Getting Cultured

On Friday I visited the Dallas Museum of Art for a night of fashion and art.  There was a special exhibit dedicated to Jean Paul Gaultier and this was truly the most interesting show I've ever seen.  Not to spoil it for you, but once you entered the first room it looked like this:

Inside the exhibit

From afar, the mannequins looked like real people.  Their faces were moving and their expressions made it look like they were interacting with the crowd.  Once we got closer, the faces still looked so real.  Turns out, the faces were projected onto the mannequins from overhead projectors, simulating human faces!  It was creepy, but amazing, but creepy!! 

Seeing all of the amazing clothes up close was visually stunning.  The whole exhibit was just gorgeous.  I was also amazed with how packed the museum was on a Friday night and how many people were dressed as Lady Gaga and Madonna as part of a costume contest.  I was so inspired to wear a cone-shaped bra after our night out- Halloween anyone?

Light Bright

One of the weird things I've noticed since Christmas lights went up in Texas is how different they look on trees with leaves.  It took me a little while to figure out why they didn't look like the lights I'm used to seeing strung on sad, cold branches up North.  It was one of those things that you see tons of times before you can put your finger on what's off.

Trees in Plano

See what I mean? 

I still prefer the looks of lights on branches without leaves, the leaves get in the way of the twinkling.  This isn't the only part of the Texas winter that has completely thrown me off.  Not to complain about the 60-70 degree weather but without the cold temperatures or winter white that I grew up with what am I supposed to do with all of these sweaters?

Dutch Baby, oh baby!

When I lived at home with my "older roommates" aka my parents, I made up an anthem that I would use every time I was baking or cooking something new.  Remember the segment "Muppets in spaaaaace!!!"?  Well close your eyes, think of that and instead of saying "Muppets in spaaaaace!!!" think "Adventures in baaakiiiiiing!!!". 

What I'm trying to say is that when I cook, it's almost always an adventure of the special kind.  I'm usually missing an ingredient, misreading the directions or making a massive mess of the kitchen.  This morning was no different.

Insert, the Dutch Baby here:

More like Dutch Monster

I was trying to emulate the Family Pancake recipe that two of my friends make when we have pot luck brunch.  This recipe seemed similar but their outcome looks far different than my own.  Regardless, it was delicious!!  I mean, eggs, butter, syrup- come on, how could it have been bad?  It was fluffy and yummy, the perfect breakfast treat and when paired with bacon and raspberries, few other breakfasts can even hold a candle to it.

Good morning baby

So here's the recipe I tried.  God speed.  And make sure to read the directions beforehand, this requires room temp eggs AND milk, plus a preheated pan.

Wedding Shoes?

I saw these on the red carpet in a Golden Globes recap and I have to say, I admire this girl's swag.  Who hasn't wanted to slip on a pair of these after a long night in heels?

Genius?  Or weird?

It's a pretty bold move and it got me thinking what about kind of wedding shoes I want to wear on the big day.  These would certainly be the comfortable way to go, but it I don't think I could live with pictures of myself in my lovely dress (if I do say so myself) with these weird rubbery toes peeking out. 

I guess this means the search for comfortable, chic wedding shoes is on.  To wedge, or not to wedge?  To flat or not to flat?

So Shoe Me

The other day, this happened to me in the middle of lunch hour:

Slingback, you failed me!!



Nothing worked to fix these shoes. I tried rubber bands, paper clips, tape.   This was just a crappy afternoon all around.

This has happened to me before but with sandals.  Twice.  The first time I was in high school and my awesome J. Crew platform flip flops snapped after Math class.  It was so embarassing that I even remember the class period.

The second was last summer at work in an office where I could wear flip flops and I happened to have a spare pair in the car for pedicure purposes.  Phew.

So here's today's question- what does one do when their slingback breaks at work in an office where the attire is business casual? They walk around with a limp for the rest of the day.   Any tips for next time?

Crafts with Corks

I have been collecting corks for about a year and a half.  And although I never had a real plan for them, I would always see crafts or decorations with corks and think "what a great use of corks!", and then look at my sad collection and think "one day...".

Well friends, that day has come!  Evan, who would be embarrassed if he knew I told this story, had the idea to install corks into our buffet table.  He stayed up late the other night and when I woke up, I found this:

That's a lot of wine!

It looks amazing!!  The corks definitely add a new element of interest to our little dining nook, and now I don't have to wonder what to do with all of those damn corks I've been lugging around.  Not to brag, but I was pretty proud of him for thinking of this idea.  Don't let his love for bacon and manly things fool you, he's secretly a decorating mastermind.

When Oil Met the Egg

Some great experiments have been happening in my kitchen lately.  There's been a lot of weird things with vegetables, eggs and proteins and some involving the crock pot.  Evan keeps saying that it smells like food in the apartment, but I take that as a good thing.

So this weekend, I conquered a culinary feat that I never thought I'd attempt- mayonnaise!  I've read that homemade mayo is so much better than store bought, which in all honesty creeps me out.  I think it's the texture... and the fact that is jiggles on it's own makes me wonder  what it would do to my ass.  I refuse to eat it unless I've had an adult beverage or two and there are french fries involved.

And despite knowing how much oil is actually in mayonnaise, I have to say, it's worth the effort.  It is more beautiful than jarred mayo and it's delicious!  I'm not sure I'll ever be comfortable with the jarred variety, but I can safely say I enjoy this version of the condiment.

Mayo from scratch!

I used Julia Childs' recipe, and if she approves of it, I'm on board.  Check it out here, and make sure to follow the directions carefully.  This is one of those recipes where patience is definitely required.