{"id":75,"date":"2010-05-25T21:48:46","date_gmt":"2010-05-25T21:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog?p=75"},"modified":"2013-03-31T17:37:37","modified_gmt":"2013-03-31T17:37:37","slug":"play-romp-and-be-happy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/play-romp-and-be-happy\/","title":{"rendered":"Play, romp and be happy!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Children\u2019s<\/a>\"Children\u2019s<\/a>\"Children\u2019s<\/a>\"Children\u2019s<\/a>\"Children\u2019s<\/a>Hi Everyone!It’s been awhile since I \u00a0have last blogged. \u00a0I’m always immersed in seeing plays, art exhibits, cooking, making art, reading, watching films and studying astrology. I have had to decide what would go into this particular blog. Although I titled this blog Play, romp and be happy, I think a better title would be ” WAKE UP CALL!”. \u00a0Several months ago, \u00a0I had a serious personal wake up call. \u00a0 Don’t you just \u00a0love those? \u00a0First \u00a0you get hit with a tiny pebble and the it becomes a rock , then a brick and finally a boulder.<\/p>\n

I decided \u00a0one morning it was time for a \u00a0major life style change. \u00a0I have made extreme changes \u00a0to my diet. \u00a0 Although \u00a0I buy most of my food from the Farmer’s markets ( go local!) and \u00a0walk \u00a0almost every day, I knew deep in my heart, I needed to make \u00a0changes. \u00a0I have given up meat, coffee, refined sugar and most dairy. \u00a0I also \u00a0am working out on a daily basis in addition to walking and biking.<\/p>\n

I \u00a0have been immersed in learning to cook vegetarian gourmet and find \u00a0food substitutes. \u00a0 Some things food switches have been relatively easy; \u00a0which brings me to Turtle Mountain.<\/p>\n

If I were investing in a food \u00a0company, it would be Turtle Mountain. \u00a0Based in Eugene, Oregon ( I used to live there), \u00a0this company makes the most delicious \u00a0 line of \u00a0coconut milk based ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and yogurt.<\/p>\n

I just bought their \u00a0coconut drinking milk today and coconut creamer. \u00a0Their Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream with big chunks of walnuts and ribbons of fudge is as good in my opinion as my former lover, Haagen Daz. \u00a0Their products are sweetened with agave . \u00a0 They have another line of ice cream which is soy based \u00a0and \u00a0many people already know this but their Peanut Butter Zig \u00a0Zag is like crack and I don’t even like chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.Several weeks ago I saw a documentary film of Outsider artist Purvis Young ( who sadly died at the end of April). \u00a0The documentary, PURVIS OF OVERTOWN.<\/p>\n

Purvis was a self taught artist who \u00a0lived life his way and did not cater to the art world. \u00a0His \u00a0focus was making \u00a0paintings and helping out \u00a0his friends and neighbors in the impoverished area of Miami called Overtown. \u00a0 I feel it take courage to follow one’s own heart and path. \u00a0 \u00a0Mr. Young’s work is amazing. \u00a0Raw and full of soul and color.<\/p>\n

While \u00a0at the film’s screening, I heard about an art exhibit that was\u00a0happening at the Russell Byer’s Charter School in Center City.<\/p>\n

I \u00a0went the next day to find an incredible display of artwork by the children at \u00a0the school. \u00a0The exhibit was inspired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s retrospective \u00a0of \u00a0self taught \u00a0outsider artist \u00a0James Castle (whom \u00a0I wrote about in an earlier\u00a0blog). \u00a0Led by art teacher Amy Jerrod, the children made their own version of specific works by Mr. Castle- watercolor paintings based on a little girl, cardboard birds and animals, \u00a0chest of drawers and \u00a0furniture ( also constructed from cardboard & string \u00a0as well as handmade books from ephemera and houses from cereal boxes. \u00a0I consider the exhibit of the children’s art exhibit \u00a0to be the \u00a0considered the next step beyond \u00a0James Castle.<\/p>\n

I have included a few \u00a0photographs I took of the show.Last week \u00a0I saw the Otto Dix Show at \u00a0the Neue Galerie( museum) \u00a0in NYC. \u00a0 I love German expressionism. \u00a0Especially from the 1920s and 30s.<\/p>\n

Dix’s watercolor paintings of prostitutes, sailors \u00a0and widows \u00a0are incredible.\u00a0\u00a0I liked his watercolors better than his oil paintings.<\/p>\n

Also last week \u00a0I got to see the documentary film EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP directed by controversial UK \u00a0street artist Banksy ( I love his sense of humor). \u00a0 Although this film \u00a0has a great title, it is misleading as to the nature of the documentary. \u00a0The documentary chronicles the rise of a French man ( Thierry Guetta) \u00a0living in L.A. \u00a0and his rise to fame and fortune in the art world. \u00a0In many ways EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP is in direct opposition to \u00a0the Purvis Young documentary. \u00a0Purvis did not care \u00a0about money or fame. \u00a0 Mr. Guetta’s focus is solely for publicity and \u00a0money. \u00a0Because Thierry suffers from \u00a0what I would \u00a0consider clinical obsession, I found EXIT\u00a0\u00a0THRU \u00a0THE \u00a0GIFT SHOP \u00a0fascinating and \u00a0hilarious. \u00a0I was laughing so much I was crying and sweating. \u00a0 There was an older \u00a0 couple sitting in front of me. \u00a0Every so often the man would turn around and look at me. \u00a0I was worried he was going to tell me to shut up. \u00a0At the end of the screening, he turned around and thanked me for laughing. \u00a0His wife \u00a0nodded as he explained it made the film even better. \u00a0 I couldn’t believe it. \u00a0An \u00a0atypical response from someone on the Mainline! \u00a0 All the laughing, crying and sweating \u00a0felt \u00a0cathartic.<\/p>\n

Speaking of obsessions, I’m currently \u00a0obsessed with a few things. \u00a0I missed the Iris Apfel \u00a0fashion show at the Met in New York. \u00a0I love Iris Apfel. \u00a0She is a style maven. \u00a0 I have a pair of giant round \u00a0( prescription) glasses similar\u00a0\u00a0to hers which I have only worn out \u00a0in public a few times. \u00a0I got snickers and sneers from the \u00a0young Amish women \u00a0working behind the bakery counter when I wore them once to the Farmer’s market. \u00a0 I bought them as dead stock \u00a0vintage on eBAY \u00a0but lately \u00a0I have noticed they have developed this weird white \u00a0ectoplasm \u00a0 which I have tried to remove which various solvents \u00a0but it \u00a0keeps reappearing.<\/p>\n

Several months ago, I finally finally bought a pair of incredible red, blue, tan \u00a0and white wide \u00a0striped \u00a0vintage 70s \u00a0Big Smith overalls. \u00a0 The fabric is a very soft cotton and \u00a0they are very big on me. \u00a0My friend’s have commented \u00a0that they look like clown circus overalls. \u00a0I doubt Mrs. Apfel would think so. \u00a0She would love them.<\/p>\n

I’m patiently waiting for the \u00a0fashion industry to \u00a0bring back my favorite piece of clothing- the cotton one piece romper ( or playsuit). \u00a0I bought \u00a0one many years ago from a thrift store in Philly \u00a0that was fuchsia \u00a0bold white \u00a0flowers on it, big pockets \u00a0a big zipper in the front. \u00a0Total 60s Miami Beach kitsch, I \u00a0wore it on a trip \u00a0I won to Hawaii. \u00a0 The romper costs me \u00a0five dollars \u00a0and brought me much joy.<\/p>\n

Short sleeved and sleeveless cotton rompers ( short length) \u00a0( some \u00a0 inspired by auto mechanic jumpsuits) \u00a0with a front zip and big front and\/or side zip pockets \u00a0will be \u00a0everywhere in the next year or so. \u00a0Add to that graphic designs on these rompers \u00a0inspired by eighties imagery and pop art as well as neon \/glow in the dark strips. \u00a0 Jumpsuits- redux \u00a0will be big also. No I don’t work in the fashion industry. \u00a0I own a sewing \u00a0machine that continues to gather dust.<\/p>\n

I used to have a copy of a fabulous book CHEAP CHIC by Catherine Milinaire and Carol Troy. \u00a0 \u00a0It was my fashion \u00a0bible in the late 70s \/early 80s. \u00a0 The soft cover book is sadly OOP and a used copy \u00a0on Amazon now \u00a0is around $137.<\/p>\n

My major lifestyle change is in full swing ( It has been almost two and a half months now), I’m experimenting with cooking Vegetarian gourmet meals now. I finally tried Quinoa ( pronounced Keen- wah) and liked it. It is the only grain which is also a complete protein, and have dived deep end into eating tofu. I have to be honest and tell you all that previously I was NOT a fan of tofu. In fact I have a magnet on my fridge depicting a 50s style house wife in an apron with the phrase ” TOFU! Looks like wallpaper paste, but tastes much worse! I bought that magnet at Whole Foods and now I’m eating tofu or tofu based products at least four or five times a week for dinner. I still don’t love it, but I’m trying to make peace with it.<\/p>\n

I had a Vietnamese tofu hoagie from Fu Wah Market ( in West Philly). \u00a0 The classic Vietnamese hoagie sandwich is called a Banh Mi and many recipes exist on the internet. \u00a0My version is made with tofu ( not meat and pates) and \u00a0I start off with \u00a0a really good french baguette ( from Metropolitan \u00a0Bakery). \u00a0I make my own \u00a0teriyaki sauce and I soak the extra firm\u00a0tofu for many hours in the teriyaki \u00a0before dipping it in an egg wash and coating it with seasoned bread crumbs. I then lightly fry the tofu . \u00a0 I also marinate thin strips of carrots and cucumbers in a \u00a0sweet vinagrette and add tomatoes, jalapeno peppers and baby romaine salad mix ( which has my own special house dressing on it) to the hoagie. \u00a0 The secret to \u00a0a great sandwich is the bread ( of course) and the fact that every component \u00a0is well seasoned. \u00a0 Each \u00a0item in this sandwich is seasoned in a different way \u00a0so that when you bite into the sandwich, \u00a0the marriage of flavors comes together.<\/p>\n

I’m also loving and I mean loving the tea blend by Divintea called PEACE ON EARTH. \u00a0 As I mentioned in a previous blog that the Good Earth \u00a0Cinnamon tea was magical, so too is this tea blend. After drinking this tea, I have had some lucky things happen.<\/p>\n

Anyway play, romp and be happy! And again I apologize for putting up three of the same photo image and the fact that the paragraphs aren’t showing up in this blog despite putting in the manual html code.<\/p>\n

P.S. \u00a0 TAKASHIMAYA- R.I. P. Update- I was in NYC again last week to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY \u00a0and I \u00a0thought I would stop by Takashimaya briefly before the show. \u00a0 It \u00a0has gone out of business ( at least the NYC location). \u00a0I was sad. \u00a0 Takashimaya to me is like Tiffanys to Holly Golightly. \u00a0It was one of my many ( thankfully!) happy places in NYC. \u00a0It was a five floor department store unlike any other. \u00a0To me, an artist with so many planets in Taurus, it was the ultimate \u00a0merger of art, culture, luxury and style \u00a0in one place. \u00a0I bought this cool umbrella from \u00a0the store a few years ago with Asian people head drawings. \u00a0I never use the umbrella \u00a0for fear it will break. \u00a0I recently broke my I LOVE YOU Lulu Guiness umbrella. \u00a0By the way, they were selling a very cool umbrella at the ADDAMS FAMILY show with the characters \u00a0drawn underneath the umbrella \u00a0instead of on top. \u00a0But \u00a0it was $45. \u00a0 Because \u00a0I’m always \u00a0busting up my umbrellas, I bought several recently at IKEA for $2 each.<\/p>\n

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Hi Everyone!It’s been awhile since I \u00a0have last blogged. \u00a0I’m always immersed in seeing plays, art exhibits, cooking, making art, reading, watching films and studying astrology. I have had to decide what would go into this particular blog. Although I titled this blog Play, romp and be happy, I think a better title would be…»<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[503,134,488,493,500,498,476,489,491,501,499,484,530,528,529,66,486,72,55,492,475,178,490,495,487,482,170,494,135,485,478,496,504,480,497,479,477,483,502],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katiepfeiffer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}