Things That Could've Been Lame But Weren't

Last night, I went to an indoor movie screening hosted by UrbanDaddy. The event space, in Nolita, is an indoor "park" with trees and fake grass. There was a moment, an hour before, where I was asking myself, really? An urbandaddy movie night? But yes, I went, and am glad I did.

When we entered there was a ice sculpture demonstration, referencing Edward Scissorhands, the movie on tap. I was handed a special spritzy cocktail and wandered around the park.

There were pillows and blankets to lounge out on while eating our picnic.

Our little bbq (literally, the food came in a barbecue) filled with Little Owl deliciousness. Sorry for the ick photo, too good not to dive in.

The menu.

Edward Scissorhands is certainly a strange movie, but per usual, Johnny Depp did not disappoint. And the evening was such a quirky way to spend a Sunday night, totally low key but with delicious food, an open bar, and the opportunity to lie down while in public sans embarrassment.

Apparently, they are doing it for another two weeks, I'd highly recommend going with a friend or date. (this makes for an amazing date, actually, a movie but you can both chat and drink)

Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer

I am the most boring make-up person ever. I buy new make up at most once a year, replacing a product I've probably been using for years. I have favorites and I use them 'til they are gone, which considering how ofter I wear make up, well, it's kind of gross how long I've had my favorite blush.

But, in a recent, out-of-character, time killing foray into Sephora I came across this magic stuff. It's a tinted moisturizer, music to my low-maintenance ears. I use it in addition to my regular moisturizer, lightly mushing it in on top and I just look so much more alive. It's subtle, not shimmery, but it gives me a little color and a little dew and only takes a sec. Love.

available at sephora.com

Famous Sichuan

Adventures in dining..... Today, I tried Sichuan hot pot for the first time, and I have to say, I was into it. Hours later, it's still sitting like a rock in my stomach, but that's neither here nor there.

I went for lunch with some expert orderers/mandarin speakers and I barely have a clue what we ate. For some of the items, it's probably better that way- does it really help to know what part of the stomach it's from? There are two broths in the divided fondue-type pot, one spicy and filled with peppers, the other clear and savory. You dump things in there, tofu, thinly sliced meat, white mushroom thingies that were my fave, etc... and let them cook then scoop them out with a metal basket or your chopsticks. Both broths were really delicious, though after a while dipping all your food in spicy oil feels a little gross.

Sichuan was a gluten risk, traditionally there's no soy sauce in the broth which is basically just oil, but you never know.... My stomach is telling me it was gluten free though, so I may just have to make this a regular hungover lunch spot.

Michael dumping in more mushrooms for me!

Famous Sichuan, 10 Pell St (between Bowery & Doyers St)

Walnut Wallpapers

Barbara Bestor, chairwoman of the new graduate program at the Woodbury University School of Architecture in Los Angeles, did a piece for the Times on wallpaper. Many of her picks from the interactive portion were from Walnut Wallpapers and were adorbs. I would love to be cemented in one place long enough to consider wallpapering. I love the way it looks, dramatic and symmetrical and a little old-fashioned.

Walnut is in LA, sad face, but they have a great website and I've fallen even more in love with a few of their papers.

Folie

Mirage in Blue Raspberry

Makelike in Lush

There are probably a hundred more on the site I love, I recommend checking it out. WalnutWallpaper.com

Red Quinoa Dirty Hippie Breakfast

Bon Appetit online had a 14 day cleanse to start the new year, the Food Lover's Cleanse. It was an interesting take on a cleanse, as it was definitely real food, just cutting back on dairy, lots of whole grains and anti-oxidant packed foods. Despite my best intentions, there's no way I could commit to something like that. But some of the recipes definitely made it into my repertoire, like krispy kale and this breakfast quinoa. Quinoa for breakfast?! Oh yes, my friends, it's true.

Image from 101cookbooks.com

The recipe comes from 101cookbooks.com and originally from Dr. John La Puma's recent release - Chef MD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine

1 cup organic 1% low fat milk (ed note- I used Almond as part of the cleanse's suggestion)
1 cup water
1 cup organic quinoa, (ed note - I used red and definitely rinsed, despite the pre-rinsed label)
2 cups fresh blackberries, organic preferred (ed note - frozen, duh)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted (ed note - tried both sliced almonds and crushed walnuts --> almonds all the way!)
4 teaspoons organic agave nectar, such as Madhava brand (ed note - subbed honey, let's be real)

Combine milk, water and quinoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Stir in blackberries and cinnamon; transfer to four bowls and top with pecans. Drizzle 1 teaspoon agave nectar over each serving.

Serves 4.

John Pawson In Plain Space at the Design Museum in London

Normally, I'd say it's pretty mean to do a post on something that no one who reads this blog can probably experience, but since we're all in this boat together, I'll just do it. My favorite museum, due to a very memorable teenage viewing of their Manolo Blahnik exhibit, is the Design Museum in London. I still get their e-newsletter and have been known to purchase from their museum store online, that's how good the exhibitions are.

This week brought me news of a soon to close exhibit called In Plain Space by John Pawson. From the museum's website " Plain Space celebrates Pawson's career to date with models, film, photographs and architectural elements and includes some of his most important projects including the Cistercian Monastery of Our Lady of Nový Dvůr in the Czech Republic, the Sackler Crossing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Calvin Klein store on Madison Avenue, New York."

The image in the newsletter was enough to stop me in my proverbial tracks, it's so calm, beautiful. The space is dramatic yet austere, you can see how this is a man who designs monasteries.

Here's another shot of the exhibit.

Images from dezeen.com

Wish I was across the pond.....

Dining Room Table and Chairs by Verner Panton

Photo: Peter Margonelli/Courtesy of Robert Couturier from nymag.com

I came across this shot of an English couple's NYC apartment on NYMag.com. I love this dining set.

I'd like it better in gold, but that's how I feel about pretty much everything that's not edible. Modern but not harsh, I think it's the perfect size for my imaginary apartment I'm constantly decorating.

Had to google Verner Panton and wikipedia tells me "is considered one of Denmark's most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers." Alright then . He also invented the S chair, which, while I don't currently have a place for it in my imaginary apartment, is a pretty pivotal piece in the history of furniture.

image from wikipedia.com