braid pile

pretty braids from my photo library....

Xmas Gift Guide Pt. 1

Ohhhh the degree to how much I love Christmas shopping is kind of crazy. I'm excited that it's finally an appropriate time to have it on the brain, because I usually start my hunting around mid-October. Getting things for my family and boyfriend is (oh I am so virtuous!) definitely more enjoyable than the receiving end. Inspired by the lovely Joanna's yearly gift guide, I decided to take a stab at it too. Pt 1. - My sisters (and good for a girl-friend/girlfriend too)

1. Adorable calendar by The Wild Unkown $30, 2. A gorgeous, sculptural pinata by Confetti System $150. I would love this hanging in my room (they also have the most incredible garlands!) 3. And the woodsy prism (also The Wild Unknown) $60-$85 - haunt their website! the most perfect things, and they have holiday specials too. 4. A chubby alpaca&wool neck warmer by Greenpoint's Pipsqueak Chapeau $120. 5. Teeny vintage heart earrings from Day Lab $4. 6. A mix CD - this is one of the my favorite gifts to give and receive! 7. A customized bottle of Le Labo's most beautiful perfume. Their scents are mixed one at a time and they will (so amazing!) customize the bottle with the receivers name. 8. A cool knit headband by Hortensia from OAK. $122. I really want ones of theesssee

Okay, so I know its much easier as a girl to shop for a girl, but expect a couple more gift guides to come with ideas for the hardest people to shop for

The Wild Unknown

Obsessed with these beautiful prisms by The Wild Unknown...

Lusting at Creatures

(MM6 & Opening Ceremony via Creatures of Comfort)

NYC Itinerary PART 2

There are way too many places I could recommend, and I feel like I should pick a neighborhood to focus on when I do these posts, like, here is what you should do for a fulfilling day in Park Slope! But I am just gonna stick with my real favorites and unfortunately, they're all over the place. Anyway, here we go! Part 2: Only food

1. Cheeky Sandwiches - Orchard St. Between Canal and Hester St. (closes at 6pm)
Holy shit. I love Cheeky's. It's a hole-in-the-wall New Orleans style sandwich shop on Orchard St with about 5 things on the menu served & made by a very charismatic & super-model handsome Louisiana export in a black tie and thick black glasses. It's been open for less than a year and already has a cultish following. I always get the chicken sandwich on a biscuit with gravy and a bag of salt & vinegar chips (I ate one for breakfast this morning!), but everything is soo delicious. I mean, look at that picture, are you not salivating?

2. Joy Indian Restaurant - Flatbush Ave between St. Marks and Prospect Place
I used to live next door to Joy when I lived in Park Slope and I became embarrassingly addicted to it (they called me "Aloo Matar Gobi girl"). It isn't especially exciting inside, but by far its the best Indian I've had in the city. I went here for my birthday this year and it was perfect for a big group of people & super cheap (byob!). I highly recommend the trek out to the 7th Ave Q just to go here (maybe coordinate with a trip to Brooklyn Flea?)

3. Tea and Sympathy - Greenwich Ave between Jane St and West 12th St
This is an old standby for my boyfriend and I on wintery days to get super delicious comfort food and big pots of tea. Tea and Sympathy is a teeny English restaurant on a stretch of Greenwich Ave in the West Village home to a few other very-charming British establishments (I have yet to try A Salt and Battery next door for fish & chips, but I hear it's also really good). I always get the Chicken and Leek pie with mashed potatoes (and spend the extra two bucks or so for the onion gravy!) and Luke goes for the Steak and Guinness pie. Ahhh yum.

4. Northeast Kingdom - Wyckoff St. in Bushwick
My boyfriend and I have had more date nights here than anyplace else in the city. It's dark and intimate, and somewhat far off the beaten path (Jefferson L stop) in a neighborhood that at night appears desolate. When I go it makes me feel like I've stumbled upon a back woods tavern in the middle of nowhere. Definitely comfort food (I always get the chicken pot pie) and they have a great selection of specialty beers and wine.

a d é t a c h e r / s s 2 0 1 1

A Détacher via Style.com (more photos here)

this collection makes me crazy. so amazing.
time for me to get some sleep.

Assembly x A Détacher Clog Boot

My NYC Itinerary - Part 1

Inspired by the Refinery 29 city itineraries, I wanted to make my own version... these aren't necessarily places I have been once or twice that I think you should check out, but the places I go to drink/shop/eat/hangout on a regular basis. I am a creature of habit. I always appreciate when people blog about the places they frequent - when I was in San Francisco this month I haunted Annabel's blog for recommendations and it was awesome & incredibly helpful. You probably don't read this, but thank you Annabel!

1. Barrio Chino - Broome at Orchard in the LES
This place isn't exactly a secret downtown (but still kinda feels like it when you're there), and it can be a huge mob scene any time after 6pm, but if you have to wait I promise it is worth it (and it is never as long as they say it will be). The space is small and intimate, no one is waiting around (they call you when they have a table, so we usually just go to Sweet Paradise down the street and get happy hour) and the drinks are unreal (I get the strawberry vanilla or grapefruit habanero margarita). So is the guacamole. The staff are beautiful and friendly and there is always a nice, fun atmosphere.

2. LaHore Pakastani Deli - Crosby at Jersey in Soho
A hole in the wall cabby stand that I go to at least three times a week for lunch. $6 for a huge dish of rice covered in curried vegetables ($5 for a smaller dish)...I usually get chickpeas with cauliflower or bell pepper, but they have meat options also. It is so delicious and you get so much food for the price. Make sure to get a chai with sugar in the winter too. There are steps outside to the right that are good enough seating.

(photo credit Marianne Rafter)

3. The Lucky Dog - Bedford Ave. at South 1st in Williamsburg
My most frequented bar in the city! A really friendly mixed crowd, really good and diverse beer menu, a big backyard patio and they let you bring your dog if you feel like, so there are always cute things wandering around. It's a very nice break from Union Pool which I go to more than I'd like to admit...(but kinda, sorta recommend too...;)

4. Dumont - Union Ave. at Devoe off of the Lorimer L
I don't eat that much meat, especially not red meat, but I could go here a couple times a week for a hamburger. I even had one for breakfast last weekend. I think the pickled onions are what make me love this burger the most, but the restaurant itself is incredibly cute (the inside as well as their pretty back garden - however, insist on sitting in the garden! even if they try to put you inside) and they will serve me a burger any time of the day (they have other good things too!). I also strongly recommend the cucumber & dill cocktail. Nearby (conveniently across from the Lucky Dog) they have Dumont Burger, which is just a little smaller with a condensed menu & just as delicious.

5. Assembly - Ludlow street below Houston in the LES
I love Assembly. They have a great mix of amazing vintage (the kind of vintage that doesn't scream vintage) and contemporary labels for girls and guys in one really cool space. Last winter I also scored a black over-dyed quilt that is one of my favorite pieces in my apartment. The girls that work there are really sweet and helpful, and there are so many things that are shockingly affordable. They have a linen heavy, perfectly unisex house label and also carry designers like Risto, Arielle DePinto and A Détacher for shoes. (also check out their new all-vintage store, Everybody's Going to Heaven around the corner on Rivington & Norfolk.)

Part 2 coming soon...what are your favorite spots in the city?/Wherever you're from?