Inst-Appreciation

|The sublime view of westside Manhattan from the deck of my hotel.|

Coming to New York is always bittersweet. When I’m here, I always feel like I am in my true home. When I walk through the city, it’s as if I am strolling in a neighborhood I grew up in. I try to meticulously plan so I can spend quality time with the people that I love that are here. Yet, it never feels like enough time. To do New York right, to feel complete about my trip, I need to be here for four contiguous weeks…at the least. Maybe one day I can have my cake and eat it too. In the meantime, I feast on this…

|Consistently enamored by the classic details of my bestie’s Park Slope apartment.|

|A TDF black and white Jonathan Adler clutch, because
my obsession with his line of home products isn’t enough.|

|A gift from my cousin Gale, who lives in Toronto. We had the serendipitous fortune of being in New York at the same time. I got to spend a priceless evening shopping, eating and learning from her. I can’t wait to start soaking up the book on my flight home.|

|Love that a week that starts with pouring rain, ends in the sun
with team drinks at the Pier i Cafe on the river.|

Black and White 50s Dress

Posted on 05.16.13 by Dress Dish Dwell

|Club Monaco dress – Modcloth version here, Banana Republic necklace and bracelet -
very close versions here and here, DKNY shoes, C. Wonder earrings, gifted ring |

The 50s is having a bit of a moment in the sartorial spotlight, right next to its successor, the 60s. Perhaps it’s because the whole punk movement is now front and center, thanks to the Met Gala (read more on that here). The thing I love about 50s fashion is the big dramatic and girly skirts. Whether it’s a skirt on its own or part of a cocktail dress, there is always a bit of fierceness to it. This black and white 50s dress is no different. It is the perfect blend of classic style and modern impact when paired with black beaded jewelry.

Grilling Essentials

Posted on 05.15.13 by Dress Dish Dwell

Nothing makes me happier than spending time outdoors and cooking on the grill. Now that I have finally mastered my new barbecue and with Memorial Day around the corner, it is the perfect time to make sure you have all of the grilling essentials you need to become a grill master. Below is a list of affordable essentials I have purchased to grill everything from fish to meat to vegetables (and even fruit):

Grill Hook - $12.79 Casa.com
Perfect for flipping large pieces of meat in one seamless movement

Organic Non-Stick Cooking Spray - $7.99 Drugstore.com
Prevents food from sticking to the grill and makes the grill easier to clean

Digital Instant Read Thermometer – $20.50 Wayfair.com
Important for checking that meat and poultry have reached the right temperature.

Offset Spatula - $25.95 Amazon.com
Works well for getting under food and lifting it away from the grill without shredding it.

Stainless Steel Vegetable Basket - $17.99 Buydig.com
The best way to barbecue small vegetables without them falling through the grill.

Long Handled Silicone Basting Brush – $19.95 Cooking.com
Helps you baste and mop food while you are grilling.

12″ Stainless Steel Locking Tongs – $9.99 EverythingKitchens.com
The perfect length for being able to control and grip food, without getting too hot.

Grilling Glove – $15.95 Crate&Barrel.com
Allows you to have movement control of your hand while still protecting it from the heat.

Grill Daddy BBQ Brush Cleaner – $14.98 HomeDepot.com
Emits water as you brush so the heat from the grill creates steam for efficient cleaning.

Universal Refillable Lighter – $37.95 ChefsCatalog.com
Sometimes you don’t want to use a matchstick or gas grills don’t ignite, this is a good way to safely and easily start the fire.

Croque Monsieur

Posted on 05.14.13 by Dress Dish Dwell

There is a scene in the film It’s Complicated where Meryll Streep’s character is making a croque monsieur for Steve Martin, her Architect in the film. As she is plating the dish, you can see the gooey, bubbly melting cheese and when they bite into it, you can hear the perfect crunch of toasty bread. Ever since I have seen the movie, I’ve been wanting to my hand at making the sandwich (with caesar salad of course, as she serves it). When I saw this David Myer’s recipe, I knew it was time to try my hand at it. The version I made based on his recipe, lives up to everything I dreamed it would be, after experiencing that fantastic scene in a movie I so enjoyed.

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