Like a Diamond in the Sky

It is such a special treat to take in an opera at the Met at Lincoln Center, and one of the best parts starts well before the performance.  The Metropolitan Opera House is one of my favorite interiors in New York, because when you walk in and encounter these quasi-futuristic, brilliant twinkling masterpieces, you can’t help but be transported, uplifted and inspired.  They were originally hung in 1966 when the Met moved to Lincoln Center, designed by an Austrian man named Hans Harald Rath, and just last year were completely refurbished and re-crystalled in Austria by Swarovski. 

A tip if you’re seeing “Tosca” and not feeling up to being emotionally crushed: It has a relatively happy ending if you leave before the third act!

Don't Tread on Us!

The week after New Year’s was spent on my second-favorite island in the whole world, St. Croix.  It is mostly filled with all things decidedly unprickly, with a notable exception: THE UUURRRCHIN!  I guess if I were so, so creamy and tasty I’d be sure to grow a very sharp coat of armor, too.  But man does it hurt to step on one.  Island wisdom says the best way to take the sting out is to, uh, have someone pee on you.  I’m pretty sure a wily fellow from the olden times just made that up, because nothing really soothes flesh that’s been pierced by multiple giant needles, but you’ll always find willing volunteers.

Just the Two of Us

To celebrate being officially sick of being cold, I’m going to a) post something every day to this here site, and b) pretend that it’s actually two weeks ago, when I met this romantic duo in Mexico.  They had a lot to say for themselves.

From Christmas on Jane Street to Our Street!

‘Tis officially the season: the tree is lit, the stockings are hung and we have had a word with the holiday playlist so it only plays that hauntingly beautiful but somewhat-of-a-downer Sting album from last year sporadically.  Let’s talk cookie recipes, people!

The Great Pumpkin Has Arrived!

On DailyCandy.com today, I show you how to make, in ten minutes active time, a light, fluffy pumpkin pudding.  My mom always called it “pumpkin fluff,” but I’m beginning to realize certain things my mom says sound utterly weird to anyone else, so let’s call it pudding.  It’s an incredibly easy chiffon of pumpkin you can pour into individual serving dishes and allow to set, or, as I did last night, whip up a quick crust and make it a pie.  The video should convince you that anyone can do this really quickly, and have fun doing it!