The Hunt

Does anyone else run into this conundrum? Something appealing catches your eye online or in print but there's nothing in the caption to indicate how to make it your own.

As mentioned in a recent post, I want this white chaise!

Unfortunately, my curiosity regarding the affordability and availability of this piece has not yet been satisfied. On the contrary, it's only grown since I noticed that the chaise's legs resemble those in Nate's affordably-priced furniture line designed exclusively for the Home Shopping Network (HSN). I started my search there, but no luck. Googling various combinations of Nate Berkus + chaise + Glamour Magazine + studio + interior design? No luck. After searching high and low it finally came down to me calling Nate Berkus Design headquarters in Chicago. Yes, I really did.

I have no idea if they get many like calls or will even take the inquiry seriously. However, they were quite nice and allowed me to leave a voice mail inquiry. Let's see how this goes.

Next up I want to find where and for how much I can make this coat my own.

Though, I have a sinking feeling it's going to be more than the chaise. The interior lining looks awfully Burberry-esque. (Checked their website but it's not there.)

Just in time for Friday

Got this email a few days ago:

Hey Mindy!

I'm going to a little get together in 2 weeks and was wondering if I could get your awesome Sangria recipe. I think it would be a hit :)

...I know it will be a hit! Here it is, my infamous and highly anticipated sangria recipe. Also known as:

• "Naughty Sangria"
• "Dirty Sangria"
• "Fuck-you-up Sangria"
• "OMG I'm so drunk after 1 drink Sangria"

Ingredients/Supplies:

• One 4L handle of Carlo Rossi Sangria (I get mine from Safeway. Bevmo only has the small handles.)
• One handle of vodka or rum. Or, be fancy with Grey Goose. (We get our Grey Goose at Costco.)
• Any combination of fresh or frozen fruit. Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, mandarin orange work well.
• 1 Pitcher (Or whatever. I've used a large vase before. Classy!)
• 1 Ladle, if you so desire

Directions:

• Mix CHILLED Sangria and vodka OR rum handles together. ALL OF IT.
• Add fruit and serve

**Vodka-infused fruit at the bottom of the pitcher is a hit even after the Sangria is gone

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any shenanigans or wrong-doing that result from this concoction.

Apple of My Eye

I realize some of you love pampering yourselves with your $100+ salon visits, which is all good. But me? I prefer doing what I did yesterday. Got my hair cut n' styled at Mastercuts in Valley Fair for $16.95 + a $5 tip (been going there since I was a freshman at SCU!) followed by a trip to the Apple Store. There, I picked up a laptop elevator by Griffin ($39.99) and keyboard by Apple ($49.99). Check out my sexy new set up:

The stand does double duty:
1. It brings my screen up so I'm not so hunched over when I'm working and
2. Allows air to circulate to prevent overheating.

The keyboard mirrors that of my laptop's AND has 2 hidden USB ports (visible on photo of keyboard packaging above). One I use for my wireless mouse, the other for my camera.

**For those deterred by all the negative reviews on Amazon.com regarding laptops slipping off this stand, this is no longer an issue. Griffin added some hooks (visible in the first photo) based on user feedback. Am loving this setup except for the mouse, which is my fault. Since I already had a wireless mouse at home I passed on Apple's Mighty Mouse, saving $70 on my package. Am starting to reconsider, though, due to the lag I'm experiencing with my cursor.

Seriously?

Going 63 mph in the leftest-most lane of 880 is NOT okay when you have no one in front of you.

Girl Crush of the Moment

Of late I've been doing a lot of paring down of the old closet. Bulging bags and overflowing boxes have been dropped off at the local Goodwill and only a few select new pieces have made their way into my heart and wardrobe. From this, a trend has emerged and my style, I'm discovering, is something I can only describe as preppy-pretty yet a little rough around the edges.

...Which perfectly explains my latest girl-crush on Alexa Chung! Not only is she gorgeous, but her wardrobe, at least in my opinion, is impeccable. Each time I open a magazine and see her I want her... outfit! Some of my favorite looks follow.

**Shrek just peeked over my shoulder. He has no idea what I'm posting, but saw the photos and commented, "Hey, who's she? ...She kind of dresses like you. Only you're cuter." Aaaand that's why I keep him around. :)

Which 'Wich Is Which?

Inspired by Los Gatos Gourmet's prosciutto sandwich with tomato basil soup, I made my own for lunch today. Can you tell which 'wich is which? 

Yeah, I realize the presentation gives it away, but if it came down to a blind-folded taste test I don't think you'd stand a chance!


**In photo 1, Tuscan Tomato Basil Soup by Safeway, prosciutto by Citterio at Costco, field greens by Earthbound Farms (also Costco), bread by Acme. Don't forget the homemade garlic aioli! 

Garlic Aioli Recipe:
Mayo+ finely minced garlic + a dash of lemon juice. Mmmmm!

Update 10/03/09: Made this for Shrek last night who has eaten quite a few of Los Gatos Gourmet's prosciutto sandwiches and loves them. The verdict? Mine is better!! Trust me when I say that this has nothing to do with the fact that he's getting laid by the chef. Shrek is quite opinionated when it comes to food and has told me in the past when my dishes suck and what I need to do to improve them. This time he said my garlic aioli made the sandwich pure awesomeness.

Contrary to Popular Belief

The optimum time to visit Costco is 5:30 on a Tuesday right after work. I will let the picture convince you I'm not kidding. (Taken with my iPhone, not my new camera!)

Please note, this is the Costco on Coleman Avenue near Santa Clara University and SJC Airport, not the Costco on Almaden. I steer clear of the Almaden Costco at all hours whenever possible. That place is a mad house and parking is a nightmare.

Since when did I become such a chip fiend?!

For the record, that's Hawaiian Style Sweet Maui Onion, Hawaiian Style Orignal, Tostitos Hint of Lime, Cheetos, and Fritos!

Not Too Shabby

Nate Berkus is brilliant. No wonder he's Oprah's go-to design guru.

Have had my eye on his hand work for awhile. Just recently, however, I stumbled across this spread in my latest issue of Glamour Magazine. I LOVE this studio's layout and style, though I think it may be too girly for Shrek....

I'm really diggin' the natural wood elements Berkus incorporated into the design and function of the room.

PS I want this white chaise! 

It Just Figures.

After ample online research courtesy of Best Buy, Costco, Amazon, Consumer Reports and CNet reviews I set out for Best Buy to play with my top choices. Ever the pragmatist, I eventually decided on upgrading to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC W230 (from my Cyber-shot DSC W70). 

With 12.1 mega pixels, 4.0 optical zoom, 3.0" LCD screen, face recognition, double anti-blur and optical steady shot image stabilization (see all specs here at Sony.com), I'm set! Best of all, staying in the Sony Cyber-shot family means I have an extra battery, USB, and memory card from my old camera.

Best Buy wants $230, Amazon.com $165, and Costco $180. I went with Costco since I could have it today and the price included an extra 2 GB memory card and case which was not included if I'd purchased from Best Buy and Amazon.com.

So, I get my new camera home, tear open the packaging and decide to transfer my old 2 GB memory card into my new camera. Out of curiosity I wondered if any photos remained on the old camera's drive. I turned it on and - wtf - it didn't start freaking out! In fact, it focused and I was able to point, shoot, and take a photo! I played with it some more, and it's working perfectly. It totally figures that I'd been trying to fix it off and on all day to no avail and finally once I open my new camera this one works again. Perfect, just perfect. Anyone need a camera??