LILAC ALERT!

The lilacs are out!! Blooming in great lush quantities everywhere. Every color imaginable and each with their own distinct smell. These lilacs were on show at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and bunches are for sale in every farmers market in the city!! The lilac scent is an intoxicating addition to any home!! Get em while their hot!

Even this little guy was out enjoying the fragrance.

Now do you recall.... Louie the Lilac and his very stylish side kick Lila? Lila's Lilac Shop 11 Lavender Lane... Very Rare Lilacs....

CAN I ASK YOU SOMETHING PERSONAL? CYPRES FROM DIPTYQUE.

Last night a new friend leaned in and said.. "Can I ask you something personal?" I was intrigued. "Of course! what?!" she leaned in closer "What scent are you wearing??"... I laughed!! My favorite scent right now is Cyprés from Diptyque but they only make a room spray.. its a larger bottle and its cheaper than the perfume so it works out!!! This was a hot tip from my favorite perfume store in NYC> Aedes de Venustas... Go smell and be smelled.

Because a good scent is not cheap... you can order 7 fragrance samples from Aedes for $15. Includes shipping.

BIG BAMBU ON THE MET ROOF!

I first read about Big Bambu in The World of Interiors (Nov 2009).. The Starn brothers, identical twins, and 15 mountain climbers were building this massive structure out of bamboo in a giant warehouse in Beacon NY. The piece was designed to constantly change, removing pieces from one end and adding them to the other it would appear to "walk" across the warehouse.. "Its like an organism", says Doug. "It's a reflection of what it is to grow, change and develop anything - a person, family, city.... whatever. Whether it's individual molecules in a body or entire societies, they are all made up of individual parts that are catalysts that affect and change one another. The progression of life is chaotic." Featured in todays NYTimes Doug and Mike Starn and their team of mountain climbers are currently installing Big Bambu on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Big Bambu will continue to grow and change from its opening on Tuesday April 27th reaching a final height of 50 feet by mid July!! Pathways will be open to timed guided tours only... So you know where I will be!!!

YOU GOT TO CO-OR-DI-NATE!

IF ONLY!! We could order matching pajamas for everyone below!!! And since everything is coordinated why not the carpet too?

Just look at those prints. The wallpaper matches the drapes matches the bedspread matches the upholstery. And as a contrast we have the pattern in two different color ways! HA!

Oh Susan. Oh Roberta. Oh the balloon shades!!! Desperately seeking Laura Ashley.

And of course. Chloe Sevigny in tow. A nod to the decade she loves to follow.

But now, seriously, we must pay homage to the original coordination man John Witherspoon.

ITS A MAD MAD DANCE!

This is how I dance. How about you?

Contributing editor Josh Werner.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!! WATCH FOOD INC ON PBS!!

As shocking as you expect. And still a glimmer of hope. Food Inc a POV piece on PBS explores how food in this country is manufactured, processed, and protected. The good the bad and the ugly. The positive message here is that things can change. And its not because people are becoming enlightened.. its because of consumer demand! SO KEEP DEMANDING!! Vote at the cash register with the food you buy. Some of us will think we are not affected... But what about this: In 1996 2% of all the soybeans in the US contained a patented gene made by Roundup (yes the company that makes weed killer also makes crop seeds!) which makes the plant resistant to herbicide.. By 2008, over 90% of soybeans in the US contained this gene. And this patent is protected by force. Business has turned food and farming into what it is now. We are all part of the process so we should all know more about the food we eat and the food that is available to us. It is essential to buy food that was raised and processed honestly. Buy local. Buy organic. Buy in season.

Sad...Scary, but we the "wallets" can make the difference.

Great documentary. I grew up in a farming community and bought into the lies being sold to the consumers today. I've also been the "low-income" individual that couldn't afford to eat "right". The cold reality is that the consumer can only make a difference by buying responsibly and/or boycotting products that are unsafe or unethical. The FDA/USDA will not protect you, nor will the industry rush to ensure your safety. The case of rBGH is a proven point. An educated public chose not buy products that contained rBGH, and the industry had to respond by eliminating it from the farms. Money will always force the hand of politics and big industry, ethics/moraltiy will never/seldom win. Take care of you and your family by becoming eductated, and then demanding full product disclosure. Use your wallet and your brain. Pass the info along and vote appropriately.

by Rob from Snohomish, WA

TUFFNESS!

Just plain badd ass. desperately seeking susan.

FLAVA'RATER: OLSO COFFE ROASTERS BROOKLYN

Olso is certainly no new news here in Williamsburg. It has its hardcore fans who line up to get their fix while the one barista takes time creating your custom cup..... Shameful but I have only been to Oslo twice in all the years they have been open. Once for a cappuccino and once for a black cup of coffee and I was never drawn back by the brew. So in an effort to understand the hype.. and as I was out of coffee beans.. I decided to do a brew at home test on their Brooklyn roasted beans. I bought one half pound of every bean available and ran home to grind and brew. I drink my coffee black - grind and cone drip everyday - so I am especially sensitive to the flavor of the bean. I like it dark rich and smooth. While their house blend THOR and the special TORAJA left me unenchanted both with a bitter taste.. I was pleasantly surprised to find two new favorite beans... FREYA dark and yummy and ODIN smooth and rich. Always nice to have a new bean 3 blocks away from home. And now I finally understand the rave reviews. Shout out. Holler.

REST IN PEACE GURU YOU WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE

"I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting."

FLASHBACK!!! HEAD OVER HEELS!!

WILLIAMSBURGH BK: BATTLE OF THE EGGS BACON BISCUIT CHEESE BREAKFAST SANDWICH.

Last week I went to Pies & Thighs to taste the heavily praised Eggs Bacon Biscuit Cheese breakfast sandwich.... Today my husband brought me home the Eggs Bacon Biscuit Cheese breakfast sandwich from Marlow & Sons... There is simply NO comparison. Marlo & Sons wins HANDS DOWN. The best eggs bacon cheese on a biscuit in Williamsburgh! It melted in my mouth and didnt leave me with a heavy tummy ache... mmmmmmmmm yes its 8$ but totally worth it!! On another note Pies and Thighs did receive honorable mention for their Cinnamon Roll from our bakery editor and connoisseur Josh Werner.

i ♥ BILL CUNNINGHAM!

There is just NO ONE with more positive enthusiasm about street fashion that Bill Cunningham. He is simply the best. On The Street with Bill Cunningham is my absolute favorite part of the New York Times online. It is a breath of fresh air. He has beautiful outlook on the people of New York. His voice and passion bring a smile to my face every time. Here is a little sneak peak of some of his Easter Style photos from the Easter Parade on Fifth Ave... Check him out! And if you love him as much as I do you may want to read his story - its truly inspirational!

BREAKFAST?! PORK CHOPS AND GARAM MASALA APPLESAUCE!!

Pork Chops!! With Garam Masala Applesauce!! For Breakfast!!! YES!!! Why not!! I had these two amazing pork chops from Arcadian Pastures that I bought at the Union Square Greenmarket. So Fresh and So Clean! They had to be eaten right away to insure the tastiest flavor and we had dinner plans out so... I whipped up this crazy breakfast real quick and it was a home run. Preheat your oven to 450.

I had some great apples from the Red Jacket Orchards greemarket stand -used two apples washed them cored them chopped them with skins on. Sliced some dried apricots and placed in the pot adding about a tsp of garam masala, a tbsp of sugar, a tbsp of honey, and a dash of salt. Get them bubbling on med high heat and then reduce to simmer with a lid for apprx 5 mins.

While the apples were releasing their juices... I started on a quick and impulsive marinade for the chops.. I juiced a whole orange - mixed it with a tbsp of honey a dash of garam masala, quite a bit o salt (tbsp-ish) and poured it over the pork chops. Let stand for 5-10mins (thats all the time I had!)

I put a cast iron pan on the stove top - got it nice and hot - high heat...added a bit of olive oil till shimmering and threw those porkchops. 3 mins on each side. Meanwhile I cracked two eggs on an oiled pan and let em fry..

once the porkchops were browned on both sides I transferred them to the oven at 450 for a about 8 more mins..and turned em over about half way thru.. I like my chop to register 125 on the meat thermometer before I remove from the oven.. tent with foil and let stand 5 mins or so... While the meat sits it continues to cook - you want it to read about 145 on a meat thermometer before serving..

It was an extravagant breakfast but look mom no carbs!!! LOL. Happy Eating!!

FILM: "EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP" OPENS. BANSKY STILL INCOGNITO.

Exit Through The Gift Shop a film about famed street artist Banksy... opens tonight in select theaters across the country.. And yes his identity is still unknown ....or is it. With so much hype surrounding this seemingly disaster of a film - I'm running out to see it asap!! In NYC at the Sunshine Cinemas.

Contributing Editor: Allison DuVal.

CHERRY WATCH! BLOSSOM STATUS!! BROOKLYN BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Cherry Blossom Esplanade is in PEAK BLOOM now at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens! Every year the BBG tracks the progress of the blooms on this handy little map posted on their website. This one was updated today! Nothing is more beautiful in the spring than full blossoms on a cherry tree.. and what could be better than 80 of them blooming together!! So get out there and check out those blossoms! My favorite garden in all the boroughs.

MY SUPER STYLIN BRO AT MARYHILL FREERIDE

The Eaglet! Mad Style. My Brother JosephMyles Duran rocks it downhill 40+ miles per hour at the Maryhill Freeride - Maryhill Canada - the most famous longboarding hill in the world. Represent Sector 9. Represent.

SCRAPER BIKES!!!!! AN INSPIRATION IN OUTSIDER ART

Little known fact. This is outsider art at its best. Scraper bikes born from scraper cars. Created by teens in east oakland who couldn't afford the cars but wanted to express their style and individuality. Using old bike parts and available materials (candy wrappers, tape, food packaging, tin foil, spray paint etc) these kids create custom bikes that bring them mobility, community, and an outlet for expression. Tyrone Stevenson Jr aka Baby Champ aka The Scraper Bike King featured in the documentaries below sets em up and starts a movement. “If you aint spinning U aint winning”. Check out the styles, the message, and the potential for change. I am inspired.

"The Scraper Bike Movement seeks to capture the creativity of youth living within dangerous communities. It gives them a positive outlet that is fun, educational, and promotes healthy lifestyles. The Scraper Bike Movement offers youth a sustainable group of peers that is positive and motivating. They want to expand and enlighten young people's perspective on life through fixing and painting bicycles. Our goal is to support youth entrepreneurship and cultural innovation. The Scraper Bike Movement has been around for about 5-6 years and is now starting to get exposure worldwide." -Tyrone Stevenson Jr

Photos from NPR Scraper Bike Fever and The Original Scraper Bike.

Shadow Man! Ellis G.

You seen it out. You seen it around. The work of Ellis G. On the streets everywhere. A nice piece about him from a while back by Current TV. Saw it on Virgin America (current favorite airline) Love Current TV> Check it!

ADVENTURES IN TIME WITH THE DECORATING MUSTACHE

Well the outfit should tell you this is 1979 - The wall paint and lounge chair should tell you the same thing. This was all the rage then. So was the super rad outfit. I think I just saw that sweatshirt on the street yesterday in Williamsburg. Arthur Macdonald you look fantastic! Those shoes are whiter than white! And your stash is blacker than black!

Roof top 1979. Lets just say David Beckham eat your heart out. You wonder where Armani got the concept. Puhleaze! Arthur does it with authenticity. Look how he brought a blanket and sofa cushions to the roof. Hotness!!

And finally this masterpiece. It has to be 1980. Allentown PA. The shirt. The shorts. The belt. The socks!!! The fan on the side table. The crystal decanter with matching glasses. A moment in time caught on Polaroid. A+mazing.

All photos courtesy of Arthur MacDonald - contributing decor editor.

HAPPY EASTER Y'ALL

HOW TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHEN YOU CANT SEND FLOWERS

Today is my sister Lauren's birthday. And while I'm dying to send flowers... lets face its SUNDAY!!! and no florist is opened on Sunday in Oakland!! So in an attempt to make it known that I do love her and did not forget it was her special day... I put together this little photoshop collage. Nothing says I love you like an hour in front of the computer creating a nice little card. LOL> Happy Birthday Lauren!!

p.s. you can also do this the old fashioned way with real photos magazines newspapers scissors and then scan or fax...