Well, what are y’all up to this Saturday? I’ve been wasting time on the computer….not good. So, I’m about to go get things done.
Before I go, here are two things I wanted to share with you.
The first is this little video about the “Keep Calm” posters and merchandise that you’ve probably seen everywhere. Jon got me a copy of the poster years ago and he actually bought it from the original shop in England. I love it and will continue to do so despite the poster being sort of despised in the design world. You know it’s so last year. Whatever. Those folks don’t know the history.
Also, I want to visit the book shop featured in this video. It looks amazing.
Secondly, there is a new singer that I want to share with y’all. Her name is Lynda Kay. She is sort of a throwback — you’ll see that first thing with her hairdo and makeup. But, I love her voice. If you like old country music….see what you think.
Warning: the song mentions drinking and the sometimes name of a female dog used as a present participle.
Okay I’m off to try to make banana bread with coconut oil. I hope it’s good.
Happy Saturday!
* Banana bread update: I tried this recipe that uses coconut oil. My boys liked it a lot. I can’t give my own opinion since I’m gluten-free but I did like the recipe because it came together quickly and used pantry staples and didn’t call for sour cream — I’ve got nothing against sour cream, of course, I was just out of it and didn’t want to go to the store. Next time I’m upping the cinnamon.
Today’s music is nice. It’s a sweet song off Josh Ritter’s newest album and is entitled “Love Will Find Its Way Back Home”. If you’ve not already seen it, please click on over and see the official video. It was made using over 10,000 pieces of construction paper.
I’m a hummus lover. Truly. Being the homemade gal that I am, though, I feel like I should be making my own. That, and I’d like to save dimes whenever possible. My reasoning is always that homemade is better — and cheaper. Turns out, though, with hummus and me that might not be the case. I’ve tried many a recipe — no winners, yet.
I wonder if this perhaps fits into the sandwich and salad category of something made not by you but *for* you is always better.
I don’t know.
I need help. So, before I throw up my hands and declare that I will never again use my food processor to puree chickpeas, do you have any good hummus recipes to point me to?
Well, hi y’all! I hope that you’ve had a good week. Mine has been weird — mostly because of the week being shortened. Example: I almost published this little roundup yesterday. So, you know, the Friday one on Thursday.
I promise that I’ve had my coffee.
Anyway, just a couple of things that I’ve liked this week….
Then, I really like the sound of this soup, Kale and Sweet Potato with Cumin and Lemon. It will probably not make the menu plan for everyone, but it might be my lunch for next week. Doesn’t it sound yummy?
This is conference week for most of my boys. The parents traditionally supply a few meals for the teachers during the week, and so I’ve made a few extra things. First, the always loved and dead simple Pound Cake. Six ingredients and so much better than a mix could ever be. You should try it sometime. Then, I made a few recipes of deviled eggs. I know that everyone isn’t a fan of deviled eggs, but I love them and could eat them every day and I know that there are lots of folks who feel the same. So, on a night when there are going to be a lot of casseroles on the potluck table, I make sure to bring them — just to shake things up a bit. That, and, I don’t know of a casserole that could be made for less than 2 dollars — or less than 3 if you’re using free-range eggs. Labor intensive, sort of, but definitely not costly. My favorite recipe is:
8 boiled eggs, cooled and peeled
3 Tablespoons (or to taste, I do more) green olives with pimento
1 1/2 Tablespoons capers (or more olives if you’re out of capers or substitute kalamata olives for the capers)
1/2 t. dried thyme leaves
3 Tablespoons olive oil
paprika for spinkling
Split the peeled eggs in half. Put the yolks in the bowl of a food processor. Process the yolks until they are very finely chopped. Add the olives and capers and thyme and pulse until very finely chopped. Add the olive oil and process until it is mixed in — should take a second or two. Put the yolk mixture in a zip top bag and press out the air. Cut a small bit off the corner of the bag and then squeeze the mixture into the cavity in each egg half. Sprinkle with paprika and serve. I sometimes garnish each egg half with a slice of green olive, just so people will know that the eggs contain olives instead of pickles. Also, some people don’t like olives, so it’s helpful there, too.
**NOTE: Be sure to use at least some pimento stuffed green olives in the mixture. Don’t exclusively use kalamata because the resulting egg mixture will be the color of brown cement. Not very appetizing. And, yes, I did that yesterday. What did I do? Take them to school anyway, of course. Just like the boozy apple cake a few years ago….
Did y’all see the Burberry collection for Fall 2012? I did, because I read The Sartorialist. Anyway, the shapes were interesting and I liked some of it. The thing that really stood out to me, though, is that nearly every model had on an owl t-shirt as part of her ensemble. Unexpected. Anyway, I bet that they sell a boatload of those t-shirts since they are almost certainly going to be more accessible and affordable that the other more structured pieces. What do you think…..maybe a DIY is called for here? I bet I could use Natalie Chanin techniques to make a great owl t-shirt. It shall be attempted.
Finally, I am feeling like I want to change my hair. Maybe it is my age — maybe I just need a change. I don’t know but I really like this one that I saw on the Sartorialist . But I don’t know. Perhaps I should give it a whirl before I have some jowls turn up and prevent my longing for neck exposure. What do you think? Of course, it’d not look sophisticated or sleek — but I gave up on those long ago. The con would be that I couldn’t put it up. Hot, muggy summer is coming. Okay, I think I’ve talked myself out of it, now.
I’ve been in an oldies mood when it comes to music lately. This one, from Stealers Wheel came on the radio yesterday and I remembered how much I like this song. Here it is with its antiquated music video…
Y’all know how much I like the Goodwill. I talk about it all the time. I like the deals, of course, and the fun finds. But, I also like the people. I especially like one guy who works at the Goodwill by my son’s school. I’ve known him for years, at this point, and he always greets me and gives me a sort of sideways hug when he sees me now. He always has something complimentary to say about my clothes or hair or smile or something — and he actually is sincere, sweet guy. I don’t know exactly what his disability is, but he is very friendly and polite. I’m sure that he is a hard-working employee.
We have the best conversations. Today, I found out that we like a bunch of the same music from the seventies. I can’t wait to make him a mixed cd of Elvis and Skynard and Dolly Parton and some old Hank, too — I think I’ll slip the Sheepdogs on there and see if he notices.
I always enjoy hearing about his family and what he’s been up to lately. He frequently updates me about any colds or allergies that are bothering him and what he is doing to combat the symptoms. He seems distracted, sometimes, but will come up later and pick up the conversation like it never missed a beat.
When I was about to leave today, I told him that I’d see him next week and asked him what he’d be doing later. He said, “Well, tonight I’ve got to go to church and get some ashes put on my head.” I agreed with him that that was the thing to do today. Then he said, “Yep, but I sure hope that my cat doesn’t want to lick the ashes off my head when I get home.”
I’m happy to report that I didn’t laugh out loud at that point.
And, now I know what I’m asking him when I see him next week.
I love stripes and plaids. Polka-dots, I like them, also — though they seem to work better on other folks. I’m shopping for a scarf for spring and this one really caught my eye. I love the colors. I think it would go with everything in my closet, too. Though, I admit that the likelihood of me actually buying it is pretty low since it is sold by Urban Outfitters instead of my favorite store.
Speaking of the Goodwill and of geometric things, I forgot to tell y’all that I scored a Missoni for Target dress at the Goodwill last week. There were actually several pieces that I could have bought that day, but I only got this one because liked this print the best and decided that a little Missoni goes a long way. (Though, after I got home and googled the dress I wished that I’d bought it all and sold the extra on eBay…) I’m torn between wearing it with a belt, boots and leggings or making a skirt out of it. As it is, it is too short for me to feel comfortable wearing it as Margherita Missoni does in the ad that I linked — with opaque tights and heels. I have to say, I’m sort of leaning toward the skirt but I don’t know yet. What do you think?
I’m off to get ingredients for Chicken Jambalaya and King Cake for tomorrow’s celebration.
I don’t know why I’ve been perusing design blogs lately since it’s not likely anything will changing around my house anytime soon. I think it is just that the cleverness of humans is always exciting to me. Plus, I like to see what folks are up to.
So, I wanted to mention a few things that I’ve liked recently.
First, Little Green Notebook has a step-by-step of how to do your own tufted headboard. Very cool. I really love the whole room she designed with the headboard, too. So, you might want to check it out.
Then, Making It Lovely shows a bedroom that she designed. She and the homeowner had a very strict budget and I think that the whole thing came together beautifully. Making It Lovely has some great ideas and she is really good at restrained but thoughtful accessorizing.
*I apologize to any of my readers (not that I have many anyway) who are male. This post is about makeup. Don’t worry, regular posts about non-makeup topics will resume soon…..
Okay, so, I’ve found a lipstain that I love. I know, it seems frivolous to be discussing lipstick when there are so many more important things going on. But, having a product that you really love and works for you is a very good thing. Not to mention the fact that there are a blue-jillion lip products on the market today and yet very few actually do what they claim to do. When I throw in my crazy convictions about using natural-ish cosmetics I then find it nearly impossible to find something awesome. This one, though, easily earns a place in my daily routine and a spot in my purse. I love it so much that I want to tell you about it. The name is Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Lip Tint and, if you’re on the hunt for a new lip product, you should totally check it out. Now, I think that I need to briefly explain that I’m not all that into makeup. Daily, I wear balm on my face, mascara, blush if I have time, and lipcolor. I didn’t do any of this stuff regularly before my last birthday, but, you know, even the stubborn among us usually eventually give in and hop on the makeup train.
I’m now a passenger.
What is so great about this lipcolor:
it doesn’t smell weird
it is sheer but build-able color
it feels like a lip balm going on
it isn’t sticky
it stains your lips (not too much)
easy application with a big, chubby pencil
I have the color Moody, which I would closely relate to Clinique’s Black Honey. So, it’s neutral but not at all nude. Tarte has a whole bunch of colors, though, even some matte ones, so there’s something there for everyone.
