An Eye on the Time

To best celebrate any Jewish holiday, lots of feasting and friends are required. That's why last night, we had approximately 8 courses of food for 8 people. I love cooking for groups, and I never find it to be stressful--on the contrary, it's something I wish I could do more often. But coordinating that much food in a small oven with no timer was the feat of the evening. Thus, I bring you my egg timer roundup, in case your kitchen timing needs are as severe as mine!


First up, this adorable Lego timer throws me back to childhood. Remember the little men and women whose heads came off of their bodies? I'd always make them shop in the malls I made for them, but now they can keep track of my kugel in the oven!


If you're as crunched for space as I am, this magnetic timer from Crate and Barrel really comes in handy!

Aaaaand, to fulfill a whole other set of needs, this guy lets you set two separate timers at once, which makes it so much easier to keep track of multiple items at once. He's cute, too, decked out in retro colors that match the electric mixer of my dreams!

Happy Mid-Year New Year!

Since tonight is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, I'll be taking it easy here at eatmywords. And by taking it easy, I mean... I'll be cooking up a storm and getting high off the smell of matzo ball soup. There's no feeling like a busy kichen for the holidays!

To all my wonderful readers, I hope this year brings you nothing but happiness and health!

Shana Tova U'Metuka--Have a Happy and Sweet New Year!

Produce and Antiques at 67th

Those in the city looking for something to do this weekend--or any weekend!--need not stray too far from home. My home, that is!


The same market that features heirloom tomatoes and organic baby salad cucumbers, it turns out, has a weekly antiques market that features truly awesome stuff.


From antique lockets to vintage Tiffany serveware, you can find all sorts of one-of-a-kind steals at this little gem of a Saturday excursion.


And best of all, it takes over the same little public school every Saturday of the year--rain or shine, it's the go-to spot for all your seasonal produce and antique knickknack needs!


The 67th St. Market, on E 67th between 1st and York.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Sliding Into Home Plate

Yes, yes... you're all due an explanation.

Well, perhaps I should tell you that last night I was offered a full-time job. That's right, a full-time job! With a salary, and benefits, and the whole nine yards!

Perhaps I should also tell you that yesterday I discovered that there would be an opening at the travel magazine where I'm now working... in editorial... and with a fantastic title!

But alas, these two scenarios intersect only by pure coincidence. The job I was offered, in fact, isn't even in magazines. It's the only thing outside of magazines that I've ever considered--PR for upscale restaurants at a boutique NYC firm. The salary? Average. The perks? Enormous.

I almost don't even know how it happened. An informational interview in June led to a job offer in September, and the time in between seems to have all but disappeared. Was this really meant to be? I feel like, by some twist of fate that I can't yet understand, I've slid into home plate with not a single second to spare.

I held off on sharing the news until all my decisions were final and out in the open. Today I told my mentor at the travel magazine that I'd "most likely" be taking the job. I'd already said yes, but I wanted to soften the blow.

It also happens to be that today was the first day I've ever felt like an intern. When I'd made it through all my important work and nobody had projects for me to do, I offered my services to whoever would take them. "Want to clean the office? There are so many things in the wrong place," I was asked. Let's just say I quickly cleaned off one surface and occupied myself with a task more worthy of my Ivy League degree--freelance editing.

And the editorial job that's opening in December? It seems heavy in administrative work and low on the editing duties, but with a 3 month trial in store with PR, the timing could work out if things are meant to be.

In my new role, I'll be an assistant account executive--a fancy title that lets me eat out for free as a job requirement. Restaurant openings, TV press appearances, and food tastings are all part of the description. Could a food writer find a more perfect mecca?

Alas, I'll be able to afford that killer meal--nay, it will be on the house! And magazines? They're still in my heart. And I'm sure I'll make my way there soon. But for now, I'll gladly pass on my intern duties and take the freelance bylines to myself. Only time will tell where this curvy old road will go next.

DIY Madness--Faux Headboard!

It's been a somewhat turbulent week here at eatmywords. The job hunt has thrown me some very strange curve balls and I haven't quite figured out how to field them yet. Not to be overly cryptic about it, but I'll explain once things begin to settle down once again, which is bound to happen by the end of the week.

With all this madness in the air, I'm so happy to have a super-comfy bed to come home to. There's nothing like throwing yourself in bed at the end of the day and letting all the other issues just melt away. But until this weekend, there was something missing. Figured it out yet? Right! The headboard!



And, for a quick comparison to the inspiration image:



Not bad, huh?


How to Make A Faux Headboard In Six Simple Steps

1. Select a shape for your headboard and lightly freehand the shape onto the wall, using a level and tape measure to ensure that your lines are straight and symmetric. If you want trim inside the headboard, draw this as well.

2. Choose the prettier half of your freehand drawing, and trace it onto some tracing paper. Flip over the paper and trace the flipped image. This will create two halves to your headboard that are completely symmetrical. Again, if you want a second line of trim, this should appear here as well.

3. Use the fully traced drawing to cut out a stencil for your headboard. Tape it in place on the wall by taping along the top side of the shape. Make sure that you tape liberally, as you'll now use an exacto knife or razor blade to gently cut away the stencil. This will leave you with a taped-off outline of your headboard. Make sure the stencil stays intact, as you'll still need it later.

4. Paint inside your taped off area and allow the paint to dry. Peel off the tape, and the shape of your headboard will be cleanly defined on your wall!

5. Now for the trim. Trace your stencil onto nice quality posterboard or wrapping paper and cut out a 1-inch strip in that shape, basically freehanding the bottom line. If you're using wrapping paper, you'll want to mount it onto posterboard or something with some weight to it before applying it to the wall.

6. Stick the trim onto the wall with lots of sticky tack. You're done!

Paper Blooms

I mentioned last week that TWB was coming in for a part 2 of our 4 year anniversary celebration. Why, you ask? Well, part 1 wasn't very festive. What with him being in med school and the date falling on a Tuesday and both of us being broke, we had lots of challenges to overcome. And apparently, they're easier to tackle in the city. And sometimes TWB needs an extra little push to do extra special things. Like this!



Now, for those of you who know him, making a paper rose with heart-shaped petals isn't the kind of thing that comes naturally to TWB. And this is why I love Martha Stewart. Linked here are the project instructions and materials, courtesy of the domestic diva herself. Look at how beautiful they look in a huge bouquet! If it weren't for the fact that I have the most perfect single bloom already, I'd be rushing to make a dozen of my own.

Falling out of Summer

Having grown up in Florida, I've always been really fascinated by the change of seasons. In Miami, you see, there are two seasons: summer, and lesser-summer, also known as inhumanely hot time and pleasantly warm time. Needless to say, the colors don't change on palm tree leaves and the beach doesn't exactly get a sugary coating of snow.



But here in New York, today is the first day of Fall. It's still 72 degrees outside and the weather is nothing less than perfectly beautiful, but the farmer's markets are starting to get squash and maize and the stone fruits are making their final appearances before the local apple harvest goes into full swing.


My life feels like it's been in a perpetual state of transition over the last few months, but now that the weather is changing too, I can't help but feel in harmony with the way things are. And the best part? The air outside is crisper and fresher and more pleasant than ever at this time of year... so if I'm not at my computer editing away, find me here at the riverside, taking in the amazing Fall weather just a block and a half away from home.