Happy Holidays.

MAC eyeshadows: Humid & Sumptuous Olive

I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet. Actually, the "Christmas spirit" is a humongous cliché. Who really gives a shit? I really only think it's nice because I get to be around my family.. which I do actually look forward to. Other than that I don't hate a good meal and I do like to sing the Mariah Carey Christmas album at the top of my lungs (I sound exactly like her). So basically I like the holidays but I'm not one for the anticipation.

top knot of friend

I went with uniform wrapping this year: brown craft wrapping paper, 3/4" glittery red ribbon and the occasional gold-striped Japanese washi tape detail. I think it's beautiful and simple. I just want to look at the mountain of presents forever. Pretty! I like to challenge myself sometimes when I wrap: i.e. wrap from a weird angle, combine scrap pieces of wrapping paper and put them together to wrap a single gift, using the same concept for ribbon, etc. And ya know how you buy Christmas cards every year and always have a few left over each time? What the hell are you supposed to do with a single holiday card on it's own? This year the VERY few people who are getting cards from me will be getting a mixed bag. No one really cares what they look like anyway, it's more a confirmation that someone considers you in their "I care" category.

If I understood CNN Español correctly yesterday, the average American spends 60% more than they can afford on Christmas shit. I think I spend less each year. I just wanna eat, man.

G-free pasta. pine nuts. olives. garlic. parm. espinacas. tomatoes.

love,
jayteewo.

Champagne party.

Have I mentioned I love champagne? I looooove champagne. I was watching Barefoot Contessa today and it was an episode entitled "French Made Easy." Another thing I love: French food (French men, French countryside, French culture..). In this episode, Ina conducts the same party both in Paris and East Hampton. First of all, wouldn't that be just fabulous? to have not only a place to stay in either of those places but also to hold champagne parties at one or both places? You'd be set. Anyway, Ina hops over to the French market to buy the most expensive, seasonal items available, of course. She has a cocktail party serving champagne with the following hors d'oeuvres: olive tapenade, pâté, cucumbers, black and green olives, french baguette, cashews, grape tomatoes, herbed goat cheese, and salami (or other cured meats). I think that sounds lovely, don't you? Such a nice flow of details and subtle strategizing for a summer soirée. I'd totally go.

I intend to hold a party like this in the next month. It's just a matter of getting everyone together. I like to use this website called Paperless Post for occasions like that. They do awesome virtual invitations. It looks like a tangible invitation and it has a lot of details. If it costs you anything it's not much. In the end you have a sweet customized virtual invitation on short notice.


best,
jayteewo.

Goat cheese & prosciutto bruschetta.

I made goat cheese and prosciutto bruschetta (tongue twister) on Memorial Day. (Pretty sure that makes me thankful to our veterans. What I am not sure of is how to make the connection.) Anyway, it was delicious. Here's how:

1 small multi-grain baguette
1 clove of garlic
olive oil
1/2 lb thinly sliced prosciutto
1 clove of garlic
4 oz goat cheese
1 t rosemary
1/2 C balsamic vinegar
2 t sugar

-preheat oven to 400 degrees
-slice baguette (I used 12 slices for this recipe), rub garlic on each slice, place on cookie sheet
-drizzle olive oil on slices, put in oven for 10 min
-combine sugar & balsamic in small sauce pan, stir on high for.. a long time. Maybe around 10 minutes
-remove reduction from heat & place in a container of some kind to stop cooking & allow to cool & thicken
-remove toast, reduce heat to 375
-combine rosemary & goat cheese & slather (I wish I could think of a better word, because slather is grossing me out) on toast
-place a single slice of prosciutto on each piece of toast
-heat in oven for 10 minutes
-plate & drizzle with balsamic reduction.


buen provecho,
jayteewo.