Category Archives: Uncategorized

Southampton

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Many moons ago, in what seems like an entirely different life, a girlfriend invited me to spend a weekend in the Hamptons. I was conflicted- how could I hop on a plane for an indulgent weekend away? This isn’t what single mothers do! But then I thought, when will I ever get another opportunity to go to the Hamptons? That was all the convincing I needed. Bags were packed and the rest, as they say, is history! (For those that don’t know, that was where my husband and I began our relationship)

When I pictured, “The Hamptons” I pictured Puff Daddy, glamorous parties and ultra-luxe clubs. I was confused as we pulled into the town and a family of deer ran across the road. We were in the middle of nowhere!

I quickly learned what the Hamptons is really all about- relaxation. For the hurried souls who call NYC home, a reprieve is needed where they can decompress. Yes, there are fabulous parties, amazing restaurants and clubs, and I’m sure P Diddy is there often but all of this is contained in quaint towns with corner grocery stores and lots of trees.

The Hamptons are a group of villages and hamlets in the townships of Southampton and East Hampton. I just spent a week in Southampton and thought I’d share some of my favorite places.

Friday evening we ate at Tutto Il Giorno, owned by Gabby Karen, Donna Karen’s daughter. That may be the draw for some but the food holds its own. The risotto was the taste of summer and, paired with a glass of Whispering Angel Rose, sitting outside under the stars, I felt myself exhale.

The next day was mainly spent on a float in the pool. We dragged ourselves inside for a nap and awoke just in time for dinner. Georgica, an East Hampton staple, is as hot as ever. The restaurant turns into a club around 11:30 so make a late reservation if that’s all that’s on your agenda for the evening. We wanted to check out Nammos, formerly Nellos, so we left when the party was just beginning.

I had heard great things about the food at Nammos, but the lounge wasn’t too exciting the night we were there. It was a bummer for a Saturday night.

Sunday’s plans got moved to Monday due to the rain. We took the ferry over to Shelter Island to eat at Sunset Beach (you can stay there too!). Great food and an amazing experience. Maybe I like it because it reminds me of St. Tropez; it’s filled with beautiful people, cool lounge music is playing in the background, and the sunset is really unbelievable.

The last restaurant we visited was Osteria Salino in Bridgehampton. This place was the find of the trip! Everything was fresh and oh, so good!

Here’s a few more of my favorite spots…

Book Review- French Kids Eat Everything

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Have a picky eater? Or are you a picky eater? If so, you simply must check this book out! The title caught my eye in the window of a bookstore. I’m notoriously picky and, unfortunately, my youngest is taking after me. I was ready to do something about it and this book came at just the right moment.

In this book, French Kids Eat Everything, the married, mother of two, recounts her experience of living in France for a year. She has come up with ten food “rules” and goes into great detail about how she formulated them, as well as her experiences, challenges, and successes.

I happened to be smack in the middle of this book when we took a trip to St. Barth’s. Primarily a french island, I had tons of opportunities to put into practice what I was reading all about. “You don’t have to like it but you do have to taste it,” applied to all of us (I tried tuna tataki, lobster risotto, and even foie gras!). Will I be ordering any of these any time soon? Probably not, but I set a great example and my little one ended up devouring fried shrimp. I said no to quite a few snacks and look forward to implementing le goûter (a scheduled, afternoon snack) once the school year starts.

Most of the rules are common sense when you stop to think about it, but the problem is, we often don’t stop and think about our eating habits and the habits our children are forming. I know snacking isn’t good for my daughter’s dinner appetite but I didn’t connect the dots that it may be the reason she’s not open to trying new things. And I certainly didn’t realize how many times she needed to taste something before she accepted it! This book definitely opened my mind on how I eat and how I feed my family.

Bon appetit!

Tanya

Keep It Simple

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This is how I looked Saturday morning…

This is how I would like to look while cooking…

Last weekend was B’s birthday and I began his special day by spending close to three hours in the kitchen. I made his favorite dessert, a carrot cake, from scratch. Yes, I shredded carrots. Yes, I crushed pecans. And yes, I drove myself crazy! (Probably due to the fact that I was also attempting to make his favorite breakfast, Eggs Benedict). It was just too much.

The cake fell, the hollandaise sauce was runny, and I was frazzled. B explained it perfectly- he would have been just as happy if we would have went out to breakfast and if I would have picked up a carrot cake.  I had an ah-ha moment. The people I am doing these special things for do not care if I’m slaving away in the kitchen for hours- actually, they would prefer it if I was more present with them.

I do like to bake but maybe I’ll use a use a mix or bake the day before and buy frosting. Same thing with pancakes and waffles. Do I really need to shift flour at 8am on a Saturday? Won’t the kids be just as happy with pancakes made from the Hungry Jack mix?! I think so. I’ve decided I’m going to take some shortcuts that will allow me to save time and enjoy the process.

My goal of simplifying is beginning in the kitchen but I’d like to make everything in my life easier. Do you have any tips that make your day to day life less stressful and more enjoyable?

xo,

Tanya

Juicing For Health

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It’s been 19 days since the “big day” and I feel like I’m finally breathing again. So many good things in such a short period of time! My thank-you’s were completed today and I unpacked all the boxes that have been sitting near my front door.

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One of the amazing wedding gifts we received was a juicer (thank you, Larry and Michele!). Now, I love fruits and B loves vegetables but neither of us have ever juiced before. When strolling through the isles in Bloomingdales, filling out our registry, we said, why not?. Now I have the task to figure out the why, in addition to the how and when!

So why are people crazy about juicing? What’s the difference between the apple juice and orange juice that I buy at the store? I began there…

  • Juicing has a very high nutritional and vitamin content. The juicer breaks up the cells of the produce and, because it’s liquid, it goes into our bloodstream instantaneously. Juice is also easy to digest so our body isn’t working as hard.
  • Fresh juice is not pasteurized. Juice that is sold in a store is heated and, during this process, most of the nutritional value is destroyed.

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Ok, so fresh juice is better than store-bought, pasteurized juice (makes sense!) so onto the how and when…

When– First thing in the AM or anytime you need an energy boost (for me, that’s around 2pm). Make sure to drink the juice as soon as possible after juiced as it starts to lose its nutritional value as soon as it’s made. Also, because there are no preservatives, you’ve only got about 24 hours, max (make sure to store in a glass, airtight container if you can’t drink right away). Make sure to drink fresh juice on an empty stomach and don’t eat food for about one hour after consuming juice so the juice can do it’s magic.

How– Get yourself a juicer. Go shopping for organic, seasonal fruits and veggies. Use a vegetable wash to clean and then prepare your produce for juicing the night before. Pull up some juicing recipes if you’re like me and need a recipe for everything in the kitchen or play around like my hubby did (oh my, he’s my hubby!)

Here are some recipes I found to get started. If you are a juicer and have recipes to share, PLEASE comment and share the love!

http://www.healthy-juicing.com/juicing-recipes/

http://www.all-about-juicing.com/Fruit_Juice_Recipes.html

xo,

Tanya

If you only do one thing the week…get married! (Well, that’s my plan anyway!)

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The time has flown by. It’s been a little over two and a half years since the man of my dreams walked into my life. As a 31-year-old divorcee with two children, my path hadn’t been as easy one but I remained positive and hopeful, choosing to focus on living a life of intention. When I was introduced to B, I was immediately taken by his two sides- his driven, successful, responsible side contrasting with his silly, outrageous and fun side (anyone who knows me well knows my two sides are quite polar as well). He was divorced. He had two kids. He had similar interests. Check, check, check! He also lived in New York. Hmmmmm…

In hindsight, I think this was a huge check. I had often felt suffocated in relationships. Only getting to see him every other week (initially) was a great thing for me. It forced me to confront feelings that I may have over wise overlooked. I missed him. I wanted to see him more. I was in love with him.

After six months, B popped the question in his “go big or go home” way~ on stage at a Train concert to the song, Marry Me. It was surreal, much like everything else in the previous six months.

The girls and I moved to New York six months after we got engaged. The transition wasn’t as easy for me as I had hoped but he was right by my side every step of the way. He’s been my everything for the last year and a half- my family, my best friend, my lover, and sometimes my punching bag.

We will get married tomorrow on the rooftop of 230 5th surrounded by our family and friends. All four of our beautiful children will walk in the wedding. The talented Courtney Ortiz will capture the moments, the one and only Chef Steve Martorano will be cooking his unbelievable South Philly Italian food (we met at one of his restaurants!), and Ron-Ben Israel  is preparing a magnificent cake. Finally, we’ve got the fabulous Louis XIV spinning all night. How lucky are we?!

I am aware of and appreciate my blessings each and every day. I feel so much gratitude that I have found an amazing partner to share my life with. So this week, if you only do one thing, believe in love!

xo,

TFab

Revel in the beauty and wonder of spring

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Ahhhhhh…it’s spring in New York and there’s no where else I’d rather be (well, maybe Paris but New York will do for this year). I cannot begin to express how much I adore the change of seasons. It’s only my second spring and I feel the wonder like a child. In order to take advantage of all spring has to offer, I have made a Spring Bucket List (find the template here). Listed below are a few of the ways my family and I plan on making the most of this season of renewal.

  • Spring Cleaning- what is it about this time of year that makes us want to clean and organize? I found this handy checklist on the one and only Martha Stewart’s website.  I also change my air fresheners to a new, lighter scent and check the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure everything is working as it should. The hot tub will be drained and cleaned and the patio furniture set back up. Enjoying my morning tea outside is a simple luxury I’m eager to begin again.
  • A spring nature hunt- I can put a check by this one already! My little one loves the outdoors and I love taking pictures so we took the camera and searched for signs of spring in our yard(a lot of the pictures here were taken by her!).

  • Picnic in the park- Doesn’t this picture make you want to pack a picnic basket and set off to the closest park? We are lucky enough to live in walking distance to a lovely park and duck pond so a picnic to celebrate the season is definitely in order. Don’t forget to pack a blanket and some toys for the kids to play. I’m thinking a frisbee and bubbles…I’m sure my girls will complain they’re too old but will then delight in the beauty of the bubbles floating everywhere~ I always do!

  • Shop at the local Farmers’ Market- Why not get your fresh veggies from your local farmers’ market instead of the grocery store? I can’t wait to take my dog and peruse all the goodies and then go home and make a meal of it. Remember, eating seasonally has so many benefits!

  • Opening day at Yankee Stadium- What says spring better than baseball? B’s love for the game has rubbed off on me and the girls and we all enjoy going to games. We’ll be there next Friday, April 13th to root for the Yankees. Why don’t you show your support for your team and enjoy a hot dog while you’re at it? I can almost smell it!

  • Get ready for the rain- Polish up those wellies and make sure you have a fabulous umbrella. I have to admit, I don’t like the rain and have never went for a stroll (by choice) in a downpour but I’m going to give it a go. I can only imagine my little one’s delight and joy when I suggest a walk next time it rains. Life is short; dance in the rain!
  • Make fashion and beauty updates- I would normally be making quite a few spring purchases but I’m on a shopping hiatus until after the wedding (which, by the way, is in 36 days!!!). So instead I created my fantasy shopping list on my pinterest board. One thing I will be doing, however, is sampling all the great spring nail colors. Essie’s Spring Collection and Resort Collection are so much fun! A Crewed Interest in currently on my tips and Orange, It’s Obvious is on my toes. Nail polish is such an easy way to keep up with the trends and who doesn’t deserve a mani/pedi after a long week?
  • Attempt, again, to grow herbs and tomatoes (my daughter’s request)- I don’t know why I can’t seem to keep anything alive. It’s really quite frustrating. I will try again and keep the manicured fingers crossed that something grows.

And that’s it. Well, in addition to planning an Easter Brunch, my daughter’s 13th birthday, my other daughter’s first communion, and, of course, the wedding! Summer will be here before we know it. Time is ever so fleeting so make sure you find ways to enjoy the now.

XO,

Tanya

Stand Up Straight

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Certain women seem to embody the term of a “lady” perfectly…

Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy come to mind but there are many out there.

So I began thinking,

what makes these woman seem

more elegant and more lady-like?

One of the first things that popped into my mind was their statue, their posture. Yikes! This is an area I struggle with (I like to blame a slight case of scoliosis) and I began to wonder how others perceive me. Could my posture be sending un-ladylike vibes?

I decided this week, I’m going to work on my posture and I encourage you to notice yours as well.

Posture refers to the body’s natural alignment. Good posture means we are distributing our weight evenly and properly so that no one area is overwhelmed. Bad posture can lead to the obvious neck and back aches and headaches. I’ve also learned that poor posture can lead to problems with digestion, breathing, and issues with your muscles, joints and ligaments. And I was just worried that it looked bad…how vain am I?!

Ok, so my posture sucks and now I know it can lead to major trouble down the road. Here are a few strategies I’ve rounded up that I plan on implementing now.

Sitting~

  1. Align your back with the back of the chair.
  2. Avoid slouching or leaning forward.
  3. Make sure your neck, back, and heels are all aligned.
  4. Keep both feet flat on the floor (this is going to be very difficult for me!)

Standing~

  1. Stand with weight mostly on the balls of the feet, not with weight on the heels. Avoid locking your knees.
  2. Keep feet slightly apart, about shoulder-width.
  3. Let arms hang naturally down the sides of the body. (My arms are constantly crossed so we’ll see how this goes)
  4. Tuck the chin in a little to keep the head level. Stand straight and tall, with shoulders upright.

While sleeping~ (B says I have the absolute worst sleeping habits; I often find myself in the fetal position)

  1. Sleep on your back to help straighten your shoulders
  2. Put a rolled-up towel under the neck and a pillow under the knees to better support the spine.
  3. If  you must sleep on your the side, place a pillow between the legs to help keep the spine aligned and straight.

Strengthen Your Core

1. Stretch your back muscles.  (I found some great stretches here that I’m going to add to my morning routine)

2. Exercise. (I’m pretty good about remembering my back when working out but I think I need to revisit yoga, which I LOVE, not sure why I haven’t been going, and maybe try a Pilates class, which everyone raves about.

So that’s what I’m going to be working on this week. Hopefully I’ll be able to make a few changes now that will keep me healthy and feeling good way into the future.

And for my fellow moms out there, add one more thing to your list of things to nag your kids about. They’ll thank you one day!

Have a fabulous weekend and make every moment count,

Tanya

If you only do one thing this week…pop a bottle!

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Champagne. What symbolizes fabulousity more eloquently that a glass of bubbly?

My love affair with Champagne began when I was too young to admit at a relative’s wedding. My grandmother thought it would be ok if I had a glass to toast and I used that excuse with practically every other relative there.

When I was older, Champagne was equated with nights out on South Beach when someone (definitely not me in those days) splurged on getting a table. It was luxury in a bottle to be sipped and enjoyed while adding to the fun of the evening. Carpe Noctum!

While traveling in France this summer, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Champagne, the only area that truly produces Champagne (anything from any other region is sparkling wine). My biggest question was how Champagne was made differently than wine so here’s the basic 411. (Below are all pictures from the trip)

Champagne is made from either Pinot Noir, Pinot Meuiner, or Chardonnay grapes.

In the beginning, the process is much like making wine. After pressing the grapes, yeast is added. The juice is then put into stainless steel or oak fermenters.

This is where fermentation occurs. Yeast converts the sugar from the grapes into alcohol. Unlike wine, Champagne then goes through a second fermentation process where CO2 is created. The bottles are filled and capped during the second fermentation process. The CO2 can’t escape and produces bubbles. At this point, the bottles are on their side.

Years ago, bottle turners used to turn the bottles slowly over an extended period of time until all the dead yeast (it would be very cloudy looking) settled in the neck of the bottles (machines do this now). This process is called riddling. The top of the bottles, which are now upside down if you’re following along, are placed in a sub-zero saline solution. The solution freezes the yeast plug. The bottles are now turned upright and the yeast plug is popped out. This process is called disgorging.

At this point, the champagne is ready to be aged. Unlike wine, which does some barrel aging in addition to bottle aging, Champagne is aged exclusively in the bottle. For Champagne to be considered a vintage, it has to age at least three years.

We now have Champagne but it’s undrinkable because of the high acidity. The key is to balance the sugar and acid. The grapes from this area are somewhat bitter to begin with- they have high acid levels and low sugar. A mixture of sugar and Champagne is now added to the bottle and, depending upon the amount, a Brut, Extra Dry, Doux, or a Demi Sec had been created. The champagne is corked and ready to go!

Champagne comes in many, many sizes but here are the most common.

187 (single serve)

750 (standard bottle)

1.5 liter (Magnum)

3.0 liter (Jeroboam)

There’s quite a few larger sizes and Jay Z’s Champagne, Armand de Brignac, just introduced a thirty-liter Midas. That’s forty bottles of standard Champagne! It sells in night clubs in London and NY for $150,000.  Who’s turn is it to buy?! 😉

Champagne doesn’t age like wine, so drink up! It’s great to celebrate a special occasion with a bottle of the bubbly but any day that ends in a y is a good occasion too (it also goes great with popcorn for an extra special movie night).

Here are a few my personal favorites at various price points.

Mumm Cordon Rouge $35

Pommery Brut Apanage $40

Perrier Jouet Cuvée Belle Epoque (also known as PJ Flower) $125

Laurent Perrier Brut Rose $90

Nicholas Feuillatte Palmes D’or $150

Angel (owned by Mariah Carey) $300

Armand de Brignac Blanc de Blanc $450

Cheers until next time,

TFab

If you only do one thing this week…become a red wine connoisseur

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As most of you may know, my fiancé is in the wine business so, over the last two years, I have had an opportunity to drink some unbelievable wines and tour some of the most breathtaking vineyards here in the U.S, as well as in France and Italy.
At this point, one would think I’d know an awful lot about wine, right? Ummmm, not so much…

I’m ashamed to admit that I know what I like but that’s about the extent of my wine knowledge. I fell in love with Rose so I made it a point to educate myself and now this week I’m going to tackle red wine and next week, champagne. Then I’ll do a blog about which glasses to use (I’m constantly confused) and what you need to have a well-stocked bar (this would be necessary as I realized I didn’t have shot glasses the other night- I still don’t know how that happened).

Lets start with the basics~

Red wine is usually named for the primary grape that is used to make it in most new world wine regions, such as the U.S., South America, and Australia (Cabernet is a type of grape!). However in old world wine regions, such as Italy, France, and Spain, wines are typically named for the region in which they are grown (Bordeaux comes from the Bordeaux region in France).

The grape’s skin is what gives red wine it’s beautiful, rich red color. Red wine’s colors vary due to the particular type of grape used, as well as how long the skins are in contact with the grape’s juice during the fermentation process.

The most common red wine varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandal, Shiraz, Petite Sirah, and Malbec. Familiarize yourself with these and you’ll do just fine ordering from almost any wine list.

So what’s the difference between all these wines? Lets see if you’ve followed along so far…

It’s all about the grapes!

Take Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s originally from Bordeaux but now is all over the California coast.  Cabernet grapes need to mature a bit longer than other grapes so their flavors mellow beautifully and blend nicely with other grapes, usually Merlot. Cabs range from medium-bodied to full-bodied and are characterized by their high tannin content. They’ve got structure and rich fruit characteristics. Flavors you may pick up on include plum, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, warm spice, vanilla, tobacco and sometimes even leather aromas.

Merlot is another grape that originated in France. Merlot is more of a “fruity” wine, not as strong-bodied as a Cab.

Now on to my favorite, Pinot Noir. Similar to a Merlot, Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied wine with lots of fruit flavors. You may find Pinot Noir to be a bit more expensive than other red wines and this is because the grapes are not has hardy and abundant as some of the other varietals.

Next up, Zinfandel. Admittedly, I thought this was a white wine and it can be, but the grape itself is red. Who knew? For White Zinfandel the skin is quickly removed so you’re left with a rose/blush colored wine. The grape, which is known for its rich, dark color scheme, makes a wine with medium to high tannin levels and a higher alcohol content. Zinfandel’s flavors include raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plums, raisins, spice and black pepper.

Here are a few bottles at various price points to get you started~

Cabernet Sauvignon

Jordan (Sonoma, California $50)

Franciscan (Napa Valley, California $22)

Merlot 

Duckhorn (Napa Valley, California $40)

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Merlot (Australia $10)

Pinot Noir

Flowers (California (personal favorite!) $45)

Veramonte (Chile $12)

Zinfandel  

Gnarly Head (California $10)

Ravenswood (Sonoma, California $25)

Finally, although you don’t need a reason to enjoy a glass of fabulous red wine, Dr. Oz recently did a segment on how a glass of red wine a day can help you lose belly fat. Red wine also contains antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of “good” cholesterol and protecting against artery damage. I’ll drink to that!

xo,

TFab

Eat Seasonally

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Just looking at the picture above makes my mouth water. The heat is on and we’re all looking for ways to cool down and stay fit during the summer season. During my trip to Italy last summer, I learned the secret to everything tasting unbelievably fresh and delicious= seasonal ingredients. I added that to my travel journal but, alas, failed to follow through in my every day life.

While in the Hamptons this past weekend, the girls and I decided to go strawberry picking. Standing in the fields eating red, ripe strawberries, feeling the juice drip down our chins, I was yet again inspired. I made my way over to the stand to check out the other fruits and veggies that were for sale. I picked up some asparagus and red potatoes and voila! I added some carrot quinoa and we had a dinner that was fresh, healthy, and yummy.

Those that know me, know I love to cook. I’m certainly no chef and I base all my meals on recipes. So here comes the change~ I’m going to take a trip to the local Farmers’ Market each week, stock up on whatever looks good and then plan my meals. I came home and looked into Farmers’ Markets and found a local, weekly market ten minutes from our house. Perfect!

Realistically, I may not make it to the Farmers’ Market each week or my family may be craving something that isn’t there. Plan B is stocking up at the local market. Listed below are the seasonal fruits and vegetables that should be easy to find.

Summer Fruits:

Apples

Apricots

Avocados

Berries- All

Cactus Pears

Cherries

Figs

Melons

Nectarines

Summer Vegetables:

Asparagus

Basil (I’d like to try growing some)

Beets

Broccoli

Corn

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Green beans

Okra

Peas

Radishes

Rhubarb

What I love about this list is that there are quite a few fruits and vegetables that are not a part of our diets. My favorite source for recipes is allrecipes.com because recipes found on here are rated. Choose a four or five-star recipe rated by 100+ people and you can’t go wrong. I typed in Rhubarb and found a recipe for Rhubarb Strawberry Crunch rated 4 1/2 stars by 467 people. I can’t wait to try this out! (Don’t forget to read the reviews as there’s usually great suggestions for making the recipe even better)

Eating seasonally provides you with many benefits. Your food will be more nutritious and taste fresher. You will be lending the planet a hand by saving on the cost of transporting out of season fruits and veggies from various parts of the world. By shopping locally, you are stimulating your community and/or state’s economy. And last but not least, you’ll save some $, perhaps to purchase a few summer outfits! 🙂

xo,

Tanya