Friday, 29 January 2010
Balkan-gypsy-funked-out BK? Give me more!!
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Hola muchachas (and muchachos... who knows?!),
Just wanted to let you in on the most hip-hop-happening thing I've come across recently. A dear friend of mine who is a connoisseur of Eastern bloc artistry let me in on it, and I can't get enough!
Each Tuesday, Barbes Bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn hosts Slavic Soul Party. It's an ensemble comprised of American jazz musicians playing Eastern European Balkan-soul-gypsy-funk (probably the most common genre in America... Ha!), with a twist that no one else can bring to the style as candidly.
San Francisco Weekly raves, "The group's residency at Barbes - a small seminal nightclub in Brooklyn - has become a gathering for international musicians and the nexus of East Coast gypsy punk, not because SSP! is comprised of scenesters, but because the band is undeniably world class."
That review alone gives me CHILLS. And I swear to you, seeing them perform will take those chills away and make you HOT from all the dancing you will surely surrender to.
But, for real, ladies. Classy Brooklyn, classy people, classy atmosphere. I don't know what more I could ask for when it comes to a Tuesday evening escape. Maybe a light glass of some Smarty Pants Chardonnay to cool down afterward, who knows?
Explore more here (the bar) and here (the band).
Ciao ciao,
Smarty Pants
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Posted on 01/29/2010 6:05 PM by Maria Diaz
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Rebel's Famous Black Bean Chili
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This recipe is uber easy and uber delish.
Black Bean Chili
1 lb. Ground Chicken
Olive Oil
1 Large Onion chopped
1 Green Pepper chopped
6 Cloves Garlic crushed
5 Cans Black Beans drained
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 Jalapeno pepper chopped
1 c. frozen corn
lots of chili powder
cayanne pepper to taste
1. Brown chicken, set aside.
2. Saute onion, garlic and green pepper in olive oil until wilted.
3. Add browned chicken. Add Beans. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Add jalapeno pepper, corn and seasonings.
4. Stir together and bring to boil. Turn heat to low and let simmer for about 1 hour.
5. Eat. You can top each bowl with grated sharp cheddar, sour cream, chopped raw onions or not.
Serve with corn bread and Rebel Red, of course!
After you make it, let me know how it turned out!
Chef Reb
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Posted on 01/24/2010 10:14 PM by Rebel Red
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Snow is not this season's only white accessory.
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White weaved clutches, white satin stilettos, white leather necklaces!
Ok Middle Sisters, this Drama Queen is giving you the absolutely fabulous inside scoop to this season's best accessories: snow whites.
Forget about those dated fashion faux pas regarding white after labor day or memorial day or whatever day it is. Think about it! White is the best neutral, it goes with every color! Pair it with black or navy blue for a super chic, timelessly classic look; combo it with skin tones of light pinks, beiges, and nudes for an updated urban glamwear ensamble, match it with bold brights like grassy greens, sunny yellows, or firey oranges to offset the greys of winter and look forward to spring!
Here are a few of my favs this season:
Fendi - White Cuoio Roma Firenze Bag
Michael Kors - Runway Sandal, White
Coco Chanel - Pleated Satin Bootie
Donna Karan - Chalk Double Links Leather and Bone Necklace
Enjoy Middle Sisters and remember, do not be afraid to break outdated fashion rules. Next week's blog: the beauty of blacks and browns... together! Be on the lookout for more rules to be broken in the weeks to come. Until next time my lovely Pinot drinkers :-)
High heels and pearly whites - Marise, Whimsically White Drama Queen
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Posted on 01/21/2010 1:27 PM by Marise
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
New Years Resolutions Anyone?
How many of you darlings are keeping up with your resolutions!?
It is now 12 days in to a new decade and I am curious... have you lovely Pinot drinking beauties been keeping up with your New Years Resolutions? A new decade can mean many new beginnings! Whether it is shedding those last 10 pounds, vowing to spend more time with family/friends, promising to take at least one vacation this year, dontating to more charities, attending more fabulous galas, or (GASP) cutting back on your drinking habits (HA, not with my delicious Pinot Grigio lying around!), those pesky resolutions can cause quite the stir in your daily routine. But how rewarding are they?
VERY! Think about it. You set a goal. You work every day towards accomplishing that goal. You accomplish that goal! What a self-esteem boost! A very simple equation, yet why do resolutions always fade into the background as the year progresses? I am proposing a new approach. Check yourself every month. Put a reminder on your blackberry or your gmail calender or wherever you keep your life in order, for the first every month. It should say something encouraging, yet harsh:
"GET OFF YOUR A$$ AND GO TO THE GYM TODAY, YOU DESERVE A SEXY NEW BODY!"
"SET A DATE TO HAVE LUNCH WITH YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW, IT WILL MAKE YOUR BROTHER HAPPY... EVEN THOUGH SHE NEEDS TO CONSULT YOU BEFORE WEARING ANOTHER HIDEOUS OUTFIT."
"OH, I'M SORRY, ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS WINTERY BLIZZARD? START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP TO COSTA RICA TODAY!"
Instead of feeling overwhelmed and stressed about making these sometimes life altering resolutions immediately, you can space them out and hopefully make them last throughout the entire year! What are some of your New Years Resolutions? Share them with your fellow Middle Sisters and inspire those who have not set resolutions, to do something new and different! I may be stubborn at times, but this Drama Queen always knows when a change needs to be a-comin'.
High heels and high times - Marise, Resolutionary Drama Queen Posted on 01/12/2010 3:24 PM by Marise
Monday, 4 January 2010
Happy Holidays Middle Sisters!
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Hello wine lovers! Did you miss me :-) I apologize for the lack of posts, but it was the holidays and I was so busy with charity events and fundraisers and volunteering (yes, I aboslutely volunteer, especially over the holidays)! And it felt so great to be home. Yes, it is true, this Drama Queen might be going a little soft on you. But do not get used to it, it is only for one post.
My favorite event over the holidays was not at a fabulous red carpet gala posing as a fundraiser, it was making snow angels and building snow men with my 3 and 7 year old cousins, Connor and Kristen. They are quite possibly the cutest kids known to man (I know, everyone says that, but seriously, they are). We played in the falling snow with their dog George, we excitedly tossed snowballs at each other and we capped off the winter wonderful day with hot cocoa (my mother's special recipe). I swear, it should have been some sort of Christmas commercial or a holiday spread in Vogue because we were freakin' cute... pardon my language :-)
What was your favorite part of your holiday celebrations? It does not have to be something extraordinarily heartfelt…it can be something like you were drinking too much of my delicious pinot, ran into your high school sweatheart, drank and danced to classic 80's rock and before you knew it you were sneaking out of the event, heels in one hand and his fingers in the other hand. What? That totally did not happen to me…I swear…Ugh, whatever!
High heels and seasons greetings - Marise, Holiday Happy Drama Queen
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Posted on 01/04/2010 2:20 PM by Drama Queen
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