ashleyd /

Life is Good

Bo and I are blessed to have amazing friends and family who live across the country. While I wish they each lived within walking distance of our New York City apartment, those days when you’re reunited are oh so sweet.

Our day has been amazing! We have Broadway tickets tonight and then a burger and beer date afterwards but until then we’ve spent an amazing day taking in all of New York’s Fall beauty.

  • A photo session in Central Park
  • Walking through the hidden gardens and conservatory in the northern point of Central Park
  • Seeing the original Winnie the Pooh at The New York Public Library’s 100th Anniversary Exhibition
  • Touring Grand Central
  • A Magnolia bakery rest stop
  • Shopping at Eataly
  • Watching the Georgia Bulldogs pull out a much needed win over Auburn
  • An hour long baking lesson with Meg, the expert baker, including a Red Velvet cake and an intense frosting lesson!

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Copy of 039 Life is good!

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Duo NYC

 

This weekend our dear friends, Meg and Spencer, are visiting from Atlanta. Since sophomore year of college, Meg and I have been incredibly close. We suffered through college finals, the same major, many dramatic college moments, more than one late night Sig Ep party, and so much more. Now, even though we live almost a thousand miles apart, we’re as close as ever. When we are reunited, a few times per year, it’s like no time has passed!

DSC_0110002 (640x480)Due to work and marathon craziness, I wasn’t in hostess mode until late this week. I quickly realized that I forgot to make reservations for Friday and Saturday night dinner. If it wasn’t a holiday weekend in New York City than it wouldn’t have been such a big deal. But, this is the first holiday tourist weekend and all of the restaurants on our wish list were booked. While my Twitter friends provided some great suggestions, it ended up being Bo who discovered last night’s restaurant, Duo NYC.

Located between Flatiron and Murray Hill, just a few short blocks from our apartment, Duo was opened four months ago by Lorraine and Sabina Belkin. The two sisters, who were raised in the restaurant industry, wanted to create a chic yet classic environment for “patrons to enjoy their show stopping contemporary American dishes” while creating a party atmosphere.

IMG_0020 (640x480)Based on the amazing reviews it has received thus far, we were surprised when we entered at 8pm to find the restaurant only half full. But, as the evening continued, this changed quickly. Upon sitting down we were greeted by the fanciest menus I’ve ever seen: fully backlit menus!

IMG_0023 (640x480) They were fun and perfect for the dark restaurant. While waiting for Bo we ordered cocktails and appetizers. Their cocktail menu is extensive and each one we ordered was fabulous! We sampled the pomegranate mojito and the Forbidden.

IMG_0021 We can’t say enough wonderful things about our experience. The service was beyond amazing, exchanging one mixed drink and one entree for free during the evening, and very attentive. The appetizers and the roasted vegetable pasta were by far the standouts of the evening.

008 IMG_0024 Copy of 009 (640x480) Copy of 010 (640x480) Copy of 011 (640x480) A perfect location for a fun dinner with friends or a celebration, we certainly hope that Duo NYC makes a place for itself in the New York City restaurant scene!

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ashleyd /

Winter Running Essentials

In just a few short weeks, Central Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow and ice.

IMG_0100-2 Believe it or not, this shouldn’t keep you from leaving the treadmill behind and heading to the streets and parks for both short and long runs alike; especially if you’re training for a Winter or Spring half or full marathon.

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Running in the cold is something I actually really love as long as I’m dressed appropriately, which for me means ensuring that my body is well covered. After living north of the Mason Dixie line for five years, I’ve quickly learned that I have a few favorite pieces of winter running gear that I wear almost daily from December to March.

Running Tights: Suguoi Subzero Tight Lined in fleece, these tights keep the wind and cold out even when the wind is blowing and the temperatures are barely breaking zero. They also serve as a great base layer while hitting the ski slopes. If you don’t need the water or wind proofing I suggest their midzero tight.

Base Layer: C9 by Champion® Women’s Cold Weather Athletic Top  I tried this top for the first time last season and immediately fell in love. I could spend $50 or more on a similar Under Armor top but this one does the job for only $22.99 and comes in some great colors, especially flashbulb fuchsia which I wore this morning.

Tank to keep you core warm: I always wear one of my Lululemon tanks under my base layer to keep my core warm while running.

Top Layer: Sugoi Mid Zero Zip

Gloves: Asics Thermopolis Gloves Due to Raynaud’s Syndrome, my hands get extremely cold in even cool weather. Therefore ensuring that my hands are warm and dry is my number one priority when I head out on a winter run. I love these because they are windproof and the fingertips allow you to use your iPhone or ipod easier while running.

Headband: Lululemon Brisk Run Headband This headband is large enough to cover my ears while also staying in place for an entire half marathon.

Below are a few suggestions that readers offered:

Shannon: I am flat-out obsessed with my Athleta running tights and a lululemon hoodie. The hoodie has those little fold-over mittens, lots of pockets for nutrition, keys and an iPod/phone and you can zip the hood into a scuba hood for extra warmth. Mine also has room for a base layer if it’s really cold. I wish I could remember the product’s actually name, but it was worth every penny – especially when I ran the Manhattan half last January when it was 12 degrees!

Bonnie: My brooks utopia hoodie is my favorite article of cold weather running gear!It has thumbholes and a hole in the hood to pull your ponytail through!

Liz and Victoria: Running tights!

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