Up Gemini: January 2012

January 30, 2012

Faces of the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade

Dragons will follow :)

And don't forget, today is the last day to participate to my giveaway!

January 29, 2012

Monday trivia NYC

Guess where I have been... look carefully (THE HAT)! Tomorrow you will find out, bedtime for me now.

January 27, 2012

How to cheer up a Gemini - 101

You have been asking this and I know that it is not easy to deal with a Gemini in grumpy, hopeless, drama-queen mode. Hey, I'm an expert, I have done this many times... being in distress, I mean ;) So, this is my simple recipe, my first-aid kit. More will follow.

1. A friend, like Silvia! No solitude allowed, you know that your mind will drive you crazy, so stop listening to it. Drive a friend crazy, instead! 2. Go Out! Don't sit down with your misery, but head to an interesting place nearby; a place that you would normally find entertaining. Normally, 'cause at the moment you are enjoying too much bitching and sobbing, aren't you? 3. Do something fun, but most of all just Do! 4. Immerse yourself in art! The sillier, wilder, crazier the better. 5. Eat something delicious. Food is always a good remedy, isn't? But don't stuff yourself... moderation?!? I Know!

Give it a try it and let me know if it works. I will share other variations with you. And hey, don't forget my giveaway, four days left!

January 25, 2012

Dead Horse Bay, a decadent beauty

Such a weird, romantic place.

Want more? Check out my past posts here, here, and here.

January 23, 2012

The silly side of Dead Horse Bay

Yesterday, another perilous adventure with Silvia, 'cause we went back to Dead Horse Bay!!!

I do not know if it might have been the freezing cold or the blinding hunger (a mochi and some chestnuts did not cut it), but strange things happened...

Tin soldier, plastic cars, ceramic cat and the letter P have been kindly brought to me by the ocean.

Dead Horse Bay is likely to be elected one of my favorite places ever!

January 21, 2012

Weekends are for homemade brunch

Smoked salmon benedict and yam home fries.

For the Smoked salmon benedict: toast a fresh ciabatta bread and cut it into nice, thick slices. Layer the smoked salmon on top of it. Make one or two poached eggs per person and complete with a smooth sauce made of equal parts of sour cream and light yogurt (to wash down the guilt), fresh cilantro, lemon juice to taste and a pinch of salt.

For the yam home fries: cut the yam into thick pieces, in the meantime heat some good olive oil in a pan. When it is hot, add the yams and go crazy with the spices. Cilantro, rosemary, basil, oregano, pepper, be extravagant! And do not forget some fresh garlic. Fry until soft inside and a bit crispy on the outside.

On the healthy side... I scarified one of my poached eggs (S.I.G.H.) for a fresh tomato salad :)

Very simple recipe, WHOAs guaranteed!

January 19, 2012

The New York School of Burlesque Showcase part 2

Let's warm up these cold days with some sexiness!

Sexy and silly girls... can you think of anything better?

Plus, Headmistress Jo Weldon was such a wonderful, sassy host!

Winter never felt this hot! ;)

January 16, 2012

My very first Giveaway, aka Gifts Are Not Over yet!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, marks the end of the holidays, doesn't it? But hey, have no fears, I have a cure for the January blues!

This is my very first zine, a photographic journey on the trails of Venice. One lucky reader will receive the issue #1, a 16 page full-color stapled booklet! How? Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose a random winner on Feb 1st. Please, make sure to add your contact info in your comment. Good luck! ;)

To increase your chances to win: visit Nadia of Read With Me La Port Rouge, go here and leave a comment. Also, don't forget to visit her other blog, she posts beautiful photos! AND visit Kit of Candy Castle and go here to leave another comment.
Thank you to these wonderful bloggers for sharing the giveaway with their readers!