Weekend (that's a stretch) Recap.

Wednesday 4/22: Dinner with ESG at Irving Mill.
We shared the roasted squash with cashews and bacon (delicious!). Then we both had the burger, which came with cucumbers. I've noticed this trend at several places lately (most recently, Hundred Acres), and it's wonderful; a nice crunch to accompany the softness of the patty/bun. The burger is a beef/pork mix and very good; top 10 in the City.

Thursday 4/23: Dinner with SAB and TAG at The Mermaid Inn.
Here are the photos, as promised!

My Mussels // SAB and TAG // Complimentary chocolate pudding and Fortune Teller Fish (lovely touch of whimsy!)

After dinner, we stopped by the Momofuku Bakery and Milk Bar. I picked up a piece of delicious Banana Cake (banana cream, hazelnut crunch, gianduja fudge) to take home and share with the Bunny. Sadly, I ended up eating most of it by myself; it's just too good!

Friday, 4/24: Dinner with A(K)K and EJS at Blue Smoke.
I was craving pulled pork, and my friends agree that you just can't go wrong with Danny Meyer.

My pulled pork; had to take half of it home // EJS, very pleased with her beignets! // A(K)K, also quite pleased with her banana cream pie!

I have a love/hate relationship with puns, but I appreciated this coffee cup play on the restaurant's name:
Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard = BREW Smoke/JAVA Standard.

We worked off our meals with a nice long stroll through Madison Square Park, Union Square and the West Village. The weather was too perfect not to take full advantage. We had a great time, and I know that this night will live in my heart as one of the very best with these two lovely friends. (And congrats, AGAIN!, to A(K)K on her job promotion, and hurrah to EJS for inching ever closer to starting Columbia Law School in the Autumn!)

Saturday, 4/25: Trip to Connecticut to visit family.
My aunt (by marriage) is Italian and a WONDERFUL cook. She always spoils me when I visit by fixing her famous homemade pizza. It's to die for.

Couldn't resist taking a bite before I took the picture!

Sunday, 4/26: Shopping at Lilly // Dinner at Alice's Tea Cup with TAG // Good phone chat with my Parents.
I went a little nuts at Lilly. This is what I like to call PATRIOTISM IN ACTION.

FAVORITE LILLY DRESS. EVER.
It's a bubble. With lace. And lobster print.
(And you know how I feel about lobsters...)
I don't think it looks so hot on this model, but it's WONDERFUL.

Odin cardi in WHITE (looks dumpy but is super chic and the perfect cardigan) // Marti Skirt in WHITE (classic closet staple)

You might not know this about me, but I'm mostly a minimalist with my clothes--sometimes over-the-top with accessories, but nevertheless a minimalist with my clothes. I realize the irony in being a minimalist who shops at Lilly Pulitzer, but it's a good pairing, I tell you!

Sealed with a Kiss clutch in NAVY // Jackie Sandals in BLACK; how could you resist with a name like that?!

Alice's Tea Cup with TAG was divine.
She has the only photo we took, so I'll let her post that. This restaurant chain is an old favorite of mine, but it was TAG's first visit. I'm glad to have had the honor of witnessing her utter delight at the charming ATC on E. 81st Street, and her marvel at the deliciousness of their best-in-the-universe scones! I know this is only the beginning of many more tea times for us...

As for my parents: They're simply the best.
They listened to me detail the best and worst parts of my week and gave me support throughout. As my Dad said, with smackings of FDR:

"There's no need to live in fear, Christine."

Sometimes, it's just nice to hear.

Here's wishing everyone a happy and speedy week!
Cxx.