Startup Spotlight: Standard Shirt

Since my last post on how to outsource your Valentine's Day to the start up world, I've been wondering if I could leverage the start up world for my work wardrobe. And after I've introduced you gals to OnePointSix and MM LaFleur, I thought it was only appropriate to share some of that love with my gents.  So today, I'm happy to introduce you boys to Standard Shirt, a start up focused on setting the standard for men's office wear one white button up shirt at a time.

I got a chance to sit down and speak with one of the co-founders - Paul Hsiao, so I'll let him tell you all about Standard Shirt in his own words. 

What to wear to work: MM Lafleur

With my recent move, I've been doing some major spring cleaning and have decided to streamline my closet to focus on investing in a few well tailored, key pieces that will last through the years (just check out my last post here).  

In the process, I discovered MM.LaFleur - a start up founded by a Harvard/Bain/PE alum and an ex-Zac Posen/Jason Wu/Theory designer (can you say power duo?!), dedicated towards taking the work out of dressing for work.  I've heard about them for quite some time now but always found myself pressing Alt+F4 instead of click through to checkout on their website. Their dresses looked too simple and plain to pique my interest and the price point was a tad too steep to propel me towards any spontaneous purchases in the past. Recently though, I decided to give them another try and made an appointment to check out their Soho showroom instead. 

And boy, was I glad. 

(Although I must say the complimentary espresso/champagne definitely helped!)

What to wear to work: Introducing OnePointSix

I've searched high and low for a well tailored, work appropriate black dress and I think I may have finally found it with OnePointSix, a start up focused on dressing the professional women. Not only is this dress made out of the most comfortable, jersey-like material, the beautiful detailing (from the white sleeves to the pleated back) takes it to the next level without any accessories. 

What to wear to work: Pastels on Rust

Review of Place Invaders, NYC's Secret Supper Club

A couple months back a friend excitedly told me about Place Invaders, a "private dining experience set in extraordinary homes in NYC". I was intrigued and thought a secret supper club might just be what I needed to get out of the monotonous depths of winter. So as soon as I got back to my desk, I went on to their website (bare bones, with nothing more than an elusive "Come invade with us!") and left my email address in hopes of finding out more.

A few weeks later, I got the following email -

30 minute meal: One tray dinner

If you've been following along, you'll know I'm a huge fan of putting dinner on the table (or let's be real, straight into my belly) using nothing but the ability to lay ingredients on top of each other. Just check out my love affair with open face sandwiches (here, here, here and here!) or this juicy, flavor packed salmon or this breakfast quiche.  All of which require nothing but assembling and maybe some mixing in between.

Today, I wanted to introduce you to another simple recipe that even a kitchen novice can handle - the hearty one tray dinner. It was a life saver throughout college when I truly had no idea how to cook, when scrambled eggs often meant surprise egg shells and anything involving a pan always ended up one shade too burnt. This recipe is so straightforward, all you need is a baking tray, an oven and the ability to sprinkle salt over your food.