Restaurant Review: Candle Cafe
While I was in New York right before Spring 2013 Fashion Week I was lucky enough to have an understanding and food-enthusiastic friend who was willing to run all over Manhattan with me so that I could check some vegan restaurants off my Must Try list.
First on the docket – within mere hours of touching down at JFK – was Candle Cafe. Last year when I was in New York we went to Blossom and I had been interested in trying this other famous vegan restaurant since then.
{Vino}
{Grilled Kale Salad – Haricots verts, beluga lentils, red onions, turnips, avocado, sunflower seeds, spelt berries and chive vinaigrette}
{Evening Special – BBQ Seitan Burrito}
{Chipotle Grilled Tofu – Quinoa-vegetable pilaf, sautéed greens served with a black bean sauce; topped with an avocado mango salad}
After taking some recommendations from the friendly waitress and ordering a bottle of red, we decided to split two entrees and an appetizer, and since the appetizer kale salad was huge it ended up being more than enough food for both of us.
{Clearly we hated it}
Seitan is Colin’s new favorite vegan fare – It’s hardy, flavorful, and filling, a really great alternative for meat-eaters who are eating at plant-based restaurants or those who are attempting to go vegan or vegetarian.
If you’re a meat eater are you willing to try new types of restaurants with friends who follow a plant-based diet? Do you enjoy trying new and creative dishes unlike the ones you usually eat?
IFBCON – Trends, Styles & Inspirations
This week was the much-anticipated Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference – Otherwise known as IFBCON – Held in New York City right before the start of the Spring 2013 Fashion Week.
“Looking back, what made this IFBCON special was how authentic & original everyone and every panel was. True representation of the community.” – IFB
{Fashionistas waiting to get into the conference @ 8:30am on a muggy NYC Tuesday}
The words above uttered by IFB couldn’t be truer, this was an amazing & educational experience. I mentioned here that I wanted to share all of the fabulous fashion that I got a chance to witness at the conference, so share I will.
{Top Left: Bobbie Austin’s Closet, Top Right: The Subtle Statement & Rachel The Stylish Wanderer}
The personal style of the fashion bloggers of IFBCON was utterly diverse, ranging from hippie inspired fringe and layers, to rock n’ roll studs and spikes, to mix-masters who seamlessly paired patterns, stripes, polka dots, or animal prints.
Needless to say, this conference was a people watching dream!
Heels, stacked bracelets, and oversized bags were pervasive, but aside from that there were so many trends and styles that I’m almost at a loss for how to describe it all to you. Over-the-shoulder bags, spiked bracelets, fun tennis shoes, daytime sequins, camo, maxi & midi length skirts, pleats, round sunglasses, printed & brocade pants, peplum dresses, geometric prints, pajama-inspired separates – There was a veritable sea of beautiful colors, great textures, fun prints, and interesting fabrics.
Nearly as fascinating as the fashion bloggers themselves were the panelists and speakers that we were all there to see. Top bloggers, buyers, writers, brands, publishers, tech wizards, journalists, stylists, social media experts, authors, models – Basically, the best in the biz all there offering us advice, inspiration, motivation, and a vision of a possible future for ourselves.
{The one. The only. Iman}
Check out more outtakes from the conference here – just log into Facebook to view
So in summary, I was lucky enough to spend two days with some of the greatest fashion-minded men and women in the industry. People of all ages, nationalities, races, and backgrounds who have one very important thing in common – An all-consuming passion for all things fashionable!
And what did I wear for this amazing event?
{Left – Day 1 & Right – Day 2}
What’s your favorite fashion blog?
What questions would you have posed to fashion industry greats like Derek Blasberg, Coco Rocha, Iman, Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, Lindsey Calla of Saucy Glossie, Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Vintage, Jessie Artigue of Style And Pepper, or Erin of Apartment 34?
Moi Contre La Vie 