Tuesday, May 31, 2011


Easy Chocolate Croissants
This Real Simple recipe really is real simple. 10 (may I suggest trying 20?) chocolate chips rolled into a crescent roll. In a stroke of genius I also added strawberry slices!


In leui of pineapple I used mandarin orange slices!

Oreo Truffles
These are delicious. However as I'm not a master chocolate-dipper, they are much tastier when someone else makes them for you. (Hint, Hint Mom)


The following were all made as part of a vegan dinner party:


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Burger of the Week #6


No coffee table is complete without a set of coasters. Can you imagine reaching for a slap of beef whenever you go to set your drink down? Or perhaps grabbing a piece of cheese in order to protect the polished wood from a condensation soaked glass?

It's a beautiful image. And it's all possible, compliments of American Burger.

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Great Food Experiment: A Vegan Dinner Party

This past Saturday, I invited several of my favorite foodies over for a potluck style, vegan dinner party.

Unthwarted by rain we gathered, in mixed company— some carnivores, some veggies, some quasi-vegans. A good 75% prepared our dishes for the first time, and without fail, all the new recipes were successful and delicious.
Now we were quite eager to get to the consuming of the food, so no one thought to document the food itself. But it was a night of delicious food and delightful conversation.

I thank those of you who participated in this food experiment for both your company and for sharing your cooking talents!


Friday, May 20, 2011


This Tuesday's
Epic Mealtime episode was the Candy BBQ.

"I guess you could say this is the no meat episode...."

Check out their video of the Candy Burger.

Thursday, May 19, 2011



Tomorrow is National Bike to Work Day. In years past I have actually biked to work on this celebratory day (don't be too impressed—I live a flat 1.6 miles from where I used to work, a 12 minute ride door-to-door, so really I should have been biking every day). As I now live a hilly 15 miles from I work, I will NOT be pedaling in the morning.

But here's some great items to show your bike-friendly side!
2. Bike Friendly GR Tees (or locally at mintykeen)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011


Real Fresh Corn

"Well, I like fresh corn. I mean real fresh corn. So I think maybe I'll just take a hot plate out to the garden, make a pot of boiling water, then I won't even pick that corn - I'll bend that stalk till the ear dips into the water, and I'll eat it right there standing up."
–Col. Potter, M*A*S*H, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

If I'm going to consider cooking a form of creating, than I think I need to also include growing.

Gardening is not something I imagine myself enjoying, in fact, yardwork was in the "con" category when I was considering buying a house. But now there is nothing better than coming home from work and spending an hour in the yard getting dirt under my nails while the sun casts a brilliant glow across the river.
And is there any purer way to eat than taking ten steps outside your door, picking fresh produce and then preparing dinner?
Today I enjoyed the first taste of my 2011 gardening labors. And as I ate my fresh green onions roasted with farmer's market asparagus, and watched the soft raindrops start to fall on the river, I thought, my grandpa might be right — life may, in fact, be good.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Burger of the Week #5

Burgers taste good... but how do your burgers sound?

Found these buds at one of my favorite internet shopping sources, ModCloth.
I'd gladly give that burger a listen.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

When the Clouds Part

It was another successful shopping excursion this weekend. The results were some flare for my yard.
On the left—my new window boxes, and on the right, a new table, purchased at Changing Thymes*. I'm just thankful the rain stopped this afternoon long enough to see my new treasures!

*Changing Thymes is a fantastic home decor/antique store in Grandville, it used to be called Somewhere in Thyme, which I wrote about last July.

Saturday, May 14, 2011


It may be 80 outside, and a little warm for a scarf, but an accessory like this is always in season. Check out the
hamburger scarf from BeeLiciousCrafts on Etsy.

Not a fan of the beef? Try on a little cake.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011



Last night I was out with a couple of girlfriends, both of which are in grad school, and they were dropping words like "paper due" and "final thesis". All I could think was "Wow. I have zero desire to go back to school."

But this morning I stumbled upon this senior thesis project (below) from illustrator Jim Tierney's portfolio, and I remembered what it was like to be your own client.
Don't get me wrong, I love all my clients. But the days before disclaimers and copyrights, sponsor and partnership logos, were beautiful, uncluttered days.

This afternoon I dug out some of my college project boards, reminiscing over what worked and what simply didn't. Above, is a project I was particularly found of: I built a fictitious, reader supplied literary magazine, titled Rough. And below, is evidence that my Pacman fascination is deep-rooted. This was a spread for an article on video games and the American youth.
Anyhow, I've come to the end of memory lane. It's back to a road filled with deadlines and small print.


Monday, May 9, 2011


I've long been a fan of the Google Doodle,
but as an avid igoogle user I rarely actually visit the Google page.

That's why I'm thankful when people send me notes to check out the doodle on particularily spectacular days. Thanks everyone or I may have missed today's treasure honoring Roger Hargreaves on what would have been his 76th birthday.
Hargreaves is the creator of the Mr. Men and Little Miss book series for kids—a series I have loved since the mid-'80s when Arby's put Hargreaves figurines Happy Meals (um, best happy meal ever??? We ate a few, and I still have the collection—one of my oldest friends even put a pair on her wedding cake!). In my world, Mr. Men/Little Miss are up there with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and PacMan in terms of fabulous characters.
Today's Google Doodle, which changes on refresh, is second in brilliance only to the first-ever interactive doodle, Pacman, which was displayed on May 21st 2010 on Pacman's 30th anniversary. It was reported that 4.82 million hours, the equivilant of $120,483,800 in wages, was "wasted" that day. And I personally received 7 emails and 3 texts that day with people directing me to the Google site that day. (Thanks everyone, had I missed it, heads would've rolled!!)
Happy Birthday Mr. Hargreaves, and thanks for all the happy memories!

Sunday, May 8, 2011


A reader pointed out following last month's Easter Peeps massacre that I forgot a crucial marshmallow tradition.

Consider this my amends.
Rice Peepsies Treats
Vermicompost* on the Rocks

Digging worms is one of the stranger ways I've ever spent a Saturday evening.

But for the sake of my first-ever-compost-bin, dig we did.

In effort to recycle as much as possible and rid garbage of stench in the upcoming humid months, I've decided to try composting with worms. In one of the city's old blue recycling bins (recycling the recycle bin!) I've created a mini maintainable ecosystem.

In layers, it's: leaves, shredded newspaper, worms, soil and food scraps. It really is that simple. DIY with Martha.
*From the Latin word vermi meaning worm. Vermicompost is a matter rich in nutrients.

Saturday, May 7, 2011



It's one of those perfect Michigan Spring Days—and as a small miracle, it's also a Saturday. If you're like me, Spring brings on the urge to shop. I spent this beautiful morning frequenting some of my favorite (and some new!) boutique and consignment shops—looking for unique deals, while trying to stay on budget and Recycle!
Left: ART! From Rebel Reclaimed on Fulton. Right: This photo was taken at the Farmer's Market back in 2009. Today there was a banjo player teaching a young boy how to play the wash board. Great moment, great music.

Here's a play-by-play.

Fulton Street Farmer's Market: First official day of the summer market
It's still a little early in the season for locally grown produce. Today at the market there was lots of plants (for those last minute mother's day gifts), as well as meat, cheeses and eggs. What did I buy? Coffee and Soap! Two things off my Meijer's list– Check.

Global Infusions: Fair Trade Goods + amazing teas and spices
What I love about about Global Infusions is the wall of herbs that you measure and weigh yourself, it's very apothecary-esque and reminds me of high school chemistry. If high school chemistry had smelled this delicious perhaps I would have been a science major.

Rock. Paper. Scissors.: Consignment Boutique
Recently opened near Diamond and Cherry, this little shop has some great finds— especially shoes! (though sizing is tricky!) I didn't find any must-haves in my size, but I will definitely be back.

Imagination Creation: Vintage Western?
This shop is hard to describe, it struck me as very cowboys and indians, with a little bit of stoner thrown in. I expected to see handblown glass bongs next to the register, though the dominant feeling is very western. It's a neat space; one of Grand Rapid's live/work studios, but ultimately not my style.

Urban Exchange/Rebel Reclaimed: Stalker Sited on Fulton Street
I'd heard a lot about Urban Exchange and was excited to finally check it out. It's very organized, first by color, than by style and size (which this OCD designer appreciates—coincidently my own closet is organized in the same manner). There's a lot here, and I found a couple nice things, however her prices blew me away. I found a shirt that I actually own, and she had it marked for more than I'm sure I paid for it... new. That said, I didn't bother to even try on the stuff I did like.
If you do stop at the Fulton Street shop, I suggest that your time is better spent in the attached shop, Rebel Reclaimed. I've blogged about Rebel before, but I don't mind doing it again! This might be the most inspiring 10-square feet I've even seen! Every time I'm in here, I want to throw away my house and start over! And I'm not going lie, I also stalk their facebook page from time to time!

Minty Keen: Handmade in Michigan
Also, right downtown, Minty Keen has a lot of eco-friendly, vintage-y type goods. I think the space could be utilized better but there's a lot of great gift ideas here.

One Girls Treasure: For students on a budget!
Right downtown, so I supposed frequented by Kendall and CC students, this consignment shop is much more affordable than Urban Exchange. It's a big place, well organized and not overwhelming. I also like that they date the item with the day it arrived in the store. I found two great pieces today, one of which that had been there only 3 days. Snag!

Anyhow... so great morning spent out and about in Grand Rapids. Found some stuff I needed and some that I'm sure I didn't!

Friday, May 6, 2011


This week, you get not 1 burger but 45.... baked into a bacon and cheese filled, lasagna-style-casserole. I don't know whether to look away gagging, or stand up and cheer.

If Johnny Knoxville and Stev-O faced-off against food, this is what I think it would look like.



Arteries not clogged yet? Try the Double Kill.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011


Nothing's More Heartfelt than Folded Paper

This weekend is mother's day. If you just muttered "oh crap", I can help you my forgetful friend!

Since mothers love handmade gifts—no one appreciates macaroni glued to paper like a mother—here's a pop-up bouquet DIY card from April's Martha. (Template and instructions can be downloaded here).


My favorite part about this project is Martha's opening claim "This project may seem complicated at first glance, but once you follow the instructions here, you'll realize just how easy it is to re-create."

She lied.

Don't wait to the last minute, this card is anything but quick. And while I wouldn't call it complicated, it is somewhat confusing.

My hey, Mom's worth it right?

Monday, May 2, 2011

Hey Citizen! Vote!

Tomorrow, voters in Grand Rapids will be
asked to support investment in our Rapid transit system.

I beg of you, choose wisely.

The millage would expand service on all routes, double the number of routes decreasing wait time and increasing hours of operation. It would overall benefit the community for only $17.50 annually.*

With gas prices reaching well over $4.00 this week, this blogger is currently seeking alternative modes of transportation. This millage vote could not come at a better time.

Please take 4 minutes and 9 seconds to watch this video demonstrating what public transportation once meant for Grand Rapids—and what such a network would mean today.



To quote Fred, "I'm not a real political person", but come on Grand Rapids, we are NOT a dying city—it's time to revitalize ourselves, gather the troops and head to the polls. Vote Yes on The Rapid.
*Cost to the average household
Note: Seeing them rip out a highly effective public transportation system and knowing the less than sufficient public parking we have today, I was reminded of the movie Who Killed the Electric Car. If you haven't seen it, rent it on your way home from the polls.