the book of ruth

Christmas Books

2011-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Did you read Christmas books as a child? What were your favorites?

Here are some that were well-loved in my family:

The Sweet Smell of Christmas:

The story is cute, but the book is SCRATCH N SNIFF! All the Christmas smells are there: candy canes, hot cocoa, pine, oranges. I think my sister and I ruined it with all of our scratching, so I was very relieved that it came back into print a few years ago.

The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry:

This is a lovely edition of the classic Christmas tale of a couple who sell their most-prized possessions to afford to buy gifts for one another. BUT, there's a twist...

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is one of my favorite picture book writers (I am hoping Santa brings me a copy of the new Chronicles of Harris Burdock book for Christmas), and while this is perhaps his most well-known book, it's absolutely lovely. I wish train rides were always the way they're depicted in the book.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

It's a classic for good reason.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

Every Christmas Eve, my sister still insists we read this aloud as a family. The cover is a bit different than our version at home, but I believe it's the same illustrator. With so many editions to choose from, this one seems cozy and warm.

The Mitten by Jan Brett

While all of the other tales are Christmas specific, "The Mitten" is just a sweet, fun, winter tale.

The Night Before Christmas

New Music

2011-12-06T23:47:00.001-08:00

One of the best things about December is that all of the "best of" lists for the year come out. I'm always looking for new music, so was pretty excited when I saw this list from Paste Magazine with the 50 best albums of the year.

What are your favorite songs / albums of the year?

Happy Holidays

2011-12-03T14:53:00.001-08:00

Now that it's December, I'm starting to get into the holiday spirit. How cute is this new ad for the John Lewis department store? I love it.

Documentaries

2011-12-02T01:45:00.001-08:00

Though I generally enjoy documentaries, I find I only watch them occasionally. However, I've seen some really great-looking previews lately. Has anyone seen any of these? Are any of them on your list of movies to see?

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
I can't upload a video to this directly, but here is the trailer for the first full-length film about Chinese artist, Weiwei: Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry. I think it looks amazing.

Being Elmo:

I Believe I Can Fly:

Starting a Wine Cellar

2011-11-26T09:35:00.001-08:00

This is a neat article about starting a basic wine cellar.

What's your favorite type of wine?

Until a few years ago, I normally only drank white wine. Then, at the start of 2009, my New Year's resolution was to acquire a taste for red wine. It was one of the most fun (and also most successful) resolutions I've had to date.

2011-11-25T09:05:00.001-08:00

source: http://xkcd.com/627/

Ballroom Jeans

2011-11-15T03:49:00.001-08:00

A friend recently passed this advertisement along to me, and it's kind of hilarious. This same friend, split the crotch of his jeans open trying to impress a small group of people with his dance skills a while back. So...these would be good for that, or also if you want your man to practice his ice dancing skills, I suppose:

New Favorite Magazine

2011-11-14T13:18:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine recently told me about Matchbook Magazine, which is online once a month. It's so cute! The perfect combination between preppy and relaxed. I can't wait until next month's issue!

Music for Monday Morning

2011-11-13T23:39:00.001-08:00

I woke up this morning to this link in my inbox from my dad. Monday mornings can be hectic, so get ready for work while listening to this fun song.

2011-11-13T11:50:00.001-08:00

Tonight for dinner, we tried the Spicy Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti from Ina Garten's How Easy Is That? Cookbook. Lately, that's been my go-to for recipes. As always, I'd recommend using less salt than she suggests, but it was a tasty, hearty cold weather meal.

Here's a link to the recipe, and a picture of a much tastier looking dish!

These are a few of people's favorite things...

2011-11-13T10:55:00.001-08:00

Lately, there's been a lot of "top" lists. Here are some of my favorites:

The Top 10 Literary Badasses in Children's Books
10 of the Best Burgers in NYC (chosen by The Guardian)
Best Cocktail Bars in the World (Top 50)

What do you think? What are your some of your favorite things?

Sunday Post

2011-11-13T10:49:00.001-08:00

I am always on the lookout for new music. Lately, I've been feeling like I'm in a bit of a rut--have any suggestions?

In the meantime, I'm enjoying these:

Mr. Rogers! (and more)

2011-11-07T13:24:00.001-08:00

It's Monday, which means I never have seem to have enough time in the day to do everything I'd like to. Maybe it's because I spend most of the days wishing it was any other day...

Here are a few things I found interesting:

A great article on Fred Rogers.
This looks like a yummy British food to make.
Apparently a man in Florida tried to use a taco as ID? Best line ever: Another deputy clarified they were asking for an ID, not a taco. Falkner chuckled and began eating the taco.
I want to try making some of the recipes on this tasty-looking blog.

Happy Sunday

2011-11-06T12:02:00.001-08:00

It's definitely fall in London this weekend. Yesterday we went up to Windsor and went kayaking on the Thames, which, aside from the the train not running part of the way, was a really fun experience. We managed to see Windsor Castle, Eton College, and lots of birds amidst fall foliage.

Afterward, we decided to swing by the Egham Real Ale & Cider Festival. Located at the Egham United Services Club, there was snooker, a BBQ, and fireworks in the background for Guy Fawkes Day.

Today, we made a Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Meat Loaf for dinner. Real Simple's recipe is a nice, tasty alternative to traditional meat loaf.

For the end of the weekend, I've swiped the two below links from Cup of Jo:

This is a great article on relationships.
Don't you kind of want these cute fake tattoos? They could be a cute Christmas stocking stuffer.

Tokyo Police Club

2011-11-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

I discovered this album last year after a friend recommended it to me. It took a little while, but they've really grown on me (good driving music!0. And this video is one of the most fun music videos I've ever seen. Dog pool party!

Occupy Wall Street

2011-11-06T04:14:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty great idea, even if you just want to cut down on junk mail:

James Van Der Week

2011-11-06T04:04:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what James Van Der Beek is up to these days? Me either, but I was still pretty excited to see him take over the Funny or Die Twitter Account for a week, and also to see this pretty awesome new website (I especially like the Katie Holmes smile section). Here's a clip of him doing "sexy":

And here's how it all came about.

Video: A Murmuration of Starlings - The Atlantic

2011-11-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

This must have been such an amazing thing to stumble upon. I love how surprised these girls seem:

Video: A Murmuration of Starlings - The Atlantic

Kitty!

2011-11-03T14:41:00.001-07:00

This is pretty spot on:

Best or Worst Commercial Ever Made?

2011-11-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Thoughts?

Tuesday Song

2011-11-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

It's dark and grey in London, so here's a sleepy song for the day. Though I love Kate Bush's original version, I kind of like this cover by Greg Laswell:

College Dorm Decorating Tips

2011-10-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Check out these dorm rooms.

I could definitely learn a few tricks from these college students.

Look Ma, No Hands!

2011-10-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

...is actually the name of a coffee shop / bike repair shop (okay, it's mum, but I haven't yet embraced that Britishism) not far from my apartment. On that note, check out this video on biking with no hands (I have to admit, I like it until the end...)

The National Book Award

2011-10-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the National Book Award debacle? The Awards will be announced on November 16th. Here are the nominees (with an error on the YA section--more on that later):

Fiction
THE SOJOURN by Andrew Krivak,
THE TIGER'S WIFE by Tea Obreht
THE BUDDHA IN THE ATTIC by Julie Otsuka
BINOCULAR VISION by Edith Pearlman
SALVAGE THE BONES by Jesmyn Ward

Non-Fiction
THE CONVERT: A Tale of Exile and Extremism by Deborah Baker
LOVE AND CAPITAL: Karl & Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution by Mary Gabriel
THE SWERVE: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
MALCOLM X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable
RADIOACTIVE: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

Poetry
HEAD OFF & SPLIT by Nikki Finney
THE CHAMELEON COUCH by Yusef Komunyakaa
DOUBLE SHADOWS by Carl Phillips
TONIGHT NO POETRY WILL SERVE: POEMS 2007-2010 by Adrienne Rich
DEVOTIONS by Bruce Smith,

Young People's Literature
MY NAME IS NOT EASY by Debby Dahl Edwardson
INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN by Thanhha Lai
FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP: THE TRIANGLE FIRE AND ITS LEGACY by Alfred Marrin
SHINE by Lauren Myracle*
OKAY FOR NOW by Gary D. Schmidt

*So, it turns out that SHINE was listed in error. What they meant to say was that CHIME by Franny Billingsley was on the list. Here is a PW article on the blunder, and here is author (and wife of Myracle's agent, Barry Goldblatt) Libba Bray's take on the situation.

Mindy Kaling Article

2011-10-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

Have you see Mindy Kaling's article about romantic comedies in The New Yorker? It's hilarious and so true. Click here to read it.

And if you're not sure who Mindy Kaling is, watch this video.

Great Commercial

2011-10-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this:

Monday Music: Desk Concert

2011-10-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Check out NPR's desk concert, featuring Wilco. I love them. And the drummer is playing on a book....

You can even download the whole thing for free! Who doesn't love free things?

Who wants a manfriend?

2011-10-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

How cute are these manfriends that are selling on etsy? Are you more of a Craig fan or a Kenneth fan?

Books!

2011-10-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

Daily Candy posted this list of 101 books they can't live without.

What books can't you live without?

Fall Flats

2011-10-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm obsessed with flats. The only problem is that regardless of price, they wear out quickly. Now that it's fall, I'm trying to scout out some new options. Here are a few that look like they could be both cute and functional, in a variety of prices.

J. Crew Cece Tweed Ballet Flats - $99 (on sale)

Land's End Canvas Mackenzie Plaintoe Ballet Flat - $68 (there's a lovely green shade on sale for just $33)

Two-Toned Marais Flats - $64

BC Limousine Flat from American Eagle - $45

Uptown Pumps from Boden - $118

Books: A Visit from the Goon Squad, Just Kids, Remains of the Day, State of Wonder

2011-10-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Having won the Pulitzer Prize earlier this year, I'd been curious about this book for a while. Then, just as I was about to pick it up, I had several friends tell me how disappointed they'd been with it. I think, as a result, I lowered my expectations quite a bit, and ended up enjoying it much more than I expected to.

While I didn't love any of the characters--most of them are deeply flawed--Egan's writing style was impeccable. I was truly impressed with the intricate way she wove the stories together and jumped around in time and locales. Her sentences are often poetic, and her observations astute.

The book is more interwoven short stories than novel, and the characters are hard to relate to. However, it's a quick read, and one I think that's worth picking up.

I have to admit that when I picked this up, I didn't know much about Patti Smith. My dad had given me a copy of her album "Land" a few years ago, and she just sounded so angry and harsh, that I don't think I ever listened to the album the entire way through.

Reading this made me want to revisit the album. I never realized quite how much an emphasis Smith put on words; the lyrics always came first.

While at times her lifestyle is a bit too out there for me, I found her story compelling and ultimately a really satisfying read. I'd recommend this if you're interested in reading more about the Chelsea Hotel and beat generation poets of New York in the 1960s and 70s.

Just Kids won the Pulitzer in 2010.

I loved Never Let Me Go. So, when my book club suggested reading The Remains of the Day, I thought the writing style might be similarly enjoyable. While The Remains of the Day is also incredibly well-written, the story and the writing style could not me more different. Kazuo Ishiguro's pacing in this novel is quite slow, but it's done in a very smart way.

The narrator, a British butler who worked in a grand house during WWII, is not necessarily likable, but he is interesting. And, as the story progresses, the reader discovers he's not necessarily reliable either. But this is the genius of the book.

I loved Bel Canto, so when a friend told me that State of Wonder was the best book she'd read all summer, I immediately went out and bought a copy. I wasn't disappointed. Ann Patchett's writing is lyrical, and the story is complex and interesting. While I didn't walk away feeling happy at the end, I felt that reading this novel was time really well spent. I'd highly recommend it.

Peach Cake

2011-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had a few nectarines that were getting a bit overripe. I found this recipe (again in Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That?)

I served it for dessert last night, but I think it might make a better coffee cake than dessert. For a slightly healthier version, I'd recommend swapping out the sour cream for some fat free (or reduced fat) greek yogurt.

Provencal Lamb Roast

2011-10-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

First, why is it so hard to take appetizing-looking pictures of food? I have a lot of respect for photographers who specialize in food. Second, this was delicious; I promise.

To celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, last night we roasted a leg of lamb. A while back, my friend Kristen gave me a copy of Ina Garten's How Easy is That? cookbook. I've been loving it; I haven't made a single recipe from it that I haven't enjoyed, and have made several of them multiple times.

I was a bit skeptical of this particular recipe as it called for honey, and I'm not normally a big fan of meat dishes that are sweet. However, I'm so glad I tried it. I couldn't taste the honey at all. In fact, the lamb was more spicy and tangy from the mustard and vinegar than it was sweet.

The best part was how simple it was to make. I'd highly recommend this for a dinner party. Prep before your guests come, and leave it for an hour + while you socialize with guests.

Click here for the recipe.Be warned, I only used half of the salt she recommended for the recipe and it still felt like overkill.

Sunday Song

2011-10-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

I heard "Look at Miss Ohio" by Gillian Welch a few weeks ago for the first time and really fell in love with the song, though I'm not sure her version is my favorite. Here's a decent cover by Blind Pilot.

On Beauty Video

2011-10-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

I like this video.

Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young singing Will Smith...

2011-10-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Fallon is pretty talented...

Hidden Posters of Notting Hill Gate

2011-10-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I was obsessed with the idea of finding a secret passageway, or lost civilization. I guess part of me is still interested in this sort of thing, which is why, when I read that vintage posters were discovered in an abandoned London tube station (specifically, Notting Hill Gate), I was pretty intrigued.

Can you imagine exploring an abandoned tube stop?

Maurice Sendak Article

2011-10-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article about Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are.

He has a lot of great quotes in it. While I don't particularly agree with his view on e-books, I did appreciate the comment: "I hate them. It's like making believe there's another kind of sex. There isn't another kind of sex. There isn't another kind of book! A book is a book is a book."

Humour! (to recover from the zombies...)

2011-09-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

This bonus feature from the movie Bridesmaids is pretty hilarious.

Zombies!

2011-09-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this looks terrifying. Anyone fancy a role play game in a whole city infested with zombies? Do they do this sort of thing in the States? I've heard of zombie walks, but never of actual games where you are being chased by zombies.

If that's not creepy enough for you, then season 2 of The Walking Dead premieres October 16.

Sunday: Song of the Day

2011-09-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

A friend recently told me he thinks that the new album by We are Augustines, "Rise Ye Sunken Ships", is the best album of the year. What do you think? Today I've been enjoying "Chapel Song". Here's the video:

2011-09-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

Did you see the Google Doodle in honor of Jim Henson? Here is a fun NYTimes article about the making of the logo, plus a bit about Henson.

Hot Pants

2011-09-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

When people started using the term hot pants, I always assumed they meant pants that were the color red. Now, colorful pants are everywhere. What do you think? Are they fabulous or too full-on?

Here are some of the options I've seen:

J. Brand for $176: I have to admit I tried these on at Anthropologie and they were too short for me. I think they're aiming for a cropped look, but these were more capris on me.
BDG has a pair available for only $58 at Urban Outfiters, but the reviews say they run after only one wash.
American Eagle has a pair of red jeggings for only $44. Are jeggings cool, or, are they, as one friend says, simply glorified tights?

Street Art

2011-09-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is a neat post, featuring some amazing street art.

Speaking of street art, have you seen Exit Through the Gift Shop? It's a really neat look into some interesting artists. Plus, it explores how gullible people can be.

Here's another great article on Banksy.

Sesame Street is still Amazing

2011-09-22T23:44:00.000-07:00

Songs Inspired by Poems

2011-09-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Flavorwire has a fun article on songs inspired by poets. Click here to have a read / listen.

Sneak peek--I especially like #7,M. Ward (of She & Him fame) singing a song called "Blake's View":

2011-09-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Last night, I met up with a friend to check out a Book Slam. She'd been before, but I didn't quite know what to expect. For a moment, I even worried it could be like a pillow fight with books. Then I realized I have been to poetry slams before, and they were fairly non-violent events.

If you enjoy a night of literature, but wish it had a bit more entertainment, a book slam is a great compromise. This particular event was hosted at The Grand in Clapham. Since the venue is a night club, the event differed from most book-type events I've attended. The Slam itself was like a literary round robin with a host, three performers and a dj.

The event was advertised to start at 7:30, but the host didn't appear on stage until just after 8. He opened by reading the poem "Invisible Kisses" and was followed by performances / readings by Inua Ellams (a poet, playwright, and performer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (a novelist), and Nick Mulvey (a singer / songwriter). Performances were interspersed with tunes from a DJ.

All in all, it was a fun night. As a warning, tickets, which are only about £6, have been selling out quickly, since the series received a mention in Stylist.

TV soundtracks

2011-09-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

You guys. I was watching The Vampire Diaries season premier this past week and the music was really good.

I know. It looks like there are two questionable statements in that first paragraph. It's fine if TVD isn't your thing. But the music (at least most of it) really was decent. It made me think about all of the good TV show soundtracks I've owned.

It always starts the same way. You find yourself watching a show like Party of Five or Felicity. The music is decent, so you buy the album. You listen to it until you're sick of it. Maybe you even made a few mix tapes featuring songs from the show in question before this happens. But then it sits neglected in your CD case, or on display for years and years until you have a dinner party and people are rifling through your things and someone is like "why do you have the Dawson's Creek soundtrack?" And they say it in this way like they're judging you, so you get defensive and are like "Oh, that's ancient. I totally meant to throw that out years ago. My music taste is totally amazing now. he he?"

But later you realize that they're not reacting to the music. They're reacting to the fact that James Van Der Beek's face is on the cover of one of your CDs. In fact, the more you think about it, that Paula Cole song was really amazing and where have all the cowboys gone? Plus, who didn't feel like their love life was a little less bleak after listening to "Kiss me" by Sixpence None the Richer.

Sadly, you probably buried that CD at the bottom of the pile after this dinner party and forgot about the CD for another 5 years when the whole situation repeats itself.

Anyway, here is a link to the list of music they played on last week's episode of TVD. I especially liked the two featured below. The Ingrid Michaelson song is sweet, and the video for "Hello" is pretty charming:

London Open House

2011-09-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Don't you always wonder how other people live? Especially well-to-do people who live in posh, older houses? It turns out that London has an open house weekend, where the public is allowed a peek into some of these houses and buildings. The event, which was this past weekend, was a great way for designers, architects, and urban planners to showcase their work.
While at Portobello Market on Saturday with a friend, we passed one of the houses on the tour, but the line was around the corner of the block. Somewhat discouraged, we abandoned the plan to check out the open houses on Saturday.
Then, on the way to the grocery store on Sunday morning, we passed a flat in Angel that was open to the public. At this property, you were supposed to pre-book, but the architect at the door, allowed us to sneak into the tour. He and his wife then gave the group a quick talk about the challenge of renovating the house, and how they managed to create a sustainable flat that met the client's vision.
One of the neatest parts of the property was how they'd managed to update the garden. Since the couple living in the flat are only in London on weekends, they wanted a garden that was low maintenance. So, they built the patio up a bit higher, and created a way for rain water to be trapped underneath, and then irrigate the garden when no one was home.
They also had a beautiful wild flower garden on the roof. I only wish I'd taken pictures.

For more details about the event, visit londonopenhouse.org.

Anne Hathaway Rapping

2011-09-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

I kind of love this.

Music Covers

2011-09-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

I love a good cover band. The Lost Fingers put a different spin on some modern day songs. Check out their video for "Pump Up the Jam":

The whole "Lost in the 80s", album is neat. As they're from Quebec, they also have some great French songs, in particular a re-make of "Belleville Rendez-Vous" from the movie "Triplets of Belleville".

2011-09-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is a great article.

My Superpower Is Being Alone Forever

www.theawl.com

It’s pretty hard to reverse engineer a meet-cute. These things either happen or they don’t. If you were really serious about it, you could probably arrange for, say, an errant shopping cart to go charging off in someone's direction and then you could rush up behind it saying, "Sorry, sorry!" and tha...

Next Disney Movie?

2011-09-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Willow, Lost Cat From Colorado, Resurfaces in Manhattan

www.nytimes.com

Have you read about Willow yet? Such a great article. And a bit like The Incredible Journey Except that the dogs sat around not doing much....

I love that they still have her little Christmas stocking.

Sunday Soup Recipe

2011-09-18T09:35:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I wanted a speedy soup recipe, so I pulled out Nigella Express. She had a recipe for Minestrone in Minutes. I have to admit, I was skeptical, but it turned out really well.

I didn't have any pasta sauce, so I ignored her instructions to add pre-made sauce, and I just added some sauteed onions and garlic, crushed tomatoes, a bit of dried oregano, and a bay leaf, as well as a bit of extra chicken stock. It was pretty tasty and express.

Here is the recipe.

London Bags

2011-09-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to London, I asked a friend who used to live here where she'd suggest buying a new bag. She suggested Mimi Berry. Sadly, I can't (yet) justify the cost, but I think I would be happy with almost any of the bags they sell. Especially the Clementine or the Peggy (shown below).

Easy New 'Do

2011-09-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

I wear my hair the same way every. single. day. Usually, I wake up, shower, blow it dry, and then throw it up in a messy ponytail after an hour or so. It's just boring. So, the last time I went to get my hair cut, I asked the stylist (whom I trust) if she had any suggestions for an easy, new way to wear my hair.

She suggested a modified bun. Here's how you do it:

Put your hair in pigtails. The part doesn't really matter.
Tie the pigtails in a knot and then pin down the ends.

I'm trying no to wash my hair every day, and this is a great solution to save my hair from looking flat or greasy. Plus, I can do it myself. What do you think?

Here are pictures:

Great Article

2011-09-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

I love this article called "My Superpower Is Being Alone Forever". It's all about online dating and meeting people. Great line: "Everyone has a friend who is so charismatic, brilliant or good-looking that the idea of him or her trolling OKCupid is mind-boggling. I am haunted by those friends. What is it that separates us? Is it gluten?"

Zoolander

2011-09-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

I love Zoolander, but had no recollection of Alexander Skarsgard being one of the "orange mocha frappuccino" male models...

Literary Pets

2011-09-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

What kind of animal would you love to keep as a pet? Some famous authors have some interesting choices, shared in this article. Can you imagine parading a lobster around on a leash??

Here's Flannery O'Connor and her peacocks:

Fun Tunes

2011-09-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Marie Claire suggested these songs this month, and here are a few I think are okay, including some French Gypsy Jazz.

"Je Veux" by Zaz:

"Free My Mind" by Katie Herzig:

"Paper Tiger" by Rosi Golan:

Fun Song

2011-09-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Music of the Day

2011-09-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of The Tallest Man on Earth. Here's one of the neatest videos I've seen....I kind of want to find this shop:

I also really like this cover he does of "Graceland':

2011-09-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

This is kind of hilarious.

"Ah, what can ever be more stately and admirable to me than mast-hemm’d Manhattan?"

2011-09-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

10 years ago today, I was wandering the streets of Lancaster, England during my study abroad course. I was with two friends and our plan was to head into town to get groceries. It was a beautiful day. It felt like fall.

Now, on September 11, 2011 I again find myself in England. London is cool and crisp. But today I miss New York.

The title of this post is taken from Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Walt Whitman.

Danny MacAskill Videos

2011-09-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

I posted these on Facebook ages ago, but I watch them every now and then just because they're so amazing, and well-done. Again, great music picks with "The Funeral" by Band of Horses and "Wax and Wire" by Loch Lomond.

Song of the day

2011-09-10T03:11:00.001-07:00

I know I just posted the long boarding video, which features this song, but I just can't get enough of it!

I think I may have to buy the whole album...

Bag o'...

2011-09-10T03:08:00.000-07:00

I go through white t-shirts like it's my job. If it was my job, I'd be loaded. They're always grey, or stained (I'm a bit of a slob) after a week or so. So, I think this is an excellent idea. For only $48 you get 3 crips, white tees. I wonder if they're see-through....

Dark tees and tanks are also available.

More Shoes...

2011-09-10T02:46:00.000-07:00

Check out these cute shoes from BC Footwear at American Eagle. $45 seems like an okay price for shoes too. I like both the blue and the yellow.

Cheap, Cool, Perscription Glasses

2011-09-10T02:42:00.000-07:00

I have never worn contact lenses, so I view my glasses as an accessory. Unfortunately, they're an expensive accessory that are supposed to last for years, so I end up getting sick of my frames before I should be buying new ones. So, when I read about Warby Parker, I was kind of jazzed.

The company offers frames + glasses for $95. And for every pair of glasses they sell, they donate a pair to a person in need. So, for $95 you can also feel good about your purchase.

The down side is that as of now, they only have two places for you to try on glasses in a showroom, and both are in NY. To get around this, they will ship you up to 5 pairs of frames at a time for free (anywhere in the contiguous 48 States) to try on at home. If you like them, you're in luck. If not, send them back for free. It could be a good opportunity to get a spare pair of cool frames, or some prescription sunglasses.

The down side: they're not shipping internationally yet. So, if you buy a pair, you'll have to let me know if they're any good!

Have you read it yet?

2011-09-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Unbroken has just sold 1 million copies in hardcover, which is a pretty impressive feat in the age of the e-book. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend picking up a copy--in hardcover or e-book version.

Though it's non-fiction, it reads like fiction, and is an amazing story of survival.

Body Lotion with SPF

2011-09-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you like to try this body lotion? It's a bit on the pricey side, but it's all natural, and has SPF 30 for your whole self.

Weekend Soup Recipe

2011-09-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've just bought this thermos to bring to work, so I'm trying to get in the habit of making soup over the weekend so that I'll have at least a few weekday lunches ready to take with me before I'm rushing around in the morning trying to get ready for the day.

This week, I made Carrot-Ginger Soup from The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook. It's healthy, easy-to-make and tasty hot or cold. Recipe below, copied from this site:

Ingredients

6 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
¼ cup finely chopped fresh ginger root
3 cloves garlic, minced
7 cups chicken broth
1 ½ lbs. carrots, peeled and cut into ½ in. pieces
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
Add the onion, ginger, and garlic and sauté for 15 – 20 minutes.
Add the broth and carrots. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the carrots are very tender, about 45 minutes.
Puree the soup in a blender or food processor, 2 – 3 cups at a time, and pour into a large bowl. When finished, pour the pureed soup back into the stockpot. Season with lemon juice.

Beirut

2011-09-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm listening to a lot of Beirut and wishing there were still tickets left to see them next Friday in London! Here's one of my favorites. It reminds me of France. Plus, I love the marching aspect:

Knitting

2011-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

How cute are these patterns from Tiny Owl Knits? I only know very basic knitting, but these kind of make me want to take it up as a hobby:

Veggie Recipe:

2011-09-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I tried my hand at making Ratatouille (the last time I'd had a craving for it was as I was leaving the theater after seeing the movie...) There's a chill in the air here, so it seemed like the right time to cook up some vegetable stew.

I used this recipe from a Menus from an Orchard Table. Yum.

Rompers!

2011-09-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

As summer is drawing to a close (in some places. In London, it's practically winter), I can't help but check out the end of season sale. One purchase I never made this summer was the romper. Why? Because they're rompers. Then my sister met me in New York for a weekend and looked adorable in one. What do you think? Hers was black, but the coral would be fun with a tan...Also, it's only $33 here.

If you're not going to rush out and buy one, at least take a moment to appreciate the word. It's kind of fun to say: rompers!

Laughs

2011-09-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

This will at least make you smile.

Interesting move, Google.

2011-09-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

It seems as though Google's plan to take over the world is one step further along with their acquisition of Zagat's. I hope this "dependable" guide doesn't get too much of a "facelift".

Travel Deal

2011-09-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

If anyone in New York, Boston, or Chicago is interested in traveling to Canada, Porter Airlines is having a 50% sale off all flights through December 15. You just have to book soon!

Here are details: Book online or contact your travel agent. Use promo code WOW50 by September 9, 2011. Travel by December 15, 2011. New bookings only. Cannot be combined with any other promotions or programs.

Girl Hate

2011-09-08T03:02:00.001-07:00

This is a great article on girl hate.

Loafers

2011-09-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

I've decided I'm a fan of the fall loafer trend, but what pair to get? Here are a few different styles I've seen and pondered:

Color Pair Loafers from Anthropologie:

Bed Stu Penny Loafer from American Eagle:

I like both the classic-looking Biella Loafers and the Darby Patent Loafer from J. Crew:

Lastly, while summer is drawing to a close, I am still wishing, I'd bought a pair of boat shoes. Maybe there will be an end of season sale? I still like these Sperry Top-Siders:

Fall in London

2011-09-07T13:51:00.001-07:00

It is definitely Autumnal in London. To be fair, it's been somewhat fall-like since July, but I suspect the days of bare legs are rapidly coming to a close. I've recently discovered Emerson Made. Doesn't this seems like the perfect fall blazer for London (or anywhere?). I wish the price was a bit more perfect for my wallet...

Carving the Mountains

2011-09-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin posted the below video and it was too amazing not to swipe. I wish I was this fierce. Not to mention, an awesome song by The Decemberists.

Swagger Wagon

2011-09-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not a mini van fan, but the new Sienna ads are pretty funny. In particular, this:

I heart Roald Dahl

2011-09-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Besides his amazingly weird kids' stories like James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and his amazingly weird adult stories like "The Hitchhiker" and "Lamb to the Slaughter", he also sent some pretty weirdly amazing responses to fan mail.

Click this link to see his response to a letter to a class.

And here to read about how he had all of his permanent teeth pulled!

100 Years of Style (and dancing!) in London

2011-09-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Fun Video:

What I Miss: Grand Central

2011-09-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Grand Central Station is one of my favorite buildings in New York. If you're lucky enough to come across it when it's calm, it's spectacular. But, as this fun New York Times article suggests, it's really a work of art anytime. I think this line sums it up perfectly: "I sense that these same visitors would not carry themselves in quite the same way at Penn Station or the Port Authority. The immensity of the hall’s space makes an impact at all times, surrounding people with drama."

New Favorite Lip Gloss

2011-09-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

So, this isn't a new product, but I've just discovered it and am loving it!

I've been putting it on before work each morning.

Banned Book Barge

2011-08-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

I first heard about The Book Barge a few months ago when it was docked along the canal in Islington, not far from my flat. In a tougher and tougher independent book market, The Guardian calls the Barge is the "brainchild" of Sarah Henshaw. I've read about several independent booksellers who are interested in making the purchase of books about the experience more than about the bargain.

Now, the Book Barge, which sells new and used books, has made it's way to Bristol and the crew has been told that their license isn't being accepted in the port. Here's a link to the article.

Either way, a neat shop. I'd gladly buy my books from a barge!

Vintage Bike

2011-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday, I look forward to getting my free issue of Stylist Magazine, which is handed out at tube stops. For the past few weeks, they've been on vacation, so I was especially excited to nab my copy on my way to work this morning.

This week, one of the stand-outs on their style list is this vintage inspired bike, on sale at made.com for only £179. (It comes in pink too!)

Wouldn't you like this bike for touring around town? All it needs is a basket!

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

2011-08-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

If you're in the mood for a happy read, look no further. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a cozy adult love story that gently explores issues of race and prejudice and hammers home that it's never too late in life for love. All of the characters in the book are flawed, but most of them are likeable. I genuinely enjoyed Major Pettigrew and rooted for him along the way. A lovely debut novel.

Emerald Street

2011-08-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

Emerald Street is one of my go-to London blogs. They send along a newsletter a few times a week with suggestions on fashion, bars, etc. They aren't always to my taste (especially the fashion suggestions), but it's neat to read their newsletters.

Today, they've included their list of The 20 Books YOU Must Read. I have to admit, I don't agree with all of their picks (I'd definitely replace The Blind Asassin with The Handmaid's Tale), but it's worth a browse.

What do you think? What are books you always find yourself raving about?

Texas Gothic

2011-08-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read any Rosemary Clement-Moore, you're missing out. While I preferred Prom Dates from Hell, I did thoroughly enjoy Texas Gothic. Clement-Moore's books are a breath of fresh air in the over-crowded paranormal romance YA market. Her characters are part Nancy Drew, part Veronica Mars, and a teeny, tiny bit Twilight (in that they are dead-pan characters who can't believe that something out of the ordinary is happening to them. My suggestion: get Prom Dates from Hell first and see what you think.

London Rainbow

2011-08-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night, I got caught in a Downpour (with a capital "D"). Just as I was walking home along the canal, I came out from under a bridge to the below sight--so neat!

Sadly, I did not find a pot of gold.

Willow!

2011-08-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

As previously mentioned, Willow is one of my favorite moves of all time. Therefore, I'm a little bit excited that Warwick Davis is starring in a new show with Ricky Gervais. I will not comment on the trailer other than that Ricky Gervais' laugh is contagious. Clip below:

Hey everyone, there's a new Poet Laureate in town...

2011-08-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Philip Levine. Here's an article about Levine's poetry.

Poets.org has a few of his poems if you're interested in checking them out too.

50 of Poetry's Most Poignant Lines

2011-08-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Stylist, my new favorite British magazine, has a great article called "50 Of Poetry's Most Poignant Lines". Click here to read it!

One of my favorite picks is by David Lehman, the head of The New School poetry department and also the series editor of The Best American Poetry series:

"When a woman loves a man, they have gone / to swim naked in the stream / on a glorious July day / with the sound of the waterfall like a chuckle / of water rushing over smooth rocks, / and there is nothing alien in the universe."

-When a Woman Loves a Man, David Lehman

Buster Plughole Unblocker

2011-08-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Living in a foreign country, there are inevitably things you end up missing from home. Here are a few examples of things I have yet to find in London: Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Stick, Luna Bars, J. Crew (sometimes they have stuff on the Outnet...), Crest toothpaste.

When I first moved into my flat here, I noticed the drain was clogged. Immediately, I wondered if Dran-o was even available in the UK. But, my worries were for naught as I soon discovered the British equivalent simply has a different name:

Buster's Plughole Unblocker.

Warm French Lentils

2011-08-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

Initially, this was supposed to be a Meatless Monday post. You have to admit, it has a certain ring to it. But last night, my supplies were limited. So, tonight I made a delicious lentil recipe for dinner from Ina Garten's How Easy is That? So far, I love this book. All of the recipes are really easy and super delicious. Here's a link I found to the recipe online. I also took a lovely photo, but just managed to delete it.

Since it's summer, I served the lentils with a salad and a baguette. Pretty tasty!

Word of warning: I usually half the butter / oil and salt in the Barefoot Contessa's recipes.

Beach Hair

2011-08-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

Confession: though I don't normally spend a lot of time styling my hair, I am a sucker for trying new hair products, especially in summer when my hair tends to get dry and tangled so easily. My go-to detangler for years has been Bb Tonic Lotion:

While Bumble and bumble products are not cheap (an 8 oz. bottle is about $19), once I bought my first bottle of the Tonic, I was a convert. It works on damp hair as a de-tangler and rumor has it if you want to skip washing your hair for a day, you can spray some on the roots and then blow them dry. The larger size lasts for ages, and the playfully labeled bottles cheer up a bathroom.

I've recently cheated on Bb with Oribe Foundation Mist:

I have to say, I'm a fan. It's approximately $3 more expensive than the Bumble and bumble, but it smells heavenly (the tonic has a slightly medicinal smell), and it works as well, if not better. Overall, it's a nice change. I may even be a convert.

If you're looking for something to cure your parched summer locks, check out Kaitlin's post on argan oil.