English Breakfast on An American Sunday

The vegetable and fruit stands in the neighborhood are loaded with leafy greens this time of year. 

The radishes were too BEAUTIFUL to pass over and at $0.75 for a large bunch too cheap not to buy.

This morning I enjoyed a quick and easy breakfast of coffee and warm French bread topped with radishes and greens sauted in butter.

All you need are a bunch of fresh juicy radishes.

 I washed them and cut the green tops off before drying them in a salad spinner to make sure everything was soil free.

To keep things uniform I pulled out the mandolin slicer and made beautiful red jewel disks of the cleaned radishes 

 Then I heated up both a non-stick pan and the oven (250-300F)

Once the pan was hot I added a large gob of salt free butter

After it melted I dumped in the radishes and allowed them to cook for a bit before adding the greens. 

After about 2 minutes the leaves had wilted, the disks were butter infused but still firm and all was ready to be sprinkled with coarse salt before transferring into a bowl.  

While the goodness rested I turned my attention to the heated oven and the French bread I purchased on Saturday afternoon.

The paper sleeved loaf was hard as a brick but I had an old trick up my sleeve.

Using my water spray bottle I generously spritzed the paper bag, put it into the oven for 2 minutes and pulled out a soft loaf (use trick only once!) that was quickly cut into 1/2" disks, topped with the veggies and enjoyed with a hot milky coffee.

 

 

The butter soothes the peppery radish and the salt highlights its.

Try it and Enjoy!

Tuesday's Mental Musing

A lot is going on and I am spending time trying to organize myself so to stay the course.
Reflecting on it all I can't help but think how we all create most of our own chaos by either not addressing the need to be attentive and responsible for our actions or by reacting rather than thoughtfully responding to those around us and the chaos they may bring..sigh...

In the Spirit of the Moment

Music for Thought

Tuesday's Mental Musings on

a Friday...

People are always bitching and moaning about how others misbehave and mistreat them.  I have done my share of complaining.  I know that complaining can bring to the surface issues that make us feel uncomfortable, especially when in our discomfort most of us reach for anger first.  Voicing our complaints is definitely an outlet for stress and most of us have to bitch and moan before we can get to a place where issues can be spoken about in a productive way that can actually help us work towards a resolution.  

Of course it takes two to create a situation.  Family dynamics leave a great impression on us and we often build relationships based on the behavior we have been taught.  So remembering that we are 50% at fault may humble us enough to stop to take self-inventory during our ranting even if it’s after we ripped and raved against it all.  The key is to understand that regardless of how much we note fault, review misbehavior or attempt to define what shouldn't or should have happened in the end it is our choice to stay in situations that make us unhappy.

Now there are those of you reading this thinking I can’t just divorce my spouse, quit my job or end a lifelong friendship today. This may be true, especially since we will always bring with us part of the issue that belongs to us, but it is our choice to accept the behavior of others and most of us forget that we each have the freedom to eliminate our interaction with the things that may mistreat us.  If elimination isn’t an option we also have the choice to consider how we communicate and behave with those who cause us grief.  We can let them know what offends us, ask them to consider how we can get pass the issues at hand and improve the relation and most importantly listen when they respond.  

If they don’t respond you have your answer.  

If they respond in an aggressive or abusive manner you have your answer. 

If they listen and agree to work at having the type of interaction you hope to have with them but continue to behave in an offensive manner you have your answer. 

If they listen and agree to work at having the type of relationship you hope to have with them you have your answer

Tell Your Fortune...

I took this photo at St Marks & 1st Avenue

I wondered what happened to all the fortune teller store fronts??!

Three Months of Gratitude

Every evening I take a moment to write down what I was thankful for that day.

I have been doing this since January 1.

It makes me stop and give thanks for being blessed with life.

My only concern is I may run out of colored note options before the year is up

What are you grateful for?

ReCycle, RePurpose, ReInvent

 

My sister Tamarah teaches a recycled art class. The projects she shares are pretty amazing. The art that is made truly makes one consider how much we waste, even when we believe we are being considerate of  how things are grown and made. A long time proponent of buying and living with previously used and worn items being privy to her process and the results of her students has made me begin to see what most of us consider trash and throw away in a new light. Last week I took pictures of things I know could be used to make new and wonderful things. Sigh...I really need a car and a warehouse..

 

Finally..The One

One night after work last week while waiting to pay for a few goodies at Sephora I finally found the lip color I craved in a dual ended BITE lipstick. One end of the wand houses Shiraz, a natural wine color, and the other Restina, a shade that is a darker nude, both of which go easily from office to after hours. The pigment is strong, the texture creamy and at $18 for this 2 in 1 it's a real steal. Unfortunaetely the item doesn't seem to be readily available onSephora's site but keep your eyes open for this little gem while waiting to check out - mine was in the "sample" bin area.

 

Sigh....

Obsessed....

I took this picture months ago but I keep returning to it-

A store on the Lower East Side (LES) was in transition and the tenant found a brilliant and curious way to shield the work being done from nosey eyes like mine. Newspapering windows isn't a new thing, especially on the LES, but when it is done in such a planned and intentional way it becomes art...wonder if I can replace my apartment window treatments.....

Remaining Grateful

Since January 1 I have taken a minute out of my day to write down one thing I am grateful for and place that note into jar (see attached) that will be opened and read come New Years Eve 2013.

 

This wasn't my brilliant idea but after finding the suggestion in a few year end magazines and posted on a number of blogs I decided to listen to the universe and just do it! 

And for that I am grateful.

 

Each time I stop to take note I find myself being grateful for more than just one or two things a day and it is that simple and small gratitude that makes the day-to-day so worth it.

 

The month of January is over.

All my yellow sticky notes are done!

It's time to move onto the blue pad.

It's Time To Be Grateful!

The Hunt is on...

I want to wear lipstick this year. I want to have brightly colored lips. It would be nice if they lasted all day and didn't leave stains on cups or teeth or cheeks. The problem is I think wearing a pigment on my lips makes them look much thinner than they really are, even with liner!

Of course this hasn't stopped me from applying all manner of lip-lip to the inside of my hand while at department store makeup counters. Or from standing in the make-up aisles in every drug store I stop in to frantically search for "the one". I have spent hours, yes hours, at beauty supply places testing and deciding and purchasing pinks and peaches and neutral reds only to store them in the cabinet under the bathroom sink and reach for the Sephora Collection Color Reveal Lip Balm in Unique Pink I purchased out of desperation a few weeks ago.

This $12 product adjusts to your unique pH to create a customized pink shade. It keeps your lips moist and leaves your pout full and pretty.  I have gotten compliments even though the color is barely the blush I yearn for but until I find "the one" this will more than do....

 

http://www.sephora.com/color-reveal-lip-balm-P304833?skuId=1363134

Custom Made Bettie Page...

Earlier this week I posted about the newly opened Bettie Page clothing store at the Bowery.

This morning I received an email from Vogue Patterns advising of a 2 day sale on all Vintage Sewing Patterns. 

So if you prefer your vintage style home-made and tailored to your needs have a look at

http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/48-hour-deal-vintage-vogue-pages-4432.php?utm_source=V20130109DD48&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=V20130109DD48_VintageVogue&utm_source=V20130109DD48&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=V20130109DD48

 

Retro Year

Back in the day as a broke art student most of my clothing was "previously loved". I adored garments and accessories from the late 1930s to Mid 1950s. Buying and wearing Retro Clothing was definitely about costume dressing and being seen but as the years passed I found myself becoming more conservative in my dress.

 

One of this year's resolutions is to revisit the part of my personality that loved to "dress up" and in support the universe walked me right by the newly opened Bettie Page store on the Bowery.

http://www.bettiepageclothing.com

The Bettie Page Clothing Store is a chain with outposts in a number of major U.S. cities including L.A., Vegas, N.Y. and Philidelphia to name a few. Though a retro line many of the styles seem to reflect the current trends highlighted in the on-stand fashion magazines.

 

I must admit I was disappointed that they didn't offer foundations to support the fitted curvy wear but that didn't stop me from picking out a few dresses for the coming spring!

1st Music Video of 2013

Happy New Year!

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. "-Brooks Atkinson

Ringing In 2013

With this being the last week of 2012 I have taken the time to reflect on this past year.

I spent much of 2012 learning alot about my family, friends and acquaintances, co-workers and more importantly my self. I now understand where the key players in my life stand and what I can and can not expect from them. 

And in turn I have learned, and am still learning, how to define what they should and shouldn't expect from me. I hope to take those lessons into 2013 so that I can continue to live a life that provides the things I need to feel supported and happy.

Like many I make a New Year Resolution List. It isn't written in stone but I do use it as a guide to move toward larger life goals I continually set. The list is a living list. I schedule monthly appointments throughout the year to check in, check off, move around and edit. Those check-ins generate weekly to-do lists that I tried to edit on a daily basis.

Did I accomplish everything on the list?
No, but I am pleasantly surprised to see many things manifested and more importantly many things that I thought I needed to experience, own or do eliminated themselves as the year evolved leaving the core definition of my interests and needs. In the end I did what I needed to do and now I am lucky eough to have 2013 to look forward to. I am, as always, grateful.

So what is it that you want to do in 2013?
What did you do in 2012 that you are proud of and want to continue into the new year?
Have you made your 2013 Gratitude Jar yet?
How will you be ringing in the possibilities of the New Year?

 

 I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. 

                                                                                       ~Charles Dickens

Helloooo Anyone Out There???

It’s been a really, really, really long time since I have come to these pages.  My apologies, life has gotten in the way.

It’s the Christmas week and we are about to head into a new year and I finally find myself ready to share more things with any readers that may still be out there. Anyone out there?

I finished Christmas shopping about two weeks ago, which is both a curse and blessing.  So to keep with the spirit I decided to head out on my own today to look for a fun and inexpensive outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve.

First off I headed to Century 21 at 86^th Street, Brooklyn (http://www.c21stores.com/brooklyn/). It was still early, about 10:30 AM, and the store was empty so I was able to quickly manuever the aisles and racks. I purchased an amazing hat ($24.99) that for some reason reminded me of the hats that actress Michael Learned wore during the Walton’s TV show.

I have always loved the clothing of the mid-late 1930s-early 1940s and mourn the fact that I wasn’t born in an era when women wore hats and gloves, garters and stockings. I am no Isabella Blow (RIP) but a good hat is an amazing accessory and more importantly this year my sister will be able to easily spot me at the train stain!

After claiming the cutest silk and crushed velvet BCBG Generation dress in a dirty mauve ($40 - see below) plus matching textured tights ($9) I made my way up the block to NY & Company.

BCBGeneration Surplus Combo Dress

 

NY & Company (http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco) has become one of my favorite go-to stores for office basics - cotton blouses, good-fit pants and suit jackets - as well as great work out wear. The quality varies and the majority of the items aren’t investment pieces but the store picks up on the trends and presents them for women not just girls.  If you sign up for their emails some of the coupons can save you major cash. Unfortunately the place had been picked cleaner than well, a Christmas turkey so I decided to get back on the R Train and head to the Fulton Street Mall. I really didn't need anything but I was still in the spirit and wanted to be out and about.

On my way to Macys I was distracted by this shiny FUSCHIA dress in of all places - The Rainbow Shop (http://www.rainbowshops.com/) .

The Rainbow Shop also picks up on the major, mostly outrageous ,trends and like most of us can be behind a few seasons but if your frugal or have a limited budget this is the place to go for a cheap outfit for a Saturday night adventure. Though the shop caters to the junior set it also carries women's sizes and has even added a children's department.

The dress was just $20. I didn't buy it. The dress is much more vibrant in realtime and I don’t think my personality is as outgoing as this dress.

Intrigued I made my way upstairs to the 3rd floor shoe department.  Rainbow has a great selection of funky, fun footwear at really low prices. The shoes may not live past the 3 month mark but at $20-$50 it might be worth the price for the entrance you are sure to make wearing any of the ones I snapped pictures of, just make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date!

 

Almost shopped out I had just enough energy to stop off at Conways before heading to the train.

Conways (http://conwaystores.com) is another mark-down store that sells off brands, liquidated stock and seconds but sometimes you can find real pearls in this store at a fraction of the market price. I ended up walking away with some $19 mock-I-really-want-to-be-Laura-Ashley-Doc-Martins...sigh, too bad they don't match the BCBG dress...

Video Break

Today's Thought..

This video is from 2007 and I still hear this word used by those who believe that they are taking away the stigma and shame attached to it and empowering themselves. Most frightening to me is that I hear it dropped as easily as "hey friend" by those who have never and will never know what it is to be belittled and kept down by the word. They throw it around with disregard for its affect on those who remember, recall and may still be spiritually demeaned by it. Yet I fail to hear those same people use any other terms or phrases that were used to degrade other peoples, perhaps their own people, as easily....

Movie of the Moment

(http://arrangedthemovie.com/)

Movie of the Moment

( http://www.history.umd.edu/Faculty/BCooperman/NewCity/AngelLevine.html )

Close your eyes...

and listen to one of my favorite Handel compositions

Handels - Rinaldo