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 the Transportation Security Administration :

Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

With certain exceptions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, baby formula and breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, the following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols you want to carry through a security checkpoint.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.

Was there ever a better time to do your own extensive research then by spending a Sunday afternoon at Duane Reade?

Post from: Blisstree

What To Take Onboard Now!

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 “killer spinach” and Megan Mullally.

I talk a lot about Rachael Ray here, not because I’m the biggest fan of her work, in fact sometimes I find her to be exasperating; but because I admire her work ethic and her sense of drive.

If I had that same energy, I would imagine The Pet Set would have been a household name by now.

So, Rachael just know there is one New Yorker and thousands of New Jerseians pulling for you..”how great is that?!”

And if you get cancelled, there’s always “45-Minute Meals” .

Post from: Blisstree

The Elusive New York Thumbs Up.

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 this week’s New York Magazine that is simple to prepare; and the suggestion of the shrimp seviche, as an accompaniment sounds delicious:

On the other hand, a watermelon cooler sounds fab too. Enjoy!

Post from: Blisstree

How Refreshing Is This?

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 another diner, just to get a closer look. (more importantly, for him to see me.)

New York is teeming with celebrities. You always hear gossip about some starlet who just bought a fabulous loft in Tribeca for millions of dollars…when the average person wouldn’t be able to locate (never mind purchase) a mailbox sized place. Where are all of these apartments?

There is actually etiquette in dealing with the celebrity sighting…if you do see one, you ignore that person — then as soon as he/she passes, you call all of your friends to let them know, and of course you embellish the story as in:

“I just saw James Gandolfini in a bar and boy was he hammered! — I’m telling you, I had to escort him to the restroom, that’s how blottoed he was! AND he said hi to me.”

New York Magazine has put together a Star Map of the city by neighborhood…which should be helpful the next time you are out on your lunch break and pretend to see one of them. Here are a couple neighborhoods in which a siting is probable, not that you really care:

• Upper East Side: Woody Allen, Liza Minelli, Rudy Guliani
• Upper West Side/Central Park: Tina Fey, Penny Marshall, Bono, Ricky Martin
• Midtown: Rosie O’Donnell, Kim Cattrall, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Anderson Cooper
• West Village/Soho: Chloe Sevingny, Liv Tyler, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Racheal Ray
• East Village/Tribeca: James Gandolfini, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Bowie

Shhh! Don’t tell anyone!

Image: Peter Rad/New York Magazine

Post from: Blisstree

The NYC Celebrity Sighting Game.