North Carolina

Columbus day weekend I headed off to North Carolina to catch up with some family. I took the Amtrak from NY to Wilson (9 and a 1/2 hrs) then a 2 hr bus followed by a 1 hr car ride, it was totally worth it!

First stop down town where things are great, I could not get over the beautiful view, water water everywhere.

The seafood festival was happening all weekend so we mosied down there to check it out, saw some live music ate a fish taco and some crab cakes, posed with Miss North Carolina! Then Samuel and I went on a historical bus tour about town the sun was out and I got myself a lil burnt but mostly brown. I could not get over the delicious warmth I guess that is the south for you!

Next on the agenda the beach, what a trip out! I almost thought I was at home just lovely I miss the sand.

For my final day we went to the blessing of the fleet. There is a church ceremony on the jetty and then each boat goes by and waves whilst they read out the captain and crew names. After that we hit up an amazing all you can eat sushi bar I was over eager and didn't get a photo it was too good I just wanted to devour it all.

Then we went home to relax and little did I know Caren had arranged a sunset cruise through the harbour and I swear in some of the photos the heavens opened up for us. Just beautiful.

Thank you so much for having me x

~JBomb

The train

The bus

Ice cream stop

*due to my travels I will using an iPad for posts so the layout is a bit different but im sure it will still look fabulous!

Cuzzle time

To thank and celebrate my cousins lovely hospitality I made them a home cooked vegetarian meal from my personal recipe book created by Antoinette.

First I pretended I made my own garlic naan (picked it up on the way home) and made a dip from plain yoghurt, cumin, mint, salt, pepper and lemon so refreshing and picked up some Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc!

Gus's Eggplant Curry with Barley and Mint cucumber salad

I added my own personal ingredient to the curry, love...and raisins haha

I also used barley instead of rice to mix it up as it has a wicked texture that is more moist and gummy than most rices, the salad consist of mint, cucumber, apple cider vinegar, water and sugar simply delicious!

Robin: "This is Bangin" (that means awesome)

Zoe: "I love this, what's in it" (which means she wants to cook it, pretty much a standing ovation in my eyes)

~JBomb

Quick trip to Poland

I woke up this lovely Sunday morning ready to cruise the streets of BK but of course my map has to revolve around where I'm gonna dine so my cousin Zoe said she was going to get some Pierogis before seeing a show and I was like what is that and she recommended I hit up Green Point the mecca of Polish food In NY.

So I GTS (googled that sh*t) and found Karczma on Greenpoint Ave ( right near the greenpoint subway stop) between Franklin st and Manhattan ave.

Stole these from the website adorable old school decor, felt like I was in ye old Poland

Had to start lunch off right with some Oktoberfest beer

White Borscht in bread served with a side of mash and bacon sprinkles, yes this was my appetizer it was delicious! 

 ("white barszcz"), made from a base of fermented wheat, usually added to a broth of boiled white fresh sausage (kiełbasa). It is served hot with cubed rye bread and diced hard-boiled eggs added to the broth, and horseradish is often added to taste. - wikipedia

Then for my main in an attempt to get a taste of everything I ordered the Polish plate of specialties consisting of:

Stuffed cabbage - delicious mince and vegetables rolled in cabbage steamed with sauce drizzled over it

Pierogis (3) - cheese & potato, meat, spinach

Potato Pancakes - like hash browns/tempura 

Hunter's Stew - mushroom, onions, tangy gravy and meat yummy!

Polish Kielbasa - delightful sausage of course

I had to get a takeaway container the stuffed cabbage was my favourite

Uniforms

Had to walk it off so I made my way down to Williamsburg

~JBomb

Bob

~JBomb

My favourite

So I finally found it my absolute favourite coffee shop who makes the best friggin iced coffee!!! it's also featured in New York Coffee Guide 2012 (I previously purchased it for my sisters birthday)

Cafe Regular!

I have this theory that we all want to be regulars somewhere, it's kind of like your famous in your own neighbourhood. So obviously someone tapped into this theory creating a beautiful intimate cafe on a side street on the way to the subway with amazing coffee making it ridonculously hard to not become a regular.

My vice made by the lovely barista David

Enjoying the street benches

Totally content

~JBomb

Vice Versa

On my way home from Bark (previous post) I stumbled across this gold mine! Vice Versa

I walked out with 4 vintage dresses and cowboy boots for....$44.00 people, can anyone say daylight robbery so obviously I had to model for you.

I finally found a dress that matches my eyes

Had to tie it  up to show off my boots

I love the gold buttons

and the colourful pattern

this blue just screamed out to me, what are ya gonna do love the neckline too

and who doesn't love green and purple

Finally after 10 months! I found my babies and for $20 they were 100% worth the wait perfect fit black suede MEOW!

~JBomb

Thanks for taking the photos Zoe x

Bark if you want too

Today I ventured all the way up 5th Ave, Park Slope to Bergen St (also a subway stop) to this little ditty Bark for one of NYC's best hot dogs recommended by this website I follow Immaculate Infatuation. They posts all their instagram photos of food to facebook enough to make me drool, clearly we are kindred spirits!

Choc vanilla shake hands down the smallest yet most expensive shake I have purchased in the US of A

it was still good but it was $7. I had a gander at the ingredients board behind to see if there milk was supplied by name brand cows....no dice just regular

Bark Dog with a side of pickles

Sweet Pepper Relish, Mustard and Onion

Hot dog was delicious but I love anything doused in condiments the dog itself was grilled which just makes it tastes better.

However the pickles I had mixed feelings about, the sweet sliced ones (called gherkins at home) were delicious the fat daddy was too sour. For those that have been following the blog for awhile you know all about my obsession with pickles! for newcomers welcome and know that I love me some pickles!

So all in all I walked out of here spending $20 on a milkshake, pickles and a hot dog...I would say only in New York but I was in Brooklyn maybe the new Barclays Center has upped the anti or I just don't think a gourmet hot dog is not as satisfying as a gourmet burger.

Walking home and getting cray cray excited for HALLOWEEN!!! I will be in Amarillo, Texas - don't hate the player, hate the game

~JBomb