bridgetwoznica-blog

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Sometimes I feel like I am an old person trapped in a young person`s body. I`m boring. I go to movies. I read. That`s about it.

- Alexis Bledel (via amiscellaneouscollaboration)

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You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. If you round out your edges, you lose your edge. Apologize for mistakes. Apologize for unintentionally hurting someone — profusely. But don’t apologize for being who you are.

Danielle Laporte (via wordsnquotes)

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Coaster at GMT Tavern, NYC. on Flickr.

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Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Be curious.

Stephen Hawking (via unl-awful)

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I was the shyest human ever invented, but I had a lion inside me that wouldn’t shut up.

Ingrid Bergman (via creatingaquietmind)

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The Most Basic Concept. 

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We could all put more effort into expressing our appreciation and love for one another 💯

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Because You Might Learn Something. One of the many, many reasons to read more diversely is to learn about experiences different from your own. In my opinion, this is one of the best parts of reading: being able to walk around in someone else’s head. The thing about living in a heterosexist culture is that you’re steeped in it, even if you’re queer positive and really trying. Even as a queer person, I still deal with having to unlearn a lot of what straight (not to mention white, cis, abled) society teaches from an early age. One of the best ways to do that is through consciously choosing the media you absorb in order to counteract some of those messages. Of course, there’s always the chance that you might learn something about yourself, too. For some people, falling down a queer romance/erotica rabbit hole might lead to the conclusion that they’re not as straight as they thought they were.

from 5 Reasons Straight Women Should Read Lesbian Books (via bookriot)

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Don’t worry about your body. It isn’t as small as it once was, But honestly, the world needs more of you. You look in the mirror like you’ve done something wrong, But you look perfect. Anyone who says otherwise is telling a lie to make you feel weak. And you know better. You’ve survived every single day, for as long as you’ve been alive. You could spit fire if you wanted.

Clementine von Radics, “For My Mother When She Doesn’t Feel Beautiful”  (via wordsnquotes)

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There are writers who know how their book’s going to end before they sit down to write the first chapter. I’m not one of them. I sit down with an idea — a character who travels endlessly — and then it’s a gradual process of accumulation; the unsettledness of constant travel comes up against other fascinations and obsessions — dead languages, circuses, private detectives — and a story begins to come through.

Emily St. John Mandel, Last Night in Montreal (via powells)

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Ralph Lauren proudly supports children’s literacy by inspiring families to read together and providing access to books for children in need in partnership with Scholastic. Shop the ‪#‎RLKids‬ Literacy Program capsule collection and all proceeds will benefit Reach Out and Read: http://rlauren.co/1RUQo7h

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ICYMI: The home-sharing company Airbnb aired a commercial during the ESPYs that gave a shout-out to transgender inclusion and respect – a kind and not-so-subtle nod to Caitlyn Jenner winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. It’s simple, but lovely. Thoughts?

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Bark Hot Dogs

I've never been too crazy about hot dogs. When it came to American Fast Food, I was always more of a hamburger gal. My brother on the other hand, could put hot dogs away like nobody's business. I can remember summer dinners growing up vividly: the five of us sitting around the table, passing the big bowl of boiled corn (then rolling the cob through the butter), next the potatoes (either boiled, baked, or mashed), and finally the meat (burgers, grilled chicken, pork chops). Somehow little Joey got to skip all of this and lived off of only Hofmann hot dogs for the first 10 years of his life. Not even a bun made it into this child's stomach. Strictly the meat, cut up into little circles, and quickly dabbed in ketchup. At one point he even a rotisserie hot dog machine for his birthday—you know the ones they use to [not] make the footlongs look appetizing at your local movie theaters and bulk good stores? Yup. My little brother owned one of those. Owns? The kid recently moved out onto his own so I wouldn't be surprised if it made a comeback soon. 

So while I've personally never been a huge fan, what kind of big sister would I be if I didn't do my research on where to take him on his biannual visits to the city? 

A Brooklyn native, Bark Hot Dogs recently opened their Greenwich Village spot around the corner from my office. I organized the creative team and we ran over to get our fix last week. The hot dog, made from a blend of only New York state meat, was dare I say comparable to a Hofmann? Nothing like those Ball Park jokers. This was the real deal, a combination of only 3 cuts, with no fillers: Pork Belly, Pork Shoulder, and Beef Shoulder. It was still a hot dog, so probably not great for that first Tinder meet and greet. But when your picky little brother comes down for a visit, it won't make you immediately regret your lunch as much as the guy on the corner selling god knows what for $1. 

Bark Hot Dogs 155 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10012

barkhotdogs.com

Hours: Sun–Wed: 11am–12am Thur–Sat: 11am–2am

Good For: Quick Bite

Food & Drink: American Fast Food Hot Dog Hamburger Beer & Wine

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Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

Swapping childhood stories with the fiancée never proves to be dull. She'll tell me of her lamb, Mike, who she loved and befriended and connected with on a spiritual level, and who then became Easter dinner. I'll tell her of the time I was the test dummy for a homemade zip-line in the backyard, then fell 5 feet to my own death. Very similar childhoods. Very relatable for both parties.

She can tell me about Mike, or the donkey she used to ride down hills in her grandmother's village, she can even tell me how she's never seen half of the Disney movies I grew up on, but nothing will surprise me as much as when she tells me THEY DON'T HAVE PEANUT BUTTER IN GREECE. 

Forget Lion King and a pre-baked ham from the supermarket on Easter...how does one go through a childhood without the creamy goodness of crushed nuts on white bread, on bananas, on apples, by the spoonful when nobody's looking?! It just simply cannot be done! Bottom line, we had a lot of work to do here. 

First thing's first. We had to buy a Reeses. Americans, ya feel me on: Impressed. Then I gave her her first bite of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich: Not impressed. The cabinets were going bare, except for an abundance of tortillas. Peanut butter and banana quesadilla: Impressed.

Some days when I'm really fed up with writing about credit card debt, I can feel feel a union between my entrepreneurial and my restless sides beginning to form into an Oprah moment

Peanut butter aside for a minute, last year's birthday cupcakes from a box.. Funfetti from the aisles of Target. Hopelessly sloppy purple frosting, concocted from a jar of white frosting and a few drops of food coloring. She was appreciative, yes, but she also wanted to make sure I didn't pay someone to make them: Slightly less than impressed. This year's homemade peanut butter stuffed brownies, however, were a home run. And the reason we'e had to sign up for so many weekend races in August.

Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup salted butter

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Dash of salt

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING:

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a 9x9 inch square baking pan with a little olive oil. Wipe clean with a paper towel to remove excess.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and chocolate chips, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour into large mixing bowl. Allow to slightly cool for about 10 minutes. 

Next comes the peanut butter. In a medium bowl, beat the peanut butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla, and milk together until combined. We used chunky peanut butter, but creamy works just as well.

Whisk granulated sugar and brown sugar into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until smooth after each one. Add vanilla, then gently fold in the flour and salt. 

Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Make sure you covered the pan completely, then add all of peanut butter mixture on top. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top. 

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Has there ever been a greater marriage than peanut butter and chocolate? 

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No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.

Madonna (via creatingaquietmind)