[Fashion Attack] Favorite Fall/Winter Boots

I am so in love with boots right now. Someone should seriously consider taking them away from me because my obsession is borderline worrisome. I went on Piperlime the other day, and what was supposed to be a ten-minute browsing sesh turned into two hours of me drooling on my keyboard. Here are some examples of what has me so gosh darn excited.

Hunter Rainboots. All the rage in Hollywood, even though celebs probably aren't subjected to too much cruel weather.

Flat boots are also back in style this winter, which is so fortunate for me because I always feel like I'm bordering on hooker when I wear heeled boots. These riding ones are from Banana Republic.

Booties galore! There are so many great booties to choose from, and they don't have to be Balenciaga, like the Olsen twins wear. Their feet look funny anyway. Nine West is actually making some really beautiful and surprisingly comfortable booties right now.

Oprah and I can both agree on the new Ugg slipper boots. I was NOT a fan of the traditional Uggs, and I still think they're butt ugly , but these are awesome. Of course, I think I'd only wear them at home and to the grocery store, but you never know. Let me just say these are not first-date wear, but they are still so comfortable they might just make you cry.

[Movie] La Belle Personne

See Hear Say posted this the other day. I HAVE TO SEE IT. Plus, I just went to Paris and fell in love with everything and everyone French. I love how gloomy and beautiful this movie looks.

[Get Involved Tuesdays] HIV/AIDS in LA

Before joining Dance Marathon at UCLA, I wasn't at all aware of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the extent to which it affects all of us. I joined the organization as a way to build my resume, meet fellow Bruins and work with them on a common cause. However, my two years on committee, on Community Outreach and Education and then on University Outreach, changed my life as I began to learn about the virus that has infected over 60 million people.




HIV/AIDS affects ALL of us. There is no other way to say it. It does not discriminate against gender, race or class. Learning to prevent transmission is one thing, but also de-stigmatizing the virus and promoting a community of tolerance and support is another. My work with Dance Marathon, now known as the Pediatric Aids Coalition at UCLA, opened my eyes to how the community at large is affected and efforts I can make, as an individual, to achieve the aforementioned goals.

Dance Marathon at UCLA/Pediatric AIDS Coalition has raised over 1.75 million dollars since it began in the last 8 years. It benefits the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which is the largest pediatric AIDS foundation in the US. It also benefits Project Kindle and One Heartland, two free summer camp programs for HIV-affected children.

There are so many ways to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. One can donate directly to any of the mentioned organizations. You can dance at Dance Marathon in February 2011, which is an amazing and crazy and fun experience (or you can morale at the event.) You can become a counselor as the camps or volunteer in some other capacity. In addition, individuals can volunteer for AIDS Project LA (APLA) to do the AIDS Walk, do data entry, be an office service volunteer, or a special events volunteer.

What To Do with All that Leftover Pumpkin

  

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

BUNS

2¼ tsp active dry yeast
¼ c warm water

3/4 c pumpkin puree (I used fresh, but canned also works just fine)
2 tbsp margarine, melted

2 c flour, plus more for dusting
2 tbsp sugar
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt

FILLING
½ c packed brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ c margarine, melted

ICING
1 tsp margarine
1 tsp vanilla
1½ c powdered sugar
2 tbsp water

In a small bowl, stir yeast into warm water; set aside to proof. 

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, nutmeg and salt. Add pumpkin puree and margarine to your foamy yeast mixture; blend well. Make a well in your dry mix and add liquid, stirring to incorporate. Knead for a couple of minutes until smooth, adding extra flour a little bit at a time as needed to keep it from sticking to everything. (Don’t add too much or your rolls will end up tough!) Gently poke the dough with your index finger; if the indent bounces back, you’re good to go.

Cover tightly with plastic, set in a warm, draft-free place, and go work on that cook zine you’ve always meant to finish for an hour while your dough rises. Once it’s about doubled, punch it down and roll out until it’s rectangular and about ¼-½” thick. Slather with melted margarine and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the top.

Applying slight pressure, roll it up like a jelly roll. Firmly saw through the roll with a serrated knife. Basically, if you want wide, squat buns with a ton of rings, roll it up the long way and make thinner slices; if you’d rather have more, taller buns, roll it up the short way and make thicker slices. Arrange in a pan (9×13″ for squatter buns, else a 9″ cake pan); it’s okay for there to be a little bit of room between the rolls, as they’ll expand into each other and create that nice pull-away effect. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for another 40 minutes. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes.

While the buns bake, whisk together icing ingredients until smooth. Let sit at room temperature (refrigeration will make it difficult to pour). Drizzle generously onto warm buns. 

This recipe re-posted from Hell Yeah It's Vegan! (These were a bit dry for me, so make sure you are really careful about not overworking the dough. More icing always helps too.)

Vegan Chocolate Chip/Raisin Pumpkin Cupcakes

Even though that picture is really awful, these cupcakes are the bomb. Canned pumpkin tends to get really gummy when you overmix it, so try to only stir the batter about 3 times once you've added the pumpkin in at the end. You will not regret it. 

WHAT YOU NEED

1/3 c canola oil

2/3 c granulated, white sugar
1/3 c brown sugar

1/4 c soymilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp gound nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 c chocolate chips

3/4 c raisins

1 c pureed pumpkin

ICING
1 tsp margarine
1 tsp vanilla
1½ c powdered sugar
2 tbsp water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper cups

Stir together the first 5 ingredients (from the oil to vanilla)

In another bowl sift together the remaining dry ingredients. Do not mix in the raisins, chocolate chips, or pumpkin yet.

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients by hand with a fork. Do not use a mixer.

Add in pumpkin, chocolate chips, and raisins. Try to stir as little as possible, just enough to incorporate everything and no more.

Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake for 23-25 minutes. Cupcakes should be firm to the touch, but still moist and delicious.

After they've cooled, I'm happy to glaze them with the same stuff I used to make the cinnamon rolls. 

This recipe is a modified version from food.com. 

[Music Monday] Ingrid Michaelson

I want to be Ingrid Michaelson's best friend. I want to dress in Anthropologie sweaters, buy pumpkin spice lattes and walk with her on the beach on a cloudy day. I want to go vintage shopping with her and sand antique cabinets down to store our antique tea pots. After seeing her in concert two years ago, Ingrid has been my girl crush. I love her. So much. I love ALL her songs, but here are my top ones.

[Things We Adore Sunday] Autumn Soup, Dessert Gifts, Giving Back

Since it's the Sunday following Thanksgiving, this particular week has been all about giving thanks for all the awesome shit that's going on in our lives (Amber lives + studies in London! I am actually employed this year! We launched this fabul-icious blog right here!) So this is also all about things I'm thankful exist. Such as...

Autumn Soups!
1: Black Bean and Roasted Vegetable Soup
2: Black Bean Soup from Vegan Epicurean
3: Chickpea, Tomato, and Barley Soup from Buff Chickpea
4: Turkey Noodle Soup from Bon Appetit 

People Magazine's Dessert Gift Guide. I was drooling over this.

And, last but never ever the least, giving back to the community! San Francisco has a wonderful site that connects the community with all kinds of non-profit volunteer opportunities. I'm planning a family project with my parents this year, and I'm calling it the "First Annual Jones Family Volunteer-athon." Or something more catchy. To start your own volunteer project (or to give up one afternoon to give back), check out HandsOn Bay Area. 

[Girl Crush] Michelle Obama

Well, of course she would top our list.

First Lady Michelle Obama is an amazing role model, full of grace and a sense of humor.

Here are my top six reasons for my undying adoration of her.

She dances:


She has great style:



source: Harper's Bazaar


She has a sense of humor:
"He [Barack Obama] doesn't understand fashion. He's always asking, 'Is that new? I haven't seen that before,'" she says. "It's like, 'Why don't you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.'"
source

She speaks incredibly well:
I come here as a mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world - they're the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future - and all our children's future - is my stake in this election.
from the Democratic National Convention


She has her priorities straight:
Princeton- and Harvard-educated, Michelle Obama champions the following causes: the organic movement, fighting childhood obesity, and women's rights.

[Photo Feature] PCH = The Best Thing Ever

Pacific Coast Highway, also known as the 1, and a plethora of other names is the most beautiful creation in the state of California. It runs the entirety of the coast. You can drive it, you can ride it, you can camp it - you get the picture.

I recently traveled there with my family (the area between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz) and took a few photos for your viewing pleasure. I think the best time to go is early fall, because it's not too hot. And one day, I would actually like to bike the coast. But since I'm London right now and I don't own a bike at the moment, that goal will have to wait.

Places to See on the 1 - A random smattering:
Stay at the Ragged Point Inn - cheap rooms and great views. Don't eat there though - the food is mediocre at best.
Stay at the Big River Inn in Big Sur - beautiful setting, isolated and accommodating,
Visit the Henry Miller Memorial Museum in Big Sur - a little bit of Beat history.
Visit Capitola - gorgeous coastal town with little restaurants and shops.
Visit the Coast Gallery in Big Sur - beautiful building and cool pieces.

[Travel Saturdays] See Big Sur the Best Way Possible

The View from McKay Falls: Worth the Misty Walk

A few weeks ago, I convinced my camping-virgin friends to allow me to show them Big Sur from the only side I've seen of it, and that's not the side overlooking the ocean from wraparound windows at a bed and breakfast (I wish). It's the side where you eat at a cozy picnic table and sip tea around a fire, then retire on a sleeping pad and wake up in the middle of the night to hear skunks rustling around outside your tent. Sigh. So beautiful.

Anyway, they drove from LA and I drove from San Francisco and we met pretty close to halfway. We had a really quiet campsite at the end of the campgrounds, where we set up our tent and sleeping gear. Since I had planned the occasion, I gave them the responsibility of bringing most of the food. So they brought some hot dogs and we threw them on top of the grill along with some buns and called it a well-rounded meal.

The next day, we went on a hike to Pfieffer Falls. It only took about 15-20 minutes to get there, and then we turned around to do the Valley Walk, which offers 360° views of the entire valley. It was too foggy for us, but you can usually also see the ocean from there. This is what we saw instead:

Then we ate lunch at Nepenthe, which is a family-run, locally-sourced restaurant on Highway 1. My friends had the Ambrosia burger and I had a veggie burger, but I wasn't that impressed (especially not after the $25 price tag with tax and tip). I like the idea of Nepenthe though, but you're paying 50% for the view, 25% for the atmosphere, and 25% for the food. The french fries are a good investment for your belly though. Farther south down Highway 1, you run into signs for McKay Falls, which you can't miss if you go to Big Sur. You'll see all the other tourists there, but there's certainly a good reason for its popularity.

It started pouring rain by the time we got there, so we turned around pretty quickly and ran back to the car. Then we ate cup of noodles and s'mores for dinner. I mean, we're total health-freaks, in case you couldn't tell.

Overall, I'd say the weekend was a success. But I don't need to say that; this face says it all.

Until the next adventure!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful thanksgiving! Martha Stewart ruined my pumpkin cream pie, but I guess I can forgive her just this once. Girl needs a new food editor at her magazine. I happen to know a great editor she could hire... ME! I'll post the fixed recipe soon so people know not to try baking the recipe in the November 2010 issue.


Also, Thanksgiving is all about family, so make sure you thank yours for putting up with your bad habits and weird food intolerances (or maybe the latter is just me).

[Green Thursdays] Take an Eco-Tour of San Francisco

San Francisco is kind of a ridiculous place... ridiculously amazing. I feel like I hear every day, "That would only ever happen in San Francisco." We have outlawed plastic bags, have stopped selling cigarettes in drugstores, stopped giving kids toys in their happy meals because they have too many damn calories, and I just found this website that helps you live and visit San Francisco in an environmentally conscious way. Now, I don't want TOO many tourists to flock over here (my favorite local ice cream shop already has a line around the block), but check out GreenSF. Not too shabby.

(Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!)

[Movie] Restless

I have to see this. Period.



The film is directed by Gus Van Sant and stars Henry Hopper and Mia Wasikowska (who was Alice in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland adaptation. It will be released on January 28, 2010.

[Food + Drink Wednesdays] Vegan Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate

Peanut Butter and Cake

This recipe was inspired (okay, mostly taken) from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, which is by the girls who brought us Veganomicon and The Post Punk Kitchen.

November is the month of autumn-themed eating, at least according to me. That means lots baked goods, lots of squash, lots of apples and cinnamon, and lots of molasses. I'm pretty sure peanut butter fits in there somewhere too.

With a little re-working, I made sure these cupcakes were the perfect amount of moist and rich. That is, don't even think about eating half of one without a big glass of milk, soy or otherwise. What I also love about this recipe is that it's made from stuff you always keep in the pantry anyway, so I didn't even have to go to the store. I was just bored and started pulling out pots and pans.

Ingredients
3/4 cup of soy milk
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (the original calls for natural, but that's really not necessary)
1/4 cup canola oil (the original calls for much more, but it's not necessary either, especially if you use normal PB)
2/3 cup sugar (I added 1/2 Splenda and 1/2 white sugar-- you can't tell the difference)
2 tbsp molasses or sorghum (Invest in some of this. It's also good on biscuits...)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground flaxseeds (I always keep this around for smoothies and replacing butter and eggs in any recipe)
1 cup + 2 tbsp flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
OPTIONAL: a bit of melted chocolate for the topping; peanuts for garnish

Directions
1. Preheat the ocen to 350° F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Mine were jumbo liners, but I realized that after the fact.
2. Mix soy milk with vinegar and set aside to curdle.
3. In a large bowl, mix together PB, oil, sugar, molasses, vanilla, ground flaxseeds. Add the soy milk mixture until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until JUST combined. Not too much, now!
5. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake for 23 to 26 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
6. OPTIONAL: When cooled a bit, place on wax paper or protective surface and pour melted chocolate over the top, then garnish with peanuts. I think this step is pretty unnecessary, but it looks prettier for parties 'n things.

Take a Bite Outta That!

[Scissors + Glue] Thanksgiving Garland

All You Need: scrapbook paper, glue stick, scissors, string

Last Friday, I decided I was sick of drinking vodka-tonics at hipster bars in San Francisco, and I opted to stay at home, bake, and craft to my heart's content instead. I didn't even have a sip of egg nog. 


I used to think Christmas was my favorite American holiday, and I suppose it still kind of is. I really used to like the idea of unwrapping my gifts and the thought of children smiling and all that bubbly, wonderful, winter wonderland bullshit. 


But let's get real. Thanksgiving is way cooler. First, we gotta celebrate the pilgrims and the Native Americans coming together to share things like squash and turkey and venereal disease. There's nothing more American than that. Second, you get all the food-centered family time you could ask for without having to bring your great aunt a bottle of cheap perfume that you wrapped while running out the door. Third, I'm partial to the fall color scheme. Fall colors just compliment my skin tone way better than those harsh winter hues. 


But, okay, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I love Thanksgiving, and I'm all about the spirit of giving. I'm a good person way down deep inside there somewhere. So I made this "give thanks" garland to hang over my fireplace. All it took was some string, some embossed scrapbook paper, a printer, scissors, and glue. I spelled "thanks" wrong twice while I was trying to string up the paper leaves, but no one else has to know that but you and me. Happy holiday crafting!Make and Give

[Get Involved Tuesdays] UCSC Homeless Garden Project

Instead of ignoring the homeless problem in Santa Cruz, California, the Citizens Committee for the Homeless began the Homeless Garden Project in 1990 to provide transitional living assistance to homeless citizens. They created sustainable farming in a college town, capitalizing on student help through an internship opportunity through UC Santa Cruz. The farm is 2.5 acre property where homeless men and women are welcome to learn organic farming as part of a transitional living program. In exchange for working the farm, they receive hot meals. The organic produce is locally grown and sold at farmers’ markets and to local restaurants. In addition, the Homeless Garden Project offer job-training and employment, in the form of mock interviews and application review for individuals in need.

The job-training includes the Natural Bridges Farm, where workers learn to sow, cultivate, and harvest produce; the Homegrown Gardens, where workers learn horticultural skills and nursery operations (customer service, inventory, etc.;) and the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise, which teaches flower-arranging and secures wholesale orders from local business.

The organization also provides trainees with information on housing, counseling, physical and mental health services.

I think this project was an effective way to help others by maximizing on local strengths (agriculture.) The success of this project makes me wonder if similar ideas could be implemented in other areas with different products/services.




photos courtesy of the Homeless Garden Project

[Nightlife] Bottomless Mimosas, Pitchers of Margaritas

This Sunday was supposed to be dedicated to the lost art of mimosa-drinking in the morning (or at least it's a lost art in my life right now). I wanted a chill brunch in the city with my girls. What I got instead was a two and a half-hour line to wait in, inside of which I was pressed against all kinds of people who were still drunk from the previous night's debauchery in the Castro. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and if it had been a nice summer's day, I would have even enjoyed it. But it was pouring rain out, and everyone's raincoats and umbrellas were all over the floor. The bathroom was even flooded. Gross. When we tried to let loose and dance, even the thoroughly-Castro gay men looked at us like we were crazy. They were blasting house-infused Usher at 11AM, what else are you supposed to do, people?

When we finally got sick of people squishing up against us, we decided to take things a bit easier and move on to margaritas (it was no longer the morning by this time, okay!? That was a very long line!) and my friend brought us  to a fabulous Salvadorean restaurant called Playa Azul in the Mission.

Playa Azul was way more low-key and way more my pace. It also happens to be down the street from El Rio, where every Sunday is Salsa Sunday and every Saturday night hosts a different ethnic food (priced at "donation only" prices). We sat down and ordered a giant plate of nachos covered in shrimp, crab ceviche, cheese, and avocado, and we waited for our big pitcher of margaritas.

Me + Margaritas + Cheese + Crab Ceviche = State of Splendor

Anyway, I'll take Playa Azul over Lime any day, even if I can't have a bottomless mimosa brunch there. I should probably start waiting until the afternoon to have my first drink anyway. Probably.

[Music Monday] Lights

Many a time I have lamented my lack of musical prowess. But I've gotten over it after years of therapy and shower singing. However, I am still jealous of raw talent, like Canadian singer Valerie Poxleitner. At a year older than my tender age of 22, she has already won a Juno Award. Make me feel inadequate, why don't you?



I would like that my love life would follow this trajectory. Without the pesky heartbreak moment.



Too. Adorable. For. Words.

--A

[Welcome]

Simply put, Carrie and I are readers, writers, and creators. Specifically, we like feminist, eco-friendly, and pretty things. This blog is a compilation of things that inspire us to be better people, better women, and better artists. You will find music, literature, political commentary, photographs, profiles organizations and people we admire, plans, recipes, random thoughts and hopefully, a bit of snarky humor.

We think we're pretty cool and we think you'll like at least some of the stuff on this blog. It is space of free-flowing ideas and desires for ourselves and the world around us.

Bear with us as we figure out what we are doing with our lives and what we are doing with this blog - it is all a work in progress. And if there is something you want us to add or focus on, let us know, because we are always in search of something new.

xoxo,
Amber