Sassy Radish

Today is May 31. Which means tomorrow is June 1. June(!) How did we get here so fast? This means Bloomsday I mean the wedding is in sixteen days. Amazing.

Yesterday I spoke to the lady from the liquor store that will be providing our wedding with libations, and I’m now convinced she thinks I’m a total airhead. “What about non alcoholic beverages for those who won’t be drinking?” I think I asked her that questions three times in the span of a five minute conversation. God bless her, she was so patient with me.

In the last few weeks, my attention span has been non-existent. I am easily distracted and I take to the interwebs to relieve my anxiety about looming deadlines. Which is the opposite of coming closer to meeting them on time, but what are you gonna do about it? The internet is my valium, or so I like to think. And so in my poking around here and there, I found a few links that I think are worth a glance, a read, a laugh. I hope you like them as much as I did.

*****

Truman Handmade – beautiful, hand-made leather goods for men. Or ladies who like unfrilly things.

At Home on the Range – the lovely folks from McSweeney’s sent me this book a few months ago and I was buried under a pile of work and only recently really got to read it. Elizabeth Gilbert, of the Eat, Pray, Love fame, discovered her late grandmother’s book while unpacking boxes in a house she inherited from her. She republished it and we all owe her a debt of gratitude. The book is resourceful, funny, full of live and real life entertaining by a no nonsense, practical woman. It’s is way ahead of its time, eschewing preserved foods, exalting farmers’ markets, and delighting in the process of cooking and sharing food. It’s a beautiful book inside and out. I can’t quite, eloquently, explain what is so remarkable about it, but it has to do with someone who was not focused on Social Medial, SEO, a following of any kind. It was written honestly and without pretenses. This is food writing minus the hand-wringing, the twee, and the precious. And I like that.

Food in Jars has a new book and it’s all shades of awesome. I want to spend the next month canning everything in sight: I want to make jams and pickles, jellies and chutneys. But I’d have to take a break to get married in between.

The world smallest radish.

Breaking food rules while traveling – a funny yet sad rant delivered perfectly by Elissa Altman.

Sometimes political things go viral for all the wrong reasons. This one is very funny.

I can’t wait for what Heidi has come up with!

Luisa waits. And eats burgers.

Deb made a rhubarb snacking cake and I want that corner piece.

And that is all for now. I’ll be back soon to tell you of that other drink we’re serving at the wedding. I shared Andrew’s drink with you. Soon I’ll share my own.

As I write this today, I have one thing on my mind – taking risks.

A year ago today, I left my job in finance. Actually, technically that was a year ago yesterday. A year ago today, I woke up, showered, got dressed, and set off to Melissa Clark’s house to work as her interim assistant. On January 31st, I was packing my desk and signing separation agreements, on February 1st, I was chopping garlic. It couldn’t have been a transition with less fanfare, but to me, that was the best way to plunge into the unknown. No time to sit and pontificate – there was work to be done and things to be learned.

Last night, as we were clearing the table, Andrew looked at me and said, “If a year ago, I had told you you’d be where you are today, working for amazing people, finishing one book and starting another exciting project, would you have believed me?”

No, I wouldn’t have. I probably would have laughed and hugged him, grateful that he believes in me as much as he does.

My old therapist says that we should believe in ourselves just as much. She says that if we had a friend who doubted us as much as we, at times, doubt ourselves, we wouldn’t even speak to that person. And she’s right. Who wants to be friends with someone who undermines and second-guesses her?

I don’t want to wax poetic and say you’ve got to do what you love. It’s not my style. Everyone has to choose a path that is right for them, whatever it means to them. For me, it meant jettisoning my career on Wall Street and plunging, head first, into the world of food and writing.

I don’t celebrate this blog anniversary because I’m too lazy to really figure out when it began. And I’m often remiss in remembering important dates. But February 1 will always be a special day in my heart. The day I took a leap hoping that the universe had a net for me to fall into.

It’s been a glorious fall thus far. I can’t wait for more.

I’m writing this in my future brother-in-law’s apartment while everyone is still asleep. Not his future apartment. The apartment is current. He is my future brother-in-law – in six months he will be one. We’re in Cambridge, Massachusetts for a New Year’s Eve wedding – whee! 2012, we’re going to be greeting you with flutes full of champagne, all dressed up.

2011, you’ve been an amazing, beautiful, generous year to me. A career switch and an engagement – amazing!

I did a complete 180 and went from working in finance to really, honest-to-goodness, no reservations, trying to eke out a career as a food writer and a recipe developer. And it has sort of been working! Hooray! When I was leaving my job in late January, I was really, truly scared. I felt like I was taking a leap into the great unknown. But despite my fear, despite not knowing what the future held, I felt a sense of elation, not dread. Right around the same time, Andrew had moved in, and we were settling into a real pattern. We were building a home together; a life.

And then, the day before my birthday, Andrew proposed, which really was the most amazing, lovely thing that could’ve happened. I’m still aglow, many months later. 2012, we hope you’re ready for our wedding. There’s going to be much merriment and jubilation!

I really wanted to leave you, 2011, with a recipe. I owe you, and you readers, at least that much. But somehow December spun wildly out of control. But in a very very good way. I promise to deliver some good news in 2012. For now, let me leave you with a handful of favorites from the year – the ones I returned to more than a dozen times. Happy New Year to you all! See you in 2012!

Tuscan Kale Salad with Pecorino

Rice Pudding with Coconut Milk

Coconut Ginger Fried Rice

Salad Olivier

Coconut Green Curry Mussels

Fried Chicken

Lobster Rolls

The Stone Fence (Plus!)

I wanted to include cookbooks before, but I got distracted and forgot. Still, many lovely books have come out this year and I wanted to include a handful of my favorites. Cookbooks make excellent gifts, but the trouble is with so many cookbooks out there, how do you know what is a good cookbook? You have to leaf through enough of the book and read the recipes, visualize them, understand the mechanics behind it, to really, truly judge a book. I know that some folks prefer books without photographs or illustrations (they seem like books geared towards serious cooks), others won’t even touch a book unless each recipe comes with a glossy picture. Both, I think, are misleading. Each book merits its own analysis. What is the goal of the book? Does the book meet the goal? Do you want to cook from it, and if not, is this something you want for inspiration, for ideas, for a future project? Or does the recipient in question want any of those things…

A few of these books are books I have put on my Wish List and Wedding Registry. This is by no means a subtle request that people gift them to me. I have, simply, not gotten around to getting each book, because, as you might suspect, being a freelancer, I have limited funds. Andrew will also remind me that being in a New York apartment, we have limited shelf space, but while he does that, I’ll put my palms over my ears and hum “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to myself and miss the whole thing. What? Space? Who?

So without further ado, here is my list.

Lisa Fain’s The Homesick Texan Cookbook
I’ve known Lisa for a number of years now and have been an avid reader of her blog. I love her turn of phrase, love her unfussy language, love the fact that every time I read something of hers it immediately makes me hungry for the very thing she talks about. I’ve had the book on my hands for a number of months and have made the pulled pork tacos as well as her incredible chili. Both I failed to photograph, hence there’s yet to be a blog post on it. But my ambitious plan next week is to make her kolaches! They remind me of something similar my grandmother used to make – I suppose it all makes sense, since kolaches stem from Eastern Europe, and so do I! Lisa also is a masterful photographer with an eye for not just the small, minute, beautiful details, but also for the sweeping splendor of the Texan open space. It’s a gorgeous, mouthwatering book, beautifully written, photographed, and bound to make a homesick Texan (even if you hail from somewhere else) out of you.

Michael Ruhlman’s Twenty
This is one of my Wish List mains (hint, hint!) but a book that I’ve leafed through enough to (almost) memorize by heart. Here, Michael Ruhlman gives you the building blocks of thinking like a cook, which is something we all could use, no matter the skill level.

Melissa Clark’s Cook This Now

I know, blah blah blah, I know Melissa Clark, blah blah, I can’t possibly be unbiased in my review of her book. And yet. I can be. I cook from it on an almost weekly basis. Not because I know her, but because the recipes are attainable for a weeknight dinner, are delicious, and huge on flavor. I’ve gifted this book to many a friend now, and I hear the same feedback every time, “This book is amazing! Thank you thank you thank you!” It is. And in the day and age when you are promised “30 minute meals”, and you and I both know it’s bollocks, these might not be 30 minutes, but you can make these dishes tonight, or any weeknight of your choosing. Melissa is a busy writer with a toddler – she’s not making this up. And the stories are sweet and heartwarming too!

Jacob Kenedy’s Bocca
This is another wish list favorite. But man, oh man, this book is A-MAZING! Admittedly, I’m going through a bit of an Italian food phase where I really can eat pasta and contorni pretty much all day long. There’s an ocassional Thai or sushi craving. And as of this morning, I’m nursing a fierce dim sum yen, but that’s neither here nor there. This book is so beautifully written and photographed that I kind of just want to tell everyone that I’ll talk to them in a week, turn my phone off, go into the kitchen and just cook everything out of that book. Also, I want to be in those pictures – they are, in a word, evocative.

Nigel Slater’s Tender
I plan on gifting this myself this holiday season. I know that some ladies dream of massages and sparklies, but I humbly dream of Nigel Slater’s Tender. Again, the photography, the writing, the simple, loving approach to vegetables from his garden, are all beautiful. I don’t remember last time I’ve been so smitten with a book like this. Again, I’ve leafed through it so much in our neighborhood book store, that the store clerks are giving me strange looks, “Go and just BUY it already!” I think I shall.

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty
My favorite place to eat in London last fall when we went, was Ottolenghi, and we ate some amazing meals on that trip (minus the grouse – that we didn’t like!). Upon returning to the States, I immediately ordered “Plenty”. Even though Ottolenghi himself isn’t a vegetarian, his vegetarian recipes are so delicious, one wouldn’t miss meat in the slightest eating his food, which is boldly spiced with Middle Eastern / Israeli spices that he grew up with. I’ve cooked so many things from the book (every one stellar!), and one of my favorites: Salt and Pepper Tofu is not to be missed.

Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Every Day
Heidi doesn’t tell you to eat health food. Heidi wants you to eat good, clean, delicious food that happens to also be healthy – and to be good to your soul, body, and spirit. Her vegetarian recipes are a marking of a truly resourceful, inventive, flavor-driven cook. One of my favorite things that I’ve been making with leftover quinoa, the quinoa patties, are delicious and healthy. Reading Heidi’s book makes you want to be in the kitchen with her, see the world through her lens, and be nourished.

Food52 Holiday App
I just spent two hours leafing through (leafing, as in an iPad, get it?) the holiday recipes on Food52 Holiday App and can I say something? This is truly wonderful stuff! Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, the site’s creators, have really outdone themselves here! There are cocktails for drinking, cookies for indulging, snacks for your guests, gifts you can make, and main courses that make the season even more festive. I’m going to be using it so much, Andrew might not get access to his (did I mention the iPad isn’t even mine? Ha!) iPad until after the New Year!

Friends, it’s December! Which means that the holidays are imminent. Which means that there are all kinds of gift guide permeating the interwebs. Cool Gifts for Dad? Gifts Every Geek Will Love? What Not To Give Your Husband/Wife? [Hint: not a vacuum cleaner.] Currently, I’m searching for “Gifts For a Weather And Climate Enthusiast Who Also Loves Aviation And Politics”. If you have a list to send my way, I’ll be much obliged. For the moment, I’m still trying to memorize various cloud names: alto-stratus, cumulo-nimbus, etc. etc.

However, should you be looking for “Gifts for Kitchen Geeks” or “Gifts for the Culinary Inclined”, look no further. I’m going to attempt to help you out. Emphasis on attempt. Here goes. And happy giving!

Continue reading 2011 holiday gift guide.

I have no recipe for you today. Nothing to whet the appetite and nothing to get you excited to scurry into your kitchens. What I have for you is a simple hello. A wave from Southern Oregon where we’re staying at the moment. Today we’re going to visit Crater Lake. Yesterday, we left the redwoods in Northern California and my heart ached a little. Such trees! Such beauty! I felt so small, so insignificant – and it was humbling, liberating, glorious. I was an ant, surrounded by trees that were twenty feet wide and thousands of years old. What these trees have seen… The trees I’m seeing now, I think, “Well, someone’s an underachiever, I mean have you seen what a redwood has done? Why don’t you try growing a little wider, or taller, tree!”

We spent a few days in Northern California, which now has my heart. The trees, the fog, the brooding skies, the chill in the air – I love it all. That light, diffused through thick clouds and the mist – is some good photography light. Seriously.

Now we’re in Southern Oregon. At the moment, I’m sitting in bed, in our cabin, which, while modest, has all the accommodations we need. There’s even a coffee maker and I am drinking coffee in bed. How amazing is that? Our cabin is also meticulously clean and well-kept – in fact, it’s more impressive than the Palace Hotel where we spent the night in San Francisco after getting in at 3am PST. As I write, Andrew is sleeping to my right and he looks so peaceful, so comfortable, that I can’t wake him up yet. He is, in general, a very sweet sleeper, unlike me, where my face gets all scrunched up and I bury myself under the sheets and blankets. It’s vacation after all and if you can’t sleep in on your vacation, when can you sleep in?

We have been blessed with the most glorious and beautiful drives. Route 66, could you be any more stunning? Could you? I think not. As we were driving higher and higher into the mountains, Andrew said to me, “It’s like we’re in a movie!” – and all I could do is nod. The beauty of it all really renders you speechless. The views of mountains, hills, valleys, and rivers as far as the eye can see, distant mountains hazy and glowing in the sun, tiny cows dotting the horizon chewing peacefully in the distance.

I’ve been thinking, these past few days especially, on the importance of taking time off, about letting your mind rest, about living in the now. This is fresh coming from someone who is still working while on vacation and is actually checking email and writing this very post. But the thought of living in the moment has very much been at the foreground of my mind these past few weeks. I’m a planner by nature, a saver, a worrier. It’s part of my immigrant DNA, and I doubt I could ever fully shake it off. I suppose everything in moderation, which is why this trip is such a necessary thing.

Truthfully, were we a little more practical, we’d have chosen a less expensive journey. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, flights on points, SF and Portland hotels – also on points. But then the car rental cost factored in, and gas, and food, and x and y variables, and by the time all was said and done, we were hardly being frugal. But we decided to do it anyway. Not since last fall have we taken a proper vacation. And we needed one. And much as we plan for our future (and we should), all that we really have, all that we can really count on, is the now; the today.

And so I wanted to write this to you because, much as it sounds trite and saccharine, I feel that the importance of “today” cannot be diminished. We should give it our all, our undivided attention, our most. What that means for each of us will vary with our lives, priorities, abilities. Maybe it means taking a vacation (for us it did), or taking a long walk around your neighborhood or a park. Maybe it means running that race you’ve always wanted to do. Or learning to play an instrument, or taking a class. Or maybe it’s even less ambitious, but nonetheless important, just having a quiet night with a book or a movie.

Whatever it is, I hope it’s what you need and what you want. Us, we’re going to look at a giant lake. And sigh and wonder at nature’s creations. But that’s just today – tomorrow we’re in wine country, and you know that that means.

I was going to write about salad tonight. But it’ll have to wait until another day – because this here today needs its own place, and not be an afterthought to a recipe. And because I have a habit of really burying the lede, I didn’t want to be guilty of that today. This is important – it’s a biggie.

I don’t quite know how to write this any differently, so I’m just going to come out and say it – two nights ago, Andrew and I got engaged. There, I said it. I’m engaged!

Engaged to a lovely, incredible man, who makes me swoon when I see his face early in the morning and who makes my heart swell with love when we fall asleep. In the year we’ve been together (almost a year!) he’s made my life richer and brighter than I could ever imagine. He inspired me to take that career altering leap – he believed and continues to believe in me. An editor, a taster, a sous-chef, dishwashing helper, avid eater of desserts (particularly of the apple persuasion) – he is my best friend, my cheer leader, my partner-in-crime. And here’s the best part, he doesn’t just come alone – he comes with the most amazing family a girl can hope for. I feel like I won the family lottery – which is the best kind of lottery there is, right?

Life is kind of funny sometimes – and what a difference a year can make!

A year ago, to the day, I broke up with someone who, while is probably a very nice person, wasn’t a very nice boyfriend. Or rather he wasn’t a very nice boyfriend (for whatever reasons) to me. And so I ended it. The day after my birthday. And to make it even more official, since I was in a mood to celebrate the putting-my-foot-down event, I tweeted something to the extent of what I was looking forward to eating with my next boyfriend: cheese, butter, sour cream, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, and bacon. Three days later, Andrew walked into my life (or rather re-walked, but that’s a story for another day). A few whirlwind weeks of dating (and keeping our relationship secret from everyone) cemented our relationship. Then after a trip to Florida in June, we pretty much were inseparable, living in two apartments, taking our duffels with us every few days. In January, we moved in together – Andrew traded his midtown digs for Brooklyn. And last Saturday night, after a daylong walk in the city, a stop for bahn mi, some chocolate along the way, a stunning meal at ABC Kitchen, and hours before I turned 33, Andrew, in the privacy and solitude of our apartment, proposed – and I accepted.

It was a quiet and low-key proposal, just the two of us sitting on our couch. I cried, and, according to Andrew, I made up words amidst all the excitement. Can you blame me?

And I always said that the right person for you will always make you feel like the superhero version of yourself. And that’s how I feel around Andrew. On days when my superhero cape needs mending, and my confidence is shaken, he renews my faith in myself. I’m floored every time with how much he believes in me.

They say that when you know, you know. I never thought I’d be the girl that knew. I was always careful and doubtful. I never had that feeling of certainty until Andrew. But I knew very early on with him. And it’s impossible to explain how I knew. It just felt like the most right thing in the world. Everything, suddenly, made sense. I felt grounded and certain and calm. Finally, I wasn’t a beat behind the world – I was in sync with it. I still pinch myself every morning and every night I count my blessings.

And so – a new chapter begins. I’m marrying my best friend. And I’m so glad I can share these good news with all of you.

Who wouldn’t want this Upside Down Apron for their kitchen? Not only does it protect your clothes from stains brought on by cooking, it also gives you cooking times and measurements printed upside down, so when you are wearing the apron the print is right-side up for you! It’s a win-win for everyone. Don’t you want one for yourself and one to give as a gift?

For a friend of family member who has the everlasting crush on Brooklyn (o hai), this pair of Fishs Eddy Brooklyn Mugs just might be the ticket. Morning coffee will never taste better. Also, they have just the right amount of aesthetic – I think coffee mugs should strike a nice balance between restraint and design.

Do you have a baker in the family? Does she (or he!) make stunning layer cakes for every festive occasion (or just because?)? This milk cake stand might be the most beautiful way to display those cakes – what an entrance would they make? The minty green has just the right amount of retro, but the clean lines around the edges spell modern.

Simon Pearce Pie Dishes – I’ve fallen in love with Simon Pearce glass. We visited the store and studio while in Vermont over Thanksgiving – and Andrew’s parents generously gifted us with a this stunning Barre serving bowl. I can’t stop staring at it. On our way out, I saw these pie dishes and decided that my next Simon Pearce splurge will involve one of these – just look at them – aren’t they works of art?

I know some cooks might be apprehensive about using a cast iron pan. You can’t put it in the dishwasher, you can’t soak it, you can’t use harsh ingredients, you have to dry it after cleaning, you have to periodically reseason it. Sounds like a pain in the butt! But trust me, this will be your workhorse, your go-to pan, and if you take care of it, it’ll last a lifetime, and might be something you pass onto your children. It goes from stove-top to oven, you can make latkes, roast a chicken, or bake a tarte tatin, just to name a few. It’ll be indispensable and well-loved, and since we could all use more room in our kitchens, aren’t items that can multi-task the best? Besides, no one can argue with this price tag, especially when knowing that this can be a lifetime investment.

Pricy – yes. Insanely useful and can last forever – also yes. Staub enjoys an almost fanatical following from its users and with good reason: the quality and versatility are incredible. This 5-quart cocotte above is a great size that will allow you to make soup, chili, braise a chicken, bake a loaf of that no-knead bread. In stores, when I was doing research and was asking about Le Creuset vs Staub, everyone kept voting for Staub. “But Le Creuset photographs better,” I whined. The ardent Staub loyalists pointed out to me, however, that Staub has more enamel coatings and is thus more resistant to chipping; the dark interior has ground up quartz in it which make for better heat resistance and a rougher surface (which gives better browning); and those strategically placed spikes on the lid help with the braising process. Plus, they were slightly cheaper, being a younger brand that has more to prove. In short – I’m now an owner of 3! Though to be fair, I paid only for one of them and it was on sale for $50 at TJMaxx. I know – life just isn’t fair. But $50 or $200 – this might be a really lovely and thoughtful splurge on someone near and dear to you: a boyfriend who loves to make chili for a Sunday football game, or a mother-in-law who loves to braise. Besides, when not being used for cooking, this cocotte doubles rather excellently as a free weight you use in lieu of going to the gym.

Those who’ve lived this long without an immersion blender, upon being given one will thank you endlessly for opening their world to a better life. I mean it – these are indispensable! Imagine not having to use dirty a blender to puree your soup – it can be done in the very pot your soup is cooking. Fewer dishes to wash – sign me up! This is a perfect give for someone who seriously lacks kitchen space – I am dearly attached to mine.

And let’s not forget cookbooks. This has been a great year for cookbooks – with some wonderful ones coming out. I tried to keep myself on a budget and not buy every cook book I wanted, but I did treat myself to a few and a few were generously sent to me for review. Here’s a sampling of the ones that have charmed me: Around My French Table, In the Kitchen With a Good Appetite, The Essential New York Times Cookbook, Gluten-Free Girl & The Chef, Ready for Dessert, Baked: Explorations, Sticky Gooey Crispy Crunchy, Good To the Grain, and The Perfect Finish. My requirement to make the cut was simple – each one I set aside at least six recipes to make. If I’m missing a few, please forgive me – I’ll be back in the apartment tomorrow night and double check to make sure I didn’t miss any books. Me – what cookbook(s) do I want this holiday season? Plenty and Ottolenghi: The Cookbook – by Yotam Ottolenghi. Ever since our trip to London and the most amazing meal there, I’ve been dreaming of those cookbooks, which I’m hoping to make mine sometime soon. Is self-gifting too self-indulgent?

This is that time of the year when we are all searching for the perfect gift for our friends and family, but find ourselves constrained by time, the weather, and if, like me, you live in a city, having to carry everything by yourself running from one store to the other. Me – I’m not a schlepper of things. I am an online orderer, though I do like to browse some shops from time to time.

As far as gifts go, there are many considerations to make, nevermind minding your budget as these things add up quickly. Each year I get excited for the guides from Design*Sponge among many others. This year, I absolutely loved Luisa’s guide which turned me onto the Amco lemon squeezer. Anyway, here are a few of my favorite non-kitchen related things that you might like. I’ll have the kitchen one ready for you in the next few days. Until then – enjoy these!

Red Flower Candles – I first fell in love with Red Flower products over six years ago when a friend gifted me a candle. It was Moroccan Rose and to this day it remains my favorite candle fragrance. I randomly wound up sitting next to the founder, the beautiful and elegant Yael Alkalay, on a train one day and told her just how much I loved her products. Red Flower candles use sustainably sourced, natural ingredients, and burn for 50 (!) hours (that’s a bang for your buck!), filling your home with a very pure, natural scent. I’ve tried just about every luxury candle brand out there and this is my favorite one hands down. And while candles are sort of a “general” gift given out to hostesses and such, these candles are different – not a single scent that smells overwhelming or overly perfumey. Each is lovely. Whoever receives this will thank you for introducing them to the brand.

High Street Market – I love the vintage products such as this milk glass bowl from High Street Market, one of my favorite Etsy shops. Each item is beautiful, striking, unique. Last year, I shopped here for a bunch of holiday gifts. I found an antique horse-head letter opener for my friend Brita and a beautiful silver fruit bowl for Jennie. This bowl, among so many things in this store, would make a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Just imagine how beautiful citrus will look in it!

Dear Fieldbinder, – Sigh. I want everything from this boutique. Each. And. Every. Thing. Every item that makes it into the store is carefully curated and selected with a keen eye and precision. Not only is the stuff great, but consistent in their feel from one piece to the next. My most coveted items, besides their Madison Marcus dresses, are their stunning jewelry items such as the earrings above. And while many of the items at the store aren’t exactly a bargain, this is a place for a thoughtful splurge-worthy kind of a gift.

Shlomit Ofir – So here is another Etsy favorite of mine – Israeli jewelry designer, Shlomit Ofir. Last year besides High Street Market, I was besotted with her entire line. So much so that pretty much many of the ladies in my life got necklaces and earrings from her fabulous line. And I’ve picked up a few items this year – the bird necklace above is simple, elegant and while offering a vintage feel, does it in a modern, clean style.

I think these bowls from Heath Ceramics are lovely. As is everything else they offer in their store from tableware to houseware. I’m always blown away by people’s ability to “curate” their stores, and not just sell objects, but works of art that are consistent with their vision of aesthetic. These bowls are not just items for your home – they’re handmade with expertise and meticulous attention to quality. If you give one to your mom – she’ll proudly display it at every family gathering!

Brooklyn Tailors Shirt – is what I’d give my boyfriend as a gift had I not gone and splurged already for him on an iPad and a cloud and airplane themed tie (two things he loves!). But I’m keeping an eye on this amazing Brooklyn-based husband and wife team that makes stunning bespoke shirts for men (and ladies) using crisp, classic fabrics. I know Andrew would look stunning in one!

Hannukah starts tomorrow – can you believe it? Not even a week after Thanksgiving, this year, the holiday starts early. While I am not featuring any new Hannukah posts her at Sassy Radish, I managed to eke out a few for Serious Eats!

Maple Vanilla Apple Sauce
Pumpkin Potato Latkes
Sweet and Sour Brisket with Pomegranate Molasses
Potato Kugel
Cider Donuts

So head on over there for your traditional Hannukah favorites, with a few fun twists to keep the menu fresh. I hope you like it, and I hope your holiday is full of light and joy!