January was a trial month: Welcome to Beaches & Brie!

February 1, 2016January 31, 2016Leave a comment

After many months of tossing and turning, I am thrilled to announce that Peace, Love & Diet Coke is now Beaches & Brie. Peace, Love & Diet Coke will always have a special place in my heart but I’ve felt for a while now that I needed to change the name to help shape my journey and portray more of who I am.

When I started Peace, Love & Diet Coke back in 2013, I was in dire need of a creative outlet. Adjusting to the workforce was not easy and this blog gave me the opportunity to share what was on my mind, no guidelines or parameters needed. I’ve learned a lot about what I love along the way, all while nurturing a hunger for life and adventures (and food, duh).

Food and travel are two of my biggest passions, as made obvious by my Instagram feed and ongoing rants about how I want to travel the world. Beaches & Brie is both an invitation and a declaration. I want to continue to explore places and plates all over the world, or as close as my backyard. Check out the new look!

I’m still me, nothing’s changing. I’m just excited to roll this new phase out and continue to share places and plates with you, with some other interesting nuggets along the way. Stay tuned for more to come.

January was just a trial month, 2016 begins now!

National Chocolate Cake Day

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016Leave a comment

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Oh yey! Another fake holiday that has us all droolin’ over food. Hey, I’m not complaining.

I can live without chocolate, but why would I want to? My favorite way to indulge in chocolate cake? Top it with some vanilla ice cream.

This chocolate cake is actually a chocolate mousse cake from Montebello Restaurant in Midtown. I had a great dinner there last night, more on that soon!

So what are you waiting for? Grab some chocolate cake and be happy. It’s that simple.

Happy #NationalChocolateCakeDay 🙂

If You Like Piña Coladas

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016Leave a comment

How did it get to be 2016 already? I’ve been MIA, I know, all for good reasons though. I’m excited to be sharing some things about my blog and my life, just bare with me!

In the meantime, please enjoy this photo of a piña colada that I enjoyed during my time in Puerto Rico earlier this month. Ahh, to be sipping frozen drinks by the beach. Those were the days. Also, you can always catch me on Instagram, of course.

¡Feliz Navidad!

December 25, 2015Leave a comment

Whether you are on top of a snowy mountain or basking in the Caribbean sun, I hope you are all happy and surrounded by loved ones. That’s what it’s all about, right?

Focus on what you have today and cherish it. Take a moment to let those far away know you are thinking of them. Enjoy every second, even if you are in your pj’s watching tacky Christmas movies. There’s no place for hate today, let’s keep that living on.

Happy Holidays!!

Gifts For That Foodie In Your Life

December 16, 2015December 15, 2015Leave a comment

It’s that wonderful time of year! Yes, it’s almost Christmas, even though New York City weather wants to tell us otherwise. Today, instead of sharing mouthwatering pictures, I took the time to compile a list of a few awesome gifts to get that special foodie in your life (even if that special foodie is you!).

This past month I discovered Shoptiques, thanks to the fabulous FabFitFun Winter box. Yes, I may have been living under a rock if I just heard of this website, but if you know me, you know that I’ll take a fancy cheese plate over a pair of expensive shoes anytime. That’s just how I am wired. However, that does not mean I can’t appreciate the wonder that is Shoptiques. It basically lets you shop online from boutiques all over the world, all in one seamless experience.

I got to play around with it and it was really useful to be able to shop by category, but also being able to switch and focus on one boutique at a time. My first purchase arrived in basically 24 hours and the boutique owner even wrote me a handwritten note! Simple, yet meaningful.

Need it by Christmas? They guarantee delivery on time if you order by December 20th. Also, I can now basically give you $15 dollars to spend! Just click on this link, and once you purchase and take advantage of the $15, you will get your own link to share out with friends. The gift that keeps on giving, right?

Start browsing below, hope you find something that you like!

Porcelain Yes Mug ($16)

Got This Tumbler ($16)

Antipasto Tray ($20)

Carry-on Cocktail Kit, Gin & Tonic ($24)

Foodie Dice ($24)

Gift Boxed Cheese-Knives ($47)

Chez Elle Coasters ($47)

Dot Martini Shaker ($50)

Cheese Board Set ($60)

[Brunch] Al Vez

November 29, 2015November 29, 20151 Comment

“Let’s have brunch in the financial district!” is not quite what would come out of my mouth any given Sunday. What’s great about New York is that if you look close enough, there will be an amazing spot anywhere you need to be. That’s how I ended at Al Vez on a Saturday morning.

One of my good friends was visiting and he wanted to go up the One World Trade Center. I used my trusty Urban Daddy app to find a brunch place worth taking a tourist, a balance of quality and excitement. Al Vez for the win!I had been to Al Vez in Philadelphia and had a really nice dinner. Sure, their dinner was nice, but oh boy, their brunch I dare say is even better.

The breakfast quesadilla was toasted to perfection, filled with scrambled eggs, black beans, pico de gallo, cheddar & jack cheese.
We ordered a side of plantains con queso or like we Puerto Ricans like to call it, amarillitos. They hit the spot.
My friend ordered the huevos rancheros. The combination of the two eggs sunny side up, chorizo, black beans, guacamole and salsa ranchera over a crispy tortilla was the perfect mix. Topping any bite with the plantains was just glorious.

On top of the great food, it had a really nice vibe for a Saturday morning. Looking forward to trying this spot for dinner some day.

What brunch spots do you recommend around the financial district?

5 Places I am Thankful for

November 26, 2015November 25, 2015Leave a comment

I love this time of year. There are so many reasons to celebrate, be with family and EAT. In spite of everything people have to say about Thanksgiving and how we are superficial for celebrating one day and then shopping our lives away the rest of the season, I still love this day.

This year, I decided to count my blessings in the form of places, thankful for everything these places represent and what they have offered me.

5. Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The oldest settlement in Puerto Rico, this old town is full of wonders. You can’t get bored in Old San Juan. You can find all types of food, from food trucks to fancy latin fusion cuisine. You can also find all sorts of drinks, from Puerto Rican “moonshine” or “chichaito” to a classic passion fruit sangría. I am thankful for all the fun times Old San Juan has given me, from late night with friends to fun days with family, it all happens here.

4. Strasbourg, France

Yes, I love Paris and all of its enchantment. Still, I am completely biased to Strasbourg. This city in the region of Alsace, just minutes away from Germany, is very underrated. The unique fusion you find here is quite incomparable. L’Alsace for dummies? Like if France and Germany had a baby, but of course, there is so much more to it. I am thankful for Strasbourg’s culture and history, this city opened my eyes to so many things and I will always be thankful for that. Thanks to Strasbourg and my wonderful host family, I also discovered my true love for food.

3. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is always on my list. It is a special city I am always waiting to return to. Have only been there for a few days, but I fell in love with it. I’m thankful for this city’s vibrant colors, inspiring architecture and delicious food.

2. New York, New York

Ah, where to begin with this little gem? I have a love/hate relationship with this city. It is easy to forget it’s electric magic when you are deep in the trenches questioning your life choices, but this place makes you better and stronger by just being there. I am thankful for everything this city inspires me to be and for all the food from the world I have at my reach. New York, you make me stronger and wiser with each passing day.

1. Puerto Rico

You think I would limit Puerto Rico to just Old San Juan? Wrong. Puerto Rico is my favorite place in the world. I doubt any of the places in my bucket list could ever change that. I am thankful for Puerto Rico’s people, we are not perfect, but we are pretty awesome. I am thankful for the incredible ecological diversity you can find in this little island. I’m thankful for all the amazing food you can taste here, from my mother’s cooking to the many restaurants that offer hundreds of plantain plate varieties. I am thankful for Puerto Rico because it is an intrical part of who I am.

What places are you thankful for? Would love to hear your stories!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Brunch] Bareburger Hoboken

November 22, 2015November 22, 20152 Comments

It’s no surprise that I love food. Like, I really, really love food. A fun part of the process when I share things here is that I like to take the time to learn more about where I went or what I ate. Sometimes it’s just a simple Google search, but even that gets to be really fun.

I love Bareburger, not just because I love burgers in general, but they really do serve some really good quality stuff there. Last weekend, I did the unimaginable, I went to Bareburger and I did NOT eat a burger. I know, crazy. Instead, I opted for their brunch and boy, was it delicious.

My boyfriend went for the Hungry Bear, a plate with 3 eggs, french toast, Canadian bacon and sweet potato wedges. The sweet potato wedges were something in between regular sweet potato fries and home fries, perfect for brunch. I obviously had a few myself.

Although tempted by the sound of such a plate, I ordered an avocado toast with a sunny side up egg and a side of their quinoa hash. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this quinoa hash, was it going to be a mashed potato situation or more like regular quinoa? What did I get? Two delicious hash brown-like patties with quinoa and some other amazing things that made it the best companion to an otherwise quite simple (yet fresh) avocado toast.

Bottom line, there’s more to Bareburger than burgers. Those guys can nail a breakfast meal too. However, if it’s your first time going, definitely get a burger. It only makes sense.

Wordless Wednesday: Puppy Love

November 18, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

This past weekend I got to puppy-sit my friend’s puppy, the lovely Frida. I have not had a puppy since I was 2 years old, so technically, I have never had a puppy. The weekend was full of learning and adorable moments, but oh boy, it’s not easy. The picture below was taken during our morning walk on Sunday. I swear I was a zombie, I barely remember doing this. Maybe the key to becoming a morning person is to get a dog. Nothing says alarm clock like a puppy licking your face and then putting her butt on my head. She’s lucky she’s cute.

Fall Foliage, Sleepy Bee & Cow Poop: My Trip to Ohio

November 6, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I was in Ohio last month for work. Being the lucky girl in charge of driving the rental car, it felt kinda cool to drive from the airport in Kentucky all the way up past Cincinnati. The fall foliage was just beautiful! Maybe it was best that I was driving, otherwise I would have filled up my phone with pictures.

Still, I got a chance to walk around and briefly hang out with nature at Sharon Woods Park. See some iPhone shots below.

Also, if you are ever in Cincinnati, I recommend you drive to Oakley. From what I’ve heard, it’s up and coming and from what I saw, it’s very lovely. I had lunch at Sleepy Bee, delicious food and great service.

I had the Beekeper, which takes your BLT up a hundred notches and right up to the perfect level. Ideal first choice would have been the Buzzy Grilled Cheese but I felt that was too much cheese before a work event. You know how it is.

I have officially added a trip to Kentucky and surrounding areas to my travel list. I’m interested in checking out the bourbon trail and see a very unique and interesting part of the US.

P.S. You can buy Ohio Cow Poop at the airport. Not interested? Maybe you would like to purchase Cincinnati Pig Poop instead. Yes, it’s a real thing. Yes, I almost bought a bag for my boyfriend.

P.P.S. Reading around about Cincinnati, I found that some people call it the Paris of America which is funny since I just heard Chandler say today that Tulsa is the Paris of Oklahoma. With that, I leave you.

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