You are the Cream in my Coffee

(Another charming phrase from one of the many charming prints in the Keep Calm Gallery.)

Alas, Starbucks, you do truly have a pulse on my weaknesses. Recently, I developed a habit that is pernicious to both bank accounts and waistlines: the afternoon coffee break. Around 3:30pm every day, without fail, I struggle not to fall asleep at my desk. Though I could probably get more done while dozing than some of my less fastidious co-workers, I am not yet ready to forray into that area of professional apathy. Maybe someday. But not this week.

The thing about the afternoon coffee break is that it is the official gateway to frivolous drinks. Caramel mochas. Eggnog lattes. Pumpkin Spice lattes. The list goes on. This past Monday, Starbucks punched me in the face with Christmas. Seriously, the extent of the alteration in the entire store was that startling. While I do actually LOVE all their felt decorations (my mom, grandma, and I decided felt was all the rage at Christmastime twenty years ago long before Crate & Barrel came around this year, for the record), it was the premiere of their brand-new drink that won me over.

What do you get when you mix two of my favorite things, espresso and burnt sugar, together? The Creme Brulee latte. Are they serious? What diabolical person sits around all day dreaming up new ways to get me? Well played, sir, well played. The little burnt turbinado sugar sprinkles they put on top of the whipped cream (again, extremely helpful for the waistline) are like little chunky, sugary bits of heaven. Try one today! (I wasn't even paid to write that.)

Catoflauge

If you look very carefully, you may be able to discern a small beast lurking among the foliage.

Do you by chance notice a recurring theme in my wall art choices?

Oh, Deer!

Guilty as charged: I treated myself. And not a moment too soon.

A couple months ago, I was feeling particularly bummed out at work, so I decided to visit one of my favorite websites to pine over their wares: keepcalmgallery.com. What better place than one commanding me to "Keep Calm" in a moment such as that? I first discovered the site, which sells the most incredible prints, tea towels, and post cards on the planet, through my beloved Domino. On the last page of each issue they would ask some fabulous, stylish woman to list off her Top 10 favorite objects. One woman selected the "Keep Calm Carry On" print (guess where it's available?), and I instantly fell in love with it. I cannot imagine a phrase better suited to remind me daily in a stiff upper lip, eloquent, British sort of way to basically ... Chill Out.

Per the website's description, the poster was "produced upon the outbreak of World War 2. The original poster was issued as a means of allaying public fear. The poster was held in reserve for use only in times of extreme crisis. Although thousands were produced, only a handful ever saw the light of day." Good sense and a nice dash of history all in one! Loves it. I was extremely dismayed to discover that not only does the site have a stable of these gorgeous prints in all different colors and varieties, they also sell a zillion other incredibly unique, cheeky, interesting, colorful prints that I am dying to own.

Given that the "Keep Calm" poster is a staple of said stable, it is not going anywhere. The other limited edition one's however.... As I found myself perusing, I read them cleverly and enticingly notifying me that one I particularly loved (below) was the last one in stock! Hmm, I love it, it is the last one of only eighty in the world, it is signed, YES, I am going to need to get that. But by my logic, if I'm already paying the flat rate for shipping, why not order another print I have been admiring over the past year since I discovered the site and get more bang for my buck? This is the sort of logic that knicks away at savings accounts and exacerbates Mastercard bills. But why work at a job you hate if you aren't willing to buy something for yourself now and again? Hence, Oh, Deer! (in gold) came into my life, as well.

The reason for bringing up this two-month old purchase is a perfect recessionista confluence of circumstances: one morning as I looked at the prints, sadly rolled up in tissue paper I wondered if I ever, ever would get the things framed? It did, after all, take me - not exaggerating at all pathetically - nine years and countless moves to frame a gorgeous La Boheme print. That same morning when I got into work there was e-coupon waiting for me in my inbox for Cheap Pete's Framing. Must do it this weekend!

Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers ...

.... are the death of my blog posts!

My organization's fearless leader who I'm convinced, though heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement having served as MLK, Jr.'s chief legal counsel, fully embraces fascism and just a couple weeks ago sent down orders from upon mount high to hold an event in San Francisco.

Command 1: Let it be centered on ensuring that children are included in the current health reform bill exactly as this, one of the many children's advocacy organizations in the country, would like it.

Command 2: Let said event create tremendous sway over the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Command 3: Make sure THOUSANDS of people show up!

Command 4: Do it all with virtually no staff resourcse!

Thus, this Sunday the "Champion's for Children's Health and Stroller Brigade Rally" shall commence. I am not feeling the occupational love today.

Bee Roll

Yep, I'm one of those. Happy (almost) Halloween!

Decrepit Dahlias

While I am on the subject of Martha, I will admit that not only do I purchase her products, I steal her ideas, as well. More realistically, the ideas of her large, extensive, talented team of home professionals that I curse as I sit behind my desk.

I was looking for creative, chic Halloween decor ideas, so I perused her website in hopes that I would find suggestions beyond orange and black streamers and bat confetti. Voila! Spooky flowers - I loved this idea. I picked up some orange and deep purple dahlias at Trader Joe's, arranged them, and Halloweenified (look it up) them with cobwebs. Simple, elegant, and creepy - that's all I really ever ask for.

Fondue for Two

After three years of ownership and at least two moves without ever opening the box, I finally broke out my Martha Stewart fondue set last night! No, it is not necessarily the domestic aspect that got me excited, it is the triumph involved. Slowly but surely, I am getting around to each and every one of my myriad kitchen gadgets to prove to Will that they are useful and I do use them. So there!

Thanks to Trader Joe's ready-to-go fondue mix which already includes emmantel and gruyere cheeses and, of course, the indispensable white wine and kirsch ingredients, it was pretty much a snap - other than the twenty minutes I spent trying to figure out how to actually use the fondue set. Thanks for the great directions, Martha.

Alright, I already know what you're thinking: Martha would be so ashamed of my packaged fondue mix. (Are you also trying to imagine what it would look like if she registered emotion on her face?) I would like to point out in my defense a few items for your consideration: 1. Martha is worth approximately one bajillion dollars; 2. The tiniest little piece of gruyere costs about $15; 3. The Trader Joe's mix was $5.49 and delicious. Recessionista wins in a landslide!

Further triumph was achieved through the usage of my pretty, 99% of the time useless rectangular platter, which was perfect for displaying steamed asparagus, yellow potatoes, green apples, and chicken sausage for dipping. That is why I needed it, Will. Although the TJ's mix already contains kirsch (cherry brandy, for those unfamiliar with it, as I was), I picked up a little bottle of it so I could throw in an extra splash (or three) to, um, improve the consistency.... 90 proof cheese, anyone?