Play Date

I love everything about this look, especially the cardigan:

Urban Outfitters

Perfect Spring to Summer transition (see I'm fooling myself that this weather is staying).

A real blog post to come later, but for now it is time to play in the out-of-doors with my dog.
I'm thinking beautiful Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan. Their Heather Garden is calling...

Photo: Hubert J. Steed

Pity the Fool

I stayed awake last night trying to think of some hilarious, "gotcha" April Fool's Day post.

Nada. Where did my evil and devious sensibilities go?

Instead, I will go with the theme of adorable animals being joyful like a previous 1st of the month post.

If this doesn't make you smile, you are missing a piece of your heart. Go find it! It's probably hiding out with my evil and devious sensibilities.

Watch this:

Bouncy Little Lamb

Extra! Extra!

Read all about it!

In ink, that is.

Although I enjoy the world of the web along with the wonders of ever improving technology, I will never be an electronic reading type. I like pages to turn, the smell of a library and old books, the creasing of a new book jacket being broken in, glossy images in magazines, and even messy post-newspaper reading hands. I'm sad knowing that the printed word is a dying media.

Sorry Steve, I'm just not that into it.

Plus, if the newspaper is extinct, whatever will I use to keep my windows and mirrors streak free?

We All Scream

Watching the "why am I hungry all of a sudden" Food Network show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, I was introduced to yet another crave worthy item to consume:

 Jeni's Ice Creams - Columbus, OH

I mean, just look at some of the creamy creactions:

• Salty Caramel: Initial notes of burnt sugar give way to mouth-watering saltiness. A perfect salty sweet balance.
• Queen City Cayenne: Rich chocolate slowly reveals hints of spice. Finish is pleasantly tingly.
• Wildberry Lavender: Complex. Intense lavender with hints of exotic spices and lots of brambly berry flavors. 
• Bourbon Buttered Pecan: Subtle corn mash notes come first, followed by rich and savory pecans; a charming hit of Bourbon finishes.
• Riesling Poached Pear: A surprisingly rich sorbet; pure pear flavor with unique pear texture; sweet Riesling notes shine on the finish.

 At first, I bemoaned the fact that it was not a shop we could travel to by foot or subway or taxi until I realized that they also ship! Hooray! Ice Cream for everyone!

Now, this is not a frugal purchase. At over $10 a pint plus various shipping costs, this is in the decadence category. But, for a special occasion or an original gift, the empty wallet and brain freeze may be worth it.

For those not in the Columbus area and not willing to shell out a day's pay for flavored frozen fat, Jeni Britton (the Jeni) shares some perfected ice cream recipes in THIS Food & Wine Magazine article.

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head

Another rainy day in New York.

Another cheap, broken umbrella in the trash.

Time for a change.

Literally.

Color Changing Umbrella - MOMA Store

The white splatters on this brellie turn colorful once rained upon. Your own little magic trick.

Related Story of Shame: In the early 90s, "Hypercolor" t-shirts were all the rage (well, for all of 3 months). I purchased a hot pink one to wear to my middle school orientation. I was that cool.

The shirts, which were mostly some garish neon color would change hues based on temperature. Therefore, if someone patted your back, a large hand print would appear in a contrasting shade on your t-shirt. We thought this was totally rad. After all, it was the beginning of the 90s-we had nothing else to worry about. Along with prankish hand prints, certain areas would turn colors showcasing the pre-teen hormonal changes and perspiration. Like I said, totally rad.

I think this memory is causing my face to hypercolor.

One of the Guys

"Got a pair of new shoes

Polished up and paid for.

Honey, they were made for

Going to town."

Deena & Ozzy Perimeter Oxford - Urban Outfitters

What, you don't know the song Got a Pair of New Shoes (Brown/Freed) performed by Judy Garland in the hilarious yet touching 1937 movie musical Thoroughbreds Don't Cry? You really need to get out more. Note to self: I really need to get out more.

Anyway, I spied these snazzy oxfords on the pages of a recent TimeOut NY magazine and decided I approved. Mostly practical, somewhat charming and not quite of this era...sort of like me?

I would pair them with something girly and non-1940s newspaper editor ala this gal:

 Julieta Sopeña - FIT Fashion Management Major

I think Judy G. would approve.

Go Go Gadget

Life has been busy. I suppose that is good but I've been slacking in the creative blogging. 

Basically...

I watched this and was inspired/entertained:

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

I ate this and was refreshed:

Pinkberry Seasonal Flavor - Mango

and I kept myself from buying this:

Cerulean Wave Bag - Anthropologie

So the craziness has consumed me but - 

After these messages I'll be riiiiiiiiiight back.