snow commute

The MTA shut down the bus system this morning. No cabs in sight. The only logical alternative was walking through the park. I geared up with my snow boots and a breakfast sandwich and my phone camera  in hand and I trekked across Central Park (which BTW was definitely NOT plowed yet). I got some beautiful shots... considering they were shot on a Samsung Gravity (aka who has even HEARD of what that is?).

take back the stage

I love Carner and Gregor (aka Sam and Derek) music. I do. A few months ago, I attended one of their "Barely Legal" concerts and we approached them about producing opportunities. Good thing I listen to no one because everyone told me they wouldn't be interested. After a few meetings we decided to collaborate on their Take Back The Stage series. TBTS features performers who are still working their way up to their big break. Sam and Derek cast the  show beautifully with people they'd been wanting to work with. 

I LOVED working on this project. Ashley, Rob and I really love their music and loved being so involved from start to finish. 

The show took place at The Underground Lounge on December 9th. Our TBTS cast rocked the house in front of a sold out crowd. Thanks to those of you who were there to support me (as a producer) and our amazing performers as they keep going with hopes to someday do the same thing on a Broadway stage. Here are a few videos of my favorite songs... 

Courtney Merrell sings "Sing But Don't Tell

Nick Gaswirth sings "After Hours"

Katelyn Ann Mullen sings "So Far From Pennsylvania"

home for christmas

a. i already know i fell WAY behind on my 30 days of blogging. get over it. i'll do them sometime... maybe.

b. i've been MIA because i had a few big things on my plate. three will largely decide my future. one took a lot of sweat and pain...but mostly just pain... the last was tres, tres amazing (but more on that later).

c. i went home for some MAJOR r & r. i have missed my family so much this year and i loved spending my holidays with the people who i love most in this world. is there anything better than family? is there anything better than a child who wants nothing more than for you to just sit with him? is there anything better than making fun of mom for watching sabado gigante? better than watching harry potter with my sister while snacking on vegan carrot cupcakes? is there anything in this world that beats walking on a white sand beach with my mom, followed by pina coladas as big as your head? nope.

beautiful mom

those 2 minutes i walked in the water were absolutely glorious.

south beach is... exactly what i think of when i think of where i want to live long-term

if you like pina coladas...

d. the overachiever/wannabe chef in me decided i would prepare a christmas feast. thankfully, jessica insisted in making mom's delicious lemon-cream chicken supremes and saved me a ton of time, but the rest came from me with the help of martha stewart, cooking light and real simple magazines.

check it: apple bacon stuffing, vegan apple stuffing, barley risotto with porcini mushrooms and flat leaf parsley, vegan spinach artichoke dip, vegan sweet potato casserole, regular sweet potato casserole, chickpeas with tomato and spinach (for the vegan), and spinach salad with proscuitto, candied almonds, fresh mozzarella and homemade red wine vinegar poppy seed dressing. For dessert: vegan-friendly apple crisp.

gorgeous family. I am one lucky girl.

Jess, Esteban, Rodrigo

Wii boxing and excessive giggling.

someone fell in love with the m&m dispenser

opening a gift from yours truly.

en route to go see yogi bear.

saying my goodbyes to my sweet munchkin