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She's Here!

2010-07-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

Forgive my absence but I've been a bit busy...having a baby! She's finally here. And she's beautiful. She's the most beautiful girl in the world.

Sweet dreams Juliet, sweet dreams.

Hmmmmm...

2010-07-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

A recent pix of Jessica Simpson. Love the outfit or hate it??

People.com

Daily Thanks

2010-07-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was online searching for a unique gift for my bf Melisa's bday and I came across a book that peaked my interest. It's called a Gratitude Journal. It lets you, or reminds you, to keep a daily record of things you have to be thankful for.

My husband and I were discussing what kind of bedtime ritual we were going to teach our upcoming little one and I remembered that my parents had me list what and who I was thankful for after I said my prayers at night. Needless to say, this list would go on, and on, on. They would fall asleep before I did! This journal reminds me of that and how, as an adult, I could use a reminder of all of the things and people I am thankful for.

Ice Cold Pops Here!

2010-07-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

How appealing do flavored ice pops sound right about now? Recently I bought these shooting star ice pop molds and have been testing different recipes out in the kitchen.
Check Amazon.com

I just made watermelon pops (watermelon, ice, sugar, and a dash of salt) and I really don't like them :( Good news is Jason does. I'm researching some more ice pop recipes, but please pass on any you may have!

Cafe Zupas ice pops

Margarita ice pops on epicurious

Lounge Lizard

2010-07-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

One of the bonuses of our new place is the balcony. We have a great view of the Manhattan skyline and soon I will be lounging away with a frosty cold martini in hand while staring at the Empire State Building.

We are looking into lounge chairs and tables for the space. Here's what I've come up with thus far...a bit $$ but I figure we will get great use out of them!

From Frontgate comes this lounger for two. $2,549

Another Frontgate favorite. $1,049

Pottery Barn's All Weather Wicker Day Bed. $1,999

Finally MY favorite. From grandinroad this ultimate lounger reminds me of resting on a beach in the Carribean. $1,499

In Love

2010-07-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

with this movie. Here's the latest from Sofia Coppola. I fall in love with her cinematography and her soundtracks every time :)

Heat Wave Hell

2010-07-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

It is seriously hot in NYC this week. So I am trying to keep myself busy in a/c filled rooms only. This week I'm getting the 'baby section' in our bedroom ready since she's going to be sleeping in our room for the first couple months.

I got a fab bassinet from my girlfriends Ann and Kristen, so I washed her comfy sheets and dressed her bed. The bassinet plays soft lullabies and rocks by itself with a touch of a button. I also cleared off my dresser to make room for her changing pad and diaper caddy filled with diapers and Mustela products. I've also got a diaper genie and a white wicker basket for her dirty clothes placed in the corner. Luckily our new apartment has large bedrooms and we can fit her necessities and ours with room to spare.

The First Years Sway 'N Soothe Auto Rocking Bassinet by Learning Curve

Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Newborn Diapers & Wipes

Baby Mustela Newborn Gift Set

70s Girl

2010-06-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Last night Jason and I started putting the nursery together and I got the chance to look at all of the baby clothes we received. I am just loving the 70s inspired outfits she's going to wear! She's going to look so fab from 0-3 months (even if she gets a little spit up on them).

Target: Circo $6

Target: Circo $7.99

Carters: $7

Etsy: Lady Out of Carolina $17.99

Curtain Call

2010-06-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

Things are moving slowly along with our move. Every time we think we are done, we realize we have yet another project to finish. While my husband does all of the heavy lifting I am on curtains. I need curtains for our living room windows. The room is mostly white and beige so I am looking for something that is serene with a bit of color. What do you think of these?

Anthropologie $108.00

World Market $34.99

Smith and Noble $119.00

The Nursery Furniture

2010-06-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

We are moving in slowly but surely. The nursery project is just underway. We've got the paint on, the crib put together and now we are waiting on delivery of her dresser/changer. I've sorted all of her darling clothes into different sizes and I think she's got enough for her and her friends! Gifts have been pouring in from friends and family, and we couldn't be more appreciative. For our baby gift my parents hired painters to repaint the entire apartment and bought us our baby furniture. This was a HUGE help for us. The babe is going to be one lucky (and spoiled) little girl!!

Here's my crib. It's the Peyton Classic Crib in white. Whatcha think?

And for the dresser/changer- Da Vinci Kalani Combo Dresser in white.

And every mom needs a rocker/slider. I chose the Round Back Cushion Glider in white from Target.

I'm Here!

2010-06-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm here but haven't written in a while due to a little insanity going on. I had several weddings to attend, a funeral, and I moved into a new place....all while being 9 months pregnant. So, I've been crazy busy and tend to need a nap every couple of hours!!

I will update this week with lots of fun stuff though. Maybe new updates on the apartment and the upcoming babe...

xo Mel

His Holyness Speaks

2010-05-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

Jason, my aunt Heidi, and I got the chance to see and hear the Dalai Lama in NYC yesterday. I had been waiting for this day to come for a long time. As I suspected he was funny, eloquent, and insightful. Richard Gere introduced him and as he walked onto the stage there was clapping then silence. His presence is like no other. Monks surrounded him on the stage as he took a seat on a chair, not on the floor. He took his shoes off, and started making jokes! Then he threw on an Indiana University visor, that matched his robes, and he welcomed the crowd.

For an 1 1/2 hours he spoke about the need for compassion. Compassion for those around the world who are different from you and I. Different looking, practice different religions, think differently, etc. We are all humans and must understand that we actually have more in common than we think.

He spoke about the need to be loved and how it was very important for women to step up and take leadership roles in the world. It is in our DNA, as women, that we can be more loving and more compassionate than our male counterparts. He spoke about the need, as a mother, to give our children the most love we can give. This was a very important message. He feels that if we love our children and give them the most out of life they will in turn be loving people. He mentioned that a reporter once called him 'the feminist Dalai Lama' and he said maybe that's true and he didn't mind it.

It was a wonderful chat and I only wish that I had time to take his personal workshops over the weekend. Hopefully there will be a next time and I can take my daughter! For now I can tell her about my experience with him while she was in utero.

AND I can check this off my list of things to do before I die :)

The Scent of Thailand

2010-05-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of my delicious discoveries in Thailand was when I came across a Harrnn & Thann boutique. The scents wafting through the store encapsulated what Thailand smells like to me (the good smells at least!). Lemongrass, lavender, & jasmine scented candles and oils are often lit in our apartment. They rejuvenate me when I'm feeling down and are a warm reminder of my time spent there.

This month save 25% of Harnn & Thann's Jasmine and cymbopogon collections. Also receive free shipping in US on all orders over $80.

Jasmine Intensive Body Moisturizer

Oriental Herbs Shampoo

Oriental Essence Scented Candle (Hints of Lemongrass)

Lavender Shampoo!

Aromatic Wood Essential Oil

The Nursery

2010-05-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

So, while I'm in pregnancy purgatory and can't really get around that well anymore, I thought it would be a good time to plan the nursery. I decided on a Beatrix Potter themed room with yellow walls and white furniture. My aunt Heidi is an artist and she is going to sketch to me 4 different scenes from the Peter Rabbit books! I can't wait. Here's what I have thus far:

Benjamin Moore in Butter

Land of Nod Chenille Rug in yellow

Pottery Barn's Peter Rabbit Bedding

Mommy Clothes

2010-05-13T03:32:00.000-07:00

Well it's official (it's been for a while actually!) I am in the market for maternity clothes. Girls, there are some UGLY mommy clothes out there. Dresses that put on 10 pounds during a time when you don't need any extra poundage, shirts that 'accentuate' your belly, lots of brown polyester stretchy outfits...I can go on. I however found some cute outfits that are pretty, without making me feel like the house that I am!

Love, love this maxi dress. It comes in all sizes. They don't sell maternity so I just ordered large sizes.

This maxi jersey dress in Black hides what I need hidden!

You'll need a nice strapless bra or fitting tank to go under this cute little number.

The Moody Mama's line @ Target is in.

Miami Vice

2010-05-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Once again...I'm hooked! Every night @ 11 I tune into the Centric channel (or every morning @ 5am) for a nostalgic trip back to the 80s with repeats of Miami Vice. That's right, Tubbs, Crockett, Gina and Switek are back to their old tricks again. Oh how I've missed the florescent and the pastel mixed suits, all of the smoking, and the great music. And I never knew so many famous actors and actresses guest starred on the show- Jimmy Smits, Bruce Willis, Liam Neeson, Pam Grier, Kyra Sedgwick, Stanley Tucci, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent D'Onofrio just to name a few. Check out the entire list here.

Where To Next?

2010-04-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

I'm getting the travel itch again. Wish I could just spin the globe, close my eyes, and pick a place. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Organic Baby Skin & Body Care Line: Babo Botanicals

2010-04-26T03:30:00.000-07:00

I just came across a new organic skin care and body care line for babies, Babo Botanicals. Among other great things the products are Paraben and Sulfate free products and come in recyclable packaging. Their washes, shampoos, lotions, and soaps come in four tear-free scents: Berry Primrose, Oatmilk Calendula, Rosemary Tea Tree, and Cucumber Aloe Vera.Although they are a little on the pricey side, they also have pretty gift bags that make great gifts for baby showers.

Their logo is a little bunny and the packaging is adorable.

Satisfy Your Appetite

2010-04-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new Snickers commercials? Nothing like a little Aretha Franklin and Betty White to make you laugh!

Rugs. The Ones That Go Under Your Feet.

2010-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are in the market for a new rug for our living room. Our couch is going to be robins egg blue and brown so I'm looking for a rug with complementing colors. Whatcha think about these?

Chrysanthemum Rug @ West Elm

Rivoli Rug @ Ballard Designs

Malika Rug @ Pottery Barn

Kate Rug @ Pottery Barn

Free Stuff!

2010-04-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

In honor of the dreaded tax day several companies are giving out free treats.

Starbucks: Bring in your own cup/mug and get a FREE cup of coffee today
Maggie Moos: Get a FREE cup of their new ice cream pizza today
PF Changs: Receive 15% off food today
Next Week:
Origins: Go to your local Origins store on April 22 and swap your empty bottle of facial cleanser and receive their new full size cleanser for FREE!

pix from weheartit.com

Really? I Mean Honestly??

2010-04-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Holy moly. Check this recipe out on Bake @ 350. WOW!!! You know I am making this tonight!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Golden Door Spa

2010-04-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been to the Golden Door Spa?? I love their products and their cookbooks, but I've never been to one. Their flagship center is in Escondido, CA but they've got other locations in AZ, PR, FL, and UT. Their new cookbook is on sale and they are promoting a summer getaway week. I could use a spa week!!

Golden Door Cooks At Home

Eucalyptus Shampoo

Eucalyptus Shower and Bath Gel

Lavender Body Oil. This is my luxury item. I use it for special occasions.

Spring Scents

2010-04-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here and I've been shopping around for spring candles. This season I'm in the mood for soft fruity, herbal scents. Nothing too overpowering. Below are some I've bought so far (they are so good you'll want to eat them!).

Honey Almond Soy Candle by Cottage Garden Therapies, $11.50

Pacifica's Tahitian Gardenia, $22.

Pacifica's Brazilian Mango Grapefruit, $22. Smells like a yummy smoothie!

L'Occitane's Lavender from Provence Candle, $23

Bringin It Back Brady Style

2010-04-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

Have a great weekend everyone :)

Acck, I'm Late!

2010-04-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

My girl @ Beauty & a Budget tagged me in January to post an old photo and explain what it means to me...and I completely forgot to! It's now April. Don't hate me!!

Here's my photo and description:
My brother and I are 7 years apart but still manage to stay close. Here he is taking care of his little sister, as always :)

Shopping For A Cause

2010-04-07T04:14:00.000-07:00

In the mood to give back a little? The Somali Mam Foundation is launching a line of products made by sex slave survivors. All proceeds will go to the foundation.

Press Release
The product launch will feature the Somaly Mam empowerment scarves and pendants. Both carry the heart and hand symbol designed by Somaly Mam. This iconic design serves as a reminder that the world will only be changed when we bring together hearts and hands, merging compassion with action.
“This is a milestone event for the survivors of modern day slavery. It embodies Somaly Mam’s personal strength and commitment to eradicating human trafficking and helping its victims rebuild their lives. Survivors are taking their futures into their own hands by raising their voices and creating products that share their message of empowerment and freedom with the world,” says Bill Livermore, Executive Director of the Somaly Mam Foundation.

1+1+1= Dijon Balsamic Dressing

2010-04-05T04:48:00.000-07:00

Balsamic Vinegar +

Extra Virgin Olive Oil +

Pepper =

Dijon Balsamic Dressing
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Whisk all ingredients together and pour over a lovely green salad. This keeps me going until dinner.

Get Your Free Magazines Here!

2010-04-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

It's Earth Day month and in honor of this lovely holiday, Yoga Journal & Vegetarian Times are once again offering their magazines FREE in digital form. You can get the current issue for free, instantly on your browser or iPhone.

Click here for YJ

Click here for VT

7 Days of FREE Yoga

2010-03-31T05:17:00.000-07:00

If you live in NY or CA you are in luck this week. YogaWorks yoga studios are promoting a Free 7 day trial membership. They are offering unlimited yoga classes for new members only- but it expires tomorrow.

Click here to sign up!

Get Out & About

2010-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

The weather is starting to warm up and the bunnies are peeking out of their rabbit holes, Spring is here :) Since I was holed up in my apartment the entire winter the 50 degree weather feels like an old friend. Jason and I have been running around this past week, trying to find a new apartment and get a jump start on Spring cleaning. But to be honest, the last thing I want to do is stay inside and clean. So, I decided to make a list of fun, healthy activities I'm gong to start Monday AM.

Before I can bust out my favorite pair of flip-flops, I am in serious need of a spa mani/pedi. I won't be seen in public with nasty toes or flaky skin. If you live in NYC, check out the following places:
Spa Butterfly on 44th between Lex and 3rd ave
New York Nails on 55th between 6th and 7th

For lunch I'm off to a healthy eatery, such as:
Candle Cafe on 75th and 3rd
Press 195 on Bell Blvd in Bayside, Queens

Since I don't want to be inside, I'm going to avoid the gym and get my exercise in elsewhere.
Yoga outdoors. Just head out to your backyard or local park with your mat and get your vinyasa on!

Dinner al fresco.
There are too many to name, but my neighborhood has several restaurants with outdoor seating.

1+1+1= SPRING

2010-03-26T09:12:00.001-07:00

Peeps +

Outdoor Parties +

Weddings =

= SPRING!

Behind All of The Makeup

2010-03-24T03:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I got a chance to watch The Eyes of Tammy Faye, a documentary about her life through the 'eyes' of Tammy Faye Bakker. I don't know if any of you got a chance to see her son's documentary that used to air on the Sundance Channel, One Punk Under God, but it was a great little series. It followed his life and you got to see Tammy Faye during her last years. Both give you a great insight into their past and see how the downfall of Jim Bakker affected their way of thinking and their take on religion.

What struck me most about the Bakker scandal was that after all was said and done, their religious community wouldn't take them back, wouldn't forgive them. They were ostracized by their community and eventually Jim was sentenced to jail. Tammy Faye and their kids were left to deal with the media and the fact that they were alone in this. Mind you, I don't approve or think that what the Bakkers did was right, fair, or just, BUT I do believe in forgiveness. I am often heard saying "I forgive, but I might not forget". Which can be considered one of my faults, but I truly am a big believer in forgiveness. Forgiveness unto oneself and forgiveness to others. And at the end of the day it makes me feel good.

Tammy Faye had a long fight with cancer and lost out in 2007. Behind all of the makeup, I think she had a very forgiving, open, and genuine spirit.

Book Review: The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

2010-03-22T04:23:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung (finally) and I spent the entire weekend relaxing on a hammock reading my new fave book The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, the first book in a 3 part trilogy. My friend Lynn recommended it to me last week and I quickly picked it up at Barnes & Noble. I am a big fan of mysteries and thrillers and this is right up my alley. The author, Stieg Larsson, handed in all three book manuscripts but unfortunately passed away before they were ever published.

Synopsis
Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pieced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

One critic described it as 'mesmerizing' and I agree. Well worth the read! Lucky for me it's going to start raining this week and there's nothing like reading a good book under a covered patio while it pours.

weheartit.com

Hungover Rover?

2010-03-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

St. Patty's Day in NY is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, next to New Years. You'll find a slew of characters walking the streets of not only NYC but Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Everyone piles into their local pub until the wee hours of the night (or until a fight breaks out).

So the day after brings the inevitable hangover. Several pints of Guinness followed by nasty shots of green stuff will give you a fine one! Here is my remedy that is definitely not a cure-all, but helps enough to allow me to get out of bed, into the shower, and then on the couch.

H20. Start with a Smart Water and then chug-a-lug a pitcher of Crystal Light (decaf only).

Bacon/Ham, Egg, and Cheese w/ OJ. This seems to be a cure-all for every bad morning!
Pix spotted on TasteSpotting.com

This is a KEY ingredient in my remedy- Earth Theraputics Cucumber Eye Pads.

Aussie Style

2010-03-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

Put on your best Ozzie accent and throw some shrimps on the barbie whilst perusing a fab new clothing website from Oz called Ruby Love Joy. If you've ever met an Aussie, you'll know they have a carefree and whimsical attitude. It's this bohemian style that shines through in Ruby Love Joy's outfits.

Their store is based in Mooloolaba, Australia which I got to visit on my holiday last year. Mooloolaba (if you think you are saying it right, you probably aren't!) is a wonderful little seaside vacation town north of Brisbane. Ruby Love Joy's store is a perfect fit since their clothing and jewelry evoke a relaxing, take it easy feeling.

They ship internationally so log on and get ready for the summer!

Coffee Table Chests

2010-03-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

Living in tight quarters forces you to become creative when it comes to decorating. My living room (if that's what you can call it) is becoming cluttered with stuff- blankets, magazines, books, frames. I was looking online the other day and came across a bunch of coffee tables that double as storage units. This is a perfect way for me to de-clutter and add a little something to our space. Which one do you like?

Buck Creek Furnishings on etsy.com $210.

JcPenney 's Pyramid Coffee Table $179

Crate&Barrel's Hunter Trunk $499

Miss The Winter?

2010-03-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and was in a baking mood. I thought how about my banana bread! My girlfriends birthday was a couple days ago so I decided to make her a loaf and another for myself. While the bread was baking away in the oven, I turned on my TV and scanned through my DVR. To my delight I had taped Frosty the Snowman so I decided to click that on and burn a cinnamon candle I picked up during the holidays. It felt like Christmas all over again! I know it sounds silly, considering I've been praying for the winter to end, but now I kind of miss it. For dinner I am making a holiday inspired meal- pepper crusted filet mignon with roasted potatoes.

Hospitable Guests

2010-03-10T04:28:00.000-08:00

As you know, I love to travel. There are times when Jason and I visit and we stay with family and friends. I believe that when you are staying at someone's house for a weekend or a week you should make yourself as hospitable as you can, since your hosts are kind enough to put you up for your stay. Usually hospitality refers to the responsibility of the host but I think it can go both ways.

I have a list of rules or do's and dont's when it comes to hosting or being hosted by guests. One of our rules is to buy or pitch in for groceries. Often we have different tastes than our hosts/guests or are in need of our morning OJ or afternoon tea. There's nothing more annoying than having guests over and come Monday morning to find there's no bread left for your toast or that someone ate the 2 bags of chips you just bought. When Jason and I were in Florida visiting my brother last week one of the first things we did was head to the grocery store. We made a list of items everyone wanted and bought some extra goodies for the weekend. The groceries were for all to eat and we didn't even get through most of it.To me, this is just a small thank you to your guests for letting you stay over for a period of time.

my hungry monkey

1+1+1= Banana Bread Love

2010-03-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

Bananas

+ Non Fat Plain Yogurt

+ Nutella

= Banana Bread

Banana Bread w/ Nutella!

How gooood does that sound? I adapted this recipe from Cooking Light and added my own little delicious twist.

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup softened butter

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

3-4 mashed ripe bananas

1/3 cup plain fat free yogurt (I like greek yogurt)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Nutella

Cooking spray

Wax paper

Preheat oven to 350

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
Put butter and sugar in a large bowl & beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla. Beat until blended. Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until mixed. Cut wax paper to fit an 8 x 4 loaf pan, leaving more on the sides to help you pull out the bread when it is done. Then spray waxed pan with cooking spray. Pour ingredients into loaf pan.
Bake @ 350 for 1 hour or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan and then pull out with wax paper.

Add 1 Tbsp of Nutella in a small bowl and microwave till softened. Cut yourself a piece of bread and spread Nutella on top.

Heaven :) Add fresh berries for extra yumminess.

Last Minute Take-Off

2010-03-03T04:02:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Jason and I were all set to go to Vermont, a vacation we had planned for months with our friends Heather and Danny. I've been stuck in our apartment for the past 5 months feeling icky and was soooo looking forward to getting out of here. But, as luck would have it, we were blessed with another huge snow storm in NY. Due to the foot of snow settling on the ground we decided it would not be in our best interest to drive 4+ hours up to Vermont in a crazy storm.

Suddenly I felt the walls coming in and was determined NOT to spend another winter storm stuck in our shoe box apartment. So I decided at the last minute, and I mean the last minute, that we should hop on a plane and take off to Florida to visit my brother and his family. This hasty decision was made last Thursday @ 6pm. I got us 2 tickets to Florida set to take off at 9:30 pm that night. I loaded a suitcase up with random clothes, picked my husband up from work, and headed to JFK. Luckily the plane left on time and we landed safely. All in the name of vacation.

And how lovely it was! We had a wonderful time visiting my brother, his wife, and my 7 month yr old nephew Chase. We took loads of pictures, played in the sand with Chase, watched dolphins swim by us, and drank our morning coffee in the sun. They live on the beach so waking up to waves crashing and the sun shining was just what the doctor ordered.

To those who got stuck in the storm, I hope you made the best of it and got to enjoy the snow (unlike my bf Melisa who's power is STILL out).

Pix of Jason & Chase on the beach :)

Guest Blogger: LOVE, part 2.

2010-02-27T04:57:00.000-08:00

weheartit.com

Now comes the point where i offer some unsolicited advice on how to become a catalyst for intimacy. I am offering my opinions about what I'm journeying through. Not a twelve-step formula.

Journey towards the authentic: One of the most frightening components of love that we must overcome is that authentic love is surrendered power. It's giving another person, or in some cases a community of people, the power to reject us or accept us. We expose ourselves by letting them into our thoughts and fears and hopes and dreams. The best opportunity to build meaningful relationships is being real about our imperfections and admitting we have issues just like everyone else.

Journey towards character: Becoming a person of character is the framework for being a person for love. Becoming marked by selflessness, humility, integrity, faith, courage, gratitude, generosity, and the like, changes us inwardly to raise our potential to embody love.

Journey of our spirit: I realize everyone has different beliefs about the Divine. My belief is that by yielding ourselves to Divine love, the natural result is valuing ourselves. When we live in intimacy with God, we are able to fully love ourselves and become passionate about loving others. When we are disconnected from our Source, we find ourselves increasingly empty of love. Essentially, the outpouring of love we give is a response to the quality of love we have received.

Journey towards togetherness: Community is a great vessel for personal growth and health. A healthy community of people embraces us as we are, with no manipulative agendas, unrealistic expectations, or pretenses. It's an environment where people can find acceptance, love, and forgiveness as well as push us forward by providing encouragement and support.

Is this an unattainable standard to strive toward? Probably. However I'm willing to bank on it being quite a heroic and rewarding adventure. Imagine for just a moment, what would happen in your relationship circles if you walked fully the way of love.

Robert Frost so beautifully said, "Love is an insatiable desire to be insatiably desired." I'd like to close with a few probing questions for your personal meditation and reflection.

Do you feel, taste, and experience intimacy with others? What if you asked a friend, who knows you well, that same question? Do they see you the same way you see yourself? Pause and consider this for a moment because there is often a gap between our picture of what we would like to be and how we really are.

Are your eyes open to see opportunities to love? Are your ears open to hear where love is needed? Are your hands and feet open to tangibly show love to another? Is your mouth open to speak lovingly? Is your heart open to growing in love towards others, and not just the people that are easy to love, but the difficult and unlovely?

~ Damian Ludwig

Guest Blogger: LOVE, part 1.

2010-02-25T04:21:00.000-08:00

weheartit.com

“I'm truly sorry, I’m only human!” Only human? Basically, we use this statement to point to the obvious reality that we are flawed and imperfect beings. But, is that what it means to be human? Is being only human a bad thing?

What if being only human is a good thing? The problem isn't actually our humanity, but all of the things that get in the way of being fully human. Perhaps what we mean is, I have this habit of making choices that inhibit me from being fully human. This temptation to trade our full humanity for something else, is something we all experience on some level.

So what is it that makes you and I fully human? What is our defining essence? I believe at the core of who we are as humans is our intrinsic longing for relational intimacy. And not just romantic intimacy, that's only one aspect of love. I'm referring to an expanded image of intimacy; our need to love and be loved, to feel as though we are truly known, fully valued, and completely accepted by others.

Love woos us, captivates us, compels us, moves us, and occasionally even torments us. It's possibly the most life-giving and most dangerous arena of our lives. No matter how unique and different we are from each other, center to our being is a craving for genuine intimacy. To feel deeply connected. Although, we may not want to admit that because our western culture values individualism, independence, and autonomy. To need connectedness with others almost sounds weak, doesn't it?

Isn't it interesting that the worst form of punishment we inflict on a criminal is solitary confinement? Removing an individual from interaction with others is torturous. It points to the need for the soul to deeply connect with other people.

Our western mindset preaches look out for number one, and it's your right to do whatever you feel like. All in the name of independence and freedom. However, a few years back I heard an entirely new way of thinking about freedom that's reshaped my perspective. It's the belief that genuine freedom isn't license to do whatever I want, it's the ability to live most lovingly — to live most human. It is when I'm free to love without limit that freedom has no boundaries. I am truly free when I live generously and am not bounded by greed. I'm free to be gracious and merciful, not feel the need to judge and prove I'm better than another. I'm free to take risks and live courageously, not become tempted by apathy or motivated by fear of failure.

Recently, i was hurt by someone i care deeply for. I felt rejected because the love i offered wasn't mutual. What was i supposed to do? At the time, I felt the safest place to be was to withdraw and disconnect from others. The rejection, the unmet expectations, the feeling of being betrayed by love, moved me to become embittered to love. Ironically, love was the ointment i needed to heal. My remedy of choice, however, was to hide in isolation. "I'm not going to be vulnerable and feel the pain anymore!" And sadly, i feel as though that choice caused my core to wither. The more disconnected i chose to become from meaningful relationships, the more indifferent I became to the welfare of others. I had extended the invitation for bitterness, envy, arrogance, and self-centeredness to take residence in my heart.

These spaces are void of love and are toxic. Because we feel at our gut level as though something is missing, we look for substitutes as an attempt to feed our longing; superficial acquaintances, cheap meaningless sex, empty religion, and uncontrollable addictions. Yet, our cravings are only temporarily satiated and ultimately we're typically left feeling more lonely and disconnected.

We become.... well, inhumane.

I firmly believe that we become fully human by embodying a life of love, not simply feeling love with our emotions. I'm talking about being and becoming love. When our whole person embodies love our thoughts are instinctively loving, our values become other-focused rather than self-focused, our actions are naturally edifying, and we shift from begin self-serving to showing others they are valued. Love is not passive, but active. The person who travels the way of love, doesn't approach relationships wondering "what can this person do for me," they ask "how can I be a gift to this person." They don't view people as products to consume, they see relationships as opportunities to invest.

Guest Blogger: LIFE

2010-02-23T03:39:00.000-08:00

weheartit.com

I took the train from New London, Connecticut to Providence a couple months ago. My train seatmate was an Economics professor and we engaged in an animated discussion about poverty and social programs. He was great company until the most cliché 80’s thing happened: he put his hand on my leg. Do people really still do that? Stunned I could only mutter a goodbye and leave the seat.

Melanie’s instructions were to write my thoughts on life, and this incident provides an excellent example with how most people (including myself) tend view life. Sometimes things happen we don’t like but it’s better just to keep quiet about it because, really, what can we do?

Life is a “long, strange trip” if I may quote Jerry Garcia and unexpected pleasures and pains present themselves. In my case it was some creepy guy (who on second thought probably wasn’t even an Economic professor) touching my leg. And I said nothing. Sure, I got up and removed myself from the situation but without a dignified reprimand to assert the wrongness of what he did. I kept my mouth shut for decorum.

How many times in your life have you done/not done something that clashed with your principles for the sake of some sort of social peace? Don’t rock the boat! We do it all the time. Or perhaps you haven’t said anything because what difference was it going to make? Jean Paul Sartre the prolific writer and proponent of existentialism called this bad faith. It’s when we choose ourselves as “inert presence’” or passive objects in the ceremony of life. We melt into social roles or ignore our surroundings. Why? Facing up to our convictions and putting our views out there—well, that’s a hard thing to do.

Acting in good faith isn’t necessarily being aggressive or fighting, but it is asserting your opinions and living in concordance to your principles. Easy, no, but the alternative is to live a life of a watered down you—one that is too fearful to break out of the mold, your beliefs tucked under good behavior. Good faith gives us agency, movement to act and, define one’s reality. It is an invigorating idea and when applied to creepy train rides changes the scenario from victimization to freedom from sexist behavior. Acting in good faith I might have said exactly what I thought of him violating my space….or maybe I would have kicked him in the shins!

I encourage everyone reading this blog to think about matching your principles with your words and actions. I promise it is not easy, but I can also assure you that there is no other way to live.

~ Sarah Champ-Valencia

Guest Bloggers

2010-02-21T15:59:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that two of my favorite people will be guest blogging this week- Sarah Champ-Valencia & Damian Ludwig. Both are inquisitive, thoughtful, and wicked smart peeps. Sarah will be discussing the meaningful and vast topic of LIFE and Damian will be writing a 3 part series on the deep and complex meaning of LOVE.

I hope you enjoy their posts. I think they are quite thought-provoking and profound. Hopefully they will make you think twice and maybe even read twice!

kisses. melanie

Easter Already??

2010-02-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

I hit the mall the other day to find a dress for an upcoming wedding and to my shock and surprise it was decorated for Easter! Easter already?? That's 2 months from now. They are missing the bigger holiday's in between- Mardi Gras & St. Patrick's Day (at least in NY it is!). My bf Heather is having her annual St. Patty's Day party and it always proves to be a great and late night out.

Are you throwing a St. Patrick's party? If so, here are some cute ideas to help decorate.

Class it up a bit and send out paper invites. TheStationeryStudio.com

Forget the green carnations and kick it up a notch with potted yellow roses from ProFlowers.com

Make it yourself decorations from you know who.

Start the conversation with these classic napkins from TheStationeryStudio.com

The evening wouldn't be authentic without a case of my favorite stout!

The Elephant Sanctuary, Pt 3.

2010-02-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

We were blessed to meet Lek, the founder of the The Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand while we were visiting. Lek is a short woman with a huge heart. She grew up in the hills of Thailand, born into a hill tribe who were not recognized as Thai citizens. Her grandfather gave her an elephant as a child and she took care of this elephant until it passed away years later. The elephant, Tongkum, was her 'baby'. When it was time for her to graduate high school she went to her mother and told her she did not wish to go to college but instead she wished to save the Thai elephants from extinction and man's hands. She would be the first person in her family to go to school and to college. Her mother told her to get her education first, then she could follow her dreams of helping the elephants. Lek believes that elephants weren't put on this earth to work for people. They are not here to be ridden on by tourists, taught to beg in streets for money for their owners, or to help loggers carry wood. After graduating from college she met a young man from Texas. He had just come into some money and she asked him if he would help her buy land and use it as a refuge for a few elephants that have been abused. Several days later she received a check and from there her dream started to take shape.

When we met her she was on her way up north to help save a baby elephant. Unfortunately elephants are a 'hot' commodity and owners want a hefty price for them. Some cannot be saved because they want to much for them. On the day we left we got to spend more time with Lek and she shared with us several wonderful stories on how she, herself, saved several of these animals and how she strives to help change the way they treated.

A small bio can be found on one of their websites.

Love Notes

2010-02-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

I thought we could take a small break from our elephant trip and talk about lovvvvvvvvvve. Are a 'Last Minute Molly' like me and still haven't gotten your Valentines cards? I logged on to etsy and found these adorable love notes.

Need to send cards to your husband, kids, mom, and your nieces? Hero Design Studio's pack of 12 silkscreen love notes are just what you need! $24

HidenSeek's love note titled Dad, this is the friend I told you about is the perfect card for a new love. $3

Check out Belle and Boo's Valentines etsy shop. This love note is perfect for a best girlfriend or mom. $4

Simply stated. Redshoes 26 Design shop. $4

The Elephant Nature Park: Chiang Mai, Thailand

2010-02-10T05:17:00.000-08:00

Elephant Sanctuary, Pt. 2

2010-02-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

After about one hour north from Chiang Mai, through the beautiful Northern Thai country side, we arrived at the Elephant Nature Park. We dropped off our stuff by a large open air wooden building, called 'the kitchen', which was filled with thousands of bananas and crates of mangoes and tamarind. Some of the fruit was being divided into baskets, each with a name painted on it, such as Mae Do, Jokia and Hope. This was lunch for the elephants. An asian elephant can weigh up to 5 ½ tons and can eat up to 300 pounds of food a day!! By time dinner rolled around, the rest of the food there would be eaten.

Feeding the elephants was an interesting and fun task. They would grab up to 6 bananas at a time with their trunks and toss them into their mouths like they were peanuts. As the food landed in their mouth their trunks were swinging around for more. All I saw was a flurry of nimble trunks coming at me. I was caught off guard when one them gave me a kiss. A rough, wet, snotty, kiss right on the cheek.

After lunch, the elephants marched down to the river so we can give them their afternoon bath. This was one of my favorite moments of the day! Our job was to join Medo and Mae Mai in the river, along with their Mahouts, traditional elephant trainers or "elephant drivers". Our guide gave us scrub brushes and buckets. Standing in hip high water (filled with elephant poop), we scrubbed their backs and threw buckets of water on them.

Medo was rescued by Lek, the sanctuary's founder, from an abusive logger near the Burmese border (a lot of loggers in South East Asia use elephants to haul trees). While Medo was working, a heavy log fell and broke her ankle. Her owner never reset it or tried to help her recover. Unable to use her for logging, they tried to have her bred but instead of mating with her, the male elephant, a big bull, pinned her to the ground and dislocated her backbone. Because Medo's injuries were never treated, with every step she takes on her back leg, her entire body falls feet away from the ground while her unaligned hip almost seems to pull away from her body. She then lifts her weight back up only to have it fall again with her next step. It was obviously painful for her and was extremely painful to watch. Her bff, Mae Mai, looks after her every step of the way...waiting for her to bathe or eat. Mae Mai's got her back!

Elephants are extremely social animals and have tight knit families. When they are separated from their families, they can often be adopted into surrogate families or form friendships, which is what happened to most of the rescued elephants at the park. It's amazing how they are all very protective of each other.

My 5 Things.

2010-02-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

Look what Mel posted on thelilbee of me!

thelilbee.com

The Elephant Sanctuary: The Baby

2010-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

The Elephant Sanctuary, Pt I

2010-02-02T04:17:00.000-08:00

Research a trip in Thailand and you will no doubt find a seemingly endless amount of elephant attractions. You can ride them through the forest, watch them dance, or even have one paint you a picture. None of those appealed to us. Besides not feeling too authentic, making the elephants perform for us seemed kind of mean.

While my husband searched through forums on travel sites such as Travelfish, he found The Elephant Nature Park. It is an elephant sanctuary, home to about 30 elephants, most rescued from abusive living conditions. The sanctuary is about a hour drive outside of Chiang Mai and sits on 150 acres in a valley surrounded rain forest.

The idea behind it is that you are not a paying customer there to watch the elephants perform. You actually pay to volunteer, meaning part of the reason you’re there to work. As a volunteer your job is to help feed the elephants, wash them & make basic repairs to the camp. You could visit for the day or stay for a week, 2 months, 6 months… basically as long as there is room for you, you can stay for as long you want. One day, however, definitely is not enough. We stayed for 2 days, which in the end felt a little short.

Every review of the sanctuary basically said the same thing: Going there was an experience of a lifetime. Though it sounds cliché, it was true. Below are some pictures of our time spent there. Look for more pix, videos and postings as I take you through one of the most memorable experiences of our trip!

Fit For A Queen

2010-01-29T03:57:00.000-08:00

I am headed to a baby shower for a friend of mine in a couple weeks. She's having a baby girl and I decided to buy her some of the bedding she picked out for the baby's crib. It's always nice when someone registers for what gifts they like so you don't have to go through the hassle of asking yourself 'would they like this?' or 'do they already have this?'. I, however, do like to add a little something unique and custom to the gift.

Since I am on a bedding theme I thought it be great to add a cute pillow that the baby could keep until she grows up. Here are some I'm looking at. I especially love the postcard pillow.

Sitting Pretty Pillow @ Anthropologie

Sweet Dreams Pillow @ JcPenney

Postcard Pillow & The 2nd Cutest Sheep Ever @ Olive's shop on etsy

Couch Potato

2010-01-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I bought a beautiful Pottery Barn sectional in white. It was too big to fit in our apartment so I've kept it at my parents house in the meantime. Knock on wood, we will be moving out of this old, size of my foot apartment and into a bigger and better place soon. Every apartment we've looked at so far has a big enough living room to fit my beloved PB couch which means I need to start thinking about covering it. I am looking at several different patterns and shades. These are my top 3, what do you think?

found on calico corners

Looking For An Escape?

2010-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we all need a little r&r from the every day grind....a little rejuvenation for the mind, body, and soul.. As much as I would lovvvvve to hop on a plane to Mexico and plop my arse on the beach, my budget just won't allow it. So, I think I found a decent replacement, at least for the mind. UPS just dropped off 3 Bliss Trips cds. Created by Kerstin Sjoquist, each cd takes you on a mystical vacation for the mind. There are 3-5 "stories" per cd and each act as guided journey's to help you relax and find peace of mind.

My body may not be in Mexico but for 60 minutes a day my mind is!

Check out your daily bliss tip on the right hand column of my blog.

The Perfect Evening

2010-01-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

How much do I love a bath? Ahhh, sooo much!! Baths help me clear my mind and de-stress. I love all kinds of bath products- salts, sugar drops, oil, bubbles, you name it. The key ingredient is the scent. Depending on what I'm in the mood for and in need of, the scent makes the bath. Add a candle or two and good book and you have yourself a perfect evening in.

H20 Less Stress Bath Cubes

Lollia's Foaming Bath (bubble maker!)

Fresh Lemon Sugarbath Cubes

Aubrey-Organics Eucalyptus Rejuvenating Bath Soak (I reach for this when I have a headache)

Aspara-Aromatics Mandi Flora Asian spa treatment

Dr. Hauschka's Aromatherapy Bath Kit (makes a great gift)

Sleep Deprived?

2010-01-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

I am. I don't have insomnia but I am a long sufferer of just not being able to fall asleep. Whether it's from stress, anxiety, too much on my mind, or my husband snoring, I sometimes toss and turn for hours and hours before I finally doze off. My girl over @ livit luvit suffers from sleep deprivation and I know many of you feel our pain. When I finally fall asleep I am usually awakened by a noise, any noise will do. Jason loves telling a story of how he was getting ready for work one morning and he accidentally dropped a penny on our bedroom carpet. Any normal person would sleep right through this...but not me. As soon as the penny hit the carpet I jumped out of bed and started yelling. Apparently I have very sensitive hearing!

One of the most important factors in helping me sleep is our bedroom environment. I have black out shades, a tempur-pedic bed, low lights, soft pillows, aromatherapy, and a slew of homeopathic helpers (see below). The problems arise when I am on vacation or visiting with family. I know you've all been there, especially around the holidays- sleeping on a cot, pull-out couch, or even a 20 year old twin bed. For me, there's nothing worse than waking up with a sore back, stiff neck, and 2 hours of sleep. My answer is always Get a Hotel Room! You will thank me in the morning, trust me. The $100 a night you spend on room will be well worth it. And your family will be happy you aren't mrs cranky pants in the AM.

Here are my picks for help catching up on your zzzzz's.

Melatonin. My saviour! I recommend starting with 1mg and see if that works. If not, step it up to 3mg and that should knock you out for 6+ hours. It is a non-habit forming, drug-free supplement you can find in any drugstore. Any brand will work.

Bach Rescue Night Spray. I also swear by this product. I spray 1-2 sprays on my tongue and within 1/2 hour I start to feel drowsy.

Sprayology's SleepEase. Another great homeopathic spray.

Decleor Night Balm. Put a small amount in the palm of cupped hands and breathe in. Gently apply to your face.

Earth Theraputics Dream Zone Sleep Mask. It's silky and thick, so there's no chance of light coming through!

You've All Seen It

2010-01-18T13:31:00.001-08:00

But let's watch it one more time!

Now Is The Time.

2010-01-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Take a couple moments to watch Martin Luther King's moving I have a dream speech. I know it's a bit long but if there was every a time to reflect and learn from the heroes of our nation's past, it is now.

"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Card Collection

2010-01-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

I am in the market for a new card collection. Every season I buy myself a new set of thank you and greeting cards. To me, there is nothing like getting a pretty little note in the mail even if it's just to say hello.

I am little behind this year on getting my winter cards but here are some note-worthy finds I caught on etsy.com

20s inspired cards from niminami's etsy shop. $7 for a set of five.

The back-up plan cards for every occasion from creativity cards etsy shop. $16 for a set of eight.

He says he can hear the forest whisper cards from HidenSeek's etsy shop. $2.99 for one card, inquire about a set.

Bunches of thanks note cards from stationery boutique's etsy shop. $20 for a set of sixteen.

Haiti Help

2010-01-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

I just received an email from a friend who works at Verizon. Below is another way to help. The contribution will be added to your bill.

A Big Day of Giving in Mobile History

Customers of Verizon Wireless and our competitors in the United States donated more than $1 million today to the Red Cross relief effort for Haiti - directly from their mobile phones.

The Red Cross shortcode 90999 with keyword HAITI was turned live at midnight on Jan. 12. As of 5 p.m. ET, Verizon Wireless customers alone contributed more than $300,000. That's 17 hours -- $10 a message -- to the American Red Cross relief effort for victims in Haiti.

Any Verizon Wireless customer can send the message "Haiti" to short code 90999. Customers will receive a response text message, saying, "To confirm your $10 donation to Red Cross Int'l Response Fund reply with YES.”

Reach Out

2010-01-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

The devastation in Haiti is beyond imaginable. I had CNN on last night and today. The pictures of the dead and the survivors are shocking and unfortunately the US has limited communication with them. We will be supporting a search and rescue operation and hopefully they can save as many people as they can. I was going to post some pictures but I think they are too graphic (you can get an idea by reading any newspaper, blog, or tv station).

Haiti needs our help. Pledge your support and log on to American Red Cross to give what you can. Keep them in your thoughts....

Girlfriend Getaways

2010-01-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

I just back from a long weekend in Cleveland, OH. Not the warmest place to go in Jan, but that is where my sister-in-law, husband, and nieces live, so Jay and I made the trek. There was lots of playing, screaming, running around, laughing, and temper tantrums to last me for a long, long time!

During one semi-quiet afternoon we got to talking about vacations and how my sister-in-law couldn't relate to the fact that I take vacations with my girlfriends, my mom, or even by myself. She's never taken a vacation without her husband and it seemed odd to her why someone would go on holiday without their significant other. I, of course, come from the opposite spectrum where I couldn't imagine not taking a long weekend to the spa with my girls, or a mexican getaway with my mom, or even a yoga retreat by myself. These weekends make for fabulous memories and serious bonding time with myself and the women in my life. I wouldn't give these up for a million bucks!

Not only do these vacations solidify the strong bond we have with each other, but also it gives us time to share stories, get advice, and most of all have fun! Here are some great girl getaways for every age. Do you have a favorite girlfriend getaway? I would love to hear about it.

The Quick Weekender: Vegas Style
What better place to take a quick weekend off with your girls, than Las Vegas, Nevada. Sin City is the ultimate for a weekend romp. The obvious hotel choices are there but I love to stay at Mandalay Bay's THE HOTEL. This all suite hotel offers a posh atmosphere without the Vegas cheese. Check out Cirque Du Soleil's O at the Bellagio or their Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage. There are too many restaurants to name but I've always loved Tao in the Venetian or Aureole in the Mandalay Bay. Hang around late night as Tao becomes a club or hit ghostbar at The Palms. And don't forget the shopping!

The Ultimate Week with Mom: Riviera Maya, Mexico
I have stayed at several places in and around the Riviera Maya and nothing beats the Royal Hideaway Playacar. It's the ultimate in all inclusive. For me, when I hear those two words, all inclusive, I think cheap. This is definitely not the case at the adult only Royal Hideaway. Each room is set in a villa and each villa has a personal concierge. They help you make reservations at the 7 different restaurants (my fave is Las Ventanas) and any other activities you may want to partake in while you are there. They also have a wonderful high tea service which my mom and I took full advantage of. The only real catch with this resort is the beach. A major hurricane hit the area several years ago and took out a bunch of hotels and area beaches. The beach is nice and private but it is very small. Snag yourself a seat in the morning or opt to sit poolside.

Deals in: Vermont
Looking for a ski, spa, and shopping weekend? Vermont has been promoting winter getaway deals for those who want to brave the cold weather. There are several popular places you can go- Killington, Stowe, Okemo- but I really enjoy Manchester, Vermont. For accommodations, there is nothing like Starwood's Equinox Resort. It has a spa, restaurants, and beautiful rooms. You can shop at the nearby Manchester village, go to the outlets, and go shopping for antiques. Or spend the day at Stratton mountain and practice your downhill skiing. Another great option for accommodations is the Reluctant Panther Inn or the Inn at Manchester.

February 6th.

2010-01-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

1+1+1= Goat Cheese & Ricotta Crostini

2010-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Lemon +

Goat Cheese +

Olive Oil =

Goat Cheese & Ricotta Crostini

20-24 thinly sliced french bread
3-4 ounces soft goat cheese (leave cheese out so it softens)
1/3 cup ricotta cheese- whole milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup of pine nuts
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Salt & pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle or brush 2 tablespoons of olive oil on the slices of bread. Sprinkle pine nuts on each slice. Grill the bread until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes, but keep an eye on it).

In a small bowl, stir the goat cheese, ricotta, basil, lemon, and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil until creamy. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread the mixture on the bread slices and mangia!

Photos from flickr, weheartit, and murray's chese.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-01-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas my mom, aunt Heidi, and I took out our reliable, never fail Joy of Cooking: Christmas Cookies cookbook and made several dozen cookies. We started with snickerdoodles, mexican wedding cakes, and spritz. We then went on to make linzer, rugala, chocolate chip, and my fave- peanut butter chocolate chip! Just about every recipe worked out well except for the cooking time on the pb&cc cookies. I had to take them out 5 minutes early so they wouldn't burn.

Now, you would think I am all cookie'd out BUT there's always more room for a some post holiday sweets. I decided to make double peanut butter chip cookies adapted from the Joy of Cooking cookbook and found on evilshenanigans.com

The only tweak I made was adding chocolate chips to the batter. Head on over to their website and fill your kitchen (and tummy) with the delicious scent of home-made cookies.

What's In Store For You in 2010?

2010-01-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe 2009 is over. It seems like it whipped by us like a strong, distasteful wind. It wasn't the best year of my life but there are some bright and shining moments to remember:

The 3 month amazing trip I took with my husband! I have a ton more postings to place on that.
My nephew was born. He's my little chunky monkey.
My best friend had a baby girl. She's my stinkypants.
And I started this blog!

Hopefully 2010 will bring lots more love, hugs, and good things. I checked my yearly overview horoscope and it's not that bad. If you are a scorpio read below, if not click here to check yours.
Happy New Year everyone!

Year 2010 Overview

Scorpios have a certain reputation for taking things a little too seriously, and to some extent you've earned that. The next year is going to give you new opportunities to really express yourself in new ways, and to get results from all that Scorpionic intensity you've been carrying around all your life. On the one hand, there will be new pressures developing as far as a lot of long-standing issues that you've faced for a long time, and that have been building for the last few years. New channels of communication will be opening up for you, and new ways to express yourself.
There may be a sense of deep pressure building when it comes to how you live your life and deal with the Big Picture issues. The usual problems of day-to-day living -- paying the bills, dealing with relationships, making time for yourself -- may merely be the guise in which these issues present themselves. In fact, with Saturn transiting your Twelfth House of hidden issues, you may find yourself confronted with people and issues that are merely your own issues in disguise. Think of it as a psychodrama where those around you are merely playing out individual psychological factors within yourself.
The good news is that no other sign in the zodiac is better equipped to stare an issue in the eye and see it for what it really is than you. Over the years, you've developed the tools you'll need to not only make it through another year but to prosper in all the ways that really count.

Lazy Days

2009-12-31T07:35:00.000-08:00

The holidays are almost over and I've been one busy bee. Cooking, cleaning, gift exchanging, lots of hugs, and tons of eating has gotten this girl pooped. On Monday my real vacation began which will consist of movie watching, couch naps, ordering in, and online shopping. Last night we rented Paranormal Activity...Scary! If you want to be completely creeped out def rent this film. Another classic was on the tube today- Adventures in Babysitting. Love, love that movie. Every time I watch it, it takes me days to get the babysitting song out of my head. Here's a little clip of the infamous Babysitting Blues. Have fun singing along!

It's Coming!!

2009-12-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

To watch the trailer click here

Have A Holly Jolly Holiday

2009-12-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

Seems like a nice concept, right? The holidays bring delicious food, wonderful gifts, yummy cookies, and....family. Since I just spent 2 weeks with my mother, and now we are going back for more, I know a little bit about family and stress. Here are my tips for getting through the holidays with your loved ones.

BREATHE. I mean really breathe. Take a minute. sit down, and calmly breathe in through your nose feeling the breathe move through your chest and down to your stomach. Gently release. Try this for 2 minutes and you'll feel your nerves calm down a bit.

LAUGH. Try not to take everything to heart. Someone is bound to drink a little too much, or say something inappropriate. The holidays come once a year so try to shake it off and know that it's one of the many stories you can laugh about in years to come.

ASK FOR HELP. If you are the one entertaining and cooking, enlist the help of those who came to partake. Everyone can either bring a little something or they can help you in the kitchen- mash the potatoes, throw together the salad, place the bread on the table, etc.

Hope these help! I look forward to hearing and reading the great stories you will have after this is all over!!

A family that meditates together...stays sane together!

Wrap It Up Right

2009-12-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more annoying than cheap, thin wrapping paper. I just finished wrapping half of my gifts and already went through several rolls of paper. The cheap, thin paper I bought kept ripping every time I would place a gift box on it. Just about every gift I wrapped has a tear on it! Wrapping paper always seems so expensive, especially holiday paper. And I get it...you end up throwing out the paper anyway (unless you are my aunt who saves the wrapping paper and reuses it the following year). But there is something to be said about a beautifully wrapped gift!

I am now making a promise to myself to pay the extra $$ next year and buy paper that stands up to a box full of goodies. Here are some I have my eye on.

Crate & Barrel Snowball Fight Wrapping Paper

Smockpaper's Savoy Gift Wrap

Paper-Source Winter Tweets

Paper-Source Santas Wrapping Paper

Amazon Hanukkah Paper

Operation Santa Claus

2009-12-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Every year my husband and I take part in Operation Santa Claus. Dear Santa letters are dropped off at NYC's main post office building and put in bins for do-gooder New Yorkers to rifle through to help those in need. I like to think of it as if I am their personal Santa for the year. Traditionally we stop by the office and read as many as we can and then choose two, one from me and one from him. Some of letters are written by grandmas or moms in need of a scarf or a doll for their kids and some are from children asking for a new TV and xbox! We, obviously, pick the one's that are in need of winter essentials or a toy that's in our budget.

I know this program is available across the country and it's not to late to take part in it. Click here to see a list of post offices near you. Ho, Ho, Ho.

Ornaments for Everyone!

2009-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Just in time for your tree trimming party. Check out these fancy ornaments and sparkling trimming helpers.

Paper Mache Globe Ornament @ Pottery Barn $8

Rustic Snowflake @ Etsy.com $12

Gold Pirate Ship @ Anthropologie $12.60

Tinsel Spool @ Anthropologie $11.20

Beaded Garland @ Pottery Barn $14.95

Catching Butterflies

2009-12-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

I just back from a lovely dinner with my mom and my aunt Heidi and uncle Gerald. After dinner we took a drive through their old neighborhood and my aunt reminisced about her summers as a child. She used to walk around with her friends picking flowers and catching butterflies. No cell phones, no curfew...not a care in the world :)

Pictures courtesy of weheartit.com http://weheartit.com/

Fa La La La La La La La...Laaaaaa

2009-12-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

I admit it- I listen to Christmas music year-round. It drives my husband crazy (although I think he's a bit jealous since all he had was a dreidel song)! Christmas in June, Christmas in July...you get the picture. I stick with my holiday favorites from the 70s and 80s. There's nothing like a little heat miser to start your day!

What are your favorite holiday albums?

What To Get The Girl Who Has Everything?

2009-12-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

Every year I go through this dilemma- what to get a trendy and fashion savvy friend who is very picky and has about everything she needs. I usually start my research early and find several 'one-of-a-kind' pieces that I know she doesn't have and hopefully will like. However this year I don't have the time, the will, or the money to spend on expensive gifts. Home-made gifts are the thing and anything unique and creative for under $10 is in my budget!

Which brings me to finding the perfect gift for my friend. My girl Melisa over @ the Feather Report, came up with a genius idea and great holiday gift- Feather Report iPhone app. My friend lives and dies by her iPhone and I know she will love, love this genius gift. Plus all I had to spend was $1.99!!

Dubbed by Elle Magazine as “the next best thing to having Cher Horowitz’s computerized closet system,” Feather Report, the iPhone app, delivers style inspiration to your mobile phone each day, based on the weather forecast. Fashion + Weather = Feather Report.

Here’s how it works...

Using a GPS weather tracker, Feather Report serves up a customized outfit each day, targeted to your specific forecast.
From there, you can store your favorite looks, shop directly from your phone, and search for outfits based on your body type, occasion, and weather condition. It’s like having a stylist in your pocket!

Check out the Feather Report iPhone app here and the Feather Report blog here.

1+1+1= Easy Holiday App's

2009-12-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY COCKTAIL PARTY +

FESTIVE CHEESE PLATTER +

GREAT FRIENDS =

FESTIVE & EASY HOLIDAY APPETIZERS!

The holiday season can get stressful, especially if you are planning a holiday cocktail party. In my house, my husband takes care of the drinks- wine, beer, and liquor. I am in charge of the food and decorations (naturally of course!). I love to cook, although when it comes to a variety of appetizers I get stressed thinking of what to make. I like apps that are of course tasty, but that also do not take a lot of time to make. I love to create a cheese platter with grapes and fruit spread but I also like to serve heartier selections. Here are some of my holiday favorites that are easy, breezy, and your guests will be impressed!

Brie & Raspberry/Cranberry Cups

5 ounce Brie
Box of mini phyllo shells (Athens foods makes one)
Jar of raspberry spread or cranberry spread (jelly would work too)

Place shells on baking sheet and pre-heat oven to 350. Cut rind off of brie, making sure not to cut into the cheese. With a spoon, scoop out 1 tbsp of brie and fill into each phyllo shell. Spread raspberry or cranberry on top of cheese. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Walnut & Parmesan Bruschetta

1/2 french baguette
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
1/3 cup of crushed walnuts
Pinch of salt,
2 tbsp of olive oil

Preheat oven to 350. Slice and drizzle olive oil over bread. Toast bread in oven (maybe 5 minutes, but keep checking so it doesn't burn!). Mash up whole walnuts mix with parmesan and a good pinch of salt. Place on bread.

Blue Cheese & Honey Bruschetta

1/2 of french baguette
4 ounces of blue cheese
3 tablespoons of honey

Slice the baguette and place on a baking sheet and toast in oven, about 5 minutes- check it does not burn! Divide the blue cheese among the toasted bread and drizzle honey over them.

All photos courtesy of me and flickr

Love is All We Need

2009-12-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

I hope some of you got the chance to catch Oprah's show with Nicholas Kristof and his wife. They were discussing their book, Half The Sky. Nicholas Kristof is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who exposes human rights violations against women all over the world. I was introduced to his work through his op-ed columns in the NY Times several years ago. He posted several amazing articles and videos on sex slavery throughout Asia. Their book not only takes the reader through the sad but true state of sex slavery in Cambodia but also touches on rape in the Congo, gang rapes in Pakistan, and women dying of childbirth in Africa..among other atrocities. Although I haven't read it yet (it's on my holiday list), their discussion on Oprah was moving and eye-opening. Once again, my personal hero Somaly Mam was highlighted in the book and on the show. Her tireless work to free sex slaves is getting national recognition and bringing this horrific reality to our attention. There are now estimates that sex slavery has reached the tens of millions....can you believe that?? Tens of Millions.

I have blogged about her before and I have to mention her book The Road of Lost Innocence again. It is not an easy book to read, but if you don't read it, who will? Remember it takes only one person to change a life and sometimes it's not enough to expect someone else to do it. Oprah created the 'For All Women Registry' which you can find on her website. Here you can help a rape victim, save a slave, create a microloan, or simply spread the word.

Recently Somaly spoke at the 2009 Women's Conference in California. Here is a link...she's about 16 minutes in.

I will leave you with some thoughts...Millions of women around the world are being tortured, raped, outcasted, vaginally mutilated, and die of starvation every day. Let me repeat- Millions of WOMEN. This has to be noted, because it's not men, it's women. And as women, we can make a change. As women we can change the world! Do it for your daughter, your mom, or grandma. I plead you to stand up and say or do something.

Let their voices be heard through yours.

I speak out for my mom and her future grandkids.
My mom and I

scents of the season: Perfume & Body Spray Installation

2009-11-30T12:46:00.000-08:00

I hope you are enjoying my scents of the season installations! I have a shower and closet full of products and love to test and compare. I think my interest peaked when I worked as the beauty marketplace editor for an organic magazine which helped fuel my interest in all things that are green. Truthfully, I tend to be attracted to natural oils instead of perfume for every day use. However, sometimes I need a pick me up, especially for date night with my husband or for a night out with the girls!

Ginger, cloves and an exotic blend of Moroccan rose and Arabian jasmine make up Tishka Oriental Fragrance. This provocative scent will take you through the holidays and into the spring.

Bergamot, sandlewood, and bitter orange makes Citron de Vigne the perfect scent for date night.

Throw this solid perfume in your evening bag and reapply for easy touch-ups.

Reuse this recycled bottle after you finish spritzing Fruits & Passion Cranberry Love cranberry scented perfume.

You won't regret buying Tsi-La roll on mini-perfume in Saqui. Even better, snag the mini collection of their organic roll on oils in 4 unique scents.

Who...Me?

2009-11-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Napa Valley, California!

Recently I was awarded blog awards from two fellow favorite bloggers Beauty and a Budget & Absolutely Not Martha. It took me all night to prepare my speech...so here goes:
"I'd like to thank my manicurist, hair stylist, massage therapist, beautician, life coach, psychologist, my dog, my Starbucks barista, liquor store owner, and last but not least, my husband"...ha! Seriously, the last time I received an award was when I was in grammar school, I won the spelling bee. I remember how proud I was to show my parents the blue ribbon I won and they in turn were so pleased they posted it on the fridge.

Not only am I pleased and thankful on this lovely Thanksgiving to receive recognition from two fabulous bloggers but I am also happy to pass this lovely award along. Here are some of my fave bloggers. Please take a minute, check them out, and have a lovely Thanksgiving!!
A Girl in Asia
Apartment #34
Being and Nothingness
Farmhouse Musings
Les Filles Giada et Cairo
Livit, Luvit
Lost in Translation

Just say it already!

2009-11-25T20:55:00.001-08:00

I am so pleased and excited to introduce my first guest blogger! She is a lovely human being and I love her to pieces....take it away Sarah!

So, while my cousin Melanie swirls, smells, swishes and swallows copious amounts of wine in Napa Valley I am guest blogging in her place. To my utter surprise, I might add. What do I know about exotic travels and beauty products? I’m the one who offered to give up my spot as my sister’s Bride’s Maid because I knew nothing about clothing, parties, and accessories. (Request denied!) Melanie writes about Kiss My Face and I, Kierkegaard. But, she did ask, and I am grateful. Thankful. And, that of course, has to be my topic on Thanksgiving—thankfulness.

Rather than listing the hundreds of things, people, situations I am thankful for, I’d like to propose something else. Why don’t we just start telling others that we are thankful for them and what they do? It seems so obvious, yet so few of us express our appreciation. Whether we are talking about a banal thank you in a retail store or a heartfelt thank you between friends, so few give thanks for the small kindnesses in our lives. And it makes a difference.

Here’s an example: I’ve spent the last five years telling my children what to do. The results were sometimes positive, but most often grumbling reticence. Then I began saying thank you in advance. “Thank you for bringing your dish to the sink!” And wouldn’t you know, they began to remember to clear the table before I had to remind them. They feed off the positive reaction. Now, we are talking about children, but I hold that adults aren’t more mature-- psychologically speaking anyway. It works with them, too. My adult education GED class is filled with people who have “college dropout” hanging overhead. In a society that values education and titles and degrees, this is a tacit marker of failure. They occupy the lowest job positions and spend hours in underappreciated work environments. Last night I gave them a class assignment. When I told them how much I appreciated the work they were producing for class, you should have seen the brightness in their eyes. Some reddened, some squared their shoulders, and others looked down. They finished the task beautifully—better than if I hadn’t said anything. And all I said was thank you.

And there are so many wonderful ways to embellish our thank yous. We can say it, send it with flowers or say it in cards. For many, sending out the obligatory thank you cards after a shower or wedding is the most tedious part of the event. Not for me though-- it is one thing I love about the US. We have a million places to buy cards. When I lived in Mexico I couldn't find a thank you card (or a gracias card) to save my life. And when I wanted to send them out-- forget it! The mail system is rudimentary at best, in shambles at worst. We take for granted how easy it is to communicate gratitude by snailmail. And how nice. Don't you love getting cards in the mail? Or flowers?

So, say it. Or send it. Spend a moment to tell someone you appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be mushy. And you might be surprised at what results you get.

As for my beauty choices: I like St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal and Shea Butter body moisturizer, Shi Seido face wash and my ion flat iron. That’s it.

scents of the season: Home Scents Installation

2009-11-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like coming in from the cold to a warm apartment and a lovely smelling living room. Candles and room sprays are my thing. I have at least 2 candles lit in my living room and kitchen and I have an oil burner in my bedroom. Oh, and I always have a diffuser in the bathroom! Seems like overkill, but I coordinate all of the scents so they harmonize with one another. Each room smells a little different but always smells good. Here are some of my favorites...I have so many I may turn this into a 2 part series!

I usually buy 2-3 bottles at a time of Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Patch room spray. I use it so often during the fall and winter months I run out by March!

Thymes seasonal scent Frasier Fur potpourri captures the fragrance of a freshly cut tree. Check their site for soaps and candles too!

This company is in my top 5. With over 20 different scents they've got enough to take you through the seasons. Check out their amazing soy candles, home sprays, body butters, and wonderful gift packages.

Madagascar Spice Soy Candle & Mediterranean Fig Perfume (I use it as a room spray!)

I have this Body Shop oil diffuser in my bedroom. I find that it disperses a more intense scent than hot wax holders.

Add a couple drops of Fruits & Passion festive oils- Winter Berries, Gui-Mistletoe, & Orange Cinnamon.

If you like a massive scent you will love Henri Bendel's candles. When I light one of his candles I do just that- I light only one. The scent fills up my entire apartment.

My red flower products are some of the more luxurious home scents I own. Their candles, hair products, and diffusers smell great, but if I had to pick just one, I would go with their diffusers. Although a bit expensive, the beautiful recycled vase it comes in is well worth it. I gave my brother the Cardamom Amber Resin diffuser several years ago and he still talks about!

I just picked up Mrs Meyer's Iowa Pine Holiday diffuser at my supermarket. Smells great and keeps my bathroom smelly-free.

scents of the season: Organic Lip & Mouth Care Installation

2009-11-23T08:09:00.000-08:00

Dry, flaked, and cracked...three words you don't want someone to use after a kiss. The cold weather and stress brings on all of these. Avoid the chapped look this holiday season with these yummy, smooth, and refined lip balms and mouth care products. After a trial run your lips will be irresistible and kissable!

A long-standing favorite of mine, Burts Bees lip balms always help hydrate my lips. Their Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil not only hydrates but tastes great.

I've tried many lip exfoliators and found Nvey Eco's organic exfoliator with cranberry seeds on the top of my list.

Eos lip balm line comes in three great flavors and the packaging fits right in with my evening bag.

Cranberry orange lip balm...yum. Kiss My Face lip balm tastes as good as it sounds.

Did you say cranberry dental floss? Radius natural cranberry floss is made from natural beeswax coated with unsweetened cranberry essence.

If you haven't tried it yet, natural toothpaste gently cleans your tooth without all of the chemicals regular toothpaste contains. Tom's of Maine toothpaste in cinnamon-clove cleans and whitens your teeth with natural ingredients and real flavor oils.

scents of the season: Skincare Installation

2009-11-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

I load up on skincare products during the fall and winter. I am hoping Santa will read this to get some ideas on what to fill my stocking up with this year!

derma-e Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse

Anti-Aging Mist by Intelligent Nutrients

Pangea Organics Geranium & Cranberry Facial Scrub

SoapStore's Hydrating Aloe Toner- Cranberry Cocktail

John Masters Organics Pomegranate Facial Oil

Ooohlala's Papaya Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

scents of the season: Organic Bath & Body Care Installation

2009-11-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

I have scented products for every season. Summer is grapefruit and coconut, spring is lavender and lemon, and lemongrass is year-round. There are certain scents that conjure up thoughts of the holidays. For me they are pumpkin, spices, vanilla, cranberry, and pine cones. They not only create a heavenly smell in your home but can also be amazing for your skin. The following are my organic holiday picks for your bath and body.

from left to right.
Bath & Hair
Once I poured Naturopathica Deep Forest Bath and Body oil into the bath the scent of a Christmas tree hit the air. The scents teamed up with the hot steam from the bath water will help clear your mind and your sinuses. There is no need to light a candle, the scent from the oil is relaxing enough.
If the smell of homemade cookies are your thing, try pouring a cap of Archipelago's Vanilla Sugar Bubble Bath into the tub. Sweet bubbles everywhere!

from left to right.
Lotions
Soften winter hands with Kiss My Face Rosemary & Mint Hand Alert. It includes alpha hydroxy acids to help exfoliate dead skin and shea butter to soften it.
MyChelle's Autumn Woods Body Ambrosia leaves your body feeling super smooth and smelling woodsy. Oils of olive and pumpkin seed are two of the organic ingredients in this body moisturizer. My husband and I share this one!

from left to right.
Hair Care
It's not organic, but I had to give this product a shout-out because I lurvve it. All I use is a dollop of fresh's Pomegranate Conditioner and my hair smells and feels great. I only wish they made pomegranate shampoo!
John Masters Organics Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer is a must have year-round product. It is great for those who have dry scalp or use products daily on their hair.

left to right.
Lather
Organic cranberry and essential oils are packed into Greenland's Organic Shower Gel.
Pangea Organics Malagasy Cinnamon Cassia w/ Cloves Soap smells like a pack of mulling spices heating over the stove.

left to right.
Scrubs
Cranberry & Pomegranate in one scrub? You get both of those and green tea when using Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Scrub by Eminence.
100% pure is everything the name states- 100% natural, 100% gluten free, and 100% vegetarian. Their Organic Pomegranate Body Scrub is wonderful for winter skin. Check their website for more exciting, truly organic, products.

Monthly Surprise

2009-11-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

I love surprises, especially when they are monthly. Wine of the month, Cheese of the month, Potato Chips of the month....I think you can get anything via a month club! And they make great wedding, birthday, or holiday gifts. Here's a selection of my faves:

join this cheesy club!

vino- red or white?

potato chip club!

polaroid a month club! youaremyfave.com

did you say shoe of the month club??!!

Grey's

2009-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Grey's Anatomy has been one of my long-standing loves. I think the story lines are always unexpected and half way through I shed a week's full of tears. Not because it's always sad, but because it's that good. Emotion provoking television. Now, my husband might disagree, but I have to say this season has been no exception. Although we lost George :( I think the rest of the cast has been given strong scripts and some great love interests. Here is a look back on some of my fave, tear-jerking moments in years past.

Tunes for a Mellow Yellow Day.

2009-11-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Mellow Yellow

2009-11-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling quite mellow today, like someone shifted me into the slowww mode gear. I think it has something to do with the amount of sleep I got- 12 full hours. After I woke up I headed straight to the gym and worked out for an hour, but it felt like a century. When I came home I sat on the couch in a daze, and then I remembered I had a huge list of 'to-do's'. I looked at the clock and with a big sigh I thought oh well, there's always tomorrow.

photos courtesy of me and weheartit.com

Seared Scallops with Creamed Corn and Bacon

2009-11-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

Found these adorable pictures on GoBuggyGo's photostream on flickr

I have to admit I don't eat a lot of fish. I am very picky, especially with fishy smelling fish. However I took a liking to scallops when I was young. Every summer as a child we used to take family trips up to Maine. We would travel up and down the coast for a week, stopping at our favorite seaside towns and eating the freshest seafood I ever tasted. I remember popping fried scallops with homemade tartar sauce in my mouth as we walked around shopping at the outlets. This recipe brings me back to a time when the only responsibilities I had was to hand my homework in on time and be home before dark.

Sometimes I make this dish as an appetizer. I place the creamed corn on the bottom of a long platter and pile the scallops on top.

NOTE: Make Creamed Corn first and then cook scallops. While scallops are cooking, keep corn on simmer to keep warm.

Seared Scallops (Servings: For Two People)

6 sea scallops

1 tsp of unsalted butter

2 tsp of olive oil

salt & pepper

Wash the scallops and pull off the small muscle on the side. Dry well! This is key when you are searing them. Heat up a skillet large enough to fit all scallops so they aren't touching and put butter and oil in pan. Place heat on high and wait until pan is hot enough. S&P your dry scallops and place in hot pan. Now, depending on how well you like your scallops I would cook them between 1-2 minutes per side. I personally like them done on the inside so I cook them for 2 minutes per side. They should be nice and brown.

Creamed Corn w/ Bacon
3 cups of fresh cooked corn (can also use 1 can of corn or half bag of frozen corn)
4 slices of bacon- preferably apple smoked if you can get it!
1/2 small onion finely chopped
2/3 cup of heavy cream

If you are using fresh corn you will already have a considerable amount of liquid or 'milk' from the ears of the corn so you may not need 2/3 cup of heavy cream. When corn is in season, we cook several dozen ears, cut the kernels and freeze them in small zip lock bags for the year.
Place bacon in a large skillet and cook through. Once they are browned place on a plate. Using the same skillet saute onions for 2 minutes. While sauteing onions, crumble the bacon and keep on a plate. Add corn to skillet and saute corn and onions for 3 minutes. Next add bacon and heavy cream. Cook on low heat for 4 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Plate corn mixture on plate and top with 3 scallops per person- viola! With this recipe and any non-baking recipe really, feel free to add anything you like into it. Some make this with more onion or add chives or fennel...it's up to you.

The June Bahtra- Pt. 3 (The Missing Chapter)

2009-11-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

* I mentioned in my recent posts that I would elaborate on the loony 75+ year old french woman who was on our boat. She, we call her frenchie, and her boy toy, this italian stallion who was at least 30+ years younger than her, complained throughout the entire trip. Frenchie mentioned she just had 'surgery' done and needed a month to get away so she came to Thailand. She had some serious work done on her face as it was still puffy and red. Throughout the entire excursion frenchie had a cigarette in her and kept throwing them into the ocean when she was done. As she would walk over to her boy toy to ask for another one, her breast, yes frenchie’s breast, would fall out of her bikini. She would walk around the boat with her boob hanging out and start talking to people who were obviously embarrassed to have a conversation with her in that state.

When we got to the Sea Gypsy village she demanded money for a cigarette and a soda from the tour guide. Frenchie had to have one or else. He certainly wasn't going to give her his hard earned money so she attempted to ask the rest of us. Jason and I quickly walked in the opposite direction and by the time we all met up to leave someone apparently gave in and bought frenchie a soda (although she was angry no one on the island sold smokes). Alas, for the next couple hours frenchie sat and walked around the boat, breast exposed, and we all just kind of chuckled :)

Excursion Review: Asian-Oasis Tours

2009-11-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

Sailing on the June Bahtra was one of the many fond memories we have of our travels through SEAsia. In my previous posts I discussed our day excursion on the beautiful schooner- the June Bahtra. The boat is owned by Asian Oasis, a boutique tour company that runs unique tours, treks, and cruises throughout Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. We stumbled upon their website when we were researching transportation options to Laos. This particular tour was in Phuket, Thailand and I highly recommend it.

Our itinerary:
7:45
They picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the marina
8:30ish
We hopped on board the beautiful boat and embarked on our journey through Phang Nga Bay
11:00 ish
We boarded a long tail boat which took us to the Sea Gypsy village and James Bond Island & Rock
1:15
The long tail boat took us back to the June Bahtra where a delicious Thai meal was waiting for us
2:15
After we filled up our tummies they handed out fruit and some got out to swim
4:00
We arrived back at the marina

Noteworthy:

The staff was wonderful and most spoke english and you can request a tour guide who speaks french or german.
You can ask for refreshments at any time and they passed out fruit (one of my favorite things to eat in Thailand).
The food was delicious and we went back for seconds!
We brought our own towels but they have some on board if you need one.
There is also a canopy that covers most of the deck if you don't want to be in the sun for that long.
Everything is included in the price except for alcohol.

A Craving for Bleu

2009-11-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Last night I tossed and turned until 3am'ish. My husband was snoring (per usual) and I had cheese on the brain. After every toss and turn I made an image of bleu cheese would flash in mind. Yes, blue (or bleu) cheese. I love, love, love the big bad bleu. Every cheese is unique: some are buttery, gooey, peppery, or stinky. Some are made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. I don't discriminate when it comes to the bleu, I just eat it. I love it on burgers, on salad, on pizza, as a dip, with french fries...the list goes on. Well, last night I couldn't stop thinking of blue cheese, to the point my mouth was watering! Today I had my fix Green Salad with Marie's Premium Super Blue Cheese, mmmmm. Tell me, after you look at these photos, that your mouth isn't watering??!

butternut squash risotto w/ rosemary & blue cheese from recipegirl.com

bacon blue cheese butter on steak from steamykitchen.com

the big ben burger featured on cheeseandburger.com

veal chops & roasted potatoes with blue cheese dressing and mint, tylerflorence.com

Lonny Mag

2009-11-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

With the recent launch of the online mag Lonny, comes a renewed hope for shelter magazines. The format is easy to use and, most importantly, doesn't crash your computer when you open it! The easy on the eyes layout and short but sweet front of book pieces clearly foreshadows the beautiful photography in the feature well. If you are in the mood for a little style rejuvenation, click here to check out the magazine.

Eco Trippin

2009-11-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

Big names have entered the earth-friendly fashion arena and their products are being sold for a big price (Stella McCartney dresses sell for over $1k). So, how can you and your family stay eco-trendy without blowing your paycheck? Here are some of my fave places to find note-worthy labels for less.

Healdsburg, CA

Northern California is a hot bed of all things green. You won't leave Arboretum without finding an inexpensive fab outfit. Featuring designers who are pushing the envelope on eco-fashion, Arboretum's mission is to provide great looking clothing while leaving a small environmental footprint. You would be remiss not to end your day at a local sustainable winery. Head to Porter Creek vineyards for a flight of their organic reds.
Arboretum, 332 Healdsburg Ave, 707.433.7033 Porter Creek, 8735 West Side Road, 707.433.6321

Brooklyn, NY

At Sodafine you will discover one-of-a-kind organic threads for under $100. The owner, Erin Weckerle, showcases sustainable clothing created by local artists. After you've filled up your bag, walk over to Bliss Cafe to fill up your stomach with one of their delicious vegan entrees.

Sodafine, 119 Grand Street, 718.230.3060 Bliss Cafe, 191 Bedford Ave, 718.599.2547

Chicago, IL

Chi-towners can shop at grow for child-friendly conscientious products. This is one stop shopping for the parent looking for functional, sustainable modern basics for your child. If you don't live in Chicago, check out their website, you will be impressed. Skip lunch and head to Spa Space where they feature mouth-watering treatments. Choose the Blueberry-Guava Wrap as your main course, ending with the Peppermint Patty Treatment for dessert!
grow, 1943 w division, 773.489.0009 Spa Space, 161 North Canal St, 312.466.9585

1+1+1=

2009-11-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

family +

food +

fun =

party pooper :)

Sailing on The June Bahtra- Pt 2.

2009-11-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

An hour into our excursion on the June Bahtra the captain turned the motor off. We were floating quietly up to a gorgeous limestone cave. As we got closer, huge birds started to appear and fly around the boat. At first we thought they were 'seagulls' but as they flew closer we could see they were much larger than seagulls. Our captain told us they were Sea Eagles, the only inhabitants of these islands. See video below.

About halfway through our trip we had to get out of the schooner and into a long tail boat in order to get closer to land (shallow water). We skillfully jumped in and several minutes later arrived at the Sea Gypsy village. It is a floating muslim village. The locals were out selling hand-made items and a ton of dried food and seafood. The smells were very, very pungent, especially with the heat beating down on the food all morning. We roamed around the island for a bit and accidentally walked into small school. It had two rooms and kind of reminded me of the type of school my mom attended when she was growing up in a small farming town. An hour later we met up with our group, and after calming down this one french woman who was going to have a panic attack if she didn't get a cigarette and a diet coke pronto (more about her in Pt. 3), we headed off to the infamous James Bond rock and island.

Made famous from the movie The Man with The Golden Gun, scores of tourists come to check out the rock, and because of this, it is getting worn down. The island however is doing well, as long as tourists don't take any of it's natural resources (sea shells, etc.). What seems like a large island from far away, it is actually very small. There is a bathroom and shopping stalls set up selling souvenirs.

Sailing on The June Bahtra- Pt.1

2009-11-03T11:55:00.001-08:00

Resting my head on Jason's shoulder, we set out to sea. It was a perfect day. The sun was keeping us warm and every so often a breeze would come along at just the right moment. We were on a voyage and our destination was Phang Nga Bay in Phuket. The June Bahtra's sails were lifted and the mist was low. Then, magically, the mist began to lift and we caught a glimpse of what we had been waiting for- beautiful limestone caves jutting out from the sea backed by several untouched islands. We named a couple islands and closed our eyes to think about what life would be like to live on one.

Christmas Shopping...Already?

2009-11-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am. I actually shop year round. If I see something that sparks my interest in a catalog, online, or a magazine, I tear or print it out and place it in my all important holiday file. This way, when it's birthday or holiday time I have a go to file of items to either buy or get ideas from. Currently I am thinking of gifts for my girlfriend Heather's triplets. Heather and her husband Danny gave birth to three beautiful irishmen last year, and being the best auntie that I can be, I want to find fun and unique gifts for them this Christmas. And since she is kind of picky, I need to find gifts that have some mileage on them and won't clutter her house. Here are some top picks I found so far.

Eco-friendly growth chart. It doubles as a coat hook when rotated 180 degrees. And I'm pretty sure they will think this is cool as they get older. (Aunt Mimi has the cool factor).

What child doesn't love radio flyer?

Fun in the snow!

Non-toxic trucks including a recycling truck!