Happy Candy Eating Day!

On the agenda for tonight:

• Watching Psycho (I've never seen it all the way through!)
• Making this for dinner (though I'm equally tempted by this)
• Fantasizing  about having this (!!!) for dessert, but I think all the kidlets in our new neighborhood will probably take all the candy first / I'll just eat any left-overs in their "natural" form 

Happy Halloween to all!

Loving Lately

There's kind of a sub-genre of historical fiction geared toward women that starts with "the" at the moment (Exhibit A and B). Strange, no? The latest I've read in this category is The Chaperone. In the summer of 1922, a soon-to-be starlet and her middle-aged chaperone trapeze around New York. I developed great affection for the heroine (and a mixed bag of emotions for the complicated Louise Brooks). This is a good book to ease you into more serious reading for fall :)

I seriously can't believe I haven't shared my love of Fringe here before, because it's been going strong for months. We are currently wrapping up the fourth season, and I'm eagerly awaiting the fifth on Netflix. If you liked Lost and X Files, I think you'll enjoy this one, too. Plus, PACEY WITTER!!!

I've never purchased address labels before because my apartments always felt so temporary (even though I lived in some for years!). Now that we're more settled with the house, I want one of these brilliant self-inking stamps. (I always strategically put something in here that I want you all to encourage me to buy. I totally need this, right?!?)

A few other things I'm excited about:

• Do you all follow New Yorker writer David Grann on twitter? He posts the very best stuff. 
• As soon as my front steps are no longer in the midst of a construction zone, I want mums and polka dot pumpkins. 
• Next weekend, I want attempt these button-up window shades for the back porch. Right on schedule, I'm ready to sew again!

Loving Lately

I picked up this striped t-shirt at J.Crew on super sale after Christmas, and I wear it all the time (do you wear something to death when you first get it? I'm guilty). It has such soft fabric, it's light enough for layering, and it's long - I can't stand short shirts! Just sharing in case you need a few more stripes in your life :)

Sarah and Katie both rave about this show, and I trust their taste completely. I picked up season one at the library over Christmas vacation, and absolutely adore Laura and Dorcas and the whole Lark Rise/Candleford gang. It also features Mr. Bates!

My girlfriend Ashley, who is a genius at all things house-hold related, recommended this cordless iron a while back on her blog. I was thrilled to receive one of my own for Christmas. This is embarrassing to say, but it really does make ironing a lot more fun. 

And a few fun links:

• Perfect Valentine's Day dessert
• Out to Lunch with Sterling Lord
• On my nightstand

P.S. Thank you for weighing in on the boot dilemma of 2012. I went with these, in case your curious!

Loving Lately

I have a long walk as part of my commute now, and need some good everyday boots for the journey. Going back and forth between brown and black, I found these guys. I can't tell if this is actually the worst of both worlds, though? Please weigh in if you have any brilliant boot thoughts to share. 

Bringham's Peppermint Stick ice cream is just about the most perfect holiday treat, and it's in stores now. Peter's family introduced me to the magic of Bringham's, and I'm a total convert - best store-bought ice cream out there. I think this is a New England-based company, and I do apologize if you can't purchase it in your neck of the woods. I'm taunting you with the perfect seasonal ice cream.

Most of you probably saw The Big Lebowski sometime between 1998 and now. But I am uncool and had never seen it until last week. Oh my gooooooodness, I am obsessed. The chair scene? The phone scene? The bowling?! Public service announcement: it's only on Netflix Instant until 12/1!

A few fun links:

• Sweet Paul Winter Magazine 
• Lucy the puppy
• On repeat at our house

What are you loving lately? And seriously, please weigh in on the boots.

Dinner and a Movie

Peter and I used to be dedicated dining room eaters - at the table, candles lit, cloth napkins, music on - the whole thing. We've lately fallen into a routine of eating at the coffee table and watching a show, and while I know I'm probably supposed to feel bad about this shift, it's pretty fun. When I was a kid, I loved when my sister and I got permission to eat dinner in the family room, usually sitting the floor watching something awesome. Being able to do this whenever I want still feels like a great grown-up perk. 

Earlier this week, I made the rice noodle dish above. I cooked the chicken using this recipe. It filled up the kitchen with smoke, but it was truly amazing. The skin was so crispy and, true to Bon Appetit's claim, it was almost bacon-like! So temporarily remove your smoke detector battery and have at it :) The rest of the dish is just peanut sauce, stir fried broccoli, and scallions.  

While we were ohhing and ahhing over chicken thighs, we watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi (streaming on Netflix!). It is a great look at what it means to be truly passionate about something and hold yourself to incredibly high standards. I am often teasing Peter about his deep perfectionist tendencies, and Jiro made this quality look endearing (though I'm not sure his apprentices would agree). Deeply inspiring, and I highly recommend it.

Loving Lately

Peter's step mom served us this pumpkin shrimp curry last year, and it was a big hit. I'm excited to make it soon!

I was talked into watching one of ESPN's 30 for 30 documentaries, and I picked June 17, 1994. I was too young to remember any of the details of that famous car chase, so it was truly suspenseful (though of course I knew OJ didn't actually commit suicide). It was amazingly well-done. We've since watched The Two Escobars and Catching Hell (both excellent!).

I gave my sister this necklace in blue for her birthday, and I desperately want one, too. It's a little heavy (one of my jewelry pet-peeves), but it's cuteness will cancel that out.

Also loving:

• This book;
• This list of Boston restaurants; and 
• This Vanity Fair article (the entire issue, really).

What are you loving lately?

Last Gasp of Summer Reading: Blonde

The final days of August call for something long and juicy - sexy, even - that you can really sink your teeth into. Last week, I completely lost myself in Blonde, a fictional account of Marilyn Monroe's life. It's so engrossing, I kept having dreams about her. Marilyn and I at a party, watching Marilyn work on the set of a movie. Crazy!

Joyce Carol Oates has produced a staggering amount of work, but this was my first introduction to her genius. I was struck by her amazing ability to voice Marilyn, and everyone else that played a part in her huge life, with such perfection.

Now I can't wait to catch up a few of her movies. Bus Stop has been added to the top of our queue!

Opportunity of a Lifetime

At a family gathering months ago, my father-in-law announced that he had been given the opportunity of a lifetime. We imagined he found the perfect location for new wine store, or that he stumbled onto free plane tickets to Rome.

Nope! He was offered a role in the TriArts Sharon Playhouse production of Sound of Music. At first he was cast as a soldier, but somewhere along the line he got promoted to be the butler (with speaking lines!). Peter and I are heading down tonight to see him in action.

The great thing about his early declaration was that he wasn't joking in the least. He loves the Sound of Music with his whole heart, and having the chance to participate in it - in even a small way - is a huge honor for him. It's the kind of dream we never spend much time thinking about, let alone pursuing. He would never audition for Broadway, or even take an acting class. But the opportunity arose, and he said yes without hesitation. We should all be so lucky to have our back-burner, seemingly just out of reach dreams come true.

Loving Lately

The Dirty Life was on my summer reading list last June, but I'm just getting around it now. It's just as good - maybe even better - to read it in the spring when everything is waking up and blooming. A warning: this book will most definitely have you saying, "We could totally be organic farmers in upstate New York! Absolutely I could milk a cow at 4:00 a.m.!"

We started watching Terriers on Netflix Instant a few weeks ago, and I'm completely hooked. I know I just told you that I want to become an organic farmer, but if I'm honest, my true secret wish is to be an off-the-grid detective. Fighting bad guys, knowing secrets - that would be the life! The show was cancelled after two seasons, and I'm already mourning the loss of it in my life (and I'm not even through season one!).

I'm a big fan of Lilly Pulitzer, but this murphee scarf has a special place in my heart. It was designed to raise awareness for the Amani Children's Foundation. My all-time favorite professor in college, Dr. Jane Stephens, started this organization with her husband to provide support to infants in Kenya through a local partner, New Life Homes. If you're looking for a special something for Mother's Day, this would be a fantastic choice!

Cozy Halloween

(1. North by Northwest, 2. Candy bowls, 3. White cheddar popcorn seasoning, 4. Capri blue volcano candle, 5. Hounds-tooth throw blanket, 6. Amaretto)

I can't get into scary and ghoulish, but I can do cozy! On the agenda tonight:

• Pumpkin macaroni and cheese
• Having a fire in the fire place
• Begrudgingly sharing my candy stash with cute trick-or-treaters
  

Wishing you a very happy, candy-filled, cozy Halloween!

Late to the party

(Downton Abbey, Skinny belts, Florence + The Machine)

A short list of fun things I've only recently discovered (though I realize that you probably hopped on board with these long ago...).

This song, in particular, has been on serious rotation in our house. You should see my dance moves when she starts to sing about running fast! Pretty impressive.

Happy Thursday to all!

Audrey, UNICEF Ambassador

(Images from UNICEF)

We watched Charade on Saturday night (very fun!), and afterwards, I looked up Audrey Hepburn's bio. How could I have forgotten her work with UNICEF later in life?! She was one of the original Goodwill Ambassadors and traveled all over, right up until her death in the early 90s. 

These were shot during a time when development photography leaned heavily toward the dark and serious, even with children. These are all so happy and bright! How great is the photo of her driving the rickshaw in Bangladesh?!

Practically perfect in every way

(Mary Poppins necklace via Etsy)

My Mom was in town earlier this week for business. She's here quite a bit, but usually has a pretty packed schedule. On Monday evening she was freed up, so we got last minute tickets to Mary Poppins!

It's one of the cutest shows I've seen. The actress playing Mary is just darling - her voice is even Julie Andrews-ish!


P.S. For a bit of further reading, here's a wonderful interview with P. L. Travers, the author the Mary Poppins books (among many other things). A wonderful quote about Mary's appeal: 

A great friend of mine at the beginning of our friendship (he was himself a poet) said to me very defiantly, "I have to tell you that I loathe children's books." And I said to him, "Well, won't you just read this just for my sake?" And he said grumpily, "Oh, very well, send it to me." I did, and I got a letter back saying: "Why didn't you tell me? Mary Poppins with her cool green core of sex has me enthralled forever."

Global studies

Two excellent recommendations available on Netflix Instant: The Secret in Their Eyes and Carlos the Jackal. Get your glasses ready - both have subtitles!

P.S. Come back and tell me if you develop an odd crush on Edgar Ramirez. He's so bad...but so good!

Strangers coming together

(Going skiing this weekend, yay! Maybe everyone on a stuck lift will burst into song?)

One of my deepest desires involves strangers coming together in song and/or dance during an annoying situation. 

Imagine being on a plane, delayed by a few hours already, and now you are stuck on the tarmac, and you just want to get home/to Mexico for your sunny beach vacation/to Toronto for your work presentation. You are deeply annoyed, and so is everyone around you. 

And then! Imagine if one spunky person started singing a song. During the holiday season, this could be something like Jingle Bells or Frosty the Snowman. And during the rest of the year? I'm very uncool about music, so I were to initiate it would probably be something like Stepping Out with my Baby (What, you don't know all the words to that?!). The point is, everyone miraculous knows all the words and loves the song, and everyone starts singing and/or dancing together! 

Wouldn't that be magical? I really want that to happen to me someday.

* * * 

Yesterday Peter and I were both off for a snow day, and we caught up on Season 7 of The Office. We've been long-time fans, but stopped watching this year when it didn't magically appear in a DVR line-up after we canceled our cable. Big mistake! This season is fresh and funny and filled with lots of music. 

And the season opening sequence was basically a version of my song and dance dream come to life. Enjoy, and happy Friday!

Pizza kick + The Cruise

Since finding the best-est gluten free baking mix there ever was, I've been on a major pizza kick!

The one pictured above has an artichoke/parsley/parm spread from Trader Joe's as the sauce (down with tomato sauce, ew!). I sliced some potatoes with a mandolin and boiled them until nearly done, then spread the potatoes, broccoli, rosemary and a bit of mozzarella on top.

Not to brag (I'm totally going to brag), but I noticed Peter eating his really slowly and I was like, "Are you full?!"  And he said, "No! I just don't want it to be over."  Mhmm.

While eating said delicious pizza, we watched a really kooky documentary called The Cruise. Has anyone seen this?! It's about a nutty tour guide on the Grey Line bus tour in NYC. I couldn't stop laughing through a lot of it, but also nodding along because some of the wackadoo things he said were so true!

There's a part where he talks about his relationship with the city, how it sometimes loves him, and he loves it and everything goes swimmingly. But there are times the city is all, "We are getting a divorce! No amount of couples therapy can fix this broken love!"  And NYC folks, haven't we all been there at one time or another?

Anyways, highly recommended, and of course, available on Netflix Instant!

PS A few quick pizza tips: I always get my pizza stone really hot a 475 degree oven for at least 15 mins before putting the dough on. Then I turn the oven down to 375 and cook just the dough for 10 minutes. Take that out, add toppings, and cook another 8 minutes. For the last 2-3 minutes, I turn on the broiler to get a little bit of that charred look you get from pizza shops. Took me years to figure out my system, so I thought I'd pass it along!

Snowflake felt coasters

Peter and I started watching season four of 24 a week or two ago. I'd never seen the show before, but let me ease some fears if you are considering watching this on Netflix Instant: you will most definitely be able to pick up on everything you need to.

I've taken to saying things like, "There is no time!" and "I need satellite images NOW!" a la my new friend Jack Bauer. These rarely relate to anything, but that seems to be the case in Jack's world as well.

Based on the title of this post, you probably didn't think I'd be going on and on about 24. Connection time, ladies: I made these felt coasters while watching 24! They are so easy that I still saw all the interrogations, gun shots, computer hacks, etc, etc.

If you'd like to make your own, full directions are over here!

Documentary watching: strange and interesting people

Herb and Dorothy are a darling old couple that spent their lives collecting modern art on the modest salaries of a postal worker and a New York City librarian. Seeing their apartment made me a little twitchy, but it's an inspiring story about priorities and spending time and money on things you love.

I Like Killing Flies is a super quirky movie about Kenny Shopsin and his family, chronicling their move from a tiny hole in the wall restaurant to a slightly larger hole in the wall restaurant. This made me crave their almond joy pancakes like you would not believe.

Seen anything good lately?!

Documentary-watching

Ever since we cancelled our cable and switched over to Netflix, Peter and I have been documentary-watching machines. I highly recommend:

Girl with balloons

I finally saw The September Issue this week. Old news, I know, but it was on my Netflix stream. I loved Grace Coddington's 1920's shoot -- this is my favorite picture from it. Now that is a fabulous winter coat!

We're heading out of town this afternoon to attend my father-in-law's wedding. Peter's giving a reading at the ceremony, and is wearing his wedding suit! I'm excited to see him in it again.

Wishing you a very happy autumn weekend!