Lifestyle Leak: New Window Treatments

(Before)

Finally, I've updated the look of the big glass windows and sliding door leading out to my terrace.  I headed to Ikea looking to pick up a few new accessories for my apartment and ended up buying the Kvartal Curtain and panel suspension system.  I decided on a three layer combination featuring both sliding panels and curtains.  The suspension track system costs $77.44, the panels and curtains brought up the total to about $153.00 Which is so worth it because I had plastic/vinyl panels before.  

(After)

I have to tell you that each piece is sold separately so that you can make a 'custom' look, but that adds to the headache because separate pieces mean separate instructions.  Then, add on top of it all, the fact that Ikea uses pictures only so it's multilingual it's a real headache.  But once I got it all installed, panels cut, and 'hemmed' I looks so much better than the before.  

Close up of the panel system

So?!? What do you think? I love the new look it really pulls the entire room and space together and gives it a more polished look.  I'm really proud of the finished product, especially I did it all myself.  That just makes it even more special.  

Lifestyle Leak: Letter Openers

After slicing a cuticle one too many times on a letter I've decided it's best I invest in a beautiful letter opener.  It's one of those essential things you need for your desk anyway if you open a lot of mail.  I've decided that I don't want to spend more than $20.00 but I also want it to be unique enough to leave sitting out.  

Option 1: Tumbled Sea Glass Letter Opener created by Grey Dog Studios and available on Etsy.com for just $14.00 plus shipping.  

Option 2: Music Motif Letter Opener is awesome for music lovers like me!  $10.95 at GiftsforEducators.com 

Lifestyle Leak: The Help

I know I've been missing in action but I've had some big shake ups in my life so I needed to take a huge break from blogging and everything really.  Now I'm back and lately, I've been spending a lot of time reading.  Two of my favorite books were Barefoot: A Novel and The Help.  The Help as you know is a movie that is about to launch and yes I plan on seeing it.  Growing up, my Grandmother was "The Help", she raised lots of children that grew up to become doctors, dentists, and lawyers so I was unsure what she would think about the movie, but she wants to see it too.  Luckily, for the most part the families she worked for were pleasant and now that she is retired they still keep in touch.

Anyway, one of the stars from The Help, Jessica Chastain looked awesome at the premiere of the movie.    Though she sports blonde locks in the film, she turned heads on the red carpet with her gorgeous, flowing red hair and beautiful gown. Jenny Cho, Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist, gave Jessica a soft hairstyle to go with her elegant dress. “As soon as I saw her beautiful, flowing dress hanging by the window, I knew I wanted to give her a soft hairstyle that didn’t compete with her gown. I gave her a deep side part to give it a bit of drama but kept the style simple and pretty with a little texture to show off her gorgeous red hair flowing down her back” says Cho.

Follow Cho’s simple steps to make this look your own:

1. Starting with damp hair, make a deep side part and layer Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse and Suave Professionals Volumizing Root Boost Spray on hair and diffuse to bring out natural waves and texture.

2. Next, mist hair with Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray. Starting at the nape, wrap one-inch sections around a 1 ½ inch curling iron to make waves. Stretch and pull each section after curling so it looks wavy, not curly.

3. When the whole head is curled, rub a pea sized amount of Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream into hands, flip head over and apply to hair to add shine.

4. While still flipped upside down, spray a few bursts of Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo to add extra texture. This will guarantee long lasting volume and grit for the entire night.

5. To finish, tuck light side of the hair behind the ear and mist entire look with extra hold hair spray to lock it in.

Teak on the Hudson: Lifestyle Leak

Teak on the Hudson is a fabulous restaurant with an amazing deal on Mondays and Thursdays. I recently went there for one of my friend's birthday with a pretty large group of people, we ordered appetizers, drinks, sushi, and entrees and only paid $30.00 a person.

I don't know about you, but whenever I go out with lots of people the tab is usually way higher and I end up paying anywhere from $50.00-$75.00 a person and for a couple it ends up being a lot, but $30.00 a person or $60.00 a couple? That's a fanatic deal, especially since the drinks, food, and atmosphere is amazing.

As far as drinks go I had the Pineapple Upside Down Martini and a glass of Moscato with a splash of Coconut Ciroc and both were delicious! I ordered Miso Marinated Chilean Sea Bass with ginger mashed potatoes (pictured above) and it was super good. The ginger in the mashed potatoes was subtle but different and the fish was fresh and tasty, since I had so much to eat before my main dish came and because when you're with friends you taste a little bit of everything I had about half left over to bring home.

I sent it to the back to be wrapped up and guess what?!? They gave me someone else's food. The next day at lunch I was ready to dig into my leftovers and that's when I saw it... THAT'S NOT MINE!!! I was so upset, I threw it away and had a boring ol' sandwich instead.

Anyway, my friends also got amazing dishes like the Crispy Bacon wrapped Scallops, Lobster Ravoli, Twin Organic French Cut Chicken with Gorgonzola mashed potatoes, and BBQ ribs to name a few items.

Try it for yourself:

Teak on the Hudson
16 Hudson Pl # 18
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5518
(201) 653-6888

www.teakonthehudson.com

Sushi Lounge: A Lifestyle Leak

There is nothing I enjoy more than sushi with my girlfriends! Recently, I went to Sushi Lounge in Totowa with one of my besties and we had an amazing time. The food was not only beautifully displayed it was downright delicious. Not to mention the atmosphere on a weeknight was surprisingly upbeat and lounge-like. Go on a wednesday and enjoy 1/2 price martinis all night!

Here is one thing I love about the friend I went with, she loves to eat just as much as I do. That's kind of a basic requirement I have, if you're my friend and you like to eat you officially become my dining buddy! If you're my friend and you don't like to eat as much as I do, that's okay but don't expect me to call you and invite you out for food, you won't have me looking like a cow!

Anyway, at Sushi Lounge we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves ordering drinks, an appetizer to split, two sushi rolls, and entrees! I had the Chilean Sea Bass with spinach and my friend had the beautifully prepared scallops and rice. Both dishes were delicious and of course we had leftovers.

Try it for yourself:
Sushi Lounge Totowa
235 Route 46 West
Totowa, NJ
(973) 890-0007

Meyer Lemon Tree Mistakes & a new Balcony Garden: Lifestyle Leak

So I'm big on trying to grow things and this year I've even started my very own balcony garden with everything in containers. Last year I purchased a Meyer Lemon Tree and even though I read all about it and thought I was taking good care of it since it gave me tons of beautiful lemons, I almost killed it over the winter.

Healthy Meyer Lemon Tree

I brought my tree inside and left it in front of a window where it would get plenty of sunshine, watered it regularly ensuring the roots never dried out but the soil didn't stay too wet, but what I did wrong was crank the heat. It was winter and I needed to be warm, but I failed to provide my tree with enough humidity, you know how apartment heat can be.

Nursing it back to health

So if you plan on buying your own tree follow these tips:

1. Plant it in a large enough container

2. Water regularly but don't overwater

3. It needs plenty of sun, at least 8 hours a day

4. If you live in an area with cold winters, bring your plant inside follow tips 2 & 3

5. Ensure you mist your plant in the winter or provide it with humidity

I'm still trying to save my tree, it has new growth as you can see it but it's really only growing in on one branch so this tree has a long way to go. I'm tempted to trash it and buy a new one, but where is the fun in that! I'll share more information on the new plants I've planted and guess what?!? One of them is a grape plant!

To stay on top of what's going on with the garden and much more check out my Tumblr!

Mother's Day Sunday Brunch & Flea Market Shopping

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market celebrates Mother's Day with the second installation of the Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar on Sunday, May 8, 2011, and every second Sunday each month through October.

A crossroads for the outdoor culinary dining experience and vintage flea market shopping, Hell's Kitchen Flea Market Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar aims to bring the best of New York City's gourmet food trucks together in one central location, at one of the most popular weekend destinations in New York City. Each month will feature a rotating list of featured gourmet food trucks along with over 70 vendors selling antiques and vintage fashion, as well as a pop-up section curated by The {NewNew} group–a local collective of independent Etsy artists. Kimchi Taco Truck, Schnitzel & Things, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Cinnamon Snail, Kelvin Natural Slush Truck and non-food truck Luke’s Lobster, The Cavity Shoppe with select food trucks offering Mother's Day specials in their menu!

See for yourself:
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
39th Street and 9th Avenue
Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority
Sunday, May 8, 2011
11AM to 5PM
(Rain date: May 15, 2011)

Kushyfoot: Lifestyle Leak

I love shoes! But sometimes those shoes don't love me back, my solution? Kushyfoot products! One of my favorites for flats is the Lace Foot Cover. The area right below your toes is padded! The padding is not as thick as I would love, but nevertheless it makes a huge difference giving my feet some support and softness in otherwise hard flats.

My favorite Kushyfoot product for heels? The Flats to Go, which are only about $9! I keep them right in my purse or clutch and when the night is over I kick my heels off and put on my flats. They are seriously a life saver! I never go out in heels without them.

Find these and other great Kushyfoot products here!

Sweet Basil's Cafe: Lifestyle Leak

There is nothing I enjoy more than a nice weekend brunch and usually I travel into NYC for it. I'm on a mini-mission to find amazing places right in New Jersey and this past weekend I scored big! I visited the re-opening of Sweet Basil's Cafe in West Orange for brunch and it was great. Luckily, my party of four just managed to beat the rush. We were immediately greeted and seated.

The first thing we noticed about the menu was that it was lacking waffles, which was a bit of a disappointment until the pancakes and french toast arrived. With pancakes and french toast like Sweet Basil's you don't need any waffles! The french toast is flavored with Madagascar vanilla and a very tiny hint of orange zest, now my boyfriend usually doesn't go for Challah bread but he loved every morsel of this french toast. It was perfectly cooked and delicious.

I ordered the eggs benedict but next time I will have to get the Poached Pear Vanilla Bean French Toast, doesn't that sound amazing!?! Plus, the smoothies are made from fresh fruit and I don't think they have added sugar which is healthy and yummy!

Try for yourself:

Sweet Basil's Cafe

641 Eagle Rock Ave

West Orange, NJ 07052

973.325.3340

Meyer Lemon Tree Update: Lifestyle Leak

Last year, I got a Meyer Lemon Tree and it did fantastic giving me plenty of medium sized bright yellow lemons. It started out pretty healthy and did really well, I watered it regularly and pruned when needed.

Once it got cold, I moved the tree inside where it got plenty of sun while staying out of the cold. Around November, the fruit began to change to yellow and I started picking them off 1 by 1 to use them or just give them to people who wanted to try them. Anyway, over the winter more and more leaves began to fall off until it was just branches.

It was so sad to watch, I keep watering it and making sure it was getting plenty of light but despite my best efforts it continued to look dead. I didn't give up on it and now I have a few leaves! I'm so excited, but I doubt I'll get as much fruit as I did last year but that's okay as long as my tree isn't dead!

Get Your Own:

Try your local Nursery

or Meyer Lemon Tree.com

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market: Lifestyle Leak

New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is excited to welcome The {NewNew}, a local collective of independent Etsy artists, on Sunday, April 10, for a weekend injection of the DIY-spirit with their one-of-a-kind and hand-crafted goods including clothing, jewelry, accessories, handbags, housewares, toys and unique baby gifts.

“Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is best known for treasure hunting for mid-century furniture, antiques, and vintage clothing, so we are super excited to welcome a local group of artisans like The {NewNew} to the eclectic mix at the market” –Tatiana Sy, Marketing Associate, Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market.

Featured The {NewNew} vendors include: Hanky Blanky, Better Than Jam, LuCrafts, New York Clocks, Brooklyn Belinda, Aperture Agog, Coinicopia, Melianna A, Groundsel, HYC Creative, Nemesis Jewelry, Ellef Bijoux, Yaniamor, Nordea Soaperie, Purty Bird, SDV Designs, Muppetloon, Enchantra Girl, Susan Helene Designs, Knock Knock Studio, Lola Falk Designs, and Kimmchi.

The market will simultaneously be hosting the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar on April 10 from 11am to 5pm. Be at the crossroads of flea market shopping and the best of NYC's gourmet food trucks including Kimchi Taco Truck, Schnitzel & Things, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Cinnamon Snail, Kelvin Natural Slushy Truck and non-food truck Luke’s Lobster, Little Cupcake Bakeshop, and more to be confirmed, with select food trucks offering spring specials in their menu!

Go See it For Yourself:
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market (open year-round)

running the block of West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues

every Saturday & Sunday from 10am- 6pm

Pen It: Lifestyle Leak

With cell phones, internet, and the fast paced lives we all have seemed to pick up hand written notes, cards, and letters are something that has been ditched. Personally, I love the Hallmark Store. Standing in the aisles reading all the cards and picking the perfect card for the recipient just thrills me. But there are some occasions that require a hand written note and I think that every lady should own stationary and a beautiful pen.

Spritzing your letters and envelopes with your signature scent is cute, but come on it's a dated thing to do. Instead pick up a scent infused ink pen, the one I just ordered? The limited-edition Hollywood Signature Pen by Michael Kors. It's a beautiful pink and gold pen with ink that is infused with the Very Hollywood scent, plus it's just $25.00

A great place to get stationary is Etsy.com Visit the site and do a quick search for note cards and voila! There you have it.

Thanks to Miss Whoever You Are for putting me onto this pen!

DelMonico Cedar Grove: Lifestyle Leak

There is nothing I love more than a perfectly cooked steak. I prefer a steak with a bone and a beautiful ribbon of fat running through it and YES, I like a little ketchup on the side. There I said it! Anyway, I tried an old favorite and it was very disappointing and I will not be back. Since, then I've been on a mission to find a new favorite and this is it!

DelMonico Steakhouse and Beyond is a winner! I ordered the large DelMonico steak medium well and it came out perfect. It was perfectly cooked, seasoned great, and the fat was charred perfectly. Just writing this now is making my mouth water. My boyfriend ordered the filet mignon and that was great too, but like I said my steak has to have a bone. Anyway, the menu is really extensive. There are tons of pages and for someone who can't make up their mind that might be a problem. All the sides are a la carte and we ordered way too many, two people can easily share one or two but we ordered four! Talk about overkill, but we had leftovers so it was okay.

The decor is pretty, dimly lit, and reminded me of an old school burlesque parlor, but the bar was most impressive to my boyfriend. Translation? There are a ton of TVs so he could see himself going there to watch the games and snack on the $4.00 small plates they offer for Happy Hour Thursday to Saturday. Overall, the food was fantastic, the service was great, and we had an amazing date night at DelMonico. I can't wait to return during the spring and sit at the table with the fire pit in the center, but being that there is only one I would suggest making reservations well in advance for it.

Try it for yourself:
Del Monico
"Steak and beyond"
505 Pompton Ave
Cedar Grove, NJ, 07009-1701
Phone: (973)433-0333

The Orange Squirrel: Lifestyle Leak

Whenever I read about great restaurants right in my area, they are automatically added to my mental list of places to try. Then when I read about the place having amazing steak, it immediately hits the top of my mental list which was the case with The Orange Squirrel.

The location of the restaurant is terrible, but that's not a deal breaker for me. I ended up getting a parking spot right in front of the restaurant, so no complaints there. When we walked in there was no one to greet us so we stood there for about 1 minute before getting seated, but we were about to select our table (there's only about 10-15 tables). The decor is very simple, pretty much just plain tables and orange chairs.

I read an amazing review on the Dry Aged Rib Eye so naturally that's what I selected. My boyfriend on the other hand selected the Salmon with spinach cream. I was not in the mood for alcohol so I didn't have any drinks so no reports on the bar. For side items, which did not come with our meals, we picked the Fontina Macaroni & Cheese and the Creamed Spinach.

I ordered my steak medium well and it was just a tad bit overcooked! Seems to be a trend lately, huh? It smelled amazing and came to the table an old school cast iron skillet, but it really didn't taste that great. I ate a few bites and took the rest home, my grandmother liked it and my puppy Prince LOVED the huge bone.

My boyfriends meal was lacking too, first of all it came out in a puddle of green 'sauce'. The top of the salmon had a great crispy texture and a nice flavor but the piece was so thick that the inside wasn't as cooked as we like, but that's a preference thing. The sauce under it had little to no taste, so that was disappointing and the side dishes fell flat as well. Overall our meal did not live up to our expectations and was a bit on the pricer side, not a problem if the food had been outstanding. Bottom line: We won't be back.

Try it for yourself:

The Orange Squirrel
412 Bloomfield Ave.
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Tel. 973.337.6421

website

Alexus Steakhouse: Lifestyle Leak

Alexus Steakhouse in Clifton, NJ used to be one of my favorite places to get a steak, a Delmonico steak to be exact. My family and I have been going to Alexus for birthday celebrations, retirements, and other parties for years but I couldn't help but notice that the quality of the food and the service has gone way downhill and I will not be back.

First, the hot wings was always a staple at our table. The sauce was great and despite being covered in spicy sauce the wing itself was completely crispy, fast forward and the wing was completely soggy and there was hardly any sauce on there. Another thing I always looked forward to was the hot peppers and pickles that were brought to the table, like a typical restaurant would bring bread. But instead, I was asked if I would like the pickles and peppers. I know we're in a recession and everything but geez they gave me 1 pickle sliced into four spears and 2 slivers of a pepper. You asked me if I wanted it and I said YES! Bring me the real deal not some scraps that you just thought you could spare, please and thanks.

Now on to the biggest deal breaker, my steak. I always request my steak to be medium well and if the waitress tells me that they tend to over cook the meat I will ask for it medium because what I'm looking for is a light pink center, not bleeding onto my plate or totally brown in the center. If it was a restaurant like Fridays, I wouldn't expect it to be cooked correctly but this is supposed to be a STEAKHOUSE! Needless to say, my steak was overcooked. It was dark all the way through and tough. When I let the waitress know, (which took some time because she seemed to vanish) she goes oh yeah they tend to overcook the steak. Well, don't you think you should have shared this information? Overall, the experience was terrible and it's really sad to see how far this restaurant has slipped. But the good news is, I've found a new spot! I'll be sharing it for Lifestyle Leak in the upcoming weeks.

Try it for yourself:
Alexus Steak House & Tavern
955 Valley Road
Clifton, NJ 07013
Phone: 973-746-6600

Lifestyle Leak: The Callet

The Callet is a new phone case that also serves as a wallet. The newly invented and patent pending design makes the Callet easy to use and even easier to take your things with you at the drop of a hat!The innovative Callet comes customized to fit perfectly on many of the the most popular phones that you already use, but it also has easily accessible and ultra-convenient slit-pockets that can hold your cash and cards. The Callet’s unique design allows for easy access to whatever you’re carrying with you and has been specifically engineered to take up a minimal amount of space when holding your stuff, so it doesn’t have that bulky feeling when you’re on the go.

This product seems to be more for the guys than the ladies. It's a bare minimum kind of thing and my bare minimum includes a the phone, cash, cards, AND a small mirror and lipgloss. But I still really like the idea, not to mention The Callet was created and founded in 2009 by four young entrepreneurs from the New York Metropolitan area. They come from all different backgrounds with one common idea: to create a new lifestyle product that everyone should use. After a year of research and development these young entrepreneurs have created the first ever convenient, trendy, and affordable all-in-one accessory for the Blackberry and iPhone.

Lifestyle Leak: Keurig

Out with the old and in with the new! I got a Keurig Coffee Maker for Christmas and I'm so in love. I'm a big fan of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate especially during the frigid winter months and my Keurig has come in handy. Although it's a bit large in my small kitchen I've welcomed it with open arms. Pre-Keurig I was wasting coffee left and right because I would make what I thought was enough for 1 cup and then I'd end up with leftovers or I'd want a little more and make too much, it was a disaster. Now I just open in a K-Cup of whatever I want and presto, a perfect cup!

I received the Keurig Special Edition Brewing System, which brews a perfect cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa or iced beverage in under one minute at the touch of a button. Featuring chrome accents and a blue, backlit LCD display, the Special Edition brewer allows you to program water temperature, set the digital clock and Auto On/Off. With the choice of three cup sizes, the Special Edition brewer offers a removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs. Although it says three cup sizes, I always go with the large with for me is more like a regular. Plus I love that it has a water reserve right there on the side, so I don't have to fill it up every single time I make coffee.

If you are on the fence about a Keurig, I love mine and I would never go back to a traditional coffee maker.

Lifestyle Leak: Low Key Date Night

Ever since the new AMC Dine-In Theatres opened practically right in my backyard, I've been raving about it. It is the ultimate movie watching experience for us mere mortals that don't have the luxury of having a private theater in our homes. Plus, I think it's a very affordable option as compared to viewing a regular movie. Let's compare:

Regular Movie Theater

Tickets for 2 = $20.00

No. 2 Combo (2 large drinks and 1 large popcorn) = $16.50

Total = $36.00

Another Regular Movie Theater Option

Tickets for 2 = $20.00

Two Large Icee = $10.00

Medium Popcorn = $5.75

Candy = $3.00

Total = $38.75

AMC Dine-In Theater

Tickets for 2 = $40.00

Two (delicious by the way) Milkshakes = $11.98

Popcorn (with free refills) = $6.99

Total = $ 40.00 since you get a $10.00 food credit with each ticket.

Another AMC Dine-In Theater Option

Tickets for 2 = $40.00

Two Burgers = $19.98

Two drinks = $7.58

Total = $ 47.56

Now while you do end up spending just a tad bit more at the AMC Dine-In Theater let's talk about the environment. I think the additional $10.00 is well spent because you get reserved seating and seat side service (no waiting in the concession stand lines). If you upgrade to the Cinema Suites all the guests will be 21 and older, you will recline in lazy boy recliners, enjoy seat side service, swivel tables, and 8 foot row spacing. The AMC Dine-In Theater features a full menu, including appetizers, alcoholic beverages, entrees, desserts, and more.

What do you think?

Lifestyle Leak: Online Shopping

Shopping! Who doesn't love shopping? I actually happen to love shopping online! My top three new favorite online shopping sites are Soap, WorldMarket, and Ugallery.

Soap is a site where you can order just about anything, it's kind of like Drugstore(dot)com only better. You can order toilet paper, paper towels, and all kinds of other stuff sold at CVS and other pharmacies. They also have tons of hair products, including natural products, so don't forget to check out that area. But my favorite things to order are the large things of toilet paper and paper towels and heavy things like Tide so I don't have to worry about carrying them from my car into my apartment. Sounds lazy right? But it's all about convenience for me. Shipping is free over $25, there's no waiting in line, the prices are good, and your purchases arrive fast.

use code THEB8725

World Market is another great site for home decor. I just purchased an awesome lamp for my apartment, it's unique and fits in perfectly with my decor. You can get really great pieces from all over the world, your home will look like you've traveled all over the world collecting pieces. Plus, the prices are fair.

UGallery is another unique site. Artists showcase their art work online and you can buy directly from them. For me art is all about finding one of a kind pieces that you love. Instead of going to Pier 1 or Ikea for art that tons of people will have you can spend around the same amount of money buying something unique from an up and coming artist that just might be the next Picasso.