I’ve always wondered what it’s like to step foot in New York for the first time. Must be pretty cool. The energy. The lights. The people whizzing by. Being born here, I’ve always taken it for granted.

Returning home after 7 years upstate is as close as I’m gonna get to losing my New York virginity. Ok, so I lived less than two hours away and came here all the time, but I didn’t get to take it all in when I was just visiting.

I’m back two months now and I feel a bit like Austin Powers having missed nearly a decade. But it’s all good. I’ve got some catching up to do, so….oops….not being too productive lately. Just seeing old friends and eating at restaurants I’ve missed and feeling like myself again.

I don’t regret moving away. I needed it at the time and it was lovely and pleasant and I met some great people in Beacon. I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with New York. I leave for a bit. I come back.

I always come back.

But this time around, I think I’ll stay for awhile.

  posted @ 5:54 am Comments (2)

Yeah, yeah. It’s only Tuesday and I’m slacking on the posts already. So what?

 Tiny Victorian Cottage. NY Times

100 Abandoned Houses. Casa Cara

Interview with an Etsyan. The Storque

Conserving Water. Green Upgrader

  posted @ 5:25 am Comments (5)

Heard about this on NPR. This guy builds hobbit cabins out of reclaimed material. His first one was called the Hickshaw. Because he’s a hick.

See also: Plywood Chateau

  posted @ 6:10 am Comments (0)

I try my best to be an eco-friendly gal, but one thing I cannot put up with is the heat. Sorry, but I have my air conditioner running all the time in the summer. Please do as I say and not as I do so you can make up for my own hypocrisy.

1. Turn off electrical heat sources. Well, you obviously shouldn’t be cooking a lasagna on the hottest day of the year. Don’t forget that the oven isn’t the only thing giving off heat. Dishwasher? Clothes dryer? And turn off those lights!

2. Screw you, Sun. Ok, your lights are off and now I’m asking you to draw your shades or curtains. Hel-lo? Sun=The original heat source. So, you’re sitting in the dark. At least it’s cooler. You know what? Get naked while you’re at it. Nobody will see you.

3. Ice, meet fan. Stick a bucket of ice or cold water in front of a fan. That should cool down that nasty hot air blowing on you.

4. Have a wet T-shirt contest. It may seem daffy, but when I’ve been caught without a/c, I just step into a cold shower with all of my clothes. They’ll stay wet long enough to cool down some. The shoes can come off.

5. Eat spicy foods. Yeah, for real.

6. My husband says hot tea helps but I don’t believe him.

7. Make your own air conditioner.

  posted @ 7:15 am Comments (2)

Ah, the good news just keeps on coming out of the gulf. I caught wind of this video from Credo. It’s just an interview, nothing bad happens.  There are several horrible videos on You Tube now….dolphins, birds, fish and sea turtles dying and washing ashore. I couldn’t watch. Don’t expect you to watch either. Just be aware that it’s happening and do something about it!

There’s a petition for ya to sign @ Credo.

  posted @ 7:29 am Comments (0)

Subway Rats! City Room

Soup For You! Diner’s Journal, NY Times

Vegan Bakery for E. Williamsburg. Super Vegan

Cool DIY Projects for a Hot Day. Green Upgrader

Preservation in NJ. Old House Web

  posted @ 5:35 am Comments (0)

The Seaside Summer Concert series @ Coney Island always has at least a little bit of awesomeness in store. Washed up has beens? Perhaps. But they can still rock. Past performances included The B-52′s, Blondie with Pat Benetar, The Village People, Donna Summer, KC & The Sunshine Band and Liza. With a Z.

So the full calendar isn’t up yet, but it looks like the must see concert this year will be Aretha on August 12. I’m also groovin’ to The Beach Boys with Mickey Dolenz. I had a big crush on Mickey D when I was young. I know, I know…Davy Jones was the cute one.

Anyway, all shows are free, as always. They get really crowded. Public transit is the way to go. Parking is tough.

See ya there!

  posted @ 7:02 am Comments (1)

I shot this sweet Beacon Victorian last week for JonCar Realty, the same broker who’s listing our house. The seller and I got to chatting and it turns out they friggin adore my house but can’t put in an offer until they know theirs is going to sell.

I like the idea of this couple getting our house for a number of reasons.

1. They’ve restored their own old home and know what it takes.

2. They appreciate the work we’ve already done because, well, see #1.

3. They read my blog.

4. They are from Beacon, so they won’t be abandoning the house for the city after a few years (like us).

5. Our house is commercially zoned. A lovely Victorian with original detail up the road was sold to a lawyer a few years back and it was totally raped. Now it’s a vinyl sided law office. Damn shame, that is. I’d die if someone did that to my house.

6. Ok, here’s where I start tearing up. The wife said our house is her dream home. It’s always been our dream house and it still is. Just wish we could pack it and take it to Brooklyn. I want someone in there who loves it as much as we do.

Ok, enough about our house. So, here’s the house you have to buy:

A 1910 house on a quiet street. 3 BR, 2 Bath lovely restoration. 0.08 backyard already fenced for a dog, if you have one. Oh yeah, or kids. No work to do as far as I could see. Just move in and enjoy. $284,900.

Hurry up and call JonCar @ 845-831-3331.

  posted @ 5:37 am Comments (3)

Gonna be hawking my wares at a new (ish) market this Sunday. The Hester Street Fair is only a few months young, but both shoppers and vendors seem to be happy enough with it so far.

Like the Brooklyn Flea (Hello, I’ll be there on Saturday!), it’s semi-curated with a mix of vintage, crafts and not-your-average-sausage-fair-food. Hester has about 60 vendors on a given weekend and is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

My grandfather was a rag man on the Lower East Side when he arrived in this country. Looks like I’m taking the family history back a step. Wait till you hear about the seltzer delivery I’m hooking up…..

My grandparents are in their graves ROFLTAO.

  posted @ 7:48 am Comments (0)

The long awaited Bed Stuy organic grocery will finally be opening in the fall. Location is to be announced. Alls I can say is that it better be within walking distance of me.

The owners are currently trying to raise funds for the renovation of the store.

  posted @ 5:03 am Comments (0)

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