If you decide to join or are already a member, feel free to shop my closet at “DaniCS.”

Now it is time for me to depart. This wine isn’t going to drink itself.

Happy Friday, everyone! 

September Reading List

Today is the introduction of another brand new feature on the blog. As this is a lifestyle blog, I really think I should include something important in my life … books. I am an avid reader! I can’t get enough. I have even been known to read a book in a day (multiple books if I am completely honest.) There is nothing better than lounging around your house, drinking tea, and falling in love with a brand new world. I am such an obsessed reader; I even finish books I hate because I have to know what happens.

For this new blog feature, I will introduce 4 to 5 new books the first week of each month. As I make my way through the list, I will update you on how they are going; if they are amazing or absolute trash (which can sometimes be amazing!).  I hope you all enjoy this new feature.

This month’s list:

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

I am a big fan of The Mindy Project on Fox and when I discovered this book while browsing Amazon, I knew I had to give it a try. Follow link for more details on the book.

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton

I bought this book for two seriously silly reasons. One, the name alone made me giggle and two; I found a used copy for $2.99. Sold! Also, let’s all be honest, who doesn’t love a story involving  a Vegas wedding. Follow link for more details on the book.

Bicoastal Babe by Cynthia Langston

Yet another book with an outlandish tale, a woman is selected as professional “Trend-Spotter” and divides her time evenly between New York and LA. Of course, she meets two gorgeous men in each. Yeah … okay… sure. Follow link for more details on the book.

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline

This book explores how low-price mass retailers have affected how we shop and how, as a culture, views clothing. Follow link for more details on the book.

After reviewing that list, I see a trend of “light-reads.” October might just need to be the month of Dostoyevsky and Proust. But, for now, I am in the mood for beach-reads! The book I selected to start the month is Bicoastal Babe. I am only about five or six chapters in so I cannot give a full review. So far, though the plotline is out-there, I have enjoyed the story. The lead character is sarcastic and self-deprecating while somehow being annoyingly charming. I’ll keep you posted!

Currently Craving: September 4th, 2013

"Currently Craving" is a new feature of the blog. It will consist of a quick post concerning what I can't get enough of each week. It might be about fashion, food, or even a new book. Really, anything I feel like. 

All I can seem to think about this week is getting my hands on a new pair of nude wedges for the fall and anything pumpkin flavored.

I have selected a few options below. (Collage created on Polyvore)

I love the Sole Society option and they are at such a great price point. The only thing that makes me hesitate is the cutout detail on each side. I love it now but when it gets cooler, I’m not sure. The Banana Republic ones are a great color but I wonder if I could find them on sale. Hmmm… The See by Chloe pair is, of course, amazing but that is a really steep price for my budget. Decisions, Decisions

I also am addicted to pumpkin flavored everything! Today I tried a soy Chai latte with pumpkin spice from Starbucks. Amazing!!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! 

Labor Day Weekend Rewind

I hope everyone had an amazing Labor Day weekend. It was such a great way to end the summer. Though, here in DC, the weather decided to rebel against my desire for fall. It was hot and humid all weekend. (I am sure once the winter is upon us and I am freezing in layers of clothes, I will miss these hot days. But as of right now, I am so over it!) September is finally here! Bring on the boots, scarves, and everything pumpkin flavored!

Saturday:

I started the weekend off with my new Saturday tradition, the Farmers’ Market. (I just found out the one down the street from my apartment runs all the way through Thanksgiving so … yay!) I love strolling from vendor to vendor, finding new produce and treats to try. I picked up some crisp apples, lots of yummy green things, and my weekly flower bouquet. I also splurged on a mini pie from Whisked DC and a fresh pastry to go with my iced latte from Wydown coffee.

After lots of coffee and my sweet treat, my husband and I checked out the new YMCA in our neighborhood. I even dragged him to yoga. (I forgot to mention to him that it was power yoga … whoops, my bad.) It was such a great class. It kicked my butt but it was still great! We spent the rest of the day lounging, reading, and eating pizza. (Which probably completely negated the benefits of power yoga but it was delicious.)

Photo Collage created on Polyvore 

Oh La La Shirt - J.Crew Factory

Zara  - Everyday Shopper 

TOMS - Leopard Print Classics 

Farmers' Market Finds

Sunday:

We were treated to a visit from friends who joined us for the DC Sunday ritual of brunch and day drinking. We partook of brunch this particular Sunday at Marvin. The food was good and the location, great. However, their rooftop terrace doesn’t open until 2pm so we ate inside the bar area which was crazy dark for the middle of the day.  Also, I decided to dress for the season rather than the weather and layered a dress with my new olive vest. After brunch, we enjoyed a walk and, on my part, a middle case of heat stroke. But, man, I rocked that vest.

Prior to dealing with the heat!

Monday:

Seriously … in all honesty … I did nothing on Monday and it was epic. I did a little book shopping on Amazon. (Blog post to follow this week!)  My original plan was to go splurge on a mani/pedi but it was so hot out. I could not handle the 6-block walk to my favorite place. I decided an at home pedi was just as good. (It wasn’t but I didn’t have to put on real pants so it worked for me!)

Photo Collage created on Polyvore

Vest - Target 

Striped Dress (Similar) - Madewell 

Now the long weekend has ended and I survived my first day back at work (largely in part to with the help of a Pumpkin Spice Latte.) I can’t wait to see what next weekend has in store. 

Weekend Rewind: New York State of Mind

This past weekend was spent in one of my favorite places, Manhattan. My husband and I both had such an amazing time. I wanted to share some of the highlights!

Saturday:

Saturday started with the big drive into the city which only took 4 hours from DC. I have since convinced myself, because it is such a short drive, we can go at least 3 to 4 times a year! (I now need to convince my husband.)

We checked into our hotel, The Eventi, Saturday afternoon after brunch with family on the Upper West Side. We loved the location of the hotel, so convenient for the trip. (Also, they surprised me with a bottle of champagne and a birthday cupcake… so cute!) Saturday night consisted of dinner and a show. 

We dined at Joe Allen on West 47^th Street. This restaurant was such find. The décor was simple and elegant, without all the harshness of a modern space. Old theater posters lined the dark wood walls and white tablecloths adorned the tables, packed into the dining room. The place was filled with the voices of other dinners and you could sense everyone was enjoying themselves. With a shrimp cocktail to start, I chose the grilled chicken. Though seemingly a simple dish, this was the best chicken I have ever had. It had a citrus sauce that was amazing.

The show we selected to see was First Date at the Longacre Theater. This show was hilarious! I wanted to select a show that I knew both my husband and I would like. Rather than selecting one of the more well-known ongoing productions (Wicked, Newsies, etc.), I also wanted to see something new and fresh. This show had the audience laughing out loud from the first 5 minutes until the final curtain call and I am still humming the songs to myself. I cannot say enough about this show and the amazing performance by the cast. If you are in New York, see this show! 

Sunday:

Sunday began with more amazing food. (What can I say? I like food. Nay, I love food.) We decided on Perilla at 9 Jones Street. We both started with brunch cocktails (of course). I tried the drink of the day, a cherry lychee mimosa that was delicious. They are known for their spicy duck meatballs which are translated during brunch to a burger, which my husband selected (and thoroughly enjoyed.) I choose lemon ricotta pancakes with a balsamic glaze. Seriously, amazing! We were stuffed the rest of the day! 

After brunch, we strolled through SoHo, where I picked up this new Kate Spade bracelet. Another fun aspect was our first attempt at navigating the subway without a local. All I can say is I actually missed the DC Metro, which is so much easier to navigate!

After a long day of walking around the city, we went back and forth on what to do Sunday night. We finally selected to have dinner in Little Italy. Though touristy, it was such blast to walk down Mulberry Street and see all the signs in Italian. (As my family is Italian, I really enjoyed being so immersed in the Italian American culture.) After dinner and an amazing stuffed artichoke from Benito One, we ended the night with cannoli and espresso. You should always (leave the gun) and take the cannoli.

Monday:

We wrapped up our trip Monday with the drive home, but not before a stroll through Central Park and lunch on a rooftop terrace. We also stopped at Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. I loved the architecture. This will definitely be my first stop our next trip (so I can spend way too much time staring at all the books.)

This trip was such treat and I cannot wait to go back.

Have a great week!