The Verrazano on A Sunday Morning..

All Images © Simone Rene 2013

English Breakfast on An American Sunday

The vegetable and fruit stands in the neighborhood are loaded with leafy greens this time of year. 

The radishes were too BEAUTIFUL to pass over and at $0.75 for a large bunch too cheap not to buy.

This morning I enjoyed a quick and easy breakfast of coffee and warm French bread topped with radishes and greens sauted in butter.

All you need are a bunch of fresh juicy radishes.

 I washed them and cut the green tops off before drying them in a salad spinner to make sure everything was soil free.

To keep things uniform I pulled out the mandolin slicer and made beautiful red jewel disks of the cleaned radishes 

 Then I heated up both a non-stick pan and the oven (250-300F)

Once the pan was hot I added a large gob of salt free butter

After it melted I dumped in the radishes and allowed them to cook for a bit before adding the greens. 

After about 2 minutes the leaves had wilted, the disks were butter infused but still firm and all was ready to be sprinkled with coarse salt before transferring into a bowl.  

While the goodness rested I turned my attention to the heated oven and the French bread I purchased on Saturday afternoon.

The paper sleeved loaf was hard as a brick but I had an old trick up my sleeve.

Using my water spray bottle I generously spritzed the paper bag, put it into the oven for 2 minutes and pulled out a soft loaf (use trick only once!) that was quickly cut into 1/2" disks, topped with the veggies and enjoyed with a hot milky coffee.

 

 

The butter soothes the peppery radish and the salt highlights its.

Try it and Enjoy!

Helloooo Anyone Out There???

It’s been a really, really, really long time since I have come to these pages.  My apologies, life has gotten in the way.

It’s the Christmas week and we are about to head into a new year and I finally find myself ready to share more things with any readers that may still be out there. Anyone out there?

I finished Christmas shopping about two weeks ago, which is both a curse and blessing.  So to keep with the spirit I decided to head out on my own today to look for a fun and inexpensive outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve.

First off I headed to Century 21 at 86^th Street, Brooklyn (http://www.c21stores.com/brooklyn/). It was still early, about 10:30 AM, and the store was empty so I was able to quickly manuever the aisles and racks. I purchased an amazing hat ($24.99) that for some reason reminded me of the hats that actress Michael Learned wore during the Walton’s TV show.

I have always loved the clothing of the mid-late 1930s-early 1940s and mourn the fact that I wasn’t born in an era when women wore hats and gloves, garters and stockings. I am no Isabella Blow (RIP) but a good hat is an amazing accessory and more importantly this year my sister will be able to easily spot me at the train stain!

After claiming the cutest silk and crushed velvet BCBG Generation dress in a dirty mauve ($40 - see below) plus matching textured tights ($9) I made my way up the block to NY & Company.

BCBGeneration Surplus Combo Dress

NY & Company (http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco) has become one of my favorite go-to stores for office basics - cotton blouses, good-fit pants and suit jackets - as well as great work out wear. The quality varies and the majority of the items aren’t investment pieces but the store picks up on the trends and presents them for women not just girls.  If you sign up for their emails some of the coupons can save you major cash. Unfortunately the place had been picked cleaner than well, a Christmas turkey so I decided to get back on the R Train and head to the Fulton Street Mall. I really didn't need anything but I was still in the spirit and wanted to be out and about.

On my way to Macys I was distracted by this shiny FUSCHIA dress in of all places - The Rainbow Shop (http://www.rainbowshops.com/) .

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

The Rainbow Shop also picks up on the major, mostly outrageous ,trends and like most of us can be behind a few seasons but if your frugal or have a limited budget this is the place to go for a cheap outfit for a Saturday night adventure. Though the shop caters to the junior set it also carries women's sizes and has even added a children's department.

The dress was just $20. I didn't buy it. The dress is much more vibrant in realtime and I don’t think my personality is as outgoing as this dress.

Intrigued I made my way upstairs to the 3rd floor shoe department.  Rainbow has a great selection of funky, fun footwear at really low prices. The shoes may not live past the 3 month mark but at $20-$50 it might be worth the price for the entrance you are sure to make wearing any of the ones I snapped pictures of, just make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date!

 All Images © Simone Rene 2012

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

Almost shopped out I had just enough energy to stop off at Conways before heading to the train.

Conways (http://conwaystores.com) is another mark-down store that sells off brands, liquidated stock and seconds but sometimes you can find real pearls in this store at a fraction of the market price. I ended up walking away with some $19 mock-I-really-want-to-be-Laura-Ashley-Doc-Martins...sigh, too bad they don't match the BCBG dress...

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for Ice Cream!

The heat way has returned to NY this weekend and after a morning running errands in 90 degree plus weather stopping at my new favorite Bayridge ice cream parlor & pastry show, Cedars Pastry, was just the thing I needed to cool off.

Their ice cream is so thick, so creamy, so rich that all you need is the single $2.00 scoop to satisfy.Try my favorite the Kashta (the Lebanese name for a heavy cream obtained by simmering whole milk) Pistachio or any other of the 10 flavors offered up daily.

7204 5th Ave, Brooklyn NY 11209

www.baklavastore.com

Swinging In The Plaza!!

On Wednesday, June 13, 7:00 PM, there will be Western Swing at
Grand Army Plaza

Can't dance? Come at 6:30 PM and take swing dance lessons with Eve Polich
The bank starts swinging at 7! 
http://catalog.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/record=g1004862&searchscope=63&SORT2=R

Where the Books are..

This is the Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn Library

I love this place and can remember heading there after school to hide between the book shelves in the adult section. It's been years but with improved facilities, free classes and activities the magc is still there.

http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/central

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

It's A Family Affair...

Well readers this weekend is the Rickert Family Reunion. The first of its kind. My cousins and I, the Reunion Committee, have spent months sorting and finalizing details.

All Images © Simone Rene 2011

This Friday we will head over to the WEEKSVILLE HERITAGE SITE (http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/ ) where my great grandparents lived.The staff has helped us plan the visit and for many it will be a home coming and for some a lesson in our family history.

On Saturday close to 200 family members (about 1/6 of the total count of that tree at this time) will come together at Hechscher State Park ( http://www.longislandexchange.com/parks/heckscher-statepark.html ) to enjoy a day of food (AND OOOOOH there will be food!), games and family. We will share and record family stories, collect data to add to the family tree and take photos so to leave a trail for family to come.

My family has been here, in the US, in New York, in Brooklyn since the late 1700s. We have stories, records, proof of who we are and where we came from. Many of our family members are just learning of our rich heritage and the reunion is a chance to share it. Planning this event was a promise made to my great grandmother long ago. So Nana Rickert, we did it!

Still Sorting...

All Images © Simone Rene 2011

Since moving to the Bayridge area I find myself taking 3 mile walks along the water way off of Shore Road at least 5 days out of the week- see photo from tonight's walk. Exercise aside moving along the stretch of space aside the ocean is helping me to keep my mind clear. And that clarity is allowing me to focus on my intent - to create and live a simple and fulfilling life.

Just Resurfacing...

All Images © Simone Rene 2011

Hello Readers, it looks like I have under estimated the time and attention it takes to be in a new space. There's still a lot to do so for now I am sharing the view along Shore Road...

Cupcake Heaven...

A few Saturday's ago my sister and I had a girls evening out. We hopped on the bus and made our way to Atlantic at 4th Avenue and walked towards Court Street stopping here and there to admire all the stores that have cropped up along the way.  There were tons of boutiques, furniture design stores and gift shops that offered to distract us but we both found ourselves smitten with Downtown Atlantic (http://www.downtownatlantic.com/ ).

The quaint restuarant and bar is own and operated by Brooklyn natives Kurt, Fran and their cousin and partner Frank D'Accordo and I have to be honest, we never made it passed the baked goods display.  Instead my sister (chocolate with coconut cream icing) and I (pumpkin spice with cream cheese icing) devoured our giant-one-is-big-enough-to-share-but-we-were-greedy-that-night cupcakes, discussed returning for dinner as we continued on our Saturday night adventure walk.

Sooooo worth returning!

Ring In The New Year with

100s of Brooklynites  as they gather in

Prospect Park

for

Entertainment, Refreshments and Fireworks

on

Friday, December 31, Midnight

The celebrations start around 11 p.m

click on title for more details

New York Snow Storm December 2011

Brooklyn, Prospect Park West

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

New Years Eve Plans?

click on title for details

Last Minute Shopping..

on Saturday/Sunday, December 18 & 19 make your way to

The Makers Market

at the Old American Can Factory

(3rd St at 3rd Avenue, Gowanus)

Check out gifts and goodies made of any of the ten materials featured to date: Metals, Botanicals, Ceramics, Paper, Leather, Glass, Fiber, Wood, Synthetics and Sugar.

click on title for more details

A Place Called Home..

click on title for some Brooklyn history

(My great grandparents in their Bergen Street yard)
(http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/)

Fall Has Arrived...

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Inside the Black Bear

located at 469 16th Street in Brooklyn

BLACK BEAR VINTAGE & HANDMADE

is a small store filled with reasonably priced clothing and accessories

for women, men and home.

Owners Julia and Michelle are cordial, polite and helpful

They feature hand made clothing and items of interest  by local artists and craftsmen

And purchase clean, quality vintage clothing from locals

(click on title for contact details)

The inventory can change daily

Is reasonably priced

and despite being being varied

is coordinated for season and truly reflects the owners' electic interests and taste

If you can't find what you are looking for ask.

Julia and Michelle will keep an eye out for it and contact you when it arrives in store

So worth stopping in, browsing and buying

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

This Week's Art Openings

I am starting a new weekly habit of posting information on Art Show Openings throughout the boroughs.

Thursday nights start the chain of openings and if you plan it right you can usually thread your way through at least 2 or 3 parties in an evening.
Sometimes I skip the openings and make my way to the galleries on the first Sunday morning after the party when the crowds are thin.
This week's openings are -

Agora Gallery

( http://www.agora-gallery.com/ )

Masters of the Imagination:

The Latin American Fine Art Exhibition

Exhibition Dates: 9/10/2010 - 10/1/2010

Opening Reception - Thursday, September 16, 2010, 6 -8 PM

About Little Secrets 18 by André Netto

=========

Art In General

(http://www.artingeneral.org/)

Luis Jacob: Without Persons

Exhibition Dates: 9/16/2010 - 11/13/2010

Opening Reception - Thursday, September 16, 2010, 6 -8 PM

Luis Jacob

=======

Brooklyn Hostorical Society

( http://www.brooklynhistory.org/default/index.html )

Painting Brooklyn Stories of Immigration & Survival

Exhibition Dates: 9/17/2010 - 2/27/2011

Opening Reception - Thursday, September 16, 2010, 5:30 -7:30 PM

Artist -Nina Talbot

SWELL SEASON

Friday, July 30, 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

click on title for more details for this

Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn Event

(LOOOOOVE THIS DUO!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5KV1Lf2NkY

Come Dancing...

Starting Tuesday, July 6, at 6 PM join other Brooklynites and

Dance Under the Stars 

at

Brooklyn's Washington Park

(5th Avenue and 3rd Street)

click on title for more info