Around the Block Again

on April 17-18

click on title to go to flyer for information

or visit site -

http://www.quiltbrooklyn.org/2010show.php

Cheating on the Singer

with a new sewing machine.

I love my featherweight. It gets the job done but lately I have been in need for some speed and options, sometimes a girl needs to be able to move through it quickly without having to be sentimental about the whole sewing thing. To fill this need I recently purchased a refurbished Janome 11574 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine from overstock.com. The stream lined 21lb machine has 74 stitch functions and 21 built-in utility, stretch and decorative stitches, easily sews quilts and applique items and is worth far more than the $120.00 plus shipping. I am just hoping my Singer understands.

You can have a little something on the side too,

just click on title.

Happy Passover

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Tuesday's Mental Musings

I recently ran into someone who shared the sad news that someone we both knew had died. Before parting ways she added that she thought "it was a shame that he never fulfilled his dreams". I couldn't help but point out that he touched his art daily, created things that brought him joy and shared his gifts with others. He never wanted for food or shelter, had been able to travel and entertain, was loved by friends and family and when asked was always honest about his state of mind and being. Fame aside, I asked her what other dreams could he have for his talent? She promptly said good bye.

Music Video Break Day

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Heading to the Louvre

On The Odd Hours is part of the graphic novels series co-published by the Lourve Museum in Paris. The book takes us on a after hours guided tour of the museum where all the works of art come to life. It's a visually amazing and fantastically frightening journey that you can go on too - just click the title.

Laced In

Despite my love, love for lace and

being told from 2008 that we should be wearing this

(3.1 Phillip Lim Hairpin Lace Skirt)

and this

(Nanette Lapour Silk and Lace Blouse)

and even this

(Erdem Moralioglu)

I can't help but fear most of us will look like this

Music Video Break Day

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BEER!

Did I get your attention?

On March 31st Astor Wines

will be holding a seminar entitled

Everything You Think You Know

About Beer Is Wrong!

from 6:30-8:30 PM your host Tom Briggs will teach you the history, folk lore and attributes of beer, including introducing you to 12 different styles of beer.

For Tickets and More Details

Click on title to go to link

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break day

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Isabel Toledo Payless

In September Isabel Toledo will be launching her own lower priced shoe collection via Payless.
The line will include a number of style options, all under $40.00.
I wonder if Michelke will be taking the girls to Payless' BoGo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogo) Sales!

Click on title to go to W article.

Music Video Break day

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Tuesday's Mental Musings

I have noticed that many of the items in the 2nd hand, vintage and consignment stores I sometimes fall into still have price and garment tags on them. Many seem to be direct from the design firms and stores they came from...think we are mass producing much?

Dreaming in Chocolate

Last night I wanted chocolate, which is strange since I usually crave potato chips. With time on my hands and a little intent I played with the a low butter chocolate cake recipe and a basic icing recipe and came up with the following "tweaked"  recipes that satisfied my craving - Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES with LIME YOGURT ICING

Makes 12 Large Cupcakes

Preheat Oven to 350 F and place liners into muffin pan

1 1/3 C Flour
1/4 T Baking Soda
2 T Baking Powder
3/4 C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
(I mixed 1/2 C Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder + 1/4 C Cocoa Powder)
1/8 T Salt
3 TBS Butter, softened
1 C Light Brown Suger
1/2 C Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 T Vanilla
1 C 2% Milk

Sift flour, baking powder and soda, cocoa and salt into a medium sized bowl - set aside
In large separate bowl cream butter and sugars until fluffy
Continue to beat, adding one egg at a time, followed by vanilla
Beat at fairly high speed to add "air"
Alternatively add flour and milk to creamed butter mixture until a fairly thin light batter forms.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 way up
Lick beaters and bowl
Bake for 15 minutes or so
Use toothpick to test if cake is set, toothpick should come out dry.
Remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool for about 45 minutes before icing.

LIME YOGURT ICING

2 C Powdered Sugar
2 TBS Plain Low Fat Yogurt
Zest and Juice of 1/2 Lime

Place powdered sugar in bowl, add yogurt and lime zest and juice. Beat well until icing forms. May need to add more sugar or lime juice depending on how thick or thin you like the icing. I prefer icing as a glaze rather than a topping.

Enjoy!!

Vogue Pattern Clearance Sale

ENDS TODAY!

Select Patterns for $5 each

click on title to go to site

Music Video Break Day

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Ebaying With Both Hands...

It all started out with a simple search for a tea cup and sandwich plate set. The set I use everyday broke and I needed to replace it. I love snack sets because the plate in the set is large enough to hold a small sandwich or a few slices of fruit. Please feel free to cross out fruit and insert cookies onto plate. The plate also has an indentation to hold the cup in "place". Of course there were options on Ebay but none of them came close to the red Sur La Table set I so loved and mourn. 

While searching I stumbled across and was distracted by the vintage gold rimmed tea cup and saucer sets that seem to litter the site.

Haviland France Limoges Ranson (gold trim) Cup Saucer

$15.00 on Ebay.

I have always loved the elegant simplicity of vintage gold and white sets of china but the vintage sized cups that were part of these settings would never satisfy my modern day addiction to caffeine. As I continued to click and scroll and come upon full servings I realized a vintage soup bowl might be the perfect size and a double handled bowls and saucers might be an even better option since I like to drink my coffee with both fists!

Vintage Haviland France Limoges Coffee Cups

Of course I had to check out the fancy options too!

Vintage Aynsley Double Handled Soup/Tea Cup and Saucer

$22 and still bidding...

And the even fancier options!

Elegant Double Handled Minton Pedestal Cup & Saucer

$25.00 Buy Now

.

Sadly, too overwhelmed by the choices, I ended up not bidding on or buying anything. Instead I entered this post and then went off to make myself a cuppa tea, served in a-oh-so-large Walmart Christmas mug (it's March) and wonder if double handled cups will be back in style anytime soon or if I need to head down to the "Make Your Own Pottery" place in Brooklyn - The Painted Pot - http://www.paintedpot.com/

Welcome Spring!!

Yesterday was the 1st day of spring and in New York City Mother Nature strutted her stuff!
Pack away the woolies and let the warm weather in!!

Music Video Break Day

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Free Pastry Day At Starbucks

on Tuesday, March 23rd from opening until 10:30AM.

Print or upload the coupon onto your phone to show your server when you purchase your beverage.

Click on title to go to coupon page

The Final Nail For the Day...

During the winter months when feet are mostly hidden I tend to them on my own, clipping, filing, scrubbing, pushing back cuticles and forgoing polish for thick creams and warm woolie socks. But now that it's almost sandal wearing season I am considering when I should actually have my feet done by someone else whose hands understand the art of pedicures for display. 

In preparation for the the exposing of the feet I purchased the 3 Wet N Wild nail polishes shown above. The colors, from left to right - Haze of Love, Sheild and Distrubia - are oh so currently cool in New York. With a base and a top coat the polish lasts just as long as the pricier brands and the line offers a large variety of colors and finishes that at $1-$2 a bottle can easily be replaced by the corals and pinks when summer finally arrives.

Available at your local drug store.

Clothing the Naked Eye

Another inexpensive brand of make up  I have mentioned in previous posts is the N.YC.  - New York Color - line (see small eye pallet in picture). Like Wet N Wild the line is constantly updating itself with the current trends in make-up tech. This season they have introduced a line of Individual Eyes Custom Compacts. Each set contains 4 coordinated colors, an eye primer base, an illuminator pot and a double tipped sponge applicator that allows you to create various styles. The pallet in the picture is call Union Square and for $4.99 I have used it to create polished, sophisticated and smokey eyed looks on different occasions.

Available at your local drug store.

Giving You Some Lip

If you aren't familar with Wet N Wild it is an inexpensive brand of make up. The brand constantly updates itself with the current color, finish and property trends in make up. Though I don't use their foundations, cover up or mascara I do reach for their nail polish, eye shadows, blush and lip products because I can test out the trends without breaking the bank.

Wet N Wild recently introduced their version of a tinted lip shimmer. Available in a variety of shades Natural Wear Lip Shimmers are only $1.99 each and do double duty as a tint and healing balm, but be warned they have a minty taste!

Available at your local drugstore.

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

click on title for the holiday's history

Chinese Tamales

Every culture seems to have their version of a starchy dough based treat filled with meats and veggies, wrapped and steamed ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamale ) and the Chinese are no exception.

Sticky rice Zongi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutinous_rice ) are dumplings consisting of glutinous rice and sweet or savory fillings wrapped in leaves before the packets are boiled or steamed. Commonly eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival they seem to be available every day from the small food stand that sits at Grand and the Bowery (see above photo). The one below has a filling of peanut and very fatty fried pork. They also offer a corn filled one that is pretty amazing. At $1.50 they are a very filling snack or a really satisfying lunch

Worth seeking out for the experience!

Tuesday's Mental Musings

"For this reason, when Florus was deliberating whether he should go down to Nero's spectacles and also perform in them himself, Agrippinus said to him, "Go down": and when Florus asked Agrippinus, "Why do not you go down?" Agrippinus replied, "Because I do not even deliberate about the matter." For he who has once brought himself to deliberate about such matters, and to calculate the value of external things, comes very near to those who have forgotten their own character. For why do you ask me the question, whether death is preferable or life? I say "life." "Pain or pleasure?" I say "pleasure." But if I do not take a part in the tragic acting, I shall have my head struck off. Go then and take a part, but I will not. "Why?" Because you consider yourself to be only one thread of those which are in the tunic. Well then it was fitting for you to take care how you should be like the rest of men, just as the thread has no design to be anything superior to the other threads. But I wish to be purple, that small part which is bright, and makes all the rest appear graceful and beautiful. Why then do you tell me to make myself like the many? and if I do, how shall I still be purple? "


Publius Annius Florus (c.70? - c.140?): Roman author, published a brief work on the history of the Roman empire during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (117-138).
(click on title for bio)

Music Video Break Day

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East Village Thrift Shop

Located at 186 2nd Avenue this store has been there for years.

The prices aren't cheap but they are more than reasonable when compared to other "vintage" stores in the area. Filled with mostly women's clothes, shoes and accessories its smaller selection of mens clothing and home odds and ends are worth riffling through.

I purchased the above never worn beauties ($14.00), a Club Monaco black sheath dress from last season that is still current on the streets ($13.00) and a prestine looks-like-it was-never-worn vintage styled linen dress custom made by a F. Gordon ($20.00) .

So worth finding your way there!

Music Video Break Day

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Preserved Lemons

Wholefoods had the most beautiful preserved lemons and I was able to find a batch for under $3.00 to make one of my favorite pasta dishes

Fettuccine with Preserved Lemon and Roasted Garlic

Serves 4

2 heads roasted garlic
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 pound fettucine
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 preserved lemon, pulp and rind, finely chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
3 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Roast the garlic. Remove from oven, cool slightly and squeeze garlic out of husks. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to boil, salt, and cook the fettuccine until tender. Drain and place in serving bowl.
Meanwhile, combine the tablespoon of olive oil and butter in a small pan over medium-low heat. When the butter melts, add the roasted garlic and lemon and cook 1 minute, stirring. Toss with the fettuccine. Toss the fettuccine again with the Parmesan and parsley and season generously with pepper.

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

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Man Made Options

Quality comes at all price levels and it is our individual choice to determine the level of quality we expect and will pay for. If you are open to investigating man made shoes at varying costs click on the above title to go to Metrostyle.com, a site featured in a number of fashion and living magazines. The man-made shoes shown below are 2 pair for 19.99 each ($40). Don't forget to check out the "what's hot" section for variations of the current trends at almost "throw-away" prices.

Stranded and Damaged

A few posts ago I suggested we considered the images found in books as usable art. This isn't a new concept but one we tend to forget because we are bombarded with the "new and shiney". In today's post I am sharing photos of the art and photography books I purchased from the damaged book section on the second floor of Strand Bookstore (http://www.strandbooks.com/ )

All of these books were well under $15.00 each, some less than $5, and are damaged but that damage doesn't affect the art.

 2 Images Below

Twentieth Century Drawings

Selections from the Whitney Museum of American Art

Dover 1981

3 Images Below

Modern French Drawing in Czechoslovakia

Gabriela Kesnerova and Petr Spielmann

Paul Hamlyn 1969

3 Imags Below

Reinhardt Holbein

by Hans Reinhart

Lexturer at the University of Basle

Translated from French 1938

This book is filled with article and art clippings of the artist's work. The owner pasted them to both front and back unprinted endpapers. 

 Below

The World of Delacrox 1798-1863

Tom Prideaux 1966 Time Life Library of Art

This slipcased books was owned by the same person that owned the Holbein. In addition to pasted articles and images they hand wrote details regarding the artist and his works.

4 Images Below

Das Deutsche Lichtbild

Jahresschau 1937

(The German Photo - Yearly Look 1937)

Bruno Schultz Verlag

This is one of my favorite finds.

The photo printing is AMAZING as is the vellum printed name plate. I couldn't bring myself to cut up the book for framing, even with the quote from Hilter on on the endpapers.

4 Images Below

Die Kunst Des 20, Jahrhunderts

(Art of the 20th Century)

Carl Einstein, 1951

This book had the 4c color images printed, mounted onto black stock and covered with glassine sheets. It was owned by Jule & Beatrice Stocker. The Stockers were life long devotees to the visual arts and I believe there is still a Beatrice Stocker Fellowship Fund at NYU.

Consider heading to the damaged and unwanted book section in your area's bookstore or purchasing used and out of print books from sellers on sites like Amazon. You never know what treasures you will find.