Eyelash Epedemic

Over the past year or so I've been noticing more and more ads on TV about making women's eyelashes longer, fatter and just more of them. Having light color eyelashes myself I understand why people want to have their eyelashes noticed. And I agree that wearing mascara does make my eyes stand out more. But I'm not quite sure why there has been so much attention to this recently. There are tons of mascara products out there today, from CoverGirl's LashBlast to Maybelline's Define-A-Lash Volume mascara, just to name a few. But now there is a commercial running for Latisse, "a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker." And to make it sell, they hired actress Claire Danes and Brooke Shields as their spokespeople. Who knew Claire Danes was plagued with crappy eyelashes? She always looked pretty to me but maybe that's just Hollywood magic.

In case you're wondering what "hypotrichosis" is like I was, here is WebMD's definition:
Unlike alopecia, which describes hair loss where formerly there was hair growth, hypotrichosis describes a situation where there wasn't any hair growth in the first place. Hypotrichoses (plural) then are conditions that affect individuals right from birth and usually stay with them throughout their lives.

So this makes me wonder...can one use Latisse for other areas of the body? Eyebrows maybe? Is this the cure for male baldness! On that note, here's a clip from Seinfeld.

Mad Men

I'm so glad that a new season of "Mad Men" has started! It's been three episodes so far and I'm totally into it. And the best part is that there aren't a ton of commercials (except for those annoying Apple Face Time commercials that have been playing non-stop lately) and the first commercial isn't until 15 minutes in. This really allows the viewer to get involved with the story rather than cutting to commercial after the first five minutes. But besides that, It's picked up right where the last season left off and you're not left wondering what's going on or where a certain storyline went. The thing I love most, besides watching Don Draper self destruct, is that it takes place in the early 60's, so the sets, the clothes and the whole culture is just fascinating to watch. I can't wait to see what Joanie wears each day! It's great to actually have a real show to watch with talented people and writers rather than the crappy reality shows that make people famous for either being a bitch, drunk, crazy or fat. I do tend to get sucked into watching those shows as well, but if there were more shows like Mad Men on TV the world might be a better place.

In Flux

I titled this post "In Flux" for a few reasons. One is that flux is a substance used in jewelry to solder metal together and so I've named my jewelry business Flux Jewelry. But also because my life is in a state of flux or change at the moment.

I have been creating jewelry since 2002 when I was laid off from a job and decided to pick up a new hobby. I've always wanted to have some part in the fashion business but I knew I didn't have the talent to be a fashion designer. So I thought that jewelry design was a fun, creative outlet for me. I took night classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology for a few years and then started to create jewelry out of my home. It's always been just a hobby where I might make a few earrings one day and then not make anything for months. And I've mostly just made for friends, family and co-workers because I didn't feel like taking the time to turn it into a full blown business. It takes a lot of time and patience but also a lot of tools and materials, so I really just make things when I see something inspiring or a friend's birthday is coming up and I want to make them a gift.

Lately, with more friends and family having kids I've recently had requests for jewelry with kid's names on them. I'm a fan of the name necklace, a la Carrie Bradshaw, and wore one for many years, but never really thought about creating my own until now. I know there are a ton of jewelry designers out there who already do this type of work and do it well, so I've been looking at their work and figuring out what works for me. I don't know where this will take me but here's a look at the evolution of my jewelry over the years...

One of my first designs. I'm really into circles!

My venture into sea glass. This was a challenge.

Getting a little more creative.

2009-2010 "simple & chic" design route.

Name tags of today!

Mom In a Box

Living in a 700 sq ft apartment has presented its challenges almost on a daily basis, but most recently with a baby on the way. I am constantly trying to rearrange furniture, trash or sell things I don't really need, and organize in order to make my apartment a comfortable place to call home. I consider myself to be pretty good at this task and I am able to minimize the clutter in a small two bedroom, one bath with a husband and a cat. But the stakes have been raised now that we're having a baby in 54 days (that is if she comes on time). Although they are small, babies seem to need a whole load of stuff that has dragged me in and convinced me that I actually need these things. They get they're own furniture for just being born, which consists of a crib, dresser, changing table, rug, rocking chair, and toy boxes. But then there are the things to entertain it like a swing or bouncer, plus enormous boxes of diapers and wipes, bottles, monitor, and clothes that they grow out of in a matter of days. And of course the stroller and car seat, which not only takes up room but can cost you a pretty penny. And this is just the bare minimum. Like the wedding industry, this is a billion dollar market that I need to break into - it's a gold mine! But I'm having a constant struggle of need and want, and denying your child versus being smart about raising them. Don't they just want to be loved and to feel safe? Isn't that what we all want?

Photo: The crib! The big addition to the apartment.

I've chosen to live in this apartment and I'm actually glad that I'm forced to be minimal with the amount of baby stuff. The more room I would have, the more stuff for the baby there would be, which means just more stuff for me to eventually trash or sell.

Movie Review: Inception

I was very excited to see Inception based on the compelling trailer and because Facebook friends kept saying things like "Amazing" and "Can't stop thinking about it," even "Perfect 10". I thought it was an interesting story line but a little overrated.

Here's what it's about: Dom Cobb leads a highly skilled team, specializing in stealing secrets from people's minds by entering their dreams.When they are hired by a mysterious businessman, Cobb finally has a shot at redemption, but not before achieving the near impossible. Rather than stealing an idea, they must do the complete opposite: Inception. Planting the seed of an idea.

To me, it had a bit of "The Matrix" feel to it because the characters would essentially plug in and be transported to another world, or dream state, while their bodies were still in the actual world. There was no information on how this was possible or why it came about. At least in The Matrix you know that the machines took over, but with Inception there is little about the past and more about the present.

The actors were all relatively young and hard for me to associate with. Especially Ellen Page as "the architect" because I just kept picturing her as a pregnant teen in "Juno." But overall, the movie did grab my attention and had me wanting to see it through to the end. I don't want to give away too much info because it is worth seeing. But maybe rent it.

In My 30s

With my 32nd birthday approaching next week I can say I'm really in my thirties. I remember just starting out at my first job at age 22 and having my boss say to me that her 30's were her favorite time because she finally new what she was happy doing and felt sure of herself. Of course that was a different time when people usually kept the same job for years working their way up in one company. The ironic thing is that me and my boss had both been laid off at the same time 2 years later. I have no idea what she is doing now but I'm wondering if she feels different about what she said.

At almost 32 I still don't know what I want to do. At 22 I did. But 10 years later as the job market has changed, I'm married, own an apartment, have a baby on the way, "what do you want to do" is still a question for me that is asked of 5 year olds. I think many people my age feel the same way and wonder whether they should quit and start over. Maybe go back to school, move to another state, travel the world, start a family, start their own business, etc. So I thought it was interesting to read the New York magazine cover story from the July 12, 2010 issue called "All Joy And No Fun. Why Parents Hate Parenting." The thing that resonated with me the most was the point that many people feel unhappy with being a parent because they are starting later in life (30's early 40's) and in turn have started living their life the way they want and now need to make sacrifices for their new family and they can't find happiness the same way they did without a child. There are of course moments of happiness with having a child but not the same way you would find happiness with getting recognized with a promotion at work or the freedom of getting last minute drinks with girlfriends. The freedom is gone but does that mean there really is no joy?

I am excited and anxious to see how the next year of my life plays out and welcome all the challenges and changes that come my way. Although I have been thrown curve balls with losing my job, my husband losing his job and then going back to school, having a baby 2 years later than expected, I plan on making the most of it. Maybe when I'm 40 I'll be the same way my boss was and say that my thirties were my favorite time.

Stay Cool

Here are my top 5 ways to stay cool in the stifling heat this summer:

1. Go to a movie theater. It's air conditioned (hopefully) and you are entertained for 2 hours (hopefully again). I'm looking forward to Inception, the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie opening July 16.

2. Swim at a public pool. The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation has opened outdoor pools all around the boroughs for you. I haven't gone yet but I plan to check out the one in Red Hook.

3. Go to the beach. New York magazine has made it easy for you with their ultimate beach finder in it's 2010 Summer Issue. They offer destinations an hour, 2 hours or 3 hours away.

4. Check out a water park. There are about eight water parks in New York to bring out the kid in you.

5. Eat an icy! The great thing about NYC is that there is always either an Italian ice cart, ice cream truck, frozen yogurt store or smoothie shop nearby. And many restaurants have put gourmet sorbets or ice creams on their dessert menu this time of year. It's a quick cool down and a yummy treat. I've had one of these about every day so far this summer :)

Movie Review: Grown Ups

I see a lot of movies and thought why not share my thoughts on them with you. Movie of the day: Grown Ups. The $13 price is a little hefty when you can wait to see it on DVD in a few months for less than half the price, but I've realized that a lot of times it's worth it to see a movie before you end up hearing everyone's opinions about it. And it gave me something to do. I actually enjoyed this movie more than I expected. I've noticed recently that most comedies are just so unrealistic that some of the bits that are supposed to be funny end up bugging me because I think "that wouldn't happen" - i.e. when Stu in The Hangover goes into the bathroom with a tiger to hand feed him a steak. Really? I know that the whole movie was basically like this and it was still funny, but what I liked about Grown Ups is that they didn't create unrealistic situations and just stuck to good old fashion comedic bantering and relate-able moments from the writer's/actor's own experiences.

The all-star cast included Adam Sandler, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Kevin James and Chris Rock, plus Selma Hayek, Maria Bello and Maya Rudolph as the less publicized female supporters. Each one hilarious in their own way and when put together have a great chemistry that worked for this movie. The premise is that the guy's are all "grown up" and their elementary school basketball coach dies so they all get together for the funeral followed by a weekend at the lake house they use to enjoy when they were younger. I felt a little nostalgic for my own childhood while watching this movie, especially now that I am "grown up" as well. The movie plays on the fact that nowadays kids don't understand the concept of turning off the TV to enjoy physical activities, and can be extremely spoiled. I thought this was a great premise and hope it hits home for parents and kids today. I recommend seeing it, or at least rent it. And then go outside and play... It's summertime!

The New Coney Island?

The other day I decided to take the 45 minute subway ride to Coney Island and check out the new Luna Park I keep seeing ads about. I have been to Coney Island many times because it's a short getaway to an ocean view, there's great people-watching and of course there's hot dogs! Although you do have to have an open mind when visiting because this is New York and not Cape Cod or the Caribbean. So the ocean is a murky brownish color, the sand is also brown/gray and the people are...well they're New Yorkers so you see quite a mix of cultures and styles. Then there's the rides. I wouldn't set foot on the rickety Cyclone roller coaster but I have chanced the Wonder Wheel and it was worth it.

Now, there's Luna Park, which is basically just more rides all smushed in a small area. There are some interesting ones there, such as the Brooklyn Flyer, which is about 100 foot high swings that spin around in a circle, or the Air Race which is inspired by aerial flying and spins around and upside down. But I'm bummed that two of my favorite activities are no longer there: the batting cages and mini-golf. Instead, there is just vacant space with signs up that say "For Lease." And where did all the arcade games go? Coney Island, you have some 'splaining to do.
One thing to look forward to though is the Mermaid Parade. This always draws an enormous crowd to the area and is, once again, quite a fun day of people-watching. It's happening again this Saturday, June 19 at 2pm. As it says on their site, "The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression." It can be fun for kids but watch out for the more-than-occasional boobie siting. People take the mermaid image for real.

Toss or Sell

I live in a small apartment in Brooklyn and over the years I have acquired more and more stuff. So every year I have to figure out what I really need. From clothes to paperwork to furniture, it's not an easy task going through everything. Once I throw away what I really don't need - usually the things that are just collecting dust - I then figure out what is worth selling. Which then puts in question: Do I have a stoop sale or do I go the Craigslist route? I've tried the stoop sale a few times and it's ok for a few hours on a nice day but I've realized that I end up making small change from $30 to $100. Of course I'm usually selling tiny things like books for 50 cents or some costume jewelry, but I just can't seem to throw it away after having spent my money on it. But then there are the big items like a desk where I resort to online sales at Craigslist.com. In the past, Craigslist has been great. I've sold everything from a pair of roller skates to a bed frame to a coffee table. It takes some patience and you have to be willing to allow strangers in your home to pick up the items, but so far everything has run smoothly. And it's all cash! However, in the current economy it seems like people are really looking for a bargain and Craigslist has basically turned out to be just as useful as having a stoop sale. This past week I've tried to sell a desk and chair for $85. No bites. So I lower it to $75 and got three inquiries. The first one I had to keep calling back to try and arrange a time and then he decided he didn't want it. The second decided he wanted a different color. And the third is trying to get me to lower the price to $40 and only wants the desk. That's quite the bargain seeing that the chair would not sell for $35. I think not mister! I'm hoping after the next week I'll get my way and have room for a new baby crib (which I'm sure I'll also be trying to sell on Craigslist in a few years).

Sports And Marriage

The basketball season is almost over and although I am not a huge sports enthusiast, I am happy that the Celtics are in the finals. Not just because I am originally from Massachusetts, but because it makes my husband happy. It's funny to watch how excited a man can get over bad calls on fouls and three point shots. There tends to be the occasional outburst at the TV and a random fist pump when things go right. I have a short attention span for sports and tend to leave the room to do whatever (clean, make something to eat, check Facebook), but I do enjoy watching when I know the team. I tend to watch the games with a totally different perspective than my husband though. I will comment on the cuteness of the players, how they wear their uniforms, and say things like "I think he needs a towel." I do think it's important to get involved with the games so that we can spend time together. Because if it's not basketball, then there's baseball, and football. And now that the World Cup is starting, there will be soccer. And it's not like the games are on once a week, like a typical TV show that I would watch. There's always sports and there are many channels dedicated to them.

The thing I do hate about sports though are those ridiculous commentator shows, like "Around the Horn." Do all guys yell about sports? It just hurts my head to listen to them. I enjoy a good biography show about an athlete, but these commentary shows are just noise to me. Sometimes I think having cable is just a burden on our relationship, but we seem to be able to compromise - or just leave the room.

Vacation From Vacation

In celebration of many things (anniversary, graduation, birthdays), I went with my husband and his family to Bermuda over Memorial Day Weekend. This is the first vacation in the past 10 years that I've gone on and come back to not having a job. It was a strange feeling but a nice one. So basically, you could say that I'm still on vacation.

Here's a little about the trip...
When we arrived we hopped in a taxi that took us down many winding and narrow roads. They drive on the opposite side there so you feel like you're going to crash into a coral wall at any moment. But we arrived safely at the beautiful Fairmont Southampton and got an amazing deal because my uncle-in-law works for Fairmont. It's good to know the right people.

The weather was unpredictable so we had to play it by ear. One minute we'd be at the beach in the hot sun and then all of a sudden a downpour. Then an hour later the sun would come back out. Luckily everything is pretty close together so if you were at the beach you can just hop in a trolley and go back up to the hotel. We had free access to the spa which had an indoor pool that was above my expectations. It had a beautiful view of the ocean and outdoor hot tubs (when they were open anyway... One day some kid dumped bubbles in the hot tub so it was out of use!) One evening, the family chartered a sailboat for a sunset cruise that was delightful. Another night we had cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at The Waterlot restaurant outside on the dock, which was followed by an amazing four-course dinner. There was constantly food all around me, which actually caused some jokes because I was eating so much! Breakfast was included everyday on the Gold Level floor as well as snacks and desserts. I think I gained 5 lbs after this trip!
Bermuda is a gorgeous place and pleasantly only a 2 hour flight from NY. The beaches offer white and pink sand complemented by the bright blue ocean. I had an amazing time and can't wait to go back.

Flavor of Love

Yesterday was my five year wedding anniversary. To celebrate, we took a walk down Vanderbilt Ave and had brunch/lunch at Le Gamin, a french restaurant specializing in crepes. I recommend eating in the backyard area. I'm always pleased with the way restaurants in the city are able to transform a tiny backyard surrounded by buildings into a nice Eden for food-lovers. I had a swiss/mushroom/sausage crepe with salad. Tres bon!

After, we took a long trek to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. We've missed the cherry blossoms but it was still definitely worth it to go. There are still plenty of flowers, amazing trees to check out and the fish and turtles in the Japanese garden are always cool to see. And it was surprisingly not that crowded, which is always a huge plus when doing anything in NY.


For dinner, we made our way to No. 7 in Fort Greene. We were told it was a 40-minute wait but it ended up being only about 10 minutes! However, we were stuck at the crappiest table that was right in the walkway to the bathroom and the waiter stand. Overall the service was great though and the food was delicious. We shared an appetizer of mussels with thai basil/chickpea/sake broth and then I got the mahi mahi with bock choy, lentils and artichoke dip for the entree. Unfortunately, there was no room left for dessert in my belly.

Finally, we made our way to Frank's Lounge on Fulton St. hoping to listen to some live music that was suppose to go on at 9:30. But when 10:30 rolled around and I had about enough of the R&B album that was playing, we decided to just leave. I guess I'll never know what Big Brooklyn Red sounds like.

Looking forward to our 6th anniversary :)

Food at the Flea

This past Sunday I went to the Brooklyn Flea at the Williamsburg Savings Bank - that huge clock tower you've probably seen from any distance. I've been to the one outside on Saturdays in the school parking lot but I had heard that the food area on Sundays is in the bank's vault. In my mind I was thinking that the vault would be really cool with old safety deposit boxes and bars, but the only cool thing was the big vault door. The rest just looked like an unfinished basement with Sheetrock and really dim lighting. I ended up getting a very yummy grilled cheese sandwich from the Milk Truck that was called the "Classic with a Twist." It was Gruyere on rye with whole grain mustard and pickled onions. Yum! While I was waiting for it, I spotted Jesse Eisenberg (actor known for Squid and the Whale, Zombieland, Roger Dodger) holding hands with a girl. Love the celebrity spottings!

After, I made my way upstairs to where all the stores displayed their goods. The atmosphere upstairs was so much nicer. The building looked like an old cathedral with beautiful, painted dome ceilings and all the old details I was hoping to see. The vendors are very diverse from old and new jewelry to vintage furnishings to collectible items. I didn't end up buying anything but it was worth the visit. I recommend stopping in since it is free, but check out the Flea on Saturdays for a nicer outdoor shopping experience.

DUMBO is More Than an Fictional Elephant

This past Saturday I went to the BKLYN Designs event in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn (for those not from the area, it stands for Down Under the Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass - NYC loves their acronyms). I met up with a friend who had an extra ticket, and glad she did because I wasn't about to pay $15 for this event. Apparently the stores involved do not pay to be a part of the event so they have to charge the public. It was housed at Warehouse 38 on Water St, which when you think that it's in a warehouse it would be large but it was actually fairly small and was walkable in about an hour. It was amazing to see all the great furniture designers out there but there was nothing I could afford so it was sort of like being in a museum. The DUMBO area was nice to walk around though with it's newly designed park and great stores and restaurants. It was an incredibly windy day, but the views of Manhattan and hanging out with a friend were well worth it.

Yoga in the Park

Last night I went for the first time to the free yoga offered in Fort Greene Park. Yoga outdoors is a very different experience then at a studio or in your home. I'm going to totally sound like a hippie right now but doing yoga outside really gets you in touch with the earth and puts you in a different mindset that is a little more peaceful and enjoyable. The only thing that bothered me a little was that although I was on my yoga mat, we were in an area where the grass was not cut and was pretty uneven with sticks and stones. I don't know how some of the guys managed without a mat but they stuck it out.
The class was an hour long from 7 - 8pm and there were about 12 people. It is a free class but the instructor did ask at the end for donations. It will take place every Tuesday throughout the summer, so check it out.

(Note: The photo above is not from the class yesterday and was just found on Google images to give you an idea of what it was like.)

Family Get-Togethers

This past weekend I took a trip up to Massachusetts to see family and celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday. The weather was beautiful so we were able to party outside in my sister's backyard. We did the usual bbq fare of burgers, dogs, beer and lemonade. It was interesting to see the new dynamic in the family though now that there are so many kids. I noticed it is a challenge to have a conversation with someone because everyone is trying to concentrate on where their kids are and entertaining them. You get in the small talk and catch up a little, but relaxing and chatting is not really a part of life anymore. I guess that's what email, texting, Facebook, Skype and the phone are for.

New Orleans On My Mind

I just finished the book Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. The story follows Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian contractor living in New Orleans, before, during and after hurricane Katrina. It was amazing to me to learn how one man can be so courageous, generous and intelligent and yet be trapped in the ridiculous crisis management that took place during this tragic event. The bureaucratic brutality was just horrifying to read when I really heard nothing about this living my daily life. I don't know if I was just closing my eyes to the whole situation at the time, but now my eyes are wide open. This is a true story and I'm sure there are many other stories like Zeitoun's out there that should be heard.


Coincidentally, I have also been watching the new show Treme on HBO that takes place in New Orleans three months after hurricane Katrina. The show follows the interconnecting lives of several struggling musicians and locals in their beloved city. It's really an amazing show and has once again enlightened me to the issues that took place in my own country. Definitely check out the show. It's on Sunday nights at 10pm. At least listen to the opening song...it's amazing!

Street Sm-art

Yesterday my husband and I went to see the movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop." I had seen a good review on "At the Movies" and heard from a friend recently that it was sold out when she went to go see it, so I was intrigued. I have to say that this was one of my favorite movies so far this year. First of all, this short film is not only insightful and fun to look at, but it's funny, and it's all in an hour and a half. It brings you into the world of underground street artists through a documentary that ends up being a documentary sort of about the making of a documentary.

The film begins with Banksy, a well known British street artists who is also the creator of this film, saying that this was suppose to be a film about him but it ends up being about the guy who was filming him because he's actually more interesting. The film began as the obsession of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, who became fascinated by street art and spent years filming the art and its creators. As Thierry follows various street artists filming days and days of footage, he begins to get involved with making street art himself, even though he has no artistic talent. Now I don't want to ruin the movie for you but I have to say that as it continues there is a twist that has caused a lot of speculation and theories on whether this was a real documentary or a Banksy hoax. I definitely say "See It" and let me know what you decide.

Because I Care Part 3

Today I volunteered again for New York Cares, but this time I decided to try something new. I went to PS 270 in Clinton Hill to help a group of kids learn photography. They were all about 10 years old and all really sweet kids. Each volunteer had two kids that they were in charge of. I was excited to have two girls run up to me right away to work with me. Now I don't know much about photography but it was really just a way to get the kids outside, have fun and help them look at things in a new perspective. The goal today was to take pictures of colors. So we went out to the playground and I guided them into taking different photos of things they saw and try and look at them in a different way. So one girl was laying down on the jungle gym to take a picture of the sky and the tree. Mostly they just wanted to take pictures of themselves or each other. They were able to do this for about a 1/2 hour and then most of them seemed like they just wanted to hang on the swings or run around. But it was a Saturday so I don't blame them.

After, we went inside and printed out two of their favorite photos for them to put in their own little book. One of my girls chose a picture of my stomach, which was pretty funny because I was wearing a gray shirt so it really was not a picture of colors. But who am I to judge?

I'm always apprehensive about doing these volunteer days because I just don't know what to expect. But every time I go I seem to really enjoy it. I recommend everyone at least try doing something. It will open your eyes to knew things and maybe even make an impact on someone else.

It's Good to Know a Chef

This past weekend my in-laws were in town so my husband, Rick, decided to take them to dinner at The Grocery on Smith St. in Carroll Gardens. Rick has been interning there for a month or so because he wanted to work in a small, chef/owner operated, highly-regarded restaurant. We've been there twice before he started interning there and have loved it both times. Now that he knows the chef it made the dining experience a little different. We sat down at 5pm because that was the only time we could get a reservation for 5 people (his sister came, too). The place immediately started to get crowded but that didn't stop Charlie, the chef/owner, from treating us like we were "somebody." He brought us each a glass of champagne and two complimentary amuse bouche as well as some fresh slices of salmon to taste. Then he brings out an asparagus dish that was a variation of something that was on the menu for us to try. It was of course delicious. But the best part of the evening was when we all ordered our food. I ordered the vegetarian lasagna, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law and my husband all ordered the scallops, and my father-in-law ordered lamb (I think). All of a sudden my husband gets a call on his cell phone and ignores it. Then it rings again. He decides to answer it and it's the chef calling from the kitchen! He says that he's not bringing out three scallop dishes and that my husband can just taste theirs so he has to pick something else to eat. It was pretty hilarious that he did that but he was right, why not order a bunch of different dishes and try everyone's? Everything was consistenly amazing. We even received complimentary sorbets in addition to the desserts we ordered. I definitely recommend going to The Grocery for your next dinner. And if you go on a Tuesday night you might just get something my husband made.

How To Not Spend Money

It's basically impossible to not spend any money when you are unemployed in NYC, in case you are a thief. I try to limit the spending to food and bills (which there are about 10 of including phone, mortgage, maintenance, COBRA, electric, gas, etc.). Unemployment pays about half of what my actual salary was so obviously I'm now having to spend beyond my means. That said, I decided to go out with a friend the other day to do a little shopping. Thanks to my tax return I was able to have the extra money needed to go out and buy a new suit jacket. I've realized recently that maybe after almost 10 years of wearing the same black suit on interviews that it's time to freshen things up a bit and splurge on a new jacket. So after 3 hours of going store to store, I landed a new suit jacket! The best part is that my friend ended up getting the same jacket for FREE. You could say it was stealing but it was actually a huge mix up at the checkout counter where the sales person forgot to scan the jacket and my friend had taken it and put it in her shopping bag without realizing. So technically she did not know she was stealing. We debated for a while whether she should go back and say something. And then she realized that there was still an alarm tag! So she goes back to the store, they take the alarm tag off, and she still walks out without paying for the jacket. I, on the other hand, did pay for my jacket. I wonder who will get the job?

Because I Care Part 2

If you remember a few weeks ago I worked at the food pantry in Clinton Hill, which was a really great experience and I do plan to do it again, but yesterday I decided to volunteer at a something different for New York Cares to try and see where I'm really needed and just open my eyes to different experiences. So I volunteered at PS 77 on Park Place (I think this is Park Slope but might be Prospect Heights) to help special needs boys practice yoga. There were about 15 junior high boys. Some needed more help than others doing the yoga poses but most had a pretty good grasp on what to do since they had been taking the class throughout the school year. We all put our mats in a big circle while the instructor was in the center and did about a 45 minute class. I thought the class was going to be an hour and 15 min but I guess they just tack on extra time on the schedule for clean up, which took about 3 minutes. I have never worked with any special needs children before so I was a little worried that I wouldn't know what to do, but I just followed the instructor and saw that she would come right over to a boy and try and place his hands or feet in the right position so that is what I would try to do. It didn't really work for me because the boy on my right seemed like he understood what to do but if I tried to move his hands or feet he just wouldn't move them. Obviously the boys didn't know me and probably didn't want to have me telling them what to do, but I did the best I could and so did they. I'm not sure I was really needed here because there were many other volunteers, but I did sign up again for next Tuesday to try it out again.

Are Hand Models The New Super Model?

With Apple churning out one hand-held gadget after another, plus e-readers and other cell phone companies, hand models have now got it made. Before all this technology, hand models use to be mainly women promoting nail polish. But I've been noticing these beautiful hands particularly in the new iPad commercials and wondering who these faceless models are... and how much do they get paid? I've read that a :30 second spot can take up to 12 hours. So you may think you have beautiful hands and this would be the perfect line of work for you, but hand modeling is still considered "work." You need to still create a modeling portfolio, take really good care of your hands constantly, and deal with rejection. And watch out for those hand job jokes!

My favorite hand modeling reference is of course the Seinfeld episode where George becomes a hand model. Check out the video.

Chef in the House

My husband is a month and half away from graduating from the French Culinary Institute here in NY. I'm so proud of him for deciding to take a risk and go back to school to do what he loves. He had been working in TV for years as an editor/producer and after his company shut down and spending almost a year figuring out what to do, he took a leap and made his dream happen. And the best part is that I get to taste all of his yummy creations (Irish bread pudding, scallops w/ bacon, Mediterranean chicken w/ tahini and hummus)! The downside is that neither of us are working and he now has student loans, but I think the delicious food and doing what you love makes up for it. He's also been interning at The Grocery on Smith St. in Carroll Gardens that I definitely recommend everyone check out. But if you're hungry during the day, head to L'Ecole, the restaurant that is part of FCI. If you go by the end of May I'm sure you'll end up tasting something he cooked up.

Around the Hill in Warm Weather

Being unemployed and having such beautiful weather lately has allowed me to enjoy more of the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area. Yesterday was over 80 degrees, so I went with my friend to Fort Greene Park for a few hours. We had a lovely little picnic at the top of the hill and checked out all the sunbathers. This is a great park and glad that there are places like this in NYC to at least get a little exposure to grass and trees. There's a huge playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the prominent Prison Ships Martyrs Monument. It can get busy but definitely not as crowded as many of the other parks in NYC, and not as much of a "scene" as McCarren Park.

Another place I visited a few times recently that I've never been to before was Tillie's cafe on DeKalb. I've walked by it a million times but finally decided that it was time to check it out. There are a few other cafes in the area, such as Connecticut Muffin, but Tillie's is definitely a hot spot for people with lap tops or people like me who want to just relax with a good book and a cup of coffee. I was a little disappointed that they don't have decaf coffee but they were able to whip me up a decaf espresso type coffee drink.

And if you're looking for a great restaurant, I'd have to recommend Maggie Brown. My husband and I have been here many many times and it's always great food and a cool atmosphere. There's also a big backyard if you want to dine outside in the nice weather. The brunch is amazing. The omelet's are great and come with a side of home fries, salad and toast or a biscuit. And the bloody mary's are not to miss.

LOST & Found

Last night was another amazing episode of LOST! It was a breath of fresh air to finally have an episode about Desmond (all cleaned up with no visible open shirt chest hair) and no mention of the smoke monster and Locke. I would really like to know more about the good vs. evil focus, but I was happy to see the writers get back to some things that were mentioned many episodes ago and to see how Desmond's "flash sideways" played out, especially with Charlie. And it was interesting to see how they realized that the flash sideways are not real life. I'm very much looking forward to next weeks episode which looks like it will be about the always entertaining Hurley.

And if you want more of some of the actors on the show, ABC's FlashForward, V, and the new Happy Town all have various actors. It's amazing to see that "Juliette" landed a main role on V now. I have not had any interest in watching that show but I have caught a few of the beginning episodes of FlashForward and thought it was decent but not good enough to keep me coming back each week. I can't wait for MadMen to start again to fill the void once LOST is over!

Yogalicious

If you're like me, ever since you were a little kid you participated in some form of physical activity. From gymnastics to various kinds of dance to softball to Lacrosse to even cheerleading. But while in college I dropped all that and forced myself to either go to a gym or take a step aerobics class since that's what everyone else did. I really did not enjoy doing this but for some reason I continued it even after college. Then I found yoga and realized I found an activity I really enjoyed and didn't feel like I couldn't keep up or drained at the end of it. I tried a few yoga classes at NY Sport Club, but the atmosphere there is not warm and relaxing. So then I tried OM Yoga in Manhattan, but that was inconvenient and a little expensive. After a few years of on-and-off yoga practice, my husband yet again saved the day and bought me a 10 visit pass to Move With Grace studio on Myrtle Ave. in Clinton Hill, Bklyn. The owner, Grace, started out much like I did with various sports and dance but then went on to study dance professionally. She has been practicing yoga for 8+ years and teaching dance for 5+ years. Grace opened the studio in 2007 and has since been offering dance, yoga and Pilates classes for all ages. The yoga class size can vary depending on the night and the level, but it's anywhere from 3 people to 10 people.

I unfortunately stopped going to Move With Grace because I was trying to save money and also because the time of the more advanced class was at 8:45pm, which is a little late for me. I recommend for anyone who is interested in yoga though to take at least 10 classes, learn what it's all about, and then you can get your own mat and practice at home on your own time. If you really enjoy it, there are so many other opportunities out there, from weekend yoga retreats such as Big Sky Yoga Retreats in Bozeman, Montana where you can indulge in yoga and skiing or yoga and horseback riding. Or, check out the Kripalu center for yoga & health in western Massachusetts where you can enjoy a retreat or even train to be a yoga instructor. Yoga Magazine is also a great resource.

Hooray for Spas!

A word of advice to husbands/wives or boyfriends/girlfriends: just tell your partner what you want as a gift. It makes thinks so much easier for the person buying the gift and the person receiving the gift gets exactly what they want. So I'd like to say thanks to my loving husband who gave me a gift certificate a few months ago for the Great Jones Spa in Manhattan. I was able to indulge in an hour-long heavenly massage followed by relaxing by the hot and cold pools surrounded by a waterfall while reading a magazine. I highly recommend this spa. If you buy a service over $100 you can utilize the rest of the facility for free, or if you spend less than $100 you can use the facility for $50. The rest of the facility includes the hot tub and cold plunge pools, a steam room and a sauna that you can use for as long as you want. They also provide items needed for showering so you can go on with your day without having massage oils caked to your hair. And, there's an organic juice bar next door, which I didn't try but I'm sure it was tasty. And since it's located in a great spot on Great Jones St. near Bleeker St., you can easily walk to Union Square, the East Village or wherever after your rejuvenating afternoon. I know I'll be asking for another spa day again soon!

Because I Care

With the unemployment rate as high as it is and myself being unemployed, I thought that there are people out there who need help and I have the time to do something about it. So after going to an orientation for New York Cares a few weeks ago, I signed up to help at a food pantry right in my neighborhood of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. NY Cares has so many volunteer opportunities that it was hard to pick one but since I wasn't sure how I'd do with animals, seniors or kids, I thought that helping people select free food was the way to go. It was great to meet all the other volunteers, many who return every week to donate their time. But it was even better knowing that I could help out just a little to the people that really need it. And the project was very simple. Basically, anyone can come to the food pantry at the Child Development Support Corporation between 10am and 12pm to pick up a certain amount of food depending on their family size. The food options today (and I was told they can change depending on what has been donated) were cereal, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, canned meat or frozen meat, canned fruits and vegetables, milk, and then an assortment of fresh fruits/veg and baked breads. I think it was about enough to last a few days to a week maybe.

If anyone is interested in volunteering with New York Cares or donating, you can go to their website. If you would like to visit CDSC's food pantry on Thursdays, the address is: 352-358 Classon Ave.

Inconsiderate Cell Phone Users

How is it that more than 30 years after the cell phone was developed people still don't understand cell phone etiquette in public places? Apparently there should have been instructions along with how to program your voice mail. One would think that when making a call you wouldn't want the entire Amtrak train car to know where your house key was hidden and the alarm code, but alas, I was lucky enough to hear all about one woman's problems who was not sitting next to me or even behind me but actually sitting about five rows behind me. While the rest of the train car mumbled under their breadth for her to shut up or looked at each other rolling our eyes, inconsiderate cell phone user continued to talk to someone who I hope was 90 years old otherwise I have no idea why she was talking so loud. So to all you cell phone users out there, please be considerate to those around and use your "indoor voice" that you learned when you were three years old.

The Suburbs

Having lived in NYC for about 10 years now it's always a huge change of pace when visiting the suburbs. I do enjoy the quiet, the trees and the ability to just jump in your car and go. But finding something to do to entertain yourself besides the mall or the movies is always a challenge. So on Saturday night while visiting family up in MA, my father decides that we are going to go see a play. Now a play in Boston would be great, but a play in Arlington, MA is another story. The town itself is quaint with it's make your own pottery stores and cute restaurants, which then makes me wonder what will this play be like. The play was called "Drop Dead!", which is what I would have liked to have done after about the first 10 minutes. Since my family knew two of the actors in the play we had to sit through it unfortunately. The irony of it all is that "Drop Dead!" is a play about the making of a bad play with bad actors, oh and there is some murder mixed in there. So I saw the comedy in it all and stuck through it, even when they turned the heat off at intermission (yes, there was even an intermission). I am generally impressed by any person who is willing to have the guts to get up on a stage and perfom in front of a crowd - that is if there is a crowd. This audience was about 40 people in a huge theater and I think 10 of them left at intermission.

The best part of the whole show was the opening act, Dave Russo, comedian. I should have realized that if there's an opening comedian to get the audience in a good mood before the play, that the play itself probably can't stand on it's own. Dave Russo, who had won the Boston International Comedy Festival, had some pretty funny and relatively clean jokes that made the first 1/2 hour all worth while. And when he was heckled by a 103 year old man in the front row after having his mic go out, I thought this was a pretty funny night in the suburbs.

One's Hobby is Another's Treasure

Today was a cold windy day so I finally motivated and made two pair of earrings to add to my jewelry biz. They are both pretty simple, elegant (and affordable!) and great for everyday wear. Everything is handmade, even the earring wire hooks. If you like, let me know :)

Ugh, Interviews!

How I feel about job interviews right now.

Another Day

Another day in the life of the unemployed in New York City. Saw my husband get up and go make his dreams come true today while I lay in bed. He's more than half way through culinary school and working an internship at a highly-regarded Brooklyn restaurant. I, on the other hand, woke up, made an omelette, watched the TODAY show, checked my email, sent thank you notes to some places I've interviewed with, and then decided to start a blog. It's only 11 am so I guess you could say that's somewhat productive so far. My plans for later today... read a book maybe or design some jewelry that I keep putting off doing. Shameless plug: Check out my jewelry at www.jmbauer78.etsy.com.

So how did I become unemployed and what was I doing you ask? I was working as a sr. marketing manager at a travel magazine for over 2 years when the company decided that a few layoffs would help the company. I still don't understand this thinking but I'm taking what I've learned and moving on. It's now been 1 month and 10 work days since the day of the big storm (figuratively and literally). I really enjoy writing and have been thinking about starting a blog for a while now and for some unknown reason decided that today was the day. I hope you all enjoy it, and please feel free to leave your comments and share your stories.