Friday Morning Party Breakfast

Just because I can. And because home made cupcakes are delicious at any time of day. 

My Cup Of Tea

Vika Mitrichenka arrived in The Netherlands from Minsk, alone, on a tourist visa. Her choice of Amsterdam was no accident. She became fascinated by Holland's Golden Age while still at school, particularly by the realistic paintings of artists such as Johannes Vermeer and Pieter Hoogh. Having exhibited her work at Amsterdam's Rietveld Academie, she was promptly accepted onto a course. After the Rietveld, she approached the prestigious Rijksacademie (only 1 in a 100 hundred are admitted) – and was accepted immediately. 

The Frozen Fountain granted her an artistic assignment, and asked her to create a tea service – which was then immediately purchased by the Stedelijk Museum. For € 3650 this numbered edition tea service can be yours too.

Suddenly my mug of stale tea looks horribly ordinary. 

Cheesy Delights

I've always considered myself a master sandwich builder (boterhammen, we call them in Holland), especially when it comes to cheese sandwiches. Cold or grilled, I would be happy and satisfied knowing that I would eat a delicious cheese sandwich for lunch every day until I die. I like to mix things up and change ingredients though, because I take pride in keeping my taste buds sharp. Aged Gouda, goat cheese, camembert  and gorgonzola are a staple in my fridge. And of course the bread has to be fresh and match my mood, ranging from dark and dense slices to fresh and light baguettes. Just as I was about to dream up today's cheesy delight I found myself inspired by the beautifully photographed sandwiches made by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess. Check out her creations and salivate! What is your favorite sandwich?

Jenna Lyons x Vogue UK

Ever since I saw Jenna Lyons, Executive Creative Director and President of J. Crew, featured in Vogue UK I think I have a slight girl crush on her. Not to even mention my apartment envy! Just loving her sense of style. You go Jenna!

Bas Jan Ader

Bas Jan Ader was a Dutch artist. He became famous after his 'I'm Too Sad To Tell You', ’Fall I’ and ‘Fall II’ 16mm videos. In 1975 Ader embarked on what he called “a very long sailing trip”. The voyage was to be the middle part of a triptych called “In Search of the Miraculous,” a daring attempt to cross the Atlantic in a 12½ foot sailboat. A daring attempt to cross the Atlantic in a 12½ foot sailboat. He claimed it would take him 60 days to make the trip, or 90 if he chose not to use the sail. Six months after his departure, his boat was found, half-submerged off the coast of Ireland, but Bas Jan had vanished. 

McQueen Fall / Winter 2011

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I love oatmeal for breakfast, and under the lid of the oatmeal box is a recipe that I'd been meaning to try for months. When woke up with a sweet tooth the other day, I decided to skip breakfast and go straight to the cookies. The recipe was simple, quick and painless, and the cookies were delicious! After about four of them, those warm and buttery pieces of heaven made me feel guilty enough to feed the rest of them to my man, who was not complaining about that at all. 

Got someone to win over? Or ready to eat the batch by yourself, just because it's Thursday? Here's the recipe for four dozen cookies:

1/2  cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4  cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2  cup granulated sugar
2  eggs
1  teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
1  teaspoon baking soda
1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2  teaspoon salt (optional)
3  cups oats
1  cup raisins

N.B. next time I'll make this recipe with about .25 cup less sugar, as the cookies are very sweet. Plus, it will leave me room to throw in some chocolate chips!

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. 

Yum!

Stuff For Looking

Tough Doilies

Almost every day I walk past a store called {far 4} and their windows always catch my eye. The latest thing on display to make me chuckle are these tough doilies by Ladies & Gentlemen. Maybe it's time for me to pick up the crochet needle!

Three Grand Essentials

Be A Doll

Years ago when I was still living in New York, where the plumbing mostly sucks, I once almost ended a friendship over a Tampax. Why, you might wonder? Well, a friend of mine had come over and did the unthinkable. In the brand spanking new apartment I had just moved into she flushed her tampon. This no-no caused the toiled to clog up, flood, and ruin the ceiling as well as the wooden floor of the lower level of my duplex while we were out for a drink. Fun times! 


Well, these things don't need to happen anymore with the below 'bathroom decoration' I saw on Etsy. Get the hint ladies? Don't do it!

Body and Soul

Today would have been Amy's 28th birthday. This is her final recording, a duet with her hero Tony Bennett. The track is available to purchase on iTunes here with all proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Reflect.

Back To The Future: 2011 Nike Mag

When 'Back to the Future' came out in 1989 I remember looking at the practical velcro on my little sneakers and wishing for self-lacing shoes, just like in the movie. Fast forward to 2011 and Nike is releasing a replica of the then fictional sneaker. 150 pairs are being auctioned on eBay for the next 10 days, with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The shoe doesn't quite lace itself, but since it doesn't have any laces to begin with, I will forgive them for that. For now at least. I will be checking back with Nike in 2015.

Scene from Back to the Future in 1989

The 2011 Nike Mag

So Many Things To Love About This Look

Madewell Fall 2011

I've always liked the effortless, casual looks by Madewell. Whenever I go to their stores, it is way too tempting to spend a small fortune. There are just so many cute basics that you can either dress up or dress down, and the color options are abundant but never too bold. Fit and quality are not dirty words to the kind people at Madewell either. They just get it right!

Attitude Is Everything

Heart Shaped Egg

Not sure if my guy will read this, and even if he does there is only a tiny chance he will get the hint. But come on... waking up to a heart shaped egg crafted by a messy haired man on a lazy Sunday morning would be pretty swoonworthy!

Oh My, How Fabulous

These black suede and gold leaf embroidered Christian Louboutin booties are so expensive that I can't even dream of ever putting them on my feet. Just looking at this picture already makes me feel naughty. Love them!

DIY - Rolling Crate Coffee Table

Sue from 129 Twig & Vine created a fun little DIY on her blog recently transforming an old milk crate into a unique coffee table.  It's perfect for storing magazines and other things you don't want in plain sight but are not yet ready to part with. 

I happen to have 'borrowed' two very similar crates from my in-laws garage so all I would need is some cool industrial looking caster wheels. Now if only I could channel my DIY inspiration into action I would maybe get some of these cool ideas I've been posting here actually done.

Via Poppytalk.