dent may (and his magnificent ukele)

You know when you hear a name that sounds familiar and you can't quite sort out why you know it?

That feeling of momentary confusion hit me just this morning when I spotted a link on Miss Moss's "Things I Like Right Now" for Dent May.

Why did I recognize that name? It's certainly memorable...

Well, it turns out Dent May and I went to the same college. S and I had a history class with this dude. We specifically remember him for rocking cool specs.

It turns out he has become "kind of a big deal." Rock on then, Dent!

Check out the happy ditty "Oh Paris" and

the wonderfully old fashioned crooning vibe of "Meet Me in the Morning."

(image courtesy dent may)

currently cooking: fish tacos!

Few things say summer more than fish tacos. So, in an attempt to make something tasty AND healthy, S and I decided to whip up these bad boys for last night's dinner.


As tasty as the fish came out, the real star of the show was the cabbage slaw (pictured below before stirring the freshly chopped ingredients together).


Check out the recipe here. A note for those of you interested in making these, we used Mexican Chili Powder to season the fish and it was divine.

Served with cumin and salsa spiced black beans, this meal hit the spot. It also only took about 25 minutes to prepare.

funny kitchen towels

These humorous kitchen towels by Donna Wilson (spotted on That's Happy) make me smile.


Don't they tempt you to respond: "Don't mind if I do."

Have a silly Monday!

coolhaus ice cream sandwiches

Have you guys tried Coolhaus Artisnal Ice Cream?

If not, I recommend that you stalk their trucks (if you're in Austin, LA, NYC or the Hamptons). Search out one of the growing number of markets and restaurants who are now carrying their adorably packaged products (check out a list here) or stop by their LA store when it opens this summer.

In short, get some however you can.


If you don't, how will know how magical the brown butter with candied bacon ice cream sandwich is?

Named for modern architect Louis Kahn, this sammie serves the afore mentioned ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies. Yes, I am serious.

Even though I only had a few tiny bites (and split the rest with my dining companions), I'm 100% sure those rich, salty sweet bites are responsible for my renewed commitment to a strict summer diet.


Verdict? Amazingly delicious and totally worth it.

(images courtesy hobson's choice and cool haus)

sheep pillowcases

Completely obsessed with these sheep pillowcases from Kin Ship Press's Etsy shop (via Design Sponge).

They seem like such a comfy place to rest your head.

I also love the talk bubble design below.

What a nice message from a thoughtful little sheep to greet as you drift off to sleep.

(images courtesy kin ship press)

stella citrus cake

This beautiful citrus cake has been making the blog rounds this week. Isn't it gorgeous?

Spotted on and created by the beautiful blog Apollinas, this citrus cake with lemon curd filling (um-yum?) has been named Stella by its creator. Lovely, but what's with the name?

It turns out la dee dah wasn't alone in its love for Stella McCartney's Summer '11 collection! Look familiar?


Click here to read about the cake creator's inspiration and find the recipe.

(images courtesy appo and my face hunter)

end of vacation blues?

I love New York. Who doesn't, right?

Well, I've spent some time perusing this amazing book (originally spotted on Cup of Jo) and I must say...I, myself, am feeling "relatively neutral" about New York.

This hilarious (and wonderfully designed) book is courtesy of two dudes who know and love NYC enough to point out the awesome along with the bad.

Here are a few of my most favorite pages.

On Lady Liberty....

and riding the subway.

(images via wikipedia and my modern met)

mason jar chandelier

Isn't this mason jar chandelier from BootsNGus's Etsy shop the bee's knees?

I'd love to hang it from the ceiling of my spacious dream kitchen... complete with rustic wood floors.

(images courtesy BootsNGus and chateau couture)

vacation bound

(image courtesy vogue uk)

Thrilled to be signing off for the next 9 days. It's vacation time, darlings.

rose gold rings

I love how dainty, stackable rings can call out the femininity of a gal's hand.

If anyone is in the market for a fancy new bauble, meet jewelry designer Blanca Monros Gomez's beautiful rose gold creations.


Rose gold feels so wonderfully old fashioned and romantic. Can't you imagine getting butterflies each time you spotted these sweet rings on your hand?

Take a peek at Gomez's other lovely pieces here.

(images courtesy catbird)

vintage typewriters

There's something magical about the sound of a typewriter.

As a kid, I would spend hours playing on an older model at my grandparents' home creating little stories and crafting important correspondence ("Dear Nana, Thank you for dinner. I love meat loaf...")

These vintage offerings from Retro Brooklyn's Etsy shop are inspiring. Not only are they gorgeous, but they make me want to type a secret letter to someone special.

(images courtesy inside the loop and retro brooklyn)

luke's lobster

Currently, over the moon about Luke's Lobster's new food truck named Nauti (hello, awesome name). I'm stalking their location pretty hard via Twitter. Come to Rock Center, please! Perfect. summertime. lunch.

Luke's truck is an extension of the delicious, counter-service restaurant that opened in the East Village in 2009. Luke Lobster has since expanded to include three more NYC locations and one in DC.

Growing up down south my summer seafood meals were most often composed of delicious jumbo gulf shrimp.

Lobster was NOT a staple on the menu.

Not until we moved to New York a few years ago did I begin to understand the importance that the lobster roll played for friends who spent their summers in New England. Last summer I finally tried my first lobster roll at Luke's. Now? I'm addicted.

Luke's lobster comes fresh, straight from Maine (hence their slogan "from ME to you"). It tastes fresh, summery and delicious. Short story long? You will not find any weird seafood salad slop in your bun.


I highly recommend the Schooner Combo where you get a roll (lobster, crab or shrimp), a bag of chips and a Maine Root Soda. See my main squeeze enjoying this combo below.

(images courtesy midtown lunch, seeandbea and me)

lazy sunday sofa

This might be the best sofa of all time. That is all.

(image courtesy that kind of woman)

midnight in paris

Pretty, pretty stoked to see Woody Allen's latest Midnight in Paris.

The movie has been getting great reviews (check out NY Mag's here) with critics comping it to the "good ol' days" of Allen comedies like Annie Hall and Manhattan. This sounds MUCH better than 2009's Whatever Works and much lighter than 2005's wonderful, but dark, Match Point.

Most Woody Allen flicks have great casts, but I'm really routing for Owen Wilson here. He looks quite charming in the role and has always been my favorite Wilson brother. Luke seems like such a mimbo (=male bimbo)!

Check out the trailer below. Rachel McAdams and Micheal Sheen look fabulous as well.

P.S. Saw it. Loved it. Currently rereading A Moveable Feast.