Any Clean Freaks Out There?

Whether you are cleaning up after a dinner party or just general day to day stuff; the kitchen sink is the enemy. There is research to support that the average kitchen sponge contains approximately 50 Million bacteria, don’t believe me read on. 

If you already knew it is true, what do you do? These facts don’t get you out of cleaning and you don’t get to stuff the earth using paper towels for every job.

Searching high & low we have found some products that meet function, purpose and design.

For a Little Abrasion

The Dolls Sir La Table

Plastis IkeaI buy 10 at a time. The suction keep the scrubber in the sink, but off the basin floor.

Dispensing Brushes

Good Grips Container Store

Two for One:

Casacolor Scrubby Sponges  Better Homes and Gardens Store 100% natural cellulose& treated with Ultra-Fresh, an EPA registered anti-microbial and are biodegradable HOW GREEN OF YOU!

Twist Loofa Sponge Twist AND GREEN!

All Clad Anyone

Jetz-Scrubz Scrubber Sponge Gracious Home (Won’t scratch chrome, copper, stainless steel, anodized surfaces, non-stick cookware, glass, crystal, porcelain, china, ceramics and so on)

Their Containers:

Suction Sponge Holders Target  

Oxo Sunction Basket Amazon

Frog Sponge Holder Etsy & KitchenKapers Or if you prefer a monkey, KitchenWorks

50th Anniversary Show of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Thank you for the recommendation from family and for my partners in crime who attended with me, it was a wonderful experience. For more information, click here 

The show opened with a short film to reflect on the history of Alvin Ailey and the theater’s accomplishments. The theater’s mission is to expose new audiences to dance and expand opportunity for all. Ailey’s vision is portrayed through the talent of the stage.  The art of dance is received by both the dancer and the audience, therefore massive numbers of people have been touched in fifty years. 

I went into the show with high expectations of seeing Revelations, the most widely seen choreographed masterpiece and was impressed by all the choreography. The show was 100% in celebration of Alvin Ailey’s routines. The performance was broken into three sections with a brief intermission between each. The company is made up the most physically fit and limber men and women who have studied the art and mastered the style of American Dance. 

My favorite dances are probably The Lark Ascending; Fix me Jesus & Wade in the Water.

The company travels worldwide and right now is a wonderful time to add it to your watch list of events coming to you.

In NYC:
Through Jan 4th at NY City Center

In New Jersey:
May 8 - 10 at NJPAC 

In Brooklyn:
June 9 - 14 at BAM

Vegetable Roast

After a wild weekend of booze and fried food my body always craves vegetables to get back on track.  Pair this dish with couscous or barley and grilled chicken breast for a well balanced meal. 

1 Large Celery Root, peeled sliced into 1” cubes
3 Large Carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2” rounds
3 Large Beets, peeled and cut into half moons
1 Large Butternut Squash, peeled and cut
15 Brussel Sprouts, sliced in half
1 Large Sweet Onion, thickly sliced 

2-3 tbs of Saffron oil, enough to coat the vegetables
½ cup chicken broth
1 tbs Dill
1 tbs Thyme
1 ½ tbs Rosemary
Salt & Pepper 

Roast 1 hr to 1 hr 30 min on either a deep cookie sheet or in a roasting pan @ 400 degrees. If you like your roasted vegetables crispy, low broil for an extra 10 minutes and toss half way through or skip the chicken broth and toss every 15 minutes of the cooking time.  A few suggested variations are to add sweet potatoes or after cooking toss with sunflower seeds.  This recipe is super easy, takes 15 minutes to prepare and you let the oven do the rest. Enjoy and soak up the goodness.

Need a Boost this Month?

Holiday parties, shopping, day long family get-togethers, drinking, eating and all the classic traditions this month bring with them tired eyes and exhausted bodies….stay ahead of any colds and find a little extra energy with these available products.

 Airborne:  Supporting your immune system is our focus, enabling you to be proactive about your own health. The immune system is a balanced network of cell and organs that works together to help keep your body healthy. The Airborne health formula is a blend of vitamins and minerals. It’s unique blend of herbal extracts all work together to create the formula that people swear by.

Emergen-C: You know what takes energy? Living. Emergen-C is loaded with 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C , fully stocked with those energy-boosting B vitamins and it has a whole bunch of minerals and electrolytes to top it all off. It’s the natural, non-caffeinated health and energy boost that comes in just about every flavor you can imagine.

FRS: Whether stomping the pedals, pounding the pavement or just needing to stay on your toes, everyone can benefit from the sustained energy of FRS. FRS Healthy Energy is the perfect way to shift gears before a workout, help you recover after a day on the playground, chase around town or help those extra pounds at bay.

Odwalla: Easy to C. This Sweet C-ferrying smoothie blends orange juice, peach puree, apple juice, pureed guava, pineapple juice, acerola cherry juice, raspberry puree and passionfruit juice. Each 8fl ox serving contains 1000% DV of Vitamin C- an important antioxidant that your body needs. It neutralizes free radicals and plays and important role in supporting a healthy immune system. With multiple sources of Vitamin C in a delicious multi-fruit smoothing, this Monster is a wonderful way to “C for Yourself”

 Juice Plus Juice Plus+ provides the nutrition from 17 different fruits, vegetables, and grains in convenient and inexpensive capsule form.  Juice Plus+ Orchard Blend contains seven of the most nutritious fruits around: apples, oranges, pineapple, cranberries, peaches, acerola cherries, and papaya.  Juice Plus+ Garden Blend contains ten nutrient-dense vegetables and grains: carrots, parsley, beets, kale, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, and rice bran and oat bran. 

To Purchase: http://www.abbysharesjuiceplus.com

Exercise Hitting the gym or taking a brisk walk can increase energy levels and fight fatigue. Find the gym nearest you through the link above, gympost.com

Bangles of Fun!

Two things that will bring me joy in life, being asked to roller-skate with my crush to The Bangles, Eternal Flame and the leather and gold that can adorn my wrists. While you shop below sway to a slow tune or jam out like an Egyptian. Enjoy!

Eternal Flame

Walk like an Egyptian

Left to Right

Coach
Enamel Legacy stripe, Solid Brass/ Gold Plated/ One Size
$78 

Charlotte Moss
Shagreen cuffs, made from hand-worked and textured genuine sting ray leather. If one is good and two are great, we recommend one for each cuff!
$150 

Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun
Metallic Silver Italian Resin Cuff
$125

Hermes
Wide enamel bracelet in silver and palladium plated (2.5″ diameter)
$445- $495

Kenneth Jay Lane
Kenneth Jay Lance stretch bangles. Wood stretch bracelet with rhodium plated inset.
SALE: $55.99 

Tejani
Topaz colored glass & zircon bangle. 1/2″ in width.
Available in extra small, small, medium, large.
$95 

Anthropologie
Cupcake Cuff, Lemon ChiffonA tart gem, pooled like a meringue and set atop a brassy band.
$74

Tods
Alligator wrap bracelet with silver detail
$325-$1595 

CC SKYE
Black Patent Single Stud Cuff
Gleaming patent leather bracelet with a single oversized pyramid stud, shining in vibrant mirror polished 18kt gold plate. Turn lock closure. 2.25″ Wide. Black/gold
$185

Mary Ann or Ginger?

When cooking at the holiday you can’t go wrong with ginger? Here are two recipes sure to be a hit at your kitchen table. A monthly cooking tradition with a friend, M, has become a great opportunity to learn new cooking tricks and tackle the art of baking. 

The Fresh Ginger Muffins, came from the Food Network, but M added 2 additional ounces of peeled ginger and 1 cup of fresh cranberries. These muffins are incredibly light and fluffy. 

Fresh Ginger Muffins *Marion Cuningham

• A 4-ounce piece peeled ginger root
• 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest with some pith
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, halved
• 1/4 cup Sugar in the Raw

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Grease 16 muffin pans.

In a food processor, process the ginger until it is in tiny pieces. Or, hand chop it into fine pieces. You should have about 1/3 cup.

In a small skillet over medium high heat, add chopped ginger and 1/3 cup of the sugar. Cook until the sugar has been absorbed, continue stirring to avoid burning. Remove from the heat and let cool once all the sugar is melted.

Put 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and 3 tablespoons sugar in the food processor or chop together by hand. Add the zest and sugar mix to the ginger mixture and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, then add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until smooth. Add the eggs and beat well. Add the buttermilk and mix until blended. Add the flour, salt and baking soda and mix until smooth. Add the lemon-ginger mixture and halved cranberries mix well.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups so that each cup is about 3/4 full. Sprinkle each muffin top with Sugar in the Raw.  Bake 15-20 minutes.

Gingersnaps

Being a sap for sweets, it is nice to not feel guilty about have 2x the daily allotment of cookies if you know they were made with love and a little less the sugar.

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp of fresh ground pepper
• 1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter-room temp
• ½ cup Splenda
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup dark molasses
• ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.

Sift together first 8 dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside. In a large bowl beat butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in the egg and then the molasses. Then slowly add the dry ingredient mixture until fully combined.

Grease two baking sheets. Put ¼ cup of granulated sugar in a bowl. Using a spoon grab about enough dough to make a 1” ball. Roll the dough in your hands to make a ball and then roll the ball in the sugar to cover it completely. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets. The cookies will flatten so space them out.

Bake for 9 - 11 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for 1 - 2 minutes and then transfer to the cooling racks. These cookies will store for 5 days.

Bring the Outside In

Reclaimed tree trunks make great occasional tables, plant stands and stools. Cluster a few and you have got an artful variation to the standard coffee table. Having a party, swing them towards the walls and use them for additional seating or place two at the end of your bed for the perfect bench. Many stores are carrying a wide array of options and here are a few of my finds.

Bamileke Table: Jayson Home & Garden 

Argentinean cypress trees trunks: Pottery Barn

Timber Block Stool: Viva Terra

Root of Earth Stool: Viva Terra

Resin Tree Stump: West Elm

Reclaimed Burma Wood Nesting Tables: Company Store

Twisted Table Uncommon Goods

Star Point Table Horchow

Hardwood Side Table Brocade Home

Peroba and Harvested Mahogany Environment Furniture

Holiday Art, Craft and Shopping Fairs

In Brooklyn

Saturday 10 am - 5pm

PS 307 and PS 287 in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

More Details: http://brooklynfriends.org/RelId/607423/ISvars/default/PAT_Craft_Fair.htm

In NYC

Saturday 11am - 7pm

The Altman Building

135 W18th St

More Details: http://nymag.com/shop/

Saturday 10 am - 5pm

The Knitting Factory

More Details: http://www.thenewnewny.com/handmadecavalcade/

Richmond, VA

Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7^th

Richmond Raceway Complex

More Details: http://www.thebizarrebazaar.com/

Boston, MA

December 13 - 14

Boston, MA

South End Holiday Fair, http://www.sowaholidaymarket.com/

December 7^th 12pm - 7pm

The Castle at Park Plaza, Boston

Bazaar Bizarre http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html

Mill Valley, CA

December 6^th 10am - 5pm

Milly Valley Community Center

More Details: http://www.cityofmillvalley.org/Index.aspx?page=34&recordid=265&returnURL=%2fIndex.aspx%3fpage%3d69

San Francisco, CA

December 7^th 9:30am - 5pm

Ft. Mason, Bldg. A

More Details: www.risd.edu/pdf/alumnisale/nocaholiday08.pdf

Singing in the Rain

I have the fondest memory of a spring time torrential down pour at the age of 8. The rain came for hours. Every house I lived in growing up always had the best puddles after a storm. At this house, the pools were deceivingly deep between the ridge of the lawn and the street. The dark green grass camouflaged the quick drop in elevation and set up the perfect setting for pretend play. My mom was home and for whatever reason that day granted my brother and me carte blanche to play outside in the rain. We were outfitted with thick slicker coats, boots and umbrellas. I remember being overcome by excitement and fear as the large rain drops hit my umbrella. I felt chills run down my back as the rain dripped down my coat. Between shrills and laughter I remember looking up at my mom under the overhang of the house smiling down on us.

 When dressed properly, being caught in the rain can be the time of your life.  

The rain boot provides a purposeful function and is no longer reserved for toddlers and Paddington Bear. Today, many designers have youthful patterns to remind you to get out and play or opt for the fashionable styles to match your most posh outfit. 

from left to right: Hunter  $115 / Tretorn   $42 / Chinese Laundry  $48  / Chooka $60 

EMU Australia  $59 / Kamik  $40 / SPERRY  $75 /  Lily Pulitzer $69 / Burberry $195

Cheek Pain & Belly Aches

Thanksgiving ‘08 was the first 4 full days with no travel and spent just my husband and me, a true opportunity to start new traditions. Knowing that Thanksgiving Day was going to be full of entertaining, stress and messes I looked for something to do the night before. There was no way he would attend the blowing up of Macy’s Balloons and little chance that I wanted to rage it out like a 21 yr. old (no offense).  I stumbled upon Ticket Master’s Monthly email and saw comedian Jim Gaffigan was adding a new night to his tour in NYC. I figured there is no better tradition than one that gives you belly aches and cheek pains from non-stop laughter. 

Jim Gaffigan’s Sexy Tour was at Town Hall in New York City. He is currently on Itunes Comedy Central Presents if you aren’t familiar with him. I bought the tickets without consulting my husband and I am glad I didn’t flinch! Town Hall is a small auditorium setting so there really aren’t bad seats. No booze inside, so after we chugged our vodka sodas we took our seats. We had aisle seats in the second row which I am sure contributed to the experience. The opener was great. The show started right on-time and lasted 1½ hours.

The second comedy show I attended this year was at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. I was told that they just finished remodeling the space in spring ‘08. The venue includes two semi-circles of forum seating and round tables through out. You might find your self sharing with strangers, but what the hell make friends. My show included 2 opening acts and 1 headliner. They serve light fare menus and drinks throughout the show. There are typically two shows a Friday/ Saturday night and I would suggest the later one. Each comedian was talented and worth the money.  Gotham is a place for less known comedians, but if you’re lucky celebrity comedians pop by to test out their new jokes. Many stars are on the walls. 

Chris Rock’s No Apologies Tour has concluded but keep it on the radar for when he tours next. As you can imagine it was a production, WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden is a large auditorium venue offering t.v. screens for close ups, sponsored alcohol booths and a full stage set. Chris Rock is one of the greats in comedy and demands respect and attention when on the stage. The crowd was loud and appreciative and his show lasted 2 hours. Opener, Mario Joyner, was hysterical and warmed up the audience. Expect lots of current news, political commentary, racial jokes, sex talk, and cursing. 

Never underestimate the gift of laughter.