Spend a Couple Minutes »Financial Cosultation with Susan Lee

For Freelancers

While I am mostly excited about my new career path which is sure to be better for my little one, I was a bit intimidated by the whole freelance taxes stuff. I found a woman named Susan Lee through her extremely informative website Freelance Taxation that is full of information that any freelance artist can learn from. She also has a radio show called You and Your Money that you can listen to on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City and is available for private consultation. I went to see her last week and had all my questions answered. Money and money related issues can be confusing and obnoxious to creative business people, so a specialist who can help you along your way (and is available to do your taxes too) is a god send. Tell her I sent you if you make an appointment.

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Posted on June 6, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Soak Your Onions

To Reduce Tears

I’m not sure if I am new to this trick or getting in on the big secret way late, but blogs have started circulating the simple solution to onion cutting tears. Simply soak the onion in water first. I tried the method and it worked though I hope to test it a few more times to become a truly convinced believer. Why don’t you give it a whirl and see if you’re as pleasantly surprised as I was.

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Posted on May 31, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Nyokki!

Egg Plant Pet

This little guy, purchased on a whim at Sprout, is downright adorable. Called Nyokki! (which means “grow!” in Japanese) he sprouts green “hair” that you can style or cut. The shop only had the froggie, but the company also makes a rabbit, a cat, monkey, duck, and bear as well as special holiday ones like a skeleton, black cat, jack-o-lantern and snowman. Too cute!

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Posted on April 25, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Washlet

The Evolution of Clean

At Soba-ya Jim returned to the table and told me to go to the bathroom with my camera – and that I might encounter an androgynous ghost!

If you’ve seen the Washlet on Found Footage Festival (which, from all the references lately, you can tell I’ve been watching repeatedly), you’ll know what that means.

The seat is heated, which was pleasant (though a friend who encountered the washlet in Japan likened it to sitting on a human body… eww). But I wasn’t sure how I felt about the warm stream of water meant for cleansing.

Fortunately, the restroom isn’t the highlight of the restaurant, so you can test the washlet out while also enjoying a great meal.

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Posted on April 11, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Bellisimo

125 4th Avenue

Clean, kindly, and convenient: Bellissimo, right near Union Square, was the perfect spot for a much needed pampering with an equally frazzled co-worker. We opted for a pedicure with a ten minute foot massage that was heavenly. I loved the selection of colors as well as the funky soft beads your feet soak in. Next time I’ll be sure to partake in one of their back massages.

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Posted on April 4, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Get a Real Tree

a tree grows in brooklynA Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I’ve never had a real tree while living on my own, and I still don’t this year… but since we’re celebrating the holiday at my sister’s place, I can live vicariously through her beautiful blue spruce we helped pick out. We found it at the adorable hippie-run tree stand on Bedford and Metropolitan. This week we’ll be dressing it up as a family… awww, which we haven’t done since I was a kid. Can’t wait!

Click here for the rest of Get a Real Tree

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Posted on December 20, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Wardrobe Makeover

brittany hague shoppingLook at that photo! It's like I am the angel of shopping! No one's ever asked me to help them buy an entire new wardrobe but from the way it went so swimmingly this weekend, maybe people should more often.

Within a couple hours at the Rockefeller Center H&M (which is absolutely the location for their affordable mensware) and Tony had three pairs of pants, three shirts, a cardigan, a sweater vest and a winter peacoat that all look great. Any men in your life needing a wardrobe makeover on a slightly limited budget? I might just be able to help.

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Posted on September 28, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Take Care of New York’s Trees

Help New Yorks trees! All it takes is your time and hard work. Jim and I spent the morning digging out bricks and bad soil and filling in the area with mineral rich top soil and lobster compost – both bought at the friendly Sprout down on Kent.

The kindness of strangers really came in to play with the project. Some neighbors offered their help in moving big bricks, others offered gloves and to take our bricks away.

Our work is still not done. Next we are getting tree guards installed – there are several iron workers locally that can do the job – and then we plan to plant some perennial ivy.

It's all to help our sidewalk tree thrive in an environment that usually ends up covered in trash.

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Posted on August 17, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »The Parlour

parlour greenpointThis week Jim was so taken with a new salon here in Greenpoint that he volunteered this post:

I’ve never actually felt comfortable in a salon; I’m sure my own issues are a big part of the reason why but, personal hang-ups aside, I’ve always genuinely perceived a mild disinterest radiating from the staff, as if they didn’t exactly want me in their club house – like I was some kind of interruptive intruder.

Never again. The other day, under pressure from Brittany to trim my beard, I booked an appointment up the street at The Parlour (it’s on Greenpoint and Franklin, right next door to Brouwerij Lane). I’ve never in my life felt more welcomed in a place of hair dressing. Everyone is super friendly and I didn’t at all feel like I was disrupting whatever they were up to the second before I walked in.

For $25 I got a shampoo, neck and beard trim with a hot towel, which is both super relaxing and a pretty good deal – but what’s really key is that I was able to get my beard trimmed by someone who totally knew what she was doing – which has not always been the case at other local shops that boast of their tonsorial expertise.

In fact, the last time I got a trim I was so displeased with the results that I had to tinker with it at home for some time and, in an (ultimately ineffectual) effort to make it look even and regular, I gradually shortened my beard far more than I would have liked to; so I’m sure you can imagine how pleased I was that I walked out with a great looking beard.

But the Parlour offers far more than mere man maintenance packages, Nackie (who runs the salon) is a major hair stylist. She worked for a number of years at the Chelsea Hotel before opening The Parlour just a couple of months ago. She trimmed my hair and it looks excellent, so I’m sure that whatever kind of style you’re looking for, she and her team can totally deliver.

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Posted on June 8, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Framing and Hanging Your Art

Framing art is notoriously pricey, so much so that Jim and I have been squirreling away money to do it. We were lucky to find the little shop Imagic Studio down the street (where we got our hideous passport photos taken), to be reasonable, helpful, and efficient. Our walls have been bare since we moved into this place, but no longer!

With the help of Jim's dad our bedroom is now home to an adorable BB&PP Inc print and our old WR: Myteries of the Organism and Godard posters hang in the living room with our newly framed Eggleston poster (I found a guy that sells subway posters and ads if you're ever interested). A huge (67″ tall!) print is at the shop as we speak and, despite the high price tag, it will all be worth it. After all, these are pieces we'll have forever.

We decided in the end to forgo the expense for our over sized Blood Beach and Joysticks posters and are currently on the lookout for a cheaper solution. A friend recommended pictureframes.com.

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Posted on May 11, 2009

Spend a Couple Minutes »Hot Pink Lifting Weights

valeo pink weightsLaugh if you must (but must you really?), but with these tiny hot pink two pound weights I will slowly but surely tone my little arms. It should only take a few minutes a day and I can watch King of the Hill while I do it.

I got mine on Amazon.

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Posted on May 11, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Wii Fit

mii wii fitWiiFit is fun and good for you with those cute little graphics that Nintendo is known for (though I wish our instructors were more wobbly head looking and less realistic) but I have to say, it's not the toughest workout ever – though some of the balance games are hard to master and I never do well when it comes to following dance steps.

Taking virtual jogs with miis and wiis and Nintendo doggies right beside me is quite a joy and the system will also be great for accurately measuring my progress as Jim and I have begin a new summer time get back to eating right and exercising phase.

There is a definite focus on balance, a focus that I think seems foreign to westerners but I hope that, as it promises, will improve my posture.

I haven't gotten any additional games to go with the system yet, but anything called Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party must be fun, right?

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Posted on May 4, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Plant a Tree

Our building recently planted trees along the sidewalk (full disclosure, my harder working neighbors are the ones to thank, I was away). Planting trees, which is the activity Arbor Day is centered around removes CO2 from the air, produces oxygen, beautifies the city, and helps to fight global warming.

To get involved and plant a tree yourself, take a look at this week's website A Million Trees NYC.

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Posted on April 20, 2009

Spend a Couple Minutes »Eye Exam

brix picks in glassesBecause I spend hours and hours and hours in front of a computer screen, it's not uncommon for me to head home from work with blurry and sore eyes, so I decided to take advantage of my health care and make an appointment with the eye doctor. While I really just thought they'd give me a pair of non prescription glasses to help with monitor glare, I quickly learned that I am falling apart.

Yes, at the age of 31, I officially no longer have 20/20 vision, but a mixed up pair of eyes; one can see far away, the other close up, which can make for tired eyes. So it's computer glasses for me!

It was actually kind of exciting, since I've always wanted glasses and now I can wear them, but don't have to all the time.

It just goes to show that regular check ups can be revealing and helpful and, if you have decent coverage, you should make an eye appointment soon – especially if it's been a while.

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Posted on April 13, 2009

Spend a Couple Minutes »Learning to Tie a Tie

Learning to Tie a Tie This is a vital skill that everyone should pick up along the way eventually. Including my husband.

Here's how

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Posted on January 30, 2006

Web Sites »My Food Diary

My Food Diary I lost ten pounds with the help of this web site. This year I might actually succeed in one of my resolutions.

www.myfooddiary.com

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Posted on December 26, 2005

Spend a Couple Minutes »Tae Bo Eight Minute Workout

Tae Bo Eight Minute Workout It is fun to do in the morning. When I can drag my ass up to do it, I feel better all day long. And Billy Blanks seems like he really cares about me.

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Posted on December 12, 2005