Zavo Restaurant & Lounge New York

December 8, 2018

Okay… today’s the first day where I’m really feeling the cold. I’m a Midwest girl at heart, so the winter season doesn’t bother me much, but in New York, with the humidity AND the cold? It feels much more cold than normal. So what to do on a freezing day like today? I’d say just stay inside, but if you get cabin fever like me and need to get out of the house, you should go and check out ZAVŌ. A luxurious new Mediterranean restaurant that engages all of your senses, it’s the perfect location too after marathoning through a shopping spree. Got your holiday errands all checked off yet? If not, it’s cool. Me neither. Why not sit down and take a break in between with a glass of wine at my new favorite spot in Lenox Hill?

A stylish and seductive multi-level celebration of Mediterranean cuisine and culture, ZAVŌ elevates the dining experience. Amidst tastefully appointed decor and lighting, the menu is just as scrumptious. Savor a cocktail at the sleek marble bar or unwind on the outdoor terrace. We sat in the dining room section with a pleasant ambience and excellent service. The staff was so sweet to give us a complete tour of their almost 1-year old restaurant in Lenox Hill (UES). ZAVŌ’s second floor is accessed via a private entrance on East 60th Street. Ascend the sweeping staircase to the intimate piano lounge, bar and refined private dining rooms, they offer unparalleled, five-star catering services cultivated from their deep expertise with corporate and special events. The Chef’s special selected menu changes daily to reflect their fascinating and unique live entertainment such as 50 Shades and Venetian/Masquerade Nights and others. It’s a great space for holiday parties right now, and even a wedding reception! The second floor can accommodate roughly over 200 people, and the decor alone will have you swooning.

We tried the crab cakes and grilled octopus for our appetizers which were cooked to perfection. Literally soft as butter, with wonderful taste concoctions to go with the seafood such as hummus, yellow pepper, and more. For our main course, we tried the branzino fish with grilled squash and zucchini, and the braised short beef with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The fish was excellent as well as the beef. The beef and asparagus were a tad dry and could have used more sauce, but the flavors were all there. Their sancerre wine was also quite good. But we were so full, we opted out on dessert. Gotta keep that holiday figure, somehow! ;) Overall, a wonderful dining experience. On the super plus side? It’s right across the street from Bloomingdale’s - the perfect spot to hang your hat and grab a bite after your holiday shopping!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Unwinding in between Meetings with Pyramid Solitaire

October 5, 2018

This post is sponsored by MobilityWare but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I'm always checking in on my emails in between meetings but can never always answer back immediately. What I do like to do after checking in, however, is playing Pyramid Solitaire on my iPad. One of my favorite activities to help me relax along with killing some time includes this game, precisely for its fast turnaround of each round. It is also the perfect mobile game to exercise your brain and keeping you focused. So in today's post, I'll be sharing how to play on the game as well why I love to play this particular game while on the go, or rather, in some cases, while waiting in between meetings.

Pyramid Solitaire is the fastest growing title in MobilityWare’s suite of classic card games. I really enjoy that each game takes just 1-2 minutes, making Pyramid Solitaire the perfect game to play on-the-go and in-between various tasks. Not only is the game app free, but the game itself is also quick and easy, and a lot of fun! Players must clear the pyramid by matching pairs of cards that equal 13. The quicker you finish the round, the more points you'll acquire. Simple enough, straight to the point and a great way to focus on something if you do a lot of waiting around.

Whether it's waiting at the doctor's office, or a work meeting, or even commuting around the city by bus or train, Pyramid Solitaire is the perfect game for those that are always on-the-go and in between all sorts of activities/meetings/appointments. A free online solitaire card game where the player tries to match pairs of cards with a rank that totals 13. So why not download the game today on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Play the game and decide what you really like about it!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Glenlivet - Make No Assumptions 12-Year Old Aged Whiskey

October 4, 2018

This post is sponsored by Glenlivet but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Spending quality time with my husband is imperative in our relationship. And in 2018, when it's an exciting time to be alive in this world- I need all the help I can get. It's also a time where assumptions and preconceived notions are challenged every day, even when it comes down to stereotype and pre-judged ideas on who and what we are. Which is why I'm thrilled to partner with The Glenlivet, where we're resetting the table and changing it up when it comes to the cast of characters and roles we play, and the people, places and things we choose to enjoy are all up for grabs. Call it equality. Call it modern. Here we call it well overdue.

The image of a scotch whiskey drinker tends to be an older, white, wealthy gentleman calmly sipping a neat glass of the classic brown elixir while reclined on a dark leather couch with a cigar in tow... and this has been the perpetuated stereotype for decades. However, the truth is that scotch whiskey appeals to a diverse array of humans from different backgrounds: like myself and my husband! You'd never think a Eurasian woman and Parisian man would love the Glenlivet as much as we do! And what a fun twist it is to mix up our dates, where even enjoying a neat glass with the bae during lunch break is totally doable in our book.

So say farewell to a time where assumptions and dusty values limit what we can imagine. As the Single Malt that started it all, the Glenlivet are living up to their responsibility and being the first to lead the way moving us forward into an era where both minds and doors are opening. We stand for diversity - I think we are definitely the essence of that as a couple. What are you passionate and proud of when it comes to your partner and what you both stand for? Make No Assumptions with the Glenlivet!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Finding Balance with Himalayan Water

September 22, 2018

This post is sponsored by Himalayan Water but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Many of you know I've been away overseas the past week, and the week prior to that was NYFW. Now it's straight back to business as usual for me. Which means deadlines need to be finished, emails need to be tackled and so on and so forth. It's imperative for me to stay focused and stay on track with so many tasks at hand. It can be challenging to find a balance while catching up on work and then some. Which is why I stay hydrated while I'm on the go to help me keep things in check all the while helping me feel well overall. Himalayan Water is my favorite new water as of late, and let me tell you why!

Himalayan Water is naturally pH balanced & journeys for 20 years through the mountains, through an underground aquifer, then goes through a layer of clay, & then rests in a confined aquifer 400 feet below ground. So basically, the water is naturally filtered & doesn't see the light of day until it's bottled at the source of the base of the Himalayas. Himalayan Water also contains electrolytes which is something I find I need every day to stay hydrated and focused.

Don’t you love it when you find a water that helps you to stay focused and get tasks done, on top of being absolutely delicious?! I am so thankful for a high-quality mineral and pH water like Himalayan Water to help me do that, keep me on track and keep me hydrated like I should be. It’s also perfect for any sort of travel! Hiking, flying… you name it!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Guilt-free On-the-Go Snacking During NYFW

September 11, 2018

This post is sponsored by Pearls® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Healthy, fun and mess-free, Pearls Olives!® is great for fashion week! With barely any time to eat in between shows, meetings, shoots, editing and everything else in between - you can definitely bet on me not eating properly. But when hunger strikes, I just whip out Pearls Olives to Go!® They have an assortment of new flavors to their Olives to Go! products but I truly love the original, black pitted olives. They are a great addition to your snacking go-to's and/or plant-based diet! And if you're anything like me who prefers salty cravings over sweets, this is the snack for you!

Delicious California-grown large pitted black ripe olives are perfect for lunchboxes, gym bags, desk drawers, as well as great for after-school or an after-sports group snack. Always ready-to-go in single-serve, liquid-free, easy-to-open cups, they are a great choice for a tasty wholesome snack. Each cup holds ten large olives--one for each finger. ;-) Pearls Olives to Go!® Black Pitted Olives are proud to be a winner of the 2014 Parents® Magazine 25 Best Packaged Foods for Families Award! With only 35 calories per 1.2 ounce cup, they come four cups to a package. Other infused flavors include Taco, Sriracha or Italian Herb. Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, GMO-free, vegan, and Kosher.

I'd totally pack some feta cheese and tomato with the olives but alas, I didn't have time to organize a lunch box of sorts for fashion week. But next time will be different and still nonetheless, a party in my mouth. How would you guys mix it up with these on-the-go olives? Available on Amazon or you can use the brand's store locator for other retailers here.