My RI Life: Lindsay Raposa

Who Is She?

(I'm) A bonafide junk food connoisseur, Instagram junkie, and white wine enthusiast...I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelors degree in Psychology, and work at a nonprofit organization doing behavioral health screenings. In addition, I work part-time doing freelance social media, and enjoy reading blogs, and staying up to date on the latest trends in fashion and makeup. I also love spending time with family and friends and traveling (but there's nothing like being home in Rhode Island). 

Food And Restaurants

I believe in four meals a day: breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner! Some of my local favorites are:

For Breakfast And Coffee

Julian's (Providence, RI): Don't let the wait time scare you away (usually 15 minutes to 1 hour) because there's a fully stocked bar with some of the best morning cocktails around. The atmosphere and crowd make Julian's a perfect spot for a "morning after" breakfast with your friends. My go-to breakfast there always consists of 1-2 (million) Bloody Mary's, The Paesano Omelette made with egg whites, and home fries smothered in their house-made ketchup.

Favorite Coffee Shop: Coffee Connection in Narragansett (URI alumni will agree with me!) or Jitters Cafè in North Kingstown 

Favorite Drink at Starbucks: Salted Caramel Mocha (only available in the fall so I wait all year for it!), or a Grande Cold Brew with 2% milk

For Brunch

Duck & Bunny (Providence, RI) : Located on Wickenden street, this is another must if you're in the Providence area. The Duck & Bunny is a creperie, so most of their dishes are made using their homemade crepes. (If you go for dinner, their Margarita pizza on a crepe is delicious.) I like to start with a latte, and a Bubbly Mary - it's made with prosecco instead of vodka and is a delicious twist on the traditional brunch cocktail. Duck & Bunny offers a variety of both sweet and savory options, but I prefer The Mazzy Star, which is stuffed with portabella mushrooms and fontina cheese cooked in truffle oil - I'm a sucker for anything with truffle oil.

The Elephant Room (Cranston, RI): Okay, so I clearly have a crepe and Bloody Mary fetish, but in my opinion, those are two brunch staples. My mom and I had a girls date to walk around Pawtuxet Village and have brunch, and our first stop was The Elephant Room. The atmosphere is beautiful, lots of windows and natural lighting, we could have sat and "people watched" all day. We each chose our favorite crepe: I chose the Baby Spinach with kalamata olives, roasted peppers, feta & balsamic truffle glaze, and my mom chose the Three Cheese Margherita swiss, feta, and jack with tomato and fresh basil. We split the crepes and a fresh pot of Early Grey tea that's steeped right at your table, and a Bloody Mary, made with Dos Equis Amber Lager, which added a smokey flavor to the traditional Bloody Mary taste.

For Lunch

Diego's (Newport, RI): After a long day at Second Beach in Newport, my favorite thing to do is stop by the wharf for some of the best Mexican food in the state! I love to start out with a pitcher of their Skinny Margarita's, and some of their house-made guacamole, which they will prepare to your liking. I'm a big fan of spicy food, so I always ask for a little jalapeno puree and habanero relish on the side to give my nachos with guac a little kick! After you've eaten your body weight in endless nachos in guac, make sure to try the Diego’s Famous Loaded Fish Tacos. (I like to substitute the pan-seared tuna for the cod.)

*If the Loaded Fish Taco's don't sound appetizing, the wait staff is always generous enough to let you build your own taco, in which case, I'd recommend soft tacos with steak, jalapenos, and red onion, smothered in guacamole.

For Dinner

Trattoria Romana (South County, RI): If you're looking for authentic Italian food, look no further than Trattoria Romana. This was one of our recent date night spots, and it quickly became one of my favorite restaurants! On my first visit, I ordered a few appetizers to hold us over until we were ready to order our entrees, however, to my surprise, the appetizers were so large, we didn't have any room left for our meals. My favorite dish is the Melanzana Ripiene which is fried eggplant rolled with prosciutto and ricotta cheese, then smothered in San Marzano sauce (This dish was so delicious I had to try the recipe at home as well.). If you don't fill up on their delicious appetizers, the Spaghetti Alla Vongole Veraci (spaghetti with little neck clams), is incredible! **I prefer mine in the garlic and white wine sauce, but they do have a light red sauce option as well.** No Italian meal is complete without dessert (At least that's what I tell myself.), and the dessert menu definitely has something for everyone. My favorite dessert has to be the Lemoncello Ricotta Cheesecake and a single shot of espresso to end an incredible meal.

Cafe Nuovo (Providence, RI): Cafe Nuovo is in a league all its own and is by far my favorite restaurant in RI. Regardless of what season it is, Cafe Nuovo has a beautiful view of the Providence River where WaterFire takes place. The outdoor seating in the summer is an absolute must, so you can watch the gondolas on the river, but I visited during the blizzard on Valentine's Day this year and it was just as beautiful. During my last visit, I started with the Eggplant & Zucchini Napoleon (because obviously I love anything smothered in ricotta and pomodoro sauce), the Lobster Risotto Cake, and a grilled Margherita pizza, and for my meal I swear by the Seared Tuna or the Lobster Tail Linguine. For dessert, I always get the Crème Brûlée and a cappuccino. 


Beauty Tips, Tricks, And Favorite Products

I'm not much of a morning person, which is hard because I need to be in the office at 8 am, so I prefer a beauty routine that makes me look like I'm not a zombie, but is still very low maintenance and manageable. My number one trick to always looking flawless (and awake), are my lash extensions by Gianna and Christine at The Beauty Lounge at Magnolia. The lash extensions make it look like I always have makeup on my eyes (and that I'm not a zombie), so all I have to do in the morning is wash my face and brush my teeth and I can be on my way! For the weekend, I like to add some drama with a neutral eyeshadow with a shimmer to it, and Smashbox waterproof eye liner and Better Than Sex mascara on my bottom lashes. 

My favorite products right now:

Three Ways To Beat The Heat This Summer

1. Practice Safe Sun: I love the sun as much as the next person, but in the past year, my dermatologist has found and biopsied a few pre-cancerous moles from my years of tanning. (So) now I like to practice "safe sun". I visit Glistening Goddesses once a week to maintain a healthy and natural looking tan without the sun - and I swear by it!

When I know I'll be spending time outside I use Tarteguard by Tarte SPF 30 sunscreen. 

2. Stay Hydrated: The summer is always a time for some outdoor drinking in the sun, which makes it easy to feel dehydrated. I like to make some 'detox' waters (by adding mint, lime and grapefruit and transferring everything into mason jars) and keep them in my fridge, so I can stay hydrated while hanging hanging out by the pool. 

3. Keep Your Skin Looking And Feeling Fresh: I keep a bottle of Evian Mineral Water spray in my bag and mist my face as needed. It feels refreshing, and keeps my makeup and skin looking fresh throughout the day, especially when it's so hot (that) it feels like my makeup is melting off.

I also like to apply Acure Gotu Kola Stem Cell Cream to my face in the morning and Bio Oil at night to keep my skin hydrated and moisturized. 

Style And Shopping

Lulus.com: Lulu's has lots of designer looks for less, this year for New Years Eve I purchased a dress for $50 that was an exact replica of the "For Love and Lemons - Antigua Mini Dress" which retails for $224. (See photo above.) They also have heels that resemble the Valentino Rock Stud ones, along with so many other cute outfits perfect for any occasion.

My best shopping tip for looking like a million bucks on a budget is to know when to splurge and when to save. I purchased a pair of nude Pigalle 120mm Louboutins that I pair with $19 H&M jeans and a plain white bodysuit from American Apparel and those heels instantly make the entire outfit look more expensive than it is. When splurging, I like to choose items I can wear over and over again, and that will work with almost every outfit in my closet. Some items I suggest splurging on are: 1) pumps in black or nude 2) a clutch or cross body 3) a pair of jeans that fit like a glove (Don't be afraid to buy 2 to 3 pairs.)

Scenic Spot

Bowen's Wharf: I love walking along the Wharf on a Saturday, shopping, eating, and enjoying the view. I'd say Bowen's is perfect for a girls day or a date night - there's always something to see and do. 

 

To follow Lindsay on Instagram, click here.

 

Photo Credits: All beauty and makeup pictures courtesy of Google Images. All others courtesy of Lindsay Raposa.

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