Coffee, Sprinkles and Inspiration

I promised you all a happy post today, and I'd like to think I follow through with my promises! ha Anyways last week I finally decided on one of my days off to try Sprinkles! I know you are all probably like...you have never had their cupcakes....and I am all like no I am from North Carolina...nuff said. ha Well I decided to go on a day I was feeling pretty crappy and the cupcakes definitely made up for it. I had a normal sized plain vanilla cupcake and a mini red velvet. They were PERFECTION. I have had a lot of cupcakes in my day but the frosting is pretty killer at Sprinkles. ​

The best part about the trip was the fact that I sat down in their small place and was next to this older lady who was enjoying a cupcake as well. Can you all think what happened next....well you probably guessed it, we started talking and had a full on conversation. We talked about many things, but there was one thing she said I will never forget. She said "I think nice people meet nice people" and I said "I think your right." Those simple moments in life that many of us take for granted but that is one I will never forget. 

More after Sprinkle pictures..​

Toby's Estate Coffee

Then yesterday I decided to stop by a coffee place I pass everyday. It is called Toby's Estate Coffee. The reason I have not went in yet is because everyone you see in the window is gorgeous...so that means I had to look my absolute BEST before entering. The atmosphere is simple and awesome...filled with again BEAUTIFUL people. ha.. The people who worked there were very helpful and made me a beautiful latte! If you are ever in the area and need some delicious coffee and a great atmosphere to get something work done, Toby's is the place to go! ​
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​125 N 6th St  Brooklyn, NY 11249
​​(347) 457-6160

Things that inspired me this week!​

​Favorite Portfolio Ideas

​Favorite Words

​Favorite DIY

​Favorite Bedroom Idea

​Favorite Moment

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!​

xx
​Emma Jane

Face to face with Jay Wolman

​I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing and inspiring guy named Jay Wolman. I came across this little hole-in-the-wall (aka the BEST kind of places) place in Chinatown this past week. Cheeky Sandwiches is the place to try when you are in the area. From Chicken Fried Buttermilk biscuits to even something for all those vegans!
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​I was greeted by Jay, he asked me what I'd like and I said I have no clue, make me your favorite! If there is one thing I have learned from my older brother Hunter (chef in the family) is to always try EVERYTHING. No matter if it may look weird or sound crazy, one must try everything. If you are going to a new brunch place down the street or dinner with friends get what the restaurant is known for. I would never go to a burger place and order a salad or chicken...they are known for their burger so try that first! Anyways I thought Jay was a pretty cool guy..not to mention his beard is top notch;) I hope you enjoy a little face to face with a full blooded Texan. 

Jay wolman
​23 years old
​Cook at Cheeky Sandwiches

​How long have you worked at cheekys? What drew you into the place? I've been working at Cheeky's for about a year now. I remember having a "woah" moment the first time  I went in there as it immediately reminded me of home in the South, and this was a rare gem in the big city.  I knew I wanted to be involved in a place like that.

Cheeky's definitely plays with different ingredients when building a biscuit. What do you think cheeky's offers that other places may not? Cheeky's isn't a normal sandwich shop. We take the flavors and culture of the South and New Orleans in particular and apply it to our daily work. Our food is simple and straightforward, and the shop itself just feels cool and cozy. Its weird working in a small kitchen generally alone. You're a baker, head chef, dish washer, and waiter all at once, and theres definitely something special about that. I just love the freedom and unique individuality of this place, we are small and keep it that way. Our customers become friends, our team are a band of brothers, and honestly where else can you eat fried chicken while listening to crunk Southern rap music in New York. That's why I love this place.

​How long have you been cooking? I've always been into cooking, but I started taking it seriously about 3 years ago. I'm completely self taught, with inspirations from a couple important people.

Who or what has most influenced your path toward becoming a chef ? Firstly my mom, always a great cook who taught me the importance of ingredients and the joy of food. My Caribbean nanny from my childhood; Violet inspires me to this day, as I love the flavors from her native region. We also used to celebrate holidays with her and buckets of fried chicken which left a big imprint on me. Din Yates who owns Cheekys has become a big inspiration for me mainly just by watching his insane work flow and contributions to this shop. He's a workhorse and he spills his personality into his restaurant. It's infectious and you can't help but not be driven by and to it. 

If you weren't a chef what else would you love to pursue ? If I wasn't cooking I don't know what else I'd be doing really. I feel like I finally found something I'm good at and don't get bored with. To actually answer you though, I like working with my hands, so maybe some wood work or building things. Manly old world shit, you know.
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What has been the most surprising thing that cooking has shown you? Cooking teaches you a lot about yourself, it pushes you and challenges you in ways that you can't expect. It's taught me to stay innovative and thinking on my feet, but most of all how to multitask on a grand scale. There's always work to be done or food to be prepped. It's a labor of love.​

​Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 5 years seems like a long time but it goes fast when you work 70 hours a week. The goal is to have my own restaurant, bringing the flavors and greatness of Texas to a new region on this map. I want people to enjoy the goodness I keep boggled up in my mind. It's eventually gotta come to life, and my own place seems like a damn good start.

Cheeky's Sandwiches 
​35 Orchard St  New York, NY 10002
​(646) 504-8132
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​Also check out his food blog below! I promise it will have your mouth watering in seconds!
​Thank you again Jay,

http://www.farm-field.com/

xx
​Emma​

Blown Away

​​Today was very windy and gloomy, but the one thing about New York that never gets old is no matter what the weather.. it is beautiful. I love getting lost in the neighborhoods and seeing what kind of cute "secret" coffee shops I can find. I believe in helping the small startups that are so passionate about their little shops that only seat maybe 10 people. Being unique is hard but somehow there are so many unique places in nyc that may be hiding but still have a huge fan club. I went for a stroll in soho today and found ​​a badass stationary that is pictured below. It is random but also a tad non-classy/classy at the same time. ha I am so ironic (oh well)...

I then wandered back into the East Village which I am somewhat ​familiar with. I came across Ost Cafe. It is very romantic(Paris Like) you could say and made me feel like I was european for a minute ha. I sat at the window to people watch...naturally..​and enjoyed probably the best cappuccino I've ever had. Maybe it's the fact that I was finally realizing I am back in nyc or that I am already on my second internship for school, but today was simple and perfect. No pressure, I just got to look out the window and have a moment to myself. This happened so fast and I am so grateful I have an amazing mom who supports me and lets me follow my dreams at 19. I don't think I could ever be able to thank her enough but I intend to make her proud with everything I try to do. Accomplishing goals is hard but I intend to stay as humble, grateful, strong and loving as she taught me to be through my many adventures now and for what's to come. Support is huge especially since I come from such a small town and many people don't understand my love for such a huge/busy city and ambitious dreams I always talk about. Ever since I was 14 I told my friends I will end up in New York one day doing something awesome....and look what happened! I can't thank my friends and family enough for watching me strive for my dreams. I know they don't understand "that feeling" that I get when I am flying over a city that has skyscrapers for miles. This place gives me that push ​to make myself better and I feel so much more in my element that is constantly inspiring me. I want to eventually do something someone else can hopefully want to aspire too.

Well enough of all this serious talk..make sure to check out a couple shots from today!

xx

Emma

​I thought this floor was awesome at Ost cafe.

​I want these from Paper Source.. "Shit" cards haha.

From my view today while enjoying my coffee.​

​Beginning & The End.