Apron Anxiety

Holy incredible time at my book party. Was SO nervous and somehow let it all go and actually enjoyed...

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:38:00 -0400

Holy incredible time at my book party. Was SO nervous and somehow let it all go and actually enjoyed myself. I’m in the “Fuck it” stage, as one Berkeley writer recently taught me, and guess what, it feels really good! So much to write and tell and sort out inside myself, but for now, here’s a link to a wild Entertainment Weekly story about my life. And I have to share this email from a sweet, new friend. This whole week has been surreal and magical and her story captures that. With all my love and thanks to all, I’m heading out for the biggest breakfast of my life, Alyssa

Here’s what happened: This morning I was down at the Union Square farmers’ market hunting down green tomatoes and stocking up on goat cheese for Tom with only 10 pages to go in the book. About halfway back to the office I realized I left my copy on top of some heirlooms at the tomato stand. I took the subway back downtown and found the young vendor sitting in the truck, already finished with chapter 1. She said she loved the story and needed to know where I bought it—I asked her to hang on 20 mins, grabbed a coffee and quickly finished the final pages so I could give it back to her. (My apologies for getting in the way of a sale!) I could tell she had already connected with you/the book. I’ve never experienced that reaction from someone when I actually knew the person behind the words. Such a cool moment. I had to share :)

Blow Outs and Blow Jobs: Alyssa Shelasky Talks 'Apron Anxiety'

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:40:18 -0400

Blow Outs and Blow Jobs: Alyssa Shelasky Talks 'Apron Anxiety'

Oh yeah, the only housekeeping I can handle … Look for...

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:06:00 -0400

Oh yeah, the only housekeeping I can handle …

Look for Apron Anxiety in this week’s People, Entertainment Weekly and New York Magazine; there’s also a beautiful spread in June’s Elle (Kristen Stewart cover) where everything is perfect, except it looks like I have a broken neck in one shot. That’s fine — my skin looks exceptionally dewy. More lovely press in the works!

I have two grand book parties and they’re open to the public/I’d REALLY love to see any and all AA readers:

New York book launch is Wednesday, May 23 at Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo, 6 to 9. The Meatball Shop is doing the food, along with Georgetown Cupcakes and St. Germain cocktails. Really, it can’t be missed. I bought my dress and wrote my toast. Details here.

Boston book party is Thursday, May 31 at French Connection on Newbury Street, 5 to 8. Details here. Private party to follow for family and friends … currently sorting out what the signature home-sweet-home cocktail will be, as Watermelon Wine Coolers are apparently now déclassé.

Stay tuned for details a San Fran event and other exciting news, with summer around the corner….and my sweet little book on the shelf.

P.S. Just when I think I’m so cool, the kale chips were totally over-salted and inedible. Crap!

Happy and Lucky and Loved.

Sat, 19 May 2012 21:19:00 -0400

I started this blog what feels like another lifetime ago. I wasn’t even sure I’d tell anyone about it at first, and definitely didn’t have any bold ambitions. Honestly, I just needed something to do. A few years later, this Tuesday, my memoir is coming out with the same title, bursting with stories of the same joy, the same ache — just more. I’ve never identified as a blogger, but I was born a writer. And so, because of this page, these recipes, those photos, this font, that song, and all the stuff in between, the creation of Apron Anxiety, everything has worked out. And I mean everything. I recently gave an interview where they asked for five words to describe myself. “Happy,” flew off my tongue. HAPPY. I’m happy because of the book, of course, but it’s so much more. It’s simple: I feel loved. Not just by an incredible man (newsflash!), but by friends and acquaintances who have been so helpful and generous for no other reason other than kindness. I left work on Friday, two weeks off for bookstuff, and my pals at Grub Street, and the mail room, and the candy stand downstairs, sincerely wished me luck on the launch. They all had the same sparkle in their eye as they sent me off on my so-called sabbatical. Now it’s Saturday night and I’m taking a shower, making crispy kale (take an entire head of kale, drizzle it in *good olive oil, add salt and pepper, bake at 375 for about 10 minutes… better than a bag of Terra Chips, I swear 2 g-d), and staying in. Need to be rested for the week to come. Oddly enough, I’m not even nervous. And I don’t think I’m lying. Life is so good as is; anything more is just ego. Goodnight world.

Photo credit: Jen Gotch

Morning! Not going to pretend I didn’t get into this song...

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:25:49 -0400

Morning! Not going to pretend I didn’t get into this song via American Idol but anyway I dug up the original (along with the rest of the world) which is amazing, and this IngridM version rocks too. Listen to words - holy shit who hasn’t been there, on one end or the other - come on now. I’m supposed to be blogging about good reviews and food-porn and purple carrots and book parties all that good stuff, but it’s Saturday and just want to let it all goooooooooo….

Easy Come, Easy Go.

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:22:01 -0400

The things I do, I do hard. When I laugh, I howl. When I cry, I wail. When I kiss, I shiver. If you’re my friend, I’ll fight your battles and find your answers. If you’re my passion, I’ll write you, sing you, shop you, spin you, smoke you, and sweat you until all the muscles of my mind, body or wallet wear out. If you’re him: You have it good. Hard-core commitment - to the things that truly matter, though nothing less - comes easy. Yet it’s this all-or-nothing mentality that kept me away from cooking until I was 32 years old. I wasn’t into it. Foodstuff was fucking lame. And that was the end of that. We are afraid of what we don’t know. Until I got desperate. You all know the story (if you don’t, buy the book!): I taught myself to cook as a last resort. And it changed everything. But unlike the rest, I don’t cook to extremes. There’s no tension or seduction or inner-rage involved, which is odd because I used to thrive off that stuff. Nah. There’s a balance, a kinda, a sorta, a maybe when it comes to me and the kitchen. I cook sometimes, if I feel like it, if I’m inspired, if I’m - oh I don’t know - hungry? I manage my fridge the same, relaxed way I do my closet (fashion being the one category I’ve never been manic about). A few nice choices. Understated, but exciting enough. All good things, not much fuss. It’s awesome existing in the gorgeous grey, for once. Sometimes I even think about phasing out of the food world professionally. I think I’m fine with or without it. We’ll see. Tomorrow I’m judging a grilled cheese contest at Artisanal, and I’m honored. But the other judges are all hyper-ambitious types who know and care so much more than me. They’re committed, and I’m coasting. It’s interesting. Although, that’s the beauty of food, isn’t it? There’s a place-setting for everyone. I just hope mine has no mayo.

Can’t find the source of this photo but I love it. Hope...

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:35:46 -0400

Can’t find the source of this photo but I love it. Hope everyone had a beautiful Passover or Easter or Weekend or whatever. I was kind of in a weird mood, but that’s okay. About one month til the book launch, so maybe it’s a little anxiety over Anxiety. Think I just need to bake something, or brunch something, or lay on a picnic blanket. Really just wanted an excuse to post this pic. xx

Win A Free Class (For Two!) at Corkbuzz

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:12:00 -0400

I have no interest in ever becoming a “food snob,” sorry, but a “wine snob” is a secret aspiration. Wine talk - at its best - can be a blast … Taste the Ryan Gosling of reds … a rose that will be your best friend, then blow your husband … this white is a paranoid schizophrenic and she’s off her meds … I mean, can we really go there with, like, ramps? Whatever! That said, I’ve become a big fan of Corkbuzz Wine Studio, an elegant wine bar where experts are as involved as you want them to be in the education of your evening vino. You can go to drink alone, on a date, with a group - and you can also go for a class. Classes are smart and sexy; you stumble away all worldly and sophisticated.

Corkbuzz’s owner, Master Sommelier Laura Maniec, has generously offered an Apron Anxiety reader free admission (for two people) to any of her April classes. (Normally would cost $150, or more.) Just email ME your Apron Anxiety pre-sale receipt at ApronAnxiety@gmail.com, with a few sentences about your most amazing wine experience - a 3-dollar bottle swiped from Walmart, or a big, bold Barolo with that evil, incredible boy. Tell me.

This weekend, I’ll announce the winner! So raise your glass, buy a book, and let the games begin.

The Show Must Go On

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:25:00 -0400

Twenty minutes before hair and makeup were supposed to arrive at my apartment, and one hour before the fashion team, prop stylists and photographers were set to buzz from below, I got the call.

Someone I loved - very much - had died. He was sick, ALS, and it was time. But that didn’t mean my heart wasn’t ripped out and torn apart.

Immediately, I started to cry thick, hard unstoppable tears. I’m sure everyone I grew up with cried thick, hard, unstoppable tears that morning too.

As more calls came in about wakes and funerals and other awful things, I realized that I had not yet showered for the big group of stylish people who were coming over to make me beautiful.

I hadn’t swept my floors, picked up the Perrier, baked a banana bread, or prepped myself at all for the reporter who went on a limb and made this magazine article come alive for me.

Sweaty and shaky, I didn’t know what the fuck to do. But I chose to pull it together. That felt most responsible.

The make-up artist was first to arrive. She was especially kind, given my red and puffy eyes. The rest of the team strolled in and I filled them in on my morning, trying not to sound too morbid. I might have been repeating myself … he always believed in me … I don’t remember.

Late in the night, the photo-shoot wrapped.

It was gorgeous, and, I think, glamorous, and I tried my very best to look and feel the part. Somehow I cooked a good dinner. There were smiles, flashes, and high fives. Everyone got what they needed.

But I wasn’t quite myself.

I attempted to make a toast - rich, witty words I had imagined myself saying - but my voice shook so bad that I sat back down.

Forgot to do and say and cook and bake half the things I dreamed of in anticipation of this article, which I’d orchestrated in my head every single night for the last few months.

Though, I think it all went fine.

Yesterday was the funeral for my dear friend who was a hero to me and my family for so many reasons. During one of the exquisite eulogies delivered at the church, someone reminded the hundred of mourners of this beautiful man’s favorite quote:

“Courage is grace under pressure.”

In his memory and honor, those words will continue to guide me through life and love, friendship and fortune, and maybe even hair and makeup.

Just had to share this photograph of Faye Dunaway by Terry...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:24:00 -0400

Just had to share this photograph of Faye Dunaway by Terry O’Neill shown at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho. She caught my eye and now I can’t stop thinking about her. I might even say that I’ve never felt such a connection w/ a work of art before … a luny thing to say, I realize, as she’s sitting at The Beverly Hills Hotel with last night’s Oscar, and I’m sitting in Dumbo drinking instant coffee in cupcake PJs. But hey, that’s art. The big glossy is a couple thousand dollars, which I’d obviously have to beg, borrow and steal (reason #412 to buy the book - just kiddin’ - kinda), but hopefully one day she’ll be mine. xxAlyssa

FREE CUPCAKES FOR YOU

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 23:02:10 -0500

Pre-order Apron Anxiety, from any retailer (see links above), send proof of your purchase, along with your mailing address, to ApronAnxiety@gmail.com to win a Georgetown Cupcake gift card valid for one FREE, luscious, sublime, FREE, heavenly, my favorite and FREE cupcake at any GTC location. First 50 emails get the goods - it’s so easy. Buy the book, win a cupcake!

One Day I Will Talk About Something Else

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:53:30 -0500

Until then …

“I loved this book. It’s partly a cautionary tale about getting involved with young career-driven men and a love story about a woman and the city she loves and leaves and loves again. And finally, it’s about good friends, a loving family, and the importance and good fortune Alyssa has for having both. Oh, and there’s a great recipe for mac and cheese.”

—JOHN DELUCIE, chef/proprietor The Lion, Crown restaurants, and author of The Hunger: A Memoir of an Accidental Chef

Here Ya Go, World.

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:31:55 -0500

The only way to write a book is to conquer the idea of letting go…so….even though I’m totally horrified to hit SEND, here is the first chapter of Apron Anxiety! Just remember, it only gets better, juicier, sadder, happier, sexier, deeper, darker, drunker and more delicious. I’d be hiding under my bed for the next ten years if I didn’t truly believe so.

So I had one of those magical moments recently where everything...

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:12:00 -0500

So I had one of those magical moments recently where everything in life kind-of clicked into place.

Growing up, the original “Forever Young” was our song. I’ll never be able to listen to it without tearing up. Mostly, it makes me happy, thinking about my friends from home. It makes me remember our youth, reminding me that life moves fast, too fucking fast. But it also makes my heart hurt thinking about my girlfriend who is gone now, and other small-town stories that haven’t been fair. That’s just how life goes.

Then last week, I had a photo shoot for the book at Milk Studios. In my black, strapless pant-suit and cherry-bomb YSL lipstick, I felt completely out of my league. The photographer told me to unclench my jaw, to “look like you have a secret,” to loosen my shoulders, fix my posture, and shift my face from bitchy to bold. Ahhh! The game is over, I told myself, I don’t belong here.

Then this song came on.

As a testament to how little free time I’ve had over the last year and a half, I hadn’t even heard it before. “Wait, how did Jay-Z get into Forever Young?!” I asked, instantly refueled by the beat. The photo-stylists smirked, but nicely. Yeah, yeah, it’s been out for a while, I learned.

Suddenly, the sound got in my bones. I started to have fun, be proud, feel light. But it was also incredibly powerful. Like I was channeling the seventeen-year old on Eunice Drive who would dream of her future, envisioning this EXACT moment, set to these EXACT words.

Now it’s all so unbelievably real. And as I lived it and loved it for a few minutes there, everything in life made perfect sense. Or at least it did…in that moment…to this song…at Milk Studios.

Listen to this song - I heard it on Californication, which I...

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:41:00 -0500

Listen to this song - I heard it on Californication, which I once loved but now think is so cheap and stupidly over-sexualized, however… the song is a beauty. Hold on tight. And obviously, don’t smoke. But do note the photography by: Miranda Lehman.

"I made peace with the cruel fact that I’d never be quite the same again, that losing John broke me..."

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:15:37 -0500

“I made peace with the cruel fact that I’d never be quite the same again, that losing John broke me in a way that couldn’t really be rebuilt. But I came to think of heartbreak as an impetus to becoming a wiser woman, sister, friend, and writer, and, in a way, I felt chosen to have had such a healthy dose of it. Strong women don’t just happen.”

- Alyssa Shelasky in her excellent forthcoming memoir Apron Anxiety: My Messy Affairs In and Out of the Kitchen (via rkb)

HaHa. Learned how to reblog just in...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:35 -0500

HaHa. Learned how to reblog just in time.

fuckyournoguchicoffeetable: Fuck your Egg Chair.

Is everyone reading Pippa’s blog yet? You probably should....

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:25:39 -0500

Is everyone reading Pippa’s blog yet? You probably should. (via sousstyle.com)

All day long I only wanted junk food. Like, not success or world...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:21:00 -0500

All day long I only wanted junk food. Like, not success or world peace, just junk. Pleased myself with French Fries from Sunrise Mart - it’s this Japanese Market near work and they have the best damn fries I’ve ever had. Thick-cut and freshly made, crispy on the outside, mashed on the inside, and sprinkled with tons of salt, and even more pepper. The pepper totally makes it. A bucket of those fries and a sparkling water may be my favorite meal in New York right now. Anyway, voila clementine-art above, just because I love the shot. And while I generally believe nothing tastes as good as a fresh piece of fruit exactly as is, those things must be sublime. PS- Winter makes me so freaking hungry.

thatluciegirl:

Chocolate-Dipped Clementines

Surreal. Intense. Ridiculous. Sat at Waverly Diner alone over a...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:15:00 -0500

Surreal. Intense. Ridiculous.

Sat at Waverly Diner alone over a cup of tea and unwrapped the first almost-real copy of the book. Cried a little. Tried to read/enjoy as a normal, not an author. Found a typo! Had a heart attack. Got an email response that it’s an easy fix. Dunked a cheese danish into the tea. Told my old, Spanish waiter that I was reading my very own book! He patted my head and poured me more water. Wondered if it was painful or perfect that I was experiencing this moment all alone. Decided on perfect. Left ten bucks and got on the train. Rode the A four stops home, reading more. Pondered if anyone was thinking, “that looks good.” Maybe they did.

Now sleep.