If You Give a Mouse a Cookie used to be my favorite book when I was a child, as well as If You Give a Moose a Muffin or even If You Give a Pig a Pancake. I absolutely loved those books. I would read them over and over again. Something about the adventure in the books excited the young Uptown Maven.

I am back in my home town. I arrived back this past Monday. On the plane I was pondering the idea of writing my own children’s book but quickly dismissed the idea because I don’t think children are interested in cooking or fashion—even though the young Uptown Maven was—but lets keep that between you and me.

Anyway, back to the thoughts about my children’s book. I’d probably name it If You Give Uptown Maven a City. When I was younger I always craved adventure. I loved going out spontaneously and doing things I’d never done before. Unfortunately now though, I am not that eager to jump up and do something I’ve never done before… partly because of my health but more so because I’m scared.

So readers, if you give Uptown Maven a city, she’s going to first ask why because in all truthfulness she’s apprehensive toward new things.

And when you reply, “I want you to experience something new,” she’ll then ask for courage.

When she’s lonely in her new surroundings, she’ll ask you to be more sensitive to your presence in her life.

When she goes for a run in the city, she’ll realize that the weather is breathtakingly cold and will ask you for warmth with a sheepish grin on her face. You’ll give her the “I told you so” look but hug her all the more fervently, giving the warmth needed to run the next mile. She’ll then run—away from all the fear she had when she first arrived.

And when she’s curious, she’ll ask to be read to. And no doubt, you’ll read to her. Then she’ll ask to see the bigger picture of everything. After various questions she’ll see it and all at once, she’ll become comfortable with the city that was once new — she’ll then be happy because the fear that once welled her teary eyes, will be no longer.

Lastly, when she’s frustrated and sad, she’ll ask for guidance and patience. She will ask for a change of heart— needing wisdom and grace. She will ask for comfort and a chest to lay her head upon so she can hear the heartbeat that is her rock. She’ll ask more of you, and chances are, you’ll give her more and another new city to explore and you’ll tell her all over again, “I want you to experience something new.” She’ll once more go out—despite the fear that prevails—and experience it all over again and enjoy the presence of those that make life that much sweeter.

Readers, this week I felt many emotions. The happiness from my trip to New York filled my body; I was truly happy and carefree during my spring break. However, when I got home, I received some heartbreaking news.

A loved one, near and dear to my family, passed away peacefully. This news yanked and pulled the strings of my fragile heart so that I could feel so many different emotions all at once.

Despite that happening this week, continuing my theme on being adventurous, I pushed away my worries and continued forth through the figurative “valley of the shadow of death.” I rode forward my “light brigade.”

So readers, in this post you will see what looks caught my eye and what made my pallet go wild with excitement.

I’ll start with taste. As some of you may know, New York City is famous for Italian and French foods—convenient because I love both. Our first stop was one of my favorite places: Balthazar. It’s a French high-end bistro. Its chic, trendy, authentic atmosphere is great when you want to get a taste of Paris in NYC. See below my dinner that night: Amish roasted chicken over Brussel sprouts and pearled onions with a white wine glaze.

Our next stop was another small French bistro called Mon Petit Café. It’s a tearoom-style cafe serving French staples in a cozy setting convenient to Bloomingdale’s. See below my breakfast/lunch the next day: Salade Basquaise featuring sliced chicken, pungent green and red bell pepper, and balsamic reduction with warmed goat cheese.

A favorite of mine was a dinner out with my mom and our friend’s daughter. We went to a place called Serafina. Its Italian style menu and close-knit tables are perfect for laughter and enjoying your company. See below my dinner: Veal Scaloppine al Limone. Perfectly cooked veal melted in my mouth with delicious broccolini and a garlic mashed potato.

Lastly, I’d like to share my favorite cup of joe. Le Pain Quotidien is famous for its rustic style and organic menu. However, you can also get fabulous coffee. See below a Café au Lait (coffee with steamed milk).

Readers, as you can tell I enjoyed tasting my way through New Fork City. I loved going to new places—it gave me ideas as to what I could make at home on any normal occasion.

But moving on, fashion is always on the forefront of my mind. When I first got to the city though I was a bit distracted so forgive me as I don’t have many fashion tips or pics for you this time. You may be wondering what I was distracted about? I was asked, by a long-time friend, to his prom. It was a very nice surprise.

Luckily, I got to shop for my prom dress in New York… I. Was. Stoked. I mean the chances of being asked to prom are slim for me anyway, so getting asked and being in NYC at the time was perfect so I could go out and try to scavenge up a dress. I say scavenge because is there anything worse than dress shopping? I don’t know about you but its my least favorite thing to shop for. I’d rather rip my toenails off one by one with pliers than spend five minutes in a dress store. Usually the prom-dress section is always rummaged over and picked at. It’s like little rats got to it and took all the good cheese out of the picnic basket before the picnickers got to it.

Okay, okay sorry for the rambling. I was super excited for prom with my date I just needed to find a dress. Surprisingly, I did. I am not featuring a picture yet because I haven’t taken a picture of me in it. Sorry, that will soon be featured.

Back to fashion… the one thing I did take a picture of was one of the outfits I had planned to wear. Since Easter has past, we can finally wear white denim. Hurray! This week I am featuring white denim because it’s certainly a spring staple for a “très chic” closet. I wore my white with a grey light weight sweater, my grey rabbit fur vest, and of course my white vans—or now called “damn Daniel’s”.

Overall, my trip was one to remember. It went by so quickly but the adventure I experienced was refreshing and much needed.

Forwarding onward I will continue my weekend and light brigade. I will try to venture out of my comfort zone and enjoy the city that I’m currently in—even if there is nothing more to explore. I still crave the adventure that the young Uptown Maven experienced when she was just a small girl with wide eyes, beaming with an innocence that mystified all.

Through all of this, I’ve learned that the “valley of the shadow of death” is a beautiful mystery… it keeps me wondering about who I really want to be and what I’m striving for. Remembering my dear relative, I need to practice being down-to-earth. I’m reminded of my faith—a beautiful mystery: loving Someone you can’t see.

So readers, lastly I’ll say this: If You Give Uptown Maven a City, instead of asking you why, she’ll ask you to surprise her—with anything. She’ll know it’s worth it. She’ll know that going somewhere new will be beneficial to her soul; she’ll see the pinnacle of goodness and grace and she’ll also know that its worth running for.

Currently wide-eyed and windswept,
Your Uptown Maven