Mama Lisha Lifestyle

Teen Brains and Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:06:00 +0000

Something I've wanted to change for a while now is school start time for my teens who wake at 6:00 and 6:30 for school and who verbalize that the early rise is a problem for them, especially my 9th grader who has social studies, math, and science classes first thing in the morning...

NBC Nightly News on the web April 13, 2011

Stay up until midnight and sleep until noon?...
The latest studies out of Brown University and Bradley Hospital show that the mid to late teenage years require more sleep for their brains, possibly to recover from the daily assault of information as their brains are maturing and preparing for adulthood... Dr. Mary Carskadan says they need a minimum of 81/4 to 81/2 hours a night.

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams

What compounds the problem today is the amount of late day distractions for teens... cell phones, electronic media, and other activities that extend their day later and later. This lack of sleep may contribute to problems such as ADD, Obesity, and Depression in teens.

NBC Nightly News on the web

Parents please let your school know if this is a problem for your kids... sleep deprivation needs to be addressed in a serious way.

One of the school districts in our area (Long Island) has changed the schedule and the high school starts at 9am with the elementary school starting in the early am slot... let's speak out at the next Board of Education meeting and let it be known.

Stripes for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:24:00 +0000

What Prada has done with stripes this Spring is inspirational!... the video from Prada that was on Cheap Chica's Guide to Style blog is so much fun and really communicates the intended spirit of the campaign... with a really 'out there' concept and prices!

Here are some of my favorite affordable options from Zara, Ann Taylor, and Urban Outfitters...

Music,The Met, and a Food Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:19:00 +0000

As a visual artist I have always appreciated music as an avid listener up until about seven years ago... but now that my two teen boys are into music in a big way as musicians, I've taken an more involved interest through them.

Whenever I see or hear about events related to music my ears perk up, so when I heard about this show at The Met (NYC) called "Guitar Heroes", an exhibit of stringed instruments, violins, mandolins, and guitars, I knew it was something we could make a day of in the city...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

This exhibit of "Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York" is on now through July 4th, 2011.

This is now on our list of things to do on Spring Break.

Maybe we'll check out The Plaza Food Hall, which I've heard is a tasty and fun experience for the kids too, especially the Dumpling Bar... you can eat-in at any of eight culinary food stations or take-out specialty foods, cookware, flowers and home goods.

See you there!!!

A Retro Flying Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:11:00 +0000

Recently my husband and I flew to Ft. Lauderdale on Southwest Airlines from McArthur Airport on Long Island. We had a very favorable experience all around, from the 'early arrival' home to New York, the 'funny schtick' from the announcing flight attendant, to the cute retro-snacks on the plane. These days the flying experience is usually filled with dread, hassles, and long delays... so flying Southwest surpassed our "let's just get through this without too much hassle" expectations!

Next time we fly will be with the kids this summer to Venice, a much longer flight and an international one, so I'm hoping for something neutral at best...

Off The Cuff

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:32:00 +0000

"Off The Cuff" (definition): Impromptu; not prepared...

That's me, today and for the last month, as far as writing this blog goes...
sorry for the interruption... but now I am working my way back to posting each day, Monday through Friday, now that my big event is over, and my ginormous party and all it's planning is behind me, at least on a large scale. Now, planning a dinner party for half a dozen people will be a breeze and I look forward to patio dining this spring!

Actually, I'm thinking cuffs, because I'm in search of a cuff for the spring... any ideas?, nothing too expensive... I want it to be modern, gold, and something that won't catch on my clothes... oh, and not too heavy either?!
Any suggestions you have would be appreciated, just leave it in comments, thanks, and I'll post your ideas tomorrow...
I saw this pretty one at BCBG (looks even better in the person), but it's a little too dressy for what I want...

BCBG, Crocheted Chain Bracelet, $58

Look forward to hearing from you!

Gifts with Zazzle

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:14:00 +0000

One of my favorite websites is Zazzle... Zazzle for customized stamps, clothing and much more. You can create your own custom stamp or t-shirt and now an iPhone case with a photo of anything you can think of and they make it so easy with their drag-and-drop design tools...

In the section of the website called 'Gift Center' they organize it by women, men, teens and kids.

For instance, the categories for teen gifts are broken down by type of teen, like techno, rockstar, artist, activist, etc...

I love how the tools have become so accessible and easy to use, allowing everyone to express their creativity.

Tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day you could have designed your own or purchased one of their designs for a sticker...

So maybe now you can start thinking about Easter or Passover or the 4th of July!

Teva Hiking Stiletto?!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:31:00 +0000

WOW!!! Introduced this week...
When sport sandal meets stiletto = Teva+Grey Ant = Velcro strap grip-sole and platform 4" heel, coming together in this fashionable anti-fashion shoe. It looks great!
They're calling it high performance?... 'high' as in height not performance!
I love the look, how comfortable it is, is another story.
You can purchase them in two styles at New High Mart...

As seen in Daily Candy. Editorial photography by MI-ZO.com

I remember when Cole Haan and Nike married and I purchased one of their boots which were not so comfortable after all.

White Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:32:00 +0000

...and I don't mean snow!
That last bit of dirt-crusted granular snow has finally been replaced by spring soaked soggy ground.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see mud and grass again.
Here are some stylish looking electronics that won't break the bank. I know my kids are always talking about Dr. Dre headphones for $200 to $300 dollars!... what about these cool looking Bongo Headphones I found on Urban Outfitters website...

$76

Or this vintage camera that uses real film!...

Holgawood Camera $46

Or this instant camera which produces credit card size photos in minutes!...

Instax Mini 7S, $130

Also Urban Outfitters offers FREE returns.

Happy Monday!

Clutch It!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Don't spend a lot for a clutch this season, there are some fun brightly colored choices for under $100 and in some cases under $50! ASOS is one of the sites I check frequently and recently purchased a great feathered clutch for under $30!!!...
Mixing bright solids is one of the trends this season...

$73.51

Swell $48

$44.83

Working Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:31:00 +0000

This was supposed to be a vacation week celebrating our presidents, but it turned out to be a working vacation for me. We did manage to go skiing for a few days in upstate New York thanks to our friends who put us up in their condo (or put up with us not sure which it is). The kids and my husband skied 'dust on crust' (I have a mildly torn meniscus), while I got a lot of work done on our upcoming Bar Mitzvah celebration (for my drummer son) which takes place in a few weeks. I did go snowshoeing the last day which wasn't too smart either... feeling the pain as I descended the last third of the trail, wondering if I had done more damage to my knee.

The dirty laundry lay on the floor for most of the week while I tended to all the party plans, especially trying to get replies from kids who hadn't RSVP'd yet, way past the due date. What if these kids just show up at the party?! Part of the reason that this is an issue is that I decided, since this is to be mainly a kid party (just a few friends and family are invited), that I would go paperless with a website invitation... inviting ninety of his closest friends via a message on Facebook with a link taking them to the website. Only one problem, who is RSVPing, the parents or the kids? The responsible ones show their parents otherwise who knows... It's new ground and I may regret it but the website is so COOL and it contains so much more information than a paper invitation... there's video of him, stills, a bio, directions, a link to Google maps, and troubling RSVP page which sends me an email at a different site so I can track the responses.
The site is beautiful and I thank my photographer for that, but I'm not sure how I will look back on this experience... too early to tell now that I'm in the throws of it... anyway back to work for me...

Happy Monday and sorry I was down for the week, but I'm back and running.

Brooklyn Creative

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:05:00 +0000

Brooklyn, New York... the center of everything creative right now. There's so much going on, it's amazing and thanks to blogger, Oh Joy!, I found myself at Part & Parcel, which took me to Kate Spade and her 2011 film project where she collaborates with different artist's in the making of short films... February's theme is pink... If you click on Kate Spade then you'll see on her website and "Watch the Film"...

Next week the kids are off from school so my posts will be spotty at best, but I hope you'll check in anyway for more of Mama Lisha's picks...

Happy Friday and I hope you enjoy this crazy warm (possibly record breaking) temperature in New York today!

What's For Dinner Mom?

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:27:00 +0000

Every morning before school or right after school one of my teenagers ask, "What's for dinner Mom?"
Uhhhh, "Donno", I say... because I usually don't... I like thinking on the fly, using what's around combined with some fresh produce and deciding what looks good that day at the market.
This frittata I made the other night is one of those dishes where you can use what's around and throw it in, just remember less is more... I had a lot of broccoli and cauliflower lying around, so I bought about a 1/3 of a pound of pancetta and the rest was in the fridge...

Ingredients:

5 eggs
2 cups grated cheese
1/2 cup 1% milk
2 Tbls sour cream
1/3 lb pancetta
2 cups broccoli
4 cups cauliflower
about 8 rings red onion (decoration on top)

I cooked it in my favorite Le Creuset pan I use for almost everything! I went from stovetop to oven with the pan for this recipe.

Saute the pancetta or bacon or ham in the pan until well done and drain excess fat. There was just a little fat from the pancetta so I sauteed the veggies, browning them in the pan with the pancetta after I microwaved (steaming) them a little first. Then pour the mixture of shredded cheese, beaten eggs, milk and sour cream (2 tablespoonful) into the pan and spread evenly. Place onion rings on top and bake in a 375 degree oven uncovered for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Optional: I served it topped with a few of these rosemary almonds from Trader Joe's and a side of cole slaw I bought at the deli.

Thrifty Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:44:00 +0000

I know that each time I post about some fashion item and either I or one of YOU out there goes and buys this, or any new item for that matter, we are making a bigger footprint... using up more of our planets natural resources, limited resources and adding to landfill. Ok, so I got that off my chest... anyway when I saw that I could donate to a wonderfully creative project called All Thrifty States, "A woman on a mission to document what America throws away", visiting 50 states and their thrift stores, as a way to create awareness of a way to repurpose and recycle... attempting to shrink the collective footprint one thrift store at a time...
Meet Jenna Pfueller and her website...

The site is entertaining with photos of some bizarre things she's found and photographed at thrift stores organized by states, like fornicating taxidermic frogs and an ACDC snowglobe!

photo by Jenna Pfueller

Her goal... to bring attention to our national spending habits... and maybe we would think twice before spending on things we don't really need. Maybe we would find fashion in the used and vintage and reduce not only our debt but our footprint.... WOW!

Go Girl... check it out and you can donate to her cause on KICKSTARTER.

Dressing for Nuptials

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:59:00 +0000

One of the good things about having my wedding anniversary towards the end of January is that the stores have all the Valentine's Day merchandise on the shelves by then... lot's of lovey dovey stuff to choose from for my hubby... which reminds me... Today is the launch of a NEW line of wedding gowns and much more from Anthropologie. It's actually a separate company called BHLDN (pronounced beholden), offering heirloom quality gowns, bridesmaid dresses, artisanal hair adornments, footwear, and lingerie...

Makes me want a wedding in the family... Hmmmm, since I don't have a daughter, and my son's are too young anyway, maybe a niece will be next...

Brit Style

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:12:00 +0000

Allsaints, a British retailer of women's, men's, and children's clothing, accessories, and housewares has a beautiful earthy and feminine line for women this spring...

Well thought of for their graphic T's...

Love this fabric!!!...

Yummy...

I'd take this over chocolates and flowers any Valentine's Day!!!... Hint Hint honey!

What's in a Name?

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:12:00 +0000

It was suggested to me yesterday that my blog needs a better name... and that is so true. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time now and just turned a blind eye to such an important part of how much exposure one gets in the blogosphere.
So today I'm asking your help... knowing my voice (if you're a regular)... what would you name it?
Names are important, especially to search engines... branding, readership... it's all part of it.
"How To Name Your Blog: What Makes a Great Name?", these are the articles I need to read and think about as I set out to step up the job of blogging and expand my readership.
First and foremost I need to be clear about what this blog is about... like my tag line says... after a year and a half of writing, it's still about... "surviving the suburbs with style... seeking a richer life... in a wasteland called the suburbs... for my family, myself, and anyone who will listen!".

Food...Heart Beets, February 4, 2010

Fashion... Who Me?... No You?... Jimmy Choo!, January 31, 2011

Culture... Cultcha for the Kids... and Parents Too!!!, December 1, 2009

Love to hear from you in comments below... you can write anonymously or not.

Genuinely Fresh

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in Miami's burgeoning Design district is a neighborhood bistro offering contemporary American Cuisine from chef Michael Schwartz, in a friendly indoor/outdoor setting. The dishes are grouped by size not kind, as in small, medium, large, extra large, so depending on your appetite and how many dishes you would like to taste you can order accordingly.
It was Super Bowl Sunday when we ate dinner at this popular bistro, which is why we were able to get a reservation with only a few days notice, but I would plan ahead otherwise...
We shared these three small and medium dishes and one large dish which is not shown here (blame the wine)...
This crispy pork belly with kimchi (spicy korean cabbage) is a great contrast of flavors. The best prepared pork belly I ever had was in New Orleans, but this is wildly creative and delicious surprise...

Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly

Chargrilled Octopus

Wood Oven Roasted Local Eggplant

The creamsicle pot de creme is delicious just by itself, but then add the doughnut and jam and it's close to heaven!...

Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme

'The Hand' zoning in on my second doughnut

Blackberry Tarragon Jam

We left Michael's satisfied but not full, which is the best way to eat and I bought a signed copy of his new cookbook which is scheduled for general release on February 15th...

Thanks to my sister for the hot tip on Michael's Genuine.

Winter Escape

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Flying Southwest Airlines from Long Island to Ft. Lauderdale is one of those things where you're looking over your shoulder, feeling like you got away with something wonderful and criminal! It's too easy from the twenty minute drive to the airport, to the funny flight staff, to the half hour early arrival on our return and of course not to mention the beautiful 80 degree weather that met us on arrival and departure...
Some impressions from the weekend...

Pina in South Beach

Vacancy

Children singing for money

Artists studio

Beautiful reproductions of vintage hats

Outside men's room at Ft. Lauderdale airport

Retro snack packaging from Southwest Airlines

Tomorrow I tell you about a wonderful restaurant and the chefs cookbook I brought home.

Art Smart

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:56:00 +0000

Google's homepage today

Google's "Art Project", unveiled yesterday, is FREE, and allows people to discover thousands of pieces of art from around the world (and as an artist this is something near and dear to my heart)... it's like Google Maps but for Art Museums with 360 degree views. One can navigate as if you're standing in the museum viewing a room of paintings and sculpture. You can view an individual piece of art and a super close-up of the art.
Along the lines of social networking, and if you have a google account (gmail), you can make a collection of your favorite art to be shared with others...

Van Gogh

Looks luscious enough to eat

The homepage shows the different views

The Palace of Versaille

There are currently 17 major art museums represented on the website and I'm sure this is just the beginning...

At Artinfo.com you can read more about the project and another art project, "Art-sy".

Lacy

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:29:00 +0000

I bought this tunic last week from one of my favorite designers and I know I'll want to wear it everyday come spring... dress it up, dress it down. It's lacy without being fussy... lace and eyelet, gauze and fringe... that's what this versatile tunic is all about, classic with a twist.
Wear it as a dress or as a tunic top... belt it and wear it with jeans...

BCBGMAXAZRIA, $198

Somehow it looks like the ice covering every tree branch in my backyard... lacy, but dangerous!

Pedi Sparkle!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Maybe it's this unrelenting winter we're having in the northeast with gray skies and at this point a lot of gritty grayish brown snow along the roads that makes me want to brighten my day with COLOR! While replenishing my makeup supplies last week I was at the Lancome counter and spotted this nail polish with sparkle, hints of purple and pink sparkle... I couldn't resist. It will be the perfect thing to get me in the mood for our weekend getaway to Miami, just hubby and I...

Lancome, LE 54, $19

The color is not opaque the way it looks in the bottle, but sheer and translucent with a more subtle sparkle. I'm wearing it on my toes, but it would be pretty on the hands too.

Winter is ok, I'm trying not to take it for granted and appreciate it's monochromatic beauty. It also has me appreciating spring even more when it finally arrives. Although maybe this winter this snow on the ground today will still be here in April the way things are going... YUCK!!!

Who Me?... No You?... Jimmy Choo!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:04:00 +0000

I feel like rhyming this morning so... Who me?... No you?... Jimmy Choo!
Besides Manolo Blahnik, it's Jimmy Choo!
My favorite shoe designers who create works of art using shoes, have never seen the inside of my closet!
Why is that?
They are out of my budget, that's why!
Boo Hoo Jimmy Choo
I love you... (oh, how corny).
Yesterday, after a shopping marathon, looking for a shoe to match a dress for a special occasion, with hard to match sequins (rectangular), that are kind-of-platinum... not silver, not gold... I came across the almost perfect shoes in Saks. Why almost perfect you ask, because they cost $750!!!!!!!!... that's why! I put them on and almost died... like when you're twelve and imagine being a princess... I wanted someone to be my witness to the beauty and perfection of these glittering, tastefully glittering gems. I called my friend Jill right then, but no answer... I even thought about buying them and then after wearing them for that special day, I could rent them out?...
These photos do NOT do them justice...

Vamp Glitter Covered Sandals, $750

Just in case you love them too and are considering buying them, although I hate you, they do come in two styles of pumps with the same beautiful color glitter.

Belted!... 2 Ways

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:12:00 +0000

Looks what's coming down the runway for Spring 2011... Belts!... around the waist and the neck (chokers I mean)... Lanvin's RTW inspirational collection is just that... inspirational and wearable!...

I'm loving this and I think these looks will translate well, trickling down to very affordable clothing.

Now, to all my friends and readers please leave a comment or two (short and anonymous is fine) each time you read my post. It let's me know you're out there and shows me your support.

Thanks and Happy Tuesday!

Old Habits

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:28:00 +0000

I know I get stuck in old habits just as well as the next person... it's part of who we are, all those experiences that lead up to now, make us who we are, sometimes no matter how hard we want to change. Get to the point already right?... nothing heavy, it's just that I sometimes get frustrated when I make a delicious and healthy dinner, something different with a beautiful sauce and hubby breaks out a jar of Saucy Susan (basically duck sauce) and says, "Oh this would be good with it!"... the kids know what's coming when the glare from me is enough to sizzle the entire dinner table into a minuscule pile of ashes... and he then says, "What's wrong with that?"...

For some it's putting ketchup on everything! For my husband, who grew up eating a lot of chinese food (his mother was a terrible cook), especially as a bachelor, his favorite chinese dish is still Cantonese style Sweet and Sour Pork. The funny thing (trying to laugh) is that he's a guy who prides himself in healthy eating!!!... he barely eats any red meat, lot's of fish, salads, nuts, and whole grains... old habits die hard, and I guess if that's the worst thing then...

Anyway, I try to keep a sense of humor about it, which is not easy when you are cursed with highly developed taste buds... no joke, I can really tell when a food is thinking about going bad, or stale, or has just a little refrigerator burn and he'll drink sour milk and not realize it!

At least Saucy Susan has some apricot in it.

Oh, I DO love it when he reads me descriptive articles about the great restaurants of the world... and then we fantasize about flying to them. Love you honey!

What are your old food habits? I like rich fatty meats.... there I said it... I do avoid them most of the time, but they taste so good, especially when I see them being prepared on the Food Network by some of the greatest chefs... or when Anthony Bourdain eats greasy street food it really gets me salivating.

Intensely Romantic

noreply@blogger.com (Mama Lisha) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:07:00 +0000

If I was to imagine my fantasy, a most romantic place to spend time with my sweetheart, I couldn't have imagined anything as beautiful as this...

The newly designed Gramercy Park Hotel (NYC) - "An entirely new genre of hotel... Bohemian reinvented for the 21st century with an original combination of styles, with great pieces of furniture and artwork and the extraordinary use of color."

Private key access to Gramercy Park...

Valentine's Day is coming up, but there are anniversaries and birthdays too, any excuse is good enough to just get away without kids and spend some time alone just the two of you... it's important for the relationship and the family to recharge...

I'm talking to myself as well as you because I don't put enough thought into special time for my husband and I alone... right honey?

We are going away together for the weekend in February and I'm looking forward to it!