October Madness 2010

Boo! 
Hello my  beauties!  Welcome to October!  Pick out a Pumpkin and be creative, carve away send a photo to madisoncreativeservice@gmail.com  The winner will receive $50.00. Please include 
your e-mail address.  Practice carving at Spookathon   E-mail Me

 Roasting pumpkin seeds

1)  Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Rinse pumpkin seeds in a colander. Spread out on paper towel and pat dry.

2) Coat a large baking sheet with  small amount of vegetable oil..spread the pumpkin seeds out.  Spray oil on the top of the seed and sprinkle old bay seafood seasoning on top.

3) Bake for 30 minutes in  preheated oven. Make sure they are dry and roasted.
Benefits of pumpkin seeds:  Pumpkin seeds have mainly been used to treat bladder problems and prostate . they have also been know to help with depression and learning disabilities. They contain most of the B vitamins along with C, D,and E.

Gourds for  accents: An entire bowl of gourds cost less than $10.00 at your supermarket.  They will brighten your table and  look very festive without costing a bundle.. Will last until Thanksgiving...
Gourds for jewelry: Take one hard shell snake gourd,  clean and dry. Cut the gourd into 1-inch or wider bands us a ex-acto knife. If the edges are rough use a piece of sandpaper to smooth them.

Gourds for the birds: Make a carved birdhouses.
The gourds can be carved out and either can be painted or
left natural. Drill a small hole at the top for cord to attach to tree.
Be careful using sharp tools.






















Coalition for homeless ticket information


Fashion Update
Hope you enjoyed fashion week.  Even if you didn't catch any of the new fashions. 
http://www.style.com/














                                         

Here is a list of favorite shopping and fashion web sites
www.wwd.com

www.nationaljeancompany.com

www.shopmanhattanite.com

www.ladylicorice.com

www.vogue.com

                                                     

J.Crew MacAlister Wedge

         Fall Trends 2010

•  Slimming skirts just below the knee
•  Camel coats and jackets
•  Menswear jackets worn with    simple    white shirts
•  Vests
•  Military jackets 
•  Everything Belted  such as jackets, dresses, sweaters, medium to thin width   belts            
•  Boots over the Knee
•  Desert wedge boot ( see photo)

Luca Luca

NATIRAR
SOMERSET COUNTY  491-acre ESTATE OPEN TO PUBLIC

The Natirar was once the home of the King  of Morocco.  The 1912 home stood silent for 20 years after a lifetime of industry and frailty within its elegant walls. But no longer does it wait for merriment and life Plans are in the making and people are in a scurry to fling open its great doors for all to come and enjoy its offerings, a spa, restaurant, cooking and wine school, hiking, horses and fishing outdoors, events, exhibition and concerts, a museum and interpretive center.
 The Proud new owner is Somerset County Park Commission. The commission bought the 491- acre estate for $22 million with the intent to preserve this crown jewel as open space The mansion, two cottages, carriage house and greenhouse stand on 88 acres. The county plans to lease to Sir Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Airlines. The house will continue on as a retreat facility, with full service spa, conference center and restaurant that will open to the public. The estate will be open in December 2010.
THE CLUB AT NATIRARwww.theclubatnatirar.com

October Calendar of Events

• Matisse Exhibit at Moma,NYC until October 11th
• Union Square Street Fair/ Saturday Oct 9th from 23rd St to 33rd St.
• Food Network NYC Wine and food Festival 9am to 1pm West 15th st between 10th Ave
• Greenwich Village Halloween Parade Sunday October 31st. at 7:00PMon 6th Avenue , South of Spring St and north of Canal St.   Watch on WPIX Channel 11-7PM to 10PM
• NYC Oktoberfest- Lexington Ave. From 42nd to 57th st. Sunday October 3rd.

PXCWRV3TMGAT







Food for Thought:
Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits:  Yummy!

Mousse Parfaits

RECIPE LINK:
Barefoot Contessa Pumpkin Parfaits:

 WGPAX43ZYZ74

September 2010

September has arrived!! Hello my lovelies! What a glorious time of year! Did you know: Autumn is derived from the latin word "Autumnus" and before the 16th century the season was refered to as "Harvest". The Autumn season lasts from August until November. Enjoy each day, absorb the colors that await you.

Bring your camera along on your fall walks

Send them over!

Will be posted here

In October!

Here is a list of events for your calendar

• The San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy NYC for zeppole lovers running from September 16th through the 26th
• Fashion Nite Out September 10th - NYC Fashion Retail stores running sales and designer appearances and fashion shows in NYC. Check out fashionnightout.com this site is selling tee shirts for fashion week to benefit Aids.
  
  
• QVC is getting in on Fashion Nite Out . Sept 10th- 15th Starts at 9pm , including designer Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Zoe. Filming live from Rochefeller Center.
• Fashion Week Prelude on September 7th at Lincoln center the new home of the New York fashion week, will be the venue for a major runway show that is open to all. There will be Two hundred models wearing new designs from top designers, Its FREE
• Hoboken Italian Festival Sept. 6th through the 12th. oldies but goodies "The Jersey is Sound" is playing on Sunday the 12th
• Ridgewood and Cresskill Street Fairs Sept 9 through the 11th. Great shopping!
• Botanical Gardens- Edible Gardens and Old Stone Mill has been renovated and ready for tours. Go to nyby.org for schedules

FASHION WEEK is around the corner and Lincoln Center will be the new home for the tents. May be impossible to get front row seats,

so try going to Style.com or chanel.com and watch the fashion

shows on line.. Something about the fall energy and autumn breezes STIMULATES fashion and creativity. The kids are back to school and college semesters have begun. Football season is ready with pre season games, so try to enjoy the beautiful season and fall fashion .

Just in case you have some spare time.

This is a favorite!

"A million Miles In a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller.

If you read the book please let me know your thoughts.

Here is a list of events for your calendar

• The San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy NYC for zeppole lovers running from September 16th through the 26th
• Fashion Nite Out September 10th - NYC Fashion Retail stores running sales and designer appearances and fashion shows in NYC. Check out fashionnightout.com this site is selling tee shirts for fashion week to benefit Aids.
  
  
• QVC is getting in on Fashion Nite Out . Sept 10th- 15th Starts at 9pm , including designer Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Zoe. Filming live from Rochefeller Center.
• Fashion Week Prelude on September 7th at Lincoln center the new home of the New York fashion week, will be the venue for a major runway show that is open to all. There will be Two hundred models wearing new designs from top designers, Its FREE
• Hoboken Italian Festival Sept. 6th through the 12th. oldies but goodies "The Jersey is Sound" is playing on Sunday the 12th
• Ridgewood and Cresskill Street Fairs Sept 9 through the 11th. Great shopping!
• Botanical Gardens- Edible Gardens and Old Stone Mill has been renovated and ready for tours. Go to nyby.org for schedules

Honey And Benefits!

Aside fron being a tasty snack or used in tea, honey can be used for home and health applications as well. With it's natural formulation it is used as treatment for some illnesses and a vitamin supplement . It also known to mositurize and disinfect the skin making it an unconventional moisturizer, antiseptic and antibacterial solution. Here's the rewards of bee's healthy by product:

1) Facial Mask: Honey mixed with egg whites and lemon is wonderful skin tightener and moisturzer. Mix four tablespoons of honey with 2 egg whitse and 2 tablespoons of lemon

mix well, apply to face and neck and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse

2) Energy Booster- Mix 2 tablesoons of honey into a glass of water and a squeeze of lemon. Honey's glucose content will be absorbed by the brain and into the bloodstream reducing fatigue in the process.

3) Sore Throat relief: create a sore throat relieving serum, by squeezing the juice from a lemon and mix it with honey. Drink the solution and see the improvement.

4)Relaxant for Anxiety and nervousness. Anxiety and nervousness are enemies of a healthy mind. Take honey added to simple foods to relax. In a bowl of cereal add 3 tablespoons of honey. Also In a hot cup of tea add honey for a good nights sleep. Honey is terrific also as

a dipping sauce for vegetable and meats.

5)Remedy for burns: By applying honey to a minor burn the hydrogen peroxide released cleans the wound and soothes the inflammation.

6)Acne Remover: Apply a small amount of honey on the pimple regions of the face. Honey also helps in preventing scaring since it acts also as a moisturizer

7) Colon Damage Prevention: Honey can help strengthen and improve the resistance of the colon. By adding honey to simple foods you can minimize the effects of colitis..

Its been a hot summer! Don't know about you, but I could use some repair on sun damaged hair.. There has been lots of talk about Coconut Oil. The polynisian women have been using it for centuries and are known for having strong shiny hair. The coconut oil strengthens and nourishes the hair shaft as well as the scalp. When shopping make sure you buy pure coconut oil. Use very little. Just rub it through your hair and scalp, try a plastic cap and cover with warm towel for 15 minutes and wash out. Wash well! Style your Healthy Hair!

Clutch by Madison Design! If interested

e-mail :madisoncreativeservices@gmail.com

TMI!!!

That's it for this month. Lots more to tell you! Be Back in October.. Enjoy AUTUMN!

Blogging

Madisons Blog/ August 2010

Sizzling August

Trying to keep cool this summer!

Try your freezer!

Bag a small hand towel, scarf or pillow case. Place in the freezer for 1 hour. Take to the beach, on the road or by your keep by your bedside. Keep a small spray bottle filled with ice water and mist during the day.

Protect your hair and scalp. Use regular 25 SPF sunblock, spritz our hair and scalp. Protects

against sun damage and discoloration.

Just Grazing ! Big, potein-laden meals force your body to stoke its metabolic fires. The solution is to break up your eating into smaller, more frequent meals. You'll feel cooler!

This month on Madison Blog : Believe or not we found 131 uses for vinegar! Below is a list of favorites. Wait for a sale and stock up!

1)Vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits that collect in automatic drip coffee makers. Fill the reservoir with vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished.

2) Clean the dishwasher by running a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap and iron build up on the inner mechanisms.

3) Freshen up washing machine. Once a month pour one cup of vinegar into an empty washing machine and run the machine through normal cycle.

4) Relieve mosquito bite itching . Dab cotton ball soaked with straight vinegar and apply to bite.

5) Removes warts: Apply daily to warts until they dissolve. Remove warts by applying a lotion of half cider vinegar and half glycerin. Found in drug stores

6) Corrosion may be removed from showerhead or faucets by soaking them in diluted distilled vinegar over night. Another way would be to saturate a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrap it around the shower head or faucet

7) Illiminate weeds and grass on walk and driveways . Pour full strength on unwanted grass.

8) Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water..

9) Deter ants and insects: Spray vinegar around door and window frames.

10) Relieve cough by mixing one - half apple cider vinegar, one half cup of water, one teaspoon cayenne pepper and four teaspoons of honey. Take one tablespoon when cough acts up.

11) Treat sinus infections and chest colds: add 1/4 cup or more of vinegar to the vaporizer.

12) Clean stainless steel. by wiping with a vinegar dampened cloth.

Don't forget your camera! Remember the end of the summer

shots of white sand and gray drift wood along the sand dunes.

The lighting is wonderful this time of the year season..

Try the sand against a blue sky with kites flying in the air. Send us your favorites and we will post them next month!

Enjoy the rest of your summer !

Madison Blog/ July 2010

Happy July,

Still enjoying the summer months...Don't forget to make it to the beach...Take a swim in the ocean...Don't care if its too cold... Take a an umbrella no matter how small. Use sun block. By the way natural sunblock combining coconut oil and aloe vera juice half and half works like a charm.Don't forget to stand in direct sun for at least 15 minutes to get your vitamin "D"

Madison's blog each month will share healing and useful hints from natures own ingredigents

No need to spend lots of money when most of these are in your back yard or your kitchen cabinet.

This month will share lemon uses:

Lemon juice has been used for years to lighten age spots and freckles, and it has an added bonus of helping to clear black heads and acne. Wash your face nightly with lemon juice and rinse with cool water in the morning.

• Create blond highlight by spraying your hair with lemon juice and sitting in the sun.
• Lemon Juice added to shampoo aids with the removal of dandruff. Add two tablespoons of the lemon juice to two cups of water to rinse hair after shampooing. Repeat process every other day until there no sign of dandruff.
• Dry and achy hands and feet can be relieved with a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil used as a massage: the skin will feel softer too!
• To prevent yellowing nails from too much nail polish: Soak nails in lemon juice for ten minutes thaen dip in a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Not only will this help to whiten nails, but in strengthening them.
• Lemon juice provides for antibacterial treatment in minor wounds and aids in stopping the bleeding.
• Poured directly on posion ivy rash, lemon juice relieves the itch and discomfort.
• There are several different cough and sore throat remedies which include lemon juice. Lemon juice can also be used to kill the bacteria that casuse bad breath.
• A few Drops of lemon juice added to a glass of warm water and drink before breakfast will aid with constipation
• Remove the foul odor of fish or the stain of berries from your hands by washing them first in lemon juice and than with soap and water.
• Lighten smooth, and soften elbows with lemon juice
• Remove warts by applying juice to the wart daily until it falls off.
• By the way there are food markets that sell a bag 16 lemons for $3.00

Summer is the perfect time of year to choose healthy eating habits. Think fruit, limit carbs, eat simple and light. Healthy choices will keep you moving light on your feet and not to mention clear your head. Don't forget to walk , exercise and swim.