the greyhound.

i was in san francisco in early september when my sister and brother-in-law were just finding their apartment. my sister took me to this bar she enjoys called "lion pub." looked kind of nondescript from the outside, but inside it was this kind of funky tiki/plant/60s lounge type of bar. their specialty? THE GREYHOUND. what is a greyhound? apparently the drink originated in san francisco so they're especially good at making it. typically, it's just vodka and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. the best one we had, however, was vodka, grapefruit juice and some fresh basil lightly muddled in the glass before the ice went in. lion pub definitely did it right as they have some giant juicers on the bar ready to squeeze away. so good! if you want a fun, different drink to serve at a party, get out your hand juicer and have at that grapefruit!


(lion pub- at the intersection of divisadero and sacramento in pac heights)

let it snow.

hope everyone had a merry christmas! apparently my sisters (or at least one of them) got to experience quite the snowstorm in the northeast this weekend! check it out...



fun!

who woulda thunk?

here's a lovely bit of advice from A Cup of Jo that's just too good not to share:

"Here's a little trick for when you're cooking dinner this holiday: To keep your eyes from stinging while you're chopping onions, put a piece of bread in your mouth and let it hang out. Apparently, it really works! Who would have thought?"

awww.

long weekend almost here!

i, unfortunately, am not able to take any time off this holiday season. we do have this thursday and friday off, however, which is lovely. the unfortunate part is that i get to cover for half of the project mgrs at the office meaning lots of figuring out what needs to be done and who can do it, which can be stressful when no one's in the office! what's helping me through the day is, of course, music. so listen with me if you wish! http://blip.fm/Gnometastic

only one more day til a break!

winter solstice.

awesome!

in a dream world.

everyone likes to dream, no? so in my dream world i would have a new wardrobe made up of pretty much everything here. care to mix and match with me? warning: very addicting. give yourself some time...


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in case you didn't know...

it's the longest night of the year tonight! happy winter solstice. and if you dare to brave the cold, take a look at the moon tonight- total lunar eclipse.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/12/solstice-lunar-eclipse/

cold outside.

Baby, it’s cold outside
Come in and stay awhile
You know you want to
You know you want to

Baby, it’s cold outside
The streets are dark and the winds are wild
And I want you
I want you

-Ruth Moody "Cold Outside"

out of the city.

my sister jenny sent me a wonderful song this morning by dawes. as the snow is coming down outside and instead of enjoying it's beauty i'm consumed with thoughts about how long the commute home will be, the lyrics to this song ring especially true. ah to be out of the city where it's quiet and peaceful.

Take me out of the city
Where my shadow can roam
Let me breath in the morning
Let my way be my home.

Take Me Out Of The City by Dawes from Big Ugly Yellow Couch on Vimeo.

(picture from my friend joey's farm in paris, ky)

how interesting.

as i approach my mid-20s (and by "approach" I mean turning 25 in 8 months), i can't help but wonder what exactly i'm meant to do in this life. yeah yeah, i'm a tried and true millenial who dreams big and wants to be doing things that interest me instead of doing something because it's "the right thing to do," but the question is, what's the balance between the right thing and the dreams? i think part of the whole millenial generation is striving to be interesting; have a "cool" job and an amazing life with lots of activities and friends. facebook is an enormous contributor to the broadcast of everyone's uber interesting lives; everyone talking about their "amazing" experiences via pictures, links, posts, friends, etc. which can be totally over the top in a lot of cases. some people i know are just fabricating this so-called "awesome" life of theirs, but some people actually are just downright interesting; not even doing the extreme sports or traveling to exotic places, but just have interests and things about them that i just want to hear more about. i'd like to be one of these interesting people. i think part of what makes them so interesting is that they're found what they like and they're passionate about it. sure it wasn't all easy finding these things, but it has essentially shaped who they are and who they aspire to be. in order to discover things that interest you, you need to take risks and so often people find ease in comfort and aren't willing to take risks. i found this article by fabian kruse on one of my favorite blogs and thought it had some truth to it.

"Interestingness is finding the experiences that shape us as human beings, and enjoying them to the max."

so true. but finding these experiences takes courage and being uncomfortable. so as i'm in this "looking forward to the new year 2011" kick, why not think about how to ramp up my life with a little excitement and do something different? not sure what that is, but taking risks and trying new things could definitely be on the menu (see last post of "things to do in 2011"). i'm all for trying out a new hobby, or seeing if i could get into bowling, or read all j.r.r. tolkein books again just for kicks, or meeting some crazy different people etc. it's especially easy to feel not that interesting in freezing, dark winter months, but i'm determined to do something different and add a little pizazz to these cold days! like climbing another mountain in british columbia perhaps? that was fun. or just knitting a blanket in my little apartment. that would be fun too. if you want to read the whole article, check it out here.

things to do in 2011: minneapolis.

it may be a bit premature, but the end of 2010 is just around the corner! some things i'd like to do in 2011.

- go to the walker art museum with a good new playlist to listen to while walking around.
- watch "breakfast at tiffany's" with a glass of wine.
- LOTR marathon some rainy weekend day- all 3 extended versions.
- go to the museum of russian art.
- knit a blanket.
- bike to minnehaha falls.
- explore redwing, mn.
- practice bar chords on guitar.
- attend free concerts at peavey plaza.
- lose 50 lbs. (but more importantly get in shape).
- bike more.
- practice watercolor often.
- cook more; actual meals from a cookbook.
- see noni often.
- play an ongoing game of risk (it'll have to be lord of the rings risk because that's all i have).
- try spinning class.
- read more books.
- have a picnic in an unexpected place around the city.
- go hike around lake superior for a weekend.
- go to church on sundays.
- find some place to volunteer on a monthly basis.
- frequent the new psycho suzi's.
- be part of a flash mob.
- eat more fruits and vegetables.
- attend an opera.
- can often (and in-season!)
- bake bread.
- make someone dad's waffles (if i ever get a waffle iron, that is).
- drink less beer, but try new cocktails.
- maybe fall in love? i dunno. we'll see what fate has in store for that one.
- climb to the top of the foshay tower.
- spend less, save more.
- use my 1930's punch bowl as much as i can.
- bowl a turkey.
- play "amelie" on the piano all the way through.
- spend a day lying on my back listening to records and laughing with a friend.
- figure out some more linford detweiler songs.
- paddle board around lake of the isles.
- go dancing. not clubbing, but dancing.
- ski the luminary loppet.
- memorize some classic poems (other than "the cremation of sam mcgee").
- get a led zeppelin record.
- run a 10k.
- have an epic gin rummy and/or cribbage tournament.
- get outside as much as possible (after all, nothing beats fresh air).

saving dollars.

tis the season to be merry...and spend money! This year i've done a nice combination of DIY christmas gifts and purchased gifts. needless to say this has been an expensive fall! moving into a new apartment, big party, and christmas has added up. so one of my new year's resolutions this year (more to come on resolutions next week!!) is to be more thrifty and dine out less. it's a lifestyle change, but one that will essentially make life easier (and more fun). i love finding things to do that don't require tickets or an entry fee. i am also getting a little weary of the bar scene and loving staying in and playing games WAY more often. so, 2011, bring it on! hopefully i'll save some $$, live more simply, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. who knows what adventures await me this next year!

history.

History is not about dates and quotes and obscure provisos, history is about life; about change, about consequences; cause and effect. It's about the mystery of human nature; the mystery of time. And it isn't just about politics and the military and social issues, which is almost always the way it's taught. It's about music and poetry and drama and science and medicine and money and love. -David McCullough


(photo of gettysburg)

ahh christmas.

on the eve of the impending snowstorm/blizzard of the year, a little christmas cheer to prepare.



(and for a little mash-up fun, click here!)

buttons.

you know how you always get that little packet of buttons when you get a sweater, jacket or shirt? i always have such mixed feelings about those packets. on the one hand, i can't stand to part with them in case i lose a button (and i love sewing on buttons- for reals!) but i never know where to put them. they also tend to pile up and take up precious space in a drawer or some little bowl on my dresser. i recently purchased a large pink glass jar. it's currently holding mini candy canes for the holidays on my coffee table, but i'm thinking this might be the perfect place for those miscellaneous buttons. not only will it be a place to hold them, but they may look kinda cool in there.

less is more.

living with less has become so comfortable, so commonplace, that when offered more it's easy to say no, thank you.

another beautiful post from habit.

daydream.

i saw this image today and something about it just struck me- simple and beautiful. also reminds me of my sister, Katie!! You can buy it here, but i prefer to make my own. thinking it's a little weekend project while we get 12-14" of snow this weekend??

dexter.

i have been absolutely obsessed with this show. if you haven't watched it, get it on netflix or buy it because it's amazing. and addicting. so i'm finally caught up to this season (season finale sunday 12/12) and i have a major crush on michael c. hall. anyways, love this clip from last night.

a lovely ad.

habit.

found a christmas tree in the woods. sang carols. made gingerbread men. drank mulled cider that didn't even have alcohol in it. punk? no. perfect? yes.


How lovely is this blog Habit? Real-life pics paired with a 36-words-or-less description of it. there's something peaceful and poetic about it. enjoy!

holiday ornament idea!

looking for a lil DIY craft this December? How about these little birch bark canoes! Looks like I'll be making these at some point!

spicy malaysian-style stir-fried noodles.

how good does that sound?! and let me tell you, it's an amazing and easy dish. Here's the recipe:

1 (14 oz.) package water-packed extra-firm tofu, drained
1 (1 lbs.) package fresh Chinese lo mein egg noodles
2 tbls. dark sesame oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
4 heads baby bok choy, trimmed and cut crosswise into 2 inch thick strips
1 tbls. sugar
3 tbls. chile paste with garlic (such as sambal oelek)
2 tbls. fresh lime juice
2 tbls. sweet bean sauce
2 tbls. soy sauce (low-sodium if you prefer)

1. Line a plate with a triple layer of paper towels; top with togu. Place a triple layer of paper towels on top of tofu; top with another plate. Let stand 20 minutes. Cut tofu into 1/2 inch cubes.
2. Cook noodles in a large pan of boiling water 3 minutes or until done; drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Wipe pan with paper towels. Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add garlic to pan; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add salt and bok choy; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cook 4 minutes.
3. Combine sugar and remaining ingredients, stirring until combined. Add noodles, remaining 1/2 cut cooking liquid, and sugar mixture to pan; toss to combine. Cook 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated, tossing to coat. Add tofu; toss to combine. Serve immediately. Yum! Makes 6 servings (359 calories per serving)

fashion crush: ochre and black.

today fashion crush #1 was adorbs in some black jeggings, black patent leather heels, a black and white patterned silky blouse and a simple ochre cardigan. Here's my take on her outfit- add a little pizazz with some simple but eclectic earrings, a funky but simple long necklace to add some glam and a black and cream horizontal-striped tank and you've got yourself a winning outfit!

bar essentials.

i have been slowly adding to my bar and it's almost complete! only things i need now are....


a vintage-y looking ice bucket


and seltzer maker!

both from amazon.com- will be a while until i can get these, but someday my bar will be complete! i also found a list of bar essentials- very helpful in having the basics!

Base Liquors:
-Bourbon
-Gin
-Single malt Scotch or Irish whiskey
-Tequila
-Vodka
-White rum

Base Mixers:
-Angostura bitters
-Cointreau
-Dry (white) vermouth
-Juices: orange, pomegranate and grapefruit juices
-Seltzer
-Tonic

vintage christmas cocktail party!

this friday marks my first annual vintage christmas cocktail party! i plan to have it chock full of festive goodies: some spiked punch, roasted almonds, lil smokies, beer and lots of cheer. this picture perfectly represent what i want this party to feel like. if everyone has a glass of punch or 5, enjoys the music, dances and has a good time, that's all i want! love this video too.

one of the best: kings of convenience.

24 and blooming like the fields of May
25 and yearning for a ticket out

how sweet.

fashion crush: drapey sophisticated.

fashion crush #1 inspired drapey but sophisticated outfit. a drapey shirt in a fall color, skinny jeans, a funky pair of boots (love these with the feminine bows on the side), funky earrings and a little something for the wrist.