Paris for my birthday! What more could a girl wish for? Well… you know me… I wish that I knew a few locals. I wish that there was someone to draw me up a big list of can-not-miss exhibits, boutiques, bistros. Where should I stay? I’m overwhelmed by the art, the beauty–the prospect of seared foie gras for lunch! Enter Paris Notebook. No leather. No gold leaf. But my yellow Steno pad should do the trick. Research sessions at Barnes & Noble and hours exploring the galleries of Rue de Seine, the 18th century brasseries of Les Halles, the Jewish bakeries of the Quartier Latin (such a tough job!) will be dutifully transcribed for your next trip. I’ll be your American insider–your know-it-all ami francaise– who can’t wait to tell you about Hotel Verneuil, the hotel de charme in St. Germain. You want romance and history with your next 4-star meal? Enjoy a lunch (for half the price of dinner) at Le Grand Vefour, a restaurant that has been around since the reign of Louis XV, a favorite of Napoleon, Colette, Cocteau. So I’ve got a hotel and my one 4-star meal. Now to fill in the blanks…  

She was a gorgeous, glowing sight for sore eyes. I hadn’t seen Ms. Nadine in two years. We left things off at Giorgione 508, several good glasses of Southern red and a plate of mixed bruschette between us (I swear I recall my life as a menu…). Our respective books had just been sold and she was off for twenty-four months of polo, Euros and an absolutely fabulous life. Me? I had big, big plans… to stand at the stove, write recipes, debate the merits of Afghan versus Spanish saffron…

But back to the beauty expert! Tuesday night dinner at Fred’s and I get Nadine and her oeuvre–Beauty Confidential. One day and counting before her Today Show appearance and she’s as cool, calm, collected and glowing (have I already used that descriptor?) as any celeb on the red carpet. The point is, the girl and her beauty regime (on a budget!) are doing something right.  

Go here and learn all of Nadine’s secrets. After highlighting every second page of Beauty Confidential I didn’t know whether I should hit CVS or Barney’s for my updated beauty buys. Her book is written for the priss and pauper in each of us working girls. Need I sell you more?

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I’m back from Zihuatanejo, Mexico and cooking Cambodian at home! After a little sleuthing (and a lot of tasting) at Kampuchea on the Lower East Side, I can whip up a mean skate salad with the best of ‘em. The fusion of Thai, Indian and Chinese flavors make this dish–and this jewel box of a restaurant–a ‘Must Eat!’ (For the skate salad recipe, Click Here)

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What exactly is Tasti-D-Lite? Scratch that–don’t show me the ingredient list. I ate way too much of the fake stuff in college and in my early 20’s. But, I’m trying to reform my ways and go for the natural stuff. Yep, I’m turning just a little crunchy in my old age…

I love winter squash. It’s everything this poor, working girl is not– rich and mellow. I’d say it’s just about the most comforting, seasonal food for our cool October nights. In fact, I love the orange stuff so much, I made it the focus of my debut segment for ABC/Good Morning America Online’s, “Eat & Greet.” 

Watch, learn about and enjoy these cool-weather veggies. Make your Mamma proud. 

ABC News: Heating Up Over Fall Food

Sitting, waiting, wishing while New York does it’s thing…  

And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City

Until you’ve seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you
I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light

This Broadway’s got
It’s got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I’ll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in New York City

Subway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found

(Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Bernie Taupin)

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Here is a gorgeous, super simple dessert for us working girls…