happy lady eats

happy lady eats lunch with {dwellstudio}...

This Happy Lady often wonders what other people are eating for lunch. Last night's leftovers, quick bodega bites, or a fave mid-day restaurant? So to quell my curiosity, I'll be asking various folks in the design and food world what they're having for lunch on any given day. It's a visual food interview of sorts paying homage to an often neglected, under-appreciated mid-day meal. Enjoy!

little ones...

First there came cakes...then cupcakes...and then their offspring took over. Mini cupcakes are the newest phase of the cupcake revolution with some shops selling their cupcakes only in miniature form. The bite-sized treat allows for more flavors to be taste-tested and consumed in larger quantities which is a quality I highly encourage. One of my favorites, Kumquat Cupcakery in New York was the first I came across that sold mini gems of cake goodness. With flavors like Maple Bacon and PB Banana Honey, I could gladly consume a dozen in one sitting. While I haven't tried this West Coast version, the mini's from Cuppie Love in Los Angeles look delish and super sweet, too.

{photos above by Kumquat Cupcakery {top row} & Cuppie Love {bottom row}. For those of you in San Diego, the newly opened Cups sells all their flavors in mini size, too!}

chile & chocolate in {brooklyn}...

This Saturday, October 3rd is the Chile Pepper Fiesta at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in Brooklyn, NY. From 12-6:30pm, enjoy music and dance from chile-loving regions around the world. Indulge at the Chocolate Chile Cabana, where you can sample goodies and meet some of today's most exciting, red-hot chocolatiers including a few of my faves Mari's New York, Whimsy & Spice, Kumquat Cupcakery, Mast Brothers, and more...

mean beans...

I first discovered Rick's Picks a few years ago during a rooftop party at Mari's house and have been a die hard fan ever since. While my heart melts for traditional pickles, my favorite of Rick's Picks are these Mean Beans. Serve with a burger or with a medley of other treats on an antipasti plate...umm!

Available here or at your local Whole Foods.

bits of heaven...

Without a question, my go-to "thank you" gift is a baton box of Mari's New York artisanal brownies. Rich, fudgy, and beautifully packaged. With flavors like caramel sea salt, Thai coffee, and coconut...it's a treat for your taste buds as much as a visual feast for the eyes.

{fun fact: we designed Mari's logo! photo by Lee Clower}