Pavlova-Mania

Okay, I haven't actually gotten as far as making one, but I've been thinking about it for a long time. Specifically, since I started making ice cream and needed something to do with the egg whites. Other than throw them away, which is what I've *been* doing. But only after assiduously putting them in an airtight container in the fridge with the intention of making Pavlova out of them, and then leaving them there for weeks (or months, if we're being honest).

I think you're missing the point. Maybe I've never made one. Or eaten one (again, with the honesty!) But pavlovas are awesome. They're going to be big. And crusty. With a marshmallowey center.

The Long Da Svidaniya

I've never been all that fascinated with Russia. The literature's depressing, it's cold, and the cuisine seems to be fairly meat-centric. But lately Russia seems to be popping up everywhere. Russian poetry to be exact. I don't know what that means, but thought I'd say it now so that later I can say "я сказал вас так." And, hey, it turns out that Russian poetry, unlike Russian novels (shudder), is pretty darn good.

Oh, and you should definitely get a copy of Regina Spektor's Begin to Hope immediately. Unless you hate innovative, catchy, good music by a talented singer-songwriter. In which case... you shouldn't.

www.amazon.com, $13.99

Now that I can do the I-told-you-so dance (which involves a lot of hip shaking and some jumping about from foot to foot) about the whole lemon thing (exhibit a: July's House Beautiful, exhibit b: the new Bigelow lip gloss at Bath and Body Works) the question is...what next? In a word, lychee. I had never eaten fresh lychees until my recent trip to Thailand, but I did my best to make up for lost time. And now I've discovered a source IN GREENSBORO. That's right, it's the fabulous, fantastic Super Mart. Yay!

Lychees, however, will not be featured at the family Thanksgiving. I don't think my family is ready for that.

Super Super Mart

For some people, grocery shopping is a chore, but I love it. I love the brightly colored stacks of produce, the obscure condiments, the olive bar, and most of all, the inherent potential in all those choices. Yesterday, I found my Mecca -- a grocery store specializing in Asian and Latin ingredients, and not just a cramped little corner store, but a huge store full of stuff I had never even seen. Even better, full of stuff I *had* seen and hadn't been able to find in the U.S. The next time you're in little old Greensboro, NC, check out the Super Mart at Fanta City on West Market Street. Some of the treasures I found included: Kirin Afternoon Tea (Japan, something for which I've been searching for a decade), guarana (Brazil), S & B Golden Curry Sauce (Japan), fresh lychees (Southeast Asia), and G7 3 in 1 coffee (Vietnam, pictured left).

Favorite Products

Between the economy and the election, I think we could all use a little dose of frivolity. And make-up. Hence, the list of all time favorites -- the few things I have found myself purchasing more than once being the fickle cosmetics junkie that I am, always on the look out for the next great thing.

Speaking of the economy, the first item on the list is an absolute bargain. Wet N Wild lipliner #666 (I know!) at your local drugstore for 99 cents. That's right, less than a dollar and it looks good on virtually everyone. You can wear it with a variety of lipstick colors if you not only line but fill in your lips with it because the color is close to that of a natural lip tone, and filling in with a lip liner will make your lipstick last longer.

You Won't Find National Treasure 3 Here

I don't *technically* own a DVD player, so maybe I shouldn't be writing this, but several months ago I found a very cool site, GreenCine, Netflix for those who are too cool for Netflix. Sure, Netflix used to be cool -- before everyone had tried it. Now, there's an online movie rental company for those who have tired of Netflix and/or given up on mainstream cinema. Perks include obscure movies not available on Netflix, member lists and interesting articles if you're looking for a rental inspiration, and a wittily written FAQ page. Witness:

" Green Halo
Some members have green boxes around their icon in the message boards. The green "halo" denotes a GreenCine staff member, who has stepped out of lurking mode to respond to a message. Note: In real life, GreenCine employees don't actually have a green box around them. This would be very cumbersome and make getting around rather difficult. They do, however, faintly resemble their icon pictures."

www.greencine.com

Crema de la Crema

I know it's getting a little cold for this (okay, I started writing this post five months ago), but since the beginning of the summer, homemade ice cream has been my latest obsession (second only to the Blackberry, and now, Facebook). I've made two flavors -- caramelized banana-cardamom and orange dulce de leche. I've read a lot of recipes, articles about ice cream makers, and have fantasized about the various obscure concoctions I could create. Of course, I won't be making vanilla. The more unusual the flavor, the better. Avocado, check. Muhallabia, courtesy of the Moosewood Cookbook, check. The White Mountain electric ice cream maker I picked up at a yard sale two years ago has churned up amazingly creamy stuff. It's ridiculously loud and somewhat messy, but for five bucks, it was a pretty good deal. The dulce de leche, which I made last weekend, had my dad and brother planning a new career in artisanal ice cream for me.

If you, too, would like to join in the ice cream obsession, here's an interesting article to get you started: http://www.slate.com/id/2121378/

The Quest

I'm currently having a nail polish crisis. That is, if such a thing exists. Perhaps, considering the AIDS epidemic in Africa, flooding in Bangladesh, and the current state of the U.S. economy, it's a minor detail. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it.

As usual, I have concocted the ideal in my mind, and now find that it doesn't seem to exist. A deep but true red, with a red and gold metallic shimmer to it. Not cranberry, not burgundy, but somewhere in between. Super shiny. Sort of like the finish on a car.

That's what I want. What have I found? Black and eggplant. OPI's Midnight in Moscow and Royal Raja Ruby, respectively. Okay, on that last one, I might have been unduly influenced by the name. But in my defense, the description is "jeweled burgundy."

Next up, Bastille My Heart.
www.ulta.com, $

Leave a Kiss but in the Cup

It looks like I'm on a food and wine kick, probably because I'm dog sitting, and the house where I'm staying has yielded my latest reading material -- back issues of Food and Wine.

There's something to be said for the random selection of a bottle at the grocery store. Although I don't recommend picking it because you like the bottle (it took the incident of the infamous fish bottle wine to bring that chapter of my life to a close) but on occasion, you luck out. And that's how I found this wine. At least, that's how I remember it. The truth is, it's been a long time since I discovered it, and I've been holding out on you so that I have an unusual and delicious option to bring to parties and impress everyone with my wine savvy. But now the secret's out. It's good enough to make a wine drinker out of you if you aren't one now.

Here's a link to an article about the wine:

www.boxwines.org
$6, at your local wine shop

An Apple by Any Other Name

After years of eating nothing but Granny Smiths because every other kind of apple seemed to have a mealy texture by the time it got to the grocery store, I've discovered a new favorite -- the Honeycrisp. If you haven't had one of these, try it the next time you find them at the store. They're sweet but very crisp. Hmmm...maybe that's why they're called Honeycrisp. According to the research I've done, they have a long shelf life as well, but as delicious as they are, they won't hang around in my fruitbowl long enough to find out.

The Flavor That You Savor

I don't know about the peach gnocchi currently featured on www.101cookbooks.com , but I do know that for the past several months, the idea of mixing up savory/sweet foods has been very appealing. Most recently, I made a curried apple couscous, which was quite good, and a basil infused lemonade, which was even better. In fact, I have an idea those curried apples will reappear sometime in the form of a tart. More on that later.

Basil Lemonade picture courtesy of shewhoeats.blogspot.com

The Canadian Bob Dylan

I've been in love with Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" for a long time, but maybe it's time to give Leonard Cohen a shot as more than a songwriter. His later stuff seems a little over-produced, but Songs of Leonard Cohen, his first album, sounds promising (according to the oh-too-brief Amazon samples I heard).


I guess he can't help being born Canadian.


Songs of Leonard Cohen, $10.99
www.amazon.com

Living on the Edge

Despite the fact that I can't shop right now (due to the new car, and more concisely, the new car payment), I can't resist the delicious torture of browsing through all the high heels on www.gojane.com. How they manufacture such cuteness for under thirty bucks...well, let's not think about that. Just look at them. The leopard print buckle. The yellow patent pump. The peep toes. The platforms.

Sigh.

Crocodile Peep Toe Platform, $21.99
www.gojane.com

Dream On

Why can't all clothes be this cute?

And fair trade.

And affordable.

For me.

Radiant Receptionist Dress, $87.99
www.modcloth.com

A Holiday of Infinite Jest

Although Halloween has the added attraction of costumes, the Day of the Dead is pretty cool, too. Sure, there's been an overabundance of pseudo-punk, cutesy skull products floating around this year, but you have to love the sheer over-the-topness of this one. Plus, it's fair trade.

Two years ago, I tried to feature some of Tu Pueblo's products in my store, but I don't think the southern ladies who lunch are ready for the Day of the Dead. Are you?

Frida Skull Wall Hanging, $65
www.tupuebloimports.com

Sponge Worthy

Necklaces have been the thing all summer. Now that we'll be wearing scarves -- it's getting cold, you know, and by "cold" I mean below seventy degrees -- there's no room, really. So, let's see some fabulous earrings and maybe even a ring or two. Or three. I'm feeling a return to rings...more on that later.

For now, fabulous earrings, courtesy of a newly discovered site, shopcatchingfireflies.com

earrings, $14
www.shopcatchingfireflies.com

Don't Moc Me

I'll admit it. I'm obsessed with my car: with its cuteness, its convertibleness, and especially with being able to drive it. Let's pretend that I *am* a badass stick-shifting driver, and in that dream, let's pretend that these are the shoes I'm wearing. Never mind the fact that they cost twice my monthly car payment. Because you can't drive in platforms.

www.neimanmarcus.com
$425

Because You're Not Really Living

I find this picture slightly hilarious (is that possible? I mean, if something's hilarious, it's hilarious; otherwise, it's just funny), but wanted to make sure the public has been thoroughly educated about tying scarves in the proper manner. That's because everyone should immediately ditch his/her sedan (if you're a "his" and you're reading this, please *don't* wear The Kelly). Ditch the sedan and (drumroll) get a convertible.

Seriously.
www.cars.com

Do Good, Feel Good

I promise I'll never post a picture of a dead baby seal choked on a plastic bag. (You're welcome). That being said, I do reserve the right to remind everyone that plastic bags are evil. Also, all the cool kids are using totes.

Here's your chance to spread the tote-usage in a nice, non-preachy, non-dead-baby-seal way. Have a party, sew some totes, and hand them out to the unwashed masses.

You'll find all the instructions you need, inspiration, etc. at www.morsbags.com.

But Don't Drink the Water

On my recent trip to Southeast Asia (doesn't that sound totally obnoxious?) I had fresh lychees for the first time. Seeing the canned version packed in syrup was never tempting, but fresh...well, they're amazing. I think it virtually impossible to describe a fruit to someone who's never tasted it, so just take my word for it and look for them at your nearest Asian market. You'll be glad you did.

Train Up A Child

In the past year, I've discovered the joys of Amtrak. No, not the sitting around in a slightly scummy waiting area or the fact that the train is inevitably running late. I'm talking about the comfortable seats (comparatively speaking), the interesting conversations you overhear, and the fact that you can read the whole time because you're not having to drive. There's also the smug feeling you get for being "green" by saving gas. With the cost of fuel near four dollars a gallon, you might even be saving money.

Check it out.
www.amtrak.com

Not Soylent

This is one of my favorite cleaning products. In fact, almost the only cleaning product I use. You can buy it in a big, concentrated bottle for $9, clean virtually everything with it, and it lasts forever. Plus, it's non-toxic and biodegradable. What's not to like? It works well for everything but glass (a little streaky, as much as I hate to admit it). I've used it to clean tile, carpet, bathtubs, sinks, stoves, laundry, and on occasion, to kill ants. So, if you have skunk spray or a dirty engine, pick up a bottle. That's per their website, by the way.

$9.58, www.lowes.com

You're Going to be Seeing a Lot of These

Just Vase It

If my budget for mantel-dressing were unlimited (or even slightly higher), these would be my next purchase. I know they would look absolutely fabulous against my brown walls.

www.wingardhome.com, $40 - $48

Staples

This looks like a promising t-shirt, even if it does only come in a few colors (black, white, pink, & blue). One in white, one in black...and the fair trade wardrobe continues...

www.districtcotton.com, $15

Tie Me to the Moon

The search for cute fair trade clothing is enough to make me want to start my own business. Well, almost enough. A helpful website is www.coopamerica.org which lists ratings and information about mainstream companies, as well as links to sites that feature fair trade, organic, etc. type products. That's where I found a link to Avatar Imports, a fair trade clothing line made in Kathmandu. Very reasonable prices and some cute stuff, if you're willing to wade through the neo-hippie pieces that seem to be the mainstay of fair trade designs. Seriously, people -- enough with the tie dye!

www.avatarimports.net, $32

She Had to Wear Something Under Her Robes

Next on the shopping agenda, a fair trade camisole from Maggie's Organics. Or maybe a couple. (See previous post, i.e., not Mother Teresa). I'm thinking black and teal. And maybe plum...

www.maggiesorganics.com, $15

It's Only Fair

Working at a fair trade store and learning about the plight (yes, I said plight) of workers in developing countries will absolutely ruin you for shopping at all the places I used to buy clothes and shoes. With a non-profit employee's salary, what to do? Basically, I haven't bought anything new for my wardrobe in quite a while, and I'm starting to feel a little frumpy. Okay, I know I don't *need* anything, and Mother Teresa only had two pairs of shoes, but Mother Teresa I am not. So, yesterday I decided that it must be possible to be stylish, socially, and fiscally responsible simultaneously.

The options seem to be fair trade and vintage (or just plain Goodwill). My first purchase was this dress from Fair Indigo. A classic, work appropriate, fair trade, and on sale! Take that, Target!

www.fairindigo.com, $24

Some Prefer Treacle

It's too late to get an off-beat card for Mother's Day. You'll have to settle for something from Hallmark, or the grocery store (you slacker!). But you can always get this one for Dad...www.uncookedlandthestore.com, $2.50.

National Treasury

This isn't really me, exactly, but I think it's cool. A little too modern for my taste. The blossom print in the frame is actually a piece of Japanese money. In looking at all the necklace options (and there are quite a few) I had to lament the fact that our own money is so incredibly boring. Very Puritan of us, I think. www.blendcreations.com, $83

You Can Pick Your Friends and Now...

You can pick your nose.

I'm not sure what the perfect occasion would be for nose cups, but there must be one.


www.perpetualkid.com
$7.49

Sack It to Me

This year instead of just trying to break your bad habits, what about picking up some new good habits? Here's one to pick up - literally. Worldwide, we use over one million plastic bags per minute. You didn't read that wrong. One million per minute. The average American family takes home 1500 plastic bags per year. Sea turtles aside, wouldn't you like to keep them from piling up in that closet? Here's a simple, stylish, and inexpensive solution. Buy a pack of five for $37.95 and keep them in your glove box so you'll always have a few on hand.



usa.envirosax.com, $8.50

Pineapple Teapots And So Forth

It seems inevitable with the current trend towards all things naturalistic in home decor that majolica will experience a revival. Much of it straddles that fine line between fascinatingly ornate and over-the-top tacky, but some things are just beautiful, like these tiles (which can be found on Ebay), and the work of contemporary artist Christine Viennet. Equally as fascinating and over-the-top is the story of the man who invented majolica, Bernard Palissy. Check out an abbreviated version at Wikipedia.

Kawaii, Desu Ne?

This is the best of Japanese cuteness. In addition to inventing miso soup, they have the happiest cartoon characters and the most creative use of English. All yours for the price of a handkerchief.

Sakura's Happy Box (Ebay store)
From $2.00

Madmartigan and Again

Is it just me or is Val Kilmer due for a comeback? I mean, I haven't actually seen him in anything for about 500 years, nor is there any particular reason I should be anticipating his comeback...let's just say it's my intuition.

The First (Paper)cut is the Deepest

Singing: I know someone who's going to want this!

www.alittlehut.com, $30

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Marilyn-d Me Your Ears

If you're going to get on board the red lipstick trend, you need a few things, the first being the right red. Here's one that would flatter a lot of people; I won't say everyone because anyone who says one color will flatter everyone is just a big, fat liar and probably trying to sell said color. And I should know. Ahem. So...try Smashbox Lavish -- described on the website as a "cherry red," it's bright and more orange than blue, which is more flattering on most people. Better for making your teeth look white, not as harsh against your skin tone. Pair it with a strong brown/gold eye for the au courant look stolen straight out of the nineties, or if you're not ready for that, a tiny bit of black liner. The other things you'll need for wearing red lipstick are time -- slap it on and you'll look like a clown -- and confidence, because baby, you will get noticed.

www.sephora.com, $22

Water(bottles), Water(bottles) Everywhere

The debate about the dangers of plastic water bottles continues. Whether you believe them or not, it's obviously better for the environment to reuse the same bottle than to empty several a day. Plus, this one's really pretty, and not made by exploited workers in developing countries. (It's made by exploited workers in Switzerland). If you're not up for a flamboyant, purple water bottle, check out the more unobtrusive stainless bottles also available on the site.

www.isabellacatalog.com, $24.95

Rotten Denmark!

Darn those smarmy Europeans for keeping all the good stuff for themselves! First, the Euro beats the U.S. dollar, and now this -- a gorgeous porcelain ring unavailable to those of us outside of Denmark! If only the prodigious use of exclamation points could guarantee finding one on Ebay!
I mean...!!!

www.casalinga.dk

I'll Take Them (Out)

I can't say much about these earrings that they don't say for themselves.

www.etsy.com
$4