Back with a Mac

I am back!

I promise this blog is not another one of my grand plans that lasts one month before quitting - I'll leave that to my work out schedule. I had big blog post ideas for February but life threw some curve balls.

I quit my job to become a full time blogger.....

I'm kidding. But I did get a new job that took me away from my blog and gchat and then I turned 25 sending me in a parade of celebrations of the quarter life crisis. Good news is I have recently purhcased an iPhone and MacBook so I am employed, aged and equipped to blog more than ever.

Exciting posts to come on a weekend with my parents, living at the Jane Hotel, and how to party 1980s style.

Until then...Happy Oscars Day!

B is for...

Tally a third weekend in a row of 2010 to host visitors and celebrate birthdays (was it spring break for all parents in april?) - this time for Miss Betsy Cook! (I lovingly refer to her as simply, "B") I have been celebrating her birthday since this diva turned a mere 19, and every year tops the other with more suprises, favors, gifts and festive dinner parties. B sadly moved to Houston in August, but came back to NYC for a weekend to celebrate her birthday. The weekend line-up opened with a huge party at the tequila dungeon-like cave bar, Los Feliz in the Lower East Side, an indulgent brunch at Chef April Broomfield's The Breslin Bar and Dining Room at the new Ace Hotel in Flatiron, and ended with an outstanding dinner at Bobo in The West Village.

Quietly marked sign of Bobo on corner of West 10th and 7th Ave -
easy to miss, but do not pass!

Eating at Bobo is like eating at the West Village town home of an eclectic librarian world traveler that subscribes to Elle Decor. So much thought, curating, and design went into every nook and cranny of this space. To enter, you walk down candlelit stairs to the basement level, greeted by a host and crowded bar area. The low ceiling, chalk renderings on old LPs of specials and bar menu, unique light fixtures and cozy seating make you feel right at home with all of your neighborhood best friends.

We were fortunately seated upstairs, and if you can, I highly recommend sitting upstairs - or when the weather permits, the back garden. Another candlelit set of stairs lead us to what I think was originally the living room/reading room of the town home. All of us, especially the girls, kept oohing and aahing over the little things: I love when I get to sit on a couch/banquette at a dinner table, dramatic chandeliers, little knick-knacks of figurines and clocks, books on display that you want to grab to flip open, wall collages of framed photographs, actual fireplaces, antique mirrors and weirdly enough, when the restauranteer takes time to personalize the restrooms. The room was too dimly lit for my camera, but perfect for an intimate date (just ask the couple making out next to us) or special group birthday dinner.

I know you get the message - I have my bags packed and am ready to move in and live upstairs - but was the food actually good? Yes! Unlike one of my roommates, I like for a restaurant to serve food that backs up the atmosphere, and despite rumors of new chefs and mixed reviews of the food, I thought the food to be outstanding; from bread basket to dessert. Seriously though, the bread was one of my favorite parts - artisinal bread dipped in olive oil is the perfect start to any meal. Between appetizers and entrees, there is a section titled "For the Table", which we joked should really just be titled "For the Person" because each item is served in single portions, canapé-esque. We ordered the ahi tuna with avacado and cilantro on some kind of cheese cracker that was delicious and gone in two bites, chicken liver toast, crispy fried pickles with rich crab dip, and sweet roasted shishito peppers (I think I counted 10 stems on my plate, whoops).

With seven different tastes, entree selections ranged from the seafood: seared scallops with roasted cauliflower, apple salad and cider reduction, the duo of cod with arugula, baby squash, and olive puree, and trout with apple puree, Brussels sprouts, and crispy sweet potoato; to the meat: bobo burger with gruyère cheese and leeks, the vegetarian coco burger (coco - branch of bobo promoting local and sustainable foods) of quinoa, beet relish and mustard. I had bites of all (surprise!) and everything was truly delicious, seasoned well and I was surprised by how much I liked the burger - love the twist of gruyère cheese and leeks.

Birthday Girl B dressed in the appropriately letter color Blue

Bobo is everything you hope for in a charming West Village restaurant - thoughtful and personal decor, bustling but not pretentious scene, a menu that offers dishes you cannot get everywhere else or make in your shoebox kitchen, and exceptional food. Come to think of it, Bobo is everything you hope for a in a West Village home too....dream big!

I could not resist one last photo - painted silhouettes on exposed brick wall to the back garden

Bobo
181 W. 10th St., New York, NY 10014
at Seventh Ave. South
212.488.2626
Sun - Wed: 6:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Thurs - Sat: Noon - 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. - Midnight
Brunch: Sat & Sun: Noon - 4:00 p.m.

A Cotton Anniversary

I moved to NYC January 26, 2008 - two years ago today.

Happy 2nd Anniversary, New York!

Photo taken on my first night living here:
Bleeker Street, January 26, 2008

My two year relationship with New York has had it's rollercoaster of ups and downs. I savor the postcard worthy moments of reading on the grass in Washington Square Park to the background music of a jazz trio, attending a rooftop summer soiree at The Met, and dancing with my three roommates in our Greenwich Village living room. I am ready to book the next plane ticket back to Texas when I see the bruises on my legs after carrying a TV up to the 4th floor, read the city and state income tax lines on my paycheck, and show up to work drenched after walking in the horizontal, windy rain with a flipped-out umbrella. This city beats you up physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally - but listen to Empire State of Mind and you are NY proud.

My friend Caroline sent this someecard when I first moved here - I have it hanging in my cubicle.

Before I get too Dear Diary on here, I want to thank my fabulous friends here in the city for opening your arms and making living here such a dream come true and incredibly fun - I could not survive without you. And to my family and friends in Texas - thank you for your love, support, prayers, and encouragement. You are my life raft. I need to stop watching so many awards shows - I am starting to write in the format of acceptance speeches.

I raise my cupcake and toast you New York - to 2 years!

grab your crack fork

Welcome my first guest blogger, Miss Kathleen Patterson. Kathleen is an easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl visitor - her one request during her stay was to visit Momofuku Milk Bar. I am embarrassed to say that I have not been to any of the Momofuku empire restaurants in my 2 years here. So thanks to Kathleen for getting me to hop on the Momofuku train. I thought it only appropriate that she give her own personal review of Momofuku Milk Bar - take it away Kathleen!....

Does anyone else watch Regis and Kelly? No? Last month while Regis was having his hip replaced, (here's to a happy and healthy 2010, Regis!), the great Anderson Cooper filled in for him. I love Anderson Cooper and will heed any advice he gives. So when he raved about Momofuku Milk Bar, I knew I had to experience it for myself.

Meredith and I made our way down there on a very chilly Sunday afternoon. Even though it was freezing outside, lots of people were eating their oddly flavored ice creams (example flavors: salt and pepper, pb & j, cereal milk?). We didn't try any but heard good things about the cereal milk. The display case had some great looking cakes and pies, of which Meredith did not take a picture. I think she was trying to sabotage my guest post, but WHATEV.

compost cookie with momofuku (translated to "lucky peach") logo

Anderson specifically recommended the Crack Pie and the compost cookie. We got both. The compost cookie is exactly what it sounds like, lots of random ingredients: pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch, chocolate chips. It was definitely good, but nothing to write home about. The Crack Pie however.. was definitely all it was CRACKED up to be. get it?! get it?! I can only describe it as the best oatmeal cookie you've ever had, but in pie form.

slice of crack pie: toasted oat crust, gooey butter filling

Momofuku Milk Bar
207 2nd ave. nyc 10003
corner of 13th and 2nd
monday -friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 am
saturday - sunday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am

Two Magic Words

Remember when your grandmother would ask you what the magic word was and you had to answer, "please"? What are the two magic words for New York shoppers? SAMPLE. SALE.

I first discovered the chaotic glory of sample sales when I interned here for the summer in college - lining around the block to wait, sharpening your elbows to get your first pick, and paying cash only on final sales of designer clothes, shoes and accessories. The warehouse room of a sample sale looks like a jungle of predators - think cafeteria jungle scene in Mean Girls. I commonly ignore sample sale alerts now because even the 80% discount isn't always worth the stress and effort. However, I was thrilled to receive an email about the winter sample sale at Sophia Eugene Boutique!

Sophia Eugene is the fashion line from New York-based designer, Christopher Crawford, who is also behind the Christopher Deane label. I love the boutique almost as much as the actual fashion line. The tiny space, once a meat freezer, is located on the quaint, picturesque Cornelia Street. The exposed brick, floral wall paper, dressing partition and glam center chandelier make your shopping experience feel like you are combing through your fashionable best friend's closet.

Sophia Eugene offers a wardrobe from day to night including feminine work clothes (pants, pencil skirts, blazers, jackets), fabulous party dresses with clever and sexy cuts and details, chic and flirty tops, and gorgeous winter coats. I also love this boutique because it is the only outpost for Sophia Eugene, so you can trust you are getting something truly unique and not offered everywhere. However, the website does offer a full listing of national and international boutiques selling Sophia Eugene.

Sweet Lisa & Ferris helping you find the perfect purchase

Pieces range from $150 - $400 - at times the pretty penny is worth it (I bought a Mexican fiesta dress this past summer that is one of my all time favorites!!) but the sample sale is a great opportunity to steal a piece for under half the price - without the long lines or crowds! Sophia Eugene silk and knit dresses that were $348 are now $100, wool winter coats that were $399 are now $150 and wool blazers were $215 are now $80. And like all sample sales, all sales are final, but they do take cash or credit.

Happy Shopping and Happy Savings!!

Sale Details:
Thursday, January 21st - Thursday, February 4th
12:00pm – 8:00pm

Sophia Eugene
37 Cornelia Street, New York, NY
(between Bleecker St. and W. 4th St)
212.488.2124