My Favorite Things

A repost from Piccadilly's blog from this week.

A fellow blogger recently posted about how she'd been inspired by one of my favorite movies, Love Actually, and the words "Love really is all around." She let those words be her guide as she decorated her house - specifically her Christmas tree - for the holiday. Stenciling those words on ribbon she encircled the entire tree in the ribbon and adorned it with handcrafted framed ornaments of her family.
It got me thinking. If I had the time to do something similar, what would it look like?  Most likely "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.  Then I thought - in lieu of ribbon - I'd write a holiday blog post about my favorite things, especially at this time of year.

Classic Movies
I am watching Meet Me In St. Louis as I type.  My Pop Pop introduced me to classics with the Sound of Music around the age of 5 so it's no surprise that I love that movie, and tons of others, and feel the need to watch them all one right after the other during these relaxing post holiday days.

Cocoa and Lights
A cup of cocoa and a stroll through a park, Macy's Light Show, or even South Philly looking at all the lights (and plastic praying Blessed Mother hands) goes a long way, especially with a 3 year old in tow. I love white lights most of all, especially when entire streets are lined in them.  Cue a little Celtic music and it's the most romantic setting.  My son is entranced with all lights (and scary blow up Santas, etc.) but it's OK...it's all magical to him and experiencing the holiday through his eyes is joy.

Vintage
My love of vintage runs the gamut but this time of year I especially love gorgeous vintage dresses, old photographs (in general but mostly of my family), mid century ornaments, and Christmas albums on vinyl.

Handmade
It was something of a lean holiday in this house but it made me grateful for my artistic side.  For years I've given paintings from various classes, b/w photographs taken and framed, and most recently, hand crocheted scarves and dishcloths.  Needless to say, a few daycare teachers received Trader Joe's coffee, cookies, mugs and a crocheted dishcloth.   I appreciate all handmade goodies, be it jewelry, little ceramic magnets and stones, ornaments, pottery, you name it.  And I love spending time hunting for that perfect handmade item for the artists and creative folk in my life.

Italian cookies
My Grandmom nails pizzelles as well as her lemon cookies.  I experiment with ricotta ones but I have yet to try the pizzelle iron.

Pointsetta
Red, white, and tons of them.  My Pop Pop would get them for my mom every year and they would adorn the house.  Flanked with evergreen swag and red bows, it's so classic Christmas to me. And it ties into my next favorite thing.

Nature
I know it's dreary out and we almost never get a White Christmas but I love nothing more than bits of nature brought indoors this time of year -- pine cones, green, berries.  If it was up to me I'd have THE Charlie Brown tree (I'm not a fan of fat bushy trees).  Brandywine River Museum has an annual "critter sale" - critters made from all natural elements, assembled by their volunteers - and I have a dog, squirrel, and bear and they are the coolest and simplest ornaments. There's also a bit of hope that shines on December 22, the first day of winter, knowing we gain a little more light with each day until June...always worth celebrating.

These are just a few of my favorite things...and if I look around I can see a little piece of each in my holiday decor, mood, and spirit.  Piccadilly wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and Winter Solstice.  May you find the time to rest and recharge, be with your friends and family and to quote one of my favorite bands, "Be here now." Enjoy and be grateful for the gift of the present moment.

By Chrissie

Dishes

Just a post-Turkey day thought: Who else has family that as soon as one finishes his/her meal (usually her), stands up and clears plates and immediately begins doing the dishes?  My mom does this and I have mixed feelings about it.  Part of the dinner is the socialization aspect of it and when folks jump up and put the focus on cleaning right away, I'm a little annoyed.  Don't get me wrong -- who isn't grateful for an extra (or 3 extra sets of hands) to help clean up after a party?  But I tell them to sit down and leave them...even for 30 minutes.  Enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation.  The dishes will get done.

This drives me the most crazy when my mom hosts Christmas Eve dinner at her own house, slaves away for weeks prior and then barely gets to enjoy it when it arrives because she's still caught in the stress ball moments.  The best time to finally relax would be following the meal - and enjoying dessert and coffee - but she rarely does this.  Dishes have to be soaked and stacked, fine china cleaned with care, dishwasher load one going before the first pot is on the table.

Damn the dishes.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Mitch and I made red velvet cupcakes earlier this week to celebrate Valentine's Day. Mitch was chomping at the bit from the time we got home from daycare and pulled the step ladder out, climbed up, and helped himself to the ingredients."I gotta help Mommy!"

After Dentist Treat

Mitch's discoloured tooth a result of a fall. X-ray showed no harm. Yay! And naturally, he was an awesome boy there. Let's go to Starbucks for coffee and treats afterwards.

Live from Kansas City

There were sequins glistening in the strobe lights and a crazy blonde bustin a move to a brass band when my head screamed - It's too much! Go back to your room!

I left the indie showcase party in the nick of time...it was starting to look like an ad for Vegas. What was really cool was the Step Afrika spotlight showcase I caught at the very amazing, very old and beautifully restored Folly Theater. Once I locate my mem card adapter I can upload the footage. That was something else. Riverdance meets the Motherland. I wish the Dirty Dozen Brass Band could have been there...it would have made for a killer collaboration.

This was after my 2 hour walk around downtown...my attempt to locate the Arts & Culture "District." Walking down Main Street, I took tons of photos of cool old buildings and was even greeted by a sign that read "Arts & Culture District." I continued on foot, scouring the neighborhood for galleries and boutiques. Hmmm. Warehouse after warehouse in an otherwise industrial wasteland. Ooh - a fun antique shop! Oh wait...it closed 30 minutes ago? On a Friday night?

Around the block, up a hill - there were NO signs of life. I walked east on 18th Street and I was instantly reminded of that Brady Bunch episode where the gang stumbles upon a ghost town and somehow winds up locked up in the local jail. Brick buildings, sand swirling up in a poof, and me. I take a left and see 2 girls up ahead. Finally I found the "strip!" Whoo hoo! I approach what seems to be a bustling street to realize it was merely...a bustling corner. Now there was the local coffee joint and some shops so SCORE for me. I was so desperate to see life and some form of funky shop that I unloaded - financially - in this 100 yard stretch. I made some new friends, talked up the performing arts to this one gal who owns a lingerie shop and also created a 1-woman show, bought my son a cool vintage baby hoodie (there is actually baby vintage out there) and a few duds for myself. Like I said...I wanted a fun souvenir. I wasn't prepared to search all over the Plains for it so when I finally laid eyes on goodies I'd go berserk, but I did. I never did see any actual galleries.

Possibly, my expectations were a little too high for this very Midwest city? It gets kudos for being clean, friendly and laid back - I do love those traits. But as my NYC exhibit hall buddy and I joked - us east coasters want to walk out of our hotel and see our coffee shop RIGHT THERE. We're so demanding.

Discovery

Bogged down with a 15 lb. bag of plaster from Pearl, a shopping bag from Benjamin Lovell, and the uncomfortable need to pee, I skimmed the South St. shops for hope of a finer and friendlier establishment than a local pizza joint to take a load off. No such luck. To make matters worse, South St. on a Saturday afternoon, I should have remembered is bad news: insanely crowded with hipsters. I'll walk back to my car, I thought. Maybe I'll see something on south 4th St.

Past fabric shop after fabric shop (the need to pee kept me from wandering in and browsing paisley and brocade prints), I finally spotted that new little coffee shop I saw earlier. It looks inviting and I can always snag a coffee for the ride home.

I walked inside, out of the cold, and felt immediately relaxed. Only a few folks sat sipping their beverages at tables. The Smiths were playing in the background - hello? That's surely a sign of a good place - the exposed brick touted local art and best of all? Even the oil polished hardwood floors were spotless. I struggled between ordering a smoothie or a frappe and then decided on the latter since it had been a good many years since I had a frappe. I excused myself to the ladies room which like the rest of the place was spacious and clean. Wow. I went back to the counter, paid for my drink, while chuckling to myself about the low key pirate theme all around (again, a sign?), struck up conversation with a local resident about the fabulous sale at Ben Lovell and sat my tired ass down in a plush 19th century inspired chair.

What's the name of this oasis? It's called Red Hook Coffee & Tea. It's at the corner of 4th and Catherine Streets in Queen Village. Here's a run down of what makes this place kick even more ass:

A fun name and cool use of appropriate props to convey a pirate theme.
Independently owned.
Sell fair-trade organic coffee and espresso.
Use local ingredients and support local bakers and local economy.
Showcase local art talent and have 4th on 4th Street - monthly art openings the fourth Friday of the month.
Terrific affordable selection of food and drinks.
Friendly staff - and customers.
It's off South Street and seems to cater more toward the residents with an occasional weary South St. straggler like myself stumbling in once in a while.
Low key, not super crowded (at least not 30 min. before they closed), one is also likely to find parking in a 2-3 block vicinity - good for a Delco resident like me.
As I mentioned - clean, including a spacious clean bathroom.
Are dog friendly (I saw two cute doggies there during my 15 min. stay).
And I love this - you can rent the space after 6 p.m. for a small fee. I'm telling you, this space is super cute and cool. I would so have a party there.

Can you tell I'm a marketing gal?! Of course I'd have a ball doing marketing work for this establishment.
Red Hook Coffee - my newest discovery and new favorite coffee joint.

More on fall

A recent conversation.

me: I guess you're leaving for the conference this weekend...it's early this year. I wanted to come by and say hello but it appears as though conference season is upon you, so I'll check ya when the temps (and travel) drop off in October.

him: Leaving on Tues and then it's pretty much non stop for a month. Hope you're well.

me: You'll blink and it'll be fall and holiday season for you. We'll chat in October. I'll take you out for coffee. There's sure to be pumpkin flavored something on the menu by then. I know how you love those flavored fru fru girly drinks.

him: I only drink those with you.

Famous

Bethann and I visited Estia (fabulous Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in Center City) a few weeks back for a ladies Sunday brunch sponsored by Rachel Inc. Rachel is a marketing gal (her specialty restaurant and nightlife) and always hosting swanky (but unpretentious) bashes. We sipped our yummy drinks and sampled a tasty array of Greek specialties. Yum Yum.

You can see us in all our cuteness here.

Fashionably Socially Responsible?

You know once upon a time Acme used to inquire whether I preferred paper or plastic. I always said paper. With the little handles, they are easier to carry, they are sturdier and my groceries never spilled out over the seat and floor of my car, and they were recyclable. I only ever tossed chicken in the plastic bag. Sometime in my mid 20s between sampling a host of other socially responsible markets (co-ops, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods) and a few gourmet places in and around the city, Acme (and quite possibly the rest of the supermarkets) stopped asking whether I wanted paper or plastic. Suddenly, baggers assumed plastic and before I could get a word in otherwise, half my groceries were thrown into environmentally hazardous plastic bags. Untied. Lumped together in a cart. Rolling across the floor of the car. Half of which I tossed once I arrived home and unpacked, the other half I saved for trash (and in the last 5 months, a nice amount of them have been reused to pick up doggie droppings).

I even poked around the last time I was at my local Acme since I assumed control of my own bagging. There wasn't a paper bag anywhere. What the hell?! The problem with the big boys is that you almost never go for a few things. Like us, you hit that 6 week mark and realize there isn't anything in your fridge, pantry or cabinets. So off we go for an hour long trip to the supermarket marching up and down every aisle tossing in paper towels, canned vegetables, poultry, ice cream, toiletries, milk, yogurt, coffee, you name it. So we'd need about 10 of those canvas bags. We'd need to bring them with us each and every time. I'd like to think I'm responsible and motivated to do that each time. I'm not too sure about my husband. I can't see him remembering to take the canvas tote with him to the market. Let alone be seen carrying it.

The NY Times article this week about London fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, promoting social responsibility with her line of cotton totes got me thinking about this. On the one hand I support what she has done - brought the idea of recyclable grocery bags more into the public eye while spinning it with some fashion sense. However, I'm somewhat suspicious of a bag that literally screams I'm Not Plastic, and of the designer's remarks that it has to cool before the world catches on and does the right thing. For one thing, this article illustrates hordes of shoppers trampling over each other to get their greedy paws on one of these bags. To be socially responsible? I doubt it. Moreover, it means nothing to me if this one bag has the best intentions but the rest of your line is being mass produced in sweat shops under not so socially friendly conditions (note: I don't know if this is the case, but my point is to hold people accountable).

I'm also a tad insulted because not all of us are clueless and not all of us need to buy your brand and your tote to show off what we're already comfortable conveying and doing, and not all of us will feed your ego and say it was you who brought fashion and a socially conscious product and mindset to grocery shoppers. I know the goal of the article wasn't to insult my intelligence or insist that we are all trend followers. I was to make us think. I still support the idea of using cotton or canvas totes and recycling as much plastic as possible. Enough so that I will flock to Trader Joe's and snatch up a few reusable totes and (try) to remember to take them with me to Acme in another few days.

Definition

The Starbucks barista may have been flirting with me the other day when he asked me if I was having a good day and what constituted a good day...but it got me thinking. How do I define a good day?

Raindrops on roses? Whiskers on kittens? LOL. No. But let's see.

Sunny and 70.
Walking my dog/visiting the bark park.
Exercising
Having food in the house and being able to make something yummy for lunch or dinner.
Enjoying a good cup of 'jo (even better when I can be in the city for yoga and stop at the Green Line on Lancaster Ave.).
Doing something relaxing like reading or blogging or scrapbooking.
Hearing good tunes on the radio (or my iPod).
If I can accomplish a few things on the never ending to do list.
No traffic.
No drama.

Wine or Mushrooms?

Vince and I went to the Cornerstone Inn - this adorable B&B in Chester County - for our anniversary earlier this month. We had an all inclusive wine tour complete with tasting glasses for all 6 of Chester County's vineyards. Let the following illustrate our priorities:

Loaded with 5 lbs of Kennett mushrooms, a box of canned marinated mushrooms, and 5 mushroom recipes, we visited 2 vineyards and purchased one bottle of wine and drove home, excited about our mushroom cuisine. Needless to say, you will likely find us here come September:

www.mushroomfestival.org

Orange Mocha

Yikes. Good thing I looked up the nutritional info on the newest addition to the Starbucks family. The rather yummy Orange Mocha Latte boasts a scary 220 calories for a tall (12 oz) nonfat milk version. That's 100 extra calories than a normal latte. Even more that the Caramel Macchiato (170). What a sin. I was just getting acquainted with Ms. Orange and her interesting delicious flavor. Maybe it'll be a once a week treat.

The Return of the Iced Latte

"I'd like a grande nonfat iced latte please," I chirp excitedly to the Starbucks barista. Not just another tall cup of whatever bold note they are brewing that day, not another misto, plain or flavored, not even the ever popular (and my eternal favorite) Carmel Macchiato. No, the iced latte is a glorious happy drink. It's prepared quickly and downed just as quickly.

It must be the warmer temps that have finally graced us here in Philadelphia. Come fall I welcome the hot cocoas, the coffees, the pumpkin and gingerbread spices that flavor everything. But it's April. Actually, it's nearing the end of April and I with nutty Nor’easter weather spoiling all sorts of outdoor plans until this week, I was miserable most of the month. My distain for winter was obvious in my ordering. Normally not one to mix it up or sway from a favorite, I was all over the board - flip flopping from tall coffees to caps, to sampling the Dolce Le Leche latte (ick) to a Vanilla Cream. Many of which I wasn't finishing and leaving to ferment in my car.

Then the other day I walked outside and OMG I didn't need my winter fur trimmed coat! I actually wanted something cold and refreshing to drink. Upon my daily decent to the coffee brewery of my choice I promptly ordered an iced latte. Within seconds (not minutes waiting for the milk to steam), my drink was on the counter. Is it the quickness of service? Or the joy that comes with not having to sip this drink? I can drop a straw into it and slurp away?

Whatever makes me giddy for the iced latte, so be it. I am quite content embracing it this time of year. Now if I could just make it so there's no condensation...