Nicole DiGiose

NYC Eats: Brendan’s Bar & Grill

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

It was the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day and the manfriend and I were hanging out in the Big Apple for the day. We had some time to kill before our final destination to see a rock show in Brooklyn, so we decided to scope out a spot for appetizers and drinks, preferably near the R train, so we stuck nearby the Herald Square area. From way out in the foggy, rainy distance we saw a giant shamrock and yellow vertical letters that spelled out “Brendan’s.” It sounded Irish enough, so away we went, Brendan’s-bound.

We were expecting the typical Irish pub: dimly lit, small and cozy, bottles of alcohol lined up behind a bar that took up pretty much the entire place. But Brendan’s was a place of its own. Let’s step inside and you’ll see what I mean.

Brendan’s was bright and spacious, and a friendly hostess dressed in black came to us immediately. As she led us down the large hall, we entered an open room of tables. The windows were decorated in stained glass, and it gave the place an old-fashioned church-like vibe. Read More

Automobiles, Hand Sanitizer, and Garbage Men

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

We need to get around to see the world and get stuff done, so thanks, cars, planes, boats, and trains. Hand sanitizer is a fun, portable, smelly-good alternative to hand-washing, and garbage men are heroes in disguise.

Movie Marathons, Reuniting with Special Peeps, and Good Hair Days

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Yes to favorite movie and show marathons, reuniting with someone you’ve missed, and good hair days are super duper.

Giving to Others, Inside Jokes, and Awe-Inspiring Sights

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Giving to someone else can make you feel high on life, inside jokes will always make you giggle, and awe-inspiring sights remind you that you’re alive living your own unique life no one else will experience.

Getting Crafty: Sweet Love Notes in a Jar

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Got somebody who makes your heart leap and dance and twirl about like everything’s going to be perfect forever? Instead of just telling them, use your pretty hands and selfless mind to craft something meaningful for your sweetie. Writing out short, thoughtful love notes in a self-decorated jar is a lovely, personalized gift sure to make both hearts flutter.

That’s my idea for V-Day anyway. I’m big on hand-crafting shared, cherished memories whenever I get the chance. I spent my yesterday in the craft store, Michael’s, browsing the aisles, coming up with too many ideas than my brain could handle. One idea I’ve been wanting to breathe life into for a while now was having a jar or bottle and filling it up with words of adoration. Luckily I have myself a gem of a man, so I got to work on my project for our fourth Valentine’s Day together. Read More

Healthy, Crunchy Kale Chips

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Tasty, crispy kale chips are quick and easy to make. If you’re craving a snack, forget that bag of flavored potato chips that’s been sitting on the grocery store shelf for weeks, and go to your local market and pick yourself some kale. Packed with nutrition, one cup of this leafy green includes loads of vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and even some protein.

To get started, gather a little bit of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and, of course, some fresh, washed kale. Once dry, peel pieces of the kale from the rib of the plant and spread them out in a cooking tray or cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Next, drizzle on two teaspoons of olive oil (make sure the majority of the oil doesn’t go to some chips and not others, as too much oil can make them soggy) and sprinkle with salt. Read More

Rustic Potatoes au Gratin

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Potatoes in your face! It’s about to be a party in your mouth!

Late yesterday morning I was hungry and was in the mood for something tasty and different, something that I could cook. I received a Crock-Pot slow cooker recipe book not long ago, and decided it was time to crack it open. I gave my Crock-Pot a cleaning and flipped through the recipes, only to stop in awe at the picture of the Rustic Potatoes au Gratin in the side dishes section. I’m a sucker for anything potato, and since I had planned on making steak for dinner, I figured the potatoes would pair with it perfectly. It was a chilly, snowy day out, and this dish seemed warm, flavorful, and comforting.

As you can see in the ingredients list above, I needed 1/2 cup of milk, one can of cheddar cheese soup (10 3/4 ounces), one package (eight ounces) of cream cheese, one clove of garlic, minced, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/ teaspoon black pepper, two pounds of baking potatoes cut into 1/4-inch slices (the recipe book shows three, I went with four, which worked out fine), one small onion, thinly sliced, and paprika, which is optional. Read More

Easy Access to Food, Thoughtful Friends, and Snow Plows

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Las Vegas Highlights

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

Las Vegas. Disney World for adults. Sin City. An addict’s dream land. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days in this flashy place, right on the Strip up in Caesars Palace. My purpose there was to attend the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on behalf of the magazine and website I work for, electronicproducts.com. I enjoyed CES, which was at the Las Vegas Convention Center and scattered about the Strip. I spent the majority of my mornings and afternoons at the show, mingling, snapping pictures, riding the monorail, and pretending I knew where I was going (somehow, I kind of did!). But when the sun went down and the moon came out, after my articles were written and I spammed my Twitter followers with pictures of dancing robots, huge TVs, and self-driving cars, I joined the buzzing crowds outside to explore my new surroundings.

I was very excited to see the Bellagio water show, which was fantabulous. Absolutely beautifully done. I was amazed how the shooting and swaying water was so in sync with the music. Read More

San Francisco Highlights

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Nicole DiGiose

San Francisco: the city of the diverse. Somewhere I belong. One of my dream spots. Last September when I was itching for an adventure and needed some change, I piled up enough dough to plop myself on a plane headed to the west coast. Sick of the fast-paced, I’m-better-than-you ways of the east coast (at least in New York), one of my brothers moved out there and landed himself quite the fantastical job (in San Fran, you’ll need that). So I figured, “Hey, I have a place to stay, now’s a great time to visit!” I stuffed some clothes in a bag, grabbed my boyfriend, flew through the air, and in a matter of hours, we were on the other side of the country. Our first vacation together.

We drenched ourselves in rosé, Pinot noir, chardonnay and the like in Sonoma in the mountains while playing Bocce, surrounded by breath-taking scenery; we went to a San Francisco Giants game (where a sea gull pooped on my head during the seventh inning); we took a ferry out to Angel Island and Alcatraz Read More