Portable Mind: A sort of travel guide

hoboken mi amore

View from the deck, the last time there was a warm(ish) evening in Hoboken, where we enjoyed cocktails before heading to dinner at the not to be missed Augustino's.
Italian dining may not seem like anything special in New Jersey, but the experience at Augustino's will remind you of how good it really can be. The restaurant is tiny, warm and welcoming; and the food is the real deal: made-from-scratch pasta dressed in rustic sauces (a garlicky broccoli rabe; creamy, salty carbonara with spring peas and pancetta), served in plates so big that you can split one main dish, and wisely save the extra room in your stomach for a homemade cannoli. And lots of chianti.

winter descended

A reminder that winter has just started, and we still have 2-3 months to go.

Quiet streets and little traffic are perks of a snowy day, so I wandered out with a friend and was thrilled to discover Another Man's Treasure vintage clothing store in my 'hood. AMT houses an impressive collection of pieces that are in impeccable condition, and prices worth leaving Manhattan for. And that was the extent of my exercise yesterday.

Knowing I would have downtime this weekend, I endeavored to revise my diet & exercise plan, drink more water. Maybe less alcohol, but who's kidding who? After the holiday seemed like an appropriate time for this, and then there's my friend Ben's Twitter feed which inspires me to, I don't know, get outside more. Maybe run or something.

I have to be honest - winter is not the best time for this plan. I got halfway there - went to the market and stocked up on healthy things - fish, vegetables, fruit, a water filter, you know the rest. When I got home, I made the fatal mistake of picking up January Gourmet. The photos, the image of a warm Italian kitchen, of mozzarella bread and polenta and lasagne. Without pause, I began preparing a winter minestrone. And, of course, drinking water will not do when cooking after dark. I was out of red wine so I decided on cocktails. Which calls for friends. And, there I went. Winter minestrone, bread, cheese, and Negronis. 

Sigh. 

Weekend Winter Escape: New Jersey?

I know what you're thinking: New Jersey is not a traveler's destination. It's simply a place that one passes through on a trek along the eastern seaboard, or on a layover to or from another location. But I have lived here, like it or not, for 15 years and have discovered a few interesting places in the garden state beyond Newark airport. 

Grounds for Sculpture is a 35 acre sculpture park that was founded and developed by J Seward Johnson, an artist from the Johnson and Johnson family. Located about an hour 1/2 from NYC, 20 minutes outside of Princeton, it's both stunning and surprising. A great weekend day experience. Here's the best way to visit: 

1) Take someone who's never been, and don't tell them where you're going. The reveal on the way to the park is one of the best parts.

2) Skip the park entrance, and enter through Rat's restaurant, stopping into the Kafe Kabul bar for a glass of wine to take along your walk.

3) Walk, wander, get lost. Grounds For Sculpture is gorgeous with a coat of snow, and there is a warming hut to stop into if it's chilly, complete with a working fireplace. The park feels like Alice's Wonderland - doorways that lead to secret gardens, unexpected tunnels, and tangled, verdant pathways.

When you're finished, head back to the Kafe Kabul to sit on pillows and rugs in front of a fireplace with another glass of wine (Rat's Red highly recommended), or some Russian Caravan tea. Rat's is their premier restaurant, and while totally worth it, you can get the same menu in the Kafe or order off of the bar menu, which is less expensive. The food is spectacular. 

Overheard

at the Post Office today...
"Can you tell me how much the postage is for this?"
"58 cents.
"Ok, do you have a stamp with an American Flag?"
"We have a 41 cent stamp with an American Flag on it."
"Ok, do you have a 17 cent stamp with an American Flag on it? I really want the stamps to match."
"No. But we have a 39 cent stamp with an American Flag on it - er, but that's more than 58 cents, so.."
"Well... I really want the stamps to match."
Pause.
"Ok. Do you have a different stamp that will match the 41 cent stamp that has the American Flag on it?"
"Um. I don't know."

City Living

The park across the street from my apartment is lovely. A few blocks away are a number of great restaurants, boutiques and the train to Manhattan, a 20 minute ride. There are endless things to do and people are everywhere. I love it. The other night I awoke to an exchange of gunfire. Close enough to wake me at 2am. It's been awhile - the last time I heard the sound of a gun was when I lived in L.A. I'd forgotten. But I'll get used to it again. Sacrifices, right?

Early Sunday morning

Next door and out my bedroom window is a Baptist church. On Sunday morning I lie in bed and listen to the service, gospel music floating up to my room as if it were on the iPod next to my bed. That's my kind of church service.

Spring in Jersey City

I realize that this blog is supposed to be about travel and lately I've done nothing but post photos of my move and the new apartment. Or done nothing at all. My excuse is that since leaving Princeton I have started a new day job that is way more demanding than expected and is really starting to interfere with the rest of my life... but that's what you get when you're involved in coordinating elements of one of the biggest events in the world, I guess. I have tried to spend any downtime unpacking and making the new place very glamorous - but clearly, the day job has won out, as the only thing I've been able to do is buy a bed and two barstools, hang some drapes, rather badly I might add - and put a few of my many, many (too many) books on a shelf. I have managed to buy a decent amount of wine (thank god for the internet) and despite the fact that I am not traveling at the moment, have two great recommendations for you, dear readers...

Although the weather has been nothing but a gloomy misery this month, it's still Spring and I am celebrating by drinking lots of Sauvignon Blanc. I recently tried these two gems - a 2006 Preston, a vineyard I am loving more and more (their Viognier is beautiful and sadly, sold out) and a 2004 Laughing Raven from Alexander Valley, which I purchased from a great online store called My Wines Direct. Cheers.

...contemplating the possibilities of a new place.

Buried in the baggage that I carry...

Dolce Vita

Hello internet. Sorry for the hiatus. I’ve just started a huge new gig and it’s been taking up much of my energy. Any leftover energy has been spent obsessing over fashion, because Spring is right around the corner and I’m ready to throw all of my sweaters and coats into the incinerator.

Princeton, NJ is not the place you think of when thinking about style, let’s face it. But considering the geography, an hour from NYC and an hour from Philly (there must be stylish people somewhere in Philly), this slightly eccentric university-centered town has cause for some ready-to-wear. Hoping to be wowed by what Princeton has to offer, I grabbed a large cappuccino from Small World and hit the streets.

Blue Mercury was my first stop. The shop reminded me of the beauty department at Bendels and subsequently I was uninspired to purchase anything. I found a few hard-to-get-in-the-suburbs items like Tocca candles and Chantecaille makeup, and they do get bonus points for the in-store spa services. The atmosphere is warm and I decided it's a perfect spot to *freshen up* before dinner at a local restaurant (note to self).

Zoe is the Lindsay-Paris-OC type of store that every wealthy college town needs because those girls have got to have their Stuart Weitzmans, of course. Their website explains that the Zoe customer is anyone from a precocious teen (is there anything more annoying?) to the groovy matriarch. Can you even use the words 'groovy' and 'matriarch' in the same sentence? That said, part of me was looking forward to Zoe because, based on buzz, I imagined scouring racks filled with Marc Jacobs or Imitation of Christ and discovering my inner style icon. In the end I was, again, uninspired. While the store is certainly label-savvy, they don't choose the most interesting pieces from the designers they carry. I might as well have been in Bloomingdales.

Out of frustration/boredom, I was ready to trade in my cappuccino for a shot of whiskey, but instead crossed Witherspoon street and went into Rouge. When it first opened a few years ago, Rouge was a tiny shop filled with artisan perfumes and Agent Provocateur-esque lingerie, but has since moved, expanded and added to the eclectic inventory. It is exactly the place I was looking for. The buyers at Rouge understand what it takes to make a statement. On the shelves are rare perfumes from Comme des Garcons, candles from evil alchemist Douglas Little and those shoes, which are my latest obsession. Because who doesn’t need a pair of spikey red patent heels?

Ici La-bas

...contemplating the possibilities of a new place.

You Are Here

Buried in the baggage that I carry...

Dolce Vita

Hello internet. Sorry for the hiatus. I’ve just started a huge new gig and it’s been taking up much of my energy. Any leftover energy has been spent obsessing over fashion, because Spring is right around the corner and I’m ready to throw all of my sweaters and coats into the incinerator.

Princeton, NJ is not the place you think of when thinking about style, let’s face it. But considering the geography, an hour from NYC and an hour from Philly (there must be stylish people somewhere in Philly), this slightly eccentric university-centered town has cause for some ready-to-wear. Hoping to be wowed by what Princeton has to offer, I grabbed a large cappuccino from Small World and hit the streets.

Blue Mercury was my first stop. The shop reminded me of the beauty department at Bendels and subsequently I was uninspired to purchase anything. I found a few hard-to-get-in-the-suburbs items like Tocca candles and Chantecaille makeup, and they do get bonus points for the in-store spa services. The atmosphere is warm and I decided it's a perfect spot to *freshen up* before dinner at a local restaurant (note to self).

Zoe is the Lindsay-Paris-OC type of store that every wealthy college town needs because those girls have got to have their Stuart Weitzmans, of course. Their website explains that the Zoe customer is anyone from a precocious teen (is there anything more annoying?) to the groovy matriarch. Can you even use the words 'groovy' and 'matriarch' in the same sentence? That said, part of me was looking forward to Zoe because, based on buzz, I imagined scouring racks filled with Marc Jacobs or Imitation of Christ and discovering my inner style icon. In the end I was, again, uninspired. While the store is certainly label-savvy, they don't choose the most interesting pieces from the designers they carry. I might as well have been in Bloomingdales.

Out of frustration/boredom, I was ready to trade in my cappuccino for a shot of whiskey, but instead crossed Witherspoon street and went into Rouge. When it first opened a few years ago, Rouge was a tiny shop filled with artisan perfumes and Agent Provocateur-esque lingerie, but has since moved, expanded and added to the eclectic inventory. It is exactly the place I was looking for. The buyers at Rouge understand what it takes to make a statement. On the shelves are rare perfumes from Comme des Garcons, candles from evil alchemist Douglas Little and those shoes, which are my latest obsession. Because who doesn’t need a pair of spikey red patent heels?

Pret-a-porter de Princeton

Dolce Vita

Hello internet. Sorry for the hiatus. I’ve just started a huge new gig and it’s been taking up much of my energy. Any leftover energy has been spent obsessing over fashion, because Spring is right around the corner and I’m ready to throw all of my sweaters and coats into the incinerator.

Princeton, NJ is not the place you think of when thinking about style, let’s face it. But considering the geography, an hour from NYC and an hour from Philly (there must be stylish people somewhere in Philly), this slightly eccentric university-centered town has cause for some ready-to-wear. Hoping to be wowed by what Princeton has to offer, I grabbed a large cappuccino from Small World and hit the streets.

Blue Mercury was my first stop. The shop reminded me of the beauty department at Bendels and subsequently I was uninspired to purchase anything. I found a few hard-to-get-in-the-suburbs items like Tocca candles and Chantecaille makeup, and they do get bonus points for the in-store spa services. The atmosphere is warm and I decided it's a perfect spot to *freshen up* before dinner at a local restaurant (note to self).

Zoe is the Lindsay-Paris-OC type of store that every wealthy college town needs because those girls have got to have their Stuart Weitzmans, of course. Their website explains that the Zoe customer is anyone from a precocious teen (is there anything more annoying?) to the groovy matriarch. Can you even use the words 'groovy' and 'matriarch' in the same sentence? That said, part of me was looking forward to Zoe because, based on buzz, I imagined scouring racks filled with Marc Jacobs or Imitation of Christ and discovering my inner style icon. In the end I was, again, uninspired. While the store is certainly label-savvy, they don't choose the most interesting pieces from the designers they carry. I might as well have been in Bloomingdales.

Out of frustration/boredom, I was ready to trade in my cappuccino for a shot of whiskey, but instead crossed Witherspoon street and went into Rouge. When it first opened a few years ago, Rouge was a tiny shop filled with artisan perfumes and Agent Provocateur-esque lingerie, but has since moved, expanded and added to the eclectic inventory. It is exactly the place I was looking for. The buyers at Rouge understand what it takes to make a statement. On the shelves are rare perfumes from Comme des Garcons, candles from evil alchemist Douglas Little and those shoes, which are my latest obsession. Because who doesn’t need a pair of spikey red patent heels?