Spring Hiatus

As Spring continues to try and make its appearance here in New York, I continue to try and do the same right here! I must admit I have been far too in the moment to stop and write in these last couple of weeks, but encourage you to also follow my train(s) of thought over on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Above are some photos documenting what I've been up to as of late. Even though we're still grabbing a cardigan before we walk out the door in the morning, Summer is rapidly approaching, isn't it?!

I will be leaving in the coming days for a two-week adventure in China, visiting Shanghai & Beijing during my stay. I cannot wait to explore these ancient cities, climb the Great Wall, tour the Water Villages, hunt for silks, buy pearls and devour some of Shanghai's infamous vintage shops.

Until my return, I wish you the loveliest of Spring-filled days, delicious Memorial Day barbeques with your favorite people, and oodles and oodles of plentiful sunshine: both literally and figuratively!

xox JN

Photos, top to bottom: Tulips in Park Slope / Blooms at Bloomingdale's / A cheery walk through Washington Square Park / The most delicious macarons from bisousciao / Great Gatsby windows at Brooks Brothers / a Saturday afternoon stroll by Bergdorf's / My new Clarisonic Mia 2 - please tell me you're getting one! / My go-to summer handbag (the E/W Willis) from Coach / post-Devachan magic after seeing my girl, Nevilla / The easiest (and uber-delicious) dinner you must make tonight / An afternoon with my favorite girl / BFF's / Devachan magic for my mini-me / Jasmine tea at Jing Fong in Chinatown

Tea Time!

I make no secret about the fact that I drink green tea daily. Yes, daily. Always a huge fan of iced tea, I upped the ante to the green persuasion when I started eating sushi (way) back in my (early) 20's. A ceremonious cup of hot green tea came at the start of every meal, and I grew deeply fond of its flavor and health benefits.

When Brooklyn's first outpost of the Canadian tea retailer, DAVIDsTEA, arrived here in Park Slope, stylist Amy was first to embrace the goodness (lucky lady, it's literally right out her front door). The next thing I know, I receive the following:

So last weekend, while prepping breakfast for her family, I was tickled to get this text message: 

Did I love it? Oh, yes. 

So much so that a stop at DAVIDsTEA was first on the to-do list over the weekend!

The team at DAVIDsTEA gives customer service on par to the deliciousness of their beverages - in other words, they are flawless. The lovely Stephanie took me on the grand tour, first off making my iced matcha with soy & agave:

As I sipped away, Stephanie treated us to a lovely tea overview, complete with tastings and the delight of smelling many of the store's offerings. With flavors ranging from Citron Oolong to Birthday Cake, and Rooibos de Provence to Pink Flamingo, there was not one tea I wasn't ready to try! Even the Little Miss - who has never given tea a thought - could not wait to try her iced Forever Nuts:

Because Mr. Newman's iced Coffee Pu'erh was so unbelievably delicious, we came home with the following treats to get our mornings off right:

The Steeper, David's Perfect Spoon & Coffee Pu'erh

PS, don't worry. DAVIDsTEA makes online ordering a breeze if there's not a retailer near you. Since I do not want any one of you lovelies to feel left out, I decided that this is going to be one of yours. That's right - it's giveaway time!

Please note: the giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to "twicefivemiles" - you are the lucky winner! xx JN

Here's the deal:

1. Go over and "like" Delightfully Dishy's Facebook page (if you're already a "Fan" then share the post on your Facebook wall!)
2. Leave a comment below telling me the DAVIDsTEA flavor you're most intrigued to try.

The lucky winner (chosen at random) will be announced this Thursday!

Why, yes, I'll drink to that!

xx JN

DAVIDsTEA Park Slope: 234 7th Ave at 4th St
Follow DAVIDsTEA on Twitter & "like" them on Facebook!

Next to Normal

Original Video by Jenn Newman

Print Aid NYC

{ images }

I discovered Print Aid NYC yesterday afternoon, and am so grateful to have happened upon this artists' collective for a dear cause: Hurricane Sandy recovery.

Artists were asked to respond to the theme: light, and each piece is sold in limited editions of 50, with 100% of the proceeds given to the Mayor's Fund for Hurricane Relief here in New York.

Creative genius for the greater good ... truly the definition of art in my opinion.

Stay informed: make sure to view all of the available prints, and follow Print Aid NYC on Twitter and Facebook.

xx JN

When the Sun Comes Out

A Hurricane. An Election. A Snowstorm. And some real life in between.

Welcome to the last 2-weeks.

As much as it is necessary to "get back to normal," I find myself feeling very guilty in trying to do so. Just this morning, it took the image on the front page of the NY Times as I stood online for my morning fill-up: there lies Breezy Point amid massive destruction. Or the story of my friend still without heat & hot water. How about the knowledge that the holidays are fast approaching those who have lost everything? Maybe it's the idea that some people I love are so distraught over the outcome of the election - how can that be? We saw women, equality and our President take the majority! I'm rejoicing, yet others I know are convinced the world is coming to an end.

Is this "normal" now?

I can't help but think about Thanksgiving next week, and all that entails. The feast, the family, the gratitude. I must admit I can't get too fixated on the "details" this go around: if the napkins aren't folded perfectly, and the table setting isn't something that's Instagram-worthy, that's okay. Because the people who sit around the table are the most important part. Being with each other. With a roof over our heads. Hot water coming out of the tap. There is nothing like a national disaster alongside a great political outcome to break it down to what really matters, right? I'm in no way advocating to abandon the holidays, or to not rejoice in what we have - quite the contrary! What I am saying is how relevant and necessary it is to acknowledge our brothers & sisters as we do so. It's about holding both things in our hands at the same time: gratitude and empathy, thankfulness and humility. We owe that to those who are suffering - no matter who or where they are.

I have returned here with so much to share, and will continue to hold outfits, recipes, and the "perfect" stocking stuffers in the same hand as this overwhelming feeling that it is a blessing and gift to even have the opportunity to write about them. To experience them. To even have the clothing that Amy can style and Jim can photograph. Moving forward, it is of equal importance for me to share more of my own life's day-to-day that goes far beyond the things I can take photographs of.

After all, I founded this blog to talk about life + style ... and the only reason I can fully enjoy where I am today is because of a whole bunch of real life in between. It's been colorful to say the least, and I hope you'll join me as we talk about mine and yours a whole lot more!

xx JN

Fall Florals

I must admit I'm not always one to associate floral prints with the fall season, but this dress was one that was impossible to resist! Besides, once the cowl neck sweater and knee-high boots were added to the mix, I was hooked:

Dress: stylist's own / Sweater: LOFT (last season) / Boots: Guess (as seen here)  / Bracelet: Wanderlust + Co. / Watch: stylist's own / Earrings: Antoinette in Smoky Topaz by Julie Collection

Styled by: Amy Keller

Photographed by: James Newman

Fashion Week Street Style

It is next to impossible to walk away from the streets of New York without some style inspiration on any given day of the week. And with New York Fashion Week currently settled in at Lincoln Center, the plaza has become a literal street style heyday:

Even the Grand Dame of the Fashion Police was armed and ready for her commentary today:

{above images: James Newman}

And it just so happens that a certain Gal and her Stylist seemed to catch the eye of Stylelist.com yesterday morning before attending the Lela Rose S2013 show:

 

{image: Raydene Salinas/AOL}

xx JN