Cafe Mogador

Dinner by candle light...very romantic. Dinner by candle light with friends...very fun! I love Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but don't get our there often during the Winter months. The commute is long and the cold weather honestly just deters me from straying too far from home. 

Friends of mine, Elas, were playing a show at St. Balmain. We decided to make a night of it and ventured out early for dinner. I discovered Cafe Mogador during my first year in NYC. I frequented their East Village location often for both brunch and dinner. Recently, they opened a spot in Williamsburg. 

Their menu is jam packed with Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine that is unique and also traditional. They have a set menu with favorites like Cous-Cous, Salads and Platters, Tagines, Bastilla and Grilled Meats. They also have a number of unique entrees to try if you want to stray from the traditional route. 

I can not go to Mogador without starting with the Hummus Plate. The freshly baked pita is always warm when it hits the table. 

Mer got the Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken. The vegetables are all organic and the meats are free-range so everything is fresh and vibrant. 

For the more indecisive person, the Mixed Platter is a great option. You get a little bit of everything - hummus, eggplant, tabouli, tahini & arabic salad. 

The Tagines are a hearty and warm option on a colder night. I gobbled up the Chicken Tagine Casablanca. It is served with rice and the meat is so slowly stewed it falls off the bone. 

After dinner we hurried over to St. Balmain and Joey Diamond's to hear Elas perform. Elas are an indie folk sister duo originally from Brazil. Their music is full of harmony and toe-tapping melodies. They are planning on releasing their first EP this summer. 

St. Balmain is currently only open for breakfast and lunch but will resume dinner hours come warmer weather. Also, don't forgot to check out Joey Diamond's for an excellent nightcap. 

Bon Apetit.

Naturally Ginger

Naturally Ginger Turns O-N-E

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Guess what!?!?! I made it a year! Naturally Ginger turns one today and I could not be more proud and excited. This year has been filled with so many ups and downs. I have experienced a ton of change, but coming back to my blog has provided an outlet for my creativity and personality. I am so grateful for all the readers and supporters. I'm particularly thankful for my Frans who have taken pictures and posed for so many posts. Thanks to my family for their contribution and support, Bourgeois Bob. I have also loved collaborating with other bloggers and learning more about the field. 

Year one was great, but I'm SO excited for year 2! My hope is that I continue to learn more about blogging, picture taking and how to produce a quality product. I hope you will all keep reading and I can not say THANK YOU enough for checking out the posts week after week. 

We all have a story to tell, thanks for reading mine. 

Dress: Club Monaco (similar here) / Faux Fur Jacket: Forever21 / Sunglasses: Kate Spade / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Earrings: Banana Republic (similar here) / Purse: Lauren Cecchi / Rings: Forever21 / Bracelet: Coach / Watch: Michael Kors

xoxo

Naturally Ginger

Photos by Kait from Madly Mignon

Well now I'm 30.

Well everyone...I'm now 30 years old. 

The day was destined to come sooner or later. Approaching my 30th birthday, I had numerous people ask me how I felt about turing 30 or if I was "ok"...most of these people were still in their 20's. For some reason there is this looming negativity about moving from one decade of life to the next. Society wants us to conjure up thoughts of all the things we didn't accomplish or opportunities we missed; there is a sense of pressure to compile memories from the past years, weeding out failures and regrets. 

But why does it have to be like this? The older and wiser individuals in my life hummed a different tune when they reflected on their 30th birthday. All these people expressed nothing but positivity and encouragement. They built up my confidence with remarks like, "you will have a new sense of authority in life" or, "it is like you finally know who you are". 

In the end I made the promise to myself to walk with strength and dignity into my future. I decided to choose joy when fear and doubt crept in, and I let optimism win. Whether you are 30, 22, 58 or 40, life is about focusing on what blessings you have, not on what is missing. 

So this birthday I focused on the full half of the glass. I remembered that God promoted me into a job I could have never dreamed up for myself, I have friends that care for me fiercely and boldly, my family loves me selflessly and sacrificially, I am healthy, I get to serve and do life in the most incredible church, God allows me each day to care for others and help people see their full potential, and I live in the greatest city in the world.

So here you are 30 and I love you already. It is cliche, but seriously...the best is yet to come.

What better way to celebrate by birthday than with pictures in Dumbo with the city skyline in the background, and in front of really awesome colorful wall! It's my birthday and I'll take a lot of #selfies if I want to. 

Dress: Joe Fresh / Shoes: Banana Republic / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: C.Wonder & Coach

My amazing mom took these pictures. She helped make my birthday extra special by being here. Can't wait to share all the fun adventures in posts to come!

Thirty Flirty Fabulous.

xoxo