Holiday Sandwich

I've been getting into the spirit of holiday food.

Comfort food sandwich:
generous layer of mashed potatoes (I used this MS basic recipe and added some bacon) 
slice of turkey
sliced beets (our supermarket has cooked beets for the lazy- a.k.a. me) Also beets are sweet and is a good substitute for cranberry sauce if you don't have that on hand.
TJ's sprouted bread
Served with a side of pan fried brussel sprouts.

Do you  have any holiday food favs?

Breakfast for the hungry

Breakfast is my most important meal of the day. I go bonkers if I skip breakfast and end up being none functional. I'm always trying to reinvent breakfast and ways to make a satisfying meal without taking forever to make it in the morning since I'm pretty much starving after I walk Clyde. This Storm Relief Granola recipe from Sara-Kate at Apartment Therapy landed in my inbox last week and looked amazing. So I went to town at Whole Foods and got all the ingredients. I substituted honey for the sugar (I don't really like the taste of sugar- yeah, I'm crazy) and dried cranberries instead of raisins. I also added a heaping half cup to cup of Trader Joe's flax seed with blueberries powder. Note: my bake time was around 35 minutes total - be sure to check your oven temperature. I over baked my first batch and got the second batch just right. This would be perfect to have on hand for your holiday guests as they wake up in the morning.

Blossoms/ Japan

I've been eying these peach blossoms (I think that's what the sign said) at the market for weeks now but didn't have a vase. Geoff brought me one that we had used for the wedding and so I bought a bunch on Sunday. Then I realized that these are actually really tall and I didn't know where to put them so that they could be admired daily and fit without me accidentally knocking them down. As you can see, the bathroom was the ideal location. They are blossoming nicely right now and actually give off a light, sweet fragrance.





We're now in full bloom cherry blossom season, a national past time for the Japanese. To get your fix in New York, check out the Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden at the end of the month. Spring is a time or reawakening from the doldrums of winter. I very much look forward to this time of the year every year. Blossoms have always made me feel hopeful for the longer and brighter days to come. I haven't said anything here about the earthquake or the tsunami but my thoughts have been very much on what has happened in Japan. I watched the footage while I was on holiday and happened to have access to several cable news channels (I don't have a tv at home). Thoughts of horror, devastation, and sadness gripped me as I watched the news over and over again much like I did on 9/11 and the days following. With aftershocks still hitting Japan, there is a constant reminder of how fragile life can be. I've contributed to the Japan Society's Earthquake Relief Fund and there are many other organizations you can choose to contribute to.

Sleekness

Dreaming of this sleek desk.

Moving On

Slowly, I am thinking about the other rooms in the apartment. We're (or more appropriately my Mom is) springing for a new floor in the living room. It's an ultra generous Christmas gift. We will do wood and I would love it if we could somehow figure out how to do a herringbone pattern and be within budget. Keep your fingers crossed. I love herringbone floors, here's one from the main NYPL.

Herringbone Floor @NYPL, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

For the kitchen we will have subway tiles as a back splash. Maybe stacked like the photo below, as opposed to staggered, which is what's going in the bathroom. We like the idea of cork floors but if it's not readily available or within budget, we will buy 12x24in. ceramic charcoal gray tiles just like the ones below.

12x24 floor tile, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And this would come later but if could, I'd love to redo our currently hideous radiator covers. Something like this one below would be nice.

radiator cover vent, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I know, I know, I think about such glamorous things ALL the time.

The Half Baked Bathroom

The bathroom should be finished this week. It's not quite so raw anymore. We replaced the old tub with a new Kohler cast iron tub. And it's completely opened up, though still a tad narrow.

Kholer cast iron tub, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We decided to go classic New York and get subway tiles for the walls and hex tiles for the floor.

Subway Tile, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We're putting in this rectangular vessel sink on top of a stand that Ross is currently building. We're having a piece of corona marble cut as the counter top.

Vessel Sink, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We're almost done shopping (so close)! We just have to buy a toilet and we're aiming for a TOTO Ultimate though we'd love a one piece dual flush (can't find one readily available). I cannot wait until THIS week is over!

Raspberry Pancakes

Raspberry Pancakes, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I just wanted to drop in and show you how sweet Ross is. I love spending my weekends with him.

The Demo Begins!

After three weeks of searching, interviewing, and getting proposals from four contractors, I finally settled on my building's contractor. I decided on him primarily based on the fact that he was willing and able to do everything I asked him to do, in a short time span. We signed the contract Wednesday night and demolition started Thursday morning. There is the great advantage that he has an absolute in with the building's super, manager, and board president (he was recommended by all three of them- semi-suspect, I know). With Christmas on the horizon, and a friend flying in in January, I want to try and get settled as soon as possible.

Here's the foyer, all covered up. Ross has already repainted it a pale grey though it looks yellow in this photo.

Foyer during Reno, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The fridge is getting moved to the opposite side of the kitchen. In order to do that, we knocked out one closet so we can set it back into its own niche.

Kitchen, looking at fridge niche, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The two closets in the hallway were removed to accommodate the fridge and the expansion of the bathroom. We have decided that we will set up closet space in the bedroom instead.

Gutted hallway outside of bathroom, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The bathroom will be a total redo. This sucker is eating up ALL of my savings.

Full view of gutted bathroom, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And here's where the bathroom went. See what I mean about trying to make a dent in being green with renovations?

Bedroom filled with Trash, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Now off to go shopping for materials with Harry, the plumber (aka my contractor).

A little Astoria in my week

Towels, Boxes Rona Chang

Last night I trekked, well actually got a ride from Geoff to go to Titan Foods (a large Greek supermarket) so I can pick up 9 liters of olive oil. I buy a motherload of oils every year around this time. Most of you should know what it's for. Titan is a great place to pick up olive oil, they have a whole aisle devoted to it.

And two nights ago, my friend Alison and I had a grand 'ol time in Astoria. Eating from the kitchen of Moustafa El Sayed who runs Mombar. I really, really want to go to Egypt. I keep listening to podcasts about traveling to Egypt. I will get there but for now I will satisfy my wanderlust by eating.


Ceiling at Mombar

And this article from the NYTimes about Thomas Keller (the chef) and his dad, Ed Keller spoke to me. Here are some of my favorite quotes from What the Last Meal Taught Him:

In the cookbook ("Ad Hoc At Home"), Mr. Keller leads with his heart. He dedicates it to his brother Joseph and lays out in loving, exacting detail the recipes for the last meal he made his father. He reminds readers that life is better when you eat together with family and friends.

“I had him with me for some really meaningful moments before the accident and I didn’t have that as a child,” Mr. Keller said. “At the end of the day when we think about what we have, it’s memories.”

Memories are what Mr. Keller strives to create with all his food. And food memories are something he said he cherishes about his last years with his father. Especially that last meal.

While I too never spent that much time with my dad as a child, I savour all the time we spent together during my summers and visits and conversations we had when I was a young adult. Those memories will serve me for the rest of my life.

Queens Crossing

Two Dresses Rona Chang

Have you noticed that I've been blogging up a storm lately? I'm not quite sure what this is fueled by since I feel like I only have an audience of five. My number one reader and faithful commenter is Nina. (Thx for the support Nina!) For those who visit and don't comment, feel free to drop me a line and say hi.

I've been slowly getting back to my blog reading, which means being reattached to the hip with Apartment Therapy since they have a gazillion great interior design posts with loads of pics. It is exactly what I need now that I'm gathering inspiration for THE apartment. While I was on AT Friday, I saw a link for an awesome Ikea dresser hack. I wandered into the blog for me, for you written by the brilliant Ikea hacker, Kate Miss. I started reading her blog, I was drawn in as I always am by (food) the awesome pics of her mini pumpkin pies. Half an hour and several clicks later, I was completely hooked on for me, for you. And lucky me, I realized that I was going to the same open studios in Flushing that Kate Miss was making those mini pies for! Ooh baby!

I got to check out my friend Lisa's awesome (I overuse this word, I know) new paintings and her video and we all had some pie. I actually had the apple pie which was yummy. I wanted the pumpkin too but I didn't want to be too greedy. It was a fantastic rainy Friday night.

Setting up home and dreaming of dogs

Basket Making Workshop Rona Chang

While setting up home I've been dreaming of having a dog. Really dreaming. Last week I dreamed that I had a German Shepherd name Papa. In my dream his name was pronounced in a very French way. I have no idea where the name came from since that would not be my first choice. Though that's the kind of dog I really want. I've expressed it here before. I just don't think now is the right time, you know, moving and all. So last week, when I was perusing the "free" section of craigslist I found two weimaraners up for adoption. They are my second choice for dogs. I really wished I lived near a big park. Then I would instantaneously make the commitment. As of now I'll keep dreaming.

Gathering Supplies

Basket Making Supplies Rona Chang

I'm in the process of rereading and re-bookmarking all of my Domino magazines for apartment inspiration. I need all the inspiration I can get my hands on. I'm wondering if there's another interior mag I should subscribe to. I never go to the magazine store, so I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Nothing high-end, something like how Domino was approachable with a mix of styles and budgets. Maybe Real Simple? I already get Martha Stewart which is great but not exactly my style of decor. I like the style of the homes in Dwell but I'm not entirely smitten by the magazine. It's slightly cold for me. Has anyone read Living, Etc.? I've never flipped through it so I'm wondering if I should go look at a copy. What do you read for design inspiration?

THE Apartment

Ok, here's what I'm working with- my memory and these photos of the apartment I'm purchasing. Disclaimer: This is not my furniture or my apartment, yet.

The large foyer as you enter the apartment. There are three closets. No windows. It's fairly large (17.5' x 8'). I'm currently debating putting my (large) workstation to the left and hiding it with a tailored curtain when I'm not on the computer. I need a dark space to work in and this space is almost otherwise awkward. Any thoughts?


The living room.


Second view of living room.


The galley kitchen. I'm (crossing my fingers) hoping to redo the kitchen. It's made of of stand alone Ikea units and old cabinetry right now. My inspiration and idea is to have a white kitchen with a butcher block countertop and accenting the shelves with all the Orla Kiely kitchen stuff I got from Target this past Spring.


Bedroom. The major reason I picked this apartment: the bedroom faces the interior of the building. No more street noise. My ears have gotten too sensitive.


The hallway to the bathroom. Two closets = his + hers!


The bathroom. I'd love to redo the bathroom but this might have to wait. It's functional.

Gray, White, Wood and Red

Wood Rona Chang

Sooo, I've been thinking about renovating the new apartment to be. It'll be three more weeks until I close and can get in and make actual measurements. It's been half a year since I've been inside the apartment. I took some photos but not enough. I have some room measurements that we made when we tried to figure out the square footage of the apartment but I don't have a floor plan. It's a bit frustrating this whole process is taking such a looong time. Good thing I was distracted and living in Mass. for most of the time.


Angled Wood Rona Chang

These photos are exteriors of barns from Hancock Shaker Village which has been a huge design inspiration. I'm dreaming of redoing the floors in a herringbone pattern or just an angled pattern but in reality, I need to get into the apartment and see if the parquet floors need to be redone. My recollection is that they are fairly scuffed up, but maybe they really aren't and I don't need to spend a ton of time and energy to redo the floors.


Red, White Rona Chang

While I will be on a budget, the one renovation I know I can afford is to repaint the whole apartment. It's now in hideous colors of puke (I'll post some photos to demonstrate). It's a darker apartment than the current one I'm in. It's on a lower floor and has less windows. I want to brighten the whole place up. So going back to yesterday's post about wanting to be Scandinavian- I really am going to pursue that wholeheartedly. I want to paint just about everything white. But I am thinking about dark grey- charcoal grey with red, a mustardy yellow, and a medium colored wood as accent colors with bits of neutral colors like flax and heather thrown in.

We have a great long yellow couch from the 50's that's sitting in P'burg right now that will be making the move into the new place. I'm thinking of pairing it with that rich charcoal grey wall I'm dreaming of, along with my Poul Cadovius shelving. We also have a flokati rug that I may or may not lay down. It does seem a bit hairy to upkeep. I guess we'll decide on that when we get a good vacuum cleaner.

I guess I'm just putting together some ideas for now and will figure it out slowly as we go along. I plan on doing all of this reno on a budget and green by getting as many of my supplies as possible from Build it Green NYC. I think lots and lots of apartment posts will be forthcoming.

Exteriors

Exteriors Rona Chang

Bedroom

Bedroom Rona Chang

Barn Chairs

Barn Chairs Rona Chang

Yellow, Red, and Blue

I will start sharing some newly scanned Breathing In photos again. This week and maybe next will feature some images from my favorite domestic inspiration from this past summer, when I lived in Massachusetts- Hancock Shaker Village.


Yellow, Red, and Blue Rona Chang

Oh how I wanted a huge stash of these oval boxes.

Domestic

As someone whose favorite shelter magazine (Domino) shut down many months ago, I had been saddened and at a loss for a replacement. While reading some older entries of design*sponge yesterday (I'm pretty behind on all of my blog readings and postings), I discovered (or was pointed to) the new online mag, Lonny. While having an online magazine is not nearly as satisfying as a physical one, the content of Lonny in quality is right up there with what Domino used to be (and basically put together by just 4 talented people). Lonny was started by those who worked on Domino and has contributors and interviews from Domino associates, so it has made me one happy reader.

I'm also super psyched that design*sponge is slated to come out with a book later this month with a bunch of DIY ideas and house tours. And all this leads to a minor announcement: I passed the co-op board! I am purchasing a co-op in Jackson Heights next month so I'm super excited to gather ideas and embark on a domestic journey.

Leaves

Leaves Rona Chang

Found some hairpin legs that will be good for future home projects.