adventures in crafting part III

Today I spent hours with my mother at the mall. She wanted to have her eye makeup done at Bobbi Brown "just to see what it looks like" and the chick did a complete make-over, i.e. took off all the foundation and bronzer my mom had on and re-applied it (even though my mom only asked to have her eyes done). So what I THOUGHT would take 20 minutes max took over an hour. Le sigh. I did find some cute shoes while I was waiting (put them on hold) and saw a friend from high school which sucked since I didn't bother looking attractive today. Oh & I also made an awkward comment about my mom's boobs being huge in front of said friend's parents. Oops. The friend has a boob job though, so who cares if I mentioned boobs?

Other than that, I bought some ingredients for some Oscar-inspired cupcakes I'm making tomorrow (stay tuned for the recipe!) and, most importantly, worked on my quilt!! I sewed all of my blocks together and added my borders...which means the next pictures I post will be of the completed quilt. Isn't that sew exciting? My last class is this upcoming Tuesday and then I'm going to send the quilt off to get machine quilted, which basically is a computer that stitches an elaborate design on the quilt top, like this teddy bear machine stitch I found on the internet:



See the teddy bear design that has been stitched on? It's easiest to see in the yellow portion of the quilt. That's what I want done to my quilt, only something more fabulous than teddy bears.

Here is my almost completed quilt:

banana caramel cupcakes

I really wanted to eat something sweet and bad for me today, but I'm trying to eat healthy since I'm going to be in a swim suit for 7 days straight in March. So, I did what I always do when I want to eat something sweet but know I shouldn't: I baked! It's strange, not only do I have no desire to eat what I'm baking, but it also makes me not want to eat anything sweet or dessert-like at all. We had two pretty ripe bananas so I wanted to use them before they ended up in the trash. I didn't want to bake something I've already baked before (like my super yummy banana bread) so I looked through a few cookbooks and found the cutest recipe for Banana Caramel Cupcakes. I made a few changes to it as I went along, so here's my take on the recipe:

Banana Caramel Cupcakes



Ingredients
For cupcakes:
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
6 tbsp butter, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp allspice
1 medium mashed overripe banana
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tbsp milk

For topping:
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped until thick
Jar of caramel sauce
A bar of dark chocolate
1 or 2 medium banana(s), thinly sliced
OPTIONAL: Peanut butter, chunky or smooth



1. Pre-heat over to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin pan with paper baking cups.



2. Beat butter, sugar, and eggs in a blender until light and fluffy.



3. Stir in sifted dry ingredients, banana, sour cream, and milk. Divide mixture among baking cups.





4. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn cakes onto wire rack to cool.





5. Remove baking cups from cakes.

6. Fold 3 tbsp caramel sauce into the whipped cream.



7. Cut cupcakes horizontally into two slices. Spread caramel sauce and banana slices and re-assemble cupcakes. Top with caramel-flavored whipped cream.

8. Using a vegetable peeler, grate chocolate and spread over cupcakes.

OPTIONAL: Substitute peanut butter for the spread caramel sauce on the cupcake, this is a fun variation and tastes great with the caramel whipped cream and chocolate shavings.



This recipe is awesome. The cupcakes are SOOO delicious (two thumbs up from my parents) AND a great way to use those overripe bananas you've been avoiding for a week. These cupcakes are amazingly simple to make but they look like they took forever, love it!

superficial hair question

In two weeks I'm going to be relaxing on the beach in Cabo San Lucas with my BFF and I feel the need for a little hair pizazz. I currently have an inch and a half panel of blond on the left side of my head underneath a layer of hair so you can't see it right away (unless my hair is in a ponytail). I want to have my cousin (who I have yet to ask) dye it a fun, crazy color and I'm looking for suggestions! To submit your recommendation, click on one of the options in my poll in the right-hand column. I've had a pink strip before, and I REALLY liked it, but I dunno, I'm thinking I might want to try something new.

I couldn't find a picture on this computer of the pink in my hair, other than this one which isn't that good. If you look closely, you can see it. Anyway, just to give you an idea. Oh, and we're making a "Delta Gamma" if you can't tell.

oh, english majors

I just spent the last hour and a half revising and editing the short stories I wrote for a Creative Writing course I took a year ago, just for the heck of it. English majors are so weird.

they say dogs and their owners look alike

Tater Tot does this ADORABLE thing where he sits around with his tongue sticking out of his mouth slightly. It is seriously so cute. Anyway, this past weekend I was home watching TV with BF when I looked over at Tater sleeping on the couch and he was in the most squished position I've ever seen. Surprisingly, he didn't wake up when I went paparazzi on him and took a dozen pictures of his smooshed sleeping position.

Tater Tot as Tater Tot:




Nicolle as Tater Tot:


If I'm this annoying about my dog, imagine how I'm going to act when/if I have children. But seriously, how could Tater even be comfortable? His head is totally smashed by those couch cushions. He's a constant source of entertainment (for me).

parker posey on black eyeliner

A few months ago I read a great interview with Parker Posey on the back cover of Vanity Fair. Posey is known for being the queen of dark liner, so I definitely take her as an authority on the topic (and I also love her as an actress). I WISH I still had the magazine, it was one of those articles I knew would be great to hold on to...but didn't.

Posey made a great statement about black eyeliner, something along the lines of it making a woman look mysterious and intriguing and that it's the perfect solution to a "day after" face. Well, I've had the same tube of black eyeliner for probably two years and I've used it about 4 times. For every day, I prefer a more muted, coppery brown liner, but I've kept Posey's words of wisdom in the back of my head since I read her interview. I woke up this morning with the desire to look intriguing, so I searched through my makeup bag, found the tube of liner and applied the liquid magic.

It's silly, but it really had an affect on my self-image and I did feel mysterious and alluring. I even had a male acquittance who I've spoken to probably three times ever ("Hey, what's up" "Nothing, you?" "Same.") tell me, "You look good." completely out of the blue. I'm going to stick to my regular coppery brown daily routine, but it's nice knowing I have a secret weapon in my makeup bag.

photographic memory

Sometimes there are those moments in life that just stand out for some reason and they make me wish any instance, glance, or brief encounter could be captured with a photograph.

Like last night when I left my room to get some water wearing only a T-shirt. The look on my face must have been priceless when I turned the corner and saw my roommate standing there.

Or a few weekends ago in San Diego when me and BF kissed and there was literally a spark between our lips. It was probably just the static electricity in the air, but it felt amazing, and I wonder if it looked the same.

Also, it would be wonderful to have a tangible memento of the time in Nice where I was mistaken for a Frenchwoman and asked directions to the nearest bakery…and the woman understood me.

Then there was the moment I realized I wanted to be an English major. It was an earth-shattering revelation at the time, and I am sure my expression reflected it.

And what about the time I sat front row at Dave Matthews? I could swear he was looking into my eyes the whole time and it felt like a concert made just for me. I would love to have a photograph of that.

college phenomenon

It was strange when I entered college. Suddenly everyone around me was Family Guy's number one fan and I had never even seen an episode. For the first four years of my college career (yes, I'm taking my time), I felt completely out of place with all the Family Guy references and quotes from particularly funny episodes. I hated that everyone seemed to be in some sort of secret Family Guy club and no one bothered to invite me. Well, last semester I decided to stop complaining and actually do something about it, i.e. start watching Family Guy. Not the most ambitious thing in the world, I know, but the show is actually very good and has all kinds of film and literature references that I bet go unnoticed by most viewers. Oh, and now I can be one of those annoying people who say, "Oh yeah! It's kind of that the Family Guy episode where..."

along the walking trail

There's a walking trail behind my house that I absolutely love. On warm days the trail is packed with people walking their dogs, bike riding, skateboarding, running, and playing frisbee golf. Yesterday we passed a couple walking their black lab and chihuahua. The chihuahua resembled a squirrel, barely visible over the long grass. It made me laugh, the same way it makes people laugh when Tater Tot barks ferociously at dogs 10 times his size. You can actually see the walking trail from my back yard, making it the ultimate place to secretly people watch.

dogs and sunny days

This weekend was so beautiful! When it's cool and sunny outside there's nothing I enjoy more than a long walk with Tater Tot. Tater totally associates my tennis shoes with going on a walk because as soon as he sees me putting them on (I'm a flip flop girl at heart) he starts barking because he knows he gets to frolic along the walking trail and bark at other dogs when I wear sneakers.

Tater Tot also got a stylish hair cut on Friday. Poor thing, he hates the groomers, but he looks so friggin' cute when he comes home with a new 'do! Usually they put a cute little bandanna on him, but for some reason they didn't this time and I didn't even notice until 20 minutes after we got home because his hair is so fluffy.







Scooby wanted to get in on the photo shoot action, but he wasn't as patient as Tater Tot in front of the camera, which is surprising considering he's a million years old and can barely move. But seriously, he's a pretty old dog, and he's also really fat and a dachshund...so he doesn't move very quickly. BF was over a few weekends ago and wanted to bring Scooby along on our walk "to be fair" since Tater was going. We got about half a block before Scooby sat down and refused to move because he was too tired; I had to carry him home.

roses roses roses

BF surprised me with wonderful roses for Valentine's Day!! They meant even more because he didn't just rely on my parent's flower shop, but picked them out all by himself. Awww. He also bought me Spongebob Season One (don't pretend you don't watch Spongebob every day on Nick) AND a Spongebob pop-up Valentine's Day book.

how to make fortune cookies

For Valentine's Day I got BF a Chipotle gift card (it had burritos in the shape of a heart!) and made him fortune cookies from scratch. The fortune cookies turned out fab & were super yummy. The recipe I have SAYS it makes 15, but it definitely makes about 30-35, depending on the size circle you use. Below is the recipe and some pictures of the process:

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons butter
4 large egg whites
1 cup superfine sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
Nonstick cooking spray
A clean towel or fabric napkin



1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet LIBERALLY with cooking spray. Melt butter in a saucepan and set aside.



2. In an electric mixer combine egg whites and sugar and mix on medium speed. Add flour and salt and beat until combined. Add melted butter, heavy cream, and almond extract and stir completely.



3. Pour approximately 1 tablespoon of batter onto half of the cookie sheet (less for smaller fortune cookies) and spread with the back of a spoon into a thin 5 inch circle (you should almost be able to see through the batter, my picture below is a little too thick). Repeat on other half of cookie sheet. Because you have to shape the cookies so quickly, two cookies is about the most you can bake at a time. Bake until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown. This can take as little as 4 minutes and as much as 8 minutes, just stand next to your oven and watch.



4. Transfer baking sheet to a heat resistant surface. Working as quickly as possible, slide a spatula (a metal spatula is a must, plastic will work but it slows down the process) under one of the cookies. Lift it up and place it on the clean kitchen towel/fabric napkin. Using your fingers (be careful, this will be HOT), fold the cookie in half, pinching the top together to form a loose semi-circle. Hold the cookie with your index fingers inserted at each open end and with your thumbs press into the center of the cookie while bending the two open ends together and down to form the shape of a fortune cookie. This whole process should take about 10 seconds. Repeat for the second cookie. Continue shaping and baking two cookies at a time until batter is gone. TIP: If you don't feel like making 40 fortune cookies (it's a pretty long process) you can refrigerate the batter and use it the next day, just make sure to bring it to room temperature by setting it on a counter for 30-45 minutes. You could also halve the recipe and make less batter.



5. Write your message on a thin strip of sturdy paper and thread it through the cookie once it cools.

I would recommend practicing with paper shaping some "fortune cookies." I didn't do this and the first few of my cookies came out pretty sad looking, luckily they were still just as delicious!



The almond extract adds a great sweet, nutty flavor to these fortune cookies. For something different, experiment with food coloring (St. Patrick's Day fortune cookies anyone??) or dip the tips in melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate, yummy!!!

1001 books you must read before you die

My mom recently bought me a book listing "1001 books you must read before you die." I flipped through the pages, marking off each title I had already read and the circumstances under which I had read it (Summer 2006 France, Fall 2007 Faulkner Class, etc). Surprisingly, I had only read 41 books on the list, so that leaves me with 960 books left to read. Assuming I'm going to live into my 80s, that means I'll have to read around 16 books a year to finish the list "before I die." Thankfully, I received several books that are on the list for Christmas, now I just need to find some time to actually read for pleasure.

I'm currently working on a second draft of a paper I'm writing on Martin Scorsese. I sent my abstract to an Undergraduate Research Conference and I was so excited that it was accepted, but now that means I actually have to finish the damn thing (a daunting task). Have you ever started writing something but you get stuck because you have so much to say and you don't know where to start? Yeah, that's what I'm currently experiencing. Thankfully, I wrote a first draft before Christmas, so I have a good nine pages of content so far. I just need to remember to stay focused, it's easy to get off track when you're writing about something for which you feel passionately. This is my abstract:

Martin Scorsese's collective works have impacted the cinematic world on an international level, and yet there have been few substantial discussions of Scorsese as an auteur. Spanning over three decades of his film career, the gangster trilogy of Mean Streets, Goodfellas, and The Departed focuses on brotherhood and the Roman Catholic concepts of guilt and redemption. These films are not only an expression of his signature cinematic style, but also provide a clear progression of his skills as both screenwriter and director. Contemporary film critics like Lawrence Friedman and Lesley Stern agree that Scorsese's passion for history and authenticity has led him to adopt a realistic, documentary style. Scorsese's approach to gangster life makes it accessible to the viewer, especially through his redemptive characters. In each corresponding film, these characters serve as mediators, referees in the inherent violence of gangster life. For each of these redeeming characters, there is a mirrored dark partner. Carl Jung's notion of the shadow will be used to show how these personae function in the framework of Scorsese's mob culture. This paper will also be interested in the concept of male-bonding and fraternal relationships in the way that Scorsese erases domestic life and replaces it with fraternal life. Sigmund Freud's theories on anxiety as well as his thoughts on obsessive actions and religious practices will be important to the analysis of Scorsese's films. Additionally, there will be a discussion of group psychology--or “mob” mentality--and its role in creating these characters and Scorsese's glimpse of the underside of America.

Lately I've been reading a lot of Freud for the psychoanalytic section of my paper. I secretly want someone to approach me in the library, "Oh, hi Nicolle, what are you reading?" so I can nonchalantly raise my eyes from my thick Freud Reader, "This? Oh, it's just Freud. You know." But of course no one asks.

valentine's day

I initiated a "Secret Cupid" at work and my secret cupid got me the most wonderfully delicious French truffles. As soon as I got home I made myself a strong shot of espresso and enjoyed a few pieces of the dark chocolate. If I could smell like anything in the world, I would want to smell like a chocolate truffles tastes.

I also received a snow globe with two pictures of me and Tater Tot inside from my secret cupid. I drove back to Modesto immediately after my exam this afternoon, so I didn't even get a chance to see BF, but he's coming over to my house this weekend so we will exchange gifts then. I like celebrating holidays "late" because that way you extend your gifts over several days instead of just one!

adventures in crafting part II.b

I finished 3 out of my 15 squares for my quilt! I probably only have about 30 minutes or so of sewing and cutting left to finish the other 12, but I was supposed to be studying for an exam tonight so I made myself stop at 3. They came out really nice; I can't wait to put them all together on Tuesday of next week!

adventures in crafting part II

Last night was the first of three quilting classes I have this month to make Noelle's pink and Tiffany blue log cabin quilt. Everything went REALLY well and even though I was much slower than the other two women in the class (they were making smaller quilts and actually knew how to sew) I made a lot of progress and almost finished all of my squares today. This whole sewing thing is much easier than I had expected. I'm no sewing master, mind you, but I can actually thread a bobbin and sew a straight line! This is how I spent most of my day, when I was feeling well enough to get out of bed:



I woke up feeling terribly sick this morning. I had ambitious plans for the day, but most of them were nixed since I spent most of my day kneeling over porcelain or laying in the fetal position in Mom's bed. I hate when I get sick and there's no one to take care of me. I was a pretty pathetic sight, that's for sure. I'm feeling a little better now, but I haven't been able to keep food down all day...which, admittedly, isn't that big of a problem. But still, being sick is no fun and I always end up crying like a baby and sobbing "Whhhhhyyyyyy???" when I'm not feeling well.

mexico in photographs

I was lucky enough to spend my winter vacation in Cabo San Lucas with Mom, Dad, little sister, and BF. The vacay was mostly spent lounging in the sun by the beach, but we also took several excursions to cities in the surrounding area. Here are some of my favorite photographs I took during the trip:

"a progressive religious experience" by shadows

I'm on the fence when it comes to memes (seems most bloggers are) but Rachel posted this personal CD cover art meme and it was so awesome I had to do it, too.

The CD Cover Meme group has only three rules: 1. the first article title on this random wiki page is the name of your band 2. the last four words of the very last quote on this random quote page is the title of your album and 3. the third picture here, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

My band name was Shadows, which, interestingly, is the name of an actual album. My album title came from a quote by Shelley Winters, who has been described as "one of the most respected actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood," SO weird considering I'm a film studies major. I also LOVE the full quote:

"I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience."

I wish I could cite my photograph, but my internet crashed and I lost all my links. I liked it too much to choose another random photograph, though. If you happen to do this in your blog, comment with a link so I can see, they have all turned out wonderfully so far. I might have to do some more.

adventures in crafting

First and foremost, HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY KATE!! Interestingly, Kate is sorta my inspiration for this post. Kate is most definitely a 21st century domestic goddess...she cooks, cleans, sews, and does it all without chipping her manicured nails. Personally, I have been an amateur artist since I was in elementary school, but never in any practical crafty sense (like sewing or crocheting etc). Well, as a sophomore in Delta Gamma, pretty much all of the girls in my pledge class knew how to knit so I learned in about 4 minutes (it is SO easy) and it has been one of the most rewarding non-academic skills I have picked up in college. Since then, I have made a point of trying to pick up new crafty skills as often as possible.

My latest crafty endeavor is making a quilt! I was going to stay mum on this because it was going to be a surprise for Noelle, but I really want to track my progress so I had to dish. The quilt is a basic "log cabin" pattern, which looks basically like this:



Noelle's color scheme for her apartment is pink and Tiffany blue, so I chose my color palette accordingly. I guess I should mention here that I have never sewn anything before or made anything out of cloth. I've HAND SEWN buttons and small holes in my clothes, but nothing I would be proud to brag about. I signed up to take a beginners class at a quilting store right down the street from my college (so convenient) and my first official class begins on Tuesday, I'm psyched! Today I went by the shop to get a quick "cutting lesson" where the instructor taught me the proper way to cut my fabric strips and use all my new, fancy quilting tools. She was also nice enough to give me a short lesson on how to use my mom's sewing machine. She assured me that my lack of skill would not be a problem, but also suggested that I practice using the machine at least once before Tuesday. Check out my fabric cutting skillz:



I am such a diligent little quilter. After my 30 minute cutting lesson, I stayed in the shop for another hour to cut all of my strips for my quilt. Isn't the second pink one ADORABLE? It's retro looking female faces, love it! I can't wait to share my progress after Tuesday night's class!

ideas for cupid

Valentine's Day is approaching and I'm one of the few people that doesn't hate Valentine's Day when I'm single (even though I currently happen to be in a relationship). I'm pretty sure my consistent happiness with Valentine's Day is due to the fact that my mom has always given us VDay gifts and Noelle and I usually exchange gifts, too, so if I AM single, I still get to celebrate the holiday of looooove.

This year was tough because me and BF set a $30 limit on the gift and I usually like to give something big on VDay like concert tickets or something. The challenge has proven to be more inspirational than irritating, though, and I have a super fun gift planned. Sadly, BF reads this so I can't share until after VDay, but it's a gift you can give WHENEVER ("just because" gifts are seriously the best) so it will still be worth sharing.

I haven't conducted a formal study, but I would guess that most friends do not exchange Valentine's Day gifts. Personally, I think it's fab to give something small to your close friends, especially if you see them on a daily basis (a card and some candy, a single rose, etc). For the really special friends in your life (or a sister), it is totally appropriate to get something a little more expensive. I already bought Noelle's gift before I came upon this seller on etsy.com, but if I hadn't I would have totally ordered her a personalized pet pillow. The prices range according to pillow size ($28-70) and the seller is completely flexible regarding background color and type of pet (dog...cat...bunny!). Here are a few of my favorite examples of her work, I MUST get a Tater Tot pillow:







What does everyone have planned for VDay gifts/celebrations?