Happy Weekend!

Try your best to surmount all odds!

{Click on pic to enlarge}

Photo Credit: Epicponyz

Monkey Say, Monkey Do, Monkey Pick Tea For You

Head on over to ThinkGeek for tea hand picked by monkeys. Huh?? According to the manufacturers:

The legendary flavor is something that can only be tasted to be believed. Monkey Picked Tea is truly in a class by itself. Full of antioxidants, this tea will calm your soul, temper your spirit, and put you in divine touch with your monkey ancestors.

Huh? Well, there is also a legend behind this "divine" tea and how this monkey tea came to be. Check it out, or buy it for $19.99... if you so desire.

Anyway, this is the perfect (ha!) segway into a cool find I want to share. Thanks to a fellow tea drinking friend of mine, I discovered the best tea thermos around from Teavana. Teavana is the perfect store for tea drinkers. It has any tea you can think of, and it truly is quality tea.

I'm a huge green tea drinker, and I always buy it loose leaf (my favorite is Jasmine Pearl green tea), so this Harmony Glass Tea Tumbler with Infuser, is perfect because it has a removable infuser and you can take it anywhere on the go. A bit pricey starting at $19.95, but so worth it if you're a serious tea drinker. I will have this item for years to come, and I use it avidly.

Do You Know Kimono?

On 100 Layer Cake, guest blogger from Chewing the Cud did a tutorial on how to fold a kimono-styled napkin. Such a neat little idea! I had to re-post this. So many things could go inside of these. I could have used these as a kid, when I was trying to hide my brussel sprouts in my napkin.

For written instructions, check out 100 Layer Cake here.

Feeling Like a Failure

I haven't been posting as much as I want to, lately. With a full time job with lots of hours and life taking its toll, it has been hard keeping up; but I have lots of plans in the works. Bare with me!

Tweet Away

The Art Of... is now on Twitter! Check me out!

http://twitter.com/lifebyliving

Happy Weekend, Airport Blues, etc.

GeoTagged, [N35.05284, E89.98868]

I'm stuck at the airport in Memphis, TN and have been here since last night because I missed a connecting flight back to DC due to weather. The current flight is now delayed, too! I want HOME!!!

The good news is, I discovered I can blog from my iPhone!!!!!!! Yes!!! iPhone is my life! 

Travel for work should be coming to a halt soon, so I hope to have some more great posts for you shortly.

Happy Weekend!

Feta Is No Betta

I am particularly adverse to Feta cheese. I realize I am the minority on this, but I discovered a wonderful substitute; and even for those that love Feta, this is still a great cheese to try.

Ricotta Salata

In Italian, ricotta means, "recooked" (but it is not the ricotta cheese Americans typically know of), and Salata means, "salted".

It's consistency is similar to Feta, and it crumbles perfectly over a salad. It can also be sliced. It has a savory salty bite, but it isn't too harsh on the tongue. Soo yummy. Give it a try!

Photo credit: Gourmet Girl Magazine

I'm Going Back to Cali...

I have been traveling all over the country for work, and so far the highlight of my travels has been Santa Monica, CA. I only spent a few hours there before I had to catch a flight, but it is definitely worth a re-visit.

I ate an amazing lunch on the Santa Monica pier at The Lobster. The food was as amazing as the view. If you're ever in Santa Monica, I would stop by The Lobster.

I ordered the Pan Seared Scallops with lobster hash and shrimp bisque sauce. Delicious.

And for dessert, I had the Chocolate Bread Pudding. I'm still reveling...

The Promenade had all the shops you would find at a major mall, but with the benefit of outside views and beautiful weather.

There was even a Z Gallerie! I love, love this store. They closed down the one in my area, so I'm only left with online teasers. I got a few pics of the store inventory before I was told I couldn't take pictures. Boo!

I must go back!

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall?

I adore the innovative use of these mirrors.

Photo Credit: 1. Achados de Decoracao; 2. Design Sponge.

It's Tax Day People!

And the deadline is fast approaching. This year I waited until the last minute. Ugh! If you're like me, and are scrambling to finish your yearly requirement, GOOD LUCK!!

Here is a quick and easy Tax Time Cocktail, because you don't have time for a complex cocktail:

Champagne and St. Germain

-1 shot St. Germain

-Top with Brut Champagne, dry sparkling wine, or Brut Rose

*Garnish with a strawberry, raspberrry or a lemon twist

Photo: pixie stix kids pix

I Spy...

... An amazing bedroom created by the blogger of Knight Moves. She even breaks down where all of this amazing furniture came from. Her design sense is phenomenal, as you can see below.

I love the color of the walls; and the contrast of traditional, victorian, and contemporary elements. The juxtaposition of patterns and textures works masterfully. Check out more of her home on her blog.

-FYI, I die for that bench. I have something similar in my own home, which I will be revealing soon.

Kumquat Digestif

Sound appetizing? It's an after dinner drink that takes 3 weeks to make, but it's so easy! Mine is currently 2 weeks in the making (you can see the condensation in the decanter). I can't wait to try it. I wonder what I will prepare for dinner to compliment this unique libation?

Aperitif vs. Digestif:

Aperitif- Before dinner alcoholic drink (usually served with an appetizer) to stimulate appetite.

Digestif- After dinner alcoholic drink to help you digest the meal.

...and now you know ;)

Here's the recipe:

Kumquat Disgestif

Yield: Makes 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups vodka
• 10 kumquats, cut in half lengthwise, plus 5 to 6 whole
• Several branches fresh thyme

Preparation

1. In a medium saucepan, heat sugar with 1/2 cup water, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.

2. Stir in vodka. Pour mixture into a decanter and add kumquats (halves first) and thyme. Chill at least 3 weeks. Serve ice-cold, in shot glasses.

Recipe discovered through Swanky Tables

Happy Weekend Links

Hey folks, I have been traveling like crazy for work and I haven't had time to post. Hopefully I will have some goodies for you soon. Meanwhile, here are some links for the weekend. Enjoy and Happy Weekend!

How to search for good sheets at Lose Count by SFERRA. GO

A shout out to AphroChic for the heads up on the new Elle Decor website! GO

Like Neopolitan ice cream? What about a Neopolitan candy bar? Check it out at OhJoy Eats. GO

Looking for Asian dinnerware? They got what you need at Mrs. Lin's Kitchen. GO

Take a look at West Elm's new line of outdoor pillows. GO