Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

I'm in love with this veggie sandwich from Panera, so I started making it at home.

Ingredients:
Feta cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and spicy cilantro hummus

As for the bread, I used tomato basil purchased from Panera but next time I want to make Smitten Kitchen's Light Wheat Bread.

Etsy Love: Ryan Berkley

I found a great goat print of Ryan Berkley's Illustration at Urban Outfitters this weekend. I love his quirky animals dressed in suits series. He also sells on Etsy! To view his work visit his blog here.

XXX Rays

Eizo has created a sexy pin up calendar using an x ray machine as a camera. I love how this images are both beautiful and completely disturbing. To see more visit Nylon's site.

Happy Father's Day!

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day.

This is my Dad at his happiest: being at an Iowa football game.

My tiny family will soon be vacationing in Detroit. They're all coming here to celebrate my quarter-life crisis, I mean birthday.

Classic Strawberry Shortcakes

I've tried making strawberry shortcakes from a variety of recipes including one that makes the cakes entirely from scratch. The best and by far the easiest recipe, is the classic Betty Crocker® version that uses Bisquick®. It simply makes the perfect summer dessert.

1	quart (4 cups) strawberries, sliced
1/4	cup sugar
2 1/3	cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2	cup milk
3	tablespoons sugar
3	tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2	cup whipping cream

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1.	Heat oven to 425°F. In large bowl, mix strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar; set aside.
2.	In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, 3 tablespoons sugar and the butter until soft dough forms. On ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by 6 spoonfuls.
3.	Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in small bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.
4.	Split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped cream.

One Dollar Thrift Find

I was able to do a bit of thrift store shopping while home in WI. I found this amazing desert photograph from the 70s.

Quiche Please!

Who knew quiche was a really simple and quick dish to make? Thanks to Laura, I loosely used a Julia Child recipe to make this amazing dinner.

5 to 6 large white mushrooms, sliced

3 Pieces of ham cut into cubes

5 to 6 pieces of broccoli

1/2 cup water
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups whipping cream ( I used skim milk)
An 8-inch partially-cooked pastry shell (I used Trader Joe's gourmet pie crust)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 clove of garlic crushed

1 pinch of pepper for seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Sautee mushrooms, broccoli, garlic, and ham together in a large frying pan.

3. Beat the eggs, milk and seasoning in a large mixing bowl to blend. Gradually stir in the broccoli, ham, and mushroom mixture. Check seasoning. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in upper third of pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and browned.

Et voilà! A simple French dish ready to enjoy!

An Early Birthday Gift

I've been jealous of my friend Laura's n'espresso machine ever since having a cup while visiting her in NYC. The espresso it makes is rich and flavorful and has a beautiful, thick layer of crema. Luckily, Van surprised me with the machine for an early birthday present. I doubt I'll be visiting Starbucks anytime soon.

Orbit Gum Reunites Jason Bateman & Will Arnett

Sometimes I love advertising. Especially when agencies like Energy BBDO decide to feature Arrested Development's Jason Bateman & Will Arnett for a spot.

Bansky in the D!

I've been on a guerrilla art kick ever since seeing Banksy and Shepard Fairey climb onto roof tops and run from police in the new documentary, Exit Through the Giftshop. UK graffiti artist Bansky has tagged walls all over the world and recently came to Detroit! He left three pieces here two that have already been destroyed, and the piece shown below has been taken down by Gallery 555 for preservation.

Just in Time

So excited that my Sex in the City style necklace came in the mail today! I'm going to see the movie tomorrow in true Carrie style—with cocktails beforehand.

Ryan McGinley's Photographs of M.I.A.

Two of my favorite artists have collided to create this beautiful photo session! Ryan McGinley photographed Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. for The New York Times. I love Ryan's work and I'm so happy to see the results of such an amazing subject.

Top Five Reasons to Love M.I.A.

1. Her fabulous lyrics including, "I fly like paper get high like planes"

2. Her nine months pregnant Grammy performance and the dress that went with it

3. Her guest appearances on Amanda Blank, Santogold, Rye Rye, and Kayne West tracks

4. Her amazing second grader in the 90's sense of style

5. Her way over the top album art that includes at least 40 different patterns and her own stencil drawings


M.I.A.'s new album will hit stores in July. Click here to read the NYT article and listen to a preview of her new album.