Amy and I were walking down 9th Avenue on a cupcake hunt. We were both new enough to the city that a cupcake hunt, even one prompted by the inevitable overwork and exploitation of twentysomething labor that the magazine world incites, felt festive instead of depressing. We went together instead of alone, our desires to dull our job pressures in a ( Read more... )

( Blathering about body image stuff in an attempt to fucking get over it already. This installment: Lose 30 Pounds And Make Over Your Life! )

I just met my pastry idol!!! I am so excited!

I went to a demo at the Bon Appetit Cafe, a two-weeks-only restaurant (a concept that annoys the crap out of me but that allows me to meet my idol): Claudia Fleming making one of her basic chocolate recipes ( Read more... )

I went to wd-50 last night, and I was planning on posting about it. But in talking to a friend about it, I found myself saying "They tied foie gras in a knot!" and "It was pizza, in pebble form!" and shuddered a little. Not because of the ethical considerations of foie gras, not because of any disenchantment with whimsy, but more the idea of, Why ( Read more... )

Last night I ate brains bruschetta. Slowly, slowly, I work my way toward head cheese.

Until today, the most ridiculous piece of advice I've ever read in a women's magazine was as follows:

"Smear glitter gloss over a piece of Saran wrap, wrap the plastic around your back, and shimmy!"

But no more! That has been unseated by this nutrition gem (italics and vulgarity mine):

"I core a Rome apple, pour diet cherry soda over it, ( Read more... )

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1 T lavender

Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let lavender steep for 1/2 hour; strain, discard lavender.

1 1/2 T lavender syrup
1 T lemon juice
1 jigger lemon vodka
splash Triple Sec

Pour over ice and top with seltzer.

Happy May Day!

9/26: Purchase quart of organic orange juice ( Read more... )