The basic black boot

Now that the weather has turned colder, I have been sporting the knee high basic black boot from last year several times a week. However, these boots have been through the wringer - I've had the heels replaced on them several times, they are scuffed and they just generally seem run-down. So I've just ordered these from Zappos - they are cheap (less than $100) so that I don't feel bad about using and abusing them if they don't last past this season. I'll let you know how confortable they are (they have a platform, so they should be.

I used to XOXO you, GG

Ok, I'm going to say it cuz somebody has to - "What the hell has happened to Gossip Girl"?!

Jessica and I discussed this topic at length the other night over Mexican food. She's recent convert and as of Friday had seen just one random (and terribly bad) episode of season 3 and season 1 via DVD within the last week or so. Sadly, its a bad time to convert now that this show is heading in a downward spiral. All of the brilliance, the wit, the drama that was season 1 and 2 are gone, long gone along with Serena's hem-line...

I don't know where to begin, but case in point - who thought that by adding thickster Hilary Duff into the mix would be a good thing?! Girl looks like she's be curling Dan with her gigantic ARMS! and ready to hulk-out of the outfits that they've STUFFed her in!

Really? Is Disney no longer doing your PR and paying for your trainer, Hils?

Images via cwtv.com

Serena - oh... I don't know where to begin. The pouting, the whining, the hooker ensemble! Carter Basen? And REALLY, is that what REALLY happened in Santorini?!
Blair - What happened to the preppy, style-setting, priss? I miss Queen B and her headbands. And I know I begged and didn't care if her and Chuck got it on or got it off, as long as they just GOT it... But I seriously miss them. They're now the most boring on the show - aside from Nate, that is.
Nate - What the hell happened to Nate? Does he even go to school? Have we once seen him at Columbia? What's his deal? Time to write him off?
Chuck - What are you, like 50 now? And as the heir to Bass Industries are you living in a studio? What happened to the sleaze that we all loved to hate, yet loved?
Dan - Who believes that Lonely Boy is now the stud of the NYU campus?! No one! Get a hair cut!
Vanessa - Speaking of hair, run a brush though yours! And wash it!
Jenny - And speaking of wash... oh Jenny. Where do I begin? Oh, yeah, wash your face!
Rufus and Lily - LAME. I was routing for you both, but that was before I knew what would become of your both as a married couple.
Georgina - Where did she go? Why does she pop in and out? and where does she go in between?

I think GG's fallen ill from the curse that destroys all high school based shows... the dreaded graduation season where they move on and go to college. After this short break they better pick it up! I must say that I'm hanging on here by a thread... and only because I LOVE love LOVE reading the NY Mag Blog's recaps and reality index the next day at work. It's so better than the show.

Luckily, 90210 (after a SLOW season last year) has really picked it up! and Melrose Place is off to a bang and addicting as EVER. Thank you Tuesday night for showing Monday how its done now that Rachel Zoe is over!

AND special props to Wednesday night and ABC for bringing back the 30 min sit com. How AWESOME is Cougar Town and even more so, Modern Family?!

Chicken and Dumplings; so easy and so tasty!

We're still battling the remnants of a cold/flu/allergy/general malaise over here, so I decided to try my hand at another comfort classic - Chicken and Dumplings. The results were fantastic - we both downed our servings, and our seconds. I used an amalgamation of different recipes online to create the best (and easiest) recipe of all time. However, I will say that I was primarily influenced by Sunny Anderson's recipe from Cooking for Real.

Jessica's Super-Easy and Awesome Chicken and Dumplings (generous 2 servings):


What you need: (1) sweet onion, (1) bunch celery, (1) 32 oz box of organic chicken broth, (1) 32 oz box of organic veggie broth, (1) cup of all-purpose flour, (1) package of chicken breasts, seasonings and herbs to taste.

(1) Dice the onion in large dice, and chop about half of the celery. The rest of the celery, leave in long stalks, but split in half lengthwise (this will be used to flavor the soup, and will then be taken out before you serve).

(2) Cut the chicken in large pieces. I got about 4 or 5 pieces per breast. I like to keep the pieces large so the chicken doesn't get too mushy when it cooks. Season with garlic salt and seasoned salt and celery salt.

(3) Brown the chicken and onions in a large pot with a little olive oil. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent, and the chicken in brown on the outside.

(4) Add in celery on top of the chicken, and then pour the broth in the pot. Make sure the chicken is fully covered by the broth. You can add in some chicken bouillon too, if you'd like a more intense chicken flavor.

(5) Cover and bring to an easy boil for 20 minutes.

(6) In the meantime, place 1 cup of flour in a small bowl, add some salt, fresh cracked pepper, and some dried parsley and basil leaves.

(7) After the soup has been boiling for 20 minutes, take out the large celery stalks, and remove the chicken to cut into smaller pieces, if you so desire.

(8) Take out about 1/2 cup of the both and add it to the flour mixture to make a dough. It should be the consistency of a wet dough, but not a batter. Mix well to incorporate all the flour.

(9) Form drops of dough with a spoon or fork and drop each one into the broth, which is still simmering. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, and then add the chicken back in and cook for another five minutes. This should be enough to make sure the flour is cooked all the way through.

(10) Serve piping hot! Yum.

Really Rach?

It's no secret that we have love for Rachel Zoe but have you been reading her daily The Zoe Report? Am I the only one who's been underwhelmed by it lately?
Case in point - today's Laundry air fresher.

Image via rachelzoe.com

Is that seriously "daily glamour for my inbox"?! It almost sounds like she's suggesting we spray our clothes as oppose to wash them? And I was TOTALLY expecting to see at the bottom:
Parallel Universe: Febreze, $4.00 at Target

If the new "Head of Branding" is writing these, maybe she should reconsider her career aspirations and go back to styling.

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Zac in Newport?

No that's not me, it's my friend Tae with Zac Posen!

So we met The Master today! I shook his hand and kind of died. Neimans showed his spring 2010 collection (that was totally cute, fun and banahnas, btw. In addition to the 60's looking stewardess uniforms and flowing dresses, I loved the pins in the shape of lips and hands that were on nearly everything! I really want some, but I was told they're only for the show and not for sale... I'm gonna try and post the video below). And right after the show, they ah-mahzingly they rolled the entire runway collection out for people to touch and see up close.


Sigh. I can't post a vid straight from my iPhone... will have to youtube it first.. check back for updates tomorrow!

An outfit reprise

I've finally arrived In the year 2007! I broke down and got myself an iPhone!!! Hurray! I love it!!! But am still trying to figure out how to use it... But here is my inagural post from it!

Anyhow I attended a black tie event for work last night to support the beckstrand cancer foundation and had to reprise my PA wedding outfit (that went over quite well!), but it's a foggy and moist night here in Newport so I had to slick my hair in fear of frizz. (I fell victim to the frizz the other night and ended up with a bad asian-afro). My co-workers seemed to dig the outfit and hair but you never know what they're really thinking. You'd be honest, right? What do you think, esp. of my Mad Men do?

But I wasn't a complete redo, I changed up the shoes to the Prada loafers that I love and hunted down earlier this year. They however sadly went unnoticed...!





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design blog inspiration

Thank you Love Maegan for the link to my new favorite design blog, coco+kelley. While I do not have the funds or the time to actually redecorate (or actually decorate at all) this apartment, I love getting inspired by all the pictures. And one day, when we're finally able to afford our own house, I will be able to put my inspiration to good use.

Still here!

So my parents are back! More like they haven't left... They've been hanging out at LAX since monday trying to get home (they are retired flight attendants traveling on their passes ie standby). Who knew that every flight to hawaii would be full in mid october?!

Anyhow after living out of their carry-on at the Best Western the past couple of nights, I went up to get them today and get them re-outfitted in the best that Nordstrom Rack could offer. After a dinner (with lots of wine) we're back in newport and heading back to LAX early tomorrow morn. Fingers crossed that a couple of travelers oversleep and miss their flight freeing up some seats for 2 weary semi-seniors trying to get home to their dogs.
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why is no one talking about this?

I'm guessing because no one by me watches Models of the Runway. I must say, it can be slow at times, but it really is good. It's only 30 minutes (20 minus commercials)so its a real quickie... Anyhow last week one of the models FARTED on the runway!!!! I DIED!!!!!



Ok, the video link is here. Lifetime.com does not have a way to embed the video. (oh, Lifetime!) But zoom forward to about 13:35 (just a smidgen before #2) for the hilarity.

OMG, that has to be one of the best reality moments EVER! Farts are funny! Especially when coming from supposed models!

But sadly the Lifetime editing really does it no justice and actually tries to down play the whole thing. SO unfortunate... you can't write sh*t like that, Lifetime! Embrace it!

I laughed so hard and am still dying here... here's hoping that Heidi brings it up next week during her on-runway-heart-to-heart with the models!

Anatomy of a Cat-o-Lantern

One of Kelly's favorite holidays is Halloween. I conceptualized this cat-o-lantern, but Kelly did all the heavy lifting, as I am not to be trusted with sharp objects. I think it turned out really well, don't you? The step by step Cat-o-Lantern INFERNO after the jump.

Now, all that is left is to roast the seeds.

Sunday's delicious dish: Pasta Carbonara

This weekend, Kelly asked me to make him a pasta and bacon dish - pasta carbonara. The last time I made carbonara, I used Ruth Reichl's recipe from "Garlic and Sapphires" which was quite simple and tasty (basically, just pan fry the bacon, pour the hot pasta over raw eggs and add the bacon). But, yesterday, I thought I would amp up the recipe a little by using an edited version of The Pioneer Woman's recipe, which is a little more complicated and involves deglazing the pan and adding copious amounts of butter. (BTW, the Pioneer Woman's site has SO MUCH BETTER pictures of the dish and is one of my favorite "food porn" sites.)

My Pasta Carbonara:

1. Cut up 1 package of bacon into one inch pieces. I used "center cut" bacon.
2. Pan fry the bacon in a stainless steel pot. (I use a sauce pot to try and contain the grease splatters.)
3. Once the bacon is a the desired crispiness (I like it really crispy, practically burnt), strain the bits out with a slotted spoon, but leave all that delicious bacon grease.
4. Dice 1 sweet onion and add it into the bacon grease. Wait a couple minutes and then add 4 cloves of minced garlic.
5. Sautee in the bacon grease until translucent and soft. Strain out the onions/garlic with a slotted spoon.
6. Discard or save for later the used bacon grease. Place the pan back on the stove with the black bits on the bottom and turn up the heat. Once the pan starts smoking, pour in some stock (I used veggie stock, but you can use chicken stock or white wine) and scrape the black bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Once the pan is scraped, then add in another cup of stock to create a both. Add the onions back in and let everything simmer. (The recipe also calls for us to add the bacon back in, which I did, but then realized that this made the deliciously crispy bacon bits get soft again. So, the next time I make it, I would not add the bacon back in at this juncture, so I can keep the bacon crispy.)
7. Meanwhile, boil another pot of salted water for about a pound of pasta. (I used fresh linguine because it was on sale, so I waited for the last minute to cook the pasta.)
8. Crack four eggs into a giant bowl, add about half a cup of Parmesan cheese, a bunch of fresh ground black pepper, and some coarse chopped parsley. Mix together thoroughly.
9. Once the pasta is cooked, drain, and place the hot pasta on top of the raw eggs (the heat of the pasta will cook the eggs). Add the onion broth over the pasta, and also the crumbled bacon (see how this will keep the bacon crispy?). Also add a bit of butter to bring it all together. With a big pair of tongs, mix everything together. Top with more cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

Ample amount to serve at least four. Buon Appetito!

The rents are in town

After about a 3 year drought, my parents are here visiting! We determined that the last time they were here was when they helped to install a Christmas tree in the apartment that Jessica shared with Kathy. There have been many lay overs and passing through, but they're here for 3 nights which is long for them (they are both retired flight attendants so prefer to jet in and out).

They love their mexican food when in cali so here's my dad downing a burrito and his cervesa. He literally ordered a "cervesa"! And on behalf of my mom, the "combina-see-no-nes dos!" He's so continental!

Ole!
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You know what's the worst?

Having to wear a suit for an 8 am meeting on a Friday.





Happy weekend all!

Deconstructing the RZP: Viva Paris!

Season 2: Episode 7

Ok, so this has actually been in the back of my mind for a long time. I am constantly impressed with Rach's ability to lavish superlatives on each and every designer, but yet in a sincere way so that you completely believe her. I mean, she told Karl Lagerfeld that she came to Paris just for him, but she told Galliano that she experienced a fashion orgasm and that she has probably used his dresses the most on the red carpet. Then she said to Marc Jacobs that his show was "beyond." I think the key is that she remembers one or two pieces from the collection she's seen and then references them as amazing when she talks to the designer. "The silver dress? I die." "The leggings with the leather jacket? Ah-mah-zing." That shows a kind of people skill that separates the stylists from THE STYLISTS. I can't believe I just wrote that.

Anyway, Rach and Brad have a great time in Paris, going to shows and shopping (ostensibly looking for a gift for Taylor, but really shopping for themselves). In fact, Rach made Brad buy a vintage LEATHER (ugh) trench and was so adamant that he buy this trench that she gave him a raise to do so! Rach is so a fashion pusher (as opposed to a horse pills pusher). Occasionally, Rodg gets invited along to the show or is allowed to walk with Rach and Brad around the streets of Paris. Sometimes, he is left out and then he spends his time taking pictures of Rach's hairdresser and wandering around the city by himself trying to call Rach. Ummm...you wife is busy bringing home the bacon, Rodg. Leave her alone and let her do her job. Rodg manages to corner Rach and gifts her with a photo album of pictures taken of her on the trip (nothing more expensive because of "the recession"), which she declares the sweetest gift ever, but you know she was secretly wishing for something Hermes (like what she got Tay).

Back in LA, Tay has to put out fires and also mope around because she's pissed that everyone else in is Paris but her. So she brings her parents to the studio to commiserate, and instead of enabling her, her mom tells her to stop complaining about giving Paris to Brad, and her dad tells her to shit of get off the pot about getting a new job. It was CLASSIC. (And so reminded me of my parents. My mom would always say not to degrade a good thing by complaining about it. Tay thought she was being "nice" to give Paris to Brad - but if she's going to complain and be bitter about doing so, it takes the virtue out of her act.)

Next week, on the season finale, we find out if Tay is really going to quit, or if she's going to get some kind of better job position in RZ Inc. Also, in December, when my shopping hiatus is over, I'll be purchasing "stilts" like these from Piperlime:

Oh oh oh way-oh!

Standing in line at jamba juice, one of my dirty little pleasures and aids to losing weight earlier this year, as the theme to The Rachel Zoe project thumps loudly in the background. Who knew it was a real song...? Oh wait, I just remembered her tweeting something about it... But now I'm poised for a good day!
Shut-up right now!
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Deconstructing the RZP: Tay takes one for the team

Season 2: Episode 6

In this episode of "Rach is the worst boss ever," Rach somehow miraculously overcomes her debilitating vertigo to get her team all in a tizzy because EVERYONE IS GOING TO PARIS FOR FASHION WEEK - YIPPEE! To be honest, this is a great perk. I mean, to go to Paris fashion week, to sit in the shows, to stay at the Four Seasons and to get (spoiler alert) an exclusive invite to see Coco Chanel's residence, um, yeah? Where do I sign up? (Note: I'm just assuming that RZ Inc. pays for her team to go to Paris. She wouldn't make her assistants pay for that themselves, right? Especially when she can take a business deduction for it.) Anyway, there are cheers all around and everything is happy in RZ land and even Tay cracks a smile and talks about how it will be a life changing experience. But then...

In a not at all manufactured plot twist, Rach discovered that she has three jobs that need someone to stay back in LA while the rest of the team goes to Paris. How she did not know this day before, when she told her whole team that they would be going to Paris, is beyond me. And, this was just the beginning of the poor handling of the situation. Because then Rach decides that she doesn't want to dictate who should stay back, though she clearly thinks that Brad should volunteer to do so. So instead of being all, "Brad, you have to stay back because you have less seniority than Taylor," she just sends them both an email that says one of them has to stay back and to work it out between themselves.

This of course does not work out well, and neither Brad nor Tay volunteer to stay back. So then Tay has a talk with Rach, who continues with the passive agressiveness and tells her not to worry, she thinks Brad will eventually "Do the right thing" and volunteer to stay. Which of course Tay passes on Brad. Who had absolutely no intention to "do the right thing" and offer to stay. So Brad gets upset that Rach and Tay would go behind his back (I guess) and flips the script on them both by claiming that he's being "tested" and threatens to walk out. Finally, after making a bad situation worse, Rach just gives up and leaves the mess for Taylor to deal with. Not wanting to the the "bitch" (which...why? She's already the bitch, she should have continued to be the bitch, IN PARIS), Tay makes the executive decision that Brad can go to Paris and she (Tay) will stay back. Of course, Brad leaps at the chance, and talks to Rach who doesn't tell him to his face that he should be the one to stay, so guess what Tay? I guess you're not going to Paris after all. After writing this all out, I think that Brad and Tay should have gone to Paris and left Rach at home because clearly this her situation was her fault.

In the next episode, Rach and Brad (and the entire rest of the team) frolic in Paris while Tay grumps around in LA. But, what else is new?

Deconstructing the RZP: OMG Rach may (literally) die!

The RZP, Season 2, Episode 5.

In this episode of the RZP, Rach feels nauseous and dizzy and acts like she is going to literally die (not just die of fashion fabulousness). So she finally drags herself to the doctor, who diagnoses her with - wait for it - vertigo. Yup, that deadly disease, vertigo. (It's been so long, I can't remember if she is diagnosed in this episode or the next episode. Sorry if I spoiled this for anyone.)

What else happened? Oh right, because of nepotism, Rach was asked to appear in an episode of Ashton Kutcher's animated series "Blah Girls" which I haven't heard of and know nothing about. But remember when Rach said that she really really hates modeling because she is so not good at it? Well, she should also really really hate acting, because she is so not good at that either. The "Blah Girls" bits were just uncomfortable to watch. It was Rach not knowing what was going on, and the Blah Girls people trying to be nice to her (because she's a friend of the boss' wife). I mean there was a time in the episode when she had to voice some of her own popular catchphrases and she couldn't even act "herself" for the voice work! She had to mimic the producer, mimicing her. I mean...

That's about it with regard to this episode. I hope things get more exciting in Zoe world next week.

Back in Business!

So I've been on a blogging hiatus because my prior laptop screen decided to die on me right after I watched the Preggers episode of Glee on Hulu. So then the quest was on to find a new laptop, and all I knew was that I wanted one with a camera and a numeric keypad (I'm a dork). So after some comparison shopping online (on Hon's computer), I settled on this 17" Toshiba Satellite that is a MONSTER.

But now I'm back! And I know I owe you two RZP recaps, as well as an update on all the other stuff I've been doing (not much), which will all be forthcoming. Thanks for your patience!

Farewell philly!

After a calm then whirl wind of a morning, we're heading back to la with the newly weds 2 hrs ahead of schedule. Yes its another cramped, movie-less US Air hell hole, but its heading home. Though I'll miss you, dear NE penn, I've got lots to remember you by... Stay tuned!
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The hottest spot in wilkes

Is tgi Fridays. Oh yes it is. Where we downed yengling beer - a PA original (that's just ok...) But luv this place, I've been carded twice!
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Hello Tunkhannock!

Merediths childhood home is ah-mazing. A beautiful lake surrounded by trees. In the middle of the PA wilderness. I die.
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Mmm doughnuts

Pit stop! Dunkin doughnuts stop on the hours long drive to Tunkhannock - home of the Post's for the "Post" wedding party.
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Congrats M!

Introducing the new Mrs. Kintner!

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Down town Wilkes-Barre Plaza Square

So I thought it was going to be like the town sq in the gilmore girls or like in back to the future... It was more like Boston china town complete with some shady individuals. BUT we're ate at this little pizza place that was quite good! Mino's... I had the most delicious (and interesting) apple cheese pizza. Mmmm!
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Hello Wilkes-Berre!

Wow. What a town!
Meredith, the bride, was kind enough to create the cutest gift bags filled with things all about her and her finance. Most notably Swedish fish (from their time abroad and Tunkhannock water... The hotel is a fairfield and is new and pretty and clean! And we went to the adjoining tgi fridays upon arrival and coincidentally enough we got to party with the groom!
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Hi philly, bye pilly!

Transfersing in philly to a very mini plane for the 30 min flight to AVP. There was no time to do anything worthy of ben franklin... Val, my travel pal, and I had to breeze past a very cozy looking airport joint that was serving beers and some good looking cheese steaks to catch our connecting flight to Scranton. See val on our tiny plane...

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Bye LA

90 degrees and waiting behind a MILLION people. Gotta love that US air shares a terminal with South West - the biggest cow heard of ALL Airline.

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a million ways to look the same...

What to wear?! I'm trying to pack light, but it's 50 degrees and rainy there!
And what does one wear to this kind of wedding?! I've decided not to bring a suit in and effort to add a little flavah since I already know that I'll be the only Asian guy. I know all of these outfits look the same...ish. but that's cuz they kinda are. They are varying combos of 2 different jackets, 2 different sweaters and 2 different ties. 16 different combos in all (but I've spared you with only a few of the looks here. Which one should I go with?!

away I go...

My apologies to all for not being good about posting this week... there is much to say, but no time! Work has been hellish and I'm trying to pack as I'm off tomorrow for Wilkes-Barre, PA! Where the F is that you ask? I haven't a clue!

My friend Meredith is finally getting married this weekend! (and it's a long time coming for her, let me tell you! but another time...) She's from Tunkhannock, PA and the wedding is in near by Dallas (not TX) about 2+ hours north of Philly into the middle of nowhere. And just like Jess did a little ways back, I'm going to PA for a wedding (I really want to try that soup)! I have my apprehensions about the whole thing but am very curious as to what I'll find there (I hope to live blog my trip if my blackberry doesn't die.) My only clues thus far are:

1) It's supposed to be beautiful fall colors and October means that the festival of airing-out-the-quilts is in full effect.
2) Jay from season 1 of Project Runway is from Dallas, PA
3) When I googled "things to do" there was not much. But among the things that I stumbled upon were a long list of bible studies in the area and direction to a brewery! And there was a rant by someone who hates it there due to small town police corruption.
4) There is a MALL! Wyoming Valley Mall! And there is something called Bon Ton at ALL the shopping centers. What is it?! I think I want to shop there!
5) This is where Scranton and Dunder Mifflin are, you know, the town and company from The Office.

In my version of Pennsylvania, I'm going to see an Amish family pass by on a buggy and perhaps I'll follow them over the hills and through the woods to their little farm where I'll churn some apple butter and eat it on a loaf of fresh baked bread!

We shall see if that's the case! Stay tuned!

PS: Anyone out there from this area? Suggestions and recommendations are welcome! Holla a your boy...