'How About We' Date Night

Hey everyone! If you read my last post about the date night my husband and I took with HowAboutWe,  you'll know what a great site it is. How About We takes a bunch of the work out of trying to come up with fun dates by finding unique and interesting things to do. And with the holidays coming up and many of you with family all around, you'll need to make some extra effort to make time for you & your significant other!  HowAboutWe for Couples makes it super easy to take a break from all the holiday craziness and recharge!

I mean, check out these great date ideas...

• Sunday Brunch Harbor Cruise
• Pasta Making at an Italian Restaurant (with wine & dessert!)
• Plays like "A Night with Janis Joplin" or "Peter and the Starcatcher"

You can pick and choose your dates from a huge list of curated local date experiences; just pick and go - it's that easy! HowAboutWe for Couples takes care of all the details. I can tell you that my husband and I love browsing through the date options and picking out ideas that fit both our schedule and tastes.

And if the idea of a break from the holiday madness weren't enough, now you can take $50 off your first date booking! Just click here to check out some of the great date ideas and spend the time loving instead of loafing!

On our DATE NIGHT:

For this date, my husband & I chose the 'Thanksgiving Dinner Cooking Class' in NYC.  Even though my husband already knows a lot about cooking, we thought it would be a great opportunity to get to cook together.  The class was taught by Chef Jennifer Clair of Home Cooking New York and one of the best things about it was that it focused on a typical New Yorker's problem of cooking a Thanksgiving Dinner in a tiny NYC kitchen - somehow we managed to roast a small bird, bake the stuffing, braise potatoes, & make cranberry sauce & gravy on a 24" stove!

The class was set up with stations for each guest and everyone participated - cutting, mashing, chopping - as Chef Clair walked everyone through the timing and process of making a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Throughout the class, Chef Clair gave us tons of tips and info on making dinner just perfect.

And after the cooking was done, we all sat down together for the very holiday dinner we'd just cooked! It may seem strange to to sit down and chat with other couples on a date but in fact it was a lot of fun!

Complete, timed instructions and recipes for a superb holiday meal.

Mat over in the corner as the chef explains the right way to cook a turkey.

Peeling the sweet potatoes at Home Cooking New York

Mohawk chef - so fun cooking with him - although he prefers cooking alone!

Sautee-ing mushrooms for stuffing

this is a sponsored post

 Our finished Thanksgiving meal - turkey, stuffing, sweet potato and fresh cranberry sauce...yum!

I’m so glad that we got a little quiet time before the holidays -- and learned something, too! To get $50 off your first date this holiday season, just click here. (promotion lasts until 1/31/14)

Know a couple that needs a break? Consider gifting them a HowAboutWe for Couples subscription - available in 3, 6 and 12 month packages!

This year, we'll spend Thanksgiving with my family and I'm sure Turkey will be on the menu! Have a great Holiday! 



-images by jen ramos

See You at West Elm

Are you ready for tomorrow's West Elm event here in NYC?  I'll be hosting it! 

It's going to be a simple, yet fun DIY - plus there will be lots of sweet treats & hot chocolate on hand for you to enjoy! Great way to start off the Holiday season no??

The event will start at 6:30 at the West Elm Broadway store but will also be hosted at other stores like Scarsdale, Dumbo, Chelsea, Fenway & more.  Keep in mind - I will NOT be hosting those other events.  However, at the event tomorrow we're going to be giving away (2) framed Cocoa & Hearts paintings to (2) lucky winners!! So, don't miss out!

Speaking of 2....here is how I styled a hot chocolate & dessert table for 2.  I used all West Elm dinnerware on top of my beautiful marble oval coffee table.  One of my favorite pieces for the table styling, was the gold napkin ring set that West Elm has right now, you can see them below! Many of you were asking about the mugs I painted - they were inspired by my popular color series artwork via my Cocoa & Hearts gallery.
 

 I'm so grateful to be collaborating with West Elm - thank you so much W/E!

Maybe we'll see you at the event tomorrow??

-images & styling by jen ramos

Speaking at Love Your Life Event

This past Monday I had the opportunity to speak in front of several women here in NYC at the Love Your Life event.  My beautiful friend Lynette Lewis shared the stage with me as I spoke about how I started MADE BY GIRL, the many failed business attempts, including a CHOCOLATE truffle business. We also discussed the story behind why I started painting & how I launched Cocoa & Hearts, the desire to have children, the times I felt hopeless in my life, my faith & encouraging others to follow their dreams. This is one of the few times I've opened up about PERSONAL things in my life in front of an audience - it was a beautiful experience that I will never forget.

Lots of WOMEN came by to ask me questions after the event & one woman even prayed for me, which was really beautiful.  I thank all my friends & family who came out to see me on Monday & for all the women who read my blog & showed up, thank you for your support!  I continue to pray that God will open up more doors for me where I will be an inspiration to other women whether its through my business or through my Faith.

 The top I was sporting is  from MANGO & a blazer from Zara.

I also advised women on (5) simple tips to starting their own business.  In this video below, you'll hear me talk about one of my first businesses where I made chocolate truffles & how that DID NOT WORK for me!  Although I LOVE chocolate. Ha!

You can watch the video & hear me discuss that part - it's about 3 min long- enjoy! 

This is the first video I've posted of me on my blog (I think!) -it's very odd...but, here you go! 

Love Your Life Event

So glad it's Friday..... & you??!! Lots going on over here but I'm so excited to share that I'll be joining the wonderful Lynette Lewis in an upcoming event called "LOVE YOUR LIFE" here in New York City!  This event is designed to inspire, enlighten and empower – It's promising to be a night of inspiration for all women & I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of it.

For those not familiar with Lynette Lewis, you can read up on some more info here – She has a church in NYC and speaks all over the country with an empowering message to inspire women to find their purpose in life. I've had the pleasure of meeting her & being inspired myself, now it's my turn to speak alongside her at this event!
 
If you're in NYC, I hope you can join us to hear my story and be a part of this beautiful (and free) experience. You can read more details and RSVP here. 

- post by jen ramos  

YOUR WEEKEND

Coffee TABLE ANYONE?

HAS BEEN SOLD

Hello everyone! How's your week so far. I can't tell you how odd it is to be in October & still be surrounded by humidity. NYC weather is strange no? This weather is keeping me indoors doing work & also rearranging the house - which means getting rid of a few things & bringing in new stuff!

This time I've decided to put my clear coffee table on SALE.  Just wanted to change a few things out  as I always do... The table has been featured on several blogs including my own - as you can see below!

It's in good condition - with a only a few minor scratches on the corners. I'm selling it for $150 or best offer, but this lucite coffee table originally retails for $279 at CB2, which you can see here.  No shipping, so you'd have to be NY local & come pick it up.  If interested, please email me.

-images above by janis nicolay

-last 2 images by jen ramos

'How About We' Date Night

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be sharing a recent, special experience with you. I recently stumbled across what appears to be the 'evolution of dating' – and I'm here to give you a little taste.

How many of you LOVE the idea of a great date-night but infrequently have them due to the daunting task of planning!??  There are times my husband & I are at a loss on what to do next when it comes to date night. Well, HowAboutWe, the ultimate dating source, found a way to fix that problem! It's basically a company that started out as an online dating site and then expanded to become a destination for all couples seeking a way out of their normal routines. Yup, going out can get stale when you don't have any idea where to go next! Know what I mean??

HowAboutWe prides itself in helping couples not only fall in love, but stay in love.  It allows you to discover new experiences and date ideas you may never have considered.

With DATE options like:   

• 'Dumpling Making With Bite Size Kitchen' 
• 'Roll Like VIP's at Jay Z's Club'

You can pick & choose your activity and location from a curated collection of local date experiences and just go – it's that easy!!  This is a company that def takes care of all the details. They basically just say "Hey, I've got this" and give you a wonderful date night you won't forget!  I've had the pleasure of trying it out, so can you! Feel free to check out the HowAboutWe site to discover some interesting dates!

And if the whole idea of a readily prepared date isn't great enough –  now you can take $50.00 off your first-date booking! Just click here to start browsing, dating & falling in love all over again!

Now onto OUR DATE:

My husband & I chose the, 'Veggie date at SuiteThreeOhSix Supper Club' here in NYC.

Even though we're not vegetarians, we thought this would be a pretty healthy way to spend our date night. At first glance the location seemed like a regular apt./loft building. We were buzzed inside and got into the elevator. Walked down what seemed like a residential hallway, then arrived at suite 306. When the door opened, I was surprised to see this gorgeous white loft with a long white table waiting for the guests to arrive. We sat down with some wine as the guests continued to arrive.  We were served a 5 course meal with some amazingly unique veggie dishes by chef Daphne Cheng.  I have to say,  we loved the idea of glancing over at the food being prepared as we sat & waited at our table. 

This was a fantastic experience because we normally wouldn't have tried vegan dishes & date night would've never consisted of us sitting at a table with several other couples. Both of us enjoyed the feel of the place & trying something was definitely exciting!

Shoes are by ShoeMint // Black denim with ankle zippers via Anine Bing // Popoche animal print Clutch via Jerome Dreyfuss

....who's that handsome guy on his cell phone?!

photo below via eat big apple

P.S. The $50.00 promotion is for new members only and expires 12.31.13!

How About We for couples!

this is a sponsored post

-first 7 images by jen ramos

Your Weekend

Enjoy your weekend! 

-images by jen ramos

David Scott Interiors

I recently came across New York-based interior designer, David Scott while browsing the web, and oh my goodness, he does some incredible work! I looked through his entire online portfolio, and he's definitely a breath of fresh air. 

His work is sophisticated and tailored to fit each homeowners lifestyle, while keeping this aesthetics as a designer. There are so many designers, especially in New York City, but he's definitely one I'm keeping my eyes on. I've never hired a designer for my own home, but was always curious about what others thought of their experiences. 

Have you ever hired an Interior Designer? What was your experience like?

-images via david scott interiors

Online Magazines - Are they inspiring you?

When it comes to seeking out inspiration -one thing I always look forward to is online magazines. The latest issues of Lonny Magazine & Adore Home Mag are some of my favorite issues! You can get a sneak peek of both below! 

Displaying homes from New York city to Australia - both are equally engaging & completely inspiring! I swear, I feel like re-decorating after I finish looking through these issues! But, we merely moved into this place and that just ISN'T happening! 

On a side note, I wish these online mags would devote an issue to more AFFORDABLE SPACES - so that the pages don't just serve as inspiration but would be attainable to most people. Make sense???

Do these online magazines inspire you? Do you feel they should feature more affordable spaces sometimes?

-images via :
lonny mag
adore home mag