Happiest of birthdays to Derek

Scarlatta IV
Originally uploaded by hey skinny.

My dearest friend Derek celebrated his birthday today. I hope you had a good one, sweetie! Love you lots.

Blog Day 2005

Don't roll your eyes at me people! It's blog day 2005! Today is the day that we learn more about our blogging friends across the world. Write about five of your favorite blogs that you want us to know about, and everyone gets to read and share and be happy.
Academitron is a great blog that I discovered through Polly. Written by Miriam, based in the New York area. Miriam is super funny, super smart and she is a great writer. Promise me you will look at her latest post, it will blow your mind into a thousand million pieces, especially if you are a fan of The Office.
Veiled Conceit is freaky deaky hilarious. This guy takes the New York Times wedding announcements and he rips them to pieces. I love making fun of pretentious rich people don't you? If you check this one out, be sure to go back a few entries and read the one about the DJ and his decorator girlfriend that got married. YOU WILL DIE LAUGHING!
Post Secret is not really a blog, but it is entertaining, and sometimes disturbing. People send in postcards that have their deepest darkest secrets written on them and this guy posts them every Sunday. Totally worth checking out.
Threadbared is really great. These girls find old patterns and they write little commentary's on the ridiculous fashion of yesteryear. Don't miss this one!
Chocolate and Zucchini. If you haven't been to Chocolate and Zucchini yet, what is wrong with you people? I only talk about it every two seconds on my blog. Here is your chance to make up for your transgressions, and read the best food blog ever written. You will not regret.
Well, I hope I have inspired you to tell me about your favorite blogs I may not know about. Have a lovely day!

Best new magazine of the year

chow
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Chow is a great new cooking magazine written especially for me! No, not really, but it seems like it. More casual than Cooks Illustrated, hipper than Everyday Food, Chow is geared towards a more urban kind of life, for people who want to entertain and eat good food, but not spend hours in the kitchen. Trust me, buy it next time you have the chance. I can't believe they are already on mag #3 and I just discovered it! Hello, back issues! The new issue features:
37 ways to feed your friends
Killer appetizers
America's best cheese shops
Rating hot chocolate mixes
Why pomegranate, and why now?
Homemade twinkies and ding-dongs
And many more fascinating topics. Special side note for Polly: This magazine is based in San Fran, so they have a lot of tips and stories about that area, I think you would enjoy.

Twiggy is back y'all!

Twiggy
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

So, my friend Krista informed me that Twiggy is going to be a judge on this season of America's Next Top Model. I think this is sooo great, because I love Twiggy. I just adore her fab sixties look. I don't care what anyone says about models being too skinny, and all that jazz, Twiggy was just amazing. A few years back (more like 8!) I watched this great movie "The Boyfriend" made in 1971 starring Twiggy. She plays a chorus girl who gets her big break when the star of the show gets hurt. She steals the spotlight and wins the heart of her handsome crush. Everybody is happy! I remember totally loving this movie, but it could have been one of those late night, too many martinis things. I would love to see this again, and relive the greatness.

Future yummy goodies!

cupcakies!
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I think I will make red velvet cupcakes for my birthday, if the weather is not too hot. I have no air conditioning, and when it is sunny, my apt. is like the doorway to hell. So everyone, pray for rain!

Red Velvet Cupcakes:

Cake:
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (sifted, then measured)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs

Frosting:
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

For cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Sift sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into medium bowl. Whisk buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla in small bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk mixture in 3 additions.
Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 27 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.

For frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

Have fun frosting!

Endless summer drinking...

Drinkies!
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

If I wrote about all the tasty drinks I had this summer, it would indeed be a lengthy post, but the tastiest drinks of all were definitely at Beach Party 2005. The Bloody Marys were the best I have had, and this year we were introduced to a fabulous new drink by Tom. The man gots skills! Recipe to follow.

Developed by Thomas Paul @ The Lock Lounge, Boise, ID
in conjuncture with The Frim Fram Four, Boise's finest
swing jazz combo featuring Dr. Andrew Cortense, piano.


The Professor (aka The Cortense)

INGREDIENTS:
---------------------------------------------------
One fair amount of whiskey (preferably a fine bourbon)
One slice or twist of lemon
One drop Bitters (Optional)
One splash Soda (Optional)



METHOD 1 (no frills very fast)
1. Fill highball glass with ice
2.1 Apply lemon to rim of glass
2.2 Squeeze or twist lemon over ice
3. Add Bitters and Soda (Opt.)
4. Add whiskey
5. Stir and drink
6. Repeat until desired effect is achieved

METHOD 2 (proper mix and pour, w/ shaker)
1. Fill highball glass w/ ice
2. In shaker, combine all desired ingredients w/ice
3. Pour over ice, garnish
4. Drink
5. Repeat until desired effect is achieved.

Give it a try, you won't be sorry!

Cutest band since the Zombies!

Franz Ferdinand
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I just heard the new Franz Ferdinand single "Do you want to" and all I have to say is YES! This song is hot jams action to the max. You can download it now on itunes, or the single comes out on September 19. They are coming to Ptown on October 3rd, y'all. I think we have to go! I know we have seen them twice already, but they put on the best shows. And they are the snappiest dressers ever. When we play the "would you do them" game, they are always a go. I can't wait to see them again, and buy a fake logo tattoo and logo snap bracelet!

My new favorite thing!

Me being happy!
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I like to say that I am multitasking, because that makes me feel grown up and responsible, and since I am going through a period of intense slothfulness, I take whatever I can get. My multitasking consists of listening to podcasts or NPR on my computer while writing blogs and watching the Food Network on mute. Sometimes I eat chips too. Right now I am listening to a interview I found on the Accidental Hedonist blogsite, a food blog you should definitely check out. It is an interview with Clotilde Dusolier of the Chocolate & Zucchini foodblog. I am her biggest stalker! And I am watching Good Deal with Dave Lieberman. I like this show a lot, Dave is a cutie, and a bit of a nerd, that's the way I like them! Today he is making ribs.
How do you multitask?

Soaking up the last days of summer...

Le Notti Bianchi
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I had the loveliest evening last night, and the best part was that I totally didn't expect it. I had to attend the most torturous Aerosoles store meeting, but then Lauren and Derek called and said they had a lovely dinner feast waiting for me. I considered not joining them, because it was well after 11:00, but then I remembered my new philosophy about squeezing every last drop of fun out of this summer. And I am so glad I went! We had the most delicious meal of roasted chicken, postmodern two-bean salad (recipe to follow), bread, and wine. Then we watched Le Notti Bianchi, a very cute but sad movie about a young boy and girl falling in and out of love. And I also got a lovely new painting of a vase of daisies to hang on my blue wall. My friends are so lovely, I can't say enough good things about them!

Postmodern Two-Bean Salad:

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

2 cups loosely packed basil leaves

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 lb thin green beans, ends trimmed

2 cans (15 oz.) butter beans (preferably Goya)

2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes

fresh ground pepper

3 oz. shaved parmesan

In medium saucepan boil water with 1 tsp. salt. Place basil in small sieve and dip in boiling water until bright green, 5-10 seconds. Remove, rinse with cold water, squeeze out excess. Keep water boiling for green beans. Combine oil, basil, and 1/2 tsp. salt in blender, blend well. Cook green beans 1-2 minutes. Drain and plunge in ice water, drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, combine beans and tomatoes. Toss with basil oil. Season with salt and pepper. Top with parmesan. Serves 10-12.

We also added fingerling potatoes, which was excellent. I think asparagus would be good as well.

No, thank you

mall
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Please don't make me go to work today. This is the second day in a row I will be late to work because I thought it was more important to sit at home blogging. I don't think the blogging is the problem, I believe the problem is the work. How am I supposed to stare at Carol's bald head and hear
Mark's evil laugh for the next 6 hours? Only 2 more months!

Is everyone concious of the revival fannypacks are going through right now? I saw designer ones at Nordy's the other day, they were like $80.00.

Shameless self promotion!

Hey ya'll! It will be my birthday soon, and I know that all of you are just scratching your heads trying to figure out what to get me, so I am making it easier for you by suggesting a few pretty little things.
1. Pretty chandelier earrings. Anything from Forever 21, or if you are feeling generous, I love that new store Sole in the Pearl. And while you are in the neighborhood, stop in at Anthropologie!
2. "Best of Everything" on DVD. Just released, this tale of young country girls in the big city will bring a tear to your eye. Big cameos include Joan Crawford as a whip wielding boss, and Robert Evans as a young casanova with a roving eye. A lovely matching present would be the original book this movie was based upon.
3. Any Caetano Veloso cd. I fell in love with his music on my recent beach vacation. As the story goes, I saw Dereks new ipod sitting on the lawn, and when I picked it up, it played me lovely music straight from heaven. Or Brazil, rather. Everyone should check this guy out.
4. A new fragrance! Recent favorites include Miss Dior Cherie, and Aqua di parma Mandorlo. They both smell really, really good. Or just a gift certificate to the Perfume House would be good, too!
5. Mac eyeshadow in Club. A lovely color, I need it to recreate the Jean Harlow look in the Aviator.
6. Pink Ipod mini. I don't actually expect anyone to get me this, but I will buy it for myself as a bday gift. I can't wait!
7. Books to read: Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes, Assasination Vacation by Sarah Vowell, or ALT, A Memoir by Andre Leon Talley.

But seriously, I just want all of you to come to my fab bday party, details will be forthcoming!

My Top 8

Liza with a Z
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I keep seeing all these lists for top 100 movies and top 100 breakups and top 100 stupid ideas, etc. If you can't beat them, join them. Here are my top 8 movies:
1. Cabaret
2. Funny Girl
3. Breakfast at Tiffany's
4. Sound of Music
5. Amelie
6. Now, Voyager
7. Summertime
8. It happened one night

Check these out if you haven't seen them already!

I am in love with this!

Catherine Earnshaw
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I discovered this hilarious quiz on the intraweb today. It is the "Which classic female literary character are you?" quiz. As you can see, I turned out to be Catherine Earnshaw. I felt the description was pretty spot on, (especially being beautiful and free-spirited!) except for the bratty exterior part. I don't have a bratty exterior, do I? I simply must go read Wuthering Heights, or maybe I will watch the film, even though D. said it wasn't that good. Suggestions?

(click on above title to take quiz)

Food Blogs

smores
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I have recently discovered the wonderful wide world of food blogging. It all started with Chocolate & Zucchini (which you can read about in my first post) and just snowballed from there. This led to me dreaming of starting my own food blog (in spite of the fact that I hardly ever cook!). I spent hours at work thinking of clever names before I came to my senses and realized I should just post about food on my already existing blog. In honor of my recent beach vacation, from which I can't seem to move on, I will share our tips for gourmet s'mores!
Most people use graham crackers for a base, which I enjoy, but we were really enchanted by using chocolate and mint chocolate cookies to lovingly cradle our fresh gourmet Whole Foods marshmallows (which are so tasty delicious that I refer to them as crack cocaine, they are so addictive.) This allows you to cut out the chocolate if you so wish, but I adore it, so in place of the ever-so-popular Hershey's bar, I recommend Scharffen Berger or something equally expensive. Make sure your drunk friends don't kick sand in the marshmallows, and you should be good to go!

Some of my favorite food blogs:

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/

http://bakingsheet.blogspot.com/

http://annesfood.blogspot.com

http://www.thefoodsection.com/foodsection/

The gang

the gang
Originally uploaded by hey skinny.

I love this photo sooo much! Even though it only has a few members of the gang, and it appears to be cloudy, I think it really captures the essence that was Beach Party 2005. Everyone looks so happy! I love all you guys, and I miss you like crazy.

My friend Polly is a true beauty

pretty
Originally uploaded by pollyannacowgirl.

Marchesa Luisa Casati

I was reading through the new issue of Elle, they had put together a timeline of the Goth look. This is where I discovered my new fashion icon, the Marchesa Luisa Casati. They say she used to wear a freshly killed chicken as a stole, and lined her eyes with kohl and black velvet. (Interesting fact, people used to make kohl eyeliner with soot and vaseline. The name for Maybelline cosmetics came from vaseline and the creators sister, Maybelle). I was intrigued, so I did a little research, (click on title above to visit official website) and what do you know, this lady was amazing. She was born in Italy, into a rich family, and was obsessed with the arts from a very young age. She married rich, had a daughter, carried on many affairs, traveled extensively, etc. She was very into supporting the arts, mostly by having herself painted or photographed by the famous artists of the day. They say she used to walk her pet leopards at night wearing a fur coat with nothing underneath. The most interesting thing was that she was painfully shy as a child, then became this total exhibitionist later on in life. I have to go now, because I have to go to Powells and buy a biography about Luisa!

In other fascinating news, I have just discovered that the O.C. is coming back Sept. 8 (earlier than expected!) and a Chipotle restaurant is opening across from my mall, I am in so much trouble! I have actually never eaten at Chipotle, but everyone keeps telling me how good it is, even though owned by McDonalds, I will give it a chance.
Also: The newest edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English has really great slang: my personal favorite..."rock up" (to arrive, as in, "I rocked up to work at 8:30 this morning."). Rock it!

Sometimes I think boys are really stupid.

Zombies
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Today I think so. I got an email from some boy who (at least in my crazy mind) was out of my life a month ago. He was basically giving me the old "its not you its me" excuse, which is so lame, and it was A MONTH LATE. Nice way to save face buddy. The funny thing was that I was totally already over him, but when someone breaks up with you, even A MONTH AFTER THE FACT, it still affects you in the same way. It totally bummed out my whole day! I now want to run a human study in which I will walk up to random people on the street, break up with them, and see how they react. I think you will be surprised to see them crumble into a crying ball and want to die, perhaps running in front of cars, things like that. Then, I was buying groceries at T. Joes and the checkout guy KEPT ASKING ME if I was ok, and I was finally like, dude, I just am having a wierd day. Then he told me that LIFE WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE. SERIOUSLY. Freshman psych rears its ugly head once again. The moral of this story is that when you end non-existent relationships, make sure it is clear that you are ending them. Saying "I don't like your bling and ugly hats, get away from me" just isn't enough anymore.

Of Ice Castles fame

Lynn Holly Johnson
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

So I was chilling with my Lauren, and she pulled the Ice Castles "fotnovel" from my shelf. Wise choice, Lauren. I explained to her how many hours of laughter I derived from that book during my formative teenage years. We decided to look up Ice Castles on the intraweb and I found this amazing photo of the star, Lynn Holly Johnson. Did you know she was a Bond girl? I didn't! She was in For Your Eyes Only. I learn something new every day, I tell ya. If you haven't seen Ice Castles, I urge you to run out and rent. Not own, rent. The Melissa Manchester theme song "Looking through the eyes of love" is reason enough alone. The performance of the young and creepily handsome Robbie Benson is the other reason. Or, if you prefer a more literary experience, feel free to borrow my book!