Revisions

So bummed I missed this, this year. Governor's Island has a two day Great Gatsby Inspired Jazz party. I tried to get tickets but had a fail, which ended up being ok because I would have had a scheduling conflict, but I am still bummed I didn't go. I ran a 10K earlier that morning on the Island so I got to see the party goers in their Prohibition finest, as they walked from the ferry. Since I was running I didn't bring my big camera which I was lamenting as I walked back to the ferry as well. Such fun outfits. It is definitely on my list for next year. I mean look at this girl! Le Sigh!!

I picked up a copy of Bon Appetite Magazine last week in need of some inspiration for summer and I am so glad I did. I was perusing it yesterday in the park and found this recipe for Shaved Summer Squash Salad  and I immediately headed for the store to pick up the simple ingredients. I made it today and let me tell you it is the perfect salad for a hot summer day. Recipe by Jenna Clemens Photo by Me Ingredients 3   tablespoons   whole almonds 1   pound   summer squash (a mix of green and yellow) 2 1/2   tablespoons   extra-virgin olive oil 2   tablespoons   fresh lemon juice 1   minced garlic clove Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Baby arugula Preparation Roast almonds and coarsely crush. Meanwhile, trim the ends off summer squash. Using a vegetable peeler, thinly slice the squash lengthwise into strips and transfer to a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, mince...

Actually, it's been a  busy couple weeks. Between soccer with Sarah on Saturday, Polo event on Governor's Island on Sunday and A Tribe Called Quest Documentary on Monday, I needed a break last night. Not to worry, I will get to all those blogs cause you know I took pics. But tonight was pretty cool and I need to get these pics to some peeps so I thought I would go ahead and post it. I went to a book signing up near the Park at Simple Shoes for Shaun Tomson. Do you know Shaun Tomson? If you were as into surfing in the 80's as I was, you know exactly who he is. I remember plastering pictures of him from the surfing mags all over my wall when I was in Junior High School. The book is called Surfer's Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life . He was on hand to graciously sign copies and chat with all the people who came out. Really nice guy I might add. Surfing Legend Shaun Tomson talking about his book. Friends Alison Meltzer and Pat Conlon with Shaun Shaun s...

I love me some summer. I could do without the 100 degree plus 100% humidity of it but other than that what is not to love. Especially CHERRIES!! These little jewels started showing up a few weeks ago to my utter delight. And they are beautiful as well as sweet, tangy and full of summer goodness. God stepped it up when He created these little suckers. So in honor of summer and cherries I threw together one of my favorite summer time salads. I cook Israeli Couscous (from Trader Joe's) and cool it before tossing it with chopped cherris, fresh basil and slivered almonds. I drizzle a little olive oil on it just to get it to stick slightly and when I serve it I do a quick squeeze of lemon. Yummmy! So easy, so light and the flavors complement each other beautifully. Try it for yourself. DO NOT let cherry season pass you by.

Memorial Day Weekend was BUSY! I had friends in town, Lady Gaga concert in the Park, 2 trips to Rockaway Beach and a trip to the Burg. Whew. Thanks goodness there was an extra day tacked on.  First up, GMA kicked off the summer concert series in the Park with Lady Gaga. The tickets were free but you had to get there at the crack of dawn to get lined up. And line up the Little Monsters did. Since it was hard to see her on the stage , it was almost more fun to check out the Monsters, as some of them were decked.  But girl DID make an entrance. I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering  5th Avenue and being a girl. I window shopped, I bought a lovely book at Bergdorf Goodman before I enjoyed a delicious lunch of heirloom tomato salad and tuna tartar in their restaurant overlooking Central Park. It was designed by Kelly Wearstler and my little 70 year old waiter Frank  could not have been more darling. After lunch I wandered down 5th to my favorite store in...

I am not even going to risk redundancy by stating my love for BG Windows. I am just going to inundate this post with their magnificence. (BTW I missed the McQueen windows which were Beyond from the pics I saw, so these pale a little in comparison)

I know, cheesy right? But these statues of the Chinese Zodiac outside the Plaza hotel were anything but cheesy. I think maybe the Chinese Zodiac is cooler than the regular Zodiac but that could just be a hypothesis. Not really based in any truth. But these sculptures were cool regardless. What year were you born in? I was born in the year of the Rooster.  Looks kinda mean, doesn't it? I am pretty partial to the goat but that is neither here nor there. My mom's Chinese Zodiac was quite beautiful. And trust me you do not want to mess with a Mama Cat. Not only that , but she's a tiger AND a lion. Hence, do not piss her off and do not mess with her baby.  Not sure how long these will be up but be sure to check them out while you can. And be sure to figure out what year you were born in. You know, cause it's cool. 

Summer is bearing down hard on us here in NYC. It's not in full swing yet but we have a had a few inklings of things to come and let's just say I will be using my oven as little as possible. So in my mad search for cold salads I put together this scrumptious little concoction last week. It starts with my new favorite ingredient, quinoa. How come no one ever told me about this until about 6  months ago? It's lovely. To that I added sweet corn,  chopped summer squash and basil. I served it on a bed of mache or lamb's lettuce and drizzled  on a homemade lemon vinaigrette. Voila. Cool, crisp summer lunch. Try it.