Great Bar Snacks

I know what you're thinking; "Danielle, that looks like a bowl of bunk!" But it's not!! Ok, it's a bad iPhone picture. It's the homemade chips fresh outta the oven with basil tossed on them at the bar at Scarpetta, in the Meatpacking District. I completely dominated an entire bowl of these babies waiting for my friends to arrive at the restaurant last night. Good bar snacks are such a nice, special treat that really enhance any restaurant to "the next level". Jean Georges is another fantastic place that has yummy treats for you to much on while you imbibe. A sign of true class, I say!

Mid-Week Classy Lunches

I love being a lady who lunches! Although it's detrimental to my wallet and my waistline, sometimes it's nice to get out there and feel cool by going to a hip restaurant on a late Thursday afternoon. Today is was The Breslin, located inside the Ace Hotel at 29th and Broadway. For such a hip place I was extremely impressed by the not-at-all pretentious or snooty service. And the food was great. Thrice cooked chip? My heart!!

Chill Profs

I have 3 academic classes this semester, and two of them are taught by the same Prof. He's a pretty cool dude, and he started a discussion board on our class website, telling us to feel free to respond with random thoughts. This is a guy who told us our first assignment was to look at the ceiling, so I leapt into the response with vigor. This is what I wrote:
I saw two great movies this weekend, both documentaries, called Capturing the Friedmans and Billy the Kid. They rocked. I liked Billy the Kid more because I found Billy very relatable. Today I saw The Last Station at the Angelika, it suuuuucked. I was like, "just die already!" It's a shame because it has a really great cast. I'm not as big a fan of ceilings because leaning that far back hurts my neck but I love restaurant doors.

Kiehls

Kiehls stuff is simple and effective. It doesn't have a strong gross fragrance, and it doesn't leave your skin grease or oily. It just does what it's supposed to do. I made BANK on Christmas this year, so I use Kiehls lip gloss, lip balm, hand moisturizer, body moisturizer, 2 kinds of face moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner. It's also the products used in my gym locker room. It's the best!!

Not Hoarding

I'm not at all sentimental and I believe in giving and throwing away as much junk as possible. De-clutter your lives, people! It might even make things clearer. And what's a better reason to donate old shoes and clothes than what's happening in Haiti right now? Whether it's the clothes themselves or the money you receive at thrift and consignment stores for them, it feels extra good to get rid of stuff when you know it'll benefit someone else.

GOOD Cheese

Cheese rocks! Too often I get lazy and just buy a bag of pre-shredded cheese at Trader Joes (which is decent, but not amazing quality). But not today! Today after my first day of spring semester classes I sauntered down to the West Village to the famous Murray's Cheese shop. I was aided by an amazingly terrific cheese-lady and walked away with my prizes: mild manchego, creamy dreamy brie, very sharp cheddar and some prosciutto for the hell of it. Came home and made myself a manchego and prosciutto melt for lunch. Sometimes you just need some good cheese!

Cereal

I love love love cereal. I think it's the best. Old people tend to think it's a sad thing for a college girl to have cereal for most meals but don't cry for me Argentina, I couldn't ask for too much more! There are so many different delicious cereals out there that the options are endless! Cereal can be a healthful breakfast, a delightful dessert or a perfect post-workout, in-between meals snack like this was for me today. I'm having tea with my friend Casey at 5pm, and I knew I didn't want to ruin my appetite, but also knew if I went until 5pm without eating I'd turn into a Gila monster!! Solution? A small bowl of Trader Joes Toasted Oat Flakes with a sprinkling of raisins. YUM!

Short Nails

Since I haven't decided whether I'll put my real picture on this blog or not, you're going to be seeing a lot of my stubby little digits. While I might not have the prettiest hands, they at least are not an abomination to civilized society in that they are always CLEAN, with SHORT, KEPT NAILS and probably some sort of strong-coloured polish. Short nails are where it's at. Long nails are physically repulsive and morally reprehensible. I don't know where that trend started, don't even talk to me about acrylics. It's disgusting, I don't want to retch. Keep 'em short!

Restaurant Parting Gifts

I love going out to eat at restaurants! I'm a real foodie wannabe, so living in NYC is perfect for my hobby of eating, eating, eating. I have a lot of favorite spots and fond memories of places, but I have to say the number one thing that makes a restaurant stand out in my head is the freebies. Whether it's chocolates at Gramercy Tavern, a pumpkin muffin from Craft, or the pictured oatmeal cinnamon raisin cookie from The Redhead last night, it's such a delight! Maybe I should have titled this post "free shit". I love it!

My Trench

I had a super great Christmas this year. I was home with my whole family and we ate lots of good food and watched tons of great movies and it was just so much fun!! I got a smorgasbord of great prezzies, which you'll probably see later on this bloggeroo. But today I'm especially passionate about my Burberry trench that I got while in the city with my parents before going home. I got to wear it today because the weather was so lovely. I felt like a glamorous classy femme fatale. Love the trench!

Iced Coffee

Good lord. Let me say, I sleep like a baby. I inherited my father's wonderful ability to fall asleep anytime, anywhere. So long as I can close my eyes, I WILL sleep for anywhere from 1-12 hours. Even as a stressed out student insomnia has never been a problem for me.

So when I have a BAD night's sleep, it's catastrophic to my outlook on life. I don't know how to deal with it. I don't understand how or why it could possibly happen to me!

That's where iced coffee comes in. Thank you, America!

I'm Super Passionate about Things!

So I think I'll blog about them!!