Christmas Essentials Wish List

November 30, 2010

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's officially time for Christmas! This is my necessities wishlist--things I will definitely end up buying for myself once the year turns.

1. Moleskine Address Book
2. Moleskine Weekly Planner
3. Moleskine Cahier Journals
4. Vans Authentics in True White 7
5. Microplane Grater
6. Spoonulas and spatulas
7. Jade Elite mat in midnight blue
8. Prada leopard haircalf sandals 37
9. A Christmas miracle

Alright, maybe I don't need the Prada sandals.. but I definitely need that miracle.

Blast



May 2007, a bunch of us just spur-of-the-moment decided to go camping. Hannah, Kyle, Jeff, Pete, and me. We packed into Pete's car and drove to Prettyboy in the middle of the night. We set up blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows (no tents.. no food..) and slept under the stars. I'm not really sure what happened that night (not because I was wasted, though this whole adventure was probably thought up by alcohol, but because I have the worst memory in the history of memories). The only thing I remember is waking up in the early morning to, what sounded like, a rabbit thumping (like Thumper!). It turns out it was just an early morning jogger. I remember thinking how weird he must've thought it was to see 5 kids passed out in the middle of a trail.

Get Him to the Greek

2010



My brother likes to get me silly movies for my birthday, and this year was Get Him to the Greek. I finally got around to it after Thanksgiving with the Dude's family. All The Dude could say was, "Why is this movie so weird?"

I like that I can enjoy Judy Garland one night, a film by François Truffaut another night, and then do something like this the next. Andd maybe add a little James Bond into the mix, too.

Farmer's market finds

November 29, 2010

Apple cider, milk, eggnog, kale, broccoli, arugula, eggs and a whole wheat loaf.



The farmer's market Sunday morning was sparce. I guess everyone was taking the Thanksgiving Sunday off. Luckily, the milk and eggs people were still around, though I was counting on the mushroom stand this week and they weren't there :(

I've been a little uninspired in terms of cooking. All I seem to want is pasta, salads, fruits, and cheese. However, I am looking for a great winter salad recipe that I can munch on. Fennel, purple cauliflower, lemon-dijon vinaigrette.. something like that.

Good shopping, bad Chinese

My weekend was spent at the mall on Black Friday--not as bad of an experience as I thought it'd be. I got lucky and found parking right away, right in front of the Nordstroms entrance. I didn't intend to go for the Black Friday sale and sadly, didn't come out with any smashing purchases, but I did get a slew of things that have been on my to-buy list for a while. All the shopping made me incredibly tired so The Dude and I decided to order Chinese. I know how bad the Chinese food is around here but when I want it, I want it. For four years I've known but time and time again, I order from Paul Chen. Aside from the bad Chinese food, my Friday night was spent watching DVD's, reading the new Vogue, and eating (literally) bad Chinese (as opposed to good bad Chinese).

The Dude and I went to Hamilton Tavern Saturday night with a couple friends for burgers, but I ended up getting the braised pork. Cider braised with caramelized cabbage & onions, potato pancake and a pear chutney. The pork was a teensy bit dry, but the accompaniments were soo yummy.

A lot of the weekend was lounging around and doing some reading. Nothing too serious. Laundry. Baking. Coffee. Yoga. The usual.

A Star is Born

1954

Happy Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010

Have a great weekend and eat tons of yummy food! Spend time with your family as mine are spending that time without me :( But I have The Dude's family which is second best. Don't forget Gentei's Black Friday sale tomorrow and get things for cheap!

I am thankful for the decisions I am allowed to make because I have such a supportive family.

Noir et Blanc













Pumpkin Cookies



More cake-like than crispy-chewy cookie, but they're still delicious for a last minute Thanksgiving favor. They're the perfect bit of pumpkin flavor and not too sweet so you're not dying after eating all of that turkey.

Potato and leek soup

November 24, 2010

*vegan



Hearty, full of flavor, and easy to make! I puree it, but you can leave it chunky if you like a little bit of texture.

Where, oh where, is my December Vogue?

Where, oh where, could it be??~

Odd

RIP iPhin No. 4

November 23, 2010

Smushed

Modern Art



Craig Damraur

Farmer's market finds

November 22, 2010

Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, baby arugula, buttermilk, eggnog, skim milk, apple cider, eggs, broccoli, green onions, multigrain baguette, and grapefruits.

This week I'm definitely going to do a butternut sweet pot soup. I've been doing sandwiches lately so maybe I can show you my favorite combo of bread and veg. Then for Turkey day I'm contributing a corn pudding and The Best cheddar scallion biscuits.

Book idea

On the train ride back from New Haven, I got to talking to some rando guy. He moved to talk to me and I instantly tried to think of a way to bring The Dude into the conversation, not because I felt guilty about flirting, I just didn't want him to think I was into him and ask for my number.

How many times has that happened? You're in a friendly conversation with a guy because you're a nice person and like talking to strangers. Then when you're about to part ways, the haunting, "Do you want to have lunch sometime? Can I have your number?"

I think there should be some kind of manual or book that suggests how to bring up your boyfriend (whether you have one or not) given any situation or conversation. Sometimes, I feel that I'm too concerned with that frightful question, but it has happened too many times so I'm always cautious. And it's awkward! I don't mind an awkward situation, I just feel bad for the poor guy. For all I know, this guy was just friendly and talkative, but sometimes I'd rather be safe than sorry, especially when we have 2 1/2 more hours on the train together.

I guess I could lie and make the conversation go,
"Yeah, I'm going down to DC to consult with some lawyers about finances."
"Oh yeah? My boyfriend is a lawyer.."

But I'm not a very good liar. Maybe I should not talk to boys because I can come off really strong and flirtatious. Can I help it if I like to smile and am interested in random conversation?

Bjork

New Haven, Connecticut

November 19, 2010



I woke up at 4:30 yester-morning to take a train to New Haven. Yale was having an open house that I wanted to visit so I skipped class (and an entire day) to make the trip. The 4 1/2 hour train ride up was not bad at all. I did a crossword puzzle and one sudoku puzzle. Though, it made me nauseous. I don't even know why I brought a book to read because if I read for long periods in moving vehicles (buses, cars, trains.. not airplanes) I feel queezy.

I got to New Haven and was starving. I did some research (food research) and wanted to go to this French restaurant for lunch, but they weren't going to be open for another half hour and I was starving. So I opted for a small cafe instead. The decor was terribly decked out in all Ikea furniture and oddly arranged, but they sandwich I got was so yummy! And the coffee was great. I was glad not to have to go to the Starbucks down the street.

I stayed on Chapel Street and visited the shops and read the menu's for the restaurants. I was surprised to see how all of the boutique's were really.. country. Or dated. The French restaurant looked beautiful, but some of the dress shops and jewelry stores seemed old. There was one boutique that was super chic. Tracy B. I wanted a few tops/dresses but didn't want to lug around a shopping bag my entire trip, and they were closed by the time I needed to leave. Although, seeing as they have a website, I might just call and ask for them. Everything is really basic and they don't have tops with applique's or bird silhouette cutouts or anything silly. She even has a few pieces made out of organic cotton.

After meandering the streets of Yale, visiting a couple museums and spending a few hours listening to people say how difficult it is to get into their program, it was already time for my train back to Baltimore. I stopped by a vegan/vegetarian spot called Claire's Corner Copia and got a quesadilla and smoothie to-go. There's another example of a cheesily decored restaurant. Like an old grandma owns it. The restaurant is organic and sustainable but I don't know how healthy some of the vegan or gluten-free options are. It's so easy to be vegan/gluten free and still eat complete doodoo. The quesadilla was a little salty but I'd definitely revisit that spot.

After an exhausting train-ride back, I got to Baltimore at 11:30pm and went straight to bed. New Haven is a little trashy (the way Baltimore is ghetto or the way Los Angeles is dirty), but it seemed alright. Since living in Baltimore (and the incident on Halloween), I have my guard up extremely high. I was talking to my brother and wondered what the crime rate in New Haven was. After trying to find some stuff out on the old iPhin, New Haven isn't even an option to look at stats.. so maybe I was being paranoid. After all, it is Yale.

Have a great weekend!

Black Friday at Shop Gentei



Wesley made the flier and I really pushed the turkey-hand idea.

Rawr

November 18, 2010

















Ahh Celine~

A Little Romance

1979

Ricotta pancakes

November 17, 2010



I try and do pancakes on Sundays for The Dude and I and this week I made ricotta pancakes. The recipe is from a Nigella book that I have but I add vanilla and chocolate chips per The Dude's request. Make this for someone you love. I.. love myself. So I make it for me all the time :)

The Dude is stoked on this website











They're images by Google Maps all around the world. Pretty wild yeah?

Angie

is on the Cover of Vogue's December issue <3