Neutral Nails: Essie's Marshmallow

Summer Flower Manicure

Cafe Usagi

Nestled in Dumbo, Usagi is a modern Japanese cafe, bookstore, art gallery and project space! "Usagi" is the Japanese word for rabbit, a friendly animal that in many cultures is associated with renewal and spring. 

I finally had a chance to drop in and absolutely fell in love with the aesthetic here! It's beautiful and functional with tons of seating. The space has pops of understated colours everywhere making it so welcoming and inspiring.

I sipped my chai latte at a large comfy table in a sunny spot, and caught up on some personal projects. If I had stayed longer, I would've definitely ordered something off the lunch menu which included udon, soba, sushi, beef bowls, poke and more! 

The architecture is so unique here, with 15 removable track-mounted panels that allows for reconfiguration into an event space. You can also contact them on their website to rent this out for your next event! I absolutely plan to come back here and try their lunch next time I'm working from home! 

Turks and Caicos

I had the most amazing time in the Turks and Caicos celebrating my friend's bachelorette! We stayed in a beautiful rental home just a 5 min drive away from Grace Beach! Some highlights included exploring the Fish Fry market, snorkeling, visiting Iguana Island, taking a private yoga class at The Palms Spa, dinner at Grace's Cottage and also Infinity Bar and of course, lounging on the beach and the house pool with my friends! I hope to come back here again soon!

Vanilla Gorilla Cafe

Vanilla Gorilla Cafe is my latest midtown coffee shop find. I decided to pop in here for a quick brunch between my Saturday rehearsals and it did not disappoint!! 

They currently have 3 locations in Manhattan: Times Square, Hells Kitchen and Union Square. The Times Square location was a little busy when I dropped in but I managed to still find a spot to sit and enjoy my pastrino breakfast sandwich and chai latte! 

Their signature pastrino sandwiches are essentially a flat croissant wrap. I ordered the breakfast version and it was perfectly flaky and buttery. The croissant flavours went so well together with the bacon, eggs and cheese! They also have sweet pastrinos and lunch pastrinos on the menu as well as regular sandwich bread if croissants are not your cup of tea. 

The atmosphere is very casual and welcoming with plenty of comfortable seating in addition to good coffee and food! It's so conveniently located and I'm sure I'll be back again to try the pastries and other sandwiches! 

Butterfly Nails

L'appartement 4F

My latest café discovery is L'appartment 4F in Brooklyn Heights. This gorgeous café and bakery was founded by a French engineer and his partner.  They started L'appartement 4F in their small Brooklyn apartment, making hand crafted small batches of slow fermented, sourdough bread. Eventually, they perfected their menu and were able to bring a piece of France to NYC! Their brick and mortar store opened in Brooklyn Heights in May 2022, and to this day, each croissant is still rolled by hand! 

Unfortunately they were out of croissants by the time I arrived but I ended up having the most delicious chocolate chip cookie with my cappuccino. The location is perfect, just around the corner from the Brooklyn Bridge promenade entrance, and the inside is so beautiful with plenty of seating upstairs and a gorgeous chandelier framing the open "loft style" café. I hope to go back soon and snag a croissant or have a bowl of their famous petite croissant cereal! 

Spring Flower Manicure

Cool Hues Manicure

 

Dark Minimalist Nails