9/11 Memorial

The Tribute in Light is a most thoughtful and touching monument in honor of our darkest day.

This might be the last year the temporary art installation is up, so be sure to see it tonight and take a quiet moment of remembrance

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Art I Love NY

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Posted on September 11, 2011

What, September already?! While I love Fall, the end of Summer is still a little sad and one thing I’ll be missing is weekly visits to McCarren Park’s Turtle Water Park. It’s a small kid playland, hidden and unnoticed by most others that live around here (unless you’re there really early and sharing with a few sleeping drunk men).

Van, a big fan of water, loves it and I can see it becoming one of those halcyon early-childhood memories he cherishes many years from now–one of those fuzzy experiences that nag at the back of your mind and you wonder if it ever really happened or if it was just your childhood imagination… Or one of those spots that look so small when you return with an adult’s point of view.

Look at me, I’m getting sentimental about it for the grown up him

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes

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Posted on September 3, 2011

Everybody’s Doing It

There’s a new movement in mothering. It says no to the common ideas babies should be left to cry, it supports co-sleeping, breastfeeding as long as you want, and babywearing. Some call it Attachment Parenting, some call it trusting your instincts, some call it spoiling your baby (pshaw!). Some think it’s a luxury, others think it’s insane.

But no matter what your philosophy on parenting, most moms can agree that at least the babywearing part is pretty awesome. And it’s been done the world over for pretty much forever though has only become a trend in the US fairly recently.

I started carrying with the ubiquitous (and terrible for your back) Baby Bjorn, but moved on to other, better structured carriers like the Gemino Becco and the Ergo. But my newest love is the wrap (and as you can see Van loves it too).

I was surprised how easy wrapping is and comfort wise, it feels like I am pregnant again rather than lugging around a big baby.

I found a gorgeous aqua hombre wrap from Girasol at Caribou Baby, which is an incredible resource for moms and moms to be. Owner and friend Adriane knows as much as anyone on the subject of babywearing and will help you get the hang of it.

I’ve found that the Girasol is a free trade product from Guatemala and they often come in rare limited edition colors – making it an special purchase which is really fun for us moms that thought our days of buying exclusive coveted items for ourselves were over.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Children’s Home/Self Improvements

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Posted on August 4, 2011

Now Running

I can officially say that the East River Ferry is awesome.

Aside from schedule hiccups (it might not be on time but if you give it 15-20 minutes one will show up) it was smooth sailing for Van and I. It’s stroller friendly, super quick and free until the 24th of this month.

After that, it’s $4 a ride, but I can see it being worth it in many situations (especially with a baby) compared to the hot sweaty, elevatorless subways.

Plus, the piers offer great sweeping Manhattan views.

I hope to utilize it all summer long (anyone up for getting ice cream in Dumbo?) Particularly looking forward to the Summer Friday loop that goes to Governors Island.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Brooklyn Manhattan Transportation

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Posted on June 14, 2011

Iphone App

I’ve jumped on the Words with Friends bandwagon and it’s as addicting as I had expected (very). I seem to win about 50% of the time.

If you are my real life friend, my name is brixpicks – come find me.

If you’re not my real life friend, I’ll still play but won’t respond to messages, like “What’s your name cutie?” and “You keep blocking me!”

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Apps Games

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Posted on June 7, 2011

1053 Manhattan Ave

I’ve been meaning to make it up to the new cheese and beer shop, Eastern District in the northern part of the neighborhood for some time now. A recent “au revoir” party gave us the prefect excuse to head up there and buy some fancy cheeses.

The friendly staff helped me pick some greats: an aged gouda, a raclette, and a lovely goat button called Sweet Emotions. Jim and I also indulged in pricey bottles of Hitachino White Ale, a favorite I haven’t had since getting knocked up (it still tastes delicious!) and were intrigued by their entire selection of canned and bottled beers (including a whole shelf of Saisons and Six Point–now in cans!).

The brightly lit, easily maneuverable shop also offers a rotating assortment of beers available in growlers sans snarky drunk beer snobs (unlike Brouwerij Lane) as well as a wall of local and otherwise tasty treats. Can’t wait to come again for lunch–their sandwich list was making me drool (turkey with bacon marmalade mmmmmm).

A great addition to the neighborhood when you need some specialty foods.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Beer Brooklyn Greenpoint Shops

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Posted on June 5, 2011

A Vintage Life

My dear friend Stacy has been a partner in crime during my few solo outings- whether to gobble Malaysian and gossip or sip pink champange at the Metropolitan Opera House. She’s also, and always will be, no matter how many days go between seeing each other, one of my spirit sisters.

We share an affinity for the voice of Sandy Denny, odd remnants of the past (particularly the turn of the century and the 1990′s), heavy metal tee shirts, and intricate embroidery among many other good things.

Her musings, inspirations, and heads up on the latest awesome vintage pieces she’s procured (that you can buy at her shop!) can all be found at her tumblr page. I only wish she was less busy actually doing amazing stuff to update it constantly!

Her brick and mortar shop is at 377 Broome (formerly known as Exquisite Costume and sporting a stunning make over) and you can contact her for a by appointment to peruse her vintage library at her new show room on Eldridge St. by calling 212 966 4142.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes,Web Sites Blogs Shops Style

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Posted on May 20, 2011

With Your Own Categories!

Dear friend Ashleigh, of The Awesome Brothers has been posting her very own 30 Day Song Challenge which includes such gems as:

“The song that pretty much sums up the magic of courtship (we ate cereal): Iesha by Another Bad Creation”

” The liveliest TV performance ever: Major Tom by Peter Schilling”

and

“The best song to play at a roller skating rink during the couples skate: I Wanna Be Your Man by Zapp and Roger“

I am stealing the idea and will feature a song for every day in May.

See, the challenge is to make up your own categories! Hope you all will join in on the challenge and post your own song picks in the comments. (Steve Olson, if you’re reading this – I assume you’d be awesome at it).

PS. The image provided is one of the first large scale photos to come up on a “music challenge” google image search.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes About Music

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Posted on May 1, 2011