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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Snow Bound in Brooklyn with Some Bacon and Some Eggs
New York experienced another snow storm and most of us stayed in. Once again I was confronted with a rumbling stomach and not much left in the cupboard. Following is a my quick version "Pasta Carbonara"
Fill Pot with cold water, salt lightly (the pancetta is very salty) and set to boil
Heat coat heated frying pan with thin layer of olive oil
Add chopped pancetta and allow to cook until crisp
Remove with slotted spoon to paper towel, leave drippings in pan
Water should be boiled by now
Add pasta and let cook for 2-4 minutes until it is as you like it.
In same heated frying pan add chopped garlic**, mushrooms and a bit of pepper
Allow to cook down before returning the pancetta and cooking for another minute or so.
Transfer the cooked wet pasta to the pan and mix so that it is coated by sauce
Place servings in bowls or on plates and quickly return to frying pan
Add a bit more olive oil to pan, crack and fry egg - sunny side up is preference
Slide each egg atop mound of wating pasta
Sprinkle with freshly grated pepper and cheese
Serve ASAP!
* if you don't have Pappardelle breaking up lasana noodles or using a broad linguine works
** Sometimes I also add a chopped shallot to the pan at garlic stage - be creative!!
All Images © Simone Rene 2010
1/4 lb Pancetta (or a few strips of bacon), chopped into bits
1 lb Pappardelle (makes 4 servings)*
1 lb Mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
2-3 Cloves Garlic, smashed and chopped**
1 Egg per serving
Grated Cheese, like Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
Frying Pan and Pasta PotFill Pot with cold water, salt lightly (the pancetta is very salty) and set to boil
Heat coat heated frying pan with thin layer of olive oil
Add chopped pancetta and allow to cook until crisp
Remove with slotted spoon to paper towel, leave drippings in pan
Water should be boiled by now
Add pasta and let cook for 2-4 minutes until it is as you like it.
In same heated frying pan add chopped garlic**, mushrooms and a bit of pepper
Allow to cook down before returning the pancetta and cooking for another minute or so.
Transfer the cooked wet pasta to the pan and mix so that it is coated by sauce
Place servings in bowls or on plates and quickly return to frying pan
Add a bit more olive oil to pan, crack and fry egg - sunny side up is preference
Slide each egg atop mound of wating pasta
Sprinkle with freshly grated pepper and cheese
Serve ASAP!
* if you don't have Pappardelle breaking up lasana noodles or using a broad linguine works
** Sometimes I also add a chopped shallot to the pan at garlic stage - be creative!!
Ahhhhh how can fryed bacon and eggs be wrong??
(not too pretty but oooooh so good)
All Images © Simone Rene 2010
This Little Piggy Had None...
A soft silicone cooking lid with a pig face in the center.
Talk about having your pork and eating it too
(a little pig humor for my pork free relatives and friends!)
Available at the MOMa Store
Liberty of London Arrives at Target
On March 14th Liberty of London's collection of patterned bras, panties, nighties and swimwear will hit Target
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Overall A Trend To Budget For
I almost fell off my chair when I saw overalls in a "high-end" fashion magazine.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with wearing overalls under the right circumstances - all art students owned a pair or two - but at $200-300 a pair ...uhm..uhm..uhm...if you must partake of this as a trend try Carhartt's version - 100% cotton rigid denim construction. Multiple tool and utility pockets. Hammer loop. Triple-stitched main seams and bar tacks at vital stress points. Reinforced back pockets. High back with elastic suspenders. Leg openings made to fit over work boots- for $42-47.
or Dickie's Overalls for $35
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Size Does Matter..
Shaquille O'Neal curates his 1st Art Show at
The FLAG Art Foundation
545 West 25th Street, 9th Floor
At 7'1" and 320lbs I suspect size is always an issue for Shaquille O'Neal and this exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on size via works that explore the concept of size from the microscopic "to giant pieces that have the ability to dwarf and exaggerate everyone -- even Shaq himself"
Artists in the exhibition include:
Conrad Bakker, Delia Brown, Don Brown, Maurizio Cattelan, Chuck Close, Cathy de Monchaux, Richard Dupont, Joe Fig, Tom Friedman, Franz Gertsch, Andreas Gursky, Tim Hawkinson, Brian Jungen, Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Dr. Lakra, Inez van Lamsweerde, Charles LeDray, Ron Mueck, Juan Muñoz, Richard Patterson, Evan Penny, Richard Pettibone, Elizabeth Peyton, Paul Pfeiffer, Richard Phillips, Charles Ray, Ugo Rondinone, Thomas Ruff, Cindy Sherman, Yinka Shonibare, Ken Solomon, Tomoaki Suzuki ,Robert Therrien, Jim Torok, Mark Wagner, Corban Walker, Willard Wigan, Kehinde Wiley, Fred Wilson, Ivan Witenstein, Lisa Yuskavage
Ron Mueck's Untitled (Big Man)
Yesterday's Art Find
Yesterday while in the stationary aisle on the 1st floor of the 32nd Street Jack's 99cents Store I ran across an amazing children's book
MUMBO JUMBO: The Creepy ABC
by Michael Roberts
( http://www.401projects.com search - Michael Roberts ).
I know my alphabets, though I still have issue with spelling and grammar, so this book isn't about reading or learning. It's about finding ready to frame art to grace the walls of my apartment at an afordable price that doesn't make the art precious and sometimes makes it more enjoyable because of it not being so.
Just something to consider when looking for photos or art to hang on your walls.
The out of print book is also available at
Tuesday's Mental Musings
As smart as I have been told I am I am not good at the sly hint, snide remark or innuendo. Sarcasm and double entendre I am familir with but I prefer direct questions and comments or no questions or comments at all. You know what they say about assuming?
I know the difference between a story and gossip. I like my gossip from its original source rather than a 3rd or 4th party. I tend to see both sides of the tale which makes my life too gray for most gossipers that see things in black and white, good or bad, right or wrong.
I am not afraid to be honest. I am not afraid to share the embarrassing story or two about my own choices or mistakes. Just ask me, but be warned you may not like what you hear.
My willingness to “speak” doesn’t mean I blab, blab, blab to anyone and everyone. Sometimes I exercise my right to remain silent. Being silent sometimes says more than talking. I am aware of the effects honesty and truth can have on others and sometimes neither party is prepared for the fallout the "truth" can cause. Caught-in-the moment -honesty aside I attempt to watch what and how I say it. Being direct and honest is all in the delivery. The truth and being direct can be painful and cause damage.
I know the truth I speak isn’t necessarily the “truth” or the whole truth; it is only my “truth”. This doesn’t make my truth less valuable. It does make the concrete “truth” more malleable and that makes it doubly important for emotion and fact to be separated when presenting those stories. It also makes it important that other direct-from-the-source stories to be heard.
Do you stop before asking a third party questions about someone who is completely accessible to you? Or do you go directly to that individual and ask your questions out of concern and curiosity?
Do you pause before making snide under handed remarks about someone that is not present or do you say them directly to that persons face? Are your remarks out of concern and curiosity or out of desire for attention and power?
Do you hesitate to make direct comments and place sincere questions for fear that the answers won’t be what you want to hear? Are you willing to hear the truth from all angles even if it means finding out that your understanding of the “truth” wasn’t fully evolved?
Do you consider the ramifications stories and heresy can have not only on the lives of those involved but your own? Do you?
I know the difference between a story and gossip. I like my gossip from its original source rather than a 3rd or 4th party. I tend to see both sides of the tale which makes my life too gray for most gossipers that see things in black and white, good or bad, right or wrong.
I am not afraid to be honest. I am not afraid to share the embarrassing story or two about my own choices or mistakes. Just ask me, but be warned you may not like what you hear.
My willingness to “speak” doesn’t mean I blab, blab, blab to anyone and everyone. Sometimes I exercise my right to remain silent. Being silent sometimes says more than talking. I am aware of the effects honesty and truth can have on others and sometimes neither party is prepared for the fallout the "truth" can cause. Caught-in-the moment -honesty aside I attempt to watch what and how I say it. Being direct and honest is all in the delivery. The truth and being direct can be painful and cause damage.
I know the truth I speak isn’t necessarily the “truth” or the whole truth; it is only my “truth”. This doesn’t make my truth less valuable. It does make the concrete “truth” more malleable and that makes it doubly important for emotion and fact to be separated when presenting those stories. It also makes it important that other direct-from-the-source stories to be heard.
Do you stop before asking a third party questions about someone who is completely accessible to you? Or do you go directly to that individual and ask your questions out of concern and curiosity?
Do you pause before making snide under handed remarks about someone that is not present or do you say them directly to that persons face? Are your remarks out of concern and curiosity or out of desire for attention and power?
Do you hesitate to make direct comments and place sincere questions for fear that the answers won’t be what you want to hear? Are you willing to hear the truth from all angles even if it means finding out that your understanding of the “truth” wasn’t fully evolved?
Do you consider the ramifications stories and heresy can have not only on the lives of those involved but your own? Do you?
Eye-Ay-Eye....
L'Oreal Secret No.5
High Impact Pigment Packed Eye Shadows
Available in 5 finishes -
Crystals-Mattes-Metallics-Brights-Velvets
35 Color Combos
Now if I only had eyelids sized to showcase such color!
Available at your local drug store.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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She shoes...She Scores...
I have been looking for replacements for my beloved driving moc for so long I had given up, until I found these! Who cares if these are men's loafers from Cole Haan.
Their elegant shape more than makes up for that fact
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
My Inspiration...
From February 4th through March 20th
two of my favorite artists are part of a joint show!
two of my favorite artists are part of a joint show!
ACA Galleries present
2 BLACK WOMEN
Faith Ringgold
Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
( http://www.acagalleries.com/exhibitions/current/2-black-women/ )
ACA Galleries
ACA Galleries
529 West 20th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10011
R.I.P. Lucille Clifton
June 27, 1936 - February 13, 2010
Click On Title
Homage to My Hipsthese hips are big hips. they need space to move around in. they don't fit into little petty places. these hips are free hips. they don't like to be held back. these hips have never been enslaved, they go where they want to go they do what they want to do. these hips are mighty hips. these hips are magic hips. i have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top Lucille Clifton |
Slinging Into Spring....
http://www.ninewest.com/Socliche/4352679,default,pd.html?cgid=2951460&itemNum=5&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=BLACKRP
My love of shoes can not be questioned, but gone are the days of me buying shoes with a 4" heel just because they makes me tremble. These days I find myself looking for elegantly shaped and sensibly heeled shoes that offer style and support. Unfortunately the market seems to be flooded with heels that are outrageously high and shoe shapes that remind me of 1970's Hooker Shoes- even at the most expensive levels the proportions seem off.
Maybe I am just "maturing"...Designer's are you listening????
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Always Love
Carolina Herrera's Forever Style and Craftsmanship
(Spring 2010 look below)
click on title to go to her site or below to see the Fall 2010 slideshow on NYTimes site
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/02/15/style/20100215_FIRSTLOOKHerrera_index.html
Hair Today...
It looks like the fancy hair combs are trying to make their way back as a trend.
Thanks Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana
(uhm..that was a bit of sarcasm...and images aren't from the noted designers lol)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday's Mental Musings
Being polite was the way I was raised. Three phrases were taught to us - "Please", "Thank You" and "Excuse Me". We were taught when and how to use them with the understanding that these 3 words were gifts to both the receiver and user. Using them empowered us and made us humble. Unfortunately this tradition seems to be a thing of the past. These days I rarely hear the phrases exchanged during the course of my day and when I do I can count the number of times they are said in a single day on one hand.
There are those of us who believe using such phrases of politeness are a thing of the past. We believe we are entitled to receive, take and have what the "universe" gives us. These gifts include being able to push pass those of us too "slow" to grab it for ourselves. Or we believe that everything comes from a power higher than each other and ignore the human effort in even the minor occurances of our lives. The sad thing about living this way is that it limits our connection to each other. And by limiting this connection, and more importantly the understanding that we are connected, we are often left with the feeling of being alone and unsupported by the same universe supplying those gifts. This is not to say we don't build relationships, but I suspect those relationships become more codependent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency) rather than interdependent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdependence). By living this way I suspect that we lose the understanding that showing gratitude and grace is a true gift, not only to ourselves and each other, but to a universe so abundant that we often waste what can never seem to retrieve, human kindness towards it all.
There are those of us who believe using such phrases of politeness are a thing of the past. We believe we are entitled to receive, take and have what the "universe" gives us. These gifts include being able to push pass those of us too "slow" to grab it for ourselves. Or we believe that everything comes from a power higher than each other and ignore the human effort in even the minor occurances of our lives. The sad thing about living this way is that it limits our connection to each other. And by limiting this connection, and more importantly the understanding that we are connected, we are often left with the feeling of being alone and unsupported by the same universe supplying those gifts. This is not to say we don't build relationships, but I suspect those relationships become more codependent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency) rather than interdependent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdependence). By living this way I suspect that we lose the understanding that showing gratitude and grace is a true gift, not only to ourselves and each other, but to a universe so abundant that we often waste what can never seem to retrieve, human kindness towards it all.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sewng Surprises
Recently while culling through some fabrics and things I unearthed small sewing samples from long ago. These hand and machine lessons taught application and understanding of sewing techniques and in most cases reminded me of how much labor goes into a specific style of garment. Granted most of the techniques can be machine done but once you've learned to do them with both hand and machine you will forever know the difference.
I now have the pleasure of organizing the samples but I thought I would share some images before carding and boxing them away.
The card below shows lessons on learning to make handmade applique and braid from fabric tubing. The tubing is made by cutting bias strips, machine sewing, turning inside out and pressing them before use. The idea of white "lace" (center) ended up being used on a cotton dress. Sadly the small squares and circles, though a good exercise, were too much bother..
I now have the pleasure of organizing the samples but I thought I would share some images before carding and boxing them away.
The card below shows lessons on learning to make handmade applique and braid from fabric tubing. The tubing is made by cutting bias strips, machine sewing, turning inside out and pressing them before use. The idea of white "lace" (center) ended up being used on a cotton dress. Sadly the small squares and circles, though a good exercise, were too much bother..
Below are hand made lessons for making flounced, tiered, ruffled and ruched skirts and such. Fabrics, ribbons, lace and petals painstakingly cut, sewn, pinned, hand basted and sewn permanently into place. It takes lots of time and love to make clothes with such rich detail.
This last image shows various closing options other than a button hole (I'll share variations of those soon). The green frog closure and all other samples are of made of same-fabric tubing that has been looped, rounded, squared and triangled (corner's mitered by hand!) tacked to the fabric, sewn to and faced. The other side of the garment would have buttons, hand made knots, beads or baubles attached to it.
Now off to IKEA to buy a box to store this stuff
(ignore the dirty rug - it's located in my studio!)
The Sweet Smell of Success
New York's location - 233 Elizabeth Street
Remember to carry a coffee bean!
Mardi Gras!
Tomorrow, Feb 16th, is the 1st Day of Mardi Gras!
Hope You Get the Little Baby From the King Cake!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Gun Hai Fat Chow
Tomorrow is the Lunar New Year!
Happy Year of the Tiger!
(click on title for wikipedia info)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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