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Showing posts with label wildeweek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildeweek. Show all posts

Monday, September 30, 2013

Wilde Week #30


 Uh Oh, it's Fall!  I feel like it was just turning into summer only a few weeks ago.  My time confusion may have something to do with my current employment status.  You know.  That I'm unemployed.  Days run together and I find myself asking BF what day it is more than a few times per week.

This past week was a refreshing change from the heat of the summer.  Hitting the pavement, day tripping to the city and cooking with the windows open were all amazing with the cooler breeze and bright sunshine.  Here's what I've been doing and loving this past week!

1. There are these four trees outside of my apartment window.  The yellow color has been slowly cascading down the leaves.  It's so pretty, I should have done a time elapse series of photos!

2. I've recently discovered Jessica's Site and I'm in love.  Her tagline reads "Discovering the scientific side of food."  You know me, I love science and food!  Loving her Salted Caramel Apple Waffles!

3. I've been really into beauty and fashion blogs recently.  Trying to discover my own personal style, while I have all this unemployed free time.  My favorite?  Pretty Shiny Sparkly.  She has caused my trips to Sephora to be so much more expensive!

4. Lululemon opened a store right down the street from my apartment!!!  Heaven help me and my wallet.  I bought these bright blue running capris there and promptly hit the streets.

5. This is my favorite of all time breakfast.  Two toasted waffles, spread with peanut butter and topped with banana slices.  Delicious and amazing sandwich.  Do it, you'll be addicted too.

6. I want pumpkin everything.  Starting with this pumpkin cheesecakepumpkin donuts and pumpkin mac'n'cheese.

7. With the humidity from the summer receding, I can get back to my candy making!  Candy forms so much better in dry weather and it's no fun standing over a boiling pot of sugar when it's 90% humidity outside!  Watch out for some candy posts this October!!!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Wilde Week #29


It's been another quiet week around the Wilde household.  After returning from Walk Disney World on Monday, I spent Tuesday taking care of the usual household things.  Laundry, changing the sheets, cleaning out the fridge since I forgot to do it before we left town for the long weekend.  You know, the usual.  Being unemployed does have the bonus of being able to get lots done during the day.

I'm still furiously looking for my next career option.  Lots of interviews these past few weeks.  I'm all anxious waiting to hear back from the companies.  Hiring seems to be quick the long and involved process.  Here are a few things I've been doing and loving this week, while I wait nervously by the phone.

- I got a Mickey Mouse charm for my Pandora bracelet while in WDW.  There was question about whether it would fit on the Pandora bracelet, since it was not an official "Pandora" charm.  Luckily all was fine and now Mickey sits happily on my wrist.

- Fall is over.  That is, according to clothing stores, Fall is over and you should be buying winter gear.  Right now.  I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world who takes major advantage to this strange trend at stores.  I totally took advantage of some of my favorite shops this week - each sporting at least a 25% discount on my whole purchase!  (Stop by C Wonder, French Connection and J Crew if you want some good sales!)

- Even though the clothing industry thinks Winter is here, I'm in the thick of all these pumpkin posts!  I'm loving everyone's pumpkin creations.  Check out these skinny pumpkin donuts and these pumpkin cinnamon rolls!  Amazing.

- I'm in love with this new Marc Jacobs make up line.  After my Sephora makeover a few weeks ago I purchased a blush and an eyeshadow palette.  This week I grabbed his Stone Jungle nail polish and I'm smitten.  It's so shiny and the closest to chrome that I've found!

- Don't forget to enter to win this cute picnic blanket that my fabulous mom made for us!  Right in time for those Fall time picnics.


- I know how easy monkey bread is to make, so why don't I do it?  Because I will totally sit down and eat the entire bundt pan of deliciousness.  This girl has done it right though, muffin sized monkey bread!  Perfect.  Much less dangerous.

- I feel like I haven't been taking enough pictures recently.  I am going to really try to do one of those instagram picture-a-day things.  Now that it's written down, I have to do it.  There.

- Football may be on right now (even my hometown team, the Buffalo Bills, are playing), but I'm busy in the kitchen.  Football has no hold over me.  Though I do like football food... Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wilde Week #28

This past weekend BF and I spent a few days at Walt Disney World.  It was my present to BF for his recent birthday.  He's been working really hard at work these past few months and I thought he could use a little break.  What's more fun than spending the weekend with Mickey?  How better to get your mind off of office work than free falling with ten other people in a "haunted" elevator?



We also attended the Not-So-Scary Halloween party where we got to Trick-or-treat and enjoy candy corn flavored soft serve cones!



Oh yeah, and I love fireworks.  And parades.  And balloons.  They make life so cheerful!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Wilde Week #27


- I was too exhausted yesterday to write up my usual Wilde Week Sunday post.  Why was I so tired?  Saturday BF and I ran a Spartan Race!  9 miles, 3 times up and down a ski slope in 3 hours.  You can see my before and after pics.  The after pic was even after a quick hose down!  I was happy to have finished in the top 30%.  It was a wicked course.

- While the summer is dwindling away, I still want these Peach Melba Popsicles.  There were a whole bunch of peaches at the farmers market this weekend, the last of the season!

- I ventured to Dominique Ansel Bakery this week to satisfy my sweet tooth.  Since it was past 7am, there were no cronuts to be found.  Luckily everything there is so good and I treated myself to this gluten free chocolate pecan cookie.  It was like a brownie on the inside, I had to split it with BF.  

- How adorable are these Mini Chocolate Tarts?  I'm totally making them, or at least the chocolate chip cookie crust.  Ah-mazing.

- Over the past year that I've owned my iPad, I've gone through three cases.  After having two hard plastic cases break (broken hinges & closures), I decided to switch over to a soft case and Kate Spade came through with this adorable cartoon-inspired case!  Bonus, it was on sale!  (I got it in the store, it doesn't seem to be online anymore.)

- I have made a ton of candies.  How have I never made these Homemade Snickers Bars?  I think they are going on my list for this fall.

- Fall is rearing it's head mostly in the morning around the tri-state region.  This means I tend to dress for Fall until noon and then I change into summer clothes.  I'm okay with this situation because it's the best of both worlds!  How's early September treating you?  I know that Fall recipes won't be showing up on WITK until the official start of the season!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Wilde Week #26

This past week Boyfriend and I spent the long weekend in Buffalo visiting our families.  Very few people would think of Buffalo as a vacation destination.  Most come to the area to see Niagara Falls and then skip back out of town.  Here's what we did this weekend, in case you were wondering how to spend the rest of your Western New York vacation...

- WNY is all about the food.  If you are confused about what to eat, here are a few local favorites that we love...   Ted's (or Theodore's) Hot Dogs, Anderson's, Pano's on Elmwood, The Left Bank, The Pearl Street Grill.  You want classic Buffalo wings?  Head to Duffs in Amherst, The Anchor Bar downtown or John & Mary's!

- The first Sunday of the month you can head to Clarence and troll the aisles of the Antique World flea market!  Old stuff, new stuff, kettle corn, hot dogs.  You can get it all here!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Wilde Week #25


Busy busy week in the Wilde household.  It's been a fun combination of going on interviews (yay!) and spending days with other unemployed friends (more yay!).  I'm trying to enjoy my unemployed time, because it (hopefully) won't last forever!

Curious about how a science interview works?  Stop back Tuesday and I'll explain the whole long, involved process.  I'll also treat you to some cake.  That involves cookie dough.  Yum.

- Looking for a fun place to have lunch of dinner in NYC?  BF and I headed to the East Village this week and had dinner at The Meatball Shop.  It was delicious.  You can choose from naked meatballs, meatballs piled on top of pasta, potatoes or veggies, meatball sandwiches or meatballs smashed on toast.  They also have homemade cookies and ice cream sandwiches.  So good.

- I am a PB&J lover at heart.  Audra made these amazing looking PB&J cookies this week and I'm totally in love with them.  Look at how perfect they are!

- We don't spend all our time in the city, BF and I explore what New Jersey has to offer too!  We spent Saturday in Hoboken and had some ridiculous pancakes at Stacks.  I had the Chunky Monkey - their original fluffy pancakes, topped with peanut butter, bananas and chocolate chips.  I was full after one pancake.

- Chocolate pretzel bread pudding?  I'm in love.

- BF and I are two weeks away from doing our second Spartan Race.  Last year I finished the 11-mile race in just under four hours, the last three miles during an outright downpour.  Here's hoping they adapted the course for this year and that I don't have to run up a ski slope three times...  Anyone else headed to the NJ Super Spartan?  See you there!

- Question for you - What candies remind you most of Halloween?  I'm getting ready for a candy-filled fall and I'd love some suggestions and requests!  Pop your favorite in the comment section!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Wilde Week #24


- It was a week of amazing food in the city.  I'm still job hunting and have copious amounts of weekday mornings to meet my former coworkers in the city for brunch, lunch and treats.  I'm totally recreating that pizza from Risotteria at home.  (Risotteria is home to amazing gluten-free pizza, pasta and risotto)


- My Ph.D. days are behind me (finally!) but this Buzzfeed post still hits home...  I totally relate to #17.


- I am a sucker for all things Rice Krispy Treat.  But Krispy treat frosting?  I'm going bananas.

- I want an entire pan of these brownies.  I don't want to share them.  Where are my fat pants?

- Weather in the Mid-Atlantic has been totally manic-depressive these past few weeks.  Chilly in the morning, hot in the afternoon, mild in the evening.  I have to wear three different things over the course of the day!

- The in-laws were in town this weekend and we enjoyed some of the usual NYC suspects.  Times Square for people watching, Ground Zero to pay respects, a walk around the villages to get some tasty treats and...  The Stardust Diner!  I've never been there before but it was so much fun!  Totally touristy and goofy (the waiters sing while you eat your breakfast), but they have banana and nutella stuffed French toast.  OMG.  Amazing.  Go. Eat.  Sing along.


Monday, August 12, 2013

Wilde Week #23


I'm officially unemployed today!  The past three months have been a part of a generous severance from my former company, kind of like a three month paid vacation.  Now that the three months are over, I have to really hit the pavement and find myself a new gig!  In my last week of paid vacation I had lots of fun...

- Weekday brunch is one of the best parts of my summer this year.  There is a very popular place in Montclair called Raymond's.  They make the best French toast.  It's crunchy on the outside, creamy in the middle and the absolutely perfect way to start a Tuesday.  Just not every Tuesday, the portions are enormous!

- Maybe you're not likely to come out and visit my in Montclair, NJ, but you might be heading to NYC sometime soon.  Weekday brunch with my city friends this week found us in the West Village at Cafe Cluny.  Hello amazing French fries.  So good!

- My August Stitch Fix box arrived in the mail this week!  I asked for some summer to fall transition pieces and they delivered.  Check out the details of the Fix later this week at Wilde in the City.  A giveaway is involved this month!  Now I just need to get myself a new job so I can keep having clothes sent to me by mail!

- Owls are still showing up in fashion this fall!  I'm jazzed because owls are super adorable and I really want to wear my owl sweater this winter!  (this cute number is from Anthropologie)

- Want a fun and quick read for a day at the beach?  I just finished reading Waiter Rant and really enjoyed it.  Of course I don't want to hear about any waiter being malicious to customers, but I love hearing stories about crazy customers!

- Nothing says business formal like socks with hot dogs on them.  Drop by Urban Outfitters and get yourself some.  And some for your friends.

Time to hit the internets and find a new opportunity!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Say Hello to WITC!



I've been wanting to expand my online postings from the food arena and post about some of my other loves - fashion, photography, NYC, travel, etc, etc...  In order to keep WITK focused on cooking and all my fun adventures in the kitchen, I've launched Wilde in the City!

Feel free to stop by occasionally and see what life outside the Wilde Kitchen is like.  And thanks so much for making the internet such a fun place for me to come!


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Wilde Week #23

It's been a quiet week around the Wilde household.  I'm happy to tell you that I've fully recuperated from our 15 mile hike in the Grand Canyon and I've gotten back to my running/BodyPump home routine.  I've been spending most of my time this week networking and applying for jobs.  So instead of telling you all about that, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite things from this summer.  From apps to nail polish, food stuffs to clothes - maybe you'll find a new favorite too!

Stylebook (app) - I downloaded to my iPhone this after reading about it in one of my magazines.  It costs a couple of dollars but it keeps track of all of my clothes!  It's like having Cher's closet from Clueless (which was released in 1995!!!) in the palm of your hand.  After putting all of my clothes, shoes and accessories into the app (it took a long time), I can now keep track of what I wear each day and create new outfits for days I'm too lazy to pick something out.  My only disappointment - it doesn't make outfits for me.  Maybe in the next update?



Bones (TV) - It's official, I'm totally addicted to this show.  I first started watching it because it is on for four hours during the day on FX.  It helps fill the air as I work on my resume and interview presentations.  The only problem was - FX doesn't air the show in any order!  People are pregnant/dating/married/dead in one episode, next hour they're non-pregnant/separated/alive.  It's confusing.  I switched over to watching it on Netflix and finally the last season on Hulu.  Sadly I've run out of episodes and have to wait until season 9 begins in a few weeks.  What should I watch next?

Julep Maven (subscription box) - I just talked about my Stitch Fix box earlier this week, but really my favorite monthly box is Julep Maven.  What's in it?  Nail Polish!!!  And you know me and nail polish.  I have a problem/addiction.  It costs $19.99 a month (which is a deal because a single bottle costs $14!) and you get 3 items.  2 polishes and one extra item or 3 polishes.  I always get fun colors and it cheers me up when I see the box in the mail!  Click here if you want to check it out! (It's a referral link from me!)


C Wonder (clothing store) - A few weeks ago while wandering through Soho, I came across this shop.  I always thought it was a paper store because of the bright colors.  When I finally went in I discovered a shop filled with color and some seriously adorable clothes, jewelry and home goods.  Most of their stores are located on the East Coast, but you can order online and get some color for yourself!

Red pepper Jelly - Sometimes I find that making lunch and sitting down to eat it is a lot of work.  I've found myself slathering thinly sliced whole grain bread with laughing cow Swiss cheese spread and topping it with a good portion of red pepper jelly.  It is so good.  I get my red pepper jelly from Berkshire Berries at the Union square green market.  Do it do it do it!

That's all for this week!  What have you been loving recently?  I always love a new find!  Stay busy and enjoy the nice weather!

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Stitch Fix #3 - July 2013

It's Stitch Fix time again!  It's becoming my favorite time of each month.  Sure, I enjoy shopping and I'm in the city a few times a month checking out my favorite shops.  Nothing is more fun than telling people you have a personal shopper and stylist.  Haven't heard of Stitch Fix?  Here's the down low...


You sign up and wait until you get an invitation e-mail (they're still in beta and take on new customers when they can handle it).  I think it takes a few weeks to get your invitation these days.  Once you get your invitation, you fill out a long, in depth style profile.  It asks for all your sizes, fit and style preferences and asks how far your want to be pushed out of your comfort zone.


After you finish the style profile, you pick a date for the delivery of your first fix!  In my experience, the package usually arrives within one day of the date you choose, either before or after.  Next up?  Try on those clothes!  Get some second opinions!  Take some pics and have your Facebook friends decide!  Like everything?  Great, keep it all and get 25% off the purchase!  A few rejects?  Pop them in the prepaid mail bag and send them back.


How much will you have to shell out for Stitch Fix?  It's a $20 styling fee for each fix, which is then applied to the cost of anything you decide to keep.  You can set your price ranges for each category - tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, accessories.


How do you know if it's right for you?  If you are solely a Target/Old Navy shopper and like spending upwards of $10 on a shirt, then Stitch Fix might not be for you.  Personally, I asked for slightly higher priced items because I'm looking for quality pieces.  The designers I have received are ones that I often see at Nordstorm, Saks and Bloomingdales.

Now, are you ready to see what I got this month?  I asked for color this month, especially after last months mostly black and white fix.  My stylist this month, Jocelyn, totally answered my call and sent me lots of fun and bright tops.  I received this fix just before I headed home to Buffalo for a visit.  I took my fix with me and had a little photo shoot with my mom, in our backyard!  Yes.  My parents have a little barn in the yard, it holds all my dads tools and toys.

Collective Concepts - Gorden Geo Print Sleeveless Tunic - $78

Let it be said, I'm not really sure how to style this tunic.  But I love it.  If I were a few inches shorter I could totally wear it as a dress.  I loved the color and print right out of the box.  I only had these straight leg black jeans to wear with it in Buffalo, but I'm thinking it will look fab with a pair of black, capri length skinny jeans.  I'll work on styling this some more and maybe you'll see it again on my new project...  WITC (more info soon!)

Darling - Kesey Bird Print Belted Dress - $108

Say hello to cuteness in a dress!  I didn't take a close up, but those little blobs are actually black and white birds.  The combo of the bright color and the Peter Pan collar - neither of which exists in my closet - made this one a winner.  I can picture it with a little sweater and boots for the fall too.  Very excited about this one!  My only problem is the following - I found this dress on another website for $10 less, but it was baby blue.  I sucked it up and got this one, figuring shipping of the other dress would eat up my savings.

Sweet Rain - Tarah Printed Flutter Sleeve Blouse - $48

When I tried this shirt on at home, BF told me I looked like a modern day Charlie Brown.  Uh, thanks?  Yeah, I wasn't sold on this one either.  Neither was my mom.  She said that something very similar to this lived in her teenage closet.  Between the length (I have a longish torso) and the flutter sleeves, I felt like this shirt was a bit too young for me.  This one went back to SF.

Sanctuary - Arissa Sheer ButtonUp ShirtTail Tank - $78

This shirt was almost a winner.  Too bad it had three things going against it.  1. It's a mullet shirt.  High-low shirt.  Whatever you call it - there was about a foot of material tucked into my jeans.  2. I have this shirt in two other colors from Michael Kors (courtesy of T•J•Maxx!).  3. I really don't like the material - crepe.  It just felt a little cheap for the price.  Back to SF it went!

Ella Moss - Alecia Abstract Print Racerback Tank - $98

I've seen a few items from Ella Moss at Nordstrom before and thought they were pretty cute.  I was jazzed (yup, I totally used jazzed in a sentence) to see this tank in my SF box this month.  The print and color combo is so much fun.  Plus, I love the racerback.  I'm a fan of my shoulders and racerback tanks do a good job of showing them off.  Yes, this shirt is a bit expensive for a tank, but it's well made and fits perfectly.

This is my third fix (here are fixes number 1 and number 2!) and I think SF is getting to know my style better and better.  Sure, I haven't been able to take advantage of the 25% off 5 item fix yet, but that's okay.  I haven't really hated anything they've sent me, I'm just picky.  My next fix is set to arrive next week (see, I'm a bit behind) and have asked for some fall transition pieces.  While I'm not looking forward to the end of summer, I can't wait for fall.  I know, I'm a total contradiction.

If you're interested in trying Stitch Fix here's a referral link - Click here for cute clothes!  Total disclosure - I'm not affiliated with SF (they don't know me or my photographer mom), but if you sign up via that link they give me $25 to spend on clothes.  

Now enjoy some bloopers from our photo shoot!  We took these pics only two days after my wisdom tooth extraction and I felt like my cheeks and jaw were all puffy.  That's why you'll notice a few hand to chin photos!  There were also bugs in the backyard and two golden retrievers.  The humidity in Buffalo totally was killing me too.  My hair got more and more out of control as the shoot progressed!


What else have I gotten?

Fix #1 - May 2013
Fix #2 - June 2013
Fix #3 - July 2013
Fix #4 - August 2013
Fix #5 - September 2013
Fix #6 - October 2013
Fix #7 - November 2013
Fix #8 - December 2013
Fix #9 - January 2014
Fix #10 - February 2014

Monday, July 29, 2013

Wilde Week #22

Boyfriend and I spent the past week in Arizona, enjoying a short, mid-summer vacation.  We spent the first few days in Phoenix, him attending a conference, me sitting by the pool getting a little tan.  After BF's conference was over, we headed north to the mountains and canyons.

We spend most of our vacations travelling the world and rarely get a chance to tour our own country.  Growing up near Niagara Falls and living near New York City now, I often lose sight of the exciting and awe inspiring sights in the United States.  It was a nice change of pace to see what the US has to offer as a tourist destination.  While July isn't the best time to visit Arizona, due to the hot temperatures in the low desert and the monsoons in the high mountains, we had an amazing time looking back through millions of years of history.


We situated ourselves in Flagstaff because it was in the center of several attractions we wanted to visit while in Arizona.  BF and I drove just over 100 miles to the east and spent one day driving through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  The beauty of the landscape was amplified even more by the fact that it was created by millions of years of the forces of nature acting on the Earth.  This national park is also a testament to chemistry in action, you know I loved it.


One major item on our checklist was to hike rim to river in the Grand Canyon.  Since all of the signs in the park recommended against hiking down and back in a single day, we were sure to be well prepared.  I filled up my camelbak with a gallon of water and a ton of food.  BF carried his own water and snacks and we set out on our hike shortly after sunrise.

We chose to take the South Kaibab trail into the canyon, since it was listed as one of the most scenic and less busy trails.  As we hiked down the canyon, the temperature rose higher and higher.  The comfortable temperatures at the top gave way to 90 degree temps at the mid point.   By the time we reached the bottom it was well over 110 ºF.  Luckily there was also a shallow stream which I promptly sat in and cooled right off.  We refilled our water packs, had lunch and spent a little more time sitting in the stream.


After an hour of recuperating, we were rejuvenated enough to head back out of the canyon.  It took us about four hours to hike to the river, including time spent taking pictures, climbing rocky outcrops and snacking.  Just as we set out on the trail, a rain storm rolled through.  We donned our rain ponchos and started on the switchbacks.  The heavy rain only lasted a few minutes, but it managed to drop the temperature by twenty degrees.  It made for a much more comfortable climb.


BF and I enjoyed a quiet climb, as the rain drove most of the other hikers off of the trail, and we made our hike in record time.  In only three and a half hours we made it from the Colorado River to the top of the canyon.  We finished our hike very dirty (the trail is dusty and very red), hungry (the last of the cookies were delicious after that hike) and thirsty (you can fill up your bottle with Grand Canyon spring water!).

If you are traveling to Arizona, you are most likely heading to the Grand Canyon.  You should definitely spend some time hiking the trails as you'll get a totally different perspective from inside.  If you want to hike rim to river, you can be crazy like us (not recommended!) or you can book a room at the Phantom ranch, spend the night on the river and hike out refreshed in the morning!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Wilde Week #21


 1. I got to spend the second half of this week in my hometown of Buffalo, hanging out with my family!  I have a large extended family and was so happy to see people I haven't seen in many years.  It helps that all my aunts and uncles are retiring now and have plenty of time to hang out with me.

2. If you remember from my last update, I got my wisdom teeth out last Tuesday.  Which made my trip home a little less fun.  Why?  Because Buffalo means hot sauce and chicken wings and my dentist told me no spicy foods until I'm all healed up.  NoooooOoo!  I was also looking all hilarious with a really puffy, square jaw.  Later in the week some serious bruises appeared on my jaw.  So pretty, but overall feeling good.  No Vicodin necessary!

3. Visiting home means hitting up Nina's ice cream for a bowl of Perry's!  If you are in the Western NY/PA area, stop by an ice cream stand and try their newest flavor - Movie Time.  It's the strangest combination of salted popcorn flavor, caramel swirls and chocolate pieces.  It's so crazy, but it works!


 4. My mom has quite the green thumb.  Her garden is full of berries and tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers.  I'm a little jealous, but I don't have the patience (or outdoor space) to manage a garden!  Go mom!

5. I am home now, but only for a few days.  BF is in Phoenix in for a conference and I'm meeting him out there on Tuesday!  We have plans to hike the Grand Canyon, swim in Havasu falls and take pictures in the Painted Desert.  It's going to be well over 100 in Phoenix, but it's a dry heat, so I'll be just fine.  I plan on working on my tan at the pool while BF learns all about frozen vegetables.


6. I totally wanted to take home my parents hot tub.  Unfortunately it wouldn't fit in my carry on luggage.

7. Since BF headed off to Phoenix as I was returning from Buffalo (we met at the train station and traded keys and a kiss!), I decided to have frozen yogurt for dinner.  It was topped with berries, so it's totally okay.  Right?

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Wilde Week #20



1. Did you stop by this week and have some cake?  WITK celebrated it's third birthday this year and we feasted on Milky Way Cake!  So good.

2. I finally made it to NY Cake & Bake this week and I was in sprinkle heaven!  I had to hold myself back from buying the entire aisle.  I want a rainbow of sanding sugars in my pantry and sprinkles for each holiday.

3. Did you know that J Crew only puts things on sale once they run out of my size?  I desperately wanted these seahorse shorts, it just wasn't in the cards.

4. If you were wondering, I totally bought the flowered jeans from last week!  I'm wearing them right now as I write this post.  They make me very happy, especially since they were 50% off, plus another 50% off.

5. Heading to NYC?  Want delicious brunch?  Go to Tartine in the West Village.  I went there with a friend this week and they make an amazing (and huge) apple pancake.


6. It's summertime in NYC and that means the Union Square Greenmarket is full of local eats.  While I was tempted by the bright snapdragons and bunches of sweet pea blossoms, I went home with a basket full of Santa Rosa plums.  I didn't bake them into anything, I just ate them.  What can't you resist putting in your basket when you head to the farmers market?

7. Any other thirty somethings having a great summer watching Pretty Little Liars?  Total guilty pleasure TV.

Photo: Blackberry rice Krispy treats. So good, I've almost eaten the entire pan.


8. I posted these blackberry rice krispy treats on facebook yesterday and promised you a recipe.  Guess what, it's so simple!  Just use this...  Blackberry Flavor Fountain (from LorAnn Oils!).  They have a whole bunch of different flavors - bubble gum, cake batter, mango.  I got mine at a local specialty store, but you can totally order the syrup from their website or Amazon.

Black Raspberry Rice Krispy Treats

3 tablespoons butter
1 - 10 ounce package marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispy Cereal
1 tablespoon Black raspberry flavoring

Lightly coat a 9x13-inch pan in cooking spray.  Wipe out the excess with a paper towel.

In a large pot, melt butter over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir to coat in butter.  Stirring occasionally, let marshmallows melt completely.  Add black raspberry flavoring and stir until combined.  Add cereal and stir to coat.  Pour into the prepared pan and press into an even layer.  Let sit for at least an hour before cutting into squares.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Wilde Week #19



1. Happy Fourth of July Week everyone!  I hope that you were one of the lucky people with a super long weekend.  I love it when the 4th is in the middle of the week.  It means you can go and watch fireworks all week long!  We got to watch three different displays, even one right from our couch (thank you mystery town west of ours!).

2. I'm totally behind on my Restaurant Wars challenge.  Please, don't go up top and click on the tab.  I'm way behind.  Like months behind.  This is totally crazy because I've been unemployed for a month and a half.  I should have all the time in the world to complete the challenges.  I promise I'll fix it.  Don't give up on me!

3. In the meantime, I need to make cookie dough brownies, like stat.

4. I spent a good portion of this long weekend at a photography workshop with Aran Goyoaga (of Cannelle et Vanille).  It was a two day workshop and day one was dedicated to foraging and outdoor photography!  I'll tell you all about it later this week, but I wanted to share a few photos from the weekend.  If you have the chance to take one of Aran's workshops, you should definitely sign up.  It was very inspiring.

5. I was at French Connection this weekend and tried on those pants up there.  Thoughts?  My only problem is, it's a million degrees outside right now and I can't imagine wearing pants.

6.   Want to learn a neat trick in to use Photoshop?  Check out this video.  Now you don't have to worry about all those tourists in your photo of Lady Liberty.  Just average them out.  Amazing.

7. I have discovered the absolute best time to go shopping in Soho.  It's July 4th.  All of the city dwellers have fled the island for the beaches and all of the tourists are on the west side trying to get a good firework viewing spot.  This leaves Soho completely empty, yet all the stores are having amazing sales.  I got a Tahari suit for 60% off.  I'm going to be styling on my upcoming interviews!   Put it in your calendar - July 4th 2014 - shop in Soho.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Wilde week #18


1. It's been another fun week of unemployment here in the Wilde household.  Actually I've been trying convince Boyfriend to quit his job too so we can both be unemployed.  He doesn't seem to keen on the idea.  I guess I'll have to continue to entertain myself during the weekdays.

2. Yesterday BF and I headed to Palisades State Park and hiked over ten miles along the Jersey shore.  If you aren't familiar with the area, the Palisades are right on the NJ/NY state line.  We actually hiked up into New York.  That's me up on that tree swing, enjoying a relaxing moment at the halfway point of our trek.  This swing sits over the Hudson river, open to the breeze and right in the soft spray of the water lapping at the rocks below.  It's a funny place to hike, knowing NYC is only a few miles to the south.

3. Without my daily commute to Long Island, I have really been slacking on my book reading.  On a normal day, I would have four hours on the train to burn through the pages of about two books per week.  I'm a multitasker and I felt that commuting and reading was like getting two things done at one time.  Sitting and reading at home just seems lazy to me.  I am about 80% of the way through the new Dan Brown novel - Inferno, and really want to get to the end.  Since my reading of the book has been so broken up and the book is a little bit confusing, I feel like I have to keep jumping back and forth to remember what happened earlier.  Has anyone else read this book and been totally confused?  Or is it just me?

4. Last week I headed up to Boston for another job interview.  I haven't been to Boston in years and forgot how nice it is there!  It's a much smaller city that NYC and so much more walkable.  Plus, it is home to Wagamama, a fun little asian fusion restaurant that BF and I both love.  Actually, there are two locations of this restaurant!  Totally reason in an of itself to make the move north.  With all these job interviews all over the place, I wonder where I'll be by next year!

5. This Wednesday I headed into the city to meet up with the girls.  We had a plan to meet up at Clinton Street Bakery and get brunch.  Apparently all the tourists in NYC also thought that would be a great place to spend their hump day morning.  Seriously, an hour wait on a Wednesday?  Welcome to tourist season in the city.  We decided it would be silly to wait and walked down the street to another cafe.  Why wait for a table in New York?  There are thousands of restaurants!

6. Speaking of Hump day.  Have you seen the Geico commercial with the camel walking around an office asking people what day it is?  HUMP DAY!  Love it.  Watch it.

7. Have you migrated your Google reader over to a new platform yet???  Be sure to do it today, because it's the last day!  I can't believe that it's finally shutting down.  It was my first blog reader!  Oh the memories I have with Google reader...  Personally, I migrated my blog list over to Feedly.  I really like it because they have a great iPad and iPhone app and I can read my feeds from anywhere!  Others have touted Bloglovin, I haven't tried it out yet.

8. I am super terrible when it comes to blogger about holidays.  By the time realize it's almost July 4th or Halloween or Valentines day, there isn't time enough to cook or bake, then photograph and post.  Enjoy July 4th this week!  Make something tasty.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Wilde Week #17

It's been a few weeks since I've done a Wilde Week post.  Actually I haven't written one since before my company closed!  It's not because I've been super depressed and sitting around at home.  Quite the opposite, I've been really busy!  What have I been up to?  Read on, it's been a fun unemployment so far.

1. Almost right after the site shutdown, Boyfriend and I went on vacation in Morocco.  If you go to Morocco I highly recommend booking a climbing excursion in the Atlas mountains.  See how awesome and tough I look while scaling that wall!


 2. While in Morocco, you should also head out to the middle of no where!  Shockingly, I was able to get internet and GPS out in the middle of the desert.  We're living in the future!


3. The best part about being unemployed?  Weekday brunches!


4. And weekday lunches with your girlfriends.  Lunches that include massive plates of chocolate cake!


5. And the time to wait in line to see THIS GUY!


6. I'm perfecting my golf game.  Kinda.  I'm mostly terrible and can hit the ball only 120 yards.  But I wear a golf glove and look super professional.
 

7. The hot summer weather has finally arrived and we found a Dairy Queen near a park.  DQ + Park = awesome Saturday!


8. Summer in NYC is amazing.  There are so many festivals going on all through the summer that I can't be bored.  If I have a slow day, all I need to do is head to Manhattan.  Thank you NYC for keeping me entertained!


9. What have I been doing the past two weeks?  Prepping for job interviews.  Have you ever been on a scientific on-site interview?  It takes all day.  From 9am to 4pm usually.  They include meeting with just about everyone on your prospective team and giving an hour long seminar about your previous experience.  It's exhausting, but totally worth it.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Wilde Week #16

1. Time for another book suggestion!  The Bakers Daughter by Sarah McCoy.  It's a historical fiction about a German bakers daughter in the last days of World War II and a writer in current day Texas.  I love historical fictions and this one was a great combination of story told through first person and letters.  They talk about German pastries and breads through the entire book and have included the recipes for most of them at the end!  Such a great book for the food lover too.

2. I love this nail polish.  They had me at Sprinkles.



3. Boyfriend and I are just a few days away from heading across the ocean to Morocco!  I've booked our camel trek through the Sahara, surfing lessons in Agadir and our rock climbing in the Atlas mountains.  I've packed my maxi skirts and TOMs, sunscreen and bathing suit.  I'm so ready for vacation!  Don't worry, I've been baking and cooking this weekend.  There will be plenty of treats so you won't miss me too much!

4. Last time I was at LUSH I bought a few things and spent all my money.  Never heard of LUSH?  They make all-natural, cruelty-free, amazing-smelling bath and body products.  Here are a few of my new favorites, I'm totally addicted to these sugar lip scrubs.



5. It has been another long week in the lab.  Nothing was going right.  I tried for two days to get one reaction to work.  I couldn't even form the catalyst!  Once I did, I took a picture because it was so pretty.



6. Baby animals are totally cuter than baby humans.  Sorry, you know it's true.  But seriously, what are those animals in number 3?  I'm not on board with them being called cute.  They are creepy.  I'd totally take a human baby over those guys.

7. So... last weekend BF and I were going to go for the first bike ride of the season.  We got ready, filled the water bottles and headed down to the garage.  When we got to the bikes I turned to him and said "Do you remember the combination to that lock, because I certainly don't."  I thought there was an 8 in the combo, the dials only go up to 6.  Time for a trip to Home Depot.



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