THE STYLE SPREAD - Finding style in meals, cities, and a lens

Balthazar Boulangerie

November 17, 2018

Balthazar boulangerie

A typical New Yorker morning would be to head to Starbucks or Dean and Deluca for a coffee and a pastry.

But with a nostalgia for France, why not start a Saturday morning by going to Balthazar instead? This boulangerie is so cozy and filled with different pastries including tarte aux pommes and scones. Grab a hot cup of coffee and a warm cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll is a must-try by the way. It has a crusty outside with a soft inside. So good you won’t regret the five bucks it costs.

After that, get a baguette to take home. That’s how simple I like my Saturdays to be. And you don’t need to be across the Atlantic to do that.

Balthazar Boulangerie

Delacroix at The Met

November 15, 2018

Delacroix Fantasia Marocaine

This past weekend, I checked out the Delacroix exhibitions at the Met and I must say they brought me back to the place I love: Morocco. His paintings and sketches reminded me of how it felt to be on the streets of Meknes and Tangier. It gave my mind a great contrast to the everyday life in New York City.

For those who don’t know, Eugene Delacroix was a French artist who spent some time in Morocco on a diplomatic mission. During his trip there, he sketched, painted and went back home with sketchbooks filled with memories and a lot of culture. Most of those sketchbooks are kept in Paris and couldn’t be brought to the the Met but some of the paintings were.

I’m not even kidding when I say Delacroix and Morocco go hand-in-hand. Just like many other artists and authors, Delacroix found something alluring about the country. The curators even dedicated the exhibition store to Moroccan culture. From the lanterns to the Moroccan poufs, it was all there. The merchandise was a bit too pricy, compared to original prices in Morocco, but still available for purchase.

The exhibition includes 12 different galleries which showcase the artist’s various interests throughout his life.

The Karen B. Cohen Collection of the Delacroix Drawings ended already but you can still visit the main exhibition until January 6, 2019.

Delacroix sketchbooks

Spanish tiles

Delacroix Maroc

Delacroix paint

Delacroix

Delacroix at the Met

Gâteau à la banane

September 17, 2018

This was a recipe that I was really contemplating about publishing on the blog. Not that it doesn’t taste good; it actually tastes magnificent. But the frosting was more of a little project for me and Magdalene. As you can see, it’s not the most perfect display but since it’s so yummy I couldn’t resist sharing it.Read More

Oracle and Tarot Decks

August 6, 2018

lenormand deck

This past weekend was such a blur; it went by so quick. But it started out well. Me and a friend went to shop for tarot cards. It was her first time shopping for a deck so I tagged along. But I ended up buying two oracle decks and another tarot deck. I’m not sure if there’s an unwritten rule that you can’t have too many decks.Read More

Sketches and Progress

August 1, 2018

workspace

About two years ago I became intrigued by the watercolor medium. I had taken an art class before but for acrylic paint, not watercolor. And, well, acrylic paint wasn’t my thing.Read More

La Favela Cubana

July 23, 2018

Perfect brunches, for me, consist of sweet plantains, empanadas, and caipirinhas. Why would anyone want anything more? Great food and drinks go hand-in-hand for me. I cannot stand places that offer drinks but can’t satisfy my appetite when the time comes. This leads me to one restaurant that does a hell of a job at providing food, drinks and a great ambiance, Favela Cubana.

I can’t get enough of the Brazilian-Cuban restaurant. The first time I went there was eight years ago for one of my birthdays. I went again this week for my 26th birthday. It made me happy to see that they’re still in business. A lot of things change in eight years but not this place; it’s still open and better than ever.

It’s one of few places that make you feel like you’re not in New York City. Maybe it’s the decor or the food. But whatever it is, it’ll always be one of my favorite spots.

I discovered the resto during my Brasileira craze in my early college years. I added a picture below from when I was younger at Favela Cubana. I was so obsessed with Portuguese and Brasil that I wanted to experience anything and everything Brazilian. I think it’s time to revive some of that craze. Stay tuned.

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A Quick and Easy Guide to Essential Oils

July 16, 2018

Although a lot of us tend to underestimate the healing power of it, aromas are actually one of the most important aspects of healing. After all, everything we smell and breathe travels straight to our lungs and impacts it. So, if we’re inhaling something toxic, it can be detrimental to our lungs. Or, on the other hand, if we’re inhaling something soothing it can increase our dopamine and make us happy.

Below are a few things to help you get started on your aromatherapy journey.

Aroma Device

Essential Oil Diffuser

Believe it or not, an essential oil diffuser can help you get better when you’re sick or even feel better when you’re feeling down. It’s a must-have when you want to improve your body. Similar to a humidifier, an essential oil diffuser disperses a cold mist in the air which moistens it. It’s up to you to decide what aroma you want and why.

Essential Oils

Eucalytpus

This is such an essential essential oil. Saw what I did there? I have to stress it because eucalyptus aids in a lot of things. It’s antiviral, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Sick and want to make sure bacteria isn’t in your space? Choose eucalyptus. Have a cough that doesn’t improve? Use eucalyptus as a decongestant. It’s one of the most popular oils for treating lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and the common cold.

Lavender

Maybe you’ve heard about lavender, or maybe you haven’t. It’s known for improving moods and reducing anxiety and stress. If you’re also having headaches, lavender can alleviate them. Want to fall asleep quicker? Use some lavender oil at night to relax along with chamomile tea.

Peppermint

Known for increasing energy levels, peppermint has been used for years. Sprinkle a few drops into your diffuser, and wait for that boost of energy. Along with this benefit, peppermint also helps improve memory. And if you’re feeling a little woozy, this oil can help relieve nausea.

Lemon

Suffering from allergies is no fun. Thankfully there’s lemon oil. Inhaling lemon aroma can drain your lymphatic system, reducing your allergy symptoms. Lemon oil can also be used as a disinfectant. Instead of sprinkling drops into your diffuser, make your own cleaning agent by mixing the oil with water. Voila!

Monday Morning Motivation

July 9, 2018

Going to start this weekly entry for Mondays. I’m going to call it Monday morning motivation. Not sure if that’s the right title but I’m going to try to get up in advance to write a full article about my weekly motivations and goals. So far, I failed this week since I am writing this article in the evening and publishing it on a Tuesday.

Anywho, this week I am focused on four things: coffee, picnics, homes, and books. One of these things does not belong and that would be coffee. I’m not a coffee fanatic but I do like the aroma and lately I have been needing it to keep up with life’s demands.

Another necessity to keep up with life’s demands are picnics. Spending time outdoors is the remedy for working indoors. Work a 9 to 5? Go outdoors. I try to spend my extra time outside. Whether it’s at a park or just taking a stroll around.

Homes is next on my list. I really want a place that I can make my own. If I could ask for one thing to make me happy, it would be a home with big windows facing the sun. Living in New York doesn’t make this an easy get. After all, you need a high salary or to settle sharing with someone. I think I’ll go for the higher salary.

Last on this short list: books. The one thing I have always been into and the one thing that clutters my living space. No matter how technologically advanced we are, I will always resort to this traditional creation.

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5 Benefits of the Chamomile Flower

July 4, 2018

The magic of the chamomile flower shouldn’t be limited to only insomnia. It is widely popular for its sedative effects because well, it works. But there’s way more to this power flower than just sleep benefits. I included insomnia, because it’s still an important issue, along with four other health problems that this flower can help with.

01. Treats Insomnia and restlessness

This is the number one complication that chamomile tisanes are known for. Whether you’re suffering from insomnia or you just have a lot on your mind, chamomile is the go-to aid. Its sedative effects relax you until you go to sleep. However, there is much debate that the sleep effects comes from the placebo effect. Hmm, I think I prefer to believe in the flower’s power.

02. Serves as a cold remedy

Research has proven that chamomile provides medicinal benefits that can help fight colds and infections. This isn’t such a surprise to me since I have tried it as a cold remedy myself and it works wonders. And it’s great for kids too. Whenever my daughter gets a cold, I don’t opt for cough or fever suppressants. What’s the point of your immune system working if you’re just trying to suppress it? But for nights when she has a pesky cough that won’t go away, I always use chamomile. I make her a mild tisane with honey and warm milk. Not only would the cough go away, but it makes her sleep throughout the whole night. At the same time, the flower is fighting the cold internally.

03. Improves stress levels

It’s no surprise that chamomile can improve stress levels since it already has sedative effects which produce relaxation. You can use the flower in aromatherapy. I haven’t seen a lot of chamomile essential oils but you can still DIY it. Or just boil the flower and infuse your home with its gentle smell. That should do the trick.

04. Reduces eye bags and dark circles

Not only is this pretty flower a health aid but it’s also a must-have beauty product. Have dark circles or eye bags? Boil some chamomile tea bags and let them cool down. After, place them under your eyes for five minutes. The antioxidants in it will brighten the dark circles and liven your eyes up. It also helps reduce puffiness. I think I’ll start putting those tea bags to boil. Be right back.

05. Alleviates upset stomach and cramps

Chamomile is great for so many things. But next time you have an upset stomach, let this power flower help settle it. Its anti-inflammatory properties makes sure your stomach lining isn’t going out of whack. The flower can reduce cramps since it’s great at relaxing muscles and reducing irritability.

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3 Healthy Things to Adopt in your Home

June 10, 2018

Having been playing with new decor elements in my living space, I’ve been mainly focusing on my physical and spiritual health. I’ve also been suffering from Hay Fever for the past few weeks so it pushed me to look after my surroundings and what triggers it.

Below are the three things I have incorporated into my living space to keep me happy, healthy, and hydrated.

01. Essential Oil Diffuser

To combat the Hay Fever, I bought an essential oil diffuser, which also serves as a humidifier, and it really helped with the allergic reactions. A diffuser or humidifier can improve allergies and colds. It can even help shift your moods. So if you’re feeling a little stressed, lavender oil would do the trick.

My go-to essential oil for colds has always been Eucalyptus. It kills bacteria so if you’re having trouble with a cough or allergies, it can really alleviate the situation and help you sleep at night. And if there’s congestion, Eucalyptus helps you breathe better too.

02. Plants

Bringing in plants was one of my other goals. I actually went a tad plant crazy since I bought Basil, Mint, Parsley, and Cilantro plants. Check out my cute sage plant. It’s still a baby but it will grow.

It’s so great to have them at hand since you don’t have to worry about running to the store at last minute or even when you’re sick. You can clip them and dry them if you want. Or just clip and put in a tea.

Just like a humidifier, plants also have the power of increasing humidity. They also improve air quality in that they reduce airborne dust. Another benefit is that they keep the air temperature cool. Want another cool fact? They absorb sound. Sounds crazy right? Well, it’s been proven that plants can reduce background noise from cars and highways.

03. Tisanes

A tisane is basically an herbal infusion for those who don’t know. You may consider it a tea cause it looks like one but if there aren’t any tea leaves, it’s not a tea.

The first time I experienced the power of a tisane was when I poisoned myself with antibiotics for my wisdom tooth. I did just as the doctor said and out of nowhere started experiencing severe stomach pains. I decided to drink a sage tisane since I had heard that Native Americans used the plant to get rid of pains and negativity. The minute I finished my cup of Sage, everything came out. I’ve been a firm believer of tisanes ever since.

Tisanes are good for different conditions. Sage can be good to expel any toxicity in the gut while Chamomile is good for insomnia. Then you have Rooibos which can aid in losing weight. It’s all up to you.

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