Ballroom Dancing and Blogging with the IPhone!

So Tony Dovolani was a no show! He cancelled at the last minute (or the day prior), which left the organizers of the event quite perturbed...but all was not lost because the ballroom dancers still performed and they were stellar! I wish I remembered their names but alas I do not, though some are current champion dancers.

To make this post even more extraordinary, it was all done with my IPhone! As if the capabilities of my phone (and the way it has deeply rooted itself into my life) weren't amazing enough as is, I can now use two pretty cool apps to blog on demand!! Photoshop's app called PS MOBILE allows me to to adjust my Iphone images taken with the phones camera (and in this case in pretty severe low light I might add) and my Squarespace website platform have now made an app called Squarespace which allows you to post while traveling without a computer. So now when I say
I'm so going to blog about that, I am, anywhere and anytime!!

Ok so I never officially found out who my secret donor was, but while I was there one of my student's parents came up and handed me a raffle ticket in the form of a diamond/crystal (they were selling them all night at $100 a pop) and with a tender squeeze of my hand told me 'Good Luck!'- I was deeply affected. I didn't win the raffle, which was for a pair of $40,000 diamond earrings, but it was one of those moments where I was reminded that the energy we give each other (even unbeknownst to us) helps us get through, and thanks to someone's generosity to my school and too me I did win the gift of the evening there.

- ciao Amarettogirl

Update on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10:49AM by Amarettogirl

Thanks to a former student I learned the dancers pictured here are none other than, Iveta Lukosiute and Gherman Mustuc who have a wonderful website entitled Why do I dance...Why do I breathe! These two are internatioanlly reknowned and are the reigning World Professional 10-Dance Champions, which features both Latin and Standard-style dancing. They also are United States and North American Professional 10-Dance Champions! Ahh how awesome - you can see videos of them dancing on Youtube as well.

Design Finds from Saugerties, NY

bird candle from Green in Saugerties NY

I bought this grey bird candle at a great shop called GREEN in Saugerties, NY. Their motto of 'recycle and reuse' is evident as you walk into their shop and see their fresh design eye through the layout of both refurnished and repurposed, new and old products a like. Their aesthetic is modern, clean and slightly eclectic as you walk down aisles of beautiful wood tables, retro chairs and antique aluminum doll houses that evoke times past with a nod towards modernity. Not to mention that their business card is one of those cool new 'green' business cards that you can plant and grow wildflowers with!

I also bought these amazing aluminum bird cabinet knobs at Green.

my new drawer pulls bought at Green designed by Te-Ma

The sweet folks at Green shared that they got these knobs from a Woodstock based studio and online shop called Te-ma, so glad to know since I want to get more for the rest of my bureau drawers!!!!

sweet dog figurines made in Japan that I bought at a Saugerties thrift shop

Here are another couple of great finds from Saugerties' Happy Paws Thrift shop. I walked in soon after a large shipment of dog figurines had just been donated to the thrift shop- the mother-load, a full table laden with figurines. I got each of these two gems made in Japan for $2. each and a whole bag of dollar figurines to play with in my crafts!

My hub and I love toys and always stop in on unique toy shops as well. We found this great toy-shop called Tinker Toys in Woodstock Ny where I fell in love with this magnetic building balance/construction toy called Equilique designed by sculptor John Perry!! If you have a chance please click on the Equilique site - its amazing and you won't be sorry since my pics don't do the toy any justice as to what it is actually capable of!

Equilique by sculptor John Perry photo by marisol diaz detail of Quili acrobat 1 photo by m. diazdetail of Quili acrobat 2 photo by m. diaz

Weekend in Saugerties, NY

The Smythe House B&B photo by Chefs David & Justine Smythe

Every now and then my hub and I like to pack up the pets, stock up the car and get lost. We're especially fond of finding North Eastern US towns that we have yet to experience. For this past Valentines day I asked for one small thing (an object) and an experience. So we invoked the 'overnight -day trip' and found a B&B in Saugerties NY (which would allow us to see Kingston and Woodstock NY in the same trip).

We chose the Barclay Heights Bed and Breakfast at Smythe House because of its pet friendly status and because it is owned by two hospitality specialists who are both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Needless to say the breakfast was extraordinary! It was personalized and began with a surprise kind of strawberry shortcake!

I got to hit some wonderful antique shops and thrift stores (which I love to do) and I found some fantastic design-life objets d'art which I am posting immediately after this post. So come back soon!

I also got to take some fun pics, that I thought I would share with all of you.

Esopus studio vignette photo by marisol diaz my babies by marisol diaz marie antoinette-like chair in the Esopus studio photo by marisol diaz

For anyone who knows me, you know I love all Marie Antoinette inspired things and when I saw this chair as we walked into the B&B Esopus Studio I said, 'Oh, I'm going to have to photograph that!" to the owner.

The view from our bay window in the Esopus studio photo by marisol diaz Some fake flowers in the studio photo by m. diaz The whole wall piece photo by marisol diaz another window view photo by marisol diaz winter nest photo by marisol diaz sculpture in municipal parking lot in Woodstock NY photo by marisol diaz Lucky Chocolates in Saugerties NY photo by marisol diaz dusk photo by marisol diaz Cafe Tamayo where we ate our VDay dinner by m.diaz Hub and me on Vday weekend photo by m.diaz

Ciao- Amarettogirl

French Macaroons at Starbucks!!! Limited Time Only!!

Open package of Starbuck's French Macaroonsdifferent flavored macaroonsme at Laduree 2 yrs ago

During my last visit to Paris, I was in a vehicle and passed by a shop with a line a folks outside all carrying small mint green bags. The shop's windows were stacked with pastel colored baroque like boxes and I knew something edible was being featured as an art form inside. I made a mental note to return that spot on my free time to see what all the fuss was about.

The shop turned out to be LADUREE a very well known bakery and cafe/ Patiserrie. In fact, Laduree was the shop commissioned to make the cakes for Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette film. On that Parisian trip I fell in love with macaroons.

When I returned to the US I tried to get macaroons from Paris here and it was futile. Laduree has opened some shops in other global cities and there were plans to open one in NY, but that still hasn't come to fruition. For my fortieth birthday I discovered that there are places in our east coast area that make delicious french style macaroons like Dean & Deluca and my new favorite bakery La Promenade here in Tenafly, New Jersey (they placed macaroons on my BDAy cake for me!!)

Package is $9.99 for 12 French Macaroons made in France by Chateau Blanc

So yesterday I was on line at Starbucks (to get myself my fave seasonal Caramel Brulee Latte) and lo and behold sitting in the refrigerated counter section were four boxes of French Macaroons! For a box of 12 macaroons made in France by Chateau Blanc you'll pay $9.99. They are slightly smaller than typical French macaroons but you'll get 2 of 6 flavors -Chocolate, Coffee,Pistachio, Raspberry, Vanilla, and Lemon.

BUT DON"T GET TOO EXCITED rumor has it that these babes will only be around from Dec. 13th - Dec. 24th - So GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN!!! They make an awesome gift too!

-Amarettogirl

Mai Sweet Shop Treats Return - Craft Fair '09!

There is a small annual faculty craft fair at the

Dwight Englewood School: 315 east palisade avenue,englewood NJ 07631 on Sunday December from 2-5pm

that I participate in - if you're around swing by and get some one of a kind, hand-made gifts! Some of my new Mai Sweetshop line products for Craft Fair '09New Mai Sweetshop Lipgloss!The return of the hot-cocoa ring!The Classic CupcakeThese rings were so popular last year they sold out in the first hour and half!

Tis year I also made some ZAKKA style cases, that I like to call the Bunny Pouch! Direct from one of my favorite craft books Zakka Sewing comes this bunny case pattern. I made 15 different fabric styles. Their tales are the closed sipper pull, they fit pencils and pens, sewing supplies, your glasses, etc.,

Zakka Style Bunny Pouches by m.diazOne of my faves...might keep this one...more Bunny Pouch styles

So if you're around Bergen County NJ -stop by! If not,

NO WORRIES you can always contact me via this site or check out my ETSY shop for pieces your interested in!!

- Amarettogirl

Charlotte's Tea Room- One of My Favorite Places when living an Art- full life!

While shopping for my own pocket full of sunshine this past summer, or as Edward would say 'my own personal brand of heroine' (which tea just happens to be for me), I discovered Charlotte's Tea Room in Warwick, NY.

Charlottes Tea Room in Warwick NY - photo by m.diaz

Whenever we visited historic Warwick (which is a around a 40 min drive away for us) we would drive by the big Tea Room sign and I would pine away for my desire to go inside...we were either headed toward the community center for a film, the arts and crafts community Sugar Loaf, Warwick's Drive-in and needing to pick up some late dinner or quaint store-front shopping and we therefore never made it in. Then this summer's issue of Where Women Create (as my readers know, I love that mag!!) actually featured Charlottes Tea Room and I was like "today we are going to Warwick with only the intention of going into that tea house!" And so we did!

Charlotte's is only an hour drive from NYC and it is an award winning Tea shop set inside a gorgeous Victorian home.

My teapot as part of my Queen's Tea order - photo by m.diaz

The restaurant utilizes three different rooms and a wrap-around porch and each have a different design theme! There is the Blue Willow Room which is laden with blue and white china (I want to sit in there next time), the Library which has an English 'cloak and dagger feel inspired by the board game Clue', and lastly the Garden room which is where I sat on my first visit. In each room the furniture and tableware reflects the theme.

So in the garden room all the tables are white wrought iron, the windows have topiaries and all the tea sets are embellished with flowers.

A shelf in the Garden Room of Charlotte's Tea Room - photo by m.diaz My cup of Paris Black tea - photo by m.diaz

I was there for lunch and was so impressed not only with the quality of the artistic culinary experience, but also the affordability! I ordered the Queen's tea, there was also the princess tea (and of course wee-tea's for the little ones!) and the menu also offers countless other options. My Queen's tea came with a large pot of tea (more than enough for two), a plate of salad, a large delicious scone, a sandwich of six rectangular cut mini tea-sandwiches AND dessert!! I chose Key-lime pie - yum! All of that was just $13 - Bet you can't beat that lunch fare experience anywhere in NYC!

My husband ordered his own entree, with the intentions of sharing only my tea, but he shared my scone and dessert too!

My Queen's tea order @ Charlotte's Tea Room! photo by m.diaz

We have researched recipes from England, Ireland, and our own grandmother's kitchen's to bring you sweets and savories, that will not only please your palate, but will be a delight to your eyes.

The hydrangea lamp on our table - photo by m.diaz So if this Labor Day weekend you're looking for a day trip that's really worth it- an experience that will transport you (like when the radio is chiming out the lyrics to the song Pocketful of Sunshine 'Take me away to a sweet escape...' consider a trip out to Warwick NY. My Key Lime pie dessert choice -photo by m.diaz A shelf in the Garden Room in Charlotte's Tea Room - photo by m. diaz

As my loyal readers know, I almost flipped when I saw these fake cupcakes since I'm a big fan and maker of faux, Trompe l'oeil sweetness!

Charlotte's Tea Room Hours!!

Since Charlotte's Tea Room is so popular on the weekends and is only open Wed thru Sunday its best to call before heading over (so they can save a table!) - the number is (845) 988-9499
The tea room has recently been awarded the "Best of the Best" by Hudson Valley Magazine and a "Reader's Choice Award" by the Tea House Times, and Teamap has ranked them #1 in New York State!

The check in a tea-cup - photo by m.diazA table on the wrap-around porch at Charlotte's - photo by m.diaz<

So if you love tea, don't say I didn't tell you where to go!

-Amarettogirl

Treat Yourself to a Subscription of Color!

The full spectrum of colored pencils by Felissimo

So during my blogging escapades I discovered the kind of mail subscription I would have LOVED, and I mean LOVED, to have had as a young budding artist - heck if the times weren't so financially tight I would LOVE to have it now!!!

just one sample of the cleverly named pencils- Mermaid's Gown

Think back to a time when (instead of a new encyclopedia every month) your parents ordered wonderful little packages of animal flashcards that you could build a zoological collection of and catalog in that great little complimentary index case. Well this subscription is just as good if not better! 500 pencils and not just any pencils, color pencils!!

Japanese design house, Felissimo has created a new social experiment by developing this subscription plan in which 33 dollars a month will buy you a Japan-mailed-package of different assortments of 25 like-minded colored pencils, for 20 months until you have 500 varigated colors. The different colors have names like Tragedy, Tea with Milk, Maple Sugar and Drizzly Afternoon. Geez I want these!

One of the ways to display your pencils as they arrive

In addition to being able to order your pencils you can order high-design displays that rival some of the great stuff you see in the Moma (Museum of Modern Art) gift shop, like this wall display on the left appropriately named Orchestra. Felissimo's Social Design Network states,

Social designer curates and creates smart products that tune into the greater good. You can join the cause by submitting designs for our competitions, weighing in with your opinion, purchasing goods or just simply talking about them. After all, every good idea (and every good cause)... starts with a conversation.

The Color Wave Display Option ($104)

So if you do happen to indulge or splurge on this beautiful monthly treat let me know! I would love to see pics of your open packages as they arrive - they're sure to be works of art in themselves!

Wednesday Etsy Window Shopping featuring Etsy Seller Poodle Breath

So every once in while I like to feature some amazing Etsy finds that I have discovered and fallen in love with! This week its Poodle Breath's amazing, Alice in Wonderland-like porcelain charms and wall plaques. White Sinking Fairytale by Poodle BreathBlue Porcelain Rabbit Brooch by Poodle BreathAmber Porcelain Rabbit Brooch by Poodle Breath I hope you all see the beauty that I see in these pieces and in their stunning photography!!

New Mai Sweetshop Products in the Works!

Having been a while since my first MAI Sweetshop debut this past November, its time to get back to work! The product line was more popular than I could have ever dreamed and I learned so much in the process. To read about how Mai Sweetshop started, please read this older MAI Post.

I have to say that I am a bit surprised that the products have remained in demand. I sold out of almost every piece I made for that December craft fair. I now know what people want more of.

In resurrecting my efforts I experimented a lot more with different materials and have learned some new and improved ways of making some of the objects. I have been teaching myself from Japanese crafts books that I can't read - but the pictures are phenomenally elaborate and systematically clear.

New Mai SS Cupcake Ornament

Since I use the soft clay material, as opposed to the silicone (either is recommended), the products are very fragile and I am now combining that with stronger material for protruding parts. In addition, I've learned some awesome glaze and chocolate syrup techniques that add a whole lot more realism-moxie!

New! Mai SS altered Re-Ment cake ring

The altered Re-Ment hot cocoa rings were so popular that I have started a whole new branch of altered Re-Ment jewelry. Re-Ment is a Japanese company that makes miniature doll house pieces and parts. And since necklaces were a hot request item, I'll be making whole jewelry sets (earrings, necklaces and rings).

So here are some shots of what's up and coming in my little studio that I now call 'The Hovel' since I feel like I'm in a closed in cave when I'm in there!

New Mai SS cupcakes!New! Mai SS altered Re-Ment Ring!Mai Sweetshop Altered Re-Ment Rings

When it comes to altering Re-Ment, I am mixing and matching pieces and parts from different sets, drilling holes, gluing, adding glazes, filling cups, adding sprinkles, re-touching paint and adding blank jewelry parts. Since many of these are the only Re-Ment pieces I have (until I order more), if you see something screaming out at you please let me know before I place it in my Etsy shop so that I can reserve it for you!

Mai Sweetshop altered Rement jewelry in the works!New! Mai Sweetshop Hot Cocoa! New! Mai SS altered Rement ring (Too bad I didn't get this done for V'day!)

So this is all hot off of the press and nothing is listed for sale yet - but it will be- so stayed tuned! Hope you enjoyed the pics and let me know what you think!

Mai Sweet Shop Treats Debut!

The Mai Sweet Shop debut and craft fair was a great success!!!

Mai Sweet Shop Craft fair table

During the D-E craft fair I was able to compete with the 'real' food (which is generally where people tend to gravitate towards) because the sweet cakes look SO edible.

Mai Sweet Shop Cake Containers and Candles

At first, I was so dissappointed that I wasn't able to make my open-skirt Marie Antoinette Doll as a table center piece, or make more of this and more of that- due to lack of time- but in the end there couldn't have been more, since the table was jammed-pack-full! I worked on products up until two hours before the fair! When I saw the table all laid out with Mai Sweet Shop stuff I was so happy and satisfied!

My student Isabella Whitney & the Mai Cupcakes I had a student who I mentor assist me and she rocked the fair! She even sold some of her own wares, you can check out her stuff on Etsy too under IsabellaWhitney!! Go Izzy girl! So people are still hunting me down and finding what I have left so my supply is practically all gone! By tomorrow I should know exactly what hasn't been staked out and claimed. What ever is left will surely be available in my Esty shop.

MAI rings!MAI Barrettes!MAI Whipped Cream & Cherry Rings!MAI Bags!MAI Hot Cocoa and Mellows Ring