Sweet Blog O'Mine

Author: Laren

  • A Generous Celebration

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    As you may know, I turned 40 on December 26th. To celebrate, I threw a party for family and friends in early January, which was absolutely wonderful. I had some trepidation about turning 40, but looking at a room full of people I love from all areas of my life was a clear illustration to me of how lucky I am.  To top it all off, all of you amazing people gave generously in honor of the occastion to Just Food.  Thanks to you, we raised over $2100 to support their mission to increase access to fresh, healthy food in NYC and to support the local farms and urban gardens that grow it.

    And speaking of generosity, my friend Rachel set up a "photo booth" at the party and took some fantastic pictures — I've posted my favorites here.  Thanks again to everyone for helping me celebrate and for giving so generously.

  • Booze You Can Use: Women’s History Month

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    International Women's Day was on March 8th, and as part of the 100th Anniversary of IWD, the lovely ladies of LUPEC NYC (the NYC Chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) teamed up with Compass Box Whisky, Bespoke Chocolates, and Murray's Cheese for Women & Whisky Unite — a wonderful seminar and tasting at Astor Center. Proceeds from the event benefitted Bottomless Closet. This gorgeous drink you see above was created by Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room. As she tells us, this cocktail was "[i]nspired by feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem, who became nationally recognized as a leader of the US women's liberation movement in the late 1960's and 1970's.  Steinem also co-founded Ms. Magazine, hence the cocktail's name.

    Mr. & Ms.
    Dash Angostura Bitters
    1/2 oz lime
    3/4 oz ginger syrup
    1/2 oz Cherry Heering
    1 1/2 oz Spice Tree

    Shake, strain into Collins glass, top with soda. Lime wheel, cherry garnish.

    Photos from the event can be found here and here.

  • Blooms

    Just an attempt to add a little color into an otherwise dreary day in NYC!

  • Pro Bono Rocks!

    JaleomenuSee?  Our menu says so! Once again I had a wonderful visit to DC for the annual Pro Bono Institute and a visit to our DC office.  I also, as usual, managed to eat and drink quite well while I was down there.  Wednesday night was a lovely Indian dinner at Rasika, Thursday was a huge group dinner at Jaleo (partial menu above), and Friday night was a cocktail/food crawl, courtesy of the DC Twitter crew: @VAScofflaw, @jakehparrott, @jasonmader & @highwaystar.  First stop, PS7's to visit the lovely @MixtressDC, next, Cafe Atlantico for a cocktail that included leather-infused tequila (yep, leather), after that, a wonderful visit to Proof (must go back for a full-on meal next time I'm in town), and finished up the evening at the Passenger. On my way back to NY, I had the pleasant surprise of running into my cousin at the train station; we took the train back together until she got off in Baltimore. 

    The rest of the weekend was all about relaxation, with a quick trip to Fatty Johnson's to bid it farewell on Sunday night.  Sad.  Looking forward to seeing what's next!

  • Laughing Out Loud

    Lately I have taken to downloading podcasts of Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me! and listening to them at the gym, on the bus/subway, and walking down the street.  The result of this is basically that I burst out laughing every so often while I'm listening to them — I'm sure that to the random observer I merely look insane, but I couldn't care less.  Listening to them — but even more so laughing — always puts me in a great mood, especially when I think about how silly I might look/sound.

    And on that note — support public radio! Donate to WNYC and NPR!

  • Double Bridge Weekend

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    This weekend's theme was restoration.  Friday night @cocktailspirit and I went to a yoga class, which was exactly what I needed after my busy week.  After a quick dinner, I spent some quality time on my couch catching up on my DVR.  Saturday I slept later than I thought was humanly possible, then met Bill for dim sum at Red Egg.  Afterwards, we wandered around Chinatown and the Lower East Side, then decided to continue over the Williamsburg bridge.  Once we got to the other side, we rewarded ourselves with a tipple or two at Dram.  On a side note, Dram's new food menu looks great.  Have to return at some point when I'm hungry. 

    Sunday began with laziness and the NYT, then I headed to Maharlika for brunch with @selenawrites and @libationdiaries to support our friends Enzo & Noel, who are involved in this great pop-up Filipino brunch spot.  The gorgeousness you see above is the Eggs Benigno: lola mahal's home-style pandesal, thinly sliced housemade spam, calamansi hollandaise and kamote fries (more brunch photos here).  Selena and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and walk off brunch by walking downtown and over the Brooklyn Bridge.  Afterwards, I went home, did some writing, and watched the Oscars, which were only bearable thanks to Twitter and a Vieux Carré.  Oy.

    All in all, a lovely, relaxing weekend.

  • Song of the Day

    Thinking about 1985.  Dedicated to MP.

  • Progress?

    Due to having gone over my allotted text message allowance for several months in a row now, I just upgraded my text plan.  Feel free to text away, kids!  Of course, you can always just pick up the damn phone and call.

  • Under the Sea

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    I suddenly feel like I spent a decent chunk of my weekend eating sea creatures.  Friday night I had oysters at Maison Premiere, Saturday night we shared a chilled seafood platter at The Astor Room, Monday we had crudo & clams at Eataly followed by oysters at The John Dory Oyster Bar, and at T.J.'s Supper Club we started off with a fluke crudo.  I don't think I had any fish, shellfish, or other random crustaceans on Sunday.  And on a related note, I must learn to shuck oysters.

  • Booze You Can Use: Drinking for Good Causes

    Sure, drinking can be fun, but it's even better when it's benefiting those in need!

    Salud! Healthcare for Bartenders – Did you know that 89.7% of bar/restaurant workers lack employer-provided healthcare?  On Monday, 2/21 head to Freeman's for cocktails made by Lynnette Marrero and Jim Kearns (Peels), Jason Littrell (Death & Company), Marshall Altier (1534) and others to raise money for healthcare for bartenders. Tickets are $40 and are available online.

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    Women & Whisky Unite! – Join the lovely ladies of LUPECNYC and Compass Box Whisky as they join forces to celebrate International Women's Day.  Tickets are $85 (available online) and will include 8 specialty cocktails – 4 named in honor of iconic NYC women, 2 matched with chocolates from Bespoke Chocolates and 2 with fine artisanal cheese. 30% of all ticket sales will be donated to Bottomless Closet, a non-profit organization which helps disadvantaged NYC women become self-sufficient through comprehensive training and development programs.