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JennifHsieh is a space for my rambling thoughts and snaps of my everyday style. I'm based in Astoria, Queens and I share a home with my two derpy cats and my equally derpy fiancé.

February 24, 2015

Recipe | Spinach, Avocado, + Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese


Grilled cheese sandwiches are high on the list of dishes that are "fun to make" and the list of dishes that are "easy to make"; that alone puts them super high on my list of dishes that should "get in my belly ASAP." I've been obsessed with buying avocados lately (it must have been that Super Bowl commercial for Mexican avocados) so I figured I would try out a creamier grilled cheese recipe by combining it with some goat cheese. Then I got a little carried away with cheese in general and now, I present to you, my delicious masterpiece:

Goat Cheese + Avocado Grilled Cheese
2 Servings

Ingredients

 4 Slices of Pumpernickel Bread
1 Small Avocado, sliced
Spinach
Goat Cheese
Feta Cheese (optional)
Shredded Mozzarella
Butter


Directions

Grab two pieces of fresh pumpernickel bread (if you live in the Astoria area, I highly recommend going to Parisi Brothers Bakery on 31st and Broadway) and get ready for a sandwich of a lifetime. On one slice, layer your (1) spinach, (2) half of the sliced avocado, and (3) generous amounts of goat cheese.

On the second slice, spread a thin (or thick, as my unhealthy self likes it) layer of butter on one side and set aside.

Take a large skillet and set it over a medium flame; drop in a small chunk of butter until it's bubbling and then throw slice numero one in all that deliciousness. While it's slowly melting the goat cheese, add on even more cheese if you'd like (I went with some feta cheese and some mozzarella cheese for the gooeyness). Finally, take your second slice and smack it on top of your sandwich (butter side facing up) and gently smush it down so it really gets all up in that cheese's business.

After a few minutes, flip the whole sandwich over until both sides are brown to your liking and your stomach just can't stand waiting anymore.

Now repeat for your second sandwich that you should probably just eat yourself instead of sharing with others.


Enjoy nomming! 
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February 23, 2015

Weekends Are About Us


Vintage Men's Sweater (similar), J.Crew Striped Long-Sleeve Tee, Levi's 501 Boyfriend Jeans

Weekends are about doing absolutely nothing with people you really, really like. Weekends are about going to bed earlier than usual and waking up early enough to enjoy the empty day to its full potential, not the other way around. They're about exploring the neighborhood despite the dangerous amount of snow falling from the sky and having a snowball land right in the middle of your back as icicles form on the tips of your hair. They're about walking a few extra minutes out of the way to buy one too many succulents at Home Depot, just because you can. They're about playing too many rounds of firefight on Halo to discover that going beyond the easy level just isn't fun anymore and also that guns aren't as fun as smacking a little alien in the face with your bare arms.  They're about buying the Sunday edition of The New York Times and pretending like we don't live in a world where you have to be sitting in front of a screen to feel connected.


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February 20, 2015

Single Digit Temperatures + Aging


Obey Navy Sweatshirt c/o LuLu*s (similar), Red Oversized Flannel c/o Sheinside (similar), Black Tanya Jeans c/o Level 99 Denim, H&M Navy Polka Dot Socks (similar)

 Indoor pictures become more and more of a necessity as the temperatures get lower and lower. I don't know how I managed in the past winters (I even took my coats off) but maybe it's all a part of getting old and just wanting to be comfortable in all possible situations. When did I start choosing Netflix marathons and home cooked meals over wild nights at the bars? It's always baffling when you approach the moment where you realize that aging really is a thing; College Jen over here is like "Help! I'm fading!" and Current Jen is all like "kthxbai!" Then College Jen is like, "...what did you just say?" and Current Jen is all like, "IDFWU." But then College Jen prevails sometimes anyway because I'm still young and it's ridiculous that I think I'm getting old.

But back to lower temperatures and the fact that it's going to be 1°F when I leave my apartment in two minutes. Excuse me while I sob icicles all the way to the subway stop.


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February 18, 2015

Beloved Old Lady Grandma Armchair


Forever 21 Gray Sweater (similar), Jersey Dress c/o Lulu*s (similar), ASOS Thigh High Socks 

I've really lost touch with my beloved armchair since moving to Astoria. It used to be my go-to comfort zone immediately after work where I would curl up with my Netflix and a steaming bowl of ramen. These days it's spent more time as a depository for Jeremy's clothes. To be fair, there aren't many other alternatives considering how quickly I've taken over the closet space. Completely my bad.

But regardless, it will always be my beloved old lady grandma chair and I will always love it with all my heart because it's all I ever wanted and everything I will ever want.

XOXO.


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February 15, 2015

Weekend Trips to Flushing + Nothing At All


Blue Patterned Tank c/o LuLu*s (similar), Urban Outfitters Waffle Cardigan (similar), Forever 21 Brown Wrap Coat (similar), Olive Green Pants c/o LuLu*s (similar), Gabriella Rocha Taupe Booties (similar)

 Jeremy and I have always had some trouble with Valentine's Day so, over time, we've learned to ignore it and just spend the holiday enjoying everything about each other (like always) and maybe treating ourselves to extra splurges here and there. This year we decided to spend it with some of his family in Flushing to celebrate Chinese New Year a little bit early. It's got the greatest assortment of authentic Chinese and Taiwanese food (take a hike, Chinatown) and I can never resist taking a trip there for some incredible hot pot. It's the way to my heart, to be honest.

Besides that, we spent the rest of the weekend lounging around doing absolutely nothing, eating enough for many days, and playing one too many hours of Halo. Oh, and I finally got around to watching Wet Hot American Summer. Valentine's Weekend, you killed it this year.


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February 10, 2015

Cozy + Silent Winter Mornings


Urban Outfitters Waffle Cardigan (similar), J.Crew Ring Set, Striped Midi Dress c/o LuLu*s (similar), Levi's Black Fleece-lined Leggings (similar)

It's always a struggle getting up in the mornings, especially when the sun is still getting some extra minutes of sleep and you're all like, "If you get to sleep in, you bastard, so do I". But once I'm awake, I'm such a morning person it's a little bit obnoxious. The morning is 100% the best time of the day and I'll argue it to the grave. There's just something so quiet and relaxing about it and you know you have the entire day still ahead of you. Deadlines are so far away and everyone else around you is still sleeping (aka leaving you alone). Not to mention the beauty of breakfast, nom nom.

I always wake myself up an entire hour earlier than I need to on the weekdays so I can get some extra work done before I have to walk into the craziness that is my office, squeeze in a blog post if I can, and cook up some breakfast. It also means I've already gathered up enough energy at this point to wake Jeremy up in the most annoying ways possible. Must be his favorite part of the day, especially since he values his sleep much, much more than me.


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February 9, 2015

Recipe | Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl


I had a photo shoot the other week for one of my brands at work and it involved sourcing dragon fruit as part of a recipe. Now, let me tell you, getting dragon fruit around New York City? Not the easiest task in the world. Usually they can be found in the street fruit carts in downtown Chinatown; but, lucky for us, there was a snowstorm that day so, needless to say, the fruit carts were no where to be seen. I ended up having to take a taxi all the way to Brooklyn Chinatown to pick some up myself, at which point I picked up every kind I could get my hands on to avoid having to make a second trip.

This turned out to work out in my favor since I got to take the extra dragon fruit home to experiment with. There aren't too many things you can do with a dragon fruit out there in the internets, but I figured I would try to find a way to use it where you weren't just straight up eating it as it comes. Enjoy!

 Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Servings: 2

Ingredients
1 White-flesh Dragon Fruit
1 Cup Frozen Coconut
1 Large Banana (sliced)
1 Cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt
2 Tbsp Honey
Granola (optional topping)

 Directions

Slice up the dragon fruit into small chunks so it'll be quicker to mix them in the food processor. I usually slice them into squares when they're still in the skin, and then I slice around the circumference of the shell and watch them all fall out. Easy peasy.

Drop those into the food processor along with the rest of the ingredients. It's super important to use frozen coconut instead of regular coconut because it acts as "ice" so your smoothie is chilled upon serving. Blend until it's a thick, creamy consistency and serve with extra fruit on top!

If I'm eating it for breakfast, I'll usually sprinkle some plain granola on top to give it a bit more texture.


Happy Nomming! 
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February 7, 2015

Cause You're There For Me Too


Navy Boyfriend Coat c/o StyleMoi (similar), Colorblock Baseball Sweater c/o JollyChic (similar), Urban Outfitters Navy Polka Dot Skirt (similar), HUE Navy Tights, House of Harlow 1960 Suede Boots c/o LuLu*s, H&M Black Beanie

Lately I've been in such a lazy slump every time I walk into my apartment. I'm productive as all hell when I'm out and about, but once I see my bed and my pajamas everything just drops to the floor and nothing is as important as cuddling my oh-so-soft pillow. It's all that matters. Oh, and all of the episodes of Friends on Netflix of course. I told myself I wouldn't sucumb to the deep dark hole of a Friends marathon but, surprise surprise, I did. I absolutely did.

At least I still have the ability to put enough effort into dressing myself so I'm presentable in public, na'mean?


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February 4, 2015

So Be the Girl You Loved


Forever 21 Brown Wrap Coat (similar), Obey Forest Green Button-down c/o LuLu*s, Black Tanya Jeans c/o Level 99 Denim, House of Harlow 1960 Suede Boots c/o LuLu*s, J.Crew Golden Tower Ring Set

I'm falling more in love with short hair day by day. The last time I cut my hair like this was approximately two years ago, and I don't think I ever learned how to properly style it until the second time around. This time around. And now I can't get enough of it.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing quite like having the world of hair possibilities at your fingertips when you have long, luxurious locks...but yo, short hair be poppin', na'mean? I'm currently practicing how to make longer, wavier curls with my curling iron instead of the standard ringlets, just to give it more of a natural shape and texture. If you guys have any tips for short hair, send 'em over my way! So far, all I know if that I should invest in some pomade or texturing cream of some sort. Any recommendations?


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