Modern day gossip?

Rodin
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Today I had the immense pleasure of attending the Maryhill Museum of Art. An excursion originally planned for my Birthday, but today was an excellent sunny day for a drive up the Columbia Gorge. I love the Maryhill Museum, it is my favorite museum. We used to drive by it on our trips from Idaho to Oregon, and I would always beg my Mom to stop, but we never had time. I am glad I was a little older when I finally did get to go, I definitely appreciated it more. It is located on the Washington side of the Gorge, about two and a half hours from Portland. Perched magnificently on the top of the hill, it was originally built as a residence, but the opportunity as a museum was soon realized. There are beautiful peacocks (even a pure white one) roaming the lush gardens, it is the perfect spot for a picnic. The museum itself has some permanent collections: the belongings of Queen Marie of Romania, Native American Art, Chess sets, Rodin sculpture, and the Theatre De La Mode (my favorite thing ever, more on that later). While I was perusing the Rodin sculptures in the basement, I was lucky enough to hear some teen girls gossiping about their boyfriends, or lack of them. At first, I was being all snobby. How dare they just be loud and snickering and obnoxious in the presence of such great art? Don't they have any respect for the sculpting genius of Rodin? Surely, this is not what he had in mind as he sculpted the clay into the late hours of the night? But then, I realized that I probably could have come across this scene back in Rodins day as well. Two young ladies, tearing apart the cads who broke their hearts. I got a good laugh out of that, and went on my merry day. If you have the chance, check out the Maryhill Museum. There is also a full scale, exact replication of Stonehenge only three mile away, not to be missed!

Calendar

Hey everybody! I was really hoping there would be a calendar that I could add to my blog, but that doesn't seem to be a reality, yet. Anyway, just so everyone can keep up with everything that's going on, here is a fun filled events calendar for the next few weeks:

Friday, Oct. 7: R. Kelly "Trapped in the Closet" cocktail party at Sennies!
Sunday, Oct. 9: Tea Party 6:30
Wednesday, Oct. 12: Fun at Gustavs! 9:30
Thursday, Oct.13: Don Clarkson workshop; 12:00 at downtown library
Saturday, Oct. 15: Crystal's Bon Voyage Party, Nautical Theme at Tony's 11:00 P.M.
Tuesday, Oct. 18: Crystal leaving for Los Angeles
Monday, Oct. 24: Classes start at Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts
Monday, Oct. 31: Halloween in San Francisco!

2002 House

Old Telephones
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

You know those reality shows on PBS like 1865 House and Frontier House? Well, I am living in 2002 House. 2002 being the last year before I got my cell phone. Now that I find myself without one, (a problem that will be fixed shortly) I find myself unable to function. I feel like someone is trying to ruin my life, but this time it's the machines, not the people. And it's only been two days! Anyway, don't cry for me, and I will call all of you as soon as I can.

Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Does Jeopardy have makeup artists? This occured to me as I was watching tonight, and after extensive thinking and scrutinizing the players, I think not. Whenever I see the lady contestants, they always look so matronly and eighties. I think we need a hairdresser on the set as well. Sorry to sound so judgemental, but people across the country are watching, let's put our best foot forward, shall we? Maybe this will be my job someday. I do plan on trying to work in the television medium. My ultimate dream though, is to first create the Marc Jacobs makeup line (as of press time, does not exist), and then on to my own makeup line! The hardest part is trying to think of a name. Recent suggestions have been: Blend, Flawless, and Chiarrascurro. I don't know, I like them, but I am not convinced. It will come to me someday. Suggestions, anyone?

Roll bounce, bitches!

Roll bounce
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

So, who’s coming with me to see Roll Bounce this weekend? This hot new movie about roller skating in the seventies, starring Lil Bow Wow (his lawyers have informed me to drop the lil) has a great plot: Bow Wow plays “X”, a young man whose roller skating rink in the hood has closed down, but the boy loves to skate, so he has to relocate to the rich rink uptown. Lots of drama ensues, including the RollerJam skate off, fights between the richies and the poories, and X winning the heart of a lovely young lassie. We first heard of this movie at Nate and Krista’s Bon Voyage dinner, when we made a spontaneous after dinner pilgrimage to Oaks Park to go roller skating. There were posters everywhere that just said Roll Bounce. I was intrigued, so I looked it up on the intraweb, and what do you know, there were my dreams laid out in candy colors! I’m a frustrated roller skater at heart, my skating career was tragically cut short in 1987, during a relocation from Nampa, Idaho to Lincoln City, Oregon, WHERE THEY HAVE NO ROLLER SKATING RINK. Believe me when I tell you that I cried for days upon learning this sad sad fact. So, in order to set things right after so many years, please find it in your heart to attend Roll Bounce with me this weekend. And if that doesn’t convince you, Fox Searchlight Pictures is donating 10% of the opening weekend to Hurricane Katrina victims.

Oktoberfest!

oktoberfest
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

And the award for eating the most food goes to: Derek!!! What a surprise! We all had a great time, we ate sausages, corn, mashed potatoes, ice cream, apple fritters, apple cake, sundaes, raspberry filled doughboys, fondue, onion rings, cotton candy, and BEER. Yummy! We were thinking of going back next year for a whole day, and really pacing ourselves so we can eat even more. We tried to attend vespers at the church, but they locked the doors and wouldn't let us in. Too much sin for one church, I guess. We had some very entertaining drunks on the hayride back to the parking lot. "YOU SMOKE AND DRINK WAY MORE THAN I DO, BEFORE I MET YOU I ONLY HAD LIKE ONE CIGARETTE A DAY, I USED TO BE A TRACK STAR GODAMNIT, LOOK AT THESE LEGS!!!! All delivered at top volume of course. This whole time I kept getting calls from my new boyfriend Phil from AAA giving me updates on when the tow truck would be arriving to help (we locked the keys in the car), he called me like four times! And while we were sitting waiting we watched all the drunks trying to use the port-a-potty and then making out. It was gross, and I let them know it. I yelled eeewwww GROSS, really loudly. That should show them. Good times had by all!

The people have spoken!

revolution
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

And they want fashion reviews on Blend! I will do anything to please you, my adoring public, so look forward to my first post specifically about fashion, coming soon on Blend! It will most likely be about the recent New York fashion week. Many exciting things happened, including some falling spotlights at the Diane Von Furstenburg show. You would have thought the terrorists were attacking again, the way these people reacted. It was hilarious, like the scandal of the week. Visit Style.com for details.

Can't stop the cupcake

dessert!
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

While perusing one of my favorite food blogs recently, Orangette (based out of Seattle), I came upon this delicious recipe for Blueberry-Raspberry Pound Cake. It sounded like just the thing I want to serve at my upcoming tea party. What really intrigued me was that you can freeze this cake and save the summer goodness for a sad rainy fall day. So I decided to make it. But I am too cheap to buy the Bundt Pan the recipe originally called for, so I resorted to my new favorite way of baking anything: the cupcake. This worked out just fine. I also am not the biggest fan of blueberries, so I substituted blackberries instead, which are so tasty and in season right now. All of my hard work paid off, and now I am sitting here eating this most tasty morsel with a glass of milk, I am so happy!

Raspberry-Blueberry Pound Cake
Bon Appétit, July 1986

This cake can be prepared a day or two ahead of serving; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. If you choose to freeze it for future occasions, wrap it in plastic wrap and then seal it in large freezer bag.
It’s an awfully easy way to get a last gasp of summer at any time of year.

5 large eggs
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 ¼ cup (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces, at room temperature, plus a bit more for the pan
2 Tbs kirsch
2 cups plus 8 Tbs cake flour, plus a bit more for the pan
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blueberries

Generously butter a 9-cup Bundt pan, and dust it with flour, shaking out the excess.

In the bowl of a food processor, blend together the eggs and the sugar until smooth and thick, about 1 minute, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the butter and kirsch, and blend until the mixture is fluffy, about 1 minute, stopping once to scrape down the bowl. Add 2 cups plus 6 Tbs flour, baking powder, and salt, and pulse twice or so to just combine. Do not overmix.

In a large bowl, toss the raspberries and blueberries with the remaining 2 Tbs flour. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter into the berries. Transfer this finished batter to the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly across the top. Place the Bundt pan on the center rack in a cold oven, and turn the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until a toothpick or knife inserted in the cake’s center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes; then invert it onto a rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature, with tea, ice cream, or whipped cream.

*I almost forgot one other substitution I used: I had no kirsch in the house, darn it all, so I used Captain Morgans spiced rum. Tasty! The Captain comes to the rescue once again!

Last thoughts of summer...

watermelon
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I am having a hard time dealing with these last summer days, the first turning tree was spotted today. In memory of all our good times these past few months, here is the recipe for Cucumber and Watermelon Salad. Our favorite new dish, this salad is cool and crisp, the perfect accompaniment to barbecued hamburgers, pressed salami sandwiches, and many other things.

Cucumber and Watermelon Salad:
3 cups peeled and cubed English (or seedless) cucumber
3 cups cubed seedless watermelon
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
coarse salt and ground pepper

In a large bowl, toss cucumber and watermelon with lime juice, 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Serve immediately.
*if not serving immediately, leave out the salt. Just before serving, toss with salt.

Lauren once added lime zest to this, which was quite tasty, and Viki suggested using fresh mint, which also sounds delicious.

Decisions, decisions...

Hey Everybody! As you all know, I am OBSESSED with fashion. Live it, breathe it, love it. I have been known to not pay a bill or something equally irresponsible just to buy a cute new shirt I can't stop thinking about. Unhealthy, I know, but that is just the way I am. So, I have been thinking of writing about fashion for a while now, but I can't decide if I should lump it with makeup on Blend or with miscellaneous on Sociables. I can't start another blog, I think a few people's heads might explode, including mine! So it's time to vote, please share your view with me below.

Please vote!

Should I write about fashion on Blend or Sociables? Blend Sociables view results

Contrary to popular belief, reading fashion magazines can teach you useful things!

Eminence grise
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I have finally finished my summer book “The Sisters: Saga of the Mitford Family,” just in time for fall to arrive. It is once again getting dark by 7:30, and to my disgust I have put my umbrella and fall jacket to use. But I digress. I thoroughly enjoyed my summer read; it was very historical as well as entertaining. The authoress was fond of peppering the book with little French sayings, probably because several of the Mitford Sisters spoke fluent French. On the other hand, poor little me had no idea what she was talking about and just skimmed over them. One other time, when I was tearing through the trio of French inspired books by Diane Johnson (Le Divorce, L’Affaire, and Le Marriage) my handy-dandy pocket sized French dictionary was my constant companion, there were so many French sayings and the like I wouldn’t have understood anything without it. However, this time around, I was in no mood. Consequently, I probably did not get the same level of understanding from this biography. Except for one thing. I was reading the new issue of Lucky magazine (the magazine about shopping) and came upon a review of the new shower gel Les Basiques Lavandes Grises (from France of course), and the reviewer likened it to the French phrase “Eminence Grise” which is a person who appears unremarkable but secretly controls everything. Not five minutes later, I went back to my book, and wouldn’t you know, the first paragraph I read used this very phrase! I got that creepy goose bumps feeling from the coincidence. But of course they say there are no coincidences. So for anyone who has ever said that fashion magazines are all surface and pointless, take heed, for they have taught me many useful things over the years, and I know they will continue to do so.

My apologies to Domino

Domino
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I may have been too rash when I named Chow the best new magazine of the year. I totally forgot about Domino, the new home decorating magazine! I think they are a tie, both so creative and terrific. Created by the people behind Lucky-the shopping magazine, they have just released the second issue and I totally thought it was genius. I learned a bunch of new facts about lamps, and it also led me to my new decorating scheme-CHANDELIERS. I am so excited! Domino has lots of great tips, ideas that will make a great impact and not take too much work. Give it a try!

*Why is it that these magazines, Lucky and Domino, have the strangest names that have nothing to do with the subject matter?

Loot!

sunflower trios
Originally uploaded by akangarooo.

Oh gifts, gifts, gifts! Is there anything sweeter in life than having your friends go out and find something just for you?
For my 26th birthday, I was literally showered with joy-inducing perfect gifts, and I thought I would share some with you:
From my dear Derek, I recieved the first season of Dynasty on DVD. This was a surprise, and a great one. I have watched the first 2 episodes, and it was amazing, quality stuff. Especially close to my heart, since my name (Crystal) was inspired by this show, although I can never get my parents to admit it. Derek also gave me a beautiful tea set, decorated with chandeliers, the very subject of my new decorating scheme! And a very lovely cream colored twenties-ish tennis-ey hat. Thanks, Derek!
From my lovely Viktoria, many gifts chosen with my one true love, beauty products, in mind. The new Miss Dior Cherie perfume. Smashbox mascara and eye shadow. A beautiful new brown purse. And Viki made me a most beautiful card, which I shall keep forever. Thanks, Darling.
From my beautiful Lauren: Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars! I have been wanting this book forever, and I love it. Also, some gorgeous blue chandelier earrings. I want to wear them every day! Thank you Lauren!
Tracey gifted me some gorgeous gold beaded hoops, and a lovely photo album to hold all of my upcoming L.A. memories. Thanks, sweetie!
I recieved some lovely stationary from my darling Hilary, thank you dearest. I shall write you soon!
Another wonderful surprise was a delicious bottle of Wine By Joe from Dylan. A local 2003 Pinot Noir, I enjoyed the hell out of it last Sunday, very tasty. Thanks, Dylan!
Sarah and Peter sure know me, as evidenced by the gift certificate to Blush Beauty Bar! I can't wait to buy some Nars makeup, thanks you two!
Last but certainly not least, the enchanting Greta blessed me with a scandalous vintage book "Kitty" by Rosamond Marshall. Later made into a movie starring Paulette Goddard and Ray Milland, right up my alley. Thanks, sweetie!
Every present I recieved surprised and delighted me! I can't thank you all enough.

Mega M & M's...Yawn.

M & M's
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Do not fall for the marketing like I did people! Mega M & M's are a big snooze. Hardly bigger than the regular size, and in new subdued fall colors. Boring! Don't waste your money.

Dynasty Part II

Krystle Carrington
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

Dear Diary,
Imagine my surprise this morning when I answered my door to the florist delivering dozens of lush bouquets that covered my entire apartment. Blake is obviously feeling badly about our fight yesterday, I'm thinking of calling off the wedding...
Then the doorbell rang again and of course it was Blake, looking like a petulant little boy. He apologized, and begged me to talk about it over dinner. How could I resist? I suggested chinese, and when we stepped out of the limo, we were at the airport, with a plane waiting! I assumed we were going to China, that's how these things work right? And Blake is a billionaire! So imagine my surprise when he only took me to Chinatown in San Francisco. What a cheap bastard. It's going to take a lot more effort than that for me to forgive you Mr. Blake Carrington!
Love Always, Krystle

Dynasty!

Dynasty
Originally uploaded by Blend10.

I LOVE DYNASTY! Derek gave me the first season on DVD for my bday, and it totally rocks. I am just watching the first episode now, and I am very hooked. Several love affairs have already been set up-chauffeur and trust fund daughter, soon to be married women and former geologist boyfriend, and so on. And I am thinking of naming my future children Blake and Fallon. These people wear full length fur in the summer in Denver, and they ride horses while talking on cell phones, and this was circa 1980! Unbelievable. Stay tuned for more intrigue!

The Day I Turn 26

I am happy to announce that as of twelve noon today, I am officially 26 years old! I intend to spend the day at a deliciously leisurely pace, doing exclusively what I feel like doing, wearing my favorite frock of the moment, painting my toenails sparkly red, taking the calls of fabulous friends, and eating cake all day long.
As for this evening, who knows what it has in store for me?

A Scholar and a Gentleman

I had to renew my drivers license today, and I really expected it to be more of a chore. It was delightfully easy, I was in and out within 15 minutes. I hate to say it, but I was really looking forward to more problems, perhaps someone dying, or a child puking, or perhaps a homeless person making the rounds and asking for change. The most exciting thing that happened was this trashy man with a mullet told the DMV counter person that he was a scholar and a gentleman. I loved that. The DMV guy had no reaction, but I got a good laugh out of it. I promise I will try harder next time for a better experience. I have to get new license plates by Oct. 5, and you never know the kind of scrapes I could get myself into. By the way, my new picture turned out pretty good!