Flavor Paper

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Karlyn, you need to start blogging! But until you begin, I'm happy to share the cool stuff you send my way.

Since I'll soon be settling into a new apartment, Karlyn told me about Flavor Paper, a small handscreened wallpaper company that started on the Oregon coast, moved to New Orleans and now has four-story showroom/factory in Cobble Hill. Home to the company's design and screenprinting operations, it's apparently a really cool space where customers can see the process up close and check out the designs. I've never used wallpaper before but have been thinking about giving it a try and already found a bunch from Flavor Paper that I really like. They even have some scratch and sniff ones that little kids would love.

Flavor Paper

216 Pacific Street

Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

Cupcakes and Weddings

Last weekend, my friend Mona got married. She and I grew up together and were inseparable for many years. At her rehearsal dinner, we feasted on Lebanese food at Al Bustan and listened to lots of funny and touching speeches. Secretly, I hoped I'd get away without making one. I had plenty to say, but have never been a fan of public speaking. As the microphone kept getting passed around the room, I wanted to crawl under our table and hide. Soon enough, I found myself trying to explain to 125 people just how much Mona means to me.

At the wedding on Saturday at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, a beautiful spot where I once sat next to Glen Close and made Matthew Modine think he knew me (more on that another day), I was so happy to see our friends, a big group that goes back over 20 years. I didn't want the night to end. This might explain why I let some of them persuade me and Daniel to attend the after party at the SoHo Grand.

We knew we'd pay the price the next day, and indeed we did. Leo woke up less than two hours after we got home and Nico soon after. My Mom had slept over and kept them entertained while we "slept in", but our little boys sound a lot like wild baboons first thing in the morning. Needless to say, we were dragging the entire day.

Daniel likes to tease me about how I eat too many sweets. On a day when we were dreaming about bedtime by 3pm, a few cupcakes from the new Butter Lane in Park Slope helped us both wake up.

Butter Lane
240 7th Ave (between 4th and 5th Streets)
Park Slope, Brooklyn

The Best Surprise Party Ever

Daniel turns 36 today. We celebrated last night with some pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds (rhubarb crumble, lemon chess, and salted caramel apple), this morning Nico and I made The Greatest Waffle Ever Recipe from Serious Eats (which was great indeed), and tonight we're having an early dinner at Madison Square Eats.

Daniel's not one to expect expensive gifts or a big celebration. Give him some food, family time, an afternoon nap, and he's happy. But for his 30th birthday—what now feels like ages ago—I rented a house in Cape Cod for him and our closest friends. I convinced him we were going for a family reunion, and even though we drove up with two friends who claimed to be going on a trip to Boston together, he, not one to ask a million questions (like, ahem, someone else), went along with the plan. I even recall some very excited emails about fishing poles, grilling gear, bike racks, and a motorcycle license because I also convinced him he was getting a Vespa. Ha! Gullible guy.

When we pulled into the driveway at the house in Cape Cod, all of our friends jumped out, party hats on, cheesy 30th birthday decorations taped up. Daniel looked bewildered at first, and then, elated. For the first few seconds, I think he seriously thought our friends had crashed our family reunion (and was secretly psyched). I love surprising people.

As expected, the weekend revolved around good food. We had a lobster bake, grilled steaks (which Daniel made himself), pancake breakfasts and lots of wine. There were also beach trips, riveting card games, rounds of charade, Scrabble and Cranium, late-night dance parties with choreographed routines, bike rides and kayaking, balloon-stuffed bras, and even a man-shaped, speedo-wearing birthday cake in honor of the birthday boy's Brazilian roots.

Our friends have always felt like family, and now that many of us are parents, we can't spend weekends away together, let alone see each other on a regular basis. I'd love to pull off a similar surprise some day and round up the same group and new friends, too. Since someone's 40th birthday is now less than 5 years away (sad, but true!), my wheels are turning again.

Making up for lost time

For most of my life, I've given oatmeal the cold shoulder. Called it names like gummy, mushy, and even gross. I tried some once or twice as a kid, back when I thought Fruit Rollups were the best food on the planet and couldn't stand it. I preferred oatmeal cookies, preferably with chocolate chips, or golden brown granola, with crunchy, toasted oats.

But about a month ago, I decided to give oatmeal another chance. I needed new things to feed Nico since he was requesting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches around the clock. My friend Whitney suggested oatmeal, telling me how much she and her son Liam love it. Nico, my name-changing child, often insists we call him Liam. When he does, he refers to me as Whitney, Leo becomes Liam's baby sister June, and Daniel is Justin, Liam's dad. So, when I served a bowl of warm oatmeal dotted with dates and apples one morning and went on and on about how it was Liam's breakfast of choice, Nico dug right in and dramatically praised each bite. When I tried some, I finally saw what all the fuss is about.

I referred to this recipe from the kitchn. I liked the idea of sizzling some apples and letting them release their juices. Now I seem to have some every day and think it's a good breakfast, lunch, or snack, especially when you've sworn off sweets for 40 days and need something to fill the void. Thick rolled oats probably caused my sudden change of heart and using milk in place of water. I like mine a little soupy and since I can't add sugar to anything for a few more weeks, I've been playing around with all sorts of mix-ins (prunes! blueberries! pears! bananas!). They act as natural sweeteners, but I know I'll be ready to break out the maple syrup and brown sugar soon.  

Gwyneth Paltrow Book Signing

I keep telling Karlyn she needs to start a blog. She's the kind of girl who always knows what's going on everywhere. Without her, I would have had no idea that PS 107 had a waiting list for kindergarten or that the problem seems to be solved, that Cars 2 hits theaters in June or that Giuseppina finally opened. Yesterday, she told me that Gwyneth Paltrow will be at Williams-Sonoma next week signing copies of her cookbook. Yes, that's right, Gwynie P is a lifestyle guru, singing sensation and a chef. When it comes to Mrs. Chris Martin and food, I always think of her macrobiotic diet that makes me feel guilty about my adoration for doughnuts, cupcakes and ice cream. But, I have a thing for certain celebrities and well, I'll admit I wouldn't mind seeing Gwyneth up close.

Gwyneth Paltrow Book Signing
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 1:00pm
10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY
(212) 823-9750

*Space is limited to 400 ticketed customers and you need to call or visit a Williams-Sonoma location to get one and purchase your book. Gwyneth will only be signing books that have been bought at Williams-Sonoma and they go on sale on April 13, but you can pre-order one to secure a ticket.

Image via Williams-Sonoma