jaC Jewelry - The Blog

Woodstock, VT

2012-01-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

Recently we took a trip to a small village Woodstock, Vermont. We rented a charming cabin, and what a terrific find it was! It snowed for two days while we were there, and you can see for yourself what beautiful scenery we enjoyed.

The cabin was as charming inside as it was outside. Sue, the owner, meticulously placed every single item with thought and care to create a cozy and welcoming ambiance. Here are some of the lovely details.

We felt at home and spent a few relaxing days enjoying the cozy cabin and peaceful surroundings.

Hope your weekend is going well!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T05:43:00.000-05:00

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones!

We enjoyed these beautiful amaryllis blooms this holiday season. I've never had so many blooms on one! I think there were six of them at once.

Thursday Edibles - Truffle Mashed Potatoes

2011-12-30T12:27:00.001-05:00

Hello! I know it's not Thursday, but let's just pretend it is. :) I have the most delicious recipe to share with you. If you like mashed potatoes and truffles, you'll love this!

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients
4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large garlic clove
0.25 cups half and half (or heavy cream)
6 tablespoons butter
1.5 cups shredded truffle cheese
Truffle-scented olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
Boil potatoes and garlic clove until potatoes are tender. Drain well and mash in a large bowl. Blend in half and half (or heavy cream) and 3 tablespoons butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Shred the cheese and add it to the potatoes, and blend gently. Sprinkle with a bit of truffle-scented oil.

Preheat oven to 400F, transfer mixture to a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts.

2011-12-19T07:08:00.001-05:00

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season to you and your loved ones!

It's been too Long

2011-11-30T05:52:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

It has been a while since Momma let us blog. What have you been up to? We are just enjoying the fall and being lazy - just like this:

We should really stop that and get some Christmas shopping done. Otherwise, Christmas will be two days away, and we will be paying all kinds of money for overnight shipping. We do that every year. We also say every year that we won't do that again. Maybe this is the year it will actually happen. :)

Happy holiday season!
Love,
Ruby and Lucy

New Delicious Discovery: Num Pang Sandwiches

2011-11-27T11:39:00.001-05:00

I recently tried a Num Pang sandwich for the first time, and immediately wondered why I had waited so long to do it! Now I am mildly obsessed with these Cambodian-style delicious flavorful creations.

Pork Belly Sandwich (seasonal menu)

Pulled Pork Sandwich (regular menu)

You can read the story, view menus and find locations here.

If you're in NYC, I highly recommend you try one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T10:38:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Are you going shopping today? Have a lovely long weekend!

New Moo Cards!

2011-10-26T22:22:00.003-04:00

My new Moo cards just came... I love how they turned out!

Mini Moo cards - front

Mini Moo cards -back

Moo postcards!

I am away from my shop until Monday, but it remains open, so you can shop till you drop. :) It is filled with lots of new goodies!

Did you Know?

2011-10-18T05:50:00.000-04:00

If you use MAC cosmetics, you can recycle your empty containers! For every six containers you turn in to MAC, you get a free lipstick, eye shadow or lip gloss!

I took my empties earlier this week and got this gorgeous lipstick.

New Cancer Awareness Jewelry

2011-10-16T16:32:00.000-04:00

Just added this necklace to my shop. Love how it turned out! I used a pink pearl for this one, but pearls and Swarovski crystals in other awareness colors are also available.

Awareness Necklace, Personalized Bar Pendant, $58

Beautiful bracelets with your choice of a stamped disc. Pearls or crystals in nearly all awareness colors area available.

Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelet, Custom Stamped Disc, $50

Overall, it was a productive weekend! I added lots more new designs, and still have more to add. Take a peek here!

Roman Felines

2011-10-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

We spotted this kitty on a tiny street in the center of Rome. Someone was nice enough to give her some food!

This friendly feline lived in the building where we stayed (or somewhere nearby). She would come from the attic and greet us in the morning when we were going out for the day.

Happy weekend, everyone!

We're Back!

2011-09-24T13:57:00.002-04:00

A week of these views, guacamole and Pina Coladas... I could get used to this!

We are back from a much-needed vacation, and the shop is open.

Now it's Ruby's Turn

2011-09-04T13:34:00.001-04:00

You asked to see Ruby.. and here she is! :) I guess it wasn't fair to just show you Lucy, was it?

*Ruby is trying very hard to look busy and important*

Look at Lucy - in Black and White!

2011-08-31T22:10:00.001-04:00

What a cute picture Momma took of her... Don't you just love it? Don't be fooled by her sweet looks though. She is sneaky!

XOXO,
Ruby

Post-Irene Check

2011-08-28T10:31:00.001-04:00

Thank you for everyone's messages, e-mails and phone calls!

I am happy to report that Irene has passed NYC, and everything seems to be in order. Lower Manhattan and Coney Island, as well as some other low areas are flooded, but our area is fine. We are fortunate to have power and water; everything is OK!

Hope everyone else on the East Coast is safe!

Preparing for Irene

2011-08-25T23:36:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone!

I know it's not a Wednesday, but Momma let me blog anyway because I have been good all week. I took a little video of Lucy - thought you might like to see what a goofball she is, but apparently it's too big and Blogger would not upload it, no matter how hard I try. *sigh*

Hurricane Irene is supposed to hit NY late Saturday/early Sunday... NY subway and buses may be shut down for the first time ever! Some parts of Manhattan are being evacuated, but Papa checked, and we are not in an evacuation zone. We will, however, be watching the storm like a hawk!

Have a great weekend, and those of you on the East Coast - be safe!

XOXO,
Ruby

Rome Pictures - Black and White

2011-08-22T21:46:00.000-04:00

These are some of my favorite Rome pictures. I will have a few more black and whites to share with you later!

New Designs - Finally!

2011-08-20T22:50:00.001-04:00

It has been a while, hasn't it? I have been dying to make something new. Finally this weekend I was able to sit down and work with the amazing new lampwork beads I recently purchased. Here are two pairs of earrings. Necklaces to come next!

Silver Drop Earrings - Handmade Red and Silver Lampwork Beads, Chunky Sterling Silver Chain, $68

Metallic Shimmer Earrings - Handmade Gold and Silver Lampwork Beads, Chunky Sterling Silver Chain, $50

If you hurry, you can get 10% off your entire purchase with coupon code 10OFF... only 10 more days left!

Happy Almost Friday!

2011-08-11T07:14:00.002-04:00

I found these lovely things on a tiny street in Rome. Enjoy!

Summer Sale!

2011-08-01T07:25:00.003-04:00

Grow Necklace, $60, available here

In case you don't receive the monthly jaC Jewelry newsletter: Summer Sale is here!

For the entire month of August, take 10% off your entire jaC Jewelry purchase. It's never been easier:

Use coupon code 10OFF at checkout, and the discount will be instantly reflected in your shopping cart.

Happy shopping!

Rome Pictures - Lions

2011-07-24T15:58:00.001-04:00

These gorgeous felines are everywhere in Rome! I had my macro lens handy whenever we came across one.

Rome Pictures - Campo de Fiori

2011-07-09T22:26:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with Campo de Fiori our first day in Rome! Wouldn't you have?

Would You Like this Ducky Necklace at 30% off?

2011-06-25T12:18:00.000-04:00

I am looking to make a personalized Ducky necklace! You will receive this very same necklace, hand-stamped with date, initials or name of your choice. This necklace would typically be $73, but you can get it for $51 (that's 30% off!).

You will get this necklace at a super price, and I will have a sample to photograph for my shop. It's a win-win! See more pictures and details of the blank Ducky here. Get an idea of what a stamped disc would look like here.

If you are interested (or know someone who would like this necklace), please leave a comment here with your e-mail address, or drop me a note at jac@jacjewelry.net. Only one necklace is available. First come, first served! :)

Have a lovely weekend!

Look at Lucy!

2011-06-22T04:59:00.001-04:00

She's one crazy cat.

XOXO,
Ruby

Friday Wearables - Hand-Stamped Necklaces are Here!

2011-06-17T08:20:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday! Ours started with a huge rain storm and loud thunder!

I've added more unique hand-stamped jewelry to my shop! You can customize it with names, initials, phrases and dates. These personalized mementos make great graduation presents, anniversary gifts and Birthday presents!

Mom Necklace - sweet, elegant and simple.

Have Courage Necklace - an inspiration or awareness necklace that can be customized with a crystal of any color.

Generations Necklace - a beautiful and simple design.

Have a great weekend!

Orange

2011-06-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

I went to DSW planning to buy some new work pumps. Nothing specific - just pumps. I didn't like anything they had, and got these Franco Satro sandals instead!

Lucy (I call Erica that sometimes because I wish we'd named her Lucy) approves! She is her Momma's daughter.

I have a grey dress by Jaeyoon Jeong, whose signature mark is a single orange button. The dress and sandals look gorgeous together!

What do you think?

More Rome Pictures!

2011-06-08T21:25:00.000-04:00

A couple of black and whites...

And the Vatican! It really needed to be in color. Enjoy!

Friday Wearables - New Personalized Hand-Stamped Jewelry

2011-06-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

If you receive my monthly newsletter, you already know all about my new line of personalized jewelry! (And if you don't receive it, you should - sign up in the box to your right!)

This line features unique hand-stamped jewelry that you can customize with names, initials, phrases and dates! I've even got the numbers stamps. (The 6 is the same stamp as the 9, only upside down - still getting used to that one). These personalized mementos make great graduation presents, anniversary gifts, Birthday presents and more!

You will not find anything like Bloom Necklace and Bloom 2 Necklace, $65 each, anywhere else! They feature hand-sculpted bead caps shaped like flowers! Most designers use ready made bead caps that usually do not have individual petals. Those caps come already domed, whereas mine are flat, and I dome them myself! That makes them perfect for stamping, up to five or six letters or numbers on each bloom. Each little petal fits an initial or a single-digit number.

The cute Heart and Birdie charms, $40 each, are also my very own designs, hand-carved and cast in sterling silver. You can stamp an initial or number on both sides! Add them to a bracelet, or turn them into a necklace for an understated memento.

More stamped designs will be in my shop shortly (most likely as soon as this weekend!), including personalized Cancer Awareness and Support the Troops bracelets!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Rome Pictures - Piazza Navona

2011-06-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

More black and whites from the beautiful Piazza Navona! Click on the pictures to view the details.

Memorial Day and New Support the Troops Bracelets

2011-05-30T00:10:00.002-04:00

On this Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember our fallen heroes.

To support and honor our military families, I created these Support the Troops bracelets. Personalized bracelets with initialed hearts that you see in the last photo are available here!

While searching for an organizations that help families who have lost their loved ones to combat, I I came across the American Widow Project (AWP), the non-profit organization dedicated to helping grieving windows and widowers. All proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will go to the AWP. Please visit http://www.americanwidowproject.org/ to learn more about the organization.

I came across several other organizations that support military families, including Operation Hug-A-Hero and Operation Shower. In several months (or upon reaching a milestone of $350, which is the cost of sending a widow to a AWP retreat), I will probably switch the donations to one of these organizations. If you know of other military support organizations, please share them with me here, and I will add them to the list.

If you would like to help spread the word, please share a link to this post or the link to the bracelet listing via Twitter, Facebook or your own blog. Thank you for your support!

Buon Giorno from Roma!

2011-05-29T11:19:00.001-04:00

Earlier this month, we spent several days in Rome! It was our first time in Italy (and Rome). We explored every inch of the city, getting lost in the tiny cobblestone streets. I will share the photos in several posts. We rented a charming apartment not too far from the Colloseum.

I took a number of black and white photos. Everything just looks classier in black and white, doesn't it? :) The Colloseum is at the end of the street.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-27T15:07:00.000-04:00

Hope you have a great long weekend! What are your plans?

On a completely unrelated note, aren't these peonies the prettiest ones you've ever seen?

May Giveaway Winner!

2011-05-25T20:42:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone -

Hope you've had a great month so far! I was away for a bit, but am back and can't wait to tell you all about the trip and share pictures. Before then, we have a very important matter to discuss!

The winner of May Giveaway is Andrea! Thanks for playing, everyone - keep checking back, as you never know when I might decide to give away something fabulous again. :)

May Giveaway!

2011-04-30T21:41:00.000-04:00

It's time for another giveaway! One lucky winner will get these beautiful Purple Princess in Silver Earrings - Purple Crystal and Sterling Silver Earrings (retail value $25):

To enter the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment in this post.

2. Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address right in the comments section, so that I have a way to get in touch with you.

I will pick a winner at random. The giveaway will be open until May 25 , 2011. One entry per person please. It is open to all readers. Good luck!

Mouse is Growing Up!

2011-04-27T06:18:00.002-04:00

Hey people!

How are you? I thought I would show you what a pretty little girl Mouse is turning out to be. She is not as pretty as I am, but who is?

XOXO,
Ruby

Blossoms - 9

2011-04-18T07:01:00.002-04:00

Last one! Enjoy.

Blossoms - 8

2011-04-17T06:57:00.001-04:00

More pink. You can never have too much pink in the spring, can you?

P.S. Are you sick of these yet? :)

Blossoms - 7

2011-04-16T05:53:00.000-04:00

Forget-me-nots - MY FAVORITE!

Blossoms - 6

2011-04-15T05:31:00.000-04:00

A little bit of last year's blooms.

Blossoms - 5

2011-04-14T05:28:00.000-04:00

These tiny white flowers were so pretty! I love how delicate they are.

Blossoms - 4

2011-04-13T07:02:00.000-04:00

I love these delicate little flowers! I have no idea what they are. Do you?

Blossoms - 3

2011-04-12T06:59:00.000-04:00

I took the next several shots at Central Park Conservatory this weekend. Enjoy!

Picture Perfect

2011-04-11T06:19:00.002-04:00

This Saturday was picture perfect! The sky was flawlessly blue; the sun was out; the temperature was in high 50s. It made for some beautiful photos of the Empire State Building!

The bloom pictures will return tomorrow.
How was your weekend?

Blossoms - 2

2011-04-10T10:37:00.000-04:00

Should we do an entire week of Blossoms posts? I have a variety of blossoms to share. :)

Blossoms

2011-04-09T10:51:00.001-04:00

I found these gorgeous blossoms right outside our apartment last weekend. Then I found a few more another couple of blocks away, but they're still in my camera. Until the pink beauties are in full bloom on Park Avenue (and that's a sight to see, trust me!), these should tie you over. :) I am loving my macro lens, by the way.

Have a grand weekend!

2011-04-06T05:35:00.004-04:00

And that is all I am going to say!

Love,
Erica

This Week

2011-04-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

Another week flew by... I swear, a minute anywhere else is only 45 seconds in NYC. I know it sounds crazy, but that's how it feels! Here is a quick recap of what I have been up to:

My Blue Devils lost to Arizona and were out of the tournament - just like that. I was devastated. Husband was devastated, but for a different reason. Now that Duke is out, I have no interest in watching the rest of the tournament, and Husband is sad.
Finally! I had some time to create a couple of new designs. I will share them as soon as I photograph them - stay tuned!
My little girl Ruby turned two years old! Her favorite color is red. I got her these pretty flowers. I learned their name, but as soon as I threw away the tag and put them in a vase, I forgot it. If you know, do let me know! I have loved them forever. They have a very faint scent that reminds me of peonies. No wonder - I bet they're related, because they even look like peonies a little bit. Ruby liked them!

My Favorite NYC Restaurants - Great Jones Cafe

2011-03-26T22:40:00.001-04:00

One of the things we love most about NY is the abundance of incredible food! I have been thinking of sharing some of our favorites with you for a while, and finally decided that Saturdays are perfect for that!

We usually try new restaurants on Friday nights, but sometimes we can't help but go with the old trusty. We first tried Great Jones Cafe about a year ago, and it quickly made its way to the top of our list. Great Jones serves delicious Cajun food. The low-key place that is easy to miss from the outside is probably about the size of your living room, so expect a 45-minute to an hour wait during busy times. Don't expect a menu when you sit down - it is printed on the wall instead. Daily specials are written on the chalk board (just like this!).

image from here

My favorites are Creole wings (an appetizer), Jambalaya (the main course) and jalapeno corn bread (a side).

Ready to visit?

54 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012

If you try their weekend brunch, do let me know how it is. We went today, but the wait was 45 minutes. After trying two other places, we went here instead - but that's a whole separate post!

Thursday Edibles - Dumpling Soup

2011-03-24T05:58:00.006-04:00

This soup is so easy to make and so delicious! You can taste each and every ingredient. It has quickly become one of our favorites! I found the recipe in Food Network magazine, and modified it slightly.

Active time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth (or 4 cups + Better than Bullion concentrated paste - that's all I ever use!)
1/4 pound thick-sliced ham, diced
2 tablespoons dry sherry or Chinese rice wine
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
4 3-inch strips orange zest
salt and pepper to taste
2 scallions, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitaake, oyster, cremini, a mix of all three, or any other type you like)
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2-3 napa cabbage leaves or bok choy leaves, thinly sliced
24 frozen meat or vegetable dumplings or pot stickers
Soy sauce, for drizzling (optional)

Preparation
1. Combine 2 cups of water, the broth, ham, sherry, sugar, ginger, orange zest, salt and pepper to taste in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the scallion whites, mushrooms and carrots. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the carrots are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.

2. Add the cabbage or bok choy, dumplings and scallion greens. Cover and cook until the dumplings are soft and headed through. Add a drizzle soy sauce to each bowl when serving, if desired.

MY Food. Not yours. Mine.

2011-03-16T05:46:00.000-04:00

Hey all!

Ruby here. How are you? Good? Glad to hear. What's new with me, you ask? Well, Mouse continues to ruin my life in so many ways. Why am I being so dramatic, you say? I am not. See for yourself.

I know what you're thinking, Erica: "As soon as Ruby steps away..." Don't even think about it. I am onto you.

The second I do step away...

Which part of "This is MY bowl" don't you understand, Mouse???

Love,
Ruby

Friday Wearables - New Cancer Awareness/Charity Colors!

2011-03-11T05:02:00.001-05:00

Several months ago, you gave me some great suggestions for adding new awareness colors to the Cancer Awareness/Charity section of my shop. I was thinking long and hard about the best way to incorporate multiple colors into the bracelets, and have found it! I am thrilled to introduce the beautiful Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelets.

Each bracelet is made with freshwater pearls 6-7 mm in diameter, a sterling silver Awareness ribbon and a sterling silver toggle clasp. It is accented with four Swarovski crystal rondelles, representing awareness color(s) of your choice. You can select up to four different colors. All proceeds go to the David Turner Lymphoma Foundation.

Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelet - White Pearl, Swarovski Crytstal Rondelles and Sterling Silver Ribbon Custom Cancer Awareness Bracelet - Made to Order, $33

I wear one of these. I love it.

Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelet - White Pearl, Swarovski Crytstal Rondelles and Sterling Silver Ribbon Custom Cancer Awareness Bracelet - Made to Order, $35

If you like these, please help spread the word! Happy Friday, everyone!

Simplifying

2011-03-07T20:39:00.000-05:00

We were going to buy a place, but it didn't work out. We're OK with that! Instead of moving, we updated our living room with a new rug (it's a beauty!) and coffee table.

This weekend we are going to go through a bunch of stuff we never use and toss it (or donate it, depending on the condition). I decided not to wait until this weekend. Thanks to Ms. Ruby, our side table lamps no longer work. What do we need non-working lamps for? We don't! I tossed them. They just take up space and collect dust. Our phone is so old, and it doesn't really work. And we barely use it. I don't even know our house number! I tossed it.

The side tables are looking bare, but not too bare. Just right. Simplifying is good! Try it.

Rainy Monday

2011-02-28T07:17:00.000-05:00

It is raining in NYC this morning. The little bird outside our window doesn't seem to care. What's it like where you are?

Thursday Edibles - Shrimp and Grits

2011-02-24T07:20:00.006-05:00

This is one of the easiest and quickest recipes that produces a delicious meal! They key is a lot of cheese and butter, but especially cheese. If you think you have a lot already, go ahead and use some more.

I have to make a disclaimer that all portions are approximate. I usually make this from my memory and don't measure much of anything.

Ingredients
1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (with the tails left on for more flavor)
3-4 tablespoons butter
2-3 cloves fresh garlic
1/2 fresh lemon juice
grits
1 cup freshly grated cheese (Parmesan, Comte, Gruyere or a mix of them)
fresh parsley for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
1. Melt butter in a frying pan. Crush garlic and add to the butter. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and cooked through. Set aside and garnish with parsley leaves. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

2. Cook a desired amount of grits according to the directions on the box. It's really pretty easy and goes something like this: combine appropriate amounts of grits and water. Add salt. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until all the water is absorbed.

3. Now comes the fun part! Add a lot of butter and a lot of cheese. The more cheese, the better, if you ask me. Stir well until the cheese has melted.

All done and ready to serve! Easy, wasn't it?

Valentine's Giveaway Winner!

2011-02-17T19:54:00.002-05:00

Jacqueline is the winner of this beautiful lariat! Thank you for playing, everyone, and congratulations to the winner! I've already sent you an e-mail so that you can claim your prize.

By the way, I've been playing around with my new macro lens. I love it! It has a very shallow depth of field (F/2.8). If you're not familiar with F-stops, just think: the lower the number, the more shallow depth of field (and the less is in focus). As you can see, hardly anything is in focus in this picture!

Which shoes to wear today?

2011-02-16T05:03:00.001-05:00

Decisions, decisions...

Love,
Erica

Troublemaker

2011-02-09T04:57:00.000-05:00

Mouse is nothing but trouble...

But Momma doesn't seem to care. :(

XOXO,
Ruby

Let It Snow!

2011-02-06T17:18:00.002-05:00

Last week, we woke up to this:

I love it when it snows and find NY beautiful in the winter!

Valentine's Giveaway!

2011-01-31T21:44:00.001-05:00

It's about time we had another giveaway, isn't it? One lucky winner will get this beautiful White Lily Lariat - Sterling Silver, Biwa Stick Pearl, Swarovski Crystal and Rice Pearl Lariat (retail value $55)!

This romantic piece is about 36" long and can be worn long or short, as shown here.

To enter the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment in this post - as simple as that!

2. Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address right in the comments section, so that I have a way to get in touch with you.

I will pick a winner at random. The giveaway will be open until February 14, 2011; the winner will be announced on February 15. One entry per person please. It is open to all readers. Good luck!

Playing Dress Up

2011-01-26T06:30:00.004-05:00

Hello all!

Back in the good old pre-Erica days, Momma bought me a hat. She thought it would be fun to dress me up. I disagreed. The Pumpkin and Santa outfits were enough public humiliation! The hat just sat there unused, which was a shame, really.

One day, when Momma went to work, I thought: I could have some fun with this hat. To say that I had fun would be an understatement!

It's just a little payback to Mouse for eating my food, sleeping in my spot, and being a nuisance in general...

XOXO,
Ruby

NYC Sky

2011-01-24T05:27:00.002-05:00

I took this photograph the day after the big snow storm at Christmas time this year.

Then I played a little with it in Photoshop Elements. Love the results! Click on the picture below to see the effects a bit better.

Insane, Really

2011-01-22T15:51:00.002-05:00

I have a new orchid! I am really enjoying these gorgeous blooms.

Once they are done blossoming, I am going to cut the stem off. Then I am going to water the orchid weekly and wait.

And wait some more for it to produce another stem with blooms.

And wait and wait and wait. And the blooms will never come.

Just like they haven't come the previous five times I bought orchids.

Repeating the same thing over and over and hoping for a different outcome - isn't that the definition of insanity?

Central Park in the Snow

2011-01-16T04:04:00.001-05:00

Central Park after the snow fall is magical! You have to get there early enough while the snow is still mostly intact.

Did you see the squirrel in the photo second to last?

Thursday Edibles - Creamed Spinach

2011-01-13T05:56:00.000-05:00

Today's recipe is a variation of a traditional creamed spinach recipe. The difference is that usually recipes call for frozen spinach; I however have always used fresh spinach, and the texture and taste are quite different.

Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 lb fresh spinach (or baby spinach)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook until almost wilted and reduced in volume. Transfer the spinach to a strainer and squeeze it to get rid of the liquid. Set aside.

2. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove from heat and gradually stir in milk. Return to medium heat and simmer, whisking, until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the spinach, 1/8 cup water, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, lemon zest and nutmeg and cook for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens and the spinach is tenter. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

What's for Dinner?

2011-01-12T08:47:00.001-05:00

Tuna?

No.

Turkey?

No.

Tabasco?! Doesn't look promising...

XOXO,
Erica

You've Got Mail!

2011-01-10T09:19:00.000-05:00

Recently I went through my Inbox and realized that I get SO many automated messages I don't even read. Here are the top e-mails that meet their unfortunate fate of going from my Inbox to Trash unopened:

US Airways e-Savers, AA Net Saaver Fares, and so on: I don't even fly that much anymore, and if I do, it's never last-minute. When Husband was just Boyfriend and was all over the country while in the military, we would travel to see each other often. That's when we took advantage of these deals. But that was five years ago. These days I will occasionally look through an e-saver just to see where the flights are going, decide that they are going to uber-boring and unexciting places, and be done with them. Most of the time, I just delete them without reading.

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT e-mails: There was a time when 90+% of my work clothes came from Ann Taylor and LOFT. This time was six+ years ago. I can't even remember the last time I looked at one of these e-mails.

Amazon.com: I still shop with Amazon. In fact, last time I was buying something from there, I noticed that over time they have shipped my packages to eight addresses. How often do I read e-mails Amazon sends? Never not once. I can't even tell you what is in them.

I think it's time I unsubscribed, don't you?

Friday Wearables - New Cancer Awareness/Charity Colors!

2011-01-07T04:48:00.004-05:00

A couple of months ago, you gave me some great suggestions for adding new awareness colors to the Cancer Awareness/Charity section of my shop. I have added two new bracelets so far - green and purple!

Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelet - Green Pearl and Sterling Silver Ribbon Kidney or Leukemia Cancer Awareness Bracelet, $30

Big Dave's Big Gift Bracelet - Deep Purple Pearl and Sterling Silver Ribbon Pancreatic or Thyroid Cancer Awareness Bracelet, $30

On a related note, I just donated the proceeds of 18 awareness bracelets (all sold in 2010) to the David Turner Lymphoma Foundation! My goal is to sell 50 bracelets in 2011. I think we can do it. Please help spread the word by sharing David's story through these bracelets! Thank you.

Stay tuned - another beautiful bracelet design that will allow you to combine several awareness colors in one bracelet is in the works!

Thursday Edibles - Deviled Eggs

2011-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I love deviled eggs, but made them for the first time only recently. They are so easy to make - I don't know why I waited so long!

Ingredients
6 hard boiled eggs, as many as desired
1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Yellow mustard to taste
Cooked bacon strips, cut into small bits (1strip is sufficient for six eggs) and split the bits in half
Sweet relish to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika for garnishing (optional)

Preparation
1. Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and place them in a bowl. Set the whites aside.

2. Combine the mayonnaise and yolks in a bowl and mash them together until they reach a smooth consistency.

3. Add a small amount of yellow mustard to the yolks and mix well. You don't need a lot of mustard. Start by adding a little bit, and add more to taste if needed. I used about a third of a tea spoon for six eggs.

4. Add a small amount of sweet relish, salt, pepper and half of the bacon bits to the yolks and mustard. Mix well.

5. Fill the halved egg whites with the yolk mixture. An easy way to do it is to place the yolk mixture into a small Ziploc bag, cut a corner and squeeze the mixture into each halved egg white.

6. Sprinkle with remaining bacon bits and paprika. Refrigerate before serving.

Almost Friends

2011-01-05T03:38:00.002-05:00

Look, everybody!

Mouse and I are almost friends.

But not really. She still gets the HISS once in a while.

I much preferred the times when there was no Mouse in my house...

Love,
Ruby

Book Recommendation: The Invisible Bridge

2011-01-03T04:29:00.002-05:00

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer is an amazing story about love, family, the horrors of war, hope, life and death. You will cry more than you will laugh, but you will be captivated by the story and its characters. She writes beautifully and realistically; her descriptions are so vivid you will feel as if you were there, and at times you will forget it is a novel.

This is Julie Orringer's first novel; I am anxiously awaiting her next. She is an incredible and talented writer. I have ordered her collection of short stories, How to Breathe Underwater. Can't wait to read it!

Christmas in the City - Part 2

2011-01-01T11:08:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

Here is Part 1 if you missed it. We continued our Christmas Day walk around Manhattan by heading to the beautiful Pierpont Morgran Library and Museum, located just a few blocks away from Lord & Taylor.

Then at night, I thought it would be fun to go see The Tree by the Rockefeller Center. I figured it wouldn't be crowded at all. Well, I was wrong! There were literally thousands of people - a mix of people from all over the world! I heard four languages I recognized, and ten I didn't. All restaurants in the vicinity were open and full of people dining, drinking and Celebrating Christmas. Husband was in a rush to escape the crowds; I ended up with only one semi-clear photo of the tree. :)

Stranger in My House

2010-12-29T17:04:00.000-05:00

Hello humans!

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas. I was wishing for lots of tuna and treats. Instead Papa went to the shelter and adopted this little white, orange and gray fur ball last week.

Her name is Erica. She is 5 months old. And let me tell you, she has been nothing but a nuisance.

She eats my food. She sleeps in my spot. She plays with my toys. Every day I wake up from one of my many naps and think, "Maybe she has disappeared as suddently as she appeared". But no, she is still here. Ugh.

I don't think she is a cat. I think she is a mouse. Look at this picture. Doesn't she look like a mouse?!

Anyway, if you want a pet mouse, drop me a note. We may barter. I don't ask for much - just a few cans of tuna...

XOXO,
Ruby

Christmas in the City - Part 1

2010-12-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

How was your Christmas? Ours was great; we ventured out to see the beautiful Lord and Taylor display windows!

It was a beautiful chilly day! Part 2 is coming up soon.

Our Christmas Guest

2010-12-24T05:52:00.001-05:00

This little guest is here to stay! More details to follow!
Merry Christmas!!!

It's Almost Time!

2010-12-22T05:24:00.005-05:00

Momma: Ruby, why did you break the blinds? Look at that big hole you made.

Ruby: So I can spy on Santa through the hole and see when he places presents under the tree. Then I can go through them before anyone else wakes up and take what I want! Besides, this is MY apartment, not yours, remember?

Happy Holidays, everyone!

XOXO,
Ruby

Holiday Performances

2010-12-20T06:19:00.002-05:00

Image and tickets can be found here

This holiday season, Husband surprised me with tickets to George Balanchine's Nutcracker! He knew I had been wanting to see it since last year. We had delicious dinner at La Boîte en Bois (fantastic food and wonderful ambiance and service), then headed to Lincoln Center for the ballet. It was a perfect way to start the holidays!

Image is from here

We also saw Billy Elliot on Broadway and really enjoyed it! (It has nothing to do with the holidays - we just happened to see it this month). If you are in NYC and looking for a show, I highly recommend it!

Seen anything good lately?

The Tree

2010-12-18T11:24:00.001-05:00

Last weekend we bought our Christmas tree! Ruby helped decorate.

I love it when the camera focuses on something other than what I wanted.

The tree does have shatter-proof ornaments. By the time I was done putting them on, I chased Ruby, who chased the ornaments she had just stolen all over the apartment!

Thursday Edibles - Sesame Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas

2010-12-16T06:29:00.000-05:00

This delicious recipe is quick and easy to make! The original recipe, from October 2010 issue of Food Network Magazine, called for snow peas; I prefer sugar snap peas, which turned out delicious!

Sesame Chicken
Active time: 40 min
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: 4

Ingredients
5 tablespoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
6 teaspoons canola or olive oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons sugar
3-4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon chili paste
4 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed

Preparation
1. Whisk 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil and the honey in a bowl. Toss in the chicken and marinade for at least 20 minutes.

2. Remove the chicken from the marinade using a slotted spoon. Heat 2 teaspoons canola or olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. cook the chicken in 2 batches, turning once or twice, until browned, 3-5 minutes (add 2 more teaspoons oil between batches). Transfer the chicken to a plate.

3. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet. Add the scallions, rserving some of the green parts for topping. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk the broth, sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, chili paste and the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce in a bowl; add to the skillet and cook, stirring, until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil.

4. Meanwhile, cook the peas in a steamer basket set over a few inches of boiling water until crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes.

5. Return the chicken to the skillet with the sauce and heat through. Serve the chicken and peas over brown rice, if desired. Top with sesame seeds and reserved scallion greens.

Holiday Spirit

2010-12-14T05:28:00.004-05:00

Are you ready for the holidays?

Today

2010-12-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

This morning we woke up to this:

I love rain, but I am not going anywhere in this weather. I am staying home. This is the view from my window. The yellow cab never stops working. Do you see it in the background? He is keeping someone dry!

Vacation in the Mountains - Part 2

2010-12-09T06:02:00.000-05:00

Here are the rest of the pictures I wanted to share with you. I love the natural beauty of the mountains - especially this time a year!

Vacation in the Mountains - Part 1

2010-12-07T05:42:00.000-05:00

Recently we spent a few days in the beautiful NC mountains. It was quiet and serene. I could sit in front of that fire place all day!

My favorite picture of the trip - courtesy of my father-in-law!

Book Recommendation: The Kite Runner

2010-12-05T07:52:00.000-05:00

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is the most powerful and moving book I have read in a while. It is an incredibly beautiful yet violent story of friendship, betrayal, love, cruelty, grief and unconditional devotion. I finished the nearly 400-page story in two days. I cried more times than I can count. I highly recommend it.

The movie came out in 2007; I haven't seen it. A DVD is available here.

Friday Wearables - New Jewelry!

2010-12-03T05:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I recently added over 10 new pieces to my shop - just in time for holiday shopping!

Simply Silver Earrings with Pearl Dangles - Sterling Silver and White Freshwater Pearl Earrings, $22

Sweetest Flower Earrings - Green Quartz Faceted Briolettes and Sterling Silver Flower Earrings, $25

Glamorous Pearl Girl Necklace - Jumbo White Keshi Pearl and Faceted Black Spinel Rondelles Pendant, Sterling Silver Chain, $45

Check out the rest here. Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday Edibles - Marbled Stuffed Potatoes

2010-12-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

As promised, Thursday Edibles is back! Today's recipe is from October 2010 issue of Food Network magazine. I never used to buy cooking magazines - I'd just go online and search for recipes. However, I found it difficult to search for new ideas online. If I didn't know what I wanted to make, then I didn't know what to search for! In those situations, cooking magazines are perfect! So far, I have made five recipes from this particular magazine, and plan to make at least two more. The below recipe (with minor modifications) was a huge hit - I will definitely be making it again!

Marbled Stuffed Potatoes
Active time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Serves: 4

Ingredients
4 large russet potatoes
1 large sweet potato
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Put the russet and sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake 30 minutes. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork and continue to bake until tender, 15 to 20 more minutes for the sweet potato and 20 to 25 more minutes for the russet potatoes. Let cool slightly.

2. Peel the sweet potato. Transfer to a bowl and mash lightly with a fork until almost smooth. Trim a thin slice off the top of each russet potato, cutting lengthwise. Scoop most of the flesh into another bowl, leaving the shells intact. Add the sour cream and butter to the bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in the scallions, 3/4 cup cheese, the nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in the sweet potato.

3. Brush the potato skins with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Generously fill with the marbled potato mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

4. Place the stuffed potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 375F until the cheese melts, 25 to 30 minutes.

Tips (my own, not Food Network's :))

For extra flavor, buy whole nutmeg and grind it right before use - the fragrance is incredible! You will never go back to ground nutmeg.

Another ingredient you can add to the mixture is bacon strips, cooked and cubed.

Thanksgiving Giveaway Winner!

2010-11-29T07:35:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone who entered my Thanksgiving Giveaway! The winner is:

Yvonne Thomas!

Congratulations, Yvonne! I am going to send you an e-mail and get your address so that I can send you a pair of these beautiful Little Acorn Earrings - Mahogany Obsidian and Sterling Silver Bead Cap Earrings (retail value $25).

Everyone, please join me in congratulating Yvonne, and stay tuned - another giveaway is coming soon!

The Long Weekend

2010-11-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

What did you do over the long weekend?

We did a lot of eating. Some napping. A little shopping. Then Husband went to work. I did too - on these awareness bracelets. (All are available here).

And a large order of these coffee bean charms. (Don't worry, they are not all gone - there are some left for you here.)

And now I need another long weekend to rest!

The Return of Thursday Edibles!

2010-11-26T22:44:00.002-05:00

There are going to be some changes in our household. We are saving up for a home! In NYC, all apartments require at least a 10% downpayment. Ridiculously expensive apartments (i.e., condos) require a 10-20% downpayment. Other slightly less expensive (but still ridiculously expensive nonetheless) apartments (i.e., co-ops) require a 20-50% downpayment. What is 10% of a ridiculously expensive apartment? That's right, a ridiculously huge downpayment!

We went through our budget to figure out what we can cut out. Can't cut out rent, student loan payments and t he rest of the bills. What we can cut is what's left after all the "musts" are paid. One of such categories is food. We've drastically reduced our eating out budget and are going to be cooking a lot more!

This brings me to the subject of this post. When I started this blog, every Thursday I shared my favorite recipe with you. Then, I ran out of favorites and started sharing fun new recipes I'd try once in a while. Eventually, those posts fizzled.

Now, I am going to try a whole lot of new recipes, and you will be the first to know when I find something good! Next week is my first such find - Marbled Stuffed Potatoes! If you are a potato lover, you won't want to miss this!

Marbled Stuffed Potatoes from Food Network magazine

A New Baby in the Family

2010-11-23T21:56:00.000-05:00

Not in our family - the in-laws' family. :) His name is Mac. He is so sweet. He plays like crazy, then sleeps like crazy. He is about three months old in these pictures!

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

2010-11-14T09:22:00.004-05:00

As promised, it's time for another giveaway - just in time for Thanksgiving! One lucky winner will get these Little Acorn Earrings - Mahogany Obsidian and Sterling Silver Bead Cap Earrings (retail value $25).

To enter the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment in this post and tell us what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving!

2. Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address right in the comments section, so that I have a way to get in touch with you.

I will pick a winner at random. The giveaway will be open until November 28, 2010; the winner will be announced on November 29. One entry per person please. It is open to all readers. Good luck!

P.S. The entire Little Acorn collection is available here.

Friday in the Mountains

2010-11-12T05:38:00.001-05:00

We spent a few days in the beautiful mountains of Western NC recently. There were lots of leaves everywhere we looked. More pictures are coming soon!

Happy Friday! What are your plans for the weekend? We are taking some clothes to Good Will, trying a new restaurant, and enjoying autumn in the city! Did I mention I love this season?

Stop back this weekend - it's time for another giveaway!

Meet Max!

2010-11-10T05:19:00.000-05:00

Max was an itty bitty kitten, just born, when my Aunt's friend (let's call this nice friend Aunt V) found him and saved him. Aunt V was walking home from work when she saw a box with a Mama cat and a littler of newborn kittens. Just like that, someone abandoned the mom and the babies in the middle of the street, along with a few cans of food. Aunt V couldn't just walk by, so she scooped them all up and brought them home to two cats and a dog of her own.

Max was nameless then. But he and his siblings and Mama had a home (albeit temporary), and were no longer in harm's way. Aunt V nurtured and loved and fed them until they were two months old. Then she made flyers and distributed them all over, and got the kittens and their Mama adopted to good homes.

That's how Momma's sister got Max, and now I have a cousin! He is naughty and bites A LOT. I have to admit, I bit a lot when I was little, but not as much as Max. I call him Mr. Bite!

Momma got to spend a few days with Mr. Bite, and he is a funny little thing. The vet says he'll be a big boy when he grows up! I too hope to meet him one day.

Thank you, Aunt V, for saving Max and his family! We are forever grateful to you!

XOXO,
Ruby

The Joy of Crate and Barrel

2010-11-07T06:51:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for holiday gifts, check out Crate and Barrel. There are some seriously good deals going on right now, especially at the Outlet!

The other day I purchased several Christmas gifts and a few updates for our apartment. I referred to our own purchases as "updates" for two reasons:

1. In our small apartment that has absolutely no room for new stuff; something has to go in place of new arrivals.
2. Updates mean the purchases are a need and not a want. :)

I don't typically shop at Crate and Barrel online as household items can get heavy, but now through December 22 shipping is free on select items totaling at least $100!

Life of Pi

2010-11-05T05:30:00.001-04:00

I recently finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

I will admit, it took me a month or two to get through a third of the book. I finished the rest in a day and a half. If you haven't read it, I won't spoil it for you.

All I'll say is that usually I like to get to that magical moment when you can't put the book down sooner, but it was worth the wait!

Next up is Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee (Pam's recommendation).

Read anything good lately?

Wine Tour!

2010-11-03T05:27:00.002-04:00

Recently we visited three vineyards on the beautiful Long Island.

It was a picture-perfect day, warm and sunny. We found the tour to be fascinating and educational; most importantly, we had a grand time! Our first stop was Clovis Point - a boutique vineyard that produced its first bottle of wine just a few years ago. We loved everything about it - the people, the feel of the vineyard, the wine itself. We saw some gorgeous Cabernet Franc still hanging on the vines. For the first time, we tried a Chardonnay aged in a stainless steel container rather than an oak barrel; the difference in taste was remarkable!

To ripen the grapes in the few warm months, the staff really has to baby them, which includes covering the vines with nets to protect them from birds.

You will not find Clovis Point wines at the wine store; you can purchase them online or by joining the Wine Club.

We stopped at a local farmer's market stand. There we saw pumpkins and pumpkin-like things and purchased the most delicious blueberry muffin!

The next stop was Macari Vineyards - a much larger winery located on hundreds of acres. This vineyard is as close as you can get to an organic vineyard on Long Island. While everyone has to spray the grapes to destroy fungus prevalent on the Island, Macari has a number of compost piles and grows its grapes as organically as the conditions allow. We especially enjoyed the delectable Block E wine - a sweet dessert wine prepared in the ice wine style.

Unlike Clovis Point wines, you can find Macari-produced wines in a variety of stores.

Our third and final stop was Laurel Lake Vineyards. Juan, one of the owners, was so personable and hospitable that we felt like we were old friends visiting his home. You could just tell that he pours his heart and soul into his wines! We got to go to the wine cellar and taste some wines right out of the barrels! We also blended our own wine from three red wines, and took our custom blends home. You can purchase Laurel Lake wines through a wine club or online.

What a fantastic day!

Pink October Giveaway Winner!

2010-11-01T17:19:00.001-04:00

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Pink October Giveaway! You came up with so many wonderful suggestions for new awareness items; we will be adding them to our collection over time.

The random number generator picked Melody (entry #24) as the winner!

Congratulations, Melody! I will be e-mailing you to get your address. Everyone else - stay tuned; another giveaway will be posted soon!

It's about Time

2010-10-26T20:03:00.001-04:00

It's about time we got away for a few days.

Next week I will tell you all about our trip to the vineyards last weekend. For now, you can admire these Cabernet Franc that we were lucky to see still on the vines!

You can shop till you drop all weekend. Just keep in mind that orders placed now through Sunday, 31 October will ship after 1 November.

And be sure to enter this giveaway if you haven't already.

Winner will be announced on Monday! Talk to you then.

Pink October Giveaway!

2010-10-23T06:18:00.003-04:00

As promised, it's time for a Pink October Giveaway! One lucky winner will get this Think Pink Bracelet - Pink and White Pearls, Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver Bracelet (retail value $45).

To enter the giveaway:

1. Check out our Charity/Cancer awareness items here and here, and let us know what other awareness colors/causes you'd like to see.

2. Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address right in the comments section, so that I have a way to get in touch with you.

I will pick a winner at random. The giveaway will be open until October 31; the winner will be announced on November 1, 2010. One entry per person please. It is open to all readers. Good luck!

Cupcake Giveaway Winner!

2010-10-22T05:52:00.001-04:00

The winner is...

Stacy! Here are the cupcake flavors:

Congratulations to Stacy - I will be in touch to get your address.

Thanks to everyone for playing! Another giveaway is right around the corner, so check back soon! I'll give you a little hint: it will be pink for Pink October. In the mean time, check out our Charity/Cancer awareness items here and here.

It's All Fun and Games...

2010-10-20T06:02:00.000-04:00

... until Momma's computer mouse no longer works.

And then Papa gives her his mouse.

But I break that mouse too - just like this:

Now Momma says she beat me at my own game by getting a wireless mouse. I am not very computer-savvy, but how is it possible? There's gotta be a cord somewhere... Hmm...

Love,
Ruby