Kailey and I have been keeping busy the last week or so. I know I havent been blogging in and thats because we are SO busy around this time of year around the holidays. Kailey and I made some sugar cookies and decorated some snowflakes for the holidays. This was a lot of fun and look for more to come later on arts and crafts…..

Kailey's first snowflake making activity

Mommy's snowflake

Holiday sugar cookies

…prøver at fordøje årets første julefrokost! Har spist alt det mad, som jeg egentlig ikke har lyst til at spise resten af årets måneder, hvorfor dog nu? Men alt imens min mave vænner sig til de fremmede kalorier og e-numre, så nyder jeg dette fantastiske nummer. Det kan være at i også kan nyde de velkendte toner! (cover af et gammelt Guns ‘n roses nummer)

One of my absolut favorite tunes!

M

Super cool chick, med super cool frisure! Jeg syntes at denne “new fashion punk undercut”- frisure (eller hvad vi skal kalde den??) er så mega fed!! Jeg har længe gået og flirtet med tanken om, at kaste mig ud i det! Men jeg tør nok alligevel, når det kommer til stykket.. (Eller man ved aldrig!?) Dette er Alice Dellal som fejrer udgivelsen af bogen “MaRio de Janeiro” af Mario Testino, i Paris i Oktober 2009. Mario Testino er en af verdens mest succesrige mode/portræt fotografer! Han har altid været facineret af Rio de Janeiro (forståeligt nok!).

This is one cool haircut!! Could be mine soon? This is Alice Della celebrating the launch of the book “MaRio de Janeiro” by Mario Testino. He is one of the world most succesful fashion photografhers.

M

I admire a lot of people but I love bloggers the most. I love them because I can relate to them. They may be celebrities in their own right but I feel like there is still something casually true about them. They give out their opinions like real people because they are real people who just like to share their lives and interests to millions of people.

Travel Blogs

1. Forks and Jets – Their site is nicely designed and uncluttered unlike most travel blogs that I’ve visited. I also like the way that they include a lot of photos in their posts and the food that they feature are something that I want to try for myself.

2. Ivan Henares – This guys makes me so proud to be a Filipino. I was inspired to explore my own country because of him. Before, all I even want to do is get out and explore others nations because I had this thought that mine was just too boring. He made me change my mind about the Philippines.

Fashion Blogs

1. Bryanboy – Finally, a flamboyant character that all over the fashion world at the moment. I truly love gay guys and Bryanboy is the epitome of a gay person that I want to be friends with. Cheeky, over-the-top, and just plain awesome.

2. Tokyobanhbao – This girl is just too cute! I love her casual clothes especially the ones for spring and summer. It’s so refreshingly boyish but with random feminine touches here and there. And, I get to practice reading French because she writes in French.

Food Blogs

1. 101 Cookbooks – I don’t like vegetables that much but the writer of this blog made me change my mind. The food that she prepares are beautifully presented and I just want to start cooking like her. Awesome and healthy food recipes are included in her daily posts.

2. Simply Recipes – A great blog full of recipes that are simply to die for when cooked. I love how she makes everything seem simple and the categories on the side bar makes it easy for me to navigate hundreds of her recipes just waiting to be experimented on.

名前は知らないけど、淡いピンクが綺麗な花。

DP1+AML-1。

Confession:  I’m a hopeless product/beauty junkie.

Despite my best efforts to “zen” out my room and life with what seems like perpetual decluttering, I always find myself seduced by cute packaging and pretty or fun colors.  Even after several massive overhauls, my drawers, shelves, baskets and makeup pouches are still spilling over.

But the real jewels in the pile are my favorite classics… the good ol’ faithfuls.  Here are a few:

Cetaphil is simply one of the best non-irritating, good-for-your-skin cleansers out there.  I love it — it’s so soothing for sensitive skin.  It’s a classic and a keeper.

OPI, Bubble Bath

Clean & Classic.  Elegant.  Polished.  Put-together.  Gets along well.  The perfect milky-pink.  Need I say more?

NARS Blush, Orgasm

I know, I know… but it’s a cult favorite (or maybe super beauty phenomenon?) for a reason.  It gives the perfect candle-lit glow and it lasts forever since a little goes a long way.  I’ve been using it for years and still love and enjoy it.  Plus, it’s in a sleek and pretty case with a sexy name

MAC Eye Kohl, Teddy

Although I’ve since ventured off and tried a slew of different eyeliners (sparkly, electric-hued, and just about every shade of brown and black in high and low brands), I still have a soft spot for this unbelievably soft but pretty shade of deep bronze.

neutrogena.com

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock

Do not let my tan skin fool you.  I have the most sun-sensitive, easy to burn & tan skin out of everyone I know or have ever met.  No one believes me until they see just how toasty I get after spending a mere 10 minutes in direct sunlight.  It didn’t occur to me that I might want to consider sun protection (you know, just a “minor” suggestion) until a couple years ago — well after major sun damage had been done.  Before then, I spent nearly everyday of my life outdoors or on an open track field (yay, wrinkles!).  Dry-touch is everything it promises to be: sheer, light, non-greasy, and barely noticeable while packing in good SPF protection.  An absolute essential for anyone.

What are some of your favorites or trusty classics?

Here are some of the trends that I find really cute.  Keep in mind that this is coming from a girl who’s favorite color is black and I tend to like dark clothing.  I think it’s because it contrasts the feminine traits in women. So like I said, here are some of my favorites:

Chadwick Brogue $118.00

Tourista Wrap Charm Watch - $110.00

ASOS BLACK Jacquard Blazer - $144.48

American Apparel Disco Pant $78.00

American Apparel Disco Pant

Deena & Ozzy Suede Over-The-Knee Boot $148.00

Do you know the Thomas Sabo Charm Club?

I instantly fell in love when I first saw all the little charms, and my collection grows every year on my birthday.

Last year I got the first one: The Eiffel Tower. My mom bought it for me when I was still away in college and she came for a weekend visit.

Basically all the charms are like the charms you collect for a charm bracelet. I’m not too much into bracelets, especially with charms dangling on it, so I wear my charms on a necklace. Sometimes just one, sometimes all of them, sometimes just a few…

Oh, and see those little black and white boxes in the background? They are like tiny, Barbie-sized, hat boxes, and the charms come in them.

What’s not to love?

]]> http://michaelsrestaurants.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/favorites-on-the-web-matt-bites/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:58:39 +0000 Kyle http://michaelsrestaurants.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/favorites-on-the-web-matt-bites/

Fruits and vegetables Matt shot while in Rome.

Next week, we’re going to Paris with Michael and Kim. We’ve got posts about their favorite bistros and brasseries in the City of Light and the grande bouffe Michael cooked for Kim from the farmers’ market following a day perusing modern art.

I have always been a fan of anise. When I was in high school, my mom worked at this banquet hall and she would make bizcochitos for some of the banquets there. Her cookies were light, crumbly, and in the shape of cacti.

I wanted to make some for Thanksgiving yesterday, so I hunted down a recipe. Traditionally, they are supposed to be rolled out like a sugar cookie. I am currently lacking in the rolling-pin department so I had to get creative. First, I tried the tines of a fork, like peanut butter cookies, but they were too thick. I ended up using the bottom of a glass. I think they turned out rather well, if I do say so myself.

Bizcochitos
1 c shortening or lard (I used shortening)
1 1/4 c sugar, divided
1 egg
1 t anise seed (not ground)
3 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c water
2 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350*F. In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream together shortening and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth; add eggs and anise seed and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; add to shortening mixture. Add enough water until dough clumps together.

And here is where we deviate from the recipe.

What you’re supposed to do:
Turn dough out onto an unfloured surface and roll to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut into diamond shapes, or cut out with a cookie cutter. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 c sugar with 2 t cinnamon. Dip the top of each cookie into the mixture and place on an ungreased sheet pan.

What I did:
Roll cookies into balls that are about the size of a walnut. Roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture(still 1/2 c sugar + 2 t cinnamon). Place on a cookie sheet with a Silpat (or cheap Target variation) liner. Press bottom of glass down on each cookie until they are about an 1/8 of an inch thick. If glass begins sticking to cookie, press bottom of glass in cinnamon and sugar mixture and resume pressing.

And now back to the recipe.

Bake for 10 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden. Do not overcook; you want them to be a little soft.

Eat with a cup of hot chocolate.

I am getting really excited about decorating for Christmas!  You see, this will be our first Christmas in our new house! Last christmas we were living in a one bedroom apartment and we didnt have room for anything- much less a big christmas tree!

This year, we are going to have a full size tree! Yay! I am going to do blue and silver on the tree this year….I guess a lot of other people are doing that too since I have had no trouble finding tons of blue and silver ornaments…Blue just happens to be my favorite color!

I have been browsing etsy for some cute ornaments as well:

As you can see, my love of owls continues on into Christmas decorations!

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

Be careful out there on Black Friday!

Jeg faldt over denne super flotte plakat af McCann Erickson Manchester, her i min halvsene aften surfing! Må snart lukke computeren ned, mine øjne er ved at blive firkantede! Meeeeen kan vist godt lige nå at smide lidt på bloggen:-) Plakaterne skal vist bruges som oplysningskampagne omkring “det psykiske helbred”. Ansigterne er lavet med “tanke-streger”, og skal symbolisere de ting man bør snakke om. Virkelig stærke og flotte plakater!! God inspiration! Se evt flere projekter på www.mccannmanchester.com.

M

source: Huffington Post

Roger Federer will finish 2009 as No. 1 in the ATP Ranking, for the 5^th time in his career, announced yesterday.

Once the turkey carcass has been picked of any last remaining meat and the pie crumbs wiped from the counter, I like to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving catching up on reading. It’s time for some R&R after all the cooking and entertaining.  Inevitably I have a stack of magazines that have piled up over the last few months. I settle into the sofa with a blanket and I am set for the day. It may seem odd to read about food after a day of serious eating but not for me. Over the years magazines come and go in my house as I lose interest or they become predictable. I have three favorites that I wait impatiently for the postman to put into my mailbox each month.

One is California Country magazine published by The California Farm Bureau. If you want to learn about farmers, ranchers and agriculture in California, this is a must read. Printed without a big budget or advertising, California Country has articles about water issues, wineries, nuts, citrus, produce, flowers and anything relating to California agriculture. It focuses on big and large scale farms. Once you start reading California Country it sinks in how much food is grown in this state and how much the rest of the country (and the world) depends on California. One of the things I like best is you get to know the people who are involved in agriculture. They are dedicated, hardworking, fun and caring people. The magazine also has a companion television series shown within the state of California. If you can’t catch it on television you can see watch many of the episodes on their website.

Another favorite is Saveur magazine. Like other food periodicals it offers recipes but it doesn’t stop there. Regional and international foods are explored from cultural, historical and culinary perspectives. Saveur is about “real food, real places, real people.” The latest issue featured kimchi, a Jerusalem food market, as well as a turkey article celebrating and attempting to preserve heritage breed birds.

My last favorite monthly, but surely not in third place, is Vogue Entertaining and Travel from Australia. Each time I pick up this magazine I have to restrain myself from calling the airlines and booking a flight to Sydney. The first time I went to Australia in 1987 I was amazed by the food. It equals California in terms of style and ingredients but is also influenced by Europe and Asia. The food is simple but sophisticated. I want to eat every recipe in every issue.

These magazines keep me inspired, cooking and well fed all year. For that I am thankful.

… kunne gribe ind i skabet her til morgen og hive de her ting ud … Fra øverst til venstre ser du Alexander McQueen strik, jakke fra Balmain, body fra Acne, halssmykke fra Juicy Couture og sidst men ikke mindst et par suede shoes fra miu miu. Jeg vil have det hele, men i den virklige verden, ville jeg nok starte med body’en fra Acne.

Net-a-porter.com

I want all of these items but I will probably start with the body from Acne.

S

Absolutely stunning!  These male gymnasts deliver a flawless performance.

[Via b3ta]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  What are you thankful for?

November Evening

Come, for the dusk is our own; let us fare forth together,
With a quiet delight in our hearts for the ripe, still, autumn weather,
Through the rustling valley and wood and over the crisping meadow,
Under a high-sprung sky, winnowed of mist and shadow.

Sharp is the frosty air, and through the far hill-gaps showing
Lucent sunset lakes of crocus and green are glowing;
‘Tis the hour to walk at will in a wayward, unfettered roaming,
Caring for naught save the charm, elusive and swift, of the gloaming.

Watchful and stirless the fields as if not unkindly holding
Harvested joys in their clasp, and to their broad bosoms folding
Baby hopes of a Spring, trusted to motherly keeping,
Thus to be cherished and happed through the long months of their sleeping.

Silent the woods are and gray; but the firs than ever are greener,
Nipped by the frost till the tang of their loosened balsam is keener;
And one little wind in their boughs, eerily swaying and swinging,
Very soft and low, like a wandering minstrel is singing.

Beautiful is the year, but not as the springlike maiden
Garlanded with her hopes­rather the woman laden
With wealth of joy and grief, worthily won through living,
Wearing her sorrow now like a garment of praise and thanksgiving.

Gently the dark comes down over the wild, fair places,
The whispering glens in the hills, the open, starry spaces;
Rich with the gifts of the night, sated with questing and dreaming,
We turn to the dearest of paths where the star of the homelight is gleaming.

Every Fall, I reach out to my donor family through Gilberto, older brother to my deceased heart donor, Roberto, with a letter of gratitude.  Yes, organ donation is an anonymous process, but all across the country recipients and donor families make contact in all sorts of coincidences and welcome ways, many eventually agreeing to meet face to face.  I am blessed with having had such an opportunity and thus this at least annual exchange of thanks for my life saved and Gil’s interest in getting an update on how life is continuing with his brother’s heart still beating here in my body now 15 years later (as of Oct 19, 2009).

In his letter Gilberto shares a poem of special meaning from his youth, one that he still remembers these many years later.  With his permission I share it with you here:

Here are some mixes and original tracks that we’ve been enjoying recently

Tits & Clits – Pillpopper [Tommie Sunshine & Turbo P 'Brooklyn Fire' Remix]

Mix 7 – Smooth Fidgets

2009 10 mrfarts monkey

As well, via The Phoenix Loop

“Three tracks up for grabs here from my latest mix.  Peppered with horn and vocal samples from the early 20th, these have been in heavy rotation lately when I play out.  I never tire of seeing heads turn during both Why Don’t You and Save Us when the beat kicks out leaving nothing but the big band playing, only to kick back in with spliced, choppy awesomeness.”

Gramophonedzie – Why Don’t You?
Nadastrom – Save Us
Sandy Huner – Rare Tap (2000 and One cut)

Personally a fan of the big band sampling, and hope that starts coming back in some fashion. Definitely worth checking out these tracks.