I don't know when or why it happened but somewhere along the way, I fell in love with brunch. I know it happened after college graduation because what else is a post-grad supposed to do? Brunch is such the basic bitch thing to do and I love every moment of it.

Brunchcon

I've showcased my love of brunch here many times, from a review of Brunchcon and a gift guide for the brunch lover in your life so I figured it was time to give you a rundown of my favorite places in the New York area.

The reason I love brunch so much is that it's basically an excuse to get drunk in the middle of the day and you're home by 7 PM and can sleep and wake up with a mild hangover. In my adult life, I hate going to a bar and getting home at 2 AM. I find it pointless and not fun. Who decided that it was fun to go out at 11 PM? It used to be but not at 25 years old.

That's why brunch is the best of both worlds and I'm a little obsessed.

Now, most of the places I go to are bottomless brunch places because it's cheap(er) and it is the way I like to party. There are a few places on Long Island that I LOVE that aren't bottomless and much more lowkey than the places in Manhattan.

Me on my 25th birthday at Libation NYC

1. Libation: I would say this is the most party brunch place on my list and probably my favorite. It's less of a party place than Bagatelle or Beauty and Essex but more of a party place than the other places on the list.

They have a kickass bottomless brunch; delicious food and so many mimosas. The people who work there are really nice and once your two hours are up, you usually can go upstairs to their bar area (the place is 3 floors) and continue to enjoy your night. I had my 25th birthday there this past November and they made a big deal about it; brought us sparklers, said my name over the DJ booth, and was just a great host.

If you're looking for a really wonderful bottomless brunch, high key experience, Libation is your place!

Scrambled Popovers

French Toast Sandwich

2. Toast: Sometimes when you think of brunch you may think of intense, delicious breakfast dishes that are totally unique and fun. Toast is just that for me. It's located in Huntington, Long Island and is super tiny, usually has a decent wait time but is well worth every moment spent. It's a quirky, fun, loud place that you'll see families with small children at (unlike Libation) and it's one of my favorite low-key brunch spots.

My favorite dishes are the French Toast Sandwich (a BEC with french toast instead of a bagel or regular bread as the 'bun'), the French Toast Sticks, and the Scrambled Popover. Ugh, my mouth is watering! *This isn't a bottomless brunch place

3. Southern Hospitality: I've only been here twice but it remains one of my favorite and most recommended places to eat. It's Justin Timberlake's restaurant (so that might be a reason I love it so much) and has a real southern feel -- as southern as you can get in Hells Kitchen, Manhattan. It's rustic, loud, and oddly airy if you sit near one of the windows. The food is delicious and is super comforting. You can do a bottomless brunch here and it's a favorite of those after graduation crowds (I went after my graduation and my friends' and it was awesome)

4. The Blind Pig: Another place I've been to only once but it shows up on every NYC bottomless brunch list. Now, I don't talk about drinking a lot on the blog because I try to remain professional but I went here for my 23rd birthday and basically drank myself into oblivion. The drinks are so strong that I don't remember tasting my food -- it was SO GOOD. The menu has duck on it, so it's a little more sophisticated than a typical omelet place. It's also not a party place with a DJ like Libation but you can still make a great time out of it. If you wish to have a more lowkey brunch, this place can cater to that too.




5. JAM: This is another Long Island place, and another place that has a long wait but is also worth it. My favorite part is that they let you make your own mimosas so you get a little jug of orange juice,  a little champagne bottle, and a glass, and voila! You make your own! The coffee cups they give you are reminiscent of Central Perk and the menu is to die for. I went last weekend and got a Lobster Eggs Benedict. It was too good for words! *Important to note like Toast, this is not bottomless! 

Have you ever had a bottomless brunch? If you're in NYC, what is your favorite spot?

xoxo
B

This can be the brunch lover or the Champagne lover because I am both and as far as I'm concerned, brunch & champs go hand in hand.

My drink of choice is now a mimosa and I can always go for a glass of Champagne whether it's morning, noon, or night.

I think the reason I love brunch so much is that I like day drinking, food, my friends, and being able to come home early. I hate going out at night to a bar... who decided that it was a good idea to go out at 10 PM and come home at 2 or 3? I'd much rather kill a day and come home at 5 or 6 PM. At least you have the rest of the night to relax or do something, that is if you're not too drunk.

Brunch has really become a phenomenon in recent years and there is so much fun, brunch themed items. None of these are really big ticket items but are fun little gifts to get your friends or put in someone's stocking.

Brunch Charging Clutch Target Prosecco Shirt SOCKART Brunch Crew Socks Workout Brunch Repeat Sweatshirt Pinch Provisions Brunch Kit Pinch Provisions Hangover Kit Kate Spade Pop Fizz Clink Coin Purse Wake Me For Mimosas Sleep Mask Slip Silk Pillowcase Press for Champagne Button

xoxo
B

I've been talking about BrunchCon since I purchased tickets at the beginning of February. When I heard the words Brunch & Con together I knew I wanted to go but I didn't think I actually go. It felt like the type of event I thought about going to but never would; it was not the case this time!

My big and I (big sister in my sorority) purchased our tickets on a whim after G-Chatting her at work saying we should get them before they sold out. This was a Tuesday... they were sold out by Thursday.

I'd been counting down the days, getting all my brunch stuff ready, and just couldn't wait to be in my element with all the other basic bitches in Manhattan.

I don't know what I was expecting from BrunchCon but I just knew it would be a day of eating and drinking and lots of brunch fun.

BrunchCon NYC took place in downtown Brooklyn at the Grand Prospect Hall. It's a catering hall that was decorated so incredibly gaudy (extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless) to the point where it almost seemed ironic.

YOOOO These donuts were so GOOOOOOOOOD

I arrived at Grand Prospect Hall around 10:40 and my big was already on line. We were in the doors by 11, which is exactly what we were told. 

We waited on a few lines and were then checked in, handed 1 plate, 1 fork, 1 knife, and 1 champagne flute to last us the entire day. I thought this was really weird -- how am I expected to carry these things around while trying to enjoy myself and take photos? It just put me off a bit.

We checked our coats and went upstairs to the main room where all the vendors were. The way this was laid out was that there were different sections with different vendors. Once you went into a section you tasted all the vendors; once you were out, you couldn't go back in. BrunchCon officials were checking off your sections as you entered so you couldn't go back in once you were done.

We were able to go to every vendor and I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but almost confused. All the vendors were just giving out tastings of their food, no where near full size food. Maybe it was just me being naive but I was expecting bigger portions. 

There was everything from donuts to nachos to pastries to mac & cheese. I will say there was some food I didn't taste and vendors we skipped because they just weren't up to our liking. 

My favorite foods were: cheddar stuffed sausage from The Vanderbilt, biscuits from Butter & Scotch, cold brew coffee from Cafe Grumpy , and empanadas from a place I CANNOT REMEMBER! 

I had 2 delicious mimosas from the Mimosa Bar, a Margarita, a DELICIOUS cocktail from St. Germain Liquor, and a classic Moscato Spritzer from Barefoot. I had a nice buzz going on and honestly was full by the time I left but it could've been that I had just mixed too much liquor LOL

There was supposed to be a speed dating event and a hangover lounge but I did not see either of these things; also, it was incredibly messy. There was garbage EVERYWHERE; on the floor, on tables, on food vendors' tables. It was kind of gross. 

I personally had a good time; the lines were long but I didn't feel like I was really waiting in line because you basically just ate your way through the lines. It was crowded but I've been to GenBeauty and other conventions and they're just as crowded -- that's what happens at these things.

The reviews online about BrunchCon are HORRIBLE. Literally, if you're part of the Facebook group event, you'll see people ripping them apart. I do agree with almost everything they're saying; it wasn't organized enough, the trash pile up was gross, there wasn't enough alcohol, and I thought the portions were a joke. I still enjoyed myself though and stayed until the end. I had fun with my big and talked to a few people about what food and drinks they were enjoying. 

I personally don't think it was a disaster like others are saying online but it had it moments; I wouldn't  buy a ticket for next year and I don't know if I can honestly recommend the event. I had a good time but knowing what I know now, I'm not sure if it was worth a $55 ticket.

*I don't like doing bad reviews but I was planning on doing this post despite whether I had a grand ole time or not so here we are!

*I did find my new favorite coffee -- the Cafe Grumpy Cold Brew was so delicious I need to take stock in bottles!

Have you been to a BrunchCon? Were any of you there on Sunday? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo
B

Brunch is the only kind of social drinking atmosphere I like now that I've graduated to the adult world. I don't care for crowded bars or crazy, loud clubs; brunch is the perfect mixture of friends, drinks, and food. It's better than going out to dinner, because it's socially acceptable to drink a little heavier.

Also, breakfast food is better than dinner food & that is always a plus in my book.

I am the queen of brunch, and I attended a really great brunch this weekend, a Friendsgiving brunch to be exact. My sorority sister who planned it had little pilgrim hats, and fun Thanksgiving accessories.






I also wore my turkey flats from Jack Rogers, and it was the perfect touch of festive fun.

I've been all about being festive this holiday season; something has just sprung up in me when I want to be in the holiday spirit, decorate my house and be a homebody. You can read all about this little phase in tomorrow's post... a truly Thanksgiving themed one.

Because of all of this, mixed with a mutual love of brunch (I think everyone feels that way about brunch, am I right?), the holidays are the perfect time to host a get together. That's usually the consensus around this time of the year... lots of holiday parties, lots of little get togethers.

It can get tiring, to go to these dinners, because mostly these secret santas, holiday gatherings are at night & in a dinner setting.

If I host a holiday gathering, which I'm hoping too, I think I'll go the brunch route. It's fun, different, and you don't have to shelp to Manhattan, or whichever city is near you. Sometimes it's nice to have brunch right at home, with your closest friends. Make that a Christmas theme and you've got yourself a party.

If you're thinking of throwing a holiday brunch, there are a few things you need:

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Food

Coco Tub Invite

Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Danish

Gingerbread Muffins

Slow Cooker Vanilla Latte

Grinch Juice: OMFG I need this!!

A little decor inspiration

Christmas Brunch Tablescape

Since starting work full time back in April, my lounge days are limited to the weekends. That means, my Pinterest time is few and far inbetween.

I hadn't made a food concoction in quite a while, but a month ago, during the 4th of July weekend I basically had a 4 day weekend and a little bit of time on my hands.

With this, I started looking through Pinterest and decided that a breakfast casserole was my next project. This is very similar to the breakfast cups I made back in January, but just in a regular casserole form.

I couldn't find a recipe that exactly fit what I want-- a lot used ham instead of bacon, were for serving sizes of 24 people, or just wasn't what I was looking for. I decided to just wing it and make something of my own.

Ingredients:



1 package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Half a package of Hash Browns
8 Eggs
Bacon (as much as you'd like) -- precook before hand
Shredded Cheese (whichever kind, however much you'd like)

Steps:

1. Spray casserole pan with cooking spray
2. Spread package of crescent rolls over the casserole pan, make sure there are no open spaces between the dough, seal up any cracks.
3. Spread raw hash browns on top of the crescent rolls
4. Beat 8 eggs together in a bowl (add salt and pepper if you'd like) and pour over hashbrowns
5. Add pre cooked bacon slices on top (I broke the pieces of bacon in half to cover more space)
6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese
7. Cook at 350 degrees for about 15-25 minutes, or until the edges of the crescent rolls look golden brown, and the eggs are cooked thoroughly.





This casserole lasted for weeks. It was honestly way too much (whoops) so after about 5 days in the refrigerator, I cut it in half and put it in the freezer. It tasted just as good after it was defrosted and heated in the microwave.

This is such a fun brunch idea, if you're having a weekend brunch for your girlfriends -- it's something easy and quick to make that is different!