Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Black and White and Red All Over


This weekend marks the kick off (pun intended) to the college football season. I've married into the proud Dawg Nation, and as a result, I spend the majority of my Saturdays drinking Budweisers in the University of Georgia's colors - Red & Black. So in honor of this fine time of the year, I've done a little 'Splurge vs Steal' on an outfit to take you from tailgating to evening tipsy-making.
GOOOO GEORGIA BULLDAWGS!
Red & Black

TopShop red top
$75 - topshop.com

Sandro ruffle collar blouse
$250 - net-a-porter.com

J Brand cuffed jeans
$235 - net-a-porter.com

Twenty 8 Twelve lightweight jeans
$68 - theoutnet.com

Alexander Wang heel boots
$232 - theoutnet.com

Zara leather bootie
$100 - zara.com

Nancy gonzalez handbag
$925 - net-a-porter.com

Amrita Singh antique gold jewelry
$100 - amritasingh.com

Ippolita gold jewelry
$995 - saksfifthavenue.com

Juicy Couture rock earrings
$52 - juicycouture.com

TopShop beading ring
$15 - topshop.com

All Buttoned Up


Yellow Skirt + Chambray Top
I am loving light, tailored Chambray shirts for fall. My favorite look is paired with a floral skirt and a brown belt. It is the perfect way to extend the life of summery skirts well into fall.

Chambray




The chambray shit is equally chic and crisp dark denim or white jeans. Such an easy outfit to look put together without tons of effort.


Ashley Olsen in Chambray
gpoy.jpeg

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tunesday With George: Jonny Corndawg


Down on the Bikini Line Cover Art
At long last, we have the release of Down On The Bikini Line, by America's soon-to-be favorite travelin' troubadour and country singer, Jonny Corndawg. This album really has it all...great songs, great players, great lead vocals as well as some top-notch guest singing (including Caitlin Rose and Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes), and above all it's witty as hell and downright hilarious.
On top of constantly touring the country and the world with the likes of Middle Brother, Dawes, Caitlin Rose, Robert Ellis, and a number of others over the years, Jonny is also a master leather craftsman. He makes everything from belts and guitar straps, to laptop cases and even once an entire guitar case. Check out this strap below, which he just made for friend and fellow budding young star Robert Ellis:

Find Jonny's Tour Schedule Here

Monday, August 29, 2011

In the Kitchen: Banh For Mi!

Farm Cart Menu Board


Living in Athens, we have tons of amazing restaurant options. One of my favorites is The Farm Cart (lunch off-shoot of Farm 255). Mr. Fonty, Fonty Dog and I can be found on their patio most Mondays and Fridays around noon. I'm completely addicted to their Veggie Banh Mi.

A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that has taken on a myriad of variations, but at the heart of a Banh Mi is always vegetables - pickled carrots, cabbage, daikon radishes, cilantro, and spicy mayonnaise. These sandwiches are delicious with marinated pork, sausage, or last night's leftovers.
Farm Cart's masterful creation
Visions of Banh Mi dance in my head...
Great, soft bread is the foundation of any good sandwich, and the Farm Cart gets their baguettes around the corner at Big City Bread. But the real secret to their veggie version of this sandwich is the perfectly hard-boiled eggs. I spent some time with Martha and Good Food Fast to master the art of hard boiling. I'm going to spend my summer eating this delightful sandwich.

Vegetarian Banh Mi
(makes 2)
1 Fresh baguette - cut in half and sliced lengthwise
1 Carrot shredded
Shredded cabbage
1/2 Purple onion
4 Hard boiled egg sliced (see instructions on prefect eggs below)
Handful of Arugula
Cilantro
1 tsp. Siracha
2 tbsp. Mayonnaise
Salt & Pepper
(optional items if you want to pickle your vegetables)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup distilled vinegar
Coarse Kosher salt
(Optional) Pickle your vegetables - Combine pickling liquids, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cool mixture and add shredded carrots, daikons, and onions. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
Mix mayonnaise & Siracha.
Spread chili mayonnaise on both sides of the baguette, and bake at 450 until bread warmed. Stack the ingredients, starting with the eggs and finishing with the arugula & cilantro. Eat with excitement and vigor.
Here's another great looking recipe for a Pork Meatball Banh Mi from Bon Appetit.

Tips to Hard Boiling (From Good Food Fast)
It was within the last year that I realized the eggs I have been eating my entire life - the super dry, greenish yolk kind - were completely over cooked! No wonder I've been throwing the yolk away. This new technique makes eggs fool proof.
Put 4 eggs in a saucepan and cover with water 1 inch above the eggs. Cook on high heat until the water simmers. Once the water simmers. Remove from heat and cover. Let sit for 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Unpeeled eggs can be kept refrigerated for one week.
Simmer, simmer

Perfect eggs!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Poppin' It Like It's Hot since 2011


I am so excited about today's post. It's been months in the making...
After jumping through permitting hurdles (and still jumping), I am proud to announce that
HIP POPS, LLC
is open for business!

We will be peddling pops at the opening game for the one and only GEORGIA BULLDAWGS on September 3rd! We are proud to be a part of the Shepherd Center Society tailgate party which benefits Atlanta's Shepherd Center.

The day before I left for California to get married, Mr. Fonty and I had a last supper of sorts. Over dinner we came up with the idea of starting a popsicle company. We cracked ourselves up coming up with hip hop artist versions of popsicles.
Weeks later, I couldn't stop thinking about what was at the time a funny joke. Could this really be a business venture? We had a successful taste test party, which led to even more name ideas - thank you, Karen, Kelley, and Tish. It was obvious that popsicles just make people happy! I knew I had found my new endeavor.
Taste Test Party Samples

Satisfied Customer
Blu-Pop Shakur

Taste Test
Here Come the Pops!
 


Spread the word about Hip Pops and LIKE us on Facebook.


Flava-Flavors:
Eazy-T: Iced Tea Lemonade
Green LaTeaFa: Mint Green Tea
Nutty By Nature: Peanut Butter Cup
Two Lime Crew: Key Lime Pie
Gimme Dat Nut: Rocky Road
Big Peppa: Pineapple-Chili
Citrus Hill: Raspberry Pomegranate Limeade
Blu-pop Shakur: Blueberry
Ludacrisp: Chocolate Rice Krispie
Ghostface Licka: Cookies & Cream
So Fresh and So Cream: Orange Creamsicle
Vanilla Slice: Lemon Cream
Nappy Roots Beer: Root Beer Float
Mango Was The Case: Mango Chutney
C.Lo Green Apple: Caramel Apple
Salt N' Suga: Salted Caramel
eM&eM: Chocolate M&M
Bone Thus & Honey: Minty Cantaloupe
Young Peachy: Chunky Peach
Mos Fresh: Watermelon Basil
Rum DMC: Pina Colada
Big Piggin': Maple Bacon
Notorious F.I.G: Fig
I Just Wanna Nutella: Nutella
DJ Jazzy Java: Mocha
Fifty Mint: Chocolate Thin Mint
Wu Tang Flan: Vanilla Custard
A Tribe Called Zest: Lemon Lime
Foxy Brownie: Chocolate Brownie Chunk

What's your favorite Pop name? Got any ideas for us?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Heading West Elm

Last weekend I went to West Elm to see a dresser in person, and walked out with 4 bags of goodies. West Elm is killing it lately! They've paired up tons of designers and even Etsy and 20x200.


Stria 6-Drawer Dresser, Pecan
Stria 6-drawer dresser $899
This dresser now has a new home in our bedroom. It is made from reclaimed wood used for railroad trestles in India.

Ellery Chair
The Ellery Chair looks so luxe in person
On discount $424-$599

 
Modern Windsor Accent Chair
Modern Windsor Chair $339
Great accent chair

Allegra Hicks Flower Pillow Cover
Allegra Hicks Pillow $29

Stray Dog out of Chattanooga now has a line for West Elm. I love their eco-friendly, whimsical lamps and furniture.

Stray Dog Table Lamp
Lamp $149
 
Stray Dog Side Table
I've been toying with making this side table mine for some time
$149



 
Jaipur Printed DhurrieSafari Rug


 Zigzag RugGradiated-Stripe Cotton Rug


Cowhide RugAndalusia Rug


Lamps, Lamps, Lamps
Owl Table LampGlass Teardrop Table Lamp


Cada Table LampGourd Table Lamp

West Elm is giving Anthropologie a run for it's money in the tabletop department
Modernist CollectionField Study Rimmed Dessert Plates