Guilty Pleasure #534: Dogs and Babies Dressed up as Pumpkins

I am not a huge fan of Halloween

BUT,

I look forward to fall and the possibility

that I'll get to see dogs and babies

dressed up like

PUMPKINS!

It's so ridiculous I can't even stand it...

Don't judge me, please.

Recipe of the Week: Herb Potatoes with a Mustard Sauce

First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone who emailed and commented on my "Paris Shoe Conundrum!"  It really did help with my packing plans.  I have one little backpack to try to squish my bridesmaids dress and heels ALONG with enough clothes to last me five days...I'll keep you posted on the strength of the seams in my pack!

Secondly, sorry for the radio silence.  I'm pretty diligent about posting, but sometimes you get a call at three in the morning for work and you don't get to come home until five that evening.  THIS is why I am crossing an ocean to go to a wedding and travel with Shug.  Our boundaries have been encroached upon by our jobs and it's about time we get a break!

Thirdly, with the insanity of work, I haven't been able to cook as much.  And if I have had the opportunity to cook, it's been an under 15-minute meal (more on this next week).  But here is a little recipe I whipped up that's exceedingly easy to make, takes only about half an hour, and is really inexpensive to feed a crowd.

Shug and I have had moderate success in our garden this summer, but our herbs have taken off!  This recipe can accommodate whatever it is you have on hand, but I used lemon-thyme, chives, rosemary, and flat-leaf parsley.

Herb Potatoes with a Mustard Sauce
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
3-4 lbs. new or waxy potatoes, like Yukon Gold, scrubbed clean and cut into chunks
Salt
2 shallots, diced small OR 1 small red or white onion diced and rinsed with cold water, drained well
3-4 generous tablespoons of mixed herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, chives, dill, etc.
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Fresh herbs for garnish

Bring a saucepan of the potatoes and cold water that has been generously salted to a full boil.  Reduce to a vigorous simmer and cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife.

While the potatoes are boiling, in a large bowl, whisk the shallots or onions, mustard, olive oil and balsamic vinegar together until well combined.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Drain potatoes well and add to bowl with sauce.  Toss to combine and set aside.

Finely mince all of your herbs, setting a few sprigs aside for garnish.  Once the potatoes are cool, add the herbs and toss well to combine.  If the potatoes are too hot the herbs will discolor, no biggie if they do, it just won't look as pretty!  Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with reserved herbs.  Can be served at room temperature or chilled.  Enjoy these easy, yummy potatoes!

Question...

...What in the world am I going to wear for shoes while in Paris?

(Such a privileged, question, I know...)

But seriously,

are there some comfortable and cute shoes that won't scream "TOURIST!"

like the white sneakers or comfort sandals exemplified above?

I really am at a loss for what footwear I should pack in my very limited

backpack space...

Your answers are needed!

xo.

Meet Marcel, My New Crush

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

I know I've been on a video kick, but seriously,

Marcel is the best way to start a workweek after the holiday!

I love it!

xo.

Amaze.

As It Happens from renan ozturk on Vimeo.

When I was 13, I thought I would climb the Seven Summits.

I know that that won't happen now, but I still have such an interest

in the people that manage to make that dream come true.

Here's a little story about two men that created a new technical route up Everest!

Amazing!

I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend!

See you on Tuesday!

Guilty, Guilty, GUILTY Pleasure: I can't even bring myself to type it...

I can barely bring myself to put a picture of it in this post, but let me explain how I got here...

I loooove Netflix.  95% of the time they are impeccable in their service and their shipping.  But rarely, not often at all, a rogue DVD finds its way to my mailbox.  Once, when I was expecting Les Carabiniers, I received The Phantom of the Opera in its sleeve!  LETDOWN!  Plus, it was a Friday so I was movie-less because of this stupid musical in sheep's clothing.

Yesterday, an unsolicited DVD made it to my mailbox.  We already have our three DVDs we can check out simultaneously, two of which are some dark Criterion Collection stuff Shug won't have anything to do with, and some godawful Canadian sitcom Shug ordered.  If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a total movie snob.  THE snobbiest.  If it's not in subtitles or completely obtuse or crazy, I won't like the movie, and I make sure to chastise anyone who does like stupid crap like High School Musical.  No way, no how would I EVER like crappy crap like that.

Ahem.  Until little rogue DVD found its way into my DVD player and

I FELL IN LOVE WITH ZAC 'WITHOUT THE "K"' EFRON.

I typed that. I really did.

Stupid, stupid me decided to watch 17 Again.  Why?!?!?!  Why would I do such a thing?  Netflix MADE me do it.  I swear.  It was a dumb movie about abstinence and family values, but my cognitive thinking brain didn't care...Um, because What'shisface was in every stupid. schmaltzy scene.

And let me tell you about Zac "With the Justin Bieber Hairdo" Efron.  

That kid is COUGAR BAIT.

I.

Am.

So.

Gross.

Zebra

Beach House - Zebra from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

This has been on of my favorite albums of 2010.

Victoria Legrand's voice is amazing!

They will be opening for a band I shall not mention on Thursday...

I'm trying to finagle a way to make it!

And then LEAVE before the headliner plays...

I dislike them THAT much.

Decisions, decisions...