Musical Interlude Tuesday : I've Got Nothing

This week's featured song is one I only just discovered yesterday.
Reasons why I love it:

1. it will cheer you up like nobody's business
2. it was cobbled together by some talented kids
3. it features my favorite phenomenon -- a whole bunch of strangers joining forces to create something delightful
4. cute British boy!
5. it's so very, very catchy (just wait, you'll be singing it in the shower tomorrow morning)
6. if you buy the song on iTunes, the money goes towards the Children in Need foundation
7. the line "if you were sunshine, I'd bathe in you" is kind of awesome

Enjoy and be cheered!

March Travelogue Part 2: NYC

The day began in Connecticut, with a long-awaited reunion with a dear friend (and former college housemate). Her lovely fiancé treated us to a sumptuous brunch at Simon's Marketplace (if I lived in CT, I would eat there every day), and then we bid adieu to her sweet kitties and were on our way to...

New York!

Our first stop in the city: a tour of a friend's ultra-swank apt. overlooking Central Park. Art Deco flourishes that made my Erté-loving heart flutter (I half expected Ginger Rogers to come swanning down the spiral staircase), massive windows filled with the brilliant city skyline, and oh, the decadent fresh flowers.
And yes, that is in fact a real live sparkly Golden Globe I've got my little paws on -- if you've ever wondered what people do with their awards, well, this one was being used as a bookend.

Then it was on to the flea market, where I spent an inordinate amount of time picking out a tea from among the myriad blends and spices on display (which had nothing to do with the fact that there was a lovely French gentleman running the stall, oh no). After much consultation I took home a tin of Mexican Chocolate Spice.

Next we descended into the subway...

...and emerged in Chelsea.

A sunset stroll along the High Line, a former elevated railway converted into a public park.
After which, it was time for... dinner!

We met up with even more old college friends at Trestle on Tenth, and sitting round the table, surrounded by wine glasses and elegant salads, it struck me that the last time we were all together, we would most likely have been splitting a pizza and guzzling Pepsi. Ten years gone... I can't quite wrap my mind around it.

The next morning, after taking what was perhaps the best shower ever (hello rainfall showerhead, I covet you), it was time for an H+H bagel and a coffee at Zabar's. It is probably a good thing I live far, far away from Zabar's because you guys, the cheese. (OMG the cheese.)

There was just enough time for a leisurely loop through Central Park (where I finally encountered snow), before lunch at...

Cafe Lalo (of You've Got Mail fame)-- my new favorite place in the city. Sunlight streaming in, a massive menu of goodness, a glass counter lined with delectable cakes, and the decor so parfait and Parisian. And once we had eaten until we could eat no more, it was time for goodbye and the drive back to CT.
A full and perfect day (and a half) in New York with friends who welcomed me wholeheartedly and showed me the city as I never would have found it on my own.
Thank you...

Musical Interlude Tuesday : I Wanna Be Sedated

I'm not the only one who, whenever I hear this, flashes back to that scene in My So-Called Life where Jordan Catalano has to sing it on stage after the original lead singer bails, and he turns out to be perfect... right? right?
In any case, I have loved this Ramones song for longer than I can remember, and the thing is -- it never gets old. It's sublimely messy and utterly sing-able; a kind of anthem for bored youth with a joy that belies the jaded lyrics.

March Travelogue Part 1: Marblehead & Salem

The day began with sweets (as all days should, really).

Fortified with pastries, we ventured up to Marblehead.
White waves crashing rhythmically, a spring breeze with just the right amount of bite, a blue sky stretching out over a day with no responsibilities, feeling only anticipation of what was to come...

Then down to Salem for a tour of the House of Seven Gables (omg, cool secret passageway you guys!). Doors in Salem are beautiful: painted ocean blue with nautical motifs -- someday I'd like a door that opens towards the sea...

An impromptu decision to stop for dinner in Boston at "America's oldest restaurant," the Union Oyster House. My brother convinced me to try the raw oysters (it's actually pretty easy to get me to try almost anything), and while yummy, am still wondering what first compelled people to eat something that can't be chewed.

Leaving the city was more challenging than we'd anticipated (GPS = more hindrance than help) and we ended up taking the long way home, via Rhode Island.
So that was four states in one day (CT, MA, NY, and RI) -- a quintessentially New England jaunt, a crisp and sunny beginning to a brief but bountiful vacation.

Northbound

Life is a tide; float on it. Go down with it and go up with it, but be detached. Then it is not difficult. Prem Rawal,
by childplay {Tiffani}.

Am leaving in the morning on a whirlwind visit to New England. Will be gallivanting around Salem and Sleepy Hollow, with a day trip to NYC to cavort with my old college housemates (some of whom I haven't seen in almost 10 years).
As always, I will have camera in hand to document the many yummy nibbles I plan on having, the snowy landscapes (there better be snow, darn it, or I want my money back), and the beloved faces of the people I've missed.
See you next week!

Green Loves: Bath & Body

my own time by quadratiges

For this week, the second installment of Green Loves, I've compiled a short list of eco-friendly(ish) bath & body products I use on a daily basis and highly recommend.
For me, the shift from using the standard commercial products I grew up with (Colgate toothpaste, Pantene shampoo, etc.) happened when I moved to Japan. When I came back to the states, I found that my nose had grown so accustomed to the gentler, milder scents used there, that the strong American fragrances completely bowled me over.
Around the same time, I discovered Etsy, and a world of handcrafted, artisan soaps and body products opened up for me. Through the vendors there, I learned to pay attention to the ingredients in my soap; for example, someone with crazy-sensitive and dry skin like me should use an olive oil-based soap, and avoid those heavy on coconut oil.
I also found, upon my return stateside, that a chain of stores called Whole Foods had sprung up in my absence, and lo, the organic/natural products* were plentiful and varied.
There are a lot of great reasons to make the switch to greener body care -- it seems strange to me now that in an effort to maintain good hygiene I was dumping seriously icky chemicals all over myself and down the drain -- but frankly I like my new choices for the simple fact that they smell/taste nicer and feel better on my skin.
I still have a ways to go before I can claim that everything I use on my body is completely green, but after a lot of trial and error, these are the products that are now a permanent fixture in my bathroom.

• Toothpaste: Weleda, in Calendula (the Ratanhia is also nice, but turns your toothbrush bristles purple)
  
• Deodorant: FlameWorks, vegan, aluminum-free, comes in dozens of great scents (I like Apothecary Vanilla)
  
• Body Wash: Dr. Bronner's, natural and fair trade liquid soap in Almond, I also use it as a make-up remover and shampoo (in a pinch)
• Bar Soap: Savor, handmade soaps in the yummiest scents (my favorite so far is Snow Cat)
• Cotton Rounds: 365 Organic, made with organic cotton (available at Whole Foods)

What are your favorites?

*not everything that claims to be 'organic' or 'natural' genuinely lives up to the name -- always check the ingredients.