Wednesday, April 29, 2015

sup


Hey ya'll. That was weird, I never say that. Anyways, hope this fine Wednesday finds you well. It's my last finals week at college so I've finally found some time to gather my life together and finish up projects (50 page thesis is done!), meaning more posts will be coming your way, starting with this Tumblr update. If ya like what you see, check more here












Have a great week! 
xx


Thursday, April 9, 2015

NYC



 Off to the big apple tonight to visit my oldest brother and see my mama for a very last minute weekend of eating + shopping. My only real requirements for the weekend: to see some sunshine, bagels, and pizza. 


Back in Chicago on Sunday - have a great rest of your week!
xx

Sunday, April 5, 2015

food for thought*


Since I'm not doing much for Easter (I haven't managed to get out of my pajamas today), my Sunday involved no chocolate bunnies or egg hunts, so I got to thinking about this holiday. For me, I associate Easter with my mom's garlic and parsley lamb and a new Easter dress, which I would get so hyped for back in the day. But as I got older and the egg hunts went out the window, I'm just now realizing how odd the idea of Easter egg hunting is. 

Here's my thinking: Bunnies don't lay eggs, let alone bright magenta spotted or striped blue ones. What do eggs have to do with bunnies? or Jesus? or the day in general? We dye hardboiled eggs, paint them, and then hide them in our backyards. I guess I've heard of weirder things and it's just all in good fun for the little nuggets running around your backyard, but just thought I'd share with you  – does anyone know where this tradition comes from? 

Hope you all had a terrific weekend, egg hunting/dyeing included, or not! 


xx  

(*disclaimer: I really dislike that phrase, but since we're talking animals/eggs, it'll slide)

New Additions


Brixton hat



silence + noise bag and Ecote bags, both $5 from the Urban outlet!




Free People + Ecote basic tanks for the summer 


                          Forever21 has the cheapest jewelry – bought these before we left for Mexico! 


great layering necklaces for summer from Forever21


Levi's cut offs were $5 at the Urban outlet and the little pouches I picked up in Mexico. 
L O V E the cow socks Brig got me – how cute are those lil fellas! 


BAGGU x UO bags for only $5! Fun for travel/cosmetics.


((front))


((back))


 Scout & Catalogue marbled zip wallet for only $4!

RUN TO THE URBAN OUTLET!!! Clearly, I couldn't stay away!

xx

Spacca Napoli


Spacca Napoli is about a ten minute walk from our apartment, which we have lived in since June. We've been trying to have dinner at Spacca Napoli since then. Finally Kelsey and I got in Friday night for a 6pm reservation, like an 83 year old couple :) Safe to say, we get why this place is constantly packed with families, big groups, and dates: Spacca Napoli is authentic and amazing. 



My date, clearly going very well and starting off the evening by being the obnoxious people in the place! We each had a glass of Barbera and decided to split some appies before deciding on which pie to get. The fresh chunk of burrata brought us back to the buffalo farm in Campagna and the fried zuchinni blossoms reminded me of home, since they are one of my dad's specialities. I guess it really showed we had lived in Italy when we both ordered our own pizzas, and finished them, after splitting two starters.


We went with two specials of the day: the most incredible mountain of burrata with olive oil and toast and fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with roasted peppers, ricotta, and a hint of anchovy. 


Come on... so delish! 



The cheese and flowers could have been a meal on their own if I wasn't splitting, but the pizza was just too tempting.


Kels was clearly quite eager to dive into that Puttanesca, which comprised of San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte (cow's milk mozzarella), grape tomatoes, anchovies, black olives, capers, parmigiano reggiano, and extra virgin olive oil.





I had the Bufalina, which is simple and fresh – blended San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. 


Honestly, you could get any toppings on these and it wouldn't matter because it's all in the dough. Thin, with an amazing crust, reminded us of our trip to Naples to visit the home of pizza (seen here). 


Clearly working really working on that beach body – boy oh boyyyy do I love my heritage and the fact that Kels and I devoured these with two judgmental girls looking at us as they split one pizza :)

This spot is really a hidden gem (I mean that, it's kind of on a dead street), but I hope to get to again before we move out! 

xx