Reality break check.

I had a moment last Sunday.  After getting all gussied up my fiance and I started driving to Millbrook to take our pictures.  As we were commuting (for an hour and a half) it began to pour!  Bummer.  I was pissed to say the least, I never style my hair and now it's raining and we're heading there to take our engagement pictures...really?

As we were driving the conditions worsened,  a cautious driver I slowed significantly.  Another driver in the left lane apparently had super-see-through-the-pouring-rain- vision, lucky.  So they flew right by splashing my windshield to the point I couldn't see for a split, but seemingly eternal second.

I slammed on my breaks knowing there was a black car somewhere in front of us.  I felt my fiance's hand hold me across my stomach, as if that was going to save me in an accident.  Some how I stayed in our lane, and was able to regain vision and not hit the front car, which was further ahead in front than what it was a few minutes earlier.

We looked at each other shaken, but ok.
I felt really stupid, I made such a fuss over my hair, rain, and earlier traffic.  I looked at my fiance and we breathed together, I said thank you again to someone who I'm sure was listening.  Then I looked at Steve...NO SEAT BELT!!!  After a lecture about wearing and always wearing his seat belt.  We noticed that the sky was clearing up.

When we got there and it was perfect...I said a silent thank you.
Pictures are taken, we deliberated over which one and narrowed it down to two, which are both nice.  We will be deciding tonight and of course I will update you.

Ever find that you are freaking out over something so small, until a situation (or possible) one arises and puts you in perspective?  Reality break check.

legacy

I know the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in May, but it's so hard to get people together because of weddings, bbq's, birthdays, vacations, hangovers, etc...

 



Finally my two friends and I ventured to the city. It was a scorching hot but great time to behold the works of Alexander McQueen, though anytime would be a good one.  I have nothing of his, but have always admired his aesthetic and ode to exaggerated womanly Victorian shapes, bondage, animal prints, and construction merged into a wearable canvas that can't help but captivate your attention.  Granted none of the pieces I could ever wear (or afford), but I can appreciate how visually rich it all is.  I have seen pictures, but just the sheer construction and manipulation of natural and unusual objects (ie: shells, human hair, ect...) to form the silhouettes still has my boggled.  There were videos playing of the runway shows, and I was hypnotized - he was so theatrical, something fashion has lost along the way.

Walking through the crowd reading his quotes and looking at his masterpieces, I felt a pang of sadness.  It reminds me that your work is your legacy, better to complete it, then to leave it in notebooks. 

As I was there I saw a girl sketching one of McQueen's creations and I felt happy that he has inspired (me) so many and continues to.  Legacy.

 
I may post a couple of sneaky pics I took.  Still considering, they're not the best quality.

Furthermore on that day, I found out that Amy Winehouse passed.  I was a huge fan of Frank and also Back to Black. 



 I had been following Amy Winehouse since 2006-2007 after her last album, for years. Waiting and waiting for her to release a new album, deep down I knew it was never going to happen.  The saddest part for me is that her tumultuous personal life took the spotlight away from her talented vocal and songwriting abilities.  I hope she is at peace finally.





newsprint nails.

courtesy of pinterest

Sometimes I feel zapped creatively- and when I do,  I surf.  One site I frequent (besides the lovely tid bits blogs I'm a fan of) is Pinterest.  I saw this picture and looked up its how to and it was fairly simple.

my cross word answer version.







1. Paint nails as usual with a beige color leaving out the top coat.

2. When nails are 98% dry (as in dry to the touch according to the lady at the nail salon but you're still not sure) gently press the text section  over your nails.  *I'm not going to lie I had to try this a few times to not smudge.

3. Leave it on for 20 seconds and gently peel off.

4. Let the nails dry completely and finish with clear coat to protect your news paper print.



Not amazing for the first go, but it's nice to experiment.









New Camera!

Two friday's ago my camera broke- as I was trying to take birthday celebration pictures.  I don't know what happened, but it did.

The old camera that I had was a Cannon point and shoot.  My mom had got it for me a few years ago, and I loved the hell out of it...lately I've been really craving a more quality camera.  I took it as a sign when my camera broke, I had some extra birthday money, so I bought myself a treat.

I don't consider myself to be the most tech savvy individual, but I'm certainly not a dunce.  It was a bit confusing to sift through all the reviews, specs, and prices to figure out my needs.

I ended up going with a Consumer Reports pick for an SLR like camera.

I got the Panasonic Lumix FZ40 - an SLR like camera- I can add lenses, but I don't need to.  For example; Maco shots (close ups of nature and objects FYI).  There are great presets for the newbies but with the flexibility to shoot manually.  BONUS: It also comes with the capability of recording 210 minutes of HD video and stereo sound. 

My poor (ok-enough-with-the-camera-babe) fiance- if he thought I was an annoying shutter bug then, wait until I start snapping now.

Here are some shots from around the way... I am no photographer, but I am one who enjoys taking pictures.

We are looking to go to Millbrook Vineyards this weekend and do an engagement shoot (and wine tasting).  Fingers crossed we will nail the shot for our vintage styled invite postcards as mentioned before.

The last shoot I tried to keep classic(y) with my chiffon navy skirt, white button collared down tank, and a tan blazer.  I'm not sure if it was the grey day, but I feel  I looked a little blah.  I think I need some more pop.  I will have to play around with outfits.  Steve looks great in anything he wears, or doesn't.

engagement picture ii

This weekend we are heading to attempt to shoot the engagement picture.  If it wasn't for people wanting to see our faces I would use the below pictures and call it a day.  oh here it comes... I can hear my Bubbie in my head now...

:insert accent of old school Jewish lady who was raised in the Bronx:

Why no faces Lindsey, people want to see your faces, what about the people who haven't even met Steve yet, they won't even know what he looks like, really, who does that, it's artsy, but not for an engagement party invitation, who thought this was a good idea, of course no one asked me, i wish you would have shown me before sending this out, you know I used to make things like this at Kwasha Lipton all the time, besides did you have to kiss in the picture, not everyone wants to see that, it's a neat picture, but who does that?

Case in point... (welcome to my life by the way) this beautiful (but hotter than hell) weekend will be the day.  I have the tripod, read my camera manual, yes the entire thing ,and I feel confident.

This photo was spur of the moment and random, then looking back I loved it.  I'm hoping for another one of those moments, with faces of course.

I find that art usually occurs that way in most forms, from painting to songwriting.  You force it, and push on... and get two lines written.  Then other times it's like you can't write fast enough.  Your hand is cramping and you feel as if you are no longer writing but just holding on to your pencil for all it's worth.

Yup, still hoping for one of those moments, only with a timer and camera.

Ever feel that way in your creative journey: that the second you stopped forcing it, it just flowed? Comment and share please.

 

save a dish, bbq a fish

* Forgive me on the lack of pictures as of late.  My camera broke on my birthday and I just replaced (and seriously  upgraded) this week.  More posts and pictures are coming soon.

Moving on: as noted here we went fishing while in Corolla, NC.  There were several fishing boat outings that week and just between our family outing alone, we caught 24 perch and 18 blue crabs.  Another boat load of relatives caught mackerel and shark.  Needless to say we ate like queens and kings.
I don't know about you, but I love to BBQ.  Added bonus :the dish it saves me (or Steve) to wash.

Here's a fun way to make fish, especially previously frozen fish and keep it juicy! 

Sans Dish, BBQ Fish
ingredients

• 4-6 small fillets Wild Caught Fish/ Thawed 1 TBS Salted Butter
• Fresh minced garlic
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Bay leaves (dry is fine)
• White wine (but not so much where your fillets start to swim again *i couldn't help myself.)
• Half a lemon
• Cut peppers and onions
• BBQ
• 2 long sheets of Aluminum Foil

1. While you prep preheat your BBQ.  It doesn't need to be on high, fish cook very fast.
2. I am not even going to try to explain how to scale and fillet a wild fish, Steve and I (Steve did 20 fish, I managed to do 4) tried our best but I think we need some lessons from a seasoned fisherman. 
3. Put some cut peppers and onions
4. Lay the fish on a long sheet of foil, you want enough to be able to crimp and make a pocket with the additional top layer.
5. Pat the minced garlic of the fillets.
6. Chop your butter into multiple thin slices and lay over the fillets.
7. Pour your white wine so reaches each fillet, but not submerged.
8. Add your seasonings to taste.
9. Place bay leaf on each fish.
10. Make a pocket and seal it completely.
11. Place on a part of the BBQ that gets even heat and cook for approx 10-15 minutes or until your fish flakes off with a fork and separates from skin easily.  I usually open the pocket to check.  You will open it to find steamy yummy goodness.
12. Finish with lemon and serve.

enjoy!





Before

 



After



gifts are meant to be shared

Last year we had a garage sale.  Besides tons of duplicate items, (from moving in together) we had tons of wedding coasters, etched wedding frames, endless tea light holders, glass wedding bell paper weights, another wedding frame, a glass basket that held those (gross in my opinion) white almonds, endless bottles of wedding bubbles, oh I can't forget the place card holders. Lots of stuff.  I think I sold the coasters for 0.25.  I don't want to think about what the bride and groom of that wedding paid for them.  Some things I gave away, the rest went to goodwill.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an ingrate.  It's sweet, just not my style.

Lately we have been trying to think of eco-happy gifts, in lieu of just-stuff.

Originally we wanted to send everyone home with individual wine bottles, but it's too expensive. Even the small ones (the vineyard won't do) are a waste because you only get one glass of wine - if that, then that's 120 more wine bottles out there because of us.

We went to a friend's wedding recently and they gave away ferns.  Currently, my fern sits happily in it's new pot on my fire escape with all his (he's a boy in my head) other plant friends.  I loved the idea.

The entire inspiration for the wedding is US!  What we like to do together, how we met, things we enjoy together.  (get it?) We went hiking on our first date hence an outdoors ceremony.  I changed my beer drinking guy into a wino, enter vinyard.  As most outdoorsy types usually do...we love trees.  Fun Fact* Steve can climb a tree better than anyone I've ever known. 

Trees it is. 

We are giving away trees.  Each of the round tables is going to be a different tree and everyone at their table will get their respective sapling to take home and plant in a park, garden, yard, or even on the side of the road.  We are going to have approx. 120 people, that's 120 trees (ideally) that are out there growing, housing animals and bugs, cleaning the air. 

:insert kumbahyah hand holding circle here:

I have to think up a cute- and equally eco-friendly way of packaging the saplings.  It would be kind of silly to try and be green for our wedding ( examples: all RSVPs are going to be done online to save paper, reused/ up-cycled decorations) to then turn around and use a ton of plastic and ribbon for a a tree that will be planted soon.

*keep in mind to always check that you are planting trees/plants/and flowers that are native to your area as to not introduce an invasive species - check here.

Here are some ideas I've stormed thus far:

• My bestie/m.o.h. works at a bedding/home fashion textile design place (so cool I know) and is always coming home with things they just throw away!- bedding, curtains, swatches, yards of fabric- in the garbage!- so perhaps we can "rescue" some of the more neutral/ linen type of fabrics (it doesn't matter if we mix and match as long as they are complimentary (sort of) shades) to wrap the saplings in like this.
• Using Biodegradable (Peat Pots) that can be planted with the sapling directly in ground.  Up the cool factor by getting our "seal" stamped on the planter to then grow with the tree.
• We could package with upcyled beer bottle glasses, but I think we'd use bottles sans labels.  I'm confident our housemates (consists of 3 apartments) can get together 120 beer bottles during a BBQ, easy.

 

I thought these newspaper pots would be fun for next years seedlings, but not for the wedding.

I'd love to hear some eco-friendly wedding ideas from you... yes you.  Email or comment below no sign in needed...other than name and what you want to say.

ps... in exactly one year from today, we will be getting married 7.14.11.

fuerza bruta

Last night I went to a show, an event, a party.

FUEZA BRUTA - Brute Force - was 70 minutes of "what the hell is going to happen next?"  I don't want to give it away but let's just say there was.

• Standing Room Only
• Dancing (cast and audience).
• House/Techno Infused Beats
• Water (lot's of it)
• Acrobatics
• Swimming on the ceiling.

I recieved tickets for this show for my birthday last week and Lucy, Eugene, Jazz, Steve and I went in NYC after work.  We came out drenched but quickly dried in the city heat.
I wouldn't mind going again.
They also have another show La Guarda, but I believe it's not in the US as of now.  If either comes your way, go.

sunflower follow up

They're alive!  As mentioned here and before that, here.  My sunflowers became some serious snacking for various critters; between the caterpillars, ants, and a rambunctious little ground hog, I had almost thrown in my gardening gloves.  Until I saw this recipe and then modified it a little bit.

Weeks after brewing my Spicy Garlic Tea, and diligently applying it with a paint brush (this concoction is course no matter the amount of super fine straining...it just kept clogging the 4 different spray bottles I used) every time it rained, watering it only for the dirt and the bottoms to get wet... WE HAVE A CROP (or my Bergen Co. NJ version of a crop).

One point for organic! 

Who says you need harmful chemicals to keep away various species!?

What are some home remedies you've made/used to be more environmentally friendly?

Check em!

puh-lease help me chose a camera.

So (of course) on my birthday my camera decides it's had enough.  Thankfully my pictures are safely on my SD card.  I don't understand why the lens jammed, no one even dropped it!

I am now in the market for a camera with a decent lens, 10+ MP, an SLR, and overall EASY.*in the $500 range. 

I need suggestions people.  I am looking to invest in a nice camera, and there is sooo much to sift through out there.

If you were me, which would you buy?

the dress

I can't really post pictures of the dress because Mr. Snoopy might peep.  I never understood how annoying, exhausting, depressing, and annoying it can be searching for THE DRESS.

Men have it eaaaaasy. 

Case in point: wandering in Hoboken, my fiance (yes he) liked a dress in the window we stopped to look at it.  It was overpriced polyester junk so we passed.  As we are walking back to the car, a sign read GRAND OPENING.  Guess what kind of store?  It was a suit/tux store.  Just for shits and giggles we went in.  Beautiful suits.  Right away the old man pulled some suits  that he thought would look nice on Steve and didn't even ask what his size was (not like Steve would have known) and then he put on THE suit.  A three piece tan seersucker suit with thin pin stripes and light weight for our July 2012 wedding.  The lovely gentleman said the suit should be altered a smidgen here and here and we could pick it up in a week.  We picked out two ties, and were out the door in less than a half hour, suit purchased complete with ties (we are still working on the dress shirt) and that was that.  I don't know what the etiquette/protocol is for suit shopping with your soon to be husband, but what I do know is when he put on that suit I got teary eyed.  Through out this entire planning process that's been my gauge, if I don't get teary isn't not it.

So that was the suit story, the dress story wasn't as romantic.  See timeline below.  After becoming annoyed at

• People cattle at Bridal Stores.
• Getting UNSOLICITED calls from David's Bridal even after I told them to stop- to my cell no less.
• Over priced made in china shit that resembled glorified curtains (ie. Bridal Gowns)
• Going to sample sales and being told the Maggie Sottaro dress complete with busted zipper, broken, missing, hanging beading, a dirty train, rips, and make up stains that was at least 2 sizes too big, was deeply discounted to $3,000.  It would have been $1000 to fix the fushtinkana shmata (yiddish for fucking rag)
• Knock off gowns made in china bait and switch horror stories (you tube it-very scary)
• No refunds on a dress I never got to touch/see until it was shipped to me.
• Finding elements in one dress that I loved and loathed.
• the realization that A. It's A dress that you wear once. B. It will be destroyed with our outdoor ceremony and dancing.  C. My daughter(s) will most likely not want to wear/remake it because white dresses (even) preserved may yellow.  D. I hate wasting/wasted money

Which led me to Etsy.  I love Etsy.  I was just curious and searching custom gowns, and I found her, Tova of Couture De Bride.  I looked at her designer/celebrity inspired gowns (made in the good ol' U.S.of A) from scratch in Teaneck, NJ, right there, in the shop.

Too good to be true?... not at all.  The actual shop specializes in modest bride wear (Orthodox Jew, Muslim, African-any other modest requiring religions) and won the Best Bridal Salon for Best of  Bergen Co. 2010. 

Tova is the head designer and designs non-modest gowns too.  Her creations are be-a-u-ti-ful.  I called her and she had the sweetest voice.  She listened and addressed my concerns and even invited me to be fitted by her at the shop (since we are practically neighbors being 15 minutes away).
Her range of talent spans from modest to not, classic to Gothic, "so in" and "out there" fashions.  Take some time to look through the site, some of the dresses are wild!! There is truly something for everyone.  They cater from sizes 0-40 with over 60 colors.  If you want to be a lime green bride, (I don't but) you can!  I'm still bummed that she doesn't make bridesmaids gowns. 

The turn around time for the dress is 3 months so I will begin in the fall by going to meet with her.
I asked (as any bride would) the what if questions-what if I gain/ lose weight, what if I don't like how it looks when completed, what if this, that, and the other.
She offers a guarantee-not money back-but to do/ redo the dress until we reach the goal.  That's much better to me realistically.  I rather that than "So sorry your wedding is coming up and you despise your dress - here's your money back, minus the solution, there's the door, go fuck yourself (in a sense)." 

But the old trust tear gauge that's how I really knew...I got teary eyed when I saw the first few dresses as well as after I spoke (ok, ok and a little during) to her. 

Here are some links about Tova at Couture De Bride
Designer Inspired Wedding Dresses (mine is going to be custom, but the inspiration is on this page)
Etsy (Tova's shop)


Time line of  the dress.

happy (early) birthday (present) to me

As noted here, I play piano and sing/write songs.  I have 2 harmonicas.
The first is my grandfather's (mom's side) which is an old Hohner Chrometta 12 harmonica in the key of C (but if you press the button on the side it goes to C#)
The other I have no idea where I acquired it from, but it too is in the key of C.
I know some songwriters may only write in one key (kiddin') but a lady needs options.
So for my birthday (July 8) I bought myself a harmonica set.

I love Amazon, I really do.  That place is amazing.  I ordered them and got them the NEXT DAY.  I didn't pay for next day- I only paid for standard!  Happy birthday to me.
Last night I played for quite a while trying out the harps with the keys...magic.  (Now all I have to do is learn to hold a drum stick with my toe and I'd be set)

I didn't really know my grandfather (I remember one FL boat trip when I was 5 - he let me steer the boat) but what I do know it that he played the harmonica and guitar and was self taught (kinda like me).  Maybe he's looking down and laughing that his grand daughter is playing his old Chrometta and now has a harmonica set all her own.

I hope so.

postcard invites

As mentioned here, we had unsuccessfully taken engagement photos (granted we took them by ourselves because of fiance's unwillingness to "pose" he hates posed.)  So this weekend we are going to venture back to the Millbrook Vineyard for (another) wine tasting and some pictures, in that order (bring on the wisps to rid ourselves of wine mouth - and photoshop).

We have set a date for our engagement party September 24th 2011 at the Alpine Pavilion by the boat basin in Alpine, NJ.  It's a charming 1920's stone pavilion over looking the Hudson River complete with "beach" and a NYC view.  It should be a nice time of year, cooler, just as the leaves are changing, reminiscent of the fall hike that the now fiance and I took on date number one.

After we get the picture (my fiance kindly reminds me daily it only takes one - with more aspects than just pictures) we (I) am going to make a postcard in Illustrator and send 'em on out asap.  I was playing around at the airport waiting to fly to N.C., but I have to keep it a secret until it's sent out, sorry.  But I promise to update with the finished product.

The front is easy (sort of) after getting the right shot.  I'm thinking of applying a few layers of vintage in photoshop to match the back see bottom for front inspirations.

I am drawing inspiration from vintage postcards- here are just a handful out of the ones I looked at. 
Comment on which is your favorite back?  I don't know how we're going to pick!  I'm thinking a little here and there and we'll eventually get it.

1

2

3

4



5

 Here are some vintage styled fronts I like (see captions).



1. I like the coloration of this picture, I don't want a full black and white or sepia.



2. I love photoshop tutorials.  That will be in upcoming posts however.

p.s. today is my birthday, twenty-three.

banana bread rising

I have begun design of bananabreadandhomstead.COM . Yes indeed folks it's time.  If I ever had a style it's go with it, and then run with it. 
I told myself

"Self, if I blog consistently about current musings, eventually I will make it a .com that way no one will have to type .blogspot.com...bananabreadandhomestead is long enough" 

GoDaddy had told me that my other .com (upbeatbaby if you must know yenta {nosy-body in yiddish}) was up for renewal.  Just out of a little smidge of curiosity I typed in bananabreadandhomestead.com it was available...so I said, today is that day.

What am I going to do with my newly minted .com you ask...
I'm not sure yet, but the sky is the limit. 

In short... Who knows what could be on there.

... maybe a few feature bloggers, give-aways, music, local (and maybe not) must see places...limitless I say.

I can tell you what I know will be on there... recipes, inspiration, how to's, gardening, DIY, wedding stuff (I do, hear by swear, this won't turn into a wedding blog *i mean completely-a-wedding-blog)....etc...

What would you like to see on the .com?
ps. to comment you don't need an email, or to sign in, or to be a follower, none of that stuff...just comment :)

i'd like to be...

under the sea, in an octopus' garden in the shade.

Corolla, NC.
* except top left- that was taken in the plane over NYC on the way to NC.

The Outer Banks, NC

Love the Outer Banks!

Who: Us and family from his side.
What: fishing, kayaking, beach bummin, and visiting light houses.
Wear: Lived in bathing suits, tube tops, short/maxi skirts, not to mention my newly found hat.

I had such a great time, I was bummed that I couldn't stay the entire week with everyone.  I have a ton of pics but I will put those up on FB.

Fun things to do in Corolla- Fishin, go Crabbin (delicious blue crabs), fillet 24 perch (okay, 4 and my fiance did the rest), kayak (and try to walk in marshes and sink thigh deep in the mud- my fiance), talk, laugh, and drink with my soon to be family (even though I feel as if they are already), watch an 87 year old grandpa play quarters (he's too much!), get my tail beat by an 8 year old in pool (no lie), beach bummin, boogie boarding, seeing ghost crabs, coyotes, and foxes at night... and to think I was only there a few days.

sweet sweet patriotism

I have news for you, I love America. 
Apple Pies, Red White and Blue, Bagel Lox and Cream Cheese (ok so it's a NY thing) Local breweries, seeing American flags on the front porch flag poles, seeing everyone who celebrates 4th of July, our Independence day, sitting together under fireworks no matter what walk of life or country you're originally from....love it all. (not to mention the star spangled banner that is sung after fireworks every year by myself and a special few- you know who you are)
To me that's when summer has set in, when I see all of these things (and it also reminds me that my July 8th birthday is right around the corner).
When we were in Corolla, NC I couldn't help but buy some Sparklers, Morning Glories, and Roman Candles... my little brother was visiting from Nashville and we lit them up!

I stashed a box away and decided to incorporate the sparklers for a festive feel to top the cake.

We had a little BBQ and I (am sorry I skimped on the pictures) felt the need to make a patriotic cake.  We had just came back and were exhausted so I decided to nix the scratch.

Patriot's Cake

• 1 Box Angle Food Cake (follow their directions)
• 1 Bunt round
• 1 Whipped White Icing
• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Blueberries
• Frosting Spatula
• Baking rack

1. Make the cake as directed and allowed it to cool for 45 minutes.
2. (Don't be cheap) use the entire container of icing and frost the cake.
3. Cut the strawberries leaves off and then into slices (from tip to leaves).
4. Make a pretty pattern with the strawberries and blueberries.
5. I stuck 5 sparklers (like a 5 point star) in the cake and lit it.

mmm, mm...sweet, sweet, patriotism.