New York ♥.

Today I thought I'd show a little New York ♥. I come across all sorts of items relating to my fondness of The Big Apple. Here are a few of them.

This image is one I've admired for a while but just haven't gotten around to purchasing. I don't really have room for it presently so I might a wait a while. But it's real cute. I may have recolored it the way I want it to be.. 

Somewhere I really love in Manhattan is Chelsea Market (a whole other post on how much I love this place). In Chelsea Market is a yummy place called Fat Witch Bakery which makes brownies. Like, the best brownies you've ever had in you life. Holy moly. Luckily one can buy these brownies online by either having the finished product sent to you or by buying the mix. I have made the mix before and they do turn out wonderfully. However, there is something to receiving an individually wrapped parcel of deliciousness. I want one right now.

This vintage NYC/MTA subway token necklace is really cool (I'd request a longer chain). I love the retention of the old token and the asymmetry of the bead addition. Very cute!

hasta pronto,

jayteewo.  

I want Wednesday.

Ok, whoa. I want this skirt suit from JCrew. Here is the skirt and here is the jacket. Look how pretty it is! It is very profesh and utterly classic with a hint of retro, never to go out of style. And I love the 'heather elm' color and the pleating in the back. Very ladylike.

I'd like to pair the above lovely suit with these shoes. This pump from MMK called Benton is just a nice pair to have in your closet. They'd go with tons of stuff and are great for work. I like the coral-y red lipstick like in the picture to complete the look.

Additionally, I really want this dishware from Fishs Eddy collaborated on by Charley Harper and Todd Oldham. Mr. Harper is a really awesome animator who primarily does animals and Mr. Oldham is a designer of all trades who's been around for quite a while.  They both have awesome styles. I am using a transitional set of dishware currently so I keep looking out for the perfect set that is really me. I am not sure if I can commit to this body, mind and soul yet, but I'd sure like to have it in the rotation!

have a nice week!,

jayteewo.

Etsy find.

How cute are these?! I just found this shop called elloh that does "odes to" pop culture via paintings, specifically to television shows. She has great taste (same as mine) in entertainment so I am of course dying for the Arrested Development and Mad Men prints. These would be great gifts! A cool way to show your support and a piece of artwork to look at in one. I love the element of humor, too :) I wish she had some originals on there as well.

regards,

jayteewo.

Warmth.

When I think of the word 'warmth' I think of safety. All people want is to feel safe and at ease. I strive to create a comfy, cozy, happy home. That is not as easy to do as you might think. I think it's a challenge for and a talent of those who achieve it. You don't know if you possess the talent unless you have children and they tell you so- offspring sets it into place. My mom has that talent and more of it than one person usually does. Upon stepping into her home, you feel a warmth and calm come over you. I also attribute this to her aura which is a nurturing, maternal aura that just about everyone who meets her responds positively to; that is something you are born with and can't buy or imitate.

Butterscotch napkins/autumnal dishtowels from Crate & Barrel

Apricot Vanilla jam from Sunchowder's Emporia

My home (apartment) is as cozy as I can possibly make it. In fact, my little sister told me this weekend it is "cozy," one of the best compliments to receive. I have however used cool tones for my decor palette in the past and found that I do not feel comfortable with those colors around me. Somewhere I do feel consistently comfortable is my mom's house so I got to thinking, what does she do differently? Her walls are yellow her couch a mauve floral, the woods are warm and rich and she is there. Warmth that does not come from your aura (like my mom) has much to do with color.

From now on, I vow to bring only warm tones into my home. I will paint with golds and burgundy, terracotta, yellows, and coffee. I will eat citrus, peaches, and butternut squash. It doesn't take much in most cases.. a throw pillow here, a bowl of fruit there, a quilt from Mommy here.. It’s like a nest. Didn’t you feel great in the womb? I’ll answer that for you: yes, you did feel great cuz it was warm and pink in there- no vexing cool tones in sight. It's beginning to sound like I have a mommy complex but it’s true! I'm sure there are all sorts of theories on this but I don't care enough to research them. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm ready for Fall, baby! Bring in only warmth. ONLY. 

from Thank You Notes book by Jimmy Fallon p. 26

have a nice hot day!,

jayteewo.

Movie: Paris Blues.

"I don't feel average when I'm with you, I feel very, very special."

Paris Blues (1961) is a sort of dark, deep and steamy movie. Those descriptors sound a little odd together, but they're accurate. I've seen it before but caught it again on TCM the other day. Paul Newman is my man, I have no qualms about exposing that. He's hot and he needs to reincarnate and come back to marry me. Weird? Sorry but it's about time I expressed that.

Two women are vacationing in Paris and they happen upon two good looking jazz musicians. One couple is white, one is black. It deals with sex, race, jazz, drugs, love, resistance and Paris. I seem to like movies set in Paris; they are romantic, I guess, but in a sincere way. Paris is believable and the chemistry between Paul and Joanne Woodward is genuine because they were in love in real life. Sydney Poitier is always a nice addition and I love jazz.. so the sum is something very lovely to watch. But I don't know where you're gonna do that because it's not on Netflix but you could buy it here. It's worth it. Anything with Paul is. Duh.

P.S.- Woodward's wardrobe (tongue-twister) deserves a mention. This gorgeous undergarment is so pretty, I wish you could see the diving back. And the rest is just very elegant and perfect for a Parisian vacay.

peace,

jayteewo.

Summer Under the Stars.

I'm late in writing this, I suppose, but it's still worth talking about. TCM's Summer Under the Stars is going on the whole month of August. Each day they show movies in the theme of one outstanding star. It's a great way to learn about classic film and see a good chunk of an actor's résumé in a single day. It's particularly great if you have a DVR of some sort so you can go through a day's films and simply record the ones you want to watch and you can get to them at your convenience. Phenomenal! The TCM website for this event is really cool, too.

This week I'm excited about Joan Crawford (tomorrow) and Burt Lancaster (Thursday)! There are SO many fantastic movies on! Can hardly contain myself. Check it out!


best,
jayteewo.

Must Own: entry one.

I've been thinking about compiling a Jayteewo's "Must Own" Product List, but I don't want to plan anymore so I'm just gonna get it poppin. I might change the format as I go. It will contain but is not limited to general brand loyalty, justifications, explanations, suggestions, opinions..
Here we go:

Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System. There are a few versions but frankly, I am a new owner of the MIA and it is more than satisfactory. You don't really need more than that. Plus it comes in a bunch of cute colors now that you can personalize if you buy on their website. It really does make a difference with your skin. Not having a medical degree, I am still unsure if my skin is better or if it just feels better. But it does feel better and you can plainly see all of the makeup it got off. And it makes you feel like you're being proactive about skin care! so that's an additional benefit. Mine is yellow :) If I had to do it over I'd got with sapphire blue. 

The following are two I've mentioned before, but they deserve to be reorganized into this grouping because they really are the BEST.

Shu Umera Eyelash Curler. You can only buy them online now but they are worth it. Eyelashes are nothing without a curl, baby. Dispute it if you want to but you can't deny the affect a curled lash has on someone's face.

Tweezerman Slant Tweezers are the most excellent and sharpest tweezers in the land and they tweeze those brows and God knows what else like, whoa. Anything else is a waste of time. Why seek past perfect? I am really wanting this leopard pair!

regards, 

jayteewo.

My own way.

["Today I went this way instead of that

because I go my own way."]

regards,

jayteewo.

I want Wednesday.

I've found them. The perfect pair of black cat's eye sunglasses. But they are riiicch so I suspect I'll be wanting them for a while since I didn't win the Powerball last week. Son of a bitch. Tom Ford, why do you have to be so expensive and so sexual?! I want 'em. Not just bad, but real bad. Anyway. Here they are. I would obviously look so cute in them. And I know I'm a pushover, but I'm also open to them in Havana Tortoiseshell. Accepting donations because I'm sure the universe wants me to have them either way. K, thanks. Damn, I want them.

regards,

jayteewo.

Movie: Goodbye Again.

This is such a good movie, folks. Like, really good. Goodbye Again (1961) stars Ingrid Bergman, Yves Montand, and Anthony Perkins. Like many films of this era it was based on a best selling novel. Bergman plays Paula, an uptight 40 year old interior decorator living in Paris who is involved with playboy Roger, played by Montand. She encounters the 20-something son of a wealthy American woman on a decorating job, and a love triangle follows, despite Paula's devotion to Roger. It is engaging and ahead of it's time due to the scandalous age difference in the romance- of course, it's derived from a French novel. Great acting, music, scenery and a compelling storyline. So good. If you're still hanging tight with our dear friend Netflix, then you can watch it on instant, otherwise you can buy it here.


regards,
jayteewo.

I don't miss you.

Disclaimer: Don't read this if you're not caught up on LOST (where the hell have you been?), Dexter or Entourage.

Here is a light critique of some terrible actresses/TV characters I'm happy got written off and one actor/character I wish would. I hated looking for visual aids to go along with the text and I passive-aggressively made the pictures as small as I could, just so you know. I'm uncertain if it's the actors or the characters I despise more. Who cares? I don't miss them.

I'm glad you're gone:

Shannon (Maggie Grace) from LOST (remember Boone?). After you've seen the photo above I shouldn't have to tell you why I'm glad she's gone. Idiot. I love LOST but they really missed the mark on this one. Thank goodness she got written off early. She was so dramatic and not in a believable way. Always whining and being pathetic. How do people like her get jobs? Awful. Was that her best? It wasn't very good. All I have to say is, Sayid, you're better off so stop crying about it. You really love that other chick anyway.

Rita (Julie Benz) from Dexter. Her character is so freakin' dense and Benz is a terrible actress. Or maybe she just plays this part terribly, but I suspect that's being generous. Don't tell me if her stupid ass comes back in season 5 because I have to wait until Tuesday to get the discs from Netflix to find out. God, I hope not. Sure I'm worried about Dexter's future, but I actually squealed out of delight when he found her in the bathtub. Sorry :-/

Ashley (Alexis Dziena) from season 6 of Entourage. She was the chick who was doing Eric. In Broken Flowers she was the crazy naked daughter (aptly named Lolita). Oh. My. Gosh. She is unbearable. Her mouth alone kills me. She is a horrible actress, all fluffy and bouncing around like a moron. It's like she's on pills all the time. I swear I could step on set and blow her performance out of the water. I'm not saying I'm a great actress because nothing could be further from the truth or my aspirations. The point I'm trying to hammer into your head is that she's God awful. Maybe I'm mean but I don't give a shit. She's so annoying and I can't believe Eric didn't realize she was a psycho from the get go. Not worth the lay, dude. What a dumb ass.

I wish you were gone:

Peter Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) from Mad Men. Why is he still on the show? Please move off of Manhattan or get shit-canned or something! He's so irritating. Maybe Kartheiser is accomplishing what he's supposed to as an actor but I don't care. Don, you know he knows too much. Fire him or better yet, kill him! You know it's the path you're on. Roger would probably help or at least cover for you now that you're kinda friends again! I'd tune into that episode. Peter's smug little mannerisms and nasally voice are enough to make me scream every time he's in a scene. His treatment of Peggy is so selfish and don't get me started on his wife, Trudy. They deserve each other. I don't need to mention her though, because if he goes, she goes. She's dumb enough to follow him to the ends of the earth. What a catch.

Thus concludes my light critique. These are things you should know. Anyone in the right mind would agree with me. I'll chill out with the negativity now. Next I'll tell you about characters I actually do like. But that's another day.


♥
jayteewo.

Winter Park Farmers' Market.

I've lived in Orlando for almost six months and stupidly (and lazily) have not visited the Winter Park Farmers' Market. At last I went yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. I returned with a bevy of wonderful foodstuffs and some special treasures, too. I indulged in an on-the-go breakfast of a warm raspberry/cream cheese croissant and fresh squeezed lemonade. From now on I will be going each Saturday because it's silly not to. I left with a big smile in my heart and probably on my face, though I couldn't tell you for sure because I didn't have a mirror.

Presently I am having a tawdry love affair with two of the treasures I got yesterday. 1) Bleu Cheese from Winter Park Dairy (Florida's first raw milk cheesemaker) and 2) Peach Lavender Jam from Sunchowder's Emporia. Whoa, now. This is some good shit. I should probably have someone watch over me or call to check in periodically to monitor my addiction. I am eating this stuff like it's my business, and they don't exactly go well together by the way, as you might imagine.. These two items are particularly notable because if you know me, and I doubt you do, I'm not a big jam or bleu person. In fact, I never eat either. But I felt like being naughty and experimental (or maybe it was the scorching sun that affected my judgment) so I was compelled to taste-test everything. Now I'm into it in a BIG way. Just wanted to let you know. You can visit the dairy and buy the jams online. Today I'll be listening to Edith Piaf and painting (and eating peach jam and Bleu cheese, eu). How wonderful. See ya.


au revoir,
jayteewo.

Movie: Irma la Douce.

I just watched Irma La Douce (1963) on TCM again the other day and it is really good. It stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine. Shirley is so cute in it and I love her style. She has a green theme and a little dog with a matching bow. She's a hooker in Paris and Jack Lemmon whom falls in love with and conjures a scheme to get her to be with only him. He gets into a pickle and a romantic comedy unfolds. This isn't the only movie the two starred in together and you can see why. They have great chemistry but I especially like Maclaine. She's young and pretty and mischevious. Perfect female amalgamation.

later,

jayteewo.

Going to sister's.

I've spent a couple weekends at my sister's house in the last month and had tons of fun. She's pretty, nice, wickedly funny, she makes me food, AND she has two kitties. No bad side that I can see. Here are those days as described in pictures. No judgement allowed on the number of cat pictures (or wine pictures, for that matter). 

She is loyal to eggs from the farmer's market only.

She makes one hell of a fried egg.

Breakfast every morning.

Snacks she made me.

His name is Javier and he loves to sleep on my head. Also a big fan of spooning.

We love a good Sauv Blanc.

Oliver. Rare daytime sighting. 

Nephew.

We make cookies.

Grown up coloring time.

Night night.

I want to spend all of my weekends with little sister. No one likes to do the things I like to do more than my sisters. I was blessed with two and they are the best gals I know. How lucky am I?

♥

jayteewo.

In defense of eggplant.

Eggplant gets a bad rap because no one knows how to cook it right. Or maybe they just like it all mooshy and gross.. could be.

Here's the deal, it needs to be baked or cooked quickly because it is very porous and vulnerable to mooshiness due to it's moisture content. But it is very delish, you guys! Trust me. Here's a little snack that my dad has been making for years. It's very simple, as all of the recipes I post are. All it is is breaded eggplant that you bake and eat later with marinara. My dad also makes a tasty composed eggplant parmesan, but I'll leave it to him to blog about that (on his blog that he doesn't have).

What you need:

• 1 Eggplant
• 1 Egg
• Italian Breadcrumbs
• 1/8 Cup of Milk (I use soy)
• Salt
• Cooking Spray
• Marinara 

1. Slice your eggplant into discs about 1/3 inch thick. 

2. Set up a station (as seen above): one plate with the eggwash (egg + milk).

3. Dredge each slice of eggplant in eggwash and then cover both sides in breadcrumbs. 

4. Place on a cookie sheet that's been doused with cooking spray.

5. Repeat until all eggplant discs have been through the process.

6. Sprinkle with salt.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes each side.

8. Dip in a ramekin of marinara and gobble 'em up.

Might not look perty but it shore tastes good. Plus, it's a much healthier snack than a lot of other things (I can't tell you what those things are.. it's embarrassing). 

Buen provecho,

jayteewo.

Project.

I painted this for my friend, Shelly. She's a nice friend and I don't mind sharing my art with nice friends who bring me champagne and make me laugh. She needed something for her room, which she's redecorating. I hope it makes her smile ♥

later,
jayteewo.

Obsessed.

You guys. I love my iPhone and I know I'm not alone on that but what I see too much of is people using cheap, shitty cases to "protect" their costly Apple expenditure. Whyyy? I have found that InCase makes the very best (and prettiest) Apple protective products. The catch, actually there are three: 1) one can never find the best of their product line anywhere but their damn website, 2) the products themselves are a little pricey, 3) they like to piss me off by charging too much shipping. (Websites that charge astronomical shipping amounts irritate the shit out of me because you know it doesn't cost them that much. If they must be that greedy with their profit margin, their rep would be much better if they tacked that amount onto the unit price and gave free shipping. It's a PR thing, you idiots.) HOWEVER, I will tell you that in spite of the three previously mentioned cons, the pros still are in the lead in that the products are just far superior to anything else on the market- I'm not even going to say "in my opinion."

My newest iPhone case (my fourth), and I do own their products for my Macbook as well, is the Incase Crystal Slider case in silver. It's so glittery! I love it. It's beautiful in purple, too. The last case I bought was in November therefore it lasted me nine months. Even after that period of time my gold bar case (that's what it looks like) still looks cute, the pink from underneath just started to show through. I'll keep it as a backup. If we do a little calculation here, this case cost me $45.89 after tax and shipping (I know) and it lasted nine months, that's ~$5/ month. That ain't bad, ya'll. You're protecting a several hundred dollar investment after all. And I swear, I drop that bitch all the time and no broken iPhone yet, baby. Worth it. See? (Ooo, I just realized this is kind of boring.)


see ya,
jayteewo.

I want Wednesday.

I want this freakin' pretty dress form so bad! I've been wanting one for a while and of course, UO came through with a patterned one. Enough said.

I write the way I speak (it's actually cleaner in written form) so as I'm mastering (haha) the Spanish language I also want to learn their slang and dirty words that are so very imperative to expressing myself. Turns out, I'm not the only one yearning to absorb this valuable slice of lingo, there are books written solely to teach us filthy foreign lingity. Here is the book (thanks AB) I bought my sister but it's a British publication and therefore contains different vernacular and is hard to find stateside. I did some research   and found the following two books are what I found. They look awesome. The first is entitled Dirty Spanish: Everyday Slang from "What's Up?" to "F*%# Off!" (Dirty Everyday Slang) and the second, Talk Dirty Spanish: Beyond Mierda: The curses, slang, and street lingo you need to know when you speak Español.

I think they are fun and will probably get the first one, well.. first. I'm gonna learn so much valuable stuff! MK will be muy proud.

¡diviértate!

jayteewo.

Movie Monday.

You should watch Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde (1967). Those two are household names but few people nowadays are familiar with the movie that made them famous. I was totally one of them, so I'm not judging. Turns out, the movie actually is worth watching. Both Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty gave fine performances. It's especially cool because it's about real people who did all of this badass, yet criminal stuff. They weren't kidding. 

 

Their relationship was very compelling. The infamous duo were a mere 23 and 25 (respectively) when they died and the whole tale only spanned about four years, which isn't long for all of this shit to have happened. I like the lust-at-first-sight deal that leads into I'll-follow-you-into-battle-even-if-it's-batshit-crazy thing. Add on the jail time trauma and we've got a solid story cookin' here. It's helpful to know the backstory to gain perspective on Clyde, at the least. If you can get through Faye's accent then you're good to go (it really is kinda annoying but she's supposed to be a poor broad from Texas back in the day so give her a damn break). Give it a shot. 

adios, 

jayteewo.