The Blanket Scarf

I am thrilled to introduce to you a good good friend of mine, Christine from The Belletrist. Christine has been a friend since we were wee-little ones (our dads have been close friends for as long as I can remember) and she was my inspiration to join the blogging world. Her incredible prose, her beautiful photography, her culinary escapades, not to mention her delicious little daughter; in essence, she makes living life look fabulous. It's no wonder why I welcome her as my very first guest blogger! 

Shirt: Madewell, Jeans: Forever 21, Jacket and shoes: Target, Bag: thrifted, Scarf- Zara 

Giant scarves have been around for a couple of years, but they are making a big statement this year and I have been seeing them everywhere in the form of blanket scarves. My friend told me about this scarf from Zara and all of a sudden the idea of wearing a blanket as a scarf seemed really appealing to me. Most of it probably had to do with the fact that I was feeling cold all the time. 

I worried about the comfort level and practicality of wrapping a blanket around your neck, especially because I am prone to feeling suffocated by too fabric all up in my neck and face, but when I put it on I immediately noticed how much warmer I was and now I'm all in. 

You can wear these like a normal scarf, wrapped around your neck in various shapes, or just drape it around yourself like a poncho. I get cold easily so I love that I have the option to wrap this around my shoulders or over my legs when I'm sitting down, and that it can double as a blanket to sit on. You could also come up with a makeshift hat, drape it around your neck as a statement piece, or use it to wrap up your toddler when it gets extra cold. 

I'm all about figuring out ways to stay warmer during the winter and I'm planning on making full use of giant scarves this season. Here's to a cozier next few months! 

I think the particular one I have on here is out of stock, but here are some links to other options if you want to check it out for yourself: 

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 

Weekend Shenanigans

A bit belated... but the other weekend, I enjoyed a GNO aka girls' night out. 

The four of us decided to embrace a "Carpe Diem" attitude and went out for a night of dancing on Halloween. We all agreed that a pit-stop at Crif Dogs was the highlight of the evening (their "Spicy Redneck" hot dog totally hit the spot at the end of the night.) 

The following morning, we got up early to seize the day and drove to Brooklyn. Though we had planned on going to the Smorgasburg, due to the inclement weather, there were very unfortunately very few vendors.

Plan B? Brunch at a local joint, Egg.

There was quite a wait but we filled that time hopping around the local shops in the area. And the hearty, warm grits, biscuit and gravy, eggs, kale were well-worth the wait in the end. 

We ended our day in New York City with a trip to Two Little Red Hens. It was my first time there and I beat myself in the head when I realized this gem of a bakery was right in the neighborhood I used to live in. I indulged myself in the mini cupcakes in coconut cream, key lime, red velvet, and Brooklyn Blackout (they were consumed too quickly so I apologize for no photos...) and washed it down with a hot apple cider. It was the perfect ending to an eventful weekend. 

Another possible food tour with these girls to come. 

7 years

7 years ago today, Y asked me out on our first "official" date. And he did it in "grand" fashion. 

       Good Morning Grace!

       How goes it? How are you feeling?  

       So here is a mission briefing for you today:

       I’ll take you out to dinner @ 19:00 (7PM) November 8,2007 Thursday – 42nd Grand Central

1. Accept
2. Decline
3. Postpone

        Once you respond… I’ll give you further information/direction.

        Have a good day!

I obviously responded with 1. Accept and he replied with a detailed run-down of what my "mission" was. I was to meet him in Grand Central Station in the Main Concourse (he attached the following photo) and I had 5 yes/no questions to locate him in this bustling hub. 

Recently, during my weekend shenanigans in NYC, I was on the subway. As we were briefly stalling at the Grand Central Station stop, I was brought back to that exact day. I remember vividly getting off the subway and walking up the stairs to Grand Central Station, butterflies in stomach. I made my way up to the Main Concourse slowly and called Y. If my memory serves me correctly, it only took me 3 questions to find him. [If you're curious, he was standing below the flag on the right shown in the above photo.] I remember he then told me about the architecture of the magnificent Main Concourse and how around a million people visit and travel through Grand Central Station (officially called Grand Central Terminal). To read more interesting facts about Grand Central Terminal, go here and here.  

We then walked downstairs to the Oyster Bar & Restaurant. But before we walked in to enjoy dinner, he showed me the "Whispering Gallery" located at the entrance of the restaurant. Y explained to me that the architecture of this unmarked archway allowed for a strange acoustic phenomenon: when two people stand at diagonal arches and whisper, they can hear each other's voices from across the arch. My interest in architecture was piqued and my nerves had subsided as we walked into the Oyster Bar. I remember the red-and-white checkered table cloths and the twinkling lights above. We sat and feasted on New England Clam Chowder, raw oysters, crab cakes, and told each other corny jokes and challenged one another with riddles. Afterwards, we walked off some of that hearty dinner and made a quick stop into Starbucks. I remember the Starbucks red Christmas cups had already made their comeback. Being the gentleman Y is, he took the subway with me and walked me all the way to the door of my apartment. On the way there, we talked about qualities we admired in the opposite sex. And I remember secretly wondering, "Does he like me?" 

Turns out he did. And I am grateful for it. 

Thanks for the best first date a girl could ever ask for. 

Happy 7 years of "dating"! And to many more years of "dating". 

Friday Favorites

As I have slowly come to realize that my time here is limited, I am purposefully getting out of my "comfort zone" (Being the homebody I am, my "comfort zone" is mainly the comforts of my own home, being nestled under my blankets with a book/iPhone in hand) and intentionally relishing every moment - a girls' night out that began at 1 am (Talk about out of my comfort zone! I'm in bed by 10 pm usually!), a trip to Brooklyn in the rain, a NFL MNF game. 

This weekend calls for lots of celebration: celebrating the anticipated arrival of my best girl friend's baby girl, celebrating the union of two friends at their wedding. 

TGIF! 

Some of my amazingly awesome coworkers in their TMNT costumes for Halloween! Hand-painted turtle-shell backpacks, and all! 

Rosie the Riveter says, "We can do it!" #womanpower (Daria & Superwoman agree.) 

A beautiful nook in my friend A's New York City apartment. 

Truth found in the unexpected. 

The brother and I at our first Giants game thanks to our friend S. 

Happy Halloween

Happy (belated) Halloween! 

Love, 

Rosie the Riveter