Fix Your Closet in a Stitch

Like it or not, living in New York City makes me very fashion conscious. I've always been a bit of a shopaholic and with the advent on online shopping (Gilt and Rue La La, I can't sing your praises enough but my wallet certainly can) buying the latest looks has become even easier. But if you've always dreamed of taking the shopping experience one step further and hiring your own personal shopper, have I got the site for you.

A coworker recently told me about Stitch Fix, and from the minute she said "it's like Blue Apron" for clothes, I was intrigued. The way it works is you log on, create an account, and fill out a fairly extensive survey about your style. You will answer questions about everything from your sizes to which body parts you like to flaunt and from color palette to what your life is like. Once that is done and you decide to schedule a fix, you get an additional paragraph to explain in detail what you're looking for in a fix. I asked my stylist to focus on flowy long sleeve tops for winter and at least one dress I can wear to work. At this point I would highly recommend being as specific as possible about what you want (ie, brand names you usually buy, what piece is missing from your closet, price range) because there is a live person on the other end of things sourcing just for you.

I scheduled my first fix and I anxiously awaited my box. I've always thought personal stylists were uber expensive and not for me, but it felt like I was giving myself an awesome win-win present. When the box came to my doorstep, enclosed was a note personally signed by my stylist, Catherine, and information about how to proceed.

My First Fix

I was told to try everything on and send back whatever I didn't want within 3 days in the postage paid envelope. I was charged a $20 styling fee but that would be deducted from whatever I wanted to keep. Also, if I opted to keep all 5 items, I would receive a 25% overall discount.

The first item was the Gold Tone Love Birds necklace, that I thought was cute, but for $32 I thought I could find something I'd like way more so I decided not to keep it.

Gold Tone Love Birds Necklace ($32)

Next was the Florence Colorblocked Dress by 41Hawthorne ($68). I didn't really like this out of the box but I put it on, and behold, it not only fit perfectly but it was something new and different! I love this dress because I can pair it with a blazer and ballet flats for work but could gussy it up with some sparkly jewelry for a date night or holiday party.

Florence Colorblocked Dress ($68)

My fix included 2 flowy shirts. The first, Rossi Polka Dot Print Neck-Tie Blouse by Renee C ($48), was a bit too librarian for me and I sent it back. The skirt I was also a little disappointed in because it was the most basic black pencil skirt that anyone who works in an office already has at least one of. Needless to say, I sent the Violet Ponte Pencil Skirt by 41 Hawthorne back as well.

Rossi Polka Dot Print Neck-Tie Blouse ($48)

The second was another item I wasn't sure I'd like out of the box. The Crowley Sheer Front Pocket Blouse by Sanctuary ($78) neared the top of my price point for a blouse, but it's high quality and fits me really well. Due to the sheer nature of the shirt, I have to wear a tank under it, but the color is unique and I've already worn it a bunch.

Crowley Sheer Front Pocket Blouse ($78)

One thing I thought was really unique and a nice touch was that Stitch Fix includes style cards with each piece to give you an idea of how you can dress each item up or down with items you already own.

So I didn't end up getting the 25% discount, but I sent back feedback with each item so that the next time I order they will hopefully hit the nail more square on the head. I don't think this is something I'd invest in every month, but I will definitely try it again soon, if only for the surprise. Do any of my readers use Stitch Fix or is anyone interested in giving it a try? Sign up for an account here.

AWESOME ALERT: Blue Apron is the Answer to Your Kitchen Prayers

Contrary to New York City tradition, my oven is not used for storage, and I love to cook. I love everything about cooking in fact--the way my knife sounds when slicing an onion, the spoonfuls of sauce I taste before deciding it is just right, licking the batter spoon before putting cookies in the oven, and the way my kitchen smells when I've been simmering apple sauce in my slow cooker all day long. One thing I don't like though is schlepping home heavy bags of carefully selected groceries home only to find my perfect tomato smushed at the bottom of the bag or finally getting upstairs to realize I forgot the ground turkey and have to go back out.

Enter Blue Apron. As a base description I would say this online recipe/ingredient delivery service is a cross between Birchbox, the Food Network, and Fresh Direct. Basically, the company sends out weekly emails describing their recipes for the next week (typically 3 meals a week for either a meat or vegetarian menu) and you can opt in to receive all the ingredients you need (minus only basics like salt, pepper and olive oil and basic pots and pans) hand delivered to your door. Busy that week or don't like the menu items? No problem, just opt out with no consequences. It's not a diet service so don't think of it like that, but the recipes are generally for healthy and wholesome meals (500-700 calories each).

Convenience, fresh ingredients, new recipes? I was sold and decided to give it a try (well, my coworker giving me a free week was also an added incentive!). I've been traveling a lot lately so finding a week I was going to dedicate to cooking in at least three times was not as easy as I thought it would be. My shipment looked a little like this, after I'd arranged it all pretty of course:

On first glance, I was really pleased with the quality of the food. The produce seemed as it was just plucked from the farm, the meat was all high-quality Pat LaFreida, and all of the condiment type ingredients were measured exactly to how much I needed so there would be minimal prep required on my part.

For my first meal, I went with the beef and millet stuffed bell peppers. Laying out all the ingredients was kind of fun and made me feel like I was the host of a cooking show.

The recipe cards were easy to follow and included pictures of each step along the way so you would know if you were doing something wrong before you got to the final product. For someone who never cooks, this would probably be the most advanced recipe of the week because there were several steps, but I'm confident that anyone who could slice and dice some veggies and follow instructions could complete this just fine. The finished product was scrumptious and made so much food! Each meal is supposed to be for 2 people but I easily made 3.5 meals out of it after adding another bell pepper I picked up from the grocery store.

The next meal was Italian inspired but with a twist: Spaghettini with shrimp, lemon and mint. I have never thought to use mint in a savory dish, but I loved it especially with the addition of spicy red pepper flakes. This dish also turned into 2 rather large portions and I loved that they give you enough ingredients in order to garnish your plates as well.

The last menu item was Mexican-style chopped salad with chicken and corn--a fairly basic salad, but something I've never really made like this before. The queso fresco was a nice touch as were the 2 different types of lettuce and the lime mayo dressing. Also, who knew you could slice corn fresh off the cob without cooking it? I certainly didn't.

All in all, Blue Apron was a hit in my kitchen and I will most likely try it again. This service would be perfect for someone who likes to cook but doesn't know how or doesn't have the time to shop for ingredients. It would also probably be better for a couple, because I had A LOT of food to eat that week and felt bad going out at all because I didn't want anything in my fridge to go bad. At $9.99 per person, per meal, it's cheaper than going out but potentially a bit more money than just going grocery shopping yourself. But really, who's going to measure your ketchup for you or make sure that you're cooking something new every week otherwise?

Blue Apron is available all over the country, but they are based in Brooklyn so support a local NYC company and place your order today :)

I was not paid by Blue Apron for this post. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Disaster!

What do you get when you mix disco and New York City?...Disaster! Well, not literally, but you do get the new Off-Broadway comedy that includes all of your favorite 70's tunes including “Hot Stuff,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “I Am Woman,” “Alone Again, Naturally," “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “Knock on Wood,” and “Daybreak.”

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away three pairs of tickets to Disaster! You have until Thursday 10/17 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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CONTEST RESTRICTIONS: Winner will receive a ticket voucher redeemable for two tickets to a performance of his/her choice through November 8th, 2013. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

If you don’t win tickets, you can still see the show at a great deal! Get tickets for $39.50 through November 1 and $49.50 after November 5th (regularly $79.50). Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code DIRRGEN or call 212-947-8844 and mention code DIRRGEN.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to A Time To Kill

There's something about courtroom dramas that enthrall audiences so much that I've known friends to sit in one place on their couch without moving while watching up to 8 hours of Law and Order, if not more. Judge Judy is a household name, and let's not forget the real life courtroom cases that infiltrate our dinnertime discussions and often (unfortunately) entertain us (I'm looking at you Lindsay Lohan).

So it makes sense that Broadway is hopping on board. A Time to Kill is a new stage adaption of John Grisham's bestselling novel by Tony Award winning playwright Rupert Holmes. The production, directed by Ethan McSweeny, features Sebastian Arcelus, Chike Johnson, Patrick Page, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Douglas Thompson, and Ashley Williams and begins performances September 28 at The John Golden Theatre.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to A Time To Kill! Winners will be chosen on or around Wednesday 9/18. You have until Wednesday 9/18 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Tennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play

Another Off-Broadway show is lighting up it's marquee this fall. Tony Award winner Amanda Plummer (Agnes of God, Pulp Fiction) and Academy Award nominee Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) will unite their white-hot talents for this highly anticipated production of Tennessee Williams’ The Two-Character Play.

Reality and fantasy are interwoven with terrifying power as two actors on tour – brother and sister – find themselves deserted by their troupe. Faced by an audience expecting a performance, they enact The Two-Character Play. As they dip in and out of performance they find it difficult to differentiate themselves from their roles and reality from illusion. Haunting, provocative, and often funny, The Two-Character Play is one of Tennessee Williams’ most personal – and mystifying – works.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to The Two Character Play! I'm trying a new method for contest entries. Let me know how you like it!

Winners will be chosen on or around Friday 9/6. You have until Thursday 9/5 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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Awash in Satisfaction

If you've never had Ethiopian food, you're missing out on an awesome experience. The dining room of an Ethiopian restaurant is usually filled with round mesob tables made of colorful straw and the menu is an enticing mix of proteins served on top of and eaten with injera bread (I like to think of it as a cross between a tortilla because it's flat and a crumpet because of all the bubbles, thoughts?).

I was recently invited to Awash in Brooklyn Heights and had a wonderful meal. The owner, Boge, an Ethiopian native, greeted us warmly and offered us a glass of the traditional Sheba Tej wine made of honey. While the blackberry version tasted a little like Manischewitz (anyone?), I quite liked the white varietal. It's a bit reminiscent of sherry or another alcohol-infused wine.

Entrance of Awash on Court Street

Mesob tables

Interior of Awash

Sheba Tej

We started with an avocado salad ($10) which was oddly like a deconstructed guacamole, but hey, I'm not complaining. You could feed me avocado till the cows come home and I'm happy.

Avocado Salad

The best way to attack the rest of the menu is to share because the food comes served on a giant platter. We opted for the Awash Chicken ($16) marinated with garlic, ginger, and other spices, cooked with tomatoes, celery, onions and jalapenos and the Vegetable Combo for 2 ($30.95) which included the following: Key Sir Alicha (red beets, carrots and potatoes); string beans and carrots cooked in a seasoned garlic sauce; Gomen (collard greens cooked with onions, garlic, and jalapenos); Yemissir Kik Wat (split red lentils cooked in Berbere sauce); and Yater Kik Alicha (yellow split peas cooked and seasoned with onions and herbs).

All our food!

Starting in September, Awash will offer an Ethiopian Tapas Tasting for $18 per person which includes Sheba Tej paired. Also, if you visit on a Monday in September with at least one other person, you will get a free appetizer.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Unbroken Circle

Unbroken Circle is a new Off-Broadway production which explores how family secrets affect every person in each generation differently. The cast includes Broadway vets Anika Larsen (Xanadu, Avenue Q) and Lori Hammel (Mamma Mia!) and also stars Eve Plumb (“The Brady Bunch”, Love Loss…) in a highly comedic yet ultimately moving performance as the born-again Christian, Aunt June. Inspired by events from his extended Texas family, playwright James Wesley stars as the troubled Bobby alongside his real-life daughter Juli Wesley. The show is being produced by SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and Mary J. Davis.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Unbroken Circle! I'm trying a new method for contest entries. Let me know how you like it!

Winners will be chosen on Tuesday 8/20. You have until Tuesday 8/20 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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