Bamboo Floors

We are in the planning stages of refurbishing and redesigning our kitchen. My home is a 1922 English Tudor with all original wood floor except for the kitchen. A kitchen renovation was done in the 70' s with a Brady Bunch influence. The geniuses that renovated the kitchen did harm to the original wood floor. I am toying with replacing the floor entirely as trying to have planks milled to match is almost a nightmare. I feel very good about using bamboo in lieu of pine. I also like that the bamboo planks are so long which will lend itself to my kitchen 24 x 24. The blogger in the attached link is using the bamboo planks for a renovation in the UK http://kaybar007.blogspot.com/2008/12/house-of-bamboo.html

Favorite Things from Real Simple Magazine

Well...it's almost the New Year time for reflecting and REORGANIZING. In my fair opinion no one does it better than Real Simple Magazine - - always, a great go to for some inspiration. Reorganizing and some old fashioned pitching and donating is very zen for me. The link below from Real Simple can get you started to http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/2008/12/a-few-of-my-fav.html

Liz Claiborne CEO Flies Coach

Take note Chrysler, GM and Ford and follow the fashion industry. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Liz Claiborne, CEO, William L. McComb consistantly flies coach. In addition, McComb rents his own car and drives to his destination. WOW! You think corporate America will take note and we will see a bunch of corporate jets on Ebay? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123058397854440471.html?mod=todays_us_marketplace

Fashion Editors Ditching Couture Shows Due to Recession

If you follow fashion, you live for the "Couture Shows" in Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York. I enjoy looking at the footage on Getty Images, various blogs, vlogs and magazines that feature highlights of the shows. In truth, I would love to have a front row seat to any show at Bryant Park. This week several tony retailers in the U.S. gave statements to the press regarding their decision to not attend the Paris shows the end of January. In particular, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf's and now maybe Saks. Click on the link for more info http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/the-pursuit-of-happiness-the-couture-pack-or-not-role-model-1905688?src=nl/mornReport/20081230#/article/media-news/fashion-memopad/the-pursuit-of-happiness-the-couture-pack-or-not-role-model-1905688?page=2

Luxe For Less

Do you recall Elisabeth Hasselbeck's show, The Look for Less? It was Elisabeth's first foray into television after Survivor. I paid special attention to what Elisabeth was doing after Survivor because of her connection to my hometown. Elisabeth's in laws are from Cincinnati, her father in law went to my husband's alma mater, LaSalle High School. Anyway, regardless if you are a fan of Elisabeth politics or not, Elisabeth is a shoe designer and has knack for fashion. After she left The Look for Less only, the show pretty much died. I have found a blog called "Luxe for Less", that searches out knock off designs with quality in mind, sort of the Look for Less for bloggers. http://blog.stylefeeder.com/tag/luxe-for-less/

Fashionista The Blog

Hi-Low, a term used in the fashion industry referring to pairing hi-end with much lower priced garments. Think Kate Moss mixed with Forever 21. There is a great blog that pays homage to the Hi-Low, the way I dress...well actually it is probably more low. The blog creator Faran Krentcil is devoted to, clearly, all things fashion. Krentcil, no stranger to the industry, worked at The Daily, a fashion publication, and wrote for the anonymous blog Imaginary Socialite.

Even though Fashionista is at the center of the fashion world, Krentcil writes the blog with a tone of voice aimed at everyone from fashion editors who see shows in Bryant Park to “the girl from Omaha who read one article in a Nylon that she stole from one of her cousins in Chicago.” http://www.fashionista.com/

Jackson Pollock

I am a doodler. Most of the time when I am on the phone I am doodling, I doodle in meetings, I doodle at very inappropriate times, like church. If I am on a business call, I try not to multi-task and answer emails, IM, twitter to name a few because I know you can hear the distraction in my voice. So, I am forced to doodle and turn away from my computer. I have found a great answer to doodling using my computer - - which also saves paper. It is a Jackson Pollock application. To quote Nike, "just do it". Click on the attached link and "just do it", start moving your mouse around, it is truly fun. http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

Costco vs Sams

Costco vs Sam's Club, come on is there really any comparison? It is like comparing Walmart to Target, there is clearly no contest there. Where I live there is a Costco and Sam's Club in very close proximity. I converted to Costco in 2000, as soon as the doors opened in my neighborhood and I have never looked back at Sam's Club, except maybe for these gallon jugs of water sold in cartons of 8. ...otherwise it's Costco all they way. I found an article from "thebudgetfashionista" that supported my position on the Costco vs. Sam's argument. http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/costco_vs_sams_club2/

Tea Scented

I adore anything tea scented. There is something very comforting about tea in general but when infused in cooking it is delightful. This summer I made Earl Grey ice cream with apricots, delicous! Another summer favorite in my home was darjeeling tea steamed alaskan salmon. I'll post more tea infused recipes but for now, while pumpkins are in season I suggest this wonderful soup from appetite for china. http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/tea-scented-pumpkin-soup

Savory TV Cooks Turkey

Savory TV is a favorite of mine, especially when I am having trouble sleeping at night. I am very familiar with preparing and cooking a turkey but I am always open to trying a different method. Take a look at the attached link, Scott Cataneo, chef from LePetit Chateau gives his spin on cooking a turkey. http://www.shopbop.com/sale-30-percent-off/br/v=1/2534374302029885.htm?extid=affprg-2209714

Michelle O - Inagural Gown

What should Michelle O wear to the Inaugural? Several favorite Project Runway designers post designs for Michelle as Barney's creative director, Simon Doonen weighs in. http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-06/the-ball-gown-challenge/

Project Runway on QVC

I am addicted to Bravo's (or is it Lifetime's yet) Project Runway. Laura Bennett is one of my favorite designers. The boys at Project Rungay accompanied Laura and Chloe Dao to the latest taping at QVC. http://projectrungaypagetwo.blogspot.com/2008/11/behind-scenes-at-qvc.html

Jim Lahey of NYC's Sullivan Street Bakery

I first heard of the no knead bread method from an article I read in Vogue (May 2007), written by Vogue's Food Editor, Jeffrey Steingarten. I love Jeffrey, especially his appearances on Iron Chef. Induldge yourself this weekend and bake a couple of loves of the no knead bread developed by Jim Lahey of NYC's Sullivan Street Bakery. I have seen recipes for Lahey's bread on many blogs but I think the instructions from the Seattle Times would do Julia proud. http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/allyoucaneat/2008/05/your_weekend_assignment_bake_t.html

One of my favorite foodie/cooking blogs is Not Eating Out In New York. For two years the blogger went AWOL on dining out in New York. Can you imagine, New York city of all places. The results of her journey are delicious and inspiring. Enjoy! http://noteatingoutinny.com/about-me-and-what-youll-see-on-this-blog/