Hungry Designer

What have you done with your Saturday? If you did a typical brunch or you suffered through last nights decisions in your bed, then you missed out. Though it was a struggle to get moving this morning, we pushed through and ventured over to Brooklyn to go to SMORGASBURG!!!!!!! It was amazing. Absolutely, amazing. Unless you are one of those people who don't like to eat a lot of food, then you will love this place too!! Vendors pack in the park on Saturdays serving up their famous dishes! After the first big loop, our mouths were watering and it was time to start eating! We started with the Pizza Mote tent, where they create your thin crust pizza in front of you, pop it right into the oven and 7-10 minutes later call your name. Next we hoped in the 2 hour long line for the famous Ramen Burger. After standing in line the taste of that greasy mess was like heaven in a wrapper! Hopping over right next door we went to Home Frite and ordered the truffle fries with lemon garlic aioli dipping sauce. We took these meals and sat down by the water to eat and digest! Before we left, a hard decision had to be made about which ice cream sandwich we were going to get from The Good Batch.... I won the deciding factor and we ordered the Almond Toffee sandwich! Needless to say I have already planned out the food I want to try for the next time I come back, which will not be long from now! I advise to go hungry and prepared to leave fat and happy! Happy Saturday!!

Flower Friday!! What beautiful bouquets I found in the D&D Building this afternoon. Both simple and elegant. Having a "green thumb" is a gift. Not just anyone can plant some seeds and grow beautiful flowers. It is truly an art. As is arranging flowers. A lot of thought goes into arranging a vase of flowers. It, as well, is truly an art. Have you tried growing or arranging flowers? I have. I don't have the gift. The sun never seems to hit the right spot; I drown them in water; I don't give them enough water; the arrangement is never right; stems aren't the right length; nothing comes out the way I imagine it.... I just can't do it! Thank goodness for people who can though! Without flower gardens, childhoods wouldn't be the same, yards wouldn't seem as beautiful as they are, the happiness from seeing a blooming bulb wouldn't exist, and most importantly, flower arrangements wouldn't exist. Flowers are used for any and all occasions: marriages, births, birthdays, funerals, just because, the list goes on!!! Such a simple thing as a bouquet of flowers has such a huge impact on ones emotions. These two arrangements brought me warmth and a feeling of happiness. That's why I shared!

CHEESE!!! I don't know about you, but I am obsessed with cheese! Any and all kinds! I love it!!! When friends come over, I have restless nights dreaming about what kind of cheese trays I can create! Brie and fig jam wrapped in a crescent roll, baked and served with apple slices. Smoked cheddar with Dijon mustard and salami. Truffle cheddar on toasted baguette. Goat cheese with honey drizzled over on a crostini. I mean the possibilities are endless!!!! What are some of your favorite cheese plate creations?

Where did you spend your Sunday afternoon?? Were you watching the game, or just enjoying the company of others? Either way, Birreria is a great rooftop to try! Their menu includes beers from their brewery, wines and great meat and cheese plates! This is a highly recommended place in the city, and I will absolutely be back!!

In a city of millions, how would you chose to make your home stand out? For many people, the exterior is just as important as the interior. If you are fortunate enough to live in this amazing city and have your own front door, then you have the opportunity to be different. I was walking around the city and came across a row of front doors that were all different from the next. Each one as beautiful as the last. Even though this front door is simple, it spoke to me. Sometimes the simplest is the most extravagant. Think about it.

Casa Lever is quite the place in Midtown. Located on the corner of Park Ave and 53rd, there is a fun outside bar area with dining available. Stepping inside for a more private dining experience, the design and layout is modern with a retro twist! Right when you walk in, there is a beautiful mirrored bar and Andy Warhol type art hanging along the walls. The waiters were attentive and very helpful in helping decide between menu options!! Starting from the top: We started out with The Caprese as an spirited and a complimentary prosciutto and baguette. For dinner I ordered the Maine Lobster and they brought a complimentary tortellini dish. We divided to take the dive and order some desert: The Affogato- vanilla gelato with espresso Gianduia- milk chocolate and hazelnut crunch, gianduia mousse and hazelnut cream And a complimentary Cherry Cheesecake- amaretto cheesecake, black cherry compote and vanilla ice cream Needless to say we left very satisfied, not only with the food but the amazing service.... And all of the complimentary dishes we received!!! I guess Southern charm can get you somewhere in this world!

With two amazing views, how could your day ever start out dreary?????

Hope this makes your day, as much as it made mine!

God bless America! Happy 4th of July!! This picture proved that we survived another one of the biggest birthdays there are (besides mine of course). It was such an amazing day out on the National Mall! Are you aware of what the Washington Monument stands for? I wasn't. It's 555 ft tall, marble obelisk built to honor George Washington. The structure has been under construction because there were multiple cracks found after an earth quake hit in 2011. The cracks have been fixed and the monument shined last night as the fireworks went off around it. What an amazing structure. The time and the planning that goes in to building something this magnificent. As an interior designer, buildings like these are a huge eye opener. DC is known for it's monuments and symbolic structures. Each one is beautiful and unique in it's own way. I think one of my favorites is the World War II Memorial. You have a great view of the other monuments on either side, but yet this one, to me, is the most tranquil place to hang out for a few moments. Absorbing your life and the sacrifices that were made for our freedom.

Tonight's appetizer... Drum roll please!!!! ESCARGOT! Yes, it's true, people actually do eat this for a casual appetizer! You can find these guys in any gourmet grocery store. They are around $25 but oh so worth it! I sautéed the snails in a homemade pesto sauce for about 10 minutes, then put them in their shells and baked them at 300 degrees for 7 minutes. After I took them out of the oven I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese over the top, and they were ready to be served!! If you have never had escargot, I highly recommend trying them! Ignore the fact that they are snails, and just dig in! This is a major wow factor for your guests, and they will never know how simple they were to prepare! Let me know if you have any questions about the process!

Fifty shades of purple at the office today! Which one will be the perfect match?! It's hard to determine what shade will ever be the right shade. We are trying to match the perfect Pom to the beautiful deep purple velvet shown on the left. Can it be done??? After multiple trips to and from the D&D Building with bags full of different colors of purple Poms, I think we finally nailed down the combination we are going to use! Just one of the many tasks completed on a daily basis here at the office!

First post to start my adventure! I know what you are thinking, "Where can I find this amazing burger?!". Well my friends you are going to have to travel down to Washington, DC, and go to Mintwood Place!!! It is located in the Adams Morgan area. After a late night out, deciding between a healthy brunch option or an indulgent one... Let's just say I didn't even glance at the healthy side. This masterpiece that you are viewing is the Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries... No salad on this plate! I went with my brother, who ordered the "Hangover Special" with a Sunny Side Up Egg, and a friend who ordered the Suckling Pig Hash with Sunny Side Up Egg. Needless to say everyone was a member of the 'clean plate club' and we left there feeling fat and happy!