Leopard Barbie

Zara Cardigan (similar) and Gold Flats | J. Crew Skirt (similar) | Forever 21 Belt (similar)

This skirt (similar here) is definitely my most posted items (here, here, here) so sorry about that. But it is pretty representative of how much I wear it to jazz up a normally boring work outfit. I bought this barbie pink cardigan (similar here) from Zara a couple years ago on the simple basis that I absolutely loved the color. It has proven to be a nice transition piece as we enter spring but the weather still unfortunately calls for sweaters.

Buckwheat Crepes w/ Ham, Eggs & Gruyere

I was flipping through the Balthazar cookbook last weekend and had all the fixin's for these breakfast crepes. You can pretty much put anything inside a crepe and I'll eat but these were particularly tasty and perfectly filling for a late brunch before heading back to the city on Sunday. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 14 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups whole milk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 tablespoons melted), plus more for baking dish
• 12 thin slices French ham
• 3/4 pound Gruyere, grated

Directions

1. Whisk together flours and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a medium bowl. Whisk in 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter; whisk until smooth. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Remove batter from refrigerator and whisk in remaining 1/4 cup milk.
3. Place an 8-inch nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon melted butter and use a crumpled-up paper towel to spread evenly. Add a scant 1/4 cup batter and quickly swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
4. Cook until edges begin to dry, about 1 minute. Using your fingers or tongs, turn crepe, continue cooking about 15 seconds more; transfer to a plate and keep warm in the oven. Repeat process with remaining batter, stacking each crepe on top of one another as you work.
5. Using a fork or a whisk, blend remaining 12 eggs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl. Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add eggs and begin stirring with a wooden spoon. Slowly drag the spoon around the bottom and sides of the pan until thickened, about 5 minutes. Continue stirring until eggs have formed loose, moist curds, 3 to 5 minutes more. Remove from heat; set aside.
6. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.
7. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside. Place a crepe, dark side down, on work surface. Layer a slice of ham, some of the Gruyere, and about 1/4 cup eggs on top of crepe and I chose to sprinkle with green onions. Roll crepe and place seam side down in baking dish. Repeat process with remaining crepes. Transfer baking dish to oven and bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Oxford

J. Crew Sweater | Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt | Urban Outfitters Jeans | Forever 21 Oxfords | Zara Bag 

Why, oh why, did you have to come and go so quickly, warm weather. Such a tease. I pulled out my white jeans and everything. Would welcome your presence again with open arms, fyi.

Weekend Update - 3/26/2012

{a chilly Saturday walk along the beach}

A much needed couple days away from the city was just what the doctor ordered this weekend. Unfortuately the weather was pretty drury which made it even easier to do absolutely nothing. Still not happy to be going back to work today though. Oh well, such is life. How was your weekend?


{shells & stars}

{ham, egg & gruyere crepes}

{a rainy Sunday staple}

{crazy colorful sky as the sun set over Manhattan to end the weekend}

Pink Pant

H&M shirt (similar) & pants (similar) | Zara flats (similar) | Forever 21 necklace | Anthropologie bracelet

Stripes and pink pants to round out another very long work week. This was a look from last Sunday's picture perfect weather. Unfortunately this weekend's forecast doesn't look near as bright but I'm heading out to the Hampton's for some much needed down time. Have a nice weekend! xo.

Spring has Sprung

{pictures via Glitter Guide x 2, Wit & Delight, Tuula

Break out your pastels: Spring is finally here...actually lately it's been more like summer but you won't find this girl complaining. 

Neon Lace

Forever 21 Lace Shirt (how amazing is this one?) & Jeans | Zara Flats (similar here) | Urban Outfitters Jacket (similar) | Fuchsia belt

I know I have green shirts but of course couldn't find any when I went to get ready Saturday before a day full of St. Patty's festivities. Story of my life. I improvised with this lace neon Forever 21 one worn over an aqua/mint tank and paired it with orange sherbert nails to loosely satisfy both colors of the Irish flag. Good enough if you ask me.  

Weekend Update - 3/19/2012

{St. Patty's day neon green & orange sherbert nails}

I hate to say it for fear of jinxing it, but after this weekend it appears that Spring is finally here. Saturday was full of a variety of St. Patrick's Day parties all over the city whereas Sunday was spent enjoying absolutely every ounce of sunshine possible with a little shopping and an al fresco brunch and dinner. Rested, recharged and ready to tackle another crazy work week. Hope you all had a nice weekend! xo. 

{a pretty polka dotted asymmetrical dress at Zara}

{dinner at dusk at Macelleria in the Meatpacking Disctrict} 

{iceberg wedge with gorgonzola & pepercorns}

{straw & hay Tagliolini w/ peas and prosciutto...so good}

{blossoms a bloom in Union Square}

Red Fur

Necessary Clothing Silk Shirt (similar here) & Shoes | Michael Kors Fur Vest (similar here)  | Urban Outfitters Jeggings (similar here) | Beau & Stella Initial Necklace

A casual weekend look worn to grab brunch and run a bunch of errands last Sunday. I could pretty much sleep in this red silk shirt (similar here) and these little moccasins are perfect for walking around the city. That's about all I have to say about that.

Brussel Sprout & Butternut Squash Lasagna

When I was sick a couple weeks ago, I couldn't eat anything acidic but had a craving for some form of pasta. I stumbled upon this lasagna recipe and had to try it. With decent amounts of three types of cheeses, maybe not the best for the lactose intolerant but boy is it good. It keeps really well too. I almost think it was better reheated a couple days after making. Highly recommend for dinner, lunch the next day...heck, I'd even eat it for breakfast.

Ingredients:

4 cups quartered brussel sprouts

4 cups diced butternut squash

1 tablespoon butter

1 shallot, chopped

6 fresh sage leaves, chopped

1 egg

15 oz. ricotta cheese

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

7 oz fresh pesto sauce (I used Trader Joe's)

8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, drained of water and sliced

9 lasagna noodles, cooked ('no boil' noodles not recommended)

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Place brussel sprouts and butternut squash in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Roast until lightly browned and tender, about 20 minutes.

- Melt butter over medium heat and cook shallots and sage until tender. Add to brussel sprouts and squash.

- Stir together egg, ricotta, 1/2 cup parmesan and nutmeg.

- Spread layer of pesto over bottom of 11 x 7 inch baking dish and cover with one layer of cooked noodles. Spoon half of the vegetable mixture over pasta and top with half the ricotta mixture. Cover with 1/2 the mozzarella slices. Top with second layer of lasagna noodles. Spread second layer of noodles with pesto, remaining vegetables, ricotta, remaining mozzarella, third layer of noodles and finally pesto and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until bubbly.

Purple Palette

H&M Shirt (very similar here) & Pants (similar but much better here) | Vintage Heels (I'd rather have these) | Zara Coat (similar here) & Bag (similar here) | Anthropologie Necklace (similar that would have gone well too here & here) | Forever 21 Ring

Pink and purple have long been one of my favorite color combos but I don't think I've worn it since I was little. I mean, young. There was nothing little about me when I was younger [that Large Marge in the Hornets jersey and turtleneck is yours truly]. But now that I live in NYC and monochromatic looks are everywhere, I figured no better time than now to pair this bright purple H&M top (similar here) with these pinkish/lavender pants (similar here) and light pink heels (similar here).

Weekend Update - 3/12/2012

Although I had to cancel my planned trip to Chicago this weekend, it ended up being pretty decent with two sunny days spent thrifting & antiquing Saturday before enjoying happy hour wine at Terroir [$6 glasses of wine and free Sherry before 6:00 pm] and a big group dinner at Grape & Grain. Sunday was busy with brunch and an engagement party in Long Island where I snapped these photos. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and your first daylight-savings work day isn't too brutal. xo. 

{the beautiful bride to be}

{pretty flowers and dresses}

{gotta love a 7:00 pm sunset}

{towers of cream puffs...oh my}

{yummy pistachio, strawberry cream, neapolitan and cinnamon dessert shooters}

{future Mr. & Mrs.}

{in true Benrimon style...a firework finale}

{firework photo experimentation}