Miscreant Misadventures

Wedding DIY....

2011-11-20T18:07:00.001-04:00

Hey folks!I'm sure you've been anxiously waiting for a DIY post for all the wedding crafts I kept myself busy with the past few months. There are so many that I'm going to tantalize you with photos and descriptions now. Later, I will post tutorials or at least links to the tutorials that inspired me.Ready?First of all....the wedding dress...

*********************************************************************************************************************The Hairpieces...

*********************************************************************************************************************The Wedding Doughnut Display...

*********************************************************************************************************************The Programs, Guest Haikus, Celebratory Flags, Personalized Pens...

*********************************************************************************************************************Bouquets, Boutineers, Corsages, Wristlet...

********************************************************************************************************************Garland for the Card Box...

********************************************************************************************************************Gifts for the wedding party...Rings for the ladies...

Cufflinks for the guys(amazingly enough...not a single picture was taken of anyone's cufflinks...) They were like the cufflinks in my etsy shop, only with initials. ******************************************************************************************************************* Tea Favors...

*********************************************************************************************************************Vintage Napkin silverware rolls with tags containing awesome quotes...

*********************************************************************************************************************Signage...

*********************************************************************************************************************My Mom and Stepdad created this amazing Chuppah to stand under for the ceremony...gorgeous..isn't it? I don't think the photos truly do it justice though...

***********************************************************************************************************************AND a non-crafty tutorial on hair and make-up...

You'll excuse me for the lack of blogging while in the process of these wonderful crafting activities...? Good. I'll see you next time around and I'll go into tutorial detail.......... PS...some of the Photographs were brought to you today by camera happy friends and family, others are courtesy of our fantastic photographer, Kalen Marie Curtis of Kalen Marie Photography.

I'm Back!

2011-10-12T23:10:00.000-03:00

Hey folks! After a hiatus of several months....I'm back! For the first post of my return, I'm going to share with you a few interesting finds I have come across...Antique valentines .....

An amazing spy coat!

And say "hey" to a few mystery items....A mystery item (they even aren't sure what it is) that could be for decor...

A Sprinkler...

Iron face for a mystery purpose...

Keep your eyes out for the next post...I'll be posting about all the wedding crafts I created for the wedding and maybe give ya'll a write up! Here is a teaser of my dress to whet your appetite...

Shoe Love

2011-04-23T12:27:00.001-03:00

As it has been far too long since my last post; I decided to make today's post a fun one and share some shoe love. I kind of have an obsession with vintagey things; both as inspiration and the real thing. Behold these vintage inspired and recreated lovelies (they vary from resonable expenditure on a budget to 'oh crap! I just spent all my rent money on shoes!')

Some Vintage inspired Jimmy Choos

How Gorgeous are these by Ralph Lauren?

These T-straps are lovely!

These are adorable!They are called the Bergman by Seychelles

Another by Seychelles!

I want a pair of these so much! Too bad they are out of my size!
www.modcloth.com/Womens/Shoes/Heels/-In-With-the-New-Heel-in-Mustard">

These are lovely...

Remix Vintage makes these fabulous 1940s recreations! If you are looking for vintage recreation shoes...this is a great place to find them.
www.remixvintageshoes.com/40shighheels.html">

Well, this last pair of shoes has no obvious vintage ties...but they sure are fun!Yes! Alexander McQueen!

That should brighten up your Saturday!

Tea Desserts for a Party....

2011-04-05T12:44:00.000-03:00

Recently, I volunteered to make a few desserts for a Alumnae Group that I'm involved with's High Tea. I decided to make lush Chocolatey Brownies, Southern Tea Cakes and individual White Chocolate Cheese cakes.

For the Southern Tea Cakes, I used Paula Dean's recipe off the Foodnetwork's site. They turned out rather good. I had never made Southern Tea Cakes before and I was a bit suprised when they tasted and looked rather like not-too-sweet sugar cookies.

I included the recipe below in case you are interested....

Paula Dean's Southern Tea Cakes
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Dough should be soft. Roll dough out onto a floured surface until approximately 1/4-inch thick. Cut dough into desired shapes and bake on a slightly greased sheet for 10 to 12 minutes.

I also made these lovely white chocolate mini cheesecakes from Bon Appetit that turned out delish! Instead of making the strawberry sauce, I simply topped half of these babies with sliced strawberries. I kind of improvised with creating them too. I only had one 6-muffin pan...and they had to sit overnight. What was used instead...why ramekins, small dip bowls, coffee mugs and tea cups!! I am a little proud of the ingenuity involved.

Here's the recipe below (Note: Rosewater could not be found...for once disappointed in the Dekalb farmer's market...shocking - Vanilla extract was used)

Strawberry and White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

The muffin cups are brushed with oil before lining them with plastic. This helps the wrap stick to the bottom and sides of the cups, making it easy to form the cheesecakes.

Makes 8
PREP TIME: 50 minutes TOTAL TIME: 8 hours 50 minutes (includes chilling time) Recipe by Jill Dupleix

April 2011

Ingredients
3 1/2 ounces gingersnap cookies (about 13)
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 1/2 ounces high-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina), chopped [Marcy NOTE: used Ghiradelli Chips]
1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 8-ounce package Philadelphia- brand cream cheese [Marcy NOTE:used lowfat; still great]
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt or sour cream [Marcy NOTE:used low-fat - they turned out great anyway]
3/4 teaspoon rose water or vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 8-ounce container fresh strawberries, hulled, halved or quartered if large, divided
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
ingredient info
Rose water is available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Middle Eastern markets.
Preparation
Brush 8 standard (1/3-cup) muffin cups lightly with vegetable oil. Line each cup with plastic wrap. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add melted butter; process to blend. Press crust mixture firmly onto bottom of prepared muffin cups, dividing equally (about generous 1 tablespoon for each).
Stir white chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Reserve saucepan, adjusting water level to reach depth of 3D4 inch to 1 inch; set aside.
Place 2 tablespoons water in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Bring water in saucepan to simmer. Place small bowl with gelatin in saucepan and stir until gelatin dissolves. Remove small bowl with melted gelatin from water.
Puree cream cheese, yogurt, rose water, and sugar in processor until smooth. Add melted white chocolate and gelatin; process until smooth. Divide mixture among prepared cups, pouring atop crusts. Cover and chill overnight.
Place half of strawberries in processor. Add powdered sugar and process until smooth. Transfer to small pitcher. DO AHEAD Strawberry puree can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Using plastic wrap as aid, lift cheesecakes from cups. Remove plastic wrap and transfer cheesecakes to plates, crust side down. Arrange remaining cut strawberries atop cheesecakes. Spoon strawberry puree over and serve.

And the amazing brownies? I baked up a pan of brownies, let them cool completely and cut them into bite-sized bits. Then, I cheated a bit; I spread on some fudgey frosting from a can. I know, I know...but I have yet to perfect the fudgey deliciousness that is canned fudge frosting.

The recipe for the brownies? Well, I pulled it off a site online ages ago and saved it onto my computer. I don't know the site...nor the person who created the recipe...so it is my disclaimer to anyone who recognizes their brownie recipe...

Yum Brownies

Ingredients
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, stir together the cocoa and baking soda. Add 1/3 cup vegetable oil and boiling water. Mix until well blended and thickened. Stir in the sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup oil. Finally, add the flour, vanilla and salt; mix just until all of the flour is absorbed. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Servings Per Recipe: 24

Now you have some delish desserts to bring to a party, or even just treat yourself. Or you could always throw a tea party yourself...hmmmm...ideas...

Caprese Sandwich and Soup combo ....Grilled Cheese!

2011-03-24T21:59:00.000-03:00

I am a huuuge fan of the grilled cheese and tomato soup combination. With spring blossoming here in the ATL, I wanted a way to freshen up one of my favorite combos. How? you ask. Give it a caprese twist! Toss a bit of basil on a grilled cheese and serve it alongside a simple tomato soup. The ultimate comfort food.

For the Tomato Soup:
Melt 1 Tablespoon of unsalted butter in a saucepan. Add 1 Tablespoon of flour and stir together until combined. Let the flour cook in the butter for just a couple of minutes or so. Toss in two crushed cloves of garlic. Add 1 cup of your choice of milk or cream (you could use whole, skim, 2%, unflavored Almond, unflavored Soy, etc). Add 1/2 teaspoon Better than Boullion vegetable base or a half a cube of vegetable boullion. Toss in a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until hot and bubbly. Makes more than enough to satisfy two hungry folks.

For the Mozzarella Basil Grilled Cheese:
Spread softened butter lightly on one side of four pieces of bread. Place two of the slices butter side down on a frying pan or griddle on medium heat. Heap a little pile of mozzarella cheese on top of each slice. Let melt slightly. Put two fresh basil leaves on each sandwich. Top each sammy with the last pieces of bread butter side up. Press down a bit. Flip them over and cook the other side until golden. Makes two sandwiches - to share or eat all by one super hungry person.

Dip your delicious little sandwich into the soup for a caprese combo...enjoy!

SO good I couldn't wait to devour this...

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T12:41:00.002-03:00

In memory of the passing of Elizabeth Taylor...I have added few clips as a tribute to an amazing actress and humanitarian...

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Cat on A Hot Tin Roof

Trailer from Cleopatra..

Keep on Runnin'.....

2011-03-23T12:23:00.003-03:00

Hello, folks...sorry I've been on hiatus. My day job has me swamped with tasks; I've started training for a 10K; and wedding planning has appeared to swallow most of the available time I have on a day to day basis.

Wait...you're training for a 10K? Why?!! Well, for the past five years, I had been watching the Peachtree Road Race speed by the front steps of the apartment building I had been living in. Every year I had said to myself that I needed to sign up, train, and run. Has it been difficult? a little bit. Mostly, my motivation to continue on suffers a bit,and I have to push through. My goal - to push through and finish. Not only finish, but finish with a time to be proud of.

How to get training? Well, I printed out the following; a beginner's 5K training program, a program that trains you from a 5K to a 10K, and then parts of a program that help you with your time.

Here are a few helpful links if you are interested in getting yourself into 10K shape:

To get from a beginner to a 5K-er
Fitness Magazine's 5K program

Runner's World 5K program

Running Times' 5K training

To bump up from a 5K to a 10K

Novice 10K training

To bump up your 10K

Running Planet.com

Now, there are hundreds of training programs out there, all geared towards different levels of fitness and amount of time to train. Find a program that works for you and...Good Luck!

Book Sculptures

2011-03-09T10:21:00.000-04:00

With the advent of the popularity of e-book readers, many are wondering what will become of those wonderful physical books that populate shelves. As convenient as the Nook or Kindle are; there are many who would argue that there is nothing akin to cracking the cover of a well-loved book.
One artist seeks to put unused books into a good use. Check out a these sculptures by Brian Dettmer....

Dettmer, also known as the "Book Surgeon", does not place anything new on these books. He only subtracts.

To check out an interview with Brian Dettmer click here.
Or.... to check out his website click here.

Privacy Optional

2011-03-01T16:21:00.002-04:00

It's been quite a while since my last post here. My day job has been a trifle bit insanely busy.

Since it's been such a while, I thought I would share a fun little find!

It's called a Bubble tree tent. Pierre Stephane Dumas created these fabulously, privacy-free little ports to the imagination. The downside (other than clear walls and lack of privacy of course) is that they are only in Europe right now, around seven to nine thousand bucks each, you can't fit it into a hiking pack, and during the summer? total greenhouse. However, they come in all different sizes and configurations.

There are a few companies in France who rent them out for a bit cheaper (about 400 Euros a night) and they are kind of like really awesome, portable hotel rooms. Watch the stars come out at night and the sun rise in the morning, all from the comfort of an inflatable tent? Ummm...yes, please!!

The next time I have extra money for one heck of a vacation...I'm totally going to spring for this! But I just might have to bring some curtains...

Amazing Easy Parmigiana

2011-02-24T06:00:00.006-04:00

One of my favorite comfort foods is eggplant parmigiana. The combination of warm gooey cheese and tomato sauce is like a warm hug, and when it's done right...the eggplant is like delicious slices of happiness.

Well, below is my recipe for eggplant parmigiana. I promise you it's so good that you will want to cook it pronto! It's so good that it was the romantic meal for Valentine's Day...

Amazing Easy Eggplant Parmigiana

First, you must prep your eggplant. Cut off the ends of the eggplant and slice into one inch slices (you can make them them thicker or thinner depending on your tastes). Place slices in a big bowl or dish in a single layer and sprinkle with salt let sit for about 20 minutes. This will take out some of the bitterness and sweat out some of the moisture. You can skip this step, but I wouldn't reccommend it.

Next, prepare to bread some eggplant. You'll need a bowl of flour, a small bowl with two eggs beaten, and a small bowl with breadcrumbs ( you can use panko, seasoned, gluten free, whatever you like).

Dip each slice in flour, making sure you cover it thoroughly. You can use whole wheat, a wheat flour substitute (if you are gluten sensitive) or just plain white.

After taking the slice out of the flour, dip in the egg. Make sure you have egg on both sides. If the beaten eggs seem thick you may need to thin out the egg with a little water.

Next, dip each slice in breadcrumbs of your choice. Make sure the slice is completely covered in crumbs.

Put a large skillet on medium heat with a few glugs of olive oil. Place each slice down, making sure you don't crowd them. Cook until lightly browned and carefully flip to the other side. You may have to do several batches.

Now it's time to build it up! You have some of that lovely red sauce made...right? No? Well, mix up a batch right quick...the eggplant will keep. Next, You need to preheat the oven to 400*F.
Take a big ole baking pan and put down a thin layer of sauce. Place a layer of eggplant evenly spaced down on your sauce.

Put down a thick layer of cheese. You can do a mix of whatever melty yummy cheese you choose. I used a combination of Mozarella, Fontina and Parmesan. You could always substitute in some low fat or fat free cheeses if you are watching your waistline. Fresh mozzarella is always the perfect thing for this.

Next, sprinkle a few fresh basil leaves on top of your cheese.

Alternate layers of eggplant, cheese, and fresh basil until you run out of eggplant or overflow your pan. After your last layer of eggplant, add another layer of cheese. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and pop into the oven until everything is brown and bubbly, about 45 minutes (Make sure you take the foil off halfway through to allow for browning).

This will serve four hungry folks... or two with lots of leftovers.
I find this is fantastic with crusty bread, pasta, and salad.

Enjoy!

PS - if you aren't too keen on eggplant try out sliced zucchini, veggie patties, or even chicken, if you like that sort of thing....

My Sleep Remedy : Tea

2011-02-23T00:12:00.000-04:00

After three years pulling constant all-nighters to get me through fashion school, I find that now I am plagued with an erratic sleep schedule. Nine months after graduation, and I am still occasionally haunted by insomnia. When I have those nights, I find the best thing to do is brew up a pot of tea and read something nice and sleep provoking; like a soothing book of poetry. Now my favorite thing to brew up is chamomile. Not just any chamomile, but spiced chamomile.

Instant Sleep Spiced Chamomile Tea

First, start a kettle brewing. In a large tea pot, place 2 chamomile tea bags (or the loose tea equivalent into your choice of tea infuser), 1 star anise, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. If you don't have a teapot, you can make this in an infuser or a tea ball, but you may have to half the amounts.

When your water is almost at a boil, pour into your tea apparatus. You may want to give it a quick stir to allow the spices to be distributed at least somewhat evenly. Steep for about 3 minutes (this depends on how strong you want your tea; adjust steep time for your individual tastes). For each teacup, pour milk (can be dairy, soy, almond, etc) about 1/4 of the way up, then fill the rest of the cup with tea.

Enjoy with a smidgen of biscuit or bread with butter and many sweet dreams, my friends.

PS - How awesome is that teapot by Richard Notkin?

Lament of a Plant Killer

2011-02-17T09:05:00.000-04:00

I am one who loves plants. I imagine a living space filled to the brim of green growing things reaching towards the sunlight. Fragrant herbs overflowing windowsills, florals popping their bright colorful heads on tables, and indoor palms with their fronds lightly dancing on drafts from the air conditioning.

Alas, I am a plant killer. As soon as I bring a new plant into my home, it will quickly turn brown and shrivel up. I have attempted most herbs, ferns, indoor palms, flowers, and cacti. Amazingly enough, I have even had cacti drop dead on me.

This does not appear to be genetic. My grandparents have lovely roses in their garden and african violets crowding a shaded windowsill. My mother has aspirations of a plentiful vegetable garden for this spring. And yet, a completely dead rosemary cone awaits my disposal.

Not all is lost, however, I have two small pots of basil that have survived me thus far. Not thriving, but not on the pathway to destruction yet either. Three small cacti are still hanging on, although my christmas cactus had one measly bloom and several buds that dropped out of this world before meeting their full potential(The sad thing is, I had gotten this christmas cactus in a 'just about to flower' state). I also have one bamboo plant that suprises me. It's not only still alive, but is...growing? One day, perhaps I will master the art of a green thumb. Until then, I will simply have to content myself with being what I am: A PLANT KILLER.

How to Make an Easy Red Sauce and Look Like You Know What You Are Doing

2011-02-16T08:21:00.001-04:00

Ever since I first learned to cook, I always wanted to make a great tomato sauce. The canned or bottled stuff was expensive, or full of ingredients I couldn't pronounce. I wanted something delicious to pour over pasta, use on a homemade pizza, or even use to make some odd concoction. Over the years, I haven't created the perfect sauce, but it has certainly evolved and become perfect for me. I find the secret to making a great red sauce is experimentation - so the recipe below has some tips on how to change it to your tastes.
So, without further ado...

First things first, you need aromatics. Chop up 2 shallots, finely, for the aromatics for this red sauce (you could also use onion - a sweet yellow onion is a great option too). Garlic is always a must; even if you don't care for garlic, it still is necessary. Dice up 3 cloves (if you are really anti-garlic just add one). Toss your aromatics into a large pan with about 2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil and cook until the onions are translucent and the air is perfumed with loveliness. Now, add a little sweetness to cut some of the acidity of the tomatoes. This time honey is involved; add about a tablespoon (A few other options are; a carrot diced extremely fine, sugar, agave nectar, wine )

Now it's tomato time! There are several options for tomatoes. You could use a variety of types of canned tomatoes, or you could use fresh. If I'm in a bit of a rush, I use crushed tomatoes (two 15 oz cans) because it has a nice consistancy. You could also use pureed or tomato sauce, but tomato sauce is a bit too smooth for my taste. Whole tomatoes canned are great, just make sure you chop them up well, before adding them to your pan. Fresh tomatoes are a tiny bit more tricky, you might want to precook them a little bit and toss them in a food processor, otherwise you could be stirring sauce for quite a while waiting for your tomatoes to break down.

Next, come your spices and seasonings. What you add is entirely up to your personal taste, preference and what's in your cupboard. Basil is a great choice. I always add it, whether fresh or dried. If you are using dried add about 2 teaspoons. If fresh, add one whole handful of fresh leaves. I also toss in about a teaspoon of fennel seeds, but if fennel doesn't work for you, don't add it. The key here is taste as you go. You could also add
oregano (dried or fresh) and/or thyme (dried or fresh). To umph up the flavors of onion and garlic I added a tablespoon each of garlic and onion powder.

To make this a meat/protein laded sauce: Add your choice of meat or meat substitute with the aromatics at the beginning and cook until mostly done.

To add extra veggies: Toss in a few bell peppers, mushrooms, or any other vegetable of your choice, chopped roughly, with your onions and garlic at the beginning and cook until tender.

Now, you know how to make a sauce that is perfect for your tastes, and changes it up in ways that are perfect for you!

Ruby Dutchess Cupcake...Vote for it!

2011-02-15T19:42:00.001-04:00

Hey, everyone! My friend Cait over at BeanandBarley came up with a super amazing cupcake recipe for a POM Wonderful cupcake contest! It's really yummy... inspired by a Ruby Dutchess cocktail!
Feel free to check it out, try out her recipe and vote for it!

YUMMM!

Check out her blog and try out the recipe here!

To vote click here!

Better Late than Never

2011-02-11T08:40:00.003-04:00

I was perusing sites, streaming video and catching images of New York's Fashion Week (which I will get to in another post), when I happen to come across Dior's Haute Couture Collection for 2011. I know, I know, the show happened weeks ago, and I don't know how I missed images of it. But I have to be honest, my heart stopped a little bit and it and I just had to share. As many of you know, I have a great love for vintage inspired fashion. Dior's Haute Couture show? Total throwback to the New Look that put Dior on the map.
Proof? Take a gander...

To top it off? The bold makeup...Gorgeous! yes?

Now take those lovely images with you today! (and I promise I'll post my favorite images from New York fashion week so far soon...)

Triple Your Randomness, Triple Your Fun!

2011-02-10T09:05:00.002-04:00

It's Random Find Time here at Miscreant Misadventures, yet again. Since my posts this week have a been on the scarce side, I have a bit of a treat for you. Not just one random find, but three!

PS- They are all on auction based sites, so if the auction has ended before you can check out their full description; I apologize.

First on the list is a Elvis skeleton bust. Now, I know there are a myriad of strange and tacky things that were created to memorialize Elivis, but a skeleton? A bit much. Or perfect; depending on your point of view...

Click here for some Elvis action.

Next up, just in time for Valentine's Day, we have a heart shaped Russet potato. Now, It's not neccessarily that the potato is shaped like a heart, more that someone is trying to sell it.

For potato action, click here.

Now, our final strange find of the day is a rather creepy doll. I personally find porcelain dolls in general a bit creepy, but this doll here gives me a case of the shivers. It's almost like something from a horror movie. It could be the paleness of the doll maybe?

for doll info, click here.

Now, I know that not everyone finds the same things weird, bizarre, or creepy and it's all subjective...but still!

What do you think?

Perfect for Puddles!

2011-02-07T13:34:00.004-04:00

I have never owned a pair of rain boots. Always, I have carefully leaped over puddles and streams of water in the road, on sidewalks, and parking lots in an attempt to keep my feet dry and my shoes unharmed. Despite my best efforts, however, many a shoe has been ruined over the years. As this winter promises to be overrun with water and the many recent rainshowers have inspired me to search for the perfect rainboots that will not only look sassy and cute, but prevent the dreaded soaked shoe phenomenon.

First up on the list are cowboy rainboots.

The seller of these beauties makes them in all colors (can even customize to your favorite sports team...however, I'm not that fanatical about any team...but I do like the dots!)

How about some paisley cowboy rainboots?

What about a pair of rain mocs?

Or yummy Ballet flats?

Or the option is always there to go with the traditional shape and get a pair with a great print...

Like the super classic Burberry print...

Or something fun and bright to cheer up a rainy, gloomy day

Or a great nerdy graphic novel/comic book print
...

Or an illustration...

So many choices! Tons of great rainy day footwear makes it a bit of a dilemma... Maybe I should get one of each!

Disturbing Discovery of the Day (wow.alliteration.)

2011-02-04T06:30:00.001-04:00

Yes, folks, it's time again for the random find of the week! What have I scoured the far off distant regions of the internet to bring to you for your viewing pleasure this time? Well, of course, I have nothing but the best here on Miscreant Misadventures!

Have you ever wanted a super unique decor item for your desk? Well, if you have, then today's find is perfect for you! Imagine your friends' faces when you tell them that your unique and amazing pencil cup is made specially from a bull's nether regions?

Not quite your cup of tea? Not really mine either, but it sure fits the bill for a random discovery for today.

If you want to check it out for yourself click here. It's on auction and has about eight days from the time of today's blog post!

Fashion of the Future

2011-02-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

Did you ever read a novel or watch an old movie that is set in the "future" and they give a year that has already passed? You know, a story that is set in a place where cars fly and people wear shiny plastic-looking clothing. The writers of those stories, tv shows and movies imagined a future age where the clothing of the future was made of materials that may have been revolutionary at the time, like the early stages of synthetic fibers. The point is, what is in our future may not look like we imagine it to be, especially in the fashion of the future.

One trend that is looking like it is in our future, however, is the green movement. At the London science museum they have an exihibit displayed proudly on the next thing in green fashion. Called "Trash Fashion" it examines the next wave of green technologies to potentially hit the industry. They divide it up among three categories: green dyeing/coloring techniques, the materials and how the garment is actually made.

The wierdest green method? Bacterial Cellulose. Yep folks, clothing made out of bacteria. Actually, it's made of what's leftover when you make kombucha (It becomes a flat mass of fibers). Only downside is, you're left naked if you get wet! Before this cool fiber ever comes to market, I'm sure that the scientists have to do a ton more experimenting...

This jacket is an example of its possibilities ( It's BioCouture by Suzanne Lee)

Another green method that caught my eye uses light tricks in the same way that butterfly wings and peacock feathers do, so dyes simply aren't necessary. This Morphotex fabric is created with nanotechnology and the potential for this is really amazing.

Right?

Anyway, with these kind of developments in the future, who knows what clothing will become. Of course, however, it's possible that everything will still be essentially the same...

PS - Check out the full exhibit online here

Pasta with Brown Butter, Sage and Walnuts

2011-02-02T07:00:00.002-04:00

I am a recent convert to the Cooking Channel. An offshoot of the Food Network, it's geared toward a younger, hipper crowd that combines fresh, new faces with well-known celebrity chefs' new shows (even Rachel Ray is less annoying on here). A couple of my favorites off this channel are French Cooking at Home with Laura Calder and Good Deal with Dave Lieberman. Dave Lieberman's whole schtick is great food on a budget...yay!

Last night I decided to test out this simple, delish recipe featured on Good Deal ; it consists of only four ingredients (plus salt and pepper to taste). I subbed in some whole wheat spaghetti and tossed a little spinach salad dressed with vinegar onto the side to try to 'healthy' this rich deliciousness up.

Twisted Pasta with Brown Butter and Walnuts
Recipe courtesy Dave Lieberman
Prep Time:8 min Inactive Prep Time:-- Cook Time:25 min
Level:Easy
Serves:6 servings
Ingredients
About 1/2 cup walnut halves
1 pound twisted pasta such as campanelle, caserecci, or cavetelle
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 small bunch sage leaves, about 10 or 12 leaves, large stems plucked
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lay walnuts on a baking sheet and bake 7 to 10 minutes, until toasted and
fragrant. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

Continue to heat and stir the butter until it turns light brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the sage leaves.

Cook until crisped and the butter has turned a dark shade of
brown.

Toss the butter and sage gently with the pasta, being careful not to break the sage leaves up too much. Divide pasta among serving bowls and top with the crushed toasted walnuts.

Yum!
Cheap, Rich AND Delish?? Perish the thought!

Ps - For more info click here

Shhhhh....It's a Secret!

2011-02-01T10:57:00.002-04:00

Are you an ardent food aficionado? Are you a foodie with champagne tastes and a pbr budget? Do you love a secret?

Well, keep this a bit under wraps....but an underground food market is coming to the Atlanta area on the 26th of February! About 40 food artisans will pull out all the stops at a secret location. This will be announced to those who have already signed up to participate on the site beforehand and will be notified by email the day before. So if you aren't an Atlanta resident, you may want to plan your trip to the ATL for that weekend.

I'm going to mark this on my calendar, as the idea of an anything under the radar kind of thrills me. Especially food trends that start in San Fransisco...

Btw - check out another blog about it here.

Upcycled Rag Rug

2011-01-31T21:20:00.003-04:00

Do you need to cover a bare floor? Is your beige carpeting looking a trifle dull? The solution...stick a rug on it. Oh, but rugs are expensive....
Not quite! That is, if you do what your great-grandmothers did when they needed to cover floor space. They made rag rugs! It may sound difficult, and a bit old fashioned, but if you can thread a needle and know how to braid, you're in business.

First, you need to start off with fabric. You can use old sheets or blankets, fabric scraps or even clothes destined for the garbage can or donation pile. (If you wanted to make a rug for a bathroom, an interesting idea would be to use old towels and scraps of terrycloth) I used some fabric that I had on hand, leftovers from muslins for my Senior Collection project from last year (awful poly-blends that weren't fit to be used for anything else - but were just fine for a rug!). It essentially does not matter what you use; as long as you like the colors and you can cut or tear them into 2-3 inch wide strips.

After you tear your fabric into 2-3 inch strips, secure three of the strips together by placing just a few stitches on the end to secure them. Now, braid, taking the rightmost strip across and then the left ( or whatever braiding method feels most comfortable to you).

When you run out of a fabric strip, attach another one to the end with a few stitches to hold them in place.Eventually you will end up with a HUGE long length of braided fabric.

Now comes the fun part. Curl an end of your fabric braid and secure with a few stitches on the underside. Make sure the braided flat area is face-up and face down. You'll stitch on the edges. Flip over your rug and continue to spiral it, stitching in between braids (make sure that you are stitching right in between, otherwise your rug won't sit flat). To add different colored strips, simply attach a different braid at the end of a circle.

You can make your rug as big or as small as you like; the more braid you add, the larger it will be. To finish off your rug, simply tuck under the edge of the end and add a few stitches.

Now you have a handmade rug that cost you nothing except for your time and a few scraps.

Happy Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!

2011-01-31T11:46:00.005-04:00

It's quite a popular stress reliever; pop a few bubbles of packing material and the whole day feels a little better. Of course, it has more practical purposes. I've had many a package arrive safely due to the loveliness that is bubble wrap.

Did you know it was originally designed as wallpaper? It was created in 1957 by engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes; they later discovered wallpaper made of bubbles didn't quite work.

Did you know, "there's an app for that" for Blackberry, Android and iPhone?

You can even pop it virtually online!

So today, in appreciation, pop some bubble wrap (whether real or virtual) or use it to ship a package. Or, of course, you could always use it as the creators originally intended and stick it on a wall.

Happy Bubble Wrap Day!

Look ! It's a Tooth!

2011-01-25T20:41:00.002-04:00

Is it truly random find time again, Marcy? Must you bother us so with another creepy thing that you have come across online?

Why yes, yes of course! When one comes across a lovely random bit for sale unexpectedly, one must share, of course!

And what is it today? Why, only earrings made from human teeth! I stumbled across these little jewels while surfing Etsy for pretty little baubles ....

Kind of gives you a little shiver down the spine...hmmmm?

RIP Jack Lalanne

2011-01-24T10:21:00.001-04:00

A really inspiring person passed recently. Jack Lalanne, whose dedication to health and fitness inspired us all, passed of pnuemonia at 96. His life was evidence of how full and rich your life can still be, no matter your age. May his example of a full life continue to inspire us all! RIP Jack Lalane.

It's Random Find Time!

2011-01-23T22:39:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I've done a random discovery entry. Today as I was flitting around online I happened to discover unpainted porcelain doll parts for sale. I don't know why these freak me out a little bit, but it may have to do with a slight aversion to porcelain dolls....

Or it could be that there is something about these photos that remind me of Dexter a la the first season's ice truck killer. Does anyone else get that impression?

Ps- these are brought to you by shopgoodwill.com, however, the auction may be over by the time you read this...

Comfort Food For a Chilly Day

2011-01-23T13:58:00.001-04:00

January is always a month that I crave comfort foods. When that biting frigid wind tears through me and I crunch across frozen ground, I always want to tear into something warm and filling.
Unfortunately, warm and filling unusually means very fattening. However, this vegetarian version of chicken pot pie isn't too bad at all. The worst part of it is the delightful bits of puff pastry on top, so if you can find a whole wheat variety you can totally justify it.

A side note : Meat eaters can totally sub in some sliced up chicken breast. And those adverse to processed veggie meat and/or watching the budget could totally sub in 2 cans white beans or 1 package tofu.

Vegetarian Chicken Pot Pie

1 package puff pastry, thawed according to directions
1 package frozen mixed veggie blend of your choice, thawed ( could use the "mixed veggies" or a "california blend" - whatever you like as long as it doesn't have a prepared sauce included - or you could chop up an assortment of your favorite fresh veggies)
1 package Mock Chicken Strips, if frozen, thawed (I used Morningstar Farms Chix Fajita strips)
1 vegetable bouillon cube reconstituted in 2 cups of boiling water (you could substitute broth or stock)
2 Tablespoons of flour
2 Tablespoons of Oil or Butter ( Depends on how healthy you want to make this)
1 sprig of fresh Rosemary
1 sprig of fresh Thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste

First, pull out a large skillet or saucepan. Add your oil or butter and allow to heat thoroughly. (This means that if you are using butter, your butter is thoroughly melted and starts to bubble a bit) Add your flour one tablespoon at a time, whisking it in thoroughly in before adding the next tablespoon. Now here is the tricky part - if you don't cook the flour enough you will taste the flour in the gravy. You'll know when the flour is cooked because it will smell a bit nutty and be light brown. Add your veggie chicken and veggie blend at this point and allow to cook for a little bit. Add your reconstituted bouillon, your herbs, salt and pepper. Using a spoon, stir a bit to make sure that nothing is stuck to the bottom of your pan. Allow to simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350*F. Lightly spray a large pie dish or other pan (as long as your pan is big enough to hold all your filling it doesn't matter the size or shape). Pour or ladle your filling into your dish. Now, with the puff pastry you have several options. You can cut it into strips and make a lattice-like cover, you can just unfold it and plop it right on your pan, cut off the excess and cut a few vents into it. Or, if you want to get creative ( also known as wanting to impress someone you're serving this to ) you can use cookie cutters to create designs using the holes the cutters make and the shapes they cut out. It's your pie - do what you want to do with it! Lastly, you are going to pop this into the oven until the puff pastry is brown, crusty and delicious. It should take about 20 minutes, but every oven is a bit different.

Serve with a bit of crunchy salad and/or crispy rolls and enjoy!

PS- makes enough for four depending on how hungry everyone is.

What Medical Folks were Really Testing in the 50's

2011-01-19T09:41:00.001-04:00

I happened to glimpse the video below yesterday. It's essentially a video of an "average" housewife from the 1950s (actual footage that just came out mind you) taking part in a medical experiment. I find it thought provoking for several reasons. Apparently, we all have the potential to sound like flower children from the 1960s when under the influence. Secondly, it's amazing how innocuous something may appear when it first makes its debut, regardless of potential danger, especially in the wrong hands.

Consider that cocaine was once used in "health tonics"; heroin was invented to be a less addictive painkiller than morphine. Even now, vitamins and drugs (both over the counter and prescriptive) that were and are considered "necessary to health" are frequently taken off the market to prevent heart attacks or other serious side effects. I wonder what present health trend will end up as hazardous to our health next? What do you think?

My Words on a Cup of Coffee

2011-01-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

I have a generous love of coffee. My love extends to all incarnations of this delicious brew. I enjoy cold coffee beverages in the summer and hot coffee in the winter. I even have a cup of decaf in the evenings on occasion. If the beans my brew came from are halfway decent, I'll even drink it sans additives (ie, black). Two pieces of the latest coffee news came to my ears yesterday. One, coffee prevents diabetes in women according to researchers at UCLA. Two, Starbucks is releasing a new size that is akin to drinking a quart of coffee...

Why is this of interest to anyone? Well, apparently Starbucks must've had some advance knowledge of this research, because their Trenta size...is almost the amount of coffee a lady needs to consume to get her diabetes prevention on. Coincidence? Who knows? only the marketing execs of Starbucks.

So, until next time, folks, I'll tip my large (justified) mug of coffee to you and wish you the best of a coffee bean filled kind of day!

What to Do When You Are Snowed In!

2011-01-11T15:13:00.003-04:00

If you live in the South or have been watching the national newscasts, then I'm sure you are aware of the fact that Atlanta has been blasted with winter storms. Snow and ice covered this shocked southern city and left us all a bit unprepared. Here in Atlanta, we don't have a huge caravan of salters and snowplows to call up at a moments snowflake; the whole city shuts down. These photos were all taken at what should have been rush hour (notice the empty streets)...

This couple was taking their wee babe sledding in a canoe in Piedmont Park.

A moment of inspiration for a local art student maybe? I think it's supposed to be a plow.

In honor of the cold weather here in the ATL I'm sharing a delish and inside-warming recipe for Corn Chowder and a link to a recipe for butter cake
(I ate a bit of this butter cake warm without the powdered sugar and made without the zest - delish.) These should keep you warm until it is safe to venture out again...

Corn Chowder(Brought to you by Cait - check out her blog here)

2/3 cup dry Kasha (ground buckwheat)
2 1/2 cups frozen corn
1 large red potato
1 clove garlic
3 small shallots
1 orange bell pepper
1 red sweet chili

2 c low-sodium veg broth
2 c water
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 c heavy cream

olive oil
3 Tbsp butter
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt, pepper
juice of 1 lime
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves

Roast dry Kasha and cumin seeds/ground cumin for a few minutes on the stove but do not let burn. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Heat olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter in large pot, then sautee garlic, and shallots until soft...I may add 1/2 an onion during this part next time too. Then throw in the corn and potatoes and sautee them for a few more minutes. Add in the paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and liquids and bring to a boil, then dump in the Kasha/cumin mixture and cook until just tender. Add in the peppers and let simmer until all veggies and grains are cooked through. Mix in the lime juice, the last Tbsp of butter, and cilantro leaves at the last minute, just stirring the pot a few times before serving.

These recipes should warm you up in a jiffy, whether encased in snow in the South, or just to warm you up on a chilly, rainy day.

Woohoo....Read the interview!

2011-01-11T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hey, everyone I'm on Associated Content! Read the interview!

Click here

Lentils: It's what's for Dinner

2011-01-08T16:59:00.003-04:00

Many set healthy eating as a goal for a new year. Below is an amazing recipe for lentils, which are low fat, low in calories, high in fiber and very delish. Perfect for any eating plan you may be on. Lentils are also super cheap, so if your goal is cutting into the grocery bill, they are a great option. They aren't from my recipe experimentation, they are from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman. I recieved it as a holiday gift (Thanks Hal, Barb and family!) and so far every recipe has turned out fantastic! It's a great book to have on hand even if you aren't vegetarian. Anyway, this recipe here has my modifications added to it...

Braised Lentils, Spanish Style (apparently I'm on a Spanish kick!)

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon Spanish Paprika ( pimenton)
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup whatever wine you have on hand (the recipe calls for dry red - I used the last of some Pinot Grigio I had on hand and it still turned out great!)
2 cups of veggie bouillon reconstituted ( or veggie stock, whatever you have on hand)
1 cup of dried lentils
salt and pepper to taste

Pour your oil in a pan and heat at medium. Toss in your onion, celery and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently about 5 minutes or so or until your onion is nice and soft. Add your garlic and paprika and cook for about another minute. Then, add the rest of your ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and turn down to low. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water or stock if it starts to look dry. They will look nice and saucy when they are done, so be a little frugal with adding.

When they are done, serve them over rice with a big plate o' veggies or even by themselves. This recipe makes four, so if there are leftovers, that is fine. I had them the next day on top of a baked potato and they were even better.

So enjoy and good luck with your New Year!

The Man with the Golden Dream

2011-01-07T09:53:00.007-04:00

In the choices we make everyday, there is the possibility of both plunging into obscurity, and rising out of the murk and mildew with a new chance and lease in life. Oftentimes, the results of these choices seem totally up to chance, or lucky, if you will. Take for instance the life of Ted Williams. He is a prime example of not knowing what life will throw at you next. After addiction took away his life and led to a life on the streets, he was plucked out of obscurity and granted a new lease in life thanks to a few lucky breaks and the internet.

It's a reminder of how far we all could fall; that we all are just a few choices from having nothing. And yet, it is also a glimmer of hope. A realization that no matter how far that you fall, there is still hope on the other side. Another story that really inspires. What inspires you?

How sweet is this photo of him reunited with his mom?

A video of what helped to launch him into his new life...click here

Want to see interviews with Ted Williams on...
CBS
The Today Show
CNN
ABC

January Reflections

2011-01-07T08:11:00.002-04:00

Every year I make the same New Year's resolution, and every year I keep it. No, I do not have the amazing willpower and strength of a superhero. No, I am not a saint. What are these goals I achieve every year? I set the bar really high... my resolution each year is not to make one.

According to statistics, 22% of those who make a resolution give up by the first week, and 40% forget about it by the end of January.

After wearing yourself out over the holidays, why do that to yourself? Probably the best thing to do is to decide to make a positive change, and just do it. Take up your banner for a new you, and charge, whether it's the middle of August or February or June. Take life and make it yours.

Just my thoughts and reflections almost a week past January first.

Keep your New Year's Resolution!

2011-01-05T20:58:00.005-04:00

You know that New Year's Resolution? The one to eat healthier? Well, nothing is healthier than a bit of greens! I experimented a bit this evening and came up with a healthy way to get your kale on!

First, prep yourself your favorite rice (for two people) according to the package directions.

Then prep your Kale. You'll need a good solid bunch...

Cut off one leaf and fold in half...

Cut along the tough stem...

Do this for all your leaves of kale.
Roughly tear up the leaves and place in a bowl. Rinse thoroughly and spin in a salad spinner if you have one.

Then, roughly chop up an onion. Place in large skillet or pan with about two tablespoons or so of oil. Cook until translucent...

It's Chorizo time! I used a vegetarian Chorizo, but if you wanted to use the real thing feel free, but it won't be quite as healthy...

Open the package and cut away the casing so what you have looks simply like ground up goodness...

Add to the pan of onions and cook until lightly browned. Add about a half a cup of good red wine (a spanish one would be best) For a great extra tang you could also add vinegar of your choosing. Cook for a few minutes and then add the kale. Depending on your pan, you may need to add it in two batches. Add the first half and let wilt, then add the rest.

Cover your cooking unit for a short while to allow the kale to steam and wilt. When it is done it will look something like this...

Serve over rice with a bit of cheese on top... some shredded Manchego would be nice. I used a cheddar blend which was the only thing I had on hand.

Share with a friend and get your greens on!

One Sassy Lady

2010-12-30T17:15:00.005-04:00

Today I want to pay respects to those people out there who pursue their life's path to the fullest extent and inspire us all.

On one of the morning shows I occasionally watch, I was introduced to one amazing lady. At 101, Sally Gorden is still walking into work each day with a jaunty step and no plans on taking a break. What struck me most about this woman was her zest for life.

I also loved that she sported a wide-brimmed hat and huge sparkly earrings for her tv appearance....

You can't help but love that, right?

Interested in the interview? click here

Color In Your New Year's

2010-12-29T21:23:00.018-04:00

For those of you who are over the 'little black dress' and want to make a bright splash on your night, here are a few sweet little numbers that are full of color!

What are you wearing for New Year's?

2010-12-27T22:03:00.005-04:00

Once again the joys of a New Year approach and with them come parties. With parties swiftly approaching, the inevitable question must be asked ..what will I wear?

Are you the type who pulls on a simple cocktail dress you already own and go a bit crazy with the latest accessories? Or do you shop like crazy for a little something new in the form of a dress or separates ?

Since Coco Chanel, the little black dress has always been a classic choice.Here are a few adorable ones I found in a variety of price ranges that may begin to help you with that all important clothing decision...

See the next post for the next installment of New Year's suggestions...

Infomercials...

2010-12-27T20:56:00.009-04:00

Infomercials make me laugh...every time I see one for a seemingly useless object I totally crack up.
This one strikes me as rather bizarre. Not that having something stir your sauces while you do other things is a useless idea, but the "robostir" simply looked so strange that I couldn't help but laugh.

Merry Christmas to All!

2010-12-25T12:56:00.000-04:00

First of all I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope that everyone has managed to get thier fill of Christmas tv specials, cookies, lights, shopping, gifts and eggnog.

Enjoy your day (I know I will)

Throw yourself a Cookie Swap party for the holidays! (Warning Recipe EXTRAVAGANZZZZA)

2010-12-19T15:20:00.003-04:00

Last night brought a bit of a crowd into my apartment. This wasn't just for any holiday party...no, folks it was for a Cookie Swap. It was a devious device used to get a good variety of cookies floating around without spending weeks baking cookies. The whole game was as follows; everyone brings some cookies (homemade, from a tube, from the local market) and a container to carry cookies home in, the cookies get set out on a table to be sampled, everyone loads up containers and carries home what cookies they prefer. We ended up with a pretty good spread of cookies. I brought Coffee Spice Shortbread with Crystallized Ginger and Ambrosia Macaroons to the party. They both turned out pretty well, but if you are anti-ginger or anti-orange you may not want to bake both of these.

To counteract the sugar rush that would ensue after an evening full of cookie sampling, we had a table full of savory treats. We had some healthy snacks in the form of some Crudites and Dressing, some delish Baked Brie with water crackers, Cheese Puffs ( which were A-MAZING! best fresh out of the oven with a bit of butter), I also made some Herbed Goat Cheese Tarts in little mini pie crusts (which are always a hit - pretty much a standard make at parties I throw).

Some other quick apps that can become standard at your next party....

Lightly Roasted Asparagus
   Take one bunch of asparagus and wash. Hold both ends of each stalk and snap. It will naturally break at the point you need it too, and the tough ends are gone. Put your asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven for 4 minutes at 400*F. It will be lightly roasted and still crisp. Great with dip for parties.

Puff Pastry Twists
Thaw your frozen puff pastry according to directions. Fold out and drizzle with olive oil or brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with garlic powder and chopped fresh herbs of choice ( I like Oregano and Thyme). Cut into 1 1/2 inch ribbons, twist and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350*F for about 15 - 20 minutes. They are done when lightly brown and fluffy.

Roasted Gnocchi     (warning: when this gets cold, it gets a little tough - make sure it is served hot)
    Get a package of gnocchi, preferrably potato - it's usually near the pasta at the grocery store, and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 350* for about 20 minutes or so. It will be done when the edges are just a bit brown. Serve hot with marinara sauce as a dip.

   Now you know some of my entertaining secret recipes...make these and people will rave.

                                                   Have a Happy Holiday season folks!

Shoe Discovery!

2010-12-14T16:20:00.000-04:00

My heart stopped a little when I came across these...

Pretty Amazing...yes?

Five Tips To Make Your Next Holiday Trip an Amazing One!

2010-12-08T20:04:00.004-04:00

The holidays are a time of joy, laughter and getting together with friends and family. Lights, food, laughter and traveling, whether by plane, train, boat or car. This past weekend, I joined the mass of holiday venturers in a trip of my own to visit the fiance's parents. Here are my pieces of advice for amazing and successful travels....

1. Late flights are amazing! It was my first time flying at night, and watching the lights as I took off and landed warmed my heart. Despite the holiday season, both my flights were half empty. I lucked out with a window seat with an empty seat next to me both flights! It probably helped that I flew up at 9:40pm on a Thursday and scheduled to fly back at 9:00pm on a Monday( my flight got delayed quite a bit and I actually left quite a bit later). The only downside, of course, is that you get in pretty late, especially if a flight gets delayed. But if you are a night person like me, it's ideal.

2. If you go to touristy areas of New York (or any city for that matter), be prepared for tons of crowds. And people all standing in the exact same spot, taking the exact same picture. We ventured into Bryant Park and people-watched a little bit. I promise you, a lot of these people photographing those on the ice did not know anyone out there...

3. Any time you go into a well-populated areas, keep your eyes open and you will make interesting discoveries...

Hello Kitty statue in the middle of a courtyard.

Rather creepy puppet stall in Bryant Park.

4. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb and try out recommendations by friends and other sources, you may find a new favorite. Examples, this weekend's thumb's up go to ... the Brooklyn Flea Market, amazing cheese at the Grand Central Station Market and the cutest little restaurant called Alice's teacup.

Ecstatic over a completely amazing Swedish cheese gotten at the Grand Central Station Market ( it had a revolutionary caramel-ly flavor to it and was only $6 for a block of it!)

One of the many Alice in Wonderland inspired pieces of decor inside Alice's Teacup

Amazing butterscotch scone was served with fresh cream and preserves. Along with it I had some amazing black tea with mulling spices.

Cait's scone was full of pumpkiny goodness!

5. Accept with open arms holiday traditions, and even holidays, when you are a guest, especially when they are soon-to-be family members. While I was up in Long Island, I got to experience my first Chanukah celebration. It was a beautiful and rewarding experience and enjoyed every minute of it!

In short, keep these pieces of advice in mind and you may have a wonderful holiday experience!

Super Amazing Yummy Pie!

2010-12-08T18:56:00.000-04:00

Things have been really crazy on this end; I'm just now posting about Thanksgiving ( I know, I know!)

I whipped up a ...wait for it....Apple Pie with Oat Streusel!

Well, I actually made this amazing goodness from the November 2010 Bon Appetit (suprise, suprise) to bring to Thanksgiving with the fiance's parents. Yes, not exactly a great idea to bring an untried dish to a dinner with the future in-laws, but it turned out AMAZING. Feel free to try this delish recipe.

Random Find of the Day....

2010-12-01T22:18:00.000-04:00

And the random find of the day today is....a 1943 gas mask. Brought to you by Shopgoodwill.com

to check it out and make a bid...click here

Love ...or obsession with self?

2010-11-30T22:13:00.001-04:00

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-William Shakespeare

A new wedding-themed reality show has hit the airways folks. In many ways, however, it has nothing really to do with weddings...or even love for that matter. I'm not that big into reality shows, myself, but I find the premise of this one disturbing. Women compete for the chance to have plastic surgery and a big humdinger of a wedding. The sad part is, these are all beautiful women, willing to submit to major body changes for a chance at a overblown wedding.

Aren't we as women told enough that we have to measure up to an unrealistic standard, without telling a group of beautiful women on national television that they need surgical assistance to prep for a day when they should feel totally accepted by the love of their lives exactly as who they really are? Weddings should be about two people who love each other and celebrating with family and friends, not about trying to reach some ideal by your wedding date.

What do you think?

Curious about what I'm talking about ?click here

World's Smallest Car

2010-11-30T21:31:00.003-04:00

I came across this online today. Apparently, It is the world's smallest car that you need a license to drive and it resides in Germany.

Can you imagine how easy it would be to find a parking spot in this baby?

Fast and Easy Caramel Rolls

2010-11-28T12:17:00.002-04:00

When I was a kid, my mom would make caramel rolls. Cinnamon rolls with a thick gooey crust that was absolutely delicious. However, they would have to raise overnight to be ready for the morning.These, on the other hand, are quick, easy and allow me to get my fix without baking all night. The secret is to use a tube of big and fluffy refrigerated biscuit dough..

First, you roll out your biscuit dough until it is one square or rectangle. Spread out room temperature butter on the dough making sure its evenly coated. Sprinkle handfuls of brown sugar evenly across the dough, then evenly sprinkle out cinnamon. Roll up the dough starting from the longest side and roll across until you have one big tube of goodness. Slice up the dough into rounds divided by the amount of biscuits that were in the can. In a greased round cake pan randomly place squares of butter followed by a generous sprinkling of brown sugar. Place your roll rounds on top of the deliciousness and stick into a preheated oven at 350*F for about 15 - 20 minutes. The rolls are done when the tops are nicely brown. Let cool for a few minutes. Then, place a plate on the top of pan and flip. If they don't pop right out, it means the pan didn't get enough spray and you'll have to use your own ingenuity to get them out. Enjoy warm, topped with a bit of butter.

I have an etsy shop now!

2010-11-26T14:25:00.001-04:00

After being told for months by various friends of mine that I am an "etsy shop waiting to happen", I now have a shop. I'm pretty excited. Right now the only things that are on there are cuff links that I made after wedding crafting cufflinks for the men involved in the wedding. They turned out pretty amazing and I promise I'm going to put a tutorial on how to make the cuff links on here later.

Feel free to check it out...

Sweet Boutineers with Paper flowers and Peacock Feathers

2010-11-22T00:11:00.004-04:00

This weekend I spent part of my time working on crafting for the wedding. Remember those paper flowers a while back? Well, I took some of those, trimmed them so they were a bit smaller and added some feathers and such. It was such quick going, that in the course of an afternoon, I had made boutineers for all the Groomzombies and family members.

First, I trimmed the stem on the flower so that it was the desired length.Then, on the back of the stem I put a dot of glue from a hot glue gun. I attached the peacock feather to this dot.

I added another dot on the stem to the side of the peacock feather. (I decided where to put the feathers depending on how they curved). I attached a small ostrich feather or rooster feather to the other dot of glue.

After the glue has cooled, put an small vertical line of hot glue on the stem near the bottom and attach the end of a 1" ribbon.

Wrap around once and fold down.

Fold up again, capturing the feather and stem ends.

Fold another 45*.

Wrap around the stems all the way up to the base of your flower.

Fold over the end of the ribbon and secure with hot glue. Glue a broach or broken earring with the back removed to the front to add texture, interest and a bit of sparkle.

Final Product

PS- sorry the photos are so awful...I had to take them with my phone and the quality isn't the best...

Car Dancin' is For the Cool Kids

2010-11-20T03:35:00.004-04:00

Have you ever turned on the radio in your car, and even though you may have heard a song many times before, it hits you how truly amazing the song is? Well, yesterday the song below came on as I was driving home from work, and some serious car dancing commenced. When I say serious, I mean that the people in the Honda CR-V next to me were laughing and pointing...

Awesome song to jam out to, right? And the video for it just makes me want to go put on a flowing dress and dance around my apartment...

Bedecked with Baubles

2010-11-19T16:56:00.005-04:00

Just sharing a few little sweet (and a few totally rockin') recent discoveries...

I mean, can you beat these totally awesome sugar skull wedding rings???

Skeleton Key AND Wings...total winner! And it gets bonus points for its awesome steampunkish cogs!

These are so sweet and romantic...they make me want to don a lacey frock...

Warm beverage? Check! For every finger? Check!

This scarab totally rocks! Can I put it on my Christmas list...please...?

Jane Austen Fan Club

2010-11-19T15:43:00.001-04:00

There is a common trend popping up among modern fiction writers; fan fiction. Now, I'm not talking necessarily about the massive amount of fan fiction that hangs about on Harry Potter. I am talking of the fan fiction that surrounds Jane Austen's tales. I did not realize how much Jane Austen was inspiring authors until I took a turn around my local chain bookstore and realized how much there was. Fan fiction written about a classic author, perish the thought!

Fan fiction abounds; there are tales of Elizabeth Bennet kicking zombie butt, multiple continuations of the Elizabeth and Darcy tales, murder mysteries that feature her characters, novels about characters reading and obsessing over her books, characters switching places with Jane Austen characters and going back in time to relive the lives of the Jane Austen world. That isn't even the full sum of it.

I am an admitted fan of classic literature. I have, in actuality, read all of Ms. Austen's works and have them on the shelf. For the most part, however, I am disappointed in the fiction based off her books, and I read everything. If there is any fabulous fan fiction that I have not read, I would love to stand corrected.

Oh the joys of the 'Find of the Day'!

2010-11-18T18:46:00.003-04:00

I have been, and probably always will be, an avid reader. Today I totally geeked out when I happened to come across these lovelies at Anthropology. Some of my favorite books as a child in all their printed clothbound glory!

Ok...happiness has commenced...

Dresses to swoon over...

2010-11-18T14:18:00.002-04:00

Lately, I've fallen in love with the silhouettes of the Fifties. And there is nothing better than a reproduction dress, as it is very difficult to find a vintage dress that will fit the modern woman without too much alteration. Below are some super cute reproduction dresses that were discovered on etsy (the links to the seller's shops are posted below the dresses).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/digforvictory?page=2

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SiamSmileStylist?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketbetty?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dollyfrocks?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jacksdaughter?ref=seller_info

Yeah, I know, I know...I'm kind of obsessed with etsy. Other great online resources for vintage inspired reproductions to check out include Modcloth and Whirlingturban.

Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup

2010-11-18T13:48:00.004-04:00

Are you a vegetarian who envies people who get to devour Chicken Noodle soup when they are ill, or do you simply just need some comfort food? Well here, my friends, is an answer to that issue.

Thick & Hearty Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup

2 Vegetarian Bouillon cubes (could also use the "Not Chicken Broth")
2 Potatoes, cubed
4 carrots, sliced thinly
1 onion, chopped
1bag of Quorn "chicken" cubes
2 cups Rotini Noodles ( I used Whole Wheat, or you could substitute egg noodles)
6 cups of water ( may need more depending on how "soupy" you want it)

Essentially, you add it all in a large stock pot and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender. This is a veeerrry hearty soup, so you may want to dice your veggies into tiny pieces if you want a finer soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Colored Engagement Bling

2010-11-17T17:57:00.003-04:00

Below are some celebrity engagement rings that are non-traditional (ie not white diamonds) Why does this excite me and why does that matter? Well, my very own engagement ring is a natural starlight ruby ( it's a pinkish stone depending on the light) and part of an antique wedding set. I caught just a little bit of flack for not sporting a big 'ole white diamond, but apparently I am on trend.

Celeb engagement rings...can you guess whose is whose?

My ring..ignore the fact that my hands are swollen today..haha!

Needless to say I feel a tiny bit vindicated. Now, if only it became super popular for celebs to sashay down the aisle in boldly colored wedding dresses...

Time to tango...

2010-11-17T14:30:00.002-04:00

Sunday night was a rainy, blustery evening, but this did not deter a fun evening of sensual dance. We entered the Daza Dance studio for a monthly tango meetup for the the first time. I was a little nervous, since I had no idea what a beginner's Argentinean tango class had in store for me that evening.
If you have ever tangoed, Argentinean style, you know exactly what I am talking about. This relaxed form of social dancing is less about getting the steps correct, and more about interacting with your partner. According to our beginner's class teacher, this tango style is essentially "fancy walking". And let me tell you, this "fancy walking" was incredibly fun. The class was a great introduction for those who had never danced before, and there were a few. There were also several very experienced dancers who were kind enough to help the newcomers out. However, one of the best parts of the class, was when we got to see how beautiful the "fancy walking" became when danced by those who passionately enjoyed it.

This experience is offered the second Sunday of every month, and I'm definitely going again. In fact, I may join a class that meets weekly and make my "fancy walking" look pretty spectacular indeed.

http://www.meetup.com/TANGO-OASIS-Modern-Music-Timeless-Dance/calendar/lkpdnynqbqb/

Oh...the Treasures Found

2010-11-15T00:42:00.005-04:00

The second weekend of every month treasure seekers traverse the highways to arrive at the Atlanta Expo Center for the Scott Antique market. It is a treasure trove of interesting people, amazing finds and really great food. This weekend, I was among the masses, and here are some of the more interesting discoveries of the day....

A very scary mask...and yes folks that is real fur.

A painted wooden cutout of clowns in a car....

...that had a painted back

Yes, that is a plaster lobster in a lobster trap. I'm not sure what it is doing to Miss Piggy, but I kind of don't want to know

I'm not sure what was with these mushrooms, but they kept popping up EVERYWHERE!

And then there were the Chairs...

The Extra Large one would be comfortable for a giant...

...and the extra small one, too tiny for a child

Do you have an urgent need for a signage for your insane asylum? Well, there were plenty...

And that was just a small taste of the joys of the antique market this weekend. What treasures did I actually bring home? you ask. Well, about 10 lbs of junk jewelry (broken earrings and broaches) for crafty purposes I will share with you later ....

Dinner Parties are Rockin'!

2010-11-14T23:51:00.005-04:00

Yesterday evening a rousing young group gathered at the 'ole homestead for a night of food and fun. We had a blast and the food was absolutely delicious. Since everything turned out so amazing, I thought I would share the recipes to what was served. The salad and pot pie recipes originated from the November 2010 Bon Appetit , but I put sort of my own spin on them.

Delightful Apple Pear Salad

1 bag of mixed greens
1 bag of Waldorf salad mix without the dressing
2 apples, sliced
2 Bosc pears, sliced
Blue Cheese

For the Dressing:
1 shallot, diced
4 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
5 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk. Toss salad ingredients together with dressing in a large bowl.
Serves 5

Mushroom Lentil Pot Pies with Gouda Biscuit Topping

Filling:
1/2 cup lentils
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
7 ounces fresh mushrooms ( mix of wild and baby bella), sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 Tablespoons tomato paste

Topping:
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 Tablespoons Semolina flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons chilled unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup Almond milk
3/4 cup grated Gouda cheese ( about 3 oz)

Filling:
Pour 3 cups of water into a large pan, add lentils and salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered for about 30 minutes or so or until the lentils are cooked. Drain, conserving about 2 cups or so of the lentil water, and set both aside for later.
Heat 1 Tablespoons of the oil in a large pan on medium- high. Add mushrooms and let sizzle for about 3 minutes. Add your other Tablespoon of oil, chopped onion, carrot and herbs. Cook for about 4 minutes. Add your minced garlic, wait 30 seconds and lower the heat. Toss in the flour and cook for another minute. Mix in the rest of your filling ingredients and the lentil water (but don't put in the lentils quite yet). Cover up that deliciousness and cook until the potatoes are fork ready (15 minutes). Make sure you stir enough that nothing gets stuck to the bottom of the pan. Feel free to add a bit of water if the mix looks too dry. Mix in the lentils and divide between 4 large ramekins. Feel free to do this ahead up to two days ahead of time.
Topping:
Get your oven preheated at 400* F. In a food processor bowl combine the dry ingredients. Add the butter and pulse until you get a coarse texture. Add your milk and pulse until a dough ball forms. On a lightly floured surface turn out the dough and hand mix in the cheese. Divide into four even pieces and form into flat disks. set these on top of your filled dishes and place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the biscuit portion comes out clean.
Serves 4 ( I doubled the recipe so I could have leftovers..yum!)

Baked Apples

3 Apples ( cut in half horizontally and scoop out the core - should form a stable cup)
6 pats of Butter ( use a good Irish butter for best results)
Dark Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Ground Cloves

Preheat your oven to 400*F. In a round cake pan set your six apples, evenly spaced. Place a pat of butter on each apple and top with a mound of dark brown sugar. Lightly sprinkle ground cloves over your apples. Generously top with cinnamon. Bake for 45 minutes or until a delicious sugar crust forms on the apples and they are fork tender. Serve topped with vanilla ice cream.
Makes 6 apples

I started out the night with crackers, good cheeses and grapes and served some yummy wine with these.
Enjoy!

Thursday Nights at Fontaine's

2010-11-13T14:17:00.004-04:00

Finding a restaurant with a food special is always fantastic, especially when the food is actually good. The Thursday night happy hour special (between 4 - 7pm) at Fontaine's in the Virginia Highlands allows you to catch discounts on oysters from the raw bar, peel and eat shrimp and crab legs. Like many restaurants in the Va-Hi neighborhood there is no parking lot attached and parking is street or lot where you can find it. Since parking is always crazy in this neighborhood, even on a Thursday, it would be smart to be parked by 6:30pm (at the latest) to beat the full dinner rush.

The decor is fun and quirky and the staff are friendly with a sense of humor. We were placed in a small side room just left of the door that was dominated by a large Chihuly-like light fixture in the ceiling.

Now to the food. The seafood on special was very fresh; in fact, there was much consumption of it at our table. You'll want to wear a shirt you don't care much about, or tuck a napkin into your top because you'll want dig in and make a mess of yourself with these crab legs. Other seafood was also exemplary. The seafood po'boy with fried scallops was devoured quickly, as was the lobster bisque soup. The calamari was granted a thumbs up, but was set aside in favor of the next course.

Those who are not particularly fond of seafood or are vegetarian, and are dining with a group take note: they offer extensive non- seafood options. The spinach - artichoke dip was rather good; you'll almost want to make a meal of the baked dip with its crusted gooey melted goodness with contrasted ricotta cheese, spinach and artichokes served with the usual crispy tortilla chips. It was really good, but not much different than the usual spinach artichoke dip, other than the addition of ricotta cheese.

They offer a vegetable plate with a large number of interchangeable options including: two types of beans and rice, fresh veggies and fried goods (ps - the hush puppies are amazing and they serve them with honey!). For those of the salad persuasion, they also offer a really good house salad that is chock full of mandarin oranges and pecans. For those from the New York state area, apparently their poppyseed dressing is the same type that transplants have trouble finding.

One thing disappointing, however, was the key lime pie. If you love a very tangy, sour key lime pie, you are in luck, but be forewarned; I mean very sour.

Overall, this place is pretty great for a Thursday night happy hour, or even for dinner any day of the week.

PS-As a vegetarian all non-vegetarian reviews were given by the food-lovers with great taste in my party; I give no guarantees for the sentiments expressed on seafood.

Brown Soda Bread

2010-11-12T10:35:00.002-04:00

I think it may be a general agreement that almost absolutely everyone loves freshly baked bread. Most of us don't have hours to wait while it rises twice and then bake it. The solution of course... is soda bread. Totally delish and super quick. And if someone has a yeast allergy...all the bread you can eat...

I found this recipe on the 'net and switched it around a bit. Oh, and if you want a vegan loaf; I tried this with almond milk instead, and it is just as good.

Brown Soda Bread
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teas. baking soda
3/4 t salt
2 1/4 cup milk ( you may need less depending on humidity, etc)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.Sift together everything except for your milk into a large bowl. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and slowly stir in the milk, 1/4 cup at a time until it forms a ball. Knead for a few minutes to make sure all your flour is incorporated and to get the gluten going. You want bigger air pockets a la french bread? knead some more. Divide the bread in half and form into loaves. Put into two separate greased loaf pans. Pop 'em into the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. When it's brown and crusty and makes a hallow sound when you thump the bottom, you are in business. Let cool for 10 minutes or so before discharging them from their pan.

Smother with butter or your substitute of choice. Yum.

Interesting find of the day!

2010-11-11T17:00:00.003-04:00

Ever wonder what to do with the labels from your apples? Well here is the perfect solution. Today, folks we have for you a way to keep track of the apples you are eating.
Yep, a board just for apple labels. I was rather amazed myself.

I'm sure the seller wouldn't care if you used it for other fruit as well.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58548022/an-apple-a-day-letterpress-calendar

Eat your heart out...or apple...

Early Morning at the Park

2010-11-11T10:12:00.005-04:00

This morning I finally got out of my warm soft nest of a bed to go for an early run in the park. At half past six in the morning today you could find me trotting the trails at Piedmont Park. Was it chilly? yes. Was it kinda dark? yes. Was it deserted? hardly.

Yes, my friend, before seven in the morning the park is packed with various bootcamp groups. Out of the fog, disembodied voices yell and chant and scream. Bootcamp is one of those extremely popular fitness crazes that involve calisthenics and sprints at crazy early hours while a former drill sergeant, football player or coach (depending on your bootcamp preference) yells themself hoarse. It definately made my run feel like fun times.

And speaking of running; nothing beats running around a lake or grassy knoll, listening to your favorite tunes while watching the sun rise and the fog disperse. I just may do a morning run more often.

Adventures in Groceries

2010-11-09T17:09:00.003-04:00

There is nothing like grocery shopping; cruising down the aisles, marking things off a list. Best of all is the people watching involved. Since there is no store loyalty that beats within me, I shop everywhere. I tread down aisles at Whole Foods searching for obscure ingredients for recipes with the dreadlocked, tattooed and pierced as well as the well-heeled soccer moms. I scout inexpensive cheeses at Trader Joes with hip urbanites searching for a quick meal. And then I scout out the local wildlife at Kroger.

Now, my local Kroger is the largest and closest grocery store to me. Open 24 hours, you run the gamut in variety of people, especially at a Kroger referred to as "disco Kroger". Now, part of my job description includes running errands, to Kroger included, and so I've been able to observe people in the daytime, as well as late night food runs. Late night, you mostly get the drunken folks getting a bit of this or that to help stave off a hangover. But every once in a while, you get the guy on the vespa. Now vespa guy rides a bright pink vespa with matching helmet (of course) and is usually spotted wearinng gold lame hot pants and a matching halter.However, in midtown, you almost expect people to dress interestingly, so it almost becomes ordinary. Today, I must say, I observed something just a tad out of the ordinary. A nun buying lottery tickets...

A Destination in My Mind

2010-11-08T10:10:00.002-04:00

I am one of those strange people who actually enjoy the airport run. Odd as it may sound, as I approach, I actually imagine that I am the one taking a trip and jetting off to faraway places. I watch the planes scream above me and I feel a little bit of that excitement and anticipation that I , yes I, will be GOING SOMEWHERE. Then, I quickly jolt back into reality and realize that it was only in my imagination and, alas, I was merely the driver this time again, as my situation in life (superbly broke) does not allow for impromptu flights to far off places and exciting destinations.

So, I reconcile myself to the fact that any trip I take right now will only be in my mind and try to be content with watching the Travel Channel yet again.

Yummy delicious soup

2010-11-07T15:46:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was in a quandry...what to eat/ make to eat. Then I remembered that I had an amazing recipe for Kimchi soup that had been brought to my potluck engagement party months ago. Thanks to Shanna, I whipped up this delicious concoction.

14oz Jar of Kimchi (I used the spicy kind - use what you can find)
1 lb package of tofu

Put a large pot on your stove with the heat on Medium. Dump in the jar of Kimchi and add 3 jars full of water to the pot. Take the tofu out of the package and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the tofu into chunks and add to your pot. Simmer for about an hour so on low heat.

Eat this deliciousness with a pile of rice or noodles....yum!

Romantic Paper Flowers

2010-11-06T18:03:00.001-03:00

Well, today I've been working on some crafting for my upcoming nuptials. Yeah, i know, wedding crafts. But these flowers turned out pretty awesome, so I thought I would share.

First you find yourself a book you don't mind pulling apart. Mine, I got for 10 cents from Atlanta Books.
Next, tear out the pages you want to use

If you are using a newish book, tea dyeing the pages will make them look old. Here's how...
Get a pan or dish with some depth and black tea bags. I used a glass loaf pan.

Pour boiling water over the tea bag into the dish and steep the tea bag until it's very dark and strong.

Place the pages into the tea and let them soak until they are as dark as you would like them to look. When they have reached their desired levels, take out of the tea and let air dry on some paper towels. This is what they will look like when dry.

Once they are fully dry, cut off the corners and any roughly torn edges so you have a large oval shape.

Next, fold in half, then fold over another quarter to half inch or so. Secure under the fold with a bit of rubber cement or glue in the center.

Now, fold lengthwise then fold over another eighth to quarter inch and secure in the center with a bit of rubber cement or glue.

Open and flatten slightly. This is what it should look like...

Make a fan-like fold in each corner. This should make the flower have an almost cup-like appearance.

Take a shanked button or large bead and a needle and thread and stitch your center in place with three or four small stitches and knot. Alternatively, you could also hot glue this into place or secure with jewelry wire.

Next, curl under the edges of the flower by rolling up the long sides first.

Flip over your flower and either rubber cement or hot glue a floral wire stem that is bent slightly into place. These are easily found in the floral department of craft stores.

After the glue is dry and/or cool. Use floral tape (also found in the floral department in craft stores, it usually comes in either green or white) to wrap the base of the flower and the top part of the stem to secure and give it a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Now, the only thing left to do is adjust the curl of your edges and make a ton of them! Another option is to singe the edges of the flowers to give it a worn in appearance. I haven't decided if I want to treat the flowers this way or not. If I do, I'll post the how-to and results later.

The Change Up

2010-11-06T16:49:00.000-03:00

Just when you think that you have figured out what and where you want to live ...sometimes life throws a big change up in your direction.

I am presently an Atlanta girl. I love the pace of the city and the feel of the city. I grew up a mere 30 minutes away. Atlanta itself has gotten into my blood.

However, as much as I hate to admit it. Atlanta doesn't have much to offer as far as the field I have degree in. To top it off with, one friend after another has high tailed it out of here to the Big Apple. If you can make it there you can make it anywhere...right?

The quandry, in truth, does not exist. I have not recieved a job offer. I am not contemplating moving, as the financial resources are not available for a move. Besides, to live in a city with such a high cost of living without some type of job lead with my student loans coming due is totally insane. To top it off with, there is wedding planning in the works.

So I sit thus and enjoy my statis...and craft...

Interesting Find of the day!

2010-11-05T16:54:00.002-03:00

The interesting find of the day was discovered at shopgoodwill.com.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=6965972

Hallooo autographed Tom Selleck in all his glory.

Hurry up kids, bidding ends in 44 hours

The Blouse

2010-11-05T12:41:00.001-03:00

You know what's better than buying a new shirt? Putting on one that you haven't worn in quite a while because it was too tight...and realizing that it fits.

I had reached into my coat closet intending to grab a dress of the same color to put into the summer storage box, when I found my hand grasping a light fuschia blouse. Said blouse had been my once favorite shirt until stress weight gained during art school relegated it to a more distant part of the closet. At first I didn't want to try it on, for fear of disappointing myself. Sure enough, however it fit!

I must make a small confession to you....I don't diet. I hate the word, connotations, everything. "Diet" means to me, another way that we are forced to conform to some ideal. It means "Just lettuce and dressing on the side" or "No I can't eat your handmade birthday cake, and if I do I'll feel guilty for a week". What I do believe in is healthy life choices. I've been running, watching my portions, cutting out junk food, eating lots of fruits and veggies, drinking more water, and tracking online at a free tracking site. Needless to say, that is how my fuschia blouse will now be in regular rotation.

Laziness of My Life

2008-09-01T19:55:00.002-03:00

It takes a vacation to make you realize that apathy and lack of movement is the main contributor to the present state of my body. Constant walking, floating and general tent set-up movement have revealed to me how desperately out of shape I am.

Yet, I sit here late on a Saturday afternoon with the broken promises of gym time over an hour ago haunting me. My gym clothes beckon me from the neat corner of my room with the lure of the runner's high that I always enjoy every time I go. My sweet commuter bike tempts me with a ride around in the sunshine of a pleasant day. Yet still I sit, in my lazy sleep clothes, willing myself to get out of my apartment and do SOMETHING, yet I cannot seem to tear my rear off the cushioned seat.

It has come to my attention that this very laziness is a sign that I am still a child. Which probably also explains the messiness that characterizes my apartment. Mid- twenties have hit, yet my living space oftentimes resembles the disaster of a teen aged boy's.

If ever I am to truly be a responsible adult I need to take myself up and conquer my lazy tendencies or I am never going to even come close to approaching the adult woman I wish to become.