Shoe Party

That's right-I went to a SHOE party last night! I have heard of such parties before, (mostly JEANS parties. that's just as good.) but I hadn't actually been to one before. A couple of friends and I found ourselves at a quite charming little apartment, with a central display of shoes to look at and try on. Size 9? Done. The hostess would grab my shoe, disappear for a minute to some unknown inventory somewhere and reappear with the size. They had little stocking booties too. How thoughtful. And the best part-no shoe was over $20! I got two. I'm wearing my new black pinstripe flats right now. I've needed some simple black shoes for a while now. I also got these:



Another pair I have been on the lookout for because of the impending cold weather. And because they're cute.

India

I saw these beautiful pictures on the thunderedcat blog today. What a story to tell! I would love to say that I am cultured enough to have visited India already in my life, but alas, I cannot. It's a good thing I am still young.

Meadowmere Lane

I saw this website this morning. I would love to have a big bag like this to carry my laptop, etc in. But I can never seem to find a cute one that I'm willing to spend money on. I like this one though.

I want to learn!

I love Nigella Lawson. She has such charm! Maybe if I get this book (a book that I want anyway) and read it cover to cover, I can be just like her! Or at least maybe the goddess part. I don't think that's too much to ask...

blue brown

I like this jewelry.

Why did I not know about this before?!

Click here.

Fine Little Day

Saw this cute little blog-and I wanted to share.

Butterfly Lovers

Inhuman. Absolutely inhuman.

Figs and Ginger

I just adore this jewelry. I might have posted about it before...but that's probably because I love it! I just think it's so organic and different.

Gelsey Kirkland

By far one of the most beautiful dance images I've ever seen. It captures the heart and soul of ballet, not just the physical attributes.



Gelsey Kirkland was a prima ballerina who danced regularly with Mikhail Baryshnikov back in the late 60's and into the 70's. She was a turmoiled girl and woman in her life, but you would never guess by her dancing. She was beautiful. She fought drug addictions and was even fired from ABT (American Ballet Theater). But, she ended up coming back, and now teaches in New York. What a story. Read some of it here and here.

Bella Muse

I found this website about a year ago while looking for something else. I love her artwork.

I think I like....this one.

I think I could have this be one of my near-future purchases.

Sprinkles, you can sprinkle on me

What is it with my likeness to cupcakes? They're just little pieces of a big cake. Maybe I like things to be miniature. In that case, Sprinkles is the place for me. Maybe it's the colors? I like that too. With this store they tell you what day they will make their flavors (mocha, lemon, and chai, oh my! just to name a few) so it's fresh. They even have doggie apparel. You can find some mixes at Williams & Sonoma too, for those of us who don't live in the LA area.

PS. I ADORE the packaging. That's another reason.

Dance magazine

I need to get this month's issue of Dance magazine. Or better yet. I need a subscription.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

I wish I could throw someone a Mad Hatter Tea Party/bridal shower! And use these sweet invitations. I actually had a tea party bridal shower for my wedding and it was by far the girliest, and funnest thing I've ever been to. I wish this was my original idea!

Polka Dot cake plate

I finally found a polka dot cake plate. I don't know why I have been wanting one so badly, but I found it! It's perfect for a birthday party.

Jonathan Adler curiosities

I love these fun things from Jonathan Adler! How unique...

I love this assortment of wrapping papers from Papyrus.

If you ever have an inkling for something sweet

You can make these little felt patissierie items and have them all the time! It makes for some decoration, or some fun time ornament making for the holidays! (I love rickrack!)

Boots

I have been hearing so much about Boots; a skincare/cosmetics/bath and body line from Britain. I know they have some of this stuff at Target, but I haven't had a chance to check it out. If any of you know what it's like, let me know!

Horton Hears A Who

I just saw the trailer for "Horton Hears A Who". How darling! It doesn't come out until next spring, but it looks just adorable. I love Dr. Seuss.

The Burger King

Matt had a close encounter with a celebrity yesterday.



He looks just like the Burger King! With Jewish hair!


On the set of "Yankles"

A Yankle

Would you like to see a real life fake jewish man?



Mine's the one on the right.


Matt on the set of "Yankles"

MoMA

I was glancing through the Museum of Modern Art's catalog, and fell across this lovely bowl. I wonder how delicate it really is...It looks like it is paper thin.



Also, I think this desk would look just perfect in our mid-century modern living room that Matt has taken under his wing to put together.

DMV or DL

The DMV and driver license place is, yup, you guessed it, the worst place on earth.

meanwhile...

I may just have to settle on these types of "cakes". That might be easier for my amateur hands.

I'm scheduled

I did it. Over the weekend I signed up to take my first cake decorating class! yay for me. Why haven't I done this sooner...?



This is how I'm imagining my new found talent will turn out. Lots of parties, at cute places with, of course, several equally cute and adoring people will want to turn out to see and taste my latest creation...heh heh

Pinks Hollywood

Go to Pink's in Hollywood. Aside from a variety of cholesterol enhancing and delicious hot dogs, you will probably see someone famous. Seriously. And yes, they really look like that. Only bigger. And messier.

SuperBad

I'm off to the races tonight. That is, the "Hurry up and wait in line to see a movie on opening night" races.

Summer reads

I still have time...








Ok, so maybe I'm feeling a little ambitious?

Is it just me, or does this make you want to eat breakfast every morning in a sun-filled, white kitchen, and read the newspaper and forget everything for just a while...
how pleasant.

Peter Rabbit

I grew up with Peter Rabbit. I love it! It is by far one of the most nostalgic memories for me of my childhood. I will definitely continue the tradition with my own children. Did you know there is a movie that came out with Renee Zellweger and Ewen McGregor about Beatrix Potter? I didn't. I will have to watch it and see if it's any good...

Strawberry Cupcakes

love,
Martha


Ingredients

Makes 2 dozen

* 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 2 1/4 cups sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 cup milk
* 8 large egg whites
* Strawberry Meringue Buttercream
* 24 small fresh strawberries, washed (hulls intact), for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until just combined. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; set aside.
4. In the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on low speed until foamy. With mixer running, gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar; beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 4 minutes. Do not overbeat. Gently fold 1/3 of the egg-white mixture into the butter-flour mixture until combined. Gently fold in remaining egg-white mixture.
5. Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each with a heaping 1/4 cup batter. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the cupcakes are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack. Invert cupcakes onto rack; then reinvert and let cool completely, top sides up. Frost cupcakes with strawberry meringue buttercream, swirling to cover. Cupcakes may be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Garnish with strawberries just before serving.

La Creperie

Lately I have been having a hankering for crepes. So, in light of my craving, I decided to see what I could find on the internet that goes along with these French yum yums.

If you want to browse around a cute website, click here. And if you're lucky enough to live in Toronto, check it out and let me know!

There used to be this great crepe restaurant around here where I live, but of course they aren't around anymore. Don't people like crepes anymore?! This is how they used to do it. They'd make it huge, and put Nutella on it.



And if you'd like to make crepes, here's a recipe for basic crepes:

INGREDIENTS:

* 4 eggs
* 1 cup flour
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons melted butter

PREPARATION:
Measure all ingredients in to blender jar; blend for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides. Blend for 15 seconds more. Cover and let sit for 1 hour. (This helps the flour absorb more of the liquids.)

Regular Crepe Pan Directions:
Heat crepe pan. Lightly grease. Measure about 1/4 cup batter into pan. Tilt pan to spread batter. Once crepe has lots of little bubbles, loosen any edges with spatula. Flip crepe over. This side cooks quickly. Slide crepe from pan to plate.

Crepe Maker Cooking Directions

Makes 12-14 crepes

Delicieux!