In Season At Trader Joe's

You see those unsightly cranes marring my grey skied view?

 I don't mind them one bit because you know what they are a part of building? A Trader Joe's. Yup. A Trader Joe's that is within walking distance from me!

Oh yeah, happy dance time.

Trader Joe's has a wide selection of goodies, all at kick-ass prices, but what I really enjoy about shopping there is the seasonality of their products. Only being able to score a pumpkin-themed dessert in the fall or a rhubarb soda in May harkens back to the days when you ate the food when Mother Nature deemed it so. And nothing beats the high you receive when you actually are able to hunt down that one special item that you'd been awaiting since last year.

My recent Trader Joe's trip found these summertime wares in my shopping cart:

Sweet Corn. Burrata. Basil. Summer in a ravioli!

Sweet Corn, Burrata & Basil Ravioli

This has just enough kick and just enough pucker. Wouldn't it make for a quick and tasty margarita?

Organic Jalapeño Limeade

Tangy and salty cheese that can hold up on a grill or a vat of oil? I'll take five. Cases, that is.

Sliced Halloumi Cheese

Tis the season to be better about keeping up with shaving. I'm so lazy! But this luscious shave cream helps.

Honey Mango Shave Cream

Flavor something birthday cake and I'm right there in a second singing "and many mooooooore!"

Birthday Cake Bar

Perfect for pool time, a picnic, or other portable party.

Simpler Wines

What are your favorite summer TJ products? Do you hoard them for other seasons?

Let's end the latest Ode to Trader Joe's with this repetitive ditty that was first shared with me on a previous grocery run - remember?

If I Made A Commercial for Trader Joe's

Friday Feels - Volume I

5 things that are giving me some feels this Friday:

• Every day is a breaking news day now. I wake up to my phone dinging alerts, and I usually require myself to take a deep breath before reading them. The 24-hour coverage is addicting, and I know I'm not helping anyone, including myself, by saturating my mind and heart with it day and night. Yet, I still want to be informed in these bizarre times. As a solution, I've tuned out most cable networks and instead get The Daily, a Monday-Friday podcast via the New York Times. It gives me a brief overview of the pressing topics without too many talking heads. I also am hooked on the more biased, but more amusing Pod Save America. It is witty and savvy political talk hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor.

• I kind of miss living on an island. That's why THIS house is so intriguing to me! I especially like the idea that someone would really need to make an effort to come and visit me, hahaha. The downside would be the lack of food delivery options. It reminds me of THIS article I read years ago documenting a NYC actor who had to row, row, row his boat through a New Jersey lake in order to hang his hat at home every night. Would you want to live on your own private island? More importantly, would you come visit me? ;)

Prior Lake, Minnesota

• Did any of you watch the acting class that was HBO's Big Little Lies? Those ladies all went to the special place. So good. (Plus, it stars theater-lover/critic, Iain!) I whipped through the series, and am now doing the same with the Liane Moriarty novel it was based on. It's worth reading as there are quite a few differences between the TV show and the book, and it's such a quick, entertaining story. I bought the soundtrack after seeing the first episode. There is something so mesmerizing about that opening song, and listening to the tracks brings me right to the mystic and majestic coast of Monterey, so beautifully shot in the show.

Big Little Lies (Music From The HBO Limited Series)

• I have a little balcony in my news digs. I moved in at the end of fall and dreamt all winter and spring of delicious summer and how I would plant a not-so-secret mini garden to revel in. My two modest herb planters are quite happy. So nurtured, in fact, that I need more ideas of how to put them to good use. One successful experiment has been to make various herb infused simple syrups that I mix into sodas or, more likely, cocktails. The other day I made a simple syrup, substituting some of the sugar with honey and steeping a decent handful of lavender in the hot liquid. Once cooled and strained, I combined the syrup with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a hefty pour of vodka.

And with the last few days of humidity making it "feel like 120 degrees", who doesn't need a Lavender & Honey Vodka Lemonade?

• I recently read What I Know For Sure. Oh, Oprah. You know so many things for sure!

What I Know For Sure - Oprah Winfrey

I'm not positive if she was quoting someone or speaking her own words, but she talked about how "balance lives in the present". I've been feeling sad about the past and overwhelmed about the future, so this seems like a good mantra to repeat as needed.

Hope you all have a balanced and present-minded weekend, taking advantage of the summer sun.

South Twin Lake - Rockwell City, Iowa

Peter Pan Live!

It's Game Day.

No, not football. Theater. Musical Theater. (cue: jazz hands and fan kicks)

Tonight NBC will present it's second go at live musical theater - Peter Pan Live! - and it's basically like the Superbowl for us theater kids. My young self can't imagine having access to all of the musical theater film and television that we have today. When I was a little one, I remember being obsessed with the TV series Rags to Riches (anyone?) because they sang and danced and were orphans (a seemingly essential component to tween musical theater success). It only lasted one season. I am thrilled that musical theater has become more popular in the public arena and will be watching tonight's Peter Pan Live! with a full 8-year-old-LuRuSo heart.

One of the best/worst ways to enjoy tonight's show is viewing while simultaneously updating your Twitter feed.

Last year, even the official DiGiorno Pizza gave it's saucy commentary.

DiGiorno Pizza Live-Tweeted NBC’s “The Sound Of Music” In “Unplanned Event” And It Was Amazing

Yes, there will be snark and meanness and judging (even from pizza!), but whether cruel or adoring, all of last year's buzz added to the soaring ratings of 22 million viewers. Which means more product and jobs and exposure. So, let's all clap our hands in belief that PP will attract the same attention. Plus, if you have gone down the performance road, you've learned to have some moxie and thick skin when it comes to reactions to your art form and choices. I think this cast is going to handle it all with aplomb. They can tell you for themselves:

The Cast of ‘Peter Pan Live!’ Knows You Hatewatched ‘The Sound of Music’

The Sound of Music was my childhood. Nightly, I would doze off with the lights fully on and The Sound of Music soundtrack tape BLARING. Seriously, the only way I would go to sleep. Should explain a lot about me. But, I've Never (Never) seen the musical of Peter Pan. I love Peter Pan-themed things; One of my favorite memories living in London was running to the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, the DisneyWorld ride is magical, and who doesn't love the idea of flying? So tonight will expose me to new music, which is always a good thing.

I certainly never (never) thought about being cast in a production - I don't think there is a single role for me in the Pan. Although if I had tried to audition, it might have gone something like this:

http://time.com/3616029/jane-krakowski-peter-pan-live-audition-tape/

Or this:

I was a little bummed that Laura Benanti was not included in this year's cast. She was a highlight as Baroness Elsa last year, making me sympathize with a character that I used to loathe. And no one gives shade like she does.

The 11 Best Laura Benanti Reaction GIFs from 'The Sound of Music Live'

If you are like me, and don't know much about the Peter Pan stage musical, HERE is some history 101. Read up and tune into NBC tonight at 8/7c.

Let the games and crowing begin. Break legs, all!

Hopefully it will be a smoother flight than this classic production:

I'm Not Done With You Yet

Yeah, I'm talking to you, Summer '14!

Yesterday, as I was starting my day, something unusual happened. I felt a breeze come through the window. A crisp breeze! At first, a moment of relief washed over me since I haven't noticed the air moving in NYC since Easter, but at the same time I was silently screaming. The summer is over? But didn't it just start? Then as I left my apartment, my super greeted me by chirping, "Great weather - finally cool out. Hope it stays like this!" 16 days until Labor Day. There is so much I still want to do before there are leaves crunching beneath my knee-high boots and a pumpkin-themed beverage in my mittened hand.

Summer Please Don't Leave Me Tee - Delia's

I want to throw sunscreen and sunnies into this bag and GO.

Coola Suncare

Cherry Ice Sunglasses - Anthropologie

The Weekender Bag - Kate Spade Saturday

I want this towel.

Surf Bandana Towel - Pendleton

And then I want to use it at the ocean.

Robert Moses State Park

Or a good ole' swimming hole.

America's Best Swimming Holes - Travel + Leisure
(shout out to #21!)

I want to never leave the pool.

125 Swimming Pools by Jenny Odell - 20x200

Because I'm hanging out in this.

Big Mouth Toys Gigantic Donut Pool Float

I want to eat ALL the ice cream and popsicles, from People's Pops to Big Gay Ice Cream Shop to Mister Softee. Did you know the Mister Softee tune has LYRICS?

I want to make my own popsicles. In these molds.

Zoku Fish Pop Mold - Sur la Table

I want to drive my car (oops, what car?) with the windows down blasting the summer song. Or maybe all of the summer songs. Ever.

HERE is a list of the songs of summer since 1962.

I want to have my hair twisted up in braids and dress like a hippy.

You Made My Day Printed Maxi Dress - Free People

I want my digits to be painted the color palette of Tropical Skittles.

                    

(clockwise) 
On the Beach - Deborah Lippmann
Wendy - Zoya
Silly Billy - butter London
Mojito Madness - Essie


I want to have picnics and drink sangria and roll out a classic game to play.

Roll-up Games - A Summer Shop

I want to paint my face in golds and teals and sparkly peach and I want it to all to be encased in a sweet travel bag, reminiscent of Nice. It's nice in Nice!

Too Faced Pardon My French Set - Sephora

I want to eat lobster rolls - HERE, HERE, or while cruising around the Hudson.

North River Lobster Company

I want boat drinking.

The Frying Pan

I want beer gardens.

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden

I want tiki bars.

Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge

And if I can't get out, I want to drink tropical themed drinks from tropical themed glasses from home.

Tiki Smoke Stacking Glasses - cb2

I want flash tattoos. Or henna.

I want to State Fair it up. Which shouldn't be a problem considering some airlines are advertising fares based on the fair.

The State Fair Fare Sale - Sun Country Airlines

I want to have tons of leisure time to read.
100 Books To Read in a Lifetime

Most importantly, I want to read in a hammock. And I want to get in it without looking like a jerk.

How to Hammock - PureWow

So, no. NO, I say, summer. Don't leave just yet.

Really Rosie

They say that in life you should take time to smell the roses. There's a reason it instructs to sniff roses instead of singling out one of the many other small pleasures in life.

There is nothing more royal, romantic, and classic than the rose. So why save them for Valentine's Day? I'm finding that roses, thorns and all, should be making daily appearances in our lives.

My rose renaissance began when I discovered this LUSH body conditioner. I really took to heart the smelling of the roses. I'm not joking - I could not resist sniffing my arm for a good portion of the day - which made me look like a kook, but I smelled DIVINE. The scent of rose and almond remains with you long after the shower, plus your skin will feel petal soft.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner - LUSH

Being that one tub is on the expensive side, I opted for a gift collection in order to test out the body conditioner in a smaller size, along with other related products.

Rosie Gift Set - LUSH

Due to its timeless scent and soothing qualities, you can find rose as a main ingredient in many beauty brands. I'm hoping to try some of the Korres line using wild rose.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Sleeping Facial - Sephora

This is an old standby in my medicine cabinet:

Burt's Bees Rosewater Toner - Drugstore.com

If you are the DIY type, you can spend a post-farmers market run bubbling up your own rose water to use in various beauty potions.

DIY Rose Water - Bldg 25

photo: http://knowwhenitsadream.tumblr.com/

It's not hard to find ways of adorning yourself in flora rosa.

Stick one of those leftover buds in your hair and pop in these posts:

Rose Earrings - Peachtree Lane via Scoutmob

Flower power!

Ring no longer available. Similar found HERE.

Nails = Sally Hansen Salon Effects

How gorgeous are these recycled paper creations from Lille Syster? It makes me want to have a party just to strew garlands, bouquets, and blossoms across my entire apartment.

Lille Syster - Etsy

I'm thinking if I find some untreated roses for my DIY rose water, I might also try my hand at a batch of rose syrup, mainly for cocktail fun!

Vodka Rose Punch - Food & Wine

I should give a shout out to the title post - did anyone else's childhood revolve around this Carole King/Maurice Sendak musical?

Really Rosie - Amazon.com

And then there is my favorite rose of all, Minnesota's own Rose Nylund!

The Best of Rose - YouTube