28 March 2012

Robert Rauschenberg at the National Gallery of Art

I have always loved the work of artist Robert Rauschenberg. This work at the National Gallery of Art was a recent discovery for me - I thought I'd seen it all. The piece, Wall-Eyed Carp/ROCI Japan, is large and vibrant, and inspiring. I couldn't take my 'eye' off of it. 






23 March 2012

Latest Art Obsession: Kees Van Dongen

I am captivated by Kees Van Dongen's lush, gorgeous paintings. 




20 March 2012

Pastiglie Leone


I love these little Italian 'candies'. The packaging alone is worth picking up a box. These are from a restaurant in Turin, Italy called Birilli. Fantastic food, by the way.

04 March 2012

Whole Foods has saved my life on many an occasion. Whether I've been feeling ill and in need of some good herbal tonics, feeling like I need a bit of perk-up and wandering the aisles looking for anything that looks healthy and interesting (raw flax seed treats, perhaps? it's better than it sounds), or feeling like doing good for myself and stocking up on products I love: organic produce, pure cranberry juice, organic wine, raw cheeses, seaweed salad & sushi, raw kombucha, grain coffee, triple leaf tea, and any and all pure & natural beauty products. If its good and good for you -- Whole Foods has it.  *No, I do not work for Whole Foods...just feeling and spreading the love!
I was very spoiled when I lived in Los Angeles to have Whole Foods only two blocks from my lovely West Hollywood home. Now, living in NYC, I've got to travel a bit farther but I still make the trip and its always worth it. The place just makes me happy.

On a recent trip I picked up this amazing little item called the Blender Bottle. It is a plastic cup (12oz) that has a wire whisk ball inside to help when mixing up a protein shake or blended drink of some sort. I've been mixing up my cranberry juice/psyllium husk/water mixtures twice a day as well delicious protein drinks. That little ball inside works its magic and mixes everything together brilliantly. I'm taking it on the road with me!

Aside from a few essentials I also grabbed this mesh produce bag. I buy a lot of fresh produce and I often feel guilty for using so many of those clear little bags to put it all in. If possible I reuse them or at the very least find a bin that collects used plastic bags.  But I think I've found a solution with this reusable produce bag. Loving it! 

 

20 February 2012

Ragusa Noir


Swoon worthy chocolate. My friend in Zurich bought these for me after I told him how much I love dark chocolate. He said this was the best. He may be right. 

23 January 2012

A Brief Glint of Winter


 The lovely Carl Schurz Park in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

20 January 2012

Food in Tubes

Once upon a time I was transfixed by this tube of mayonnaise. What followed was a compulsion to pick up other foods I found that came squeezed into colorful tubes. Vegemite from New Zealand; Nestle chocolate (to add to your beverages) from China; pates from Austria and other European countries. 

04 January 2012

Little Italy with My Sis & her Italian

My adorable sister Casey was spending a week with her boyfriend Matthew (referred to here as 'her Italian') and his family in New Jersey over the holidays. She came to New York to spend a few days with me and enjoy the city. Matthew came for a day and we all went down to Little Italy for lunch. Who doesn't need MORE food right after the holidays? But it was worth it. After wandering around Mulberry Street, we found Da Nico's and had a delicious lunch which was followed by a complimentary platter (yes, platter) of zeppoli (Italian fried dough). Heaven. 

Casey and Matthew
Few things make me happier than having my little Sister around. She is a great girl.  


The legendary Ferrara Cafe.

01 January 2012

New Year's Eve: Greetings 2012!

This year I convinced my Mother we should have a New Year's Eve party at her house. Having family and friends gather in a casual way, especially on a day that is so hyped up already, is a great way to cap off the holidays. We had food, cocktails, and fun. It may need to be a yearly tradition.






07 November 2011

I love a good vegetarian meal and even better - a vegan meal. There is just something about eating so clean, organic, and animal free that makes me feel good and healthy. Tonight I went to my favorite vegan restaurant in Los Angeles called Real Food Daily. This place is the best. It is the place to go for delicious vegan food. RFD goes so far beyond "alfalfa sprouts and a plate of mashed yeast"; their food is creative, inspired and delicious. From burritos to lasagna to chocolate pudding to beer and wine this place delivers on the "oh my goodness that is soooo good" front. 
www.realfood.com
http://www.facebook.com/RealFoodDaily

From RealFoodDaily website:
"Ann Gentry has spent the past twenty-five years striving to raise the standard of vegetarian cooking in this country. Ann is the creator, founder and operating owner of Real Food Daily, the only restaurant in the Los Angeles area that serves a 100 percent vegetarian (vegan) menu using foods grown exclusively with organic farming methods.Picture 1Bon Appétit magazine declared “Ann Gentry, the creator of Real Food Daily has taken two different California trends – vegetarian foods, and the organic seasonal cooking popularized by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse – and come up with a cuisine that is as interesting and delicious as it is healthful.” 



14 October 2011

Autumn in New York

There are few things more delightful than living through the change of seasons in the Northeast.