A Toast to the BX

After my emotional experience in the Dominican Republic, it didn’t feel right jumping straight into outfit photos. Writing about a fun place in my favorite borough? Not a bad place to restart.

Right before leaving for spring break, I gave my friend from home, Brittany, a tour of my Little Italy Bronx neighborhood. We had some delicious pizza, and then stopped by the Bronx Beer Hall in the Arthur Avenue Market for a quick drink. I read a review in the Times, but it was my first time there and it just happened to be happy hour.

I’m not much of a drinker, but I do enjoy a hard cider now and then. The Beer Hall exclusively serves craft beers from the Jonas Bronck’s Beer Company, also based in the borough, which has a long brewing history. Brittany and I caught up for a couple hours, enjoying drinking out of mason jars. Too fun. I also ran into some Fordham friends, and it was a great way to spend an afternoon.

If you’re in the Belmont neighborhood, I’d definitely recommend the Bronx Beer Hall as a pit stop. Really though, I recommend anything that gives the Bronx a good rep.

~ Sarah

Soul Food & Girl Talk

Harlem Restaurant Week, along with midterm week on the horizon, called for a roomie date splurging on some soul food. My roommate Jillian and I hit up Harlem for a $20 3-course lunch last Friday, and it was glorious. It was nice to take an afternoon to try some different food (I’m obviously way adventurous) and explore a new New York neighborhood.

Now onto the food…

I am not a wing person – I don’t really like eating meat of the bone, and I don’t like hot sauces. These, however, were tender and delicious.

I remember when I first heard about chicken & waffles when I read some YA book (Princess & the Pauper, for those of you wondering) and I’ve been curious to try the unexpected (at least me) combination ever since! It’s actually delicious – and really filling!

And no pictures of the peach cobbler and banana pudding we ordered for dessert, because hello, it was dessert. And some other Harlem snapshots:

I loved the detail on this corner building on 125th, I wonder what it was before it was a Starbucks and a bank.

I just can’t with the buildings in this area – the architecture is so homey.

This mosaic at the 125th subway station is awesome.

And as for what I wore?

Coat – Esprit; Chambray – Old Navy; Sweater – JC Penney; Jeggings – TJ Maxx; Booties – Charlotte Russe.

First, I don’t know how you fancy outdoor-photo-taking bloggers do it in the winter. I was cold! But it gave me a chance to keep my coat on, which I adore. It’s plum, hooded, and zips up nicely. I also attempted layering my new chambray underneath a sweater for the first time. I don’t think I’ve mastered it yet, but it definitely kept me warm. And I would wear chambray to Clare’s neighborhood just when she has to give it up for her chambray challenge. Good luck, Clare!

I also have been dying to wear my new Western booties out, but there’s been too much slush on the ground. I don’t even care that you can see my socks. Expect to see these a lot more come springtime!

~ Sarah

P.S. Do I get credit for not titling this post ‘Harlem Shake’? The Miami Heat one is my favorite, obviously.

Ahora Amo

A collection of all the small things that I love at the moment… ♥

♡ Global Outreach ♡ Skype ♡ Pretty Little Liars, always ♡ Miami Hurricanes basketball? ♡ new quesadilla recipes ♡ unexpected three-day weekends ♡ actually using Pinterest ideas ♡ Instagram ♡ my Kindle ♡ commuting friends ♡ hot chocolate & hot tea ♡ scones ♡ bright nail polish ♡ home-cooked meals (yes, food again) ♡ Nashville ♡ winter break memories ♡ going to the gym ♡ baking ♡ this song ♡

Happy Monday!

~ Sarah

Ahora Amo

A collection of all the small things that I love at the moment… ♥ It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these posts, and in light of current events, it’s always a good idea to appreciate the little things.

♡ baking ♡ a weekend home ♡ my first trip to Kohl’s ♡ my second trip to Kohl’s ♡ Philadelphia ♡ cuddling ♡ Pinterest ♡ Instagram ♡ my Kindle fire ♡ writing ♡ tea weather ♡ pumpkin-everything ♡ throwback ’90s junk food ♡ melted cheese ♡ hot chocolate ♡ Wawa ♡ free museum admission ♡ belated birthday celebrations ♡ belated birthday celebrations with red velvet cake and macaroons ♡ fall colors

Happy Monday!

~ Sarah

Pumpkin Dessert: Hurricane Sandy Edition

Amazingly so, Fordham and the Bronx made it through Hurricane Sandy mostly unscathed. And as grateful as I was, that didn’t keep the intense cabin fever from setting in. Couple gray skies with no internet access, and what’s a girl to do, but bake some fall goodies?

I’ve been wanting to try pumpkin cheesecake since I found this pumpkin swirl cheesecake recipe from Good Housekeeping. But man, it did sound complicated – I couldn’t even understand the directions. Luckily, I found the easiest pumpkin cheesecake recipe from Food.com. Authentic? Probably not. Delicious? Well, let’s see what my friends had to say:

Yup. If you cheesecake or you find the taste of pumpkin pie too rich, I definitely recommend this recipe!

~ Sarah

*grainy pictures courtesy of my Droid  and my WordPress app. Yeah no Internet.