Valentine's Day Prints

S: I found some lovely prints that would be perfect Valentine's Day gifts:

(from 20 x 200)

(from Society 6)

(from Marc Johns)

 

(from Society 6)

(from Jessica Hische)

Cookbooks

S: Home cooking in 2013 is already off to an amazing start, thanks to all the cookbooks I got over the holidays. (Thanks, family!)

Dinner: A Love Story: I ripped through the entirety of D: ALS in a few nights, bookmarking recipes as I did. So much more than a cookbook! You really fall in love with Jenny on her journey into becoming a successful professional, an amazing mother, and an epic wife. And two solid recipes have already been tested by us: the breaded vinegary pork chops (which I made) and grilled lamb steaks (which Chris made). Also, easy and great for beginning home cooks.

 

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook: Deb Perelman can basically do no wrong. The buttered popcorn cookie (!) is divine, especially right out of the oven. The mushroom bourguignonne is to die for. Next up: the butternut squash and caramelized onion galette. Seriously, just writing that made me hungry. And then the sweet potato blintzes! Definitely more time-consuming and elaborate recipes, but well worth every second spent in the kitchen so far.  

 

Momofuku: I am intimated by this cookbook. It looks super cool, and the recipes, daunting. I keep staring at the amazing book design and thumbing through the pages, and then putting it back in line. But I swear, I will make the Brussels sprouts, and if I feel extra brave, the steamed pork buns.

This and That

Couple mug set.

Gummy bear chandelier.

William Faulkner's only known children's book, The Wishing Tree.

Lykke Li, Antony, Tame Impala, MGMT, and Best Coast covering Fleetwood Mac songs? Yes, please.

Hello!

(Image via Pinterest)

A Year in Photos: 2012

S: 2012 will go down as: the Year of Discovering the Glory of Panko, the Year I Started Yoga, and the Only Entire Year I Was a Engaged (and Not Yet Married). Here's a month by month photographic round-up of its awesomeness.

 January (our engagement party)

 February (amazing Valentine's Day)

 

March (SXSW)

April (my sister's housewarming party)

 

May (our two-year anniversary)

 June (hot nights in the city)

 July (our first Independence Day party)

 

 August (beer by the growler hits East Austin)

September (my birthday)

  October (Suzy and Sam)

November (visiting family)

December (by the fire)

Top Five Movies: 2012

C: Out of twenty-eight new movies seen this year, five reigned supreme.* In no order of preference:

1. Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Jiro is sweet. Jiro is kind. Jiro is an old man who loves to make sushi in Tokyo. He's the only winner of the Michelin award in a restaurant that doesn't have a bathroom. His apprentice spends over forty-five minutes massaging an octopus for a dish. He's totally devoted to his craft, which is why this is so good.

2. Cabin in the Woods: For one, it's Whedon. And who doesn't love Whedon? And compared to The Avengers, which also came out this year, this is more classic Whedon. Quirky idea, centered on archetypal characters in a comedy-horror genre-bending mash-up.

3. Moonrise Kingdom: I haven't really loved any Wes Anderson film since The Royal Tenenbaums. But this film I loved. What kind of bird are YOU? Also, have you seen our Halloween costumes? Yes, we loved this movie. 

4. Silver Linings Playbook: I was surprised at how emotional this funny and dark film was. Not gloomy. Edgy. A lot of life. Compelling love story.

5. Safety Not Guaranteed: We saw four Mark Duplass movies this year, and this was by far our favorite. Guy posts classified ad that he needs someone to time travel with him. Newspaper reporters decide to investigate. That should be enough for you to see this film.

(*Note, we have not seen Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and many other films that might have been contenders.)

Color Me Rad 5k

S: Rad. That word has definitely made a comeback this year, right? I remember in the 80s when all the older kids would use it, but by the time I teenaged in the 90s, it was a throwback to those past neon, hairspray-full years, and sweet, very, and cool were in. I hope it doesn't make the rounds like deck did in the aughts and then disappear (or maybe that wasn't such a bad thing...). Basically because I adore this old photo I found on Pinterest:

Maybe the resurgence is in small part to the Color Me Rad 5k charity run that's been slowly making its way around the states this year and was finally in Austin this past weekend. My sister and I ran it as part of her birthday weekend celebrations. At different intervals throughout the course, all the runners are bombarded with dyed cornstarch and colored water. I got kapowed with a bunch of blue, which explains my Smurfette-like face below.

 My sister's rad hands

 

Generally a bit radder post-race (note the RAD temporary tattoo)

Sisterly radness

Some words of advice for those considering the run: Keep running at the end! So many color bombs start flying, it's hard to see a few inches in front of your shades. But if you keep moving, everything will be fine.

This and That

Happy Holladays doormat.

Who has the best books covers? (UK versus US edition)

Yoda earflap hat.

Cute hedgehog measuring cups.

Free holiday card printables from Love Vs. Design.

And tags here.

Custom wood recipe box.

Nice thermos.

Gorgeous turquoise chair.

(Image by Alexander Girard)