Sadly enough, I have no fabulous, exotic plans for this coming holiday weekend, and will be stuck in the city very glamorously babysitting my parents' cats. On Sunday, as it turns out, I'm shooting a small part in a movie, but other than that I'm wide open, and I anticipate being quite hungry at many points. So I asked my friend Andrea, founder of BrunchCritic, if she had any ideas for those of us who'll be wandering the empty streets this July 4th.

I know BrunchCritic also includes restaurants that have "lunchie" items. Are there any places that you love that have BBQ-type stuff, so I can pretend I'm at a cookout? Hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, that kind of thing?

I'm a huge fan of Blue Smoke. It's nice to walk into a true BBQ establishment that has great food, but also an attractive interior. In Blue Smoke's case, the loft-like ceiling and exposed metal let you enjoy spicy BBQ wings in an airy, relaxing space.

I loved my mom's outfit the other day so much I had to take a photo of it.

How great is that?! Bright yellow + cobalt + gold jewelry is so gorgeous for summer.

It's the pants, mostly: they're perfect for summer office-wear, and look spectacular paired with so many different colors. Yellow, dusty rose, orange, fuschia, white...even bright emerald green can work if you're feeling feisty (just pull the strong color combos together with your accessories, like Mom did with that scarf).

This weekend, I spotted and lusted after (but did not buy) these in a store window on 9th Avenue.

(Jessica Simpson Bendies, $89.99)

It is not everyday that you walk into a bathroom and go "OOH! What is that fabulous scent? I would love to stay in here for HOURS."

And yet both times that I've been to Marlow & Sons, I've thought exactly that, and gone hunting for the source. And both times, it was this Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day candle.

It is delicious.

And cheapcheapcheap.