Monday, July 11, 2011

A Trip to "Pearl River Mart" in Chinatown NYC,NY

Pearl River Mart in Chinatown is one of the BEST sources for all  things Chinese!  It is located at 477 Broadway just North of Canal Street in NYC, NY. The garden benches are to die for and the Bento Boxes and Trays abound! This is a great place ! If you are in New York be sure to check it out.  I guarantee you will come home with something!!!!

Furnishing are located on the 2nd floor and there is always something you will find within your budget!

Look at the trays!! Love them!!!!

If you're looking for Oriental ceramics , dishes and tea sets come here. Great stuff!!!

 Pottery Everywhere!!!

There are several selections of fish bowl planters as well!

I love the rock collection on the 2nd floor. 

Bento Box #3

Bento Box#3
Back Right---For Pillows and Light Upholstery:  Duralee Suzani Bluestone
Back Left---For Upholstery Kravet "Cuddles" Sandstone  Medium Duty
Middle Left-----Window Treatments Beacon Hill "York" Linen
Bottom Left----For Upholstery Extra Heavy Duty Fabricut "Shuffle" Navy
Bottom Right---For Upholstery Medium Duty Beacon Hill "Soft Looking" Stone
Paint Colors---Benjamin Moore HC-155 Newburyport Blue
Benjamin Moore --AC-32 Pismo Dunes
Trim Color: Benjamin Moore--OC-9 Ballet White
This Combo works well in a Family Room,Dining Room, Bedroom or Living Room
ENJOY!!!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

BRIDAL REGISTRY 101


Let's start here with the Bridal Registry.This a golden opportunity to set up your kitchen, dinnerware, tableware, bar and home products for your future. Think long term here! Forget about the trendy styles. The word is CLASSIC. In 10 years, you will be saying "What was I thinking?"
I have seen this so many times with my clients in their 30's. They remodel a kitchen, redecorate a dining room and realize their Bridal gifts are very outdated.
If you want trendy, use the current popular colorways in you flower arrangements, table linens, napkin rings, cocktail napkins.

THE FORMAL WARE:






1. Highly Decorated China Patterns? These lock you in to a color scheme and can make your meals unappetizing.
2.Uncomfortable Flatware? Hold each piece of the flatware setting, make sure it feels comfortable--not too heavy or flimsy...I prefer the dinner size. The fork is bigger than the place size.
3. Do you really need that entire place setting? Are you going to use all those cups,saucers,dessert plates? If you don't throw regular formal dinner parties, I would register for 12 dinner and salad plates and 8 cups/saucers. This will better your odds of completing this request because its more price friendly. You can add cut glass salad, dessert plates and bowls to accompany your china.
4.Are you Inheriting Grandma's Silver? Lucky you. You should now concentrate on a high quality stainless set of 12 for everyday use. Make sure you have 12 settings, if not add to Grandma's . If the pattern is discontinued get one that co-ordinates. It's fun to mix it up.
5.Stemware? Stay away from colored crystal and if you are a wine connoisseur you will need a white and red wine glass. You should register for the 12. If you can't have both I would do the white which is a smaller glass. Champagne glasses aren't used that much. If you feel you need them and have the storage space get them, but they aren't a necessity.
6.Water Glasses? There are water goblets and water glasses. I prefer a cut crystal water glass. It is more stable and can be a part of your bar ware collection. 12 is the number.
7. Serving Pieces? These are very important. You will need platter and, bowls. These can match your China pattern or can be white ceramic or glass.You also need,large spoons, forks and pie/cake server. These can match you silver or stainless pattern.
8.Candlesticks? Absolutely! Silver or Crystal ---your choice
9. Silver Napkin Rings? Don't need them. You can add some trendy napkins rings.
10.Salt and Pepper Shakers? Get 4 small glass/cut crystal sets. It's nice to have them scattered around table.
12. Accessories? Glass Pitchers, trays, cake plate, salad bowl and servers, 2 or 3 tier pastry tray,large and small vases are musts.

Some of my favorite places for registry would be Michael C Fina, Bloomingdales , Macy's

Roasted Asparagus


Roasted Asparagus


Preheat Oven to 400
Rinse and cut off bases of Asparagus
Lay in roasting pan, drizzle olive oil , salt , pepper and Parmesan cheese on top
Roast for 10 minutes
Serve!

The Best Rice Salad

I cook all the time and am a BIG fan of "The Silver Palate" cookbooks. This recipe is from their White Covered cookbook page 214 Salads and page 147 Salad Dressing This is one of the BEST cookbooks out!!!
RICE and VEGETABLE SALAD
8 cups hot cooked rice
1.5-2 cups Our Favorite Vinaigrette (see page 147)
1 sweet red pepper, stemmed, cored, and cut into thin julienne
1green pepper, stemmed,cored, and cut into thin julienne
1 medium size purple onion, peeled and diced
6 scallions(green onions) cleaned and finely sliced
1 cup dried currants
2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
1 package(10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed and blanched in boiling salted water for 3 minutes
1/2 cup pitted black olives(preferably imported) finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1. Transfer rice to a mixing bowl and pour 1.5 cups of the vinaigrette into rice. Toss thoroughly. Cool to room temperature.
2.Add remaining ingredients and toss thoroughly. Taste,correct seasoning, and add additional vinaigrette if needed.
3. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Return to room temperature before serving.
Vinaigrette (page 147)
1 tablespoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
minced parsley and /or snipped fresh chives, to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
This dressing is SO easy and great on all salads!!!!

Scrub Free Drip Coffee Maker Cleaner


1. Put 2 squirts of liquid dishwasher detergent (Cascade type) in the coffee reservoir and carafe then fill with boiling water. Put this mixture in the reservoir AND the carafe. Don't brew it!!! This is just for cleaning.
2.Let it Sit 10 minutes
3. Spill the water/dishwasher detergent out of the reservoir and carafe, then rinse and rinse again with HOT WATER.

**Make sure you rinse until the water runs clear

Bouquet on a Budget

I have been noticing ROSES popping up in very affordable dozen bunches at the grocery stores. Mine were $12.99 a dozen...check it out and they last !!