Brooklyn Invitational

I attended my first motorcycle show last weekend. The Brooklyn Invitational is one of the most popular Custom Bike Shows in the country. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Williamsburg for the event. Individuals adorned in leather, denim, tattoos, and lots of hair lined the streets taking in motorcycle after motorcycle.  

We did our best to fit in. It helped that Natalie's good friends, who build custom Motorcycles for a living, were in town for the event. They showed us around and answered our many questions. Check out their company Prism Motorcycles. They recently won the Biker Live competition on the Discovery Channel! 

(Jeans: J.Crew/ Vest: KUT from the Kloth / Boots: Aldo / Bag: Dolce Vita Handbags)

Though there was plenty to see on the streets, the main event was inside. The Brooklyn Invitational can best be described as an art gallery of ten custom motorcycles on display. These bikes were truly works of art. I have a new appreciation for the craft and culture after this experience. 

peace love & rock n' roll. 

Estela

My Dad and Stepmom were in town this week. With only one evening for a dinner, I made sure to pick a winner. Estela has been receiving a lot of good press lately (check out articles here and here), so I was excited to take it all in. 

Estela is located in the Nolita area of NYC just off of Houston & Mulberry. It is the brainchild of former Blue Hill Stone Farm beverage direction Thomas Carter and James-Beard nominated chef Ignacio Matos. This small plates style restaurant is meant to be enjoyed with others. The dishes are creative, full of flavor and extremely unique. 

First came Burrata with Salsa Verde over Charred Bread.

Next came Beef Tartare with Sunchoke. The Sunchoke was chopped up with the Beef which created a lovely contrast of crunchy and tender.

Moving to the heavier dishes we nibbled on Lamb Ribs with Charmoula and Honey...

...and then Quail with Grapes, Parsley and Ajo Blanco.

If we did not have enough, two more came. Here is the Ricotta Dumplings with Mushrooms Pecorino Sardo. The round disks on top are thinly shaves mushrooms.

And finally, Mackerel with Butter Beans and Nettles.

Needless to say we were stuffed. The food was delicious and the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgable. They also have an on sight sommelier available to help you navigate the expansive wine list.

Love catching up with family over a great meal. Estela is a wonderful place to splurge and order a lot or to share a dish at the bar with a friend over a glass of wine. 

Bon Apetit! 

Essential Fall Wardrobe Items

Here comes Fall! Temps hit below 70...the hat and boots come out. I personally dislike the heat of summer in the city, and even though this summer was quite enjoyable with more mild temperatures, nothing compares to Fall in NYC. 

What better to do on a gloomy Saturday than pop over to Riverside Park, before the rain, to take a few shots of one of my favorite summer to fall transitional outfits. Here are some of my suggestions for Essential Fall Wardrobe Items. 

Essential Fall Wardrobe Item #1: Plaid Button Up. They are everywhere right now. A plaid button up is great because you can dress it up or dress it down. Look for a shirt made from a thinner material, save the flannel and heavy cotton for Winter. This shirt is from the Savannah, Georgia boutique Red Clover. 

Essential Fall Wardrobe Item #2: Felt Hat. From fedora to floppy, everyone loves a hat. I found this Navy dream at a Boutique in Savannah, Georgia called Harper. Stores are filled with them right now, so explore and see what fits you best. If you're feeling adventurous go for a fun color like cranberry or emerald. 

Essential Fall Wardrobe Item #3: Leather. My leather staples are a jacket and boots. Both of these items will last you through the Winter season. A leather jacket can be layered with a sweater for more warmth or warn over a tank on the milder days. I prefer leather boots to suede because they hold up against the weather. These pieces were great finds; the jacket is from Tinley Road and the boots from Aldo.   

Essential Fall Wardrobe Item #4: Carry-All Tote. This leather backpack/shoulder bag is perfect for those long days out and about in the city. You want something that will hold all your stuff. This beauty is from Dolce Vita Handbags. I'm super excited about a project I've been doing with them. More posts to come in October. Make sure you check out my Instagram. 

What are some of your Fall Essential Wardrobe Items? I'd love to hear!

xoxo