By the time I write my post for Monday, the final episode of LOST will have aired, and I will be in the grips of a deep depression. My LOST withdrawal will most likely take two forms: theory discussion withdrawal, and hot man withdrawal. In preparation for that depression, New York Magazine conveniently created this video showcasing the glorious bodies of our beloved LOST men. Seriously - best idea ever! Now it's time to sit back and drink it all in:
Another genius idea from the Japanese: Cat Cafés. Since 2008 a handful of these establishments have popped up in Tokyo, welcoming locals and tourists alike. Let's face it, cats get a bad rap because they have the reputation of being indifferent, antisocial or downright mean. These cat chill zones are a great way to combat those stereotypes. Who wouldn't want to take a quick snuggle with one of these little guys?
New York City's cupcake boom may be over, but cravings still abound. I eat a cupcake maybe once or twice a year, but when I do I'm overwhelmed by just how satisfying eating a tiny cake really is. However, I do have to take into account the mess factor, as I often feel like I'm inhaling the delicacy in anticipation of the infamous cupcake crumble. All crumbs, no fun. Jorge Garcia, better known as Hurley from LOST, may have just resolved my major issue with these dainty cakes. So what's the best way to get a perfect ratio of cake to frosting, and how can you do it without making a complete mess? Garcia provides the answer, along with a helpful shot by shot demonstration of the technique, on his blog Dispatches from the Island. Dude knows his cakes.
Artist Stephen Eichhorn created this series of plants on cats, and I just can't look away. There's nothing groundbreaking about this work - no hidden meaning for us to scratch our heads over. It's simple really, just cacti, succulents, and flowers coupled with cat glamour shots. Why didn't I think of this?
I fell in love with Gavin Rossdale in 1996 when I was 14 years old. He was the first man I cried over, the first one to make me feel all fizzy and nervous inside even though I knew we would never meet. There's something intangible about your first crush - the innocence that is lost when you realize you would give anything just to see your own reflection in another person's eyes. And obviously make out with them... but that's a given. My love for Rossdale was so fiery, so uncontrollable, so wild, that I can still remember the moment I picked up a copy of Rolling Stone (pictured above) only to come home and paste it on my wall. He was staring at me - I was staring back at him. Almost perfect. The video below was taken during Bush's performance at Woodstock 99, and features a shirtless, wet, yelping Rossdale singing their (still) heartbreaking single 'Glycerine'. It makes me shiver with delight even after all these years.
My friend Mike D is a genius for showing me this blog: Sleep Talkin' Man just made my week, hell, probably my month! Unbelievable!
There are some foods that are embedded in our minds and hearts, because they trigger memories of carefree childhoods and family gatherings. The memories are triggered through the sounds and smells of a dish - the flavor that was once delicious and comforting, has become loaded with countless meanings. All this to say that authentic Venezuelan food takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen, watching her unwrap hallacas, and slice through thick fudge-like dulce de leche. Thankfully I don't have to travel all the way to Venezuela to get a taste of the past, since a Venezuelan restaurant just happened to pop up on my corner in December. I was so excited to see that the long abandoned space was finally getting a makeover, and completely floored to find that the menu posted in its front window was chock full of Venezuelan treats from my childhood! Guayoyo has everything you could ever want from an authentic Venezuelan culinary experience: fresh tasty homemade food, excellent music, affordable prices, and a helpful waitstaff willing to enlighten and educate even the most timid patron. This place is for real. After my first bite I knew I was home... or at least around the corner.
We’re deep in the trenches of the holiday season, and you know what that means – total decadence. Whether your favorites are sweet or savory, family gatherings, office parties, and end of the year celebrations all involve the consumption (and sometimes over consumption) of treats. We’re just a few days past “pie season,” and headed towards “cake season” with increasing speed. So when you’re racking your mind trying to come up with the perfect dessert to bring to that holiday party, why not take a queue from Rachel Zoe and bring something as fashionable as your ensemble? I look forward to The Zoe Report daily, and today Zoe served up an unexpected twist for readers: food! Cake Monkey Bakery makes individually sized layer cakes, as well as cookies, pastries and a handful of other adorable confections. I don’t even know if I could eat one of their adorable cakes, for fear of destroying such a perfect example of pint size beauty. The best thing about Cake Monkey is that you can order what you need for others, and tack on a couple extra for yourself. Two cravings satisfied with one very convenient solution, who could ask for more?
When you’re a kid, the best part about Halloween is the candy. As much as a costume can bring joy and excitement, the candy amassed over the course of a night becomes sacred like pirate booty. We fiercely protect our treasure against those who linger too closely, knowing all to well that some items are valued more than others. Personally chocolate bars ranked in as number one, followed closely by caramels, mini bags of chips, and random wrapped taffy goodies. Now that I’m older the thought of eating a whole bag of candy is slightly nauseating, but deep inside the inner child in me still screams with delight every time I see a jumbo bag of Halloween candy. The best part about 'trick or treating' in Canada is our unique candies, and salty snacks. Every Halloween no matter how far from home I am, I think about those chaotic nights - sweating through layers of make up, maneuvering my way to a stranger's door front, and lastly dumping my bag of candy on the basement coffee table, and going to town. Ketchup chips, Coffee Crisps, Aero Bars, Caramilks, Smarties!!! Thankfully I discovered the Lower East Side's candy haven (aka Economy Candy), but if you’re not in NYC and have a hankering for some Northern treats, Canadian Favourites can definitely satiate all your desires. Happy Halloween!
