Daydreaming with Ian Campbell Dunn

Ian Campbell Dunn is one of the very, very special people in my life. My first friend in NYC, he's been around for my entire New York life and knows all of the funny stories and, sadly, all of the dirty little secrets.  Ian is an actor from Nashville, TN and has lived in New York for the last nine years.  He plays guitar and bass in the BTK Band - a badass, storytelling, comedic improv band.  Imagine Flight of the Conchords but if they had a serious drinking problem and a few arrest warrrants....that's the BTK Band.  You need to check them out immediately.  On a side note, the Tennessee Senator pours a mean drink and is probably one of the smartest people I know when it comes to political discussion and anything regarding Abraham Lincoln.

Five places you want to visit in your lifetime:

The vineyards of Italy.  

Oval Office.

Spanish Riviera.

A Broadway stage.

Rio De Janiero.

Four photos of how I envision my life in 5 years:

Go-To Drink:

Banana Jameson with one ice cube.

Something I've been daydreaming about recently:

A certain ballerina.  And writing a cartoon show with animals.  And stupid voices.  It'll be hilarious.  You are going to watch, get hooked and buy the t-shirt.  It'll be awesome.

Currently listening to:

Elbow - Grounds for Divorce

Currently reading:

Burr by Gore Vidal

Current favorite quote:

Past Perfect

Nicole Romano's resort collection, inspired by estate jewelry, vintage glass carved stones, and antique crystals proves that old glamour is almost always sexier than something cold and modern.  Romano was discovered by Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field several years ago and some of her gorgeous, art deco pieces popped up on those fashionable girls on the show and in the movies.  The line is currently available at Moda Operandi and while the price point is a little high, you will wear these for years and years to come.

Images courtesy of Honestly WTF.

Better Than Bubba Gump

I'm having one of those really fun weekends when any sort of dietary restrictions go completely out the door.  I spent it in my bikini, have bounced between the beach and the pool and have been eating and drinking my little heart away.  It's blissful.  But tomorrow...back to reality.  I'm cutting out the alcohol, cutting out the carbs and I'm forgetting about bacon for a while.  Milk & Mode has this fantastic (and easy) shrimp recipe that is very light and super easy to make.  Also, as it's one of those one pot meals, it is ideal for those of us with tiny city kitchens and minimal counter space.

Shrimp with Feta, Lemon and Capers

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound large wild shrimp, shelled and cleaned

1/3 cup crumbled feta

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 to 2 tablespoons capers to taste

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons fresh basil, plus additional for garnish

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic, stirring constantly, and cook until fragrant but not browned, about one minute.  Stir in the shrimp, then add the feta, lemon juice, capers, salt and pepper.

Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the shrimp become just opaque and the sauce begins to thicken, about 2 to 3 minutes.  Add the basil and stir to combine.  Remove from heat and serve immediately, sprinkled with a bit of extra basil.

Bathe Me

To be perfectly honest, I'm exhausted.  Work is in full swing, I've been spending lots of time with my friends and I'm trying to take advantage of every last second of summer.  I'm spent.  Weary.  I need some TLC.  All that I can think of is easing my tired bones into Aire Ancient Baths, a subterranean cavern of marble, water and relaxation in Tribeca.  I've never really done the public bath thing - I think I mistakenly assumed that it was a little...seedy.  I was way off.  It looks to be deliciously decadent.

At the end of the 5th century B.C., the upper classes of ancient Rome attended the magnificent bath houses to enjoy the pleasures of a public bath.  The bathing ritual began in the "Tepidarium," the warm-water pool, then went on to the "Caldarium," the hot-water pool or the high-temperature steam room "Lanconicum," and lastly to the "Frigidarium," the cold-water pool.  This ritual was repeated three or four times.  Immediately afterward, the "tracatores" or masseurs stretched the muscles of the guests who finished their experience with the "unctores" who anointed them with fragrant oils.  

After scouring the website, it looks like Aire is everything that you would want in a palatial stone grotto and offers a pretty awesome version of the ancient Roman bathhouses.  You have 90 minutes to lounge and dip yourself into a series of salt, ice, mineral and jacuzzi baths that surround a glass house of hot steam and stone (aka the sauna).  Then after all of that hard work, you can enjoy a scented oil massage for up to 60 minutes with...(this is the kicker) either two or four hands.  Yes, folks, you can have two people oiling and rubbing your body for a full hour.  Um...sign me up.  

If all of that wasn't enough, Aire offers various private rooms where you and your date bathe in red wine, champagne or olive oil for 30 minutes, enjoy a 30 minute facial, a 60 minute massage (eight hands rubbing two people sounds fabulously sexy) and ends with an hour long dip in the public baths.  That right there is the date of all dates, my friends.

Spinning Your Wheels

Do you ever rent bikes on vacation?  I love it.  You can explore neighborhoods in a fun, breezy way and you get a much more authentic experience than if you were cruising around in a car.  The only snag is that  renting bikes can be surprisingly expensive.  They can cost as much as $50 a day and if you're on vacation for a few days, that can add up in a hurry.  Enter Spinlister.

Spinlister is a marketplace that lets you find the best bikes to rent online, whether from individuals or existing bike rental shops.  It's just like Zip Car but if you were renting cars from individual owners.  All that you have to do is type in where you'd like to ride and Spinlister gives you the best bike rental options from that location.  Inversely, if you want to list your bike, all you have to do is snap a few pictures and the Spinlisters take it from there.  So brilliant and let's be honest...there's nothing more chic than a gorgeous woman on a bicycle.

Daydreaming with....me

So while I'm waiting for more of my lovely friends (you know who you are) to answer their Daydreaming Q&A's, you are stuck hearing about my future travel locales and current favorite songs.  I'll spare you the intro on moi, as you poor readers probably know more about me than you ever intended, but I have to say, it is kind of cool answering the same questions that I've posed to my closest friends.  Hopefully it will leave you feeling like you know the real me a little better.

Five places I want to visit in my lifetime:

The Amalfi Coast.  I mean, everywhere in Italy but especially the Amalfi Coast.

Morocco.

Marble Caves in Patagonia.

Macchu Picchu.  It's my next big trip and I cannot wait.  Can't.  Wait.

Bora Bora.  I don't think it's considered a honeymoon if you go anywhere else.

Four photos of how I envision my life in 5 years:

Go-to drink:
Dirty Ketel One martinis on the rocks.  Yes, martinis as in plural.  I can't have just one.

Something I've been daydreaming about lately:
A new apartment.  My upcoming trip to Key West with my mom.

Currently listening to:

The very random mish-mash of songs below have all been on an endless loop over the past few weeks.  You could consider them my songs of the summer.

Mumford & Sons - The Cave
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
Of Monsters & Men -  Little Talks
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe (you know you love it too)
Avicii - Silhouettes
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed

Currently reading:
Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright

Current favorite quote:

On the Corner

How on EARTH have I not made it to La Esquina before last night?  As you know, I love anything hidden, secretive and/or requiring some kind of a password for admittance and while La Esquina kind of started that trend (seven years ago), it's still hot.  

I've eaten at the Corner Deli - the kitschy Mexican taco stand on the ground floor - but had no idea that this was also the entrance to the bar downstairs.  I arrived before my date and my directions via text were, "There's a bald guy in a striped tie standing next to an Employees Only sign holding a clipboard.  Give him my last name.  Go downstairs through the employee door.  Walk through the kitchen.  Hang a left and I'm at the bar."  Brilliant.  

Above.

 Below.

Below and behind the bar.

My margaritas were ice cold, the tacos and ceviche were delicious and our server was a poor man's James Franco (complete with the patchy beard).  I actually think that he heard me call him that and was less than impressed.  The entire space is outfitted to look very Mexican dungeon with wrought iron gates  everywhere, huge candlesticks, distressed brick and a DJ cranking out awesome music.  It's sexy.  The constant flow of models strolling around also adds to the sexiness but that's another topic entirely.  

So friends, make a reservation (it has to be made three weeks out to the date and you need one for dinner or drinks).  La Esquina is definitely past its prime but is still so, so fun.  

Chin Up Buttercup

It's been one of those days my friends.  One of the those days when the only cure is cold tequila.

Image courtesy of Hip Hip Gin Gin.

Channeling Dickens

When is the last time that you saw the 1998 flick Great Expectations with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke?  God, it is just so, so good.  Not only is the modern retelling of the Dickens classic brimming with amazing fashion (Donna Karan designed Paltrow's wardrobe for the entire film, while director Alfonso Cuaron has an affinity for making movies infused with the color green) but it explores the expectations that we set for ourselves and for others...and what happens when they aren't met.

In the movie, loosely based on the book, a young boy named Finn (Hawke) meets and becomes  instantly enchanted with Estella (Paltrow at her absolute nastiest), who ends up growing into the ravishing and always-unattainable object of his desire.  Over the years, knowing Finn is in love with her, Estella taunts him with her aloof attitude.  Eventually Finn discovers that her eccentric aunt, Ms. Dinsmoor, once jilted at the altar, has trained Estella to break his heart and the heart of every man that she comes across.  The story is full of heart-breaking love and is set against a hauntingly, lush Florida landscape and a glittering 1990's New York.  Thanks to Cuaron, the film is a constant style procession of rich emeralds, olives and khaki.  Some of my favorite images are below...

And the trailer...just to help remind you of it's 90's brilliance.

You Saucy Minx

I couldn't be happier to notice that this rainy weekend actually isn't so rainy after all.  What better way to spend this sunny, humid Saturday?  Sailing and a barbecue of course...  It's starting to feel like a cold martini and a steak kind of day, and thanks to the always delicious Smitten Kitchen, I found the best.  steak. sauce.  ever.  I have a feeling that after you slather it all over some perfectly medium rare skirt steak, you might walk directly to the fridge and throw away every bottled condiment in there.  Thank them for their years of service and remind them that it's not them, it's you.  It's about time that you move on to something a little more exotic...

Charred Pepper Steak Sauce 

Ingredients:

1 red bell pepper

2/3 cup canned or fresh tomato puree

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon molasses

3/4 tablespoon table salt

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:

Preheat your broiler.  Place your pepper on a baking sheet and cook it under the broiler until all sides are charred, turning with tongs if needed.  Don't skimp on the charring as this skin will add a fantastic flavor dimension.  This should take about 5 to 8 minutes.  Transfer pepper to a mesh sieve set over a blender jar or food processor work bowl to cool until you are able to handle it, about 15 minutes.

Tear open the pepper and remove the seeds and membranes with your fingers or a paring knife.  Add the pepper (with it's skin) to the blender along with the remaining ingredients.  Puree mixture until as smooth as possible.  Transfer mixture to a small saucepan.  Simmer it gently over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time.  

Image and recipe courtesy of Smitten Kitchen.

Good Reads

I'm in desperate need of a good book.  I started the summer knee-deep in the 50 Shades of Grey series (I know...  I know) and have spent the past couple of months without anything good to read.  Some Googling around this morning showed that there are some great books that I need to spend this rainy weekend diving into.  

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker - the earth's rotation slows down making days and nights longer and wreaking as much havoc on the world as you might expect.  Told from the point of view of 11-year-old Julia who is trying to navigate adolescence  and the looming end of the world, it sounds like a really interesting and fast read.

The Mansion of Happiness by Jill Lepore - a fascinating exploration of how modern marvels and inventions have prolonged our lives and changed our relationship with life and death.  Let's be honest - this sounds really heavy but definitely gives a little insight into the questions people have about humanity and modern life.

Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright - I've always admired Madeleine Albright and one of my favorite quirky facts about her is that she has an extensive collection of brooches and chose which one to wear on any given day based on the message she was trying to convey to whomever she was meeting with.  I love a tactical accessory.  This book is a memoir of her early childhood during World War II and I have a feeling that it will be just as fascinating as the lady herself.

Daydreaming with Kirk Lintern

My friend Kirk is one of the most fun guys that you will ever have the pleasure of hanging out with.  We became friends while working at the football office in college and bonded over our shared love of Bruce Springsteen and cheap margarita's at Juanita's.  Fast forward to seven years later, Kirk lives in Cleveland with his awesome wife Sarah and still manages to send me postcards anytime he goes on vacation.  

Aside from the fun facts below, you should definitely know that Kirk loves a bow tie, a good horse race and channels Rebecca Black anytime Friday rolls around.  You're going to thank me for introducing him to you...

Five places you want to visit in your lifetime:

 Wimbledon.

 World Cup Final.

An All-Events pass to the next Olympic Games.

Antarctica.

Augusta National.

Four photos of how I envision my life in 5 years:

Go-To Drink:

They only sell Makers Mark Mint Julep in Kentucky, so you'll have to drive there to get it (trust me, it's well worth it).  If I don't have any on hand, I drink bourbon & water.  My bourbon choice always changes but right now, my go-to is either Bullett or Elmer T. Lee.

Something I've been daydreaming about lately:

The Olympics - I love them.  I always look forward to the great moments that don't always win medals like the one above from Barcelona in '92. 

Currently listening to:

My favorite songs of summer:

OMC - How Bizarre

Eric Carmen - Make Me Lose Control

Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe 

Toad the Wet Sprocket - All I Want

Currently reading:

Not much which is bad.  I read more magazines than books - Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, ESPN The Magazine, Esquire.

Current favorite quote: