Seven Presidents

Happy Hearts

2012-02-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

Big pop up for Stolen Goods at the Porta Valentine Market this weekend. We are making baskets that people can give to their valentines in lieu of ye ole Russell Stover, but sadly I don't have any photos of the finished product because my partner in crime has half the stuff, like a "best friends" pendant. That analogy is just further proof that I'm really in the valentine spirit this year -- in the elementary school sense, not the fancy dinner out with your lover sense. Mr. SevPrez is getting over strep throat and Baby SevPrez is teething so uninterrupted sleep sounds way better than any candlelit dinner.

But back to the pop up! In addition to our usual a la carte offerings, we're selling an assortment of goodies in home-made paper cartons (lovingly crafted by yours truly)...

With Heart Burglar valentines (loving drafted by yours truly)...

All wrapped up in cellophane and cinched with red ribbon and red felt hearts! Doesn't it just make your heart want to explode, in a good way?

We'll be at Porta from noon to 4, tomorrow (Saturday Feb 11th). Come check us out and have brunch at Porta, the coolest restaurant in Asbury Park.

Happy Birthday Mom

2012-01-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

Put a birthday card together with my new watercolor markers before my mom's birthday brunch. Started with no ideas so I was happy with how it came out.

In other news we actually managed to get the office organized and the bathroom painted yesterday! Both projects still have a way to go, but I don't think I've felt so productive since I pushed a human being out of my body six months ago.

Progress

2012-01-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Since my last post I've been doing the January thing... Eating more green vegetables in my dinners (then, against my better judgement, following it up with Twizzlers AKA poison, and waking up feeling terrible). Cleaning out my closet (triumphant without caveat). Going back to the Power Center where I have found that my fears of working out with 18 year old Division I scholarship athletes has been replaced with the even grimmer reality of working out with 13 year old boys. A horrifying situation for sure, but when I get past my urge to run out the door, I find it's actually an opportunity to put my middle school gym class feelings of inadequacy and isolation to rest once and for all -- which is not to say that I don't always finish last in all the exercises, or that I don't feel like screaming out "You know I had a baby 5 months ago!!!" but I'm getting there. Actually I find that my mom tendencies are more predominant -- I want to yell at the kids for being obnoxious, half-assing everything, and not doing all 3 sets of reps. Then I just tell myself, they are kids, and not your kids. Let them learn life's lessons at their own pace, which, after all, is the only pace at which anyone learns anything anyway.

Yesterday morning I was mentally patting myself on the back for not buying anything in the month of January (sure it was only 12 days but it felt like SO much longer) when I got an email from my boss alerting me to a flash sale of brightly colored pillows on One King's Lane that she felt I just couldn't miss. Damnit! I ended up buying two pillows for our new couch (which still hasn't arrived yet). At checkout, next to the total you're spending, it says "You're saving $X amount!" which triggered all my rage and shame about our American consumer culture and made me feel like a stooge for making the purchase. But I did love the pillows, and we will give them a good home, and I can use them in any of the rooms of my house for a long time so I got over it. (Also in this category: I am looking to get a rug for P's room and have decided only to get a rug she won't grow out of and that we can use in other rooms. I had visions of a baby pink rug on the curb in 8 years.)

At the end of the day I will never be a minimalist.
Hopefully just a manageablist.

Next. I was cleaning out my desk at work (for maintenance, I'm not going anywhere) and couldn't bring myself to toss this very old doodle. Ridiculous. This morning I decided to scan it and get over myself. I feel better, even if it is only a slip of paper. Does this count as posting a drawing? I have been meaning to draw something for a while now. Sigh.

Admit it: this would be the illest print on a pillow.
Totally worth keeping for 4 years.

Full disclosure, I also bought a bunch of watercolor markers yesterday. I think I must buy art supplies every winter, since all I aspire to do is stay in all weekend and make stuff (which actually happens once a year). Which is probably why I am so creative in all my fantasies about what our lives will be like if we move to Maine. Promise to post something I make with them soon, since that will further justify their purchase. Also I swear I am going to get my office organized, which means all my art supplies will have a beautiful nook to dwell in. More fantasies!!

And coming up: Stolen Goods Bake Shop will be popping up at The Market at Porta for Valentine's Day, on February 11th, noon to 4. We'll be bringing some excellent alternatives to Whitman Samplers that you can impress your valentines with. Thank me later.

Oh! And little P is rolling over, sitting up, and eating solids. Time flies!!!

Happy January.

Quality Control

2011-12-28T08:27:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about quality lately. Quality of life. Air quality. Quality wardrobe investments. Top quality pieces of furniture. The quality of my writing (which has taken a nose dive on this blog, sorry about that.)

So many things in 2011 are disposable. As a culture it seems we've decided that disposable = easier. Maybe that's true in the short term. Buy a bottle of water and throw it out when you're done. That's easier than remembering to fill up a water bottle at home, carrying the empty vessel around when you've drank all the water, and washing it when you get home. But think of all the hidden work in that water bottle. You have to stop somewhere to get it. You have to throw almost $2 away on it. You acquire a useless receipt that may or may not hang around in your pocket for too long. You have to wrangle with the recyclables at your house. And then there's the psychic toll of thinking about how all our empty water bottles have turned into the 8th continent of the world. Ugh. (Have you seen The Story of Stuff? It takes 20 mintues. Do check it out.*)

Or take most of things that are bought at Ikea. Sure, my $600 Ikea couch lasted almost a decade. But I also have a garage full of $20 lamps, chairs, and $2 vases that I cannot bear to throw out but don't want in my house anymore. I bought them when I moved from an apartment to a house and felt the imperative to fill the house up. But I couldn't afford nice pieces and didn't take the time to muse about what the chair that I would really love and treasure for the better part of my lifetime would look like. I just saw things at Ikea that I could afford immediately, and voila -- problem solved. (Apparently I'm not the only one, and that's why Ikea is the biggest furniture manufacturer in the world.)

Or all the sweaters I've bought because they were $20 on sale and who doesn't need another cardigan? You know who? I don't. It's taken me a long time to figure out that having a glut of bargain clothing doesn't make me a better dresser because I have more options. In fact I tend to wear the same things over and over again because I can barely squeeze my hand between the clothes in my closet to see what's in there. I forget about a lot of the clothes I have because they are lost in the oversupply. I give away a garbage bag of clothing every seasonal wardrobe rotation. I just keep filling up my closet with irresistible bargains. The quantity obscures the quality.

Having a baby who comes with lots of stuff has really amped up my anxiety about being overstuffed. There are less drawers in which I can hide away my extra things. The baby has a lot of stuff that is constantly in use and has to stay out in the open. So I find myself, about every 2 weeks, thinking of a new corner of my house that needs to be organized and cleaned. All the things stuffed into my secret hiding places need to be ruthlessly sorted through, thrown out, or put back in an orderly fashion -- in clear bins labeled with a P-Touch! I want to be one of those Bed Bath & Beyond ladies!!!! Okay, no, I don't actually need to go shopping to acquire more things to put my things in. But I have never before had the desire to take on these particular Martha Stewart qualities (in the past it's always been glue guns, yes, overly organized drawers, no).

A lot of people feel over-stuffed at this time of year with food and with objects. This year my family tried to reduce the amount of presents exchanged, and though we did make a dent, I still found myself really disappointed with the amount of shopping, spending, and wrapping I did. But it was a step in the right direction.

I have gained a lot of resolve and taken solace in a blog called Treehouse Chatter. It's written by a friend of mine who over the past few years has embraced veganism, minimalism, and environmentalism. I don't want to speak for her (you should really read her blog), but I think her personal evolution has come from a very curious, exploratory place, and as a result I find what she shares on her blog (and in our conversations) to be inspiring and ellucidating, not judgmental, intimidating, preachy, or militant. I am really happy to have a place on the internet that I can visit when I have cruised my regular assortment of pretty blogs that have me thinking that I would be a much happier person if I got yet another incarnation of a long-sleeved striped t-shirt.

It's nice to know that there are blogs that inspire healthier living, not just online shopping. I'm not sure what Seven Presidents inspires, but I hope maybe I have piqued your curiosity enough for you to click on Treehouse Chatter and see what it has to say.

*After you've watched that, perhaps you need something a little lighter. I recommend Marcel The Shell With Shoes On One & Two.

Coming To A Living Room Near Me

2011-12-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

We finally pulled the trigger on a new couch, and it's spectacular. "Go big or go home" is definitely turning out to be my home decor mantra, between this velvet fox and my yellow chairs. I think I will just have to be one of those people who has a house filled with eccentric treasures that somehow go together because they are loved ecstatically. And I'm okay with that.

Special shout-out to Sonny the cat, who we lost last month. His passing allowed us to finally let go of our 7 year old Ikea wreck and move on to something more grown up. I know what you're thinking -- your kid is going to ruin that couch. You may be right, but the time was right for us to say yes to a piece of furniture that we absolutely love.

Extra-special shout out to Mr. SevPrez who rejected my reasonable, compromise choice in couches and fell in love with my fantasy couch, and then spent all of Thursday night moving furniture around to make it fit in our family room. (We won't get the new couch til February but we are living with the new configuration.)

We spend a lot of time on our couch. And a lot of time looking at it, since we have an open floor plan. Why not have something big, bold, and beautiful? Life is short, seize the teal velvet!

The Motivation To Be Festive

2011-12-12T20:09:00.001-08:00

I'm taking Christmas to the next level here at Seven Presidents. Some years I'm more gung ho than others, but I think the addition of our little one has me excited about the holiday this year, even if at 5 months old she's too small to really appreciate it. Reminds me of the Christmas episode of "Up All Night," Will Arnett's new show. That show pretty much nails the experience of being a regular person who has a baby and doesn't totally lose their identity. I find myself laughing out loud at least once every episode. But I digress.

My mom keeps offering me holiday decorations that my Grammy made, and I keep accepting. Her handmade decorations hold a ton of sentimental value and precious memories, which is probably why I've always been so hard on new store bought Christmas decorations. Grammy set the bar pretty high.

I got the extra parts of her ceramic village (except for the church, which seems appropriate). I set it up and meant to take a picture because -- what do you know! -- President Obama stopped by the village to shake hands and drum up votes for 2012. I also acquired a calico gingerbread garland that is hanging over my entryway where I hang our stockings. (Poll: Do you think stockings are just for hanging on Christmas Eve?).

I stopped by my mom's yesterday and she gave me a stick wreathe to decorate (again, I should have taken a photo) and an idea for the pendants in my kitchen, which I actually managed to photograph. And notice that pot rack in the background? It's been about three years in the making. I finally found one I liked from Crate & Barrel and my dad put it up for me. (It's serious business. Because pots are so heavy you have to make sure it's in a joist.) I couldn't take a picture of the whole room for you to get a better idea of how it looks because there were dishes everywhere. But just trust me that it is an awesome addition to the house. It looks pretty cool and it frees up an entire corner cabinet, which now holds all the extremely tall cereal boxes, bottles of olive oil, cans of formula, and small appliances that were cluttering up the counter. Serenity now! And Merry Christmas, if I don't talk to you before the big day.

Charlie Brown Tree No. 3

2011-12-09T14:07:00.001-08:00

This year's tree was handpicked (and cut) but my dad. It road all the way down from Maine on the top of his Mini Cooper. He was a little concerned that maybe it was too wily, but it turns out it's awesome -- long arms and loads of personality. Fits right in.

+1

2011-11-11T14:21:00.001-08:00

I think Christoph Niemann needs to be added to my list of people who inspire me. He sketched his NY Marathon experience while he ran it.

His I Lego NY book is awe-inspiring.

And he did an illustration for the last page of the NY Times Magazine back in 2000 that I have kept for 11 years. It currently graces my refrigerator. I really loved it as a college freshman but it took on another level of poignancy once the twin towers fell down.

Love that guy.

Testing Testing 1-2-3

2011-11-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

Do you know your Kolbe Score? It's a kind of personality test based on your instincts. I'm a fact-finding quick-start. Or a quick-starting fact-finder. Probably neither of those are the appropriate nomenclature. Anyway, it's a fascinating and useful personality test. Will totally explain a lot of the reasons why you work well with certain people, why others frustrate the heck out of you. My sister-in-law is a Kolbe expert which is so cool because sometimes I'll tell her a story and she can just nod knowingly. My dad is a crazy fact-finder like me. My husband, mom, and brother are crazy quick-starts. They like to tease me because I am such a predictable fact-finder. Example: when I wanted to start playing soccer in middle school I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a book about it. That's just how I roll. I just came across a quotation by Dave Eggers that sums up my driving, unconscious principle: "All I ever wanted was to know what to do."

Where my quick-starting comes in: I have an overactive mind that overproduces ideas and I excite easily, so I tend to get a lot of things going (see Pop Ups, Full Time Job, Motherhood, Running, Craft pursuits, Blog Posting, etc). Before I take action I do tons of research, but once I get started I throw it all out the window and improvise. I am the worst person in the world at following directions. I swear I become illiterate when following directions. I can't see them. It's bizarre.

I also like the Carl Jung typology test (condensed Meyers-Briggs). The minister who married us had us take it before we went to our pre-marriage counselling. It was a really great way to get the conversations going about what will keep tripping us, and conversely, where our magic lives. I'm a ENFJ - Extroverted Intuitive Feeling Judger AKA The Benevelont Pedagogue. (Seriously, who makes these names up?!) Basically I have instinctual spidey senses, I like to stay late at parties (which will forever annoy the introverted Mr. SevPrez) and I only play to win (that's the J). People who play for fun make me CRAZY! I am a get to the point type of gal. But enough about me. What about you? Go take the tests and we'll talk.

Inspired By...

2011-10-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

...their honesty, creativity, ingenuity, courage to live and work outside the mainstream.

I get really into stuff, and sometimes I think the people in my life tire of my unsolicited, overly enthusiastic, proselytizing emails. And then I remember, that's why I have a blog.

Chuck Close, painter.

The guy went paralyzed half way through his career, which forced him to come up with new ways to physically paint, resulting in (I think) his best work. Unbelievable. I saw a documentary about him on PBS when I was in college and have loved him ever since. His studio is only a couple blocks away from my office, and one day I walked by him sitting outside. I walked around the corner and spent about 5 minutes facing a brickwall trying to convince myself to go back and talk to him. When I finally worked up the courage he had gone back inside. I'll get him next time.

Mindy Kaling, writer.

She kills me. It's like she has a portal to my brain and knows my innermost thoughts.

I think a lot of women my age feel the same way, but I still feel special.

John Cage, composer, artist, all around amazing guy.

He is so much more than the guy who composed a piece of silent music. He was a contemporary of Buckminster Fuller, Merce Cunningham, and that whole crew of crazy forward thinking guys. Joyful Zen is what I take away from him.

Pablo Picasso, painter.

You know who he is. I am not cool for loving him. I wrote an essay about my early obsession with him -- maybe one day i'll share it on the blog in serial form. I wrote it to submit to This American Life until one of their old producers told me it wasn't universal enough. I freely admit that ever since that experience my love of TAL has dimmed. But I think it just happened to coincide with my love for it burning too brightly: it could not be sustained. Now I tend to find their unassuming, casual narration style somewhat rote and grating. But who am I kidding, I still listen.

Marc Maron, comic & podcaster.

The only way I survive my commute is by listening to podcasts which pre-maternity leave had been limited to shows that air on NPR; the only way I survived the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy was by discovering Kevin Pollack's Chat Show on iTunes. Because I could not listen to Terry Gross or the Planet Money team talk about economic doom while my whole life was all about bringing a human being into the world. So I took hour long walks around my neighborhood once or twice a day and amused myself by listening to Kevin's long form interviews with actors. It was fluffy and funny. Only a week or two ago did I finally download some of Marc Maron's WTF podcasts -- long form interviews with comics, writers, and actors. It was kind of like graduating from high school (KPCS) and going to college where everyone smokes cigarettes and talks philosophy. But it's still funny. In fact it's about ten times funnier, so I've turned into the girl who walks around Port Authority grinning inexplicably. And I like that. Marc Maron, I think I love you.

E.E. Cummings, poet.

Yeah, everybody loves his cute punctuation, his love poems, blah blah blah, but until you read "i: six non-lectures" you have no idea what a mindblowingly compelling thinker he was. There is so much more to him than writing in all lowercase. The book may have taken me about a decade to read and understand cover to cover, but it is the most special book I own, and it was passed down from my mother. And it goes without saying that "if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)have one."

Pema Chodron, Buddhist monk.

I was first introduced to her work through Stephanie, my amazing old yoga teacher in Brooklyn. One time she read a passage from her book in class and I started crying. That yoga really can really sneak up on you sometimes. I always turn to her books "When Things Fall Apart" and "Start Where You Are" when things fall apart, which they inevitably do every couple years. You don't have to be a meditating Buddhist to take away some real pearls of wisdom.

Maira Kalman, illustrator.

You knew this already.

Uncle Jim, my mom's brother.

My love and respect for him has been chronicled on this blog before. He is half of the dynamic duo we are always going to Maine to see. Let's be honest: we love the state of Maine, but we really love our relatives who live there. Otherwise all those evergreens could start to look the same.

Fall: Home and About

2011-10-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins on the stoop! My favorite way to showcase pumpkins, inspired by Katy Elliot's documentation of pumpkins above the door in Marblehead. Halloween is epic in my town, so I like to make sure the house is sending signals to potential trick-or-treaters (and there are A LOT of them) that our door is open.
And this morning -- this very very warm morning -- I completed my first race post baby, a 5K in my favorite shore town. I had very low expectations since I've been taking it easy out there, but I managed to break 30 minutes, which I was pretty excited about, considering it means I ran 3 miles at about a 9:30 pace and I'm quite sure I that's about a minute faster than any mile I'd run in preparation. Later this month is the Trik-or-Trot, then November brings the Turkey Trot. Love all the local fall races, and so happy to be back in the mix! (Even if it is harder to get to the starting line in time with little P).

Unrepeatable Not Repeating.

2011-10-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I created a website called I Am Unrepeatable. It was a space on the internet for open thank you notes and love letters -- a place for anyone to post a personal message in a public space, with an option to send the message to the person mentioned. I was inspired by wondering what "regular" people would say if given the chance to make an acceptance speech like all the fancy movie stars do at the Oscars; I was inspired by the notion that living life every day is a beautiful achievement, more deserving of attention and air space than the "Best Actor In A Motion Picture."

This year I made the decision not to renew the space with my web host. It doesn't get as much attention as it first did, but more than that, I've realized people now share so much of their lives on Facebook. It's true that plenty of status updates are full of complaints (about the weather, traffic, strangers, Mondays, etc), but there are also incredible messages of love and acknowledgement shared in that online community.

So it is not with sadness, but with gratitude, that I say that iamunrepeatable.com's days are numbered. I feel a sense of accomplishment that my little corner of the internet can pass on to the nether world knowing that Facebook has become an integral part of so many people's lives, so much so that it's second nature for someone to share how much they love their parent, sibling, or child, just because it's their birthday. It's an incredible thing, actually, if you think about how different the world is today than it was 1o or even 5 years ago.

I took screen shots of all the pages of Unrepeatable so I'll always be able to go back and read all 593 acknowledgements. I would encourage you to take a gander at them. I guarantee it will improve your mood. In fact, I challenge you not to cry, or get goosebumps.

As crazy as people can be, I still believe we all share something beautiful and pure at our core.

Here's the first thing ever posted on the site, written back in the summer of 2006. Five years ago, my immediate family was my parents and 2 siblings. Now it includes my husband and daughter. By taking a moment to really absorb that fact, something as abstract and seemingly remote as a website has touched me to my core once again. Thanks for all those who participated and visited over the years.

Clearly I Have A Chair Thing

2011-09-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

You know, a thing for chairs? I am about to inherit some excellent chairs (in the style of the 2nd picture) from a family friend, and I am already daydreaming about reupholstering them. And all I can think about are these two imagines I've pinned to my Pinterest page...

Would it be crazy to buy some canvas, or whatever kind of fabric would be good for upholstery, and hand paint it?!! Because that's all I fantasize about. Even if I just hand painted a stripe, I just think it would look so amazing. But what color? I keep thinking red but then I wonder where on earth these chairs are going (this is what happens when you have a thing for chairs -- I never even told you about the mid-century Italian Leather ones I scored for a song while antiquing with my mom in Allenhurst during the heat wave just days before going into labor). I think at least one of them could go in little P's room, and I'd rather it be pink. But then what about when she's a teenager and is so over pink? Maybe royal blue? Grey? Black and white? Brown (totally not my instinct, but could be nice)? I might have to call up Lenny and see how poorly he reacts to this idea to gage just how crazy I'm being.

I am going to consult with my most trusted design aficianados (my SGBS partner, my brothers, my boss) and will report back on the project. But what do you think?

My Life These Days*

2011-09-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

As my friend who visited the other day with her new dog said, "Most of our conversations revolve around whether or not she is the cutest dog in the world." I relate to that. Right now so much of the space of my life is taken up by my daughter -- all of the "baby appliances" all over our house, all of the time spent feeding, holding, and soothing her, all of the parts of my brain anticipating her future needs, our new life as a family, the moment to moment excitement of getting to know her.

Becoming a parent has brought a new importance and excitement to family for me. It's one area of my life right now that feels complete. Part of it is probably just having all this time off from work, but I have never spent so much time with my family and been so happy to be a part of it. I like to think we are a real life version of the Bravermans (if you are not watching the show "Parenthood," you really should be.) Getting together at my parents' house for big sprawling family dinners with both of my brothers and their kids is a really awesome way to spend a Sunday night. We pass the little kids around and the big kids help out. In fact, my oldest niece opted to have a quiet dinner with me while I was feeding little P-- and even cut my meat -- while the rest of the family ate in the other room. You never feel left out.

Everyone says "you sleep while they sleep!" but since my little one is not the best napper that means I just go to bed around 8 or 9 when she calls it a night. So I've started watching movies (and Masterpieces, why are British mysteries so good!?) around 4pm since I can't stay up for anything after dinner. So going out for a dinner date with Mr. SevPrez is a tremendous treat (we've only done it once so far) but also makes me feel like I'm living on the edge since it cuts into my sleep time.

Everyone also says you lose weight while breastfeeding and I'm not sure that's true for everyone. I think you lose weight because you don't have two hands to eat with once your spouse goes back to work. Seriously. If I have to choose between eating and taking a shower, I'd rather take a shower. There's just something about keeping myself clean that makes me feel like I have everything under control.

And last but not least I am getting my running legs back. I went for my first jog/walk three weeks after giving birth, which is not really recommended or endorsed by any of the books. But everyone is different and I felt pretty good. I knew to go slow and give it a rest if my body sent me signals that it was too much. But now I'm jogging pretty much every other day, enjoying the time outdoors to myself and the feeling that I'm getting back into my old groove and, slowly but surely, my old body. I have a 5K picked out for October 9th and am looking forward to just completing it and having a good time. (I say that but I'm sure I'll end up setting a time goal for myself and as a result will be dry-heaving at the finish line.) But little P will be there to cheer me on and that will make me feel like a champ no matter how slow I go.

Motherhood is an awesome thing. I still can't believe we made a human being (and one who's so cute!). Right now she depends on us for all of her needs, but one day she'll go off into the world as her own woman, with her own opinions, hopes, and aspirations. It's pretty wild. But for now, I am pretty sure that all she dreams about are milk, swings, and bouncy balls. So we'll just take it one day at a time.

*I don't really want to give into to blogging about motherhood and kid clothes (there are so many other mom bloggers out there who do a great job), but right now my life revolves around parental concerns and experiences, and I felt I wanted to post something, so this is what you get. More diverse posts to come as "the first trimester" comes to a close and I go back to work.

In With The Cool Girls

2011-08-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

There are many amazing things about being the new mom of a daughter, but just one of them is the fact that my nieces, ages 12, 9, and 4, love coming over to their "cousin's house." (Could you just die?!) Which also means that they bring their interests with them. Which right now includes their boxes of string and collection of lanyard. Side note: it is so awesome that they have actual interests beyond watching TV and playing video games. Good old fashioned kids!

Now that I have a baby and don't have much spare time, I appreciate the fact that each visit usually yields at least one friendship bracelet. They are the perfect jewelry for a mom since they are soft and don't bother my little lady when I hold her.

Tonight my job is to try and recall my lanyard skills so we can move on to a new medium tomorrow. Exciting!

Bonjour!

2011-08-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this little french donut-hat wearing bear that my mom picked up for me at Bodega Shoppe when we popped up there in July. He's keeping my Grammy & Pop company as they look over our new baby girl, and he has a pencil ready to take down feeding and napping times. Merci, nounours!

It's A Girl!

2011-08-03T17:59:00.001-07:00

Sign courtesy of her big cousins.

She came Friday night, and she was worth the wait.

The List Is Back

2011-07-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

This morning over blueberry pancakes I had a little therapy session with Mr. SevPrez. I have been staying up til 2am every night with the feeling like I'm waiting for Santa. I have always been a night owl and now that I don't have any reason to set my alarm I'm showing my true colors. Waking up in the morning knowing there is nothing on the agenda, really, except birth this baby is a bit emotionally overwhelming, seeing as how I have no control over whether it happens or not. Couple that with the incredible heat wave we had over the last few days that made it really difficult to spend any time outdoors, and the fact that everyday I feel more pregnant and more uncomfortable, and it's physically taxing as well. Let's just say I'm sick of the couch, and we have watched every movie made in the last year.

I have a real need to feel productive, whether it's at work or at home, and I realized this morning that I really miss my lists. I kind of stopped writing them since I have been kidding myself that everyday delivery is imminent. No wonder I've been feeling so lost. So when my session with Dr. SevPrez was over, I made a little list and we set out on an expedition to run some errands and cross some things off.

We went to the Red Bank Antique District to look for a set of vintage drinking glasses, since I keep breaking them and we are a very thirsty family. We were just about to leave empty handed when I noticed an area we missed, and low and behold, we found a set of 8 glasses for $25. They are pretty awesome and harken back to a set I got in Brooklyn many years ago that has since died.

And we stopped at a craft store so I could just bite the bullet and get some embroidery floss to make friendship bracelets. I had a nice set of contractions earlier while making this bracelet and it was the perfect thing to focus on. Of course the contractions since went away or else I would not be writing this, but I finished the bracelet and it's ready to give to a friend as part of her birthday package.

Tick Tock

2011-07-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's a boy and he's waiting for the NFL lockout to end? I'm starting to think this is never going to happen...

Killing Time With Crafts

2011-07-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

As I twiddle my thumbs waiting for this baby to arrive I am remembering why I always made so many crafts over the summer when I was young. If you didn't go to camp, (and I didn't because I hated camp, except art camp) you needed to do something with your time.

I just texted my entrepreneurial 12 year old niece to ask her if she is still making string friendship bracelets. I really want one. Actually I really want like, 4, all big and crazy colored. I think right now she's really into making costume jewelry with tools and stuff. But then I saw these bracelets on a blog and thought, maybe she could encorporate both? And charge me a little less than $425... You know, family discount and all.

Truth is I would make my own friendship bracelet (is that sad?!) but I gave all my string away to my niece. So I'm thinking maybe after a walk to the post office (to send back "The Wire" on Netflix and get our new disc pronto -- we are completely obsessed with the wire and just started season 4), I might need to bust out the paints. I have been really inspired by all the painting going on at Sketch42 blog but abstracts are not really my thing. We'll see. I keep trying to think of ways to jinx myself so the baby will come. Like once I get all the paint out and all my brushes dirty, maybe I'll go into labor? I'll try anything.

Baby Shower Highlight Reel

2011-07-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Animal print dress! Thanks H&M.

Paging Don Draper. The shower was at my brothers' office in Downtown Asbury Park.

My only decor request: Marble balloons. Aren't they so great?!

My partner in crime made Grandma's crumb cake! This was the plate I took home. I discouraged guests from eating it by penalty of death. Actually, they were just distracted by Amanda's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Amazing favors by Karen V. Remember the ones she made for my mom's birthday?

How cute is my husband, if I do say so myself!?

And the award for best gift goes to... Emily, for finding an Ira Glass finger puppet! This American Life just got that much better.

DIY Headboard

2011-07-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

So at around 9 months pregnant (yeah, I'm going on 10 months, still no baby) I finally got around to making that faux upholstered headboard that had been on my list for almost a year. I had seen enough web tutorials on Design*Sponge and Young House Love etc. to have a general idea and make it up as I went along.

I got Mr. SevPrez to pick up a piece of plywood at Home Depot, precut to the measurements I gave him, then I was off to Grayline Linens in the Garment District to pick out some linen. It was the most amazing and somewhat overwhelming selection of linens ever. Who knew there were so many subtleties. I went with something soft, natural colored, and got a remnant so I think it was only $25 for two and a half yards.

Next I borrowed a staple gun from my dad and got some quilt batting from Joann Fabrics, and was off to the races. The hardest part was getting the corners to my liking. They get a little puffy where the batting is folded (like you would wrap a present) but as I've said before, I'm not really one to stress the details so I just went with it. Once I got the whole thing covered in fabric it was barely noticeable. Another thing -- is it impossible to iron creases out of linen or what!? Holy smokes I probably spent a good hour ironing the fabric before I stapled it but STILL couldn't get all the creases completely out. Thank god I'm not a devil for details.

The hardest part about the whole project? Working around the belly. But it was well worth it. A plain and simple headboard for under $75, and it completes the new bedroom (we swapped rooms with the babe-to-be). Awesome sauce.

Say hi to Beary, my bear for life.

Press!

2011-06-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

Photo by JR Delia via NJMonthly.com.

I've been keeping a secret from you... Back in May Stolen Goods Bake Shop was visited by professional photographer JR Delia, who was dispatched to document our Annex pop up by an editor at New Jersey Monthly, a glossy magazine the chronicles all the doings in our great Garden State. I don't think I was able to bring myself to share this little tidbit because I was in total disbelief that our humble little pop up would actually show up in the pages of NJ Monthly's July Issue.

After weeks of stalking the newstands, the day has come! I haven't gotten my hands on a hard copy yet, but here's the link to a great article written by the lovely Drew Anne Scarantino, whose curiousity about Stolen Goods was piqued when I submitted our gig to the Events page of NJMonthly.com. We had a great phone interview with Drew and spent an fun day posing awkwardly for JR, who captured some fantastic shot of our goods, my lovely niece, and us (if I do say so myself).

We had planned on going on "maternity leave" after our June pop up, but with such amazing press coming our way in the month of July we figured we had to do a pop up, so two very pregnant bakers will be bringing their delicious goods to the Bodega Shoppe in Asbury the Saturday of July 4th weekend. We hope to meet a lot of new people at this boardwalk location, though we do plan on paring down our selection a wee bit, since July 2nd is also the day I will celebrate being officially full term. One thing is for sure, this baby is bound to have a sweet tooth!

Making A Pilgrimage To Maira

2011-06-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Crappy photos illicitly taken with my iPhone while trying to look like I was checking my email.

I was pleased as punch to discover that Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World) was coming to The Jewish Museum in New York, having missed it by just hours when it was in Philadelphia last fall. My mom and I went for our annual Summer Day of Fun on Friday afternoon. For me, it was like snuggling up on the couch with the cats and a good book -- totally comfortable and reassuring. I have most of her books, and even purchased the companion book to the exhibition last year to console myself for missing it, so there wasn't much newness to be discovered. Nonetheless I really enjoyed seeing her originals, and being in a space carefully curated by the hands of Maira. And I really enjoyed hearing the sound of my mother's giggles from across the gallery as she watch Maira's TED talk with headphones on.

I could go on and on and on about Maira's wit, wisdom, and talent, or my feeling of spiritual connection to her, or my profound admiration for the fact that she has made such an accomplished career for herself by plumbing the depths of herself and her life, but I won't, I don't have it in me today. It's too much to put into words. I would say just check out her work for yourself and you'll understand.

A horizon of Maira.

There were a several other great exhibits going on at the museum but we were unable to see them before the museum closed (at 4:45 on Friday, for the Sabbath). I suppose we had spent too long luxuriating over lunch and lemonade at Sarabeth's. For the record, Sarabeth's is exactly the kind of restaurant I would have if I ever had a restaurant: brunch food and baked goods all day. I would eat breakfast for every meal if it was nutritiously acceptable, and I have always been this way. A few years ago I ran into my high school sweetheart after many years of radio silence, and as we were catching up he asked "Do you still love pancakes?" I suppose I do, I just hadn't realized quite how much it made an impression on others.

After picking up some things at the gift shop, I made the executive decision that under no circumstances should we take the 6 train downtown and make the horrible transfer to the E at 51st Street. It was a nice day (after several days of sweltering weather and thunderstorms), so we dared cross Central Park in hopes that we would come out on the other side and take the A/C/E directly to Penn Station. I use dramatic language to describe this decision because, well, have you ever tried to cross Central Park in a straight line? It's not really designed to be transversed on foot in this way, so it took some extreme diligence on our part. We consulted a lot of maps, and finally, when leaving Belvedere Castle and having to decide which way to take through The Ramble, I busted out the GPS on my iPhone. After all, my mother was wearing wedges and I am extremely pregnant. I could not stand the idea of us walking far out of our way. But what do you know -- we made it from the Jewish Museum to the Museum of Natural History in record time (not counting our respite at the Turtle Pond, where mom read Maira's newest children's book, Thirteen Words, and I took pictures of all the turtles in the pond). Once we popped out on the West side of the park, I made another executive decision that I was done with the smelly, crowded subway for the week, so I raised my right arm, stuck my belly out, and hailed us a cab to Penn Station.

Mom reads to the turtles.

All in all it was another wonderful Summer Day of Fun for the books. Mom got off the train with me and Mr. SevPrez picked us up at the station so Mom could come back and get a tour of our new house -- well, our newly beautiful house with new hardwood floors. Photos to come!

Top 5 at 8.5

2011-06-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

5 things that are saving me as I get more and more pregnant, in case you find yourself in a similar situation or know someone else who is.

1. The Snoogle Pillow. My mother-in-law got a hot tip from her pregnant niece that this pillow was a must, and I've had it ever since Mother's Day. It's shaped like a G so it supports you head, belly, and legs. I've had great nights sleep with this thing although when you roll over it's a bit like wrestling an alligator in the night.

2. MIA clogs from Urban Outfitters. Stylish arch support for my 12 hour days. They never even gave me a blister! And they are much cheaper than Hasbeens, which I love but are outrageously expensive for wooden shoes that are going to get smelly and beat up. When I see pregnant women waddling around in flip flops I cringe. You wouldn't be waddling if you would just wear proper footwear! I still walk faster than 65% of the people in Penn Station. So far so good.

3. Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain in Wild Berry (essentially bright red). Focus on my red lips not my double chin! Took a recommendation from Cup of Joe and don't regret it. I layer a little Black Honey Almost Lipstick from Clinique over it to make it look less like I drew on my lips with a red magic marker and to freshen the color up during the day.

4. American Apparel tank dress. Mine's a little longer than the ones on the site -- thankfully it goes past the knees which has become my preferred hem length. Not sure if it's because their website is pervy and models are only allowed to wear XXS or if I have an older version, but I think I'm going back for another sometime this week. The 90 degree weather makes me feel like I need more dresses, and STAT!

5. Sunbeam electric heating pad. I keep this sucker plugged in on my couch at all times so any time I sit or lay down I can use it on my back to soothe any aches and pains or loosen up tight muscles. It is a must after a long day or a long pop up! The cats like it too.

Clogs in action.

Bird's Eye View

2011-06-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

Amanda and I like to joke that we are keeping the birds and squirrels in Asbury Park nice and fat, because when it's time to close up shop at our Annex pop-ups we shake out our table cloths into the street and the vast accumulation of delicious crumbs is there for the taking. I hope the pigeons don't get diabetes.

In honor of our feathered and bushy tailed friends, I took some fly over photos of Saturday's spread. We'll see you next month at a new location -- Bodega Shoppe on the boardwalk in Asbury. We'll be there the first Saturday of July, the 2nd, with a edited but highly delicious selection of goodies.

9 kinds of deliciousness.

Pie central.

Coming in for a closer look at those cookies.

May Flowers at Lobsterfest

2011-05-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we attended our 3rd annual Lobsterfest at my parents' best friends' house. I've chronicled this amazing shindig in the secret garden before, and this year didn't disappoint. I made two peach pies to ensure that we'll be invited back next year. Though next year it'll be harder to crack lobster claws with a baby on my lap. Imagine that!

I couldn't help snap this lovely clematis on my way out.

And what about this pink peony? There were white ones and pale pink ones too, but these guys just begged for attention.

Dude.

2011-05-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Sweet.

Odosketch is my new favorite thing on the internet.

Sharing A Poem

2011-05-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

This one's hot off the presses from this week's New Yorker.

Enjoy.

Turning
by W. S. Merwin

Going too fast for myself I missed
more than I think I can remember

almost everything it seems sometimes
and yet there are chances that come back

that I did not notice when they stood
where I could have reach out and touched them

this morning the black sheperd dog
still young looking up and saying

Are you ready this time

SGBS @ Stokaboka

2011-05-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

image via Stokaboka.com

We are doing double duty this month and popping up tomorrow at Stokaboka Surf & Skate in Red Bank. We're going to be setting up outside on their stoop (right where that fine young man is working on that board), so we're hoping for a nice day and lots of foot traffic! I am feeling extra pooped this week but luckily we made the executive decision not to bring any whole pies or pie squares to this pop up, which means a lot less work for me. I do plan on trying to make Aunt Loretta's Apple Cake into Aunt Loretta's Apple Muffins (with crumb topping). And I may even get to bed before midnight tonight. Imagine that.

Stoka (as those in the know call it) is next to the Dublin House in Red Bank, 32 Monmouth Street.

Also, I started a Pinterest page! Pinterest is pretty cool because instead of stealing screen shots of things that inspire me on the internet and then filing them away on my Dropbox where I have no hopes of remembering where they came from, Pinterest keeps track of the original links of all your "pins." It's also a social networking site in that you can see other people's pins, but I haven't really gotten into that side of things yet.

Unexpectedly Awesome

2011-05-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

The hardwood under the wall to wall upstairs and up-the-stairs.
A work in progress, but something to smile about.

This may mean we need to class up the joint and get a better light.

The Only Wall In The House

2011-05-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Our small Cape Cod is full of windows, built-ins, and wood panelling (painted white, thankfully). Since we moved in we opened up the first floor by knocking out a wall in our kitchen. The upstairs is a classic small Cape Cod configuration of sloped ceilings and dormers. This is a round about way of explaining that basically, we have no place to hang anything on our walls. I was pretty sad about this until I realized that all our family photos could adorn our stairwell! It's such a non-space that I had been neglecting it.

A few months ago I went to Ikea and bought a ton of frames, mostly white ones in various sizes but also a few small unfinished wood ones that I painted grey with left over test samples from Benjamin Moore. (I had to resist the temptation to use only white frames. So many people do that -- understandably, it looks like a million bucks -- that I feel like I had to add my own (messier) personality and use some of my existing frames from our old apartment.) They were sitting around for a long time before I filled them with photos (it's so much harder now that everything is digital). Then they sat a little longer until Mr. SevPrez and his SevParents embarked on the upstairs painting extravaganza.

This Sunday, after a Stolen Goods pop up the day before and an action packed Mother's Day Brunch at my brother's, I came home intending to take a nap, but somehow found myself hanging frames up the stairs. It must be the nesting instinct.

I followed the ingenious tips from the guys over at Young House Love, namely to use scrap paper and tape to map out where everything will go on the wall before making holes everywhere. Next you mark where all the nails go on the scrap paper, hammer them in, remove the paper, hang the frame, and just like magic, everything looks perfect the first time. No cursing required.

The only thing bad about this project is that it's a tough space to photograph, so I can't share any good pictures with you. But I assure you that walking up and down the stairs has become a totally different experience. I look forward to being reminded of our great friends and family and the highlights of our lives.

Next time we go to Ikea we'll pick up some more frames. We have more space on the wall I started and there is a small empty wall at the top of the landing that will probably get filled up as well. This is good, since I think once our little one gets here we'll have lots more photos to add.

Stolen Snapshots. Too tired to write!

2011-05-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

Now that I've tried Grandma's Crumb Cake, I don't think I can eat any other kind.

Cupcake porn. They sure are pretty.

Getting to know the Booze Cake. Tough, but somebody's got to do it.

Whoopie pies are definitely attracting a following.

Raspberry Pinwheels. Never made them before. As tasty as they are pretty.

Apple Cranberry Pie Squares vamping it up.

Housework v. Homework

2011-05-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Mr. SevPrez is finishing up with his first year of grad school — hurray! With his internship complete, his papers turned in and only a few days of classes left, he's started to attack the very long list of things we need done around the house. Currently he's painting the upstairs bedrooms, taking them from what I intended to be a subtle, discreet shade of alabaster — in reality an ugly butter yellow that I've hated since the day it dried — to a discreet, soothing elephant shade of gray (Benjamin Moore's Harbor Gray, the green version that gives off no VOCs and therefore isn't scary to pregnant ladies like me).

He made a huge dent in the project yesterday and it already looks 200 times better. I can't wait to see it today with all the trim work done. Pictures to come, but I am so happy to have my man about the house back that I thought we needed a new banner here at the Seven Presidents blog. And by "we" I mean I, I have just been very swept up with the royals, between being blindsided by my infatuation with the wedding (that Kate is just so charming and graceful) and watching "The Kings Speech" this weekend. It was a great movie. I'm still not sure it was The Best Picture, but it was definitely a great watch especially on the heels of the royal extravaganza. Also a great movie: "The Lives of Others." Two thumbs up from both me and the mister, which doesn't happen very often.

Bunny Cake...

2011-04-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

A terrible picture of the bunny mold, but you get the idea.

Easter is not a big holiday in my world, but this year I was excited to make a bunny cake with a vintage cake mold that used to belong to my grandmother. I'm not talking Fudgie the Whale type shaped cake, I mean a cake that is taller than it is wide, totally 3D.

As far as I can remember, my mom only made the bunny cake once but I remember it very clearly... I may have been obsessed with it. She iced it with white icing, covered it with coconut, used a black jelly bean for the eye, and surrounded the base with green Easter grass. Simply put, it was epic.

I knew it was going to be a bit tricky, but with all the crazy baking I've been doing lately my confidence is at an all time high, so the timing seemed fortuitous. I used the standard 1-2-3-4 cake recipe that's been in my family for decades, filling one half of the bunny mold up till it was brimming. Then I popped the other side of the mold on (it has a hole in it for the air to escape, so there is definitely a top and a bottom, it's not a matter of just filling up both sides of the mold and then gluing them together with icing, though I think that would definitely be the easier way), and put it in the oven for about as long as you would bake a loaf cake.

Well, that was totally not long enough. But by the time I figured that out it was too late. The bit of the cake I could see while it was still covered and in the oven looked a lovely golden shade of done. I took it out and let it cool for a while before taking the top off. Again, it looked great. Some more time passed before I was bold enough to flip it over and remove the other side of the mold. When I did, I saw a hole in the middle of the bunny (near the haunches) and some gooey undone cake batter inside. So I popped it back in the oven in hopes it would cook through. I thought it'd take maybe 10 mintues or so, but after leaving it in for close to 25 minutes and seeing no change, I pulled it out.

I was perplexed. I called my mom and asked if she had any tips. She said that as long as it stood up I should just ice it to make it look pretty and we'd eat the done parts. I thought that sounded reasonable, but when I propped the bunny up while preparating to ice it, I noticed it start to move a bit. I peeked around the back and to my horror the bunny was oozing uncooked batter. This is not something you ever want to see from your cake-sculpture, especially one shaped like a lovable small animal.

I had no idea it was that bad! Being the improviser that I am (just check my Kolbe score), I lopped the head and cottontail off, plated and iced it up, surrounded with petit fours covered in a lemon glaze, popped some salted fudge brownies on there, and bam! A baby bunny cake. It was delicious.

Next year I have committed to bringing at least the head and the torso. And I will shortly be testing the temperature of my oven. And making some sort of sacrifice to the baking gods before the next Stolen Goods pop up.

Need Some Sun?

2011-04-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is what passes for a dose of sun for those of us suffering through April showers back East. I snapped it while walking to my car after work the other day. I had hoped for an unobstructed view of the clouds, but the nature of my NJ landscape got in the way. It's too bad I didn't get the silhouette of any egrets flying home to the lake after a long day. They're back! And you can really see them right now, as the budding leaves don't provide them much cover. Hopefully I'll capture them on film soon.

Before I forget, us Knicks fans could use you: pray for a playoff victory tonight! I'm trying to stay optimistic, but the last two games have reminded me what it's like to be a Knicks fan in the post season. Almost feels like the 90s! Still, if we could get just one playoff victory this year, I would consider it a successful season. The bar is low my friends.

And one more thing, here are this year's NYU tulips. I have to say, not as impressive as years past. But who can turn their cheek to any array of tulips? Not I, not I.

Have an excellent weekend. I plan on cleaning my house tomorrow (glamorous, I know, but I'm craving some order in my life, it's supposed to rain, and Mr. SevPrez is in the last weeks of school) and making a bunny cake on Sunday to bring to my mom's for Easter dinner. Hopefully it turns out well and you'll see the fruits of my work.

Momentus Occasion

2011-04-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

My beloved New York Knicks are in the playoffs for the first time in a long time (let's not dwell in the past). They play the Celtics tonight at 7pm. To honor this momentus occasion I present to you Bearnard King, lovingly crafted by my mother way back when. I resurrected him from my parents' attic so he can watch the resurgence of his team with the family.

Rub his belly for good luck!

First Modern Family

2011-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

I usually try not to just grab pictures and repost, but I was looking through the Michele Obama Look Book at NYMag.com and spotted this image of the First Lady and daughter Malia leaving the White House on March 18th for their trip to Brazil.

So modern, chic, and lively. I love these people. Say what you want about their policies, they have style, confidence, and panache. We could use more of that in America.

On a related note, cookie maker extraordinaire Sweet Dani B made cookies for Operation Shower Presents Red, White and Coo at Camp Lejeune, an event for 40 pregnant wives of service members attended by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden. Like Sweet Dani B on Facebook to see all her amazing cookies — including her cookie portraits of the Obamas on Inauguration night.

One Year Later

2011-04-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Tis the time for lawn flowers. This year I could only find one lone grape hyacinth/blue bell... Maybe they don't grow back every year after cutting? That would be sad. But I did get a nice bunch of violets. Our yard is an absolute mess on the brink of being overtaken by dreaded button weed, so the wild violets are a welcomed bright spot.

Here's the yield of my Saturday afternoon harvest, in a Hipstamatic print. I think I still prefer Shake It Photo but I felt I was neglecting my apps.

Yesterday I made Aunt Loretta's Apple Cake. It was a dry run for the Deal School Variety Show catering gig we have coming up on Thursday. We're not bringing pies or pie squares because we figure little kids are drawn to the more chocolatey, frosted side of things, but I felt like we still needed something marginally more "healthy" or at least something with a fruit in it for parents who are not looking for a buttercream sugar rush at 9pm.

I'd only ever eaten this cake once before, years ago, but the memory of its moist, fruity deliciousness remained. The recipe was generously passed along to me a while back (it's not my Aunt Loretta) yet this was the first time I actually made it. Why did I wait? So scrumptious and easy. No mixer required. And only a half cup of oil. Can we call it low fat? I knew there was an upside to fruity baked goods. I brought it to my mom's house for dinner last night and it got good reviews. Especially from my oldest brother who has a very small sweet tooth. He even took some home with him! Score. That makes me happy. Desserts are like true loves — there's a perfect one out there waiting for everyone.

Second Pop Up, New Treats and Tools

2011-04-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Well folks, we didn't sell out, but it was still a success. I think, in order to sell out, we needed to have the entire Jersey Shore Roller Girls crew come by after practice or something... We made a lot of stuff. Poor Amanda made something like 8 double batches of chocolate chip cookies. Considering we still had treats left at 5, I am proud to say that Round 2 was an even bigger success than the first time. We had less enthusiastic friends and family and more curious and delighted strangers and walk-ins. We even had some repeat customers who came early so as not to miss out.

New items on the menu were Amanda's Grandma's Crumb Cake, Whoopie Pies (they sold out — in fact I delivered the last 2 to a WP aficionado that Mr. SevPrez ran into down the street!) Plum Crumb Pie (loved by those who went home with them, they even sent us a photo of pie for breakfast!!), and plain Apple Pie Squares (we still had Apple Cranberry, have no fear).

Pie for breakfast from a new customer. Jealous!

I was up baking til 2:20 on Friday night, about the same as last time, but I felt more organized and slightly more relaxed this time around since I knew what I was getting into. Truthfully I wouldn't have to stay up that late if I had another oven, or if I cultivated a many things in the oven rotation, but I'm scared to mess with the baking gods.

My night was made easier by pulling up a stool whenever possible (go away varicose veins!) and some purchases. After being disappointed by Crate & Barrel's selection and prices, I visited the Chinese Restaurant Supply Store near my office and scored the perfect sized ice cream scoop for portioning out cupcake batter and some new spatulas for serving pie squares. I'm going back today to get a tablespoon sized scooper to help me speed up my Whoopie Pie production. I can't wait to try them again and bring them to the Deal School Variety Show on April 14th! Kids big and small love WPs!

To Do List

2011-04-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Full disclosure: I'm six months pregnant.

Since this crazy turn of events, I've run a marathon (accidentally, without knowing), started a side business (Stolen Goods — we have a website now, check it out!) and gotten myself involved in a wide variety of projects that my energy sapped body really has no business doing. So far so good, except I am feeling uncharacteristically daunted by my Stolen Goods related to-do list for tonight.

I will get home at 7 and bake until probably 2 am, then wake up tomorrow morning in time to have some coffee (oh yeah, I'm back on 1 cup of real coffee in the morning after going 2 years caffeine free — pregnancy does weird things to you), shower, make myself look presentable, load the car, and get to The Annex by 11. Then I will be on my feet for 5 hours peddling my wares.

I can just see the varicose veins forming already. I fear them more than stretch marks. Actually I made my partner in crime (also pregnant) promise to remind me to sit down at any opportunity since last time I experienced some weird leg pains the day after that I was convinced were either blood clots or varicose veins.

What a conversation to drum up your appetite! Sorry about that. I waged a war of attrition with a double batch of whoopie pies last night and it's showing in my attitude this snowy April morning. Don't get me wrong, they are delicious, better than last time says Mr. SevPrez, but the new recipe I used messed with my head. The bake time was off and I didn't get as many WPs as I'd hoped. They just seemed so much more labor intensive than last time I made them. But like I said, still delicious, so no harm done.

Tonight's baking set list looks like this:
• Make 1-2-3-4 cupcakes
• Make Apple Cranberry pie squares (luckily Mr. SevPrez has agreed to do all the apple coring for me this time around. Phew. And I've subcontracted my mom out to make a tray in her kitchen. So have no fear! We will not run out of pie squares at 2:30 this time.)
• Make and fill 4 or 5 pies (Plum Crumb, Apple Crumb, Apple Cranberry Crumb).
• Make sugar/cinnamon "try-ones!" to get new comers hooked on pie crust.
• Make chocolate icing, ice cupcakes.

Somewhere in there I have to figure out how to get all that stuff in my oven. Wish me luck, and hopefully, you'll see me tomorrow to ensure that I'm still alive and on my feet.

P.S.
This is not an April Fool's post! I'm not really an April Fool's kind of gal.

The Crime Spree Continues...

2011-03-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

We've booked a monthly gig at The Annex for First Saturdays this summer! Love The Annex. Cool place, excellent people. We're super excited to return on April 2nd and promise to bring lots more goodies! We still hope to sell out, just not at half time. I'm also going to bring my whoopie pies -- making a double batch! And I'm hoping to make at least two rhubarb pies since it's one thing that's actually in season... Any other pie requests out there?

More good news: we are catering the bake sale at the Deal School Variety Show on Thursday April 14th. Come see the little ones put on a show and get some sweets and coffee at intermission!

Whoopie Pie Experiments

2011-03-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today I made whoopie pies for the first time, inspired by my trip to Maine and the delicious Friars' Bake House version.

I perused a lot of variations in my Making Whoopies book... Since they were such a regional treat for so long there are a lot of longstanding family recipes that use different tricks and turns. I will spare you the knowledge of all the stuff that goes into these guys (trust me, you don't want to know why they taste so good), but basically there are two schools of thought: pro marshmallow fluff v. pro egg whites.

Although the Friars don't use fluff, I was reluctant to make the egg white version since I am testing them out for Stolen Goods Bake Shop purposes. All the grandmas in the book say "no one's ever gotten sick!," but why take the chance?

I intended on making mini cakes, but tablespoon dollops of batter spread a bit more than I thought they would. And upon first tasting I thought the filling was a bit more buttery than necessary, and definitely very different than the Friars' version, but when I tried an assembled whoopie pie... They are pretty awesome. I think I'll try another recipe next time I make them, but I have to say, it may be impossible to make a bad whoopie pie.

Sharing A Poem: No Regrets

2011-03-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Love this. Just reading it makes me feel a little freer, lighter, older, and wiser.

Antilamentation
by Dorianne Laux

Regret nothing. Not the cruel novels you read
to the end just to find out who killed the cook, not
the insipid movies that made you cry in the dark,
in spite of your intelligence, your sophistication, not
the lover you left quivering in a hotel parking lot,
the one you beat to the punch line, the door or the one
who left you in your red dress and shoes, the ones
that crimped your toes, don't regret those.
Not the nights you called god names and cursed
your mother, sunk like a dog in the living room couch,
chewing your nails and crushed by loneliness.
You were meant to inhale those smoky nights
over a bottle of flat beer, to sweep stuck onion rings
across the dirty restaurant floor, to wear the frayed
coat with its loose buttons, its pockets full of struck matches.
You've walked those streets a thousand times and still
you end up here. Regret none of it, not one
of the wasted days you wanted to know nothing,
when the lights from the carnival rides
were the only stars you believed in, loving them
for their uselessness, not wanting to be saved.
You've traveled this far on the back of every mistake,
ridden in dark-eyed and morose but calm as a house
after the TV set has been pitched out the window.
Harmless as a broken ax. Emptied of expectation.
Relax. Don't bother remembering any of it. Let's stop here,
under the lit sign on the corner, and watch all the people walk by.

from The Book of Men.

Friars' Bakehouse

2011-03-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

I was finally able to stop into the Fransican Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, ME. They are only open for a few hours a few days a week, the rest of the time they spend praying and doing other friarly things. But let's all take a minute and praise the lord for the friars' delicious goods. They make excellent bread and whoopie pies.

My aunt gave me a recipe book with their whoopie pie recipe in it. Now that I've tasted one and I know what I'm going for, it's safe to say I will soon be making whoopie -- pies. Maybe they'll even make it to a Stolen Goods table!

Yellow House*

2011-03-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

I've been antiquing up and down the state of Maine for the last week, snatching up everything I can find that's yellow. Apparently I am deep in the throws of a love affair with the color. So far I've racked up two planters (neither of which I plan on using for plants -- one's for my growing bangle collection, the other for cell phones and various trinkets that get dropped off at the back door entrance); a wax candle bust of a fisherman; an elephant planter (which I plan on using as a book end); and an awesome metal stool. I had to slowly back away from a set of four old yellow and white dishes, and a third (yes third!) yellow planter that was a good deal.

What can I say? Yellow is happy, bold, and fun; looks good with white and grey, the overriding colors in my house; and plays well with red and aqua, my two other favorite accent colors. Plus anything I buy that's yellow rationalizes my choice in fabric for my wingback chairs.

I picked up a few other things too. A glass platter that I got for a steal that will look great at a Stolen Goods pop up with Salted Fudge Brownies on top, a candy dish, and two Easter decorations. Love the egg and the bunny and can't wait to bring them out with my Sharpie Easter Eggs.

*This post is named after one of the greatest albums to come out in the last decade.

Stolen Goods Debriefing

2011-03-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

So it turns out having sweets leftover was the last thing we needed to be concerned about! Despite adding three items to our menu and bringing more pies than we had originally planned, we managed to sell out of everything by 2:45 -- just a little more than half way through our day -- the best problem to have! Though it was heartbreaking to tell late arrivals that we were all out, especially those who had made the trip to Asbury just for us.

But we acheived our goal of having at least one customer we didn't know. In fact the first people who came into the Annex after the clock struck 12 were strangers who had seen our write up in the paper! The Tri-City News and the Coaster were great for us, as well as the publicity we received from Asbury businesses on Facebook. Speaking of which, have you checked out the Stolen Goods Facebook page? It's the best way to keep up with our latest news.

Here are some shots of the Goodies we made:

We are in talks about our next pop up. There is some chatter about making this a regular gig at The Annex in Asbury Park for First Saturdays, but we also have an invitation to set up in Red Bank in May! We got a few special menu requests -- and we know what to make more of. Can't wait to do this all over again! Stolen Goods is officially in business!!

Too Legit To Quit

2011-03-04T06:15:00.000-08:00

So now that the press is involved, I guess this means we are really going through with it!

The TriCity News gave us this awesome write up in this week's paper.

Actually, as the date approaches I'm realizing that I don't have to be as stressed out as I thought I did. I mean, we're baking stuff! And we love to bake! It's that simple. There's no point in second-guessing our choices or over-thinking our menu. Tomorrow will be an adventure. Worst case scenario, we end up eating all the stuff that doesn't sell. Not so bad.

As a sage* once said, "Panicking is for amateurs and morons."

See you tomorrow at The Annex! For those of you who can't attend, they'll definitely be coverage on the blog next week!

*The modern sage known as Charlie Sheen.

Sharing A Poem, Saying Goodbye To February

2011-02-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed our shortest month this year but I'm really excited to bid it adieu, even though I know what's next: dreaded March. But March holds the pop up, and a SevPrez winter vacation, so I'm optimistic.

Still to honor the valentine month, a poem about love and marriage. XOXO Feb, till next year!

The Kama Sutra of Kindness: Position Number 3
by Mary Mackey

It's easy to love
through a cold spring
when the poles
of the willows
turn green
pollen falls like
a yellow curtain
and the scent of
Paper Whites
clots
the air

but to love for a lifetime
takes talent

you have to mix yourself
with the strange
beauty of someone
else
wake each morning
for 72,000
mornings in
a row so
breathed and
bound and
tangled
that you can hardly
sort out your arms
and
legs

you have to
find forgiveness
in everything
even ink stains
and broken
cups

you have to be willing to move though
life
together
the way the long
grasses move
in a field
when you careen
blindly toward
the other
side

there's never going to be anything
straight or predictable
about your path
except the
flattening
and the springing
back

you just go on walking for years
hand in hand
waist deep in the weeds
bent slightly forward
like two question
marks
and all the while it

burns
my dear
it burns beautifully above
you
and goes on
burning
like a relentless
sun

The Pop Up: Get It While It's Hot!

2011-02-25T07:32:00.000-08:00

So, the pop up. It's officially poppin'. We have a name and a logo and stickers. Yes even stickers!

Everyone knows that stickers = legitimacy.

What has been a life long love of baking and a not so secret desire to be an entrepreneur is finally manifesting itself in something real. It helps so much to have a partner in crime. Have you met Amanda yet? No? Well you will. It's only a matter of time.

May we present to you...

(Click to enlarge)

Why Stolen Goods? Because we used our charm, smarts, and feminine wiles to snatch the best recipes we have ever tasted from you, your mama, and your mama's mama. The resulting spread of stolen goodies will include the aforementioned practiced pie squares, whole pies (so you can bring one to that dinner party you are attending Saturday night), brownies, and a variety of unbelievably delicious cookies (including Amanda's famous Chocolate Chip Cookies). All coming to you for the very limited time of 12 to 5pm on Saturday March 5th, at The Annex, an excellent gem of a bar nestled next to The Brickwall in Asbury Park, on the ever poppin' Cookman Ave.

The Annex is opening its doors during the day to celebrate First Saturday. We'll be there with a few other choice vendors. Come down, get some cookies, and eat them while strolling the boardwalk. It's almost spring (March 20th! But we spring ahead March 13th!), and it's time to get back out there.

If all goes well, we hope to make this a repeat engagement, so your support is warmly accepted and keenly appreciated. See you next Saturday! I'll be the one in the Hamburglar mask.

Tinkering With A Classic

2011-02-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

Growing up in my house there were these hallowed pastries called raisin squares that my mom made every Christmas and for special people's birthdays... They are basically two layers of my mom's perfect flaky pie crust with a filling of gooey raisiny goodness inbetween. For people who don't like raisins, and that's a lot of people, they sound scary, but I assure you that raisin squares are, for lack of a better word, awesome. They are also a vehicle for the delivery of two layers of delicious pie crust.

I invited my mom over on Sunday to teach me the special techniques of rolling out dough for raisin squares, which is much more of an undertaking than rolling out dough for pies. First off, you need to cover the entire surface of a jelly roll tin, which is pretty big. Secondly, you need to create a perfect rectangle. Thirdly, you then have to roll up the dough and position it ever so delicately in just the right spot on the jelly roll tin. Then you fill the tin with delicious fruit, and repeat the nerve wrecking dough process for the top layer. My heart is racing just thinking about it.

But it actually went really well. My mom said she was impressed by my first efforts; she cried the first time she made them. I can say I was very lucky to have such a good teacher, and I also have years of pie making experience under my belt.

While I was busy rolling and worrying, my mom was working on a new filling for the squares. Remember I mentioned that pop up shop in Asbury Park? Well my friend and I have parlayed it into a one day joint venture at the Annex on Saturday, March 5th. (Be there or be square — there will be many more posts forthcoming with reasons why you shouldn't miss it.) Anyway I am well aware that when presented with a table of cookies, cupcakes, and brownies, raisin squares will not sound very enticing to strangers, strangers who would otherwise go gaga over the family pie crust recipe. So my mom and I adapted an apple cranberry filling for square purposes. And the results are DELICIOUS!

I realize that some people may not be very into cranberries, either, but they are really there as a secondary flavor, to give a kick to the apples. Also, may I add that I friggin' LOVE cranberries, and I refuse to further kowtow to people's unadventurous palates. I for one am the Queen of Tarts in all senses, so I wave the cranberry flag proudly. And for all those not in favor, buy yourself a salted fudge brownie and just know that you are missing out.

Will You Be My Valentine?

2011-02-14T03:58:00.000-08:00

This year I rallied and made valentines.
Somehow I think the impulse indicates a good year ahead.

The theme this year was sprinkles. Sprinkles of love?

No, just sprinkles.

Don't they make everyone happy?

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all!

Seven Questions for Sweet Dani B

2011-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Sweet Dani B's love gnome loves you... a lot.

Today we get a glimpse into the life of the woman behind the cookies, none other than Sweet Dani B herself, hot off her Valentine's Day appearance on "The Martha Stewart Show"! Dan may make the most fabulous looking and tasting cookies in the universe, but she is also a pretty awesome person. I had the privilege of making her acquaintance through a friend. I was a little intimidated to meet her, knowing that she had her own cookie company (!), styled for Martha Stewart (!!), and was best friends with my coolest new friend (!!!). I mean, really. But Dan immediately disarmed my nervousness with her smile, laugh, and all around excellent spirit.

After you read this post you should definitely start thinking about any upcoming parties that Dan can trick out for you — besides cookies she also creates awesome invitations and party environments (I think I just made that term up but I'm going with it). Not only will you love what she comes up with, you will be happy to find yourself working with such a cool cat.

Here's wishing Dan all the success in the world! And not just 'cause she took the time to answer my questions. ; )

Q 1. What's something you wish more people knew?
A 1. Agreeing to disagree can solve so many problems from big to small.

Q 2. Current favorite sources of inspiration? (Books, websites, movies, music, people, places, food)
A 2. I do a lot of online research these days but I so miss having time to pour over a stack of juicy mags... My ideal magazine stack would include a few of the fall issues (hopefully SJP in on one of the covers), the latest J. Crew and Free People catalogs, mixed in with Martha Living and Weddings all set next to a lovely glass of red wine and a few empty hours. If we are being honest, I'll throw in the current Us Weekly too. : )

Q 3. What did you want to be when you grew up? What do you do now?
Q 3. I had to ask my Mom about this because I have no recollection of wanting to "be" anything. I was doodling and making crafts (and messes) since I was very little... so when I started getting a little older my Mom said "Maybe you will be an artist some day" and I always said "I don't think so" or "I don't want to do that"... I was very big into art in middle school and high school and suddenly it was time to look at college. My parents were nervous about letting me loose in NYC (I was a bit of a rebel) so they drove us up to see RISD and while we were touring the studios I felt and strong need to be part of it... I applied and was lucky enough to get in but even through college I always wondered "what do I want to be?" I still wonder but try to live by "the journey is the destination" theory... I have worked in fashion as a graphic artist, a fashion illustrator, started an event design / cookie business, worked on restaurant graphics, styled for Martha Stewart (again walked into the Martha offices and had that 'this is where I belong' feeling), went freelance for Martha, then went back to my business and changed it up a bit. It's been a crazy journey. The constant is the desire to be creative and making myself and other people happy with what I do... "spreading the love" as they say.

Q 4. When you look back on your first love, how do you think your idea of love has changed or stayed the same?
A 4. I've always been obsessed with love as a "lifestyle" from then to now... My views on love have matured since high school but love is love... It's all meaningful.

Q 5. What is your biggest weakness? (Spiritual, disciplinary, dietary)
A 5. Red wine & pizza (separate, combined)

Q 6. Three things you want or are working toward in your future?
A 6. 1. Peace with all my decisions 2. Big fenced in yard behind a great house near the beach- outdoor brick pizza oven, table for 12 to 14, and lots more rescue dogs running around the yard 3. Meeting THE Cookie Monster (no fakes)

The Real Cookie Monster? Or just an impostor?

Q 7. And finally, for my records, chocolate/chocolate, chocolate/vanilla, vanilla/vanilla or other (please specify)?
(This is helpful in case I am ever bringing you dessert).
A 7. Chocolate/ vanilla, and I always like a topping or garnish... sprinkles, hot fudge, fresh whipped cream, or cookie crumbs on top!

A Spread from Dan's "Greatest Story Ever Told" Sketchbook.

If You Are Papering Your Walls

2011-02-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

You may want to check out Trustworth Studios. Wallpaper's not really my thing (various shades of grey are as bold as I'm willing to go with walls in my current house), but if it was, I'd be all over these historical reproductions.

This one's called The Three Men of Gotham c. 1889

Four and Twenty

Bat and Poppy c. 1897

Alice in Wonderland c.1930 (!!)

My parents, who are redoing their kitchen, have been on a months long hunt to find the perfect wall paper to compliment their 1930s tile and new yet retro style kitchen. They are loving me for finding this company, and I'm loving swooping in and saving the day!

P.S.
My mom reports that the fine people at Trustworth will scale the wallpaper to whatever size you want, and match the background color to any paint or tile chip you provide. Amazing service!

A Little Pick Me Up

2011-02-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Ye Olde Art Box

2011-01-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

Some of these items have been with me since elementary school.

This weekend the paints came out, the first time since last winter if I'm being honest. I've decided paint, or gouache on paper specifically, is not my best medium. Whaddya know, I'm not the next Maira Kalman. Maybe trying it more than once a year would help. Still, I had fun once I lowered my expectations.

Since I have a thing for still-lifes, I painted butter.

The butter actually looks pretty life like in photos!

While the first layer of yellow was drying, I painted the half of my gargantuan piece of coffee cake that I had yet to eat. It's a pretty abysmal representation. Let's just say I'm proud of myself that I finished it without giving up and eating the rest of the cake.

Last but not least, I made a birthday card for Mr. SevPrez in the style of Anna Bond at Rifle Paper Co. She must have an impressive array of skinny brushes, and a lot of patience.

My main man turns 36 tomorrow.

Age of Aquarius

2011-01-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

I loved Oh Happy Day's party in a box so much that I thought, short of making it happen, I should draw it on a card for my friend's 30th birthday.

I was limited in my supplies... Sharpies aren't my favorite for work on paper, way too much bleed, but hey, homemade beats store bought any day, right?

The Barefoot Contessa Next Door

2011-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

My mom's good friend and next door neighbor, and my most loyal reader, was kind enough to host a birthday brunch to celebrate my mother. It was a true feast. Usually brunches in my family are carb-fests, with the usual spread of bagels, homemade granola, and belgian waffles or popovers to order. But our host, being an intrepid and adventurous chef extraordinaire, filled her spread with quiche, and egg caserole, homemade turkey sausage, irish soda bread, zucchini bread, bread pudding, salad, fruit... well you get the idea. There were even appetizers to munch on while all of the hot food was being prepared.

Some say our host resembles the Barefoot Contessa. She certainly rivals her excellence and ease in throwing great parties. As the party wound down, a stack of to-go containers appeared in the kitchen, next to all of the leftovers, and guests were urged to make a plate to bring home. What an excellent idea!

My humble contribution was a hummingbird birthday cake, which everyone seemed to enjoy even though they were stuffed. I was particularly happy that Mr. SevPrez had two pieces, since he pledges such allegiance to yellow cake with buttercream icing that he tends to scoff at any other variety cake I make.

Party favors were sent home with each guest, having been lovingly made and crafted by a talented guest. Adorable custom bags were filled with chocolate Kisses with my mom's face on the bottom. They really made the party, and I know my mom was tickled pink. I think my next birthday wish will be to have life-long friends as caring and thoughtful as my mom's. Top quality I tell ya!

Another Wizarding Accessory

2011-01-16T11:31:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention a crucial piece of the Harry Potter loving puzzle in my last post -- my Constellation Baggu. It is the Baggu to end all Baggus.

For those of you unfamiliar with Baggus, they are the originator of the reusable nylon grocery bag. It's the same shape as a plastic grocery bag, but holds 3 times the amount of weight. When you're not using it, you scrunch it up into a little pouch that it comes with and throw it back into your purse or car. Not only does it help the environment out, it helps you contain the beast that is the exploding mountain of shopping bags under your sink. It's also helpful for disguising presents during Christmastime. Speaking of which, three ladies in my life received Baggus this year as part of their Christmas presents. To the naked eye they might not seem so exciting, but once you start using them their awesomeness is fully evident.

Arry Potta

2011-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

That's Harry Potter to you. It's been hard to blog about anything when I've had my nose in Harry Potter books since Christmas. Well actually, right after Christmas I read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest on my new Nook Color. It was so great, I even brought it to the gym with me so I could swipe pages while I ran on the treadmill, which worked beautifully.

Unfortunately you can't get any of the seven Harry Potter books on the Nook, so it's been paperbacks all the way. I am almost finished with the fourth book, The Goblet of Fire. I know what you're wondering, have I seen the movies? Yes I have, all seven of them. (The final movie comes out this summer.) I've even seen most of them in the last month. This hasn't ruined anything for me though. I don't mind not being surprised. I actually think it helps me manage my excitement, because I get to enjoy everything more as it's happening, instead of just hypothesizing about what's going to happen. Also, I as I get deeper into the series and the books get longer, there are more and more differences between the books and the movies, which have been simplified and changed for the screen.

I find myself wanting to wear purply dresses with tiny gold stars. And cook soups in cauldrons. Just kidding. But I do enjoy the new JillEllen Designs Aubrey necklace that my sister-in-law got me for my birthday. I feel like it is my magical amulet that still passes for a chic accessory. I've got everyone fooled.

Two Thousand Eleven

2011-01-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sad this week is over, I've really been enjoying saying "happy new year!" to people, it's such a hopeful greeting to friends and strangers alike. One of my intentions for the new year was to be friendlier to strangers, so it's been nice to have a greeting in my pocket.

Charlie Brown tree #2

The Christmas tree came down on Friday. All the holiday decorations are packed away and the house is spotless. It'd been a while since every room in the house got a thorough scrub down, and I forgot how good it feels. I am loving my house right now, and only wish it would stay this way forever. Our cat Sonny, however, prefers a mess.

I got an email from the Sketchbook Project people. They were just reminding me that my sketchbook has to be postdated in less than two weeks. Meanwhile it hasn't seen the light of day since November. Whoops. I am going to try and fill some more pages this weekend.

I did manage to make this drawing for my niece's bedroom. Framed it in a big white Ikea frame and I'm told it's going above her bed, the ultimate honor. In case you're wondering, her name is Georgia. (We all live in NJ.)

My brother informed me this week that Georgia brought it to school with her on Wednesday, for show and tell, because the letter of the day was G! I nearly cried.

And my friend and I are in talks to open a pop-up shop in Asbury Park... That's all you get for right now. Stay tuned for more details!

Promise to post more frequently! The holidays really got the best of me this year.

Scrumptious & Easy

2010-12-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

I found the "recipe" for these chocolate pretzel cookies on the Swallowfield blog, and the author described the ease with which they are made by saying "the hardest part is unwrapping the kisses, seriously." With that, I forwarded the link to my sister-in-law and recommended we make them with my three and a half year old niece on Saturday night.

They were a hit to make and to eat. My niece helped out with every step, which totally included the runs-in-the-family "one for me, one for the cookie sheet" move. Once you put the chocolate on the pretzels, you just pop them in the oven for about two minutes at 350 degrees, which is just long enough for the chocolate to soften, but not long enough for the kisses to lose their shape. Once out, we smooshed M&Ms on top, then popped the plate of cookies into the freezer to cool for about ten minutes.

It took us less time to eat the whole plate. Yum!!

Flat Stanley Is In The House...

2010-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

And has been in my house for months. Whoops. After confessing this to the mother of the 2nd grader who sent me Flat Stanley, I actually brought him to work with me today. We took some photos on the subway which was really exciting. I liked giving the people around me something to puzzle about.

I'm giving him to my coworker who lives in a cool town in upstate New York. After that, I plan on either sending him to Maine or Colorado. Do we have any volunteers?!

Sagittarius

2010-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

We celebrated my cousin's birthday over Thanksgiving, which is just two days before my own. She requested a yellow cake and allowed me to pick the icing, so I tried a key lime buttercream for the first time. It was delicious, and very easy to make. It's the same basic recipe as a regular buttercream, except you substitute the juice of two or three limes for the milk you would usually add the to confectioner sugar/butter, and also add the rind of two limes. I gave it a couple of drops of green icing for good measure, and topped with coconut. All were pleased, even if it was more of a tropical themed cake, and we were snowed in.

Mr. SevPrez loved it so much that we picked up a plastic knife and fork at a rest stop on the ride home so he could cut a piece from the hunk of cake we were sent home with. That's devotion.

Stuck A Feather In His Hat

2010-11-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

I was compelled to make place cards for our Thanksgiving table. Thanksgiving turkeys always lead me to feathers.

They will be immortalized in our Thankful Book. Every year we all write what we are thankful for on slips of paper and stick them in a pitcher, then after dinner (but before dessert) we pass the pitcher around, reading the entries aloud and trying to guess who wrote what. Looking back through the years always causes a few chuckles, as well as a catalog of who made the pilgrimage and who stayed home. (Brownie points distributed accordingly.)

It's Snowing!!!

2010-11-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

Charlie Brown flakes! Big and slow.

Thankful For Accomplishing A Dream

2010-11-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, folks! I'm writing to you from the Great North Woods of Maine. We're here celebrating with our extended family as per tradition. More to come from Maine, but first I wanted to tell you about the Philly Marathon -- I did it!

After six years of half marathons, injuries, and false starts, I was just thankful to be standing at the starting line. As they played the Rocky theme song I actually started to tear up. I just felt so happy and excited to be injury free and ready to go.

I was wearing a t-shirt with my name ironed on the front, and during the last stretch of six miles or so hearing complete strangers call out my name was such a boost. I gave a triumphant fist in the air for every fan who called out "Go Dallas!" because I'm all about positive reinforcement. Despite the pain in my legs I tried to have a smile on my face.

I never cramped up and never hit the wall, which was a huge relief to me. I was prepared to walk the last three miles if I needed to -- you never know what's going to happen. I went out way too fast thanks to all the speedy half marathoners who were running with us, but I was so pumped up that I let it happen in spite of my better judgement. My hamstrings got really tight just after the half way point, and only got worse for the back stretch up Kelly Drive, but it was maneagable. With about an hour left, I just kept telling myself "I can do anything for an hour." That helped me keep my focus while putting it all in perspective.

It wouldn't have been such an amazing experience without the support of my friends and family. I had such a crew of enthusiastic fans, including my dad who dutifully waited for me at mile 24 like I asked him to, forgoing the opportunity of seeing me at the finish. I spotted him in his yellow coat from about a hundred yards away and started to wave furiously. I crossed my fingers he wasn't wearing his crocs because I wanted him to run with me for a bit, and thankfully he was in his running shoes. We ran together for a little under a mile, which was a huge boost to my mental state and my pace. He called Mr. SevPrez and my mom, who was home with a case of the shingles (poor mom) and let them know he was right by my side and I was coming down the home stretch. A cowbell jingled in his pocket. After we saw the 25 mile marker he pulled away. I tried to turn the pace up even more. I saw Mr. SevPrez just around the bend, and he told me my brother and his family were up on the left.

Seeing them was the wind beneath my wings. They are our best friends, and it meant so much to me that they made the trip to be there for me. My brother was a cross-country star and still inspires me with his running (remember the JFK 50-miler I told you about way back when I started this blog?) and I think I've always wanted to be a runner because of him. His daughter was on his shoulders, and she just makes anyone feel like a million bucks. I pointed right at her, saw the finish line up ahead, and sprinted it in. I have never felt better at the end of a race -- even though I thought I would probably trip over the timing mat at the finish and possibly hurl. I didn't, and it was a perfect moment. 4:14:07. Cross it off the list. I'm already setting my sights on the next big thing.

Spaghetti & Muppets at Marra's in South Philly was the perfect prerace meal.

"Isn't it pretty to think so?"*

2010-11-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

I printed the American Book Review's PDF of the 100 Best Last Lines from Novels for miscellaneous reference. There is nothing more beautiful than the perfect last sentence. My favorite part of writing is wrapping it up.

A few of my favorites:

One day I will read Ulysses. Friends have told me it's not that overwhelming if you just let it wash over you and don't stress out about all the references you're not getting. This last sentence sounds like it could have come from an E.E. Cummings poem. He loves yes's and flowers.

More from books I've never read...

I know the finale of The Great Gatsby is well-known and loved, but I believe my favorite passage trumps it, I think it's the best sentence in all of literature. And I know that's a bold statement. This is as Gatsby is in the pool, before (spoiler alert) George Wilson comes to shoot him.

"...he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream. He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass. A new world, material without being real, where poor ghosts, breathing dreams like air, drifted fortuitously about... like that ashen, fantastic figure gliding toward him through the amorphous trees."

*Also one of my favorites, from The Sun Also Rises, a book I have infact read.

The Black Apple

2010-11-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

Kitten Bandit.

Just ordered two Christmas presents from Emily Martin's Etsy shop The Black Apple. I'm excited because one of them gets to stay in my house!

She does such cool work. Seeing work by artists such as Emily, and Sophie Blackall of Missed Connections fame — who's coming out with a book soon! — is incredibly inspiring to me, but at the same time it makes me think that maybe I should retire my colored pencils. Then I think that if I just worked at my art harder, and spent more time on it, maybe I could really get something going. And open up my own Etsy shop! How cool would that be? I would love to do commisions of other people's favorite objects (since I can't really draw people).

Maybe after this marathon is over I'll turn my attention to the creative side of things. I do have to finish my sketchook by mid-January, yikes!

This is a portrait I would love to get for my sister-in-law, who's birthday it is today, but she lives in South America, and it's not worth sending it in the mail on the 20% chance that it would arrive in tact. Her family used to have an owl named Neruda who loved to perch on her daughter's shoulder. Then the staring contests would commence. It was the cutest/strangest thing ever.

Violaine.

Day Of Hey

2010-11-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday may have just been my Day of Hey 2010.

Monday I was so nervous. It could have been my part-caff coffee, but all I could think about was the marathon this Sunday and how I wasn't ready. I got busy planning my pre-race meal with all the lovely people who will be accompanying me in Philly, got a new shirt to potentially wear, and purchased some excellent iron-on letters so spectators can cheer me on by name. That had me feeling a bit better but there was still some inner confidence missing.

Tuesday, thankfully, I had many distractions. There was a Lauren Moffatt sample sale. I cleaned up at lunch time. I was so flabberghasted with everything fitting me like a dream that I had to remind myself at checkout that I am a grown-ass woman who has been working since the day she graduated college. If I can't buy myself beautiful clothes on sale every once in a while, then what is it all for? As my sample sale expert advised me, I deserve it. As I recall the SevPrez family just threw a lot of money at an Ironman because we said so. So today the pendulum swung back in my favor. My birthday does loom!

Then after work I met a friend for the Kings of Leon concert at MSG. Only I was so excited about the rest of my day and bringing a small, light purse that when I left my moleskin planner at the office I didn't realize that our tickets were in it til I got to Midtown. Ugh. This is why I keep copious lists in my planner!

I was determined not to got back to the office. After all, Ticketmaster doesn't actually send you tickets any more, they just charge you "convenience" fees so you can print your tickets anywhere by logging in. So, blocks from MSG, and surrounded by computers, we set out to find a place to print these suckers out. (PS: develop an app, Ticketmaster. This is just pathetic.)

We walked 7 blocks to Kinkos/Fedex, but after feeding them my ATM card, we discovered that their server isn't compatible with Ticketmaster. Then we found a pizza joint on 7th Ave with internet AND a printer. One dollar bought us 10 minutes on the machine, only it took about 6 minutes for each web page to open. With several people pointing us to Staples, we walked North, only to find no such store.

At this point I was overwhelmed with frustration. There is no way I am the first person who has made this stupid mistake. There was a Verizon store on the corner of 29th and 7th where we thought the Staples would be: I decided my best chance at salvaging the night would be to sweet talk the employees into taking pity on me and letting me use their computer and printer.

Despite the embarrassment of my friend, it worked. Apparently I'm not the first person in my position to seek refuge at Verizon. The staff was empathetic and helpful — they even let me stand behind the counter! In a few minutes we were on our way. We left, hands in a V formation. Humanity defeats the machines!

Once safely ensconced in MSG (where we graduated! Still so exciting), we were treated to an excellent KOL show. They played two of my three favorite songs ("Manhattan" and "Knocked Up," but not "Taper Jean Girl"), and I was able to recall a few weeks back when dope playlists were all that were getting me through my three hour runs. I could feel my confidence seeping back: I did put in a lot of hours pounding the pavement on my way to my first marathon. It's easy to forget them in my haze of pre-race excitement. And I've really enjoyed the journey. It's been several years in the making, and I know that no matter what race day has in store for me, I am ready, with strong legs and open arms.

I look forward to watching the Pats beat the Colts from the comfort of my couch on Sunday afternoon. Further post-marathon blues will be beat by our Thanksgiving trip to Maine and my birthday. December is shaping up to be full of celebrations: I will seize this November weekend for all it's worth.

Seven Questions: The Greatest Person Currently Living On The West Coast

2010-11-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

No offense to all you other Left Coast dwellers, but this girl is my college roommate, the girl who NYU randomly placed me with back in 1999. For that, I am forever indebted to them. We lived at 35 Fifth Avenue, once home to Mark Twain and surely the most fabulous address I'll ever have. To the questionnaire!

Q 1: What's something you wish more people knew?
A 1: Good intentions, strong opinions and a loud voice do not necessarily mean a person will be a good policy maker. I wish people would understand the complexity behind public issues, and recognize the sophistication needed to make good policy. Sometimes what sounds good in the press will have some truly horrific unintended consequences and sometimes what sounds less than ideal, is really better in the long run. Policy is much trickier than people think. If you're sick you go to a doctor. If you want to address social problems like the economy or unemployment, you should have someone who is highly trained in that field. Politicians with BAs in oh say theology, just won't cut it. Sorry...

Q 2: Current favorite sources of inspiration?
A 2: Infrastructure (especially in San Francisco). It's where art, engineering, history and public policy collide to make poetry.

Q 3: What did you want to be when you grew up? What do you do now?
A 3: When I was 5 or 6 I wanted to study dinosaurs bones because I loved learning about them in school. Today, I work in public finance (and love it - go figure!).

Q 4: When you look back on your first love, how do you think your idea of love has changed or stayed the same?
A 4: First love is exquisite, maddening and for better or worse fleeting...

Q 5: What is your biggest weakness? (Spiritual, disciplinary, dietary)
A 5: Men with scruffy beards and good sneakers.

Q 6: Three things you want or are working toward in your future?
A 6: 1. Excelling in my job, hoping my analysis helps shape better pubic policy. 2. Finally getting that dream apartment. 3. A big trip to Asia (want to come?)

The perfect apartment? Via designsponge.

Q 7: And finally, for my records, chocolate/chocolate, chocolate/vanilla, vanilla/vanilla, or other? This is helpful in case I case I am ever bringing you dessert.
A 7: Chocolate/vanilla - I don't discriminate, I regulate every shade of cake.

"Showing my weakness."

Monday Bouquet

2010-11-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

I'm back on flower duty for the office, and there are always little short guys leftover that don't fit in my arrangements. Today I felt like they deserved to live on as a bouquet. Forgive the photo quality, Blackberrys really take the worst photos.

I really need a bud vase for my desk.

Visions Of P.C.B.

2010-11-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm obsessed with the Waffle House. There is one on either side of where we are staying, probably 100 yards right or left. They are so iconic, and I love the lettering. I hope they never update their look. We plan on going on Sunday after the race for some really greasy food. Chicken fried steak has been invoked.

The gulf is beautiful. Happy to report no traces of oil. I went in yesterday after a tough run. Just took off my shoes, socks, visor, and t-shirt and went in. The water is warmer than the air, it was like a bath. This must have been the most liberating thing I've done in years. It was awesome. And the waves in the Gulf are just about the size I like. It is my kind of body of water. So glad BP didn't permanently destroy it. That would have been a shame.

Oh, and our cab driver told us that BP has been amazing at fulfilling claims. Seven to ten days and they FedEx you your check. And some people are getting more than they asked for. How about that for good news?

Here is the sunset we watched last night from our room. New vacation criteria: let's go places we can see amazing sunsets, because we don't see enough sunsets.