Saturday, April 30, 2011

Bye-Bye Snow

As a last minute decision, I was off to Minnesota this past weekend. I exchanged Park Avenue planters...

...for Dunberry Lane flowers.

The main event was the Rasm-e-Hina and Wedding Ceremony of my dear friend Shaz.

Both events were vibrant, unique, celebratory, and sentimental as a community of friends and family welcomed these two souls in marriage. Not to mention the samosa appetizers were killer. As you can see, my friend was beyond stunning:

The events were photographed by another friend of mine, Jennie Sewell. From a young age, Jennie had this enviable artistic and creative eye, not to mention endless verve which is showcased in each and every shot she captures. I honestly could not begin to select favorites from her website samplings, so I implore you to check out www.sewellphotography.com for yourself to ooh and ahh. I can't wait until I finagle a reason for her to come out to NYC.

Being home amongst the turkeys, Targets, and Minnesota niceties was comforting as ever. B was content, as he always gets spoiled. He even was gifted his very own Easter "egg" hunt.

Of course there is always Pepita "the boss" Sorensen overseeing the production.

We went the nontraditional route on Sunday, skipping the ham and instead whipping up a few dishes that I've been meaning to attempt. It certainly was nice to have a fully stocked kitchen with plenty of counter space (not to mention two skillful sous chefs)!

One of the dishes that successfully stood out was Christina Hendricks' family recipe for cauliflower soup. I had to do some convincing when it came to the white truffle oil, but it was a superb addition to the base along with the tarragon, bacon crumbles and pecorino romano.

I finally got around to making the Lemon Meringue Cupcakes that I'd been craving since February.
If you are even remotely a fan of lemon meringue pie, you must try these. MUST.

I'll make any recipe that involves a mini blow torch:

It reminded me of my dessert counter girl days at Madeline's although I used a full sized torch there. You don't know me until you've seen me torch a creme brulée.

The final product. It didn't last long.

Of course, some traditions were kept, most memorably our champagne glasses that somehow shoot liquid into your eye after taking a sip. These were purchased years ago for a New Year's celebration and the trick and laughter that follows never gets old.
Gotcha Champagne Glass

With the last patches of snow melted into the earth, neighbors began emerging and hanging in the driveways. B finally met Stewie.
Stewie & Bryndal

B was oh so fascinated by the smells of Dunberry Lane as I multitasked.
B and LuRuSo - Minnesota style

I fell for these egg cups a few years back at an Anthropologie sale. Turns out they've been recycled to West Elm.
Egg Cups with Duck Feet - West Elm

No trip home is complete without a visit to Byerly's. It's carpeted. They have no less than 6 rows of ice cream freezers. Your groceries are magically transported to your car trunk. What's not to like? Well, maybe this:
Byerly's Creepy Bunny Cake

I mean, really...who is going be the one to eat the bunny's face? I call "not it"!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Halfsies

It's my half birthday today!

(cricket...cricket...tumbleweed...)

What? You don't celebrate half birthdays?

OK, neither do I (anymore).

But if I did, I would without a doubt have a RAINBOW cake.





Happiness in the form of sugar & spectrum.

Rainbows Rock.
LuRuSo circa Halloween 1985

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Creative Envy

I don't know who gets paid to come up with Anthropologie's advertising ideas & designs, but they should get paid a lot more.
Case in point:

Brilliant.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Suddenly I See

I slept with my contacts in last night.

I know, I know, bad LuRuSo, BAD.

Thus, I've spent the morning in my glasses which reminds me how I'm in need of new frames with an updated prescription.

I've rocked the darker rimmed glasses ever since the days of my infamous purple specs:
LuRuSo circa 1992

1. I think I still have that headband.
2. It was not "summer" no matter what my shirt says.
3. Those are koosh ball earrings. Yes.
4. My hair is currently that long.
5. Must. Get. Haircut.

Even after that traumatic look, I kept the dark glasses (although no longer purple). In college, my dear friend Miss Alex would refer to me as "Lucy Loeb".

Like many other aspects of 2011, it is time to upgrade.

After seeing stylish ladies rave about Warby Parker on THISTHIS and THIS blog, I'm intrigued. For only $95, you receive a new pair of glasses including the prescriptive lenses. The frames are vintage inspired and remind me of a mix between Mad Men, nerdy librarian, and Williamsburg hipster. They will send you up to five pairs of your selection to try on at home along with prepaid return shipping. Plus, with every pair sold, they donate a pair to a person in need. How cool is that? 

My only problem is picking 5 pairs out to be delivered. Oh, how I love receiving snail mail!






Check out Warby Parker's story. It's a good one.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Make Your Garden Grow

Happy Earth Day!

Isn't Google's search engine logo so precious today? I'd like to be hanging in that waterfall about now...maybe minus the nearby lion (though he does look peaceful).

For the past few weeks, I've been doing some admin help for a wonderful local business called Garden U:

Garden U provides personal garden coaching, in-ground and container gardens, decorative & edible garden ideas, and continual maintenance for New York City and the surrounding area. I especially love their wonderful garden gifts, such as a pre-planted container "Salad", "Herb" or "Fruit"  bowl which gathers all of your fixings into one convenient pot to grow and eventually use in some tasty homemade concoction.

Container Garden Gifts

As a city dweller who loves the smell of dirt and grass, I appreciate Garden U's philosophy that "home gardening is an integral part of any wellness program. Gardening is one of the few activities that combines physical, mental, educational and quality-time benefits. Everyone, at any age, can experience the joy that naturally occurs when cultivating a garden. Our mission is for every individual and family, city and suburban, to grow and maintain a home garden that brings them happiness and meets their personal needs and goals.".

I look forward to watching them GROW.

For more information, check out www.gardenu.net, "like" Garden U's Facebook page, or follow us (and let us follow you) on Twitter!


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

My Continual Love of Letters and Chocolate

After a hint of t-shirt weather, we are back to rain and wind. I won't be too grumpy since these showers supposedly bring May flowers...and it gives me an excuse to cozy up with a book and a mug of steaming hot cocoa. Preferably in one of these:

I ordered a variety of the A to Zs in hopes that I will always have an appropriate letter for any guest who may join me. We don't want any hurt feelings in this household.

In my good hot-cocoa-protected-from-the-rain-reading mood, I attempted to make homemade marshmallows. Here are the fabulous results:





Yep. Not so fab. In fact, messy and gooey and unformed and all over the kitchen. I will find sticky stuff for years in all the wrong places. Had I had Rice Krispies on hand, I could have made some treats but alas, the marsh went directly into the trash. Maybe next time when I have the proper tools and patience.

Once it finally warms for good, I know I can still get my hot chocolate fix with some Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity.

The food was below par, but I must say that their famous sippable dessert was pretty darn tasty. My partner in crime, Rosemary, commented on how it got "really brown at the bottom...in a good way!".

I'm heading to Minnesota in the morning, where it might not warm until mid-July. I suppose I will have many opportunities for hot beverages there. For now, I will hide behind ginormous menus...

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Switcharoo

Remember how I wanted to live in THIS dress all summer long?

Now it's this one:

It has POMPOMS. Rah Rah, Sis Boom Bah!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Curiouser and Curiouser

Ran across this picture on a friend's wall while stalking, er...perusing Facebook.
NYC Subway - pic courtesy of Rachel Fleit

Man, I love this town.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What's Up, Doc?

I have so much to say, but taxes are calling.

So instead, I will leave you with this:

Yes, that is a carrot dresser. On sale for $3,600. The on sale $3,600 carrot dresser is not a Like of Lucy but the fact that someone thought this was a great idea is. I also love the posed children being paid to act like they would be really thrilled to receive such a piece of furniture. I don't think I ever knew a child to have a veggie themed bedroom.

P.S. Looking for more bloggage and disappointed with my lame carrot dresser post (would you have preferred a brussels sprout ottoman)? Then look to your right and get hooked on one of the fantabulous blogs listed. I guarantee inspiration and humor from each one. Plus, I bet they've done their taxes.

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Wheels On the Bus

I've been a witness to one too many wackadoo mass transit situations over the past month. Youtube worthy. So I thought I would recall a gentler, more heart-warming time of commuter incidents.

Riding the M101 bus a few years back, I overheard this conversation between a mother and her little girl as they readied to depart the bus. It was brilliant.


I have nothing else to say.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bookish

This can't be in my hands fast enough:

And if THIS and THESE were not reason enough for an additional bookshelf, the upcoming Penguin Threads collection is:



The three editions will be available October 2011. Conveniently, right around my birthday. HINT HINT.