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Free Arts NYC Annual Art Auction
03/29/2012
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It’s about that time of year again! The Free Arts NYC annual art auction benefit is just on the horizon. If you haven’t come across this organization before they provide creative arts programs to under-served children and families.
The event will be held on April 23rdwith a cocktail reception at Eyebeam followed by silent auction and live auction by Alexander Gilkes of Paddle8. Artworks will be previewed and available for bidding in advance on Paddle8’s website.
There are some tremendous featured artists this year including Cecily Brown, Dan Colen, Tara Donovan, Wade Guyton, Ryan McGinness, James Nares, Yoko Ono, Richard Serra, and Christopher Wool.
Some of my favorite work is the Rock n' Roll photography by Stephan Mao and Roberta Bayley.

Roberta Bayley
The Ramones, CBGB 1976
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Stephen Mao
The Rolling Stones

Robert Bayley
Sid Vicious, Dallas, Texas 1978
Artworks can be previewed in advance here, and tickets to the event are also available online.
More of my favorite pieces to come tomorrow!
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Happy Spring!
03/20/2012
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Excuse us while we take a stroll through Central Park on this gorgeous
first day of spring. We suggest you do the same!

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Lin-sane Style
03/05/2012
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Even with the Knicks few losses as of late, the city is still buzzing over the sudden success of Jeremy Lin.
And, as I said before, I’ve fallen in love with basketballiall over again!
It seems that people are so anxious to get their hands on the upcoming Jeremy Lin signature shoe by Nike that the shoemaker has posted instructions for eager fans on how to create the shoe using Nike iD. These would be the exact shoes he wore at the Rising Stars Challenge.
If you have never messed around with Nike iD it’s a lot of fun for creating your own custom shoes. In my opinion the crazier your design the more custom they will look.
Here are the instructions on creating your Lin-tastic kicks.

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Zone Diet: Day 3
02/02/2012
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Here are three super easy recipes to make you feel good all day!
Breakfast: ZoneVegetable Omelet
1 cup asparagus spears, woody bass discarded, bias-sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 1/3 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 yellow onions, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup button mushrooms, washed, dried and thinly sliced
6 egg whites
1 tablespoon low-fat milk (optional)
vegetable spray (I use olive oil spray)
3 strips turkey bacon (applegate farms is the best)
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1 cup Mandarin oranges
*In a large pot fitted with a steaming basket, bring 1 inch water to boil
Add asparagus to the basket and steam until crisp-tender, 5 minutes and set aside. Heat oil in a large non stick saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms and lightly saute until onion is wilted, about 10 minutes.Remove from pan and set aside to cool. Beat egg whites with milk. Stir in cooled onions and mushrooms. Lightly coat the saute pan with vegetable spray, and heat over medium flame. Pour in the egg mixture and cook until almost set, 2 to 3 minutes. When eggs are set, top with asparagus tips and fold with spatula. Continue cooking until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Prepare bacon, following package instructions (I put a little water in the pan) and serve on the side with oranges.
Lunch: Cheeseburger
3 ounces lean ground beef
1 ounce reduced-fat swiss, or I like spicy Jack cheese
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
1/2 hamburger roll
1 thick tomato slice, optional
1 large lettuce leaf, optional
1 dill pickle wedge, optional
For Dessert
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
sprinkling of cinnamon
Zone Diet Cooking Instruction
Preheat broiler. Place burger on foil or rack and broil 5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking another 5 minutes for medium rare.One minute before expected doneness, top with cheese and remove when melted. Spread mayonnaise on the roll.Top with burger, tomato and lettuce. Serve pickle on the side.Sprinkle applesauce with cinnamon and serve for dessert.
Dinner: Foiled Flounder with Green Beans
Vegetable spray
4 1/2 ounces boneless flounder fillet
2 tablespoons yellow onion, peeled and chopped
Sprinkling of Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Squirt lemon juice
1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, washed, ends removed and halved
1 tablespoon almonds, slivered
For Dessert
1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
*Preheat oven to 425 deg. Tear off an 18-by-12-inch piece of foil. Spray lightly witholive oil and place fish in the center of the foil.Top with onion and sprinkle with cheese, pepper and lemon juice. Fold foil loosely over fish, leaving ample space for air. Carefully turn up and seal the ends and the middle so that juices won't leak out. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes. Meanwhile, steam the green beans until crisp -tender for 10 minutes. Drain, place in serving bowl and fold in almonds.
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Have your cake, and eat it too!
02/01/2012
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As I was writing Zone Menu Day 2 to share with you all, I stumbled across a delicious Zone Cake Recipe. This got my wheels turning because two weekends ago, we hosted my daughter's fourth birthday party. While the kiddies were well taken care of with pizza, cake, a pinata and oh so much more, what about the adults? It's hard to resist a piece of birthday cake when it's dangled in front of your face, but if I would have had this healthier version available for the adults, it would have been much easier. Now i know how to prepare for the next party!
Ingredients:1/2 cup- Applesauce, Unsweetened
3tsp-Baking powder
1 &1/2 tsp-Baking soda
1 ea-Heath Bar candy bar
1/4 cup-Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened
1 cup-Cream, fluid, light whipping
3 ea-Egg, Whole, Large
1 & 1/2 cup-All -Purpose Flour
1/4 cup-Fructose
1 & 1/2 cup-Milk, 2% milkfat
1/3 cup-Milk, canned, evaporated, nonfat
1/4 cup-Vegetable Oil
2 & 1/2 cup-Protein Poweder
2 Tbsp-Splenda
1/3 cup-Caramel Topping
Preparation Instructions:Although this is not as rich and ooey-gooey as the original Unzoned version, it will nonetheless tame the craving. Cooking with protein powder results in a denser cake than a traditional one. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add applesauce, 2% milk, slightly beaten eggs, oil, and water (You may need more water-up to a cup-to make a spreadable batter). Mist a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray and spread the batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into center of cake. If it comes out clean, cake is done. Cool slightly and poke holes all over cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour evaporated milk into holes and over top of cake. Next, pour caramel syrup into holes and over top of cake. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, whip cream and spread over cake. Sprinkle with crushed Heath Bar.
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Zone Diet: Day 1
01/31/2012
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As promised, for the next four days, I'll be providing you with recipes to some of my favorite meals on The Zone Diet.These three meals are easy to put together and taste really good!
Believe me, I had never eaten cottage cheese in my life, but this is really really good.
Breakfast: Fruit Salad
3/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
(Horizon Organic is what I use)
1 cup fresh or canned pineapple in it's own juice
1/3 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
3 macadami nuts, crushed
*Place cottage cheese in a bowl. Fold in pineapple, oranges and nuts.
Lunch: Chef Salad
1 cup green-leaf lettuce, washed, dried and torn into large pieces
1/4 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup button mushrooms, washed, dried and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup celery, washed, dried and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil and vinegar dressing
1-1/2 ounces deli-style ham, cut into strips
1 ounce reduced-fat Swiss cheese
*Toss lettuce with chickpeas, mushrooms and celery. Dress, toss and add meat and cheese.
Dessert: Apple
Snack: 1/2 Chocolate Peanut Butter Zone Bar
(whatever flavor you prefer)
Dinner: Spiced Lamb with Vegetables
4 1/2 ounces lean ground lamb
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped
3/4 cup red onions, cut in chunks
2 cups mushrooms
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup green beans, diced
1 tablespoon cilantro
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
*In a small glass bowl, combine lamb, rice, vinegar and spices.Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.Heat the oil in a medium nonstick saute pan.Add meat mixture and vegetables.Cook, breaking meat up as it cooks, until lamb is cooked through and vegetables are tender.Spoon onto plate and serve.
Snack Before Bed:The other half of your Zone Bar
P.S. A little red wine in the evening never hurt a girl! Just balance with a little protien! (My kind of diet)
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19 Days of Cleansing...
01/30/2012
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So approximately 13 days ago I wrote to you about the cleanse that I was doing..."The Clean Program." At that point, seven days into this cleanse, I was slightly discouraged but still hopeful. I kept waiting for that moment that everyone says will come where the weight just "all falls off"! Speaking to you after 19 days, I feel like our friend Barbie up there, drowning in thousand island dressing. I endured 456 hours of drinking shakes that tasted not so good, all to lose a whopping (drum roll please...) ONE POUND. That's right, I'm a measely 16 ounces lighter. So, I've thrown my salad dressing covered hands up in frustration and decided to go back to my tride and true method of eating on the Zone Diet and continuing my daily workout at Soul Cycle.
That being said, there are two exciting things I want to share with you all:
1. My 9:30am spin class at Soul Cycle is being filmed this morning for The Today Shows. I'll post the video once it's aired!
2. I'm going to be sharing my favorie Zone recipes with you all week long so buckle up, and prepare to enter the Zone.
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Friday Deals & Steals
01/27/2012
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With so many amazing deals floating around on the internet, I had to share them. Tis' the season for closeouts and you better get in on them while they last!

1. Assouline Stationary set originally $120.00 now on sale for $48.00. Available at vivre.com. 2. Faux Fur Pillow Cover originally $38.00 now $24.99. Available at www.cwonder.com. 3. Batik Zebra Highball Glass just $7.70 available at www.jonathanadler.com. 4. Dipped Side Table originaly $129.00 now $59.99. Available at www.westelm.com. 5. Versailles Fluo Amphora Vase originally $210.00 now $147.00. Available at shop.thefutureperfect.com.
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Year of the Dragon
01/25/2012
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This past Monday marked the Chinese New Year. Everyone is buzzing about how it's the year of the dragon. It's said that this particular year is good for anything new and also a good time for us to be bold, not humble. What better way to be bold in your home than by using dragon-related items?

1. This adorable "Ere be Dragons" wallpaper is the perfect option for your little one's bedroom or playroom. Available at: garrendennylane.com 2. This Jade Crackle Dragon Medallion Lamp is the perfect sophisticated touch for any space. Available at: wellappointedhouse.com 3. A dazzling throw pillow made of Schumacher Chiang Mai Dagon Linen. Available at fschumacher.com 4. This ceramic dragon is sure to make a bold statement. Available at: jonathanadler.com.
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Spring Fever
02/18/2011
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It's 60 degrees and sunny today in NYC. It has me and everyone else thinking SPRING. I received this mailing today from Farrow & Ball and I thought it perfectly expressed todays weather in room form. It's soft, peaceful and has a lovely pastel color palette that reminds me of an Easter egg.
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Stacy Helfstein
02/01/2011
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Balance. We're all searching for balance in our lives. It could be juggling a career and motherhood, work and school, relaxing and socializing, etc. We're all over-accessible with our blackberries, iphones, computers...OH MY! It's important to find that thing or things in your life that bring you back to your center. Jewelry designer Stacy Helfstein is doing her part to help everyone remember just that. The young wife and mother created a jewelry line called Creations by Stacy that feature her dazzling "balance beads." I was lucky enough to sit down with Stacy at her home office in New York City and pick her brain about the who, what where, when, why and how of her gorgeous jewelry line.

Photo Credit: Debby Hymowitz
Stacy's beads are made to sit on various "chakra" points on the body that condone healing.
LDL: What inspired you to start your line?
SH: My Mom. My mom gave me the "you can do anything in life, why can't you do it? You should do it!"
LDL: What inspires you? How do you translate your inspiration into a beautiful piece of jewelry?
SH: People inspire me. People's ideas and suggestions. Seasons inspire me. Other jewelry inspires me. I'll see a piece of jewelry and think how I can make it "wearable."
LDL: You talk about your jewelry being almost custom to the person, hand picked for them by you or together with them, or altered to be perfect for them. What makes you want to do this and why?
SH: I think jewelry is very personal. What one person likes isn't necessarily what other people like. I make suggestions but I have so many times where people change it. With jewelry, I'm trying to meet a lot of people's needs I don't want $10,000 jewelry. I want to have something for everybody. It's a little more attainable, it's fun jewelry! My point for doing this was I wanted jewelry you could wear every day. Certain pieces, you just continually wear and you never have to take them off. They flow into your life pattern. I want people to really wear it, wear it until the leather wears out!

Photo Credit: Debby Hymowitz
LDL: How would you describe your line in ten words or less?
SH: Classy, sophisticated, simple, spiritual, happy.

Photo Credit: Debby Hymowitz
LDL: How would you describe your personal style?How does that contribute to your work?
SH: Down to earth. I think this is an interesting way to descrive me, my style, my jewelry, and how I live my life.

Here are the two pieces of Stacy's that I own. One sits in the chakra point on my neck, and the other is longer and can be layered. I love them both! I wear them practically every day.
LDL: How do you balance motherhood and work/life/creative time?
SH: I seriously believe in balance. In terms of my business, it's where I want it right now. I have little kids, this is a secondary thing to my children. I'm not going to take away time from them. I don't want to say, "I'm working right now!" I've actually told friends of mine that want to see me go so far, "Not now, maybe in a couple years."

LDL: Tell us about your logo.
SH: The butterfly is my symbol/logo. Anyone who knows me well knows the butterfly is very important to me because my grandmother who I was very close with called me "butterfly." I've always bought little trinkets, stickers, jewelry, etc. I have the butterfly picture in the room I work in and it's become more significant to me since my grandmother recently passed away. Originally, it was just something between her and I and other close family members. Baccarat makes these little butterflies, and I bought one in purple (my favorite color) for my grandmother when she was still alive. When she passed away, my mother gave it back to me. I bring it with me to my jewelry shows and it's a way for my grandmother to live on with me.

Pictured: Left: Soulcycle instructor Stacey Griffith and friend Jennifer Beerman wearing Stacy's jewelry
At the end of the interview, Stacy left me with a beautiful quote that shows her honesty and passion:
SH: I love that a little piece of me is with everybody that buys my jewlery!
If you're interested in purchasing one of Stacy's pieces, please visit her website www.stacyscreations.

Photo Credit: Debby Hymowitz
Stacy designed this bracelet along with Soul Cycle instructor Stacey Griffith. It's called the Stac(e)y bracelet and 100% of the proceeds go to the charity Change for Kids. Change for Kids partners with New York City public schools to empower underpriveleged children by providing them with a broad range of innovative literacy, arts, and music programs. To purchase this bracelet and show your support, visit the Change for Kids website.
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Ther is much evidence that St.Patrick was far more a sinner than a saint. We do not celebrate St. Patrick as he seems to have murdered many druid priests and PRIESTESS'S. He did so in the name of CHRISTIANITY and tried to wipe out pagans. I wish more people would study this fact.
March 17, 2012 18:17 PM