While I don’t watch much reality tv, I do enjoy the occasional tidbit. One of my favorite reality show gems is Kelly Cutrone.
She’s a beacon of brash, snarky, sharp-witted, nasty, mean, yet unabashed honesty. If you ever get the chance to see Jay Carroll’s documentary Eleven Minutes, she’s the next best thing in the movie next to Jay.
I found this little tidbit in an article in the February 2009 issue of Elle magazine.
It sums up how I’ve been feeling this week about my latest job in fashion. Even on my worst day it’s all about keeping things in perspective.
Kelly has a book & reality tv show in the works. I won’t be reading the book but I might sneak a peek at the show when it comes on.
I’m not one for New Years Resolution or overly deep reflection but given the fact that 2009 was a tough year for me, I sit here now writing an farewell blog post to 2009. After a whirlwind of school activities, I graduated with a degree in a field where the recession has hit the hardest. I struggled to make ends meet, cried more tears than I can count, and put on a semi-happy face when I left my apartment in the hopes of good things to come while cheering myself up with frequent cupcake runs.
Now 2009 is over and as I flip 2009 the bird, I look forward to the goodness that a new decade can bring. While I don’t really make resolutions there are things I hope to do more of the in new year and this new decade. I hope to focus more on developing more of my own fashion designs and start actually selling them. I hope to actually get back into the groove of blog posting. I hope to start taking more pictures and making an effort to appreciate the world around me in my artistic journey. I hope to be more adventurous. I hope to see more of the world and more of my friends and family. I hope to make it to Fiji and Machu Picchu. I hope to learn a new language. And I hope to eat a LOT more cupcakes.
2010 is here my friends. Let’s make the most of it.
Sunday I read a blog post that stated that one should not use quilting fabric for fashion apparel. I shall not be listening to this advice as Saturday morning I fell in love with this…..
I very rarely like prints. Mostly because I don’t like many things floral big or small. This one is fun and bright and destined to become a fun little tunic.
About 5 years ago, after dealing with allergies and multiple trips to allergists & dermatologists, I made a conscious decision to cut down on all the crazy toiletries and lotions that I use. Not only was it affecting my skin & body in weird ways, it was a BIG waste of money. Do you really need 5 different scented lotions even if the are 5 for $25? I also realized that my Grandmother managed to live her life without all this jazz, so why couldn’t I. Now she is also the type to use lard as lotion so I’m not going that far. So here is my general break-down:
- Oil of Olay Sensitive Unscented Soap
- Clean & Clear Sensitive Facial Cleanser (or Kiehl’s Blue Gel Cleanser when I can afford it)
- Purpose Moisturizer w/SPF15
- Aveeno Lotion (unscented)
- Dove Unscented Deodorant
- Almond Oil (for the grocery store aisle) for hair, and skin in the winter months
-5 perfumes : 2 Body shop oils (mango,vanilla) & 3 quality perfumes (Hanae Mori, Givenchy Indecence, Gaultier Classique)
Makeup: I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis but when I do I use MAC products & Loreal mascara
It’s not all natural but it’s as basic as I can get my regimen to be. One of the best things I learned was to use unscented products and stick to using 1 perfume so that the smells of deodorants & lotions don’t clash.
The Daily Mail had this interesting article today titled “Revealed… the 515 chemicals women put on their bodies every” day
[photo courtesy of Daily Mail]
It’s interesting to see their take on the things the average women uses on a daily basis and the daily chemical intake. Sometimes you really don’t consider what you are putting on your body and how that still affects you and your health. Even with my minimal regimen I may need to revamp to change to more natural products.
Take a look at the article and see how your daily chemical intake stacks up.
Sweet Revenge
62 Carmine Street, New York, NY
Cupcake Prices: $3.50
It pains me to write about Sweet Revenge. Not because the experience was bad, but because I love this place so much I’m afraid that it will become one of those places that’s so well known you have to wait in line and can never get a seat. After our favorite knitting cafe closed, my friends and I were on the lookout for a place that we could do our weekly sit-and-chat. I did some searching on the internet and stumbled upon this place. What convinced me to give it a try? The Happy Hour Special: A $10 cupcake and wine or beer pairing. Cupcake+wine+$10= I’m there!
This place is great. It is small cafe/bar atmosphere where you’ll be greeted by the owner or her wonderful staff. It has a wonderful menu that includes breakfast items or savory cakes, sandwiches, and various cheese/meat plates. (The Tuscan savory cake is my favorite pre-cupcake snack.) They serve tea, coffee, beer, and wine as well. And then there are the cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. Everything is fresh and made on the premises. My friends and I have been known to stop mid-conversation and exclaim “Oooooh what is that smell? It smells soooo good.” If you have the pleasure of being there in the evening you can bear witness to the sights and smells of everything baking.
And now to tell you about the cupcakes. Oh the cupcakes! They are de-light-ful! Each cupcake on the menu has a suggested beer and wine pairing which you can enjoy. I’m not sure that I take full advantage of that information since I’m more interested in the cupcakes than the beverages. Also be advised, that not all the flavors are available all the time. Certain flavors can and will sell out before the end of the day.
The verdict: .
The Dirty Cupcake
This one is rich. It is a Valrhona chocolate cake with dark chocolate truffle. This is a cupcake for adults. It’s not overly sweet but is rich. The cake is moist and the chocolate truffle on top should never be confused for frosting. It’s too good to be called frosting. The only problem with this cupcake is that it should come with a warning sign to eat it slowly. It takes so good that you can eat it a little faster than you should and then you will feel a little overwhelmed at the end. Eat it slowly with a nice cup of coffee or wine and it’s a delight.
The Not So Dirty Cupcake
This is much like the Dirty Cupcake but with a milk chocolate ganauche instead. The same rules of richness apply. Savor it slowly.
The Fleur de Sel Cupcake
This is one of the best cupcakes, if not one of the best desserts, I have ever had in my life. It is a Valrhona chocolate cake with caramel buttercream and salted caramel on top. It is moist and the buttercream is light and sweet. Combined with the salted caramel, it will send you through the roof. A definite fav!
The Pumpkin Spice
The day I tried this cupcake I decided to order a Fleur de Sel “to go” so that I could try something new. I am so glad I did. I do believe this cupcake is seasonal. It is a pumpkin spiced cake with a cream cheese frosting. It was wonderfully moist and light and the frosting was a perfect complement. I could find nothing wrong with this cupcake and will have a few more in the near future.
