I recently learned about Frosty Paws ice cream dog treats from Kendrick’s cousin and his wife, whose dog I watched go absolutely insane over one of these things when I was in Ohio, and I think I might have to treat Lucy to a box or ten upon my return to make up for not bringing her with me to Florida.
(Click here for some absolutely adorable “Paw-rty Planning Ideas.”)
A photo from Ohio I forgot to publish:
These vintage bowls with handles (about $2 each at Schrock’s Amish Farm & Village, in Ohio) would be perfect for serving soup at a holiday gathering - freed from the shackles of cutlery, your guests can run amok through your home during the appetizer course.
Tuesday night, I stopped into Allen & Delancey with my friends Francesca and Anoush and was pleased to see that the bartender used these extra-large ice cubes in the whiskey-based drinks (Tailor does the same thing). Besides being totally fun, these ice cubes have the benefit of chilling the drink quickly while reducing the amount of surface area exposed to the beverage (the ice cube melts more slowly, and thus cools your whiskey without diluting it - a good thing).
(According to 175proof.com, spherical cubes are even better, as spheres have less surface area than a cube, volume for volume…but I prefer the look of square cubes.)
Tip: An (empty) button organizer can be used as a makeshift ice tray to create larger-than-normal cubes.
Tip: Boil water for 10 minutes before freezing to remove impurities.
This afternoon, Kendrick and I are flying to Florida with my parents (first vacation with the ‘rents…eek) to visit our dear family friends, Sharon and Eddie.
Earlier this evening, Kendrick and I headed over to the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church to volunteer at the soup kitchen, and were treated to a tour of the facilities (which include a shelter that sleeps 10-12). We talked to the wonderful people who run the soup kitchen, several of whom told me that they worked there because they themselves had been in similar situations in years past, and wanted to help others as they had been helped.
Besides the soup kitchen, Madison Avenue Presbyterian has many other volunteer opportunities, including the Angel Tree Program, which provides presents for children whose parents are in prison, and shifts at the shelter. Of course, this is just one of countless churches around the city offering such services; I’d advise you to just stop into your local church or homeless shelter and ask what you can do to help.
(Incidentally, I’m not affiliated with this church - or any church, for that matter - but I fully support the wonderful services that they provide to the community.)
Check out the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter for info on shelters in your area.
Many of you have contacted me asking how you can get involved with charity/volunteer work this holiday season, so here are some of my recommendations:
New York Cares Coat Drive (December 1-31): Consider hosting a coat drive by setting up a donation site in your lobby, office, church, school cafeteria (I did this last year), or just stop by a donation site near you with your gently used coats (no other items are accepted, so leave the sweaters, hats, etc at home).
Toys for Tots (thanks to readers Amy and Kimberly for writing in about this): You can donate online or drop off toys at a campaign site near you.
Operation Santa Claus (I wrote about this wonderful organization earlier): You can donate or pick up a letter and answer it yourself; either way, you’ll make a needy child’s holiday season that much brighter.
Tonight Kendrick, my friend Lauren and I will be working at the soup kitchen at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (921 Madison, at 73rd Street) from 6PM-8PM. If any of you would like to join us, please do! They serve every Thursday from 6-8; call (212) 288-8920 for more info.
RTL TV arrived bright and early this morning to interview me about Jesse James and Sandra Bullock’s custody battle with Janine Lindemulder (James’ ex-wife). They called to ask if I was available while I was still in my pajamas, and I had only 45 minutes to get dressed, throw some color on my face, and research the latest developments in the story (that’s what I’m doing above). Not a problem, though - I’ve always liked working under pressure.
TopShop shirt, vintage earrings.
Look who showed up just in time to snag a glass of champagne! (It’s red because it was mixed with Fragoli Wild Strawberry liqueur.)
That’s outfit #2 - a beautiful black blouse with see-thru panel and red-and-black high-waisted skirt that was a little tough to breathe in, but made me look straight out of Mad Men (I thought so, anyway).
I bought that eyeball-searing scarf for Kendrick to wear in the photo shoot for the release of Harlem Shakes’ album titled Technicolor Health.
Meghan applauding Dana-Maxx’s remarkable efforts to support a deserving charity.
