Ultra repair, leave-in conditioner

Mother Nature gives us hair. Then Mother Nature throws sun and humidity at us, turning our crowning glory into brittle frizz.

yhst-88462588038071_2438_2005129030Enter Giovanni Eco Chic Cosmetics, the maker of 2chic Ultra Repair Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir. It’s infused with blackberry, coconut milk, antioxidants and other ingredients that smooth away frizz and restore hair’s natural elasticity.

I put a review sample of Giovanni to the test on a recent weekend when I shampooed after a morning hike–and only an hour and a half before heading to an outdoor music festival. With no time to fuss with my tresses, I worked the conditioner through my hair before blasting it with the blower dryer.

Giovanni performed as promised. No frizz. My hair felt smooth, supple and strong, ready to take on Mother Nature. 2chic Ultra Repair is part of a line of shampoos, conditioners and hair masks formulated to revive and restore hair. You can find them at lots of retailers, including Ulta, Target and Whole Foods. Expect to pay about $9 for a four-ounce bottle of ultra repair.

Si, to Albarino. The other white wine

There are lots of white wines that deserve our attention beyond Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

thumb_1109_news_bigWhen it comes to pairing a white with seafood, I’m raising a glass to Lagar de Cervera Albarino 2014, produced by Lagar de Fornelos in the Rias Baixas region of Spain. (SRP: $17.95)

Albarino is pale yellow with green hues, a visual preview to a taste that is fresh, clean and slightly tangy. Lagar de Cervera is fragrant with notes of apple, apricot, pear and pineapple. The grapes for this complex and well-balanced white are grown in a region where the soil is rich with granite, reflected in its strong, flinty finish.

What you don’t get are some of the notes we have come to associate with other whites: the oak of domestic Chards, the citrus of Pinot Gris, the herbaceous quality of Sauv Blanc.

This is a white with both clarity and oomph, a pleasant partner with grilled shrimp or squid, seared scallops, steamed mussels or paella. It’s also a happy choice with fresh cheeses, especially creamy burrata. The next time you are shopping for whites, give an Albarino a try.

 

Flying with fragrance

1119665_pinkYou don’t have to leave your favorite fragrance behind every time you get on a plane.

With the Classic HD Travalo model, travelers can refill a travel-safe bottle directly from a standard perfume bottle through the patented Genie-S pump-fill system. The fragrance isn’t compromised by exposure to air and decants magically from one sealed bottle into the leak-proof atomizer in a few seconds.

It holds enough perfume for about 65 spritzes and is TSA approved so no worries about making it through security. You can find Travalo at Kohl’s, Macy’s, Ulta and other retailers. Expect to pay about $15.

The Dogfish days of summer

It’s a Dogfish Day afternoon. The forecast is for temperatures in the mid-90s. And this time, the weatherman is right.

Dave and I are in Lewes and bound for Dogfish Inn, a hip, mid-century inspired motel.

signWe have taken the hospitable folks at Dogfish up on their invitation to explore the property. It’s a super location, downtown and right on the canal. Further, the inn has personality, a friendly vibe that includes such niceties as a communal fire pit, lawn games, a super-sized ice machine and open outdoor showers for a quick post-beach rinseoff.

The room is clean and cool, with a king-size platform bed, a bit of seating, a rack for hanging clothes and blessedly effective AC. A large sink—the kind you might find in a farmhouse—is open to the main area, flanked on either side by a stall shower and a water closet. It’s fun and funky, just enough space for a pied-à-terre near the sea.

With Cape Henlopen State Park a few miles down the road, Lewes is a bike-friendly destination. We hossed our bikes down from New Castle County but we need not have gone to the trouble. Dogfish has a fleet of bikes, offered gratis to guests on a first-come, first-served basis. There is even an air pump for quick tire recharges.

At dinner time, we head to downtown Rehoboth Beach to Chesapeake and Maine, the brewery’s restaurant highlighting the cuisine of the Eastern Shore and New England. It’s located right next door to Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats.

13691175_1227299067293763_5020080374753480845_oWe start with a selection of plump, briny oysters, so fresh they practically leap off their shells. It’s an auspicious beginning. (You also should try “Smoke in the Water,” a collaboration between Dogfish and Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland in which oysters are settled in holding pens of Chesapeake Bay water, infused with wood-cured salt and smoked raw in their shells.)

In addition to Dogfish Head brews, there’s a wine list and a selection of cocktails, including such potent potables as the Bierre-Hatten ($12), a concoction of Temptation rye, Palo Santo Marron Bierremouth, Immort Ale bitters, and Immort Ale-infused cherries.

For the main course, Dave reels in the Maine shore dinner ($38), a traditional pairing of steamed lobster, steamer clams, Johnny Blues mussels, fingerling potatoes, and corn on the cob. It’s cooked perfectly and the melding of seafood and veggies reminds us of why this dish is a time-honored classic.

mainedinner-1024x683In the interests of geographic balance, I take a dip in Maryland waters, with lush crabcakes made from sweet backfin and jumbo lump crab ($28). From a list of seasonal sides, I choose decadent sweet-and-spicy hushpuppies, piping hot and oozing bacon, and summery creamed corn succotash.

For dessert, we share gooey, creamy cheesecake with fresh, ripe strawberries.

Service is attentive and engaging. There’s a lively hum in the room but it doesn’t drown out conversation.

Back at the Inn, it’s still too hot to hang out by the firepit. But the gentle breeze on the balcony suits us just fine.

In this relaxed atmosphere, it’s easy to get to know our neighbors. To our left are four guys from Jersey, friends and brothers who own two small businesses: a beauty salon and a landscaping company. To our right are newlyweds, teachers from Harrisburg, Pa.

They have come for the Dogfish All-INNclusive Experience, in which guests leave their cars at the inn and let the hosts do the driving for a VIP tasting and private behind-the-scenes tour of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, home to a 200-barrel brew house, wood-aging room and state-of-the-art bottling line. Afterward, the group goes to lunch at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats.

13775523_10209581687806271_704852604769277530_nOnly a day before, Dave and I were at WPXN’s XpoEntial Music Festival at Wiggins Park on the Camden Riverfront, where we drank Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPAs while listening to a great lineup of artists. (On Sept. 17, we’ll be at Bellevue State Park when Dogfish Head presents XPN’s Analog A-Go-Go music festival.)

So we and the other guests all start out with something in common. We enjoy Dogfish Head beer.

Dave gets out his guitar. We sit on the balcony as he plays. Soon, our neighbors are singing along. We drink beer. We chat.

The Jersey guys tell me they are voting for Trump. I keep drinking. Dave keeps playing.

Eventually, beer and music trump Trump. After a pleasant evening, we all shake hands and retire to our respective rooms.

dogfishThe next day, we pack up the car before walking into town for a late breakfast at Notting Hill Coffee, where we sip fresh-brewed joe with sandwiches of egg, cheese and sausage folded into buttery croissants.

We learn that the hospitality at Dogfish Inn extends beyond checkout time. We are welcome to leave the car in the lot as we head into town. In a locale where parking is at a premium, we appreciate this courtesy. We also have access to the restroom in the inn’s freestanding lobby, as well as the outdoor showers.

Clearly, Dogfish takes hospitality seriously. But in a light-hearted way.

We drive off to Cape Henlopen to celebrate Dave’s birthday, another trip around the sun. But not until Dave gets his requested gift: a Dogfish Head ball cap, conveniently sold in a small gift shop in the Inn’s registration area along with other branded Dogfish merchandise. We leave Dogfish Inn with a warm feeling for a cool concept.

 

 

 

Cocktail of the Hour: the Jefferson’s Ocean Manhattan

Before it came on board at my house, Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea small batch bourbon sailed to five continents and crossed the equator four times.

Jeffersons_Ocean_Aged_Bourbon_BottleIn theory, the gentle rocking of the ship exposes more of the bourbon to the inner surface of the barrel, elevating the flavor—and also driving up the price. With only 300 bottles, the bourbon from Jefferson’s first voyage fetched around $600.

On this evening, we are testing bourbon from Jefferson’s third crossing, which produced a more bountiful 300 barrels. We are looking at a price point of $85. (Full disclosure: our bottle was provided by the nice folks at Jefferson’s.)

Tonight’s taste testers are: Donna and Jeff, and Clare and Mark, two couples who are longtime friends and neighbors; my friend Doug; and me, the thirsty hostess. An experienced Manhattan drinker, Doug is in charge of mixing. He also shares his birthday, April 13, with Thomas Jefferson. Clearly, he is the man for the job.

Because we are pouring for six, we mix our Manhattans in batches. Doug favors a ratio of 3:1, Jefferson to Dolin rouge, the most expensive red vermouth I can find at Kreston’s, my trusted local purveyor. We want a spirit that is a good match for our premium bourbon. Our finishing touches: Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters and Morello’s cherries from Trader Joe’s. No sickeningly sweet maraschinos for us.

tumblr_m1ng001hTT1qerulcI serve our drinks in the crystal rocks glasses handed down from my grandmother, on the silver tray she kept so brightly polished. Cocktails are  civilized. They differentiate us from wild animals, who are stuck lapping water from streams because they don’t have a decent bar in the forest.

As we sip, we ponder the restorative power of sharing cocktails. Doug says he recently went out for drinks with his son, who had a rough day on the job. His son is a huge Mad Men fan. So they order a retro cocktail. Bartender, an Old-Fashioned, please. Then another.

The next afternoon, the son comes home from work. It’s a banner day. He gets a promotion. He feels appreciated. The ice has barely melted, but the cocktails have worked their magic.

We throw back our glasses. We throw back our heads. We laugh. We talk. The fire crackles. The conversation sparks. I am happy we are together, diverse yet kindred spirits, in this time, in this place.

IMG_0832And, yes, the Jefferson bourbon did not disappoint. Stalwart tasters, we sipped it in cocktails and straight up. I discern notes of raisins, vanilla and citrus in the bourbon, which play nicely with the figgy vibe in the vermouth and the fruity blood orange bitters.

For the record, my personal poll reveals we are split down the middle as to whether we prefer our Jefferson’s straight or mixed. (Also, it should be noted that there are now Jefferson’s batches from six different ocean crossings and we understand each has its own unique profile.)

Soon after our exuberant tasting, I touch base with one of our celebrants, who reports that she, too, enjoyed a great day after tipping a few in a warm and friendly place.

A coincidence? We know better.

Here’s a toast to the restorative power of cocktails and conversation.

Happy birthday, Doug. Many happy returns.

 

 

 

 

Cocktail of the hour: A Sip of Spring

It’s spring, a glorious day and my sister Roni and I are hiking on the Delaware Greenways Trail.

How can life get any better? Some wine, perhaps.

moscato1After our trek, we uncork a bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Moscato, which had arrived earlier that day, sent by the nice folks from the winemaker. Roni has graciously agreed to quaff a glass or two with me so that we might advise others on the wines they might share with their kinfolk for Easter. Our mother raised us to be helpful.

We like the slightly fizzy quality of the pour. The bubbles and hints of citrus, floral and figs make it a festive choice to serve with dessert after Easter dinner.

We pour the moscato after it has been chilling for several hours and recommend that you serve a nippy nip, as well. Take it from the Smith sisters.

unnamed-1This spring arrives with exuberant stirrings in the garden, which remind us that moscato also plays nicely in cocktails. After all, this is National Cocktail Day. (Although I confess I’m  at a loss as to why a boozy, made-up holiday shares the calendar with Maundy Thursday. Better to celebrate cocktails whenever you feel the calling.)
Here’s a moscato cocktail recipe to try a few weeks from now when mint overtakes your herb garden:

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cool Melon-Mint

Yield: 1 cocktail

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 honeydew melon, cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 cup elderflower cordial
  • 3/4 cup Woodbridge by Robert MondaviMoscato, chilled
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • Seltzer water, to finish and to taste
  • Fresh mint, for garnish

 

Directions:

  1. In a food processor or blender, combine melon cubes and elderflower cordial.
  2. Process or blend until pureed smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add the Moscato and ice; process or blend until fully smooth.
  3. Finish by adding seltzer water to taste. Garnish with fresh mint or melon wedges. Rim serving glasses with ginger sugar if desired.

Call your sister. And serve.

ANDI New York totes the Big Apple

I carry a backpack the way more buttoned-down types tote a briefcase. It contains my laptop, iPad, mobile phone, sunglasses, reading glasses, wallet, a bottle of water and a couple granola bars.

ANDI AD20166Andrea Weinberg, the Andi of ANDI New York, contemplates backpacks and other totes with the aesthetic of a fashion designer and the precision of an ergonomic engineer.

I meet Weinberg during New York Fashion Week, when the city is humming with previews of fall fashions. We get together at Amé Amé, a hip boutique in the shadow of the Flatiron Building.

We head to an anteroom in the back of the shop, where a collection of ANDI bags are on display. The model who appears in ANDI ads is nibbling lunch at a table behind a vintage sofa one might find in a Paris apartment.

IMG_0813I put down my trusty Red Cross backpack and pick up an ANDI bag. It lacks the padding that lines my backpack. But it is exceptionally light and after a day of lugging my mobile office around Manhattan it strikes me as a highly desirable tradeoff.

Weinberg says her bags are designed for the way people live, with highly adaptable strapping and snaps so the totes can be configured for such tasks as carrying a yoga mat or attaching a set of keys. With a little rearranging, the tote is transformed into a featherweight, ergonomically friendly backback.

“It rests on the small of your back,” she notes.

The bags come in three different color ways. Silvery charcoal with goldtone hardware—“the most feminine”—black—“for New Yorkers”—and camouflage print revved with hot pink trim—“our edgiest bag.”

She started making bags from a wilderness fabric she sourced from a supplier in Idaho. Her fabrics are now made in Taiwan. The bags are manufactured in two different shops, one in Brooklyn and one in New Jersey.

Weinberg has accomplished a lot in what appear to be very few years.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“Guess.”

“28?”

“32!”

IMG_0829Weinberg does not have a design background, although her grandfather was a jeweler. She wears the delicate gold ring and Egyptian-inspired band he made for her mother. Like her designs, she is smart and approachable.

An integral part of her journey as an entrepreneur was a college business trip to China, where she understood she could have just about anything she wanted fabricated on the double. So she ordered a prototype of her first bag.

“The next day it was there for me,” she recalls. “I picked it up and I cried.”

She is currently selling the bags online and in retail outlets affiliated with spas, where she has attracted the attention of several celebs.

“Taye Diggs has bought a few,” she says. “Patti Stanger, the millionaire matchmaker, bought a camo.”

It’s an affordable accessory. Prices top out at a suggested retail price of $188 for the large signature tote.

Weinberg and I try out a few bags. The model snaps our picture with my iPhone.

As I head back to the station, a group of British tourists in Herald Square ask me if I will take their picture, probably because I look least likely to run off with their camera.

“Would you like me to take your picture in front of Macy’s?” asks a friendly matron. “Your hat and scarf are smashing with the Macy’s red star.”

Of course. Thanks for asking. And off I go.

 

Last day for Flower Show discount

unnamed-1The 2016 Philadelphia Flower Show bursts into flower tomorrow. This year’s theme is “Explore America” and celebrates the beauty and diversity of our country’s National Parks. Now is the time to get your tickets!

Today, Friday, March 4, is the final day to enjoy the discounted price on tickets purchased online. Here’s how you can
Buy individual tickets online today!

Tickets will be available online and at the box office March 5-13 at full freight.

Wasting away again in Dallabridaville

Midway through February, Veganuary is so over. But it is not a distant memory.

People ask me: What did I learn from a month without refined sugar, alcohol and meat of any kind? Do I feel different? And what did I eat and drink when it was all over?

The last question is the easiest. I went to Eighth and Union Kitchen in Wilmington with a few friends, intent on ordering wine and some sort of non-plant-based protein.

Unknown-2Before the main course, we ordered appetizers to share, among them a plate of spicy cauliflower. Along with a few florets of cauliflower, I picked up a small, dense cube with my chopsticks, hoping for a nibble of cheese.

But instead of a dairy product stolen from an exploited cow, I tucked into tofu, the much-loathed bean curd that was my culinary nemesis throughout Veganuary. Yes, TOFU. (TO, pronounced “TOW,” and FU as in “F-U, lady! Take that, you carnivore!”)

My first foray into flesh and booze was a nicely grilled salmon served with a glass of pinot noir. Make that two glasses.

The sole physical difference I perceived after a month-long cleanse was that I lost four pounds. Weight loss was not one of my goals, but I’m OK with it. Since then I’ve lost two more pounds, likely because I gave up sweets for Lent. (Although it could be argued that I should have gotten 31 days’ credit for Veganuary.)

I also saved money. Tofu costs about $1.50 a pound, about one-third the price of fish and one-quarter the cost of beef. My wine and spirits tab was zero. And since I am firmly off the wagon, I’ve enjoyed several rounds on friends who had waited an entire month to buy me a drink.

So what did I get out of giving up things I enjoy for a month? I truly believe that challenges are good for us. That setting a goal and sticking to it is an exercise in character building. It’s also helped me to recalibrate. I’m more thoughtful about what I eat and drink. I’m consuming far less sugar, meat only sparingly and a little less wine.

Veganuary reminds me of the great wit Dorothy Parker’s observation on writing: “I hate writing. I love having written.”

I hate Veganuary. I love having Veganuary-ed.

Like a red, red…wine

Red wine and romance: a time-honored pairing.

13498So, on Valentine’s Day, let us consider the aptly named Loveblock Pinot Noir 2012, which hails from a small vineyard in New Zealand, aptly named Someone’s Darling. It’s imported by Terlato Wines, who forwarded me a bottle to taste.

I often think of Pinot Noir in a classic pairing, pinot and pork. But it’s also a successful match with salmon, especially served on a velvety bed of mashed potatoes.

With Loveblock, expect lots of fruit: berries and cherries, tempered with herbal tones of sage and white pepper. It’s exceptionally food friendly, with a sleek, silken texture–and more ardor than found in many pinots. The tannic finish shows this wine is a serious suitor.

Expect to pay about $30 for Loveblock Pinot Noir. If you haven’t already, consider making pinots a staple in your own personal wine bar.