Category: General

I recently sat down to do a Q&A with children’s book author, Mandana Vetto. I loved her book The President Wears Pink and wanted to ask her some questions about being an author and her inspiration. The book has such a wonderful message and I have purchased it for many of the young girls in my life. For more information or to purchase the book, click HERE.

What inspired you to write the children’s book, The President Wears Pink?

A compilation of things led me to think up this book. Mainly, in 2014 Always came out with a powerful campaign “Like A Girl” – the link below will take you to one of the commercials for this campaign. I absolutely love this campaign and found myself pondering the term “like a girl.” When I think of girls I think: of strong, smart, tough, kind, movers, shakers, leaders, fearless, powerful – and completely unstoppable. Absolutely nothing in the pejorative. It was very important for me to convey this positive message of what “like a girl” means by essentially redefining it, which is when I wrote “when someone says run like a girl they mean really fast. When someone says act like a girl they mean really kind.” The book sort of went from there. 

Does anything in the book come from your own childhood? 

My father is elderly and has a very old-school mentality regarding women and their place.
Is writing easy for you? 

Can being a writer be a lonely business? 

While I love writing, it does not come that easy to me, yet this book did.

Who illustrates your book and why did you choose her? 

Sara Foresti was my illustrator, and I found her through Astound Agency. They represent amazing artists and Sara’s work really stood out to me. She was just brilliant when we collaborated together and had a lot of great ideas from the get-go. We both put a lot of thought into every page and every illustration, and the meanings behind them, and she was so talented in her execution.

Do you try to write without expressing your own opinions? 

It depends on the subject matter.

What is the main idea you wanted to get across to your young readers in this book?

Empowerment and girl power. The definition of what being a girl is on a basic level so that if anyone says anything that feels deprecating to them they can defend themselves. Quote the book. Use your strong voice. Whatever it takes. And to believe and feel what they are saying. Girls can do anything – we just need to believe it. As Glinda, the Good Witch said to Dorothy: “You’ve always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”

As a grown-up how hard is it to write in for Children? In a child’s voice?

I surprised myself when writing this book as I never thought I’d write a children’s book, yet the message came very easily to me.

How long does it take you to write a children’s book?

This one did not take me long once I put pen to paper, however, I had given it a lot of thought beforehand and it was rolling around in my thoughts for a while.

How much research is involved?

It is a children’s book so not have a lot at all compared to, for example, a historical novel. But it did have some research; e.g. on page 4 of the book we see a young girl on her trail to the moon, and in many of the steps of this path are names of women who are trailblazers and have made history. There are just so many amazing women who have made history. I wanted to make sure I had a representation across the board, so I did a lot of research here and put a lot of thought into which women I chose.

Where can we purchase your book?

Amazon.com is everyone’s best bet. Locally Arcade books in Rye carries my book and has had me come in and sign books that have been ordered through them, which make for great gifts.

What is next for you?

As this book was released right before Covid I hope to re-launch it and garner the attention it deserves. 

VL. Cepher is a contemporary fine jewelry house created by local mother and daughter Rachel Fogel and Niva Benzino. Taking inspiration from the designer’s unique backgrounds in artificial intelligence and the visual arts. VL. Cepher is an exploration of the simplification of forms to their geometric essentials. 

Upending the traditional for a new take on classic, the house examines the delicate balance of precision and pattern to deliver subtle sophistication, impeccable details, and uncompromising quality.

VL. Cepher’s debut ESKER collection blends a reimagination of ancient symbols and recurring forms through a modern lens.

All elements in the Esker collection stack seamlessly as they are a derivative of the deconstruction of a geometric structure comprised of nested hexagons.

Effortless and versatile, each piece is designed for how the modern woman lives and dresses – architected to be worn every day for every occasion.

All of the VL. Cepher designs can be viewed on their website HERE.

ABOLISH THE GAP BETWEEN THE BODY, THE MIND AND THE SOUL, BETWEEN SCIENCE AND ART, BETWEEN FICTION AND NONFICTION

-Nawal El Saadawi

Here comes Peter Cottontail. Let’s start thinking about a dinner side. Our amazing client, Kate from She’s Cookin’ in Brooklyn sent me this delcious green bean recipe. Beautiful, vibrant green beans aren’t hard to make! BLANCH them and you’ll have an easy, healthy side dish when you sit down with your family this Easter.

Blanching is a technique that quickly heats and then very quickly cools your food. It also ensures your food, keeps its crisp, texture, and fresh color for as long as possible.

For green beans, the process is very simple. Heat a large pot of boiling water, and add a healthy pinch of salt to the water.

Once the water has come to a rolling boil, drop the green beans into the water and let them cook for about 30 seconds or until you’re happy with the brightness of their color.

Using a strainer or large, slotted kitchen spoon, transfer the green beans to an ice bath (large bowl of water with a few scoops of ice).

Let them rest for a couple of minutes and then remove them from the ice bath and reserve them in a large bowl.

At this time, you can season them of you as you like. My favorite is with a little extra salt sometimes some butter and always a little lemon juice for freshness. You can top it with toasted slivered almonds and some zested lemon too. Bon Appetit

The world of fitness has never been more inclusive. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s a workout routine and style of clothing to suit you. 

In the past, workout clothing has been quite one-dimensional. However, with the rise of athleisure and more people working out at home, there is now a huge range of workout clothing to choose from.

The most important thing when it comes to finding the right workout clothes is to make sure they are comfortable. If you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to enjoy your workout and you’re not going to be as motivated to keep going. 

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There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to workout clothes, so it’s important to find something that suits your unique body type and workout routine. We will help you find the best yoga sets, with our tips on how to find workout clothes that are perfect for your unique routine!

You have to start by choosing the right fabric. The fabric of your workout clothes is hugely important and can have a big impact on your performance and comfort. If you’re doing high-intensity activities, you need a fabric that can keep up. 

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Look for fabrics with moisture-wicking and breathable properties.  As this will help keep you cool and comfortable throughout your workout. Cotton may be a popular choice for many people, but it tends to absorb sweat, so it’s best avoided if you’re doing high-intensity activities. 

Your routine may need a little more freedom of movement, such as yoga or Pilates. It’s best to choose fabrics with a bit of stretch in them. These will allow you to move freely without feeling restricted or uncomfortable. Similarly, if you’re planning an outdoor workout.  you’ll want high waist leggings that offer protection from the element.

Then it is important to choose clothes that fit. Finding clothes that fit well is one of the most important things to consider when choosing workout clothes. No matter how good the fabric is, the clothes won’t be comfortable or beneficial if they’re too loose or too tight. 

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It’s worth taking the time to measure yourself or try on a few different sizes and styles of workout clothes until you find the perfect fit. Not all brands size the same way, so it’s always worth checking the size charts and doing your research to make sure you’re ordering the right size for you. 

If you’re not sure, you can always email the brand for more information or ask for advice from the community. The last thing you want is to go through the hassle of finding the perfect clothes only to find that they don’t fit.

Finally, make sure you opt for clothing that allows you to move comfortably. If the clothes are too tight, you won’t be able to perform at your best and you’ll be constantly pulling and tugging at them. 

The same goes for clothes that are too loose – you’ll find yourself tripping over and constantly adjusting them. When in doubt, opt for something that fits snugly but still allows you freedom of movement.

Besides that, it is important to have in mind the type of workout that you are going to be practicing. Sometimes some pieces and workout clothes will work better for some sports or workouts than for others. Sometimes leggings will be better than shorts and sometimes shorts will be more beneficial for you than leggings. 

The same applies to the tops, sometimes long-sleeve tops are great options, while some other sports bra and shorts set will be the right choice. Everything will depend on how good and comfortable you feel, how much movement they allow you, and of course how they make you look. 

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Cooking is an art form. It takes time and practice to perfect your culinary skills. While some people may have a natural talent for cooking, others may need some guidance to improve their abilities. 

Taking a cooking class is one way to learn new techniques, refine your skills, and gain more confidence in the kitchen. However, before you sign up for a class, there are some things to consider to determine whether or not it’s the right choice for you.

Let’s take a look!

Assess Your Current Skill Level

It is essential to assess your current skill level before you begin. If you’re an amateur cook, then taking a basic cooking class will be beneficial to you. However, if you’re already experienced in the kitchen and have a good grasp of culinary techniques, then an advanced course may be more appropriate. 

Taking a class that is too easy or too challenging can be discouraging and unproductive.

Consider Your Goals

What do you want to achieve by taking a cooking class? Do you want to learn how to cook a particular cuisine or dish? Are you hoping to improve your overall cooking skills? Understanding your goals will help you choose classes that focus on your areas of interest and provide the skills you actually want to acquire.

Take into Account Your Schedule

Cooking classes can be time-consuming, so you need to consider your schedule before signing up for a class. Make sure you have enough time to attend classes and complete any homework or assignments given. You may consider taking an online cooking workshop or finding a class with flexible scheduling.

Think about Your Budget

Cooking classes can range from affordable to expensive, depending on the type of class and the instructor. Make sure you set a budget and look for classes that fit within your price range. Do not be afraid to look around and see what is available. 

Assess Your Learning Style

Everyone has a different learning style, and it’s important to consider yours. Do you prefer hands-on learning, where you can practice the techniques yourself, or do you learn better by watching demonstrations? 

Find a class, perhaps locally with our sponsor, She’s Cookin’ Brooklyn that aligns with your learning style to ensure you get the most out of the experience, and then have fun honing your culinary skills and discovering how to make food preparation into a carefully curated art form.