400 Marshmallow Peeps

I have a thing about Peeps marshmallow candies. I like them them. A lot. I like their soothing uniformity. I like their weird waxy, mole-like eyes. I like their cheerful, sometimes lurid colors. I like their pop art appeal. I like that they are something only Americans would invent, much less eat.

And yes, I like eating Peeps. People often ask me, "Do you really eat them? Seriously?" Yes, my friends, and with relish. Once when I was really hungry my sister Ashley had to pry a 12-pack from my hands before I could snarf them all down in one sitting. They're light as air, crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Their only flavor is pure, unadulterated sugar. What's not to like?

I have made friends over Peeps. Peeps lovers tend to bond. Check out my photographer friend Corey Lesh's awesome "Peep Show" photos here. I like the "Peeps in a hot tub" and jello mold Peeps best. Corey was the photographer for a website I used to work for, and his Peeps photos were the first thing that greeted me when I walked through his studio door. We were fast friends.

I wouldn't say I've made enemies over Peeps, but I have definitely been dis-esteemed by the occasional Peeps-hater who perhaps lost too much enamel, or wasn't loved by his mother. People have strong feelings about Peeps.

Inspired by New York chocolatier Jacques Torres, Jamie, Olivia and I tried making our own chocolate-covered Peeps last Easter. SO GOOD. So, at the risk of being tacky, I called the Just Born people, and after some cajoling and pulling of strings, talked them into sending me two crates of marshmallow Peeps for my wedding. I cannot tell you how giddy I was for a full week, knowing that 400 marshmallow Peeps were on their way to my house.

Most brides won't admit it, but you can tell by their glazed-over expression that wedding planning is not that fun. I know it can sound like sacrilege--but as intimate, soulful and joy-filled as a marriage ceremony or marriage for that matter may be, wedding planning is stressful. And when you've spent all day deciding between dots and plaid; apricot chicken or teriyaki beef; and I mean you've really, really soul-searched over it, wedding planning can even feel vapid.

After poring over buttercup vs. daffodil yellow and the merits of a band over a D.J., 400 marshmallow Peeps make a lot of sense. It's the little, silly things that keep it fun for me, and keep me from going a little (more) insane.

Her Treasured Day

I got so excited about the cake decorations yesterday, I almost forgot about the cake toppers. Which is what I was looking for in the first place. The only bad thing about this vintage 20's topper is that this pair might actually show you up at your own wedding. I love how perfectly romantic yet sassy this bride is, from her brief veil to her pink shoes and turned-up nose. And the groom--when was the last time you saw a white tie, fedora and spats? (Costume parties don't count).

Engraved in the bottom of this piece are the words, "Her Treasured Day." It's funny, but I like it. Wedding mags and such are always talking about "Your Day" or "The Big Day" like it's some sort of impending doom. My smart friend Olivia pointed out that many of our social rituals feel like they fail because we put so much emphasis on them, and idealize them, that they rarely live up to the hype. I like thinking of a wedding day as a treasured day: one that is valuable more in reflection than anticipation. And it is just one treasured day, one of many treasured days that begin when you start a new family.

Fancy Flours

While I was shopping for vintage cake toppers on the Internet today, I came across this site that has way too many fun things to bake with. I could spend a lot of money on sprinkles, dragees, nonpareils, candied flowers, picks, sanding sugar and quins...whatever the heck quins are. That's my kind of craft closet. This could be the site that launched a thousand cupcakes.

These sugar crystal pansies would be darling on individual cupcakes, or scattered all over a round cake.

Remember these? Straight out of your girlhood musical jewelry box. Perfect for a little (or big) girl's birthday.

I'm obsessed with the idea of making old-fashiony birthday cakes for my friends. Of course, that hasn't happened yet. But wouldn't these sugar flower buttons look cool topping old-timey swags of frosting on a layer cake?

I love the idea of a birthday cake completely covered with this dot confetti until you could hardly see the frosting. Cute for iced sugar cookies, too.

Please note the mouths on these vintage Halloween picks--each one is awesome. At first I thought I liked the pumpkin's grimace best--but look at the witch!

A big prize--okay, just bragging rights--goes to whoever comes up with the best use for this royal icing molded brain. Lobotomy party, anyone?

See all of Fancy Flour's goodies here.

Little Twin Stars

Tonight my mom dragged me, my dad, and my dog out to the street so we could watch the space shuttle and the International Space Station glide across the night sky. Apparently, the shuttle just un-docked and the two are in orbit together and unusually visible from Earth. At first all we saw was Venus, but then there it was...a little row of blinking lights trailed by just one tiny light. They went by fast (they are travelling at 18,000 mph), and we watched them for just a couple minutes before they disappeared behind the mountains.

Dwarfed by the darkness, it was endearing to see them together--like a little brother following a big brother. I imagine it must be comforting up there to have a friend close by. Hurtling through space, bound by a single orbit, is kind of a nice way to think about friendship.

They will be visible again Wednesday night, check out the times at Nasa Skywatch here.

Say hi to your brother Tito for me! OR, Should one trust a man with the word "musk" in his name?

Self-taught, no lessons. Thank you very much, POP.

They were coooooooones!

Once again, information that could've been brought to my attention YESTERDAY.

Now, take off my Def Leppard T-shirt before you jinx it and the band breaks up.

I could go on and and on. I maintain that this movie is perfectly cast, and I quote from it constantly, even though usually no one gets the joke but me. Plus, WC ended up being closer to home than I could've imagined when it came out in 1998. I really need to find a band for my reception...(maybe something like Robbie the lead singer for Final Warning, in a silk shirt and spandex pants, singing into the microphone like David Lee Roth...)

Okay, I was thinking of something a little more timely. Anyone have any great ideas outside the usual Salt Lake Joe Muscalino route? I prefer a horn section. But I'm flexible.

Somebody get some pants on that kid!

Notebook-O-Rama

I recently wrote about my favorite notebook, which is an old library book filled with blank pages. Thanks to Rachel C, I now know that I could write myself silly and never run out of these gems, because Ex Libris Anonymous is putting school libraries out of business cranking out these things.

Here are just a few book journals that could soon grace my bookshelf:

Letters from kids who have mistaken Smokey Bear for Santa Claus. Not that crazy if you think about it; kids mix up Santa Claus and Jesus all the time.

Vikings are the new pirates. You heard it here first.

Cool notebook + beach cruiser bike?! My head might explode.

Scientist = Sexy. This has long been a mantra of mine. This notebook would be great for anyone looking to attract cute nerds on the subway or bus. Just hold this up, scribble in it madly, and mutter terms like "plate spectrometer," "molecular structure," and "flux capacitor."

Meanwhile, this might be creepy enough to ward off weirdos on the subway. Remember that children's T.V. show with the guy who wore the body-parts leotard? What was that called?

Is it just me, or do these kids look slightly malevolent?

Now if only I weren't so busy surfing the Internet and shopping for new notebooks, I might actually get some writing done.

Trash the Dress

Has anyone else ever heard of this? Apparently it is a new trend to "trash" your bridal gown in a photo session after your wedding. I understand the post-wedding angst that might be relieved by destroying your dress by rolling in mud, floating in a swamp, or, on a particularly self-destructive streak, setting the frock aflame while you're still wearing it. (All of these scenarios have been captured by photographer John Michael Cooper who apparently started the craze, see photos here.)

My problem with this isn't the actual destroying of the dress, it's the capturing it on film in fashion-photog style. Rather than a blunt-force closure, this seems a way to drag out the "I'm in the wedding spotlight" moment even longer. It's one more wedding must-have that kind of makes my head swim. True, I probably won't ever wear my gown again (a common rationale for the "trashers"), but if I already have engagement photos, bridal portraits, pictures of the ceremony, reception, and close-ups of artistically presented food at said reception, do I really need another set of pictures of me on the beach, wearing organza, cat-crawling toward the camera?

I've always thought that wedding gowns might make amazing parachutes. If anyone wants to work out some post-wedding angst, pull on that ballgown and let's go skydiving--or at least maybe the high-dive at the local pool. No cameras, just some freaking amazing cannonballs. Who's coming with me??