It occurred to me the other day that the theme of my blog is supposed to be my life in NYC and lately, that's been a lot more of my life in the kitchen and at work. But luckily, this past weekend was extra fun.
Friday night I went to Madison Square Garden to see Bon Jovi. My Jersey-girl friends had bought tickets months ago and I couldn't plan for it, but at the last minute, they had an extra ticket so I was able to join. He did an AWESOME show, over three hours with 6 or 7 encore songs. The girls who have been to previous shows said that was unprecedented. Obviously, my favorite part was Livin' On A Prayer, but the whole show was great.
Saturday night I went out with the girls for what was planned to be a few drinks at a birthday party and then drinks elsewhere. And...before I knew it, I'd been at the bar until 2. And then one friend and I had a snack (fries with cheese sauce) and went to another bar with some guys we'd met. I got home at 3:45! Crazy! Haven't done that since the first couple of years in NYC. And I have to say, it is a lot harder to stay out all night nowadays than years ago.
I'm going to keep enjoying NY and hopefully have some more fun weekends. But I'm also going to get some rest....
Monday, February 28, 2011
Good Ol' Sara Lee
This picture has been making the rounds in some of the blogs that I read, with people asking about the logic behind the double negative.
But when I was a kid, I always thought they were saying "Nobody Does It Like Sara Lee" - I kind of like my line better...
Friday, February 25, 2011
And The Oscar Goes To....
It's no secret that I love award shows. I pretty much watch them all (even the daytime emmys, which is mostly soap operas and I don't even watch those anymore!) and although the Oscars are the most note-worthy, my favorites are the Golden Globes.
Regardless, I'm excited for Sunday night- I'll probably have some champagne and chocolates while I tune in to the big show.
In January, I felt very strongly about my top picks for Best Actor and Actress and Best Picture. And my picks won at the Golden Globes. However, I then saw The Fighter and I'm all confused about who should win best picture. But I've seen most of the movies in play and thought I'd do a little prediction. It's locked here in the blogosphere, so we'll see how well I do come Sunday. My picks are bold and in blue.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
James Franco in “127 Hours”
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
Natalie Portman in "The Black Swan"
Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”
Best motion picture of the year
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Fighter” (Paramount)
“Inception” (Warner Bros.)
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company)
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney)
“True Grit” (Paramount)
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Regardless, I'm excited for Sunday night- I'll probably have some champagne and chocolates while I tune in to the big show.
In January, I felt very strongly about my top picks for Best Actor and Actress and Best Picture. And my picks won at the Golden Globes. However, I then saw The Fighter and I'm all confused about who should win best picture. But I've seen most of the movies in play and thought I'd do a little prediction. It's locked here in the blogosphere, so we'll see how well I do come Sunday. My picks are bold and in blue.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
James Franco in “127 Hours”
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
Natalie Portman in "The Black Swan"
Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”
Best motion picture of the year
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Fighter” (Paramount)
“Inception” (Warner Bros.)
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company)
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney)
“True Grit” (Paramount)
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Little TLC
I recently bought some wine online. I've never bought wine online before, but this was too good to pass up:
I found this via my cousin on Wine.Woot.com and I figured the worst that could happen is it wouldn't be good and would be regulated to sangria (where you add enough other stuff, it can mask a bad wine!) but it's actually quite tasty.
I also thought it would be nice to give TLC wine as a gift, hoping people would recognize the significance (my initials) but it is so good, I may not want to give too many away. Regardless, I'll be adding at least one empty bottle to my wine bottle collection, which is basically empty wine bottles I put on book shelves, by the TV, etc because I find them too pretty to throw out.
I found this via my cousin on Wine.Woot.com and I figured the worst that could happen is it wouldn't be good and would be regulated to sangria (where you add enough other stuff, it can mask a bad wine!) but it's actually quite tasty.
I also thought it would be nice to give TLC wine as a gift, hoping people would recognize the significance (my initials) but it is so good, I may not want to give too many away. Regardless, I'll be adding at least one empty bottle to my wine bottle collection, which is basically empty wine bottles I put on book shelves, by the TV, etc because I find them too pretty to throw out.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Breaking Up is Hard To Do
I was SO ready to break up with one of my all-time favorite brands. JCrew and I have been close since I got my 8th grade graduation dress from there. I've gotten shoes, boots, coats, dresses, tees, purses, swimsuits, hair accesories and sweaters from my good friends at JCrew. I even very briefly worked there.
But in the last year, there hasn't been anything I wanted to buy at JCrew, except for a couple of layering tee shirts. And for the first Christmas in I-don't-know-how-long, there were no packages from JCrew under the tree. (not sadly, there was nothing worth asking for)
So I was ready to break up with them, cancel my store credit card and everything. But then I got the spring catalog with bathing suits and I had already decided I was going to get a new suit for this summer. And then for the holiday weekend, they had a 20% off promo, so I went ahead and ordered some swimwear....they were sucking me back in.
And then, as I was having slight doubts about the brand breakup, I was reassured the other day: I walked by JCrew and saw a beautiful red macintosh trench coat in the window. I figured it would be something I'd want to order online (ideally in tall) but thought I'd look at it in the store. Guess how much this basic looking coat is- $950!!! Ri-dic-u-lous!! And it wasn't lined in gold (I checked).
JCrew, you're on your own. I'll hit the outlets for a polo or denim skirt but the rest, I'm leaving behind me.
But in the last year, there hasn't been anything I wanted to buy at JCrew, except for a couple of layering tee shirts. And for the first Christmas in I-don't-know-how-long, there were no packages from JCrew under the tree. (not sadly, there was nothing worth asking for)
So I was ready to break up with them, cancel my store credit card and everything. But then I got the spring catalog with bathing suits and I had already decided I was going to get a new suit for this summer. And then for the holiday weekend, they had a 20% off promo, so I went ahead and ordered some swimwear....they were sucking me back in.
And then, as I was having slight doubts about the brand breakup, I was reassured the other day: I walked by JCrew and saw a beautiful red macintosh trench coat in the window. I figured it would be something I'd want to order online (ideally in tall) but thought I'd look at it in the store. Guess how much this basic looking coat is- $950!!! Ri-dic-u-lous!! And it wasn't lined in gold (I checked).
JCrew, you're on your own. I'll hit the outlets for a polo or denim skirt but the rest, I'm leaving behind me.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
New Recipe Weekend
After three fun-filled weekends in a row (visitor, visitor, skiing) I was really looking forward to the long weekend. I wanted to try out some new recipes, read the magazines that have been piling up, clean my apartment etc. I tried 5 recipes over the weekend; 4 were brand new and 1 was from a friend. Overall, I'd say it was a success and 3 out of the 5 are repeaters. Unfortunately, I tried 2 recipes for dinner Sunday night and one was OK, the other, didn't work at all. So...back to the drawing board there. And I am seriously going to keep trying to get it right (saving the details for a blog post down the line!) But the other three, delicious!
First success was Pork Tenderloin with Pears and Shallots. Recipe courtesy of Epicurious here. However, I modified it a bit when I couldn't find pear nectar and realized it would be easier to just make my own gravy with a brown gravy mix and the drippings in the pan. It was fabulous and I'm definitely going to make it the "proper" way, though I've looked at 4 different stores and can't find pear nectar, so I think I'll be subbing in a different fruit juice....
The next success = raspberry swirl cheesecake cups. My swirl didn't turn out very well, but they still taste delicious and are individually wrapped in the freezer for a decadent dessert, anytime. Because the swirling was tricky, they aren't super pretty on top, but I promise, they taste great. This was a recipe with a lot of steps and paying attention - however, it was worth it!
And finally, to top the weekend off, Cappuccino Cookies! Recipe here. I've always admired this blog and finally got around to trying one of the recipes, despite bookmarking several of them. These taste like a buttery sugar cookie with a hint of burnt coffee (but in a good way) and little bursts of creamy white chocolate. Yum! There is a lot of butter in them and I worked really hard to cream it with the sugars, but I wish I had beat a little more at that stage. Next time...
First success was Pork Tenderloin with Pears and Shallots. Recipe courtesy of Epicurious here. However, I modified it a bit when I couldn't find pear nectar and realized it would be easier to just make my own gravy with a brown gravy mix and the drippings in the pan. It was fabulous and I'm definitely going to make it the "proper" way, though I've looked at 4 different stores and can't find pear nectar, so I think I'll be subbing in a different fruit juice....
The next success = raspberry swirl cheesecake cups. My swirl didn't turn out very well, but they still taste delicious and are individually wrapped in the freezer for a decadent dessert, anytime. Because the swirling was tricky, they aren't super pretty on top, but I promise, they taste great. This was a recipe with a lot of steps and paying attention - however, it was worth it!
And finally, to top the weekend off, Cappuccino Cookies! Recipe here. I've always admired this blog and finally got around to trying one of the recipes, despite bookmarking several of them. These taste like a buttery sugar cookie with a hint of burnt coffee (but in a good way) and little bursts of creamy white chocolate. Yum! There is a lot of butter in them and I worked really hard to cream it with the sugars, but I wish I had beat a little more at that stage. Next time...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Ski Weekend
This past weekend, we went to Great Barrington, MA to ski at Butternut. It was a quick trip but with 6 people in a house, it was also pretty affordable and super fun.
I am a terrible skier. I may look the part....
I am a terrible skier. I may look the part....
...but I am slow and steady and have to think about how I'm going to get down the mountain sometimes. I wish I could fly fearlessly down but it's apparently not my ski style. I think I like the lessons (where you stay on baby mountains and boost your confidence) and the apres ski activities the most (hot chocolate at the bottom of the mountain, wine and board games back at the house, a fireplace...) but I'm going to keep skiing until I get better and more confident.
This past weekend was a ton of fun (minus getting a cold) and I'm tempted to try to get in another weekend this year so I can keep my skills "sharp" but we'll have to see...
Also, best peer pressure and $10 ever spent on the helmet rental- it's safe, keeps your head warm, and really, with the goggles and my ski bib, it's not like the helmet made me look un-cool. :)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Am I a workaholic?
This could be a sign I'm a workaholic- the last few times I've taken time off from work, I return sick. I was on vacation in CA for a week in August and couldn't go in the day I was due back because I felt so awful- a few days later went to the doctor and I had a throat infection. In December, I took 2 days off to give myself a long weekend before the holidays and then missed two more days because I was out with strep.
And now, this past weekend, I took Friday off to go skiing- felt a cold coming on Friday morning but took lots of medicine, drank a lot of water and (obviously) went on the trip and felt okay. Flash forward to Sunday afternoon, home from the trip. Super stuffy, head hurts, little bit of sore throat. I'm sure it is just a cold but seriously? Do I have to get sick every time I take time off of work?
This could mean two things- 1, I need to keep working incredibly hard in order to not get sick or 2, I work so hard that the minute I slow down, I get sick.
I actually don't think it's either of these, but purely a coincidence, however, it's still annoying. And as of now (Sun, 9:45 pm) I'm planning to go to work Monday AM bright and early. Wish me luck and I'll grab a big glass of orange juice.
And now, this past weekend, I took Friday off to go skiing- felt a cold coming on Friday morning but took lots of medicine, drank a lot of water and (obviously) went on the trip and felt okay. Flash forward to Sunday afternoon, home from the trip. Super stuffy, head hurts, little bit of sore throat. I'm sure it is just a cold but seriously? Do I have to get sick every time I take time off of work?
This could mean two things- 1, I need to keep working incredibly hard in order to not get sick or 2, I work so hard that the minute I slow down, I get sick.
I actually don't think it's either of these, but purely a coincidence, however, it's still annoying. And as of now (Sun, 9:45 pm) I'm planning to go to work Monday AM bright and early. Wish me luck and I'll grab a big glass of orange juice.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A Photographer I am Not
A photographer I am not, but remember these pictures? As I said, I am not a good photographer, nor do I know much about what I'm doing beyond point and shoot, but I thought I'd play around with my favorite photo from the snow last week just to see what I could do with it. Overall, I still think it's a great shot.
The original
Cropped a little, little bit more color
Whole lot more color and a closer crop
I think this is my favorite- love how the white is brightened
kinda what a snowy day feels like- tinged with gray!
Friday, February 4, 2011
SuperBowl!
I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I consider Super Bowl Sunday an actual holiday. The combination of the food and the commercials with a little football thrown in is perfect. And I always make a point to celebrate it- including having a party in the dorm one year where my best dish being served was pizza bagels cooked in the micro portion of the micro-fridge.
This year, for the first time in years, I'm not hosting a party but I am bringing lots of food to my friend's place. Of course I'm making the famous buffalo chicken dip and I have another dip to add to the mix: Popper Spread/Dip. Basically, it tastes like a Jalapeno Popper and you can put the dip on bread, crackers, tortilla chips- pretty much anything and it tastes delicious.
Popper Dip/Spread
2 small cans diced jalapenos (or one jar of rings, drain and chop)
1 small can diced green chilies
2 blocks cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1tsp garlic powder
1 cup of cheese (jalapeno jack, cheddar, Mexican blend, cheddar....really anything works)
Bread crumbs - I recommend panko
Optional: 5 pieces crumbled bacon, I haven't added when I've made this
Combine first 6 ingredients (and bacon if you're using) in a bowl. Spread in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs, spray top of breadcrumbs with Pam.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 min until bubbly and browned on top. Serve with toasted baguette, tortilla chips, or other cracker/chip.
And then my other new favorite party food is what I like to call Deluxe Pigs in a Blanket. (I'm probably not making this for Sunday, but I may just make it for myself next week)
First step is to make a spread/sauce. Mix 4 ounces cream cheese (softened) with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1 1/2 teaspoons horseradish. Cut each crescent roll into thirds, spread the cream cheese mix on part of the crescent and then wrap the dog in pastry. Cook per directions on crescent roll package. Basically, these taste great because the dipping sauce is already built in and the cream cheese helps to keep it thick, not drippy.
Sorry- even though deep down I'd love to be a food blogger, I'm not quite there yet, so no pictures to accompany the recipes this time! Enjoy the game, the food, and the commercials!
This year, for the first time in years, I'm not hosting a party but I am bringing lots of food to my friend's place. Of course I'm making the famous buffalo chicken dip and I have another dip to add to the mix: Popper Spread/Dip. Basically, it tastes like a Jalapeno Popper and you can put the dip on bread, crackers, tortilla chips- pretty much anything and it tastes delicious.
Popper Dip/Spread
2 small cans diced jalapenos (or one jar of rings, drain and chop)
1 small can diced green chilies
2 blocks cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1tsp garlic powder
1 cup of cheese (jalapeno jack, cheddar, Mexican blend, cheddar....really anything works)
Bread crumbs - I recommend panko
Optional: 5 pieces crumbled bacon, I haven't added when I've made this
Combine first 6 ingredients (and bacon if you're using) in a bowl. Spread in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs, spray top of breadcrumbs with Pam.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 min until bubbly and browned on top. Serve with toasted baguette, tortilla chips, or other cracker/chip.
And then my other new favorite party food is what I like to call Deluxe Pigs in a Blanket. (I'm probably not making this for Sunday, but I may just make it for myself next week)
First step is to make a spread/sauce. Mix 4 ounces cream cheese (softened) with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1 1/2 teaspoons horseradish. Cut each crescent roll into thirds, spread the cream cheese mix on part of the crescent and then wrap the dog in pastry. Cook per directions on crescent roll package. Basically, these taste great because the dipping sauce is already built in and the cream cheese helps to keep it thick, not drippy.
Sorry- even though deep down I'd love to be a food blogger, I'm not quite there yet, so no pictures to accompany the recipes this time! Enjoy the game, the food, and the commercials!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Did you know?
That if you want to "save" a bottle of champagne (i.e. keep it bubbly) you can stick an upside down spoon in the bottle? It really works...but don't ask me how or why. I know, why would you ever have a leftover bottle of champagne? But when you live alone and you love champagne, it would not be a good idea to drink the whole thing ;)
Black tie affair tomorrow, which I'm sure will include some champagne, stories and pictures to come!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Only with a sister...
Only when your sister comes to visit can you:
watch Season 1 of Greek on the ipad in bed
return laundry detergent to Costco
make a small meal out of samples at Costco
plan part of the day around 90210 reruns
share a whole bloomin' onion
have a Lifetime Movie Marathon and watch two back-to-back
split a bag of brussels sprouts
....and so much more!
Thanks for a great visit Paula
watch Season 1 of Greek on the ipad in bed
return laundry detergent to Costco
make a small meal out of samples at Costco
plan part of the day around 90210 reruns
share a whole bloomin' onion
have a Lifetime Movie Marathon and watch two back-to-back
split a bag of brussels sprouts
....and so much more!
Thanks for a great visit Paula
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
