Bloom, Bloom...

My "accent" bouquet.

Spring is finally here and I have not forgotten about this blog! I've been a busy New York bee, hence, the mini-hiatus from posting. But, what better way to kick-start things around here once more than this literally flowery story.

The other weekend, I was at an event wherein I'd been given a lovely bouquet of pastel-colored roses. Upon getting home, I immediately filled an empty jar with water, trimmed the stems, and placed them on my writing desk (see photo, right). They lasted all of last week, during which, I thought to myself how nice it would be to have fresh flowers all the time in one's home.

Now, all the more I truly believe in our ability to manifest the things we want in our lives

From last week.

 (further reinforced lately by listening to inspirational author and speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer's audiobooks and recorded lectures), even if it's something as simple and seemingly mundane such as flowers. Today, I got an email from my friend Kat, inviting me to an event at the H.Bloom studio—the company that has started subscription-based floral delivery services in New York City and Washington D.C. (check out their website, it's a fabulous concept!). Attending the event meant I got to choose and create my own super fun bouquet alongside what I learned to be an "accent" a.k.a. accessory to the main arrangement. So now I have these gorgeous flowers yet again, and this time, two new vases I could refill with beautiful blooms that come my way.

Very proud of my bouquet! Thanks, H.Bloom!

Up close.

We got to choose from these pretty blooms and greens...

...Then proceeded to trim and prep.

Ta-da!

Kat's bouquet. Really fresh, pretty, and spring-y!

Check out her punchy-hued outfit as well!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham at work.

I'd initially hesitated on blogging about the movie, Bill Cunningham New York—a documentary about the phenomenal New York Times photographer, who, at 82, is still out and about on his bicycle, chronicling (in film!) the frocks of NYC's true-blue fashionistas—because anything I say wouldn't do justice to the man who has devoted his working life to art and beauty. (See, even that feels so lacking in impact. You must see the movie.)

Cunningham is now my favorite octogenarian.

I actually "met" Cunningham at this Hamptons event last summer. Someone mentioned in passing who he was, but, out of sheer ignorance, I didn't realize the magnitude of what that meant. Had I known what and who I was around, I would have dropped everything and have given Bill Cunningham a big hug (I wonder though how he would've responded). Instead, I went about my business taking snapshots of the likes of Star Jones and all those people. Sigh. Sad, but true.

Talking to identically-dressed women. I love Cunningham's attitude! Soo endearing.

Again, I really can't verbalize this whole thing enough—how heart-tugging it was to see him patch up a black poncho; how that trademark blue shirt is actually a run-of-the-mill uniform French street workers wear; how he NEVER takes a bite or sip at dinner parties; how he refers to himself as "the man on the bicycle" when phoning the store that develops rolls of his film; and more. So, check out the trailer to get a glimpse of this remarkable man and his legendary work AND breathtaking work ethic.

Images courtesy of Zeitgeistfilms.com.

College Musical

One of the most memorable movie soundtracks around.

While in the kitchen prepping ingredients for banana bread and chocolate chip squares, my Pandora Quickmix suddenly played the song, "Crash" by the Dave Matthew's Band. I stopped in my tracks and took a moment to listen to the song I hadn't heard in YEARS. I found it odd that the anthem of my late teens never found its way to my iTunes playlist. So, suffice it to say, I have been fixating on songs I used to listen to back in the day.

It also occurred to me, how, for a good decade—from the early nineties to the turn of the new millenium—I'd regularly played the guitar as a hobby. As a teen, one summer I taught myself to play, and that school year in high school, I chose guitar as a music elective. I didn't become quite the expert, but I learned the basics in a more academic setting. I played random classical pieces, and my teacher—a lanky, long-haired guitarist who probably had his own band and was working as a music instructor during the day—would sneak in some contemporary hits during practice sessions. Eventually, as college rolled around, I learned how to play songs by Dave Matthews, D'Sound, Everything But The Girl, and all of those artists who were popular back in the day. It felt like a lifetime ago, and I instantly started to wish I had a new guitar to completely reminisce, as well as relearn, the tunes of my yesteryears and actually pick up new pieces (Taylor Swift's "Love Story," perhaps?).

One particular song that got my heart thudding today was "We Meet Again" by Nancy Wilson, which was featured in the Jerry Maguire OST (sample the iTunes track here or on Amazon.com). Now, this one was incredibly memorable and special because at the time, my ex-boyfriend and I were just friends at the climbing gym we both frequented, and I tried to impress him by learning the complicated track, which required precise plucking of certain notes, versus collectively strumming chords. So what I did, since the College of Music was just across the street from MassComm, I approached a random musician and asked if he could translate the song into sheet music for me, into "tabs" as what they're commonly called. 

Looking back, I couldn't believe I did that(!)—both the fact that I commissioned a music student AND went through all that effort to get a boy's attention. How I wish I still knew who the guy was—he did an excellent job that within a week or so, I had pages of music to study. I probably told my ex the story when we did get together about a year after. He and I are actually still friends to this day (his wife did my beautiful invites and they both were guests at my wedding). I do have some thoughts on staying friends vs. not staying friends with people whom one dated and that would merit another post altogether. 

It's just amazing how my life changed throughout the years, and how the music I listened to changed with it in the process (now it's plenty of house, Chicane, Phoenix, Katy-Perry-pop), and, now that I'm married and living here in New York City, how I'm rediscovering good bits and pieces from my past and finding ways to incorporate them in my current life.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com.

Choux-in

I'll huff and I'll puff...

Pâte à Choux ("pat-teh-shoo") is the building block for all cream puffs, eclairs, and profiteroles. And, I just found out that it's the same dough used for churros (usually dipped in chocolate, once fried). Same goes for donut holes, and, if you wish, for savory chicken or tuna salad sandwiches.

I first chanced upon the idea of making cream puffs at a birthday party, where my cousin-in-law's former roommate prepared these delightful airy treats. She said they were easy to make, and shortly after that party, I saw a recipe in an issue of Martha Stewart Everyday Food. I've made it twice so far ever since, but it was only last week that I decided to make a full-fledged batch filled with pastry cream made from scratch, folded with Crème Chantilly (a.k.a. sweetened whipped cream) and dipped in melted dark chocolate. The results were phenomenal, and the cream puffs even tasted better once refrigerated.

I referenced three recipes—Martha Stewart's, Alton Brown's, and Chef Eric Crowley's (of The Culinary Classroom in L.A.). I went  with Crowley's, whose how-to video may be viewed on YouTube. But, note that if you're making smaller cream puffs, to go with the oven temperature in Stewart's version. Brown is usually my go-to for precise measurements, but given that I do not own a kitchen scale here in NY, I had to skip the Good Eats host's Pâte à Choux. But, I highly recommend watching his "Choux Shine" episode—educational and entertaining as always.

For the filling, again, it was a combo of Francois Payard's Pastry Cream recipe from Marthastewart.com and Crowley's Crème Chantilly (you basically just have to fold in the aerated cream into the cooled custard).

Recipes follow (modified and edited as applicable). You'll find the rest after the jump. Enjoy!

You'll need:

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
3 oz butter (6 tablespoons)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 to 5 eggs

powdered sugar to sprinkle on top of finished dessert (optional)
muffin tin or baking sheet
parchment paper (a.k.a. Glad Bake and Cooking Paper)

Row, Row...

The real "Winklevii" in action.

Earlier at the gym, I chose the cardio machine near the window, overlooking the water and the bridge. Minutes into my workout, I noticed a small figure moving across, from left to right—it was a guy rowing in a narrow and long kayak. It reminded me of the Winklevoss twins and their crew in The Social Network, and I was quite mesmerized at how the guy was just paddling solo along the length of the river. I wondered whether he'd circled all of Manhattan, or where he'd started.

Within moments, a speedboat arrived, slowing down a few meters away from the kayak. Sosyal! was the first thing that came to mind. All the more I got curious about how one could actually engage in such a cool sport in New York, and where the starting point was (Chelsea Piers?). I then imagined that someday, my husband and I would do the exact same thing. Yes—including the speedboat "support" and all :)

Image courtesy of pennyinkwell.tumblr.com.