Sunday, April 27, 2014
Slip Me On
These are amazing. I ordered them last week (25% off thanks to Saks F&F sale) and have not been able to take them off. I don't wear socks with these because 1. I like feeling the smooth leather on my feet and 2. I hate socks with a passion. These are like the grown-up version of Vans. The slip-on sneaker trend was revived when Céline had a runway show in 2012 that featured its $600 version of slip-ons. They were covered in exotic fabrics instead of the plain canvas that Vans has sported for years. After Céline made the decision that slip-ons were "in" again, I've seen this trend pop up everywhere, mostly in the last year. I love them--they're sturdier and more comfortable in flats, and I can go biking/walking in them all day and my feet will feel fantastic. There's no doubt that I'll be wearing mine all the time in NYC. They're very city friendly and I like the downtown chic vibe they have. Size a 1/2 size down in these, they run big.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Lusting For
When I was in Chicago this past weekend, I tried on a lot of clothes. In Memphis, I normally do my shopping online since there aren't that many stores that carry items I like. Chicago is a different story. In Wicker Park (especially on Damen Avenue) you'll find a great selection of boutiques while Downtown (Mag Mile, Oak Street, etc.) you'll find your designer shops as well as Nordstrom, Barney's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales.
I can't get the two tops below out of my mind. I love them, but there's no way I was going to drop $398 or $450 on a top. The quality of both is excellent, but $300 is my cutoff line for a top. I wish I would have found out about the A.L.C. top when ShopBop was doing their 25% off friends and family sale. Now I will just have to patiently wait for another sale to come around again.
I found this top at a boutique on Damen called Helen Yi. I own three A.L.C. blouses and they are staples in my closet. Their pieces are high quality, modern, and often have unique silhouettes to them. Only a select amount of stores carry A.L.C. so it's always a pleasant surprise when I find one that does. I know this sounds crazy, but I was thinking I could make this top work appropriate by attaching a snap or two at the top so it's not as revealing. It only looks like a lot of skin is showing because I'm hunching my shoulders forward (the things I tell myself to justify reasons to buy something lol).The front is conservative and I absolutely love the slight sexiness of the back; it's a great balance.
This top is actually not as low cut as it looks on the model. I found it at Neiman Marcus, although I don't see it listed on their website. Although it's made from polyester, the material and texture felt thick, sturdy, and very well constructed when I tried it on. It's minimalist chic and has defined clean lines. The drapes are more structured than other draped tops, but it's absolutely beautiful. Color is a perfect shade of white. There's nothing to not love about this top!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Book Pick
I liked the original edition so much I had to read the updated version with new material aimed at graduates. While there are minor points I disagree with, Sandberg provides a great voice for working women and there are multiple sections I've read over and over again.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Relaxation. Sorta.
Relaxing massage but now my whole body smells of lemon oil which also happens to smell like the Pledge wood cleaner I use to clean my dorm furniture.
On My Mind
They didn't have the plain black one to try on :( but I'm feeling this snakeskin with chain version.
Sprinkles
Brown Sugar Praline Cupcake
caramel cake with brown sugar frosting topped with crunchy nut praline
Every single word in that description is arousing.
Late Night Munchies
Chicago Dog
Polish Dog
Devil Dawgs
2147 N. Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Cheap, open late, and they deliver. Feeds those sodium cravings.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Pajammin
Cute yet comfortable sleepwear can be hard to find. I normally sleep with a robe but I have been addicted to this pajama set! It's incredibly soft and is great for lounging around in.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Eating New York: Atera
Dining Area
Yuzu, Lime, and Ginger Cocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
Toasted Crain Broth and Collard Greens
guanciale, winter greens, brassica oleracea
Fluke and Rose Hip
broth of blossoms, rosa cantina
Trout Liver
fresh apple, brown butter
Smoked Trout
pork fat
Amaranth Toast
smoked roe, tartar sauce
Razor Clam
garlic, almond
Surf Clam
chicken gel, radish
Dumpling and Meyer Lemon
chicken, shrimp
Geoduck
lardo, air baguette
Rye Bread and Cheese Butter
Cheese. Butter. *heavy breathing*
Scallop
scallop mousse
Maine Lobster and Chamomile
onion gel, matricaria recutita
Lobster Roll
yeast, meringue
Sourdough Roll basted with Pork Fat
The most glorious bread I've ever eaten
Mackerel
rice, mushroom
Oyster and Murcott Mandarin
salt-baked turnip, rice, and citrus reticulata
Halibut
black walnut, green tea pil pil
Fried Halibut Skin
Hush Puppy
smoked yolk, pickled corn
Sourdough Bread with Fennel
Roasted Duck and Fennel
pickles, duck jus, foeniculum vulgare
Duck Chip
ragu
Sorbet
lime, mandarin, grapefruit, blood orange
Tea Service
Almond
white chocolate
Cheesecake and Burgundy Sorrel
winnimere ice cream, oxalis triangularis
Yogurt
marshmallow, brown butter
Sweet Potato Doughnut and Yuzu
sugar, citrus curd, citrus ichangensis
Jelly Kumquat and Mezcal Macaron
Black Walnut and Milk Duds
Black Walnut
Goodie Bag
Atera is the best restaurant I have ever been to. It earned 2 Michelin stars within 7 months of opening, and I have no doubt that it will earn its 3rd star this year. The food and presentation was absolutely incredible, the atmosphere was authentically cool, and the service was so charming I couldn't stop smiling during my entire meal.
Dress code is casual chic. There was one guy wearing a suit, but everyone else was in dark colored jeans. As long as you don't look sloppy, you're good to go. The atmosphere is laid back yet classy. This isn't one of those restaurants where everyone is whispering amongst themselves and looking around nervously. Everyone is smiling, having a good time, and at times even getting to know the people who are sitting next to them. There's even a super cool music playlist they have that plays during the meal (think upbeat rock).
Atera is intimate, as it only seats 18 people each seating. There are two seatings a night--6:30 and 9:30. Because of their limited seating, if you cancel within a week of your reservation, you are charged the full meal price + tax ($212.31) for a no show. Everyone is presented the same tasting menu ($195). They do their best to accommodate any allergies or dietary needs one may have. The couple next to me were pescatarians and there were minor changes made to the dishes that included meat. They raved about their meal and I even heard one of them proclaim that it was the best meal he's ever had. At the beginning of the meal, a waiter will ask if you would like to supplement your meal with a caviar dish, which I believe was available for an additional $45. Before the dessert courses begin, you will be asked if you would like tea, coffee, or wine. I chose tea and I highly recommend it! The tea service was amazing and you could tell the waiter was passionate and knew his stuff about the Taiwanese tea he was pouring for me.
Looking back on the dishes, there was not one that I didn't enjoy. I don't know how I did it, but I finished every last bite of all the 20+ courses. Everything was so good! The desserts really blew me away. I find that at some restaurants, the dessert courses are delicious, but not necessarily memorable. At Atera, I can remember in detail all the dessert courses and how phenomenal they were. My favorites were the cheese ice cream, the black walnut, and the almonds. A perfect finish to the best restaurant experience I've had.
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