April 6: Seder in Paris

at Pere LaChaise 1996

Sixteen years ago, while 6 1/2 months pregnant with Dylan, my husband and I went to Paris forPassover/Easter time. He had arranged for us to share the first seder with a religious family in the Chabad community. It was quite different than the reform Judaism seders I participated in growing up. I found the ritual drying of the lettuce leaves fascinating. Each leaf was completely dried so that a droplet of water would not dare to mingle with the matzoh. I don't remember that much more. We got out of there about 2 a.m. I was probably jet lagging.

April 5: A New Philanthropic Project

2 sample cards from Jennifer Lanne and Valerie Weberpal

I want to be charitable often. Given the status of my checkbook, however, I indulge in philanthropy by plotting creative and cost-efficient ways to raise money.  My latest philanthropic adventure blends art, architecture, history and homelessness. I am inviting 32 people to each put their stylish mark on an Eames "House of Cards" card.

Here's the plan:
- The boxed set of 32 original art cards will come with a color guide book with short bios of the contributing artists. It will be sold via eBay or Etsy, yet I am open to other venues.
- I need a little help finalizing the beneficiary, and I think that since the prize is a house of sorts, I want to raise money for an organization, preferably not religious-based, that shelters others -- kids perhaps since the "House of Cards" is in essence a toy. Please send links to any organizations you really love.
- If you would like to contribute creatively or know someone who would/could --words, paintings, doodles, collages, photos, an autograph (Madonna, can you hear me?????) -- let me know.

There are so many good causes, so many people with unmet needs, and while I (a true Libran) need a little help finalizing details, I am sure that this simple prototype could be the beginning of a repeated idea that makes a big difference for many people.

April 4: April Birthdays Bring Memories

1981 prom. I am wearing a Betsey Johnson strapless black dress.

 I have trouble remembering my dad's birthday (August 30 or 31st?), yet indelibly branded in my mind are the birthdays of some of my childhood friends such as Linda Rosenberg and Eric Blumenfeld,  born on April 4th and 5th respectively. Linda was one of my BFFs growing up. We had amazing sleepovers at her fab townhouse at 21st and Delancey. Eric was my first real boyfriend...as in...well, you know. We were friends for 13 years, went out for six months, and he broke up with me right after the Styx concert in the late spring of 1981. I still can't listen to "Babe" without a bittersweet twinge. Happy birthday Linda and Eric. Thanks for the memories.

April 3: Just Say Hello

Photo by my friend and favorite design schemer, Kerry Fidler.

While shopping in Miami, I found myself in a store with Simon Doonan, Jonathan Adler, and their dog Liberace. Knowing that I'd be full of regret if I didn't take the opportunity to say hello to two of my longtime style heroes, I pushed my useless and familiar habit of telling myself not to be a bother aside, and said, "Hi." The guys were incredibly warm. We took a photo. I've been smiling most of the day.

April 2: Weighing in on "Hunger"

 photo from here

I saw "Hunger Games" last week, and I didn't once wonder why the protagonist wasn't more anorectic. I can't believe her weight is a newborn controversy, but since it is, I shall chime in. I particularly love this quote from Alexandra Le Tellier from the L.A. Times, in response to the latest chatter that "Hunger Games" heroine Jennifer Lawrence doesn't quite fit the part of starving girl from District 12. 

"her thighs appear functional rather than merely decorative." 

April 1: Contemplating a Tricep

(As an exercise in consistency, brevity, and just being me, I am going to write here everyday during April. A"Daily Thought" can be about anything but it can not exceed one paragraph and it cannot take more than 10 minutes to write. That's all. )

All of a sudden while peeing in  Dunkin Donuts this morning, it dawned on me, that my right tricep is bigger and stronger than my left because I consistently use my right arm to support myself/my weight while squatting over public toilets. If I remember from now on and if it's not too awkward, I will alternate sides.

Birthday on a Budget: A Fun & Feasable Sleepover for an 11-year old Girl

 Last weekend, I threw a birthday party for my daughter who was 11. Sammi kept reminding me that I did nothing for her tenth birthday, so I owed her one! She wanted a sleepover and invited her 4 closest friends. I had a ballpark $100-$125 budget in mind for everything -- activities, food, gifts. This is how I made it happen.

1. ORGANIZE A LOW COST ACTIVITY
The highlight of the evening was an inexpensive Find It/Make It scavenger hunt ($5), where I basically use what I already have in the house -- old magazines, things that are purple, something that begins with the letter "M," paper scraps, and so forth. Because I mix craft (make a 12 ring paper chain) and educational activities (a moderate level word search, making words from Scrabble Cheez-its, etc.) with basic scavenging, it takes a good long time and the girls LOVE it!!! It's fun and friendly competition and they never want it to end.

2. TREAT THEM TO FOOD OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE, BUT NOT DINNER
Kids love to go to restaurants, but I don't take them out for dinner because that can get expensive and cheap greasy crappy food places are a waste of money. So we ate at home; I served homemade mac-n-cheese plus salad bar ($13). I took them out later for frozen yogurt ($25) and then we went out for a very reasonable deli breakfast ($40). I feel like I got two fun outings for the price of a dinner.

3. CHEAP CRAFTS
We decorated flip flops. Each girl got a pair ($2 each, so $10) that they transformed with strips of fabric. I have plenty of colorful swatches around my house so I just cut them the night before. At first the girls were kind of unenthusiastic, but as they started tying more and more fabric on, their shoe loving personalities came out.

4. PLAN AHEAD AND USE COUPONS
Spin art is an all time favorite, so I went to Michael's and used a 50% coupon to buy it ($10). It is normally $20.

5. FREE DOWNTIME
And then they just like to hang out and talk and take pictures of themselves that they can post on Facebook.

I spent a bit more money on those extra reassurances such as snacks ($15), water balloons ($2), beads and elastic for bracelet making ($6), and an on-demand movie ($5)  Each girl left completely exhausted. And their mothers called to thank me and tell me what great fun they had.