Henh?

Attention!

Yelp is my new crack. If you love your city, love trying new things, love writing, love food, love shopping, and aboveall, love ripping into that ostentatious bistro that gave you bad service in a way that counts - this is for you. Join us.

Lunchboxes are cool again.

I was one of those kids who carried a cooler to school for lunch everyday. Luckily for me I managed to turn it into one of those quirky 'things' about me, even when I had to put it on top of my new locker because it didn't fit on the inside.

However, now that I'm in my 20s, or because it's 2009, people are just a whole lot more judgemental. Luckily, it's all cahoots with OOTS!
This is my next "splurge" investment. With microwavable containers, machine-washable, and design to drool over, suddenly packed lunches become... amazing. I like to think of it as recession-chic.

"Sometimes it takes more than just one pull to get it all off."

DOCUMENTATION OF ARTISTIC REINVIGORATION - PHASE 6:

So I thought I would be banging out posters like a pro this class. You can presume I did not, though if I keep this up I'll have some wicked bikini arms come July. Two thirds through my "practice" round for my poster before mastering an edition of 30 on nicer, non-bristol board paper. As someone in my class best put it: "Whoa, that looks like something you could sell for like... fifty bucks!" I'll let the pictures below speak for themselves. Also, now taking orders.

But more importantly...

Quizno Torpedos are like weird sandwich Pogo sticks and a lot skinnier than what I'd imagine a torpedo might look like.

Load up on those carbs.

Toast your own art onto bread and by default $1 goes towards Feeding America. Think outside of the "Virgin Mary/Jesus-on-toast" concept. God's already been there, done that.

{Thanks to Danni L. for this great link!)

Robot birthday cupcakes by Sach Steffel

For her 4-year old son. Awesome.

(via Bunch Family)

5 Great Things About Hong Kong - #1

Mmm.... dessert balls. Whether it's filled with fresh mango, a sweet bean paste, or whatever other delicious gooey concoction they can come up with, it don't come tastier (or fresher) than this.

5 Great Things About Hong Kong - #2.

The city that really never sleeps - and instead stays up shopping and eating. Night markets, delicious curry balls, soups, desserts and pastries on every street corner, and even the mall is open till 11pm... 

5 Great Things About Hong Kong - #1.

Cafe de Coral: This massive chain puts McDick's to shame. Large, legible, well-designed signs, constantly evolving menus, aesthetically superior packaging and the service of clean and nutritious meals? And did I mention you could get this - 
for the equivalent of $5 CAD?!?! (Okay, I know, that's the power of conversion), but seriously, bring this bad-boy to Chinatown and I won't eat another Egg McMuffin in my life.

A meal fit for a criminal.

That makes Paul J. Kneale either a genius or a wacko.

Summer's Ice Cream

Studs that remind me of wistful sun-drenched visits to Summer's Ice Cream in Yorkville. Farewell sweet heat, hello pistachio ice-creamed ear baubles.

DUMPED!

Fun stuff from Meg Wachter.

Eugene & Louise Bakery

The magical marzipan creations from this Belgian bakery give me another reason to not want to eat marzipan anything. Inspiring to observe the perfect mixing of two very sweet things (treats and graphics). Bake at 350 degrees and you got one smokin' little bakery shop.
Note*: Especially love the wrapper for spiced cookie bits in milk chocolate…

B is for...

Baked goods.
Which I've been having way too much of, no thanks to my sister having recently acquired a job at a local bakery. So why not let my sugary carbed-out gut spill over into the online world? Today's dedication is to the sinfully Bad-Ass World of Baked Goodies. Indulge.

The Lazy Man/Woman's Fix

Steamed Chocolate Pudding

Adapted from Barbara Kafka

Time: 15 minutes

8 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces, plus 2 tbsp softened
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
Ice cream or sweetened whipped cream for serving, optional

Use softened butter to grease a 4-cup bowl (Corningware works well). Grind chocolate in a food processor, then add cold butter and sugar; process until combined. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth.

Pour into bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and cook on high for 4 to 5 minutes in THE MICROWAVE, or until just set. Remove, pierce plastic with tip of a sharp knife, and cover with a heavy plate; let rest for 10 minutes.

Unmould onto a serving plate and serve warm or cold, with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.