Burger of the Week #205

The world has been waiting for this. McDonald's first lifestyle collection. 

Boots, bedspreads, pugs, oh my!

Read all about it and spread the word at Adweek.com.

There's a Gadget for That

Meet Zoku, is the Ikea of housewares. Their family* of design led products  began with the question, what if we could make Popsicles freeze faster? This quandary led to the quick pop maker, a unit you freeze the day before you want a Popsicle, in order to get one "instantly".

Since then, the products have evolved, but not really the concept. The Zoku Slushie Maker is based on a frozen inner core. You pour cold liquid into the already frozen core, stir for ten minutes and it will turn to a  slushie.

If you're looking for a refreshing snack now, this is not the gadget for you. This is for someone who wants a refreshing snack in... like 15 minutes. And who's patient enough to remember to stir it every 1-2 minutes (which I have not been... and it just freezes from the outside, leaving a liquid middle)

While the science behind this is kind of cool, in that this works little a mini ice cream maker, there's some fundamental flaws. Specifically, in the amount of planning ahead this requires. Aside from the stirring/freezing time, the inner core must be frozen from 6-18 hours in advance. So I have to think yesterday, that maybe I'll want a slushie today. I don't call that instant.

Additionally, you can only make one. This is clearly snack to be enjoyed privately. 

With my Bella Rocket blender, I can throw a few ice cubes in with whatever liquid/fruit/yogurt/whatever I want, and I have a Slushie or smoothie in under a minute. And I can easily make enough to share. 

All that said, I was on a mission to make Frozen "hot" Chocolate. And it actually took me a few tries...
Attempt #1 failed because I added Bailey's to it... forgetting the basic science of alcohol not freezing...
Attempt #2 I didn't let my hot chocolate cool first. And after 45 minutes, I still had liquid.
Attempt #3 I used chocolate milk (duh.)

But seeing as they look so tasty... And I'm an easy target for good design, I'm still interested in trying more recipes. When I find the perfect science, I'll report back. 

*Zoku means family in Japanese.

Burger of the Week #204

This wooly little burger is from Bonnie Burton's knitted food exhibit which features knitted versions of fast food and summer American favorites like pepperoni pizza, hot dog and hamburger with fries, pie and ice cream. 

The work is meticulous and delightful, though perhaps a little stingy with the fries... "French fries turned out to be the most tedious items to knit. Seven fries are still unassembled and are unlikely to get finished."

See the whole Knitted Fast Food Exhibit here.

Burger of the Week #203

This burger doesn't tempt me, or make me envious, it just makes me angry. There's so much ostentatious assholeness going on here. A $1700 hamburger? You do know you'll be hungry again tomorrow... just like any other hamburger?

The Glamburger is from Honky Tonk, and American Fare diner in London. It's contents include: a Wagyu Beef and venison patty, black truffle brie, Iranian saffron poached lobster, bacon covered in maple syrup, smoked duck egg covered in edible gold, Beluga caviar, matcha mayonnaise, and a bun swimming in gold leaves. Topped with shaved white truffle and a mango champagne jus. 

 It doesn't even sound good. Which makes me even more angry.

Itchin' to do some Stitchin'

Just before the holidays, I got super obsessed with stitching silly little phrases into embroidery hoops. This new hobby often leaves be hoping for a debilitating flu that strands me on the sofa with my Netflix and my embroidery floss. 

I have a whole notebook full of ideas—here's a few that have managed to escape the pages. A couple I was able to do on the flight for my last vacation. Good thing I have another international flight coming up!

As these are completed, I will continue to post them to my Etsy page. Recommendations welcome. 

Burger of the Week #202

Smartest burgers on the internet! Check out these awesome
Burger-centric infographics. Now those are some tasty stats!