25 December 2010

Merry Christmas!

Ah the majesty of Christmas...



"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white @ss down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of @ssholes this side of the nuthouse". - Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)

23 December 2010

Back on Track

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life,
because you get out of it what you put into it."

                                                           -Oprah Winfrey

henri cartier-bresson, 1968


Here's my inspiration to get back to running...and to stop eating all of the cookies, pastries, chocolates and whatever else in the gift baskets sent to the office.

22 December 2010

Hooray for Winter Solstice

Perhaps it's the Celtic pagan left in my blood that makes me a firm believer in the astrological wonders. In any case, thank goodness the winter solstice arrived on December 21st. The shortest day and longest night of the year is over. Bring on the sun!

10 December 2010

Let's Eat!

We're off to the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park this weekend. The Sailor will be learning how to cook all sorts of Parisienne bistro specialties. Moi- I'm checking out the Christmas decorations at the FDR mansion. It's better that way.


Excited for American Bounty! Review to follow.

07 December 2010

"A Philosophical Fable"


A cozy spot to curl up on a snowy day and read...


It's been awhile since I read a book that really captured my imagination and moved me. But as soon as I finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I wanted to read it again. I read it for the story the first time, but it's chock full of symbolism and philosophical musings worth consideration. Highly recommended!

From Litlovers.com:

"We are in the center of Paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. Renée, the concierge, is witness to the lavish but vacuous lives of her numerous employers. Outwardly she conforms to every stereotype of the concierge: fat, cantankerous, addicted to television. Yet, unbeknownst to her employers, Renée is a cultured autodidact who adores art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With humor and intelligence she scrutinizes the lives of the building's tenants, who for their part are barely aware of her existence.

Then there's Paloma, a twelve-year-old genius. She is the daughter of a tedious parliamentarian, a talented and startlingly lucid child who has decided to end her life on the sixteenth of June, her thirteenth birthday. Until then she will continue behaving as everyone expects her to behave: a mediocre pre-teen high on adolescent subculture, a good but not an outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.

Paloma and Renée hide both their true talents and their finest qualities from a world they suspect cannot or will not appreciate them. They discover their kindred souls when a wealthy Japanese man named Ozu arrives in the building. Only he is able to gain Paloma's trust and to see through Renée's timeworn disguise to the secret that haunts her. This is a moving, funny, triumphant novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us."

04 December 2010

All I want for Christmas...

All I want for Christmas...is just the green dress.

I just really want the green dress. I'd wear it everywhere.



Pu-leeeza. I've been good.

Vacation!

Vacation!
Vacation! Well, not really vacation yet. Ms.-Behind-the-Times just learned how Polyvore works.

30 November 2010

Gotta Have Sole

After a couple of Christmases, where nearly all my gifts from my parents were returned or exchanged,  Momsy decided that it was easier for me to pick out my own presents. She wouldn't have to waste time in the stores deliberating over the pink fluffy robe or brown corduroy dress. I wouldn't feel badly returning both the pink fluffy robe and the brown corduroy dress. I shop, she wraps, and everybody is happy. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

25 November 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for that I can't possibly write it all in one blog post today. In short, I feel wonderfully blessed to have such a loving family and good friends.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!




For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And I am especially grateful for the Sailor, who brings joy and purpose to my life. xoxo

17 November 2010

Engaged! Prince William and Kate Middleton

Now that my own wedding has passed, I can look forward to the royal wedding! What church will they choose for the ceremony? What designer will she wear? I think that Kate Middleton is stylish and beautiful -- fit to be a princess. She should be applauded for exhibiting poise and class throughout many years of being hounded by the papparazzi. Here's the post-engagement interview if you haven't already seen it:

16 November 2010

Post "Post Time"

Zenyatta made me remember why I first fell in love with horseracing. After nineteen wins, Zenyatta came up short of a perfect record at the Breeders Cup earlier this month. Some called it a devastating defeat by a horse named Blame. The loss should not however go down as a disappointment. Zenyatta has brought more fans to the sport than any other horse in the last two decades and has restored the glory to the "sport of kings" (And queens!)

11 November 2010

Thank You to Those Who Serve


Thank you to all of those who have served our country,
and the families that stand by and support the men and women in uniform.

10 November 2010

Audrey Hepburn: Thought for the Day

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
 
 
 
 

 

05 November 2010

Schedule Time for Happy Hour

It's been a whirlwind week, but I've managed to find quiet time in the early hours of the day. My new morning routine involves waking up early to catch up on blogs -- get my fix of frivoulous and fashion for the day -- before I start the day. It's quality "Me" time.

TGIF!



02 November 2010

Run Like a Girl

I've never really considered myself a runner. Despite the fact that, no matter where I live (and I've had upwards of a dozen apartments in ten years) or where I visit (Puerto Villarta, Virginia Beach, Hilton Head, Sanibel Island, Rhode Island, etc.), I always make a point to go running, I've never felt like a "runner" until this summer when I really started logging some miles and enjoying hating running less.

01 November 2010

Day One Again


Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America.  If I'm not there, I go to work.  ~Robert Orben

31 October 2010

29 October 2010

The Legend

Groan, chuckle or "Say whhhaaat?"

"Sometimes things just bug me. Like when someone leaves the sunvisor down in their car when there's no need for it; the smell left on your hands after using an old sponge; Thursdays; the number 23; and then there are customized license plates." License 2 Rant

28 October 2010

Time Well Spent

Photo by Jen Siska


The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ~Bertrand Russell

A life without leisure is a life without pleasure. So kick up your heels and play today!




27 October 2010

Green With Envy

During my "sabbatical"/ fun-employment/extended vacation/ period of pure bliss, I've spent a lot of time rejuvenating, exploring my creative side and trying to redecorate our humble abode. That means, I've spent countless hours looking for inspiration from designers on The Decor Diary, Studio Ten 25, Charm Home, and Design Refuge.

26 October 2010

Pumpkin Bread

I admit, I am pretty wasteful when it comes to certain things. But one thing I haaaate is wasting food. (Yet I also refuse to eat leftovers. It doesn't make sense, I know).

Fall Fun at Friends Lake Inn

Busy weekend! Pumpkin carving... We finally figured out that, if you don't have small children or many trick-or-treaters, mini pumpkins work just as well for jack-o-lanterns.

22 October 2010

This Song...

Never gets old. No matter how many times I play it. Look at that hair!

Date Night at the Movies




Because I have a short attention span and rarely can sit through a movie in the theater, the Sailor and I haven't been to a movie in for-ever. The last movie we went to see in the theater was Four Christmases, which in fact came out two Christmases ago.

I do however have a love of horses, and I used to get a big thrill out of playing the ponies at the Saratoga racetrack. So, we went to see Secretariat last night.


It was a feel good, family movie-- exciting even though you knew what was going to happen-- and it was inspiring. Made me want to get back in the saddle and ride again. And, to top it all off, it had a strong female lead, Diane Lane, who played a housewife that followed her heart and intuition.

"This is about life behing ahead of you, and you run at it."
Penny Chenery Tweedy, Secretariat's owner



Another great line from the movie: "You need Lucien Laurin. He dresses like Super Fly." John Malkovich was hilarious as the eccentric, semi-retired, French-Canadien trainer Lucien Laurin.




Two thumbs up.

20 October 2010

File Under: Conspiracy Theory or Strange But True

Word around town this summer was that an acquaintance was invited to the uber-exclusive, secretive Bohemian Grove gathering that takes place each year in mid-July. This naturally resulted in curiosity about what does in fact take place at Bohemian Grove and who are the members of the Bohemian Club? And of course, how can they possibly have any fun if they don't allow women to join?

19 October 2010

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

Drew Barrymore has never looked more elegant! Check out these highlights from the Mark Seliger glamour shoot for the October 2010's cover story in Harper's Bazaar.

18 October 2010

Thought for the day...

The Zymurgist: Part 1

Among his many other talents, the Sailor is a brewmaster. He has been making homebrew for the better part of a decade and is pretty knowledgeable about zymurgy, the branch of chemistry related to fermentation.


Two years ago, the Sailor introduced me to the art of beer-making when we brewed a clone of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It was ready to drink just as winter arrived. We called it Snowday Pale Ale in honor those much-loved days off from school or work, treasured free time spent doing whatever your heart desired. 


Little did I know beforehand, that the Sailor's way of brewing is no "Mr. Beer"operation. It's the real deal-- lots of steps and quite the process for someone who has little patience (i.e. Me). It's all worth in the end though...

As we prepared to brew this year, the Sailor took a few days to examine recipes online for the beer I wanted to make, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale-- described on the Sierra Nevada website as robust and rich, perfect for a festive gathering or a quiet evening at home.

Although the recipe for celebration wasn't easy to find, the Sailor performed a few calculations based on the information on the Sierra site and a handy online tool at Make-A-Beer-At-Home.


alcohol content 6.8% by volumebittering hops Chinook
beginning gravity 16.0 Platofinishing hops Cascade & Centennial
ending gravity 4.0 Platodry hopping Cascade & Centennial
bitterness units 65malts Two-row Pale & English Caramel
yeast Top-fermenting Ale Yeast


The Sailor already has a lot of the requisite beer-making supplies, including the brewer's handbook, fermenting bucket, airlock, stopper, hydrometer, thermometer, sanitizer, a giant mizing pot and long-handled mixing spoons.



But we needed to go to the homebrew shop to gather fresh ingredients -- filtered water, malt extract, yeast, hops, and grains for the Celebration Ale.



A few tips for selecting ingredients:
Use filtered water-- but not distilled (no minerals)-- to avoid any funky tastes like chlorine. Water is the primary ingredient, so if you're going to use tap water, make sure it tastes good.

The grains contain the starch that converts to sugar so the yeast have something to ferment. Beer, by definition, contains at least 50% barley. Add specialty grains for flavor.



Hops inhibit spoilage, give the beer flavor (bitterness to balance out sweetness) and aroma.  They also help keep the "head" or ensure the beer is frothy when it's poured.

Yeast obviously starts the fermentation process and determines what kind of beer you're going to make. The ale yeast hangs out at the top of the fermenting jug, while lager yeast lands on the bottom.

14 October 2010

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Agh! I just read about a so-called canned pumpkin shortage last year. Nestle, which controls about 85% of canned pumpkin production, released an apology stating that, due to heavy rains in the Midwest, there would be less of a yield.

While no such similar warnings have come out this year, I have heard from many friends about their newly-formed obsession with anything pumpkin. Pumpkin latte, pumpkin beer, pumpkin butter, pumpkin bread and cookies, creamy pumpkin soup, pumpkin marmalade-- everything except good ole' pumpkin pie.



Think Pink

One in eight women will get breast cancer during her lifetime. That's me, you, your mom, your sister, your aunt, your friend, your co-worker or your neighbor.

200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 women die from breast cancer each year. On average, one woman dies from breast cancer every 13 minutes in the U.S.

11 October 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones

I can hardly wait for the October 26th release of Keith Richards' biography "Life."In the meantime vintage concert film shot during the 1972 Exile on Main Street tour comes to home video this week. 


09 October 2010

Boho-Chic Wardrobe Inspiration

So excited to see one of my favorite fashion designers featured in Fashion Washington Fall Style. Jules Reid, stockbroker turned interior designer turned fashion designer, features bold colors and whimsical prints inspired from her travels.

Well, are you?





Well, are you? And if you're not, what are you gonna' do about it?

Remember, Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

08 October 2010

The Road to Shamballa | music by Three Dog Night



Happy Friday! This song makes me want to dance. It's about a spiritual journey and all the good stuff in life-- kindness, cooperation, joy. Anytime I need a little pick-me-up, I play it LOUD.

07 October 2010

Disco Diva

A quick jaunt over to Newport, RI in the rain resulted in...too much shopping! But I did get some fabulous stuff! As soon as I spotted this silver shift dress, I knew I just had to have it.




And here's the back. Love the feminine detail!



Wouldn't it be perfect for a New Year's Eve party? 

258 Days...of F-U-N

I'm still mourning the end of summer and all things that bring joy to my life during those months. In an attempt to combat the dreaded deep depression that sets in with the frigid Northeast winters, the Sailor and I spent an evening working on an agenda of F-U-N activities for the 258 days between now and the advent of summer on June 22, 2011.

30 September 2010

Style Inspiration

Grace, Elegance, Sophistication
Jackie's at Play Wardrobe

Classic! Black turtleneck and Cartier Tank

29 September 2010

Annual Girls Weekend

I got a full dose of motherhood and New England living this weekend when I traveled to Connecticut for a visit with my college roommates and best friends, M and A. I was totally impressed with Mommy M’s meticulous organization, endless patience and abundant energy in keeping up with her adorable 1 ½ year old -- and still be up for a Girls Night Out on Saturday.  

24 September 2010

Sail Fast


Good luck to The Sailor and  the crew of Windog in the J22 Regatta!

23 September 2010

Happy (Belated) Birthday Lilly Pulitzer!

Earlier this week, fashionista Lilly Pulitzer celebrated her 79th birthday.

I Scream, You Scream...We all scream for ice cream

Amid the flurry of job search related activity (Yay!),  I’ve been inattentive to my newborn blog. I missed not only the chance to post about last weekend's sweet treat but also missed the opportunity to blog about the celebration of Lily Pulitzer’s birthday on September 20th. So... here’s to making up for lost time!

17 September 2010

Got Mail?

In the age of electronic communication, email, IM, DM, chat, it's rare to receive a handwritten note in the mail. There are few things however that express that you care enough about someone to spend the time not only selecting beautiful paper or a pretty card but also that you took the time to handwrite it.

"A sealed envelope captures the moment in time that you thought of your friend, acquaintance, love and sat down to share your gratitude. We live in an impersonal world. Phone calls end, emails disappear, texts drop spare change compared to the riches of sending stationery, ink, signature, and a piece of your time they can hold and read and read again."
Annabel Clarke Mackay, The Paperqueen

14 September 2010

Honk for Ham

We’ve started a new tradition up here in the Adirondacks. With the arrival of Fall comes the Annual Pig Roast, theeeee social event of the season.
This year, we celebrated the 3rd Annual Roast with sixty of our closest friends and family.

13 September 2010

Finding The One

I recently heard from an old friend who went through a terrible break-up. It was, in many ways, her first long-term relationship and real “love.” Whether you’re thirteen or thirty-five, getting dumped is never easy. But when you’re a bit older, the stakes seem higher because you think you know yourself better; you know what you’re looking for in a mate; what you will and will not tolerate; what values and interests will make a compatible match.

09 September 2010

Just Write Something, ANYTHING Already

I've been talking about starting this blog all summer long, after being inspired by Summer Is a Verb, The Cupcaketologist, Nesting Place, PVE Designs, Wait in the Van, Fresh Every Day and too many others to list (Abridged list included for The Sailor, who says I spend an "inordinate amount of time online"). I was determined that I too would write something interesting enough to keep readers coming back. But the first three dozen attempts to debut my talent and write my inaugural blog, I faced a blank computer screen, paralyzed by writer's block, and, well, the pressure of writing something interesting enough to keep readers coming back.
 
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