Potato Chip Necklace
3 actual size potato chips on a Sterling silver chain, $50.
[image from The Curiosity Shoppe]

I just made a discovery, but not in time for Christmas. Drat.

The Curiosity Shoppe. How many things on this Website do I want to own? Many. Manymany. If you are like me, you will be kicking yourself for not knowing about this sooner.

It was December 15, 2005 at 9:59pm that I published my first blog post. Wow. My blog is three years old today! 1,175 posts later, I feel rather pleased.

And today, I am getting crazy traffic from Midtown Lunch. What a nice way to celebrate.

Landver Spike Onyx Ring, $260 on LA Buzz Shop

'Tis the season for holiday parties. Check out this cocktail ring!

Sterling Silver with 18K gold vermeil Spike Ring with ten hand set Onyx stones with a total weight of 14.9 carats. Only five left.

[image from marthastewart.com]

This is the time of the year where my thoughts turn to cookies. I am not going to lie to you. I am thinking about cookies a lot. So what better place to turn than Martha's Cookie of the Day Website. I love pouring over all the recipes. I could definitely be convinced to make these Pinched Orange Macaroons.

I think they are more macaron than macaroon, don't you?

This time I vow not to deviate from the oven temperature, baking time and ingredient proportions. Well, maybe "vow" is too strong of a word. I will get back to you on that.

Ingredients

Makes 5 dozen

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted, plus more for rolling and coating
• 1 pound almond paste
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 1 egg white and almond extract. Add confectioners' sugar and almond paste; beat until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add orange zest and orange liqueur; beat to combine, about 1 minute.
2. Lightly dust work surface with confectioners' sugar. Turn dough out onto work surface; roll into two 3/4-inch-thick logs, about 18 inches long. Cut each log crosswise into 30 1/2-inch pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
3. Lightly beat remaining egg white. Coat each ball with egg white and roll in sugar, tapping to remove excess; transfer to prepared baking sheets. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Pinch each piece of dough with three fingers to form an irregular pyramid shape. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Here's what I would like to know. What are the various prices on a small (12 ounce) cappuccino in and around Midtown. Now that I would find useful. I think I will just have to compile a list myself. Excuse my while I do some research.

Okay, here is my list, starting with my favorites on down to ones I haven't tried yet. Note: all prices are before sales tax.

Macchiato Espresso Bar

141 E 44th Street (Lex & 3rd)
New York, NY
Midtown East

212.867.6772
small cappuccino $3.15

Pain Quotidien
Bryant Park
70 W 40th Street (btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
New York
Midtown West
212.354.5224
small cappuccino $3.69

Pret a Manger
1410 Broadway @ 39th Street
New York
Garment District
646.572.0490
small cappuccino $2.79
BEST VALUE!

Macaron Cafe
161 W 36th Street (btwn Broadway & 7th Avenues)
New York
Garment District
646.573.5048
small cappuccino $3.75

Amish Market
240 E 45th St (2nd & 3rd Avenues)
New York
Midtown East
212.370.1761
small cappuccino $3.25

Joe The Art of Coffee
Graybar Passage
Midtown East
Grand Central Terminal
New York
212.661.8580
small cappuccino $4.00

'wichcraft
Bryant Park kiosk
11 west 40th street @ 6th avenue
New York
Garment District
small cappuccino $2.95*
Read about Coffee Happy Hour on Midtown Lunch!

Zest Cafe
1441 Broadway (40th & 41st Streets)
New York
Garment District/Times Square
646.572.0490
small cappuccino $3.00*

Europa Cafe
1412 Broadway (39th & 40th Streets)
New York
Garment District
212.398.9822
small cappuccino $3.25*



*Haven't tried these yet.
**FYI, a small cappuccino at Starbucks is $3.20





This post is featured on Midtown Lunch for December 12, 2008

Peppermint Candy Cane Marshmallow & Bonbon Oiseau jewelry
[image from Cannelle et Vanille]

I have been thinking about this all day. I read this post on Bonbon Oiseau's blog this morning. And clicked through to Cannelle et Vanille to see what the shoutout was all about. I must quote here, because Aran of Cannelle et Vanille says it best. What a beautiful story. And such beautiful products by Deb and Aran. I am so inspired.

This is the story about another blogsphere friendship that developed over some matcha diamant cookies. It's about the lovely and super talented Deb and her delicate jewelry Bonbon Oiseau and my interpretation of what her pieces represent.

I have admired Deb's work ever since I found her blog "Your Destiny is Stone Golden" a few months ago. We started exchanging emails and as time went on, we decided that one day we would collaborate somehow. Deb asked me if I could photograph her work. Her necklaces are very delicate and almost angelic. I didn't know if I would be able to capture her essence, until I decided to pair them with something that I made. Suddenly, marshmallow entered my mind.

So here is my ode to you Deb, my ode to your fabulous work with some peppermint candy cane marshmallow.

Oh this looks delicious. I just came back from ice skating at Bryant Park, and so I am totally in the mood for hot chocolate. Check out the recipe in The Nest. Via Hostess with the Mostess.

Buttered Toast Wallet, $15 from Fred Flare

I found something that I want! I'm off to the Fred Flare store.

[image from the Fred Flare blog, which is a good read]

How did I miss this? A Fred Flare store in Greenpoint? Well actually, my friend Megan went a few weeks ago and told me as much; but I didn't really have any idea where the store was, so I forgot about it. Until I found myself on the Fred Flare Website just now through some strange bloglink path or other. So go already! Investigate the store. I will too, despite my opinions...


Fred Flare
131 Meserole Ave (at Leonard Street)
Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222
718.349.1257
Hours: 12-7 Tues-Sat, 12-5 Sun, closed Mon
G Train to Nassau Avenue

Black Spat-inspired Button Legwarmers, $19 on Plasticland

I have seen a new trend emerging in NYC. Spats. Yes, believe it or not. For example, last night on my way home, a girl got on the bus wearing these. And believe me, all eyes were on her. And she definitely got a seat.

I can imagine that these spat-inspired legwarmers would look cute over black tights. You could convert any shoe in your closet to knee-high boots for just $19. It is a clever idea, you must admit.

OK, I'm amused. Holiday Mixed Tape cards, set of 10, $14. Printed on recycled paper with soy inks. Available on Plasticland.

The Shopping List Bag by L-Shop, available on Propwork

I have a thing for to-do lists. Without them, I could not propel myself through time. Time would just stand still. Or stand around doing not much of anything. Or I would. I think this List Bag would be perfect for me. I really do. I can't quite figure out how the notepad is attached though, and if there are multiple sheets, or if it uses dry erase technology. I found it on SwissMiss today which may be my new favorite blog of all time. There is even a post about the Monty Python Silly Walks. What's not to like?

[image from Your Destiny is Stone Golden]

Normally I would say that this M is simply fontastic, but as it was found on the streets of Paris (by Deb of Bonbon Oiseau), I must say that it is simply fontastique. N'est pas?

This just in from Domino magazine:
A great event at Bergdorf Goodman tomorrow evening. Please read on.

HOLIDAYS BY DESIGN

The authors of this year’s hottest design books come together
for an exclusive book signing event at Bergdorf Goodman

Deborah Needleman, Domino: The Book of Decorating

William Yeoward, On Entertaining

Charlotte Moss, A Flair for Living

Michael S. Smith, Houses

Celerie Kemble, To Your Taste

Thom Filicia, Style

Hosted by Nicholas Manville,
Vice President, Decorative Home, Bergdorf Goodman
and Jane Stubbs, Founder, Jane Stubbs Books

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
6:30 – 8:00 PM

Bergdorf Goodman
Fifth Avenue at 58^th Street, Seventh Floor, NYC