Nashvegas, here we come

Tomorrow we'll be going to Nashville for a few days (and maybe a field trip to Memphis). One of my guilty pleasures, the show "Down Home with the Neely's", didn't make the cut forTOP 5: FAVORITE LAME TV SHOWS because it's only sort of lame. So, while in Tennessee, I want to go to to NEELY'S BBQ from the show and get some real Memphis BBQ. Can't wait!

The Sartorialist

The book is finally out! Since when do I wait for a book to be out? When the book is all pictures, hooorah! Don't get me wrong, I do like reading, it's just ranks lower than looking at pictures of europeans with great style. My Friend CJ told me about the blog, WWW.THESARTORIALIST.BLOGSPOT.COM. The contributor for GQ and former Valentino marketing rep takes photos of people he sees on the street dresses in designer labels mixed with their own personal style. It's a good break from the mundane world. And now I don't have to have the internet to escape the mundane world; just a credit card at Borders.

Happy Birthday Martini

I asked for a bottle of St.Germain for my birthday. It was way better than a gift card. It's an elderflower liquer that takes very earthy, likes herbs and lavender. Great for martinis.

I took off for my birthday today and watched re-runs of Desperate Housewives and Cold Case while drinking a pear tree martini. HERE'S THE RECIPE

My pedicure appointment at ACTAEA WORKS starts at 4pm!


Happy Birthday to me!

The National Cafe

A group and I went to the first Farm to Table Dinner at the THE NATIONAL CAFE. I was completely amazed by this little gem in Walker's Point. Great organic and local food with wine pairings. Can't wait for the next dinner! Or for their brunch. That looks good, too.

Top 5: Favorite Lame TV shows

These are the shows that I immediately turn off if someone walks in the room because I'm so embarassed that I like them.

1. The Golden Girls: As a twelve year old, I would rush home from school to catch the 3:00pm episode on Lifetime. Ah, memories. The Golden Girls will always be that TV show I never stop loving, but always denying it.

2. Ghost Whisperer: A woman who sees Ghosts? The acting is horrible, plots ridiculous, and it has Jennifer Love Hewitt. Sadly, I have stayed home on Friday nights just to watch this show on CBS at 7:30pm. LAME.

3. This Old House: It's a lot lamer than any home improvement show on HGTV, but the truth is, Bob Villa gives the best advice. The projects are intense: gutting 200 hundred year old houses, excavating an entire basement, top end appliances/countertops/windows. Anything is possible if you give Bob Villa a hammer.

4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: I always say I'm going to stop watching this show because undoubtedly I cry at the end of every show. The secret is out. How embarassing.

5. Paula Deen's Best Dishes: Hey Y'all! Every recipe calls for two and half sticks of butter and a deep fryer.

StoryCorps is guaranteed to make you cry

My friend Abby told me that I had to listen to this. She knows me too well. As a nurse, it hit deep. I then went on to tell all the other nurses I work with. That began the conversation about how telling those important stories in life and documenting them is so important; from adoption stories, to losing parents, to learning family history. It was a very inspirational day. Thanks Abby!


Sarafina Viviano and her mother Dana

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Decemeberists in Madison tonight

I missed the Decemberists earlier this summer when they toured through Milwaukee. I had to be at a conference in Boston. The last Decemberists show was very epic, but, this one may be even more epic. How epic? Rock opera epic. Yep, the whole Hazards of Love album from front to back.

Yoga class starts next week

I signed up for yoga classes at the DELAWARE HOUSE today. I have been DVR'ing "Namaste Yoga" on fitTV everyday. Check it out.

Pork Fries at Honey Pie

I was disappointed when Annona Bistro closed its' doors last summer. Then, Honey Pie opened in its' place and all is forgiven. Honey Pie is a good fit for Bayview, lots of Milwaukee charm with an equal amount of funk and uniqueness. Take the pork fries, for example. A different take on a hearty favorite:





It ain't Wisconsin unless it has lots of melted cheese and bacon bits.

Vespas on the brain

Only 3 days until our Vespa roadtrip to Chicago. In the spirit of Vespa roadtripping, I searched the internet for others who dare to hit the open road at 45mph or under. I found a blogger, VESPA VAGABOND, who documented her cross-country vespa roadtrip a couple years ago. Very inspirational.


I also found this video on the Chicago Scooter Club website: Adorable.

vespa = love from kiera ormut-fleishman on Vimeo.

Vintage Clothing Finds

A couple weeks ago, I took a Friday off, borrowed Matt's Vespa and cruised around town. I drank coffee outside Starbucks and read the morning paper, got a facial at Actaea, and shopped at Re-Threads in Riverwest. I found these great J.Crew espadrilles and some Paper Denim jeans for Matt.



WWW.RETHREADSCLOTHING.COM

I love their dining room chair art installation. The whole store reminds of a vintage clothing store I visited in Boston; Bobby from Boston.

Favorite commercial of the summer

I laugh everytime I see these commercials. I have even contemplated calling out "go meat" next time I grill to see if anyone answers back. Wouldn't that be awesome.

Hell's Kitchen

Last night I was at Long Wong's in Wauwatosa for the Season Premiere party of Hell's Kitchen. Fellow Milwaukeean, Suzanne Schlicht, is one of the contestants this seasons. Based on her natural leadership skills and brash personality, it looks like she'll probably be there until the final rounds of elimination. Some of the chefs were just plain amateurs. I had never seen Hell's Kitchen nor met Suzanne. Now, I am afraid of both. Suzanne seemed pretty nice when I met her, but I still wouldn't want to cook with her. READ SUZANNE'S BIO

Watch Hell's Kitchen Tuesday night on Fox at 7pm.

Chill on the Hill tonight / Turmeric Chicken Salad

Tonight we had a dinner picnic at Chill on the Hill with Lulu. In an earlier post about the Anaba Tea room, there's a video of the spring gala showing Turmeric Chicken salad appetizers being served. I tried a few things and came up with my own recipe that turned out pretty well:


TURMERIC CHICKEN SALAD
1. Season 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts generously with salt, fresh ground pepper, lemon juice, and thyme. Then grill (I grilled mine last night after we ate grilled zucchini and ny strip steak when the grill was still hot). Then, refrigerate over night.

2. Add these in a bowl and mix: 1 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yogurt, 1 tsp turmeric, pinch garlic, pinch salt, lemon pepper seasoning (or lemon zest and fresh ground pepper). No lemon juice in dairy products.

3. I added a handful of chopped herbs from the garden: a couple mint leaves, some chives, and some curly leaf parsley (my flat leaf parsley wasn't fully grown).

4. I sweetened it with about 1 tablespoon of raw honey.

4. Cut up the chicken and mix it all together with everything above.

Pretty easy.

Now: the chill on the hill scene:

Shopping List: BREWERS.COM

As I was watching the Home Run Derby with two dudes, I felt the need for something a little less manly yet still in the baseball spirit. My solution: shopping on www.brewers.com .

Here are my shopping highlights.....

When you've had three brats, twice as many beers, spilled beer on your shoes, and you want to add a little class to the situation- what better than a polo shirt


A side table AND a fridge!


Removable logo panel? Come take a seat, fair-weather fan!


Pefect for that morning beer....


The 2009 Home Run Derby Winner: Prince Fielder