Friday, July 31, 2009

A Line I Have Loved Forever ...


Back in the day I use to buy products from a woman who sold via street fairs throughout Brooklyn and New York. Her items were made with natural ingredients and real essential oils that benefited hair, body and face. She made them in her kitchen and if you couldn't catch her at a fair you could order them via phone and have them shipped to you right from her home. For a long time I was addicted to her perfume oils and hair conditioners.

Times have changed for the Carol's Daughter line. Her products and creativity were so good that she garnered the attention of some major Hollywood backers and she exploded. I have to admit some of the items I grew to love seemed different after the benefit of financial backing but having that backing allowed Lisa Price to explore and create new products that benefited her followers, me being one of them.

I recently ran across 2 of the line's items in Elle (Body Butter) and Self (Almond Cookie Sea Salt Scrub - be warned you will want to eat it!!) magazines but of all of her products the one I have always loved and continuely buy is her Koret Amen Hair Oil, $10-$22. I swear by it.
Regardless of your hair's texture or tendencies this olive oil based hair oil leaves it shiney and healthier than you can image. The product is infused with lavendar flowers, sage and essential ylang-ylang, clary sage and bay leaf oils that give your locks a woodsy scent while nurturing them. Though not a claim, I swear it makes your hair grow. It can also be used as a hot oil treatment and has other natural ingredients such as patchouli, an anti-inflammatory with anti fugal properties that rejuvenates and cedarwood, which calms the scalp that benefit your hair.

To re stock after my curly headed neice swipes mine I head over to the 1st floor store in the Atlantic Avenue Mall but if you aren't lucky enough to be in that area check out the on line site for the goodies this line offers.

My Constant Companion

The original all purpose salve!
I carry it with me always.
I use it on my lips, cuticles and other body parts
that need to be soothed and moistured.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Movie of the Moment


Directed by Zhang Yimou | 1994 | 125 minutes | Mandarin, English subtitles

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/07/27/movies/1247463572436/critics-picks-to-live.html?8dpc

Matching Make Up

Today I decided to duplicate the nude and pink pallets shown this month in the pages of 2 major magazines so with tear sheets in hand off to my local drug store I went. I wasn't looking for the exact items shown. Instead because I was "trying them on" I was looking to duplicate the looks in an economical way. It took some searching and testing but I was able to purchase exactly what I wanted for far less than what some of the lipsticks and make up shown cost-

LOOK #1
The first look in my scope was the beige neutral lip against a dark lined eye, the perfect look against sun kissed skin. It seems this pallette will continue into Fall 2009 so I am glad I am getting an early start. Milani's Lipstick in Creamy Cocoa #20 was the perfect nuetral shade and a steal at $3.39. I also bought a 99 cents Pencil Lip Liner from Italy's Jordana's make up line. The Beach Sand liner and the lipstick go on creamy with good pigment and a bit of shimmer. To complete this look I added Jordana's Fabu Liner Liquid Eye Liner Pen for $1.99. The marker like applicator is perfect for a cat eyed look or a simple eye defining rim. I also walked away with SinfulColors Professional Nail Polish ($1.99) in Tahiti Breeze, a pearlized creamy beige that gives your nails a neutral icy pearlized sheen.
LOOK #2
I am a sucker for wearing a girly pink lipstick and nail polish this time of year. Pink compliments most of us. The key is to find the perfect hue to match your skin tone. I lean toward the brighter hotter truer pinks and loved the one shown on the scanned magazine page below. I was able to match it with Blossom 316B from the N.Y.C. Make Up Line. It only cost 99 cents, but don't be fooled by the price. The color went on true and the lipstick left my lips moist without caking.
To complete this look I purchased a complimentary nail polish. I tend not to match nail color to lip color. Instead I go up or down a shade and/or reach for a polish finish that is opposite of the lip color's finish. Sinful Color's ($1.99) nail polish in Sharons #202 is an irredescent pink shade that finished the look.
Experimenting with make up doesn't need to cost you much. In fact I encourage you to try a looks on by using more economical cosmetics. Then should you really like what you see invest in pricer brands if the economical brands you played with fail to work for you.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Music Video Break Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z16-LoZRFVo

Music Video Break Day

Tuesday's Mental Musings

Sometimes even when we do the best we can do it is not enough. Sometimes accepting that our best doesn’t serve others or the situation at hand is the key to letting go and allowing things to become what they need to become, including ourselves. Though most of us know this, most of us don’t practice this understanding. Instead we attempt to manipulate who we are and what we can bring to a situation in order to fulfill it and the needs of others, even when doing so distorts our reality and denies our selves the opportunity to be genuine.

Granted there are times when pushing pass who we have been and what we can do stretches us and encourages us to grow and become. In that becoming we blossom and actualize parts of our genuine selves, parts that require nurturing through work and effort. It is through that work and effort that that we grow and it is by practicing our new abilities that we sustain those changes and they become part of what defines us, not what distracts us from our genuine selves. We become.

Knowing when the situation we are investing in is such an opportunity is the key. It means listening to our instincts, not our internal recordings. It means acknowledging emotions that surface when we are faced with things that are new, strange or uncomfortable for us. It means truly hearing the answers we are receiving when they present themselves and when need taking action or inaction as the case may be. And it often means allowing others to support and help us. In the end it means acknowledging when the best we can do is not enough and accepting that we shouldn't invest any further in the given situation. In the end it means knowing when the best we are can become better and pushing pass our fears to reach the self waiting for us to become.

Music Video Break Day

Monday, July 27, 2009

I Have My Hat...Do You?

Despite claiming that the small brimmed fedora or Panama hats are over they are all over New York City this summer. And to be honest who gives a *$#*&$#* about what they say anyway, especially if the hats look good! If you still don't have one they can be found for as little as $5 each. Try the Conway's on 34th Street or Fulton Street, Brooklyn. And check out Mr Bill Cunningham's video highlighting some of the looks New Yorker's are sporting

Happy 400th Birthday New York!

All year long the city will be celebrating it's 400th Anniversary.

From April 4th through September 27th the exhibition Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The World of Henry Hudson at the Museum of the City of New York will share documents, images and objects that remind us of the Dutch influence on the city's history.


For more celebrations check out NYC Gov's website for a list of the year long celebrations- http://www.nycgo.com/?event=view.article&id=140890 -

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Yesterday's Card


I found a card like this on my walk about town yesterday afternoon. Not exactly a "Tarot" card but a "Prayer" card of White Tara, an aspect of Buddha and Hindu Mother Creator. She helps us to live long and peaceful lives. A message to avoid harsh relationships, environments and situations....hmmmmm

A Biased Opinion


When Madeleine Vionnet by Betty Kirke was published by Chronicle in 1998 I was one of the lucky ones that received a copy from the 1st printing. I confess I begged for that book and I was not disappointed when it was placed in my hot little hands. It is filled not only with images and information about M. Vionnet's life and work but also has patterns that can be scaled up to re create some of her classic dresses.
Vionnet was known for dresses that looked simple but were truly architectural wonders that combined bias cut fabric pieces to create flow and form against a woman's body.
Originally $100 you can purchase the book from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Madeleine-Vionnet-Betty-Kirke/dp/0811819973 for $63 plus shipping, but before you do check out the article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/fashion/14iht-fvion.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=vionnet&st=cse and the accompanying slide show http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/07/13/style/global/20090714-vion-slideshow_index.html on the New York Times site.

Things that make you go hmmmmm

A Trend????




I even found a blog????

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Calling all Foodies from Da Bronx...

Check out Baron Ambrosia's Bronx Flavor Episodes for a meal by meal exploration of the hidden food treasures of the Bronx.


Music Video Break - Couldn't Resist

Nail Envy

One of the new products on the market that I am itching to try is matte finish nail polish and at this point O.P.I. seems to be the leader in putting it out there. ( I know I just posted an economical comparison between O.P.I. and E.L.F, but when you want a product sometimes you have to spend the money asked, at least until other companies jump on the production band wagon.)

OPI Matte Nail Lacquers come in 6 shades, black, white, pink, red, green or blue. Each dries to a shineless matte that looks so chic and "new" that I am considering investing the $8.50 to try it but still can't seem to find it on the shelves. (BTW, despite my love of nail polish I usually only wear it on my toes!)

If it's not available in your area try Amazon.com -

Nail Art


Though this isn't my thing if you are someone who likes to use their nails as a canvas for your artistic expression check out Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens. They come in 8 ready to create shades that will set the Picasso in you free.

Available from $7.50-8 in most local drug and cosmetic stores

Small But Not Little


Let's face it, most of us don't use the makeup products we purchase before their expiration dates. Most of the time they are replaced or superceded by the next must have color way before they are no longer usable. This is why I am always looking for small or sample sized lipsticks, nail polish, eye shadows and blushes that aren't a financial investment and E.L.F. beauty products, which have been around for awhile, are just the type and size of products I adore.

For those of you not in the know E.L.F. makeup products, available nationwide, offer options in sizes that allow you to try out and on a look for just $1 an item. I originally ran across this line in select 99cents stores and dismissed it because of the unappealing packaging and colors, but in recent years the demand for their items has encouraged package update and line expansion and they now offer some amazing color options.
This summer finds my sandaled feet sporting their new Fire Coral and Hot Pink nail polishes. These shades are very similiar to the more expensive OPI Nail Lacquers In My Back Pocket and Shorts Story which retail for $8.50 each bottle.

Check out other E.L.F. items at http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ and keep your eyes peeled for their products on the shelves of your local drug and discount stores.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Things that make you go hmmmmm

Tuesday's Mental Musings

I have issues with women who at the expense of other women's feeling tear apart a sister in order to feel good about themselves or defend their own standing in the eyes of others. Last Sunday on the way home from Virginia I chanced upon such a woman in a rest stop somewhere in Maryland. We were around the same age. She pretty, perfectly blond and immaculately dressed and manicured, me, 6 hours into the drive, sans make-up, large straw sun hat on head, grimy white t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops. Upon seeing her in front of me on the Starbuck's coffee line I even admired her thinking how pulled together she was. Her traveling companion, a man I assumed was her husband or boyfriend, kept staring back at me. Once I realized he was staring and that she noticed and it was causing her discomfort I averted my gaze away from their general direction and looked off into the distance in an attempt to remove myself from the situation. But it was then, without shame or embarrassment that her companion turned to her and asked boldly if she thought I was attractive because he found me terribly attractive. By then the line had drawn closer and I was literally behind and almost atop her which she didn't realize because she proceeded to exclaim how she didn't think I was attractive or pretty and was about to say more to tear me apart when her companion stopped her by drawing her attention to the fact I was right there hearing every word.

The first emotion I reached for was anger and my anger can be deadly. I have mellowed with age and allowed myself to work towards the hurt and confusion that followed to avoid the easy emotion. In another time and place my anger would have found concise and direct words to cut the woman in two, words meant to destroy not play with her ego, before turning on her companion with the same. With maturity comes understanding. I was not part of the conversation and her comments, though about me, were not directed at me. I stood back, raise an eyebrow, made direct eye contact and watched with an aloof expression as the woman stopped in mid sentence, turned beet red with embarrassment and finally away in shame. Maybe it's a gift to be able to do this but it is one I would gladly exchange for sincere camaraderie between women, especially when it comes to dealing with men. The crazy thing is we ran into them at another rest stop in New Jersey and she actually smiled at me in recognition before realizing that I had been the woman she had rudely critiqued. She couldn't walk in the direction opposite me fast enough.

I do not like women who compare themselves to others in order to find a way to make themselves better, prettier or thinner than her sisters, but I understand. Let's be honest, we woman can't help but compare ourselves to other women, but I sincerely believe it is because most of us can't see ourselves and are trying to find the bits and pieces of who we want to see/be in other women we run across or are lucky enough to have as friends and family. It is only when we fail to see our own beauty and strength that our comparisons tear not only ourselves but other women at the seams.

I do not like women who sell out their sisters for dick (that's right I wrote dick) and to be honest I never will. I understand and have the desire to be loved and wanted by one man too. I understand prioritizing your relationship with a man but I do not understand competing with women for a man, especially one that is admiring other women.

I do not understand why women accept men who choose to deflate their egos and self worth by forcing them to compare themselves to other women or be part of a harem of women that stroke egos if not more. When we women allow men to pit us against each other we lose our own power and stop seeing our own beauty and truths.

In this case it was the man who initiated the woman's need to be so rude. His question was disrespectful to her and drew out her insecurities. Granted she might not have thought I was attractive but could have said so in the manner that was not hurtful or disrespectful to my person. She made the choice to react rather than act. She should have turned around to see if the object of their critique was close. She made the choice to react rather than act. In my opinion the more appropriate reaction could have been for her to turn to her companion and ask him why he would ask such a question of her, what was the purpose of the question before telling him how him asking it really made her feel. Instead she allowed this man to push her buttons. She made the choice to react rather than act. We have all been there. You live and you learn.

Despite dealing with the situation in what I thought was a mature manner I had mixed feelings walking away from the scene, which should be obvious since I am writing about it. I know I am an attractive woman but more importantly I am an attractive woman that can respectfully acknowledge women who are as or more attractive than her. I know beauty is everywhere and goes way beyond what we are told should or is beautiful. I practice finding one beautiful feature on every person I meet because I sincerely believe this. I refuse to wallow in any insecurity or allow encountering beauty outside of my own understanding to devalue me. There will be times I am jealous or envious but those emotions aren’t worth holding onto. Instead I see them as opportunities to question myself and evolve knowing better emotions will follow. Running into this woman reminded me that not everyone understands this and this makes me sad.

A part of me hopes that the next time that woman has the opportunity to rate another woman that she stops to consider how she would feel if she heard another woman speak badly about her. A part of me hopes that if she ever finds herself in this situation that she turns and smiles at her sister and finds the beauty in her rather than giving a man the power to pit her against another woman by buying into the game. A part of me hopes she acknowledges her worth and lets that man know that she deserves to be respected in a way that doesn't feed into her insecurities or disrespects other women, even if there are times when other women are being admired. And the whole of me thinks before the grace of God go I...

Brooklyn Bits and Baubles

If you live in Brooklyn and make your own crafts and luxury items a visit to Union Max is essential.

Union Max, located at 110 Union St Brooklyn, NY 11231 - (718) 222-1785 , offers all manner of vintage item including clothing, bric-brac, jewelry findings, bits and baubles and tons more that make it worth the trip. Call for hours.

Seeing Through....

I pulled the above page out of a magazine. It highlights playful resin and glass jewelry perfect for the summer months.

See the photo of the attached rings below? I bought them both from Pier One. Yes, the chain store that sells cheap and cheerful home decorations and furniture to those of us whose tastes and style changes much too quickly to drop major dollar investment on true quality pieces, but again I digress.
Oddly enough Pier One also sells other odds and ends, which sometime include jewelry. The red ring is Murano glass and the white ring is mother of pearl and resin. They cost no more than $5.00 each. I think they were on sale.


See the bracelets above. I bought them all from various 99cents Stores around Manhattan and Brooklyn. I kid you not! It took a bit of looking and rejecting of the pieces that clearly showed production and quality issues, but they each cost me $1.08 with tax.
The items on the attached page cost between $48 and $68 dollars for glass, resin and lucite jewelry very similar to the pieces I own. Are they an exact match? No, but being fashionable is about being inspired not the price of or the label on the items you wear.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Feeling Mallow....

I swiped this recipe from Diary of a Foodie recipe files because it is so worth the effort of making.
I thought I would share in my "borrowing"! Enjoy


TOASTED-COCONUT MARSHMALLOW SQUARES

DIARY OF A FOODIE: SEASON TWO: THE WORLD OF SWEET

MAKESABOUT 4 DOZEN CANDIES

  • ACTIVE TIME:1 HR
  • START TO FINISH:3 1/4 HR (INCLUDES SETTING TIME)
  • c
    2c unsweetened dried coconut
    3 (1/4-oz) envelopes unflavored gelatin
    1 c water, divided
    1 1/2 c sugar
    1 c light corn syrup
    1/4 t salt
    2 t pure vanilla extract
    1/2 t coconut extract
  • EQUIPMENT:

    a 9-inch square metal baking pan; a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment; a candy thermometer
  • Toast coconut in a shallow baking pan in oven until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Oil 9-inch baking pan, then sprinkle

bottom with 1/2c toasted coconut.

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 c water in bowl of mixer.

Let soften while making syrup.
Heat sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2c water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, without stirring, washing any sugar crystals down side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water.

Put thermometer into syrup and continue boiling, without stirring, until it registers 240°F (soft-ball stage).
Remove from heat and let stand until bubbles dissipate.
With mixer at low speed, pour hot syrup into gelatin in a thin stream down side of bowl. Increase speed to high and beat until very thick, about 15 minutes.
Add vanilla and coconut extracts and beat 1 minute more.
Spoon marshmallow over toasted coconut in baking pan and press evenly with dampened fingertips to smooth top
(it will be very sticky), then evenly sprinkle top with 1/2 cup toasted coconut.
Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours.
Run a sharp knife around edge of marshmallow and invert onto a cutting board.

Cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips then cut each strip into 3/4-inch squares.
Put remaining coconut into bowl and dredge marshmallows to completely coat

  • Layer on parchment in air tight container. Stays Fresh for 1 month.

Calling All Artists..

I am a sucker for packaging, especially when make-up looks like an artist palette and offers all kinds of options. I know I will never use all of the options offerred in this Sephora Color Play Palette but having 36 eyeshadows, 3 blendable blushes, a bronzer, 12 lip glosses and 3 applicators for only $22 is worth what I won't play with.

This is a limited edition worth heading to your local Sephora to play with before purchasing- http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P234317&categoryId=B70

Friday, July 17, 2009

Charge!!!


I am trying to become laptop centered. I no longer own a television, a dvd player or a cd stereo system. My laptop allows me to listen or watch any and all of these options and being able to turn it all off by simply turning off one item is one of the easiest stress relievers ever (Don't even think about it - I back up every day!!). Of course there are things that still require batteries and charging but I recently came across Rechargeable Batteries that actually charge via a port in your laptop or comp. USB Cell offers all variety of batteries that can be used in those annoying items that still need them.

Visit their site http://www.usbcell.com/products while I continue to try and figure out how to connect my hand held milk frother to this baby....

Vogue Fall Patterns

Have just been released!
Have a look, consider and wait, if you can, because they'll go on sale!

Babied Summer Skin







I grew up watching my teen cousins slather baby oil all over tan limbs and body parts that escaped the confines of cut off shorts, halter tops and sun dresses. Baby oil was a tanning staple and stories of sometimes mixing it with iodine to get just the right shade of summer were not uncommon. A day at the beach meant toting home a sand covered bottle that needed to be rinsed off before putting it back onto the bathroom shelf it lived on until the next trip to the shore.
Those days are gone and baby oil has been replaced with more expensive body lotions that also offer SPFs of 30 and above. Recently Johnson's Baby Oil has made a come back bid for a younger generation. They've introduced a baby oil gel in a variety of scents that include the original scent, aloe, lavendar and cocoa butter. Each oil promises to leave the skin more moisturized than your average lotion by trapping 10 times more of the conditioning product which now includes some those extras we look for in skin products, like vitamin E and Aloe. I have to say for someone who missed using baby oil in the good old days being able to put on a "shine" and a memory without the slippery spills and sand covered bottle is worth finding this product on my local drugstore shelf starting at $4.00.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Shine On

I always marvel at women whose make-up stays put during the heat that is summer. Me, I melt and shine, AKA sweat and oil up! (I know real attractive, but Das ist Leben) To minimize this issue when the heat is on I reach for blotting papers to absorb and powder. They are easier and more sanitary than using a powder compact and brush.

A long time has passed since I first ran across them during a trip to a Pearl River ( http://www.pearlriver.com/ ) when it was located at the corner of Canal and Broadway and or used Papier Poudre Blotting Paper Book (http://www.amazon.com/Papier-Poudr%C3%A9-Oil-Blotting-Papers/dp/B000AV1E8G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1247431929&sr=8-2) because the Pharmacy I worked at during my college days carried them.


Now every mainstream company seems to offer there own version of this old makeup essential. These days I prefer Almay StayClean Shine Removing Face Tissue. And now that they seem to be in every 99cents I wander into I find myself buying a pack every time I run across them. These oil absorbing tissues contain a bit of salicylic acid and instantly remove oil and shine for a matte even face and at 99cents for a pack of 50 sheets you can't go wrong. I suspect they are being phased out so get them while you can..


Fall Footing


I know summer has just begun and despite enjoying days of sandals and sun dresses subconsciously my mind is already reaching for my fall wardrobe. The attached scan shows a pair of boots recently featured in Lucky Magazine. I think I will have to somehow make them mine.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009




Music Video Break Day

Tuesday's Mental Musings

I, like many, many others, am drawn to the tidbits of lives I will gladly never live and enjoy the occasional scandal in photo and print. I will admit to reading Hollywood gossip blogs on occasion. They have replaced my habit of peeking at the gossip rags while on the grocery checkout line. At times I am fascinated by the lives and times of people we choose to put into the limelight. It takes a special type of ego to want to be adored and admired in such an extreme and out loud way. What interests me is how it is all handled, not just by the celebrity but by those of us with enough interest to keep them in the spot light. I guess it is as they say, good or bad, all press is good. After a bit of gawking I find myself appalled, mostly at myself, and I turn away in disgust and avoid all contact for weeks at a time until something heard on the "news" sucks me back in for another round.

Those moments aside, I have no desire to know such gossip about my neighbors, family or friends, especially from the mouths of third parties who have had no say in the real life too close for comfort dramas that can occur. This is not to say that I don't want to hear an individual's story, especially if it involves evolution and accomplishment on the various levels in which we greet this life but I want to hear it from the individual themselves and I want it to be their story and to see their position and responsibility in it.

Yes, I want it all! But most of us don't share our stories in this way. Instead most of us attack the character and behavior of others without as much as admitting our part in it all or we deliver the story in judgment rather than as a neutral observer. When privy to this kind of gossip I find myself cringing and trying to see things from the "villain's" point of view in order to balance out the one-sidedness of the story being told. Perhaps not being able to allow others to discuss their points of view because their delivery appalls me is a fault of my own ego but I am OK with having/owning this fault.

Standing by this edict is rather hard because most of us do not share our own stories in a specific, direct and honest manner. Instead we become a third party in the story of our lives. We choose to focus on characters and situations that contribute to it rather than accept blame and responsibility when it is our. The villains become omnipotent in our tales because we can control their depiction through our descriptions in order to direct blame away from our own choices and actions when situations play out in ways that are not to our liking or benefit. It's easier and safer that way.

If we truly shared our truths in a responsible "I made the choice" way we would have to become more aware and focused on when to act or re-act or not act in our day to day living. We would have to own our behavior in ways that would make our stories more complex and truthful because we would be admitting our responsibility in it all. The reward would of course be the lessons learned from it all. But standing in our tales means exposing our vulnerability and perhaps giving the impression that we are in less control or have less understanding than we would like others to believe.

Granted there are always going to be stories where we are not the heroes we would like others to believe us to be but by sharing these stories in a direct and honest manner we prevent ourselves from being the victim even when it means admitting we allowed ourselves to be victimized by circumstances we could have controlled or more importantly when we allowed our reactions to those things beyond our control to victimize us.

Again, learning to share your life in an honest way with is hard. Removing the drama and being direct and vulnerable means trusting that we are sharing with people who are interested in who we truly are, not who they want us to be. It also means becoming aware and responsible for whom we choose to share our truths with and for the perimeters we set with them. We must decide the level of intimacy we want with others and then trust that what truths we or they expose is right for those involved and more importantly, ourselves.

Directly admitting our responsibility in living the lives we are living would mean being vulnerable and exposing the fact that we are still trying to understand our footing on this journey of discovery but doesn’t a journey require steps, decisions and changes in direction in order to get to where we are going? And in the end we all, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, are heading toward that same final place of arrival we might as well get there with the truth of our lives intact....

Music Video Break Day

Monday, July 13, 2009

Munchie Bargain Alert

It's summer time and some Friday's are Margarita and Guacamole night. I am a traditionalist, so what's gaucamole without crunchy tortilla chips?

This past Friday I discovered Santitas Authentic Mexican Style Tortilla Chips and much to my delight the huge 14oz bag was print marked $2. Of course I purchased the bag, which was $1.50-2.50 less than all the other brands, and they were good and even better than some of the other brands I have tried. I thought I had discovered a product put out by a new company but these chips, which come in yellow or white corn versions, are a Frito-Lay brand. I'm not certain if the $2 print mark bags are widely available or only being distributed in select marketing regions but I definitely suggest keeping your eye out for this brand.

Ringing In My Ears

While reading a magazine a few weeks ago I ran across earrings like the gold set pictured above. The same designer had made a pair out of seed pearls and 14kt gold wire and hoops. They retailed for $195.

Below are earrings I made 3 years ago. They are both silver. One set has turquoise beads and the other acquamarine. Sorry I couldn't find the pair I made from seed pearls and silver! Both pair are a little "lived" in but greatly loved. I bought the string of beads from Phoenix Jewelry parts on 37th Street and the silver wire and earing bases from metalliferous (see earlier post for recommendation). Based on the amount of bead and silver used for each they must have costs me well under $10 per set.

Are they exactly like the gold pair? No, they never could be. Could I go to either supply place and buy gold and pearls, sure I couold but then isn't do it your self luxury all about having the option of making unique items that reflect your tastes and abilities, both of which surely improve with time?

If you live in New York or are interested in making yourself self some personalized jewelry finding your way to Phoenix's store or website is worth the time and effort.

http://www.phoenixbeads.com/

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Music Video Break Day

Mental Musings on a Sunday Morning..

There are times when we truly try to change. We wake that morning believing who and what we are can be altered by our sheer will to become and then, because we are not lucky enough to understand that old cliché “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, we never give ourselves the time and patience to proceed with the steady steps needed to manifest those changes. Instead we fall.


Most of us return to the old patterns of behavior that distracted us to where we were or from where we wanted to be in the first place never allowing ourselves to realize the reality we wanted to shape.

Some of us, the lucky ones, get back up again and begin to focus on the small steps, the day to day, in some cases, the hour to hour, and start the journey, over and over again if need, in order to achieve our set goals. Unlike those of us that choose to repeat and continue to live our history those of us who accomplish or more importantly sustain our changes push aside our egos and understand that it sometimes took a life time to become who and what we didn’t want to be and that it’s only through determination and patience that we can unravel that identity and the patterns of our behavior and change. More importantly we begin to understand that it is only through self forgiveness and sometimes the forgiveness of others, even if that forgiveness takes forever to come, that we can reach pass our narrow view of our selves, regardless of how grand we believe ourselves to be, and dissect who we are to become who we truly are or what we desire to be. Sometimes in doing so we learn to accept who we are and come to understand that the change we seek supports that person.

Those of us who actually change the part of ourselves that can change, in my opinion behavior and reaction patterns, take on board that we can only do so by accepting that we are not gods. We cannot, regardless of how much money we have or spend or how many degrees line our walls or how beautiful in form we appear to be, wave our hands and make that which offends us go away. We are human and are meant to experience all the nuances of this thing called life. We are human and we are stuck in the shit and the mud. We are human and we make mistakes and sometimes from those mistakes change and beauty comes.

Music Video Break Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1U-EBVuLt0

Music Vide Break Day

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Site Worth A Review

While at Pearl Paint the other day I picked up a free copy of
The Brooklyn Rail.
If you run across it you take the time to consider this paper.
If it isn't accessible in your area visit their website
Worth A Read

Always Considering Couture..


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/08/fashion/20090709-couture-feature/index.html?ref=fashion##

One of My Tastebud's New Favorite Websites


A few nights ago I had a craving for Hainanese Chicken and though I have made it a number of times from the memory of watching my friend's husband, who was a chef in Hong Kong, make it for some reason I wanted to see if what I was making was "accurate". A google search led me to one of my new favorite recipe sites -


This community driven site boasts recipes and photos posted by members. The members critic and embellish and share their versions of the same or similar dishes, many of them old family favorites. I didn't use any of the chicken recipes from the site but I have since trolled around and printed out a number I will be making soon. I'll let you know how they turn out.

The HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE recipe I make is a follows. This dish is made throughout Asia and each person has their own recipe so I am OK with the variations I have made. The key ingredients, chicken and rice aside, are scallions, garlic and soy sauce and you really can't go wrong with the amounts because you really only need be concerned about the amounts of water used to cook the rice!
CHICKEN
1 3lb Chicken, skin on, cleaned and patted dry
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup thin soy sauce
( I use more soy because of flavor, but also because it colors the chicken)
1 cup chopped scallions
4 good size chunks of peeled, smashed fresh ginger, keep about 1 tbs on side
4-6 peeled and smashed cloves of garlic, keep about 1 tbs on side
1 tbs seasame oil
2 tbs veggie oil
3 cups rice
water for both chicken and rice

Instructions:
Clean and pat bird dry before lightly salting cavity.
You'll need a pot big enough to submerge the chicken, a skillet and a pot for the rice
Into the chicken pot add about 2 cups of cool water, about 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, soy sauce, 2/3 cup scallions, all ginger and garlic, expect for amount held to the side. Allow seasoned water warm before adding the clean, dry salted chicken into so that its breast down. The water should just cover and slightly submerge the chicken. If it doesn't add a bit more warm water
Let pot come to a slow rolling boil and cook for about 30-45 minutes. Halfway through turn chicken over.Once the chicken is done, lift it from the pot allowing all the stock to drain from it back into the pot before placing it on a plate to cool. (some people submerge it into an ice bath to stop cooking and firm up chicken)

DO NOT throw away chicken stock. You will use it to make the rice, straining it to remove all garlic, ginger and scallions.

RICE
Heat a skillet or wok and add veggie and seasame oils. Once hot add and stir fry garlic, ginger and scallions so that they season the oil. Add rice and stir fry until grains are oil coated and rice is a bit translucent. Transfer the rice mixture back to the original chicken pot, which should now be heating on the stove. Use the saved stock to cook the rice. Though the ration for liquid is 2:1 (6 cups liquid to 3 cups rice) I usually pour only enough liquid so that it is about 2 inches higher than the rice. Bring water to a boil until water is just above top of rice, stir once, cover with top and turn off heat leaving rice to "cook" for 20 minutes or so. Once cooked stir again to fluff.

FINISH
Chicken should be cool enough to handle and is usually eat cold (I like mine warm!). Carefully chop chicken parts into small bite size pieces to top a mound of rice, which is then garnished with chopped scallions. Whether or not you leave the skin on chopped chicken is your choice.

Some people make dipping sauces but I just sprinkle soy sauce and serve with fresh veggie and herb sides which include tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and more chopped scallions and cilantro.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Powdered Perfection in the Heat..


It's finally summer and the warm weather has arrived. It's the kind of weather I have a love/hate relationship with, especially when it comes to deciding what kind of make-up I can wear. With the heat and humidity my make-up usually ends up drifting on a cloud of perspiration, sweat for all us regular folks. To be honest I am not one for much make-up anyway. I avoid using a foundation, instead I opt for stratigically placed concealer and clear powder and more often than not I only apply in the morning and let the day work itself out. By 1pm you see what god gave and what time made me - lol!

While in Lot-Less recently I ran across Sally Hansen Line Smoothing Mineral Powder. Mineral Powders were all the rage a few years ago and have lingered on the market. There are many options in various price ranges out there but for $2.99 giving this product a try wasn't much of an investment for me.

Sally Hansen's Line Smoothing Mineral Powder is a multi hued powder that is meant to be sweeped and lightly dusted across your face. The combination of tones minimize lines and blemishes to create an even and smooth complexion. It comes in colorless, rose and bronze. The colorless powder still gave me enough of a bronzish glow for compliments on a "tan".
At the discounted and possibly discontinued price of $2.99 for the same results seeking this item out is worth the adventure. If in New York try Lot Less, Conway & Jack's on 34th Street!

This Girl Rocks!

Crystal Renn is the perfect example of a role model. Not because she is a model but because she has found a niche for herself in the modeling world based on what she looks like not what she should look like. At age 14 she was told that she had to lose 1/3 of her body weight in order to model. She struggled with her weight and health, gained 70lbs and begin modeling as a plus size model, but being labeled as such didn't stop her from expanding her career beyond those perimeters.

Tall, beautiful and womanly, but more importantly finally at peace with the fact that she has curves and wears clothing that isn't a sample size, she is the only plus sized models to have ever graced the cover of Harper's Bazaar, has appeared in four international editions of Vogue and walked Jean-Paul Gaultier's catwalk.


Perhaps fashion models aren't the ideal role models since their talent is based on their beauty but having one whose beauty is closer in size and shape to your average woman is better than asking young girls and mature women to remain the lithe size of young boys and still have breasts and curves. Unfortunately we live in a society that at first glance values looks above intellect or talent and women aren't going to suddenly wake up knowing that in the end our value and worth goes beyond how well we fill out a swim suit or pout at the camera. I would rather my niece admire someone like Crystal than to believe that a every woman can be a size 2 or 4 naturally and that reed thin models are the norm instead of the exception. Perhaps seeing Cystal and other women who are naturally the best their bodies can be will allow her to accept that there is more than one ideal and that she is perfect and beautiful as she is.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Today's Tarot Card

I haven't found a card in a long while. Today while walking home I found the card below. It is in Russian, but I am pretty sure it is the ace of swords - Great determination. Initiative. Strength. Force. Activity. Excessiveness. Triumph. Power. Success. Fertility. Prosperity. Deep emotional feeling. Love. Championship. Conquest - interesting



Finding Beauty Below Eye Level

Sometimes we become distracted by the big pictures in front or behind us and we miss the beauty that is with us. Sometimes we need to look pass what is at eye level and focus not on what is above us and out of our reach but what graces our journey and cushions our progress.
Sometimes we must look below eye level to see what we might otherwise have missed. We must remember and be reminded that beauty always surrounds us and it is up to each of us to see and acknowledge it otherwise we will continue to reach for ideals that may only exist within a fantasy that distracts us from the reality of this beautiful thing called life -s.r.




Photo's taken around the Scarborough NY Train Station
(July 4, 2009)
All Images © Simone Rene 2009

Tuesday's Mental Musing

I was recently reminded that at the beginning of the summer I mentioned I would be posting every other day and in between those posts I would sandwich music videos to “entertain”. Despite pretty much keeping to this scheduling I have now increased the number of posts on the days I do share things of "interest” so much so that I could have just continued to post on a daily basis. I also find that I multi post music videos. I guess you can tell music is a big part of the background of my life and I can’t help but find myself needing to share the gems, ok some of them are paste and glitter!, that I find.

My friend is correct. But in my defense, I am Libra and I will always defend my actions lol!, I reminded my dear friend that my blog is about the luxuries of life, big and small, free and costing, and I find that in the day to day luxuries abound. I can’t help but want to share them because for me sharing and communicating about things of various interest is about living a luxurious life. And trust me, I do edit down the things I post about! LOL

Through my blog I post what I hope are creative and frugal ways to add things many of us may consider needed in order to live a luxurious life. Most of the things I share are true interests of mine even when they are but whimsies of the overall themes. There are times I question the relevancy of some of the things I find interesting enough to post about but considering them allows me to decide whether or not they are a needed. I hope that when confronted with things that may seem frivolous or unnecessary that readers take a moment or two to take inventory of the things that are important to them. Perhaps, more importantly, considering even for the briefest of moments, those things that do not matter so that they understand what things they should no longer be concerned with and only invest their time and effort into the things that make them happy.

I hope that my blog and blogs like mine remind others that manifesting material things is easy. The material starts with an idea and once that idea forms it can with intent become reality. In my opinion the more important lesson in acquiring isn't the end result of owning that which you have desired but the creative journey that manifesting those things we have interest in takes us on. Things can be replaced, experiences cannot.

I hope the posts encourage readers to look around and see their resources and understand that they manifested all that they have and all that they are. We all choose how we live our lives and no, we all aren’t going to be as rich or famous as “insert name here”, yet we all can be wealthy and known within the capacity we decide we want to be. Stopping to appreciate who we are and what we have softens the blow of dreams unfulfilled and reminds us of those goals and accomplishments which truly litter our reality.

Most of all I hope my posts amuse and entertain you dear reader as much as they do me because in the end, no matter what our purpose in doing something is it is really about our own sense of fulfillment and joy, even when that includes self-less acts of kindness. Living life with a bit of humor reminds us that things, especially the material, aren’t who or what we are even when they are part of our expression of who and what we are.
Related Posts with Thumbnails