Spend a Couple Minutes »Dark Sky

20120515-204110.jpgiPhone App

No weather forecast is more annoying than a 30% chance of rain all day. It basically means nothing.

Optimists could get caught in the rain while others could plan a whole day indoors (particularly if you’ve got a little one) only to realize after the fact that you could have gone outside after all.

Dark Sky, which I heard about on NY1, puts an end to the doubt.

It does one thing and one thing only: accurately let you know if it will be raining where you are in the next hour.

It’s been quite useful to me and is well worth the few dollars.

 

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Posted on May 15, 2012

Desserts »Soco Creamery Ice Cream

Yummy Ice Cream

There is almost an overwhelming amount of fancy, artisinal ice creams out there but Soco is worth a mention.

From a Massachusettes family owned “micro-creamery” which has a brick and mortar shop in the Berkshires.

You can find it locally at Whole Foods and other places where you usually find this kind of stuff as well as Fresh Direct.

We’ve tried the Espresso Cookie but am on the look out for Earl Grey – a flavor I fell in love with at Van Leeuwin.

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Posted on May 14, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Vidal Sassoon

RIP

And the sad news keeps coming. Vidal Sassoon was the symbol of fancy style to a very young me.

Sitting in hair salons while my mom got a cut, the over-sized posters, the purple bottles- they hinted at an exotic, high class world of womanhood that I couldn’t wait to be a part of.

But long before those days, when Sassoon had become a household product name, he was being radder than I could have imagined.

Balancing style with ease, geometrics with the organic, he changed hair styles for women. The man created the classic bob for goodness sakes.

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Posted on May 13, 2012

Spend a Couple Hours »Kick and Play

20120510-113119.jpgat The School Settlement Association

Kick and Play..

Well, Van loves the “play” element and the wide safe open space for him to run around in is worth the price of this class alone.

Kick? That he hasn’t quite gotten the concept of yet and doesn’t seem terribly interested in figuring it out.

There’s too much fun to be had running, giggling and throwing the balls. Guess he gets his athletic prowess from me.

Seriously though, once your little one is up and running, this is a great active class for them with patient teachers and even a couple singing puppets.

 

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Posted on May 13, 2012

Recipes »Spaghetti with Ramps

20120508-104912.jpgfrom Babbo

Ramps! Everyone loves them! And here’s an easy way to cook them up for dinner (via the city’s most visible celebrity chef, Mario Batali)

Despite the hoopla over them, there aren’t a ton of recipes for the much sought after greens and what I like about this is the simplicity which lets the ramps shine.

PS. I added a bit of shaved parm.

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Posted on May 10, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Maurice Sendak

RIP

Sad, sad news. Like so many, I grew up on Maurice Sendak. His illustrations weren’t just cute, they spoke to our fears and wildest imagination.

While Where the Wild Things Are is timeless and undoubtedly his most lasting and beloved book, I was personally most effected by the creepy Outside Over There, a haunting story of goblins kidnapping a little sister.

If you’re unfamiliar with it, I highly recommend you seek it out. It fueled whispering fantasies between my sister and I about what might lurk in the woods behind our house.

I guess that’s what I loved about Sendak’s work the most, like The Grimm brothers before him, his work wasn’t scared of children’s imagined sensitivities and frailties, it let us feel elated, frightened, hurt, thrilled, excited..

He was a true original and I will share his magical work with my kids who will no doubt share it with theirs.

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Posted on May 10, 2012

Desserts »Homemade Pop Tarts from Anarchy in a Jar

at Smorgasburg

Jim and I aren’t the only ones that look forward to our Smorgasburg Saturdays.

When I ask Van if he’s ready to eat a pop tart by the water his eyes light up and he shakes his head yes vigorously.

The pop tarts in question are not those grocery store guilty pleasures though. No, Van loves the homemade ones from Anarchy in a Jar.

They have mixed berry, blueberry and strawberry and all are delicious. I know because I usually manage to get a bite in before he’s wolfed them down.

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Posted on May 7, 2012

Spend a Couple Minutes »Spring Onions aka Green Garlic

20120506-074159.jpgSpring Specialty

Everyone goes wild for wild ramps this season, but spring onions (young garlic) are equally worth the excitement.

I’ve been having them with scrambled eggs for a most delectable breakfast. The taste is a cross between a scallion and garlic.

Look for them at your local farmer’s market.

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Posted on May 7, 2012

TV Shows »Spongebob Squarepants

On Nick

Well. This was a surprise. Jim and I are a bit smitten with Spongebob Squarepants.

We’re far more into it than Van actually.

I had no idea it was so strangely charming.

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Posted on May 5, 2012

Restaurants »Lonestar Empire

at Smorgasburg

Last week we tried and loved Mighty Quinn’s but they’re not the only brisket party in town. Lonestar Empire boasts a juicy meaty sandwich themselves with excellent toppings like pickled onions and jalapeño (both optional but a great idea).

More than worth the few extra bucks? The mustardy smashed potatoes that taste like summer barbecues.

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Posted on May 5, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Adam MCA Yauch

RIP

Maybe it’s because we that grew up listening to The Beastie Boys are at the age when horrible things realities like cancer and other illnesses no longer just seem like something that happens to other people. Maybe it’s because anyone my age has at least one vivid memory associated with the band (I have quite a few myself) but the tragic death of Adam Yauch, aka MCA, has hit people of my generation particularly hard.

It feels like someone we knew has passed on. It’s close to home and he was far, far too young.

He was the social conscience of the band, the one that brought some gravitas to the party. He and his Tibetan activist wife have a daughter, and the photo below just breaks my heart for them.

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Posted on May 4, 2012

Albums »Disraeli Gears

by Cream (1967)

Man, Disraeli Gears is a fantastic album. It may be less bluesy and more psychedelic (that cover art isn’t lying) than my favorite, Fresh Cream, but the number of singularly amazing songs on this thing is astounding.

While songs like Take It Back, Tale of Brave Ulysses, Dance the Night Away, World of Pain, Sunshine of Your Love, and Strange Brew (I told you there are some doozies) represent the best of the experimentation with traditional music of the 60′s they are  still timeless.

I vividly remember hearing my dad play Strange Brew as a child and having my little world rocked. It still makes me feel transported to someplace wild.

Many bands claim to be “super groups” but Cream was truly super.

Also, somehow this album goes perfectly with the weird weather.

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Posted on May 3, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Aquirax Uno

Awesome Artist

There’s little information to be found about psychedelic artist Aquirax Uno but his vibrant, wild works speak for themselves.

I mean, wow!

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Posted on May 3, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Marsha Hunt

Brown Sugar

If you’ve heard The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” you know of Marsha Hunt. Mother to Jagger’s child, she was also once married to Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine and was romantically linked to Marc Bolan.

But Hunt was no career groupie. She was a singer in bands like The Ferris Wheel, an actress – she was literally the poster child for Hair in which she starred, and an author.

She is also a strong woman who is gorgeous and rocked an enviable, amazing afro.

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Posted on May 1, 2012

Web Sites »Miroco Machiko

Japanese Illustrator

The work of Japanese artist Miroco Machiko has to be some of the most charming I’ve seen.

I found the whimsical childlike illustrations through a friend on Pinterest and can’t stop admiring at them.

I find them very inspiring and want to just let go with paints, markers and crayons one afternoon not over thinking the end result.

Just lovely.

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Posted on May 1, 2012

Recipes »Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

from The Pioneer Woman

When you’ve been under the weather for seemingly forever as I have, you crave comforting food that’s simple and easy to make. This Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe from The Pioneer Woman fit the bill in every way without being the least bit boring (all that cream and parmesan helps).

It’s great as is, but also a good based for experimenting. We made ours to the letter except substituting bucatini (my favorite pasta) for the fettuccine.

 

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Posted on April 30, 2012

Restaurants »Mozz Shop

20120429-103808.jpgat Smorgasburg

Another Smorgasburg down another great small dish to rave about. This week I give you a vendor newbie: Mozz Shop.

It’s one of the more intriguing additions to the fair – I could watch them churning those big globs of fresh mozzarella all day- but eating it is even sweeter.

We split the bocconcini – small marinated mozzarella balls with herbs and spices.

Easily, these were everyone’s favorite of the day: decadent but simple.

Can’t wait to try more of their delectable menu like the “Italian Corn Dogs” made with sausage and mozzarella deep fried in polenta batter.

 

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Posted on April 29, 2012