A few of my favorit summer things....

Oh, Summer days... There’s nothing like those hot days and just as hot summer nights. With the end of July fast approaching and thus the end of Summer, I started thinking about a few of my favorite Summer activities.

1. Cold Champagne. There is nothing like a nice cool glass of champagne whether it’s in a glass of OJ or just simple and by itself. It’s perfect for a nice hot afternoon with some fresh fruit, quiet jazz and a good book.

2. Summer movies in the Park. Every Monday night in my city they show a classic film in the park. This year it’s all Hitchcock. Get there a little early and pack a small picnic with some wine and great cheese. Include some card games and hang out with friends and family or make it a romantic night for two. When it gets dark the classics start and carry you away to another time…

3. Lounging in my Hammock. I live in the city in a brownstone up on the second floor. I do have a small deck were I have a mosaic table and the Summer hammock. During the day I make sun tea and when I come home from work just kick back and listen to the sounds of the city with a glass of iced sun tea.

4. Swimming in anything... I prefer the ocean, but seeing as I don't live on the coast (it would be a bit of a drive to get out there), I have to settle for cool lakes, hot springs and sometimes a nice cold pool.

5. Summer cocktails. I love a good Mojito, Tom Collins or Gin and Tonic. Or my favorite; Watermelon with Vodka and mint. Mmmm....

6. Cook outs and BBQ's I love getting together with friends and family and throwing some fish and veggies on the grill and having a good time.

So those are some of my favorite Summer things... what are yours? What is summer all about for you? What is the one thing you look forward to each Summer?


Please, do share.

Happy summer days!

Cheers,

Sassi

The best of the best... New York City Pizza

Recently I was in New York City visiting a couple of friends. One of my friends (lets call him NY, because I really do call him that) and I decided that we wanted to find the best pizza in New York City. Now I am a foodie, and while pizza joints may not seem like they would be on the top of a list of places to go in New York for great food, it was on mine. There is an art to making a good pizza and few can make a pie that is like an orgasm in your mouth. So NY and I decided because we both like pizza so much we should go out and find the best.

At this point I was only in NYC for about 3 more days so we decided to try and fit in as many as we could. So we came up with a strategy and did a little research and made a list of places that were said to have the best and went from there. We hit up 5 pizza places and out of the five I will give you the top two (because the others rated about the same but these two really stood out).

#1
Name: Di Fara Pizza
Location: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn NY 11230


Di Fara is the best pizza I have tasted. Its owner and chef is Dom. He is a old old Italian immigrant who runs the place with his two sons but he is the only one to make the pizza. Its said that if he is sick then they close the shop. It was a two hour wait to get this pizza and it was well worth it. NY and I ate a whole one, just the two of us. The sauce is great, only fresh ingredients and the best real crust you have ever tasted. Its located in a small Brooklyn neighborhood and everyone in the shop is on a first name basses with Dom. It is a great atmosphere. Its a small old shop with lots of old pictures and paper clippings on the wall about Dom and Di Fara. The best part is Dom makes the pizza's right in front of you. Rolls out the dough, pours the sauces, shreds the cheese and then tops it off with cutting fresh basil right on the pizza. Its like watching an artist create his masterpiece. I would recommend the Margarita pizza. molto bene!

#2
Name:Una Pizza Napoletana
Location: 349 EAST 12TH STREET, 10003
NEW YORK, NEW YORK


Una Pizza Napoletana is some of the best pizza I have ever had. One of my favorites would have to be the Bianca it has Mozzarella di bufala, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, fresh basil, sea salt. It is the most basic but the most delicious pizza I have tasted. I also did have there Margarita pizza as well which came in a close second to Di Fara. The atmosphere is great. It is a small space with maybe three rows of tables. The staff is great and it is a very intimate atmosphere. The pizza are the size you would find in Italy, so as big as a dinner plat. And the pizza just melts in your mouth. The interesting thing about this place is they are only open for as long as they have fresh dough. They open at 5 pm and most nights they are closed by 7 pm. NY and I got there at about 6ish and just 15 min later they let the last guests in for the evening! It is well worth the rush over when you get off of work.

So that's it! Those are the two pizza places I would recommend anyone to try the next time they are in NYC or if you live there its a great idea for dinner tonight No?

So let me know what you think. What are some of your favorite pizza places? Do you have a place you have to go when you come to NY? Whats your favorite food or restaurant?
Cant wait to hear about more places to try!

Cheers,

Sassi

My sisters wedding

Whitefish Montana is on of the most beautiful places in the country. Always green and beautiful with some great lakes and nice people. When my sister, and her now husband, decided to have there wedding out there I was excited, there was not a more perfect place for them to get married. The wedding was out by Tally Lake and even though it rained and we had to move the wedding undercover it was still a beautiful wedding in a beautiful place. Fun and relaxed and when it stopped raining my sister and niece and I even went skinny dipping (after a bottle of wine and in a remote part of the lake)!

As promised I did get to do her hair and I must say it did turn out wonderful. I also got to make the Jewelry she wore for the big day. Below are some pictures of the wedding.

Let me know what you think. What would your dream wedding be like? How do you see your big day? Have you ever been to whitefish? What are some of your favorite parts of the country you live in?

Have a wonderful day and Congratulation you two!

Cheers.

Sassi