what i’m loving right now {nyc edition}.

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One of the things I love about living in New York City is that there is constant reinvention and upgrading going on around every corner. Even though the city as a whole will always have the same “feel” to it, there are always new places opening up or to be discovered for the first time.

Here are some of the things I’m loving about NYC right now – some old, some new, and others that I’m just…well, into.

bantam.
Last week Jessi and I visited our friend’s new Lower East Side lounge, Bantam. It just opened and is still partly under construction, but we could already tell that it’s going to be a great new spot. It’s a smaller space (which I tend to prefer) and has a Steve Lewis-designed modern yet classic look and feel – not too over-the-top like a lot of venues are going for lately. I’m excited to go back soon. Located on 17 Stanton.

bantam

[image via Urban Daddy]

saturdays surf.
Saturdays is one of our favorite spots in the city to escape and work on FreelyBe vision stuff. The SoHo surf shop {slash} espresso bar has a great outdoor courtyard in the back where you can chill out with friends and your La Colombe latte. Located on 31 Crosby.

frying pan.
Ah, the Frying Pan…an oldie but a goodie. Although I haven’t been there yet this season, I’m looking forward to crossing those infamous train tracks and braving the rocking of the boat for an evening of fun with my friends. Frying Pan is a great spot to go with a group to eat, drink, and soak in that fresh right-on-the-Hudson air. Located on Pier 66 in Chelsea.

the seaport.
Recently the South Street Seaport has become one of my favorite parts of the city. If being right on the water isn’t enough, there are also a ton of (new) great restaurants and shops on every corner. It’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and I could even see myself living in the area one day.

chop’t.
I’m not that person who is good at (or likes to) squeezing vegetables into every meal. I do, however, like an inexpensive and massive salad that I can load with meat and cheese and call a healthy meal. Long story short – Chop’t is the Mecca of these salads, and also conveniently located across the city.

hell’s kitchen flea market.
Located on 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is my go-to stop when it comes to adding to my (arguably tacky) vintage jewelry collection. They also have a ton of great vintage clothing, handbags, shoes, and antique collectibles. The market is open from 9am to 5pm every Saturday and Sunday, all year long.

[image via nycgo.com]

If you’ve been to NYC, what was your favorite spot?
If not, where would you like to visit most?

chocolate cake batter brownies.

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Did you know that the recipe I’m about to share is actually the one that inspired the invention of Cake Batter Blondies?

It’s true.

It was sort of by accident. We needed an extra dessert for our family Christmas party and had chocolate cake mix in the pantry but no frosting. I thought, I wonder if I could somehow maneuver this cake mix into brownies…

Long story short…it worked.

ingredients:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • sprinkles for topping (optional)

directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put cake mix in a large bowl and mix in the oil and egg. Then add the milk slowly just until the batter is combined – you want it to remain as dense as possible. Mix in chocolate chips. Place batter in a greased 8×8 pan or 8-inch cake pan and top with sprinkles. Bake for 20-22 minutes. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting because the gooey center needs to set. The result will be a decadent, brownie-batter texture.

Even though I’m not chocolate’s biggest fan, these are seriously good. They’re fudgy and gooey but in a different way than regular brownies – a better way, if you ask me.

More CBB varieties:

If you had to pick - blondies or brownies?

what i learned this weekend, 9.

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Making a blanket fort at 4am is always a good idea.

American boys could learn a thing or two from New Zealand boys.

The Hunger Games movie did the book justice, if you ask me. Recommended.

…but playing an actual “hunger game” by not eating until 4pm in order to see the only non-sold-out showing…definitely not recommended.

Considering we have sleepovers 5 out of 7 nights of the week, Jessi and I are apparently suffering from a form of separation anxiety.

I should think a little more before posting captions on my Instagram photos. Like that time I titled our morning lineup of coffee “brothel cafe.” What I really meant was…

I could in fact live off of 16 Handles.

…and claiming to be able to live off of frozen yogurt officially makes me the most typical girl ever.

Some people out there actually still find Snuggies relevant.

This city still gives me butterflies. Yup.

What did you do/learn this weekend?

what i’m loving right now.

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Like most girls, I go through my fair share of “obsessions.”

…you know – those things I have to talk about all the time so everyone knows they’re my favorite. Don’t pretend you’re not guilty of doing that too.

For example, there’s my love for list-making, which has gone to a whole new level now that Jessi got me this book/journal for my birthday.

Also slightly in the nerd-department is my newfound love for Roku – a birthday gift from my Daddy – which allows me to watch a ton of television series, movies, etc. As a TV-lover who has been cable-less for a year…this is big, people.

You know I can’t have a list of what I’m loving right now without including food. My newest obsession is coconut milk ice cream. It’s creamy, it’s coconutty, and it tastes especially good when eaten straight out of the pint whilewatchingthebachelor. Who said that?

I was never a huge fan of Adam Levine. In fact, I find his voice to be somewhat on the painful side. His style and those cute little tattoos of his, on the other hand…

yesplease&thankyou.

I’ve always been a dog lover, but lately I’ve become especially obsessed with boxers (this lady is partly to blame). I don’t know if it’s the onset of spring or just wanting something I can’t have (big dog + small apartment = not ideal), but a girl can dream…right?

Jewelry with a message. I’m a verbal processer so I’m pretty much always looking for a way to get my point across. Why not wear something cute to accomplish just that?

What are you loving right now?

peanut butter chocolate chip cake batter blondies.

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Say that 10 times fast.

It was only a matter of time before Cake Batter Blondies took a peanut butter twist, and after seeing Courtney’s version last week, I knew I just couldn’t put it off any longer.

ingredients:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter, melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cake mix in a large bowl, set aside. In a small bowl whisk together the egg, oil, and peanut butter. Add wet mixture to the cake mix and combine as much as possible, then add the milk. Mix in the chocolate chips. Place batter in a greased 8×8 pan or 8-inch cake pan, and bake for 27-29 minutes or just until the edges turn golden. Let cool for 60 minutes before cutting because the gooey center needs to set. The result will be a decadent, cake-batter texture.

…let’s just say that these give Reese’s peanut butter cups a run for their money.

Don’t like peanut butter? You might want to try: