Philly Recap Part 3 (Sunday)

Read my earlier Philly recaps here and here.

My last day in Mural City started off with an early brunch (by New York standards) at Mémé. The small menu was much welcome after the big night prior and the choice made easy as soon as I saw baked eggs.

Post-brekkie, Lindsay and I kept to the theme of champions (you know, "breakfast of.." yada yada yada) and trekked to the Museum of Art. After the late night prior, I was in no position to view actual masterpieces and was excited just to hang out with Mr Balboa. No trip to the Museum would be complete without a "jog" up those iconic steps though I stopped short of "jumping for joy".

And just because this never gets old:

We then hopped on the Phlash to Reading Terminal Market. I would have loved to indulge in a whoopie pie from Flying Monkey and/or a pork sandwich at DiNic's but settled for Bassett's ice cream and a couple of cookies from the Famous 4th Street Bakery to take home for darling S.

J Crew dress, Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Anthropologie sandals and Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch

By this time, the rain thwarted our plans to join a free walking tour of the city so we did the next best thing - a visit to Anthropologie! It's always a treat checking out new Anthro stores and I wished my hands were not full with pickings so that I could take photos but alas.

My weekend came to a wrap at JG Domestic, Chef Jose Garces' latest, for a special Sunday Supper. Whilst all the places we ate at this weekend were divine, this establishment was the icing on the cake - most likely due to the winning combination of the adjoining bluegrass band, the uncountable dishes we devoured and overall chilled vibe so welcome at the end of a hectic weekend.

JG prides itself in sourcing all ingredients from the good ol' US of A

We had EVERYTHING on this menu

TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb

I am a huge fan of surprises and if you recall, I knew of none of the restaurants Lindsay had made plans for throughout the weekend. This lady truly outdid herself setting out the perfect 3 days for us and I could not have asked for a better time in her city.

Philly, you stole my heart - I can't wait to see you again.

With love,

Usha xoxo

Philly Recap Part 2 (Saturday)

Saturday in Philly started off at Sabrina's Cafe followed by a guided tour of murals in the city.

This place isn't called the Mural City of the World for nothing.

I was then mesmerised by the wonderland that was the Magic Gardens, which had mosaics on every wall, including on the ceilings, floor, in the bathroom as well as in the expansive outdoor space.

Anthropologie dress, belt and sandals, Lindsay's awesome aviators, Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch

Even more thrilled was I to discover that there were more public mosaic artworks in the area.

Philly should be so proud since I had one of the best chinese/szechuan meals in my life at Han Dynasty. I am seriously considering making a quick jaunt sometime to attend chef and owner Han Chiang's epic $25 Monday night tastings.

The day finished off with festivities at a friend's ugly polo party in the 'burbs, followed by plenty of dancing into the wee hours of the morning!

Yup that's Eeyore alright

My Friday night recap can be read here.

Philly Recap Part 1 (Friday)

I love eating out and my weekend in the city of brotherly love was filled with just that.

Friday evening, we braved the rain and hit up Barbuzzo, part of Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran's empire on 13th street. Fans of sharing, we loved the small-plates concept of the restaurant. The standout was the salted caramel budino and I understood why practically every table ordered this. I am almost tempted to make this at home one day.

Grubstreet

Aware of the busy Saturday we had ahead, we capped the evening at the Ranstead Room. Familiar with New York speak-easies, I was unperturbed walking down a nondescript alley into a unmarked door. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pretentiousness that lay behind the door marked only by a double R. I am already looking forward to a return trip to try the rest of the cocktail list.

Slow Cocktails

Oh Jacqueline

I met dear Kate last night at Kinshop for our regular catch-up dinner.

The weather was balmy so I decided to walk up an appetite.

In my post juice-cleanse haze (verdict: never again), I forgot to bring my camera but I couldn't help take some iphone shots of what I saw on my trek:


I always dress up for Kate. The yellow Lilly Pulitzer was an easy choice, especially since the forecast was for showers and lots of cloud.

Lilly Pulitzer Jacqueline Novelty Lace, that same pair of Anthropologie flats, Michael Kors watch, Hermes Clic bracelet

Hope everyone in the northeastern corridor stays safe for Hurricane Irene!

Lilly Pulitzer sale!

The Lilly Pulitzer online sale commenced this morning with free shipping.


There are over 500 items on sale. A few of my picks so far:

Lela Shift Dress
Dolly Dress Novelty Lace
Basket Case Bangle
Betsy Dress Jacquard
Paley Cardigan Daffodil

Taylor Dress Engineered

A reminder of sale items return policy:



Happy shopping!

Juices and Stitches

I started a three-day juice cleanse today. It was much welcome after the gastronomic adventure I had in Philly this past weekend (recap to follow).

Google images

Day 1 has been fairly fine. The juices actually taste yummy (apart from the the daily chlorophyll shot that tastes like grass, surprise surprise). However I have been caught off guard by the frequency I have to empty my bladder. I shouldn't be, since there is a LOT of liquid in every glass jar - 16oz/ 500 ml. But certainly no fun whatsoever when the office loo is 77 steps from my desk (yes, I counted).

I would be lying if I said I wasn't hungry - bearably so. What isn't so tolerable is the fact that I am spending every waking moment thinking about what I am going to eat on Thursday and beyond. Wish me luck kids, there are 2 more days of this.

This is what I wore to an intro to machine sewing class I took today:

Zara silk tee with stars, Cue Australia skinny black pants, Lanvin kitten heels, Anthropologie Dessert Crossing Scarf and stripey blue ribbon from the craft store

My mum used to sew on a manual Singer machine. I am still extremely sad it did not survive my parents' last house move.


I learnt to prepare a sewing machine (of the electronic kind) including wind a bobbin, thread the needle on various machine models and practice stitches. At the end of the 2-hour class, we created a reusable shopping bag all on our own. Take that Baggu!

With love, Philly xoxo

I am off to Philly this evening to see my "dahling" friend, Lindsay. Linds is as big of a foodie as I so the weekend will be overflowing with good food and drink! I have requested that she keep the reservations secret but the suspense is just about killing me.

I am particularly excited for my inaugural ugly polo party since Linds assures me there will be lots of this:

And this:
I could die of happiness.


Have a lovely weekend, xoxo!

M Wells (and my new favourite skirt)

Darling S and I headed out to M Wells Diner a couple of days ago. M Wells has been on my restaurant-to-go list some months back but it rushed to the top when I found out that the restaurant was not going to renew its lease at the end of the month.

For all the hype the diner has been receiving, I wish there were more normal dishes on the menu. As adventurous we are with our food, we did not like the sound of sweetbreads or blood sausage. I even thought a dish with duck nuts was code for something else. Nope, I was mistaken. We did have an amazing salad and tomato tart. The banana cream pie was brilliant as well and we (almost) regret not ordering the Paris-Brest, that received the M Wells treatment by looking just as it sounds (with a cherry on top).

Anthropologie A-bit-unruly top and sandals, J Crew sash skirt and necklace, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Kate Spade Tarrytown Quinn,

Meet my new love!

The subway next to M Wells