Thought I would share some more pics while I was in New York a couple weeks ago.  We walked around our old haunts in Soho, dined at our favorite brunch/dinner/cupcake spots, popped by our much loved jazz lounge, and took in a comedy show at The Cellar.  I had such an amazing time while there!  

In front of our old apt building in SoHo! I loved it there!

Getting my fav mini cupcakes in SoHo at Baked by Melissa

Mini cupcake flavors: S'mores, Red Velvet, and Peanut Butter Cup!

SoHo brunch...best crepes!

Menu at our first date spot...we almost were sat at the same table too.

Table-side guac--at must at Rosa Mexicano

 

 

Today is my mother’s BIRTHDAY!  Yea!  Though I’m not there in NY with her today, I was able to get in as much time as I could with her last week in New York.  We went to so many dinners and lunches, walked through Central Park for a bit, and went to a Comedy Show in the Village!  I miss her dearly and wish that she was able to come out here to Cali to be closer to me…however, I’m not stopping her from finishing her dissertation at Columbia (She’s a smart one!).  When it gets closer to the winter, I’ll share with you all her FAMOUS FUDGE RECIPE!  This is a select recipe that gives you the most creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, hands down,  give me another piece fudge that you will love—none of that hard as a brick stuff you get from some boutique candy shoppes!  So–Happy Birthday to my gorgeous mom who each morning I wake up to find I’m more like in so many ways!

Dinner in Times Square!

Walking around Central Park after Sunday Brunch...if it wasn't so hot it would have been perfect to take a carriage ride!

Birthday dinner at Blue Smoke! The owner's southern so you know it's good bbq!

Hey everyone!  I’m back from my week in Manhattan and trying to rest and readjust to this West Coast time.  Isn’t always great to see your fav places, taste your fav menu items, and catch up with your girlfriends—I hadn’t been back to NY for 10 months since moving to the West Coast.  Luckily, I also had a little free time to pop in for a surprise visit to InStyle!  I was described as a “cupcake” to their day and it meant so much that everyone from my old team was excited to see me…I care for all of them so dearly!  Obviously, in true NY fashion, we had to go out for drinks at one of our fav summer watering holes—Rink Bar at Rockefeller Center, but not before I got a sneak peak at the new September 2010 issue!  Wow—the cover girl looks amazingly beautiful and it’s thick with advertisements and that makes me so proud…in the words of my old boss there, “Make that money!”

This weekend, I spent a relaxing amount of time in South Lake Tahoe!  It was perfect summer weather and I was able to somehow work in some wedding talk…are we surprised?  Each year, Lewis’ family migrates to the same cabin his grandparents (and their five children) have spent their summers these past thirty years to partake in some R&R and family time.  For the last two summers, I have attended and last year, Lewis took advantage of the gorgeous scenery and proposed at Emerald Bay.     

Photo-op right after he popped the question last year!

This summer, I brought along a couple jars of my homemade blackberry jam and two new swimsuits (Gottex and Badgley Mischka). I asked Lewis’ sister to be one of my bridesmaids and his sweet little niece to be our flower girl–she’s so girly, I know she’ll love wearing a ”princess dress!”  Here are a couple of pictures I was able to snap while I was there this weekend!

View of the lake from the cabin...beautiful sunsets!

Our fav place for appetizers and drinks after lounging at the beach.

Me and one of my bridesmaids--Lewis' gorgeous sister!

Almost one year exactly since he proposed, Lewis & I went back to our spot in Emerald Bay! I got a sweet kiss to commemorate!

I’m currently en route to the SOUTH…heading back home to Tennessee so that my wedding plans can officially commence!  I’ve been planning this special trip for months: scheduling potential wedding vendor meetings, planning out a menu for the reception caterers (so that I could have a tasting this summer while everything’s in season), and emailing back and forth with florists, photographers, cake bakers, etc…whew…

 Luckily, I’ll have my beautiful Mama (just further claiming back my southern vernacular), Aunt, and best girlfriends since childhood with me there to sift through the decision making.  I’ll be MIA here on Honeysuckle Chic until next Wednesday, but no worries as I’ll be sure to take plenty of pics while away to share with you all.

 XOXO Ashley

Since the wedding will be held in Nashville, I’ll be scouting out ceremony and reception venues, enjoying two cake tastings (yum), and speaking with photographers and the most awarded/acclaimed florist in the south.

In Chattanooga, where I’m from, I’ll be partaking in my reception menu tasting, browsing through bridesmaid gowns, and trying on bridal gowns—hopefully narrowing it down to “the one!”