Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving friends! How are y'all celebrating? Alan and I are staying in the city this year and even though we can't be with our families we are so grateful to have been invited to a generous family friend's home. I've been told there is not only turkey but ham and prime rib, too. Alan will probably wear his elastic waist band jeans. I still cannot believe he bought them. Have the best day!

p.s. A festive cranapple cocktail perfect for holiday socials. Bottoms up!

{My Worth Bar Cart at Glitter Guide's Elegant Thanksgiving}

Chain Mail! Q & A

My friend Sarah who I'm so thankful to know as a fellow blogger and real life friend tagged me in a fun Q&A...I got entirely too excited. I love how these little questionnaires shed a little light on the girls behind my favorite blogs. Here are my answers to Sarah's questions:

1. What's the most played song in your music library?
(Lifetime. Be honest.)

It would be a close call between anything by the Backstreet Boys  (I am not ashamed) and Alicia Keys "This Girl is on Fire." She's my hype girl when I'm feeling scared, down, or need any kind of courage/encouragement. 

2. What is your favorite thing about your current occupation or job?
I love seeing my designs in real homes and it's even better when customers send me sweet notes! Ashley was my very first customer and recently posted this pic of the very first Sedgewick bar cart to go out into the world in her living room!

3. City or country?

City! The energy here in New York is unstoppable. "These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you."

4. What is your coping mechanism after a really bad day?
I can drink a whole bottle of wine in one sitting. But if the day is bad but not that bad, and I don't feel paralyzed with anxiety, I like to kickbox it out. My weighted gloves make me feel like I can kick ass ;)

5. Favorite item in your closet right now? (Pictures welcome.)

A really simple, basic sweater from Zara (above)-- it's a cotton silk blend which makes it super comfy and it goes great with everything. Denim, skirts, and black cigarette pants for an Audrey look. It's so classic that I bought it in grey, too.

6. Skill or craft you still want to work on?

I minored in French in college and studied abroad along the Cote d'Azur. I can squeak a little bit out now, but I would love to take classes again and get back to where my language skills used to be.

7. What is your most precious keepsake?

My mom and dad had a bench custom made for our Catholic wedding since there is a lot of kneeling, sitting, standing. It's since been used at their 30 year vow renewal and my brother's wedding. All our names and dates are hand-carved into the side. It's such a special piece that I hope is treasured in our family for generations to come. You can see it here-- scroll!

8. What's at the very tip top of your holiday wish list this year?

This is terrible...I am at a total loss! If I have to name something, Inslee just scooped up one of the last Mansur Gavriel bucket bags in all of Manhattan (cue the frenzy), and trust me when I say it is stunning. Pictures do not do it justice-- impeccable Italian craftsmanship and rich, buttery leather that is going to age so elegantly overtime.

9. What's your favorite spot in the town/city/state you live in?
Alan and I love dining in the West Village. The restaurants are quaint and candle lit and then after dinner you can take a slow walkabout the cobblestone streets. I wrote about one of our favorite West Village restaurants here.

Now for my turn, I'm tagging Inslee, Amy, Lindsey, and to mix it up my brother Lawrence and (SS photographer!) who is probably going to kill me :). If you want to participate, I would love to see your answers in the comments, too!

Questions:

1. Favorite quote?

2. What are you most thankful for today?

3. Any adventure in world...where would it be? What would you do?

4. In my next life I am going to be a famous singer, obviously (and possibly Beyonce status), what about you?

5. Favorite holiday recipe that you think everyone should serve?

6. Secret small joy? 

7. One item on your bucket list?

8. Girl crush?

9. Boy crush?

Brooklyn Popcorn

Update: Brooklyn Popcorn is kindly offering 20% off to all My Cup of Te readers with code "cupofte"-- Enjoy!

Today was a beautiful day to be out and about in the city. While casually walking around downtown Alan and I stumbled upon a food truck called Brooklyn Popcorn. The delicious buttery smells literally led us right to it.

The truck was serving up gourmet popcorn in such interesting flavors like Jalapeno, Bacon (!) Cheddar, Parmesan Garlic-- we couldn't resist. The two men working the truck were so friendly and let us taste test a few before deciding on our bag.

We couldn't agree on just one so Mr.Brooklyn Popcorn offered that we pick two. We decided on a happy mix of Bacon Cheddar (me) and Jalapeno (Alan) and before too long we both had telltale cheesy fingers. Finger lickin' good :) 

The local small biz has whipped up 16 unique flavors a few more including coconut and caramel, ketchup (?!), sour cream and chives, and bbq. With the holidays coming up, I will definitely be keeping their customizable tins in mind, you can pick up to three different flavors and shipping is only $2.95 on all orders, for hostess and thank you gifts!

Tea in a Greenwich Village Brownstone

My talented friend, Patricia, recently invited me over for tea. We had the most lovely time sipping our hot beverages out of vintage teacups and indulging in salted chocolate chip cookies, golden apple tarts, and cheesy scones.

Patricia lives in a charming Greenwich Village brownstone complete with beautiful pre-war details from gorgeous crown molding to worn hardwood floors, dreamy high ceilings, even a cozy fireplace and good gracious an outdoor space perfectly strung up with twinkly lights.

Have you passed out yet? She's filled it with sentimental memorabilia like antique chairs she discovered while on holiday in Paris, nostalgic sepia-toned polaroids from her wedding day, and a unique mix of furniture from classic bentwood chairs to rustic wooden furniture and itsy bitsy ball and claw foot stools. Can you spot it tucked away in the pic?

These details are the makings of my dream residence. (Remember this book I keep on my desk for motivational purposes?) Thanks for being the ultimate hostess, Patricia! If you ever tire of your amazing apartment, you know who to call first ;)

{All pics by me, except no. 3}

Ball Caps & Brothers

My little brother came to town last weekend on his way back out of the country. He lives overseas these days and I was so grateful to be able to spend some big sis/lil bro QT together :) We matched all weekend in sweatshirts and sneakers, and if you didn't know, camo ball caps from Wal-mart are so in. I will be sharing a few of our NYC excursions in the next few days. I miss you already, San!

p.s. While I do believe you get what you pay for, sometimes this girl has to shop the trends on a budget: 

this sweatshirt vs this one

these sneakers vs these

a ball cap from here (don't be scared) vs here

My 5 Tips for Starting Your Own Biz at Style Me Pretty Living

Dreams don't work unless you do! Excited to be sharing my 5 tips on starting your own business as well as a little behind why and how I launched Society Social over at Style Me Pretty Living. Click here for a little business 101!

{Photo by Lawrence Te}

Plum Pretty Sugar Robes

My beautiful best friend got married over the summer and sweetly gifted all the bridesmaids Plum Pretty Sugar robes at the bridesmaid luncheon. We spent the morning of the wedding in our fancy floral attire, primping and laughing with our mimosas held high! The thoughtful gifts made for the prettiest photo opps and made our pre-wedding girl time that much more fun and special.

p.s. The company also recently came out with a bedding line that I love. Wouldn't the soft floral and fauna prints be perfect for a cozy bedroom?

{Photos by Buffy Dekmar}