Protein Berries

I first made this smoothie with the Brooklyn Half Marathon in my sights, and maybe it was thanks to protein-packed recipes or a solid training regimen I finished with a time I’m still proud of.  It was a great route for a first-timer like myself and thinking about the rush of adrenaline when I saw the finish line makes me want to sign up all over again.

Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• 1 scoop protein powder (I like an egg white powder personally)
• 1 tablespoon flax seeds
• ~ 1/4 cup water

Award-Winning Inspiration

Watching the 86th Annual Academy Awards this Sunday made me think of my own red carpet moment at my wedding last summer. Much of my big day look was inspired by style winners from last year’s Academy Awards and everyone’s favorite comic relief in Hollywood, Jennifer Lawrence. and those trends made a reappearance.

Jennifer Lawrence wowed on the red carpet and introduced the back necklace in 2013.

Backwards was better for me too with David Yurman’s pearl necklace.

JLaw revisited the back necklace in a shorter version for the Oscars.

I had a blast planning my head-to-toe wedding day look, but once was enough for that much planning and now I’m happy to apply red carpet stylings to more everyday ensembles.

Musings in Chanel

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”—Coco Chanel

Pumpkin Patch Cookies

Blessed with power and full cupboards throughout Sandy, I’ve been able to tinker in my kitchen for a few days. I wanted to make something filling and festive to distract from the storm outside.

These pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are certainly a mouthful! This recipe makes about 24 medium cookies, plenty to share with friends.

Rainy Day Soup

On my day off this week I was greeted by a brisk, autumn chill- weather perfect for my favorite tawny, leather moto jacket and a steaming bowl of soup. Determined this bowl of soup would be homemade, I headed for my kitchen. I searched my cookbooks and favorite online collections but couldn’t find the flavor combination I had in mind, so I pulled all my spices onto the kitchen table and started tinkering. This hearty, unexpectedly spicy lentil soup emerged.

The Sweetest Thing

Today was a pretty great day. I’m truly not trying to brag and only sharing because it was the little things that made it so. One very small cake-pop to be exact. My friend down the hall at work brought the pink, sweet treat to my office in the middle of the afternoon for absolutely no reason whatsoever. She plopped the familiar brown paper pouch on my desk and a smile instantly spread across my face.

Sky’s the Limit

After a hiatus this Summer, I’m delighted to be back with more ideas and inspiration.

A day of blue sky in Central Park.

Buried Treasure

I love any excuse to get gussied up and living in New York provides so many. This weekend, my excuse was a dinner date at one of my favorite Manhattan restaurants, Dovetail. My get-ready ritual starts with a dig through my closet, and if I’m lucky, I find an oldie-but-goodie in the back perfect for the occasion.

Sweater: J.Crew, Dress: Sine