Friday, February 26, 2010

Mmmm...my Mexican Burger

Can I just tell you all about the amazing burger that I enjoyed the other day? This burger known as a “Mexican Burger” at Purity Diner comes loaded with cheese, chili and jalapenos, and that is EXACTLY how I love to build my burger at other places. Cooked medium well, topped with lettuce and tomato and served with steak fries, this simple treat made my day.

Purity Diner happens to be on 7th Avenue in Park Slope, where I had the pleasure of taking part in Buy in Brooklyn, where numerous businesses along the street offered free tastings from their menu. My partner in crime (who was lucky enough to live on the street) and I happily and hungrily jumped from door to door and joined each line without even knowing exactly what was awaiting at the end. (Oh how I miss those summer nights.) Please forgive me for not remembering the names of the places, but I vividly remember a DEE-licious dish at a Mexican restaurant with chicken and jalapenos, a chocolate cake and a super tasty mini-burger. With a few of my other favorites along 7th Avenue: Dashing Diva and Five Guys, that area holds a special place in my heart. It is my hope that one day we’ll be reunited and build a long term relationship. I already feel so at home there that it only seems right.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Miss Journey + Guts. Glam. Grace. Magazine






Yours truly is now a contributor for Guts. Glam. Grace. Magazine. I am oh so very excited. Check out my first article: "How to Find Cheap Luxury Hotels"

I don't want to sound vain, but am I allowed to say "YAY ME!" ?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

FREE Pancakes!


Enjoy a FREE short stack at IHOP today. I swear I'm not lying: http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/

Remember to donate to the Children's Miracle Network.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

'Tis the Season to Celebrate: Mardi Gras (and Carnival in TnT)


Despite the snow we’re getting hit with AGAIN, let’s embrace Mardi Gras and take a quick mental escape to New Orleans. What I love most about New York is its ability to transport you to various places around the world. Even though I have yet to satisfy my burning desire to visit “Nawlins” I have been fortunate enough to catch a few quick glimpses of the culture right here in NYC. Even though I'm sure the experience pales in comparison to the real thing, I was captivated by the richness of the culture, which was reflected in the rich flavor of the food, which I fell in love with. From my first Mardi Gras experience during my senior year in high school to a more recent good time, these places hold a few of my fondest memories:

Mardi Gras
7020 Austin Street
Forest Hills, NY 11375
http://mardigrasnyc.com/

Bourbon Street Cafe
40-12 Bell Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11361
http://www.bourbonstreetny.com/



With the bonus of Super Bowl Championship, this year’s festivities are sure to be BIG. Even if you are hundreds of miles away, take part in the celebration.

I love the article I read at Carnival Fete-ish, which not only gives a great history of Mardi Gras but also shares the experience from Trinidad's Carnival, which is going right now as well. Oh, how I wish I was there.

With all this Carnival in the air, it's only right that I celebrate too.

Photo credit: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.e-masks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mardi-gras-mask.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.e-masks.com/mardi-gras-masks/&usg=__oaF2n7a-AcSfpqSY2gU98pXl3Ok=&h=276&w=270&sz=28&hl=en&start=32&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=mK0ALCKch5w8gM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmardi%2Bgras%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1

Monday, February 15, 2010

Motivational Monday: When I Grow Up

A close friend and I often have a conversation about how even though we are technically adults, we don't feel quite "grown up" yet. Although I still don't think I've made it completely, I decided that I don't have to wait until I'm "grown up" for some things. So in 2010, I'm going to tackle some of those things on my "When I grow up" list (sounds a little like a resolution):

-run a successful business- Although I have been pouring my heart into Her Journey for the past year and a half, in my mind it is still "an independent project." Even with all the encouragement and positive feedback I've been getting, I was still not fully convinced that I am an entrepreneur running a business. HOWEVER, I have accepted it and am wholeheartedly devoted to building this empire now.

-give back to those who gave to me- I've always envisioned myself revisiting all of my old schools once I "made it" and sharing my experiences from my days at the school and the wisdom I gained on my journey to success. Even in my imagination, I just assumed that I would be in my thirties when I was actually able to do so. Then it hit me. I do have something to offer now. Making it through college and still surviving now, despite the "recession" is an experience that I have definitely learned from. It is an also an experience that I can share with those who have not yet started their collegiate journey. I recently approached my high school about working with the students, and they (students and faculty alike) are just as excited as I am. It was not until they introduced me to the students as one of their success stories and they expressed how proud they are of me; that was when it really hit me: maybe I am kind of grown up now :-)

These thoughts have been floating around in my head for a while, but this post finally came to life when I read Jill's "When I Grow Up" post on her Life After College blog, which reminded me of my Life To Do List (which I've added to).

It also so happens that while watching Samantha Brown's 10th Anniversary special last week, I had another revelation. I have often thought about how cool it must be to have a travel show. Not only do you get paid to travel but you also get to share those experiences with everyone watching. It was not until watching Samantha Brown did I actually imagine myself on the Travel Channel on a show of my very own. THAT would be a DREAM COME TRUE! And that's when I thought to myself, "I know what I want to be when I grow up. Me." You know how when we're younger, we think "I want to be like Oprah, or this person or that person" but it just clicked for me that I am exactly who I am for a reason, and while there are good examples of inspiration to look up to, I have something unique to offer. I have to say that that was a great revelation. And I plan to start doing short video clips of my own. I may not be on the Travel Channel, but I CAN have my own travel show...stay tuned!

I actually wonder if I will ever feel like I'm "all grown up." In the meantime I'm having fun "growing up."

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Mental Vacay: Trinidad and Tobago


So they weren't lying. This early morning photo from abc.com shows only the beginning of the snow day. The present state is that there is a LOT of snow out there, and it's still falling. A small part of me feels like a punk, remembering the days when I would bundle up and brave the weather. I specifically remember one time in high school when I trudged through snow mounds just to get a pair of sneakers that I reaallly wanted. Of course, at the time I didn't want to listen to anyone who would have tried to tell me that the sneakers would still be there the next day. ::shaking my head at my adolescent self:: I commend all those brave New Yorkers (and everyone else out there in the snow) for doing what they have to do despite of inconvenient conditions. However, a larger part of me is so relieved that I do not have to leave the house today, and I am so excited about watching my DVR'ed episodes of Ugly Betty with a bowl of baked potato soup.....mmmm. I may even bake some chocolate chip cookies...sounds like the perfect snow day. With finishing Girl, Get Your Money Straight and drafting my article for a magazine I'll be contirbuting to (more on that later) also on my todo list for today, I got a feeling that today's going to be a good day.

Even though I'm making the best of today's weather condition, looking outside is forcing my mind to wander to a happier warmer place, a mental vacay if you will. I invite you to join me on my mental vacation to Trinidad and Tobago. Right now, Trinidadians (and hundreds of visitors) are caught up in the Carnival festivities building up to next week's big days. Thankfully I have my memories of the past two Carnivals to keep me warm.

This article about Trinidad and Tobago will definitely guide you on your mental vacay.