Siggggghhhh! So wait — now you can take liquids onboard a plane? You know, I have to wonder, when are they going to start giving train and cruise-liner passengers the same twaddle regarding packing as they so strenuously give to plane passengers?
Anyway, as you start thinking about a winter break, it may be helpful to think about both the new rules and your in-flight needs.
There is New York Magazine’s list, suggesting a glamour-filled product pouch — which includes such must-have items as L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter and Darphin Eye Serum.
Aaaand, then there’s the official Do’s and Don’t’s list from …read more

Because we sometimes don’t have the patience to wait for, never mind read, an actual review…we foolishly rely on New York Magazine’s goofy Approval Matrix — self described as: Our deliberately oversimplified guide to who falls where on our taste hierarchies.
That line immediately tells you  how pompous we are and that you can either be intimidated–as in–gosh those New Yorkers sure know everything about EVERYTHING. Or, you can giggle–as in–New Yorkers need to seriously lighten up.
In this week’s chart, Rachael Ray’s new daytime talk show landed flat in the middle between “despicable” and “lowbrow”, and slightly below …read more

If you’re like me, you might be done with summer menus — enough with the burgers, hot dogs and tuna steaks…I can’t even think about how many more ways to make potato salad.
But there is one summer star that needs special mention. Watermelon…there simply can not be anything more refreshing or lusty than a big ripe watermelon. (We’ve already covered the sublime Jersey tomato.)
I think if chefs would have an easer time pitching cold fruit soups, if they would just get over the posturing and called them what they are: slushies.
Here’s a recipe, however, from chef Johan Svensson, published in …read more

I am one of those people who, if a celebrity were sitting next to me in a cafe, I would not recognize him or her–unlike my husband, who can spot a local tv weather person from across Fifth Avenue.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be able to have a casual conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker in a downtown NYC diner.
On the other hand, on the rare occasion that I do spot someone, something happens to my brain, and I become a different person. (why is that?) Once I saw Matthew Broderick in a restaurant and I nearly trampled …read more