Seeing Yellow

You know how you learn a new word, and all the sudden it seems like you hear it all the time? It's not that no one said it before, but since it's on your radar you take notice. I have yellow on the brain. I see yellow dresses. Everywhere.

Summer sundresses were meant to be yellow. It's the perfect color for this time of year when the light is its most sunny. Plus, at the end of the season most of these are on sale for a steal right now.

I want to play croquet just so I can wear this one.

If Jackie O ever had a yellow dress, this was it. This photo isn't great, but the lace on it is adorable. I might like it just because the color description is "pineapple."

This is the perfect soft daffodil color, and I love the shirring.

Burned-out dots and a bow. I might have found this one on sale and already bought it for myself.

Photo credits to nordstrom.com and saks.com, where you can find all the above.

NYC Treats: #1 Hit of the Summer

There are a lot of things to do in NYC: Great art, music, museums, libraries. You might think I would go see musicals or travelling exhibits or read rare books for leisure. But I spend a lot of my free time in New York seeking out and eating treats.

The opportunity for treats here is practically inexhaustible, there are constantly new treats being dreamed up and served up. It is, for me, one of the wonders of our marvelous city. I shall never eat all the forms that butter, chocolate, and sugar take in this town--but I will do my damndest. Jamie Anne and Olivia are my cohorts in my search for the best treats the Big Apple has to offer, and we take this job seriously. Just because you offer treats doesn't make you worthy of our regular patronage or esteem (I'm looking at you, Buttercup Bakery, ye of little charm and dry cupcakes). But once you've won us over, our loyalty is profound (Three Red Hens, Levain Bakery, Mariebelle Chocolates). Heaven bless Levain, their chocolate-chocolate cookie, and whatever drug is in R&D right now that will remove the plaque from my arteries.

Last year's number one (treat) hit of the summer was Emack & Bolio ice cream. Thankfully, this year we have discovered Pinkberry and we are now gorging ourselves on frozen yogurt, fruit, and the occasional sprinkling of Cap'n Crunch or Fruity Pebbles. This Korean frozen goodness is somehow non-fat and all-natural, which makes it an easy choice over the mystery frozen chemicals over at Tasti-D-Lite. It's sweet and sour, which is a perfect combo in my book. Also creamy. Yum. I'm pretty much addicted.

Jamie found Pinkberry for us (she's always on top of celebrity gossip and trends) and apparently it's been a big deal among celebs and in L.A. and California, like, forever. Well, as a westerner, I always get a kick out of trends that move west coast-to east coast instead of the other way around. When Jamba Juice came to NYC a couple summers ago and Manhattanites were lining up for it, I was like, don't you guys know this stuff was played out like five years ago? You could hardly pay most Californians to wait in line for a Femme Boost. Well, now I'm one of those New Yorkers waiting in line for old-news California treats. I guess that makes me something of a real East Coaster. And, as always, a die-hard treat fan.

Summer in The City

Back in the City and Summer is in full flower. The East Coast has trees. None of this sparse Scrub Oak, willowy Apen stuff. These are trees that are lush enough to eat (and, maybe, eat you). This is a section of Riverside Park by my apartment, and I love walking here when the weather is warm. I walked through here to meet Britton for dinner on the pier, and the breeze was coming off the river rustling the trees and the glow bugs were out for the first time all season. Perfect summer evening.

P.S. One of my professors gardens in the lovely public plot shown above. Who says New York isn't neighborly?

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.