Milwaukee's Cracked Designs in the New York Times

Local Milwaukeean and Etsy seller, Tara Scheureman, was noted in the New York Times' Style section article about earning a living by selling on Etsy. I have been eyeing up their wedding invitations for a while now. See more of Cracked Designs' stationery and greeting cards at their Etsy shop.


That Hobby Looks Like a Lot of Work
New York Times: December 16, 2009

I like: Lotta Jansdotter fabrics

Daily Fix: Hot workout clothes

I joined Bayview Fitness last week and now I'm in the market for some hot workout clothes. New clothes for the gym are always a good way to get motivated and feel good about working out. There aren't too many hotties at the gym besides my fiance who goes with me, but I still want to look good. Check out my wishlist:








Top row: Sherpa Tunic from Anthropologie, Om Tee from Bela Tees
Middle rows: Groove Crop II from Lululemon, Hills Pullover from Lululemon, Sigg water bottle, Voltaic Running shoes from Puma
Bottom row: Recycled Sail Tote from Reiter8, Cami performance sport bra from Champion

Can't stop listening to: Coeur de Pirate

As I was hemming away at the top ten list this past weekend, I discovered the Quebec artist, Coeur de Pirate, and cannot stop listening to the album. The piano is just beautiful and the songs evoke a warm happiness and wonderment. I believe this one will rank high on the best of 2009 list- despite me not understanding a word of french. She sounds like a mix of Yael Naim, Emiliana Torrini, and a reserved Regina Spektor.

Here's a sample (in the form of one cute video).........

Coeur de Pirate || Comme des enfants from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

Weekend: Lonny, Top 10 list, a garage sale and a bloody mary on top

I'm excited to get the weekend rolling because there is sure a lot of good stuff going on in the neighborhood.


The second issue of Lonny Magazine is now online! I browsed through it today as fast as I could because I couldn't stand the suspense. Over the weekend, I'm going to sit down and read the articles and dog-ear some decorating ideas. Go take a look! Go, Go, Go!

I'm going to finish up with some odds 'n ends on my Gift List at the Urban Garage Sale. It's tomorrow from 10:30-5:30 pm at Turner Hall Ballroom. Design Within Reach will be there? With discounted stuff? Hot damn. On a side note, our wedding reception will be at Turner Hall Ballroom next summer, so I'll take advantage of the daylit room and make some notes in between shopping.


My Top Ten Albums of 2009 List is almost finished. I should be posting that next week on this blog and on the Letters Home from Camp blog. Matt at Letters Home from Camp will be hosting the 7th Annual Top Ten Party on Dec. 27th at Trocadero. Check out the Shepherd Express write-up here.



If time allows, I'm going to try to hit up the Bloody Brunch at Stack'd bar on Sunday from 11am-2pm. It looks like a super good time AND proceeds will benefit the Blood Center and Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation. I'm all about that kind of charity stuff.







Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Decorating for the holidays: Square One

We haven't started decorating for Christmas at all. We're sadly lacking in the holiday spirit department. I did set one of my radio presets to 99.1 so I can listen to Christmas music. That's about it. This weekend, I think I'm going to get the tree out of the basement (and by "me" I mean Matt). And I'm going to try to make this wreath from Country Living


Now, if I could only find some of these vintage bottlebrush trees to put in front of one of my many, many maps. Yes, I own a lot of MAPS. I'm basically a cartographer by now.


I have to find a nice little place for my brass reindeer, too

Out to Lunch: Jake's Deli

On 17th and North Ave. Open M-Sa 10:00am - 3:00pm

I love that this place hasn't changed in decades. I also loved the sign on the wall that read "Sorry, the only Bud we serve here is Bud Selig". And I looove their corned beef sandwiches.

Oh the weather outside if frightful

Wearing an Ovejanegra sweater would make this blizzardy day so much better!

Holiday Cooking: bring an appetizer

We have a lot of holiday parties to go to this year AND we'll be hosting the family Christmas this year. I have started the menu planning process which means going through my shelves of cookbooks and my bookmarked cooking websites looking for recipes and some cooking inspiration. So, as we countdown until Christmas, I will be posting those selected recipes in hopes that A.) you may get some ideas B.) my friends/family will get a sneak peek at the goods.



Gougeres: French cheese puff pastries


I found the recipe and picture on David Lebovitz's website. He's my "go-to" for french desserts and his Paris Chocolate & Gastronomy Tour is on my bucket list. I just have to say, there is some pretty stellar food photography on this website, so don't look at it if you're hungry. David uses this camera. Jealous.



Spiced Southern Pecans


This recipe comes from "The Gift of Southern Cooking" by Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock. Edna Lewis is the matron of true southern cooking. We're talking about the real stuff here, like chowchow, tomato gravy, and chicken hash, along with all of the more well-known southern recipes (ie cornbread, etc). These pecans are like the candied nuts you get at the Brewer's games or the County Fairs only with a fuller spiced flavor, not heat.

Recipe:
Boil 1 lb. pecan halves for 2 min. then drain in colander. Toss pecans in bowl of: 4 C sugar, 2 1/2 tsp. Ceylon cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. salt. Fry in 340 degree oil for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. To get an extra thick coating of goodness, lift pecans out of oil and drain well, then coat them in the sugar/spice bowl again and fry again.



Traditional Italian Anise Biscotti


I like shopping at Groppi's Food Market because I can discover a lot more flavors and inspiration there versus a supermarket. Anise one of those flavors like fennel that is strongly reminiscent of licorice. Small and extremely easy to make things like biscotti are my answer for what to bring to a party; what to give as gifts/stocking stuffers; or what to freeze and have on hand just in case we run out of real food at Christmas.
The recipes that I liked the most were the traditional ones from: Emeril Lagasse at FoodNetwork and Williams-Sonoma (pictured above).

Wedding update: bridesmaid dresses by Amanda Archer

Backyard Discovery: Triskele's

Photo: triskelesrestaurant.com, me, onmilwaukee.com

I have had this restaurant on my "To Do" list for quite some time after I heard about it from the people at Sugar Maple. Sugar Maple serves their soups at the bar (don't judge until you taste it, because if you do, you'll end up hunting down this Triskele's place, too). And a hunt it was. This place is hidden in the underbelly of Walker's Point. Check our their website here and pay attention to their weird business hours.

Here's what I had:
- Wood Roasted Portobello Sandwich with Fresh Mozzarella, Grilled Tomato, and Pesto Mayonnaise
- White Bean, Rosemary, and Pancetta soup
- Caramelized Cauliflower and Brussel Sprouts with Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Toasted Almonds and Brown Butter

I was already eyeing up the menu for our next trip (House Made Chicken-Fennel Sausage &
Mustard Gnocchi with Tarragon-Shallot Cream, please).

Redecorating the bathroom: Downstairs done.

The bathroom redecorating started when I found an old trophy plate from the "Great Lakes Cruising Club", a sailing club still in existence. I found the large nautical chart of the Door County area at The Map Store on Mayfair Rd.. Such a great store!
Like the fake plant from IKEA? I do.
The photo is from Friendly Made on Etsy. I put some old fishing tackle in the bathroom jar. I couldn't think of anything else to put in there.
Target was the source for all the towels.

Boswell Book Co. on NPR

I listen to a lot of NPR: at work, while driving, while showering, while cooking--it's even set to be my alarm clock. So I was really surprised today when I FINALLY heard a story about Milwaukee. The Morning Edition program featured a bit called "Season's Readings: Top Picks From Indie Booksellers" that included Milwaukee's Daniel Goldin from Boswell Books as he talked up the book "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave. You can see his entire list of recommendations and the other bookstore owners' lists online here.

I want to go to there: Merci

I found these pictures on the blog, five months in Paris and debated calling the post: "I want to go to there: five months in Paris", because I'm envious of everything she has posted. But mostly I just wish that I could visit the Merci. It seems like a store, art gallery, used bookstore, and cafe all in one, but you'll have to see for yourself in her post.

Milwaukee Faves: The Tugboat

Photo: Keith Dotson


Photo: Tomas Mascardo

I pass the Solomon Juneau everyday on my way to work, but today it was gone. The owner must have packed up his charcoal grill, raised the anchor, and headed south for the winter. I'll see you next summer, tugboat.