Sink Yer Fangs Into This

A little free advertising (on the small scale of my little blog here) for my friends Fang Island! I went to school with some of these guys, and i finally downloaded their new album, which needless to say, rocks. I remember sitting in a friend's house back maybe around sophomore year when they first played me some of the songs they'd started recording for their (at the time, brand new) band, and from the get-go i thought the sound was awesome, so unique and full of spirit. its a crime i haven't gone to see them live since about 3 years ago!
Their song, Daisy was just featured in the commercial for a new MTV show called The Buried Life. Its great whether you need a boost at the gym or staring at your computer for an 8 hour work day. Give it a listen and then go download their album (name your own price)!

Amanda Wachob Tattoos

I do have to give credit to my friend Ferry for tweeting this link today...
Amanda Wachob's tattoo style is like nothing I've seen before. Although I'm not much of a connoisseur, these do look pretty damn unique to me. I love how the ink looks like painted brushstrokes. Even when the subject matter of her work is more common, like birds or skulls, there's a very new look about it that doesn't feel like it was taken from your typical book of tattoo flash. Her style ranges from a modern abstract feel to some great mexican art-inspired collages of skeletons and flowers. Check out her work and try to resist the urge to book an appointment!

Valentine's Day Dinner

This Valentine's day we decided to be a bit budget-friendly and avoid any high-priced/small-portioned prixe fixe menus. I've been wanting to try making fresh pasta at home, and also just love a good Italian meal as a treat (complete with DiBruno Brothers cheese, sopprassata, and other marinated goodies), so we decided to try this recipe for lamb and pork ragu to accompany some homemade pappardelle. The pasta was the hardest part just because of the manual labor it required of Scott to knead and roll out the dough, which would've been better if we could've gotten it rolled thinner (or had a pasta maker). Here's the recipe for the ragu, which was pretty easy and so delicious.

Daddy's little helper

Pappardelle hanging to dry

Good Eats!

Pappardelle with Ragu (from Braises and Stews, by Tori Ritchie)

• 1 lb boneless lamb stew (trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
• 1 lb boneless pork stew (trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
• kosher salt
• olive oil
• 4 ounces pancetta, diced
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1-28oz can and 1-14.5oz can chopped tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb pappardelle pasta
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
• grated parmesan cheese

Sprinkle cubed meat with kosher salt. Coat bottom of 5-7 quart dutch oven with olive oil and heat on medium/high heat until oil shimmers. Add enough meat to cover bottom of the pot in 1 layer and cook, without stirring, util meat lifts easily from pot with tongs and is well browned on bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn and brown on the other side, about 5 minutes more. Transfer meat to a plate and continue cooking the rest of the meat in batches.
When last batch is removed, drain off all but about 1 tbsp fat from pot. Add pancetta and cook until fat renders off, about 1 minute. Pour in the wine and cook for 1 minute, stirring to release brown bits. Return meat to pan along with any accumulated juices. Stir in paprika. Add tomatoes and bay leaf and let come to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat falls into shreds when pushed with the side of a spoon, about 21/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and let stand while you cook the pasta.
Serve over fresh cooked pappardelle with chopped parsley and grated parmesan.

Enjoy!

Crowded Teeth

I think this girl's work is just the cutest. Whenever I try to make vector illustrations I wish I could have her brain. She makes so many adorable animal/character/objects/whathaveyou/drawings as well as designs them into sell-able wares. I also wish I was her friend so she would make me awesome pictures and presents for my birthday.

Learn about Michelle Romo and browse her shop
and check out her blog

The Key to Happiness

Hiro, the Jungle Cat

Today I had to do some work from home, which wasn't all that bad because Hiro kept me company and kept a lookout on the snowy weather out the window. Here he is in his new favorite hangout, amidst the jungle of houseplants and terrariums in me and scott's office.




Hopefully I'll be set free from my computer soon, because we're planning on making some delicious chili for dinner tonight. And let me add, that I better be able to partake in the chili cookin's because we trekked out in the knee-deep snow to buy the ingredients this morning!
I'm sure there will be a chili post in the near future! mmMMmm

Meanwhile in Miami...

It has been far too long since I have posted. So I return to the birdfeeder with a video of my nutty music pals down in Miami.

Babyhairs - Little Gnome from Shaun Wright on Vimeo.

This is my friend Shaun Wright (and the ass-kicking Geneva) performing Babyhairs - Little Gnome

Good times and goofiness filmed on his brand new Canon 7D (valentines day present anyone?)

Passion for Fashion

Check out sass-queen Kim on the right! :P

Crowded Closet is my friend Kim's fashion blog, where her and her stylish friend post pictures of their daily outfits and describe the inspiration and execution behind them. What I love about their posts (besides the sassy poses they've perfected!) is that they totally inspire me to take another look at my own crowded closet, and realize that i too can look like i walked out of a magazine, while still working with a budget and tons of clothes from h+m and forever 21!

100 Layer Cake

I love this blog. I love wedding blogs. Its a dangerous thing though, considering I'm 25 and just last weekend moved in with my boyfriend...so lets not tell him I'm secretly pining over the fantastic wedding ideas in 100 Layer Cake.

One of my favorite parts of 100 Layer Cake are the color schemes. I love the photography used in these palettes and the color combos pulled from them are great, not to mention the names she comes up with for each hue!




Check out 100 Layer Cake and get inspired (and try to resist getting wedding-fever)