NYC Sights: Brookfield Place

Brookfield Place is located in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, and bordered by West Street, the Hudson River, Vesey and Liberty Streets. It is a mall that houses many high-end stores but I go for the view. The mall is located on the Hudson River and the view is absolutely beautiful. There are boats that are docked on the Hudson and you might even see the occasional cruise ship float by.

https://brookfieldplaceny.com/

Take a peek of our recent visit:

The gorgeous atrium where there are exhibits displayed each season. There is a great water exhibit currently installed and every view of the water documentary generous donors make donations to children in Ethiopia.

The mall is on the Hudson River and the view is phenomenal!

Kids enjoy the waterscape and small fountain.

The gorgeous French restaurant where we dined.

The view of the water from the shaded garden.

Gorgeous marble table that is perfect for your “birds eye view” photos.

August 9, 2016 2

Curlbox Natural: True by Made Beautiful

The most recent Curlbox Natural box has been dubbed the “Bohemian Summer Box”. Who doesn’t love a Bohemian girl with free flowing curls? The box went on sale at curlbox.com and sold for $40. It’s a great deal because of the five full sized products that fill the box. The incredible True by Made Beautiful products are free of sulfates, parabens and silicones. I know that this is key for many curly girls but is not really a priority for me. I figured the sale of the box as a great time to try the “curly girl” styling products for the month of August and see if I really see a difference in my hair’s health.

The True products have a great fruity scent. It is infused with shea, honey, coconut and mango. There is a full line of products in your box to cleanse and style your curls. The co-wash was good but I have not been using a load of gels or styling products in my hair so there is not much to cleanse. I fear that if I go heavy on the gels then I may have to grab a bottle of shampoo. Overall, the line is great. I’m very pleased that I can use it on my daughter’s hair as well. I adore the leave-in-conditioner and the hydrating hair butter. Your curls are defined and left shiny with very little effort. (Oh, I did add some natural oil along with the hair butter for added shine. I placed a natural oil on my wet hair along with the hair butter and my curls dried defined and oh so soft.)

The signature Curlbox mag card with information about the products that you get in your box.

The “Curl Refresher”, “Hair Butter” and “Treatment Masque”.

The full line-up of products from the Curlbox Natural.

I love air drying my hair in the Summer.

Wet Hair. You can already see the curls formed from the “Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner” and “Hair Butter” being applied. Then you wait to air dry.

Sitting with the “Insense Treatment Masque” after the co-wash.

August 5, 2016 0

Quick Old Navy Summer Sale Haul

I sauntered into my local Old Navy Outlet in mid-July looking for sports bras only to find very few options because there had been a major sale. What’s a girl who needs sports bras to do? Go online of course. I’m not the biggest online shopper there is. I like to feel, touch and look at my wares but the way Old Navy and I are set up, I don’t really need to feel that way regarding shopping online with them. I think I know the store stock by heart.

I went online for sports bras and ended up getting a bunch of yoga/athletic tops and pants for my daughter and some beach essentials for myself.

Let’s take a peek at my goodies:

At $8 dollars each, I had to have two! I cannot get through a workout without a great sports bra and these are a perfect fit and I look for the under breast elastic and crisscross back support.

I spotted this sandal on a girl on the train and I loved them immediately. She had the perfect white polish pedicure and wondered where she got the cute sandals. Fast-forward a week later and there they there were online at Old Navy for 5 dollars. Mine!

We are headed to a little getaway in a few weeks and I am in desperate need of a new swimsuit. This coral color one piece with the braided strap is fresh, young and perfect for family swims. Even greater steal at $16.

August 3, 2016 0

Puerto Rican/Dominican Eats: Mofongo

MOFONGO

Mofongo, a dish of garlicky mashed plantains, is one of the most popular dishes in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It has clear roots in the fufuof West Africa. There are loads of West African influence in dishes that are found in the Caribbean. The mix of spices (adobo) and the use of starches like green banana, plantains and cassava is by way of Ghana and Nigeria.

Living in New York City, you have the advantage of having access to some of the best Puerto Rican and Dominican restaurants outside of those Caribbean islands. I can think of around 3 or 4 spots (restaurants) on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn where I can find amazing mofongo. Recently, I took a visit to a Dominican restaurant located on the corner of Flatbush and Foster Avenue and found that they had amazing chicken mofongo.

My mofongo from the small gem of a restaurant on the corner of Flatbush and Foster Avenues in Brooklyn.

Shredded chicken can be found throughout the mashed plantains. The mofongo is served with a side of lettuce and tomatoes and a side of savory chicken gravy. (The gravy is essential for dipping the mashed plantains in in order for flavors to be soaked up and enjoyed.)

Mofongo normally can be ordered with shredded pork or chicken seasoned in amazing garlicky seasoning and served with gravy of your choice so that you can soak up all of the flavors with the starchy plantain. I have also had the most amazing seafood (shrimp) mofongo in Puerto Rico and can find shrimp mofongo just as amazing at El Viejo Yayo on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn (next to the Barclays Stadium).

Check out this amazing recipe found on Whats4eats and try to create your own mofongo:

Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

Green plantains, peeled and cut into rounds on the diagonal; around 4 of them
Olive oil; 3 tablespoons
Garlic, minced; 3 to 5 cloves
Pork cracklings (chicharrones), crushed; 1 cup
Salt to taste

METHOD

Soak the plantain pieces in a bowl of salted water for 15 to 30 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
Heat the oil in a sauté pan or skillet over medium flame. Working in batches, sauté the plantain slices until they are cooked through but not yet browned, 10 to 12 minutes. (Saute the garlic in approximately 1 teaspoon of oil before adding to plantain mixture).
Add the plantains, garlic and a little bit of olive oil to a large mortar or bowl and mash with a pestle or potato masher until fairly smooth. Alternatively, pulse with a food processor. Stir in the pork cracklings or shredded pork loin and salt to taste.
Using moistened hands, form into 3-inch balls or mound on a plate and serve warm.

Find recipe at : http://www.whats4eats.com/vegetables/mofongo-recipe

August 1, 2016 0