Tuesday, June 26, 2012

confession

I'll admit, Matt and I are one of those couples who check out restaurants based on drool-inducing shows on Food Network or Travel Channel. We went to Lucky's in Wrigleyville after we saw their french-fry-stuffed sandwiches on Man v. Food. Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured Cemitas Pueblas, so we drove to Chicago to try it.

Unfortunately, sometimes these features mar the authentic local flavor of the place by sending out-of-towners like us flocking to try it. Comet Cafe in Milwaukee is often too busy for people in the neighborhood to get in since the suburbanites saw Guy Fieri's visit.

On the other hand, these restaurants are getting this kind of publicity for some reason. And each place we've tried at a TV show's recommendation has not disappointed. So, a few weeks ago, we did it again. My parents and their friends were going to do some sight-seeing in Chicago with us, and they had the brilliant idea to head for one of Rick Bayless' restaurants. He has a veritable complex of eateries: the high-end Topolobampo, mid-range Frontera, and a lunch place, Xoco, with churros that smelled soooo good. Brunch at Frontera was all we could get reservations for, which was fine since that's where we had seen an amazing dish featured on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

carne asada a la Oaxaquena

Matt and I shared this rib steak, which was easily the most flavorful, tender steak I've ever had. The smoky and slightly spicy sauce made the perfectly-cooked meat so succulent. Fried plantains topped with a bit of queso fresco and crema rounded out the meal as Bananas Foster's more subtle cousin. The other plates at the table were also good, but in my opinion none held a candle to that steak.

tacos al carbon with duck

sapitos: gorditas with chorizo & plantains, scrambled eggs, and chicken and black bean mole

frothy Mexican hot chocolate

chocolate hazelnut tart

The entire meal, from the tasty limeade margarita and chips and salsa to the desserts, was perfectly enjoyable. I would return to try the new menu when it changes. We even got to see chef Rick Bayless himself, making his rounds in the kitchen. Thank you again, food television.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Price Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Discount Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Check Price
Best Price: $89.95
Sale Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Best deal Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G with FREE shipping if you order over $25. Buy Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G now 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G

Product By : Harley-Davidson
Available from : 1 Stores

Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G.
Product Description
Made of five different nylon and novelty poly-nylon blends for excellent strength and durability. Features include 6 different pockets of varying sizes are all custom lined with B&S ghost print, headphone portal for your MP3, leather zip pulls and handle, foam lined laptop pocket, interior zip and organizational compartments, contrast color piping, silk-screened and rubber patch logos. Size: 11.5" W, 22" H, 9" D.

Features
  • Made of five different nylon and novelty poly-nylon blends for excellent strength and durability
  • Features include 6 different pockets of varying sizes
  • Custom lined with B&S ghost print, headphone portal for your MP3
  • Leather zip pulls and handle, foam lined laptop pocket, interior zip and organizational compartments
  • Contrast color piping, silk-screened and rubber patch logos. Size: 11.5" W, 22" H, 9" D

Where to buy Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G?

You can buy Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G best price with super saver shipping. See more prices, shipping options available and additional information via click the link below - Get it Now!

Related Products
   for Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Deluxe Backpack. Full Featured Back Pack. Contrast Color Piping. BP1900S-G


Images of Willie G. Davidson - Mitra Images :: Image Resources On ... List of images, photos, wallpapers, icon, illustrations about willie g. davidson, collected from Google and Flickr. Harley Davidson Lunch Cooler Bags And Backpacks Keep food and beverages hot or cold with the Harley- Davidson Cooler Bags, featuring plenty of pockets and holders. Made of durable nylon exterior with insulated ... Nylon Sissy Vintage Nylon Sissy why do men love to wear pantyhose and tight, how many guys body wax or shave just for that reason? i'm a guy, i have posted many question

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

vintage style

This picture has nothing to do with anything, but isn't it great?

I came across a post about vintage style at Bertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. I really relate to her complaints about the expectations of vintage dressing. If I begin to wear vintage dresses, am I then obliged to style my hair in a certain way or to wear red lips every day?

I try to combine a few vintage pieces with modern ones or to mix clothing from several decades. I still wear the same hairstyle that I've had for years (partly because I'm too lazy to do 40s hair). My goal is to capture a vintage look or silhouette without looking like I'm in full costume. I do admire the girls who can pull off a more complete look, but it's not for me.

This is an old photo that I've posted before, but it's the best I could find that shows a combination of old and new that represents what I aim for.

top - American Apparel
scarf and skirt - thrifted
belt - a gift from Mom
tights - Target
shoes - Urban Outfitters

Saturday, June 16, 2012

melanie bilenker

Hand, 2007

Dinner, 2008
Overstuffed Chair, 2006

From Melanie Bilenker's collection of beautiful jewelry created by placing her own hair into resin. If only I could afford one!
all photos from Melanie's website

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

vegetarians beware





"The Roadhouse": burger patty with gruyere, onion ring, sauteed onion, bacon, and garlic mayonnaise

Monday, June 11, 2012

brew city 2

Last weekend Matt and I made what was only my second trip to Milwaukee. This time we saw a restored copy of Japanese "horror" film, Hausu or House at the UW-Milwaukee Union. More silly and psychedelic than scary, it's the only kind of horror movie I'll sit through.



Before dinner we ate at a Chinese place called Fortune. The woman who teaches Mandarin Chinese at my school recommended Fortune because they offer separate American and Chinese menus there. Though it looks like your typical take-out Chinese joint from the outside, my coworker told me that it was "real" Chinese food. I thought it was a good sign that more of the restaurant's patrons were Asian than not.

ma po tofu

shredded pork with Chinese pickles

The ma po tofu was flavorful and more spicy than most Chinese dishes that are labeled "spicy". The pork dish was a bit salty for our taste, with soy sauce as the overwhelming flavor. I would like to go back and try some other unfamiliar Chinese dishes, perhaps with ordering recommendations from someone who knows actual Chinese cuisine.

After the movie, we headed across town to a bar that Matt had scouted out. The Palomino Bar is owned by the same people who run Comet Cafe, which I've mentioned before. They both have the same playful vintage charm that I'm a sucker for. They also both have interesting and appealing menus that I would love to try again.

The big draw for Matt was their Velvet Elvis sandwich, a This-is-Why-You're-Fat-worthy creation involving bananas, peanut butter, and bacon on grilled bread. It wasn't as bad as I'd expected, but I couldn't handle much of its richness so soon after the Chinese food. Matt was all about it.

The side options and dipping sauces were many and varied. We opted for onion strings and crispy brown tater tots with Cajun cream sauce. I wish I had some tots right now...

The biggest draw for me was the first item on the cocktail menu: a Moscow mule. I was recently introduced to this drink concept and knew at once that it was my new drink of choice. The Moscow mule is an old school easy-to-drink cocktail that apparently popularized vodka in the U.S. during the 1940s. The Palomino Bar is totally the kind of place that would serve the all-but-forgotten drink.


I first made these at home since I didn't know where I could order one. A couple of shots or vodka (or gin for a Gin-Gin Mule), juice from half a lime, and ginger beer are all you need. Oh, and cute copper mugs that I am now coveting. Does anyone know a place in Madison that serves Moscow mules? Gin and tonics just won't cut it anymore.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

class & cookies

These 1961 photos just ooze class. They seem to have been taken during a Martini & Rossi-sponsored cocktail party. I want to go to there.


Also, a friend asked for the recipe to make these banana shortbread cookies from an earlier post.
So, here it is!
Banana Shortbread

2 1/2 cups whole grain pastry flour (I always just use all-purpose flour.)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large very ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I always skip these.)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer, until creamy. Add the banana and vanilla extract, beating until just incorporated. Add the flour mixture and beat just until well blended. Stir in the nuts (if using).

The right way to do it:
Divide the dough into quarters. Press one-quarter of the dough into an 8-inch circle on a large baking sheet. Using the dull side of a knife blade, score the dough, creating an outline of 12 pie-shaped wedges. Repeat with a second quarter of the dough on the same baking sheet. Shape the remaining quarters of dough on another large baking sheet.

The way I do it:
Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. Use a fork, dipped in flour or sugar, to squash the dough, first in one direction, then in the other direction, making a criss-cross.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the shortbread is lightly browned and has risen. Place on racks to cool and cut into wedges (if applicable).

I love them with strawberry slices and vanilla ice cream, but they'd also be great with chocolate ice cream. I've also played around with putting bits of chocolate in the batter. Try chocolate chips!

recipe from Simply Organic by Jesse Ziff Cool
all photos from Ana Lee, except the last one by me

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Reviews Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US

Price Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US

Check Price
Best Price: $265.90

Price Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US

Best deal Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US with FREE shipping if you order over $25. Buy Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US now 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US

Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US
Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US
Product By : Cordani

Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M USb>.

Where to buy Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US?

You can buy Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US best price with super saver shipping. See more prices, shipping options available and additional information via click the link below - Get it Now!

for Cordani Women's Power Boot,Cognac,38 EU/7.5-8 M US