Saturday, October 31, 2009

HAPPY HALLOWEEN




IN CASE YOU STILL NEED SOMETHING TO DO

As the World Turns


For those of you on the East Coast remember to turn your clocks back an hour tonight before you go to sleep. November 1 starts daylight savings or is that daylight spending hours?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

One Rainy Morning In Brooklyn





All Images © Simone Rene 2009

Hopsing To It



Despite my love of Ginger Beer I don't drink regular beer. Trust me, I have tried a variety of brands believing one day I would find my "beer" but it has yet to happen. I have never liked the taste though I have always loved the herb responsible for it - Hops.

Growing up I was given a tea made of it and a bit of Valerian (can we say stinky socks) when sleep was elusive (It relaxes). Sometimes a bath of Hops, Peppermint & Chamomile was made to relax after a day full of sports (It calms skin and helps with bruising). Or it was made into a rinse that left dark hair shiney and smelling better than using a can of Bud does(mild astringent that removes buildup and calms follicles).

This week the NY Times ran an slideshow on the much loved herb - check it out and consider possibilities beyond a tall, cold one!



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Loving this Stuff

Those of you who read this blog know that I come from a long line of women that use Oil of Olay to keep their skin clear and beautiful but the expanding of the brand has caused me some confusion and indecision. I am of the generation that benefited from the research that introduced a newer version of the product, one with sun screen and vitamins and such but now there seems to be an explosion of what I can and should be buying and using. A few weeks ago I stood in front of the Oil of Olay display shelves for almost 45 minutes trying to decide which product would work and fearing that if I selected the wrong one and used  it in the wrong combination I would have wasted both my time and money and more importantly end up with a case of post-post-post-teenage acne. Luckily I was rescued by a woman who knew of what she spoke. At age 63, I kid you not, she looked no more than 45. Her skins was clear and even and dewy. The creases that were present were lines of time spent living not stress.  An admitted product tester she steered me into the direction of Aveeno's Positively Ageless Line and I must admit I am not sorry.

I purchsed 2 products - the rejuvenating serum and lifting & firming daily moisturizer (SPF 30) and have been using them for more than a month. I love the results. My skin is clear and dewy and soft. The products are available in your local drugstore and range from $17-22 per item.



Now I need to find a way to tell my mother and grandmother that I have broken the Oil of Olay chain, good thing my Great Grandmother isn't alive to see this!! Or perhaps she would have joined me?






Tuesday's Mental Musings

For a few brief moments I was someone's fantasy. Who I truly was didn't matter. Who he wanted me to be was all that did and I hated it. I hated the fact that eventually the reality of me would undo all that was being built around those expectations. I hated the fact that there was no way that I could ever live up to his ideal even though there was a part of me that wished I could or wished I wanted to. In truth it was his fantasy and it was his right to choose the players that made it but after a few brief moments of consideration I made the choice not to participate. It was not an easy decision.

For a few brief moments I considered playing along. I considered allowing the situation to be sustained by illusions despite knowing that they would eventually become too heavy to carry and the fantasy would crumble.  I toyed with the idea that perhaps aspects of who he wanted me to be were untapped resources even though I am pretty confident about who I am and the potential that lies (or is that lays?) within. In the end I realized if I continued to play along it would still be just a fantasy, just mine rather than his.

Now there is nothing wrong with having a fantasy. Most reality is built on such things and when we project our desires out into the universe we are often rewarded with what it is we want. The issue occurs when we project our desires upon others without taking into consideration that who they are is a complex gift given with time and investment and who they are may temper our fantasies as well as our reality. It is in that projection and grasping of what we desire without consideration for those at hand that the truth of a person can be ignored leaving the fantasy that is the foundation of our reality without truth to sustain what wants to be made real.

Cause Cause...

Now that the weather is getting colder I find myself craving hot cereals. This year I have started making cous cous laced with citrus and almond milk and filled with nuts and dried fruis for breakfast. Here's my recipe. Enjoy!



2 2/3 c couscous (about 1 pound)
2 2/3 c water/almond milk (1/2 of each)
2 tbs grated orange rind
1 t grated lemon rind
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c vegetable oil or 2 tbs butter
1 1/2 c chopped toasted mixed nuts
(I used silvered almonds but try walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts)
1/2 c pitted dates, cut into pieces
(or raisins, dried cherries, cranberries)
OPTIONAL
2 cups hot milk
Additional sugar

Place couscous in large bowl. Bring almond milk/water, sugar and oil (or butter) to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour mixture over couscous and stir until well blended. Cover and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with fork to separate grains. Mix in nuts and fruits. Transfer lightly oiled or buttered 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Cool at room tempature and cover with foil before baking in a preheated 350°F overn for about 20 minutes. To serve spoon into bowls.  Adding hot milk and additional sugar is optional.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Music Vide Break Day

Hum Hum Hum....Good

Since having the most wonderful Falafel platter at Mr. Falafel at 226 7th Avenue (Brooklyn) a few days ago I have not stopped craving their Combination #3 which is Falafel with Humus, Babaganoush served with lettuce, tomato, tahini and pita bread. Rather than Rush to Mr Falafel I have been making my own goodies. Following are the recipes I have been using- ENJOY!


HUMUS

Ingredients:
1 can garbanzo beans/chickepeas
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin


Preparation: In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Serve immediately with pita bread, pita chips, or veggies.  Store in a airtight container for up to three days.



BABA GHANNOUJ -Eggplant Dip
Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
1 clove garlic
1/4 - 1/2 cup lemon juice (depending on taste)
3 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon salt
3 tespoons olive oil
Garnishment
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoon olive oil

Preparation: Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake eggplant for 30 minutes, or until outside is crisp and inside is soft. Allow to cool for 20 minutes. Cut open eggplant and scoop out the flesh into colander and allow to drain for 10 minutes. Removing the excess liquid helps to eliminate a bitter flavor. Place eggplant flesh in a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mash together. You can also use a food processor instead of by hand. Pulse for about 2 minutes. Place in serving bowl and top with lemon juice and olive oil. Add other garnishments according to taste.  Serve with warm or toasted pita or flatbread. Enjoy!


Garnishment Ideas for Baba Ghannouj - Baba ghannouj always has to have olive oil on top for garnishment. However you can spice things up a bit by adding crushed red pepper, a dash of cumin, parsley or coriander.

FALAFEL
Ingredients:
16 oz. can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons flour
Salt
Pepper
Oil for frying or baking


Preparation: Drain chickpeas, and place in pan with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer on low for about an hour. Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes.  Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. Add flour. Mash chickpeas, ensuring to mix ingredients together. You can also combine ingredients in a food processor. You want the result to be a thick paste. Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.


Fry in 2 inches of oil heated until golden brown (5-7 minutes).
OR
Cover bottom of baking pan with 2 teaspoons of oil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, turning all over 1/2 through time to brown all sides.

Serve hot with warm pita bread, shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes and greek olives.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Watering Hole


A few posts back I shared a recipe for making the Ginger Beer I have been enjoying all summer but now that fall is upon us and winter is pending my thoughts have turned to hot drinks. Unfortunately I can't seem to get over the craving for spicy ginger and tart lemon flavors so I have been making an intense distillate of both, keeping it in a glass jar in the refrig and using drops of it (it's intense!)to flavor.

The following isn't really recipe, just what I do to make it
-Peel & Chopped 2 Large Knobs Of Ginger, About 4-6" Each
-Using Food Processor Grind Ginger Into Flakey Paste
- Zest 4 Large Lemons, Slice Lemons For Later Use
- Fill 4 Quart Pot With Cold Water & Ginger & Lemon Zest
- Allow To Boil For About An Hour Over Medium Heat, Adding More Water As Needed
- You Should Have Same Amount of Liquid
- Strain Liquid Into Large Clean, Sterile Glass Jar(s) With Caps/Tops For Sealing With Enough Room For Lemons
- Add Lemons, Seal & Refrigerate
- This Is STRONG!! - Use Drops To Taste In Hot Teas, Hot Water, Ice Water. I Have Used It To Flavor Lemon Pasta Sauce, Ginger Pumpkin Muffins And Even Added Drops To A Hot Bath!!


Nightmare at the M.O.M.A

From November 22, 2009–April 26, 2010 the Modern Museum of Art in New York City will salute Tim Burton with an exhibition of his art work and films.


I may not sleep for days!!

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/313

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Movie of the Moment


New Partnership...



Most of us hate to sweep and mop. I am not good at either and have no desire to prefect the talent yet, like everyone, I love clean floors. At the encouragement of my friend Hope I purchased and replaced the broom and mop with a simple SWIFTER SWEEPER system and have no regrets.

I know this products isn't new but I hesitated to purchase something that required further purchasing of specific refill items. I fought it for a long time but my spotless clean floors are enough to justify my interdependence to the Swifter Sweeper system.

The Swifter is just a flat bottomed rubber pad with tuck in slots that allow you to use either dry or wet cloths to wipe the floors clean. I have to admit the first time I used the sytem it required more than one of each cloth option to clean through my kitchen, dining and bathroom areas but that is more of a comment about my cleaning skills than the system itself. With continued use the number of clothes has reduced and the shine on my floors is so worth the scowl my broom and 2 sponge mops gave me when I put them on the curb for collection.

Sooooooo worth the purchase and commitment!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuesday's Mental Musings

The other day I sat a booth over from a group of young women who at the entrance of a confident and stylish woman proceeded to make a few snide remards about her appearance. Much to my surprise that same young woman made her way to the table and proceeded to kiss and greet them all in a "sisterly" fashion. The table then filled with the chatter of five late 20/early 30somethings and my dinner companion arrived so the temporary distraction was replaced by good company and a meal.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about friendships between women because recently I have found myself grateful for the small core of friends I have. I have had my share of "frienemies" and have had to learn to disentangle myself from the competative muck friendships between women can be. Luckily after weeding out those that didn't have the same definition of friendship as I did I was left with a core of friends that are honest, supportive and have the ability to offer critic without criticizing or belittling. They live their lives not in comparison but in encouragement. Some I speak with almost daily and see on a regular basis and then there are friendships that are sewn together with emails and phone calls scattered throughout the year but each is valued and real because we have made it a point to stay connected and shuffle through this life together. Sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes we fall but when that happens we always seem to either lend a hand so that we can work it out together.  I am grateful!

Music Video Break Day

Music Video Break Day

Monday, October 19, 2009

Enamored with...



Alexander McQueen's Knuckle Cluth


Anyone have an extra $1600 plus tax/shipping?

Are You Ready?




Jimmy Choo has arrived at H&M for a fraction of the designer line's cost.

But I suggest you save up some more of your pennies if you're going to buy the clothing, shoes and accessories they are offering because they are way above H&M's normal prices

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Last of the Summer...


Early every October my friend Patrick and I close out his garden by gathering all the basil still thriving and making pesto. While making it we eat enough of the herb goodness spread on chunks of French bread that freezing the fruits of our labor to use for pasta, soups and other dishes during the cold winter months seems all right.

Following is one the recipe I use (Though Pat tends to improvise..lol)
I N G R E D I E N T S

3 cloves garlic, cut into pieces
2 cups solidly packed fresh basil leaves
(or 1 cup solidly packed basil leaves and 1 cup solidly packed parsley)
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup Parmigiano Regiano, grated
2 tablespoons softened (room temperature) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon softened butter (for serving with the pasta)


I N S T R U C T I O N S  for Food Processor


Place all the ingredients except the cheese and the butter in a food processor or blender. Pulse to a puree (don't overblend). Add the the parmigiano cheese and pulse (don't over blend). Add the butter and pulse. The mixture should have flakes of cheese, herbs and nuts while still being fairly smooth. Cover and set aside. At this point you can refrigerate the pesto and it will keep for at least a week or freeze for use (I keep for about 3-4 months) 

To Serve: Serve over fettuccine or penne pasta.
While your pasta is cooking, add two tablespoon of the cooking water to a bowl large enough to hold the pasta. Stir in the pesto and the butter and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. When the pasta is cooked, drain very briefly (don't allow to dry) and add to the bowl with the pesto, toss to coat evenly.

Celebrate Halloween & Day of the Dead

On Saturday, October 31st
the National Museum of the American Indian
 (One Bowling Green - George Gustav Heye Center)

The New York museum will be celebrating the indigenous cultures of Mexico's pratice of honoring the memory of ancesters, family and friends.  From 1-5pm there will be dancers (Danza Mexica Cetiliztli Nauchcampa), story tellers (Elvira and Hortensia Colorado), art installations (Tlisza Jaurique and Marcus Zilliox) and hands-on works shops (papel picado, paper flowers and plaster skull figures) to share the Day of the Dead traditions with all.


Check the site for further details -

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Wheel Spins Round

on weekends until the end of the month of October.
Catch a ride before it closes for the season!

Movie of the Moment



For My Friend JT & His Amazing Wife MT

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tuesday's Mental Musings

Recently I have been wondering why people fight for control and then when they are given it rarely accept the responsibility owning a situation brings. I know we have all been there and at one point or another we all have dropped the ball and in some cases thrown it as far away from us as possible because we realized the power we asked for was way beyond our expectation and required more than we could or were willing to give. Yet knowing this we still want to be the one in charge believing that by being in charge we can control things often beyond our control. Sometimes we are so blinded by this need that we refuse to give in to the compromise that requires the ego to relax and the soul to admit fear. And because of this the control we feel is a tightly wound illusion based on solitude not independence. In the end when we understand that we could not handle the task at hand and required the partnership of team work and effort it is often too late to salvage the situation and acquire any true sense of ownership other than understanding the fact that we messed up. And even then many of us continue to struggle with understanding and more importantly accepting that there will be times when we must let others lead us in order to find our way and be able to walk on our own.

Coffee, Tea or...


Despite my lust for coffee I do enjoy a cup of tea on occassion.

Like coffee, having tea is a bit of a ritual for me. I drink it black with sugar and prefer caffienated brands, savings the herbal teas for medicinal purposes. I also keep tea cups, saucers and spoons that are only used for the beverage. I even have a very large ceramic tea pot that I brew in!

I have yet to learn to measure and adjust the quantity of tea I make so to avoid waste I am considering buy a personal-for-one pot from http://www.englishteastore.com

The above pot is just one of the amazing sets on this site. It is called the Vanderbilt - Biltmore and retails for $36.24 plus shipping. I am hoping my coffee carafe doesn't get jealous

Here Birdie, Birdie...


I am pretty much done with my holiday shopping.
I just purchased the final gift today! 
See above!


This birdfeeder is just $10 and requires an empty soda bottle, seed, a tree branch or hook.
It's available at
I hope my mother's not reading this post.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Potato..Pototo..




With the cooler weather comes my love of root veggies big and small, especially potatoes, which, along with onions and apples, were part of my family's original trinity. Often, on Sunday's potatoes were boiled or baked in batches to be used as part of our weekday meals. Mashed, fried, rebaked and made into warm or cold salads potatoes were far more popular than rice. This last weekend I made a potato pancake using pre baked potatoes on hand. I shared it with a friend of mine from Zurich. He called it a Rosti..we called it a potato pancake here's the recipe -

1lb large yukon gold potatoes (about 4-6)*
1 medium onion
1t Salt and 1/2t Black Pepper
1/2 stick butter
Veggie Oil


Frying Pan, Box Grater, Pancake Spatula

Potato needs to be cold. Left over baked or solidly boiled potatoes are best.
If you are going to prepare them specifically for this recipe make them the night before.

To prepare baked potato Preheat Oven to 375F

Wash and prick potatoes with a fork and put on center oven rack
Bake for about 1 to 1-1/2 hours - until tender when pressed with fork.
Let cool and then put them in refrig to chill.
Potato must be COLD! (don't try the freezer, it doesn't work :| )

When ready peel skins off potato and shred into bowl using the box grater.
Coarsely grate onion onto 2 paper or a hand towel to absorb the extra liquid.
Gently squeeze in towel(s) to remove excess moisture and toss in with potatoes.
Add salt and paper and use fork to mix and avoid breaking up the shredded veggies.

Heat frying pan (I suggest non-stick!) over medium head and add 2 tbs butter and 1 tbs oil.
Spread across bottom of pan and then add potatoes, spreading evenly and pat down with spatula so that cake will cook evenly.
Cook until underside is gold and brown, remove from flame and then carefully invert cake onto plate.
Return pan to heat, add remaining 2 tbs butter and 1 tbs oil, heat a bit and slide cake back
into pan uncooked side down.
Let cook until gold and brown, plate and cut into wedges.

I like mine with mustard!

*add 1 medium tart apple if you have or like - shred and handle like onion

Jingle Jingle


I love the jingle-jingle of coin jewelry and have spent years collecting coins during my travels. Given today's exchange rate I suspect the bracelet, necklace, cufflinks and earrings I've had made have no true value other than decorative and conversational.

If you like coin jewelry and don't have the time or patience to collect coins from countries of interest you may want to check out Greek Jewelry Shop for options ( http://www.greekjewelryshop.com/homepage.html ).

They have a wonderful selection that at various price points.


Friday, October 9, 2009

Industrial Brooklyn

from the Smith & 9th Street Station.
The Gowanus Canal below.


All Images © Simone Rene 2009



All Images © Simone Rene 2009



All Images © Simone Rene 2009

Australian Vacation ...

Ok..maybe not, but have a look at some of Australia's Native Art and dream or plan....


Flop or Classic?


Every fall the fashion industry reintroduces this style wool hat and despite seeing it in all the magazines I really never see New York women wearing them. Maybe they buy them realize how large and inconvenient the brim is and keep them stored in a hat box like I do?

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Hi, My Name is Simone And I'm

a boot addict..I browse and try on but rarely buy....on my desire to try on list are the following selections from Nine West's Vintage America Collection...

HollyN $199 Retail


Fiddle $169 Retail




Grits $159.00 Retail



At these prices I may even buy a pair ...

Who Needs Paris????


On Sunday, October 18th the 15th Annual Tour de Bronx takes place.

There are a number of starting points but all roads on the 25 mile ride lead to the Finale Festival at The NY Botanical Garden
Check out the website for more details -

PS - Brooklynites you will have to wait until June 6, 2010 for the Tour de Brooklyn!
Register Early!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Tuesday's Mental Musings

This weekend I used a sock to make coffee. A coffee sock is a cloth strainer attached to a hoop with a wooden handle. It is filled with ground coffee, placed over a carafe and water is strained through. Making coffee this way is simple, fast and extremely inexpensive when compared to other methods of making coffee. While making my coffee all I could think about was how I wished life were this direct and simple. I know we choose to make our lives complex but even simplifying it requires work and effort that is often more intense than just allowing yourself to be sweep away in the drama and designs of those around you. Wouldn't it be great if we could just put all those things we know we must dissolve from our day to day into a white mesh, pour our determination and desire over and through it all knowing the end result would be the best and boldest of things worth keeping in our lives? Of course adding the warmed froth milk and sugar would make things more complex but that's another Tuesday's ponder.

Hand's Sonia Sotomayor a Packed Lunch


Best of Luck on your 1st day at work Ms Supreme Court Justice!!
Do Your Best!
Make Everyone Proud!


Are They Really...

going to ask us to dress like this again?


Hanging Fire




The above  carpet is really a provocative collage of slaughter house photos. The artist Rashid Rana and other contemporary Pakistani artists will be shown at the Asia Society through January 3, 2010.

It is the first US exhibition of its kind!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

To Infinity & Beyond!!!


(Sorry I couldn't resist the Buzz Lightyear reference)

An infinity scarf is basically a very long finished loop. It has no edges and no end and can be worn wrapped around your neck like a cowl or looped as a hood or draped across the body in a number of configurations. I am a big fan of these scarves because I tend to lose my open end scarves and wearing a loop prevents that.

I understand the infinity scarf will be everywhere this fall. I guess manufacturers have to do something with all those left over scarves from the last trend ;)...

Shopping Opportunity



Friday - Saturday, October 9-10, 2009

My Fall Obsession


Caramel Apple Lollipops always remind me of the fall. They are always available via the internet but they only seem to be in the stores this time of year...sigh..

Thursday, October 1, 2009

By Request, By Demand

Glamour's November issue will feature these 7 models because the naturally curvy tummy of a model who'd appeared in a small photo on page 194 of their September issue inspired many of its readers to write in their request for more "reallife-like" models.


I applaud Glamour!

Sweating to the Oldies..

While riding the bus a few Saturdays ago a grandmother and her granddaughter, each dressed in matching grey pull over sweat suits, joyfully boarded and were clearly excited about being in each other's company. After thinking how sweet the two looked I also realized I hadn't seen anyone wearing plain grey pull over sweatsuit tops in a long while only to run across a few options while looking through the fall fashion magazines later that evening. I guess there is a revival but that revival seems to include oramentation and a lot more cash that a standard gym issue gray sweats cost.

Pencey's embellished rayon blend and grosgrain sweatshirt retails for $325.00
Thread Social's Cotton and Silk Habotai Sweatshirt runs for $155.00


Walmart sells the Hane's Sweat Shirt below for $6.00
This one is fleece. They have brand, fabric and color options.
The prices are under $20.00
Buy Some Ribbon and VIOLA!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11000012



Update - I found a boy's all cotton sweatshirt at a sell out store for $3.99. This weekend I am going to my local fabric store to buy some raw silk to make the ribbon ...though I am thinking of adding bits of lace instead...sigh..the options

$4.50 Find


I recently ran out of hair spray. A trip to my local drug store solved the problem and introduced me to a new Garnier Fructis product that was on sale.

Garnier Fructis' Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray holds your style in place without preventing movement. This morning I used it and hot rollers to create the biggest and fullest hair I have had since the late 80s. The look was more Dynasty than Metal Mania but the hair was still pretty large. The long-lasting hold leaves your hair glossy and touchable and at $4.50 per can well within anyone's budget!

And no worries the hair calmed down a bit but still held its shape!
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