Stanton Social

This weekend I had the delight of meeting up with an old friend from high school here in NYC.  So lucky to have had the chance to catch up and see her while she is still in New York but is moving to Newport - I can not wait to visit.

To celebrate our new beginnings, we went to Stanton Social in the Lower East Side.  Apparently all the new restaurants in New York are going for the small plate, prohibition theme, but they are doing it so well I don't really care. 

To start things off, we both ordered their "Strawberry Fields" cocktail which had yummy fresh strawberries muddled throughout.  To share, we ordered the French Onion Soup Dumplings, Nori Spiced Tuna Poke Wontons, and the Red Snapper Tacos.  The tuna and the tacos were definitely my favorites - so much flavor!  And because we were celebrating, we had the warm doughnuts with dipping sauces.  Usually nothing can keep me away from chocolate, but their caramel sauce was my favorite.  Not sure what was up with that but it was outrageous.  We went all out, but the bill was totally worth the sacrifices I will have to make to compensate later in the week to stay in my budget. 

From a design perspective, the restaurant is super cozy and offers a great variety of seating.  The booths are well placed on the main floor and are very intimate and the chevron wine wall in the back is well done.  There were white tassled wall treatments on the third floor which were my favorite feature. 

I would definitely go back, loved the food and had the best time seeing my friend before her send off to Rhode Island! 

Take Care, 

T

Homepolish at Furnish Green

Happy Saturday!

I still have no wifi - the sorest subject in the entire world - so that is why my posts have been sadly delayed.  I finally have found the time to catch up on the post I promised about my "Salsa and Shopping" last week at Furnish Green.

Furnish Green is a fabulous little vintage shop located at 1261 Broadway, Suite #30.  The owner scouts for beautiful and unique pieces and adds new inventory everyday.  The store photographs all of their pieces for the website so if you can't make it into the shop, you can still browse for clients.  Or yourself.  But let's be honest, it's more fun to shop in person.  They will also take your "wish lists" and keep an eye out for what you are looking for when they are doing the buying.  I love it.

The owner in addition to selling beautiful vintage finds teaches salsa dancing in a studio adjoining the shop. Furnish Green hosted Homepolish, the design firm I work as a freelance designer for, a night of exclusive shopping and a little salsa dancing.  For me being new to the city, it was fantastic to spend time with other fun designers and to meet more people who share the same love for design that I have.  I also love to dance and drink wine!

The highlight of the night was that I snagged my first furniture piece - a little accent side table with a ratan top.  It is not much but it is so cute I just can't wait to share it with you all!  And I needed to upgrade the cardboard box that had been acting as my nightstand.

If you are in NYC I would definitely check out Furnish Green if you haven't already or don't have time to make it into the shop yourself.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

T

Visit Furnish Green here!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  Spring is starting to feel like it may actually come to NYC!

This is my new favorite cocktail that I stumbled across at Bar Sardine in the West Village.  It is called "What's Your Favorite John Hughes Movie?" and it has tequila blanco, Gascogne Blanc and grapefruit juice. 

Check back later this week for a post on my party from last week - fun news to share!   

Cheers! 

T

When Without Wifi...

Manhattan seriously needs to hire more wifi service employees because I have to wait two tediously long weeks before I can get anyone to come to my apartment and install a router for me.  This is not to be believed!

I have splurged and downloaded the Vanderpump Rules reunion episodes and the most current RHOBH from iTunes because I cannot handle living without Bravo, however, even I can only watch these episodes so many times within 24 hours.  This weekend I finally caved in to the boredom of my bedtime routine without television or Netflix and ventured out to my local Barnes and Noble for some new books.  I was so pleased with my selections, until I came across this shop tonight.

This evening after work I took a little walk around my neighborhood and found The Corner Bookstore.  I am convinced that I am am subconsciously trying create my own "You've Got Mail" reality.  But this book store is too perfect and so cute.  I was so touched to see such wonderful local bookstore and was impressed by their selection.  So much so I am contemplating putting off picking up my library card so I can justify going back after I finish the two books I picked up last weekend.

Just wanted to share this treasure I found in the Upper East Side.  Can you tell I love my neighborhood?

Going salsa dancing tomorrow night for a "Shopping and Salsa" event at Furnish Green, a fabulous little vintage shop in Midtown - hoping to have fun pictures to share!

Take Care,

T

There's Coffee Other Than Starbucks

This morning when I went out for coffee, I couldn't bring myself to go to Starbucks where I have been nearly living these past two weeks since I have not been able to get wifi installed in my apartment yet.   It's like I am living in the dark ages.  

Anyways, I decided since spring is basically here to step out and go across the street to this darling little bakery, appropriately named The Corner Bakery.  Everything looked insanely good and there were so many treats.  Not only do they have pastries and darling cakes covered in sprinkles, they also have savory lunch options and BAGELS.  Sorry Starbucks, but I think my loyalty will go to the local bakery once my wifi is installed.  I might take that back, I don't think I could handle losing my gold card - but The Corner Bakery will definitely be one of my regular stops. 

I took my coffee (and the coffee cake with an espresso glaze that I decided to save for later) with me and went for a walk exploring the local shops and I can not get over this life and my love for the Upper East Side.  Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!  

Take Care, 

T 

Pizza Beach Club

Last night was my first night dining out in my neighborhood!  Me and two of my girlfriends headed to check out Pizza Beach Club before seeing Cinderella.

Before I get into pizza, I must say that Cinderella was everything that I hoped that it would be!  As an avid Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones fan, Lily James and Richard Madden could not have been a more perfect duo.

But this is about the pizza!

Named as one of the seven restaurants that Town and Country has credited to making the Upper East Side "cool" again, Pizza Beach Club is a new neighborhood spot that is cozy, fresh and offers incredible pizza.  From an interior designer's eye, I am a big fan of the mix between the New York City aesthetic and the Santa Monica feel.  The industrial stools at the bar and exposed brick keep the restaurant true to Manhattan, while the stunning photography, boat inspired graphic tabletops and wooden booths make you feel like you are in a surfside retreat.

We ordered the Margherita pizza to share and the Japanese Egglpant VT.  The aged mozzarella was crazy good on the eggplant pizza and I am dying to go back to try the Thai Coconut Curry and Rock Shrimp.  This place may be too irresistable to passby on my walk home from work - thankfully they offer carry-out.

I can't wait to start tackling the rest of Town and Country's "cool" list and to find more places on my own in my neighborhood.

Take Care,

T

Happy House Warming to Me!

So I have decided since I now have my own, grown-up apartment and will finally be purchasing real pieces, not just fantasizing on Pinterest, that I will keep you updated with what I find and buy for myself.  I have my eye on a powder blue little sofa at CB2 and desperately need a nightstand, however this is my first purchase.  I just adore it and it suits my move to NYC perfectly.  And it already comes with the pillow insert!

This line makes so many cute accent pillows and I am such a major fan of text.  Definitely worth checking them out on All Modern! 

I look forward to sharing more with you as I start to bring my studio together and keep pictures of my space as it evolves! 

Click if you want to buy me too!

Take Care, 

T 

Clean Cozy Modern

I have some exciting news - in addition to completing my first week of work, I have also taken on my first client on my own. I could not have asked for a better client!  She is totally design savvy, open-minded and has great taste - she makes my job so easy!

My client has a studio apartment that is approximately 400 sq. ft.  We are working on coming up with a feminine, sophisticated yet casual living space distinct from the bedroom space.

Hopefully we will be able to place orders later in the week, but I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces that we have confirmed thus far!

West Elm, Kate Spade Saturday Small Scale Maze Dhurrie Rug

CB2, Rosie Table Lamp

Urban Outfitters, Inaluxe Coda II Art Print

CB2, Facetta Cyan Chair

All Modern, Oslo End Table

More to come!

Take Care,

T

Hello... I Live Here?

This weekend I had the biggest SJP moment - I finally found the PERFECT apartment.  It felt like a dream walking in with my suitcase and realizing I actually live here.  I have officially accepted two design jobs and after weeks of agonizing over where I was going to live in this city, I finally was able to lockdown a studio.  It is located in Carnegie Hill, just one subway stop away from my office!  The highlights of my apartment are the 2 large closets, black painted brick, and private bathroom with brand new subway tile!  Right now all I have is a mattress and am waiting for my belongings to make it here from MN!  I will definitely share updates as I begin to decorate my first grown-up apartment!  Just waiting for the paychecks to start showing up in my bank account!

Take Care, 

T