Friday, I'm in Love

My no-plans-low-key weekend morphed from, "Oh hey [insert friends' names here], I'm making soup beans and cornbread for dinner on Friday, want to come over?" to a southern-themed dinner party, where friends who show up in flannel-checked shirts or don a southern accent get extra points (and by extra points I mean an extra scoop of ice cream to go with Java Lady's blondies). In any event, I finally get to use a pack of bandana plates that have been in my pantry for quite some time, and I'm pretty excited about it. Hopefully we'll throw in some portraiture hilarity just for kicks and I'll be able to share photos on here. I wish I had a horse tied up out back for our photo-taking shenanigans, but cowboy boots and home-canned goods will have to do for props. Lonesome Dove will be playing in the background, and I hope the dinner is a success (aka, I hope my friends like it) because I love soup beans and cornbread. I'm suddenly wondering how dinner turned from southern to western themed with cowboy boots...ahh, probably because my dad loves Lonesome Dove, my mom makes the best soup beans and cornbread ever, which is the ultimtate southern food in my opinion. I'm just now wishing I was making fried chicken to accompany this fare.

Also, I'm in my first-ever book club. We have our first meeting on Sunday to discuss The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. I have to say, I wouldn't have chosen the book to read on my own because it's premise is about Japanese mail order brides back in the day (not that it's a bad premise), but I think the writing is pretty great!

Anyway, have a lovely weekend!

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Operation Sew-Myself-a-Shirt-Dress Has Commenced...

When I found out that the creator of Oliver + S patterns had collaborated with Simplicity to create some patterns for women's apparel, I was ecstatic. Although I've never sewn any Oliver + S patterns, I love the design, and they make my baby fever spike every time I look at them, no big deal. Enter Lisette's Traveler Dresses pattern by Simplicity:

It's no secret that I love dress shirts, so what could be more appealing to me than making my own shirt dress! I started cutting out the pattern pieces for version C of the Traveler Dress yesterday, also known as our first snowy day in Charlottesville this winter. I took a break to bake some cupcakes because snowy weather always makes me want to build a cake (anybody else love Napoleon?). 

Back to the dress, though. I got some great green Italian cotton fabric at B & J Fabrics in New York back in September, and my original intent was to use it for version A (the blue dress pictured above); however, I have decided to try the fuller skirt version (the white bodice with floral skirt version pictured above) because it'll be more flattering for my figure. I intend to make it in one color rather than the contrasting fabrics shown above. I love the small details in finished garments, so I'm looking for some killer buttons and want to use a contrasting fabric for the inside of the button placket to give it a little R. flair. Big plans, folks, big plans. Also, let me state one of my fears: the collar. I've never made one, but I am intimidated. Another fear: sleeves. I do not consider myself to be a proficient sleeve-sewer, so I'm hoping to use this pattern to overcome this deficiency.

For the Traveler Dress, I am making a muslin. I have made garments from Simplicity patterns within the last few months and was disappointed with the fit. Before, I just went by the size that corresponded with my measurements, but in my experience, Simplicity patterns add too much ease for the finished garments (and to me, it makes the garment look frumpy, which is the opposite of my goal). I know many experienced seamstresses recommend making a muslin prior to snipping your precious fabric, but I guess I had to learn the hard way. For the muslin, I am going down two sizes from what the size chart says I should use, so I will update on my progress. It may take a little longer, but hopefully I'll wear the finished product very happily.

Images: 1, 2

Happy Valentine's Day!

 That's right, that's a snapshot from Twilight, but you probably already knew that. After being adamantly opposed to the whole Twilight Saga, I watched the first movie on Sunday night with Java Lady, and...I liked it. Besides the hilarious vampire banter and corny one-liners, it wasn't so bad. I know I'm three years late, but whatever. I'm admitting this in honor of Valentine's Day, and I kind of want to watch the other movies in the saga as well. Team Edward gets one point from me thus far.

Here's what I'm listening to today, in honor of this lovely occasion:

1. "Use Somebody" performed by Laura Jansen (This cover is sooo sexy.)
2. "Kiss the Rain" by Billie Myers (If you don't at least secretly love this song, please leave my blog right now.)  
3. "Emmylou" by First Aid Kit (It's so sweet, but has anyone else been noticing several of the Johnny and June references in songs these days? That's right, I'm calling you out Heidi Newfield and Katy Perry.)
4. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer (My favorite part of this song is the harmonica at the end because I think harmonica playing is sexy, which leads me to my next selection...)
5. "Baby, I'm in the Mood for You" by Bob Dylan (What a classic. I feel like I say that about every Bob Dylan song...)

 Go eat some chocolate (no smooches required) and and have a great Valentine's Day!

Can we talk about my favorite dog ever...again?

I took my roommate down to the homestead this past weekend, and we visited the farm for a few hours on Saturday. My dad dressed her up in all kinds of farm garb (read: Carhart-esque coveralls) so she could ride in the tractor and all that jazz. It was nice and rainy, so coveralls were very appropriate.

Do y'all remember Butch? Well, we got to see him too! It's no secret that he's my favorite dog on planet earth. I was trying to get some snapshots of him tending the flock, but he loves me so much that he couldn't stand being three inches apart from me! Can we talk about the deliciousness? Best dog of all time. I'm still trying to figure out a way to sneak him into my car and head up to Charlottesville without anyone in my family noticing. This dog makes me melt, people. 

 Here he is hanging out with his flock of mommies-to-be:

Beach in the winter, anyone?

The Sunday prior to Christmas, I took a vacation and rolled down to Naples, FL with a friend of mine. I had never been to the beach in the winter, but oh, am I so sold! I wanted a change of pace  and to skip town for a while. I took a couple of books on the trip (Jane Austen's Emma, and Justine Picardie's biography about Gabrielle Chanel), but every day when we hit the beach, I couldn't read because it felt so laborious. So I did what I needed to do the most: rest. I stretched out on my towel like a flapjack and got some quality shut-eye with the help of the Gulf's hum. It was 80 degrees the day before winter solstice. I'm missing the beach today.

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

Prior to October 2011, I had never made a quiche! Quiches are great because they're pretty straight forward and versatile; you can put about anything in one and make it your own. I did a little bit of research and adaptation over at Smitten Kitchen (here and here) and came up with just what I wanted: a Spinach and Mushroom Quiche. I debuted it for my mom's birthday brunch back in the fall, and it has made several appearances in my kitchen since then.

Here's the recipe for a 12" pie plate:

For the crust:

2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 t. salt

2/3 c. vegetable oil

5 T. + 1 t. milk (I use 2%)

For the filling:

7-8 mushrooms, washed and thinly sliced

2 T. butter

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

5 eggs

1 c. milk

1 9 oz. package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients for the crust with a fork just until they come together in a loose ball. Press the crust into a 12" pie dish and set aside. 

In a saucepan, saute the sliced mushrooms in 2 T. butter on medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take off heat and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with handmixer until smooth. Gradually add eggs and milk. Stir in spinach, Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is set.

I'll be your DJ for the day...

Does anyone make playlists all the time like I do? I used to have a rule that every playlist I made had to have either a Bob Dylan and a Beatles song on it, but I'm breaking the mold today even though I'm feeling like either "I've Just Seen a Face" and "Mixed-Up Confusion."  So here goes, it's my "mix tape" for the end of January:

1.  "Spitting Fire" - The Boxer Rebellion (They're coming to The Southern here in Charlottesville in April, yay!)
2.  "No Cars Go" - Arcade Fire
3.  "I Belong in Your Arms" - Chairlift
4.  "Santa Ana Winds" - Sons of Bill (Get a free download of this song from their upcoming album here!)

5.  "Mixed-Up Confusion" - Bob Dylan (Okay, I know I said I was breaking the mold, but I like this one...)
6.  "Emmylou" - First Aid Kit
7.  "Let Us Risk the Ship, Ourselves and All" - The Hill and Wood

8.  "Little Talks" - Of Monsters and Men
9.  "Armies of Your Heart" - Elizaveta (I'm smitten with her vocal chords, people.)
10. "Starlight" - Muse
11. "1901" - Phoenix

And a little random note for the day: Today I got an email from Apple with the following subject line: "iPad 2: A Valentine they'll open every day." My initial thought was, Wait, do people get iPads for Valentine's Day? If so, I must be running with the wrong crowd. Do people actually get iPads for Valentine's Day?

Happy Monday!

Friday, I'm in Love

...with the fact that it's National Chocolate Cake Day! Thanks for the heads up, Hello Giggles. It's a given that chocolate is at the top of my list of favorite things (higher on the chain than shoes, guys), and I want to do something to commemorate this fine holiday. Remember when I posted a long time ago about loving the above-pictured cake? Well, I loved the picture and the recipe but never made it. That might have to change tonight; although, I have a new recipe for chocolate lava souffles (seemingly a contradiction in itself, but delicious nonetheless) that I want to recreate after eating it at a restaurant. Maybe I should make both? I have an excuse...

...with today. It's 64 degrees in Charlottesville, and the weekend is supposed to be just as beautiful. I consider this to be a huge blessing. I want to take up running, so I might pull a Zooey Deschanel in Yes Man and have a jogging photography session to break the ice.

I'll be back next week with some more on etiquette, but until then, have an awesome weekend!

Image from What Katie Ate

Etiquette in Conversation: Asking "What do you do?"

Is it weird that I've fallen in love with Amy's fountain of knowledge all over again? I'm hung up on etiquette this week (and probably indefinitely, so sorry if my blog turns into an homage to Amy Vanderbilt). Today's excerpt is from Etiquette in Conversation:

ASKING "WHAT DO YOU DO?" Many people in a social setting, such as a dinner party, resent being asked by someone they've just been introduced to, "What do you do?" They feel it's nosy; that the asker is trying to ascertain whether they have a spellbinding job and that, if they don't, the person won't be interested in talking to them. Before asking someone what he does, give the conversation a chance to lean in that direction. Most often it does just that. (697)

Raise your hand if you're guilty. So, what do you do? This is probably number two on R.'s list of most frequent inquiries when meeting new folks, number one being, Where are you from? (I vowed in October to start asking people Where are you going? rather than Where are you from? but I'm just getting comfortable with the idea of really doing it.).

I met someone at a party last year, and I popped the question the wedding's next spring, if you're interested. There was a long pause, not the good kind, and then I was overcome with a feeling of regret, which made me want to shove myself in the shoulder and yell What is wrong with you! (because I could foresee what the person was going to say). Then my fellow acquaintance spoke: "I'm actually looking for a job right now...(another long pause, still not the good kind)..." I don't remember anything except the thought going through my head: Riiiiighht...because the economy is looking a little shabby these days. Note to self, don't ask that question anymore. All in all, not my best effort.

Basically, you don't want someone you've just met thinking that you're imagining them binge-eating Pop Tarts, watching reruns of Saved by the Bell in bed (on their laptop), and making the occasional word-tweak on the resume just prior to their daily Shakespearean soliloquy, "To shower, or not to shower--that is the question," while you're slaving away at your job. So just don't do it. I'm totally with Amy on this one, except I'm actually going to propose a solution, instead of giving the conversation a chance to "lean" in some direction. Perhaps What do you like to do? is a good alternative. Two words make all the difference.

Etiquette: The Art of Communication

 

 A few years ago, my parents gave me The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette (50th Anniversary Edition) for my birthday. I'll state the obvious: sometimes etiquette books can be really uptight. However, I have found it to be a very handy piece of literature to have around and I think everyone should have an etiquette book on their shelf. I don't sit around reading my etiquette book, but sometimes I pick it up and thumb through it for entertainment or if I need to consult with it regarding a newly arisen "issue."

My friend M. visited me yesterday and an etiquette issue came up about a wedding, so I whipped out my 786-page companion. I opened the book and the first page I came to was a section entitled, The Art of Communication: Etiquette in Conversation, and here is what grabbed my attention:

SAYING, 'LET'S GET TOGETHER' WITHOUT SUGGESTING A FIRM DATE: Sometimes you run into an old friend on the street, someone you're uninterested in, or who perhaps bores you. You may find yourself nervously saying, 'Let's get together. Call me sometime.' If you really want to get together, make a firm date. Don't ask the other person to assume the responsibility of contacting you. He'll see it for what it is: an excuse to avoid seeing him. (694)

I read this excerpt and blurted out, "Ohmygosh, I just did this last week!" and both M. and I busted out laughing. Then I felt like a horrible person because I didn't want the recipient of my verbatim phrase "let's get together" to be offended because I really do want to hang out. I'm also certain that I threw in "we could get coffee" as well, which makes it even worse because I don't ever go out for coffee. Most likely, my friend was not offended by this, but upon reading this excerpt, I immediately had a notion to email it to my possibly offended friend, make a funny comment about how uptight etiquette books are and write the following: I am not trying to avoid you, I honestly want to hang out; however, I was quite certain your life is busier than mine, so I thought it would be easier for you to pick a date (On second thought, why couldn't I have phrased it like that in person?)...I think I'll forgo the email and set a firm date the next time we bump into one another. How creepy is it that this is the first thing I saw when I opened the book, though?

Image: by Carla Coulson via French Essence