Hump Day Distractions

This is terrible. Also, outstanding.

Well, we had a few glorious teaser days of spring weather for a hot second, but now temps have dipped again and the skies are gloomy. I'm not complaining though. I promise I won't complain as long as the puffer jacket doesn't have to come back out! Here to get us over the hump (and hopefully on to sunnier skies and warmer days) are some goodies from around the web. Enjoy!

* NYC current vibe.

* A flirty hairdo perfect for spring (and easy enough to try at home!)

* How those always chic Frenchies decide between flats and high heels.

* Dreaming non-passover, pasta-filled, dreams. Mmmm...

* Amy Winehouse, a musical goddess gone far too soon. Apparently there's going to be a documentary about it. 

* I'm thinking I need a spiralizer and this one is the Amazon BestSeller. Any other suggestions!?

* Oh hello Mara Hoffman! I'll take one of everything please :)

* These will never stop being awesome (I want one so bad!)

Hump Day Distractions

Awww!

Let's take a little break from all the birthday talk and hump it out shall we!? 

* This simple pasta dish will be the perfect way to use the basil currently growing in abundance on my terrace.

* Well if this isn't the most adorable friendship I have ever seen (worth the pre-roll, made me tear up!!)

* And while you're watching tear-jerkers, there's this beautiful story from our elephant friends.

* A maxi dress you can just live in on the weekends (and it's on sale!)

* Fellow Potterheads rejoice!

* There's something so charming about this little dude's determination.

* Would you be brave enough to do THIS? I'd like to think I could muster up the courage...

* Bookmarked for next apartment 100%.

* Well aren't you the cutest little guy!?

* Coolest couples ever.

Hungry.

Nom nom nom.

Today is a hungry day. I woke up hungry and I've been hungry ever since despite eating breakfast and a mid-morning snack (and a ridonky delicious bite of apple fritter that my colleague brought in all the way from HERE... I swear just a bite!) Annnnyways, since the best cure for the eats (that isn't actually eating) is thinking about eating... here are some recipes I've stumbled upon lately that have me salivating as we speak. Enjoy!

Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Carbonara. YES ma'am!!! Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Or maybe a classic Spaghetti Carbonara is more your style? I've never done it, but it looks pretty easy!
Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Because my unwavering love for carbs does occasionally extend beyond pasta (occasionally!) here's a mighty tasty Broccoli Cheddar and Wild Rice casserole. Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

And now back to pasta (Mmmm) with this light, simple and well seasoned Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs (perfect for a week night perhaps paired with grilled chicken or fish!?) Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Hump Day Distractions

Holiday Cheer. (hehe)

I think the most important thing to tell you right now is that last night I had bread that had bacon baked INTO it. You heard me, bacon embedded within fluffy, perfectly toasted, freshly baked bread. Blue Ribbon Bakery Kitchen, you are a sly little devil... And because maybe you aren't going to be distracted by the idea of bacon bread all day the way I will, here are some goodies from around the web to get you through Hump Day.

* This actually, kind of makes me want a pair of hamburger earmuffs for myself!

* Absolutely horrible and still completely hysterical... gotta love a good pun.

* THIS is the way every "year-in-review" holiday card should be done (ps- MILF/DILF much!?)

* I think I need THESE golden beauties...

* Lego creations by state, because toys aren't just for kids (be sure to click the individual images for the witty captions and a chance to buy each print for only $22!!) (via HonestlyWTF)

* A might tasty winter pasta recipe.

* A fantastic gift for your favorite New Yorker (eghm!!!)

* And speaking of New York... I'd never noticed the little black and white striped signs on subway platforms before, but now I always look.

* I must ride THIS swing.

* And lastly, we've seen some of these before, but they are just SO good. 

Hump Day Distractions

Rubber Ducky, you're the (big) one!

This morning the skies opened up in NYC and dumped enough rain on me to soak nearly every ounce of clothing I was wearing (despite my raincoat and umbrella!) ...and did I mention it was before 8am and I was going to WORK OUT!?! Universe, you're a real b*tch sometimes, ya know that!!? Anyway, here to help us hump the hell outta this day are a ton of delightful distractions. Enjoy!

* What an awesome way to preserve your kid's artwork without having to save every single piece (though I strongly recommend keeping more than a few originals anyway:)

* More information than you ever needed (but kind of wanted) to know about the Doritos Locos Taco.

* Anyone have a spare $695 to buy me these quirky beauties? (via Honestly WTF)

* And while we're on the topic of expensive beyond belief... Looks like a sort of unintentional sequel to "The September Issue" (which I adored).

* Spice up your dinner party table decor for just $9.99 (via Justina Blakeney)

* Warren Buffet wants us to remember the ladies..!

* Pasta salad deliciousness.

* Whole lotta awesome hair tutorials.

* Amazing people in amazing combinations.

* Craft those cheapy votive candle holders into a little something special.

* THIS dog just blew my mind.

* A Dad with an excellent sense of humor (I hope his wife has one too!)

* I think her joke is hysterical and his animation is perfection.

Spring Eats

Fact.

Every year, the arrival of warmer, brighter evenings makes the effort of preparing a fresh dinner far more appealing. Even after a long day at the office, something about throwing open the kitchen window and whipping up a tasty meal for me and the hubs is extremely satisfying. Add a crisp glass of white wine and some lively tunes and I'm all smiles. Here to help you freshen up your repertoire and satisfy your tummy are a few new recipes for your cooking enjoyment!

Orrecchiette awesomeness

Even though Kale is all the rage lately, I've yet to cook it in my own home. Prepping a new veggie for the first time is kinda scary (too wilty, too crispy, no flavor, that smell!), but thanks to THIS simple recipe, kale is on the menu for tonight! Orecchiette with wilted spinach, kale and toasted pine nuts... I hope you're hungry Dr. H.

Because everything is better when you combine it with pasta, here's an awesome "summer" pasta dish featuring fresh tomatoes, feta and spinach (maybe add some greek olives as well if you're feeling adventurous!?) Keep it vegetarian or serve next to some grilled shrimp for a bit of extra protein and flavor!

So healthy... I might need to add a carb!

For me, eating healthfully throughout spring and summer is much easier than during fall and winter. I actually crave lighter fare and more fresh veggies once the weather gets warm. Hoping to get a little variety into my chicken repertoire, this 5-ingredient balsamic poached chicken recipe will be making a debut in my kitchen soon (perhaps with a side of sliced sweet potatoes or that orzo up above!?)

A summer chili! For reals!

No need to send your crock pot off to hibernate until the fall thanks to this tasty Mexican bean and chicken recipe. As usual, Pinch of Yum breaks the deliciousness down into a few easy steps and ingredients meaning you can get this started before you head to the office and come home ready to devour a tasty meal (perfect for a night when you want to hit the gym after work!!) For even more mexican crockpot goodness, click HERE.

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Merry Meri is on vacation so she's left you with something Funny, something Interesting, something Tasty and a Site she loves (F.I.T.S.!!) to hold you over until her triumphant return. Enjoy!

Funny: Children are our future (also an excellent source of entertainment).

Interesting: Why the way we think about charity is all wrong and what we can do to make it better. A TED talk totally worth 18 minutes of your time (if wanting to make the world a better place is your thing:)

Tasty: At this point in Passover I'm fantasizing about pasta big time. Eat it here.

SiteILove: Want a little bit of fashion, movie recs, home decor, eats, treats and everything in between!? Well then exPress-o is for you! An expert curator of internet goodness, I enjoy multiple times daily posts and smiles thanks to the goodness of Diana at exPress-o. Check'er out!! 

At least we have the food.

Brrrrr.

We have officially reached that moment when I say "F you winter, we're through!" Even though the temps here in NYC are forecast to be unseasonably warm these next few days, as I piled into my jacket, scarf, hat and gloves for an outing over the weekend, I remembered that once the Christmas lights come down, I don't have much use for winter anymore. Except, of course, when it comes to the food. Cozy, creamy, yummy winter food. So to celebrate the one awesome thing about the 2 months left before I can reasonably consider open toed shoes again, here are a few recipes I intend to try out soon. Happy eating!

Alfredo, Mac Cheese's BFF.

I found this recipe on Pinterest with the caption "Laughing Cow Alfredo Sauce (Weight Watchers friendly)". You had me at "Laughing Cow" (LOVE those little triangles!) Comprised of basic ingredients and insanely easy to whip up, this "imitation alfredo" will no doubt be on the menu in my house asap. (Direct link to recipe HERE). 

Yummy.

Spinach and artichoke linguine. Sounds fancy, looks tasty and the recipe (which I discovered courtesy of CupofJo) seems achievable even for an amateur chef such as myself. Though I will certainly need assistance from the cheese counter dude at Whole Foods to locate the mascarpone cheese, THIS recipe has "dinner for two" written all over it!

Bake it baby!

Because nothing is more fun than taking a healthy snack and making it less healthy, these baked avocados are lookin good to me! Still a genuinely "good" snack (adding ¼ cup bread crumbs and 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese is hardly "bad"), I look forward to surprising my avocado-loving husband with these tasty treats! (Direct link to recipe HERE)

And for added deliciousness, check out my FAVORITE recipe from last winter HERE.

Feed your face at FRANK

Frank Restaurant & Vera Bar
"A Place to Eat"

A few years back Dr. H received a gift certificate to a little Italian place in the East Village. Discretely located off the corner of 5th St on 2nd Ave is FRANK, now one of our absolute favorite burrata/bolognese/vongole/fresh pasta/whatever you order it will be amazing restaurants in the city. Frank is a tiny spot with a cozy atmosphere, ridiculously good dishes (a menu posted on their website and changed daily!) and hearty (but not glutinous) portions. Outdoor seating and a solid bar menu are icing on the cake. 

Holy yum.

Frank is where I discovered burrata, which is essentially your standard fresh mozzarella on crack (and by crack I mean, with cream (and who knows what other awesomeness) added to the inside). Combine with some "where on earth did they grow these!?" tomatoes and Frank's Buratta appetizer has made it hard for me to consider any other options (though the menu has plenty, including a once tried and truly delicious Arugula Salad).

Eat the bolognese. Just do it.
(Full disclosure, this is NOT Frank's dish, but a google-sourced replica
of the ridonky gnocchi bolognese lunch I ate on Saturday)

Squid ink pasta w/ seafood is often a part of "Today's Specials"

FRANK’s amazing daily additions to the standard menu make it nearly impossible to select a main course. Though I’m willing to bet (and stake my restaurant recommending reputation) that the non-pasta entrees are delicious (I was eyeing the meatloaf this weekend and almost went for it) I have only ever ordered pasta at FRANK because it’s too freakin good not to. More than enough to share, but not so much that you can't take a dish down on your own, good luck making it to dessert (homemade tiramisu anyone!?)

www.frankrestaurant.com

Given the massive deliciousness I just mentioned, I suggest dining at FRANK on "off hours" (Dr. H and I popped in around 4pm on Saturday) or planning a little wait-time into your visit (they do take reservations for groups of 8 or more). The only other "know before you go" thing to mention about FRANK is that they are cash only. Though this can be annoying, I promise the meal will be totally worth your trip to the ATM beforehand!