Back To Basics

Since my mom is in town, we went to one of her new favorites in Los Angeles thats from Manhattan. Fig and Olive is well-known in the city and its Meatpacking location is fun to sit and people watch on the weekends. The concept is great, simple and fresh ingredients with classic pairings and beautiful plating. I also love they they have a whole part of the menu designed to let you taste a little bit of everything. Since part of their title is olive, they have many different types of olive oils for you to try that they bring over and they all have such distinct and bold tastes. I had this amazing fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola with aged balsamic crostini that was just outrageously amazing. Then we tried a few different chicken and lamb dishes that were so interesting and delicious. After a very large meal we decided to walk it off through the streets of the Meatpacking District and do a little window shopping at DVF and Christian Louboutin, just window shopping...

‎"Having a strong desire or being successful does not mean that you are going to feel great all the time. No matter how enlightened I become, I will not be positive all the time. You have to understand the swing of the pendulum. It must swing back and forth. The only other alternative is to sit still in neutral, which is precisely what most people do."
-Thomas D. Whillhite

Amazing Eataly

I officially don't understand how New Yorkers stay skinny with places like this around. Eataly is a gourmet Italian market with four restaurants inside. With a coffee bar, a gelato section, a wine and cheese tasting area and a pasta and butcher counter, theres a ton to choose from. The four restaurants are themed with a vegetarian, meat, seafood and pizza menu. I first went with my mom and sat down and ate at the meat restaurant and had the most amazing ribeye of my life. I then went back with my cousin and some friends and grabbed some cheeses and prosciutto and of course fig jam with a fresh baguette and we sat in Madison Square Park and had a little Eataly picnic. Since then I've been back just to grab an espresso and wander through the aisles of specialty foods, including a whole sections devoted to imported olive oils, where the serious foodies hang out. This is definitely must see place for both tourists and New Yorkers alike.

Third Times A Charm

Junior year, can't believe I'm already halfway done! I have so many goals and hopes for this year that are different from the past times. My main goal is to enjoy every minute of this year and stress less. I want to work on myself and my relationships and making new friends here in New York. I am going to get more involved in school and work less. I have learned a lot this summer and I want to use that to move forward and make this the best year yet! I am so excited for this year, its time to have some fun!

Summer In Pictures

End of summer dinner

Sounds Familiar

Much needed downtime

Perfect Maui Sunset

End of school year toast!

It's All About The Butter Cake!

Since I'm home I had to go to one of my favorite restaurants and my entire family's favorite steakhouse. Every time we go to Mastro's Steakhouse we have the most amazing meal, from the shoestring fries to the porterhouse to the famous butter cake, you really can't go wrong. Sit in the bar area listening to the jazz singer and order my parents Mastro Martinis and its a party. When my mom was pregnant with me, my dad had to take her to a famous steakhouse in Beverly Hills called Lawry's Steakhouse every sunday, so needless to say I came out of the womb a carnivore. As a steakhouse connoisseur, I can confidently say its one of the best. After dinner when your so full you can't eat anymore, they come out with their home-made butter cake, which appears to just be yellow cake and some whipped cream, but it's not. Butter cake has double the butter, sugar and eggs in it to start with and they make their own Chantilly whipped cream. Its served warm with a big scoop of ice cream on top that melts into the cake as you cut into it. This is making me hungry all over again, can't wait to go back next time I'm home.

Life Skills at Work

I am loving my internship so much, I have never learned so much so quickly. The entire team is amazing and has welcomed me in as part of the team instead of just an intern. As I have begun to settle in and starting to get to know my co-workers I am really learning a lesson in balance in my work life. I grew up with two very successful parents with their own family businesses and was taught that success meant compromise. Shockingly enough all these people work, have lives, and spend times with their children and spouses, this is something I never thought was possible. These people are happy to come to work and passionate about what they do, this is a very foreign concept to me, but I’m ready to drink the Cool-Aid. This whole experience and this summer is really teaching me what I want in life and now I am seeing a way to get it, and its giving me the boost of confidence I need to get through school and on to, well my masters, and then my life!