It’s Monday again, coffee is most definitely needed.

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Almost everyone who lives in New York loves New York and a lot of us who don’t live there love it as well. Lots of people (me) would live there if they could and like to live vicariously through those that do. I hope you get my jist. I recently discovered a section, Grub Street New York in (my favorite) NY Mag that details well-known New Yorker’s diets for a week. They include all sorts of chefs, writers, designers and models. For some reason I am enthralled by what people eat and all things food, really.

I already know what Anthony Bourdain eats but still enjoyed reading about it. I love his voice and am really wanting to read his books. An excerpt: Wednesday, June 9 “Badly hung-over from the night before. Regretting the negroni before the wine, so there was no question of breakfast. Nothing helps hangovers anymore; it used to be a nice cold Coke, a joint, and as soon as my appetite would come back, maybe some leftover kung-pow chicken — spicy Chinese food helps. But as a father of a 3-year-old, I’m not smoking a lot of weed anymore.” Tony’s always right.

Alessandra Ambrosio seems to eat a lot like everyone else, she just doesn’t look it. One day consisted of “I had coffee and an English muffin sandwich with ham and cheese at home. For lunch I was at home, too: I had rice, beans, salad, and a chicken breast. The nanny made it for me — she cooks for my daughter and I had some. In the afternoon I had two chocolate-chip cookies and a green-tea latte. In the nighttime, I had a dinner at my house, so I went and bought cheese, olives, salami, caviar — all those things. I had some lobster ravioli and a little tiramisu. We bought it ready-made, it was one of those things you just warm it up. To drink I had some wine.” Sounds good to me.

I especially enjoyed reading about Catherine Malandrino‘s diet right before and after her NYFW show. “During the presentation, I didn’t eat — it was all about the collection. But after the show, a table was waiting for me at Ed’s Chowder House, where I celebrated with family and friends. We ate oysters and jumbo shrimp and drank Champagne; it was a four-hour lunch! I felt exhausted after that, and I went home and fell asleep until midnight. I woke up starving, dreaming about spaghetti Bolognese, so my partner Bernard made some for me — we ate pasta and celebrated again with Champagne. It was beautiful.”

Eating and enjoying food with friends and loved ones is such a wonderful part of life, don’t you think? Reading and writing about this makes me very excited for the weekend.

Images: Anthony Bourdain, Alessandra Ambrosio, Catherine Malandrino

I aspire to look this good whilst eating. I am also craving spaghetti…

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I love, love, love this photo. It’s been a rough week, don’t we all deserve a weekend? The weather should be beautiful and even though it’s hot, it’s still Summer! I have a friend’s birthday to celebrate, dinners to go to, a house to fix up and plenty of New Orleans music to listen to as Sunday is the 5th anniversary of Katrina. It’s hard to believe! I flew out on the very last flight. The Saints were on my plane…

I hope you have a wonderful weekend with at least a little celebration.

Image Credits: one, two, three

Image Credits: one, two, three

Ok. I realized today that I am going to be physically on the beach in six weeks and two days. I do not feel nor feel that I look fat. With that said, I know I’d look better -5, -10, even -15lbs. I know I’d feel better, I know my clothes would fit better, I know my boyfriend (who lovingly tells me I look amazing) would agree once it was off.

My mom and I are going to Charleston, SC (one of my fave places) to visit my brother who is in college there. I want to get a tan and get lots of cute pictures and wear my cutest summer items while there, not to mention my mom is looking better than ever above age 55. NOT FAIR. If she asks to borrow my swimsuit, I know that will send me spiraling into anorexia but I’m just not sure I want to wait for that.

Here we all are. I think I’m hiding it pretty well but SUMMER IS COMING!

What can I do in 6ish weeks to lose 10lbs? I know it can be done. Question is…am I willing to do it and what is it that I should do.

Goal:

Will also take:

These jeans were loose and are now quite tight. Too tight to wear.

Wish me luck. I NEED IT.

This morning I was greeted by the dailycandy weekend guide, they were hocking wine labels that you can adhere to bottles when you give them as gifts – called toast-its. That reminded me that I’ve been wanting to document my favorite wines for future reference.

Lately my BF and I have been digging on Malbecs. They’ve recently been gaining in popularity and are very reasonably priced for a good bottle.

Faves I’ve tried:

• La Posta Malbec Angel Paulucci Vineyard 2007
• Layer Cake Malbec 2007

I’ve heard recently that Champagne is more popular than ever…I never realized it went out. I am a HUGE fan of champagne, sparkling wine, prosecco…the list goes on. You really can buy a reasonable bottle of the bubblier stuff for less than you’d spend on a regular white wine. And it always feels like you’re celebrating! One of my besties said she heard on NPR that Champagne is especially good to drink with fatty, fried foods. The bubbles help you digest! That’s enough for me to start guzzling.

Some faves:

• Moet & Chandon Champagne White Star Extra Dry
• Pommery Champagne Pop Extra Dry
• Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante NV
• Martini & Rossi Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiade
• Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco NV
• Candoni Prosecco Brut

I truely die over a good Chardonnay. I recently tried one that was so honey-buttery and I fell head over heels with the entire varietal again! Drinking Chardonnay makes me feel like a grown-up. It also transitions me to my friend’s parents house. This house is the epitome of the “perfect party house”. You always feel welcome, there’s always music, friends, food, drinks. I love going over there, and it was there that I first learned about wine. Shay-Shay (my friend’s mum and my second one) loves drinking and sharing wine. I do believe that her fave is the classic Chard.

• La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2005
• Clos du Bois Chardonnay Sonoma County 2003
• Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay Vintner’s Collection 2008

More to follow! Enjoy!