Happy Holidays!!

One of the things I love most about the Holidays is the day we choose and decorate our tree.

After years of fakes, we do the real deal now, if only for the wonderful piney scent (and not having to store a musty plastic one).

We went to Greg’s Quality Christmas Trees on McCarren Park near Manhattan Ave. and found a perfect Fraser Fir.

They deliver at no extra cost too! (But be kind and tip your friendly delivery man).

My plan this year was to do fake flowers which I got from the local dollar store and bright glitter ribbons from another dollar store seemed to match perfectly.

I was a little nervous that it might look nuts, but it all came together splendidly!

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Christmas Home/Self Improvements

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Posted on December 11, 2011

The King and Queen of Rock and Roll

Sure, now Little Richard is a goofball in commercials but, think on it, back when he exploded on the scene he was down right, out if sight, daring!

He was funny, omnisexual, and untamed. He let loose with unsuppressed screams and his hair! Oh my, his hair! Coiffed doesn’t even begin.

His influence is huge, most famous musicians name him as their gateway to rock and roll (Prince, Michael Jackson, James Brown etc).

Plus, (surprise, surprise) what a total babe he used to be. Right?

See more: Hunks,Style Icons: Male Musicians

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Posted on December 9, 2011

312 Graham Ave, Brooklyn

A cozy but stylish interior with blue on blue wallpaper and an impressive fire place greet you at the fairly new and highly praised Gwynnett St.

Friends and I were drawn in by the whiskey bread and it didn’t disappoint. Be sure to get a couple for the table to start your yummy meal off right.

Cheese dumplings and a rapini salad were also excellent but we pretty much died over the amazing mushroom with rosemary, cream and lardo. I can’t express how good this was.

Jim and I split some artful main courses of smoked sturgeon with leeks, pumpernickel and buttermilk and steak with brussel sprouts and mushrooms.

Both had flavors larger than the sum of its parts. But, not to sound too much like a fat American, they were a little skimpy for the price.

Still, we only get a date night maybe once a month and the splurge here was very worth it.

Oh and drinks! How could I forget? The cocktails are great and reasonably priced. I loved my juicy Martinez. The beer selection is also note worthy with a great double white from Southampton.

Not too many customers when we went but assume that will change with inevitable word of mouth.

See more: Restaurants American Brooklyn Williamsburg

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Posted on December 7, 2011

Awesome App

Like Twitter it took me a while to “get” Instagram (and not just me judging by how many friends have posted one or no photos).

Not only does it have it’s own language, the purpose is individual.

I’ve found that it’s a lovely way to document the days. Like a visual journal. Glimpsing others’ lives is also fun.

Sure, it’s strange at first to share images with the public, but unless you put effort into getting followers you won’t have too many looking anyways.

The filters are great and the coolest part is that you apply them after the photo is taken and get previews before applying them.

It takes some of the surprise of say a Polaroid or even the Hipstamatic away but at the same time you won’t lose a great photo to a bad filter.

If you want to get started with a few good people to follow let me recommend:

Manrepeller – style shots with lots of rad jewelry

Freepeople – serious office envy

Cocorocha – super model life

Davidlebovitz – Paris food awesomeness

Miwaramone – dreamy shots of food and more from Japan

Refinery29 – one of my favorite sites with a great feed. Recent Bangkok photos amazed

And of course me! Bhague

A few of my photos and ones from the people listed above are below.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes,Web Sites Apps Photography

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Posted on December 7, 2011

at the Music Hall of Williamsburg

When Frolic! Opens in the spring it should be pretty awesome: a little kid fun zone with play rooms and interesting classes.

To say hello to the neighborhood and celebrate the holidays, they hosted a rocking concert at the Williamsburg Music Hall last night.

There was a free Santa photo corner, music that was refreshingly not obnoxious for kids (the class will be called little rock-its), a fake snow storm, a friendly environment and beer for the parents!

After my first exclusion for having kids (boo hiss Gutter – a bowling ally, in the afternoon no less) it was great to be in such a welcoming place for little ones.

Van was head banging to I Love Rock and Roll and learning a few new moves from his pal Lauryn.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Children’s Concerts Holidays Williamsburg

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Posted on December 5, 2011