Getting Spooky

Sometimes the internet is a cruel, cruel place.

For instance, my dog hates costumes.

Hates.

Hates!

HATES.

In fact, he hates pretty much anything on him other than his own fur attached to his body. He's a nudist.

So, the fact that I have access to THESE Animal Planet Halloween costumes is just torture to the little brown one named Bryndal.

Still...I want one.

What do you think? What should Bryndal be for Halloween (or at least for about 10 seconds on Halloween)?

He's gonna KILL me.

Book Sandwich

School is in session. Time to hit the books...or at least organize them.

Double (or triple) duty. Plus, cool design concept:

Cork Planter Bookend Set - Canoe

For those Type A types:

Indice Bookends - MoMA Store

A little doxie decor does the trick:

Dachshund White Resin Bookends - Jonathan Adler

B had to inspect to verify correct dimensions & scent:

Another dog:

No Fair Bookend - Modcloth

For the kiddies:

Skip Hop Bookend - Target

Housing help:

DOMUS Bookends

When you are bemoaning the end of Shark Week:

Hammerhead Shark Metal Art Bookends - Etsy

Telling it like it is:

The End Bookend - cb2

Now for the filling! Anyone have book recommendations for fall to winter reading? I've been very into the classics as of late, but would love some modern must-reads to add to the list.

 For those fans of Gilmore Girls, I recently ran across Rory's Reading List (in a few different formats/sources), cataloging all of the books Rory mentions or visibly is reading on the show. It's a fun (and daunting?) list to tackle.

P.S. After finishing this post, I came across a Design Sponge compilation of the same matter (great minds?). So, I will share their finds as well:

Keeping Things Tidy - Design Sponge

Special Delivery

Received a package the other day from Canoe. Along with the usual receipt and store advertisement was this:

How fun, right? I mean, I assume you already know how I feel about gummi bears.

Return to sender? Never!

You Put A Beer Can WHERE?

Sunday suppers. It's a nice concept. Sort of like Sunday drives. Leisurely, honoring togetherness and savoring the time and peace before another busy work week begins. Sunday suppers seem traditional, homey, and warm. Not too fussy, but always crafted with thoughtful care and conversation.

And then you add bacon.

I almost can hear a collective scream from all of my vegan friends.

I know its been around for some time, but this past year I've been hearing a lot of murmors (and Facebook posts) about beer can chicken. Being apartment dwellers, we can't easily grill out, but my hope for this boozified creation was renewed when I heard that you can just as well make it in the oven.

Cheers!

I basically followed THIS recipe with a few alterations:

• I added a few more "aromatics" inside the cavity: fresh herbs, more garlic (always), and some fresh squeezed lime juice.
• Believe it or not, I cut way back on the bacon. I draped three strips over the bird-that way we still had some left for breakfast this week. Mmmmm...bacon...
• When it was time to turn down the oven heat, I went to 375 degrees instead of 325 degrees. Perfect!
• Made a quick pan gravy from the drippings and beer.

I went with a PorkSlap Pale Ale. Not too hoppy, not too sweet. Buttery, malty, and mimics the ginger in the chicken rub. Plus, those happy pigs had the right attitude for this meal.

Of course, you can use whatever your little beer heart desires, even Bud, I suppose (now it's time for my collective scream).

I have to say, it was really, really, really, really good. Like, I would never want documentation as to how I ate this meal.

Oh, and vegans - we did have some veg:

Aren't purple carrots cool?

It would be fun to experiment with how various beers flavor and moisten the chicken. And with the beer scene booming, it won't be hard to find lots of options to play with. Our latest visit to Whole Foods yielded two local canned craft brews and growler refills.

Happy tummies fuel happy minds which make Mondays all the more doable.

This Sunday Supper thing could stick.

98

This is my first September 3rd without Gran. She would have been 98 today. I miss her every moment.

I love you, Gran. Wish I could still send you letters complaining about the cost of souvenirs, fretting about my sloppy writing, and sketching all of the family pets. But most of all, to sign them

Love,
Lucy

How Refreshing

A Cup of Jo is always a good blog read filled with a cornucopia of links, photos, articles, and style. As I swelter for about the 100th day this summer, it was refreshing to see her curated pool pics. Don't you just want to dive right in?

via Cup of Jo - Pools!

I can't complain too much since we've had the opportunity to take a few dips this summer.

Bear Mountain, NY

Rehoboth Beach, DE

Bash Bish Falls, MA

Happy dog paddling!

She Wore White

I have this thing for sweet white dresses. It must be some never-had-a-first-communion-or-quinceañera-complex. Although there is this:

Believe it or not, in a matching pic I'm holding a cat.

White clothing is probably the most impractical apparel choice for a long day in New York City (at least for a subway riding peon like myself), but I can't help myself. White dresses say leisure, innocence, joy and are just so...effortless. Well, until you spill your steamed vegetable dumplings' dipping sauce down the front of your white dress in the middle of the work day. Then there is a tad amount of effort.

This summer there is a plethora of white frocks to spill soy sauce on. I want them all.

Joanne Eyelet Dress - Milly

Aliyah Crinkled Cotton Dress - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bella Solid Dress - Delia's

Women's Gathered Tea-length Dress - Old Navy

Eyelet Trim Dress - Rebecca Taylor

Alanza Eyelet Dress - Calypso

Midi Dress with Scoop Back - ASOS

Reina Dress - Trina Turk

Berdine Eyelet Dress - Tory Burch

Daybreaker Dress - Madewell

Linnia Tie-Front Shirtdress - Diane von Furstenberg

Oh, and I say PSHAW to the archaic no white after Labor Day rule. In fact, come winter, I would pair any of these dresses with opaque black tights, black booties or mary janes, and a cardi/blazer option.