Saturday, January 31, 2009

Holly Golightly Pocket Watch

How adorable is this?
I've always wanted a pocket watch. Better grab one before they're gone!

~flutterbyblue

Image lifted from www.modcloth.com

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tim Tams come to the U.S.A.

When I heard that TimTam cookies would be available at Target for a short time, I was PRETTY excited. I used to eat these crisp chocolate covered biscuits when I was in Australia. I used to have friends ship them to me after I moved back to Boston. When Mr Youth contacted me about taste testing the Pepperidge Farm TimTam cookie I jumped at the chance.

As I recall, TimTam cookies were on the sweet side. I used to munch them with coffee or a nice tall glass of milk. When my package arrived in the mail, I decided to share them with a few friends to get their opinion as well. The caramel TimTam was tastier than I remembered. The two layers of biscuits were not too sweet (which I like) and deliciously coated in chocolate. In between the two biscuits was a layer of chewy caramel and chocolate cream. I could have eaten the whole package on my own.

I'm not sure if TimTams are here to stay, so take advantage while you can! Trek out to your nearest Target and pick up a package to try for yourself!

~flutterbyblue


Image lifted from www.pepperidgefarm.com

Monday, January 26, 2009

Pacific Natural Foods


One of my favorite morning habits is to drink a cup of hazelnut flavored coffee after breakfast. When I was told to lay off the caffeine for a few weeks, I was at a loss as to what to do.

In search of food products that satisfy my (fortunately) temporary dietary restrictions, I came across Pacific Natural Foods Hazelnut beverage at the grocery store. I *love* hazelnuts, so this drink, which is actually made with roasted nuts, seemed right up my alley. The drink was rich, creamy and filled with nutty flavor. Sort of like milk mixed with hazelnut syrup, only healthy for you. DELISH. I could get used to this!

Pacific Natural Foods also makes an almond version of this drink as well! Try them both at your neighborhood grocery store!

~flutterbyblue

Image lifted from www.pacificfoods.com

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Jessica Walker's Chocolate Shoes

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, my thoughts naturally turn to all things chocolate. My current diet restrictions keep me from indulging, but this doesn't stop me from looking! Check out Jessica Walker's Chocolate Shoes in solid milk chocolate with white chocolate polka dots. They come packaged in an adorable "shoebox"! Prefer mini chocolate faux crocodile hand bags, mini stilettos or just regular truffles? These are available as well. Jessica Walker's also makes a large version of the Chocolate Shoe with it's own carrying case - a diva chocolate gift if ever I saw one!

I wonder if it tastes as good as it looks?

~flutterbyblue


Images lifted from www.sweetstall.com and www.gourmetfoodhall.co.uk

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

If money were no object

...and I was shopping for myself, I would love one of these adorable bags by breagha in Harris Tweed herringbone fabric.


And for fashion-friendly lounging, I would pick up one of Lirola's sweatshirt dresses.


Although it's been sold, I would see if justmare might consider another custom order for one of her hand thrown sepia-colored bowls.


These are some of the wistful thoughts I think to myself when I'm home stuck in front of the computer.

~flutterbyblue

Images lifted from breagha.etsy.com, lirola.etsy.com, and justmare.etsy.com.

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Catty Shack


Crazy cat lady or creative entrepreneur?

You decide.

~flutterbyblue

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Mini Japanese Crab Snacks!

While stumbling about the internet, I came across this link by Nooschi.



I'm not sure I would be brave enough to try these tiny crunchy guys myself, but they do look awfully cute!



~flutterbyblue

Images lifted from www.nooschi.com

Friday, January 16, 2009

Big Kitchen with Food

What I find hilarious about this home-cooking video by chef Julian (he's 5), is not so much that he sometimes forget what he's talking about, or that he stands on chairs in order to reach the counter, but that his first ingredient is, "a cup of TVP."


In episode 2, chef Julian shows us how to make chocolate chip zucchini bread:


Enjoy!

~flutterbyblue

Sunday, January 11, 2009

YakTrax: the best $20 I've spent in months...

For those of you living in the freezing climates of New England, mark my words:

YakTrax ROCK.

After spending years sliding across the icy sidewalks of Boston, I purchased a pair of Walker YakTrax at my friendly neighborhood EMS. This brilliant device is perfect for people like me - someone who risks their neck every time they set foot outside of the apartment in the dead of winter. I'm all for saving the environment, but when it comes to ice, there is no such thing as too much salting. Yes, it's bad for the water, and the grass, and probably any kind of living thing, but when my feet go flying, and there's that hard thud of my ass against ice, followed by the jarring of my brain against my skull, I really could give a %$@& about the birds.

Fortunately, those days of embarrassing ass slides are over! YakTrax are a lightweight traction device for shoes - any kind of shoes. Just pull them on over your toe and heel and these fabulous metal coils criss-cross your feet like a magical web of ice and snow protection. One can wear a pair of YakTrax and walk across the slickest and iciest of surfaces as if it were dry pavement - believe me, I've tried it. Pass by all those poor, defenseless YakTrax-less people with a hop, skip and a jump.

Happy YakTracking!

~flutterbyblue

Image lifted from www.yaktrax.com

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Jessie Steele Aprons

Yet another obsession are these gorgeous JESSIE STEELE aprons.




"Jessie Steele's vintage-inspired, hostess and kitchen aprons prove true the old adage that beauty and style are timeless. Influenced by the romantic visions of a bygone era, and designed in vibrant colors, flirty patterns and figure flattering shapes, these fine quality, retro-chic cooking aprons make the perfect fashion accessory in or out of the kitchen."

These adorable aprons have been featured on Oprah, Vogue, Domino, Real Simple and Budget Living! Of course, the problem with cute aprons is that I never want to get them messy (and hence, never actually wear them...)

Images and quote lifted from www.jessiesteele.com.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Your Slip is Showing

One of my latest obsessions are these slips from Your Slip is Showing:




Wear them under your favorite little black dress or skirt. They come in long and short lengths so you can show off in miniskirts or in knee-length dresses. Funny how slips were once so old-fashioned!

Images lifted from www.yourslipisshowing.com.

SF: food in review

Some of the highlights:

Saigon Sandwiches is a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese sandwich shop in the Tenderloin District. Pick your way past the winos and panhandlers to get to this small little convenience store-like shop. Order the delicious pork or chicken sandwich, which comes with hot, thinly sliced meat on french-like bread made with rice flour, fresh cilantro, carrots in a delicious vinaigrette, hot peppers, and a flavorful mayonnaise spread.

It was DELISH.

We ate our sandwiches outside in front of the Asian Art Museum (a block or two south of the shop.)

For more upscale Vietnamese food, Out the Door is the take out version of the Slanted Door restaurant. After a full day of window shopping I stopped in at the food court in the San Francisco Shopping Center for a large portion of fresh rolls stuffed with with sliced pork and shrimp, rice noodles and cilantro, and the spinach noodles with peanut dressing. Very light, very fresh, and very delicious.

After wandering around the fabulous foodie hall in the Ferry Market Building, I stopped for some take out dim sum at Yank Sing. The dumplings were perfectly steamed and/or pan fried, and the fillings were flavorful and tasty. Portions were large, however, so I recommend you buy some to share!

In search of fresh egg tarts, I stopped by Golden Gate Bakery in Chinatown. As usual, the line was out the door and filled with locals and tourists alike. When I got to the front they had just taken out a fresh batch of dan tat - hot and steaming from the oven!

For some of the best (and most expensive coffee) try The Bluebottle Coffee Company, a block or two south of the San Francisco Shopping Center, past the sketchiness, and behind the Old U.S. Mint. If you cut through Jessie Street you can even avoid most of the winos and panhandlers. I recommend the New Orleans style iced coffee if you like your iced coffee sweetened.

If you prefer tea (and lots and lots of pink), I recommend afternoon tea at Crown and Crumpet. Be prepared for sensory overload, this little place is chock full of pink, sparkly, and very girly decor. Most people who have not been here before spend the first several minutes dazed by their surroundings. While not the best tea sandwiches I have ever had (I hold tea at the Ritz as my bar), the atmosphere is totally worth it. Service was friendly and attentive, the teapots and teeny tiny cupcakes were adorable. The tiny side shop has a great selection of expensive tea acoutremonts. If you have a chance to chat with the owner, she's a bundle of energy (and very excited to have just opened up this new tea shop!)



Saigon Sandwich
560 Larkin St
(between Eddy St & Turk St)
San Francisco, CA 94102

Out the Door
865 Market St
Westfield San Francisco Centre
(at Cable Car Turnaround)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Yank Sing (restaurant and take out)
Rincon Center
101 Spear St.
San Francisco

Golden Gate Bakery
1029 Grant Ave.
San Francisco, CA

Bluebottle Coffee Company
66 Mint St. (corner of Jessie)
San Francisco, CA, 9410


Image lifted from www.crownandcrumpet.com.

SF: food in review

Arriving just in time for a late lunch the first day we stopped by Chutney, a Pakistani/Indian restaurant my family had recommended. We ordered at the counter, got our number on a stake, and went to find a table. The Vegi Biryani was delicious - served in a huge pile - hot, flavorful, full of perfectly cooked chunks of vegetables, and flavored with saffron. The Aloo Ghobi was even more delicious - slightly spicy, and a bit salty. It was all relatively affordable and judging by the clientele (Indian and Pakistani), definitely a good call. The service was fast, friendly and very casual. When we went back to the counter to pay for our meal, the guy asked us if $15 sounded about right.

Chutney Restaurant,
511 Jones St,
San Francisco,
CA 94102