Sweet Blog O'Mine

Author: Laren

  • It’s a Dog’s Life

    Miss Moxie had a bit of a rough weekend — she got her dew claw caught in a puppy friend's harness while they were playing on Thursday night and it tore down the the quick, so Friday I had to take her to the vet to get it clipped off. She had to be sedated and was a druggy mess on Friday night. She's still wearing the cone of shame so that she won't lick her paw and she's on antibiotics which seem to be taking away her appetite, but is otherwise in good spirits. At the very least, she's better than another of her dog park friends, Winston, who we ran into at the vet. Winston, a daschund, had burned his nether regions on some hot asphalt . . . Here's to a speedy recovery for everyone, but especially Winston!!

    In other news this weekend, Mox & I had a lovely visit to Smorgasburg, I joined the 8th Street Winecellar for their 5th birthday celebration after a BYOB Italian dinner in the East Village, and I had a fun Sunday at the SuperDuper Market (Shorty Tang sesame noodles and Humphrey Slocumb ice cream!) before heading off to the Bastille Day celebration on Smith Street. Wound up the weekend with a few episodes of Breaking Bad Season 4. Not too shabby!

  • Booze You Can Use: Have Some Sangria

    Sangria. It goes down oh so well, especially in the summer. Too well, often. Plus, it the kind of thing that you make by the pitcherful — who makes one glass of sangria?!  The possibilities are endless, really — start out with a wine of your choice, toss in some fruit, maybe some brandy, curacao or liqueur of some sort, some sparkling water, adjust to taste. You really can't go dreadfully wrong. If you're looking for places to sip sangria in NYC, check out my latest on CBS New York. If you want to try something a little different, try this lovely looking Sangria Blanc recipe from Jaimie Boudreau.

     

    Sangria Blanc

    1/2 bottle of white wine
    2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
    1 oz Martin Miller's Gin
    2 slices lemon
    2 slices lime
    seasonal fruit (berries would be great this time of year)

    Build in a pitcher full of ice adding liqueur last. Stir, top with ice and more wine if necessary. Serve in an ice filled goblet or Collins glass with fruit.

  • Sunset Over the Hudson

    Looks lovely, but unfortunately I know what it smells & tastes like. Takes away a bit of the beauty.

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  • Swim. Bike. Run. Done.

    My 5th NYC Triathlon is now done. Once again, I marvel at my own consistency. I was a bit faster than last year, likely because I wasn't contending with rain on the bike course. My total time was 3:34:16. For comparison's sake, Laila Ali, Mohammed Ali's daughter and world champion boxer, finished in 3:06:22. I think that makes me fairly badass, given that I am *not* a world champion anything.  That said, I'd love to get another one under my belt in under 3:30. Many thanks to all who donated — together we raised over $3000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It's not too late to donate if you still would like to.  Also a special thanks to Mom & Stephen for coming out and cheering me on along the way.

    Memorable moments: noticing the dead fish in the Hudson before having to jump into the water, being called pretty by a guy on the bike leg, getting/giving a high five to a woman in what appeared to be her 70's during the run — an inspiration!

    2012: Swim 23:28 T1 9:55 Bike 1:44:50 T2 5:02 Run 1:11:05 Total: 3:34:16

    2011: Swim 22:19 T1 12:27 Bike 1:51:54 T2 4:58 Run 1:11:40 Total: 3:43:17

    2010: Swim 20:54 T1 11:39 Bike 1:42:43 T2 6:26 Run 1:08:01 Total: 3:29:41

    2009: Swim 24:30 T1 10:17 Bike 1:40:57 T2 4:01 Run 1:07:22 Total: 3:27:06

    2008: Swim 24:30 T1 10:55 Bike 1:36:47 T2 4:00 Run 1:08:40 Total: 3:24:51

  • Well I Tri, And I Tri . . .

    Sunday's the big day, kids, and I'm just back from France. Jetlag seems to be relatively under control and today I'm heading up to pick up my race packet. Tomorrow (when the weather report is predicting a high of 99 degrees), I'll ride my bike up to the transition area, where it will stay (protected by garbage bags), until I rejoin it very early Sunday morning.

    If you're an early riser, and want to watch the race, you can find detailed info on that here (I'll be starting at about 6:30; will hit the run around 9 and finish around 10ish), and you can find me at the Team in Training tent near the bandshell at the end of the race.  I'll be wearing a purple Team in Training tank, Team in Training black and purple tri shorts, a yellow number 2388 and a white visor (for the run) and will be on a blue bike with pink handlebars (for the bike). Good places to watch the run are along 72nd Street from Henry Hudson Parkway to Central Park West, Cherry Hill before we head to the finish on Dead Road in Central Park, and Dead Road in Central Park near the bandshell off the 72nd Street Transverse. If you want to watch the bike, head to the West Side Highway. A detailed version of where to watch each event can be found here.

    There's also an athlete tracking app this year! For a mere 99 cents you can track my progress on your phone. Android and iPhone versions are available.

    If you're not an early riser, come celebrate anytime after 6 pm at the 8th St. Winecellar.

    Regardless, please support my efforts by making a donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society — it'll make you feel good!

  • Bon Voyages!

    In a few hours I'll be flying off to France to meet my Dad, stepmother, brother, sister and brother-in-law for a walking trip in the Dordogne. I've been in this region before and am looking forward to the gorgeous countryside, amazing wine, and foie gras galore (sorry, California, try not to be jealous). Will try to post updates along the way. Au revoir!

  • Isn’t it Gorgeous?

    More about this beauty to come. Stay tuned!

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  • Weekend Wrapup

    Coney
    Dinner at NoMad with Karen (CHICKEN!!), early to bed Friday night. Up super-early Saturday for open water swim at Coney Island followed by 50 minute run on the boardwalk. Lounging in Washington Square Park with Moxie Mutt, beer and pretzels at Der Schwarze Kölner with Josh, Jeramy & baby Sid, drinks/snacks/dinner with Colin, Jen, Jenny, Rob & Sara, with stops at Joseph Leonard, Bobo, Amor y Amargo & Terroir EV. Slept in on Sunday, then brunch at Red Farm with Rob, Nic & Liz, and Pride-parade watching with Karen, and a pit-stop at the 8th Street Winecellar for a frozen margarita (special for Pride). More Moxie time in the park, then wine and snacks with mom at Terroir Murray Hill, and a quick visit to Gin Palace on the way home. This week I plan to lay low . . .

  • Time Flies in Pro Bono Land

    Holy shit! It's my seven year anniversary at D&P today — I'm honored to be managing one of the best pro bono programs in the world and part of an amazing worldwide pro bono community, fighting the good fight.

  • Booze You Can Use: Sailing and Scotch

      Bowmore_ny_webIf you're looking for something interesting to do this Saturday the 23rd from 2:30-7 pm, Liquor.com is hosting an afternoon sail on the 158-foot schooner Clipper City, complete with punch made with Bowmore Legend Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and fresh oysters paired with Bowmore 12-year-old.

    Once the ship docks, the fete continues at new FiDi cocktail den Demi Monde for a cocktail party featuring the Bowmore 15-year-old, 18-year-old and a special rare bottling.  Nibble on snacks while you learn to make a proper Rob Roy.  Liquor.com is offering a VIP discount to friends of Sweet Blog o' Mine — use this discount code to get $30 off the ticket price:  S&S65L.   Enjoy!