much to my delight...

The Torrid Tales of a Formerly Single White Female

2012-01-31T04:40:00.000-08:00

Between the ages of 18 and 29, I had 20 different roommates. Twenty. That means that over the years I have been intimately acquainted with the grooming, eating, hoarding, drinking and sexual habits of 20 very unique little snowflakes. Some were good, some were bad, and some were so bad I still get queasy thinking about them.

In college, having roommates was a ball-- a 24-hour, three-ring circus filled with impromptu karaoke parties, giggly pillow fights and a neverending waterfall of ramen noodles. I changed roommates every year and lived with good buddies every time. This was exactly the way our young hassle-free lives were supposed to be lived--we made communal meals and snuggled during movies and curled each other's hair.

We sat on breezy apartment balconies with our feet curled under us, feeling grown-up as we swirled glasses of red and gabbed for hours about our dates, our decisions and our dreams. We didn't bicker about keeping things clean or decorating preferences. We were too young to be too set in our ways. We were flexible and we were fun. We were creating the kinds of memories you look back on at 34 and think, "Damn, those really were the good old days."

Once college was over, the roommate thing took on a different vibe because we all understood that the arrangement was no longer born of desire, but financial necessity. I moved to New York, and left those good buddies behind. I was forced to live with strangers in a very strange town, and that offered up some truly scary possibilities.

What if she steals my stuff?
What if she stays up till 4 in the morning playing Ace of Base every night?
What if she likes to vacuum naked?
What if she tries to kill my boyfriend by copying my haircut, crawling into bed with him and stabbing his eye with her shoe?

What I got instead (and in no particular order) was:

* A neurotic clean-freak who scolded me every time I dropped a crumb, called my boyfriend's house to ask when I'd come home to mop the floors, and flew into an inexplicable rage after I threw away a disposable almond-scented Softsoap bottle that she'd kept for five years because she liked to sniff the empty container. She also corrected my mother's grammar and routinely burst into my room to show me newly purchased bra and panty sets. While wearing them.

* A hoarder who kept no fewer than six half-eaten jars of peanut butter in his room at all times. Pizza boxes were discarded after they reached knee-height.

* An exhibitionist who liked blow-drying her hair in the nude--one foot propped on the sink and the front door wide open.

* A Wall Street exec who was so busy she made a sex schedule with her boyfriend (every Tuesday, 1 a.m.)

* A nanny who lived full-time with her employers, but rented a room in our apartment so she could have a place to bring guys home to.

* An attention-starved executive assistant who bragged about her affair with her boss, tried to make out with me at bars to lure guys and eventually went on a reality show about...roommates.

* An angry day trader who worked from home and hurled expletives like bombs when his stocks went down.

* A snotty name-dropper from Beverly Hills who never missed an opportunity to remind me that his father produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and his best friend was Monica Lewinsky.

At the time, their idiosyncracies drove me up the wall and I dreamed of the day when I'd no longer have to ask anyone else to pony up their portion of the cable bill. Looking back I am grateful for every kooky habit, every annoying personality trait, because not only do those memories make me laugh deep from my belly in hindsight, they also make me tremendously appreciative of my current (and hopefully last) roommate--a long-haired technical director who tucks me in every night, washes the dishes after every meal and has never once left the toilet seat up.

I can live with that.

22 Reasons to Love New York City

2012-01-29T07:08:00.000-08:00

Like everybody else, I really got a kick out of seeing the "Sh** New Yorkers Say" video last week.

I nodded my head at a lot of it, but especially when they exclaimed in two consecutive scenes...

"I love it here!" and "I hate it here!". I frequently say both myself, but today I'm choosing to focus on the stuff I love about New York. Here are just a few reasons.

Brownstones on tree-lined streets. If offered the choice between a six-bedroom house in

the burbs and a one-bedroom brownstone in Brooklyn, I'd choose brownstone every time.

A constant stream of free music that is both impressive and impromptu.

You can wear literally anything you want here and most people will barely bat

an eye. This disappointed a visiting friend who got more looks with her long

blonde hair than she did while wearing a bright green bob.

Outdoor flea markets.

Old-school joints like Katz's that have been around forever and show no signs of changing.

In New York, even the graffiti is clever.

The bocce ball courts in Queens.

The food. Black and white cookies. Pizza. Bagels. Hot dogs. Pretzels. Pastrami on rye.

Bold statements of city pride.

You never know what you're going to see from behind a hotel room window and a zoom lens.

The new Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is fantastic and you should go there.

People-watching. It just never gets old.

How easy it is to escape to the beach, the mountains or farmland.

How voyeurs and exhibitionists work symbiotically.

Central Park, and how if you time it just right, you can actually feel alone there.

Flower stands outside of bodegas, and how they can elevate a

common convenience store into something quaint and special.

Stumbling onto some kind of filming. One morning I woke up and they were shooting a music video on the front steps of my house. The landlord let them stay, but only if they brought him coffee from Dunkin' down the street and left behind the mini bbq grill they were using for the shoot.

Street fairs in the summer. They're the same every time--cheesy boardwalk games, DJs,

freshly fried zeppoles rolled in powdered sugar--but I get thrilled every time I see one.

You can buy pretty much anything you need without ever entering a store.

This is particularly handy during unexpected rainstorms.

Unexpectedly walking past unbelievable art installations that you didn't even know were happening.

The way New Yorkers really utilize their outdoor spaces. When my dad visited

from Texas, he couldn't get over how many people were in the parks.

City sunsets.

What's your favorite thing about NYC?

Welcome to NYC: How I Got Here

2012-01-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

I was not always the sleek, sophisticated, urbane New York City woman you see today. (Actually, I'm still waiting for most of those adjectives to kick in...). In fact, the first time I ever came to New York for a visit was a mere three weeks before coming here to live, and it's safe to say I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

Back in July of 1999, just a month after graduating from the University of Texas, I booked my first trip to the Big Apple. It was an open-ended ticket, and I was determined to stay until I'd found either a job or an apartment, whichever came first. I came alone and took my very first cab ride straight to an international youth hostel just outside of Times Square, in the part of 8th Avenue that still remained just a little bit seedy.

It was a real gem of a place. There was no air-conditioning, and I slept on a rickety metal bunk bed with a mattress so thin I could feel its coils pressing into my internal organs. I shared a unisex bathroom with a major drainage problem. If I ever develop hookworm, I can pinpoint its exact origin.

Because I was the only American staying there, I was also the only one fluent in English. I quickly bonded with anyone who spoke Spanish, a language I had an embarrassingly nominal grasp on despite eight years of study.

When my new friends from Madrid weren't ~~trying to put their hands down my shirt~~ around to show me how to use the subway, I traveled alone on a double-decker tour bus. I rode around for hours and hours, afraid to get off and get lost on the mean city streets. I remember meeting a woman and her two daughters visiting from Georgia, and crying to them about how lonely and overwhelmed I felt trying to navigate the city by myself. They let me tag around for a few hours with them. That was nice.

Another day, I put on the suit my dad bought me the week before, and interviewed with a headhunting agency. I'd majored in magazine journalism and was intent on finding a position as a writer or editor. A very straight-forward woman told me I would probably do just fine here, but my hair looked terrible and I really needed to spring for professional highlights.

This was my first northeastern boyfriend, Alex. He could have been an original cast member on Jersey Shore.

She may have had a very small point.

Before the week ended, I had one last thing to do--find a place to live. I found an ad on Craigslist for an open house in Hoboken, NJ, just across the river from Manhattan. Two single girls in their early 20s were looking for a 3rd roommate. The room had no windows and was so tiny that when you opened the door, it hit the edge of a twin-sized bed.

The two girls who lived there hung out casually in the living room while 25 desperate women vied to capture their attention. It was like The Bachelor for apartment shares. I got the final rose that day, and felt like I had just signed onto the craziest adventure of my life.

I packed three duffel bags of clothes and moved in three weeks later.

After 3 months of temping and 25 interviews, I finally found my first full-time job as an editor.

I was pretty excited.

Twelve years later, I'm still excited to be here, but I'm a little more subdued about it.

I'm an urbane and sophisticated New Yorker now--can't lose my cool.

But, between you and me, I still get breathless every time I drive

across the bridge and see that magical skyline.

And I still delight in seeing something weird nearly every day.

And I'm still incredibly grateful for straight-shooting city women like the

one who told me I needed to stop dying my own hair.

When Friends Create a Wedding Website

2012-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was pretty bland until my friends Bridget and Chris sent out an email to tell our (sarcastic) group of friends about their new wedding website. After news spread of the site, Bridget and Chris promptly received numerous sincere notes of congratulations from a very wide range of potential attendees in their guest book. The happy couple is probably wishing they sent out paper save-the-dates right about now...

Guest Book

We're too eager to wait until June! We'd love to hear from you now!

Your name:Message:

You guys must have money. Must be nice.

from: Nancy

1/17/2012 10:28:33 PM

PINTS! DUH!

from: Guinness

1/17/2012 6:42:39 PM

Bet you can't make it to 20.

from: Guinness

1/17/2012 6:41:54 PM

congratulations
better have an open bar
or else i won't come

from: mr. haiku

1/17/2012 6:30:03 PM

Made you look.

from: Finger Pointing to Palm

1/17/2012 6:25:08 PM

All of us heere at my big pumpkin patch
wish you the BEST and congrats on your catch
We're glad you're finally going to tie the knot.
HOPE I'm inviiited but proobably not.

from: ~ Plumpity Plumperstein ~

1/17/2012 6:25:07 PM

I'll be there!

from: The Jackson Five

1/17/2012 6:20:07 PM

Who wants to go to your nasty ass wedding anyway?

from: The Honey Badger

1/17/2012 5:01:04 PM

I'll be there, but not as an attendee. I'll be there searching for the real killers.

from: OJ Simpson

1/17/2012 4:26:36 PM

Dear Miss Bridget,
I see that your temporary trip to Earth for "supplies" seems to have been extended. I just thought I should tell you that your Spaceship restaurant ran out of napkins about 5 years ago, straws 3 years ago, paper towels 6 months ago, and toilet paper yeterday. Our blue plate chili specials are going strong, particularly because you did not leave enough oxygen for the rest of the kitchen staff.
Hope your wedding is magical and all.
Love Marianna (Seating hostess)
PS - I heard the shuttle program disbanded and all, but do you think you could find someway to send us back the bathroom key? Maybe strap it to a big rocket or something - I don't know how much longer I can keep my legs crossed.

from: Seating hpstess - Bridget's spaceship restaurant

1/17/2012 4:24:18 PM

You guys have any friends in Tech Support?

from: Carley & The Knot Team

1/17/2012 3:52:17 PM

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

from: Sock Monkey

1/17/2012 3:02:57 PM

SAMANTHA!!!

from: Tony Danza

1/17/2012 2:42:13 PM

Don't try to put EVERYTHING you want on the registry. You'll have multiple opportunities!

from: Elizabeth Taylor

1/17/2012 2:39:52 PM

Shut up, whore!!

from: Kris Humphries

1/17/2012 2:34:41 PM

Good luck!!!

from: Kim Kardashian

1/17/2012 2:34:12 PM

Dearest Hello to You,

I would like to offer congraduations to you and you. As a gift of wedding present, pleaes send me your bank account numbers ans social security for I could transfer my royal endowment. I need yoru help. Just send numbers. No time for explain.

from: Nigerian Prince

1/17/2012 2:26:18 PM

What is this? A guest book? Pffft...

from: Facebook

1/17/2012 2:23:09 PM

Magnets. How do they work?

from: Insane Clown Posse

1/17/2012 2:19:11 PM

Hang on!

from: Batman

1/17/2012 2:18:21 PM

Very pleased that you scheduled your wedding before 12/21/12. Good job!! Alas, I cannot attend because I was killed in a mass genocide after some no directions having doofus "discovered" this continent.

from: Mayan Priest

1/17/2012 2:15:51 PM

When I invented the internet, my vision was that a beautiful couple like you could use it to post such a wonderful website. Congrats. Unfortunately, I will be jetsetting around the globe in my private aircraft in the name of environmental conservation.

Al

from: Al Gore

1/17/2012 2:12:37 PM

JUST GIVE ME ONE LAST CHANCE!!!

from: Jealous Ex

1/17/2012 2:10:46 PM

Come with me if you want to live.

from: The Terminator

1/17/2012 2:10:12 PM

Hey guys!! Congrats. Wish I could make it, but I'll be campaigning.

xoxoxo

(((HUGZ)))

BO

from: Barack Obama

1/17/2012 2:09:40 PM

Congratulations from The Knot! All the best for happy planning and a fantastic wedding.

from: Carley and The Knot Team

10/14/2011 2:22:22 PM

15 Simple Rules for Riding the New York City Subway

2012-01-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

Because the subway has been my primary form of transportation for the past dozen years, I feel qualified to share with you what I believe are some fundamental practices when boarding a train. Before you swipe that Metrocard, I hope you'll keep the following in mind:

Before you enter...
-You should know that no one here calls it "The El" or "The Metro". It's simply the subway.

-Don't block traffic by wrapping up your phone call on the station steps. Can you really not sense the mass annoyance?

-Don't wait to look for your Metrocard while you're standing in front of the turnstile. Step aside and rifle through your bag out of the way of traffic. We're very big on traffic flow here.

-Let the people off the train before getting on. You're probably not going to get a seat anyway, so just chill out already.

For your comfort...
-Have a seat; take a load off. But please--don't offer the seat adjacent to yours to your handbag. A purse is not a person, and it is not fatigued. Know who is? The elderly and the pregnant. Offer a seat to them instead. Always.

-Bring reading material, music, or an electronic toy of some kind. It helps pass the time and prevents you from having to make eye contact with anyone.

-If you feel claustrophobic or dizzy, try to look for a pocket of empty space. Looking straight up or straight down usually works for me. Just try really hard not to vomit. The only thing worse than a train that smells like chicken bones is a train that smells like puke. Plus, if you do vomit, be aware that the first thing 200 people are going to talk about at work is the girl who ralphed on their train this morning.

-If you're not sure where you're headed, ask a local for directions. Most really are friendly and willing to help. No, seriously.

For everyone else's comfort...
-Groom yourself at home. This includes applying eyeliner, flossing teeth, clipping finger and/or toe nails, and changing a maxi-pad. I didn't see it firsthand, but a friend of a friend of mine swears that she did.

-If you must nap, make sure you learn how to do it so that your head hangs forward. Do not nod out and nestle your head on a stranger's shoulder. That punch in the face will wake you right up, and you need your beauty rest.

-Sing only if you have talent. Breakdance only if you are 100% positive you're good enough to not kick someone in the genitals. Never preach, proselytize or yell about the world ending this year.

-Do not touch or expose yourself. In the same vein, do not stare at people, particularly if you look as if you may suddenly feel the need to touch or expose yourself. If you feel yourself getting too excited, repeat the following: "I am on a subway car. There is absolutely nothing sexy about this environment."

Please be aware that...
-If it looks too good to be true--it is. When a train car is empty, it's because there's a homeless person who smells of sadness inside.

-Poles were designed to be shared. Don't hug, straddle or cradle them. Not only is it selfish, it's a terrific way to get herpes.

-Your egg sandwich tastes delicious to you but smells like a fart to everyone else.

Thank you for riding MTA. Be safe, and have a pleasant day:)

They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat

2012-01-13T04:10:00.000-08:00

Some kids grew up with comic books. Others loved make-your-own adventure tales or series like Sweet Valley High. Kids these days read off electronic tablets, but when I was growing up, my absolute favorite thing to read were newspaper columns.

Lewis Grizzard's column, to be specific.

I realize that a lot of you probably have no idea who this guy was, but if you lived in the southern region of the U.S. in the '80s and '90s you just might. I borrowed today's title from him. (He doesn't mind; he died in 1994).

Lewis Grizzard was a Southern humorist who wrote a syndicated column about the daily thrills of American life, like Dave Barry with twang. He was a 40-something-year-old guy who mostly wrote about Georgia football, his three divorces and a dog named Catfish, but for some reason, my pre-teen self was completely entranced by his writing. It was full of bubba-isms and and was pretty sarcastic, but every now and then he'd produce a line that was so damn pretty it made your heart feel like it would cannonball out of your chest.

He didn't muck up his writing with lots of frilly language or needless pretension. His essays were simple and they were honest, and they made me want to be a columnist long before there was a girl named Carrie on TV.

If you'll indulge me a bit, I'm going to change the direction of this blog. I've always been a little unclear of my focus on here and I think I have veered off course, which has definitely led to reduced posting. I've really lost interest in writing about food and frankly, am not nearly as good at it as the other 40,000 food bloggers on the web. I can't remember the last recipe post I did on here and my dinner photos are always plum ugly. If this news disappoints you, I can refer you to literally hundreds of phenomenal recipe blogs.

I would like to use this space to get back in touch with the kind of writing I grew up loving to read. Simple, honest stories about life. Stories and pictures about summer camp and best friends and little brothers. Funny little essays about New York City that highlight the daily ups and downs of living here. I think really focusing on the writing will help me enjoy doing this again, as opposed to feeling obligated to post something just to keep it going.

Hopefully I won't muck it up with too much frilly language or pretension. Just promise me you'll let me know if I do.

Like Home to Me

2012-01-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Last week a coworker pulled me aside and asked, "Jenn, where are you from anyway?"

His question made me smile. "I'm from Texas," I said, satisfied to remember that in a city of 8 million people, I do have something that keeps me from being completely lost in the crowd. It was nice to be asked that question. After over a decade in New York, I often wonder if my roots are still showing.

Hearing that I may have some semblance of a Texas accent made me feel a connection to my family, to my childhood, to my history. I'm something like 7th generation Texan on my father's side, and I've broken tradition by moving up north. The least I can do is hold onto the last timbres of my inherited drawl.

I moved to New York soon after turning 22, right after college. In my early years here, my identity became "Texas girl in New York". I even wrote a column called "Tex and the City" for the Greenwich Village Gazette. I lived and worked in New York, but I didn't have anything that truly connected me to the city, and I never really expected to stay.

I was a Texan, pretending to be a New Yorker.

I was a tourist, taking notes and sending stories back home.

I was a kid having big-city adventures before I was forced to grow up.

I've heard you have to live here for 10 years before you can legitimately call yourself a New Yorker. It's been 12 for me, and there is no identity crisis left to solve. I was a Texas girl who has grown into a New York woman. My life is here--my friends, my job, and yes, my heart. I'm a girl from Texas who fell in love with a man named Vinny from Queens. And if that doesn't make me feel like a real New Yorker, I'm not sure what else will.

It's an odd thing when your child and adult selves have different backgrounds.

It's a sad thing when the family you're born into and the family you create for yourself occupy different time zones.

But it's a wondrous thing when you finally realize that more than one accent can remind a person of home.

My Top 60 All-Time Favorite Songs

2012-01-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

Like most other living breathing humans, I like music. I like rock music, I like folk music. I like fast songs and slow songs, ranging in tunes that make me want to dance my ass off to others that make me want to bawl my eyes out and throw myself off a cliff. I compiled a list of my 60 favorite tunes--the ones I listen to over and over on my IPOD, hum in the shower or simply replay in my head when I have nothing else going on up there.

Some are favorites simply because of when I was introduced to them and the memory that is attached, while others are just inarguably righteous tunes. I clearly have little affection for songs written within the last 20 years, but add some suggestions for me in the comments so I can adopt some new favorites. These have gotten a little too much play, and I could use some new music in the rotation. My all-time faves, in no particular order:

1. Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
2. Release the Stars by Rufus Wainwright
3. The Best by Tina Turner
4. Babylon by David Gray
5. Over the Hills and Far Away by Led Zeppelin
6. Nobody's Girl by Bonnie Raitt
7. Let Down by Radiohead (I get a lump in my throat every time I hear this)
8. Too Late by Carole King
9. Countdown by Phoenix
10. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (guaranteed to get me out of a funk fast)
11. Thought it Would by Easier by Shelby Lynne
12. King of Pain by the Police
13. I Will by The Beatles (not one of their most popular, but one of my most beloved Beatles tunes)
14. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (to me, they can do no wrong)
15. Crying by Roy Orbison (I have loved this song since I was a little girl)
16. A mi manera by Gipsy Kings (the Spanish version of Sinatra's "I did it my way"--me encanta)
17. Songbird by Fleetwood Mac
18. Don't Stop Believing by Journey
19. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
20. Could You be Loved by Bob Marley
21. Fool-hearted Memory by George Strait
22. On Every Street by Dire Straits (very slow build with a huge payoff at the end--the live version is phenomenal)
23. Sweet Melissa by Allman Brothers
24. She's Always a Woman by Billy Joel
25. Shelter by Ray Lamontagne
26. A Little Respect by Erasure (Oh 7th grade, how I miss you!)
27. Big Time by Peter Gabriel (I had this on replay when I moved to NYC as an idealistic 22-year-old. What a dork.)
28. You Make Me Feel (like a natural woman) by Aretha Franklin
29. New Kid in Town by The Eagles
30. God Only Knows by the Beach Boys
31. Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding (This will always remind me of Jon Cryer serenading Molly Ringwald)
32. Raspberry Beret by Prince
33. Lover, You Should Have Come Over by Jeff buckley
34. Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley
35. Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson (one of the saddest, sweetest songs ever)
36. Jolene by Dolly Parton
37. Maggie Mae by Rod Stewart
38. Constant Craving by k.d. lang
39. Bring it On Home by Sam Cooke
40. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
41. Modern Love by David Bowie
42. Just Like Heaven by The Cure
43. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry (yeah, that's right)
44. Mystery by Indigo Girls (I grew up on these girls and love almost everything they've written)
45. Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper
46. Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee
47. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
48. Photograph by Def Leppard
49. Pancho and Lefty by Willie Nelson
50. You've Really Got a Hold on Me by the Miracles
51. Don't Stop Me Now by Queen (I used to listen to this on my way to job interviews for a boost)
52. Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison
53. Passionate Kisses by Lucinda Williams
54. Hypnotize by Notorious B.I.G.
55. Sara by Fleetwood Mac
56. There's Your Trouble by Dixie Chicks
57. The Front Porch Song by Robert Earl Keen (this guy is a Texas classic)
58. Chasing Pavements by Adele
59. Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
60. Sigur Ros (they're all a tie because i can't tell one song from the other)

So.....what are your favorites??

What's my Resolution? No resolutions!!

2012-01-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

I've always been a big resolution person. To clarify, I'm great at making resolutions. Keeping them is a horse of a different color. My problem is that instead of focusing on one manageable, measurable goal like "I'd like to jazzercise three times a week so I can fit comfortably into something other than pajama jeans", I totally overwhelm myself by constructing an itemized list of 25 new habits I'd like to adopt. It's never worked, and I'm finally giving it up. No resolutions for me. I'll set a goal for myself on my own time, when I feel a true pull to make a real change.

Still, there's no denying that I am feeling very inclined to eat more thoughtfully after my month-long cookie and eggnog binge. My healthy habits really went out the window last month, and though I hesitate to call healthy eating a resolution, I am doing my best to have more resolve when making food choices.

If you're trying to do the same, I highly recommend my dinner combo from last night. Vegetarian, filling, and chock full of some really good stuff, this plate left me feeling satisfied, not sluggish. Quinoa patties with fresh herbs, a raw kale and brussel sprouts salad with toasted almonds and mashed sweet potatoes with a tablespoon of goat cheese and a quick drizzle of truffle oil. Everything was so good!

And for lunch today? Toasted bread with white bean-garlic-rosemary spread, mashed avocado and sprouts. I'm back, baby!

2011: Year in Review

2011-12-31T05:32:00.000-08:00

Anyone else notice that the older you get, the faster time seems to pass? How is it the last day of the year already?

I'm glad to say that this year was a great one for me, but I'm also getting eager to wrap up this whole holiday season (sorry, it's true). I feel a little off-balance, off-schedule and off my normal pants size. Cheers to 2012 giving me a swift kick of energy, chutzpah and much-needed motivation. But until then, let's take a quick spin around 2011 one more time.

January--The year got off to a very chilly start in NYC with tons of residual snow leftover from 2010.

February... Chinese New Year Lunar Parade in Chinatown

March--Took a trip to Pennsylvania's Amish Country

April= Flowers...

May= Donuts

June--First trip to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

and many trips outside the house to savor the best parts of summer.

July--Dad and wife Angie came for a visit to NYC

and I hosted a dinner party for my parents to meet Vin's. (It went well:)

I also took a really fun day trip to Mystic, Connecticut with some girlfriends.

August--Got hit with a major surprise when the counseling

center where I'd worked for 3 years suddenly closed...

but managed to soak up a little more leisurely summer fun before starting my new job a few weeks later.

September--Fell head over heels in love with Barcelona.

and the next month found myself dodging flurries during "SnowTober".

In November, I felt warm and fuzzy with gratitude for a bounty of food and friends.

In December, I visited my hometown in Texas to see livestock and a Victorian Christmas festival.

Then I really got in the spirit of the season at our Ugly Sweater party.

I spent last New Year's in a ~~bedsheet~~ toga. Tonight I'll be at a very small gathering of close

friends in my favorite city in the world. Thanks 2011--you done me right!)

A Season in Pictures

2011-12-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately. There's just something about the month of December that brings out the slacker in me. Between trips to work and friends' homes, I have been peacefully trapped beneath a mound of sugar cookies since mid-month and am still trying to claw my way out. Things should return to normal after New Year's and several trips to the gym.

Till then, hope everyone has been having a great holiday season!

Dollar Store Holiday Decorating

2011-12-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

I usually don't knock myself out decorating for the holidays, but since I was hosting a party at my home, it definitely called for a bigger dose of hall decking. I have a few rules for myself when decorating for any holiday:

1) Don't spend tons of money.

2) Buy stuff I'll use again, potentially all year or at least for other holidays.

3) Make sure I have ample room to store whatever I buy for 11 months.

Know where I went shopping? Dollar stores. Yup. Nearly everything I used to decorate for the holidays was from a discount, dollar, or thrift store. Including the white tree, which cost only $30. The ornaments were free, as they were all handed down from Vin's grandparents. It's hard to see in this pic, but I made a banner by folding a package of doilies ($2) over a piece of ribbon. I got the idea from Pinterest.

I bought a spool of thick ribbon and taped it over a painted canvas (which I already had in the house).

I used the same ribbon to hang two mini garland wreaths (50 cents each!) in my bathroom.

I bought two big garland wreaths for only three bucks each at a discount store, then tied on a few red ornaments for a little color. The two nutrackers were found at a thrift store for $1 each, the ornaments came from a dollar store and the straws were leftover from other parties.

Aren't those little trees cute? One buck a pop, surrounded by white candles

I had leftover from Halloween.

And when I couldn't find what I needed, I made it! I had no desire to go out and buy stockings to

fill the wall, so I made them out of paper. The snowflakes hanging from the ceiling are made from perforated scrapbook paper.

If you'd like to share how you decorated for the holidays, be sure to submit your photos to Inspired by Design's facebook page!

On the 10 Night of Christmas...We Hosted an Ugly Sweater Party

2011-12-20T04:31:00.000-08:00

Oh, ugly Christmas sweaters. I remember you from the '90s. Mostly you were worn by my teachers and paired with jingle bell earrings and those little ankle socks with the bunny pouf on the back. Today you are mysterious and elusive and extremely difficult to find unless you have a relic from the old days hiding in your closet. I went to no fewer than 10 thrift stores looking for just one of you, but to no avail.

That's because everyone and their mother seemed to have hosted an Ugly Sweater party

this year. Vin and I were two of them.

I never did find my sweater, but it didn't matter because I found this instead.

A floor-length, cherry red, bell-sleeved hostess gown in synthetic velvet. I'm never taking this baby off.

The decor was bright and colorful, just like our moods. We moved our bed to the other side of

the room (ah, New York City!) so we could have an entire table full of cookies in our bedroom.

In the living room, we'd set up a baked potato bar (highly recommend...just stick the

hot potatoes in a crockpot and let people fill 'em themselves!).

The food was fun, but the real highlight of the evening was the photo booth set up in the backyard. I give our friends major credit for braving the cold to delight us with their ugly sweaters and pretty faces. Here are just a few of the many, many pics we snapped that evening!

Merry Christmas from the family. And Happy Hanukkah!!

A Glimpse of Christmas Past...Dickens on the Strand

2011-12-13T05:38:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if I ever told you before, but I hail from one of the most charming towns in America. Bold statement, sure, but have you been to Galveston before? It's really adorable, with sandy beaches, surf shops, Texas accents and a whole downtown area full of 19th century buildings and cobblestone streets.

Of course as a kid, I never thought of my town as charming. I thought it was small, which meant it was boring. What a dolt I was. I view my hometown so differently as an adult, but my opinion of one Galveston tradition has never wavered. Every year, on the first weekend in December, there's a Victorian Christmas festival called Dickens on the Strand and it's the greatest thing ever. Please behold:

People dress up in Victorian garb and stroll the streets arm in arm. I would like to be this couple when I grow up.

I really want to ride one of these, but I'm only 5'3". Think I could do it?

There are plenty of rockin' tunes.

And playful police brutality...

And adorable animals...

But the true heart of the festival are really the costumes.

They are just beautiful and I was so impressed by how many people went all out.

Of course, some modern conveniences are hard to give up.

I wonder if this Galveston kid knows how charming his town is?

I wish I'd known then what I know now.

5 Quasi-Fabulous Things I've Done Lately...

2011-11-30T05:39:00.000-08:00

I've been experiencing blogger's block, and haven't really had a lot of great material lately. I thought I'd catch you up in what's been happening over the last week with a little news update.

1. Like everyone else, I ate a lot on Thanksgiving. We went to Vin's aunt's house where the usual gang of 22 was there feasting on a full turkey dinner. Want to know what they traditionally serve as an appetizer in Vin's family? Lasagna. God bless those people.

2. The next day, I made my family's traditional day-after-Thanksgiving meal which usually requires leftover turkey (which I didn't have), so I subbed in a whole chicken instead. Basically you mix the shredded turkey or chicken with a can of red enchilada sauce, two cans of Rotel tomatoes, one large sauteed onion and an entire block of cheddar all melted into one big saucy stew. Then you fry up a bunch of tortilla strips and dip them in the mix. It's my Grandma's recipe and she calls it Portuguese Tortillas. I have no idea why since neither the recipe nor my family is remotely Portuguese, but I also don't care. It is HEAVEN.

3. I got my hair done. I have long bangs in front, more layers and a warmer honey hue. I looked in the mirror when my stylist was done and said, "The transformation is complete. I am Carrie Underwood."

4. I saw the Muppets movie, which made me happy. I also finally got around to watching Sex and the City II, which made me quite sad. It was beyond terrible, and ranks right up there with Howard the Duck in terms of sheer awfulness. Did you see it? Anyone else absolutely horrified by Samantha in this movie?

5. I've been gearing up to head down to Houston this weekend to visit family! Can't wait to see those knuckleheads. PS: If you live in a different state than your family or other people you like to spend holidays with, I HIGHLY recommend bowing out of the traditional Thanksgiving day and flying to visit them the week after the holiday. I saved over $200 on this flight!

And now you're all caught up. What have you been up to lately?? We're friends--talk to me.

Thankful.

2011-11-24T06:56:00.000-08:00

I was born to parents who wanted and loved me. People who treated me with respect and taught me to accept nothing less.

Who realized the value of an education and made sure I got a good one.

I have been accepted by people who laugh at my jokes, hug me when I need it and smile when I enter the room.

I don't struggle to move or breathe. My body is healthy and strong and free from pain.

I live in a home that is warm and clean and safe. I share it with someone I love, admire and cherish.

I have a job that gives me pleasure, and constantly reminds me of just how lucky I have always been.

I have all that I need and it is more than enough.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

Blogger Party Potluck: Thanksgiving Roundup

2011-11-22T06:40:00.000-08:00

If you read cooking blogs, by now you've seen that everybody with a spatula and a camera has posted their collection of Thanksgiving links from around the webs. Today, I'm not spotlighting individual dishes, but rather, giving gratitude that other people have done the hard work for me. I'm gonna link you up to the best Thanksgiving round-ups I've seen to expose you to literally hundreds of Turkey or Tofurkey day recipes. Hope you gobble 'em right up!

How Sweet Eats

Six Twelve Place

Gluten-Free Girl

Tracy's Culinary Adventures

Marcus Samuelsson

Bluebonnets and Brownies

The Kitchn featuring 12 Thanksgiving cocktail ideas

Deconstructing the Home

ATX Gluten Free

The Daring Kitchen

Running to the Kitchen

Koko Likes

Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake

Have a great holiday everybody! Whatcha got cookin'?

I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends...

2011-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

I have an 18-year-old client who has no friends. By choice. Says she truly doesn't want any. We talked about it the other day in session, and she explained that she was very committed to her studies and has no time for distractions. Plus, she added, what's a friend really good for anyway?

We circled round and round, but still she insisted that she really didn't need or want any friends. We explored how disappointment with past relationships is contributing to social avoidance. I assisted her in identifying ways having more support might be of some benefit. I listened and validated while cautiously challenging some of her thoughts.

What I really wanted to do was say was "Nope. You're wrong. Sorry kid, but I'm older than you, and I know better."

I wanted to be more direct and tell her that friends are important. They are really, really important. And whether she has two or 200 of them, developing friendships would likely be far more therapeutic than sitting in a tiny room across from me every Friday.

Friends will bring out the best parts of you. The fun, silly, sassy parts that remind you of being a kid.

They will compliment you when you're looking good, and pick you up when you're feeling bad.

They will be there to celebrate life's biggest transitions.

And give you a hug when you need it more than air.

And whether they've been in your life for two years or 20, just knowing they're a phone call away can make you feel so safe.

On Saturday, Vin and I bounced from borough to borough from 2 pm to 2 am visiting with different groups of friends.

We left a pile of dishes in the sink and clothes strewn all over the floor. We postponed several errands and stopped thinking about work demands.

When I think about it, my 18-year-old client had a point. Friends really are a distraction.

And that's exactly why we all need them.

A Boy and a Girl Walk Into a Gym...

2011-11-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

I joined a gym yesterday. It is not the first gym I've joined in my neighborhood. I'm sort of counting on that whole "third time's the charm" kicking in.

The first gym was too sexy for me. There were attractive, sweaty people in tight pants flirting all over that place, and I'm the kind of person who likes to show up at the gym in ratty basketball shorts and make zero eye contact with anyone. It was the kind of place where men winked at themselves in the mirror and quenched themselves from Ozarka gallon jugs. I found the whole place very intimidating. And expensive.

The second gym was definitely not sexy. In fact, it was kind of a dump, which is apparently exactly what you get for 20 bucks a month. It was one of those women's only gyms, which I figured would cut down on the intimidation factor. It did, but it totally added to the annoyance factor. Know what some women do when they don't have men around in the gym? Nothing! Women would saddle up next to their best pal on a set of ellipticals, gossip endlessly, and pedal at a rate of about 0.5 mph. Others would just cozy up with a magazine and their cell phone, not even pretending to move, like the bikes were there to serve as lounge furniture. As a result, wait times were outrageous and all I had to entertain me was Ace of Base and oversized posters of women in legwarmers.

So the other day, in a bloated panic, I turned to Vin and said. "Wanna tour a gym with me?" The one thing I haven't tried is working out with a buddy, and I could really use the company. I was sort of shocked when he agreed, since he hasn't been inside a gym for the better part of 10 years. He's one of those lucky jerks who stays thin and toned without moving a muscle.

The minute we walked in, Vin says "Smells like a gym in here."

I looked at him and said, "Welcome back, Mr. Kotter." Actually I didn't say that, but I wish I had. It would have been funny.

The front desk guy greeted us and asked, "What are you looking for in a gym?"

"Motivation," I replied.

The guy lowered his eyes. "That's not a good answer."

He turned to Vin and asked, "So what are some of your fitness goals?"

Vin chuckled to himself and said, "Pffft. I have no idea."

The guy gently shook his head. "That's not a good answer."

And so, before our very first workout, we have been deemed the slacker couple with no goals or motivation. C'mon Vin. Let's go put our tight pants on. Time to do some flirtin'.

Jenn and Vin's Lower East Side Food Crawl

2011-11-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

One of my very favorite things to do is torture my boyfriend by dragging him around the city for long walks through different neighborhoods. He calls them "aimless"; I call them "exploratory". On this particular venture, I made him happy by being specific about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I wanted to go to the Lower East Side and I wanted to eat.

First stop...Yonah Schimmel's!

I'd never been here before (actually, I've lived in NYC and never eaten a knish before!), but Vin took my mother here about two years ago and I needed to see what all the hub-bub was about. This place is classic NYC and has been serving up fresh, tasty potato-y knishes since 1910. They can open all the new trendy eateries they want, but any business that's lasted 100 years must be doing something right.

We ordered one savory and one sweet. Vin paired his cherry knish with a chocolate egg cream, while I tried the special fried onion and garlic knish with a cherry-lime rickey. The drinks were outrageously good!

So, here's the thing. Add it to the list of foods I'm just not that into, but I guess I'm not a knish person. They're just a bit too heavy for me. Yonah's has the best knishes I'm ever going to eat, and I didn't go nutsy-bonkers for them. But don't worry Yonah! It's not you--it's me. I'll be back...and next time I'll order some latkes. Then I know we'll be lifelong friends.

They had journals at each table where people could leave their reviews of the fare.

Yonah Schimmel's
137 E. Houston Street/ knishery.com

Then it was off to another NY institution--Economy Candy--

an old-fashioned mom & pop candy store that's been serving up sweets since 1937.

We didn't end up buying anything because we visited on the day before Halloween (wanna talk scary--go to a famous candy store on Oct. 30), but we had a lot of fun petting the gummy bears and cracking teeth on candy dots. And if you're looking for some old-school, hard-to-find treats, this is the place to go. They sell online too.
Economy Candy
108 Rivington Street
economycandy.com

Then I dragged the poor boy to Essex Street Market, which is a public market with 20 individual merchants selling everything from fine cheeses, fresh fish, meats and just regular old groceries. There's even a barber shop in there!

If you've never been to a grocery store in New York City before, bring your elbow guards. The aisles are usually very narrow. I get very excited to visit grocery stores in other towns because I can finally use a cart!
I was considering buying some corn husks from Batista Grocery to make homemade tamales, but let's face it. I'm never gonna make homemade tamales. I can buy them down the street for $1.50.

I think Vin started getting a little bored with all the food. So he started juggling it. I can't take that kid anywhere.

Essex Street Market
120 Essex Street/ essexstreetmarket.com

En route to our final destination, we passed a place I'd like to try later...Pizza a Casa Pizza School, where they give workshops on making authentic New York City pizza at home. How fun would this be on your next trip to NY?
Pizza a Casa
371 Grand Street/ pizzaacasa.com

And then it was off to visit our old friend, The Doughnut Plant. We're no strangers to this ridiculously delicious doughnut haven, but we had only been to the newer Chelsea location. We thought it time to check out the original and see where the magic began.

We ordered the seasonal pumpkin and apple-cinnamon donuts, both of which were very good. But we also ordered the perennial favorite--coconut glazed with coconut creme and I'm now convinced that nothing will ever top it.

The Doughnut Plant
379 Grand Street/ doughnutplant.com

Then we walked around aimlessly for 45 minutes, but that had a purpose too. We needed to walk off the day's eats!

happy birthday brother

2011-11-07T04:16:00.000-08:00

When you first came around, I wasn't too sure what to make of you.

I didn't know much, but I had a hunch you were trying to steal my thunder.

It didn't take too long for you to grow on me though.

I liked you. Very much.

And held you close for as long as you'd let me.

We had some good times together, you and me.

We golfed...

and wore matching sailor suits...

and attended lavish parties and galas. You were my very first friend.

Still, it was clear from the start that you and I are very different types of people.

I am gregarious and chatty. You are mellow and reserved.

I am spunky. You are serious.

I am the stooge. You are the straight man.

You don't talk much, but when you do, it's to say something hilarious or brilliant. Usually both.

We don't hang out much, but when it happens, I have more fun than you really know.

And you sure don't hug me much, but when you do, I light up like a Christmas tree.

Today is your birthday. You are 33 years old. You are smart, and talented, and fantastic at what you do.

You have the world at your feet, and a really wonderful future at your fingertips.

And you have her.

I've grown to like her. Very much.

And I will hold her close as long as she'll let me.

And wouldn't you know it...she is growing up to be quite spunky.

She is animated and very, very silly.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that you're a father, and she is the new stooge to your straight man.

But even though we're all grown up...

It's nice to know that some things never change. Happy birthday Adam. I love you, kiddo.

Blogger Party Potluck: Baby Girl Shower

2011-11-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

They say when it rains it pours, and right now among my friends it is raining baby girls. Every pregnant woman I know has delivered or is expecting a girl. In honor of baby Lauren, baby Zoe, soon-to-arrive baby Indiana (how much do I love this name?) and later-to-arrive baby girl Hanlon, I'd like to roll out the virtual pink carpet to welcome their grand entrance to the world.

Blogger Party Potluck: Baby Girl Shower

Beautiful party decor by Eat Drink Pretty

Beet Hummus from Our Share of the Harvest

Shrimp Bruschetta by Life's Ambrosia

Grown-Up Pink Lemonade by Spoon Fork Bacon

Strawberry Risotto by Manu's Menu

Pretty Pink Cake by Dujour

Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream by Scoop Adventures

Pink Popcorn Take-Away Treats featured on Babble.com

At My Worst

2011-11-02T04:45:00.000-07:00

At the end of Monday’s post, my friend Michelle left an interesting comment.

“I don’t know anyone as photogenic as you. Can you please look bad in a picture, just once? XOXO”.

I found it pretty funny, because I take plenty of bad photos all the time. In fact, I would venture to say I take just as many awful pictures as I do good ones; I am simply very selective about what I choose to present to the world. I am ruthless about deleting unflattering photos and will take a picture a second or third time if that’s what it takes to get a good one.

I am equal parts vain and self-conscious, and like most women, I can be my own worst critic. I know when I’m looking good, and I also know when I’m looking not-so-good, like in this photo. I think it's human nature to want to put our best face forward and hide any evidence of an off day, but we all have them.

You will find no greater evidence of this than on women’s blogs. We have a knack for showing you the prettiest little snippets of our lives—the most beautiful brownie we ever baked, the most perfect outfit we ever wore. Lives look far more glamorous when presented in 200-word posts.

In blog world, linen never wrinkles, cookies never burn and souffles never fall. We have perfect homes and husbands, beautiful babies and boyfriends. Social calendars burst at the seams and dance cards are always filled. The truth is, we obviously spend a lot of time at home on the computer.

In the real world, I am a woman who doesn't look so hot without makeup. My skin tone is uneven and blotchy and I've had dark circles under my eyes since I was about ten. My hair is dull without highlights and I spend too much time playing with my split ends. I have bunions and bad skin days, and sometimes I forget to brush my teeth.

My moods shift from good to bad, and though I am generally a pretty nice person, I definitely have my moments. Sometimes I can be a cranky, whiny bratty mess, and if you don't believe me, just ask my boyfriend or my mother, who've seen me at my worst but choose to keep loving me anyway.

I never want to give off the impression that I am perfect. I am far from it. And I'm cool with it.

My pictures come out blurry.

My food shots suck.

My recipes bomb.

And I most certainly am not always photogenic.

Cheers to keeping it real.

I need your help...seriously

2011-11-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

If breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, I think it's safe to say that I am totally screwed. I simply hate making it, so I either throw two sad little pieces of bread (usually frozen) into the toaster, or make the same boring bowl of oatmeal day after day. When I'm really stumped, I open the fridge to forage for last night's leftovers. Yesterday I had macaroni and cheese for breakfast. Last Thursday it was chili. How gross am I?

I need some help coming up with quick, easy, healthy breakfast ideas for day-to-day consumption. I'm not talking elaborate weekend meals to be eaten lazily in my footie pajamas, but go-to meals I can throw together in a hurry.

I implore you, please send me pics and/or quick recipes for easy weekday breakfasts to muchtomydelight@gmail.com or post to my FB page by this Friday. I'll do a post next week linking to all your ideas. PS: You don't have to have a blog to send me your ideas.

I thank you in advance for your care, concern and consideration:)

Snow-Tober, NYC

2011-10-31T04:03:00.000-07:00

The first weekend of October, we had friends gather in our backyard to enjoy the rare 80-degree weather. On the last weekend of October, we walked outside to find the porch covered in snow. We live in a weird world, people.

It wasn't that rainy-mix stuff I was expecting either. It was full-on, glittery, powdery fluff.

Too much to avoid shoveling, and too little to make a proper snowman.

I seriously couldn't believe it.

We hopped in the car and went for a drive. We couldn't let the snow change our plans.

And we had big ones.

Vin was itching to go to Home Depot Saturday. Who was I to derail a man's dreams?

This is where he really comes alive...

After a stop at Taco Bell for lunch (my bad idea), we headed home, put on pjs, watched three movies, and I made homemade mac and cheese. This year for Halloween Vin and I went as homebodies.

I think we really nailed it.

Blogger Party Potluck: Cozy Autumn Brunch

2011-10-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

When I was a freshman in high school, I read in my yearbook about this group of seniors who called themselves The Breakfast Club. Every Friday, they gathered at one of the members' houses and hosted breakfast before school. They looked so sophisticated drinking coffee, so hip eating poached eggs in their denim jackets. One girl even had a Molly Ringwald haircut, I swear.

I always wanted to be like those seniors, and finally in my 30s, I am. It may not be once a week but my group of pals regularly indulges in potluck brunches. Now that the weather is taking a nosedive (it may snow in the northeast this weekend!) it's the perfect time to cuddle up on your buddy's couch with a big cup of coffee and some filling autumn favorites. If I were hosting this weekend, this is what I would serve.

Blogger Party Potluck: Cozy Autumn Brunch

Perfect French Press Coffee from Back to Her Roots

Cranberry Tea with Cinnamon and Cloves from The Wishful Chef

Cannoli Bruschetta from Val So Cal

Smoked Salmon and Mozzarella Crostini from Just Putzing Around the Kitchen

Ramekin Frittatas with Kale, Mint & Pecorino from Palate/Palette/Plate

Apple Cider & Maple-Glazed Bacon from The Spontaneous Hausfrau

Pumpkin Waffles from Prevention RD

Slow-Cooker Poached Pears in Caramel Sauce from The Perfect Pantry

And if you really want to be cool, tell your friends to come over in their pajamas. Way hipper than denim jackets.

Chalupas with sweet potato, caramelized onion and rosemary-white bean spread

2011-10-26T04:49:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Texas, which means I have a natural tendency to gravitate toward anything served on a tortilla. Whether it's corn or flour, hard or soft, a tortilla is the perfect vessel for delivering delicious toppings straight into the harbor that is my mouth.

When you hear the word chalupa, it's likely you think of the thing that slips out of that square little box from Taco Bell--ground beef, grated cheddar, a thick spread of pinto beans. I'm constantly making new chalupa combinations, and they are usually a very far run from the border.

This one is distinctly fall-inspired, replacing pinto beans with rosemary-imbued cannellinis and heavy beef with caramelized onions and roasted sweet potatoes. The corn tortillas are baked until crisp, then slathered with bean spread and topped with a heaping helping of fun.

Baked Chalupas with Sweet Potato, Caramelized Onions and Rosemary-Garlic White Bean Spread

1. Caramelize onions. Here's how.

2. Slice up sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces and roast or saute with olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Bake corn tortillas on cookie sheet until crisp.

4. While tortillas are crisping, puree 1 can cannellini beans (rinsed) with garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper and olive oil in a food processor.

5. Spread beans on tortillas, top with onions and sweet potato and sprinkle with goat cheese. Bake until warm.

I served them most recently to my friends Chris and Bridget, who insisted before serving that she only wanted one. First bite. A little wink and a slight smirk arrive on Bridget's face.

"Okay, I'll have two."

How many will you have?

Escape from New York City

2011-10-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

When you live and work in New York City, is is absolutely critical to get the hell out of town every now and again. If you don't, very, very bad things begin to happen...

The crowds swallow you whole.

You'll be sucked down into the vortex of the 5th circle of hell.

And eventually, it will feel like the buildings are closing in on you.

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, you should really take a hike.

Literally.

That's what my friends and I do when it all gets to be too much. It is serenity we crave.

a breath of fresh air...a flash of blue sky

and the crunch of leaves underfoot.

At first, we're all, "Whoa. This is scary. Where's the subway?"

But eventually, we feel more relaxed. Calm, centered, happy.

This is our time to recharge the batteries, commune with nature and find our inner peace and strength.

We are very dedicated in this practice.

And take it all quite seriously.

It is also a time to advance our athleticism...

connect with a simpler way of life,

and really hone our wilderness survival skills.

By the end of the journey, we feel relaxed and rested. Empowered, but at peace.

We're ready to dive back into that hectic city life we love so much.

Anybody know where I can catch the N train from up here?

The NYC Halloween Dog Parade

2011-10-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, maybe 10 or so, my friend Rachel threw a birthday party for her dog. We ate cake and played games like any other party, and we all brought presents for the guest of honor. For my contribution, my mother crafted a wreath made entirely of Milkbones. It was pretty impressive.

People do some pretty strange things with animals for their own bizarre amusement. Take the NYC Halloween Dog Parade we attended today for example. You think a bulldog actually wants to wear a tutu? Would a dachshund really go for something so cliched as a hot dog costume? No, of course not. But we humans work hard all week, and we need a little something to take the edge off.

There was a costume contest with a $5,000 cash prize. We didn't stick around to see who won the thing, so let's just have a little contest ourselves here, shall we? Let's meet the contestants:

#1 Bee with Underbite

#2 Sassy Sailor

#3 Ugly Sweater Party Pup

#4 Tea at the Plaza

#5 King Arthur

#6 The Joker

#7 Pirate Pooch

#8 Pageant Mom

#9 Camo Dog

#10 Borat

#11 Here Comes the Rooster

#12 Snoop Dogg

#13 Dino-Mutt

#14 Old Blue

#15 Cruella and her Dalmation

#16 Ballerina Dog

#17 Hula Hound

#18 Tiny Taco

(my personal fave!) #19 Peacock Pooch

What's your favorite? Do you dress your pets for Halloween?

Blogger Party Potluck: Spooky Supper

2011-10-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

I always figured once I reached adulthood, Halloween was the kind of holiday I would just assume leave to the kiddies. But then I got into having people over for dinner, and realized how incredibly fun hosting for Halloween can be. And while I'm still not terribly creative with my costumes (I stuffed balloons down my shirt last year and called myself Dolly Parton), I do like to pull out all the stops with my home decor and food.

I'm not hosting a dinner this year, but if you happen to be, check out these great links to create the perfect fright night. It's a mix of simple autumnal fare and shticky snacks.

Spooky Halloween Supper (for Adults and Kids)

Setting the Spooky Scene...

Check out my Creepy Crib Tour post from last year

And the table settings from last year's Spooky Supper party

Straight from the Cauldron...

Glow-in-the-Dark Tonic Drinks from Gourmet Mom On-the-Go

(just throw in gin for the grown-ups!)

Big Boo-tiful Buffet

Pumpkin Spiced Roasted Chickpeas from The Purple Carrot

Sour Cream and Chive Crackers from SP Cookie Queen

Grown-Up Grub

Raw Tuscan Kale Salad from 101 Cookbooks

(Kale salad is particularly great for entertaining because it should be dressed an hour before serving)

Butternut Squash, Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza from Tasty Yummies

Mother-Tested, Kid-Approved

Crunchy Baked Chicken Fingers from Sweet Peas Kitchen

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese from Open Mouth Insert Cookie

No Tricks, All Treats

Pumpkin Mousse from Spoon Fork Bacon

Witch's Fingers Cookies from Magda's Cauldron

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Mascarpone Frosting from The Food Pusher

Happy Halloween!

When Your Best Friend has a Baby

2011-10-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Missy delivered her second daughter yesterday, a tiny little peanut she and her husband named Lauren, which just so happens to be my middle name.

I knew she was being induced in the morning, so I called her on her cell. We were on the phone during her first labor three years ago and that kid turned out to be really incredible, so I figured I better not break tradition. When she picked up the phone yesterday, she had already reached 9 centimeters. For people with limited knowledge about labor and delivery (raising hand), that's pretty close to official baby birthin' time.

"Oh Miss...you're having a baby today!" I squealed.

I don't know if it was the drugs she was on or what, but her immediate reply wasn't "I know! Weird, right?"

It was "I want you to have one too."

Ba-boom.

We met when we were 18--two sweet, silly college freshmen with interminable energy and few responsibilities beyond making our beds and passing the semester. We shared an apartment and blue jeans and inside jokes. I knew her before I got my first job, before my skin had lines, before I'd ever fallen in love.

Now we are in our thirties and our lives have changed.

She has a mortgage in Dallas, and I rent in Queens.

She is married, and I'd like to be.

She is a mother, and I am not.

I can tell she worries that I find her anecdotes about motherhood dull because I can't relate yet. I hope she knows that I don't find them dull at all, because she is the one telling the stories, and she is still the same funny, animated, silly girl I fell in love with back in college.

But mostly, I know she worries that I will not have children at all, and I will miss out on something wonderful. Sometimes I have a hard time digesting the fact that I am the age that I am and need to start making some big decisions. Sometimes I wish my biggest responsibilities were still making my bed and passing the semester.

I am struggling with these changes, because we are in our thirties, and I feel like we are still the same.

She is spunky and optimistic, and so am I.
I am goofy and playful, and so is she.
We are two friends who feel like sisters.

And for now, I'm happy enough being an auntie to her two little girls. I hope they are sisters who feel like friends.

Manhattan Graffiti Walk

2011-10-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

Some people are mesmerized by the rapid pulse and blinking rainbow of Times Square. Others are bewitched by the glamour of high-end stores lining 5th Avenue. I have always been most fascinated by the city's grittier elements, and have a particular appreciation for some well-placed graffiti. Whether you consider it art or vandalism, it's impossible to deny that graffiti is as New York as bagels and the Yankees. I'm constantly taking pictures of graffiti I pass; here are some of my recent favorites.

Here's a link to some of the coolest graffiti in New York City. What do you think: Art or vandalism?

Introducing the Blogger Party Potluck!

2011-10-14T04:13:00.000-07:00

There are few things that bring me as much joy as planning a dinner party. I pour through cookbooks, tagging breads and soups and custards with tiny post-it notes, just waiting for the right occasion to whip them up and serve them to friends. Admittedly, I plan a lot more dinner parties than I actually throw.

I'm introducing a new feature here called The Blogger Party Potluck, where I'll be linking up to other blogs to create the ultimate party menu. Each party will have a specific theme, and I'll post a new one every Friday. I won't be posting super-duper-fancy-pants recipes with tons of ingredients because when you're cooking for a group, it's best to keep things simple. That way, if you're actually planning a party (and plan to execute it:) you'll have a go-to party menu at your fingertips. Let's party!

Post-Apple-Picking Party

STARTERS

Fall Bruschetta with Apples by Eats Well with Others

Spinach Salad with curried pecans, blue cheese and apples from Baked Bree

Main Course

Scallops with apple cider glaze over spinach with apples from We Are Not Martha

Roast Pork Loin with Apples from Juls' Kitchen

DESSERTS

Baked Caramel Apples from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Dutch Apple Tarts from Eat Drink Pretty

BEVERAGES

The Apple of my Pie-Pop from Pocketful of Dreams

PARTY FAVOR

Apple Pie Pop Tarts with cinnamon glaze from The Baker Chick

The Foods we HATE

2011-10-12T04:59:00.000-07:00

Over dinner recently, my dad's wife Angie and I were talking about food. The subject was fun for me as I'm pretty much always talking about food. But Angie's not really into food as a topic of conversation. She eats it when she's hungry, but it's not something she spends an inordinate time thinking about like this ol' girl.

It is common knowledge that Angie hates onions. That's a hard one for me to wrap my head around, as onions simmered with garlic is one of my all-time favorite ways to begin any dish. Angie's always considered me an adventurous eater, and was pretty surprised when I mentioned that I have plenty of foods that I hate too. The list is long, and exposes a few of my neuroses.

They include:

* Olives
* Anchovies and sardines (swimming salt bombs)
* Cream cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream
* Black licorice (red is tolerable, but would never be chosen over chocolate anything)
* Anything mayo-based like potato salad, chicken salad (all I can picture is a big bowl of potato salad festering out in the sun at a summer bbq. Makes my stomach turn).
* Canned tuna (I've actually never even tried it because I'm so turned off by the smell. Also, the act of opening the can reminds me of opening cat food).
* Raisins (grape rejects)
* Capers (Dad calls them 'rat turds'. Not getting past that association).
* Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs (fried is the only way I like 'em)
* Any and all organ meats, pate, foie gras (blech)
* Pretty much any canned vegetable (the texture is just mush)
* Raw oysters (my Gulf Coast daddy used to basically force-feed me these as a child and I am forever scarred).
* Sauerkraut
* Most things that are pickled
* Cooked carrots (but love 'em raw)
* Raw tomatoes (but like 'em cooked)

When I connect the dots, it's easy to see that texture is a huge factor for me as most of the items on my most-hated list are soft and mushy. When it comes to flavor, anything too salty seems to turn me off.

What foods trigger your gag reflex?

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

2011-10-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

We're having a bit of an October heat snap over here in the northeast, which has thwarted my plans to stuff myself into cordouroy pants and simmer chili in my newly purchased Crockpot. No boots, no scarves, no steaming bowls of soup. We're back to tank tops and flip-flops and quick meals that won't make the apartment feel like a boiler room.

Luckily I found a way to imbue the warm weather with some seasonal flava. It's called the pumpkin spice smoothie and it's the best thing to happen to October since "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

It all started with this: a huge, sticky tub of the original pumpkin spice syrup, delivered straight to my door by my gracious upstairs neighbor who happens to manage a Starbucks. You can't buy this stuff. It's all who you know, people. But luckily you know me, and I'm about to share this recipe. (And don't worry your pretty little heads if you don't have any buds at 'Bucks. You can buy an equally delicious syrup from Torani here).

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

1 whole banana, cut up into chunks and frozen

1 cup light soymilk (or almond milk, or whatever you've got)

1 dash vanilla

pumpkin syrup (to taste)

Toss in a blender and whirl away! Top with a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Stadium Snack Attack: Popcorn on Ice

2011-10-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

Ever been to a hockey game? They're loud, and aggressive and people body-slam each other against railings when things aren't going well.

And that's just the fans.

Seriously, it's like everyone in the stadium is inhaling oxygen and exhaling testosterone. The yelling, the cursing, the exasperated sighs and exaggerated frustration.

And that's just the women.

I'm not saying I don't enjoy it. I actually really do. But I'm not a yeller, and even my claps are kind of dainty and polite, like they just announced the winner at the annual "Mother of the Year" tea luncheon. I enjoy the fast pace, the energy and the action, but if I'm being honest, the fans do kind of terrify me.

But you know what really terrifies me about hockey games? The food-- cardboard-coated chicken fingers, flimsy french fries and the worst burger you've ever had for $10. They also sell gummy, flavorless Cheez-Whiz nachos that make you feel absolutely terrible about yourself. I know this because I ate them and immediately felt terrible about myself.

I shoulda brought popcorn. I love popcorn, man. It's light and airy and crisp, yet it's full of fiber so it fills me up without making me feel like a tub o' lard. And I'm not talking about microwave popcorn either. I'm talking about real kernels, popped in oil, on the stove. The way the pilgrims did it.

Here are my favorite combos:

fresh garlic simmered in butter + freshly grated parmesan + kosher salt + pepper

olive oil + dark chocolate shavings + kosher salt

honey + cinnamon + toasted slivered almonds

Nutritional yeast (tastes like cheese )+ kosher salt + pepper

But I really can't wait to try some of THESE!!

That's my Gooooooaaaaaalllll!!

Jennie, Get Your Gun

2011-10-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, I shot my first gun. Pow-pow-pow. Twenty-two years in Texas I never so much as touched a gun, but one weekend in upstate New York and suddenly I'm packin' heat.

photo by Pat Yeaman

Our friends Joy and Joe invited us to spend some time at Joy's parents house about 3 1/2 hours outside of NYC. A long winding road leads up to their beautiful, sun-drenched house, and when day slips into night, the view from their living room is this:

I just don't know how people live this way. It's so primitive.

Anyway, Joy's parents--much like Joy herself--are awesome. Warm, funny and very laid-back. Joy's mom is a great photographer and Joy's dad is retired NYPD and incidentally, the perfect candidate for teaching us how to shoot skeet. I never really knew what shooting "skeet" was, but basically someone pushes a button, a little orange disc flies through the air and you shoot it.

A very pregnant Joy showed me how to send the skeet flying.

photo by Pat Yeaman

I took my skeet-launching job very seriously. Looks like I'm detonating a bomb. Or a whoopie cushion.

Vin was first up to shoot and ended up hitting his target nearly every time. I swear, that guy is good at almost everything he tries. It's kind of annoying.

So freakin' smug.

photo by Pat Yeaman

Then it was my turn. I was more tentative, which you can see in my body language. Fidgety fingers, tension in the forehead. Even when my mouth isn't yappin', I speak volumes.

"So you're saying there's nothing over there that I can injure or kill by shootin' this thing? Got any squirrels in them trees? Trespassing neighbors? Humans of any shape or size?"

Then I shot the damn thing and whoa! Kick-back! I always heard about that, but when you actually feel it, man is it ever weird. I shot exactly once and backed away--that was enough for me. By the way, I know I look super-sporty and all, but it turns out I'm an absolutely horrible shot. A fetus has better eye-hand-coordination than I do.

photo by Pat Yeaman

Have you ever shot a gun? How'd you fare? Were you good, bad or ugly?

Toasted Pumpkin Seed Salad with Avocado and Parmesan

2011-10-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

It's October, so suddenly all anybody can talk about is pumpkins. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin kebabs, pumpkin pot pie, pumpkin stroganoff...it's pumpkin mania!

So I made this salad with a big bunch of pumpkin seeds, but truthfully, I haven't gotten around to cracking open an actual pumpkin or a big orange can of Libby's just yet. That's right. I made life simple and ripped open a bag of pumpkin seeds rather than tear a bicep sawing into a big hard vegetable (or is it a fruit?) to scoop those little suckers out. Stick with me kids; I'm full of good ideas.

This recipe has been adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, Stop and Smell the Rosemary, and this salad has become one of my favorite lunches. A big bowl of greens is drizzled with a bright lemon vinaigrette then topped with an assortment of toasted nuts and seeds, crunchy slivered carrots, creamy avocado and salty parmesan. It is dee-licious. Here's the recipe, my precious little pumpkins.

Toasted Seed Salad with Avocado, Parmesan and

Lemon Vinaigrette

Salad: 1 head of lettuce (Boston, romaine, red leaf)

Dressing: 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/8 tsp dry mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, 2-3 cloves minced garlic, dash of cayenne or Tabasco, 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (Combine first 5 ingredients, then whisk in oil)

Top with: 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino, 1 diced avocado

pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, slivered almonds and sunflower seeds (2 tbsp each, toasted)

Middle Eastern Dinner Party

2011-09-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

In July, I threw a sweet little dinner party. That's right, July. I wanted to wait until all the guests had digested properly before speaking of the soiree.

Vin and I hosted the dinner in our little Queens backyard to introduce his Croatian family to my southeast Texan brood. It was an exotic evening filled with food, fun and a whole bunch of different accents. I chose Middle Eastern food not only because our neighborhood of Astoria has a large Middle Eastern population (and great food sources), but also because some of the attendees from my Dad's wife's family are Lebanese, and I thought they might enjoy it.

Party Tip #1: Know your audience and tailor your menu and decor accordingly.

I picked up some colorful flowers down the street and plopped them in turquoise bell jars, then gave them an exotic jolt by taping gold doilies on each side ($2.50). The white candle holders are from Ikea ($2.99 each) and are fantastic because the high sides prevent the wind from blowing out the flame.

Party Tip #2: Look for creative ways to spruce up items you already have to make them look custom for your party. No need to buy new decorations/platters for every type of party.

I've yet to find a tablecloth to fit two long folding tables, so I used two cheapo gold plastic tablecloths as a base, then topped them with a more ornate velvet window curtain I no longer use. I still don't have a set of matching plates so I scooped up these hard plastic plates at Party City ($12.99 for 10) and thought they looked great. (Don't use real knives with plastic plates though--they look like a crime scene afterward).

Party Tip #3: Think outside the box. It doesn't have to be labeled tablecloth to become one. Old bedsheets, butcher paper and window curtains work just as well.

I bought some fresh pita and made a few dips for appetizers. The roasted red pepper dip, jalapeno-garlic-lemon feta, and roasted eggplant dip were all made by me, but I bought the hummus at a great Lebanese deli a few blocks away.

Party Tip #4: You do not have to make everything yourself. I'm a glutton for punishment and usually take on too many homemade tasks, but I'm starting to come around to the idea of making life easier and opting for a mix of homemade and pre-made foods.

I used one of my craft punches to make the food labels, then glued on some gold rhinestones for a little flash. I'm acquiring quite the Martha Stewart craft punch collection and will likely enroll in some kind of "scrapbooking for seniors" club in the near future.

Party Tip #5: Whether they're elaborate or not, I've found that guests really do appreciate food labels. People like to know what they're getting themselves into (it's especially helpful to give a warning if something is super spicy or has meat in it for vegetarians).

For the main course we had lamb meatballs with tzatziki sauce (the big hit!) and a tagine with spiced butternut squash, sweet potato, honey and currants. I also served a great orange salad with red onion, olive oil, fresh mint and salt and pepper.

Party Tip #6: If you're going to have lots of heavy dishes, try to lighten things up by adding a fresh fruit or green salad. It's also nice to add a splash of color to the table.

We also had a bevy of delicious desserts brought by Vin's mom as well as few that I didn't end up serving because everyone was so full. We washed everything down with a homemade mint tea.

Party Tip #7: Refer back to Party Tip #1--Know your audience. Skip the tea. Buy some booze.

What's Your Food Philosophy?

2011-09-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Over the past year, I've had several friends switch to a vegetarian diet. Most did it for health and environmental reasons, which I understand, respect and admire. But a few of these friends have mentioned that they have gotten a little flack for their change in eating habits, and I found that to be interesting. Notice I didn't write "surprising", I wrote interesting.

Whether we're locavores, omnivores, pescatarian, flexitarian, or we subsist primarily on TV dinners and Ding-Dongs, we all have our own reasons for choosing the foods that we do. I had a friend in high school who made a point to eliminate all fat, a friend in college who cut out sugar and a friend today who won't even look at a carb.

My food philosophy runs counter to that. Nothing is off limits. I am an equal opportunity food lover and I have the UN of taste buds. If I had to align my food philosophy with anyone, it would be Michael Pollan: Eat food, mostly plants, not too much. He eats whole, natural foods for the bulk of his meals, but he also eats meat and cheese and the occasional french fry. That's my kinda guy and my kinda diet.

On a positive note, I eat a lot of vegetables. A lot. They are (luckily) my favorite thing to eat, and the foods that make me feel lean, light and clean.

I also eat plenty of fresh fish,

tons of whole grains,

ripe, juicy fruits...

and the occasional very well-balanced breakfast.

That said, from time to time I also allow myself to indulge. Not everyday and never very much, but the following treats will never be blackballed from my diet...

Fried calamari...

Delectable donuts...

Juicy steaks...

and warm crusty bread.

So that's my food philosophy in a nutshell. Eat mostly veggies, grains and fruits during the week, but live your life and eat some deliciously sugary or fatty foods every once in a while to liven things up. So far it's served me pretty well and I have no plans to change it any time soon, barring any unexpected health reason that would force me to make an adaptation.

What's your food philosophy? How do you eat, and why?

The Monday Night Dinner in Astoria

2011-09-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I went to a dinner party. I didn't know anyone there. Not a one. Ever done that?

If you write a blog, it's likely that you have. If you write a food-related blog, it's probably something you look forward to. But if you're anything like me, it's the kind of event that triggers the same feelings of awkwardness you felt walking into the 7th-grade dance alone.

Is my breath okay? Will anyone here want to talk to me? How's my hair?

Of course, showing up 30 minutes late after ringing the wrong doorbell would make anyone feel like a bit of a dork. That poor old lady three blocks away is probably still trying to figure out what a blogger dinner is.

Anyway, the party I went to pushed me out of my comfort zone and for that, I thank the hostess. Her name is Tamara Reynolds, and she has hosted dinner parties in her backyard for both strangers and friends for 10 years. The woman knows what she's doing too--she even wrote a book about it. It's called Forking Fantastic, which is kind of the best title for a cookbook ever.

This particular dinner party was initiated by the ladies who write a great local blog called We Heart Astoria. If you live in Astoria, you should start checking this site regularly. If you don't live in Astoria... you should move here! It's a helluva town.

And every few Sunday nights, there's a helluva dinner party being hosted in a lovely little garden there.

Check out that night's menu:

Candied Bacon Lollipops

The Last Tomato Aspic (with Crackers)

***

Chilled Roasted Red Pepper and Sumac Soup

***

Lettuces with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Anchovies, Coddled Egg and Sherry Vinaigrette

Heirloom Carrot Salad with Lemon, Cardamom and Ginger

Summer Squash, Chard and Herb Gratin

Spicy Calamari Poached with Cracked Green Olives, Garlic and Saffron

***

Roasted Plums with Burnt Honey Ice Cream

And now, you should check out the blogs of some of the nice people I met who made this gawky girl feel like one of the crowd.

Handjobs for the Home

Harmonious Belly

NYC Through my Eyes

We Heart Astoria

Amuse-Bouche

Jenn's Top 10 Tips for Eating in Barcelona

2011-09-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

Here are my tips for savoring the best bites in Barcelona.

1. All things you've considered to be tapas are not necessarily called tapas. Some are called pinchos or pinxtos. Of course, it also depends which region of Spain you are in. Here's where I link to information someone else has written on the subject, as I fear I will mess it up in the retelling.

2. Real paella should not be deep yellow. If it is, a restaurant is trying to woo you by making you believe they used a large amount of the incredibly expensive spice saffron. What they really did was shake colored powder into your meal .

3. Do not call serrano ham "Spanish prosciutto". Also, don't smuggle any pork products in your carry-on. A large man with no sense of humor will confiscate them at customs. We learned that the hard way.

4. If you are American, you need to understand the rules of European coffee. Your cup will be half the size and twice as strong. Order two at a time, but prepare to experience heart palpitations for 3-4 hours.

5. Try horchata. It's this super-sweet, super-creamy milk made from tiger nuts. In a lot of cafes and bakeries it's served out of a dispenser like this. It also comes in bottled form, but it's way better fresh.

6. Buy some fresh fruit at La Boqueria, but go further back into the market to grab your apples and figs. Avoid shopping from the intricately displayed fruit cases up at the front. They purposely upcharge to unknowing tourists.

Avoid this one up front.

Go for these instead.

7. Please try churros y xocolat. It's glorious sticks of fried dough dipped in hot liquid chocolate. It's deadly, yet divine.

8. Speaking of sugar, prepare your sweet tooth for eternal damnation. Bakeries are everywhere and they display their puffy meringues and crafty cookies seductively in store windows. The gelato is mind-numbingly good too. We had some almost every night.

9. Do your research before choosing a restaurant. We went to some stellar restaurants and we also stumbled on some extremely average ones. I highly recommend Taller Tapas, Senyor Parellada and the incredible traditional tasting menu at Alkimia. Cal Pep is supposed to have the best tapas, but we unfortunately missed that one.

10. Take a cooking class during your visit, so you can recreate the magic of Barcelona right in your own kitchen back home.

Best of Barcelona...

2011-09-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

Back in the beginning of summer I complained to Vin that I've never been to Europe. "Wah, wah, wah...any time I get days off from work I go to Texas to visit my parents" (who I adore, BTW). "I need to see the world!" He said something akin to "Quit your cryin' whinypants" and planted the idea to go to Barcelona by year's end. I told my aunt about it, who told my dad about it, and badda-boom! Problem solved. I'd get to visit family and see a new part of the world in one fell Spanish swoop.

Members of our motley crew: Aunt Renee and Uncle David, me and Vin (not pictured) and Dad and wife Angie

I was super glad to have my Dad along because he provides a great amount of comic value. His Texas accent combined with his (sorry, Dad) rudimentary grasp of the Spanish language resulted in a new dialect my boyfriend coined "Doug-lish". My father had a habit of either adding an "o" or an "a" to an English word to make it sound Spanish or would just make up an entirely new word altogether, earnestly believing it was correct. In the end, his efforts were pretty fruitless (and even more funny) as they actually speak a language called Catalan in Barcelona.

We rented an apartment in Plaza Catalunya, steps away from the famous tourist alley "The Rambla" which was basically the Barcelonan equivalent of Times Square without the migraine-inducing lights.

It was a vibrant collection of human statues, flower stalls, tourists, and apparently, pick-pockets. I kept waiting for someone to gasp and yell "Oh no! Where's my fanny pack?!" but it never happened. Guidebooks always blow that stuff out of of proportion.

The main reason to visit The Rambla, other than to hear the incessant whistle coming from the street peddlers trying to pawn off these unbelievably annoying noisemakers is The Boqueria. Into food? This place will knock your little athletic socks off.

Not far away from La Rambla was my favorite neighborhood--Bari Gotic. Oh, how I fell in love with this neighborhood! Tight, narrow streets filled with tiny shops, charming cafes and gelato up to my earlobes. Beautiful, gothic buildings and churches made with big stones and enormous doors crafted from heavy wood. If I were to spend another week in Barcelona, I would spend the entire time in this neighborhood.

All the doors have graffiti all over them, which is a fun contrast to the stately shape and size.

But obviously a big reason to visit Barcelona is to view Antoni Gaudi's unbelievable architectural achievements. We missed a few, but caught the big boys like...

Casa Milà

Casa Batlló

Parc Guell

And the most spectacular place I've ever seen...

La Sagrada Familia

My friend Caroline told me skipping this famous church would be like going to India and forgetting to visit the Taj Mahal. I think she was right.

It's great to be all touristy and hit the sights that make a place famous to outsiders, but what I really love to do when visiting places is try to live more like a local. I'm so glad we chose to stay in an apartment for a week rather than a hotel, because it really made us feel like we were part of Barcelona, even if it was only for a week.

It's a good thing we didn't stay at Hotel Colon. My dad and I are positively Griswoldian.

That said, my absolute favorite part of the trip were the days that went unplanned. The times when we just wandered and observed and delighted in the things that make this city so vibrant, beautiful and special. I found the best time to do this was at night, as that's when Barcelona really comes alive.

I heard a handsome man play Spanish guitar in a dark alley in Barcelona. It was, hands down, my favorite moment of the trip. We bought the CD afterward and listened to it in the car. Very nice, but it will never sound the same in a Honda driving to Long Island as it did in that alley when we just happened to walk on by.

As they say in Doug-lish, "C'est la vio".

**Stay tuned to my Barcelona tales...next up--COMIDA.

I went to Barcelona and all you get is a crummy blog post.

2011-09-16T04:19:00.000-07:00

I took a week-long trip with my family and boyfriend over Labor Day. I didn't tell you about it, because I don't announce plans to leave my apartment empty on the internet. It's not you I worry about so much, it's people who use search terms like "butternut squash phallic" and "congressman weiner pics" and end up on this page. But you? You are lovely.

Just like my sweet Barcelona.

There are certain places in this world that make you feel at home the minute you arrive there. Places so beautiful you lose your breath on every corner. Places so unique and strange and interesting that they nudge their way under your skin and stay there. Barcelona was that place for me.

It has everything.

Like beautiful buildings with unbelievable architecture...

Massive, marvelous churches...

Fresh, fantastic food...

Wonderful winding streets...

Beautiful beaches...

and love...

Barcelona has captured my heart and there is far more to write about it than can fit in one post. I'll be writing about my trip all next week. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

For Mama

2011-09-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Some moms stencil roses on top of freshly baked pies and bake homemade petit fours for their daughter's tea parties. Some volunteer for the PTA and design cookie bouquets for teachers. Others sneak into their kids' room every night to turn off lamps, kiss foreheads, and gently slide glasses off the bridge of a nose.

Mine did all of that. She also served dinner on roller skates and let us throw a whole pot of cooked spaghetti all over the kitchen just because it seemed like fun. My mother has always been equal parts supportive and silly; grounded, but wild. I loved being her daughter because I could tell she loved being my mom. I felt lucky to be her kid. And now that I'm a grown-up, I'm lucky to be her friend.

She embraces people with an open mind and an open heart, and taught me to always do the same. She laughs easily and often and sprinkles joy like confetti wherever she goes. I try to live my life with curiosity, spunk and humor, and I learned how to do that by watching her.

It's her birthday today, so technically when the candles are blown out all wishes should go to her. But if I could steal just one, it'd be to live closer to the most special woman in my life because I miss her every day. I love you, Lil' Mama.

7 Links That Will Change Your Life (or entertain you for the next 10 minutes)

2011-09-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

I think I might be one of the last ones to jump on this "7 Links" train, but Shannon tagged me, and when you're it, you're it. So I dug through my archives over this past year and came up with a few posts I deemed worthy of seeing the light of day again.

What this is about: To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.

Rules:

1) Blogger is nominated to take part

2) Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category.

Here goes!

- Your most beautiful post

Birthday Wishes and Burger Dreams

I just can't help it. I tend to get all moony and wax poetic when it comes to the man in my life.

– Your most popular post

Jenn and Kim's Day Off
I got a lot of hits and links to this post about my first day of unemployment this summer.
You felt my pain and I felt the love.

I Left My Heart at the Doughnut Plant
This post got a lot of attention too. Doughnuts are popular. I think they're the new cupcake.

– Your most controversial post

Dark Chocolate Tofu Mousse

Let's face it; writing about food and little outings does not incite a lot of controversy. This recipe went the furthest out of my comfort zone, and it's the one I most encourage you to try!

– Your most helpful post

22 Ways I Save Money on Food

I want to write more posts like these, because it's the kind of post I would most want to read.

– A post whose success surprised you

Decor Woe: Working Around a Massive TV

I get hits on this post every day, and it's one of the very first I ever wrote. If you're a blogger and want to get hits to your site, I highly recommend working the words "flat screen TV" and "free clip-art" into your posts somewhere. They are obviously googled frequently.

– A post you feel didn’t got the attention it deserved

Rocky River Girls Forever

I thought the post I wrote about my memories of summer camp was purty. I hope you'll check it out:)

– The post that you are most proud of

Finding Chi in NYC

I just love writing about New York City, and this post reflected a side of the city most people rarely think about.

3) Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part.

4) These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 more bloggers

5) And so it goes on!

6) The site Trip Base be sharing the best posts from participating bloggers on their blog and everyday on Facebook and Twitter at #My7Links

And the nominees are...
Nancy from Calendar Gal
Daina from New York State of Mind
Lauren from Foodie House
Jackie Fo

Back in the New York Groove.

2011-09-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this at 3:45 am, still dizzy from jet lag, memories and sangria. I just returned from a week in Barcelona, and for the first time in my life I feel homesick for a place I hardly know. I'll show and tell more about it next week but for now I'm still readjusting to life with my first love, New York, where in a few hours people will wake and commemorate this somber and sacred day.

Ten years ago, I walked along the Hoboken waterfront on my morning commute and saw a smoking hole toward the top of a famous downtown building. A cab driver told me he saw a plane hit the trade tower and I took the train into Manhattan anyway. I thought it was a strange accident, not an intentional attack that would dismantle the city and rattle the world. I was 24 and too idealistic to believe that people had anything other than good intentions.

Yesterday I flew toward my adopted hometown and thought about how different the skyline looked the first time I saw it from a window seat 12 years ago. I wove my way through the customs line while the 9/11 dedication played on TVs overhead and the national anthem rang through the speakers. A border patrol agent checked my U.S. passport and I smiled as he told me "Welcome home."

Today I'll think about the people in the planes and buildings in Washington, Virginia, and New York ten years ago, and the people who miss them everyday. I'll reflect on the families who spend months apart as one serves overseas in a war that feels like it will never end.

Then again, I'm 34 and old enough to know that everything eventually does.

My Top 20 Guilty Pleasures

2011-08-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

When we define something as a guilty pleasure, it's typically because indulging in it will adversely affect our bodies, our bank statements or our brains. Growing up, my mother cautioned that watching "You Can't Do That on Television" would shrink my brain cells. I'm not sure what study she was going off of, but I also didn't care. Watching Alanis Morrissette get slimed was right up my alley, and I wasn't going to stop. It was one of my first guilty pleasures. That and stealing Doritos out of the pantry when Mom wasn't looking.

Sure, guilty pleasures add gerth to your hips and rob you of time spent doing productive activities like attending jazzercise class or volunteering at a retirement home, but they also ignite bliss and nourish your senses, your spirit, your soul. See? Not all bad. So I say do 'em, whenever you want to do 'em, cause life's too short to feel guilty about doing things that make you feel alive.

Here's my list of indulgences:

20) Fried chicken. I eat it about once a year, and every time I do, I feel like I've been invited to a church picnic at the gates of heaven.

19) A big bag of crunchy, salty chips. Bonus points for ridges and a garlicky and/or cheesy powder you have to lick off your fingers afterward.

18) Shows about major life problems like Intervention, Obsessed, and My Strange Addiction. Partly because of my job, and partly because I just can't look away...

17) Dipping Fritos into banana. I did this as a kid, and I'm tellin' ya, if you love a good salty/sweet combo, this one's a winner.

16) Bailey's Irish Cream. I'm not a drinker, but put a big, black bottle of that creamy Irish nectar in my path and I'll be drunk and fat in 10 minutes, tops.

15) Katy Perry. I love her. Don't argue with me; Teenage Dream is fantastic.

14) Chocolate ice cream with Butterfinger candy bar smashed in. The candy gets lodged deep in my molars, but it's so worth it. In fact, maybe that's what I like so much about it. The taste lingers for hours.

13) Speaking of chocolate...I can't forget about Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The trippy Gene Wilder version, not the crap remake with Johnny Depp and his terrible haircut. I don't care how many times I've seen it, it's never enough.

12) Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbuck's. Almost, my pretties...almost!

11) Grease II. Totally not as popular as the original, but in my book, far superior. Reproduction? Cool Rider? COME ON! That is solid gold cinema right there. And Stephanie Zinone is like 20 times more bad-ass than boring old Sandra Dee. A couple years ago, a few like-minded girlfriends gathered at my apartment for a Pink Lady viewing party. Me thinks that needs a sequel.

10) Oh yeah. I freakin' love Glee too. Especially Brittany. And Sex and the City reruns even though I've seen every episode more than twice.

9) My $150 Chi Nano hairdryer. Thankfully I got it for free back when I was a beauty editor, but I totally would have forked over the cash for this brilliance. Eff off frizz.

8) Chips. Cheese. Beans. Guacamole. Jalapenos. I will put the hurt on a plate of nachos like you ain't never seen.

7) The Real World. I can't believe I'm as old as I am and still watching that show, but I do. I have (sadly) watched every season since it began 3,000 years ago in New York. What's worse is I dragged my poor unassuming boyfriend into it.

6) Flea market finds. If you are cheap, and funky, and unique and I can fit you in my lap on the subway, you will certainly be mine.

5) Checking stupid Facebook every five minutes. I know I'm not alone here.

4) Cheese. Any kind. Anywhere. All the time. But if you are Manchego, goat or a really good sharp cheddar you are definitely top tier.

3) Occasionally swiping on red lipstick before cleaning the house. Makes chores so much more glamorous. One time I paired a ballgown bridesmaid dress with elbow-length dishwashing gloves and went to town! Don't worry; it was after the wedding.

2) Popcorn--a snack so versatile in its incarnations I can't help but sing its praises. Love it with truffle oil and pecorino, honey and cinnamon, melty chocolate and slivered almonds, butter and kosher salt. Kernel after kernel, popcorn will always be my favorite snack evah.

1) Couch, TV, blanket, boyfriend. Cause sometimes my favorite thing to do is nothing at all.

All right; I showed you mine. It's only fair that you show me yours. What are your guilty pleasures? And don't you dare tell me "freshly picked berries" or "flax seed oil" or I'm never talking to you again.

much to my delight...

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22 Reasons to Love New York City

Welcome to NYC: How I Got Here

When Friends Create a Wedding Website

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Guest Book

15 Simple Rules for Riding the New York City Subway

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Like Home to Me

My Top 60 All-Time Favorite Songs

What's my Resolution? No resolutions!!

2011: Year in Review

A Season in Pictures

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A Glimpse of Christmas Past...Dickens on the Strand

5 Quasi-Fabulous Things I've Done Lately...

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Jenn and Vin's Lower East Side Food Crawl

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Back in the New York Groove.

My Top 20 Guilty Pleasures