Music Philosophy

I came across the posters from the Music Philosophy project on Pinterest this week and loved the graphic interpretations of song lyrics. Music always seems to put me in a better mood and some of the most classic lines are the most true. The artist, Mico, creates weekly posters from philosophical song lyrics ranging from Jay-Z to U2 to Pink Floyd. Here are some of my favorites but be sure to check out his website to see more of his posters.

Notebooks I Bought and Liked

I am loving the Archie Grand notebook line for J.Crew. The brightly colored blank leather notebooks come in vibrant and cheerful colors that fit easily in any purse or tote bag. The sayings are quirky yet catchy and the notebooks are perfect to jot down random musings or perhaps a new restaurant to try. 

Parties I Crashed and Liked

Intuitive Pisces I Met and Liked

Thoughts I Had and Couldn't Remember

My favorite notebook is the "Thoughts I Had and Couldn't Remember" and the neon pink is hard not to love. I can't wait to start writing down all of the stores, restaurants, ideas and spring clothing I "have" to have!

From the Kitchen Of

If you remember back in January I was on the hunt for some recipe cards. After searching online I came across the Sincerely Yours Paper Etsy store. I immediately fell in love the the scalloped edged cards and whimsical customizable icons. I loved the silverware option in the classic blue and white, but the store owner, Amy Nelson Hannon, also offers so many chic choices.

{Images via Sincerely Yours Paper}

For $25.00 you receive a set of 20 cards and a wooden spoon. Amy's packaging and attention to detail is flawless and it feels so special to open your new set of recipe cards. I highly recommend this as a hostess gift or a gift for someone who loves to cook.

In addition to Amy's recipe cards she also offers customizable notecards, plates, platters and rubber stamps in her Etsy store. Be sure to check out her website, Sincerely Yours Paper, and you will love her blog and paper creations. I could not be happier with my new recipe cards and Amy was fantastic to work with!

Happy {Pleats} Friday!

After shopping around Bloomingdale's during my lunch break this past week I am loving the pleats that are popping up everywhere. From skirts to dresses to long gowns, pleats are a great way to add some texture to any outfit. They are a simple touch that can be worn dressed up or dressed down. Here are some favorite pictures I found recently showing various ways to wear pleats. Makes me want to buy a new dress or perhaps a long skirt!

All images via Pinterest

Enjoy the weekend, spring is in the air!

Tastemaker Tag Sale: Harry Heissmann

{photo via One Kings Lane}

I am so excited for the Tastemaker Tag Sale tomorrow on One Kings Lane. The sale will be featuring interior designer Harry Heissmann. I first become exposed to Harry's design and style through a good friend of mine who works for him. Harry's work has been featured in House Beautiful, The New York Times, Metropolitan Home and many other design publications. He also has designed a room for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House and will be designing for Design on a Dime as well. Harry trained under the dean of design, Albert Hadley, who was inducted into the Designer Hall of Fame. I cannot wait to see what Harry has selected for the sale and know that there will be some unique and eclectic pieces that cannot be missed! The sale starts at 11am EST on February 24th.

Stumptown Coffee Milkshake

I never drink coffee during the week and try to avoid caffeine but when I do indulge Stumptown coffee is the coffee of choice in the neighborhood. Over the summer I discovered the Stumptown Coffee Crunch Milkshake at the Melt Shop in the Atrium on 53rd and Lex. Unfortunately they do not have any gluten free grilled cheeses but this milkshake more than makes up for it. 

The melt shop is nestled in the corner of the Atrium and there is outdoor seating in the summer and you can bring your order inside the Atrium as well. I typically stop in and take my milkshake to go but you can also order from the Melt Shop on Seamless Web. I have heard fantastic reviews about the grilled cheese so if you are not gluten free I think it would be delicious with a Stumptown milkshake.

The Melt Shop blends delicious Stumptown coffee into their thick and creamy milkshakes. The result is a sweet {but not overkill} indulgence with a caffeine kick. This is the perfect summer satisfaction when temperatures are hot but I also find myself stopping by to grab one even in the winter. I highly recommend stopping by the Melt Shop for this killer combination. Warm weather is just around the corner!

Fall Off the Bone Baby Back Ribs

I wouldn't call myself a rib lover by any means and I hardly ever pick it out on a menu, but these ribs are SO delicious. I first tasted this rib recipe two and half years ago when my boyfriend's dad cooked them for dinner. The ribs were unlike anything I had ever had before, even at the top southern style cooking restaurants in NYC. They fell off the bone and were so soft. I was immediately hooked and they became something I looked forward to whenever I found out they were being cooked for dinner. This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to try them out ourselves and we were so excited with our success. 

Ingredients:

Baby back {pork} ribs

Rib rub {can be purchased at most grocery stores in the spice section}

Cayenne Pepper

White Vinegar

Water

Red Wine {not necessary} 

This recipe is so easy and so good, but the key is to get good quality ribs. Baby back ribs are pork ribs which I learned when shopping for them over the weekend. We got a little too excited and got 3 racks of ribs and only ended up eating about 1.5 racks. I would recommend about 1/2 to 3/4 of a rack per person to make sure that no one is left hungry and leftovers are always useful.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse the ribs with water and pat them dry. If the ribs are still wet the dry rub will not stick as well. Place them in the pan used for cooking {I buy a large pan at the grocery store that can be thrown away after} and make sure they are spaced evenly. Coat both sides of the ribs with the rub and cover thoroughly. Sprinkle a little bit of cayenne pepper {chili powder also works} to add a little kick.

Add the white vinegar to the bottom of the pan, about 1/2 cup for each rack. You can also add red wine at this point but it is not vital. We had about 1/3 bottle left of red wine from the night before but it will not change the result by much. Fill the bottom of the pan with water to dilute the vinegar so that there is about an inch of liquid.

Cover the pan entirely with aluminum foil and make sure the edges are tightly sealed. This step is what makes the ribs so tender because it locks in the steam and heat. Place in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. 

And voilà! You will have most mouth-watering ribs that fall of the bone without any effort. This recipe is a crowd pleaser and can be made so easily, even in a small NYC apartment. It is a fantastic way to be able to cook just for 2 or for 20. I highly recommend pairing the ribs with your favorite glass of red wine, enjoy!

Happy {Toile} Friday!

Is it just me or has this week dragged by? I am so happy that it is almost the weekend and that Monday is a holiday! Lately I have been looking at toile since it is one of my favorite fabrics. My headboard, duvet and side table at home are blue and white toile so it always stands out to me. I love it in any home and in various colors. Here are some favorite toile inspirations ranging from bedrooms to bathrooms to mud rooms.

Enjoy the three day weekend!!