A CHIC PEEK: August 2011

Kate Spade Sample Sale

http://www.katespade.com/sample-sale/sample-sale,default,sc.html

Three days only, shop at 75% off!

Enjoy!

I am going to be perfectly frank - I don't like working out. I need good music to distract me from the task at hand. With locations all over New York, (including Sag Harbor and East Hampton) Florida and Chicago, Flywheel is a fantastic way to get your sweat on in 45 minutes. The instructors are incredible, the music is loud and fun. It is a total body workout as they use bar weights around half way through the class for upper body strength. You can even track your performance online from class to class (total power, RPM, distance cycled, etc.) and if you are fiercely competitive ... you have the opportunity to compete (a la race) by participating in Torqboard - a real time studio display of your performance. Tiki Barber and Jillian Michaels are investors. Take a chic peek Flywheel.

Lemon Ricotta Spaghetti with Arugula

This simple recipe makes a gorgeous summer pasta. Great for two, or a dinner party. Delicious and vegetarian! (via Food52)

Lemon Ricotta Spaghetti with Arugula

Serves 2 to 3

1/2 pound spaghetti
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced lengthwise as thinly as possible
2 tablespoons lemon zest, from 1-2 lemons
juice from 1 lemon
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 cup fresh ricotta, homemade or best quality
4-6 tablespoons leftover ricotta whey or leftover pasta boiling water
4 cups lightly packed arugua
salt
Bring a pot of well salted water to boil
While the water is coming to a boil, slice the garlic and put a small saute over low heat. Add the olive oil, the garlic, and a nice pinch of salt. Let the oil and garlic slowly heat up. You don't want the garlic to brown. You are just warming the oil and letting garlic infuse it.
While the oil and garlic are doing their thing, zest the lemon and wash and dry the arugula.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water if you don't have any ricotta whey.
Once the pasta is boiling, turn the heat under the saute pan to as low as it goes and add the ricotta, lemon zest, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. You just want it all to warm it up while the pasta is cooking.
Once you drain the pasta, add it to the saute pan and toss well. Add 1/4 cup of whey or cooking water and the arugula and toss again to coat and wilt the arugula. If you feel it is too dry, add up to 2 more TB of whey or cooking water. Taste for salt and add the juice from 1/2 a lemon and toss once more.
Serve, topping each bowl with a few sprinkles of coarse salt or fleur de sel and a few drops of lemon juice.

Silver Lining

Yesterday I happened upon this gorgeous eye wear shop on Thompson Street. Silver Lining curates a selection of independent contemporary brands with the largest unused vintage eyewear collection in New York. Their vintage collection ranges from iconic styles made famous by stars like Steve McQueen and Audrey Hepburn to a constantly growing collection of individual pieces from the 1960s through 1980s. They also sell their vintage collection to some of the world’s most exclusive stores. Take a chic peek Silver Lining.

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target is coming to stores on September 13th which happens to be my birthday. Here is a sneak peek from the catalogue ... Enjoy! (Images via http://allthewayuphere.tumblr.com/)

Maison Laduree

{ Images via Tumblr }

My absolute favorite French macaron shop Maison Laduree will be opening on Madison Avenue (at 71st Street) in New York on August 22nd. It will include one area for sales and another tea room decorated in antique chairs upholstered in 19th century fabrics. The style, of course, is that of a private French home. Yet another beautiful place for ladies who lunch!

Soul Food

{ Image via NYMag}

Please allow me to preface this with ... I am not a fast-food-deep-fried-Southern-chicken kind of gal. Having said that, there is a place and time for everything. I must admit that the decor (particularly the vintage turquoise outdoor seating area chairs) peaked my interest. Recently my husband, our French Bulldog and I shuffled over to Hill Country and enjoyed ourselves some good eats. I will definitely go back for some pie. Take a chic peek at Hill Country.

Wild Flowers

As I may have mentioned before, I am crazy for tiny wild flowers and the way they look together, in different vases of all shapes and sized. The background of my blog are arrangements my Mama and I designed for my wedding in Mason jam jars. She has a wonderful way with arrangements. The top image is from ABC Kitchen and the bottom is a simple arrangement of mine.

Striped Flooring

{ Images via The Mark }

This flooring is gorgeous ... I thought it might be dizzying at first glance but works very well. Striped flooring look would be fantastic in a grand entry way of a home, with two symmetrical staircases on either side of the house. I saw it on the Upper East Side at The Mark Hotel where the restaurant is by Jean Georges. Enjoy!

Brunch at Freemans Alley

One of the most perfect brunches I have had in NYC. The decor, food and floral arrangements were authentic and delightful. Do take a chic peek! Freemans