This Ones for the Boys

Was totally stoked when I saw Maui & Sons, an old school surf brand everyone wore back in the 80s growing up. I think it was meant to be since the credit from my shoe return has been burning a hole in my pocket lately, I decided to check out the Gilt Mens site...and low and behold, fun throwback 80s-ish tees for my boys (bf and broham). The best one is the tee pictured above, which is the OG logo...love love loves it! Can't wait for them to get these...love giving gifts and dressing people. xo, B

Convivio

Another indulgent dinner with some lovely peeps at Convivio...a highly rated Italian restaurant in Tudor City. Tudor City you ask? It's around 1st ave between 41st and 43rd st perched on top of a little hill in midtown east...it's coined the "city within a city." This little neighborhood is sometimes annoying to get to, and has it's own restaurants, tailor, nail shop, dentist, flower shop etc...just sayin so you're in the know.

We had a resi at 8:15pm, the joint was packed with a bunch of suits...yikes! I'm such a dowtown girl, that the sight of old men in their suits from the workflow of midtown is always a damper to the ambience...in my opionion, lol. I started off with an extra dirty martini...but since this place was soooo hot...I mean I was breaking a sweat sitting there...I couldn't enjoy it...which I have to say put a damper on the meal.

Second course, I ordered the squid ink pasta with olives and calamari...fave course!

Main course, Capesante - diver scallops, heirloom squash, snap peas with pine nut pesto...didn't love this dish...left a bitter aftertaste.

This was my brother's meal, the Costoletto di Vitello - parmesan crusted veal chop...this was good, and Cooper got to have the bone last night which he loved...thanks Jon.

For dessert, which we all split and nibbled...were these warm chocolate (I think) filled donuts with a white chocolate orange dipping sauce.

Lemon basil and strawberry panna cotta, with strawberry sorbet on the side...it was light and refreshing...but could only have a couple bites of the panna cotta...not so much my thing.

The ice cream was my faves...strawberry, raspberry and lemon ice cream...notice they are melting since I wouldn't let anyone touch them until I took a picture of everything, lol...yes, the sacrafice you have to make to eat with me, lol.

Good dinner, good company...Convivio has been checked off my list. Thanks JW...xo, B

Fall 2010 Picks - Sweaters

It's still blazing hot in NYC...I can't step out of my apartment without breaking a sweat these days, but that doesn't stop me from fantasizing about all these warm cozy Fall pieces that I will need (notice the word need in italics...because obvi that term is being used loosely, lol). I've already made a decision to stop buying anything summer, even though some of the sales going on right now are hard to pass up. But, I'm going to try really really hard to be good...because I have a laundry list of Fall items I'm crushing on. I meant to start the week off with a lust-worthy sweater post...but you know how Mondays get, they drag until you don't realize its the end of the day! So here it goes...sweaters are a staple in my closet, and they're the perfect layer and accent piece for the in between Fall months. These are a few amazing sweaters I've found perusing my fave sites. This first one pictured above is by McQ from net-a-porter...love the structured knit and big collar...great as a light weight jacket for breezy September days.

Next up, is this blinged out men's cardigan by Wayne, which I found on la garconne. It's perfect for those grungy laid back days where you throw on a burnout tee and chucks, and the cardi just rocks it out.

Yummy...this Marc by MJ Orion Blanket sweater from Saks is so cozy, I will for sure want to be wearing this all through to the colder months...especially when I start wearing a lot of black, this will bring the right amount of color to an outfit.

J.Crew is right on with their styles and colors lately. The Rimini sweater is a great update to the traditional cardi, and I can't get enough of this burnt orange/brown color. The asymetrical zip and side ruching is totally flattering to any figure which is always a positive.

Loving this Free People Navajo cardi...the print and colors are so unique, it is a fun addition to any wardrobe. I can see a preppy look with jeans and loafers or spruced up to create a trendy version with leggings and boots.

Lastly is the fun Stonage Cardigan by Plastic Island which I found on shopbop. It looks so soft to the touch but will bring a little glam with it's fur like texture. All these sweaters are definitely show stoppers, but they are unique enough too that they can be worn over most day to night looks. Versatility is the name of the fashionista game...lol, I crack myself up. Loving it...xo, B

ABC Kitchen

Loved it! I had a girls night out on Friday at ABC kitchen...drinks, food and a little shopping, what more could a girl ask for. Everything is beautiful in this restaurant, not only is it part of ABC carpet, which is heaven for furniture, but you can also buy anything in the restaurant at the store. And an added bonus, is that everything is organic or local...which makes you feel good when you splurge on a meal. First up, was a sparkling melon cocktail, light and refreshing for this hot summer days.

Next, pretzel dusted calamari with marinara and mustard dipping sauces.

Akaushi cheeseburger, with herbed mayo and pickled japanese jalapenos (BOMB)...apparently, as per my Japanese companion, Akaushi is a special type of Japanese beef. Oh yeah, and let me not forget that the fries were ridic, they had these crispy parsley flakes mixed in...Yummers!

Here's the kicker, warm doughnuts with chocolate and bacon sauce, & if I can remember correctly a strawberry jam. I obviously went for the chocolate, it was interesting with a smokey flavor, but not sure if I would say that I loved it.

Salted caramel ice cream...amazeballs

Vanilla chip ice cream cake with lemon sorbet...ehhhh not my fave.

But all in all, this meal was pretty bomb! I was a bit reluctant that their cocktails didn't have a bit more kick to them...but it kept the evening light and chatty. Always a good time, xo, B

Loves...Emma Watson

I am bugging out along with everyone else about Emma Watson's new pixie haircut! It's so cute and refreshing...she definitely is taking a giant step towards becoming a fashion icon. Loves...xo, B

New Flats!

Found these bad boys at Topshop for only $44! They're like that pair I found on Gilt by Candela, but those fit atrociously, so they had to be returned asap! Totally love this pair because it fits my foot really well, and it makes them look smaller...anything that does that is a winner in my eyes! I'm totally stepping up my wardrobe for Fall...can't wait...xo, B

Pretty pretty candy

Ok, so I'm a sucker for packaging. Last night as I was doing some grocery shopping, I found these gorgeous little candies by the gum at the checkout counter. The flavor and consistency is totally random, it's a hard candy, but the flavors are interesting, like lemon, rosewater and licorice...but it's a pretty accessory, and something different. I just love the pretty package, and how they describe it as a "surprising fantasy." Loves...xo, B