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CST 50

My friend Felice Marcy and her business partner Annabel Marisca opened a fitness studio called CST 50 that fits all of my criteria for a really great workout.

I’ve talked before about the role of fitness in my life, as both a way to take care of myself, stay focused, and provide an example for my daughters. I like to mix up my fitness routine with cross training, running, and other effective workouts. I’m always excited to find something new that is interesting and challenging, especially when it’s being done by someone I know. My friend Felice Marcy and her business partner Annabel Marisca opened a fitness studio called CST 50 that fits all of my criteria for a really great workout.

The CST in the studio name stands for Cardio, Strengthen, and Transform, while the 50 indicates the 50 minute workout session that makes up each class. Classes at CST 50 feature an innovative piece of equipment called the Megaformer. Invented by certified weight and Pilates trainer Sebastian Lagree, the Megaformer uses resistance and counter-resistance for a workout that challenges your entire body.

Felice and Annabel have known each other for a long time; they went to high school together in Greenwich and had careers in finance. They commuted to the city together for years, but both maintained an interest in fitness that started when they were young. Felice took a Megaformer class in the city and quickly noticed how it changed her body from the inside out, improving her strength in ways that she could easily see in the mirror. She appreciated how the workout was easy on her joints, too. When she and Annabel started talking about making family-friendly career changes, they decided to bring the Megaformer to Darien where they are both raising young families. Together they opened CST 50 and their passion for the benefits of the Megaformer workout continue to inspire people to achieve new levels of fitness.

Felice refers to the Megaformer as a deconstructed Pilates machine, but makes it clear the benefits far outweigh other fitness routines. The Megaformer stimulates and engages muscle groups so that you immediately start to sweat. It is an intense, but safe, workout that can easily be modified for people with injuries or joint problems, but also grows with you as your fitness level improves. The core benefits of a workout with the Megaformer are enormous. No other workout engages your core during the entire routine, making it an efficient way to achieve a highly effective workout in under an hour. It’s ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels. While some men may look at the Megaformer and think it is a Pilates style workout more suited for women, in reality it is just as challenging and highly effective for men. Felice and Annabel’s husbands both attend CST 50 classes about three times a week, finding it a time-effective way of keeping fit for the sports they enjoy.

All of the instructors at CST 50 are trained and certified in both movements and sequences on the Megaformer. To see a schedule of classes or learn more, visit the CST 50 website. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. Their 1 Year Anniversary is approaching, so keep an eye out for upcoming special events at CST 50!

Spaghetti with Clams

When I want to cook a light meal or a side dish to go with a fish such as grey sole, I will make this dish.

This dish is one of my favorites! It reminds me of enjoying meals in trattorias while traveling in Italy, restaurants in New York City’s Little Italy, and on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. They were good times spent with my family while enjoying great food.

When I want to cook a light meal or a side dish to go with a fish such as grey sole, I will make this dish. The recipe is from one of my favorite chefs, Giada DeLaurentiis. You can find this recipe and many others in her book Everyday Italian.

As Giada says in her book, “Spaghetti with clams is very different from spaghetti with clam sauce, they are not the same dish. The first is a dish with a light, fragrant dressing tossed with whole clams and in my opinion the only way to make this dish.”

To make this dish you will use Manila Clams. They are a smaller clam and are sold by the pound. You can also use Cockles or, if you prefer a larger clam, you can use small Little Necks, which are sold by the dozen. I use linguini instead of spaghetti, which is flat pasta. If I can, I will buy the pasta fresh. When using fresh pasta, you may want to increase the amount used by a ¼ of a pound.

Fresh Pasta. Photo from Huffington Post.

Spaghetti with Clams

Ingredients:

Salt

1 lb dried spaghetti or linguini , or 1 ¼ lb fresh pasta

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 shallots, finely chopped

1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 ½ to 3 pounds Manila clams, scrubbed clean

½ to 1 cup dry white wine

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon course black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

Grated Reggio Parmesan cheese

Serves 4

In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over a medium high flame. When almost smoking, add the shallots and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until the garlic is golden brown and the shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the black pepper and let it absorb for a minute.

Add the cleaned clams, wine, sea salt, chopped parsley and basil. Cover and simmer until clams have opened; discard any that do not open. Whisk in the butter to thicken the sauce slightly.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.

Drain the spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Do not rinse the spaghetti with water; you want to retain the natural starches that help the sauce adhere to the spaghetti. Toss the spaghetti with the clam mixture in the pan to coat. Add enough of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten.

Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl. Garnish with chopped parsley. Ladle into individual bowls and top with the Reggio Parmesan cheese.

Serve with your favorite salad and crusty Italian bread. Enjoy!

A good bread is a must. Image from Mad Foods.

Blackstones Steakhouse, Greenwich

I really enjoy a great steak, especially from Blackstones Steakhouse in Greenwich.

When I go out to eat, I am not one to nibble on a salad. I really enjoy a great steak, especially from Blackstones Steakhouse in Greenwich. Blackstones has the perfect combination of excellent food and beautiful decor. They are known as one of the best steakhouses in town and for good reason.

The ambiance at Blackstones is quite elegant. The decor has a masculine vibe that is still sophisticated and in line with the quality of the food and the attentive service. With a black, grey, and white palette, the interior is saved from an overly industrial feel by the softening texture on the walls and the interesting artwork. The bright shelving behind the bar gives the space added light. Blackstones achieves a New York City chic that is definitely welcome in the suburbs.

In addition to steak, the menu boasts an impressive selection of appetizers, salads, and sides for both lunch and dinner. The bar menu features several signature cocktails as well. As you’d expect, however, the steak is the star of the show at Blackstones. The quality of the meat shows in the exceptional flavor and tenderness of the steaks while the extensive wine list ensures the perfect compliment to every memorable meal. I loved that my dinner was served on a piping hot plate, something you don’t often experience anymore.

To see the full menu, visit the Blackstones website. You can also find them on Facebook.

The Met Store

Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in America. Collections at the museum house some of the most significant works of art in the world, while traveling exhibitions allow visitors to view art they might not normally see in their lifetime. The many incredible paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artwork on display at the museum is, of course, not for sale. You can still take home a piece of the Met after your visit, however, by shopping at the The Met Store.

Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping. It’s a great place to find a souvenir from your museum visit that you will treasure and want to display in your home. Because many items in the Met Store relate to the works of art in the museum, you will most likely be able to treat yourself to something that reminds you of a favorite exhibit. You may find the perfect accessory for your home, a well done reproduction of a piece of art, or even some hand crafted jewelry from the far corners of the world.

Cote dIvoire Cuff — Cote d’Ivoire Geometric Bracelet, based on ceremonial beads made by the Baule or Lagoon peoples.

Parrot Figure based on a brass Indian sculpture.

Footed Bowl, reproduced from an item in the Egyptian Collection.

Reproduction of Woman Bathing by Jane Poupelet

The Met Store is also a great place to find really nice coffee table books, for yourself or to give as gifts. Books with everything from Japanese art to Baroque tapestries and African reliquary to the Dutch masters are available here. I like the idea of staking a few interesting books on the coffee table, especially when the books contain such rich imagery along with a wealth of knowledge. Something like this is a great keepsake from a visit to the Met.

Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years

Art: Over 2500 Works from Cave to Contemporary

New York in Photographs, Print Portfolio

The Met Store also has plenty to offer the children in your life. Whether you’re looking for a memorable item to take home after touring the museum or shopping for a gift, this is a good place to start. Choose an item that reflects a child’s interests or lets him or her explore something new. The Met Store has gifts for kids that encourage creativity and hands-on learning. For the budding artist or future archeologist, a gift from a museum is a sure way to continue the learning experience long after leaving the Met.

Fun with Hieroglyphs: Many kids are fascinated by ancient Egyptian writing.

Monet Art Supply Kit, a wonderful way to be creative.

Egyptian Pyramid Archeology: For hands-on learning.

Noah's Ark Play Set: Imaginative play for younger kids. — Noah’s Ark Play Set: Imaginative play for younger kids.

If a day at the Met isn’t in your plans for the near future, you can still explore the Met Store by visiting the online shop. All of their beautiful products are available online for any occasion, whether it’s a child’s birthday or a friend’s housewarming. You can also learn about the history and inspiration behind many of the items at the store on the The Met Store Official Blog.

Clay Art Center, Port Chester

I was first introduced to the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY, when one of my daughters was invited to a birthday party held at their facility.

I was first introduced to the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY, when one of my daughters was invited to a birthday party held at their facility. The center quickly made a big impression for me. This isn’t your run of the mill ceramics place where visitors choose a pre-made piece to paint and rarely get their hands dirty. This is a working studio for clay artists that actively engages the surrounding community throughout a variety of great programs.

Founded in 1957 by Katharine Choy and Henry Okamoto, the Clay Art Center has grown and evolved over the decades to include a gallery, shop, classes, and workshops for all ages. Now run by Director Reena Kashyap and Associate Director Ruth Berelson, the Center organizes community art projects to involve local residents in beautifying the area and offers therapeutic clay programs to local health organizations. The Center also hosts after school and summer camp sessions. With visiting artists from around the country, outreach programs, and a passion for promoting ceramic arts, the Clay Art Center is a true community resource.

Participants in the annual Empty Bowls fundraising event.

A piece from the current exhibition: TeaTime.

I really enjoyed seeing how much fun my daughter had creating something unique out of clay. There are classes or workshops for everyone at the Center, whether you prefer to learn on your own or make it a family event. I love the idea of getting together with a group of girlfriends for a party at the center, complete with your own wine and snacks.

My daughter was so proud of her piece: a muddy pig wearing a Santa hat!

A beautiful clay piece and a class in progress.

To learn more about the center or see their schedule of classes, events, and exhibitions, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Most mages in this post are from the Clay Art Center website.

At Home Magazine: Balancing Act

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with seeing a design fully come together as this one did.

I was thrilled to see one of my favorite kitchen projects featured in the current issue of At Home Magazine. This was a project I collaborated on with Sound Beach Partners. Designing this kitchen involved first gutting and opening up the original space. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with seeing a design fully come together as this one did. The resulting space is both beautiful and functional, with a layout that pleases the eye while giving the homeowners every convenience available in a working kitchen.

By Ann Loynd, Photos by Neil Landino

Read Across America Day

Reading together is a wonderful way to spend quality time with children, exploring the world through books.

Today is the National Education Association’s annual Read Across America Day. Traditionally celebrated in conjunction with Dr. Seuss’s birthday, RAA aims to promote literacy and a love of reading by encouraging educators, parents, and communities by participating in a week of special activities. Classrooms around the country will spend the week with some extra focus on the enjoyment of reading. Helping children grow into lifelong readers with critical thinking skills means instilling in them a love of books at a young age. If reading is fun and interactive, children are more likely to continue to enjoy reading into adulthood.

There is nothing quite like cuddling up with your children and some great books at the end of a long day. Reading together is a wonderful way to spend quality time exploring the world through books. Whether you laugh together over a silly story or inspire conversation that continues after the last page has been turned, when you read with your children you connect with them, strengthen your relationship, broaden their minds, and teach them to associate books with strong positive feelings.

In honor of Read Across America Day, I’d like to share some of the books my daughters and I enjoy together. Maybe you will find something new to share with a child in your life!

1. The Day the Crayons Quit: Our all time favorite book, and not just because I love color but also because I love listening to my children laugh and giggle, especially when we get to the nude crayon.

2. Iggy Peck Architect and Rosie Revere Engineer: Both of these are absolutely well written and beautifully illustrated. Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere never give up and teach that when something fails, you have to try again.

3. We Are in a Book! Anything written by Mo Willems is a hit in our house. Elephant & Piggie bring more giggles and great interaction between the children. We also can’t forget the Knuffle Bunny series by Mo Willems.

4. Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride A great chapter book for your kids.

5. Dear Mr. Blueberry An adorable story of a young girl named Emily and her teacher, Mr.Blueberry, who exchange letters during the summer about a whale in her pond. This is a joy to read, so sweet and innocent!

6. Pete the Cat Mikayla, my youngest daughter, loves the rhyming and song throughout the Pete the Cat series of books.

7. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon Molly Lou Melon leaves you believing in being the best you can be and loving who you are.

8. National Geographic Readers Olivia, our 8 year old, absolutely loves these biographies from National Geographic. They make it so easy and interesting for children to learn about history.

Do you have favorite books to read with the children in your life?

Embellishments

In both fashion and design, it is often the small details that tie a look together.

In both fashion and design, it is often the small details that tie a look together. When these details are in the form of embellishments, a look can be made eye-catching and unique.

Brindisi Chandelier from Niermann Weeks.

Embellishments can add sparkle or color, brighten with reflective surfaces, and coordinate with other aspects of the design. You can use embellishments for a grounding effect or an added touch of prettiness.

tomlinson ottoman — Ottoman from Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth

Snakawaka Posts, carved from salvaged branches.

Think of ways to give your interior, or your outfit, a hint of glamor or just the right detail to elevate it or add an unexpected bit of flair.

Artist: Paul Hunter

One of my project managers recently introduced me to the work of New York artist Paul Hunter.

One of the most beautiful things about my office is the way everyone contributes new ideas. From furniture and color palettes to lighting and art, we are always sharing new finds. Jess, one of my project managers, recently introduced me to the work of artist Paul Hunter, whose paintings she’d seen when meeting with a curator.

Paul Hunter, a Canadian native who moved to New York City in the 1980s, creates his unique paintings by using applying various types of metal leaf to the canvas and painting on the metal. The result is a luminous quality from the reflective nature of the metal, a striking and beautiful effect.

Grisaille #AH16”x20" white gold, aluminum, acrylic on canvas. — Grisaille #AH16”x20″ white gold, aluminum, acrylic on canvas.

Landscape Noir-Duo #D, 30"x40" gold, bronze, acrylic on canvas. — Landscape Noir-Duo #D, 30″x40″ gold, bronze, acrylic on canvas.

I really love the medium Hunter uses. The resulting color and texture of the paintings is so appealing. I also like how he uses this complicated process of marrying tissue-thin sheets of metal leaf with paint in order to create paintings that appear simple and subtle. Even before learning about how Hunter creates his work, however, I was drawn to the modern, almost abstract nature of the paintings.

Even the size of the artwork is great. I like the idea of arranging the smaller pieces in a vignette. Many of the paintings are so pretty, while others are saturated with color. With this kind of scope, Hunter’s art really has something for everyone.

To learn more about Paul Hunter and view his many other paintings, visit his website.

The Sentimentalist

I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful blog written by my friend Lindley Pless: The Sentimentalist.

From time to time I like to share other blogs that I think will interest my readers. While my own interests tend to naturally focus on design or fashion blogs, today I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful blog written by my friend Lindley Pless: The Sentimentalist. Lindley started The Sentimentalist as a way to feature content she considered valuable and worth sharing with others. Her blog is a place where art, food, design, fashion, and even her own opinions come together and intersect.

From Lindley's blog about Green & Tonic, a natural food store. — From Lindley’s blog about Green & Tonic, a natural food store.

hello fall — From an Autumn photo collection.

When starting a blog, coming up with a name for your site is the first challenge. Lindley discussed her blog title with friends, and in articulating her desire to create content from her own heart, the title The Sentimentalist was born. Lindley really is a sentimental person, wearing her heart on her sleeve. She sees beauty everywhere in life, even in the things we learn from darkness and heartbreak, so the title of her blog is a true reflection of Lindley’s personality. Following from that, Lindley strives to connect with her readers, hoping to create an “A ha!” moment, whether it comes from learning about a detangling brush for a child’s unruly hair or the sharing of a challenging life experience that another person can relate to or learn from. One important quality of The Sentimentalist is the lack of negativity; if Lindley tries a new product but doesn’t really care for it, she doesn’t write about it. Her focus is on the positive, the sharing of information and experiences that can help or inspire people. When she addresses personal challenges or emotional situations, she doesn’t dwell on her difficulties but shares her journey and what she’s learned from it, reaching out and encouraging others along the way.

From Lindley's writing about grace. — From Lindley’s writing about grace.

In a world where the vast majority of blogs are started, then abandoned (an astounding 95% of them according the NY Times), this is clearly an endeavor that isn’t without its hurdles. For Lindley, there are two challenges she faces when writing for The Sentimentalist. First, she works alone. When she hits “publish” on a blog post, she is presenting it to the world without the benefit of a sounding board. It definitely takes confidence to put your thoughts out there without having someone looking over your shoulder with second opinions or nods of approval. Second, Lindley sometimes finds it challenging to put herself in a vulnerable place when writing for her blog. If she feels a topic has value, she wants to share it, regardless of whether it is read by five people or five thousand. Writing honestly on a blog often means having the courage to forge ahead regardless of the opinions or approval of others.

As if being a mom to two active little girls and writing her own blog doesn’t keep her busy enough, Lindley also devotes her time to running Sentimental Videography, giving a face and a brand to non-profit groups using her experience in the television industry. Closest to Lindley’s heart, however, is the Little Wings Foundation. Lindley started Little Wings in order to help direct fundraising dollars to reputable, deserving organizations. She talks to different foundations, researches their practices, and helps ensure that donated funds are used for their intended purpose. In addition, Lindley is passionate about creating a desire to give back and help others in the next generation. With Little Wings, she organizes Family Volunteer Days to encourage children to understand the value of giving time and effort to those in need.

I enjoy Lindley’s blog for many reasons. It’s something I look forward to reading because her writing is often clever and always real. I admire how she puts her thoughts and feelings out there and finds such inspiration in the quotes she shares. I love starting the day on a positive note whenever Lindley posts something new!

mandela quote — Words of wisdom for starting the day with a good attitude.

Visit The Sentimentalist to subscribe to new posts. You can also find The Sentimentalist on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. She is also on Instagram as user @lindleypless.