FOOD: Appetizers at Cafe Mogador

Sophia's Moroccan Iced Tea... so photogenic right now. I don't even like mint drinks but I am definitely salivating! We had some time to kill this past weekend before meeting up with Bui for dinner, so we sat down for some appetizers at Cafe Mogador on St. Marks Place. All we had was the Merguez platter... but La Med, you have some serious competition! The food, late-afternoon lighting, and charming decor of this place made it perrrrfection.

  

Now THAT is a beautiful complex-carbohydrate.

-Claire

THEATER: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

I've seen a lot of plays in my day, but I have to say How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying has moved to the top of my list as one of my all time favorites. Having been in the play in high school and being a huge Harry Potter fan, the play was pure joy. The moment Daniel Radcliffe was lifted into the air in a window washer uniform I couldn't stop grinning. The retro clothes and colors, catchy tunes, and Daniel's contagious smile made for one excellent play.

One of the most famous songs from the play is "A Secretary is Not a Toy," that while trying to prove that secretaries are assets to the working of the office, simply plays upon the fact that they are sex objects. I remember when I was in the play that although I greatly enjoyed the dance number I was somewhat offended by the lyrics of the song. While women are respected more today in the office, there is now the hit TV show Mad Men which also objectifies women. Don't get me wrong, I love Mad Men for the drama and clothes, but I have had many conversations about men's view of women after watching Mad Men. One friend confessed to me that her boyfriend will repeat lines from the TV show that completely insult her as a strong, independent women. Women have made it so far from the 60s when our role was to basically do whatever men told us. But now, these period pieces could be threatening our future. Mobs of teenage girls who flock to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to be arms reach from Daniel Radcliffe might not notice the strong undertone of the play. I'm not trying to bash on How to Succeed or Mad Men because I adore them both. I just urge both men and women to take a step back and enjoy them for what they are, and to not get any ideas.

-Miraya

PLACES: Loreley Biergarten in Brooklyn

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at a biergarten in Brooklyn! After exploring the Brooklyn flea market we all met up at Loreley Biergarten to have a last adventure before the beginning of our work week. 

We had to try the pretzels and the currywurst mit pomme frites (bratwurst with curry/tomato sauce and fries), the German biergarten staples. Aislinn, the vegetarian of the group, also ordered a cheese and bread plate to enjoy while Claire and I munched on the bratwurst. 

When it came to ordering beer, as much as we wanted to sound like we were experienced beer drinkers, we couldn't quite fool the waitress. Aislinn, who spent last summer in Germany, recommended we order a Radler, which is a mixture of beer with a Sprite like soda. It was really hot out and a Radler sounded like it would hit the spot so the waitress suggested we get a Radeberger Pilsner beer in the radler and Claire and I were sold. Aislinn opted for a Hofbräu Summer, a refreshing summer beer. 

Cheers!

Thanks for the great pictures Claire! I'm obviously meant to be one of those biergarten girls - I just need one of the cute dresses and I'll be set. Next on our agenda, the Standard Hotel biergarten.

-Miraya

STYLE: Harry Potter Opening Night

Vintage American Shirt Dress, Vintage tie, Forever 21 belt, Bloch flats, and stylish 3D HP glasses

Gryffindor shirt I knew would be of use some day, J.Crew skirt from Jeremy's, Primark flats, Marc by Marc necklace, OCMA tote

PLACES: Housing Works Warehouse Sale

Long red skirt, pleated white skirt, navy blazer, Ralph Lauren scarf, straw bag, two neckties, two brown belts, visor, and a canvas backpack - sounds like a shopping spree right? Well, would you believe I scored the whole loot for less than $20?! Quite the thrifting success!

Some would be too intimidated to wait outside for 2 hours in a New York heat-wave or to dig through piles of items while climbing over a foot deep of clothes, but not I! My friends and I awoke early Saturday morning to attack The Housing Works Warehouse Sale in Queens. We had no idea what to expect, we only knew a bag of clothes costs $25 and we all liked the sound of that.

When we finally entered the warehouse we were greeted by sweltering heat even hotter than outside, which happened to be one of the hottest days in NY this summer. Men and women were digging and sorting through clothes and I expected any minute for fights to break out for sacred items. Although I was literally dripping in sweat within minutes, I loved the place! With no worry of the price of each item, I joyfully placed every appealing good into my brown paper bag. We didn't even last a full hour at the sale, but we all left with great items. And strategically we crammed our clothes into two bags so none of us had to pay the full $25. The warehouse sale is not for the faint of heart, but now I feel like I can take on any shopping encounter.

Not the prettiest picture of us, but it clearly represents the extremity of the situation. 

Shopping is a sport.

-Miraya

FOOD: Katz Deli

Pastrami, rye bread, pickles, oh my! Every time I come to New York, Katz Deli is a must for me. I finally got the chance to go this summer and it was as delicious as I remembered. I ordered one sandwich for myself and was so stuffed after just half the sandwich, but the other half made an excellent dinner the next day. You really haven't tasted pastrami until you've been to Katz, home of the film When Harry Met Sally.

-Miraya

PLACES: Georgetown

Two weekends ago, we ventured to Arlington, Virginia to spend a weekend in DC. Only a $29 bus ride from NYC, the weekend was so, so worth it! My favorite part was definitely Georgetown--a bustling yet quaint area that reminded me of Old Town Pasadena... only better.

We heard Georgetown Cupcakes was a must-try, but the line outside (see below) pushed us to try a new and even cuter-looking place, baked & wired. Hence the name, half of the place is a bakery and half of it is a coffee shop. Considering that I kept asking Aislinn for some of her iced coffee while eating my strawberry cupcake (see below).. a genius idea! This cupcake shop underdog DEF turned out to be an a-maaaa-zing gift to our tastebuds.

My strawberry cupcake. May be in the lead for best cupcake I've ever had.

Ahhh

Miraya's Ginger Snap Sandwich Cookie with a cream cheese filling. YUM

Georgetown Cupcake may look legit....

But not that legit.

Not to mention, this place will meet all your shopping needs with everything from a Barneys COOP, shopping mall, Anthro, Intermix, Dean & Deluca, Madewell, etc etc

Sigh, if I could live here, I would.

-Claire