Archive for the ‘Just Amy’ Category

• Happy Mother’s Day!

  Date: 2010.05.09 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 1

  Over there is my favorite photo of my mommie and me.  It sits on my nightstand and I look at it each night and thank God for making her mine.  I hope she knows how grateful I am for her and I hope your mom knows as well.  Happy Mother’s Day!

  xo–me

• Last Minute for Mom

  Date: 2010.05.08 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 1

  Tomorrow is Mother’s Day in case you have been living under a rock.  Yes, tomorrow.  Do you have anything for her?  If you have forgotten or simply didn’t have a spare minute all week to go get her something, here are a few last minute ideas for Mom.  Most of them are also easy on the wallet!

  1. Pick some flowers from your backyard and arrange them in a jar that was lost under your sink.  Yes, we all toss jars under the sink thinking we are going to reuse them and somehow they got lost under there.  Get out the glue gun and affix some grosgrain ribbon to the jar to make it uniquely you, uniquely Mom.
     
  2. Find a favorite photo of you and Mom.  Jump to the Dollar Tree or whatever 99 cent store in your town for the frame.  Before you put the picture inside the frame, write Mom a quick note about the picture and put it in the back.  She may not find it for months or even years to come, but when she does discover it, she will have a very special moment.
     
  3. Offer to bring or make lunch tomorrow.
     
  4. If you don’t normally, go to church with her.  You will never see a more proud moment in your Mom’s eyes.
     
  5. Write a note telling her about the best lesson she taught you.
     
  6. Hide her favorite sweet treat (I would hide Peppermint Patties) around the house with a little note attached telling her why she is special.
     
  7. Spend the day doing everything she would enjoy.

  If you are estranged from your Mom, tomorrow is as good of a day as any other to ring the bell and visit.  No need to explain or ask for answers concerning the reasons why you are not speaking.  Simply begin anew tomorrow. Fresh starts are the best starts.

  xo–me

• Martha, Garnet & Me

  Date: 2010.05.05 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 14

  I do not know where to begin with this post. The beginning, some of you are saying and of course, that is the logical place to start. However, I am so overwhelmed by the story that I simply have no idea where to begin.

  Last month I read a tweet from The Martha Stewart Show about an upcoming show that was focused on siblings. The tweet encouraged we readers to go to the website for more details. Each of you can imagine my respect and admiration for all things Martha. I share that same respect and admiration of my brother so I thought I would apply. I cannot recall the complete process details for the initial application. It was a standard audience request for tickets as much as I can recall but had a twist. If chosen for the show Martha wanted us to come dressed alike or in matching color outfits. I loved the request. I presumed they would be inundated with responses and we would have a small chance of getting in.

  A couple weeks later I was in PA with my family and I remember telling my brother that I had yet to hear anything from the show so I suppose ‘they didn’t want us’. We had a laugh about it, thought the idea was great and knew we would enjoy watching the show when it aired. The following week I get the email from the audience of the MSS telling me we had been accepted! I was so excited and honestly could not believe it. In the email we were instructed to RSVP to the show with the number of tickets needed, share what matching color top or outfit we will wear and share a favorite memory about your sibling. Of course I had two to submit:

  1. When my interest turned to cooking and baking, our mother got everyone in the family as well as dear friends to contribute to a recipe box. Garnet’s recipe was for toast. You can see the recipe card over there to the right. I attached the recipe card to the email thinking they may get a laugh out of reading it. He very well could be the wittiest man I know.
  2. The summer between my junior and senior year of college, I found myself having to attend summer school if I wanted to graduate on time. Working to put myself through school, I was always broke and this was an expense of which I was not prepared. I called Garnet because I knew he was hoarding his paper route money. He was only 16. He paid for my tuition. At 16. What a giving brother. (BTW, I paid him back when I got my next paycheck.)

  I got busy seeking matching red shirts for us. I chose red because I thought a traditional red may be very easy to fine. I also knew my Mom loved us both in red. I discovered them on my girl’s shopping trip in Philadelphia the following week. Simple.

  The Thursday prior to the taping, I got a VM from a production assistant named Noelle asking me if I had any great stories about my brother I wanted to share with them. I returned her call and shared that I had included two of my favorite stories. I asked Noelle if she had a chance to read the email. She said that the shows producers wanted them to call all the people coming to the show (I later found out in line that no one else had been called who were standing around us). I shared the stories again, told her how excited we were to attend, and thanked her for the opportunity to participate in a fun themed show.

  Fast forward to Monday night when Garnet arrived in the city with a framed picture of the two of us from our childhood that mother had sent.  She thought “perhaps Martha would like to see the two of you in matching outfits before”.  I had a great laugh and decided I needed to take not only ‘the Garnet Gourmet recipe card’ but also this framed picture.

  Tuesday arrives and we are checking in at the show when I whip out my framed picture to show to the young woman who is reviewing ID’s. I say to her “Our Mom thought Martha may want to see that we have been dressing alike for a long time”.  She laughed, looked at the picture and then found our names on the list. She then handed us our tickets along with a green card and explained that the card meant the producers MAY want to speak to us later. Garnet and I are not sure if we were marked on the list to receive this green card or did my frame exhibition prompt the receiving of this Golden Ticket.

  After signing the release forms, the warm up guy, Joey Kola, asked the audience if anyone wanted to cook with Martha. Garnet and I raised our hands along with just about everyone else in this pre-studio waiting room. Then the producers came in and asked if anyone had a green card. I raised my hand and they asked us to come with them. Two other sets of siblings also had a green card–one set of sisters and one brother/sister set.  The staff interviewed us informally in a hallway and asked about ourselves. I was beaming for the opportunity and again, cannot recall what sorts of questions they asked.  I simply remember telling them about how much I love to bake and cook as well as some funny stories about Garnet.  They looked at the picture as well and the recipe card. I was on cloud nine. Not going to lie.

  The team who interviewed us went up stairs and brought back what must have been the senior producer. Again, I was having so much fun, I have completely forgotten her name (where are my manners???? I am disappointed in myself). She asked additional questions, including what we did for a living, why we were here, anything else we wanted to share and if we wanted to cook with Martha! She left and her team told Garnet and I they felt certain we were going to be the chosen ones and asked us to return to the waiting area with the remaining audience members. We walked back into the room and many of our new friends from the line were smiling, waving and giving us the thumbs up. They were all so lovely and encouraging. Ahh, the kindness of strangers.

  Before I knew it, we were being whisked upstairs to hair and make-up while the team shared with us what we were doing. Bradford the make-up guru touched me up a bit but said overall I looked great. I was thrilled! As we were sitting in the chairs, Martha’s sister Laura walked in and I about had a heart attack.  They look exactly alike.  I heard her say she was on the show that day so I hoped we would sit close to her.

  After hair and make up, our main contact Ellen took us into the studio to review what we would be doing and where we were sitting.  The studio is more gorgeous than you see on TV.  It really is a stunning array of colors, textures and visuals with all the attention to detail one would expect from Martha.  I am not sure there is anything domestic she does not do well.

  Much to my pleasure, we were seated next to Martha’s sister Laura who is an absolute delight.  I enjoyed visiting with her throughout the hours in the studio as much as I did cooking with Martha. I am not going to tell you what we made or the details of our time with Martha. I am saving that for the air date of May 20. I want to share that I have been around my fair share of productions from TV shows to concerts to special events. I have never been with a happier nor more pleasant group of people than those who gave my brother and I a memory that will last a lifetime. Thank you Martha Stewart Show staff. You are the best in the business.

  xo–me

• Flowers For Mom

  Date: 2010.05.04 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 0

  Flowers for Mom are always a good choice on Mother’s Day.  Most don’t get flowers as often as they should so this choice is a perfect way to show her your love and appreciation.

  The traditional dozen roses are nice when they come in a box.  Old school and elegant, this box presented at the door by a delivery man is very powerful.  Plus she can arrange them according to her taste in a vase she loves.  In order to save some money, you can go to a local farmers market and get the roses.  Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

  Why not give Mom flowers that will last forever?  These lovelies are made of paper and will last as long as they are dusted carefully.  There are tons of ideas for ‘everlasting’ flowers at etsy.  You can search for floral headbands, broaches, bracelets or necklaces.  My dear friend Mark got his wife Wendy a gorgeous bracelet of interlocking flowers because ‘They would never die’.  I love his thinking.

  My favorite way to honor Mom with flowers is a corsage on Sunday morning for church.  They are proud to tell their friends of the gift and it very well could be the loveliest accessory.  Grandmother’s, godmothers, aunts and sisters who are mom’s are easily honored with this simple gesture.  Call your local florist today and create a sweet memento for the ladies in your life to wear proudly on Sunday.

  xo–me

• Mom’s Day!

  Date: 2010.05.03 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 0

  Holy cow…where did the year go?  I cannot believe it’s Mother’s Day already.  This holiday really snuck up on me.  I hope this week I can share with you some thoughts on special treats for Mom.  Today I am going to share some of my favorite places to buy treats online.  It’s only Monday so most places will have your choices to you by the end of the week.  Get thinking and shopping!

  1. The fine art of personal thank you notes and letter writing is dying I am afraid.  Most people don’t bother anymore.  Why not start a revolution and get your mom some lovely personalized note cards?  Traylor Papers has a nice selection and their prices are reasonable.  I have used them in the past several times and they are open to special requests.  I have made many.
  2. If you have a marshmallow lover in your family, order up a bag or ten of these.  These Plush Puffs are yummy enough to eat on their own or are delightful in recipes.  I have used them in countless ways.  Allow Mom to get creative!
  3. If Mom has the ultimate sweet tooth, this site is for her.  I am serious, only those with the deep need for sugar should shop here.  The Cookie Sandwich Company means business.  I can only eat half of a cookie at a time and I consider myself the serious sweet tooth.
  4. Last but not least is my favorite bakery–Fat Witch.  Years ago I discovered this bakery and use it every chance I can.  Pat’s brownie bites are heavenly and a perfect snack.  Mom will love these bite size nuggets of heaven!

  So don’t panic as I did this morning when I woke.  Know that you have plenty of time to order a special surprise for Mom.

• Eavesdropping

  Date: 2010.05.03 | Category: Just Amy, Manners | Response: 1

  It is very hard not to eavesdrop if someone is speaking on a topic you love.  The other evening while I was in the salon chair having my hair done, I was speaking to my stylist about a hip hop act that recently lost a member to cancer.  I was explaining the story of an untruthful letter written from a ‘friend’ of the deceased and what I felt was a very sad and disrespectful ending to this young mans life.  As I was speaking, I looked up into an adjacent mirror and noticed a man in another chair staring at me, hanging on every word I spoke.  I found it rude and rather uncomfortable but realized he may be a fan of this group and was curious to know my opinion.  I immediately changed the subject and looked away.  My stylist was interested in the conversation as well so after a few moments, she brought it up again so we could continue our conversation.  Before I said another word, I looked in the direction of the lurker and sure enough, he was staring at us, waiting to hear what we had to say.  I firmly started back for a pregnant pause and went back to my conversation.  This didn’t stop him from his rude behavior and honestly, I was waiting for him to join the conversation as he was so engrossed.  His appointment was complete before mine so Ali and I could go back to having our conversation privately and comfortablly.

  I share this story today because on the train home I got to thinking about how nosey we are in one another’s business and how poor most person’s manners are.  This young man never once realized his behavior was abomadible.  I realize he may have never been taught or perhaps, giving him the benefit of the doubt, he was so engrossed in my words, forgot his manners.  Let’s think about our manners today.  Would you consider your behavoir and how it impacts those around you?

  xo–me (and perhaps Emily Post)

• Bluefin Sushi

  Date: 2010.04.27 | Category: Just Amy | Response: 2

  I have never written a restaurant review but I had a great experience this weekend and simply must share. I met some girlfriends from college in Philadelphia for our annual girls weekend. We did what we do best–shop & eat. We explored all sorts of delicious restaurants but the one I was most impressed with was Bluefin Sushi in Plymouth Meeting. I have been lucky enough to eat some of the freshest fish in my life having spent time in Hawaii and California. Since moving to NYC, I have been searching for delicious fresh sushi. The only places in NY I have found it is Nobu and Morimoto. Imagine how delighted I was to have Jackie introduce me to one of her ‘finds’. She travels to this area on business quite frequently and knew of this restaurant. We pulled up and it was a no frills strip mall location. Some of the best places in LA are in strip malls so I was really excited. We had a fantastic meal. My favorites were the Spicy Tuna Sundae and the Hamachi Kama Yaki (grilled yellowtail cheek). Wendy had some fancy roll with crab, avocado, and some other ingredients that I am forgetting because by that point in the evening we were, uh hem, enjoying ourselves.

  I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in the Philly area. It’s worth the 30 minute drive outside the city. Maybe it’s not that far away but we were tourists and perhaps didn’t take the most direct route back to the city.

  xo–me