La Pauline 2.0

Google AdSense Is Right On The Money With Me

2012-01-28T16:27:00.001-05:00

Sh*T Native New Yorkers Say

2012-01-27T19:32:00.003-05:00

The meme is getting old, but this one about native New Yorkers is fantastic.

I've been in New York City since 1999, and even I find myself saying these things.

2012-01-24T20:39:00.002-05:00

Pinterist is my new obsession, so apologies in advance if there are most posts like this:

Source: inspirationfeed.com via Pauline on Pinterest

2012-01-22T08:33:00.001-05:00

Source: google.com via Pauline on Pinterest

2012-01-21T08:38:00.001-05:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Sh*t New Yorkers Say

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Some people move around, others become New Yorkers.

The Best Things Come In Small Packages

2012-01-19T20:15:00.002-05:00

My friend Jason -- yet again -- is featured for his smart use of his small but adorable Chelsea apartment.

I remember what that place looked like when we were trying to rent it back in 2009. Jason has done an amazing job with the place.

Brunchables!

2012-01-14T18:42:00.002-05:00

Best line: "My mom forgot to make us Brunch because she's at kickball."

Guerilla Book Marketing

2012-01-10T21:55:00.005-05:00

A few days ago I bought this book, which I am excited to read when I have a quiet hour or two. It's pretty nerdy.

On the flip side of the receipt was a list of other books in the same genre. Since a lot of people use their receipt as a book mark, this is some pretty genius marketing. Well played, Posman Books!

A Little Bit of Book Whimsy

2012-01-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

Mimosas Were In Order After This Morning's Run

2012-01-08T13:52:00.004-05:00

Thanks to a tip from a friend, I found out about the Joe To Joe running club. It's a group that runs from Joe Coffee to Joe Coffee in New York City, organized by the owners of Joe Coffee.

It was a lot of fun and took us from Chelsea to the West Village, all the way up Park Avenue, through Central Park and to the Upper West Side. We ended at the new Joe's Coffee on E. 75th and Lexington. A nine mile run, however, somehow turned into eleven. Must have been my genius detour through the bramble in Central Park.

There is no coffee in that cup. Trust me.

2012-01-07T19:07:00.001-05:00

A Few From Around The City

2012-01-07T16:49:00.003-05:00

Some of these are a little blurry since they were just taken with my old skool iPhone. Must upgrade in 2012.

Posman Books in Grand Central has a huge shelf dedicated to Chic Lit. It's as if they knew I was coming. (Sadly, I've read most of the selections they had.)

Seen in an elevator in the East 30s. No need to be anxious.

Despite the sign, this has apparently been rented. Only $30,000 a month! A steal!

In Case You Are Frustrated With You New Year's Weight Loss Goals

2012-01-05T21:19:00.001-05:00

That's Jazz: An Outlook For 2012

2012-01-02T06:37:00.006-05:00

About a year or so ago I went to a Columbia Alumni event at Jazz At Lincoln Center. One of the speakers was a jazz studies professor named Christopher Washburne. Jazz studies is a required course for Columbia undergrads, and one exercise he gave his students was to walk home a different way every day, even if it was just one block out of the way.

"That's jazz," Professor Washburne said. "Even changing things up a little gives you a whole new perspective."

Over the past year I always kept that in the back of my head. If I wanted to go to the same dumpling place for lunch, I would turn and head south instead. Sure, I could hop on the treadmill, but what about trying that Boot Camp class?

It's a New Year and everyone's making resolutions to lose weight, get their finances in order, etc. Those are big overhauls that will all likely peter out in two weeks. Instead, I like the That's Jazz approach: small changes, often improvised, that can change your day, or at least your frame of mind. Anyone who understands music knows what a difference a grace note can make. 2012, perhaps, could be the year of the grace note.

New Year's Highlights

2012-01-01T16:35:00.005-05:00

I love New Year's Eve in New York City, and I don't mean Times Square. This year I was in the East Village at a little party that was big on booze and meat. I took the bus there and back, because waiting for a cab on New Year's is both futile and silly.

I'm also still getting tons of compliments on my Nikon Coolpix camera, which took all these shots. That little camera has some incredible features, and I'm still trying to sort them all out. Full set of the night here.

Pre-game shots. The top is from Express. The white pleather skirt is from Newport News, circa 2008. Because if you can't wear white pleather on New Year's Eve, then when can you?

Kardashian level eye make up.

With the host, Vasilios, and his brother Kostas. Opa!

Three Graces at the party.

Crowd in the front hall, with all the booze.

It took a bullhorn to get us into the living room.

Fun with mirrors.

This is some OCD nonsense.

Crowd shot

One of my faves from the night.

An incredible ham was served roughly around midnight. I cannot say enough good things about this piece of meat.

I even helped cut it.

Who says ham can't be finger food?

On the bus up Third Avenue at 1:00 a.m., I found these two coming home. They were great. I hope I'm as much fun when I'm 70.

After all that ham, a hop around Central Park this afternoon was in order. Perfect, gorgeous weather.

Things Yogis Say

2011-12-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

...because you know I love a good yoga joke.

For those that are just joining us, in 2005 I slipped a disc in my lower back, which needed three cortisone shots over several months to fix. The one exercise I could do while convalescing was yoga. Sal Anthony's Movement Salon in Gramercy totally whipped me back into shape when I couldn't run, etc. It was during that time that I realized that every stereotype about yogis is true, and by extension, comedy gold.

2011-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

New Year, New Hair

2011-12-30T15:24:00.004-05:00

My little hole in the wall salon got a little overzealous with the highlights this morning, not that I'm complaining. Change is always good.

But then the day got even better....

Found some subversive, economic theory inspired grafitti off of Union Square. And on top of a roof!

A ghost building on E. 17th Street.

Found Patty's Taco Truck on 14th Street and Third Avenue! I don't get excited about food, but finding this truck is better than finding a unicorn.

The hair, in front of what passes for decor at Chez Pauline: a 1950s era school map of the U.S.S.R and China.

2011-12-30T08:27:00.001-05:00

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

2011-12-29T14:21:00.002-05:00

The ladies and I are still trying to work out some New Year's Eve plans. (And by ladies, I mean attractive ones.) I love a good New Year's Eve party. I'm not of the ilk that likes to stay home and be mellow. Donning a cocktail dress with spirit in hand is my natural state.

Until it's all ironed out, enjoy Harry Connick Jr.'s version of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." Lovely arrangement.

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Things Millards Do: Guy Code!

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Trivia I learned over Christmas: my brother Andrew produced a great season of a show on MTV called Guy Code, which is like a modern etiquette show for guys. Below is the Holiday episode, which is quite funny.

Season two coming in the spring.

MTV Shows

A Very Millard Christmas!

2011-12-27T07:32:00.004-05:00

A very merry Christmas was had out in Connecticut this weekend. Good food, great gifts and a dog.

I got a slick new Nikon Coolpix camera for Christmas (Thanks, Pop!) so I was pretty shutter happy.

Prezzies!

La Madre et moi

These two: Lake Cuomo, June 2012.

The camera couldn't do the sunset justice. Perfect, clear day. You could see New York City.

Kristin and the tree.

La Madre, in all her splendor.

The dinner crew.

My mom made a cake. I'm not sure why this shocks me as much as it does.

Schnauzer, in a sweater, in a bag.

This looks like a Vampire Weekend album cover.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

Feliz Navidad!

2011-12-24T16:34:00.003-05:00

The best arrangement of Feliz Navidad. Ever.

Since work has been light this week a lot of fun videos have come across my radar. This ad from T Mobile is quite cool, especially for their use of normal sized women. The pretty brunette spokes model looks downright skeletal comapred to everyone else.

The High Price Of Materialism

2011-12-23T16:25:00.003-05:00

I'm no pinko socialist, but I love the video below. I know it's been around for two weeks, but I just found it.

I love their tip about muting commercials in an effort to block out unwanted advertising. I've been doing that for years and it always annoys people. But who really needs to see yet another car or bank commercial? I don't even have a driver's license, so whatever Nissan has to say is no interest to me.

Great food for thought this holiday weekend.

Big Cat, Small Tree

2011-12-22T17:35:00.002-05:00

Maybe Val is waiting for Peppe to come back?

People Who Send Me Christmas Cards Know Who's In Charge Around Here

2011-12-22T07:07:00.002-05:00

Already?

2011-12-21T21:43:00.000-05:00

Abandoned Christmas trees on 34th and Park.

2011-12-20T19:20:00.001-05:00

Ghost Building!

2011-12-17T14:52:00.002-05:00

Seen on 15th Street and Ninth Avenue. Another one can be seen here.

For Some Reason This Song Never Made The Holiday Music Canon

2011-12-16T22:11:00.001-05:00

Pourquoi?

This Is Grammatically Incorrect

2011-12-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

It should read, "New Switches. Fewer Hitches."

Way to go, MTA.

Could Everyone Get Around The Tree?

2011-12-11T19:09:00.003-05:00

Another Saturday night, another holiday party. This one found Erin C. and I in Tribeca, in a room lit by an enormous white Christmas tree -- on a table.

Life is all about experimenting with available light.

Arty or just blurry? Hipster album cover?

Erin with the hostess, Roseanne. She put together a great spread -- with tons of Prosecco. Bonus points.

I tried some new things, hair wise. This one is actually inspired by Rhoda on the Mary Tyler Moore show, in an episode where she wins a local beauty pagaent. Long story.

Future versions will be more curly and romantic, and less Jersey prom.

Off To The Races

2011-12-11T00:42:00.002-05:00

Documenting the good hair for this evening's Christmas party.

Good times were had.

Woth Checking Out: Michael Buble, "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

2011-12-10T18:44:00.004-05:00

This afternoon while lurking around the Discount Cosmetic Market on 37th and Madison, Michael Buble's version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" came on over the store stereo system.

I was immediately struck by the lovely arrangement -- he slowed an uppity pop song down to a ballad, and it works.

I came home and started Googling it (as well as adding it to my Spotify) and was thrilled to find this video explain the method to the madness. My background in singing and performing in New York City pre-dates this blog. Nevertheless, nothing gets my inner music nerd going more than listening to how a piece of music came to be.

P.S. His whole Christmas album is just as wonderful. It's musically complex and works as an entire album, not just a bunch of standards thrown together. Someone really put thought into it. His Feliz Navidad duet with Thalia is worth the price of admission.

Here's the song:

Mission Accomplished! Cherished Holiday Memories!

2011-12-10T15:35:00.003-05:00

While Tom and the boy are out in Pennsylvania this weekend, they got a photo with Santa! Keep 'em coming! I hear there are tons of Santas out in the 'burbs.

As for me, I'm really living on the edge, unsupervised. Thus far today I hit the gym, had a bagel with lox and bought some shampoo. I then took a leisurely walk to Union Square and eventually the Third Avenue bus home. Later, Erin C. and I will hit a party in Tribeca.

Action. Packed.

Unsupervised This Weekend!

2011-12-09T07:47:00.000-05:00

How on earth to spend all my idle time?

I Know What Boys Like -- Boys Like Trains

2011-12-05T19:44:00.003-05:00

I've been really slack with the holiday photos thus far. I went to a party on Friday night that was akin to something out of Breakfast at Tiffany's -- and had too much fun to even take one shot.

On Saturday I showed up two hours late to Brunch With Santa at the Junior League. So Andre has yet to get a photo with the Man In Red -- and he's two and a half years old. So much for cherished holiday memories.

On the way home from the missed brunch, I stopped in The Transit Museum in Grand Central. There is a giant toy train set up inside and pretty much every little boy under the age of five stops to look. Bonus points if you can get your kid out without a tantrum.

Trains are hypnotic

He must get back to ogling the trains.

While going through a memory card today, I found these photos of the Chelsea hotel sign. Since it's been in the news lately, I figured I would post them, too. They were taken at around 2:00 a.m. in late November, 2007

'Tis The Season...

2011-11-30T22:22:00.003-05:00

For Mariah Carey's Christmas album!!

Since 1997 I have owned three copies of this album, and just bought my fourth on iTunes (only $7.99!)

It's Mariah Carey doing her finest vocal gymnastics, and, production wise, it honestly could be one of the best albums ever made. For serious. You can't listen to her version of "Joy To The World" and not be happy.

In case it isn't obvious already, I love Christmas and all the schlock that comes with it -- Christmas albums, Rockefeller Center and especially Christmas cards. This weekend I sent out my first batch of them. If you're on the A-list, yours is en route. ;-)

Two Randoms From Today

2011-11-30T22:02:00.005-05:00

Since TR and Andre are both giants, I sleep on the couch most nights. At least no one steals the covers from me. 7:30 a.m. (Andre has no love for his toddler bed.)

Do the 6 train shuffle! Grand Central, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Yet another reason why I walk to work.

Oddly, This Store Does Not Sell Cats

2011-11-29T20:40:00.001-05:00

I thought I might find Peppe's replacement in here. Instead, jewelry?

Why the false advertising?

2011-11-26T08:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

2011-11-24T08:18:00.001-05:00

Enjoy your feast!

Was Ist Das?

2011-11-22T22:14:00.001-05:00

It's videos like this that make me wish I spoke better German.

Dispatches From Last Night: The NYJL Fall Fete

2011-11-19T19:02:00.006-05:00

Last night was the New York Junior League's Fall Fete. It was at the Hudson Terrace and it was fantastic. I was on the committee from 2009-2010, so have a real attachment to the event.

First, the dress! Because you can't wear just any old thing to a New York Junior League event.

Second, Erin C., my plus-one. She had never been to a League event before and said she, "Fell into cocktail dress heaven."

The room. It was incredibly well attended. The Hudson Terrace is two levels and a fantastic space for any occasion.

Unphotographed: The dive bar across the street that we ended up at afterwards.
11th Avenue and 46th Street is not the hottest neighborhood in town. At 12:30 a.m. we knew it was time to go when some dockworker guys tried to send us over some drinks.

The IRS Does Not Play

2011-11-17T21:15:00.003-05:00

This is an actual bill I got this evening. Would love to see what the late fee charges are for an $8.47 bill.

Clearly the United States of America cannot function without this important revenue.

Taxi Cab

2011-11-16T21:38:00.001-05:00

Rainy days like this make me think of this song.

Idyllic Fall Day In Manhattan

2011-11-13T20:07:00.002-05:00

Andre and I hit the Central Park Zoo today as well as a little playground on 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

It was a perfect autumn day in Manhattan. He slept all the way home.

TR, and others, often make jokes about how I photograph everything. When I'm 80, though, I'll have plenty of photo evidence of what a bon vivant I was in my hey day.

I'm Walkin' Here!

2011-11-12T20:29:00.005-05:00

Today in Murray Hill I could barely cross the street because the traffic was insane. The Dark Knight is filming on the Queensborough Bridge, so everyone had to use the Queens Midtown Tunnel, which is right by my apartment.

Pedestrian Rage is very real, and brought on by suburbanites who don't understand the most basic rule of Manhattan driving -- don't block the box. Worse, they get aggressive trying to get one block closer to where ever they're from and tend to gun it through yellow, and even red lights. If there was ever a valid argument for taking the Long Island Railroad, the East 30s this evening is it.

Otherwise, I turn into this.

2011-11-10T21:30:00.004-05:00

If you need a book like this to make you sound smarter, then you're probably a lost cause.

Good, clear writing is simple, uncomplicated. Nothing is sadder than someone using big words out of context or incorrectly. Nothing is less smart than that.

Peppe Goes To That Big Litterbox In The Sky...

2011-11-08T06:47:00.001-05:00

Longtime readers of this blog will remember when I randomly adopted a large orange Persian back in 2007. I never knew exactly how old Peppe was, but when I saw him on Petfinder, I knew he was too gorgeous to stay in a shelter. And so, like Eddie Murphy in Coming To America, I went to Queens. Queens!

Peppe has been out in Pennsylvania for the last few months with Tom's parent. Two days ago he curled up to sleep, and never woke up. It's good to know that a scruffy shelter cat from Queens, by way of Italy, spent his last days in a big suburban home and eating proscuitto with his sidekick, Val.

My War On Semi Colons

2011-11-06T19:10:00.004-05:00

Anyone who has taken my Intro To Nonfiction writing class knows how much I loathe the semi colon, simply because no one uses it correctly. I advise students not to use it at all. It make sentences longer than they need to be which, in turn, causes readers to lose interest.

When I saw this on Twitter today, I needed to share it. So true.

Halloween 2.0

2011-11-06T18:45:00.002-05:00

Andre's pre-school Halloween party got snowed out last weekend, so they tried it again today. Perfect weather, tons of food and families. St. Vartan's Park in Murray Hill was quite the scene for the under-five set.

Since I'm at work all day and Tom takes the boy to pre-school, I think some people were surprised to see that Andre does, in fact, have a mother. (And she wears golden shoes!)

2011-11-05T17:40:00.002-04:00

If you have a father who considers himself handy, this is pretty much how his mind works.

.

2011-11-05T07:18:00.001-04:00

Yesterday Andre met some professional BMX bikers in the park. He liked their wheels.

Seen In Zuccotti Park

2011-11-04T06:44:00.003-04:00

I stumbled into Zuccotti Park while out on a client visit yesterday. It's quite the tourist attraction and it doesn't really smell. The signs are probably the best part. If I had more time I would have taken photographs of more of them.

It's also becoming a capitalistic opportunity, as food and souvenir vendors have set up shop around it, and seem to be doing quite well. Defeating the purpose?

Obey.

2011-11-01T07:20:00.003-04:00

I'm the last in line to laud any advertising effort, but this ad from WQXR to promote November as "Beethoven Awareness Month" is awesome.

The full New York Times story is here.

And if anyone needs a holiday gift idea for me:
"'In the same vein,' Limore Shur, chief creative officer at Eyeball added, 'WQXR is considering adding T-shirts and tote bags designed by Eyeball that declare, 'Beethoven was def.'"

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-31T07:27:00.001-04:00

Hope it's spook-tacular!

Halloween, Norwalk, Connecticut -- 1987. Guess which one is me.

2011-10-30T18:45:00.001-04:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Fats Waller On A Snowy Saturday

2011-10-29T16:41:00.004-04:00

When Spotify first came to the States a few months ago, everyone was saying that it would put Pandora out of business. I say nay. Spotify is great when you want to find that one song that you love -- or just want to listen to your fave Christmas tunes.

Pandora is internet radio, perfect for when you have a mundane chore to do, like cleaning out a closet. You put it on and it picks the hits for you, as well as a few surprises.

Today's surprise on Pandora was this Fats Waller song, Shame Shame. This recording is from 1938

Who Sent This Book To Me?

2011-10-25T21:31:00.003-04:00

It just showed up at my door and the Amazon gift receipt says it's a gift from Pauline Millard. I didn't send it to myself, so....who's my secret admirer?

If, however, anyone would like to send me more anonymous gifts, I should mention that I collect Baccarat necklaces.

Radioactive Wolves

2011-10-25T06:40:00.004-04:00

If, like me, you're not into Sunday night football, I highly recommend nerding it up and checking out PBS.

This past Sunday they ran their documentary Radioactive Wolves, which looks at how, among other animals, wolves are thriving in the post-Chernobyl blast zone.

You can watch the full episode here. Even more intriguing is the footage of the abandoned towns around the reactor. They are frozen in a Soviet time capsule. This clip was my favorite:

Watch Unintentional Green City on PBS. See more from Nature.

Apps For Autism

2011-10-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

There have been a lot of segments post-Steve Jobs about the good that his products have done. I'm no hard core Apple nerd (I'm a PC gal all the way) but this piece about Apps For Autism is amazing. You must watch it.

App For Autism
Via 60 Minutes

How Was Your Saturday Morning?

2011-10-22T11:35:00.003-04:00

By 8:30 a.m. I cleared a 10K race in Prospect Park in under an hour. Gorgeous day, and a fantastic -- albeit hilly -- course.

Tomorrow morning, you should get the lead out, too. :-)

2011-10-21T21:10:00.001-04:00

2011-10-20T19:38:00.001-04:00

New York Junior League Fall Fete -- November 18th

2011-10-18T18:59:00.002-04:00

Even though I'm not on the committee for the fall auction anymore, I still think it's one of the best events of the year. This year it's on Friday, November 18th at The Hudson Terrace. Be there or be square.

You can purchase tickets online here.

Two Of A Kind

2011-10-15T20:40:00.001-04:00

Two of a kind, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

2011-10-15T09:39:00.000-04:00

This was just sent my way. It's not new, but it's funny.

Andre At The Central Park Zoo

2011-10-11T20:42:00.001-04:00

Andre at the Central Park Zoo, originally uploaded by thomasr9.

I'm off in Philly for a few days of training for work. Seems like Tom and Andre are entertaining themselves.

Hatchetation

2011-10-10T20:18:00.003-04:00

Last week PBS showed one of its best Ken Burns' documentary, Prohibition. There are lots of great parts to it, and below is one of my favorites about Carrie Nation, a woman who -- quite literally -- took the idea of enforcing prohibition into her own hands. With a hatchet.

Watch the full episode. See more Ken Burns.

Saturday Steals & Deals!

2011-10-08T20:30:00.006-04:00

Not only was the weather perfect today, but the bargain gods smiled upon me.

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good deal. I was never big on renting apartments in the West Village because I think everything over there is overpriced. (Not hating, just sayin'...) I belong to a $20 a month gym. (A treadmill's a treadmill, kid.) One of these days I will find the nail joint that is both inexpensive and has an ample selection of OPI colors.

Clothes are a big area where I'm always looking for a steal. Filene's in Union Square is my go to place for anything. Cocktail dresses, new bras, even sunglasses. I go there first and they almost never let me down.

DSW, the Designer Shoe Warehouse, is in the same building and I almost always make a pit stop in there as well. It's easy to blow a lot of money at DSW, so I have a policy: I buy one fun pair of shoes and one sensible pair and that's it. I also only buy from their sale rack because there's always a great selection and it's all at least 30% off, if not more.

Today I scored two fall dresses for work. Each of these were $30 and they fit fantastic.

If you are not already familiar with the Cosmetic Market on 37th Street and Madison Avenue, then you need to get there, pronto. It's a giant store of discounted, brand name cosmetics and bath products that aren't a hundred years old. They also have accessories and home goods. The place is a girl's dream.

Today, among other things, I got this jewelry box for $13. It's about seven inches tall and just as wide. Great find. (And now I can find all my little earrings and necklaces that I leave all over the house.)

On the way home I stopped into Walgreen's and found these little guys: Nice Brand sodas, full size, four for 99 cents! Great for mixers.

Finally, the best deal of the day. While walking down Third Avenue this evening en route to getting a latte, I stopped in the thrift store on East 29th Street. This number was literally on the last spot on the last rack in the back of the store: a mink trimmed, lined jacket. It's very 1962 Mad Men era and I love it. $20!!

There was a woman at the register who asked where I found it. When I told her in the back she sucked her teeth and said, "I always miss the good stuff."

"That's real mink!" I said, and pointed to the fur trim. She gave me the skunk eye.

When I got home, my Birchbox was waiting for me. Best. Day. Ever.

My Meatloaf Brings All The Boys To The Yard

2011-10-02T18:29:00.004-04:00

I was back in the kitchen today, experimenting with what happens when you put meat in a muffin tin and bake it. The result was a success: meatloaf muffins. Perfect, bite sized servings of meat. I've been calling them meat bombs.

I made mine with ground turkey and topped with low fat sour cream. I garnished with real bacon bits. (Yes, meat as condiment. It can be done.) I filled it with red peppers, onions and skim, shredded mozarella cheese. Turkey dries out, so don't bake it for more than 45 minutes. I used this recipe as a vague guide. The beauty of meatloaf is that there is no hard and fast recipe for it, you just can't let it dry out. You can really put anything into it. I've added salsa in the past for a little extra kick and moisture.

Perfect Breakfast Quiches -- And I Don't Even Cook!

2011-09-25T20:25:00.004-04:00

My kitchen is nothing but a decorative object to me. This week, however, I realized that I will be getting up early from now on and I can't eat a croissant every day en route to work.

A few years ago I had a roommate who would make breakfast quiches and eat them on the go. Tonight I made a batch and they came out perfectly.

This is the recipe that I kinda, sorta followed. I pretty much just put ham, peppers and cheese in the bottom of each muffin tin and poured egg over it. I baked until they looked done.

You can put anything you want in them -- but you should make them. They are easy, have no sugar and are all protein. I think all the ingredients were less than $10. These will feed me for a few days.

Rain Inside A Subway Station

2011-09-24T08:08:00.002-04:00

Who says the infrastructure is crumbling?

This was taken during Friday's rainstorm in Manhattan at the 34th Street station.

Girl Around Town Party

2011-09-23T19:28:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy week here on Planet Pauline. Here are a few shots from a party last Friday for Girl Around Town. It's a blog written by two bon vivants about their lives in New York and Houston.

The photos were taken by Will Star of Shootings Star Photography. He's awesome -- hire him for your next event.

Erin C. and Mary, one of the Girls About Town.

Good things come in threes.

Looking a little demonic.

A Few From The Susan G Komen Race

2011-09-22T06:50:00.003-04:00

For the third year in a row the gals and I ran (sprinted?) in Susan G. Komen 5K in Central Park. We all finished in well under 30 minutes, and then hit Doc Watson's on Second Avenue for mimosas and brunch.

Dunkin Donuts gave away free coffees before the race. This is perhaps why I was able to run so fast.

With Jenny, post race.

With Anastasia, who encourages competitiveness even at charity road races.

This guy showed up for brunch afterwards. He brought a toddler named Andre.

On The Rachel Ray Show!

2011-09-21T07:42:00.005-04:00

Two weeks ago I was on the Rachael Ray show for a segment about make up. Salma Hayek has a new line and they needed some people to put it on. Since I live down the street from the Rachael Ray studio, I popped in on a Thursday afternoon.

For the record, Salma didn't think I had enough wrinkles and crows feet around my eyes to need her eye cream. :-)

I can't embed the video, but you can watch it here.

2011-09-15T15:14:00.003-04:00

I Googled myself today and found the following information on Spokeo about me. It's so inaccurate it's comical. I'm not in my 70s and I'm certainly not a Scorpio. And Republican? You so crazy...

Just goes to show you can't believe everything you see on the internet.

John And Joe

2011-09-11T15:28:00.001-04:00

2011-09-10T16:12:00.003-04:00

You must check out this documentary about the iron workers who cleaned up the World Trade Center. Incredible footage. It came out about five years ago but it's new to me. Maybe to you, too.

2011-09-08T18:18:00.001-04:00

I filmed a segment of the Rachael Ray show today and a celebrity did my make up. I can't say who, but I think she did a good job. These are the results. Episode to air soon.

P.S. I am unsupervised until Sunday evening while the fellas (TR and Andre) are out of town. Ping me if you want to get drinks, etc.

This Is A Good Lookin' Kid

2011-09-07T21:56:00.001-04:00

This is a good lookin' kid, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

A Great Photo Of Andre

2011-09-06T19:09:00.001-04:00

Smile, originally uploaded by thomasr9.

He loves to mug for the camera.

Got My Hair Did!

2011-09-04T10:16:00.002-04:00

Maria, the hairdresser, got a little overzealous with the highlights. Change is good.

2011-09-03T20:34:00.000-04:00

This old Folgers commercial is so comically sexist.

The Twin Towers In Film

2011-08-31T18:36:00.004-04:00

I've been posting Dan Meth's stuff on this blog for a while now, but this one, a montage of the Twin Towers in film, is prob his best work yet. Bravo, Dan.

Twin Tower Cameos from Dan Meth on Vimeo.

You Call That A Hurricane?

2011-08-28T14:36:00.004-04:00

Now that Hurricane Irene turned out to be the biggest non-event of the summer -- as least in Manhattan -- check out this video of real hurricanes that have hit New York City.

Empty Grand Central Station

2011-08-27T19:00:00.001-04:00

031, originally uploaded by MTAPhotos.

New Yorkers Are Different

2011-08-26T19:57:00.001-04:00

2011-08-26T09:04:00.003-04:00

With the hurricane a-brewin', I figured it was a good time to trot out this oldie but goodie.

You can track Hurricane Irene here.

2011-08-25T16:10:00.002-04:00

Saw this tattoo on another broker this afternoon. She was self-conscious about it. I think it's great.

JJ Fad Were Ahead Of Their Time

2011-08-24T19:26:00.007-04:00

My affinity for late 80s and early 90s hip hop is well documented. One of the most underrated groups of that time was JJ Fad. Essentially they were one hit wonders, but they came from the same school of thought as Salt n' Pepa, who are legends. Aesthetically, they even look the same with the oversized jackets, tight pants and bamboo earrings.

If I were more of an academic (read: had more time) I would happily write a paper about feminist figures in the early years of hip-hop. JJ Fad would certainly be included. They were assertive without being aggressive and lyrical without being crude.

Larger issue: why are there no JJ Fads and Salt n' Pepas today? The bizarre Girl Power fad of the late 90s which spawned the Spice Girls was certainly not what I had in mind in terms of positive female role models in music.

This Is The Book To Read On The Beach

2011-08-21T11:00:00.004-04:00

Every summer there is at least one truly fantastic chick lit novel that I can't get enough of. In 2009 it was Laura Lipton's The Mating Rituals of the North American WASP. (Particularly funny if one grew up in lower Fairfield County, comme moi.)

In 2010 Alexandra Lebenthal knocked it out of the park with Recessionistas.

This summer I'm up late reading under a mag light thanks to Molly Jong-Fast's The Social Climber Handbook.

There have been plenty of chick lit novels written about the pre- and post financial crisis era, and some of them have actually been good. The trick, however, is to write about the Upper East Side and not turn the characters into cartoons. It takes someone who knows the terrain to do it correctly, and -- as a card-carrying member of the New York Junior League -- I'm amazed at how accurately and nuanced the uptown crowd is portrayed. Everyone is flawed and the plot takes some great turns. This is chick lit done well.

A Sunday Morning Musical Selection

2011-08-21T10:55:00.005-04:00

If anyone ever wondered what the girliest song ever written is, this 2003 Leona Naess song is certainly a contender. I think she's totally underrated. Thanks to Spotify, I can now listen to this piece over and over again, like a mental patient.

It's a little Sunday Morning Schlock, but it's a nice song and will go well your coffee.

2011-08-20T16:48:00.003-04:00

It's the end of August and Manhattan is a bit of a ghost town. I don't want the blog to turn into one as well, so for the next week or so there may be some random content up here. I figure it's as good a time as any to indulge in some of my more esoteric interests, like early 90s hip hop and economics.

First thing first: the ladies and I are doing a few races come the fall. If anyone is interested in joining us, the dates are as follows:

Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, Central Park, September 18th. (5K)

Rock N Roll New York 10K, Saturday, October 22nd. Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Poland Spring Marathon Kick Off. Central Park. Sunday, October 30th (5 miles)

2011-08-17T07:47:00.001-04:00

It really is the dog days of summer if I'm posting cat photos on the blog.

But Val's looking good, out in the Pennsylvania countryside.

2011-08-13T16:43:00.004-04:00

Today I was up on 75th Street and Fifth Avenue showing this apartment. On the windowsill was this mama pigeon and her two, fluffy charges, taking an afternoon nap. She stared at me while I took a few shots of her, but didn't move. Who says Manhattan doesn't have wildlife?