I hope you had a great weekend! I was traveling last week, so I was happy to stay in NYC this weekend and get a lot of things done. My big project was that I officially reopened up my backyard!! I got really motivated to finish the whole thing. It involved two big trips to Home Depot to get a lot of new plants and flowers…
There was a lot of time to chat while my trusty Home Depot friends were helping me repot my plants. I am so proud of my man Donovan! (Above) Here he is throwing out his Pepsi after we had a conversation that a healthy young man such as himself should not be taking down his health with SODA!! :)
Weekends in New York for me usually involve a trip to Chinatown, which is a nice 15-20 minute walk from my apartment. I always get durian, which is a fatty fruit like coconut, and has a nice thick skin for protection. I do not buy any of the cherries, blueberries, or other non-organic, non-peel fruits in Chinatown.
Durian is native to Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Yep, these are all countries I have traveled across and love! Durian is very high in raw beauty oleic fats, essential Vitamins E and A, potassium, and trypotophan! It tastes like ice cream- except more filling and it is actually beautifying! Regular ice cream made of cow’s milk dairy is of course the opposite- it destroys beauty.
I always go to my favorite fruit seller (on the NW corner of Bowery and Grand) who opens my durian for me. Then I sit at the part across the street to watch soccer while I eat at least half of the durian for an extremely filling lunch! If you go visit, tell Jay I said hello!
I started exploring other plant shops in Chinatown and stores to get more trinkets to fix up my yard… Here is my favorite Asian home/furniture in lower Soho: Pearl River.
Amongst all the lamps, and dishware, and Asian chochskies in general :), I found…
This incredible Buddha! Shining from amongst all the other figurines and items around him.
I decided to splurge and get him- I had to have him for my backyard. Some New York girls splurge on Manolo Blahnik shoes…I like to splurge on huge, heavy Buddhas!
Here I am carrying him home carefully…
And unveiling him in his new home!
Here is what it looks like at night!
And this is how Buddha changed this whole corner! Who are we kidding? He changed my whole backyard.
I’m writing this from my outdoor table, gazing at Buddha. Remember, environment is really important and influences our energy. Spruce up your home or your desk at work with stuff that inspires you! I will write more soon. Have a good, short work week!
Lots of love, Kimberly
I want to try durian but Doesn’t Durian stink? and makes a person’s breath stink?
Hi Ashley!
It has a strong odor for sure. It never bothered me…but it depends on your taste. It isn’t pungent like garlic, so after you eat it if you drink some water or brush your teeth you’ll be fine. The health benefits and the wonderful taste are worth it!!
Love, Kimberly
Happy post! Love the Buddha! Enjoy your beautiful garden! xx
Thanks Laura! I wanted to share it with everyone, and especially since I’ll be writing most of my blogs and answering comments from right there this summer!
Hi Kimberly,
I love Your Buddha. I need to go to china town and great idea’s.
Do you ever get plants at the farmers market. They have great flowering plants.
I got the white flowering plants above Buddha from the Union Square farmer’s market!!
Hey Kimberly,
Super cool statue! How about this weather eh? I was just in New York (Lake Ontario) over the holiday and it was absolutely gorgeous.
I’m writing this from my disorderly, stress-ridden cubicle right now. I have plans to decorate it in a more soothing and organized manner. Any tips for office folk like me? I’m going to have some plants and some shoji screens and maybe use some contact paper, but can’t really think of anything else.
HI Greg,
The most important thing is to get rid of clutter! Clutter is an absolute killer. It will add to stress. See my post on color and see what speaks to you- do you want to calm down (blue) or do you want to rev up (orange)? Bamboo in nice containers is so hardy and classic!
Love, Kimberly
HOPE YOU HAD A PEACEFUL DAY/ WEEKEND
NICE BUDDHA ENJOY YOUR GARDEN AS WELL
WHAT MEALS DID YOU HAVE PLEASE DO TELL? : )
Hi Melignia,
I had a very non-traditional Memorial Day and did not go to any barbeques. But when I do, I always bring a salad and some of my own food. :) That is a great idea for a post- how to survive a barbeque (and not bloat out!). Thanks for the idea love!!!!!!
Hi Kim!
Your backyard looks beautiful and cozy! See you tomorrow :-)
Hey kim!!!
Your site is amazing.Great job, keep up the great work.I also love that Buddah piece, it’s real inspiring.
Thank you Donovan! Come visit me again. :)
It’s all so perfect. I have just a little balcony with a huge desire to garden but alas, it has to do. My dad always helps me – I am not as well-versed as you – and no Buddha to show off either, just some vegetables. I so enjoyed reading this, Kimberly! Nice photos!
Thanks Farnoosh! I am quite proud of Buddha. Isn’t he gorgeous!!??
Hi Kimberly,
Love your taste in decor!!! Hey, what would you recommend for a 24-year-old female with bad chicken pox?
Don’t pick your scabs!! I still have a scar from mine. Drink a lot of water and let it clear out. I’m sure you are using various lotions and of course listen to your doctor. I would drink lots of Detox Tea to give your liver a boost. It will pass love!!
Hey Kimberly,
A few more things :) Are those prayer flags in the upper left corner of the last picture? I had never seen those before until this past weekend at my Aunt’s house, and now I think I’ve seen them twice!
Where can you get the bamboo thing that covers the wall? I could really use something like that for my cubicle project!
All the best, :)
Greg
Hi Greg!
Yes those are prayer flags! One of my dear yoga students got them for me from a Buddhist center. The first time I saw thousands of them was in Nepal, and I just there in wonder. When the wind blows they are designed to send the prayers all around for good energy. Isn’t that sweet?
I got the bamboo thing in the East Village, somewhere around 5th and 1st Ave. I think (??). It works great!! Maybe Home Depot has it too?
xx Kimberly
I love Durian, I think it tastes delicious. I can only eat a tiny bit at a time or else it tears up my stomach. I use to live in Thailand and I also learned many wonderful things and beauty secrets there :)
Hello Kimberly I was wondering after re reading my belly fat cure book, will agave and all the fruit make you get a belly. It seems that is where I gain all my weight.
All the best. Thank you.
Hi Kimberly, very cute! I think you just inspired me to want a garden!! Any suggestions for which plants are good for beginners? Just found your website. Thank you for all the lovely ideas that you share! I’m from LA been meaning to comment on the korean spa post. I’ve tried most of them, and the one that I like most is the wilshire spa in k-town. 24 hours(!) , clean, 2 heated rooms (1 infrared room), and you can wear slippers. Another one i like is the hankook…because it has and ice room, but you have to be barefoot. Its more old school.
u look amazing, you let me know that one can eat healthy and not be “super skinny” or unhealthy looking…i dunno why some ppl associate eating salads, fruits, to being meager…i know you do yoga and that might also help with ur mass….what r ur thoughts Kimmy? ps. baby and i are doing fine :)
Won’t they let you bring your own container so you don’t have to use styrofoam? Those to-go boxes are banned altogether in some cities.
I absolutely pity girls who have to suffer those miserable diets or intense routines to get a toned, nice bellies. It is great for guys that when we want muscle we will shed all of our body fat on auto-pilot, as an upkeep expense of your muscles. What I am saying is I am happy I’m a guy.
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I will Scottie, thank you!
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