The Last Bite

I'm going to take a brief break from my typical fashion and public relations posts and talk about something very near and dear to my heart, FOOD! A couple of weekends ago, I traveled with the Media Living-Learning Community to New York City for a networking trip. While we were there, we had many journalism events planned, including tours of the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated and MSNBC. But the free time we did have basically all revolved around food for my roommate and me. No surprise there, huh?

I love, love, LOVE New York City. I've visited a few times before and fell in love with the energetic atmosphere, the gorgeous sites and of course, the food! The last couple times I went, I even took a few food tours and those were seriously the best thing ever. It's so much fun to sample the different restaurants while also seeing different neighborhoods. I would highly recommend the one in Greenwich Village!

This trip, I had a few old favorites and new places I wanted to hit up. While dragging my roommate around to all these different restaurants, she pointed out that at the end of a meal I always pause and leave just one last bite on my plate for a while until I finally finish it. I never knew I did this but the more she pointed this out, the more I found myself doing it again and again. I think I do this because I usually don't want the meal to end and really want to savor the last bite of food before it's gone. So here's a round-up of all of my "last bites" in New York City. Bon appetite!

Nizza // This Italian restaurant is an old favorite for my roommate and me. I first went there three years ago and recommended my roommate try it when she visited. Suffice it to say, she fell in love with it as well! My favorite dish is the pappardelle al pesto aka wide noodles slathered in creamy pesto sauce aka HEAVEN! Basil is like catnip to me so pesto just makes me deliriously happy. Because this was our first meal after we got off a 15-hour bus ride, I devoured the whole plate. It was a lot richer than I remember it being last time. If (more likely, when) I go back, I would probably split this dish with someone else as the creamy sauce is a tad too heavy if you eat the whole thing on your own.

Serendipity 3 // Ok, so this is admittedly super touristy, but Serendipity has been on my list every time I go to NYC. The line is always hours long and my family often doesn't have the patience to wait. But because this was a must-do, my roommate and I invested the time in waiting for the delicious frozen hot chocolate. And let me tell you, the hour and a half wait was well worth it! I wasn't sure what frozen hot chocolate would be like, but it tastes just like it sounds. It's not smooth like a milk shake and tastes just like hot chocolate but with icy pieces in it sort of like a slushie. As if you need any more convincing, check out all that whipped cream!

Dominique Ansel Bakery // When I first heard about the cronut (a hybrid between a croissant and a donut) from a few of my favorite bloggers, I knew I had to try one! My roommate and I hit up the original cronut bakery owned by French pastry chef, Dominique Ansel. Unfortunately by the time we got there, all the cronuts were sold out for the day. Insider's tip: get there about an hour before the bakery opens to snag a cronut. They are often sold out within an hour of opening! Of course, I was able to bounce back with this delicious eclair. Yum!

Shake Shack // Burgers and fries and milk shakes, oh my! If I could live off only these three things I would be a happy woman (although I would also probably weigh 500 pounds). It was a must to stop by the Shake Shack in the theater district after seeing Avenue Q on Sunday night. The perfect end to a NYC night. I got a peanut butter milkshake and I just about died. So delicious! The burger was cooked to perfection and the crinkle-cut fries were just the right amount of salty to contrast the sweet milkshake. I'm getting hungry just typing this!

Pret a Manger // Ok, so this sandwich chain isn't really unique to New York but I just had to go! I first fell in love with Pret two summers ago when I lived in London. Practically everyone on my trip was obsessed with Pret and I would often get it multiple days in a row for lunch. Although in the States they don't have my favorite sandwich, the pesto mozzarella bloomer, they do have something very similar (surprise, surprise, it includes pesto!) that is actually toasted. The perfect warm fix on a chilly New York City afternoon.

Honorable mentions // We had an alumni dinner at Garlic New York Pizza Bar and the slices were so delicious! Huge, cheesy, gooey pizza goodness. The quintessential New York City slice. We also had lunch at Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish. If you go to New York, you have to get at least one bagel. Unlike any other bagel you've had. I got "The Tribeca" sandwich on an everything bagel. The sandwich was amazing and almost too big to bite into. Mmm, mmm, good!

I'm counting down the days until I can go back to New York. In the meantime, follow me on Instagram to keep up with everything I'm eating, wearing and seeing!

What are your favorite places to eat in New York?

Gimme a Break, Gimme a Break

This post is long overdue, as it is now the end of January. Seriously, when did that happen?! But earlier this month over winter break, I completed a brief, two-week internship (lovingly called a "winternship") with GT Universe. Even though I was only with the agency for a couple weeks, I learned a lot about multicultural marketing and really enjoyed getting to know my colleagues. See below for a full post on my experience, as originally seen on GT Universe's blog.

When I posted a link of the blog post on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, one of my friends jokingly commented that both she and I have an inability to take breaks. Which, regrettably is very true. But the sad part is when I accepted the internship, I didn't even consider that by doing so I would be giving up days spent lumping and watching Netflix. It was just a no-brainer that I would accept the internship and expand my skill set. Hello, my name is Christine and I'm a workaholic.

I think a lot of college students are guilty of burning the candle at both ends. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the importance of taking time off and, you know, breathing every once and a while. But when the opportunity presents itself to grow, network and learn new things, you take it! No questions asked.

And while I could take a lesson in slowing down, working hard made me appreciate the free time that I did have. It was special to go out to dinner with my parents or spend time with friends, which made it that much more enjoyable when I did have a free moment.

The lesson here? Take advantages of opportunities when they present themselves and appreciate the breaks that you do have. But don't burn yourself out too much. Smile. Breathe. Relax. Oh, and I had a pretty awesome "winternship."

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My brief, two-week “winternship” at GT Universe soared beyond my possible expectations! Aeronautical puns aside, I had an amazing experience and was really immersed in every aspect, from helping at client events at Jewel-Osco to writing content for the re-launch of the agency website. 

When Tracy first offered me this internship, I was thrilled. But I wondered what I would be able to accomplish in two short weeks. At previous internships, after two weeks I had just learned what I would be doing at the agency. I didn’t know that I would get to contribute so much! There was never a dull moment and I loved it.

At GT Universe, I was truly a member of the team from the start. In fact, on my first day I got to sit in on a client call and visit a Jewel-Osco store to do a walk-through for an upcoming event! By the time my internship was over I had drafted pitch emails to garner vender participation in Jewel-Osco’s demo program, researched non-profit partners for upcoming events, developed an editorial calendar for GT Universe’s social media accounts and so much more!

Not only did I gain great professional experience, I also learned a lot about multicultural marketing in Chicago. There are so many different market segments in the city from Hispanic to African American to kosher. It was really interesting to learn how to target those different groups through various events or product offerings – things I had never thought of previously.

And on top of all this, I had a lot of fun (yes, you read that correctly!) at GT Universe. Everyone was so friendly and really cared about each other. Whether it was team lunches or car rides on the way to store visits or sharing cupcakes in our cubicles, I could tell that GT is a family and I felt welcomed from the very start!

(Last) First Day of School

I can't believe it's officially my (last) first day of school. Ever. I know these kind of posts are super cliche, but I just couldn't resist. For most seniors, their (last) first day of school was yesterday but because my yoga course was canceled, it's today.

Ever since I was younger, I always loved having a great first day of school outfit. It set the tone for how I wanted the year to go and I could switch up my personal style however I wanted. I can still remember some of my "first day" outfits.

One of the best ways to make an outfit pop, no matter what the day, is to accessorize. I love how a new necklace or earrings can really change up a look. I rounded up some of my favorite accessories that can switch up an outfit any day. And if you need any more inspiration, check out my #30DaysofJewels recap posts (here and here).

Belt // Scarf // Earrings // Ring // Watch (I'm rocking this today!) // Necklace

What did you wear on the first day of school?

December Favorites

December was a good month but it also felt like a whirlwind. I wrapped up my second to last semester at IU. Celebrated Christmas with family and friends. Started a brief two-week internship over break (more on that later!). Welcomed in the New Year.

Here's a round-up of some of my favorites that got me through the month of December. Check out my November favorites here.

Casual // I'd been on the constant search for a plaid button-up that could be layered under sweaters as well as stand on its own. I found this one on Black Friday but couldn't wear it until after Christmas. Ever since, I've been wearing it almost every day. I love the colors and the warm flannel is perfect for the freezing weather that is hitting Chicago right now. // Flannel Tunic: Lands' End

Fun // I am a major sucker for peanut butter and chocolate which means I seriously cannot resist buckeyes. I don't think I could ever make them on my own because I would probably eat them all in one sitting. But they are the perfect Christmas treat. My family makes them every year for Christmas (thank you, Aunt Kathy!) and I absolutely looooove them! // Buckeyes

Beauty // I have teeny-tiny eyelashes and always have a hard time finding the perfect mascara. Usually I hit up Sephora, but I was looking for something at a lower price-point this month. I heard people rave about the Falsies mascara and thought I would give it a shot. They make my lashes look super full and dark, which I absolutely adore. // Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara: Maybelline

Professional // I could just live in dresses. They are so easy to throw on and can be accessorized differently to create a totally new look each time you wear them. And in the winter, all you need to do is layer with a pair of tights to stay warm. I especially love these Spanx tights because they are super slimming. This month, I've been wearing two pairs at once to keep extra warm on the way to work. // Tight End Tights: Spanx

Wildcard // Lately, I've been watching a lot of 80's movies on Netflix. I never really watched any of the movies on Netflix before, but I wanted to mix it up a bit over break. My absolute favorite movie that I watched was Say Anything with John Cusack. Seriously, it's so sweet how much he loves Diane and will do anything for her. Why can't all high school romances work out that way? Other 80's Netflix favorites include Top Gun and Pretty in Pink. // Say Anything

PR Advice // Everyone knows that public relations is all about who you know. This fact is sad but very true. That's why networking is so important - as well as incredibly daunting. This article is a must-read for anyone who wants some tips on how to create meaningful professional relationships. // Forget Networking and Start Creating Relationships

Book // I'd heard so many people rave about this book and knew that winter break would be the perfect time to tackle it. It's technically a young adult novel so the book is easy to read, but really makes you think. I won't tell you what it's about because it's a little bit depressing. But one of those books that you definitely feel better having read. // The Fault in Our Stars

What were some of your favorites from December?

Make It Happen

Happy New Year! Ok, I know I'm a few (cough, cough, six!) days late here but it's the thought that counts, right? I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season full of relaxing time spent with friends and family. And of course, way too many Christmas cookies. I know I did!

I'm not usually the girl who makes New Year's resolutions. They always seemed pointless. I would be successful with my resolution for the first month, but then my determination would falter when February rolled around. But now, I really want to make the commitment to change. 2014 is a big year for me. I'm graduating college, starting a new job (hopefully!) and exploring life on my own. I want to tackle all of these things as the best possible me.

For that, I am making a resolution in 2014 to "make it happen." One of my favorite bloggers said this was her resolution and I think it's really applicable. Now, this can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. But to me, it means that I am not going to let excuses get in my way this year. If I want to do something, I am going to get up and do it. No matter what. No excuses. Make it happen!

With this motto in mind, I have a few specific things I want to "make happen" in 2014:

Get a job // This is obviously a big one for me this year. While my first job will likely be an intern position (that's just the way public relations works), I'm still super committed to interning at a public relations agency I love. The internship hunt is so stressful and sometimes it can be easy to just go through the motions rather than going that extra mile to show employers you are an outstanding candidate. With school, other commitments and a never-ending stack of applications, there are always a million other things that call for your attention rather than re-reading your resume one last time to check for typos. But this year I am fully devoted to finding the best possible internship for me. Fingers crossed!

Enjoy senior year // I have given myself 110 percent every semester of college so far. It's always been a balancing act between classes and PRSSA and other organizations that sometimes my social life has been pushed to the side a bit. Don't get me wrong, I've totally been able to enjoy college life and have had a blast every moment of it. But often Netflix lures me in after a long week of school and I just can't be bothered to go out when the weekend rolls around. This semester is different. I plan to take advantage of my light course load and tick off more and more of the activities (in reality, most of these are bars and restaurants my friends and I haven't tried) on my IU Bucket List before May.

Run a mini marathon // When I was younger, I absolutely hated running but as I've gotten older it's become more tolerable. But I always struggle with staying committed to a running routine. It will last for about a month and then I get bored again and quit. But like most college students, I work best when on a deadline. With an end goal in mind (I'm thinking of running the IU Mini in April), I know I will be able to stay accountable. Not only will training help me with the race but it will also ensure I stay healthy this year!

Be more open // This can also mean a bunch of different things. In 2014 I hope to be more open to new relationships, new adventures, new ideas and new possibilities. Sometimes I get so busy and just act with blinders on but this really limits me from enjoying new experiences. As I transition from student to professional this year I want to make sure I am absorbing as many new things as I physically can.

What are your goals for 2014? 

Remember: it's going to be a big year. Make. It. Happen!