Ah, the macaron...I first tasted this delicious delicate cookie while strolling the streets of Paris and coming apon a beautiful display of the cookies in a window. Of course not knowing that I walked into the worlds most world renowned Ladurée! That first bite was so overwhelming it was so moist, sweet, and melted in my mouth. Ever since then i've been on the search for that same experience and flavor. Don't get me wrong, there are a few places here in Los Angeles (Bottega Louie & Sweets for the Soul) that have pretty good macarons but none compare to the ones in Paris.
So I decided that I want to learn how to make these delicate delicious cookies. I would like to get my hands on the book Les Petits Macarons: Colorful French Confections to Make at Home and a few proper pastry bags. Have any of you out there attempted to make macarons? If so how was the experience for you?
"I would rather eat one tablespoon of chocolate russe cake than three bowls of Jell-O,"- Julia Child.
Now that is a woman that I could of been great friends with, anyone with a passion for food is someone who knows how to live life, and Julia Child knew how to live. She was a very popular TV chef and author who moved to Paris and while there fell in love with parisan food and wanted to learn how to cook it. She checked every bookstore in Paris and could not find a single English translated cookbook on French cuisine. She decided to create a cookbook that gave mainstream Americans a chance to discover sophisticated French cuisine and enjoy it just she did. Julia collaborated on a two-volume cookbook called Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which was groundbreaking. She also become a television icon with her popular cooking shows such as The French Chef, which I remember watching re-runs on PBS as a child.
I just recently discovered her book My Life in Francewhichis an autobiography by Julia herself and talks about her experiences while living in France. I am currently still reading it but it just makes me realize how much Paris has made a difference to me just like it has to her. And let me say that this woman can describe food that just makes your mouth water.
If you are in the DC area head to the Smithsonian American History to see Julia Child's kitchen. I was able to see it back in 2009 and was amazed how they were able to reconstruct her kitchen and how tall everything was in her kitchen! I'm a short 5'3ish and I felt like a small child while peering in.
My husband and I were very fortunate to go to Paris for our honeymoon a few years ago and while there I had beef bugnion for the first time and fell in love with the dish. When we got back to the States I had to figure out how to make this wonderful dish and while searching around I found Julia’s recipe. While I was making it the smells took me back to that wonderful time I spent there. If julia was still alive today I would want to thank her for giving me a little piece of paris at home.
With my anniversary coming up in two days I'm reminded of my wonderful honeymoon in paris and started looking at pictures of Paris. Below are few that I've pinned. I hope that someday I can go back and walk those narrow beautiful streets again.
The past few years I've been yearning for a tattoo and after my hand is all healed up after surgery I'm finally thinking of taking the plunge and getting my tattoo. I would love to get a tattoo of a cute little owl on my right wrist.
Why an owl? Owls are wise, strong and view the world differently than everyone else. As a designer I kind of see myself in ways like an owl, I notice things that most people don't pay attention to, I view my self as a pretty strong person and when I'm not feeling so strong my owl would remind me to be. Below are a few images of owls that I love.
This week Felicia Day and her crafty guild have created a new music video that is what you call..... absolutely awesome! “I’m the One That’s Cool” is a great addition to the already amazing videos created “Game On!” and “Do You Want to Date My Avatar.” All which you can now purchase on Itunes.
"I'm the One That's Cool" is part of the new YouTube channel Geek and Sundry where the line up consists of:
The Guild is a independent sitcom web series about the lives of gamers who are members of an online guild called "The Knights of Good". It follows their lives online and offline. It is written for gamers, about gamers, by a gamer.
Hosted by Felicia Day The Flog is a spirited, eccentric and quirky adventure through life. She explores new hobbies & experiences, curates links from across the web, and connects with fans.
Stories told by 5-9 year olds are put in the hands of some of today's coolest online directors including Rhett & Link, Dane Boedigheimer, Daniel Strange and more! All ages will love this visually stunning, often hilarious anthology series that brings the madness and magic of a child's imagination.
Hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merrit bring you the latest in tech, geek and entertainment news and engage in often irreverent, always dynamic discourse in this community-driven science fiction and fantasy-themed book club.
The nation's largest independent comic-book publisher brings a selection of their most popular titles to the video screen with Dark Horse Motion Comics. Using never before-seen motion graphics techniques, watch some of the comic world's most iconic characters spring to life.
Nerd music duo Paul and Storm bring their harmonies and smartly offbeat humor to this new comedy musical. The two are tasked with reviving the flagging educational show of their childhoods in the face of villainous hipsters, ghosts who give bad advice and
Wil Wheaton hosts this fun, lively show where “Celebrity Poker” meets table topboard games! In each episode, Wil plays a different game with celebrity guests from film, TV, and YouTube. Filled with banter and cheeky camaraderie, viewers are introduced to the best of tabletop gaming.
Geek & Sundry features the best of indie geek culture and the internet's foremost geek voices. Founded by the producers of the hit web series The Guild, Geek & Sundry offers a diverse lineup of shows that create a hub for fans of comedy, gaming, comics, music, and literature around the world. Through compelling content and its powerful social media presence, the channel cultivates a thriving community amongst its viewers, allowing them to immerse themselves in nerd culture and connect with each other both online and off. Spearheaded by prominent geek figure heads, Geek & Sundry features original content by Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible, Eureka), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek, The Big Bang Theory), Veronica Belmont & Tom Merritt (Sword & Laser), Paul and Storm (w00tstock), and Dark Horse Comics. So if you haven"t yet, subscribe to the awesomeness of Geek and Sundry....what are you waiting for?! Do it!!!
"I'm the One That's cool"- The Guild
LYRICS: 1ST VERSE: Oh, no. Don’t pretend I didn’t see You roll your eyes at my gaming tee Don’t know if you can read or if you’ve seen The sweet piece in this week’s Wired magazine The latest trend has hit its peak They say that geek’s becomin’ chic So now you’re out of style as you can be And I’m in vogue, so you can bite me
To all the ass-hat jocks who beat me up in school Now I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool To all the prom queen bitches thinking they still rule Now I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool
2ND VERSE: Try to cop my style but I’m the real thing While you played sports, I played Magic the Gathering See you pose a part of nerd society My Aquaman pajamas prove my pedigree Star Trek: Next Gen every night Wore a headgear to fix my overbite Your black-rimmed glasses are prescription free, where as me I literally can’t see my hand in front of my face
To all the asshat jocks who beat me up in school Now I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool To all the prom queen bitches thinking they still rule Now I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool And to my eighth-grade crush who pushed me in the pool Now I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool You may be tan and fit and rich but you’re a tool And I’m the one that’s cool I’m the one that’s cool
3RD VERSE: Role reversal must be a total drag But there’s no point, no point for me to humblebrag I appreciate you for being cruel I’m burning bright thanks to your rejection fuel Got my in-jokes you won’t get Like Honey Badger, Troll Face and Nyan Cat So now your ballin’ parties seem so dumb You can Evite me, and I’ll say yes, but I won’t really come
Got my comics Got my games All the things you thought were lame Got my cosplay Fanfic too Got you pegged STFU You CHORUS
Only a handful a people know that I have an addiction....that is an addiction to WoW (World of Warcraft)....FOR THE HORDE! I have to say thanks to Blizzard for creating a game that I love so much and a game that I can play with just one arm which keeps me from going stir crazy. Well, Blizzard has now feed my fire of addiction even more with their new expansion coming out Mists of Pandaria.
Pandaria, is a Eastern mysticism-influenced realm, where pandas brew and drink beer, and bring a new class, the monk. Using their inner strength and "CHI" you are able to play a monk in one of these roles:
Brewmaster – tanking
Mistweaver – healing
Windwalker – melee DPS.
One "problem" with the Panda concept is that a lot of players don't like that the Panda's are the focus of next expansion. If you don't know, the Pandaren have been used as a April Fool's Day joke a few times but I have to say the Panda race is very intriguing to me. They may of started off as a joke but a lot of new "history" can be created.
I was lucky enough to take a stab at the new race on the beta and I have to say....I'm really enjoying it. I've decided to do a female red panda, named PixiePanda (I've already saved the name so don't think about taking it ;) ) with a Chun-Li like hairstyle. She's pretty darn cute and when she walks she kind of gives a little waddle with her bushy tail bouncing around.
The world so far is very beautiful with Asian influenced art and music, I'm excited to see what the world will finally look like once completed. I have to say to those who are awaiting to get into the beta.....it's pretty laggy and the servers tend to overload...but if your Horde you will know how to deal with it ......Orgrimmar/Lagrimmar, enough said. Below are some of the screen shots I took of PixiePanda and her world.
PixiePanda is a Brewmaster
So many people....in just a few minutes the server will go down.
Sitting here under a blanket with my warm doggie cuddling next to me, is having me really craving for a nice warm creamy latte. Sadly with no espresso machine and unable to still drive, here are a few coffee images that makes up for it....well...kind of ;).
