Reading: The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Eventhough I am not the target audience (aka white literary nerds in fantasy baseball leagues) for this book, I cannot wait to read it. And coming off the heels of the Brewers division championship, my fanaticism had leaked into my leisurely reading (and my attire). The book, written by a Wisco-native about a fictional Div. III Wisco college on Lake Michigan (Carthage, anyone?), follows short-stop and baseball prodigy Henry Skrimshander through the long path of self actualization and the pressure of perfecting each and every catch, hit, and throw. The New York Times Book Review raves about author Chad Harbach's debut novel. Bill Littlefield of the Boston Globe compares the piece to a modern day Moby Dick here. It's not surprising. Harbach, a Racine native, studied English Lit. at Harvard and University of Virginia and draws heavily from Melville, Whitman, and Dickinson. The novel is a cautious, precise read with every sentence exact, much like the main character's untamed habit of stressing, overthinking, and trying to harness the details of life. Not unlike most of us at the crux of adulthood.

I have a feeling this would be a great birthday/holiday present for the men in your life and a great read for the fall baseball season.


Any good books you girls are reading? Do tell...

Top 5: Milwaukee Film Fest Picks

I'm all excited. The Milwaukee Film Fest, one of my favorite events, is here! I plan to sneak out this afternoon in between study breaks to see one of these, but I haven't quite decided which one. A fantastical erotic and exotic Hungarian number called Bibliothèque Pascal? or the life and times of Serge Gainsbourg a la Jane Birkin? The globetrotting romance Here, with sweeping Armenian backgrounds? I could really learn something with The Last Mountain, but I am a sucker for a good Indian film like Mumbai Diaries. See the dilemma? So many good choices at this year's festival. Poor Pharmacology 413, it looks like you have some stiff competition for my attention today.

Backyard Discovery: Quince and Apple Preserves

I finally got to taste one of the awesome preserves from Madison's own Quince and Apple. It's been on my Wisco-to-do-list for a while. I tried the Strawberry Rosemary, but can't wait to get a taste of that Figs and Black Tea one. Or even the Shallot Confit with Red Wine. What an ingenious combo. Fruit preserves are blowin' my mind right now. Additional flavors include Orange Marmalade with Lemons, Par with Honey and Ginger, and Strawberry Rosemary.



Quince and Apple was formed in Madison, Wisconsin by husband and wife duo, Matt and Clare. "We always use only natural, whole ingredients, and we source our produce locally and organically when possible" is central to their philosophy.

If you're not in the Milwaukee area, don't worry. They stock shelves from here to Santa Monica. Just check HERE if you can buy them near you. Or shop online. They ship!



And now to my favorite part.....they sell tiny sample size jars. I don't know what it is, but I fall head over heels for anything in a 3oz size or less. Maybe it's the non-commitment of it all or the promise of TSA clearance. Whether you're planning an impromptu picnic at cruising altitude or the neighborhood park or even guest favors for a wedding, you need these.

The Weekend

This past weekend we walked over to Humboldt Park to catch part of Global Union before going to Bay View Bash. We went to see Bomba Estereo, an electro-indie band from Bogota, Columbia. I must say, it was perfect for an outdoor chillfest like Global Union. The weather was nice so we sat and hung out on the grassy hill for a while.

Check them out.......


In other news, our garden is overflowing with tomatoes. I've been eating them almost everyday but fast approaching my limit. Any tomato recipes I should try? I've been making caprese salad and putting them diced into couscous, etc.


I'm off to class in Chicago. Working and doing school is really sucking up my free time (not shocking), but I hope to keep posting a few times a week. Anyone want to guest post????

Missoni on a budget

The much hyped Missoni for Target launched today....but I'm guessing the surrounding Targets have already been pillaged of all their goods. Did anyone out there snag anything? I'm anxious to see what they've designed. I'm not a huge Missoni fan - the zig zaggy multi-colored designs can be hard on the eyeballs. But, I do like the aesthetic punch those little zags can bring to an outfit. It's great for a fall wardrobe.

UPDATE: Entire lookbook is online here (since the Target website crashed)
Here are my favorites......

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target

Aaaaaaannd....Gilt has a M Missoni sale going on until midnight tonight, too!


M Missoni

M Missoni

MKE Style: Book Club Classy

1. Splendid Blouse, 2. Penguin Books travel pouch, 3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett, 4. Green pants (I'm seeing a lot of hunter greens this season, right?), 5. Zara Plaited Shopper, 6. Zara Velvet Moccasin (ZARA's online store is now OPEN! - hide your credit cards), 7. MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo (often seen on Sydney from The Daybook


I'm off to my first book club meeting tomorrow morning in Chicago. I figured since I'm going to be in Chi-town two days a week this semester, I better start networking. After all, I'm gonna need a place to stay. My friend's book club is reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett and then going to see the movie. I'm going to skip the movie and head back to MKE for a wedding at Best Place, but I'm excited about a.) meeting some new people b.) talking about what I liked about this book and c.) eating some brunch! I enjoyed The Help but must confess that some parts had me yawning. I liked how the narrators alternated throughout the book and how well their characters were developed. I liked the writing style - it was a fairly easy and effortless read so I highly recommend it for beach reading and the chapter set up makes it easy to set it down and pick it up a few days later without skipping a beat. And there were parts that made me laugh out loud, too.

Have you read The Help or seen the movie? How did you like it?

Milwaukee Faves: Gerty the Duck

photo: retinal fetish

They are perhaps the smallest sculptures in Milwaukee but definitely the cutest. Along the Milwaukee Riverwalk near Wisconsin Avenue are several little bronze sculptures atop the riverwalk railings. Sometimes you miss them because they do look kind of real and sometimes just because they're so small.

There's actually a really sweet story to go along with these scultptures. In 1945 there was a mallard nesting in the bridge pilings and it received a lot of local media attention. It was a sign of hope for Milwaukeeans. The ducklings were named (Rose, Freddie, etc) and their early days were documented by the local media.

Read more here

Pint In Hand: Lakefront Brewery Pumpkin Lager

For most, the transition into fall begins with Labor Day weekend or the first chilly night of the summer. For me (and probably many Milwaukeeans alike) it cannot possibly be fall unless Lakefront Pumpkin Lager has hit the shelves. As Lakefront's fall seasonal beer, it is made in limited quantities and only supplied from Late August to Early November. The flavors are rich with pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and cardamon -- supplied by Milwaukee's Spice House--and yes, real pumpkin. There are quite a few pumpkin beers available today. "Produce" beers, beers made from spinach, beets, etc. seem to be trending. But Lakefront's is the only lager on the market. Therefore, it's weightier, more complex, and more intoxicating. It's definitely a sit-down-and-sip type of beer. After a good meal, it's like a liquid pumpkin pie dessert.

A Stylish Traveller...

1. Zip Pouch, 2. Karat Hardsided Luggage, 3. Luggage Tag, 4. Ray Ban Aviators

When we were leaving for the airport a few weeks ago, I said to my husband, "I get restless if I don't fly every six months or so". Yes, this was the yuppiest thing I have ever said. In my defense, it was 4am. But, I will admit to my love of flying. I love the early mornings, the security lines, the small seats and carryon luggage. My travel essentials are far less glamourous than what is shown above, but if I can someday own up to my yuppiest of statements above, then I just may someday own these, too.