Honey, What's Cooking?

Sights & Attractions | Barcelona, Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:20:00 +0000

* FYI - this trip was taken in Sept 2011... just completed my posts on Barcelona.

Barcelona is an incredibly beautiful city with so much to see and so much to do. Out of the 3 cities I had the privilege of visiting in Spain (Madrid, Seville, Barcelona), Barcelona was hands down the BEST city in Spain, and also one of the most beautiful cosmopolitan cities in the world. This city has so much to offer from its gorgeous weather to its amazing tapas to its fascinating, yet unusual, Gaudi architecture.

Due to its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona also offers a wide array of activities to choose from including spending a day at the beach, visiting churches & museums, strolling down La Rambla and stopping by the Boqueria Food Market for a bite. In particular though, I had the most fun shopping and strolling down Passeig de Gracia and enjoying a cafe con leche every now and then. Barcelona is also famous for its vibrant nightlife - this city never sleeps. There is something for everyone in this culturally rich city with beautiful people... definitely not to be missed!

RECOMMENDED STAY
at least 3 to 4 nights

Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gracia

Buddakan | New York City (meatpacking district)

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 28 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

My friend, Jhiane, and I headed to Buddakan in the Meatpacking district on a gorgeous day in Manhattan.
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Friday’s Favorite Things | 5.25.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Carrot Cupcake @ Billy's Bakery
At Billy's one evening, I called my husband asking him if he wanted dessert, and he adamantly refused. I stated several times, “I WILL NOT SHARE MY CUPCAKE, are you SURE you don't want anything?” Again, he refused. When I got home, I ate half my cupcake and saved the rest for the next day. Unfortunately, my husband has a sweet tooth that he loves to deny and ate the other half of my cupcake without asking. Relax, I forgave him, but it really wasn't his fault either. You see, the Carrot Cupcake at Billy's is just so incredibly delicious packed with carrots, a few raisins, and a ton of moisture. The perfectly sweetened whipped cream cheese frosting on top seals the deal on what I think should be their #1 best seller! ~ $3 @ Billy's Bakery, Chelsea - New York City

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Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

As you know I attended a Luncheon with Chef Ivy Stark at Dos Caminos this past weekend. And incase you didn't know, my goody bag consisted of 5 avocados, plus my husband received a goody bag too, so we are talking a total of TEN AVOCADOS! YIKES!
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California Avocado & Luncheon w/Chef Ivy Stark @ Dos Caminos Park | New York City

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

A great thing happened to me last week. I received an invitation to attend a Lunch & Cooking Demo with Chef Ivy Stark of Dos Caminos’ Park Avenue location in New York City.
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Friday’s Favorite Things - 5.18.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Waterfront

This past weekend was GORGEOUS in the tri-state, and so my husband and I went on a 2 hour walk by the waterfront, it was so relaxing and peaceful. The splendid view of New York City never gets old despite how dirty the Hudson River water is. And check out the Freedom Tower which is still under construction, and now stands as the tallest building in Manhattan… it had to happen! ~ priceless

World's BEST Spaghetti with RAO’s Homemade Marinara!

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Plane ticket to Italy ~ $1000
Rao's Homemade Pasta Sauce ~ $9

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Chai Spiced Oatmeal with Cookie Butter

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:59:00 +0000

I’m feelin’ the blues tonight. My favorite show, Desperate Housewives, ended tonight, forever. I’ve been watching this show for 8 years so I feel a sense of loss if you will.

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Friday’s Favorite Things - 5.11.12 ... all things SWEET... live a little!

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MUM...
... who constantly nags me, never takes 'no' for an answer, and shows me an unconditional amount of love thru her food, especially her parathas, my favorite!

1. Speculoos Cookie Butter @ Trader Joe’s
If you've ever boarded a Delta flight, you must have had the pleasure of enjoying a Biscoff biscuit which tastes like a gingerbread cookie. If not, order them from Biscoff, a San Francisco based gourmet store. I wasn't aware that Biscoff made a spread that tastes just like their cookie, and now Trader Joe's has their own version of a similar spread that tastes just like the Biscoff cookie. Please do yourself a favor and buy this stuff, it is scrumptious. I even woke up EARLY (imagine that) one morning super excited for breakfast! I spread some cookie butter on a whole wheat toast and topped it with sliced bananas and chia seeds. Delicious stuff, but I am not too thrilled about their ingredient list, so this will be a “once in a while” type thing for me! ~ $4 @ Trader Joe's
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Spicy Mustard Egg Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:32:00 +0000

My husband passed his germs on to me.

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Friday’s Favorite Things - 5.4.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Skinny Trousers with Zips (purchased in Indigo)

By now I’m sure you are sick and tired of hearing me go on and on and on about Zara, but I can’t help myself. I’m so in love with the colorful denim this season, and I find Zara’s denim trousers to be the best for pants under $100. From the 2 other colored denim trousers I purchased, this fit is the best… it is stretchy, yet fitted, and I love the gold zip at the bottom. These skinny trousers in indigo go well with:

- a black & beige stripe top with a black jacket and nude pumps, or

- a crisp white shirt with a beige or black jacket and nude pumps, or

- a long white/beige loose fitted top – as seen here from Zara – with some nude pumps or ballet flats

~ $60 @ Zara

Cornelia Street Café | New York City (west village)

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:33:00 +0000

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, my husband and I met friends (Vik & Amy) of ours for brunch in my most favorite Manhattan district - West Village.

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Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich… perfect for Afternoon Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:45:00 +0000

My husband doesn’t understand my love and need for dining out.

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Friday’s Favorite Things - 4.27.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:36:00 +0000

1. The Elvis Cupcake @ Butter Lane Cupcakes
As soon as someone mentions "Elvis," I immediately know it's gonna be a delicious combination of peanut butter and banana. After dinner at Cafecito, my husband and I headed to Butter Lane Cupcakes, also in the East Village, to pick up their bestseller, the “Elvis Cupcake.” Essentially, the Elvis Cupcake is a banana cupcake topped off with creamy peanut butter frosting, the combination is moist and lethally delicious, and one of the BEST cupcakes I've ever had. Something tells me I’ll be in the East Village quite a bit this summer. ~ $3.25 each @ Butter Lane Cupcakes, East Village – New York City

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Cafecito | New York City (east village)

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Cafecito is my second favorite Cuban restaurant in Manhattan, that is after Havana Alma de Cuba.
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Almost Vegan... Almond Joy Oatmeal

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Whenever I bite into an Almond Joy chocolate bar, I can't help but think of my cousin, Ajay.
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Friday’s Favorite Things - 4.20.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Pizza Making Class @ Brick NYC
This week my husband and I headed for our first pizza making class. We both thought we'd actually learn how to make pizza from scratch, like knead the dough and roll it out, but unfortunately they just seated all attendees of the class as you would normally be seated in a restaurant and they gave each one of us raw dough, marinara sauce, and pizza toppings. In addition to making our own pizza, we also enjoyed a wine tasting with 3 types of wine. So lame I have to say and that’s because I bought the deal off Groupon – it’s such a SCAM! The reason this class made Friday’s Faves is because the pizza was amazingly light, refreshing, and authentic. My husband was like, “we paid them to make our own food, and they didn’t even teach us anything?” LOL! I couldn’t stop laughing when he said that. Anyway, I’m just glad the pizza, our group, and the ambience was great. ~ $35 (Groupon for 2) + $20 (Tax & Gratuity) = MAJOR RIP-OFF @ Brick, Tribeca - New York City. (you might as well just dine here, order 2 entrees, some wine, pay the same amount, and call it a night)

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healthier... Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:44:00 +0000

Whenever my friend, Jhiane, comes over I try to think outside of the box because she is a tough cookie to please.
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Friday’s Favorite Things - 4.13.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Classic Trench @ Banana Republic (purchased in Almond, also available in Black)

As the seasons change, one of the best investments one can make is a classic trench coat, one that I purchased from Banana Republic - can't really go wrong. The almond color goes with pretty much anything in your wardrobe and I love that this coat is 100% cotton. For a more affordable option, you can consider a couple options at Zara – here & here. I loveeeeeeeee the one in baby pink, but I think one coat is enough for now. ~ $200 @ Banana Republic
p.s. Don't Banana Republic models look so tired and drab? It's not like the come-get-me-look! So strange!

Classic trench

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting (Reduced Fat)

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:38:00 +0000

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes are the most difficult cupcakes I have made to date.

Friday’s Favorite Things - 4.6.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:07:00 +0000

to one of the loves of my life... my niece, Jasmin, who is celebrating her
SWEET 16!

Wishing you a very HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY... and I'll make sure today is very SPECIAL FOR YOU!

1. Lace Dress @ H&M (purchased in cream)
My friend, Sheetal, and I spontaneously decided to go shopping together earlier this week. At H&M, Sheetal picked out this pretty lace dress and then forced me to try it on with her. We both loved the dress and ended up making a purchase in the same color. There are 2 looks I'm imagining for this pretty lace dress...
a. Classy: with black tights, black mary-janes/ankle boots, with a long black messenger bag.
b. Casual: with mid-calf brown boots, a hat, and a brown satchel (ahem, this highly desired Mulberry)
This Lace Dress comes in 4 colors... white, cream, indigo, and black. ~ $30 @ H&M

left image courtesy of Pinterest; right image courtesy of H&M

Apple Pecan Pie Oatmeal

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Fact – I am allergic to raw apples. I don’t think my mom believed me for the longest time because she would put a plate of sliced apples in front of me... she just thought I hated apples.
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Press: My "BAKED Jalapeno Poppers" featured on Glamour!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:00:00 +0000

It's almost midnight, but I just had to share this exciting news with y'all. My "Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese" was recently featured on Glamour.com. This is a HUGE deal for me since I actually do read Glamour magazine, and I couldn't be happier!

Thank you, Sarah Jio, for writing the article and featuring me. You can head on over to Glamour.com to read the article, or just scroll below. Thank you everyone for your support!

Friday’s Favorite Things - 3.30.12

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:01:00 +0000

1. Trader Joe's 100% Spanish Organic Extra Virgin Garlic Flavored Olive Oil
I finally broke open my bottle of Trader Joe's Spanish Garlic Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and it was so delicious. So far, I've used this garlic infused oil for making stir-fry and pasta, I've also eaten it with plain ol' whole wheat bread. Delicious and so darn reasonable! ~ $4 @ Trader Joe’s

Choc O Pain | Hoboken, NJ

noreply@blogger.com (Honey) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:10:00 +0000

Hoboken is New Jersey's best kept gem with a ton of bars, restaurants, and a community that is home to lots of young singles/couples/families.

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