Wake Up

You guys. This is so true. I read this blurb every morning on my walk to the subway and can't help but think that perhaps we all need to have a little more face to face human contact, no? I don't know about you, but it has become a reality that I learn about my friends' latest happenings via FB status updates or text message exchange. I'm reminded of the book Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. Before long we'll all be using "the Apparatus" to transmit instant credit ratings and evaluate one another's hotness factor from across the room.  Anyway, I highly recommend this novel and suggest you read it. On your Kindle. 

 

 (where is the love? PDA alert near the Williamsburg Bridge)

(Belated) Music Monday: Beirut - Elephant Gun

I'm one tired spice after Art vs. Craft on Saturday (which was AWESOME by the way.) I could barely bring myself to check Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr (do I have an SM problem?? Yikes) let alone find a song to get me through a Monday. But today. Today I'm back with a bit mo' energy. And who better than Beirut to get me through this week. They'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow night but sadly I won't be heading that way.  It's so tempting but instead I'll just spend hours on Youtube watching their videos. What else would I be doing on a Wednesday evening?

Field Candy

We've got a problem. I'm already dreaming of summer and it's not even December yet. How will I handle the next six months? Maybe by pitching one of these bad boys in my living room and roasting some marshmallows in my fireplace? Yeah, that sounds like a grand plan.

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Fashion Friday: Ulyana Sergeenko

Autumn/winter 2011-12 collection from Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko.

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Mary Button Durell

Lovely paper sculptures by Mary Button Durrell found via Honestly WTF. Can you guess which one is my favorite? Actually, you probably can't because I really do love them all. Check out her site for even more pieces. 

Images via Honestly WTF and MBD web site

Mike's Hot Honey

My recent obsession: Mike's Hot Honey. I am devoting an entire blog post to this and no, this is not a paid endorsement. I don't know Mike either.

I first learned about this amazeballs condiment at Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint. This spicy honey pairs perfectly with a number of their pies, including the Anise and Anephew and the Porkpie. I always order the honey on the side for extra dipping and pouring action. Mike believes that "the eater is empowered by the condiment." So true.

I suggest you all check out this video from Food Curated to get the back story. Although I think your taste buds must experience this honey in real life. No amount of adjectives can convey the amazing-ness of this condiment. I think it would be perfect on turkey. I envision a spicy, salty, sweet juicy turkey bite on a pillowy buttermilk biscuit. It's a bit late notice, but everyone should bring a bottle (or two) to Thanksgiving festivities tomorrow.

Pour it on, friends.

Pretty PJs

Ok, so it may be getting to be that time of year when I wear roughly 17 layers to bed just to stay warm. So what. Nobody sees me. I don't need to look cute for anyone other than the monsters under my bed. And the dust bunnies.
If I needed to look cute I'd pick out one of these lovely ensembles to snooze in. Perfectly sweet and just a wee bit sexy.

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Music Monday: The Antlers cover The xx

Let's face it. The xx is one of the best bands to come out in the past few years. What? You don't agree with me? Something is wrong with you. Ok, that's a bit harsh. It's too early on a Monday morning for that much snarkiness. I'll wait until Tuesday.

For now, listen to this lovely cover of "VCR" by The Antlers. Their new album comes out Tuesday. Get it. If you want. I don't want to tell you what to do. Or what music to listen to. That would be rude. Also, I couldn't figure out how to just upload the track. So instead here's a video. Really it's just a photo of them. Staring at you while they sing this lovely song. Weird, I know. If you want to hear more xx covers, check this out.



Happy Monday! BN

Fashion Friday: Pendleton x Schwood

Cool video. Cool stunner shades.


Shwood for Pendleton |♢| Cascadian Collaborative from Shwood Eyewear on Vimeo. Find out more here.

TREND ALERT!

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Living in the fashion capital of the country allows me to spot new trends early in the game. In the past month I've noticed hip, chatty people strolling down the sidewalk while using the YUBZ retro handset. Personally, I think it's a tacky trend on par with UGGS and zanybands, but who am I to judge.

If GP is a fan, they must be cool, right? Also, I noticed this photo is from 2008, so maybe I am behind in my trend-spotting.
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Let's Go Here: Cielito

I want to open a coffee shop like this in Madison. Look at this place! Look at the packaging! I would live here. Srsly.

There are 15 Cielito cafes in Mexico City and let me tell you, they look so much cooler than the bazillion Starbucks all over the world combines. The packaging and branding was done by Cadena+Asoc. Branding. They killed it.

 

I'd consider this Latin American folk + neo-retro + modern. Overall it equals pure awesome. Book me a ticket to Mexico City so I can see these babies in person.

All images via Lovely Package

 

I'd Like to Live Here

I don't remember how I entertained myself on the ride into work before I had my "fancy fone." I refuse to call it a smart phone and fancy fone sounds so much more...fun. But I digress...

ANYWAY, I need to entertain myself for about 25 minutes so it's the perfect time to peruse the various blogs I read, check Twitter and all that other jazz. Sometimes I come across something so fabulous I need to email it to myself to stare at it later on my humongo computer screen (you know, when I get into work and need to look at pretty photos whilst I drink my morning coffee).

This is one of those images. I love this room. I'd gladly live here if you'd let me.

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Also, if you haven't checked out Anchor Division you should. I mean, you do like looking at great photos of stylish and ruggedly handsome men, don't you? Or, here's what they say about their blog: Men's Wear, Vintage Inspiration, with a hint of Architecture, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and all types of Art and Design. Hmmm...I guess since they're geared towards men they don't focus on the rugged and handsome part. Oh well.

¡Tortillas!

I am not sure what inspired my recent obsession with tortillas. Maybe it's Beth's constant consumption of quesa-deeeas, or my food blog infatuation. I mean, after looking at this post, how could you not crave a tasty carnitas treat? Oh, this one is pretty good too. If the Canal House makes their own homemade tortillas, you can too! I started my tortilla adventure by perusing a very useful cookbook by Karen Solomon: can it, bottle it, smoke it. This book includes recipes for important items I know you've been dying to try at home, like corn dogs, margarita popsicles, and english muffins.

Traditionally tortillas are made by curing maize in lime water to remove the corn kernel, then grinding and cooking. I was not in the mood for messing with calcium hydroxide, so I went the easy route. I headed to the Mexican grocery and soon returned with a giant bag of masa harina. A few hours later, the tortilla was mastered. I also picked up a few tomatillos for a quick salsa, and a few pounds of pork shoulder (aka pork butt, which confused me momentarily). The resulting meal was quite satisfactory. I highly suggest making your own tortillas. It's very easy (especially if you go the route I did with masa harina) even if you don't have a tortilla press, and you can use the excuse to practice Spanish phrases and dance around a smokey kitchen while drinking Mexican beer- olé

And there you have it kids. A post about corn.

Music Monday: Common - The Light

Another oldie, but goodie. The perfect start to your Monday. Enjoy.

(Belated) Fashion Friday: VDC for La Liane

Two of my favorite things - classic design and beautiful leather.

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Stephen Kenn

These furniture pieces by Stephen Kenn were posted on DesignSponge the other day and I just had to share. They are perfect in so many ways. I can just picture a few of these lovely little guys in my converted farmhouse or factory space...that I'll live in someday. I will. I. Will.

I really love the army green re-purposed material combined with the leather details. His furniture is both so unique and of-the-moment yet so classic. Army green and leather will never, ever go out of style. The color is a great neutral that a lot of people don't use in their homes but I think more people will consider it after seeing these beauties!

All images via stephenkenn.com