Jam and Tea

Kate's Canadian Wear

2011-07-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

ate Middleton's daily wear for her Canadian tour has been stunning. It's hard not to obsess just a tiny bit over her Alexander Wang cream colored nautical inspired dress or her navy blue...everything. It's perfect and if I were rich or had more time to spend looking for designer discounts, I would just wear whatever she is wearing. I love Kate's style -- simple, elegant,timeless, stylish without being too trendy. The best part of Kate's daily wear is that everything fits her just so well! I'm sure she has an excellent tailor waiting in the wings...which is also what I would do if, again, I were rich.

Cake Toppers...check!

2011-06-26T17:05:00.001-07:00

rumroll please. Ta da!Cake toppers for our not so real wedding cake! I've been seeing a bunch of these wooden peg wedding couple cake toppers, but they're always so ridiculous in price. Ranging anywhere from $80-$120, it's just a lot to pay when so many little things keep popping into your budget and you're bleeding money that you don't have. But I love them and decided to try making them myself. If it didn't work out, no harm no foul, I'd be out like $8. I bought a set of 3 girl and boy wood couples but used only one set ($2.66). Then I bought a set of brushes for $2.99 on sale, and a handful of acrylic paints for about $4. About 6 hours later, I was done. I also had a claw of a hand. It was not pretty. I think it gets easier and faster as you get used to painting them. The groom was first and took a very long time. But the bride was MUCH quicker, thank goodness. I then sealed them with gloss varnish, which I regret because now they look way too shiny. I think I'll go over them with a matte varnish. eek. But now that's one more thing I can check off my list, yay!

Hungry...

2011-06-22T16:54:00.001-07:00

am sitting here in my office, waiting for the Fiance to pick me up so that we can head on over to Social Eatz and stuff my face with a burger. I've pretty much eaten every edible thing in my office and now I'm starting to get weak. So what do I do? I read food blogs. Because I love to make myself miserable. The good news is that I found some really inspiring posts!

One of my guilty pleasures is reading Gwyneth Paltrow's blog. I love her. I can't get enough of her. She's the epitome of super cool and wonderful, in my book. Although...I saw her recently on Who Do You Think You Are and her personality was a little...snobbish? It doesn't matter. She's still really awesome and I'm happy to report that we both have a love of Epoisse. Anyway, she had a wonderfully informative post on cheese boards, featuring two of her go-to cheese spots in London and NYC. Obviously, she chose Murray's for NY. If you're looking to have a cheese board set up, this will be helpful (and it will be SO helpful when planning my cocktail hour)!

{courtesy of GOOP}

Moving on, I have been simply drooling over Smitten Kitchen's post on dobos torte, a 7 (here, 10) layer cake of chocolatey goodness. She swears this is easy. I can see that it is likely not, at least not for me. But oh my goodness...yum.

{courtesy of Smitten Kitchen}

Wedding Venting

2011-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

ver the past few weeks, I've been trying to amp up the wedding planning and buckle down. So far I've chosen bridesmaid dresses, which was actually a bit difficult because I did not want to go over $100 per dress. No one wears them again and being part of a bridal party is expensive to begin with. I found these really classy/elegant and pretty dresses from David's. I love them. I want one. I also booked a florist, which is great because I don't have to deal with ordering the flowers myself! Which was my awful and overly ambitious plan. This florist works independently and will go out to the flower district in the early morning to buy everything wholesale, which allows me to have a really low budget for so many flowers! Success! Now in the not so successful news, I am still searching for a hair and makeup artist. This. Process. Sucks. Let me tell you why. Because trials are EXPENSIVE! They are at least $100. I've had rotten luck so far and did a trial with a company that came highly recommended. I liked it, I didn't love it, and I felt like we didn't get the "look" that I wanted. But I was denied a second trial (unless I paid the entire trial fee) and THEN when I tried to book them, they already signed with someone else! That....pisses me off. Majorly. I'm trying to be cost conscious here. Every penny adds up and I intentionally only got a hair trial because I did not want to pay for both hair and makeup trial. The least that they could have done was to give me a deadline to give an answer, or to tell me before someone else took my date! I understand that they're under no obligation until you give a deposit, but YOU TOOK MY MONEY. Sigh. So now I'm back to the drawing board and so far, everyone is booked. Suggestions?

Next, I've been doing some DIY here and there and my weekend project is to make cake toppers using wooden peg people. Would you believe these go for $120+? Nuh uh. Not happenin' over here. I think more than having the "perfect" wedding, I refuse to give in to the madness of wedding prices. Yes, some things you have to. But other things that may not be as important need to be let go of. Example: I just spent $52 on a hair clip. Who am I? But...it's important. It gets photographed. It's on my head. And I can probably re-sell it or gift it. Ugh. Weddings are so expensive.

I Dream Of...

2011-06-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

dreamt of a food recipe last night and now I can't stop thinking about it! I won't reveal it yet (just in case it goes awry) but I want to try my hand at making it this weekend. Here's a hint...it's a ravioli dish! So random! Good thing I bought a ravioli stamp a few months back (and never used it).

I have a super secret (not so secret) recipe book of tried and trues, JUST in case one day the Fiance and I end up opening a small cafe, or JUST in case I decide to write a cookbook one day, or or...who knows.

A DIY Wedding

2011-06-05T17:17:00.001-07:00

his was quite the DIY wedding weekend for me and the Fiance. I've been trying to re-create the pinwheels that are so "in" now, but I absolutely refuse to pay these insane prices, just because the word "wedding" is attached to it. Plus, I'm a bit obsessed with paper and picked up several sheets of gorgeous italian print paper for about $3-$5 a sheet (sorry, I don't know the specific measurements, but they're huge).

These are harder to make then they look! Good thing the Fiance was there to help. After I threw a few mistakes down on the table in frustration, he picked them up and reconfigured them and voila! We have pinwheels, folks. I sewed a button in the center for one of them, and plan to do the same to the others. Then fix a stem piece and pop them in a vase.

Next, I tried my hand at making some pom poms to hang around the venue. I think our wedding will have a very DIY look, but I'm trying to be cautious so as not to make it look like we just threw up some arts and crafts and went too cheap. But these pom poms were very easy to make and cost $0. I used tissue paper that came as the wrapping for a West Elm purchase from last week.

Instructions are on Martha Stewart's Craft Page.

Kale Chips, anybody?

2011-05-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

ately, all I hear about is kale chips this and kale chips that. Even my sister has jumped on this bandwagon and baked her own rendition of veggie chips, using brussel sprouts. Yum. I was at the farmers' market in park slope and saw a fresh bunch of kale for sale and thought I'd give this a go.

After a thorough rinsing, I dried them off, hand tore the leaves and spread them across an oven tray.

Drizzled some olive oil and kosher salt, put them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 and voila! Definitely a tasty way to eat kale, and a great snack while "vegging" out in front of the tube.

Paris in NYC

2011-05-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

was starting to fall into a rut by the end of last week and needed something to cheer me up. I noticed that the Fiance was in this rut as well and so I thought, why not plan a special day for us, why not bring Paris to New York? We have been spending quite a bit of money lately, with the wedding, people visiting from out of town and graduations, and I wanted to keep the spending to a minimum, yet splurge. We found the perfect combo and had an amazing night out. Sigh...there is nothing like Paris.

Our first stop was at Le Grainne Cafe on 21st and 9th Ave. It's a very cute little cafe/bistro type with a ton of hustle and bustle and very delicious food. I had a chicken salad with ratatouille and the Fiance had a lamb sausage and peppers sandwich. Both were mouth wateringly delicious. I also really wanted the broccoli soup but they ran out. Poo.

Then began the adventure! We tried to watch the new Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris, at the Angelika theater but all the shows were sold out! So we raced over to the theater in Chelsea, and the show was sold out! So we got smart and fandango'd it and was able to get tickets for the theater on 3rd Ave near Bloomingdales, but there was a line that went around the block. In any event, the movie was great -- consistently entertaining and my favorite actors were featured, Marion Cotillard, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Carla Bruni (singer). Ok not my absolute favs but definitely up there.

We had so much fun, it was just what the doctor ordered. We ate well (including the snacks we snuck into the theater!) and we laughed and whispered throughout the movie and dreamt of another life when we could do this all the time. It was wonderful and I highly recommend it for when one has the case of the ruts. Or even just because.

{via Little Brown Pen}

Boeuf Bourguignon

2011-05-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

esterday I got an email from Sarah Kate from the Kitchn (no, not a typo) with a recipe for Boeuf Bourguignon. I love Boeuf Bourguignon and anything in its family, such as beef stew, beef stroganoff...beef in general... This recipe looks fantastic but with some maintenance involved if you truly want to make "beef" into "boeuf"! Quoted from the entry:

" The two techniques for Boeuf Bourguignon . . . One method, and arguably the more popular, involves browning the beef, then adding the vegetables and wine then adding a beurre manié (mixture of soft butter and flour) to the mix . . . The other method . . . is much easier. Mapie de Toulouse-Lautrec, who wrote about food for Elle back in the 1960s, called this the "true" recipe. It's also how Julia Child makes her daube de boeuf in her Mastering the Art of French Cooking. You simply build the dish by layering the ingredients, much like a trifle, in a large casserole or Dutch oven, finishing with a bacon topper and some wine and brandy, and cooking stove-top for a couple hours. Aside from its easy preparation, the big difference is that this method produces a very pale brothy sauce versus the thick, winey sauce in the traditional version."

I'm going to have to store this one for later use!

{via The Kitchn}

Handmade Weddings

2011-05-18T13:30:00.001-07:00

just saw this post on Sally J Shim's blog and I MUST get my hands on it! I've already overspent on wedding books that promised to make the process easier and found that not all of them keep their promises. In fact, most of them haven't. Who woulda thunk it. But Handmade Weddings seems so lovely!...I want it. It's the second DIY book by the women at Hello! Lucky and I want it I want it I want it!

Closer to Free

2011-05-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

h my, what a week! We are coming to a close of a very intense case and I see my freedom on the horizon. So close! I've been trying to get back on the horse with wedding planning and have a hair and makeup trial this Friday. This may be a dumb idea, but I think I'll be going with the same makeup artist a friend of mine used, and she was NOT happy on her wedding day. Well, to be fair, she wasn't happy because the agency sent over a different person from her trial to do her hair, and it just wasn't coming out right. My conversation with the artist went something like this: "Remember, I was in the bridal party of the bride who hated her hair and cried?" Hm. You'd think I'd get the hint. BUT, they've had some great reviews in the past, and I recently saw pictures of a bride whose hair and makeup I loved, and this artist happened to have worked on that job. So...I'll chalk it up to a mistake. And at the end of the day, the bride liked her hair. It was just a struggle to get there.

In other non-wedding news, I have a serious shopping bug. I really want to buy something...that's not for the wedding. Obviously, I can't buy anything expensive and will have to satisfy my craving by going to Forever 21 or H&M or ooh, Uniqlo, and going nuts. Then return everything.

And lastly, I have a strong desire to make some of these over the weekend.

{gorgeous strawberries}

{light and buttery biscuits}

~Strawberry Shortcake a la Heart of Light~
Aren't her photos scrumptious? Strawberries have been very cheap as of late, and I plan on doing some damage. A friend of mine suggested using a oatmeal cream, which is popular in Sweden and supposedly very very delicious and "healthy" (or rather, healthIER than regular cream). Hopefully I will get to this.

24 and Shoes!

2011-05-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

osh, where does the time go? Once again, I've been in the office almost 24/7 and have had little time for myself or the Fiance. But we've been making it work. The secret is that we've picked a new show to obsess over. I get it - it's not really considered "quality" time, but you know what? I'm ok with that. Because by the time I get home from work, all I want to do is just veg out and at this point, I'll take whatever "quality time" that I can get. So the Fiance and I have been watching back to back episodes of 24, starting from Season 1. I know, I know, I'm coming in way late in the game. Oh well. Reminds me of the time we were obsessed with Alias and I watched every season during my first year of law school. Good times.

In wedding news, I've been searching for wedding shoes via the internet - oh how I love technology. Since I'm pretty short (5"1), I want to get a high heel with a platform front to give the appearance of, dear God, being lean. Here are my options. P.S. I also do NOT want to spend a fortune on shoes. I capped myself at $50 but am willing to go to $100. Here are the contenders. What do you think?

It's Friday!!!

2011-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

am so excited for the weekend to start, I can hardly contain myself! I've pretty much spent the bulk of the day today searching for a new restaurant to try with the Fiance. We've been reigning in the spending in anticipation of the many and large bills we will be receiving from the Wedding. We've been pretty good so far and with the warm weather peeking thru, I think we're entitled to a little bit of celebration.

On another note, I thought I'd declare my love for Trader Joe's today. I can't find a picture of this, but I love Trader Joe's flat bread. It looks like pizza bread, ready to go...and it is! The Fiance and I made dinner last night using the flat bread, some pizza sauce, slices of fresh mozzarella, pepperoni and garlic chunks. Oh and mini portabella mushrooms, can't forget those! It's DELICIOUS. And the bread only costs about $2.99. I highly recommend and it only takes about 15 minutes to bake. My sister sprinkles just olive oil with some S&P and serves it to guests to nibble on. Yummy!

Weekend Happennings

2011-04-24T20:34:00.001-07:00

appy Easter! Although we had a very grey and rainy Saturday in New York, the city was filled with warm weather and plenty of sunshine on Easter. Thank goodness because we were due for a nice day and some promise of spring! On Saturday, I woke up bright and early, after having worked until 3 a.m., to hit the wedding shops, determined to find a dress. This whole dress shopping thing is supposed to be the most fun part of wedding planning, but for me, it's been just a pain. I really don't enjoy sorting through hundreds of dresses and trying things on one after the other...everything starts looking the same. I didn't have an "ideal" dress in mind, but had some sense of the shape and style. Too bad there are thousands upon thousands of dresses with the same style, yet almost nothing that was exactly right. Until....I found the one. I didn't know it was the one until a few minutes after trying it on, then leaving the store, then coming back to try it on one last time. But my sister just fell in love with it and so did I. I can't give much detail about the dress (the Fiance reads this!) but I found it at a little french boutique in the East Village, Atelier Merciel. The designer owns the shop and will be doing the fittings, etc., and the seamstress used to do Vera's dresses so I know I'm in good hands. The bonus is that the fabric is all imported from Paris and the francophile in me was totally suckered into that notion. It's overbudget, but it's beautiful. And the best part? My mom will be picking up the tab on this one and she didn't really give me a budget (although, I obviously couldn't go crazy, nor would I) but that totally made me think....I'm going to get the dress I love. I was debating between this one and a $350 preowned David's Bridal dress, which is also gorgeous but I hadn't seen it in person. All in all, I'm very happy and things worked out. A group of passerbys saw me in the dress and started cheering and applauding, giving their approval of the dress...and I was sold. It was a moment.

In other news, today we had an easy day...went to Easter service in the morning, then grocery shopping for Easter dinner. Dinner involved a LOT of red wine. We used almost 2 bottles just for cooking. My sister made a "drunken" risotto and I made Boeuf en Croute -- beef tenderloin coated in sauteed shallots, garlic and mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry. Very easy, very yummy, and very elegant. Click here for the recipe. Mine was a bit odd shaped since the pastry puff was not cooperating with me. But you can get it to look like a nice loaf or pie shaped. Highly recommended for a dinner where you want to impress while doing minimum amount of work. Warning, the prep time is a bit long (around 1.5 hours) because the recipe requires you to refrigerate the beef and sautee. I chilled them for about half the required time, and it was fine.

Oh the Places You Will Go...

2011-04-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

ell well well...look at who's fallen off the blogging wagon yet again. That's right, yours truly. But I have a good excuse! I promise! A ton of things have happened in the last month and I have had all but zero time to gather myself. First off, on March 16 at almost midnight (the time I've been regularly getting home from work!), I opened the door to the Boyfriend's apartment to find him on his knee with candles all around and our sweet cat Oliver Atticus who had a bow tie wrapped around his neck. Of course, I've forgotten about 90% of what the Boyfriend said (as did he), but he held up Oliver who had a tag on his bowtie that asked me to marry him (the Boyfriend, not the cat). To make a long story short, the Boyfriend, now the Fiance, proposed with a beautiful beautiful engagement ring, which he had custom made using various inspirations provided by moi, but also with many of his own details. He also engraved it with his pet name for me and included a little pink sapphire. It's absolutely perfect and I love it with all of my heart and I love even more that he personally had a hand at designing it...it definitely surprised me because it was even nicer than what I had imagined!

That was March 16. In almost a month since then, we have booked a venue, our photobooth, our photographers, our coordinator, drafted a guest list, and have gone dress shopping. In addition, I have billed over 250 hours of work, pulled some almost all nighters, gone to court, and coordinated my firm's community outreach documentary series on anti-trafficking. The Boyfriend has studied and taken his licensing exam and has worked countless hours with tons of stress. I'm pretty proud of what we've accomplished so far, and at how smoothly it's all gone. I can't wait to get the bigger stuff done so that I can focus on my favorite part, the decor!

I've been very very blessed in my life and I can't believe that I will be marrying the most perfect match for me! With him...everything feels extraordinary. I'll keep you posted!

Retail Therapy

2011-03-03T08:34:00.001-08:00

oes anyone else seek comfort in retail therapy? I know I do. Jill Zarin from the Real Housewives of NYC put it best - "I hate shopping, I love buying." Agreed. I could literally buy just a piece of gum and I'd be happy....sometimes I just have an itch to buy. Especially when I feel like I've been working really hard and I need something new in my life because the rest of me feels really old and haggard. But...I'm also a chronic returner because I also abhor wasting money. I will literally go an hour out of my day and travel extensively to return something. In any case, I indulged in a little bit of retail therapy and bought 3 things from Rue La La today.

and a jacket for the Boyfriend. All from Michael Kors and all for a very decent price. Don't judge me.

Daydreaming about Cooking Chinese Steamed Spareribs

2011-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

t's been a bit since I last posted. Things over at this end of the screen have not been so pleasant as of late, and work and I have become inseparable. We need space. Desperately. So far I've had little luck getting this so-called space and work has latched on to me like a bad rash.

Lately, I have been eating bad food, sleeping very little, having bouts of overwhelming anger, and drinking lots of coffee. Oh and did I mention that I have not been exercising? I feel all of this "badness" adding up inside of me and wanting a burst of....detox or something. I also have a tendency to daydream ALL the time and one of the many things I daydream about when I'm busy at work is of cooking different dishes. One of the dishes I randomly crave is Chinese Steamed Spareribs. In a word, yum. A friend of mine from law school generously gave me a tupperware full of her dad's homemade spareribs while we were studying for the bar...and it was just so delicious and I want more!

Instead of waiting for Mr. Cheng to send me over another batch, I think I'll give it a go on my own. I'll let you know how it turns out!

{Photo Courtesy of Steamy Kitchen}
{Recipe available at Steamy Kitchen as well!}

Body Aches

2011-02-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

ast night I headed over to my new gym, Equinox on Wall Street, for a Kettleball Class. It was brutal. In fact, I think this is the most amount of pain I've ever been in from working out. Kettleballs are these cast iron balls with handles (I used two 10lb-ers and one 15lb-er). You use your body and your legs to throw the balls back and forth between your legs, swinging with the momentum, you pump them up into the air, and you do push ups and push one arm with the weight into the air...sigh. Needless to say, it was quite a work out. So today I am extremely sore, and every muscle in my body hurts, including my feet (feet??). Everything but my calves, oddly enough.

In any case, this is just another way my body is reminding me that I need to start working out more often! In other news (not really), Equinox is pretty amazing. The showers are clean with Kiehls shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. The towels are fresh, and studio rooms are spacious, it's lovely. I highly recommend it!

Cheese of the Month Part II

2011-02-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

y, this has been a very rough past few weeks! And it looks like things are only going to get busier. But! I didn't forget Cheese # 2 of the Cheese of the Month. I present to you, the Crottin de Champcol, a pasteurized goat cheese from Loire, France. This little cheese comes in a cylindrical form and has a very strong and spicy bite. Almost shockingly so! In French, Crottin means "road-apple" (as in dung, trailed along the road), which describes the moldy, dark coloring that covers a well aged Crottin. When young, the Crottin's interior is creamy and nutty, with the goat flavor becoming more pronounced as it ages. Honestly, I was not a fan of this one. There was a very strong spiciness to this cheese, making it difficult to enjoy. I'm hoping that I just picked up a bad one, especially considering that it's gotten great reviews. But I'm not inclined to buy this cheese again, there are just too many others to try!

Pairs well with a Sancerre.

Easy Like Sunday Mornin'

2011-01-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

oday is such a beautiful day. The Boyfriend made brunch and served french press coffee (his favorite), we cleaned his apartment, made an appointment at the salon, and started on a beef stew for dinner tonight. This weekend has been so relaxing so far, not a stitch of work to do and lots of time to catch up on some reading. Church tonight always gets us ready to start the week ... and life is good. Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Vanilla Bean Caramels with Fleur de Sel

2011-01-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

ver the weekend I decided to try my hand at making some caramels from a great recipe I found on My Baking Addiction for Vanilla Bean Caramels with Fleur de Sel. This was an easy recipe to follow, but my first attempt was a bust since I did not use a candy thermometer and went on sight alone. Not a good idea. I undercooked the caramel and they never hardened. Back into the pot they went, this time with a candy thermometer on hand, and harden they did, while still staying flexible. I cut some wax paper squares, wrapped them and sent a batch to one of my favorite families, the Monserrat's in SF. I also handed some out to co-workers and they were a hit!

P.S. You don't absolutely have to use a thermometer, but I would highly recommend it.

{Photo courtesy of My Baking Addiction}

For recipe, please click here.

What's For Dinner Tonight? Baked Chicken Over Grilled Veggies

2011-01-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

hicken is one of my favorite sources of protein and I'm always interested in easy, creative and yummy chicken recipes to try. This one was suggested to me by the Boyfriend's sister-in-law while we were visiting Vancouver this winter. Thanks Christine!

First, I seasoned the chicken breasts with a bit of freshly ground pepper, sea salt, and a little bit of paprika. Then, I browned them on both sides on my cast iron skillet and placed them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees (flipped it at the halfway mark). Once the chicken was done, I moved them to a separate plate and placed my sliced eggplants, squash (in place of zucchini) and bell peppers into the cast iron at medium to high heat.

With a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, I left them alone for about 7 minutes (flipping occasionally). Once they were done, I stacked the grilled veggies and the chicken on top of each other and sprinkled some freshly grated white cheddar cheese. This dish was a hit! The Boyfriend absolutely loved it!

What's For Dinner Tonight? Steak Night!

2011-01-25T19:21:00.000-08:00

y wonderful Boyfriend decided that Saturday night would be steak night, prepared lovingly with his hands alone. I love these nights when he puts on his imaginary chef's hat, rolls up his sleeves, and gets in his cooking groove. We were doing a little bit of shopping in soho and headed to Dean and Deluca to pick up some steaks. It's quite expensive there but we were in the mood to splurge a little and grabbed some filets.

Please excuse my photos. Per usual, the pictures were taken in the evening with not the best lighting. I can promise you, the meal was scrumptious!

First, he seasoned the pieces with freshly ground sea salt and pepper. He later sprinkled a bit of olive oil over each and browned them in the cast iron skillet. After 2 minutes in the oven on each side, he placed a dab of butter and let them rest on teacup saucers, which were flipped upside down.

And voila! Coupled with a great bottle of red wine recommended by our wine specialist, we enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

Thanks babe. Once again, you remind me of how lucky I am to have a guy like you.

Perfect Wedding Mugs

2011-01-19T20:16:00.001-08:00

hile browsing the web I came across this great photo with the most perfect mugs for any engagement/wedding! I wish I could get a pair for later on, but I believe Hallmark is out of them. Well...one can hope, can't she?

{photo courtesy of Sweet Nothings}

Cheese of the Month

2011-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

have a love of cheese and my thought on this has always been, the stinkier the better. That may not always be true, but cheese is a great passion of mine and I thought it'd be a fun idea to start a Cheese of the Month Club on this blog. My hope is to expand my knowledge on cheeses - how they are made, stored, taste, and what they pair well with. You can join me by stopping by your local cheese counter and trying the same ones as I do. Your comments are greatly appreciated and hopefully we can learn together. I'll start small with 1 cheese every 2-3 weeks for 3 months and see how it goes. Most of my info will come from various cheese sites, books, and of course my personal opinion.

To start, I've chosen the Langres from the high plans of Champagne-Ardenne, France, dating back to the 18th century. This cheese comes uncooked, unpressed, and has a dense, creamy texture. As you can see from the picture below, the skin is a bit wrinkly with a slight depression on top called the "fontaine". The French have traditionally poured champagne into the dip, which is intended to draw out its fruit and pepper flavors.

The Langres is brine washed and colored with roucou, a red coloring derived from the Annatto tree. To make the Langres, the French use a traditional method of ripening for about 5-6 weeks, keeping the cheese in a humid cellar (explains the wrinkly skin). It has a subtle but powerful scent and what I consider to be a pronounced odor. Very similar to the Epoisse, a favorite of mine, but much milder.

Pairs well with a full bodied red wine, such as Burgundy or even a Pinot Noir. And of course, champagne.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all! I thought I'd start off my first blog entry of 2011 with the letter "A". So apropos, no? I spent my holidays back West as I usually do, this time flying only to Vancouver, driving through Seattle and then ringing in the new year in LA with the grandparents. Lots of family, tons of love, and many many reminders of just how blessed the Boyfriend and I are. Thank you family!

Speaking of the new year, I'm determined to keep my resolutions and not let them get away from me again. So far, I've been eating healthier, exercising more, and the Boyfriend and I have decided on a church to attend. We have been slacking in all those areas throughout last year and have finally committed to change. But...it's only been a week so we'll see.

Anyhoo, I have some crafts and cooking projects in mind for the year and am excited to get started! I really didn't do much of that last year due to my new job, but now that I've hit a groove, I'm hoping to fit more in. Oh and my sister got me a cast iron skillet for christmas....super excited to use it! Any suggestions?

Trousers

2010-12-14T18:55:00.001-08:00

ately, the Boyfriend and I have been on a shopping bonanza. We haven't actually bought much, but we have definitely been looking. He's much more trendier than I am, and with his body type, most styles look good on him. But I am dying to get my hands on a pair of these:

Pleated Trousers from Zara

Oh and my boots from Cole Haan came in a few weeks back...after going back and forth about buying new boots this season, I decided to take the leap once I found this great deal. They're hot.

Cole Haan Georgina

Ugh I can't stop the madness!

Best Concealer...EVER

2010-12-04T08:25:00.001-08:00

ark circles are the bain of my existence. Dark circles and outrageously thick, coarse, and frizzy hair. The kind of hair that makes one spend the ages of 10-25 trying to tame it. Unruly. Wild. Inexplicable. These are the words that come to mind when I think of my hair. However, with the invention of the ceramic straightener and some acceptance on my part, I've come to terms with it. However, getting rid of dark circles and puffy under eyes are not nearly as "easy" as taming frizzy hair. I'm sure I've painted a hideous picture of what I look like, but as is often the case, you are your own worse critic. And I am mine.

In any case, I have found an excellent concealer that really hides my dark circles and doesn't fade or require reapplication throughout the day! It's great, and it's better than the popular Laura Mercier Secret Weapon concealer.

The Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit is a double decker pot, with the concealer and a mirror on top, and face powder on the bottom to set it all in. $32 at Sephora.

Black Swan

2010-12-03T21:37:00.000-08:00

lack Swan. I cannot wait to see it. Love Natalie. Love Mila. Love Darren Aronofsky (recently directed The Wrestler -- most depressing and moving movie ever).

I can't make the trailer fit my screen. You get the point.

Read review here. They pretty much starved themselves for a year. Makes law school seem like a cake walk.

Ebates Anyone?

2010-12-03T21:20:00.001-08:00

oes anyone else out there use Ebates? The only people I know who use it are the people I've sent invites to. Well if you don't, this will be your online purchases lifesaver! I was introduced to it about...8 years ago (ish) and have been using it for online purchases ever since! Just log on, search for the site you want to go to, and purchase away! For every purchase you make through ebates, you receive 3% (or more) of your purchase back! It's not much, but it makes me feel less guilty about paying for shipping. Ebates will send you a check for your accrued amount every 3 months, as long as it's over $5. If it's under, they roll it over to the next check until you reach $5+. It's. Amazing. But don't forget, you MUST go to your website through ebates to get the credit!

Trust me, you'll love it. It's especially handy for the holiday sales as they usually increase the percentage back. And! You get $10 for your first purchase!

Let me know if you're interested and I can refer you! (and I get $5 for it). Happy shopping!

Shopping (and NY) frustrations

2010-12-02T18:58:00.001-08:00

am so annoyed with Kate Spade. SO annoyed. I ordered a wallet from them a couple of weeks ago and everything went smoothly. Transaction completed, order shipped, tracking number sent. Then! Then I get an email from them saying that my order has been returned and processed! How? It already shipped! Turns out that it somehow got sent back and returned, despite the fact that 1) they did not inform me in advance 2) they neglected to tell me WHY, despite their "order cancellation" policy, and 3) when I called customer service, all the lady would say is "I do apologize" over and over again. I wanted to scream. And now they are out of stock and of course, I saw it in person and it's gorgeous.

Obviously, I am searching high and low to have one of my own. If I knew how to do a smiley face icon here, I would. But sadly, I will most likely not get it at the price I originally purchased it for.

On another note. I have a constant love-hate relationship with New York. There are so many things to love about this city, yet so many things to absolutely abhor. Like rush hour, subways during rush hour, subways during the summer and rush hour, subways when they stall under the tunnel during summer days and rush hour....you get my point.

But if I hear another parent hiss into their kid's ear, "I will slap you across the face if you don't shut up" one more time, I am going to just slap THEM across THEIR face and see if THEY shut up.

Easy Ways to Update your Outfit

2010-11-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

he holiday season is upon us and I am already behind! Thanksgiving is next week and I have made no list of any sort. The sister and I sent out invites to our "Orphan Thanksgiving" and next we have to figure out our dishes.

During the holidays I always get the shopping bug. There are so many sales that it's hard to resist picking up a little something something for yourself, right? Well, I go a little nuts. I become obsessed with finding sales, getting the most for my money, buying, returning, and trying to get the perfect presents for loved ones and...me. My own holiday tradition consists of coupons, internet surfing, and, oh right, baking holiday goods for our doormen and friends before packing up the house and heading off West for Christmas and New Years.

Along with the holiday season comes a bunch of holiday parties as well. For me, I don't own a lot of trendy or dressy pieces. I also find it to be financially impractical to try to always trend up your outfits. I'm all about the classic, iconic pieces that can dress up almost any outfit, without costing an arm and a leg. You can pair a cheap pair of pants (Uniqlo and Forever 21 are my favs), with a simple top, and a statement piece accessory. Or a cute jacket or vest can spruce up almost any outfit.

Here are a few finds:

1. Sequin trim shift dress $149
2. Black poly faux shearling drape front jacket $124
3. Sleeveless draped sweater vest $70

Pair any of these with a great necklace, cocktail ring, or funky leggings and you're set!

p.s. love love LOVE #2

Guilty Purchase...

2010-11-15T10:48:00.001-08:00

o I did something quite naughty this morning....but it wasn't irrational. Well, maybe it was, considering that I really don't need it, I'm trying very hard to save as much money as I can, I have tons of loans, and Christmas is just around the corner! Here is my justification (just because I need to make myself feel better): I worked very hard last week and this past Saturday, and I haven't really bought anything for myself in a while. I get deep buyer's remorse and end up returning everything. However, I did make a few splurges the last couple of weeks.....most of which i returned, one of which still needs to be determined....ok but let's not digress.

I did it. I love it. And it's on final sale so I CAN'T return it. Welcome home, Kate!

Once Wed: Whimsical French Wedding

2010-11-09T10:52:00.001-08:00

elcome to my obsession with weddings. I love love weddings, especially those that really display the bride/groom's personal charm and taste. I myself am partial to the rustic french feel, with a twist of country, and a dash of homemade DIY accessories. I love it. It's personal and it's sentimental.

During one of my daily runs through some photography/wedding sites, I came across this beautiful wedding featured by Once Wed.

Sigh...isn't it just so romantic?

Seasonal Scents

2010-11-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

ne of my favorite things about the fall-heading-into-winter season (yes, I just made up my own season) is the smell of everything. Every season has a scent, and this one is no exception. While Fall reminds me of apples, pumpkin spices, and cinnamon, this in between time reminds me of trees, leaves, pine and the like. I try to keep this smell in my home at all times by finding the perfect candle to fit the mood. Note, I am obsessed with candles and must always have them in my apartment! If I didn't think it was highly dangerous to have candles in my office, I would most definitely light one up. My candle of the moment is Autumn, by Slatkin & Co., available for purchase at Bath and Body Works. The Boyfriend helped me pick this one up and we have received loads of inquiries on this scent!

Bath and Bodyworks usually has great sales, so do what I did and get 2 for the price of 1.

Archipelago also has some wonderful scents, but their candles are usually a bit pricier (around $24.50 for a 5 oz. candle).

And of course, Anthropologie carries a variety of amazing candles, packaged in the most charming holders. Love it.

Spooled Candles

Holiday Bouquet Candle

Skincare Overload

2010-10-31T19:07:00.001-07:00

ello all, sorry for having gone MIA as of late. I have had a flurry of guests from out of town as well as a very very intense work week. Sometimes, the phrase "when it rains, it pours" is just so apropro. I worked many late nights this week and worked very hard on Friday night so that I could have the weekend off, and boy am I glad I did it! This weekend was lovely, complete with friends, the city, and shopping!

I go through ebbs and flows of the shopping itch. Right now I'm not really there, but the Boyfriend has got it bad. So we went to Soho and shopped a bit. Success! Among other things, he got a really smart pair of shoes from Clark Originals. Love. In fact, just before he got them, I tried on the women's version and fell in love. Don't worry, he is not trotting around women's shoes. If anything, I would be the one in men's shoes.

In any case, the one thing that I have been splurging on is skincare products. I am awful to my skin, almost never moisturizing my hands or feet, and pretty much using the same tub of St. Ives face lotion for the last 1.5 years. I am trying Philosophy's Miracle set, which contains retinol, thanks to Sephora's coupon. So far so good, my face feels smoother, and I kinda like having a nighttime routine. Two thumbs up, Philosophy.

Obsessed: Tocca Bianca Perfume

2010-10-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

or a while now, I have been obsessed with this new (to me) fragrance, Tocca Bianca. I love soft and feminine scents, especially clean scents. Like laundry. Mmmm....laundry. I've been dropping by Sephora every now and then and spritzing a little bit of this on my wrists. The smell is fresh, slightly floral, and soft. Definitely give it a try!

Homemade Focaccia + Roasted Red Peppers and Arugula Sandwiches

2010-10-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

haven't actually tried making this yet, but I keep coming back to the same recipe and image. I love this picture, don't you? It's from one of my favorite food sites, Alexandra's Kitchen. She posts the best recipes and the most vibrant and vivid photos, so good it's enough to make your mouth water.

My dad used to make us focaccia bread on a regular basis. Mainly because he owned a restaurant and was always trying new recipes. So the first time I tasted focaccia it was his, and when I asked him what it was I thought he was just being silly. Focaccia? That just sounds funny to a 6 year old.

You can find the recipe for this here.

What's for Dinner Tonight? One-Pot Chicken with Sausage and Potatoes

2010-10-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

ortunately, I am the accidental (but very grateful) receiver of Everday Food Magazine, a great little subscription that comes my way and is filled with simple recipes for, well, everyday food! The previous tenant of the Boyfriend's apartment (his cousin, one of my most favorite persons in the world) was the original and intended subscriber, but since her move to the bay area, she's been unable to have them forward the magazine to her new address! Hey, I'm not complaining...although I do feel bad.
I usually sit through a stack of them and tab the recipes I want to try. Last night was the One-Pot Chicken with Sausage and Potatoes, a very simple and really yummy recipe from this month's issue.

{Ingredients}
2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 a pound of sweet italian sausage, casings removed, broken into 3/4 inches (I used turkey italian sausage)
2 bone in chicken breast halves (which comes out to 4 pieces, each breast is sliced in half)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 yellow onion, diced medium
1 pound of waxy potatoes, halved or quartered if large (I used finger potates and cut them into quarters)
3 stalks of celery, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of fresh oregano

{Directions}
In a large pot, heat oil over medium high. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally until brown all over (about 4 minutes). Transfer the sausage to another dish (it won't be fully cooked, but don't worry!) Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and add to the pan, meaty side down. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes, flipping it once. Transfer the chicken to the sausage dish.

Add onions, potatoes, and celery to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft (3-5 minutes). Return sausage and chicken, meaty side up, to pot and add 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through (about 20 minutes, but I gave it until 30).

Remove lid and increase heat to high. Boil until the liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup (5 minutes). Transfer chicken to a platter. Add vinegar and oregano to the vegetables and sausage and stir to combine. Transfer this all to a platter with chicken. Transfer sauce to a gravy boat and serve alongside the chicken. Voila! A really simple and very delicious meal.

I spent about $10 for this whole dish and improvised here and there. But it was really simple and the Boyfriend loved it!

Fall Traditions

2010-10-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

s noted in my previous entry, I love Fall. I love everything about it. The smell and feel of the crisp air, the crunching of the leaves underneath my boots, the beautiful changing colors of the leaves...sigh. Fall is wonderful and my fondest memories are from this season. Fall is also apple picking season which inevitably leads to apple desserts and baked goods. I'm not a huge cooked apple fan, I think the texture is too grainy/weird/mushy for my liking. Apple pie fans are shaking their heads in disappointment, I know. But! I love love apple loafs! Related to the pumpkin/banana/zucchinni bread family (I'm just assuming), apple loafs are often overlooked. I haven't seen them around much, certainly not in cafes or coffee shops, but they are one of my favorites and I've been making them for the last two years, this year making it three, thus (in my book), a new Fall tradition. Below is the absolute best recipe and it's pretty fool-proof. This recipe is from recipe.com, but for some reason it's no longer there! Good thing I wrote it down!

Autumn Apple Loaf

{Ingredients}
1 1/2 stick of unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 2/3 cup of sugar
2 eggs, beaten (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 cups of peeled and chopped apples
Optional: 1 cup of chopped walnuts, raisins, etc.

{Directions}
Cream together the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix the other dry ingredients in a bowl and sift with a fork. Add the wet mixture to the dry one. Add apples and whatever else you want to include, walnuts, etc. Pour into a greased loaf pan and fill it to about 3/4 high and bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes. Make sure to test it to see if it's fully cooked. Use a toothpick and pierce the loaf at the thickest part. If the toothpick comes out clean, it's done. If not, it needs a few more minutes. The top of the loaf will turn a golden brown.

I usually chop the apples into small pieces since I don't really want to feel them. This time I made them slightly chunkier and I actually like it! Also, I added 10 more minutes to the bake, since it seemed to take a bit longer than usual. The top of this loaf comes out very crispy and the inside is very soft and moist. It's the best!

Planning My Escape...

2010-10-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

or the past 2 years, I have been planning my escape. Gasp! What does this mean? From what? From whom? Where will you go? All questions that I'm sure are filling your head with a look of panic (I kid). No need to fret, it's just another adventure! The Boyfriend and I have always discussed, rather whimsically, living abroad. For just a little bit (or forever)...but until we have a place/city where we want to plant our roots, we want to roam. This is quite difficult for the both of us as our jobs are state specific and require us to take exams and all that other yucky stuff should we decide to change stomping grounds. We have both travelled to a decent amount of places, although in very different parts of the world. He's more rainforest, Amazon, Honduras, etc. and I am more London, Paris, Brussells. And we are both originally from the West Coast and have secretly held a desire to go back. Don't get me wrong, I love NYC more than anything, and I consider it one of the best cities in the world. In any case, we have not stayed anywhere long enough to really know where we'd like to go next. Where to go? I know I need a side gig to sustain us...and all this will not take place for several years. But just thought I'd start planning my escape...

Dinner for the Week

2010-09-26T07:05:00.001-07:00

hile the Boyfriend gears up to watch his Sunday football game, I've been going through some recipe books and magazines, looking for dishes to cook for dinner throughout the week. Unfortunately, both him and I work very demanding jobs with very very long hours. For me, most of my time during the week (and sometimes during the weekend) is unpredictable. His aren't as fickle, but that just means we know his days are all going to be long. If I get out of work too late, I don't join him for dinner. But I know him and I'm pretty sure that Papa John's Pizza will come a knockin' 4-5 times a week if there wasn't anything ready-made/easily-made in the fridge. I don't blame him...by the time he gets in it's so late that he's absolutely famished and beat from the day. So this week, I'm going with 3 main dishes; 1) a pasta dish, something hearty and meaty, but fairly simple. Maybe a concoction of kelbasa sausage, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes, cheese, and pineapples. The pineapples provides a nice and sweet surprise to such a salty mix! 2) a casserole. I love tuna noodle casserole, but he is not a fan of tuna. I may make it anyway one day, but for this week I've decided to try my hand at macaroni and cheese. I never make this dish because I think it's pretty difficult to make. I've tasted many homemade macaronis and honestly, I haven't tasted any that I really like. But I'm going to give Emeril's recipe a go. 3) one pot chicken with sausage, potatoes, and veggies. I know, it's all meat and carbs. But hey, he's a guy, he likes his meat and potatoes.

Next, I was thinking of making lemon bars. I've made them once before, and I've posted about it before. But just as a repeat, here yago:

This is a picture of my first attempt. We'll see how the second one goes.

For the recipe, click on Smitten Kitchen.

Fall is here!

2010-09-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

all is my favorite season of the year. But it doesn't last very long in New York, and I will make the most of it! I refuse to let work or other obligations get in the way of me enjoying my Fall. This weekend, the Boyfriend and I took a day trip up towards Nyack to scope out the town the foliage. Unfortunately, it was a bit too early to catch the changing of colors, but we did see some red ones poking out amongst the many green ones.

Here is my ever growing list of things I love about the Fall:

1) Foliage (obviously). I grew up in San Francisco, and leaves don't really change colors over there in the bay area. So imagine my look of amazement when I saw a red leaf for the first time! I was literally staring at the ground of wet leaves, with my mouth open in awe. By myself.

2) Apple Cider. Preferably spiced, with a little bit of whip cream. This is a must!

3) Day trip adventures with the ever exciting Boyfriend!

4) Fall clothes. I love funnel neck sweaters, cardigans, boots, and coats. Speaking of...I need a Fall coat...

5) Walking/running outdoors and hiking.

6) Fall decorations. I have a stash of faux Fall leaves in my closet waiting to come out.

7) Fall scented candles. I have one burning right now!

8) Thanksgiving.

9) Our anniversary! We will be hitting the 4 year mark...a true milestone for both of us!

10) You've Got Mail. I love this movie, I will never get sick of this movie, and this is the only movie I have seen over 6 times. This movie takes place in the Fall, and Fall would mean just a little less without it.

There ya have it! Am I missing anything?

Recipe Cards

2010-09-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

f course, I'm distracting myself while I'm supposed to be researching cases. Of course. But I wanted to post about something I'm very excited about and wish I owned a quality color printer so that I could print for myself! I found these beautiful free recipe cards on How About Orange. I am a bridesmaid for one of my dearest friends who is getting married in October, and one of the bridesmaids' gifts for her bridal shower was a recipe box with each guest's favorite recipe written down. We used a different template, but I love this one and wish we found it in time for her shower! Please click here for the download at Tie that Binds blog.

And...We're Back! I hope....

2010-09-19T07:38:00.001-07:00

ello. Do y'all remember me? I've been MIA for a while now, life has taken over...well, my life, and it's been a very busy spring and summer! Work has its ups and downs, busy days and not so busy days, but it seems like the busy days have far outweighed the not so busy ones. In any case, I've realized that I must carpe diem and seize the day(s)! That's redundant, I know. One of the many things that bring me much joy is this blog, and sharing the things/thoughts/musings in life with whoever chooses to read my little blog. So everyone (or no one), I'm back and I hope that I don't fall behind again. And if I do, please bear with me. I'm still learning.

Honey Lemon Tea

2010-02-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

think my body has been trying to tell me something for the last 6 weeks. It does not like to be woken up before 8, it is revolting against the late hours of staring at a computer screen, and it is boycotting the stress poured over dumb mistakes made at work. Since I've started working, my tension headaches have continued on, I've gotten multiple cankersores (gross, I know, it happens), and now I have a cold. What's a girl to do? Just throw in the towel and call it quits? Not this girl. I'm taking the rest of Sunday off and reading Pride and Prejudice, watching tv, taking a bath and drinking the best cold remedy ever, honey lemon tea. My sister and I learned of this tea from our previous pastor's beautiful and wise wife. She actually had a blog called "honey lemon tea" a couple of years ago but 4 baby girls later, that blog has long been put to rest. But whenever my sister and I catch wind of a cold, we take a walk to the store and buy several lemons, a jar of honey, and whip us up some honey lemon tea. Right now I'm sitting with my tea on hand and ready to start getting better. I buy about 8 lemons, slice them up into lemon wheels, put them all in a mason jar with a 12 -16 oz bottle of honey. Then I spoon some into my cup and pour hot water and voila! You're very own remedy in a cup.

Happy Sunday everyone, and have a great week. Oh and please remember, it takes very little to share some happiness, and very little to ruin someone's day. So please remember to smile to those who pass you by and say a little word of encouragement to anyone around you. I'm learning more and more everyday that this makes a big difference.

Who's the Breadmaker Now?

2010-02-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

uring my 5 month I-Have-Nothing-To-Do-But-To-Cook stint, I really wanted to take a shot at baking my own bread. You know, take it back to the roots....old school....I've gotta feed my young? Except, I have no young and my ancestors were probably not baking a whole lot of bread and instead were crouched low and making enough kimchee to store for the entire village. Anyhoo, I wanted to try my hand at it but I don't own a bread mixer or maker and I've been told that the entire process could be quite challenging. With the spirit of Julia Child behind me and her chapter on mastering the art of baking bread in a conventional oven, I was ready to do it! After much, much, MUCH research, I found a no fuss no muss recipe over at one of my favorite food sites, Alexandra's Kitchen (who has recently moved her site to here). It's simple, easy, and quick. The bread came out great but I wish the crust browned a little more. I put a little egg wash over the top to keep it shiny and brown but it didn't seem to do the trick. I'll have to try again another time.

You can get the recipe here.

Apologies for the dull lighting but I had to make do with what I had. Happy Baking!

Shoes galore!

2010-02-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

his week I went on a shoe binge and bought two pairs. I know, I know, I really shouldn't be spending money but my work shoes are scuffed up like crazy and I needed a pair of comfortable flats. I own this one pair of green flats that I LOVE from Urban Outfitters, but I've worn them down so much that they have holes! So here they are!

MIA Hepburn in embossed snake skin.

Rampage Victory in black patent leather. Perfect with a pair of black tights and a dress. Both were $34 on sale at Piperlime!

I have to say, both pairs are very comfortable and really really light! Today, as I was walking 6 blocks downhill in heels carrying 3 bags full of documents, laptop and my bag....I was in dire need of a comfortable pair of shoes. Looks like these are it!

The Weekend is Here!

2010-01-29T17:30:00.001-08:00

ahoo the weekend is here!!! And I got to come home "early" and I probably don't have to do much work until Sunday! You have no idea how ecstatic I am! Or maybe you can, with the excessive use of my exclamation marks! I have a lot of errands to run but I welcome the annoying personal do dads over work. I actually found myself say "A Root Too Doo!" today...anyone know where that's from? Anyone?

I've seen the last two episodes of "The Deep End," a new show on ABC about first year associates who are working at big firms. I was really excited about this because...well that's me! But I was extremely disappointed with the outcome. In fact, it may be the most ridiculous show I have ever seen. First off, no first year would be allowed to conduct an entire deposition by themselves, nor be the only one in attendance at a pre trial conference. Also, no first year would be allowed to seal the deal with a new client or speak so out of turn to a partner. Let me tell you what it's like being a first year, at least in my insanely active department: it's me walking around with a huge, big fat question mark on my forehead. That's what a first year looks like. The End.

Reading Lately

2010-01-27T19:39:00.001-08:00

ately I've been trying to finish up this book I started reading upon recommendation called "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles" by Haruki Murakami. So far it's been kind of weird and I'm not exactly sure how everything ties in together. I'm about 50 pages shy of finishing and I refuse to give up (although I almost did!) I'm really hoping that it makes sense by the end but with only 50 pages left to go...it doesn't seem likely. I'm hoping to dive into the world of Jane Austen next and the Boyfriend has graciously bought me a beautiful set of all her novels. I've never really been one for Jane Austen (I tried once and just couldn't do it) but the Boyfriend's wonderful sister in law has recently read through all of them and speaks very highly of them. So I'm convinced. Now if only I can find time to actually finish this book....

Wardrobe Assistance!

2010-01-18T20:12:00.000-08:00

een shopping for some more work-wear and one thing I really need is a bag that can fit my documents. I have tote bags but they either are too casual or are too much of a black hole for my phones, keys, wallet to get lost in. I'm looking for a structured bag where I can keep things from jumbling around but do not want to spend a lot of money. So far I've come up with two options, both beyond what I'm willing to spend but still good starting points. What do you think? Any suggestions?

Oh Boy...

2010-01-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

hat a weekend. My first week of work has definitely not been stress free and the phrase "hit the ground running" has taken on a whole new meaning. It should be "hit the ground sprinting like a mad woman while wildly flaring her arms" cuz it's how I feel. I had a late night Wednesday night doing some research, went to the office early to do some more, worked until 2am on Friday, went to the office for a 16 hour shift on Saturday, 5 more hours on Sunday, and 1 hour today. Today wasn't so bad except it was supposed to be my day off and I woke up to many emails. Sigh. I really appreciate co-workers who write emails with some enthusiasm and I really despise curt ones. I think I'm way too sensitive to emails...something I must curb. So far my headache is at its height, I feel worn out and run down and I'm really hungry. I picked The Boyfriend up from the airport at 6am and we tried to shop in the city for some more work clothes. Boy was that a mistake! He ended up getting a $130 ticket and we were running very low on gas in midtown and could not find parking for our lives. I was starving (as usual) and was cranky until I had food in my belly. We also had to clean out my fridge that broke on Saturday and threw out SO much food! That was the saddest part of the weekend, having to toss out tons of fresh meat, Korean short ribs, veggies, a new large jar of Kimchi, etc. Sigh.

No serious complaints though...I was actually content with working because I felt involved and expected these hours. This week is going to be a doozy. Thanks for letting me vent.

Back to Reality

2010-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

've started work this week in the real world and I've got to say, it's pretty great so far. I can only use the word "great" at this point because I've just had training all week and been fed free food and drinks! I'm sure once things get going it will be difficult and tiring. But til then I plan to soak up the fun and bask in the glory and freedom of being "new." We received our blackberries yesterday which means it will be glued to my hand from now until who knows when. I got my first assignment and although it is very very confusing and I don't know what half the terms mean, I'm very excited to dive in and learn as much as I can. I'm already working from home and into late hours but it's not that different from law school so I don't mind it so much. Are you scoffing at my "excitement"? I would. Wish me luck on this new adventure!!

Just What I Needed...

2010-01-08T14:03:00.001-08:00

ords of encouragement do wonders for me and help me get through the day. Something tells me that I will be needing a bottle of these in the near future. Hm. Maybe I'll actually make one to keep at the office. That way I can unwrap one day by day ... something to keep me going. Here are a few I found just by googling!

"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
~ Aldous Huxley

"One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better."
~ Col. Harland Sanders

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

~ Unknown

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can"
~ Author Unknown

Would you believe it?

2010-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

hocolate covered potato chips! Who woulda thunk it. Certainly not I yet this is the best combo of two of my greatest vices all rolled into one! I was just telling a friend today that I could polish off bags and bags of potato chips if given the opportunity--I am a serious potato chip lover. I also melt at the site/smell of chocolate. Wow....this is truly a dream come true. But I wonder how it'll taste. I didn't understand the whole bacon-chocolate fad and I have a bar waiting for me to try in my kitchen. I guess there's no other way for me to know but to make it for myself.

{Photo courtesy of Bloom.acious Digs}

Holiday Goodies Part 1: Toffee Galore!

2010-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

art 1 of my Holiday Goodies series features good ole chocolate and hazelnut toffee. I grew up loving Almond Roca and milling around See's Candies in hopes that they would offer out yummy samples with crispy centers. Later on in life I worked at an investment firm that received baskets and baskets of holiday treats, one of them being a brick of chocolate toffee, handmade from some lovely state that houses a lovely woman who makes these wonderful bricks of toffee. I wish I remembered the name, I'd love to get a shipment. As I reminisced about the wonderful toffees of my life I thought, hey, why not make my own?

Alexandra from Alexandra Cooks blogged a very easy and no muss no fuss recipe for toffee. The Boyfriend and I gave it a go and true to post, things came out surprisingly well. There's no baking involved and if you drop a glop of toffee on your stove, give it some time to harden and it will lift right off!

Daley Toffee: A Family Recipe  
{Ingredients}
1 C. salted butter  
1 C. sugar  
3 T. water (if tap, put through a Britta or use well or bottled)  
1 1/8 tsp. vanilla
2/3 C. ground pecans (or nut of your choice)  
4-6 oz. premium milk chococlate (bar form is easiest; can also do a dark chocolate but we think milk chocolate is best)

{Directions}
1. Cook butter, sugar, water, and vanilla over medium heat stirring CONSTANTLY until golden brown — test for hard ball stage in cold water. It may smoke, but don't worry.
2. Put half to 2/3 of the nuts in the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch pan.  
3. Pour the cooked butter/sugar mixture over the nuts.  
4. Wait a few minutes and put the chocolate on top — when chocolate softens, spread evenly and sprinkle remaining nuts on top.
5. When completely cool, break into pieces. Store in airtight container.  
NOTE: You can also use an 8x13 if you'd prefer a thinner version — in which case increase nuts to 1 C.

I crushed up some hazelnuts, left over from my Nutella and Hazelnut Biscotti and used some semi sweet chocolate bars that I had left over in my cabinet.

2010 thus far

2010-01-04T22:53:00.001-08:00

o it's been 4 days since the new year and what have I done so far on my list of resolutions? Nothing. I meant to go to the gym today but it was just so cold that I decided to stay in and watch all the shows I missed on my laptop. I have 6 more days of freedom before I start work and although there are a million things I have to do beforehand, I also want to really savor the freedom. I did try to organize my closet space...which was definitely a task since I seem to love keeping boxes. Anything that comes in a box I've folded up and kept. Those will all be tossed out, I promise. I also love to keep shopping bags. This is a habit I've had since I was a wee one. My aunt used to call me the bag lady. I think it had to do with the fact that I didn't buy new clothes very often growing up (I often wore my brother's hand me downs) so having a bag from a store was a big deal. Even if it was just the bag. I won't completely break myself from this one but I'll try to minimize. I am also attempting to store things away properly. I don't like clutter in my space but I don't always put things away nicely or in places I'll remember. I've come to accept that in order to keep my sanity I must adopt some type A tendencies. This last year my memory has gone down the tube and I find myself thinking out of nowhere, "Where's my ipod charger?" and then obsessing about it constantly until I get home and find it. Then losing it again. So I have to work around me. Tomorrow will be a better day, I hope. A far more productive one. I'm going to clean out the house, do the laundry, and try to organize my life.

Tonight I had a great time out with some girlfriends, mainly to discuss bridesmaid details for my friend's wedding. It's still shocking to me that my friends are getting married! Some even have babies! I guess I can't stop time from making us grow up....sigh.

Hello 2010, I hope we get along this year...

2010-01-01T23:24:00.000-08:00

ello all and a Happy New Year to you! I can't believe how quickly this year has passed by but I suppose that's what everyone says at the end of the year. I remember time moving much more slowly back in high school...when you're just waiting for the clock to hit 2:30 so you can get out of class. Now I can barely catch my breath!

The Boyfriend and I have been away for the last 1.5 weeks on a whirlwind of family visits. We spent Christmas in Vancouver, his hometown (and my home away from home) and enjoyed really good quality time with his family. Sometimes I feel like traveling to Vancouver is like a breath of fresh air and we both leave feeling so renewed and re-energized, ready to take on the world. Then we spent 3 days in San Francisco, my hometown, where we had so many dates scheduled in that I left feeling a bit frazzled and a bit wishing that we had spent more time with the people we love (mainly her and him and my middle school buddies). Currently, I am posting from LaLa Land where I rung in the New Year's with the grandparents. My grandpa and I insisted on staying up until midnight while my grandma went to bed. We watched the ball drop together and jumped up and down, whispering "Happy New Year!" and hugging and kissing. It was fun and memorable and I'm glad I have that moment for keeps.

I have a bunch of resolutions that I'd like to post about but I still haven't had time to myself to think about them and commit them to....commitment. One of them is definitely to center my life around my health (spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally). I've been living my entire life putting my health last and believing that my body was invincible. These last 5 months have shown me that it is in fact, not. My 5 month long headache (and still going) is evidence that my body is angry with me. A deeply rooted anger. So I will make an attempt to exercise more, eat better, take time to de-stress and relax.

Anywhoo this year is a year of change and I don't know about you but I'm excited! I'll post more about the holiday treats I made but I wanted to leave you with some eye candy. Mainly, cake stands. Beautiful ones that I have been looking around for forever! I will definitely be making some of these sometime soon.

{Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty}

It's a pretty simple DIY and doesn't cost much money at all. I already have a plate in mind and some bottom stands picked out! I'm thinking these:

New Line Alert for the Preppies

2009-12-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

es Preppies, there's a new line! Or maybe it's old and I just found out about it now. Regardless, Lands End has added a new line to their more traditional one and I've got to say, I'm diggin' it. The prices are very reasonable and the style and fit seem to almost rival (dare I say?) J.Crew's unique and fashionable pieces. I'm really loving J.Crew's womenswear lately but I have to say, with the economy being the way it is I just can't justify spending $90 on a shirt. Admittedly, there aren't a ton of selections on the Lands End Canvas site, and not everything works, but it's still a great alternative that shouldn't be overlooked!

If Only...

2009-12-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

f I could do December all over again I'd make one of these:

{Courtesy of Sweet Paul. Instructions here}

Homemade Pizza--The Healthy Version

2009-12-16T18:26:00.001-08:00

inner last week was Homemade Pizza Day, the first of many Homemade Pizza Days to come, and I decided to go a healthier route and bake a whole wheat crust. Let's just say....I won't make THAT mistake again! Maybe when I have kids and I want them to believe that whole wheat is the only type of carbohydrate that exists, but until then...whole wheat pizza is not really for me. I love whole wheat bread and most whole wheat foods but there are a couple of things that I can't seem to budge on. Such as cookies, pasta, and now pizza dough. I think the farthest I'll go (and probably will do the next time I make pizza dough) is mix half white and half wheat flours. I used a recipe from All Recipes.com.
I started off with my ingredients: 1 pack (.25 ounce) of active, dry yeast, 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 cup of warm water (110 degrees), 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 2 tsp white sugar. I dissolved the yeast in the warm water and let it stand until creamy (about 10 minutes). I have to apologize in advance for my photos, it was a dark night.

Next, I combined all the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and stirred until I created a well mixed and stiff dough (no dry spots).

I covered the dough with a wet paper towel and left it alone for about 30 minutes (should double in size). During this time I preheated my oven to 350 degrees.

While waiting for the dough to rise I went to work on the topping. I was going to make an arugula topped pizza but I had a lot of random things in the fridge to use up before they went bad. A block of bleu cheese from Thanksgiving, shredded chicken from a roasted chicken, mushrooms, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Oh and the arugula. I knew each of these things had only about 2 days left in them and I hated to see them at the bottom of my trash can. So I made a bleu-cheese-chicken-mushroom-and-tomato-pizza-with-carmelized-onion.....pizza.
I chopped thin rings out of the onions and thin slices of mushrooms and carmelized. Then I sliced the cherry tomatoes in half. Once the dough was ready I rolled it out into a rectangular shape to fit my baking sheet. I laid out a pizza sauce I bought at Trader Joe's for $1.60, topped it with bleu cheese and added the rest of my mix. Into the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown and voila! Pizza! (not the greatest photo, I know, but I was really hungry by then). I also ended up using only half the dough for my pie and froze the rest.

The great thing about this recipe is that it's really easy, requires minimal ingredients, and the dough does not need to be refrigerated overnight. This doesn't make the best dough in town but it definitely does the job. Next time I think I'll leave it in the oven for a little longer to get a crispier center! It's a great dish to pour your leftovers on and it's also a creative way for kids to get involved in what they're eating. You can pre-make the dough and store in the fridge for emergency use. Bon appetit!

Lovin' Me Some Interior Design

2009-12-12T18:35:00.001-08:00

. Thought I'd start the post off with the letter Z since it's so infrequently used but is filled with character. The Boyfriend, Canadian bred and all, says "Zed" as opposed to the all American "Z". I prefer the "Z". And no, I'm not biased. Not at all.

I was looking through some blogs and ran across some pics of great interior designs that caught my eye. I love love interior decorating and had I chosen another career, I might have gone with interior design. Below are a few of my favs with great color schemes!

Brooklyn Craft Fairs!

2009-12-11T09:14:00.001-08:00

ello all! This weekend is going to be an exciting weekend because a friend of mine, Pink Mist Industry, will be tabling at a local brooklyn craft fair this weekend! She makes beautiful, handcrafted and hand embroidered cards for every occasion. I'm so so envious of her skill. I've tried this craft many times and have failed miserably. Perhaps Pink Mist will tutor me if I stalk her enough...

The fair is the 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair held from noon to 6pm on December 12. Stop by and make a purchase for a loved (or not so loved) one from Pink Mist Industry!
{Goodies from Pink Mist}

In other fair news, below are a list of fairs happening this weekend and next. I'm a fair lover, ESPECIALLY an arts and crafts fair!

December 12 & 13
Task Trunk Holiday Sale, 100 N. 3rd St., December 12 and 13, noon to 7
-Collaborative trunk show
-Cupcakes from Kumquat Cupcakery

3rd Ward’s Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, 195 Morgan Ave., December 12, noon to 6
-Live music from Raya Brass Band and free coffee from Gimme!
-First 300 guests to arrive will receive free tote bags by local artist Fernanda Cohen full of vendor swag
-Free demos and workshops including Making Old Jewelry New and How to Make Your Own Textiles

Brooklyn Indie Market, Smith & Union St., December 12 and 13, 11-7
-Designers donate 10-15% of sales to benefit Brooklyn Community Housing and service

Bull and Bear Market, Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St., December 13th, starts at noon
-2 people dressed as the stock market’s Bull and Bear will compete in games
-Check out the Recession Art Benefit dinner at 6 PM: $28 in advance, $30 at door covers dinner, booze, and the Bull and Bear games

NY Creates Craft Fair, Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., at Clinton, December 11 to 16, weekdays 11 to 7, weekends 12 to 5
-ceramics, jewelry, apparel, plush toys, organic cosmetics, glass works, photo art to home goods – all at affordable prices

December 19 & 20
Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Craft Market, 227 4th Ave., December 19 and 20, 11-7
- 60 + local vendors including food by Luscious Brooklyn, Mogador Falafels, and Brooklyn Brine

Shiny Squirrel and It’s Ok my Dear Shopping Event, 246 Grand St., December 19 and 20
-Cupcakes, drinks, music

Working Out--ugh

2009-12-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

o I've been trying to get a little more work out into my life, as per doctor's recommendations. But the problem is that I really hate working out. I just do! It's really difficult for me to drag myself to the gym and want to exhaust myself running on a treadmill that leads to nowhere. I can think of other things I would like to do with my time say, blogging! Or reading! Or cooking! Alas, my doctor says that working out is a necessary part of life and that I must do it to strengthen my body and to de-stress. Honestly, working out does not de-stress me. I don't get that endorphin high that people love. I've tried yoga as well and wasn't really in love with it. Point is, I think one must "buy in" to these healthy lifestyles in order to really believe in their benefits and want to do more. I am not there yet. However, I AM into eating healthy. I'm not a super health nut, I don't eat organic or take lots of vitamins. But I definitely try to put in healthy alternatives into my diet when I can. Which brings me to this post. Self magazine has a list of 100 of the healthiest cities for women based on working out, food, etc. NYC is not even within that top 100 list. That's very sad. Find your city here to check your stats.

On a happier note, I found a list of 5 stress fighting super foods which may be helpful to us all.
1) Spinach: Contains magnesium, a mineral that blunts stress's effects on the body by stopping blood pressure from spiking.
2) Oranges: Tension can influence your immune system but vitamin C in citrus bolsters your body's cold fighters!
3) Chocolate: Contains pacifying powers. Cocoa boosts your body's levels of neurochemicals, which act on parts of the brain to help produce a sense of happiness.
4) Fish: Omega 3 Fatty acids can help quell anxiety. Halts surges of stress hormones when faced with stressful situations
5) Oatmeal: B vitamins in oats can stimulate production of serotonin, a key neutrotransmitter that sends soothing signals to your brain. You body digests oatmeal slowly so you absorb serotonin steadily.

Definitely going to keep this list for when I start work!

Short Love Story

2009-12-07T23:22:00.001-08:00

his is a short clip of a very beautiful love story.

Perpetual Paris

2009-12-07T22:50:00.001-08:00

tsy update. I couldn't help but post about this beautiful and creative calendar created by one of my favorite bloggers, Little Brown Pen. This calendar is made up of photos taken by LBP herself during her stay in Paris. You can switch around the photos to match any month and post it on your wall for a beautiful collage! Find it here.

Book and Blogger

2009-12-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

ookbook author and chef Molly Wizenberg is also a blogger! I know, some of you may be thinking...wha?? I've been reading her cookbook a little bit at a time whenever I'm stopping over at Barnes and now I've discovered her blog! Completely unintentionally too which makes for a double celebration of coincidences. I love coincidences, I thrive on them. It makes me feel connected with the world and my surroundings. As if things were meant to be. Anyway, her book is very readable as it tells a lot of stories that go along with her recipes. Exactly the type of cookbook I enjoy and hope to one day create. Check her out!

Long Strolls and What Happens on Them...

2009-12-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

ntil recently, I have not been one for strolls. They sound lovely and peaceful but I'm a very goal oriented person and living in NYC, if I'm walking I'm usually headed somewhere. I do enjoy the occasional strolling around and window shopping, taking a nice hike, etc but those are far and few in between (except the window shopping). I will say that I am a big walker partly because I live in the city and partly because I detest subways. I'd rather walk the 20 blocks if I have the time than to take the train. I also enjoy walking through parks and seeing the foliage, summer strolls along the promenade and attending fairs. But again, this is far and few in between and thus, am a non stroller.

Lately I've been walking to the hospital a lot since my increased visits at the doctor's and I'm forced to walk because parking is horrendous. I walk along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights and what I had cast off as a busy street with nothing to see I now adore and enjoy my visits. The street is filled with charming little shops with lots of unique goods. I always stop off at Trader Joe's (I know, not so unique but still special) and get suckered into buying things to try on new recipes. Today I also visited the Atlantic Bookshop where I purchased several used books, including one for the Boyfriend. Afterwards I stopped off at Sahadi's, a gourmet food store with a wide variety of foods from all over the world. I picked up a fresh baked multi grain bread that brought out the comfort side of food when toasted and buttered. I also checked on the cost of peppermint extract for a friend who is making peppermint bark for the Holidays. I also spotted a great little store that I will make a point to stop off at next time I'm around, a shop called Two for the Pot. From what I've read on Yelp, they have a great selection of teas and coffees with a very knowledgeable owner. I'm really excited to stop by and put my new teaposy pot to use!

All in all it was a nice, peaceful, and fulfilling day. The Boyfriend and I are making more of an attempt to re-connect and I know for me, a restful but productive day with lots of small discoveries and adventures makes me a happier person and that is helpful. Especially when he has stressful days full of some incorrigible kids (like how I used "incorrigible"? Sound of music reference!)
{photo courtesy of Livia Patta, All the Things We Do are Pin-Up Sweet}

Leisure Reading

2009-12-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

've been reading Julia Child's My Life in France, an account of her time spent in Paris and Marseille where her adventures and career in cooking first began. So far I am very much loving this book! Julia has such a charming, innocent, and playful way with her words and her journey to become one of America's most beloved French chefs is admirable. Her diligence and ambition to learn everything about French cuisine as well as the language and lifestyle is very inspirational. Julia discovered her passion for cooking around her mid 30s and exercised much gusto and courage to reach the height of her skill. Reading this book has been so much fun and motivates me to delve into my own passions with much more umph! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves cooking, france, and is looking for an easy and light read!
Click here for a great NYT article on the book.

Black Friday / Cyber Monday Mayhem!

2009-12-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

ow. Black Friday and Cyber Monday completely wiped me out! I told myself that I would NOT go shopping this weekend, especially not at a mall. But I was in New Jersey heading to work and the Boyfriend and I had a lot of time to kill so....long story short we ended up at Garden State Plaza, one of the largest malls in the area. Boy was it chaotic in there! But I did get some amazing deals and pretty much finished all of my Christmas shopping! I always end up buying and returning because things always seem to goes on sale the day after I buy them or I find something else I like better. This season was no exception. I already have boxes from Bloomingdales and Ann Taylor in my house and I'm about to stop by Ann's tomorrow to return some things. I DID, however, make some purchases for myself. I can't resist the sales....they're too good to pass up!

Here are some Holiday Shopping Tips:
1) Always keep your purchases stowed away in a safe spot, and keep ALL of your receipts. Sales keep happening and what you thought was a good deal is likely to become a better one and you may qualify for a price adjustment!
2) Again, keep your receipts! There are always bigger sales happening closer to Christmas so you might find a better and more affordable present.
3) Order online if you can. I say this to help you preserve your sanity. There are a lot of Free Shipping deals, take advantage!
4) If shopping online make sure you first google for any promotion/coupon codes. I always do that and I pretty much always find a coupon of some sort! (I got $10 off my new boots!)
5) If purchasing online make sure you go through "ebates". Ebates is basically an online discount site. You log onto ebates.com, then search for the store you are looking for, and click on the store's site. MAKE SURE you click on the store through ebates so that they can track you. Ebates provides at least a 2%-10% discount on each purchase. Hey...every penny counts and you get $$ for signing up! Leave me a comment if you want to get referred!
6) Buy boxes, gift bags, and tissue paper well in advance. Go to a craft shop like AC Moore to get a better and prettier deal!
7) Buy lots of gifts for people! What I mean is....everyone loves opening multiple gifts. If you can afford to do so, buy everyone at least 3 gifts! Even if they are small things that cost $.50, everyone loves to open lots of gifts!

That's all I got for now. But let me show you my most recent purchase (gift from the Boyfriend):

{Nine West Takedown Boots, 30% off plus $10 off coupon plus free shipping!}

Pears, Pears, and more Pears!

2009-11-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

ello all. Its me with yet another post on pears. I can't help it, they seem to be showing up wherever I am! Today I woke up ready to trek to the hospital in Brooklyn Heights for my EEG. Stupid me, my appointment is actually next Monday and not today. But all was not lost as I made my way to the charming Montague Street to make a quick stop at Garden of Eden, one of my favorite grocery stores. They have a wonderful variety of fruits and veggies and the best cheese counter short of Murray's! With all that said, I wasn't surprised with the variety of pears they had to offer and had to indulge in a couple. I picked up a D'Anjou, Bartlett and a Forelle as well as a block of me and the Boyfriend's cheese of the moment, the Monte Veronese. So far I am loving the Bartlett -- it's sweet, it's soft, it's very juicy and has that "pear-ish" scent that you imagine proper pears to have. I urge you to go out and pick up a couple of pears to taste. I lugged 6 pears and a bunch of bananas home in my tote and I don't regret it at all!

Click here for a very informative site on Pears.

{Bartlett is the one cut, Forelle is the slightly orange/reddish one in front and on top, and the D'Anjou is the green one hiding in the back}

Coco Before Chanel

2009-11-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

esterday the Boyfriend kept true to his word and took me to The Paris Theater in Midtown to see the movie "Coco Before Chanel." I won't give too much away but I love Audrey Tatou and thought she played the part very well. The story is actually quite moving and I'm still thinking about it today. I highly recommend it to any girl who has dreamed of Chanel and would suggest you watch it at The Paris Theater. It's so clean and set up like a real theater, complete with heavy curtain drops and a mezzanine!

Oh and thank you to the Boyfriend who endured 2 hours of girly film for me and who, without a second thought and in one swift movement, bought me a new cup of apple cider after I dropped my almost full one all over him.

This one is another version of the story that I watched previously.

Latest Find: Fragrant Pears

2009-11-21T22:42:00.000-08:00

'm fully aware that this post may not be the most exciting but I just had to write about my recent discovery. I was at the market today, shopping for groceries long overdue, when I ran across a somewhat familiar sounding fruit, the Fragrant Pear. I vaguely remembered a friend telling me that his friend from China would always look for Fragrant Pears and buy them by the bunch whenever found. Out of curiosity I put a couple in my cart and mosey'd on. Little did I know the wonders of this fruit! The Fragrant Pear has only been imported into the U.S. in the last couple of years and are grown in a small region of China. This fruit bears a strong resemblance to the Asian Pear is but much sweeter and juicier. I'm not a huge fan of the Asian Pear (I know, my fellow Koreans are gasping as they read this) but the Fragrant Pear provides a satisfying taste for this non convert. Unlike the Asian Pear you don't have to peel the skin as its soft and thin exterior makes it easy to bite into. It's also crispy, juicy, and sweet and I think I'm in love! This is the perfect fruit for a snack or for desserts.

Click here for a very informative NYT article about this fruit.

{Photo courtesy of Rasa Malaysia}

Oh How I Love You Martha

2009-11-18T19:20:00.000-08:00

hristmas is near and my bank account and wallet are shaking in fear of what is to come. I love buying gifts but this year I'm going to have to budget wiser and keep the purse strings drawn just a bit tighter. In lieu of purchasing gifts, this was sent to me from Tasha over at New Beautiful. We've decided to handmake each other gifts for Christmas this year and seriously, those people over at Martha's workshop are geniuses. Here are a few of my favorites:

{Hard Flower Barrettes}

{Leather Planner}

{Felt Slippers}

{Button Necklace}

And my absolute favorite: The No Sew Tote. Watch the video here and you will be just as amazed as I am!

Photographs of the Moment

2009-11-17T20:57:00.000-08:00

{Astoria Bridge by Sacred Lotus}

Recipes of the Week!

2009-11-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

ust when I thought I was finally catching up with my life I take a look at the calendar and see that there is only one week until Thanksgiving! I can't believe it, time sure flew by! November has been quite a busy month for me. I volunteer 2 days a week for a couple of hours at a non profit organization in Brooklyn and I tutor a 7th grader in New Jersey. The commute alone is very long and eats up a large chunk of my days. Plus, the boyfriend and I have had 3 groups of visitors within a month (2 back to back for a total of 10 days) and we also went to Puerto Rico less than a month ago! Whew!
One of the ways I regroup is by cooking. I won't have a chance to do any of that until this weekend but I'm looking forward to trying some new recipes. I want to try a new pumpkin bread recipe, the Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread, and stock up on some jars of my own marinara. This time, I'm going to take a stab at incorporating this recipe with my own.
But til then, take a look at Heart of Light's post on making your own pasta. It sounds so amazing!

{Photograph from Heart of Light}

J'adore Wedding Blogs

2009-11-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

ellow bloggers, I have a (non) confession to make. I am a wedding junkie. Ok...that's putting it a wee bit harshly. I'm not quite obsessed, but I do enjoy reading wedding blogs and seeing how people personalize their own weddings. But please understand, I do not read wedding blogs daily, or even weekly. I don't like everything about weddings, I do not have a secret file stashed away with my own wedding ideas, and I do not pick up wedding magazines at Barnes and Noble. I just really like anything about wedding invites, photos, and tablescapes.
I have a couple of friends who are planning their wedding and wanted to post some of my favorite wedding blogs. Below are a few:

I love The Classic Bride--her writing is sweet, her style is simple, and she is, in fact, very classic. I would say my style is close to hers--the vintage feel mixed with a classic/clean look and a dash of intimacy that brings its own charm.

I love Style Me Pretty. Love. This site has all the best photos, features a wide variety of weddings, and truly brings a lot of inspiration to the table. Plus, they make sure to feature all the vendors responsible for creating such beautiful weddings.

100 Layer Cake is similar to Style Me Pretty, featuring amazing photos and color schemes. They provide color boards with ideas that will definitely get you thinking. I love these guys as well. So pretty!
I know there are a lot more wonderful wedding blogs out there, but these 3 are definitely at the top. Below are a few others in case you need more ideas:
:: Rock My Wedding :: Very different. Very chic. Very cool.
:: Etsy Wedding :: Great place to go if you are looking for one of a kind wedding trinkets.
:: The Preppy Wedding :: The name is self explanatory.
:: The Sweetest Occasion :: This is also a gorgeous site filled with a ton of DIYs and other great ideas. I love her projects...she really brings DIY wedding decor to a whole new level!
:: Brooklyn Bride :: A site that provides creative ideas and solutions for the modern bride.

What are some other great wedding sites?

Friends and Family Sale at Bloomies!

2009-11-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

very time I think of the word "Bloomies," I think of the Friends episode where Rachel is at a party and Danny (the yetti) tries to set her up with someone. When Rachel tells him that she works at Bloomingdales he says to her, "My mom calls it Bloooomiieess." Do you know what I'm talking about?
Anyway, here to announce Bloomingdales Friends and Family Sale!! 20% off almost everything and anything in the store! So if there's something you've been lusting after, swooning about, and drooling with desire for, now is your chance! I haven't been shopping at all since this past March (although I did buy a pair of jeans from Old Navy and I'm sure some random doo dads) and this was my prime opportunity. Carpe Diem! Viva la France! I'm getting carried away.
Anyway I purchased some Marc by Marc sunnies for $64 and I will also be purchasing a wallet or bag for a good friend of mine as she has been extremely generous with me and providing free treatments for my headaches. I'm also thinking of something else for me as a "you passed the bar!" gift. I always told myself that I'd buy me a real adult gift when I passed...and I think a watch is quite adult....but finances are tight my friends so we'll see. Enjoy! (you can use it online)

Cream-less Carbonara

2009-11-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

reetings all, it's been quite a while since my last post! This week has been quite an eventful week and it feels like I haven't had a second to stop! But here I am, back and ready to post about my most recent conquest.
I wanted to try something new but relatively simple and healthy. I was up late one night and Oprah had an episode about her favorite recipes and Tom Cruise's Carbonara was a huge hit! Who knew, Tom and cooking? But all that cream makes for a really high calorie meal. The solution came to me during my search and voila! Cream-less Carbonara from recipezaar.
I generally improvise when following a recipe based upon what I have in the kitchen and what I want to use up before it goes to waste. I also added broccoli just because I had bought a bunch the night before. The bacon is an applewood smoked bacon, fresh from the butcher. The cheese is Monte Veronese, unpasteurized and made from cow's milk in Italy. It's got a firmness to it but not nearly as hard or dry as Parmesan. In fact, it's quite creamy.
The result:
This isn't the greatest picture but I was so hungry that I wanted to dig in as soon as possible! Some changes I would make: I only used 2 slices of bacon, I would recommend at least 4-5. Also I would grate a lot more cheese for more flavor. I found this dish to be a little on the dry side, but with some of the pasta juices and the wine, it should be fine.

Recipe is as follows:
Ingredients: {serves 3}
* salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* 1 lb pasta, spaghetti
* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1/4 lb pancetta, chopped
* 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 5-6 garlic cloves, chopped
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 2 large egg yolks
* freshly grated romano cheese

Instructions:
First, put a large saucepot of water to boil. Once boiling, add a liberal amount of salt and pasta. Cook to al dente, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and pancetta. Brown pancetta about 2 minutes.
Then add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Add wine and stir up all pan drippings.
In separate bowl, beat yolks, then add 1 large ladleful (about 1/2 cup)of the pasta cooking water. This tempers the eggs and keeps them from scrambling when added to pasta.Drain pasta well and add directly to skillet with pancetta, garlic and oil. Pour egg mixture over pasta. Toss rapidly to coat the pasta without cooking the egg.Remove from heat and add a big handful of cheese, lots of pepper and a little salt. Continue to toss and turn pasta until soaks up egg mixture and thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with extra Romano.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T13:45:00.001-07:00

{Our Jack O'Lantern Bat!}

Nothing says Halloween like...Pumpkin Bread

2009-10-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

aking isn't really my forte but lately it seems like it's all I'm doing! Pumpkin pie is my least favorite of all pies but I love pumpkin bread and so does the boyfriend! Via facebook eavesdropping (a friend recommended this recipe to another friend through a wall post) I decided to give this one a shot. I actually improvised quite a bit which may explain why the bread wasn't super pumpkin-ey.
Here are the changes that I made: I didn't use pumpkin pie spice, I used cinnamon (didn't feel the need to spend money on it), I also used some fresh pumpkin gut in addition to Libby's pumpkin filling. We carved a pumpkin earlier on and I saved the insides, microwaved them, then pureed them. I also did not add any cranberries since the boyfriend is not a fan. And lastly, I baked in the oven for 50 minutes instead of 60 to keep it moist.
The bread came out quite yummy and the pumpkin aroma in the air really made me feel like the season was in full swing. I wouldn't say that it's the best I've ever tasted-- it could stand to be a little more moist, and I think if I used the pumpkin pie spice it would be more pumpkin-ey. But all in all, it was a success and I would use this recipe again. Click here for some of Libby's Pumpkin Craneberry Bread goodness!

Good Reads

2009-10-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

tarting a new book comes with such a feeling of excitement and hope and even an eagerness to find a spot where I can sit, undisturbed, and dive into my new book. My latest endeavor is a book entitled Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. A friend recommended this book to me many years ago and it's only now that I've gotten around to it as it's about a 900+ page book. So, it's now or never! A good way to stay on top of your reading is to join a book club. I've been a part of (and started) a great many of these, but sometimes they don't always work out. In comes Goodreads.com, a site where you can list the books you've read, state your reviews, and list the book(s) you are currently reading or want to read. I really enjoy it. If you do join, add me as your friend and we can compare notes!

Nutella and Hazelnut Biscotti

2009-10-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

uesday was definitely a stay-at-home-and-bake-day. After watching Giada over on Food Network bake biscotti after biscotti, I was inspired to give it a little test drive of my own. A visit to my local grocery store and with my sister at hand, we were ready to bake some chocolatey goodness!
I noticed that Giada's Chocolate Biscotti looked more like a cookie. After some discussion, the sister and I decided to nix that idea and find a more traditional biscotti recipe. Surprisingly, baking one of these treats is easier than I thought and with some Nutella, how can you ever go wrong? We were tempted to just eat the dough!

The verdict: A plate full of yummy, chocolatey biscottis that pair well with the coffee we brought from Puerto Rico.

Recipe is as follows:

Ingredients: {makes 2 dozen}
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/3 tablespoons cocoa
* 1/3 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/3 teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup nutella
* 1/3 cup chocolate chips
* 1/3 cup hazelnuts (optional)

Instructions
First, preheat oven to 350°F. Then sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. If you don't have a sifter, use a fork to make sure all the lumps are gone and dry ingredients are mixed well.

In another large bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar and continue beating on high for 2 minutes. Stir in Nutella. Then add flour mixture to egg mixture and stir until well combined. Add in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts, if using.

Finally, divide dough into 2 or 3 logs with well floured hands and arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet. Press logs into rectangles approximately 1/2 inch thick. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Then remove from oven and turn down oven heat to 300°F. Using a serrated knife, cut logs into 1/3-1/2 inch slices. Arrange on baking sheet and return to oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turn biscotti over and bake an additional 10-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of your slices). Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

I would recommend chopping the nuts into 1/4s if you like the taste of hazelnut. Brew a cup of your favorite coffee or tea and you're good to go!

Home Sweet Home

2009-10-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

uerto Rico was amazing! The weather was gorgeous--lots of sun but not blistering heat. Our resort had it's own private beach and hammocks so we did a lot of laying around, but we definitely stuck in a few adventures as well. Horseback riding on the foothills of the Rain Forest, a dip in the river, kayaking in the ocean at night through a mangrove tree forest to the bio bay (if you touch the water it lights up!), and lots of laying out on the beach and seeing Old San Juan.

It was so refreshing being away but as always, I wish I had one more day! Being back home is good too, but I was met with a ton of emails from my new volunteer position. Exciting and interesting, but I wouldn't mind hanging at the beach a little more.

I used my "Recipe for a Comfortable Plane Ride" and it was quite a success! I also downloaded several podcasts and listened to them on the plane. All in all this trip was a great and much needed. I think the picture below captures it all...

Recipe for a Comfortable (and fun) Plane Ride

2009-10-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

This one goes out to all my homies...lol. I just wanted to say that. So this weekend the boyfriend and I are getting away from the city to our long long (long) awaited vacation to Puerto Rico! I'm very excited because I have never been to a beachy vacation and we are going ALL out here. I'm also excited because I have been patiently waiting since the third grade to visit the Rain Forest! My dreams are all coming true this weekend and I am giddy as a kid in a candy shop!
So the one thing I absolute hate about vacations is the plane ride. I can't stand them, the air pressure goes straight to my head and I get an instant headache. Right now I've been struggling with a very bad case of chronic tension headache that has been going on for about 2 months and getting on a plane is the last thing I want to do. But, I vow to be prepared. Here is a check list for what I hope to be a comfortable and happy plane ride.
1. Bring your own headphones. Don't forget this!
2. Ipod with your music set to go
3. A good book
4. A magazine
5. A journal
6. Soft, fluffy and warm socks that you can change into on the plane (also, wear shoes that are easy to slip in and out of. And try not to wear jeans, they're uncomfortable).
7. Once you get on the plane, ask for a pillow and blanket ASAP. The plane runs out very quickly and if you ask even right before take off they are out.
8. Bring a snack. I am usually starving mid plane ride and sometimes those tiny snacks just won't do!
9. Eye mask. One of those night mask things. I know you can just close your eyes, but having a night mask really makes a huge difference.
10. An airplane pillow is a really good alternative to the regular pillows the plane provides. Gives proper neck support
11. Remember to bring a pill case with advil, pepto, tums, etc.
12. I bring girly things like makeup, tweezer, etc just to do some tedious beauty things that normally are time consuming.

Mon ami and I are both flying this weekend (her to LA and me to PR) so I thought this would be good for both of us. Don't forget to check your flight and make sure you have good seats!

The Thing About Fall Is...

2009-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Fall is absolutely my most favorite season of the year. Here in NY fall lasts about 1.5 months, much too short to really really enjoy it. I already feel it slipping away and I'm trying very hard to hold on to as much of it as I can. Fall reminds of that line in "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan is walking through the streets of the Upper West Side, proclaiming to Tom Hanks (via email) that fall smells like newly sharpened pencils and books. That's how I feel. Fall smells like my something new and something fresh and something warm and cozy. Mmm. Here is my list (unfinished....just too many things to add) of things I love about fall:
1. Warm, hot, and spicy apple cider with a little bit of whip cream
2. Apple picking
3. Crisp air
4. Hiking outdoors
5. Foliage
6. Halloween!
7. Carving pumpkins
8. Fall clothes (sweaters, boots, scarves, anything tweed and wool!)
9. Fall scents like cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin, etc.
10. New beginnings

Anything else?

I Heart All Things Paper!

2009-10-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession with stationary and all things paper. Ever since I was a little girl I loved paper and pens and labels and stickers and and and....sigh. But I don't often indulge in them because I am also a terrible hoarder and I almost never ever use anything. All my pens end up drying out, or my stationary yellowing or getting lost, or worst yet, a cup of coffee accidentally spills all over everything. I never learn my lesson and instead continue to save everything as if I will never see stationary again. This would make a great children's book with a moral at the end.
I love letterpress stationary and one day dream of owning a letterpress machine of my very own (highly unlikely). And I also get really really excited when I come across something that I just think is so pretty and want to make my own one day. Below are a few that I saw today.

Beach Bunny Beauty

2009-10-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Over at Cupcakes and Cashmere the beautiful, adorable, and creative Emily has added (or maybe I only just discovered?) a "how to" section to her blog helping the lost (such as I) get back on the right path. I can't begin to tell you the woes of my hair and to attain a beachy wave look is really difficult since I just have so MUCH hair. I really just look like I have an afro when I try to curl my tresses. But with the help of Emily's tutorial maybe I can attain a much softer and gentler look. I'll give it a try. Til then I'll leave you in her hands.

Hydrangea Heaven

2009-10-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I'll run across something that will inspire me to build upon and add to my own home, decor, or even wedding! I've been to so many weddings in the last 2 years and the one thing I really want for my own is that intimate feeling--sort of hard to explain but I'm sure you all know what I mean. This is really hard to do since you, the bride (or groom) may know the sweat and tears poured into this very special day but your guests may not.

I've never put a lot of thought into floral arrangements or center pieces but I really love these hydrangeas. Don't they just make you happy? They make me happy. They're so poofy and pretty!

Peonies make gorgeous centerpieces as well. So feminine and pretty!

Bicycle Beauty

2009-10-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

After running across littlebrownpen's post entitled Bicycle + Wood = Cool Wood Bike, I couldn't stop myself from posting two times in a row and risk seeming like a blog obsessed....blogger. Once I saw these photos I was dying to tell somebody, anybody, of my love for bicycles, vintage ones with baskets in the front. And I love riding them. Something about the feeling of gliding with the wind blowing, almost escaping. Oddly enough I only ride on vacation. My sister, who also loves bikes, has accumulated and given away about 6 bikes over the years and she has graciously given me one. But something about riding in NYC on my really dirty and old bike doesn't seem as romantic. It's just not as satisfying. Regardless I have a love of bicycles, it makes me feel peaceful somewhere deep inside.

Anyway, this is great shot of a beautiful and unique bike that littlebrownpen took on the upper west side in NYC. It's nice to know that this one is riding around somewhere in my city. Maybe I'll run into it someday and we'll meet and can say hello properly instead of me just...obsessing over a photo.

Thank you, littlebrownpen, for taking such beautiful photographs that inspire me and make me happy.

Lovely Labels

2009-10-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite sites and daily reads often posts free pdfs of gorgeous stationary with unique patterns. Believe you me, I take full advantage of this and have a file stored away for days when I feel like dressing up a boring ole package or envelope. This freebie is a goodie! Visit Love.Obsess.Inspire. to download your own! And if you haven't got one already, start a crafts file for occasions such as these because I'll be sending a lot more your way!

And...I just love these labels. I just do. They're simple, clean and beautiful.

Cooking School

2009-08-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm off to cooking school. Martha Stewart's Cooking School, that is! I had recently saw a clip on Martha's most recent release and just had to get it! I was torn between that and Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. But Martha's book is more modern, instructional (teaches you how to properly carve a turkey!) and provides general recipes and guidance for everyday classics.

I can't wait to read it! I love going through cook books and one day dream of making my own. Til then, I am just collecting recipes and stories in my little recipe book, aka spiral binder.

I'll let you all know how it goes!