Dessert Fail

Last night Mr. Diagnosis Deferred's parents came to our new place (more on the apartment later) for dinner. They were coming straight from Cape Cod and bringing seafood for dinner, so my only responsibilities were sides and dessert. I decided to aim high for dessert and make Mr. DD's grandmother's blueberry pie. It started so well. We headed to Chelsea Market (my new favorite place in the world) for blueberries. I made and chilled the crust. I filled the shell about an hour before they were set to arrive and put it in the oven. So far, so good...





And by oven, I mean the creamator that sits in our kitchen. It was my first time using it and I soon discovered that that thing is smoking hot and before I knew it the pie was smoking hot too... literally. The fire alarm went off and all I could think was "Oh my god, this is all so trite."


Long story short, the pie was burnt to a crisp, but Mr. DD wouldn't let me trash it and insisted that we try it. I smothered each slice wth ice cream and everyone politely smiled and gushed about how good it was, but it was a disaster. Of catostrophic proportions.

Oh, I also burned the roasted potatoes and had a mishap with the steamers during which half of the water from the pot sloshed onto the floor as I tried to transfer them into a bowl. What a night...

So, I'm pretty sure they can dance...

I have watched this on my DVR at least a dozen times since it aired last week. It literally gives me the chills each time I see it.

Wow... I wish I could dance.

6 things.

The lovely Bridechka tagged me! Here are the rules for this tag: Tag and link back to the person who tagged you. List six little things that make you happy. Tag six bloggers and let them know they're “it."

1. Mr. Diagnosis Deferred.
Cheesy but true. This boy.... wow. We have had the most unexpected, whirlwind, fairytale love story. Before we met, I never believed that love like this existed. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly days that I want to strangle him, but even on those days, there is nothing in the world that makes me as happy as the moment that he walks in the door every evening. I pinch myself every morning, still not believing that he's all mine. Ok, that's as much mush as I will subject you to. Let me just leave you with this- crazy, intense, unbelievably good love exists, don't let anyone ever tell you that your expectations are unrealistic.2. Sugar.

It's so sick, but so true. I'm addicted to sugar. People will swear to me that if I quit it cold turkey, my cravings will eventually dissipate. I have made every effort to do just this, but it's futile. My diet is super healthy, it really is, and truthfully I'm a rockstar at restricting the white stuff, but on the occasions that I allow myself real, true sugar in the form of candy, ice cream, doughnuts, or cotton candy, I'm in heaven.Photo from here.

3. My neices.
I'm convinced that they are the two most adorable and remarkable children on the face of the planet. Period. One is a rose, the other is a wildflower. They live far away, but we talk on the phone often and I see them every chance I get. I want to clone them.



4. New York, NY.
I didn't discover it until late in life, but this is the city I was born to live in. I adore the energy here and I'm certain there is nowhere in the world like it. After years of being here, the sights and smells and sounds still excite me and I often find myself grinning as I weave my way through crowded sidewalks.



5. Traveling.
I really can't think of anywhere in the world that I wouldn't go. I love it all. There is nothing more exciting than boarding a plane for someplace new. I'm equally excited for our Italian honeymoon as I am for the wedding.

Photo from here.

6. A fresh mani/pedi, a pair of oversized sunglasses and a killer spray tan.
The instructions did say "six little things" that make me happy. My best friend and I are pretty convinced that this combination is really all we need to conquer the world.

Clearly, my list should include things like "reading the classics" or "learning foreign languages," but, a girl's gotta be honest, right?

I'm tagging:
Erin ever After
Veiled Vows
The Pied-A-Terre
The Blissful Bride
.c is for charmed
you are my fave

Succulents

Recent posts on 100 Layer Cake and A lovely morning have totally turned me on to succulents. Every time I see these gorgeous plants I'm overwhelmed by a desire to touch them.
Well, have a look at what I've just discovered at VivaTerra... A succulent wreath. I'm in love. It's really such a shame that everything I touch dies.

Julie & Julia

Last night I was lucky enough to attend a screening of the new Nora Ephron movie, Julie & Julia. I read the book years ago and I loved every word of it. It was one of those novels that leaves you terribly disappointed upon reaching the last page, not because it was a lousy read, but because you want 100 more pages.

I'm a perpetual dieter, a former vegan, and allergic to wheat, so I admit that there are moments in the film that are a real tease... not to mention that if I spent a year cooking every.single.recipe from Julia Child's cookbook, I would weigh 300 pounds, but I still left the theater inspired to take a shot at classic cooking.

Anyway- the movie was different from the book, in a wonderful way. Amy Adams was adorable and Meryl Streep was a fantastic Julia Child, proving once again that there is little that woman can't do.

The film is being released in theaters on August 7. If you hadn't already planned on it, I must insist that you see it.

We're moving.

Adorable letterpress moving announcements from duetletterpress.

Why I thought it was a good idea to move one month before my wedding, I will never know... but this is where we find ourselves.
The truth is, we're only moving 8 blocks west and 1 block north, from Gramercy to Chelsea, 1.37 miles to be precise, but with all that's involved, we may as well be moving across-country. We need to find, in no particular order, a new:
-dry cleaner/tailor
-pizza place
-chinese place
-nail shop
-nearby library
-drugstore
-bodega (that delivers)
-grocery store
-tasti d-lite
I'm exhausted just thinking about it. If my posts are a bit sparse in coming days, you'll know why. Forgive me.

Coming Attractions

I cannot wait to see this one. Happy Friday!

Bill Maher

Sometimes he takes things too far.
Exhibit A: his Steve Irwin Halloween costume. Not cool.
Other times, he is exactly right.
Exhibit B: Religulous. Very cool and so true...

Lady Gaga

“The assumption is that my eccentricity is not who I really am, but it is.” She leans in, to clarify things. “I have lost my mind,” she says.

I kind of heart how totally bizarre she is...

Full article at NY Mag.

Public Transportation

When you live in NYC, you become accustomed to spotting celebrities. You see them in restaurants, on the street, at Starbucks... no big deal. Today, however, I experienced a first. I saw one getting on the subway! Kudos for taking the train with the rest of us little people, Carson.

Dirty Bangs

Dear Jessica, Jessica, Drew, Hayden, Rachel, Lauren and Jen,

Just a quick thank you for introducing this whole braided bang look. Nothing like a quick and easy way to hide a dirty bang. I've extended countless blow-outs thanks to your (hairstylist's) ingenuity. Who said celebrities had nothing to contribute to the good of mankind!? Not me!

Signed,

Dirty Banged in NYC

Vegas, baby!

from here

I'm heading to Vegas this weekend for a bachlorette (no, not mine). I've never been and I cannot wait. Sunning and sinning, here we come!

I've been out of the blog loop this week with a busted computer... I hate technology.

Karl Lagerfeld, man genius

Fabulous excerpts from a recent K.L. interview in Harper's Bazaar.

"Never use the word cheap. Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes...You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans- it's up to you. The T-shirt can be impeccable, and the jeans too. The body has to be impeccable as well- that helps alot. If it's not, buy small sizes and less food."

Thanks Karl. I have Narciso Rodriguez taste and an H&M budget these days, so I appreciate your approval of bargain shopping.

"Dress for yourself and the man you love (if there is one). Women dressing to impress other women- forget about that. It's a very bad way of thinking."

I admit it, I dress for my girlfriends. There, I said it. Don't we all? If I dressed for David I would be stuck in pageant hair, wearing stilettos, a mini skirt and a plunging tank top everyday, and really, is that practical? I think not.

The interview is classic and full of brutal honesty, "Very high heels actually look better on tall girls, but men hate to walk around with giants who make them feel like midgets," and "I am very against looks that put women under what I call 'permanent sexual alarm.' That can be very embarrassing for others- and, when not followed by action, it's also kind of ridiculous." Plus, some pretty harsh criticisms. You must read the whole article.

Wait your turn!

Hanging in the ladies room at Soho house. Apparently in an attempt to curb the rampant cocaine use in the ladies rooms of New York City.

A tiger behind the wheel

The best thing about this photo is that I owned the exact same bathing suit as a child and you likely did as well. Right? I wore it until the bottom was more reminiscent of tissue paper than spandex. Luckily the ruffle kept it G-rated.

From here.

Because it's Friday, and who doesn't want to laugh on Friday?

From my real-life friend, Maori's blog.

Yesterday...
I saw an aspiring evangelist in the 7 train tunnel. Only, he sucked. He lacked passion. He lacked a doomsday approach. He lacked brimstone, Jesus, the bible, personal hygiene, and no one was listening to him. I needed to rectify the situation. I was late for swimming, but this, clearly was more important. Gripping my throat and spluttering, I staggered around wildly, trying to make my eyes bulge, and my knees buckle. I threw myself at the evangelist’s feet, and beseeched him to save me. I exchanged a private glance with the man and his eyes widened in comprehension. He tapped my head, my shoulders, and uttered, passionately, “Rise my daughter, God accepts you into his bosom.” I jumped to my feet, shouted, “Hallelujah!” and ran off.

Dear Bernie,

You are an awful and terrible person. You are the monster that you've been called. What you have done has personally and profoundly affected people that I know and they didn't deserve it.

It gave me great joy today to see that your trademark smirk is gone. I hope you spend the rest of your life in prison.

Yours truly,

Me

A spring full of cardigans.

There are many things that I am looking forward to when it comes to ushering in the next season. Sunshine, my engagement photo shoot (yeah, I just called it a shoot... three costume changes and props that include one dozen white balloons constitute a shoot, don't they?), and a half dozen bachlorette parties. But most of all, I'm looking forward to wearing the hell of a cardigan.

(Clearly, it takes more than just a cardigan to look like Megan Fox, but a gal can dream, can't she?)

Image from here.

A nicoise salad that even my FMIL would be proud of!

Happy weekend, y'all!

The stunning Penelope

Considering my complete and utter adoration of Ms. Cruz, I am embarrased to say that I have not yet seen "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." But, after her win on Sunday, I moved it to the top of the Netflix queue.

More proof that there is nothing in the world cuter than an accent. And that's all that I have to say about the Oscars.

Images via flickr. Gonzalez-Alba and S. Lo