Konzuk Jewelry: Eclipse

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!!

www.konzuk.com

CRAFTBOSTON 2008

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!

Here is the website for more info:

http://www.craftboston.org/index.asp

Roasted Artichokes! Yummmm

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!!

Here is a link to the wikipedia article on artichokes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artichoke

Angélique Kidjo at the Somerville Theater

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:

http://www.kidjo.com/

Fabulous Feathers!

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!

Feathers at Orvis

The Boston Globe, Part 2: The Dress

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!

20 March, 2008 Boston Globe Article

Crocs: The shoe I never thought I'd wear

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.



https://shop.crocs.com/pc-454-4-sueded-alice.aspx?reqid=454&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

Samorost

Samorost (by Amanita Design) is a flash based adventure game with the most amazing graphics. They really take you into a magical world. You are a little gnome trying to rescue your beloved doggy from the grabby aliens! I think I was as enamored by the beautiful graphics as I was by the fun game. Have fun! http://amanita-design.net/samorost-2/

Origami Art!

Check out this website from the origami artist, Robert Lang. I'm impressed!

http://www.langorigami.com/

Montreal!

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?

"Songs to Fall in Love With"

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?

Here is the NPR segment: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18950469

The Hipper Side of NPR

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:
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=37&agg=1

Bertoia Research Project

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/

Review: "No Country for Old Men"

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.