Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Get A Load Of These Cesare Paciotti Booties!

 
 

Sent to you by Naima via Google Reader:

 
 


cesare

The 'Double Platform Ankle Bootie' by Cesare Paciotti


 
 

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

AGAVE: Not just for tequila anymore!

The real question is: can I sweeten my margaritas with agave nectar? Hmm, how about if I rim the glass with agave nectar and colored sugar crystals...the possibilities are endless!
clipped from www.yumsugar.com

Know Your Ingredients: Agave Nectar

Agave nectar (or agave syrup) is a liquid sweetener made from juice extracted out of the core of the agave plant.
This sugar alternative, which is roughly 25 percent water, dissolves easily in cold liquids, and is sweeter than white sugar, yet less processed than refined sugar, and has a healthier glycemic index. It comes in light, amber, dark, and raw varieties.
Light nectar has a delicate, almost neutral taste; amber possesses a caramel color and medium flavor; dark has stronger notes of caramel. Raw nectar is produced at temperatures below 118ºF and contains natural enzymes and a mild taste.
Agave syrup can also be employed to substitute equal parts honey. Unlike honey, agave nectar is vegan, and does not crystallize when stored. When cooking with it, keep in mind that 3/4 cup agave syrup has the sweetening power of 1 cup of cane sugar, and when baking reduce the temperature by 25ºF.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Recipe: Coconut Milk Chicken

Since it's getting cooler outside, it's time to get my "comfort food" recipes in order...


Recipe: Coconut Milk Chicken:
2009_10_15-coconut-milk-chix.jpg
"Since falling in love with Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Milk recipe, I've wanted to try another take on the concept and simmer a whole chicken in coconut milk. How decadent! Read Full Post"

So here's the recipe:

Chicken in Coconut Milk
serves 4

One 3-3.5 pound whole chicken
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 pound fingerling potatoes
2 cans (13 - 15oz) regular or light coconut milk
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
10 whole garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons chopped lemon grass stems
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper at a rate of about 1 tablespoon salt per pound and 1 tablespoon pepper per three pounds. Heat the butter and sesame oil in a pot that will fit the chicken snugly, like a Dutch oven, and set the chicken in the hot oil. Cook, turning the chicken to get an even golden color on all sides, about 5 minutes total.

Remove from the heat, put the chicken on a plate, and dispose of the fat left in the pot. Return the chicken to the pot with the rest of the ingredients, and cook in the preheated oven, basting with the cooking juices every 20 minutes, for 1 - 1.5 hours. It is done when the meat pulls away from the bone without much effort and the potatoes are tender when pricked with the end of a paring knife.

To serve, pull the meat off the bones and divide with potatoes between plates or serve on a platter. Spoon over a hefty helping of the milky sauce. Mind the cinnamon stick.

Related: Jamie's Chicken with Lemon and Milk

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Learn the health value of specific ingredients used in common herbal teas

What, no chai?
clipped from www.womansday.com

10 Healing Herbs Used in Teas

10 Healing Herbs Used in Teas

Learn the health value of specific ingredients used in common herbal teas

Chamomile is a flower long loved for its soothing, calming and sleep-inducing qualities.
Lemongrass teas are often served as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion
Unlike other herbs, jasmine is most loved for its robust fragrance rather than its health value
It’s believed that the menthol-containing leaves help soothe irritable bowel syndrome, nausea and other stomach-related ailments by calming the abdominal muscles and improving the flow of bile, which aids in digestion. Peppermint is also said to cure minor cases of bad breath.
There is much debate over whether echinacea really prevents or cures the common cold.
Rosehips are the seed-filled red-orange pods that form at the base of the rose bloom.
Notable for its high concentration of vitamin C, the herb is valued for its immune-strengthening properties
Blackberry leaves
Hibiscus
Orange pee
Hawthorn

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Growing A Set

Recently, I've gotten bold enough to share my blog(s)--yes, I have a few--with friends and acquaintances. No big deal for some, but a huge step for me. In my head, its easier to be criticized by strangers than analyzed by friends and family. Don't ask me why. Not the point.

I figure if I have to see and talk to people who might actually take time out of their literally BUSY schedules to read my thoughts, I'd better say something worth reading. I'm not always thought-provoking, but I try not to post news you can get from a far-more qualified source (Mmm hmm, I know! How could that be, right?)...and I don't post "cute kitten" pictures or forward chain e-mail.

Instead, I post things to make you laugh, spark conversation or day dream a little more often.

Especially when I have my Befitting Service hat on.

Oh, and I hope to spotlight new shoes to covet.

Shout out to Sharron, my smut-writing cohort with a joi de vivre I haven't seen in about five years. VERY REFRESHING. And obviously inspiring.
--N.

[Responding from my Blackberry]

befittingservice.com | befittingservice@sprint.blackberry.net

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Seen on JakandJil.com Today



 
 

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via JAK & JIL BLOG by tommy on 8/3/09


VINTAGE EDMUNDO CASTILLO SANDALS ON GIOVANNA BATTAGLIA

 
 

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

These Christian Louboutin Boots Make Us Smile.



 
 

Sent to you by Naima via Google Reader:

 
 


lou

Comes out this fall…get your connect on the phone!

ThankGodImFamous

 
 

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009

24 Super Healthy Foods



 
 

Sent to you by Naima via Google Reader:

 
 

via Think Common » Blog by common on 5/5/09

1. Acai

2. Green Tea

3. Beans

4. Tuna

5. Quinoa

6. Olive Oil

7. Oatmeal

8. Blueberries

9. Mushrooms

10. Soy

11. Alfalfa Sprouts

12. Ginger

13. Salmon 

14. Yogurt

15. Bananas 

16. Bell Pepper

17. Barley

18. Papaya

19. Tomatoes 

20. Walnuts

21. Avocado 

22. Spinach

23. Kale

24. Chocolate

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE BENEFITS OF ALL THESE FOODS

VIA MATADORLIFE


 
 

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Wednesday, March 04, 2009

At Sea With Wine

clipped from www.robbreport.com

For wine aficionados who desire more than a simple wine tasting, Silversea Cruises has created 11 Wine Voyages for 2009 that take passengers through the Mediterranean, South America, or Northern Europe to experience an area’s wines through tastings and lectures by vineyard owners, winemakers, and other epicurean specialists. On many voyages, guests will also have the chance to explore some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions on guided-shore excursions. One such tour is hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the founder of the eponymous brand, who will serve as host for Mediterranean cruise from Lisbon to Monte Carlo with stops in places such as Cadiz, Malaga, Ibiza, Barcelona, Cannes, and Corsica.  He’s also the managing director of the family’s Tuscan winery, Il Borro estate. Each specially designed excursion features an intimate view of a specific locale with stops along the journey while cruising on a luxury vessel with all its amenities. (www.silversea.com)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

“Suite Above the Clouds” by Swiss Air

A picture is worth a thousand words...
clipped from cubeme.com

“Suite Above the Clouds” by Swiss Air

Starting this spring, SWISS will gradually introduce a new First Class cabin in conjunction with its fleet renewal program. The focal point is the new SWISS First Seat offering exclusive design, top in-flight comfort, and extensive privacy plus it can be individually adjusted to meet individual wishes and needs. The new “suite above the clouds” marks a further milestone in SWISS’ ongoing quality drive.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

My Son & Nephew - In Concert (ONE NIGHT ONLY!)

REMINDER:

Come out and have a drink with Gaidi and me tonight--Paris and Josh are doing their first "gig" tonight at Brick By Brick (see attached).

We'll be there around 8, they are on stage at 9 for about 20-30 minutes. Their duo is called FAMILY TREE.

Hope to see you tonight. Bring a friend! Tell a friend!
--N.
619-906-9483

Monday, February 02, 2009

Glass-top Pool Table

Add this to the list of furnishings for your dream home!

 
 

Sent to you by Naima via Google Reader:

 
 

via Born Rich by Naveen on 2/2/09

g1-pool-table_uxvBL_48

The G-1 Glass top pool table is something we can call a true innovation. Created by Australia-based Nottage Design, the G-1 offers a perfect blend of modern styling and latest technology. It enjoys a transparent playing area with a glass top and patented resin playing surface. The patented transparent Vitrik playing surface has been used instead of the traditional felt surface. It gives resistance to rolling balls, just like cloth does. The surface creates a stunning 'floating on air' effect as balls glide smoothly and quietly. On the other hand, the traditional slate bed has been replaced by toughened glass. Other salient features include a ball return mechanism, aesthetically integrated into the table design, BCA-specification pockets and K-66 bumpers.

g1-tabvle-2_1Ce9Z_48

Brainchild of Craig Nottage, the G-1 table was created as part of the final year assignment for his industrial design course at the University of South Australia. The Vitrik playing surface is available in a range of colors and both transparent and frosted finishes. The G-1 pool table comes for a whopping AU $39,900 (U.S. $25,150), but then, the innovation genuinely compensates for the hefty price tag.


Via: BallerHouse/News


 
 

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Me and Gaidi in 944 Magazine!

Gaidi and I recently attended the Patte Awards for Theater Excellence in San Diego. The theater Gaidi manages, North Coast Repertory Theater (northcoastrep.org), won the Patte for Outstanding Ensemble for "Don't Dress for Dinner" (that show is hysterical! It's coming back this summer, so pencil it in on your calendar).

Our picture made it onto 944 Magazine's website! Check it out:
http://www.944.com/nightsites/gallery/12th-annual-patte-awards/1052369/

Had I known the photographer was taking a 3/4 shot, I would have put my bag down. (Don't tell my mother, I didn't have time to change it to black or gold!)

Love,
--N.

Monday, January 05, 2009

5 Strangely Coloured Beaches

I didn't see these places in "1,000 Places to See Before You Die"....!
Punalu'u Beach
the stunningly black sand is actually volcanic rock, deposited as lava and subsequently cooled when met by the ocean. Apparently to take any of the sand home would result in you being cursed by a volcano goddess by the name of P
Papakolea Beach
Hyams Beach
Hyams Beach in New South Wales, Australia, but not just due to the sun. It's not surprising after looking at photos but this sublime stretch of beach is home to the whitest sand in the world, an honour awarded by the Guinness Book of Records.
Pfeiffer Beach
the entire stretch of sand has become a shifting, pink and purple canvas.
Kaihalulu
You won't find many beaches elsewhere in the world with sand as red as this one. Kaihalulu, or Red Sand Beach, is situated on the island of Maui and can thank the neighbouring cindercone hill for its intensely deep red appearance.
His Naima. Get yours at flagrantdisregard.com/flickr