Paint The Town Red

Okay so I know I have been off the blogging radar for a while to say the least, but I think moving to Williamsburg, starting a new job, visiting London twice, are pretty good enough reasons. Anyhoo, enough of me making excuses. 

My free time is very limited but that means when I do get that small window I have to use it wisely. And by wisely I really mean shopping and eating with my nearest and dearest. For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@georgiabenj) you'll notice that I eat, all the time, and its more often then not documented on Instagram, but it's also the perfect platform to flaunt some of my new purchases. This little number from Opening Ceremony had been on my radar for a while and it has literally not left my back since day one. And of course I had to get my initials monogrammed on the jacket, adding my own little touch of Great Britain to this rather American staple. 

As I previously mentioned I now reside in Williamsburg, Brooklyn which is a somewhat "edgy/hipster" area. Sadly I do not have an edgy bone in my body as pointed out by my dear friend Lucy when I was back in university but hey ho at least I can dress the part. Donning my brown paper package from Brooklyn Denim Co. and heading off to my favourite coffee shop of the moment, Toby's Estate Coffee, its pretty safe to say that today I fit in wonderfully in my new neighbourhood, which was perfectly captured by my roommate and fantastic photographer Anna Ritsch. Be back soon, promise!

Waterway Collection x Warby Parker

Dreaming of white beaches feeling sand between your toes, endless horizons watching the sun dip below the ocean, and sipping sangria laying out by the pool? Well the guys down at Warby Parker certainly were when designing their new Waterway Collection. Taking the brand's favourite style and adding a refreshing new summer time spin for this exclusive summer collection. 

Now summer time is one of my absolute favourite times of year, not only providing an extremely valid reason to visit every rooftop bar in the city, but also giving you every excuse to buy a new pair of sandals...every week gosh I know I have a problem. And when better to whip out your staple sunnies than in the height of summer?! Warby Parker's latest collection have taken timeless styles; Bensen, Griffin, Percey, Piper & Welty, for a quick dip and attributed shoreline shades like Sand Castle and Marine Pebble for a dash of summer time allure. 

Being both a glasses wearer and a sunglass fanatic, it is more than refreshing to see these iconic styles that all Warby Parker fans know and love and add and extra special incentive of purchase. Warby Parker's 'Do Good' programme's ethos is 'by a pair, give a pair' and works towards supporting those 703 million people who currently live without access to eyewear. So far Warby Parker have managed to provide over 1 million people across the World with the vital glasses that they so need, click here to watch the inspiring video.

The Waterway collection has hit stores this week and is available to shop in store and showrooms across America, and is now available to shop online, click here to shop.

Guac Guac Guac

Wholly guacamole! 

Dos Caminos serious have the tastiest guac I have ever eaten. Perfectly fresh with delicious chunks of avocado served with warm, just-cooked tortilla chips. Ahh my tummy is rumbling just thinking of it.

Since being in New York I try to avoid chain restaurants as there are a million and one independent restaurants which I just need to try. But I do make the exception for Dos Caminos. Especially when it comes to brunch. 

Any brunch dish comes with tea/coffee AND a cocktail. By cocktail I mean the frozen prickly pear margarita which is just out. Just like a grown up slush puppy this drink tastes divine but is dangerously alcoholic so take caution if you're having more than one.

Cutie pies's thoroughly enjoying their first Dos brunch experience. 

Yeah I like to play with my food (sorry mummy).






Who needs food after all the guac (and extra chips). 
Yeah these three little piggies do!
C & I went for the Dos Caminos Ranchero whilst E had the mexican style eggs benedict. 

Think. You're typical benny with a dash of chipotle in an XXL portion size. Gosh I love Amuuuuurica!

Not the most photogenic of meals. But hey, the best of them aren't.

And when that ooey gooey yoke burst. Ahhh. Perfection.

And of course a portion of rice and refried beans to top off any Mexican meal.

Click here to find a Dos Caminos near you. 

Despite the mass food consumption and almost having to unbutton my jeans, I couldn't resist a little outfit post on the cobbles of the Meat Packing District. 

One thing that's so great at having friends the same size as you, is being able to share clothes. This gorgeous little peplum top is E's all the way from sunny Sydney. Worn with Topshop jeans, boots & sunnies, Urban Outfitters hat & Mulberry bag.

And now for your daily soundtrack to add that little something to your hump day vibe.

Memorial Day Weekend

In the US, Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer, and where better to celebrate the sunshine than out East..?

Time flies when you're having fun. I can't believe it was already last weekend I was living the highlife in the Hamptons. Thankfully this 4-day work week has made it a somewhat more bearable transition.

Packing up my trusty Longchamp (seriously I do not know what I would do without this wonderful weekender come Mary Poppins bag) and catching a train at the crack of dawn, it wasn't too long before I got to Greenpoint where I hopped on a cute little ferry to my first stop, Shelter Island. 

Shelter Island, not to be confused with the water-bound mental hospital featured in Scorsese's film Shutter Island: this little island is rather quaint to say the least. Think Hurlingham Club meets Lake Como. 

The sheltered bay provided the perfect setting for a sail. 

Having my little titanic moment at the bow of the boat in the cutest little Sperry boat shoes.

Now I would like to say that this snap is mine, sadly I was a little busy taking selfies when G was taking this dramatic shot of the main sail. Phoooaaarrrr!

Despite the minimal winds and the fact we had to motor back into the harbour, we had an absolute sail of a time (geddit) on board the gorgeous yacht. Telling tales of worldly travels and hearing all about the old English history of the surrounding Isles. 

Stopping only briefly in the yacht club we hopped in the car, roof down and headed to the South Fork.

What a drive. Through the beautiful countryside which reminded oh so much of holidaying in Cornwall. Vineyards, stables, farmers markets with the loveliest little American houses all made of white wooden panels with cute window shutters and huge patriotic American flags. It was dream-like. Something out of a movie. 

Bring wine to a house that has two wine cellars might be a little wasted. So being the token Brit and a self confessed summer time addict, of course I had to bring a big old bottle of Pimms. For some bizarre reason, Sprite or even regular sparkling lemonade is pretty hard to come by out east, but to no avail. The oh so fancy Lorina Pink Lemonade definitely added that perfect Hamptons touch to my normal blend - oh and the bottle of Prosecco we threw in too also helped.

I was revelling in all things Gatsby at sunset. 

Just look at that view.

A night of the most delicious food and scrumptious s'mores. We gleefully parted the night away till the early hours. 

No traffic, honking horns, police sirens, I slept like an absolute baby in my beachy bedroom.

#hotdogsorlegs

The absolute eeriest fog over Flying Point Beach due to the cold winds coming off the Altantic meeting with the warm weather on shore. Reminiscent somewhat of a John Grisham thriller.

Back in Sag Harbour.

With the sun setting and the bay at low tide.

Well, what more idyllic setting for a run?

Green on green on green.

Catching a few rays before heading back to the Island.

What a fabulous weekend. Getting back to the city in the 30°c muggy heat was not pleasant to say the least. So lucky to have spent my first MDW making new friends and having an absolute blast in the Hamptons, and a big thank you to G for inviting me. 

The whole New Englandy vibe that the Hamptons boasts, made me miss London just a little or maybe quite a lot. Just guess I'm going to visit home soon.