Posts categorized as DIY

We have a working toilet, no walls to enclose it but hey, we’re not picky. Things are moving along, here’s the update. (Yes it looks crazy, we know) We hadn’t planned on changing the windows but Maureen found a deal on Craigslist for Andersens that we couldn’t pass up. They’re in great condition. We couldn’t believe someone would throw these out! Another person’s trash… that’s what they say, right? We managed to replace all windows on the first floor. The new ones bring in more light – I’m very happy with […]

With branches from your garden or found tree limbs on the street, give this DIY centerpiece a whirl. I was on the RD looking around when Aunt Brenda’s voice echoed in my head “I JUST SPRAY PAINT EVERYTHING, IT’S WAY CHEAPER THAN BUYING THAT STUFF IN THE CRAFT STORE.” Aunt Brenda is famously known for her gorgeous holiday decor. She uses spray paint on found yard branches to make Christmas and Easter centerpieces. After she transforms them with sparkles of gold and silver, she hangs ornaments on the DIY trees. Every year […]

Photo via Last Dragon Pizza Facebook Since reading on DNAinfo about the underground pizzeria Last Dragon, we’ve been dying to try it out. Last Dragon Pizza is the creation of Nicole Russell, 41, a super-fan of the cult classic film who slings her pies like blue arrows at her home in Arverne. A few weeks ago Susanne and I made arrangements to pre-order for a Wednesday night pick-up. After much back and forth, we agreed to order The Glo!!!  It would be smart to try the “nuts and bolts” pizza first, we thought.  The Glo!!! is […]

Stop by and say hello this Sunday at Gottscheer Hall. We’re selling house plants in recycled cans. There are some great vendors this spring, check’m out.

We recently caught up with Rockaway residents Beth Waytowich and Tara Mckiernan, co-owners and creators of  the End of the A Mobile Boutique. Yes, we’re talking about an on-wheels fashion boutique servicing the Rockaways! Here’s the scoop… Q: What was the inspiration for End Of The A Mobile Boutique? The inspiration for the name ‘End Of The A’ is Rockaway being the last stop of the A train. The idea for a mobile boutique stemmed from Tara and I wanting to turn our love for fashion and the beach into a business. Rockaway […]

Walking home from Valentino’s this past Sunday I spotted this! A bagel just sitting in a tree, I thought “how bizzare, must be some kids goofing around.” I continued walking home and then WABAM!! - I had a great idea. I should make a bagel bird feeder! Even though the weather has been cold and snowy, I’ve noticed the birds have started their migration. This is a beautiful time of year to bird watch, you’ll see uncommon species on their travels and I’m guessing they’ll be hungry. Below are my directions for the bagel […]

It was at least a week after Sandy before I even gave our fig tree a thought. This was surprising, considering how much I loved my fig tree. But we were so busy being cold and cleaning out the basement that the backyard was not on our minds. But when we finally did check out my beloved fig tree, things didn’t look good. There was a grayness, probably from the salt water that seemed to cover the leaves. We had a particularly abundant crop the summer before and now it seemed […]

Summer is wrapping up and the evidence is visible… The echinacea looks beautiful even as its flowers are dying. Maybe I should try a dried flower DIY project with them. The leaves on my grapefruit mint are turning red, unexpected and delightful. I picked this up and others like it at Green Village Used Clothing & Furniture. If you have patience, this thrift store is a gem.

My friend and office-mate Todd makes a mean burger. Half beef, half turkey, all delicious. On these burgers, he put some homemade overnight pickles,with chunks of fennel, something I’d never heard of. They made the burgers even more deliciouser. He was kind enough to share the recipe, which is basically what’s in the picture — cucumbers, cider vinegar, fennel and fennel seed — plus celery seed, salt and sugar. You put it in the jar, and let it sit overnight, like so. Since Todd made burgers for lunch a couple of […]