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Etc.

Current Obsessions

Sugar Skull necklace, Moon Raven Designs:

My husband bought this for me for Christmas and I wear it embarrassingly often. In my mind it goes with everything, it’s like the bacon version of accessories. Plus, people are oddly drawn to it (which can be uncomfortable, since it hangs between my little lady lumps) so it’s a conversation starter. Or conversation stopper, since this has happened on more than a few occasions:

Other person: “So, I was telling you about that thing….WAIT! What is that?!” as they grab at my chest.   (Thinking this over, I seem to like near strangers hastily groping me, I may have a problem)

 Skull Necklace

 

10 Cane Rum:

My husband is slightly convinced that rum is the new craft beer. I’m not as easily swayed from my devotion to craft beer, but I will be one of the last to know if beer is no longer “cool,” like those 1980’s Hair Metal hold-outs that were still rockin' the zebra spandex and Aqua Net when everyone else had move on to flannel shirts tie around the waist of their distressed levis. This will be me with my beer, even if everyone else has move on to rum. I’m rambling, back to the rum. This is craft rum, it has incredible depth and flavors that did remind me of the difference between Coors Light and Russian River’s Pliny (Cliff’s Notes for non beer drinkers: Coors=boring, Pliny=awesome).  I also learned from this Cocktail King, that the real, original, daiquiri was just sugar, lime juice, and some rum (he recommended trying it with brown sugar). That sounds amazing and completely unlike the bastardized spring break strawberry Slurpee version of a daiquiri that I’m used to.

10 cane rum

 

Marble Pastry Board, Sur La Table:

I have hideous countertops. But I live with my horrid kitchen because one wall of my kitchen is floor to celling windows. When the sight of my grotesquely mismatched kitchen starts to get me down, I just look out the windows, and I feel better. It helps, momentarily. Other than periodic bouts with tile related depression, the awful counters pose two, more practical problems: dough rolling and photography. I can’t bring myself to ever post a picture with that horrid tile as a backdrop, (I would hear a collective, “MY EYES, MY EYES!!” for everyone who had to suffer the sight of said tile) nor is dough rolling an option on that surface. Answer: Marble Pastry Board for Sur La Table. First, it almost convinces me that I have marble counters when I look at the process photos, like these ones, but it also makes a fantastic dough-rolling surface, and the BEST part is it’s only $39! The same one at William Sonoma is about $130 (which, to be honest seems a fair price for that much marble. The Sur La Table version is shockingly inexpensive). I also have the matching marble rolling pin, which was only about $24 and I love it. Such a great set, and a great gift if you have a dough rolling fool in your life.

Sur La Table Pastry Board

 

Drink Specific Glassware:

Crate and Barrel has a great set of specialty beer glass, which of course, I love. I also love these Old Fashion Rocks Glasses from Sur La Table and the bee glasses from World Market. We have three floating shelves of specialty glassware on the wall in our dining room, if there is an earthquake, we’re screwed.

 

Eagle Rock Populist with Beer Mug

Current Obsessions

Lovely Things:

  • Naked 2 Palate.  I’ve had this since November, it was a birthday present from my awesome sister, and I haven’t strayed from it. It’s perfect. Unlike those other palates that have three great colors, two OK colors and about 5 what the heck where they thinking? colors, these are all winners (seriously, I’ve used everyone). It’s pricey but worth it.
naked 2 eyeshadows
  • Iwatani Kitchen Torch. This thing will take your eyebrows off. It’s insanely powerful for something so small. I use to have this one, which cost more and had half the power. It also broke after just a year (there is a chance I’m really clumsy and that may have been that cause of said breakage). Unlike the other one, the Iwantani feels and acts like a pro tool, it means business. You do have to buy their propane canisters but those are fairly cheap. You also just attach the torch to the canister, which I massively prefer, rather than struggle to fill the torch with propane.

Iwatani Kitchen Torch

  • Quick Defense. This stuff works. I’m like a canary in a coal mine, I’m always the first to drop. If something is going around, I always get it. For the past two winters, I’ve taken this stuff if I even hear of anyone (anywhere) getting a cold, and I’ve been sickness free for two years! I now buy this in bulk. (p.s. I totally should have told you about this before flu season, don’t hate me)

Quick-Defense

  • This crazy indestructible GIR spatula. I got an email from the GIR PR representative asking if I wanted one. I almost always say no to these emails, but I was intrigued. I’ve had this thing for 4 months and I’ve made caramel, marinara, homemade ketchup and nothing has stained or stuck to my light blue version of this spatula. I’ve also accidently left it on a live burner, and it didn’t melt or even discolor (as mentioned before, I’m clumsy. I’m also really hard on all of my belongings, I break everything, I’m like a toddler). It still looks factory new. If they made wine glasses, I’d buy a case. Speaking of which, I broke another one last night (I suck).

GIR Ultimate Spatula

  • Picture Porefect. More pores are huge. You could hide Ann Frank in my pores (gross). I’ve tried so many products to reduce the hideousness of my manholes (I mean pores) and nothing has made one bit of difference. I even bought this stuff in a small .3 ounce trial size because I was so skeptical about it’s magical powers (also, the name is ridiculous), but I am now fully convinced and have upgraded to the full sized version. After three weeks my pores look noticeably smaller, like actually normal people sized pores.

porefect

  • Shishito Peppers! My favorite right now. If you can find these at at farmers market or a japanese market, grab them. Just toss them in a hot skillet with a few tbs sesame oil until they blister, put them on a plate and sprinkle them with some flakey sea salt. SO great. Perfect appetizer or afternoon snack. Even better than potato chips, and so much healthier.

Shishito-Peppers-3

A Moment of Silence, A Day of Remembrance

I am one of the many craft, cooking, lifestyle and DIY bloggers who had posts to share with you today, but the events of Friday's shooting in Connecticut have left us heartbroken. Like you, we cried as news reports poured in and wondered out loud about how something so cruel could hurt the most innocent and tender. We not only grieved for the lives lost and wounded, but for that part of the magic and wonder of this holiday season that was taken from us all.  We know that no words, no gifts, no acts of service will ever take away the pain, but we, as bloggers and parents collectively, want those affected by this to know how close to our hearts they are:   We love you. We pray for you. We're so heartbroken for your loss.  To honor the memory of lives cut short, we choose to step away from our blogs and computers today to celebrate the gift of life and those we love most: our children, families, good friends and community. We're holding our kids a little closer, reaching out to neighbors and giving thanks for the moments we have together.  Thank you for stopping by today. We hope you'll join us in remembering, praying, and gathering close. We wish you and your families a safe and blessed holiday.

Today is dedicated to these children, teachers and their families:

Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06
– Daniel Barden, 9/25/05
– Rachel Davino, 7/17/83
– Olivia Engel, 7/18/06
– Josephine Gay, 12/11/05
– Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06
– Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06
– Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65
– Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06
– Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06
– Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05
– Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06
– James Mattioli , 3/22/06
– Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05
– Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60
– Emilie Parker, 5/12/06
– Jack Pinto, 5/06/06
– Noah Pozner, 11/20/06
– Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06
– Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06
– Avielle Richman, 10/17/06
– Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982
– Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56
– Victoria Soto, 11/04/85
– Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06
– Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06

Ways to give financially:
Buy a fine art print from Jeremy Collins to help parents with funeral costs. {Click Here}
A fund for victims families has been set up at by The United Way. {Click Here}