Tag Archives: bedroom
Bedtime Stories: Every Day
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Every Day by David Levithan.
Imagine if you woke up every day in a new body. And not just a new body but in someone else’s life. Sixteen years old and every day since A was born, A has occupied a different person’s body for a single day. The consciousness is A; A is the person with no body of his/her own. Neither male nor female, A is whatever body A wakes up in. From the co-author of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist comes this wholly unique novel.
We first meet the narrator as a teenager. The first morning A is in the body of a boy named Justin. At this point, A is quite used to being a different person and always goes to great lengths to avoid messing up the life of the body being visited for the day. But when A meets Justin’s girlfriend Rihannon, everything changes. A immediately falls deeply in love with her. It’s clear that Justin is a terrible boyfriend so when he suggests they escape to the beach for the day, she is surprised but happy. The next day Justin will remember what happened, but not why. And A will be another person in another body. But A can’t forget about Rihannon and begins drumming up excuses to find Rihannon and talk to her again, until the day that A decides to spill the beans and tell her the secret of who A really is.
A compelling read for teens and adults alike, Another Day is equal parts fantasy and romance. It’s a totally weird concept for a book, but it somehow works. Another Day approaches the notions of gender identity and physical presences in an unflinching way. A may be a 300 pound friendless kid one day and a gorgeous young woman the next (A always occupies bodies the same age as A) but the mind is always the same. So just what makes a person who he or she is? It’s an interesting question and pretty pertinent for our times.
Movies in Bed: Goosebumps
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Happy long weekend! If your geography is anything like mine, Memorial Day weekend means guaranteed rain. So if the sky opens up and the coal on your grill are hissing from the raindrops, maybe you can run inside, take cover under your blankets, and watch a movie with the kids. And if your kids are fans of scary things that aren’t actually scary (like my kid) you can load up Goosebumps the movie! Goosebumps is an homage to author R.L. Stine and to the menagerie of monsters he’s created over the many years of writing scary books for children. And the premise is pretty weird for this one. Zach has recently moved to a new town. R.L. Stine (Jack Black) is the creepy and reclusive new neighbor, though he is only known as Mr. Shivers. Despite warnings to stay away, Zach can’t help himself, mostly because of Stine’s alluring daughter, Hannah.
So Zach learns the true identity of Stine, who also reveals that his monsters came to life and he had to trap them in their books. Guess what happens? Yup, a creature gets unlocked. And then Slappy the evil living ventriloquist’s dummy, gets out and he releases all the evil on the small Delaware town.
Although filled with CGI monsters and other odd baddies, the movie is not particularly scary. Action, comedy, rampaging creatures are what fill the time. It’s a harmless and entertaining movie and Jack Black usually brings a fun element to movies. Available streaming, Goosebumps is a good family movie to while away the rainy spring evening.
Bedroom Design: 5 Bachelor Pad Bedrooms
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When we think of bachelor pads, we often imagine colors like black, deep gray and navy blue, waterbeds, sparse furnishings, and, in general, not a very stylish interior. But single men have come a long way with their desire to be fashionable and live in attractive environments, especially when they’re trying to impress a certain special someone.
For our single male readers and their lady friends, let’s take a look at some ultra-chic bachelor pad bedrooms.
This modern bedroom might have a minimalist design, but the space feels fashion forward. Neutral colors blend nicely, and a small bud vase adds just the right amount of femininity for contrast.
Color and pattern decorate the walls of this pre-war bedroom in the West Village of New York City. A 30-something professional lives in the apartment, which boasts a relaxed yet pulled-together design. At 140 square feet, this compact bachelor pad bedroom appears to get plenty of natural light.
Clean lines and colors work well in this contemporary bedroom. A striped accent pillow adds a splash of color. Crisp linens, a mod chandelier, and a small writing desk that doubles as a nightstand finish off the design.
Cuba is the theme in this bold bachelor pad bedroom in D.C. The yellow and green walls and striped bedcovering lend a tropical feel. It’s refreshing to see so much color in a gentleman’s quarters.
This room is anything but subtle and definitely plays on drama. This space is typical bachelor pad with an oversized Chesterfield bed and lots of black and leather. The masculine bedroom takes on a theatrical quality.
Charles P. Rogers + The Women’s Collective
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Last week on Life in the Bedroom, I introduced the stylish RecyBags, ideal for a summer beach tote or carryall. These colorful bags are handwoven by a group of women in Cebu, Philippines in partnership with the Rise Above Foundation.
At Charles P. Rogers, we’re thrilled to be able to partner with this Women’s Collective –– a group of Cebu mothers who came together to learn the craft of bag-making –– and support such a worthwhile cause.
As craftsmen ourselves, we understand the importance of recycling materials, whether it’s wood, metal, or in the case of RecyBags, rice and animal feed sacks.
Through hard work and great care, the collective creates these bags using scrap materials that would otherwise be wasted. These rice and animal feed sacks become a practical and beautiful accessory for others to enjoy while giving the women who make them an opportunity to learn a trade, support their families, and improve their quality of life.
By telling people about RecyBags or purchasing one for yourself or a gift, you enable these women in Cebu to continue to do their jobs, retain their independence, and take care of their children.
At CPR, we’re spreading the word about the Women’s Collective and the RecyBags, as well as Rise Above, which provides daycare services, education to children, and healthcare initiatives, allowing locals to live a more sustainable life.
Purchase a sheet set in either our New York or New Jersey showroom now through May 30th, and you’ll automatically go home with a RecyBag while supplies last. When a friend asks you where you purchased such a lovely bag, you can share the story of the Women’s Collective in Cebu, Philippines.
Charles P. Rogers
26 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
(212) 675-4400
300 NJ-17
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 933-8300
For more info on RecyBags, visit the Facebook page.
Breakfast in Bed – Texas Frittata
by: Alison Hein
I just returned from Texas after visiting with my sister in law Suzanne and her husband Randy. They have a beautiful ranch house set in the woods, surrounded by rolling hills and green oak trees. Suzanne’s kitchen is amazing, and each time I visit, I long to cook there. You may recall this lovely location for my great sugar burn experience while preparing a holiday flan a few years back.
With some brief moments of hesitance, I decided to return to the scene of the crime and whip up a nice breakfast. A quick search in the fridge yielded abundant selection, and I decided to prepare a nice, big frittata, loaded up heavy on the meat, Texas-style. Randy became my sous chef while Suzanne set a sparkling table.
Suzanne’s bright blue Le Creuset casserole dish was perfect for sautéing sausage, cooking vegetables, setting eggs, popping in the oven, and serving with style. A few torn basil leaves from Suzanne and Randy’s herb garden and a bottle of zesty hot sauce completed our impromptu breakfast in bed, Texas-style.
Ingredients
1 pound breakfast sausage
2 tablespoons high-heat olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces fresh spinach leaves
7 eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 – 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish
Hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Place a 10-inch ovenproof frying pan on stove over medium heat. Crumble sausage into pan and continue to cook until completely browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside. Wipe out pan completely and return to the stovetop.
Pour olive oil into the pan and heat over medium heat. Add chopped onion to pan, and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes more. Add spinach leaves by the handful until they are all wilted. Reduce heat to low.
Break eggs into a large bowl, and whisk until smooth and thickened. Add cooked breakfast sausage crumbles to the eggs and season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the onion-mushroom-spinach mixture. Continue to cook, gently moving uncooked eggs back around the sides of the pan, until edges are lightly set, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Place frittata in oven to finish, baking for about 10 minutes, until lightly puffed up and golden. Remove from oven and sprinkle the top of the frittata with parmesan cheese. Place frying pan under broiler, about 5 inches from direct heat and broil until cheese is melted and very lightly browned, about 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Makes 4 – 6 servings.
