Saturday, November 28, 2009

Foodie Weekend: A visit to Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill


This has totally been a foodie weekend, which as you can imagine has involved its share of indulgence.  Alex and I were out and about today so he could take advantage of some Black Friday sales at Best Buy.  Since we were already in the area, we thought we'd make a day of it with a movie (The Fantastic Mr. Fox), a visit to the Union Square holiday market and lunch at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.  

My office used to be near Mesa Grill but somehow I never managed to eat there.  We've discussed it a few times, and finally today we got to try it.  I was a total tourist taking photos, but what the hell!  



Below are their blue corn muffins on the right with just a hint of pepper.  So good! 

Next up was their famous goat cheese queso!  The blue corn tortillas were perfect with it as were the cooked peppers.

Alex had the cuban burger with these to-die-for french fries with a garlic mayo.

I had the eggplant chile relleno with just a hint of heat to it.  

Service was a bit slow at one point, but all in all a great lunch for our day out.  The food was certainly good! 


Friday, November 27, 2009

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Cheesecake


So in addition to the potato dish I posted about earlier today, my other major undertaking for Thanksgiving was Paula Deen's Pumpkin cheesecake. It was decadent but excellent!

Above is the final product I was striving to recreate. Below, I'm donning my new apron that I got for my bridal shower.


I love a good graham cracker crust, and I was particularly inspired when I saw *chocolate* graham crackers! Super easy to make too. Just crumble the graham crackers, mix up with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.


Once it's all mixed up, press it into a pie pan. This recipe called for a spring form pan, but my kitchen isn't quite that evolved yet. I was just happy I had a pie pan!


I didn't realize until it was almost too late that I didn't actually own a mixer. Oops! Alex and I made a quick run to a shop down the street for a little inexpensive one, but it did the trick!


One thing that certainly made Paula Deen's recipe stand out was the amount of cream cheese in the recipe. 3x the other recipes, but it certainly made it good!


I actually had so much filling, the pie shell was overflowing, and I was even able to fill two little ramekins for a pre-Thanksgiving taste test.

A number of the commenters on the Food Network website talked about having a problem with the top of the cheesecake cracking, and I guess I did as well. Supposedly this water immersion technique discussed on this blog will help with that.

Below is the final product. With fresh homemade whipped cream as well. Another thank you to Clarissa for inspiring me to bake and of course for showing me how to make homemade whipped cream when she visited last Spring! She also encourage me to have patience to wait for it to peak! With my new mixer, it was less than five minutes. Not bad.

All in all, a very successful Thanksgiving dessert!

Holiday Ornament Pendant


How's this for holiday inspiration?

I've been looking long and hard for a pendant light to put over our dining room table. I could do something like this as a temporary holiday feature, or I could find clear bulbs and use white ribbon for a more year-round feature. Of course, I still have to figure out how the lighting comes into play, but it's something to think about!


Images via ish and chi.

Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day


I just signed up for Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day email, and I've already got lots of holiday inspiration. I'm most charmed by this Scottie dog shortbread (will have to buy a doggie-shaped cookie cutter), but these lime meltaways are gorgeous. I'm hit or miss on lime though, but I might just try them anyway. Despite being big into chocolate, my holiday favorites seem to always involve shortbread and/or powdered sugar!


Thursday, November 26, 2009

Making Thomas Keller's Potato Pave

After having an utterly divine dining experience at Per Se for my 35th birthday, I was inspired to try Thomas Keller's Potato Pave recipe for Thanksgiving.

Martha Stewart not only has the recipe posted (also in his new recipe book Ad Hoc at Home); she also has a video clip of him making the dish. Love that!

So I decided to go all out and make this dish for Thanksgiving. It's not a simple dish, but it was easy enough, even for a novice (which I consider myself). You just have to have enough patience for all the various steps involved. You also should start on it the day before you plan on eating it. It is time consuming.

Since I don't cook all that often, I didn't have a few of the necessary tools on hand. One of the keys to preparing this dish is slicing the potatoes into very thin, even, perfectly-shaped rectangular slices. The problem for me was that I don't own a mandoline slicer. So instead, I sharpened a knife and got to work.

Although mine weren't perfectly rectangular, I made them work. The bowl above is the leftover scraps of potatoes. In the video, Martha Stewart asks Keller what he does with the scraps. At the time I didn't really understand why she was asking, but given how much I had leftover, I made mashed potatoes with them. Really, really good mashed potatoes! But we're saving those for after Thanksgiving!


The key to the great flavor of the Pave (translated as brick) is the heavy cream, salt and pepper that you soak the potatoes in beforehand. The bowl on the left has the soaking slices. On the right, is the casserole dish I baked them in. You're supposed to line it with parchment paper and all I had were triangles for icing(!) so I made due. You line up the potatoes in between layers of unsalted butter, salt and pepper, as you can see above. I loved the fresh, organic sea salt I used. Very good!

This recipe also calls for weighing down the potatoes after it's been baked. Martha recommends using canned goods. This packs the layers in tightly.

As you can see, I keep the laptop in the kitchen when cooking as well and follow along my recipes that way. It also provides me a bit of background music while I work.

Once the dish has been weighted, it needs to be refrigerated for at least 6 hours. From there you unwrap, cut off the sides for a nice even edge, and cut into 12 even pieces. Fry it up in some canola oil, thyme and cracked garlic still in its skin.


Finally, when it's done, you garnish with fresh chopped chives and more butter! This dish takes a lot of salt and butter, but it pays off.


If you're a foodie or you just love any and all forms of potatoes, I would absolutely recommend trying this dish.

Happy Thanksgiving!


Watching the parade is a tradition in my home. So here's a little fun something for you from anniebee on Flickr.

Enjoy the holiday and be mindful of all the good things in life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Faux fireplace filler


Some of you may recall my dilemma in regard to my fireplace mantle that has nothing but empty wall space inside of it. I've always thought it would be fun to do something interesting where the fire should be.

I played with the idea of tiny stacked logs, but I have no woodworking skills and couldn't find anywhere to buy the size baby logs I need. I even tried to post a request to Etsy's Alchemy / Custom section with no luck.

After seeing this beautiful image on Style Me Pretty, I got another idea in my head. I could just fill the space with reflective tiles and place some lighting at the base. A warm yellow light reflected off the mirrors would be reminiscent of a fire, but still abstract.

Nadinoo, blue tights, and red shoes


I'm charmed by a new blog I just found called Nadinoo.

There's tons of great photography and fashion on the site, but I'm particularly taken with this combination of blue tights and red heels.

Spinster Homemaker


My friend Clarissa just started a food and craft blog called Spinster Homemaker, and I'm seriously impressed. She's such a great, funny writer so it's entertaining, but I'm really inspired by her baking skills. So much so that I've decided to really go for it this Thanksgiving and cook and bake up a storm.

I just finished preparing a pumpkin cheesecake, so details and pics on that to come!

On top of the baking featured on her blog, every year Clarissa mails me a package of her delectable Christmas cookies. I can never get enough of them!

She just did a post on Christmas cookie packaging, and now I and determined that this year, I will also do fancy Christmas cookies! Quite appropriate for my first holiday season as a Mrs.

She even recommends a great Christmas cookie book called Rose's Christmas Cookies, which I will be buying shortly to help guide me!

Not only will I make them, but I want to get all crafty and have them look like this above!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Looking out at the Brooklyn Bridge from Harbour Lights

Alex and I went to Harbour Lights in the South Street Seaport last night. I think it's a bit of a hidden gem with phenomenal views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. Depending on what you order, you could spend a lot but you definitely don't have to. Alex's fish and chips entree was only $15.

It was a foggy, misty night, but we were still able to spend a bit of time outside on their deck. The photo above is of the view from our table. The second is the view of the bridge from their deck.

This second photo is of their to-die-for Brooklyn Bridge chocolate mousse. We also had something similar at the River Cafe. So I'm not sure if they use the same vendor, have the same owner, or if one copied the other, but whatever the case, it's good!


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Peru planning


Those of you who follow me on Facebook or my other blog know that we're excitedly planning a trip to Peru in May. It's been a while since I've done any international travel beyond England for work or Canada.

The flights to Peru were crazy inexpensive, and it seems as though the dollar will go VERY far there. I've just been enjoying doing a bit of research and planning for restaurants and hotels. We'll definitely be eating at some of the best restaurants. I was just reading about one that was considered to be quite expensive. Their 4-course lunches are $12! I love it!

Mostly the photos I've been coming across are of Machu Picchu, but I love this one above of a hotel in Lima.

I've also started my Spanish lessons.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Actual Buddha-Shaped Pears


These are real! Amazing Buddha-shaped pears are grown into a mold so they come out looking oh-so-Buddha-and-Zen-Like.

Post via LotusHaus.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Ooh la la!


This one is for Evelyn and Liezl!

These Norwegian cards are available from Darling Clementine.


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Kitchen Curtains


Piece-y felt curtains like this in white would be perfect for our newly painted kitchen. I'm doing strands of felt circles as garland for the photo wall at the wedding, so if all goes well, I'll extend that project to our post-wedding kitchen.

Image via Design*Sponge.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

October To-Do's

Despite being in the middle of wedding madness, I have some friends coming and am preparing the apartment! So this October to do list is a bit belated; however, it's already a work in progress.

1. Re-paint the kitchen
(Alex painted for me! I'm impressed!)

2. Organize hardware/office space
3. Organize art space
4. Organize linen area
5. Put up wall decals
6. Organize vanity area
7. Clean front entry way
8. Finish landscape painting (yay, done!)
9. Wedding Craftiness
10. Swap-bot ornaments


Sunday, October 11, 2009

40 Years in 40 Days


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Madison Square Market


Very excited about the seasonal Madison Square Market scheduled to open here in NYC Oct 9th.

All my favorite things, outdoor markets, the park, gourmet food and handcrafted items. I definitely intend on having either a crepe or Wafels and Dinges. My favorite.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Isn't it too early for Christmas prep?


I signed up for a Christmas ornament swap on swap-bot.com ages ago. I LOVE handmade Christmas ornaments and just thought it'd be fun all around.

The premise of the swap is that you make one ornament for ten different people, then in return you get ten different ornaments.

I've gotten one so far, the swap started waaaay back in the Spring. It seemed like I had so much time to make my ornaments, but now, somehow, it's October and the deadline is early November.

So, despite wedding craftiness and chaos, I need to get cracking on my ornaments. I just realized that they are actually due the week before the wedding. Better to get them out of the way now.

So, all of that is a long-winded way of saying, wouldn't this ornament craft project be perfect? I just found it on Zakka Life. I'm pretty good at felt work and softies, so I hope this project will be suited to my skills. I of course want to wow my swap partners!

Wish me luck!

Friday, October 2, 2009

A New Shelter Magazine from the Editors of Domino

Given the state of the magazine industry these days, some former editors from Domino (RIP) have just started a new shelter publication called Lonny Magazine.

The catch, however, is that it's online only. Not a website or a blog, but a "zimbria magazine." It looks like a print piece, but you can flip the pages electronically. See what I mean here.






Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf


Alex and I are currently debating Halloween costumes, and we're leaning toward Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.

What are you planning for Halloween?

Love this photo from Flickr...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

More artwork inspiration


I'm drooling over this large piece of artwork behind reception at The London Hotel. I just posted to our wedding blog that my friends just rented a suite there for my bachelorette party! yay!

I'm also inspired to reproduce this piece for our apartment. That'd be a lovely reminder of a fun time!


Saturday, September 19, 2009

September To-Do


So I'm a bit behind in posting my To-Do's for September. As I mentioned in my last To Do post, I took August off.

However, the beginning of September came and went, and I have yet to share my goals for the month. So here they are, belatedly.

1. Paint the kitchen
(so far, not going well, it's neon yellow! Next up,*repaint* the kitchen!)
2. Refinish the dining room table
3. Sand and finish the coffee table
4. Organize hardware/office space
5. Organize art space
6. Organize linen area
7. Order and put up wall decals
8. Design and mail wedding invites
9. Finish cleaning entryway to yard
10. Sell stuff on Ebay

The photo above is not my apartment, but it is an inspiration. That's what I want our dining room table to look like when I'm done with it. Good luck, I know, but it's good to have goals. Plus, we have gray walls and a bookshelf right there too. Just picture it with orange chairs instead!

And...I've already got October's list in mind, but since this one is already pretty aggressive, I'll leave it as is!

Wish me luck!


Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig

Just got home from seeing the play A Steady Rain on Broadway. Personally, I'd recommend it. I found the play itself to be quite compelling, and of course sitting how many feet away from these two men isn't bad entertainment either.

It's definitely a dark story about two Chicago cops. There are a handful of pretty disturbing moments, but I liked how perspective came into play in terms of whose truth is real. The interplay between good and bad and how they can be intermingled was also quite interesting.

I snapped the shot above during the curtain call. Then we waited by the stage door to try and meet them. It was definitely WAY too packed for that, but I did snap a few shots of Daniel Craig (below). My pics of Hugh Jackman aren't even worth uploading!



Fastquez on Flickr got better photos of the two during an earlier matinee. Check out his pics here!

Friday, September 18, 2009

A Steady Rain!


I'm trying to prepare myself for tonight. Both Daniel Craig AND Hugh Jackman in a Steady Rain on Broadway! Just one more reason I love living in New York!

Beforehand, we're going to Casellula for dinner. I posted it about it last year. One of my favorite restaurants!

Perhaps I can convince Nora to wait at the side exit and see if we can meet them afterward. It worked when I saw Mark Ruffalo in Awake and Sing a couple of years ago. AND I got an autograph!



Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Apartment Therapy Inspiration



I posted recently about this wall decal that I ordered and was reminded of it when I saw this great work on a house tour today on Apartment Therapy. Except, upon closer inspection, the tree branches are actually painted on the wall rather than being a decal.

I'm also quite smitted with this artwork above the fireplace in this second photo below. I'm always drawn to black and white and numbers.


Friday, September 11, 2009

I just enrolled in photography school!

I've just enrolled at the New York Institute of Photography today! Very excited. I've included some photos from other NYIP students on Flickr.

Soon I'll be sharing some of my own assignments here.


First image via L S G. Second and third images via prcrash on Flickr.

PopWall's Bird Decals


Super excited! Just bought this very inexpensive set of wall decals from PopWall on Esty.

I've been wanting a set of birds for a while and this is one of the best ones I've seen. It'll be perfect for behind the TV. Otherwise, that's such an awkward space to put anything, but it's a bit too bare to leave alone.


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

New Audrey Niffenegger Novel!


I was very excited when I came across Audrey Niffenegger's new novel, Her Fearful Symmetry, on Goodreads this evening.

I know some of you are familiar with her first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, one of my favorite books.

I'm going to put her new book on pre-order on Amazon, as it doesn't come out until September 29th. So I'm going to get it for myself as an early birthday present!


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I just sold my first photograph!


I discreetly opened an Etsy shop a while ago, but I'd been waiting until I had added more inventory before I began promoting it.

However, this weekend, I had my first sale, the Brooklyn Bridge photo above that I took as a part of a series of industrial Brooklyn photos. See more from the series here. There are more I haven't uploaded too. I should definitely add them to Flickr.

Last year, I sold my first painting which was also super exciting! But that wasn't through Esty. I'll have to find a photo of that as well!

I'd love to do more selling online as it's a great way to motivate myself to be creative. Definitely a goal to increase my inventory post wedding! In fact, I'm actually planning on enrolling in photography school. Very excited about that. More details to come...


Sunday, September 6, 2009

Bookish Street Art


Graffiti isn't always what you expect. Like this above or the French graffiti I posted about previously. I actually came across one of Banksy's rats in Chinatown near where I work, but the building owners immediately had it painted over. I wonder if they realized what they were painting over. (Here's a shot of it before it was "erased.")

Image above by Paper Twins. Check out their flickr page for many more phenomenal pieces of street art.