And yet my will power lives on...

Remember this Anna Scholz dress I wrote about back in May...

Well it's down from $630 to $422. Maybe it will get down even lower someday. Le Sigh.

Also the reversible Cynthia Rowley skirt I fell in love with back in November is on clearance.

But not in my size. Le double sigh.

It's fashion week in NYC so expect more coverage!

And the rice veil opened...

This past week I have been reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I realize that I'm a little late to this party. It's one of those books that I heard about through an incredibly long grapevine and was more interested in because it is resulting in a movie in which Meryl Streep plays Julia Child more than for what it was actually about. This was of course before I realized what it was actually about.

Now being a New Yorker who works as a secretary but is really an actress who is not currently really getting anywhere with it is something I can completely identify with. Loving good french food is another. Needless to say, I am enjoying this book. I can laugh along with the author about the vagaries of New York City apartment plumbing. I know all to well the thin line between happiness and humiliation that is toed when throwing a dinner party with nothing but a faulty gas stove and a prayer.

Does it make me want to follow suit and whip up every single recipe in Mastering The Art Of French Cooking? Absolutely not. At least not in 365 days. However, it does make me realize that even for all of the adventurous eating I do, there are so many things I've never tried, either from simple lack of opportunity or stubbornly clinging childhood resistances.

What finally got through to me was the section of the book where they kept eating liver. And rhapsodizing about it. Now this is definitely one of those childhood things, and except maybe for turkey liver chopped up tiny in the Thanksgiving gravy, liver is definitely a substance that has never passed my lips. Well, last night I finally manned up. That's not to say I ate any liver, but I did call my mother to request that she make it the next time I'm home. (My mother is a liver fan, and I always like to have something cooked for me once before I attempt to make it myself.

So I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I should attempt to be an even more adventurous eater than I already am. I should seek out new and exciting flavors (and make myself try them in at least two or three preparations before giving up.)

I already like brussel sprouts, eggplant, and beets which are kind of the trifecta of veggies that everybody hates. So, what should I try next? I'm open to suggestions. although I do think there's no way any of you will ever get me to eat aspic. What I do know is that the next time I decide I need a cocktail at the end of a stressful day I'm going to try a vodka gimlet on for size. You can only read about how delightful they are for so long before giving in to temptation.

To Be Stirred...

is I think one of my favorite life experiences. Whether it's a peice of art, or a song, or just something you hear someone say on the street; that feeling of your heart lifting in your ribcage in a moment of euphoria is something that is always genuine. And anything in this day and age that is truly genuine should be cherished.

I was stirred last night during (possibly the worst ever) Tony awards broadcast. But though the broadcast itself was bad, there were a few numbers that stood out. For me, there was nothing to compare with "Move On" from Sondheim's Sunday In The Park With George. This performance along with the letter Sondheim wrote in acceptance of his lifetime achievement award, absolutely made the night for me. I'd like to share them both with you here.

Stephen Sondheim
Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
(As read by Mandy Patinkin)

Thank you all, but this award has to be shared with Julius Epstein, Arthur Laurents, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, George Furth, Jim Goldman, John Weidman, Hugh Wheeler and James Lapine. These are the men who created the characters that sang the songs, the situations that gave rise to the songs and the criticism that improved the songs. They were my collaborators. They are called playwrights. They invent. They make whole cloth out of nothing. They make a hat where there never was a hat. And they don’t just write musicals.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m not sharing this Award with Hal Prince, it’s because he already has one.

Lifetime Achievement has a deadly sound to it, a ring of finality, a faint whiff of "You’ve outlived your usefulness." And, as you get older, you start to believe that. At least some writers do, including me.

The problem is that the more venerable you get, the harder it becomes to avoid the fear of not living up to the expectations and praise that are bestowed on you -- as in the form of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nevertheless, buoyed by your encouragement, with more Lifetime I -- we -- promise you more, if not higher, Achievement.

Thank you all again.




Edit: How could I forget the one part of the evening that actually made me tear up a little!!!!! What is wrong with me. I am referring of course, to this...

At this very moment...

I want a margarita.
A real one.
I'm not talking pre-made mix.

I'm talking on the rocks.
With salt.
Perhaps a few muddled strawberries.

First person to make one magically appear in front of me gets a BIG kiss.

So hop to it. You know you want some smoochin'.

Perfect. Just Perfect.

He is so spot on with this. And yes,I am totally a nerd for David Cook.



I was also highly amused by the following during the American Idol Finale. I should really dedicate an entire post to the magical love affair I have been having with Robert Downey Jr. since I was 11.

Shoes. Let's get some shoes.

Jen and I bought shoes today. Red and blue for me (Bogo!), and mustard for Jen (Remix).

We also trekked to Brooklyn to check out an A+mazing PLUS SIZE boutique I discovered last night while watching an episode of What Not To Wear. Lee Lee's Valise is located on the corner of Court St. and President St. They had so many beautiful things that actually fit me!!! The staff were friendly and pleasant but not at all overbearing. The owner, Lisa, even persuaded me to try on a $700 Anna Scholz gown. Can I just say that I have not felt so tall EVER in my life, not to mention thin. Obviously I was not going for the red carpet dress, but I may have to save up for some fabulous Svoboda wide leg jeans.

Next, we made our way to Union Square for the farmers market. (Enroute we got sidetracked by a few shoe stores as you can see above.) We also stopped in at Filene's Basement to check off some items on Jen's to do list for her upcoming tour in Asia, but we didn't have too much luck.

Our bad luck continued with a frightening trip to the Union Square McDonalds, (we know, we know.) And unfortunately, things didn't get much better at the farmers market. I don't know if it was the chilly weather today that kept the vegetable sellers away, or if we simply came too late to catch anyone. By the time we got there, the market was mainly comprised of butchers, bakers, and... apple sellers. In the end we came away with some delicious cider and apple cider donuts from the same orchard/bakery. So we weren't too upset.

All in all we had a beautiful gloomy Saturday, and came away with some cute new kicks. Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Bramasole Soup

So named by my sister Magpie because I made it on a rainy day. Bramasole (apart from being the name of the house in Frances Mayes wonderful books, Under The Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany) means "yearning for the sun." I thought it was a perfect sentiment for the improvised pot of loveliness I made this past Monday night. I am a huge fan of Tuscan white bean soup but hadn't personally made it before and when I went searching for a recipe I didn't find anything that particularly struck my fancy. So I decided to just make it up. Unfortunately we ate the whole pot before I thought to take a picture, which is quite sad as it was full of color and gorgeous when plated with the cornbread that went along with it. I think maybe next time I will try polenta fries instead. Hope you enjoy the recipe...

Bramasole Soup (aka happy rainy day soup!)

Olive oil

1 large yellow onion (halved and sliced)

4 cloves garlic (minced)
salt & pepper

3 medium red potatoes (1/2 inch cubed)

Sweet Italian sausage (with sage if possible)

1 can cannellini beans (drained not rinsed)

1 large can whole peeled tomatoes (completely drained and roughly chopped)

1 bag baby spinach

2 cups water

3 cups chicken stock

3 tbsp or more Italian seasoning (or fresh italian herbs, whatever is more readily available)

1. Heat olive oil in stock pot. Add onions salt and pepper. Cook onions 4-5 minutes.

2. Add garlic, continue to sauté for a few minutes and then add potatoes. It's fine if the skins stick a bit. This will come up once you've added your liquid.

3. Add sausage. Let this mixture cook for about 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring.

4. Add water, chicken stock, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer

5. When you've got about 10 minutes left, add the beans and tomatoes. Simmer 10 minutes

6. Add spinach, cook until just wilted. Simmer on low until ready to serve.

*I'm trying to decide whether the potatoes need to be a smaller dice, or eliminated completely. If anyone tries this out please let me know what you think. :) *

Please forgive my horrible recipe writing skills. I'll get better I promise!