Spotlight: Vanessa Yurkevich

There are times when I feel like I'm doing my part in this world, or at least trying to. And then there are times when someone my age comes along and really shows the rest of us how much more action we could be taking. My dear friend Vanessa Yurkevich is one such person. Vanessa just got back from Haiti, where she was covering the earthquake for Y1 News/ NY1. Take a minute to check out her beautiful video-journals of the trip. When I see young people making work as meaningful as this, I can't help but be inspired to want to do more.

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Death by Cheese? Yes Please!

I'm totally into Michael Pollan's whole "eat food, not too much, mostly plants" thing. It works for me on most levels, and I have always found that eating this way makes me feel the most energized and healthy. However, I'm not entirely sure this basic principle leaves enough room for my favorite animal by-product, CHEESE!( Which I've been consuming in copious quantities recently). From my new favorite St. Andre, to my go-to Port Salut, to the foul smelling but oh-so-perfect Tête de Moine, I have a place in my heart (and stomach) for practically every cheese. You can imagine my delight when I found out about the Milk Truck, a new food stand specializing in gourmet GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES that's popped up at the Brooklyn Flea. Did you catch that? Oh the joy that fills me! The Brooklyn Flea is already my favorite BK shopping/ people-watching hub (YES, I was there when Reese, Jake, Maggie, and Peter had their Sunday celeb outing in DUMBO this summer) but the new addition is calling me to return as soon as possible, to nurture and tend to my love of cheese in the very best form imaginable... grilled and sandwiched.

Happy Monday!

It's pissing windy rain in NYC today, but that shouldn't stop us from starting the week off right!

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Tess Smag sent me a link to this JUST as I was posting about upcycled art... I couldn't resist!
Work by Yuken Teruya as seen in Idsoo.

One Man's Trash is Another's Upcycled Art

I was browsing the very cool and creative blog of creative director/graphic designer Catherine Mangosing, MYTURTLENECK, when I found these two phenomenal examples of how upcycling can result in truly awe-inspiring art. The first artist, Stuart Haygarth collects used prescription glasses to create stunning light fixtures, while the second, Paul Villinsky, creates another kind of spectacle with his butterflies made from old beer cans. I really liked Catherine's observation about the "metaphor of transformation" in Villinsky's work. Both of these artists found uses for other people's supposed trash, and I feel like that element adds life and nostalgia to their creations. Like vintage clothing, these re-purposed pieces have a character and depth that you just can't find in the brand new.

Urban Nature

Oooh! Check out NY artist Naoko Ito's neat Urban Nature exhibit here. Yes, I said neat.

Weekend Flu Package

I try to take care of myself, I really do. In fact, I feel like I spend most of my time when I'm not working or dancing, doing just that. I eat well, I always wear a scarf outside in the winter, always wear slippers or socks inside, wash my hands, take my vitamins, stay active. So WHY am I sick for the third time this winter?!?!? Rex Arrow thinks it's stress and my body asking me to slow down. So this weekend, that's exactly what I did. I bundled up on the couch and read and read until I finished The History of Love, a beautiful and endearing novel that my brother (writer Nick Bakshi) gave me for Christmas. I watched Mad Men. I drank Theraflu(a last resort), lots of tea with honey, and ate grapefruits like an Olympic champion. I took a bath. Ahhh. And, best of all, when I regained my appetite, Rex took me to a dinner at my favorite restaurant, the cozy Vinegar Hill House, where I had Pulled Pork Cannelloni and Guinness Chocolate Cake w/cream cheese frosting for dessert. I certainly feel well rested, but I'm already antsy about when I can get back into dance class and move my body around. I finally feel that flu-y ache leaving my body, but I know I should take it real slow, I want to get better for good!