Its a sad day...

Its a sad day for a few people... I (Lara) have a new blog! Black and Brown News will no longer be updated :(

Mr. Black and Mrs. Brown have taken different paths sad to say. Please don't be too upset though, I promise my page will be just as amazing as this one :)

Hope all of you are well, keep in touch!

Look me up, i just started it....

http://www.lbjustme.blogspot.com/

new news

I cant believe its May and nothing has been posted since January! How horrible! NYC is finally warming up to us ( not just the weather either) Jon and I have found our place in this crazy city and doing well.
We both are working long and hard hours at work, and rarely do we see each other. Its a bit of a bummer but we are handeling it like grown ups! (kicking and screaming)We still get at least day off together and spend it lately outside in the sunlight. Jonny just bought a bike and has started riding to work and back for a excericise and cutting back on Metro card fees. Im still getting up at the crack of dawn for work (4:30), but now spring is here, and I am able to enjoy the rest of the day in the park.
Best news: Jon and I are coming home for a week! Keep your calenders open during May13-19, come see us.
I'll be sure to update better from now on, So sorry everyone.
Hope all is well, take care and keep in touch.

The new and improved pad!

Our bedroom is actually the largest of the rooms in our place, we have never had such a large room before, lots of storage thanks to my dad... he added lots of shelving in the deep windows... plus we have room to place both our large book shelves . I would like to say, welcome to our libaray/bedroom!

The view of our kitchen when Im standing in our living room shows how narrow the apartment really is. We love the tall ceilings and arch way, gives the place a bit of character. Cute, right?

Our living room is nice and cozy, we have a futon for a couch in case we have company. Jon and I were able to "squeeze" our computer desk in the corner, thanks for the shelves again dad, now we have a mini office!

The smallest room of the place is that white door... leading into the bathroom, which just fits the necessities (the shower is on the other side, sorry no photo) . All we have left to do is add a few hanging pictures and mirrors to jazz the place up. Hope you like it, we do!!!

a bit of everything...

The new year is here and so are a few random photos from the past few weeks. Jon and I are having trouble with our camera, so our we haven't been updating our entries as frequent. No worries, changes are in the works!!

For starters we are both doing very well in the new year. Jon hasn't slowed down at all at Allen and Delancey, things doing so well the restaurant will be staying open later starting in February. A late night menu will be in effect until 2am! As of right now the staff will be rotating to cover the shift, but eventually New staff members will be taking on the responsibility. Allen & Delancey has been getting rave reviews and is one of the top ten new restaurants in NYC! Hot spot for the stars also, Mary Kate Olsen is in the books for a private party soon!

I am also doing well at work, I now am the tourtant of the Pastry team. There are two Pastry chefs in charge, one covers the mornings and the other covers the evenings. I fill in for them on their days off. the entire staff is permanently either am or pm, except me. I have the crazy schedule, some days I'm in at 6am and others I'm working till 3am. My sleeping pattern is completely off, but I'm enjoying myself, and excited for the new responsibilities and challenges.

This is the pastry section of Eleven Madison Park, where I spend: nothing too exciting but, imagine 3-8 people in here during a normal day at EMP!

My family came down for a quick visit earlier this month and helped paint the entire apartment! Huge improvements, sometime this week I will post before and after photos, Jon and I just have a few more pieces of furniture to bring up from storage to make the place complete!

This is Bea, a very close friend of the families, she came to visit also. dropped into have a quick bit for dinner at one of our favorite noodle bars, located in Union Square "REPUBLIC".

WE miss you all very much, hope your holidays were lovely and keep in touch. I have misplaced my address book...Id love for you all to send me yours by email, Don't you miss my hand written letters? miss you, love you, come visit!!

Our Day OFF!!!

Jon and I usually have at least one day if not two days off together. Our week seems to go by so much easier when we do. Its nice to relax together. When we don't have days off, I have to tip toe around the house in the morning to head to work while he still sleeps,or Jon has to come home to me sleeping. We work opposite schedules right now. I go into work around 6am and head home around 7pm. While Jon starts off at 10am and doesn't get home till 2am.

They do say " Absences makes the heart grow fonder."

This photo was from a party we stopped in on. Our friend Phill invited us out to meet a few people. A few cocktails, sugar cookies, and cupcakes was all I needed to feel the holiday spirit! I cant wait for Christmas, NYC is so busy, and beautiful right now. My family is coming into town on New Years for a week to see us, nothing beats great company :)

Hope all is well with everyone. Jon and I are doing terrific and think of our friends and family often. We love you all, miss you, and Happy Holidays!

Restaurant Review!

Allen and Delancey had their first New York Times Review:
2 STARS!!!!



The whole place is going to be a mad house...almost impossible to get a reservation during the holidays. Please take the time and read the article, its charming. Keep in mind that Frank Bruni wrote this, a man that is hard to impress!

http://events.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/dining/reviews/12rest.html?ref=dining

Congratulations Chef Neil Ferguson, the crew, and Jon!!!!

"next stop: 14th street, Union Square"

Union Square Market is a great place to entertain yourself for one afternoon! Fun times, we went food and people watching. You can purchase a good amount of things; veggies, fruit, meat, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, flowers, hats, gloves, purses, paper shredders (seriously...in the shape of a hippo) all we walked out with was a cup o warm apple cider. Though we did get some awesome fashion sense:

young and old... these hats are everywhere. its the new thing...the Mohawk hat! i wanted a photo from the front, but I was to afraid :)
apparently ALL patterns are in at the moment, the more, the better!!!

The trees in the park are amazing right now, the bright colors, the whimsical branches...I enjoy this photo.
Good Old fashion Brussel sprouts! not many people are aware they grow this way, on a single stalk! they came in purple too!

living amoung loads...of laundry!

Laundry is so interesting when you wash with 20 other people! We live about 3 blocks from our Laundromat, which we take the car, because honestly its too freaking cold to drag it all. I think I may have to start doing it alone though, Jon has a hard time sitting still for long hours. Just some useless knowledge; our machines do not take quarters! its set up for you to buy a card which you can load money onto it from your ATM card. you then swipe the 'wash card' at the machine. crazy ;)

The city is turning seasons... Christmas is here already! The lights are up ands bright, the shoppers are here...asking how to get home ( which train do I take?). we actually had snowfall the other night!!! Cant wait to take some photos of white Christmas in the city. Also, an update: my parents are coming to visit us in January for a week, cant wait. family is so important, miss you all so much!

Jon and I got together with our good friend Phil! he introduced us to John, who is also in the industry. we all went out to eat, had some amazing Chinese food...IN CHINATOWN of course. I love all the different cultures and cuisines within this city...its a small world in here. Cant say it too often... COME VISIT!!!!

living the dream!

We are NYC people now. Jon and I are now working fultime in the city, and coming home to Brooklyn. So far so good. The hours are long, especially since the holidays are near. I have off Thanksgiving, but Jon is scheduled. I am going in to work with him and his staff for the night.

I want to be there with him, instead of home NOT eating turkey.

This past weekend we went back to Garrison for a good bye party for our good friend Ryan. He's on his way to Portland, Oregan. Its amazing how we are all going our seperate ways now. Nice to know that we have friends through out the country to go visit. which reminds me...

come visit us!!!!

enjoy the photos, more to come:

Ryan, Riche, Jon, & TJ... old roomies from Garrison

Justin, me, and Ryan in the subway...waiting

Ryan & Brandon...great guys!

Stopping by Allen & Delancey to say hi to Jonathan

Ryan... we will miss you, safe travels!!!!!

And the race is on...

Our days in Garrison are coming to an end. Slowly we are both now in Brooklyn much more. Jon has started his job at Allen & Delancey, while I have been commuting to garrison on the weekends to work the weekends. Unfortunately I did not get the job with Martha Stewart Company, they decided to stay within the company, so therefore I' m out. But I will be working at Eleven Madison Park as a pastry cook. With both of us working in New York City Kitchens, Jon and I know time together will be short, sweet, and important.
Jon's day starts at 10 am in the kitchen, prepping food for that evenings guests, by 5:00 his day is only half over. By 6 he will be preparing and plating appetizers and entrees for an average of 80 guests each evening. Dinner service ends, and clean up begins for him late. By the time he returns home the time is anywhere from 1am till 2:30am.
I have a similar schedule, but not as early. My start time is noon. I have a bit more time on my hands to do the important things, domestic things, like laundry and house cleaning. I will let you know how my job is soon, this week I will begin.
Jon and I are very excited and cant wait to see how the city will be in full effect. keep in touch and make sure to take the time and look up our new employments when you can.