Innovative Structures for Outdoor Play – Adults Allowed.

The “secret and illegal” HemLoft Treehouse

“Joel Allen was a Canada-based software developer who bottomed out financially after his company went broke in the ’00s. He taught himself carpentry, and soon set his sights on building a killer treehouse…The story is insane on so many levels. First of all, the treehouse is illegally sited on “Crown land,” or what’s known as State land in the United States—government-protected forests. Secondly, Allen had to hand-carry all of the materials out to the site (and carry the construction waste back out to fulfill his goal of keeping the site as pristine as possible).” by ‘hipstomp’ (?) on Core77

Catamaran Cabin

“Like some sleek modern-day pirate ship, this floating home comes with a roped-off (rooftop) deck and a crow’s nest perch towering above.” by Marijn Beije Design as featured on Dornob.com

VW Camper Tent

“Officially licensed by Volkswagon the VW Camper Tent is a full size replica of the 1965 Camper Van. Available in yellow, red or blue, it is certain to stand out from all other tents. Like the VW camper van the VW tent is large enough to stand up in (5 feet and 11 inches), and internally is divided into two rooms, sleeping 2 people in each one.” from Coolest Gadgets also, Amazon (and there’s a kid’s version!!! want.)

Crocheted Playground from Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam


pictured at top: “Takino Rainbow Nest” at Takino Suzuran National Park, Hokkaido, Japan (installed 2000)
pictured at bottom: the artist at work
“Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, who orders yarn by the ton for her creations, is the textile artist:
“It all happened quite by accident. Two children had entered the gallery where she was exhibiting ‘Multiple Hammock No. 1′ and, blissfully unaware of the usual polite protocols that govern the display of fine art, asked to use it. She watched nervously as they climbed into the structure, but then was thrilled to find that the work suddenly came alive in ways she had never really anticipated. She noticed that the fabric took on new life – swinging and stretching with the weight of the small bodies, forming pouches and other unexpected transformations, and above all there were the sounds of the undisguised delight of children exploring a new play space.” From that point, her work shifted out of the gallery and a subdued, monochromatic palette into a riotous rainbow of colors for children’s playscapes.” by Paige Johnson in Play-Scapes.com

 

Recipes to Live and Die By: Pasta Carbonara, Chicken Piccata and Roasted Chicken with Veg

Pasta Carbonara is delicious and can be made in a lot of different ways with ingredients you might just happen to have on hand.  You just need eggs, milk and parmesan cheese (make sure to use finely grated, not shreds or anything else, the sauce won’t form right otherwise since parmesan is a finicky melter). The recipe calls for pappardelle but I like to use thin spaghetti instead.  Switch it up with these variations too:
…bacon, peas and fresh basil
…spinach, grilled chicken and fresh parsley
…sundried tomatoes, prosciutto and artichoke hearts.

Chicken Piccata – this may end up being your all-time favorite.  I add extra heavy cream and chicken broth to this recipe as it always tends to come out needing more sauce.  The lemon/caper flavor comes out pretty strong so it can benefit from the dilution with the extra liquid to end up with a perfectly-flavored, substantial quantity of sauce.  Serve with buttered thin spaghetti or mashed potatoes and some steamed veggies.  The chicken is even better the next day.  I use this recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis (who I find rather annoying… but the recipe is real good)

Roasted Chicken – my mom’s secret is to make a butter mixture, adding whatever fresh (ideally) or dried herb you have on hand, salt, pepper and spices – I like to use tumeric and chili powder, along with a few cloves of crushed garlic, and rub it both under and on top of the skin before putting in the oven.  If the meat is done but the skin isn’t quite crispy, throw it under the broiler on low for a minute.  Good veggies to rotate in your mix include cauliflower, sweet potatoes and – *gasp* – brussels sprouts – I swear!  they are actually delicious when done well.  Here’s a basic recipe from Ina Garten, aka, the Barefoot Contessa.

 

Insights on Men’s Instincts and Attraction… from Cosmo ;)

Human nature and instinctive reactions to modern-day reality intrigues me.  While trying to understand our seemingly-insane reactions to some things, it is somehow both helpful and reassuring to identify the motivations behind these behaviors by tracing them back to our most basic animal instincts. Some interesting bits from the inanely-titled article “The Wierd Traits Guys Look For in a Date” featured in a very, very old, wrinkled and tattered Cosmo at a nail salon somewhere deep in the San Fernando Valley:

From a recent Pew Research Center survey on marriage:  Ninety percent of men listed “being a good mother” as the top quality that makes someone a desirable partner.  On an instinctual level, guys are driven to hunt for someone with whom they could see themselves having kids.  Finding a mate to pass along your DNA is a primal human response.  A man naturally responds to those biological urges by moving forward with a woman [even if it’s purely sexual] who will potentially be able to raise his children even if he doesn’t want kids soon – or ever.‘  This also helps explain the MILF phenomenon.

Here’s the bullet points on the traits that a guy’s unconscious instincts look for when choosing a sexual partner:

1.  She keeps her cool when shit goes down and doesn’t freak out over little stuff like losing her cellphone. “It’s fundamental to infant survival that a mother be able to react calmly and think on her feet in a crisis situation.  Back in prehistoric times, [a mother] would need to grab the babies and run” …and in the right direction, while making rational decisions along the way… to execute a successful escape.

2.  She notices the small things.  “Men go for women who are perceptive, like those who notice tiny variations in a person’s feelings and mood.  It’s a sign that you’ll probably also be able to recognize a baby’s needs, such as whether she’s crying because she’s hungry or because she’s tired.”

3.  She talks about stuff and is interesting.  “Engaging storytelling is how mothers throughout the ages have passed down traditions, explained cultural beliefs, and relayed the dos and don’ts of the community to their children.”  She’ll also probably teach her kids good social skills, help them learn how to express themselves effectively and give them an edge later in life (studies have shown that the more parents converse with their children, the more successful and well-developed they will become).

credit to Molly Triffin and the surprisingly, sometimes-insightful Cosmopolitan

 

3 Fashion Items to Add to the Mix

The studded shoes JLo stabbed herself with at the Grammys.  Behold:

(lots of more realistically-wearable knockoffs of these at the mall right now… while this pair is gorgeous, they’re also pretty ridiculous unless you’re going to the actual grammys, kind of like wearing disco-balls on your feet.  black pleather with gold studs and sky-high shiny black heel?  for, like, 70 bucks?  yes, please.)

 

 

 

 

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Then there’s this really great everyday watch by Rado:

These nail polish decal strips from Sally Hansen:

 

Fun (and in some cases, Free) Places to Take Kids In LA

Swork in Eagle Rock – great coffee shop with a play area for kids.  Kids consignment and independent designer stores down the street.  Stop by the Mexicatessen for lunch.

Remo Drum Circle – Free – Valley, Coldwater Cyn north of Sherman Way – the Remo drum company opens the doors to their giant warehouse full of drums of all kinds.  The people that run the drum circles keep it just organized enough that it’s not too intensely chaotic, while letting everyone contribute in any way they like at all levels.  Try not to get too into it and end up taking over your kids’ drums.

The Skirball Center – Next to the Getty, off the 405 – Noah’s Ark Children’s Exhibit- Museum is free the first Thursday of the month.  Advance reservations are recommended but we walked in on the free day without realizing it and happily didn’t have a problem getting tickets for a time slot within 30 minutes.  This is a very cool space with lots of structures to climb, interactive areas and engaging staff that run crafts and other revolving activities, and it’s not overtly religious which I appreciated.

The Coop (pictured at right) in Studio City – @ Vineland and Laurel Cyn – the hippest indoor playground I’ve ever been to.  Order delivery from the Mediterranean place next door.  Or get sandwiches from the Artisan Cheese Gallery – and Pinkberry for dessert – down the street.  This place also has very cool looking birthday parties, ask to see their book.

Griffith Park has a little bit of everything:
Zoo – if you live in the area, get a membership, which will pay for itself in about 2 visits for a family of 4.  When you are going for free it is easier to go in and spend just an hour checking out a few favorite animals without feeling like you have to walk around the entire place and get your money’s worth.  The membership also gives you 10% off everything in the zoo – like food and stuffed animals, as well as essentials like coffee and beer.
Pony and Train Rides – for a couple of bucks you can put your kid on a pony that rides around in a circle, or, for the more adventurous budding equestrian, a pony that rides around a little track.  There’s a train ride that smells like wierd fuel runs around a funny little scenic circuit which includes a little western-town setup and some odd wildlife and troll statues.
Travel Town Train Museum – Free – full of old decommissioned trains that you can run around on.  They also do birthday parties inside the train cars.  There’s a little train ride here as well, and they do a ‘Train to Santa’ event around Xmas.
Shane’s Inspiration – this is a great playground designed to be accessible for kids with special needs, and it is a fun place for all kids to play.  Lots of play structures, a foam area as well as sand and a little bike track.  There is also a cool old working carousel and snack bar in the same area.

Oceanfront Park – Calabasas @ Las Virgenes Cyn and PCH – nice foam-paved playground area, paved walking path and natural hiking patch, Lookout area and lawn area, free parking.  The community center has activities for kids as well as a camp. (Malibu Bluffs State Rec Area)

Beachfront Playground – Venice, @ Ocean Park Blvd and Pacific – park in the short-term lot for a dollar an hour and head to the playground, then romp on the beach and if you’re up for it, put the little one in the stroller or rent a bike right there and do the boardwalk, it’s easy to walk either north to the Santa Monica Pier or south to the Venice strip. 

Music Classes at the Electric Lodge in Venice – on Electric Ave – these freeform music classes are fun and entertaining, educational but not too serious.  The site says newborn to age 4 but I think it is probably best for age 3, max.  The classes are on a drop-in basis so you aren’t on a strict schedule.  Parking in the lot next to the building.  (pictured at right:  ‘magic carpet time’ at the end of the class:  kids pick a blanket and get pulled around the room to soothing music, hopefully inducing some serious post-class naptime.)

 

Broke? Simple Ways to Start Saving More by Spending Less

Simplify.  Adapt.  Be Inventive.  Some basic theories at work here: 

1. Whole ingredients are cheapest and healthiest – keep a full stock of staple foods and an arsenal of recipes that use things you have on hand. 
……Key:  Quick eats – always have snacks and quick meal options on hand so you don’t spend money by eating out or on pre-made, nutrient-deficient grocery items. 
……Also Key:  Variation – basic recipes with basic food items are important, but you have to want to eat this stuff every day.  Make large batches of your basics, split into a couple of variations, then store and freeze pre-portioned amounts of everything so you aren’t stuck eating the same thing all the time.
2. By eating good food and staying happy and active, you pay less in health care and medication, and up your chances of earning more and enjoying life – and ideally, both.
3. Find economical ways to maintain small luxuries, enjoy simple pleasures and cultivate a general feeling of well-being and richness in everyday experiences.
4. Save money just by asking, and stay vigilant on your bills and spending to eliminate unnecessary cash-draining habits and easily-waived charges

Make your own EVERYTHING!  This seems like it might be both time-consuming and a pain in the ass, but if you can get yourself to look at it the right way, you will find it strangely therapeutic, especially in times of need.  You will take pride in your finished product, enjoy the fact that you know exactly what went into making it, and – once you get used to making things yourself – you will wonder how (and why) you did it any other way.  You will also impress your lazy friends and look like you spend a lot of time doing this stuff, which you won’t, because I’m not into extreme domesticity and won’t be recommending you give up having an actual life just to play house all day.

Make your own Bread:  Here’s a good recipe for 100% whole wheat bread.  This recipe makes 2 loaves which is way too much for me to finish before it starts to mold (which it will since there are NO preservatives or crap of any sort, so the day after I make it, I slice it and freeze 2 slices/ziplock and put straight into the toaster before eating).  I would recommend making one loaf of regular bread for sandwiches, and making the other loaf into a sweet variation for snacks and breakfast.  I make cinnamon-raisin bread by lightly rolling out or stretching half of the finished dough to make a rectangle, liberally sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins (about 2/3 cup, 1.5 tsp, 1/4 cup packed, respectively), dot with butter and roll up.  Tuck the ends under and place in the 2nd loaf pan to rise, then bake both together like normal.  Delish. 
The regular whole wheat bread is pretty hearty.  You will need a lot of flavor to stand up against it.  I suggest making as grilled cheese sandwiches with lots of butter and sharp cheddar cheese.

Make your own Granola bars:  This is the recipe I’m using right now.  Granola bars are super healthy, delish and filling.  This is a great thing to make yourself since you can do a lot of different variations, thus lowering your chances of getting sick of eating it all the time and resorting to spending lots of money on pre-made snack food (and again, with lots of nasty extra preservatives and crap in them).  These bars always come out pretty crunchy and/or crumbly, depending on what ingredients you use.  He says to use a baking dish and remove after it’s completely cooled, but the whole thing stuck so severely to the bottom of the dish the first time that I had to scrape it out with a knife and ended up with glorified granola cereal.  Now I use a Silpat (or greased tinfoil) on a cookie sheet which is pretty foolproof.  Good varieties:  dried cranberries and pecans… raisins and almonds… dried mango and walnut.  Drizzle half of each batch with melted dark chocolate for an extra flavor factor.

Other things to make yourself: 

…Salad Dressing:  3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar or lemon juice, plus salt, pepper and dried or fresh dill to taste. 
…Coffee:  invest in a decent espresso maker and start making your own cappuccinos, once you get the knack of it, you will be spoiled for any coffee other than your own.  My secret for killer capps.. use brown sugar (in general, for everything, it’s so much better) and sweeten the milk before you foam it.  The result is divine.  Try it.  Get a ceramic coffee mug with a silicone lid for ‘to-go’s’ and you are set.  Bonus points:  buy Starbucks coffee when it’s on sale at the supermarket:  each bag has a coupon for a free tall brewed coffee at any Starbucks location.  Save these for when you’re on the road and you get free Starbucks whenever you want… all as a gift to you for being so badass and thrifty and Getting One Over On The Man.
…Delicious Treats:  when you are otherwise broke, it is important to have small luxuries once in a while that make you feel fancy even though you are (financially, anyway) decidedly not.  Examples: 
Melted Chocolate Fondue with fresh fruit and freshly whipped cream (buy dark chocolate in giant bars at Trader Joe’s); a Cheese Plate with salami, dried fruit and crackers (again, Trader Joe’s has good deals on good cheese like brie and chevre, but I buy the giant blocks of infinitely-useful sharp cheddar and monterrey jack cheeses at Costco, slice them cute and put the package away and it still tastes damn fancy); Homemade Chocolate Truffles; or Lavender-Infused Bath Salts (you can buy this one at Trader Joe’s for a decent price if you don’t feel like making it)

Cultivate an Herb Garden, or even just one plant:  You can buy a whole herb plant for about the same price as one package in the supermarket that will go bad after a week.  Even if you totally screw it up and kill the plant, you will still get more than your money’s worth even if you just use whatever leaves are on the plant when you buy it.  Get a few herb plants that grow according to the light conditions you have available (pdf).  My kitchen window faces west and gets full sun all afternoon, and I have a basil plant there that has been holding its own for a couple of months.  Attach a window box to the outside of a balcony railing with rosemary and thyme, both of which are pretty hearty and stand up well.  Give fresh herbs to your friends as a gift when you visit… I swear, it’s cooler than a bottle of wine. 

Use Vinegar and Water for cleaning:  When your cleaning products run out, buy a giant bottle of white vinegar and use it for cleaning.  The smell takes a little getting used to, but it fades away really fast.  Use one part vinegar to 4 parts water.  While we’re at it, start using rags instead of paper towels.  Buy the paper towels that come in small pieces for when you really need them or just feel like it, and you will easily and painlessly stretch a roll for a couple of weeks. 

Start Making Phone Calls:  Lots of services will give you a break on your bill if you just call up and spend some time on the phone.  Tell them you are going through a tough time financially and that you are considering cancelling your services.  Feel free to let out a little pent-up emotion from this stressful time in telling your story and working on getting the person to be sympathetic to your woes, but don’t go too far or overdo it.  Lots of times they will offer you a current promotion or some dollar amount off of your bill for a few months.  They will try to get you to remove some perks from your services, the Cable company tried to get me to agree to go down to a lower package which had practically no channels.  I said that I just didn’t have time to compare the channels on the two packages and said I just wanted to cancel – even if you don’t mean it, it’s a good tactic because the ‘cancellation department’ is actually the ‘customer retention department’ and they may be able to do more for you than the first person you talk to, if you have the patience to ‘go through the motions’, so to speak.  Two theories are at work here, (1) it’s more efficient to keep a customer than to try to sign up a new one, and (2) they are paying for the people to talk to you on the phone, therefore, at some point, if you are on the phone long enough, it is more cost effective to give you a break on your bill and get you off the phone so their personnel can get on to other calls.  I got 30% off my Cable bill for 6 months the last time I did this.  Here’s some tips on how to complain effectively so you get the most out of your communication efforts.  Good luck!

At the Grocery Store:
Buy multi-use whole foods:
…rice:  brown rice is best but if you don’t like it all the time like my family, just buy white and mix it with good stuff when you can.  I use 1 cup white rice mixed with 1/2 cup brown rice or quinoa and 3 cups of water.  Use a rice cooker and make a big batch at a time, then refrigerate for use throughout the next few days so you always have something quick to eat and so aren’t tempted to eat out. 
……Favorite variations: 
……mix with 1 tsp each butter and grated parmesan cheese, a little salt and pepper, add some frozen peas and microwave
……cook with chicken broth instead of water.  If I don’t have broth, I use Better than Boullion and mix in a tablespoon along with the water
……add to chicken soup or meatloaf
……make into a faux rice pudding by microwaving with some milk, cinnamon and brown sugar
…oats:  making real oatmeal in the morning is surprisingly easy.  also use for granola and oatmeal cookies
…milk:  for cereal, oatmeal, instead of half and half for carbonara – I add frozen spinach, peas or asparagus to this recipe
…eggs:  scrambled, omelettes, etc. or french toast for breakfast, in fried rice with leftover veggies and soy sauce, in meatloaf, and I can’t say enough about the carbonara with bacon, peas and thin spaghetti…
…cheese:  I always buy parmesan for pasta and cheddar for grilled cheese, melted on hash browns or eggs/omelettes or veggies, shred in piles onto a silpat and bake until crispy for snacks, sliced and arranged for a cheese plate
…chocolate:  at least 70% dark chocolate or as dark as you can get.  It is good for your health and will improve your mood which I believe is most important in times of stress.  Melt and serve as fondue with any fruit, or easily make your own peanut butter cups or chocolate bars by melting and dripping the chocolate onto a silpat or plastic wrap, adding any ingredients you want, then drizzle and smoosh with a spoon to cover and freeze until solid, about 15 minutes (you can use fancy molds, but without investing in anything extra, this is a great method.  i have molds and still use this stuff instead).  I make my own chocolate bars with peanut butter and banana slices… or dried cranberries, pretzel pieces and candied pecans.
…chicken:  as I like to call it, ‘nature’s tofu’.  chicken can be prepared a bunch of ways easily and deliciously.  Buy whatever is on sale at the best price per pound, then portion it out into ziploc bags and freeze ahead so you always have something in the house when you need to make dinner.  Make chicken piccata, roasted chicken and vegetables or chicken soup (keep some as soup in the fridge, adding rice, quinoa or noodles or lemon juice and spinach as variations, freeze some of the stock in one-cup containers for use whenever you need them, and then use the leftover chicken for chicken salad with apples, lemon and tarragon (or whatever herb you are growing on your windowsill) 

Use Coupons when you can:  even if you don’t save much, it will add up and make you feel productive.  I go to Ralph’s supermarket in LA and use their reward system.  I try to buy absolutely everything on sale, compare everything by unit price and get extra points by using my own bags.  Each quarter they send me a certificate for at least $15 off my next bill, just for shopping there, which I would have anyway.  I also get, along with a slew of junk mail in my mailbox, a magazine called the Clipper which I would normally throw straight out along with the rest of it.  However, this one contains, tucked into the middle of a bunch of ads for things I don’t need like carpet cleaning and window treatments, a coupon for $5 off any $75 Ralph’s purchase.  This shizz ads up.

Do Stuff that Makes You Feel Good:  this will help with your mood and your health, and also, in theory, influence positive things to align in your life.  Exercise, eat chocolate, dance, start a hobby that doesn’t cost anything, like bird watching or hiking (this is not the time to take up yachting or space travel).

 

5 Links to Awesome Stuff From All Over

As if you needed another reason to love chocolate — a great article on the benefits of dark chocolate and specifics on how it can help protect against heart disease, reduce blood pressure, and mimic the chemical reactions in your brain to enhance your mood in exactly the same way as both marijuana and prozac.  John Robbins:  Chocolate’s Startling Health Benefits 
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While you’re enjoying your chocolate:  Everything you ever wanted to know about medicinal Cannabis.  Queen Victoria used it for cramps, so can you.  Now, go forth and treat your actual, general or invented medical issues.  Thoroughly.

“…original designs for things that can make life more enjoyable. Clever things to intrigue you. Smart things that make everyday tasks easier. And gentle things that make you feel happier when you use them.”  Really.  Check out the ‘designers’ section for super-duper cool gadgets and cleverly-designed, intensely useful everyday objects… in my mind, this is the small-scale, full-of-life version of Ikea.  www.kikkerland.com   …pictured:  Magnetic Wipe Board – Color Block 

A new study shows that exposure to pesticides in the womb can result in lower IQ.  Just another reason to go batshit crazy trying to eat organic when you are knocked up… though this article in full points out that toxins are all around you, all the time – but it’s worth a shot!  So – in general – buy food packaged in glass instead of metal, don’t microwave plastic and check out the article for more ways to avoid the bad stuff.

This crazy roller coaster is scary with good reason.  It is designed to kill you.  Meet the Euthanasia Coaster.  Enjoy the ride!  It will be your last ride on anything, ever.  
“Riding the coaster’s track, the rider is subjected to a series of intensive motion elements that induce various unique experiences: from euphoria to thrill, and from tunnel vision to loss of consciousness, and, eventually, death.”

 

The Full-On Lowdown on the Crazy Secret Menu Options at In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger is a Los Angeles staple and always worth the experience.  Fairly healthy by fast-food burger standards, super-simple 50’s style menu and low prices. I ran across this article via LifeHacker.com:  The Ultimate In-N-Out Menu (and Super Secret Menu!).  It’s an entertaining account of a crazed individual who successfully manages to wear out either a company expense account or their ‘meals out of town’ tax write-off by ordering Every Single Option Not On The Menu.  Or maybe she struck a deal with someone on the inside for publicity in exchange for gluttony.  I’ve summarized the narrative account into a little list for your handy reference.  You’re welcome.  Now print this out and get your ass to the drive-thru.  Proper ordering jargon in bold.

*Basic Secret Options*
Up to four patties/cheese slices :  Ask for a 3×3, (three by three) 4×4 (triple cheeseburger or quadruple cheeseburger, respectively) (check out the now-unavailable 100 x 100!) — or any combination thereof – 4×1 (four patties, one slice of cheese), etc.

Have any burger mustard grilled (After cooking the first side, the cook will squirt some mustard onto the top of the patty before flipping it so that it sizzles into the meat on the grill (do it at home)

Add:
Grilled onions (chopped cooked down in the meat juices on the hot griddle) – or a whole grilled onion
Chopped chilis, or a bag of chilis on the side
Mustard or ketchup (burgers come standard with just Thousand Island spread)

Ask for:
Animal Style burger:  includes extra Thousand Island spread, mustard grilled patties, and extra pickles.
Split in half:  cut neatly down the middle
Medium rare: Burgers come medium-well by default.

Buns are usually toasted, but you can order either no toast or extra toast

If you are a mutant, you can even ask for cold cheese.

*Meat/Bread/Veg Alternative Options*
Veggie burger – not a ‘boca burger’, but a salad-in-a-bun, a.k.a. wish burger (as in, “I wish there was meat in this burger”), a toasted bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, spread, and pickles upon request.

Get your burger as a lettuce wrap by asking for it protein style

Order a salad on the side (“only a few In-N-Out employees will honor the request, but you can request extra lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on the side. It’ll come tucked into a Double-double wrapper. Ask for an extra packet of spread, and you’ve got yourself a fully-seasoned daily-allowance of vegetables at no extra cost.”)

Order a grilled cheese (you can even ask for the standard lettuce, tomato, and raw onion slices stacked inside)

*Super Carnivorous options*
Flying Dutchman—Two slices of cheese melted between two burger patties.
Flying Dutchman Animal Style – patties grilled with mustard with a scoop of diced onions added to the cheese. Pickles and spread will come on the side

*Milkshakes*
Black & white – chocolate/vanilla
Neapolitan – choc/vanilla/strawberrry
Root beer float – half cup of root beer topped with vanilla soft-serve.

*Fries*
“In-N-Out’s fries are notoriously bad despite being fresh cut in-house—it’s because they only fry them once instead of the superior McDonald’s-style double-fry”

Get them extra crispy by saying well done. “The fries turn out more dry and crunchy than crispy with a fluffy center, but it’s a definite improvement.”

Animal Style fries:  topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions. (author’s note:  “mix ’em up with your fork before the cheese starts to coagulate”
Cheese fries: classic

The one thing they won’t do?  Serve a cheeseburger with fries inside.  You’ll have to engineer that one yourself.

Finally, ask for some stickers for the kids.

My next order after reading this? 
A 1×2, animal style, medium rare, extra toast, add ketchup – with animal style fries well-done and a root beer float.  *glorious*

thanks to:   J. Kenji Lopez-Alt for the magnificent, though perhaps painfully gluttonous experiment.

 

Alexander McQueen… Forever a Fabulous, Evil, Fashion Genius.

Alexander McQueen, rest his soul, was a true artist and creator of beautiful things.  After his death in Spring 2010, his longtime assistant Sarah Burton took over as head of the label.  These clutches from the Spring 2011 collection illustrate her inspired ability to design as he would have, continuing the legacy of the Gucci-backed fashion house.  Case in point:

Knuckle Clutches.  A wonder to behold.  This version has bronze, cut-leather leaves with embroidered detail and a killer, baroque gold knuckle piece with skulls and flora.  Absolutely beautiful.

Another lovely piece, the zipper-y ‘de-Manta’ clutch:

and one last, glorious example:

*sigh* … someday!  for now, I’ll enjoy my $39 Urban Outfitters vague approximation.

 

Mike Stilkey’s art is super cool.

I. Love. Mike. Stilkey.  *swoon*  His work combines my two favorite things – art and books.

Mr. Mike Stilkey makes very cool art.  I went to the Culver City Artwalk a few years ago and saw his stacked-book painting-sculpture creations and was immediately hooked.  He also had some tiny little pieces on matchbooks that were in my price range and, sadly but understandably, all sold out (boo.).

Take a look at his website for more pictures of his work