weekend bits

sorry for me, for you, but I decided to copy. imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

pumpkin pancakes.

This is just what I want right now. As always, thank you kitchen sink.

mmm. fall.

via totokaelo.

boston food challenge? lets do it.

I have been embracing Boston more in the past few months, and Jessica's Chicago food challenge has inspired me to do one of my own. The map above shows the 21 official neighborhoods in Boston. Perhaps by documenting eats in each of these neighborhoods, Aaron and I will see a bit more of our new-ish home. It's difficult though, because I want to also explore the neighborhoods and food of Cambridge, Brookline, and the 30 or so sub-neighborhoods of my very own Dorchester. However, I'm going to assume it's unlikely that I'll complete the task of 21 neighborhoods in the next 12 months, so it's pointless to take on more.

By the way, I'm just loving Dorchester and am still baffled by the fear of Boston toward this area. I was informed by a friend recently of the negative health impact of living in bad neighborhoods. Wha? It's like the suburbs out where with mixed races and sometimes vandalism. Let's suck it up people.

blue.

New York Magazine did a piece on former Blues Clues host Steven Burns Williamsburg home. Very cool. And I love that it's blue.

neglect. new york.

wow. It's been a while. I was getting that feeling that, since I've neglected this blog for so so long, that any return must be a triumphant one. I've done so many things this summer. Traveled to mexico, newport folk festival, wisdom teeth out, brief but wonderful chicago trip, katie came to visit, I went to visit katie, matt came to town, and so on....

I was feeling like I needed to post about each of these things to come back. but the past is the past. Then I was thinking about switching to a tumbler. this may still happen. but in the meantime I'll start posting again. Why not?

sorry for the neglect.

in the meantime, here are a few shots from my recent new york trip. I had a great time with my sister, and caught some awesome New Yorker festival events. It was my first time in NYC when the weather was actually nice. Fun!

dace.

I really need to break from my J.Crew monotony. However, I find myself attracted to clothing way outside of my budget. Take dace for example. I am totally ready to embrace it- ready everywhere except my pocketbook. They do have decent sales I suppose. I might have to give something a try when the price is right. In the meantime, feast on these pretty dace items.

preppy?

someone told me this week that I was "preppy" and could see me being called meg, wearing pink and green. I think he meant it as a compliment, but man, that is not how I see myself. I think the northeast is rubbing off in a bad way. I need to rethink some things....

popcorn shrimp

you know I love muppets, right?

Herb and Dorothy

I watched the best documentary today entitled Herb and Dorothy (available as watch instantly on netflix). Its about a couple who, on their meager salaries, amassed one of the most extensive and important collection of conceptual and minimalist art from the New York scene, simply out of the love of the art. Over the span of 40 years, they somehow stuffed over 40,000 pieces in their one bedroom Manhattan apartment. They are certainly quirky, endearing, and have an eye for art like you've never seen. And they've never sold a single piece.

However, they've given much of their work to the National Gallery and established a program to give 50 pieces of their collection to 5o states each. So look up which institute in your state holds the "Vogel Collection."

Here is a nice trailer of the doc:

Herb and Dorothy Trailer from Herb and Dorothy on Vimeo.

sunday work

Chips, TJ's avocado verde salsa, Corona, and work by a breezy open window. I've had worse Sundays, and worse work days! Thanks beautiful day...

Science, mathematics: Physics major has a name for a really big number - latimes.com

Science, mathematics: Physics major has a name for a really big number - latimes.com

oh chicago...

From here, just last week! thanks jessica

i think we have a winner...

In early May Aaron and I picked up some basil seedling kits at Ikea. You know, the sprinkle seeds, add water, watch it grow sort of thing. Well we decided to make a little competition out of it. We we each decided how much water they should get. Where to place them in the apartment for the right sun. And despite being knocked over by the cats, Aaron's little basil seedlings was way in the lead early on. However, in recent weeks the tables have turned. Mine is in the dark green pot. I'll let you decide.

happy birthday to me!

I received the above amazing wayfarer ray bans from my mom (thanks mom!). Yes, I know how white that makes me. I also got the complete series of the West Wing and a fantastic edition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. So much nerdiness and so little time! I am most certainly loved. I can't believe this is my third birthday with this blog.

talk of the town...

Hi friends!

sorry for the delay in posting. I have been busy with a number of things, and now that so many have stacked up, it's beyond what I am able to post. So instead I thought I would give a little list of what I've been up to...

-Explored Portland, ME where I ate the best PB&J in the world.

-Consumed stout in one of the best pubs in the world, in desolate Lovell, ME (see above).

-Traveled to El Paso, TX and Tacoma, WA for work. Both places I would love to return to.

-Hosted L&B for a weekend, and impatiently awaiting their permanent arrival in Boston.

-Planned out my vacation days for the rest of the year.... exciting things to come.

-Enjoying my new earrings very much.

no new apartment additions of note.

new earrings

patiently awaiting their arrival...

wee flower pot posts

little larsen posts

sink hole

I can't get over this sink hole in Guatemala City. Unbelievable. 115 people died as a result of the tropical storms there. This sink hole took out a few highrises. Sad.

janelle monae and james brown

As I think you all know by now, I'm a lover of soul music. And who's the godfather of soul? Why James Brown of course. So you can imagine my delight when I came across Janelle Monae. An indie pop and soul singer, signed by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2007, she has a great voice and even better dance moves. But what I love about her the most is her blatant reference back to the good old James Brown days. As you can see in the above Letterman performance, she works the moves (though no one is as smooth as the man) and even has cape placed on her shoulders before she drops the the ground on her knees. As you've seen here before, this is all James Brown. I've reposted that video here for you enjoyment. (be sure to watch the end of both videos).

Of course this means she is nothing new, but how refreshing to see this young artist refuse to be placed into the young black woman musical artist categories (as she says in a few interviews). And to harken back to James Brown, well thats way cooler than the Madonna reference that is getting a bit tired with Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera. No wonder P.Diddy said this was the most important signings of his career.

Newport Folk Festival

I am so excited to go to the festival this year! There are perks to being in New England! I think I'm most excited to See Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, but Andrew Bird, Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros, the Avett Brothers and The Swell Season certainly have their draw. I hear the venue is right on the water, and if the weather is nice, its going to be a great time. Checkout the teaser below:

Newport Folk Festival 2010 from Mike Anderson on Vimeo.

For a line up click here (we are skipping Friday).

listen: Jakob Dylan: NPR Tiny Desk Concert

NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, my new favorite thing.

other pieces of our delicious weekend

going green: ramps and fiddleheads

Aaron and I came across a fantastic produce market in Watertown over the weekend and went crazy over a few rare items we had not seen in person before, but only read about. These were ramps and fiddleheads.

Aaron was in charge of the ramps, making a sort of ramps pesto with lemon and parmesan.

I simply sauteed the fiddleheads (after a quick 2 min boil) with olive oil and garlic. They have a great earthy taste that was delish.

Grove.

This post is going to reveal how lame I really am. If I did have an iphone, I would totally go for one of these cases. But I don't have an iphone. It's like picking out a wedding dress when you're single. A little premature.

Anyway, check out Grove via Apartment Therapy.

apartment update

It's been a while since I gave an apartment update- and there have been some exciting new acquisitions.

1) Henny Ikea Blanket: I first saw this blanket over at The Brick House and new I loved it right away. Even though they don't carry it in the Ikea near Boston- they did have it at the Brooklyn Ikea I visited a few weeks ago. It looks great and is machine washable- which is a must with cats, as you can see.

2) Office Rug: Another Ikea acquisition. I have been holding off on blogging about the office until I file a little better about its progress- and I think its really coming together. Since it functions as an office, TV room, and dining room, we really don't need any other room in the house. Seriously, you could cut off the dining room, guest room, and living room, and we might not notice. As the Dude would, say, the rug "really ties the room together."

3) Lane Dovetail Side Table: We live by the BEST thrift store. I found this Lane Dovetail side table. They had two there, but one was seriously damaged dog chew marks. This one just needs a little refinishing. Despite being consistently sold on ebay for $200, I got this for $15. Thrifty! It might end up going to some friends who have the coffee table, but for now it works great as table in the office. I'll update once its refinished.

The Catorialist

So many of you know I am a 'reader" of The Sartorialist. Well, you can imagine my delight when I (*ahem* Aaron) came across The Catorialist. Take a look at these stylish kitties as they go about their business.

james and aretha

I encourage you to get funky this weekend. Enjoy!

shelving

Wow! Loving this shelving. From here.

watch

this is for you dyno

book lovers never go to bed alone

Check out this awesome book blog. Thanks steve.