What you can craft with recycled paper

More eccentric figurines crafted by anthro:

CHRISTMAS!

'Tis the season to be jolly! I heart the Holiday season and all the cheer that comes with it. Being in NYC during the season is pretty neat, I have to admit. Think about it......almost every Christmas movie takes place in NYC. They really go all out with the lavish decoration and I do not object one bit.

Today after a long day of work, I got off the train just feeling exhausted,dejected, and cold. As I turned to walk home, I was greeted by my favorite "NYC style" Christmas lights where they mummify trees covering every inch with lights. I had seen them prepping before Thanksgiving so I knew it was coming, but to have them on tonight really brightened my spirits. Seriously, every night getting to walk home through this made life that much better!!

And here is another Christmas Spirit scene I dig:

I made the best apple pie ever

I've always love love loved baking. duh. But one dish I had never really tackled was pie. And I mean full on homemade, down to the crust. I had a sudden big urge that this must be accomplished and the perfect time to do this was post apple picking. After a lovely excursion to Fishkill, NY for one of my favorite activities, we returned home with huge sack filled with deliciously scrumptious apples.

Alice and I set out to make our pie, which turned out to be one of the best pies EVER! It was so juicy and tasty words can't even describe. Also, by making the crust it just move a pie into a whole other ball field!

Isn't it beautiful?

Here is the recipe:

For Crust:
- Sift together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- Combine 1 cup shortening and 3 tablespoons chilled butter
-Cut half of the shortening into the flour mixture and work it in lightly with the tips of your fingers until it has the grain of cornmeal
- Cut the remaining half coarsely into the dough until it is pea size
- Sprinkle the dough with 4 tablespoons water
- Blend the water lightly into the dough; if needed add: another tablespoon water
- When you can, gather the dough up into two tidy balls, and stop handling it
-Roll out one dough ball and transfer into pie pan
- Set other ball aside for upper crust

- Peel 7-9 apples and thinly slice

Dry mix used to cover apples:
1 cups white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
(If apples are tart add more sugar; if they are very juicy add more cornstarch)

- Combine all dry ingredients and use to coat apples as you fill the pie (Should be heaping pile above sides)
- Dot with a tablespoon of butter
- Cover with upper crust and prick top
- Bake in a 450 degree over for 10 minutes
- Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake until done; 35-45 minutes or until golden brown

Thoughts on Yo Gabba Gabba

Just a year ago, I was being freaked out as I was an onlooker to a new kiddie show that is all the rage, Yo Gabba Gabba. Kids shows have always been pretty cracked out for some odd reason. Children are not bothered nor phased by this, but when you tune in and are far too old to be watching you suddenly bridge over to a side where you are irked and perplexed by its oddity. I know I watched my fair share of weird shows myself growing up but I don't think anything compares to Yo Gabba Gabba.

The basic plot line is this DJ named Lance Rock has a diorama with creepy little monster figurines in it that come to life and then play with each other and mostly talk about dancing. I really can't complain about the dancing part and did find it pretty cute when the two year old I was watching did as instructed and got up and danced. I did find some pity in the pour souls inside the monster costumes who were expected to dance when their bodies were so overly restricted by for instance having their arms not start until their hips bones. While babysitting, I had the pleasure of watching quite a few episodes. The two year old adored it. The four year old seemed amused as well. I tried to find reason in the 8 year old and told her, "This show is so weird." She just looked back at me and asked, "Why?" so even she couldn't see how ridiculous this show appeared.

Ridiculousness aside, this kid show probably has had the most phenomenal list of guests performers ever! So they must be doing something right. Check it out:










This one wouldn't embed, but you must watch it also!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0yON5bdAU&feature=related

Paper Ostrich

This is one of the many examples of why I adore urbninc. and all that encompasses it. I wish I had thought of making a huge ostrich out of paper.

spotted at Anthro in Atlanta, GA

Mad Philly Fro-Yo Style

Thanks to Gossip Girl and the Hills, the Pink Berry craze has really taken off. I tried it once and it was fine. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't so overwhelmingly good that every time I walk by I am not tempted to go to it (such as the feeling I get when passing a bakery per say.) Well, on a jaunt to Philadelphia recently, I went to a little place called Phileo. It blew my socks off. It is basically Philly's knock-off version in that the decor was done almost identical with similar seating and the same color scheme BUT in the actual product dept. they are two steps ahead of Pink Berry.

Here, you get to crank the arm of the froyo machine all by yourself. There is something to be said about having this control; pretty exhilarating! Brings you back to good old d-hall day. They also have about 14 different flavors to choose from compared to Pink Berry's selection of plain plus maybe two or three extras. For the indecisive this doesn't have pose as because you can give a little squirt of as many flavors as you desire. I tried four out and each of them was awesome. Vanilla, peanut butter, sour apple, and mango. I divided my bowl into quarter so each flavor had its own region and I didn't get a mix of Sour Apple-Peanut Butter cause they could have been disastrous!

Even Hello Kitty Cries Sometimes.

Not quite sure what this massive Hello Kitty was doing here. BUT I do have to say it did move me....slightly. Hello Kitty, one of the most optimistic cartoon figures out there, is not just crying but tears are billowing out of her. This just shows that everyone cries sometimes. If Hello Kitty is ok with balling her eyes out, we all should be ok with having a good cry every now and again.

Best celebrity sighting known to man.

So just last week I was complaining about not having seen any celebrities since I have been in nyc and I am always hearing of others stories of run ins. Well today I had the doozy of run ins! AND it was more than a siting, we exchanged words. WHOA baby.

Jake Gyllenhaal, accompanied by Reese Witherspoon, came into the NY Running Co. to purchase a Garmin. We, of course, were wicked busy at this moment causing me to be quite flustered and in quite the predicament. I was the sole person at the register with a long line of people waiting. The rest of the staff was all in shoes tending to customers. Jake came up to me and asked "Is there someone who can help me out with the watches?" I wanted to drop everything and help him but that would not have been quite right. I thought he should definitely not have to stand around and wait so my next move caused me to be made fun of work for a the next week straight.

I ran to the back of the store and asked if anyone was free because Jake Gyllenhaal wants a Garmin and there was a huge line waiting to be rung up. Then I ran back and tended to the guests. Earl got the pleasure of helping out Jake; I was jealous. Back at the register I bonded with a group of three French girls who mouthed, "OMG! He's adorable" to me and I mouthed back "I know!" The man I was helping apologized for me having to help him and not the celeb.

Reese was wondering the floor while we he was looking at watches. I have to say I was super impressed with the both of them and found them both to look flawless in person. When they are in magazines they totally don't need any retouching. word.

Found myself in an episode of Top Design

I helped out with an exhibit installation for the DIFFA, Dining by Design show. It was held down at the pier where squares were divvied up and each group tried to make the most fabulous dining room atmosphere they could. The scene was straight up out of one of those design shows. It wasn’t exactly a competition but everyone of course wanted theirs to be the talk of the show therefore it was competition.

Here is our eclectic worldly hot pink décor displaying inspiration ideas. Those dresses are going to have one nice dinner! Take note of the chandelier. I made it pink. I also made the tablecloth which was the largest thing I've ever sewn 12' by 12'! The silverware or should I say goldware was wild and I felt nervous even touching the flatware because it was definitely worth more than my life. We managed to keep it all in pristine shape.

This was our neighbors; quite the different atmosphere.

And some sand pale lights!

It's warm enough out to be naked.

It is getting warm out.......so I got to have my first Naked Cowboy sighting....

Oh hey their UK!

Boots, what are you doing coming to haunt me inside Target in the states?!?!?!

Elephant Parade

Bet you didn’t know that Elephants walk the streets of NYC?

My sister company was coming into town this week and it turns out the only way to get the elephants from the train station into Madison Square Garden is to walk them down 34th Street. When I heard about this I just had to go! It happened last night at midnight.

It was super cold and late and while waiting we went to seven places before we found I place that was opened and had hot chocolate but once the elephants were spotted it was all worth it. Seeing them excited me so much. Elephants are supposed to be lucky too so maybe they will bring me some.

They were so cute and all walked in a line holding each others tails. The event was hardly advertised which made for just the right size crowd. It wasn’t overwhelming but there was enough to make it fun. As they approached, people started running along side of them and we also took part in the running.

Oh and also the elephants looked happy. I’m not sure if they really are but they looked it at least!

When sister comes to town I see art

I tagged along with my sister to galleries and art shows while she was in the city for the annual Armory Art show which is not held at the actual Armory might I add. I got pretty stoked when I heard it called the Armory. I thought they were going to transform the track somehow into a makeshift gallery. I was pretty baffled with this concept and it thrilled me to see it followed through. Too bad this was only a figment of my imagination and doesn’t actually take place.

Anywho, it was a fun filled day full of contemporary art which is not exactly my bag of chips but I always find things that I do appreciate regardless. I am mostly drawn towards colors or anything I can parallel to perhaps a print or draw inspiration from. The New Museum, our first stop, kinda blew. They have an awesome space down in East Village but the art seemed sparse and what is there is not so great. I didn’t take my camera out at all, therefore nothing noteworthy was seen. Next we hit up some art shows. Here are some enticing works I saw:


by Devorah Sperber

I love the whole upside down image then seen through the piece of glass right side up. Such an inventive concept. BUT what makes it even cooler is that those are spools of thread! AMAZING!


by Béatrice Coron

I have a thing for paper. Whether it be folded origami style or cut-out paper doll style. We actually saw a couple similar pieces throughout the day so it was a popular thing to do I guess.


by Chris Taylor

This blew my mind. It is blown glass! How do you get glass to look identical to bubble wrap?!?!?!

Hot Air Balloon Dresses

Down in the meatpacking district I fell upon this fantastic window display for Moschino. Morphing dainty little girl dresses into hot air balloon is just plain genius. And it is such a simple design against a blue background and hung with just some clear wire.

Another factor on why I may enjoy this so much is that I have a thing for hot air balloons. One of my life goals is to take a ride in one. This goal's roots definitely developed ever since my first viewing of the Chipmunks Great Adventure. There journey around the world to save their dolls was quite moving to me and I long to be Girl of Rock and Roll! ha

Oh just another day in The City

Proof of my work of stalking Whitney! Actually I just happened to find myself nearby DVF but couldn't help but go in.

Ginormous Lamp

Worlds largest desk lamp. Pretty awesome, I must say. This was seen in Design Within Reach, a snazzy furniture store down in the meatpacking district. They are delivering my very own one and day now.

Cruelty to Animals

I almost shedded a tear walking by this lawn in Chi-town. These poor stuffed animals are left it to brave the elements year round. Whomever this lawn belongs to is not a nice person. These animals have become so faded and clearly are not too pleased with their owner.

Trees get cold too.

This is one of my fave pictures.

I was very intrigued by this art piece found on a side street in Chicago. Someone decided to crochet little sweaters to dress up the tree trunks. I especially like the pic above because of the other beauty right behind the tree!

Gum Wrappers……great craft supply.

So as a child, I thought it was maybe the coolest thing when I visited my cousins and they had decorated their room with a gum wrapper chain they made. They hung it like garland and I wanted to do the same thing so badly. I attempted once but mine only ended up being like a foot. It takes a lot of gum to make one of those. It’s too bad orbut gum wrappers are so plain……………Anyways, when dragged into an ESPN Zone I stumbled across this masterpiece! Wrigley Field made out of Wrigley Gum, how genius is that? While I was busy examining this wee little ball field I totally missed out on the actual reason we stopped there and couldn’t tell you even what game was on nor what the score was.

I'm back!

I’m back….by popular demand, and by popular demand I’m talking about you, Deetee. I’m going to just write about random thoughts. Hope you enjoy. Oh and I’m going back in time to comment on some old random thoughts so DEAL!