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Friday Flotsam

July 23, 2010

Good Friday readers!  This edition of Friday Flotsam is flotsamy, indeed. We’ll cover everything from fruit flies to PJs.

Before we dive in, I’m giving advance warning that posts will be light next week.  There’s a one-night jaunt to NY in store for me early in the week, and then I’m taking the second half of the week off to spend at home with my vacationing husband. The behind-the-scenes slog of transitioning the blog has left me hankering for a break.

On to the good stuff.

1.  Gwyneth’s pajamas in Vogue.  God knows how long I’ve been hankering for a pair.  The Olatz ones she’s wearing above run a shocking $750.  I’m more inclined to take a zero off the end with J. Crew’s version.

2. Mad Men is back! Season 4 premiers this Sunday at 10 on AMC. Can I stay up that late before Monday’s 4 AM wake-up call? We shall see.

3. If fruit flies are driving you bonkers, learn how to make a reusable trap. I’d opt for apple cider vinegar over beer (less smelly).

4. Summer’s small, weekly batches of pesto have me hankering for a 3-cup food processor to leave out on the counter.

5. Louis Boston sale hits 75% off.  That, my friends, is where I’m going right now.

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Aaaaaand We’re Back!

July 19, 2010 Uncategorized
Thumbnail image for Aaaaaand We’re Back!

Did you miss me last week? Though I hated being away, especially to spend the week up to my elbows in technology, it was well worth it to make the blog more user-friendly.  Someday I’ll do a spiffy redesign.   For now, I hope you’ll find the site easier to navigate. Here are the changes (drum [...]

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The Look of Enamel, All Grown Up in Porcelain

May 17, 2010 Uncategorized

The Marie Antoinetta porcelain bowl, $219 at Greta.  Spotted on Handmade Charlotte. When I spied these bowls over on Handmade Charlotte, I thought immediately of the Picasso sketches I’d seen last week in New York (the Met and MoMA both have Picaso retrospectives through August): I also thought of the enamelware we used as kids, [...]

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On Matriarchs

May 9, 2010 Uncategorized

Growing up, our Mother’s Day celebration consisted of confining Mom to bed while we served her terribly dry scrambled eggs, garnished with fistfuls of dandelion bouquets and “roses” fashioned from hair ribbons. All of which she endured gracefully, as is her way. We still aren’t much for Hallmark cards or (many) presents, but there’s no [...]

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How to Determine Your Ideal Skirt Length

March 8, 2010 Fashion

Skirt lengths for Fall 2010 are all over the map, with longer styles making a strong comeback.  A lot has changed since Harper’s Bazar published this chart in 1868, not withstanding the puzzling granny boot comeback for Fall 2010.  Trouble is, without arbitrary age-based rules, how does one figure out which skirt length works best? [...]

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5 Trader Joe's Favorites

March 4, 2010 Food

Just Mango Slices. Unsweetened, unsulfered. I’ve yet to open a bag without finishing it.  I’m on my third bag this week. Almondina Cookies. My brilliant sister-in-law serves these as crackers with soft cheeses.  Sublime. Chocolate-covered Pomegranate Seeds. After the initial shock that the seeds were dried (I know, duh! but for some reason I imagined [...]

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French Bull Salad Servers

February 24, 2010 Uncategorized

Cheeriest Picnic Accessory Ever. Spotted via happy lady eats.

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Tweet That

February 18, 2010 Uncategorized

All you tweetie birds can now keep up with new 5thjoy posts via Twitter.  Sign up to follow 5thjoy here.

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New and Improved Blogroll

February 5, 2010 Uncategorized

Scroll all the way down, waaaaay down, and check out my expanded blogroll.  These are just some of the bright blogging stars I read every day. I hope you find some you love.

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How to Make Kale Chips

January 28, 2010 Food

Did you know you can transform kale into a salty, crunchy chip imposter?  It’s true, and the ensuing addiction is pretty darn healthy. Here’s how: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Separate one head of kale into leaves and remove tough stems.  Wash and DRY thoroughly – extra moisture will inhibit crisping.  Break into small pieces, [...]

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