Particle zoo is a really cool manufacturer of plush toys that all represent the various subatomic particles in the atom. They are the perfect gift for the science geek in your life... or you can just keep them all for yourself and be "the master of the universe!" They are very cute. Check them out:
I just heard a great piece on NPR about this cellist, Ben Sollee. Now I'm obsessed. He has a really unique sound mixing his Appalachian roots with soul and classical training. He is currently touring with Bela Fleck. Unfortunately, they played in Lowell last week and I missed it. My heart broke a little 
The Jardin Bontanique, or the Montreal Botanical Gardens (for the non-French speakers), is a not-to-be-missed experience when visiting Montreal. With its collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, some thirty thematic gardens, and teams of researchers and activities staff, the Montréal Botanical Garden ranks as one of the world's largest and most spectacular botanical gardens... and I believe it! The statistics don't fully shed light on how spectacular this collection really is. We spent the entire day walking in the many outdoor thematic gardens, some of which include the Chinese gardens, Japanese gardens, the Alpine gardens, the water gardens and many many more. The indoor green houses also had spectacular collects of flowering plants and succulents including an amazing number of orchids. We only spent one day there, mostly because that was what our ticket included, but we could had spent days there. It was beautiful! I have included a photo we took of the water lilly garden.
Since getting back from our honeymoon to Montreal (more on that in future posts!) I have been experimenting with finding the recipe for the perfect loaf of bread. Ladies and gentleman, I think I've found it! I thank my friends and family for their patient taste testings, although I didn't really have to force feed any of them...if you know what I mean. So here is the recipe! Try it out...be patient, and you will be greatly rewarded!
The wedding went off so wonderfully this past weekend! I can't wait to tell you more about it, and for you to be able to all see the pics in the Boston Globe! Word on the street is that it is slated to run on Thursday of this week. I will post more pics after that! If you were there, I would love to hear your comments as well!
Here is the link to the newest Boston Globe article in the series about our wedding. This one is about the invitations! Enjoy!
Here is a link to Dan Harkins' graphic design website: Pulp Imagery We are so happy with our invitations for the wedding! Dan, thanks for taking a break from designing for all the rock stars to do our invites....you rock!
I've been working on a few projects for the wedding and have been testing out some different spray paints. I found the best spray paint I've ever used at one of the art stores in Cambridge. It is Montana Spray Paints. This artist grade paint could make the graffiti on the side walks in Central Square look like pure art! They have the most saturated colors and a great matte finish. It makes me want to go tag a wall somewhere. So if you see a small curly headed girl with great shoes in a hoodie around town defacing public property, stop me! Just kidding, I'll try to control myself. So, try out these paints next time you are doing some aerosol painting. I think you will fall in love too... just don't go tagging walls or anything. Leave that to the "Krylon touch"...this stuff is too good for that.
All the great weather this week has gotten me in a very summery mood! So of course my thoughts turn to ideas of barbeques and fruty beverages. Here is the dessert and drink pairing we had this evening. Both are a take on old classics. The drink is a mango mai tai and the dessert is a mango-pineapple upside down cake. I garnished the tasty cocktail with a skewer of mango mellon balls and pineapple chunks for a refeshing fruit treat. The cake was made in a cupcake pan for an adorable individual serving. Both items went over with a splash! Try them yourself! Delicious!
I found a great source for beautiful paper for our invitations, and thought I would share! I love their metallic card stock and matching metallic envelopes! It's great for those of us who want lots of options for color and weight. I'm sort of picky with those things ;-) Check them out for all your paper needs:
CB2, as you all know, is one of my favorite online purveyors of all things for the home. It's the cooler (and in my opinion more stylish) sister of Crate and Barrel. I have to share these super cool Marilyn Monroe glass plates that I've found, only $3.95 at CB2! This iconic Andy Warhol image would look great on my table! Now next time you come over our place for dinner, you might get to have dessert with Marilyn too!
I've gotten some questions about my progress on my headpiece for the wedding. I was waiting on some additional materials I had ordered, and they finally arrived! I wanted to get some white peacock sword feathers, as seen in the picture in one of my previous postings. These were remarkably hard to find. Who knew albino peacocks are not all that common. I finally found them from a woman in Oregon that raises peacocks and sells gorgeous feathers! I received my package of feathers this week!! WOW! I highly recommend her for your peacock feather needs: http://www.peacocksforever.com/pwhif.htm 
The Black Keys are the guitar and drums duo that made me believe that rock-and-roll was not dead. On the contrary, they have brought it back with a such a hard driving soul that I am now a true believer. Their prior albums possess a raw rock honesty that had me at "thickfreakness". Their newest album, "Attack & Release," is the first album which has been produced with "Danger Mouse". You might remember "Danger Mouse" from his 2004 project with Jay-Z that remixed the revered Beatles' "White Album" with Jay-Z's "Black Album" to create the "Gray Album"... a risky move, but brilliant nonetheless. So back to the Keys... The new album definitely possesses a polish that had yet to been achieved on their earlier albums. The result is a much more hard rock meets psychedelia feel reminiscent of Black Sabbath. I also like their added instrumentation. The banjo is not-to-be-missed on "Psychotic Girl," and the flute line on "Same Old Thing" would make Ian Anderson proud. The new tracks and polished sound on "Attack & Release" makes me even more excited to see The Black Keys again when they come to Boston in May! Mark your calenders, kids, they will knock your socks off!
Konzuk Jewelry has just released their new "Eclipse" series of designs, inspired by the recent lunar eclipse. They are known for their stainless steel and concrete work, but I think this is an exquisite addition to the collection! Check out the rest of their catalogue: Love it!!
CRAFTBOSTON 2008 is going on this weekend at the Seaport World Trade Center in South Boston! The show is featuring the exhibition and sale of contemporary art and craft of more than 175 local artists. Sounds like a great show!
Yesterday Brad and I cooked up the most delicious artichokes I've ever had! We roasted them. Here is what you do: Wash the artichokes. Snip off the very ends of the leaves with a pair of kitchen scissors. Use a knife to chop off the top two or three inches from the artichoke where the leaves are tight together and inedible. Use a peeler to peal the fibrous skin off the stem (the inside of the stem is just like the heart... so don't throw it away). Cut the whole thing vertically in quarters. Remove the "choke", or the fibrous white center. Toss in olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Roast on a cookie sheet face down at 400 degs. until center is tender. Delicious! If you like artichokes...you will love them like this!!
Angélique Kidjo is playing this Saturday, March 22nd, at the Somerville Theater in Davis Sq. Somerville, MA. She is an amazing Beninese singer/songwriter. If you get a chance to go see her, I bet you will be happy you did! Check out her website to preview some of her music:
So in my quest of feathers for my bridal headpiece I have looked all over town for good sources. The unexpected winner was actually a fly-tying supply shop, Orvis. The feather selection was remarkably diverse and of very high quality, unlike many more "craft" oriented sellers. Even if your only experience with fly fishing was renting "A River Runs Though It", you should really check out Orvis for the most beautiful feathers in Boston!
Here is the link to the next article in the Boston Globe series about our wedding. This one is about the dress! The online version doesn't contain the pictures so I've included the pics in this post. Enjoy!
I was taking a walk in Faneuil Hall in Boston a few weeks back and came across the Crocs shoe store. I was persuaded to go in by one of the friends I was with, although Crocs never really interested me before. Typically I go for fashion above comfort, which has consistently gotten me in trouble with long walks around town (or trying to catch a bus in 4" heals...no fun). When we walk in the intense smell of VOC off-gassing was apparent. I don't think I've ever been in a shoe store that indoor air quality was ever a concern, but I guess when your main product is made entirely of a strange space-aged plastic this might become a problem. "New car smell" aside, the store is more reminiscent of a candy store than a shoe store with all its array of colorful offerings. As I was browsing the vast selection of colorful, yet orthopedic inspired footwear, I spotted a little pair of Mary Janes across the room. They had an interesting raked texture that transformed the typical rubber-esqe look into what appeared to be suede. They were sleek and comfortable. When I put them on I was in love. These could be the perfect commuter shoes. I highly recommend them.
So I think we are changing our honeymoon plans. We decided that we wanted to save a Hawaii trip for one of the cold weather months, and go up to Montreal and Quebec City for the honeymoon instead. Also, that date falls over the Montreal Jazz Fest!! How perfect! We are very excited. Any suggestions about where to stay, where to eat, what to see?
For our reception we are planning on putting together a playlist for our iPods to be enjoyed over dinner. We have been trying to pull together some of our favorite songs about love to include on the list. NPR recently had a segment on "All Songs Considered" titled "Songs to Fall in Love With" for Valentine's day. The segment featured songs other listeners considered their favorites. Any suggestions for what songs we should include? What are your favorites? What do you think? 
I have become a big fan of NPR's music review show, "All Songs Considered". This show reviews new albums with an incredible breath of scope and genre. The program also broadcasts live shows, and archives them for all to listen and re-listen on their website. I have caught performances from some of my favorite artists on their concert archives like Jose Gonzalez, The Black Keys, Toots and the Maytals, Lily Allen and many many more. Here you can listen to everything from Doc Watson's folk, the Afro-beats of Femi Kuti, or Dave Brubeck's jazz! Check it out:
Here is a great website focused on the works of Harry Bertoia. One of his pieces is hanging in the MIT Chapel were we are getting married! He is most well known for his modern chairs, but this project also looks at his other lesser known sculptures. Check it out: http://www.hbrp.net/
Brad and I got a chance to take in a movie this weekend and chose the academy award winning film, "No Country for Old Men". I have been a long time fan of the Coen brothers, and waited with anticipation to see their new "masterwork", as some critics have declared. I have always enjoyed the mix of thought provoking drama and dark comedy that the Coen's produce. In "No Country", the Coens paint a bleak picture of life in west Texas. The landscape seems to be devoid of color, punctuated only by the occasional pool of blood. The film starts off with a drawling monologue and a long shot panning though the dark desert, strikingly similar to the beginning of one of the Coens' other films, "The Big Lebowski". The cast, almost universally, delivers stellar performances. Javier Bardem brings a casual psychopathy to the serial killer, Anton Chigurh. This is a cattle-gun-toting villain who I will not soon forget, and I am sure to see in my nightmares in the future. Although there were some great performances in this Cormac McCarthy adaptation, I have to admit I was still a bit let down. I think the tone went too dark, even for the Coens. I was also let down by the dialogue, which was at times more dry than a piece of plain toast. I also thought character development, at least in regard to Bardem's character, was lacking. With a villain as devious as Chigurh I would like to know, at least a little bit, about why he is so pathological. Was he hurt in the past? Did he have it out for the drug cartel? Was he once exposed to radiation and sometimes turns into a monster with incredibly bad hair and a penchant for pneumatic weapons? I want to know more, but not enough to keep watching. I give it a B.
Nooka watches are amazingly cool. The inventor, who created these watches, came up with a new way to graphically represent time. Not to mention these watches are super slick! I couldn't resist getting one for Brad for Christmas. I think he likes "decoding" the time. Check them out.
I decided to include a new occasional posting for inspirational restaurant/food reviews. For the first of this series I wanted to talk about Baraka Cafe in Cambridge, MA. Baraka Cafe is a little neighborhood restaurant specializing in Tunisian cuisine. The owner/chef, Alia, has created an environment that immediately transports the diner to North Africa. Some of the specialties of the house include savory cheeses with figs, a softer-than-air chic pea souffle, fall-off-the-bone lamb, and couscous like you've never tasted before. I don't think they could serve a bad dish if they tried. Everything on the menu that we have tried (and we have tried most) is phenomenal, and an experience. One of the most notable items on the menu is the lemonade, which is flavored with rose water, honey, and mint (although the true recipe is a well guarded secrete). Every time I leave Baraka Cafe I feel like I've just taken a little vacation away from Cambridge. I highly recommend it! 
I was talking with my close friend, Chrissy, about make up for the wedding. I have been deeply devoted to mineral powder foundation for years. I love the finish, coverage, and how light it feels on my skin. I have tried various brands, which I can review in another post later if there is interest. Chrissy mentioned that she had heard that mineral power foundations don't photograph well, and therefore should not be used for the wedding! I tried to find evidence of this on the internet, without any luck. Have any of you heard about this?? Say it aint so!
I found this recipe for banana bread on the Food Network website. It is from one of the best bakeries in Boston, Flour! Brad and I have made this recipe several times, and it is always amazing! Great for a cold winter day! Enjoy! Here it is: Banana Bread Recipe
I just heard about Banditos Misteriosos recently. They are conducting a "Silent Dance Experiment" tomorrow in Faneuil Hall at 1pm. I am intrigued. If any of you go, please post comment here! What a crazy/cool idea. Read more about it: http://www.misteriosos.org/
Theo Jansen is a biologist turned artist who creates amazingly evocative "animal" sculptures. We got to see his work "in the flesh" a few months ago at MassMOCA. I'm in awe! Here is his website: http://www.strandbeest.com/
Phun is meant to be a playground where people can be creative. It can also be used as an educational tool to learn about physics concepts such as restitution and friction.
I came across Venus Magazine one day when I was paroosing the magazine section at Newbury Comics in Cambridge. When I saw it, the cover had an amazing pic of Dita Von Teese and promises of great DIY projects within. I couldn't resist the allure of a magazine focused on "women in music, art, film, fashion, diy culture"! Really really cool! Check it out:
So, have any of you been to Hawaii? We haven't, but hope to go for our honeymoon. Do you have any suggestions about what islands to visit? Where to stay to save some cash? Where to eat? We need advice. Any and all comments welcome about our 50th state!
We are having a tasting with our caterer next week! I am so excited! I need some advice. What questions are "must ask" questions? Readers, help me out and post some of the questions you think we should not forget to ask!
I recently found the Regina Specktor website, and thought I would share! She is an amazing singer/songwriter/pianist from NY. I particularly like her web site, because you can stream her albums through the radio player option. Check her out!
I was chatting today about our wedding with a coworker. The subject of what I will be carrying down the isle came up. I'm still undecided. I really like cala lilies, but haven't settled on a florist. Any suggestions about inspired florists who think out of the box? Readers, I need your help! I'd love to hear suggestions.
Ester Williams was the swimming siren of Hollywood's golden era. Now she has a swim line inspired by the era that made her famous. I'm in love with these suits. I bought one last season, and now want one in every color! They have great retro styling that is both sexy and conservative at the same time, and who dosen't love a suit that is covered in little cherries. Now that Brad and I are planning a honeymoon in Hawaii I have the perfect excuse to add to my collection.
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