fayeruz – Fayeruz Regan

The Big Easy in RVA

July 11, 2021by fayeruzLeave a Comment

Being a meteorologist in New Orleans is like being a Pilates instructor in LA. You are at the epicenter of where it all happens. My dear friend Michelle got the opportunity of a lifetime when offered a job to be a meterologist at the CBS station in New Orleans: WWL-TV.

I had to throw her a going away party. I wish I could have whipped up some cajun-style finger foods, or a giant pot of crawfish etouffee served in elegant bowls. But it was a surprise party, thrown together rather quickly, so we kept it simple. A stocked bar, bundles of fresh flowers, a kicking playlist (with a few zydeco songs mixed in) and unfussy foods, such as watermelon slices, hummus and a pocorn station, where you could sprinkle on a variety of toppings.

I decked the place out with Mardi Gras beads, hanging them en masse, just like it’s done in New Orleans, where fences or trees are chosen at random to become positively dripping with necklaces. I created a photo wall with splashy Mardi Gras colors: green, purple and yellow. There were masks and feather boas as props.

The music was blasting, many shots were thrown back, and people were so determined to party, that no one touched the food. What should have been a somber occasion (saying goodbye to a friend) was a raucous night of laughter, dancing and a plethora of blackmail photos.

For while we are sad to see Michelle go, we gained another friend in New Orleans. When we saw her off, she had our full bayou blessing. As they say in New Orleans: Laissez les bon tems roulez!

Food, La Vie, Uncategorized

Everyone okay out there?

August 22, 2020February 1, 2022by fayeruzLeave a Comment

One of the gifts of this pandemic is seeing “influencers” being replaced by hilarious TikTok videos. People need to laugh. Overly-edited selfies of girls on boats feels tone deaf at the moment.

Right now, the country is fighting for social justice, and rallying against an increasingly fascist White House. Influencers, already teetering on shaky ground for the shameless pursuit of followers and fame, seem out of place in today’s America.

Let’s put a hold on diet teas that cause gastrointestinal disasters. It’s not as fun watching high-end make-up tutorials when, if you aren’t one of the 40 million who are unemployed, are likely working from home anyway.

Let this time be a refresh, to focus on things that enrich our lives. Things that make us happy, and things that make a difference.

There are hilarious memes dedicated to the slow descent into madness for 2020. But if my previous posts have told you anything, it’s that I’m fighting the negativity tooth and nail. Instead of feeling helpless about the state our country is in, I get up and go to Black Lives Matter protests. I sign petitions and I registered to vote by mail. I turn my grief into action.

I miss entertaining and traveling. But I’m using the extra time to brush up on home projects, because life is giving me the world’s longest weekend. I built a slate fire pit and a curving, slate sidewalk leading up to it. I wallpapered the stair risers. I explored new parks with my six year-old and was able to binge watch everything in my queue. Highly recommended: Fleabag.

Here are some other things you can do to make the most of the current situation:

When life hands you peaches…. Get outside for fresh air in an orchard and pick them. It’s perfect for social distancing. If you don’t live near a farm where you can pick your own, hit up the market. Peaches will never be more juicy or wallet-friendly than they are right now in season, and delicious things can be made with them.

The same goes for tomatoes!

The kids need to have a little fun too. Integrate literature and food by making real-life green eggs and ham!

This winter, when news of the pandemic hit, it was nature that saved us. As if sensing our pain, she saved us from sleet and frigid temperatures. Like magic, winter was mild and spring came early, allowing us to get outside. My husband took up fishing, and with it, the exploration of unvisited state parks and local fishing spots. It meant days in the sun, leisurely picnics and fresh fish! Nothing beats my husband’s fried bass with Thai chili and tamarind sauce. Nothing.

Most pools are closed, but it isn’t the only way to make a splash. Research the best places to take a dip, whether an old quarry or local lake. If you’re not land-locked, get to the coast. Well and Good even has a guide that lists the best natural places to swim in every state. To make the most of it, go prepared. Pack river shoes to avoid broken glass or questionable surfaces. Bring water to stay hydrated. Come with friends, because there’s safety in numbers. Since you’ll be far from civilization, pack great food and stir up a fresh summer sangria. These will likely be the best days of your summer.

It’s true that the pandemic isn’t over, but neither is summer. This season can be fleeting, which is why we need to stop and savor the little things. Instead of frozen sugar water, get creative with homemade popsicles. Arnold Palmer, strawberry and basil and cappuccino are among the surprising flavor combinations. Have fun with it!

Perhaps most importantly, don’t let helplessness take over. It’s easy during a pandemic to feel down, especially with the relentless news cycle spitting out one treacherous act after another. It’s healthy to shut it out in small doses, but be sure to stay informed. The only way to beat helplessness is to be part of the solution. Register to vote by mail, march with protesters for Black Lives Matter, sign petitions fighting against corrupt government practices, then rest and regroup as needed.

Blink and it will be fall. There will new things to look forward to. Until then, take care of yourself.

La Vie, Uncategorized

Art to Choke Hearts – my new shop on Etsy!

July 16, 2020July 30, 2020by fayeruzLeave a Comment

My Etsy page is finally here. It sounds like “artichoke hearts,” but is darker, more romantic. It’s inspired by the cult classic Art to Choke Hearts, by Henry Rollins. I’m talking obscure 1986 Black Flag Henry Rollins.

But I digress. This feels like kismet. Right as COVID-19 was taking hold, I came across two brown grocery bags filled to the brim with costume jewelry. They sat glittering next to trash bins in my back alley as I walked my dog. Strangely, this discovery took place just days after I began dressing up ordinary flea market paintings with jewels.

While I’m proud to have accomplished this while in quarantine, I have a feeling it’s a lot like writing. The art is the easy part; selling is quite another. So I’m putting it out there. Feel free to peruse. Feel free to share. A lot of my work is mixed media, where I’ve adorned paintings and prints with jewels and curiosities, elevating the pieces and giving them texture. Some are funny, some are ethereal. But all of them are for sale.

Home, La Vie, Uncategorized

Beaches closed? Time for a Redneck Riviera

May 18, 2020by fayeruz2 Comments

I love the water. So much so, that I am willing to do an activity that involves the word redneck. Kids around the world have been pulled out of school, kept in their homes and are enduring a strange new reality. But we don’t have to feel sorry for them. Not if we’re being creative. Not if we’re allowing them outside, letting them explore and getting them covered in scrapes and bruises, just like a kid should be. I refuse to let the wonder of childhood sink into a pit of video game addiction.

Well, whatever winter we had (it gets weirder every year) has passed. Spring fever is in full boom and Memorial Day is right around the corner. With beaches and pools closed, it’s time to make a Redneck Riviera in the yard. Fill up a big kiddie pool, fire up these new-fangled Slip and Slides with squirting fountains, and plug in the sprinkler. Et voila!

Prepare to have the sound of your yard filled with giggles and screeches. Prepare to have neighbors slow down to smile at the sight. Prepare sandwiches, because running around in the sun all day will bring on a preternatural hunger. Keep a basket of sunscreen and insect stray nearby. Lay out a giant blanket for them to rest on, and in full sun so they don’t get the shivers. And of course, play some great music.

As for you, feel free to soak up the sun, shake up a summer cocktail, catch up on required reading (Vogue!) and ignore them in general. You deserve the break as much as they do.

Holidays, Uncategorized

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 10, 2020May 10, 2020by fayeruzLeave a Comment

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This year, mama needs a gesture. Whether she’s home-schooling while working remotely, or struggling to find work due to the mass unemployment, her plate spilleth over.

Moms are practical, but deserve luxury. Give them something they’ll actually use, but may not buy for themselves. Most importantly, give them time and space to relax. I’m writing this in bed while my family sleeps. Nothing is more delicious to a writer than having a home all to themselves. But this joy is not limited to writers. Back massages, bubble baths, sleeping in – these things make us beautiful from the inside out. They deserve it.

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While I’m here, I’d love to share some tips on how to carpe the hell out of this diem during the COVID-19 quarantine. Or as I call it, the YPE (Yoga Pants Era, TM).

Mother’s Day gift ideas, right here!

If you’re guilty of panic shopping, and realized you bought too many groceries, I have zero-waste tips, so you can make the most of your bounty. Toilet paper recipes not included.

Did you know that all those lackluster grocery store salad dressings also pack a lot of hidden sugar? Homemade salad dressings aren’t only better for you, but pack a lot more punch in the flavor department.

Homeschooling the kiddos? Put them to work in the kitchen! It’s where science meets art, and can help you build a lifelong narrative around food and health.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Food, Home, La Vie, Uncategorized

Inspiration in Quarantine

April 20, 2020May 10, 2020by fayeruz1 Comment

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I hope this post finds people in good spirits, though it’s a rainy Monday. In a quarantine. I think it’s a perfect excuse to catch up on my reading and face-mask game, but I want to be sensitive to how other people are feeling during this time.

Some people have lost loved ones to Covid-19, while others are struggling with being so bob isolated. Many are still working full-time from home while trying to homeschool. Personally, my family and I are thriving during this time. Attitude has a lot to do with it. Being positive doesn’t mean that you’re happy all the time, but we are doing two important things: Making the best out of a difficult situation, and remembering that better times are ahead of us.

We’ve taken advantage of the time we’ve been given. Our son learned to ride a bike, I’m immersed in crafting projects and my husband just made a wheel of Jarlsberg cheese – to be ready by summer. Regardless of how you feel, you owe it to yourself to find light in these dark times. Life is too short. And mark my words: When people start getting busy again, they will lament not having this extra time that we have been given right now.

Here are some tips to make the most of this temporary situation, taken from my blog at Ladles & Linens:

If grocery stores make you fraught, now is the perfect time to start your own garden! The yield will be much tastier, and it will save you plenty of coin: Inspo right HERE.

March Gardening To-Do List

Keeping your immune system in tip-top condition is a great way to stave off Covid-19. Or, if you’ve been infected, an immunity boost still gives a good head start in combating the symptoms and severity. Fight the good fight HERE.

Now is the time to hunker down and make those time-consuming recipes you love. Even better? Freeze some for later, busier times. You’ll be grateful that you did. Deliciousness awaits right HERE.

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Everyone is baking right now, but it doesn’t all have to be bakery fare. Whip up some protein bars, with whatever you have in the house. Kitchen Sink Protein Bites are tasty and guilt-free. Find some options right HERE.

Have a great week!

Holidays, La Vie, Themed Parties, Uncategorized

Party, Interrupted

April 6, 2020April 7, 2020by fayeruz1 Comment

This Saturday my son turns six. Like many people achieving milestones during this time, things are unusual. While some adults are too cool for themed parties, one of the perks of having children are shameless, over-the-top themes. And I am here for it.

Hamilton had his heart set on a Batman-themed party, so that’s what he’s going to get. Only during the summer. To make up for the wait, we are going all out behind the scenes. During our home-schooling, our art lessons are focused on party planning and decor.

We made Gotham City out of large cardboard boxes. We created a Joker pinata that he gets to swing at first, on the big day. We stamped Bat Bags for the goodies and are creating a cavernous bat cave with old blankets. We’ll be using the (pictured) projector to shine the bat signal onto the inner walls, along with some playful disco lights. We’re building fort tents in the living room just to practice for the big cave.

Keeping him involved helps him appreciate the work that goes into entertaining. Getting him excited stops him from feeling sorry for himself. Because at the end of the day, this is not a tragedy. Our hearts are with those most affected by Covid-19; there are a lot of people grieving right now. I also feel pretty bad for high school seniors, who won’t get to experience how disappointing prom is. Many may have experienced shake-ups in the college admissions process too. And while I’m sure they won’t be broken up over having to skip a graduation ceremony, their parents sure will.

Stay healthy, be positive and remember that one of the key components of happiness is the ability to adapt. Regardless of the shake-ups affecting our own lives, we can either use this time as a gift, or as a curse. So make the best of it. Better days are ahead of us, so no harm in planning the party now.

Themed Parties, Uncategorized

Studio City 54

February 1, 2020February 16, 2020by fayeruz2 Comments

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Our most epic party was Studio City 54. I’m talking the cops showing up type of epic. It all started when we were watching the Richard Pryor movie Carwash, when Metro PR founder Tess Finkle and I became enamored with the idea of throwing an all-out disco.

Shamelessly glam, and romantically 70s!

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We cleared the furniture out of the house to make a giant dance floor, plus a rollerskates-only “Roller Room.” He hired a DJ who can really read and manipulate the crowd, and he brought in a mirror ball and lighting. The works. The dance floor was packed all night.

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Lava lamps were flicked on around the house, we had a pet rock decorating station (pet rocks were huge in the 70s) and hung Three’s Company-themed decorations. Keeping with the 70s theme, we served trashy food, like Twinkies and Sunny D with vodka. And of course, Jell-o shots!

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Even the bathroom featured a 70’s makeover guide, with guests encouraged to help themselves to all the blue eyeshadow they can pile on!

Holidays, Uncategorized

Merry Princemas!

December 1, 2019January 27, 2019by fayeruzLeave a Comment

Prince is an example of how far you can get with confidence. Homeboy was a 5′ 3″ Jehovah’s Witness who insisted on staying in Minnesota. He wore guyliner, ruffled shirts and heels, and STILL pulled off being a sex symbol to women everywhere. He just owned it.

The loss of his talent hurt more than when Michael Jackson died. It was without the infamy of sex abuse allegations, and as an artist, he wrote his own music and played his own instruments. So I expressed my grief in a creative way. In the winter of 2017 we placed a Princemas tree in our front yard! It was…everything.

I spray-painted a white tree purple, with purple lights, purple ornaments, and nestled his head on top – ringed by an angelic halo of silver tinsel.

This cheeky homage cheered up my neighbors, then strangers. I’d pass by my living room window and see revelers taking photos outside. So I added a chair with a purple pillow, and a chalkboard sign urging visitors to take photos. Then #MerryPrincemas popped up online, with our tree. Unlike most dreaded comment sections, it was pure cheer.

Then letters started arriving in the mail – holiday cards from strangers thanking us. Soon after, we came home to see people had added purple icicle lights, with a cool dripping effect. Someone had even fixed the stand so the tree would not blow over in high winds.

The tree made a return for the 2018 holiday season. And with an upgrade – white doves.

Merry Princemas, everyone!

Food, Themed Parties, Uncategorized

Party Gone Wild

November 16, 2019by fayeruzLeave a Comment

F37D7F32-C932-424A-88E0-677D23477646 — Girls Gone Wild!

No, we’re not talking about the regrettable exhibitionist franchise, but a party theme. Wild as in jungle wild, and it’s an adorable theme for a kid’s party. Mind you, showers and children’s birthday parties are a joy when the booze is flowing, and a kid’s birthday party is the perfect excuse to go shamelessly, passionately thematic!

Lilliana Winston turned two, and host Carla Winston saved us all from yet another pink and purple extravaganza. The theme of the party? Two Wild! She repurposed brown shopping bags, twisting them into giant tree trunks for an indoor jungle. Kids and adults alike were encouraged to wear custom fuzzy headbands, all resembling different animals on the savannah; elephants, zebras, monkeys, etc.

Below are photos to show how fun it was, and how hard she worked. To take your party from interesting to PINTERESTing, follow Winston’s example. Enjoy!