Music Video Break Day

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Tuesday's Mental Musing

There is a fine line between being inspired and mimicking. The two often blend but most of the time they are apparently different. And most of the time we don't know the difference between taking and claiming someone else's creative intent and/or being inspired by someone else's creative expression until we are in the middle of the act of mimicking it. It is only when we come to the place where our creativity takes over and we allow ourselves to proceed to adjust what we are doing so that it reflects our own abilities and vision that we free our inspiration and travel our own creative road.

Some of us get there, some of us don't. Some of us believe because ideas are free that it is ok to access those shared with us in trust. Rather than encourage those who initiate the idea to explore it on their own we become enamored with their concept and begin our own research into resolving their creative question. And it is because of the belief that ideas, thoughts, emotions are free and often universal that we can justify the high jacking of another's work. And though it is true that our hands may differ when it comes to materializing the solution to another's creative concept when we can only mimic rather than be inspired to find the place in us that we "own" we know that the we have produced work that truly doesn't belong to us and in the process stolen the joy of exploration from our "friend".

Our actions can and often do alienate us from the one who originally brought their idea(s) to our attention. And some of us are OK with this because we call those we "borrow" from our muses and by doing so justify our desire to explore rather than encourage by being "inspired". Those of us infringed on either learn to confront those who feel it OK to take what wasn't meant to be theirs and by doing so often come off in a selfish fashion raising the question/debate "how can an idea be owned" or we silently swallow our feelings and learn to distance ourselves from those who cannot nurture without taking.
In the end regardless of which end we are on we all learn from the experience.

© Simone Rene 2010

The Cat's Meow...

Now that big sunglasses and high-high heels have hit the displays and racks in all the affordable stores the designers are pushing cat shaped sunglasses and kitten heels for fall 2010 ....

Are you ready?

(note to self - dig out old shoes and sunglasses from back of closet)

Bellying Up to the Bar

Now that the heat has truly arrived in New York City drinking cold beverages is on the top of the daily to do list. At least 2 times a week I find myself heading to T Baar at 55 Chrystie Street to buy a green tea smoothie or a coconut bubble tea. Click on the title to go to the site for location and drink details...yumm

Music Video Break Day

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5 for the Price of 1

Sephora Collection has done it again!

A pallet made up of 5 take along sets of versatile eye, lip and cheek colors

Just $29.50

Click on title to go to site.

LOVING IT!!!

The Perfect Summer Sunday..

 

A cool breeze from an open window

 

Crisp sheets and a stack full of pillows

A Breakfast Tray filled with

 

A bowl full of freshly washed ripe strawberries

 Cafe au lait with hot powdered sugar dounuts (beniets)

made from my grandmother Dorothy's recipe 

or toasted cranberry pecan bread buttered

 

 While wearing cotton t shirt and panties

 

 Did I mention the cool breeze filling the bedroom?

 

 and my manicured feet

 

George Clooney optional

Music Video Break Day

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Favorite Summer Meal

There is nothing like a plate of fried peppers accompanied by a cold glass of white wine

Clean and Dry 8 oz of medium sized Cubanelle Peppers

(Sometimes I cut them in half and de-seed them, sometimes not)

Pour 1/4 C or so of Vegetable Oil into

a good pre-heated skillet

(I use a cast iron one)

Let oil get HOT!

(it should glisten and bubble a bit) 

Swirl to make sure the oil covers bottom of pan

Add Peppers and sprinkle with 1/4 -1/2 teaspon of salt

Stir peppers until they are blistered on 1 side before

Adding thinly sliced garlic

Stir until all sides of peppers are blistered

Remove to paper towel to drain

Transfer to serving plate

Add a dash of fresh lemon juice, about 2 teaspoons

  Sprinkle with more salt and enjoy!

(I usually serve family style with loads of toothpicks for easy popping)

Presently Sublime

Anje Organic Perfumes not only smell incredible, each perfume is a key scent that is supported by other scents, and are beautifully packaged but contain non-synthetic oils and absolutes and can be purchased as either a perfume (denatured spirits) or oil (organic jojoba).  I will admit that it was the perfume bottle as jewelry that attracted.

Priced between $40 and $120.00.

Click on title to go to site

Music Video Break Day

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Thursday Night in Prospect Park

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club

featuring

Omara Portuondo

( flamenco dancer Nelida Tirado opens)
CANCELLED
It will be replaced by a screening of Wim Wenders' Buena Vista Social Club flick, with flamenco dancer Nelida Tirado as the opening act.

Thursday, June 24

Prospect Park Band Shell

7:30 PM $3 Donation Suggested

Having Your Green and Wearing It Too!!

From May 26 through November 13, 2010

The Museum at FIT explores -

ECO-FASHION: GOING GREEN

This exhibition discusses the good and bad ecological practices of the past 250 years in Fashion and considers re-purposing, production methods - including those involved in the "green" craze and craftsmanship involved in garment creation.

Click On Title For More Information

*Xuly-Bët, dress and jacket ensemble, multicolor sweaters, brown wool plaid, red nylon, Fall 1994, France, gift of Xuly-Bët.

Movie of the Moment

Tuesday's Mental Musing

"Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

-Nietzsche

Music Video Break Day

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I Think Angela Landsbury Looked AMAZING...

at the 2010 Tonys

(I know I am a few weeks late but I have been busy trying to find this dress!!)

Play Me A Song Mr Piano Man....

Today, June 21st, Make Music New York and Sing For Hope are dotting the parks and streets of New York with 60 pianos for a two-week public art installation by British artist Luke.

"Play Me, I'm Yours" piano project inaugurates the Make Music New York concerts. All 60 pianos will be available until July 5th for anyone to walk up to and play. At the end of the installation the pianos will be donated to local schools, hospitals, and community organizations.

click on title for details and piano locations

Bookish Tendencies

1000's of artists across the country are taking part in a community art project that requires fill and submit a sketchbook that will eventually tour the country before becoming part of the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library. Once catalogued and barcoded each sketchbook will be available to the public for view.

To join in on the SKETCHBOOK PROJECT click on title to go to the site

Music Video Break Day

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Happy Father's Day

Click on title to read one man's perspective of fatherhood that surpasses the boundaries in which they define.

Sharp Things From Ikea

I was in desparate need of a new Chef's knife, but I am not a cook that wants to invest $100s. I finally stopped toying with the idea of buying a knife from Ikea and purchased the Gynnsam Chef's Knife for only $14.99, much less than what it's truly worth.

I love this knife! The blade runs the length of the wooden handle, making it very wear-resistant. Its weight feels good in my hand and it is sharp enough to cut through the toughest meats and root vegetables (I have been testing!!).

Click on title to go to Ikea site for details.

Hair Today..

A few months ago I purchased L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray ($15.00). I still love and use it because my hair holds its shape while still being touchable, but after using a friend's Pantene Pro-V Shaping Hairspray I feel a little foolish. At about S6.00 a can I got the same results from the Pantene product and could have had a good coffee too!

Available at your local drugstore

Bitches Brew Revisited in Prospect Park

Tonight, June 19, on the year of the 40th Anniversary of its release a multi-generational line up of musicians explores the legacy of Miles Davis' landmark Album - Bitches Brew. 

Prospect Park Band Shell

Gates open at 6:30pm, Show starts at 7pm (Mike Stern opens) 

$3 donation is suggested

(side note - I remember "borrowing" my father's 1st cut album, stealing away into my room to play it and not understanding what the hell it was all about but knowing that if I scratched it I was going to "die"! It wasn't until I was well into my 20s, had studied abstract art and listened to other Jazz musicians that I began to enjoy Miles)

Music Video Day Break

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A New Love that Feels Old

I love retro feeling clothing and accessories and these shoes, "Claudette", from ReMix feel sooo right.

Click on title to go to site...sigh

(My sister has warned me that I came coming to the age where wearing these types of shoes won't make me stylishly "golden" but a "Golden Girl" - LOL)

Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2010

Saturday, June 19

Starts at 2pm!!

The Skin Quilt Project

"The Skin Quilt Project is a documentary that explores colorism in the African-American community. The film addresses this complex issue through the stories of African-American quilters, and the tradition of an artform that celebrates its culture. The quilters speak of the influence of the African-American quilting tradition as a tool for encouraging an appreciation in the African-American cultural heritage. "

Click below to go to site to pre-order DVD
http://www.skinquiltproject.com/

Click on title for a youtube posted teaser

Music Video Day Break

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Music Video Break Day

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Tuesday's Mental Musings

Procrastination is a dear old friend whom I fear and loathe and often haven't enough strength to turn away from. And these warm summery days aren't helping me reject his advances....

Chocolate Trippin

The other day I wanted some chocolate but I didn't want to have it as a snack. Instead I wanted to have it as part of my meal and what better way to sneak in a sweet than in muffin form. I broke my no-baking-during-the-summer rule turned on the oven and baked these Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Muffins. Recipe as follows -

1 Oz of semi sweet chocolate (chips, premelted or squares OK)
1/3 C Butter, unsalted
1 C Plain Low Fat Yogurt
1/2 C Sugar
1 Large Egg
1 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 2/3 C Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspon of Baking Soda
1 C Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees F
Line or Butter 12 Muffin Cup Tin

Place butter and 1 oz chocolate in glass bowl, melt in microwave - about 1-2 minutes
Let cool for about 10 minutes before blending in sugar, egg, yogurt and vanilla.
In large bowl stir in flour, salt and baking soda
Pour and stir in choclate mixture
Fold in Chips and fill muffin cups
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out dry
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from tin to cool
Can be eaten warm or cold
Can freeze for up to 3 months.

Worth the heat of the oven....

Music Video Break Day

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The Dream Course

From June 21st - 24th  Marcell Mrsan, a 6th generation shoe maker will be teaching those lucky enough to attend the art of making a high heel shoe.

As of this posting there were only 2 more spots available.

Click on title to go to site for more details.

A Trip Through Ikea

ended in the purchase of a slew of animal shaped cookie cutters.

The $3.99 set includes an elk, fox, bear, squirrel, hedgehog and a snail

My Gingerbread cookies will never be the same!

click on title to go to IKEA site

Music Video Break Day

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Sewwwwww Cute

and on sale through Saturday, June 12

McCall's Pattern - $4.99

click on title to order

Movie of the Moment

Last Exit To Brooklyn

One of my favorite writers is Hubert Selby Jr. His writing was raw and real. It wasn't pretty, but it was truthful and in that truth there was both the beauty and ugliness of humanity. The fact that he believed that he had to write in order to be remembered is an inspiration.

Click on title to go to Hulu for the documentary

Hurbert Hubert Selby Jr: It'll Be Better

Music Video Break Day

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Undisguised

On Friday, June 11 6-8PM

The Loading Dock

(170 Tillary Street, Brooklyn)

in conjunction with 

The Institute for Community Living

Present

The Art of the ICL Milestone Residences

UNDISGUISED

runs from June 8 - June 27

click on title for details about group and show

Yoga in the Summer Solstice

Join 100s of Yoga practioners at the intersections of Broadway and 46th Streets on June 21 to welcome Summer.  From dawn to dusk there will be free Yoga talks, classes and give aways in celebration of the pending sun filled days

For more information click on title

Namaste!

Tuesday's Mental Musings

Why do I feel compelled to own "stuff"? I am by no means a hoarder but I sometimes feel I own more stuff that I actually need and despite using most of what I own I sometimes wonder what things could be eliminated without forcing me to live in survival mode.

Remember your first days living on your own when a plate, one blanket and a multi use mug was good enough?  When did I begin need to need to own and use a setting for 6? When did I need to have both cold and warm weather robes? When did I need to own every RHCP cd?

I have already purged so much yet I still have this urge to get rid of more. I constantly release things to the universe but the universe has a way of giving it all back, sometimes twice as much as what I let go of. I am grateful but I often sit and consider what "things" I could live with if I needed to live in only one room.

I know this urge is really about giving my self space and time. I know minimizing life is a process that requires patience and more importantly honesty but as I look around taking inventory I can't help but feel that I will forever be someone who owns "stuff"

Music Video Break Day

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Please Tell Me

Why Men Who Look Like This

and this

and this

Think Women Should Look Like This?