Josie Girl Blog

Friday May 24, 2013

Best Babka in NYC!

True story: On Saturday night, a friend brought me a loaf of babka (jewish sweet bread) form a new bakery (Breads Bakery). By Sunday, I had eaten the entire gift (with the help of my husband) and was so in need of the another loaf that I traveled 46 blocks to get my fix on Monday. Yep, a babka junkie. Because OH MY GOD, this sweet delicious amazing ridiculous cake slash bread is to-die-for. I literally had one hour free of time between a work commitment and my kids waking up from nap, but I had to HAD TO go get another loaf.

Or four.

babka

This heavenly piece of cake is from Breads Bakery, an Israeli bakery in Union Square that opened in February 2013. Israeli (Danish trained) Uri Scheft is a seasoned baker with a store in Tel Aviv and now in NYC. The bakery carries a variety of savory breads, cookies, rugelachs, and most importantly, babka.

breads

This babka is worth the calories and the travel time. You want (and will) eat every crumb. The babka is made with cultured butter from France, and then a mixture of Nutella and Belgian dark-chocolate chips. This sounds amazing, right? But then it is topped off with sugar syrup that gives it a rich, crisp crust with a moist, soft inside. Holy crap, that good (thank god I am not diabetic). The babka lasts several days, and tastes good defrosted (so if you stock up like me and want to hoard them, they still taste good!) During checkout, my first question to the cashier was whether or not they deliver (answer: not currently).

Old time bakery feel.

Everything about Breads Bakery looks and smells delicious. They are dedicated to producing artisanal, handmade breads using traditional baking techniques (and many made with whole grains). Being in the bakery makes me want to run away and become a baker. But since that is not going to happen, the next best thing is eating a loaf of babka every week.

The cashier asked me if I was throwing a party (when I bought 4 babkas and 8 rugelachs). OOPS! Party in my BELLY!!!!!

Some more sweet options on the menu.

Three of the four loaves.

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Wednesday May 22, 2013

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Summer ’13 Wish List

Summer is right around the corner. Literally. And boy, do I have some wants and wishes! Here they are:

Ace and Jig Dress

Yep — totally obsessed. But how can I NOT be? I love the fabric, the stripes, the colors, the lightness, and the overall look!

Upstate Shawl

Silk tye dye scarf? IN LOVE!

Josie Natori camisole

A necessary luxury. Soft, perfect, lace, and the just-right base lining.

Tocca Jumpsuit

Printed stretch silk jumpsuit in our black/grey totem print. Deep v-neck. Slanted front pockets. Diamond inset in scaled down print at waist.

Printed stretch silk jumpsuit in black/grey totem print. Deep v-neck. Slanted front pockets. Oh. My. God. Perfection.

Dalla Nonna calendar bracelet

A perfect way to remember a special occasion. Choose a color of metal and leather wrap. How fun and touching is it??

An original way to remember a special occasion. Choose a type of metal and leather color wrap. How fun and personable is it?? Hellooooooo (late) Mother’s day present!

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Monday May 20, 2013

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Everything But Water

This past Saturday, we attended the grand opening of Everything But Water on 80th and Madison (1060 Madison Avenue). I prefer shopping for most items (especially swimwear) at small boutiques, so this was a no brainer event for me. PLUS, my mother-in-law, Josie Natori was doing a personal appearance that made the event even more fun (combination of work and play). Check out the pics below of the fun event, and some great new swim items. Enjoy!

Madison Avenue! Swimwear shopping on a grey dreary day (Can we talk about this May weather???)

Pretty Natori swimwear displayed on the wall. Everyone has got-to-love the hot pink one piece. HAWT!

Racks of Natori, for your racks.

Mrs. Natori in bright and colorful Natori ready-to-wear.

Mrs. Natori in bright and colorful Josie Natori ready-to-wear. Matching handbag. Obvi.

Personal appearance! No one more chic and stylish!

This hat with the swimsuit. Match made in heaven!

Favorite hat!!! I found myself a winner.

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Friday May 17, 2013

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Broccoli Tofu Peanut Dish

Here is a simple, fresh, and delicious vegetarian dish. One of my go-to mid-week meals that is filling, satisfying, and easy to make. Enjoy!

Ingredients

ingredients

* 1 pound firm tofu

* 1 pound broccoli (including stems)

* 2 cups chopped onion

* 1 tablespoon canola oil

* 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

* 3/4 teaspoon salt

* 1 chopped scallions (green and white part)

* 3/4 cup peanut (or almond butter)

* 3/4 cup hot water

* 6 tablespoon rice or cider vinegar

* 3 tablespoon soy sauce

* cayenne to taste

Directions

* Cut the tofu into 1 inch cubes and place them in a pot. Cover the tofu with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about ten minutes. Drain and set aside (this helps the tofu keep its shape)

Nothing better than cutting something into a perfect cube.

* Cut the broccoli, shaving the tough parts of the stems off, but using most of the broccoli.

Soak the broccoli in cold water to maintain the color.

Ginger, onion, scallions! chop chop chop

* Heat the oil in a skillet. After a minute, add the oil and onion. Cook for two minutes over high heat.

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Wednesday May 15, 2013

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Bra Fitting Tips

I get it — I am lucky. If I want a bra, I can easily order it. Towels? PJs? Those too (thanks to my mother-in-law!). But one of the reasons why I am extremely lucky is having access to getting measured and fit FOR the right bra by one of the most amazing ladies ever! Now that is what I call lucky! Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with Lynne Reynolds to help me find the best bras and fit for my back-to-normal-post-pregnancy-just-weaned-boobs. I can’t even explain how amazing it was — her knowledge, expertise and experience was exactly what I needed to find the right bras for my now flat-chested body! Thank you, Lynne!

Not Lynne. Nor me. Models wearing Natori bras.

Lynne Reynolds is the National Fit Specialist and Manager of Retail Services for Dana-co, the licensee of Natori Intimate Apparel. Lynne is a certified bra fitter and has been in the lingerie industry for 17 years (absolutely incredible!). She helps manage a team of dozens of regional fit specialists that travel around the country helping educate store salespeople and customers on all of the amazing features of Natori, Josie, and N Natori bras Not only did she help find my bra size and three incredible Natori bras, but she answered all my questions, too!

Lynne!

So many bras to choose from!

What do you measure to get a proper bra size?

measuring tape

A measurement for a bra is a guideline or a starting point. I always tell my fitters that bra fitting is an art and not a science. I start by measuring around the rib cage, pulling the tape measure snug against the body. The guidelines for band size measurements are as follows: 27”-29”- 32 band, 29”-32”- 34 band, 33”-34”- 36 band, 35”-38”- 38 band, and 39”-41”- 40 band) The best way to find a properly fitting bra is to determine how the bra fits on the body.

The bra band should be low and snug and parallel to the floor, the same level all around the body. You should only be able to slide 1-2 fingers underneath the band.

For cup size, the cup should encompass all breast tissue. If the cup wrinkles or puckers, the cup is too big. If breast tissue bulges out of the cup, the cup is too small. The center gore should “tack” or lay flat against the body. If the center piece pulls out in front, you need to go up a cup size. The wire should surround the entire “footprint” of the breast. The wire should hit under the ribcage on bone, not on breast tissue.

How do you know what notch to put the bra on?

back

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Monday May 13, 2013

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John Derian

Located in the heart of the East Village, the John Derian Dry Good store is a pot of gold. The moment you walk in, you feel pure happiness, comforted by the luxurious, beautiful, colorful, and happy home goods. The cozy home accessories shop is filled from head to toe with handmade beautiful knicknacks. You will want to buy everything in the store, even if you don’t have pans for your new loot. I wish that the store was my home.

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John Derian decoupage plates in our dining room

John Derian Company was started in 1989 by John Derian himself. He makes beautiful decoupage plates, paperweights, platters, bowls, trays, dishes, lamps, coasters, and much much more. His whole collection is handmade in his studio by artisans. He also sells linens, stationary, plates, lighting, and furniture from an assortment of collections (prints by Hugo Guinness, vintage Pakistani quilts, Moroccan lanterns and leather poufs, for example).

Outside. In love already??

Window with gold sparkle.

Paper weights. Amazing presents.

Rustic French plates.

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Friday May 10, 2013

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Baby Zoe Turning One!

Tomorrow, my little itty bitty baby, turns one. I have absolutely no idea how it happened, but I blinked, and now I have a one year old (and a three and a half year old). It seems like only yesterday we welcomed Baby Zoe Esther Natori (aka Tusia or Toosh) into this world. As with most parents and their newborns, it has been a wild ride, from the pregnancy to the sleep deprivation, to the smiles, kisses, and hugs. I have an incredible amount of love for this little peanut, and I am proud to have her as my daughter. Thank you for letting me indulge in posting the following pictures of Toosh, I know it will only interest a handful of you (Nana, Tata, Lola, and Gramps!) so thanks for giving me the satisfaction of remembering the past 12 months.

Welcome to the world, ZEN. You were the cutest little Eskimo!

First hairbow, of hundreds. So sleepy and soft.

And the sibling rivalry begins…always letting your big Kuya brother have his way and attention.

The only time her legs have been this skinny! (I love meat on bones!). What a little cute love bug!

Loving kisses.

Camera shy. Aw shucks.

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Wednesday May 08, 2013

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Josie Palms Pants

A new favorite Spring Lounge pant — Thank you, ever-so-stylish-mother-in-law, Josie Natori! Everything about this pant screams WEAR ME NOW! I love the easy drawstring low-drop waist, the black/white combination, and the fun palm print.

Palm-pants. Can’t get much better than this.

The tush.

Front shot. Too early to have a picture of my face.

Polish TUSH!

Feather-palm-print.

Ombre.

I love the look — and not just for bedtime! Buy now here, and don’t forget to get an extra pair for your Mother! Happy Mother’s Day!

Anika Yael Natori, aka, The Josie Girl
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Monday May 06, 2013

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Eau de Yosh

Contributing editor day at the JGB. Take it away, Ali!

Did you know that perfume was originally used by ancient civilizations for communicating with the gods? Yosh Han knows that and countless other elements about the therapeutic properties of essential oils and aromatherapy, or trans-aromation as she calls it. I believe she was born to be a perfumer– even the Chinese character for Yosh means “fragrant”. How cool is that!?

Yosh is my dear friend and is truly an enlivened artist. Always traveling the globe offering scented aura readings and sharing her full wardrobe of perfumes with those she encounters, she is a rare blend of wildly successful entrepreneur and feminine, passionate soul centered visionary. Every time we are together the conversation takes us on a ride that stirs my soul and creativity.

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Yosh Han began her career as an apprentice to a perfumer in Aspen, Colorado where she learned to identify and combine essential oils and perfume essences. Today, inspired by all things that evoke emotion and memories, she combines the art of perfumery with the science of aromachology.

She founded her company Eau De Yosh in 2002 by developing a strong clientele who wanted their own signature perfumes. Yosh calls upon her deep and abiding connection to flowers and herbs instilled by her mother, a trained master of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging and a disciple of herbal medicine to fragrances that stir the senses, fascinate the mind and enchant the soul. Yosh integrates her spiritual connection with her aromatic artistry and teaches others about vibrational perfumery, edible essences and aromatic attunements—fragrant meditations.

yosh

Based on moods, personalities and intuition, each fragrance is crafted using the finest ingredients from all over the world, then assigned a numerical value that corresponds to the fragrance family and resonates with principles of Chakra energy and numerology. Tell me how many perfumers you know who offer scented aura readings at Barneys? I know of only 1!

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Friday May 03, 2013

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Coconut Obsession

Call me obsessed, but I am a sucker for anything with coconut in it. Remember this and this, well now, I have three MORE coconut products that I can’t live without! All three are delicious, flavorful, coco-nutty goodness!

Decadent, coconut, deliciousness!

1. Health Warrior Chia Bars, Coconut flavor

health warrior

These little itty bitty bars are stacked with more than just taste, as they have antioxidants, omega 3’s, fiber and plant-based protein. Amazing, right? Chia seeds are the new goji berries! Sold at Whole Foods, health food stores or online.