Home + Garden Reno for Hipsters

If I had a few thousand more dollars squirreled away and was ready to gut and reno that brownstone in Clinton Hill or that Victorian home in Ditmas Park, I'd be way psyched for this event next week at The Bell House. Advice for the hipster homemakers.

TUE 4/7: 6pm-8pm / FREE: front lounge

HOME & GARDEN RENO FOR HIPSTERS

*Darrick Borowski (of Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture) talking home renovation.
*Alice Kreig and Carmen Devito (of Groundworks Gardens) to talk about plans and outdoor renovations.
*Rob Slifer (of Professional Advantage/Eastern Bank) to talk about how to get the $$!
*Eve Levine (of The Corcoran Group) to host and answer real estate questions.

iPhone Birthday Cake with Cupcake App

I've frequently shown off the edible work of my baking buddy Melissa, but this one really, um, takes the cake.



iPhone birthday cake complete with cupcake app. Sweet.

Hott Mugs

In addition to my favorite Democrat Mugs, which allow me to press my lips up against Obama and Eleanor Roosevelt, Fishs Eddy now sells Nudie Mugs in green and yellow.




Is it weird that I've been posting a lot lately about racy housewares?

From Snuggie to...

...the COUCH DRESS! The larger, more elegant, more hand-crocheted sister to the blanket with arms known as the Snuggie.



Weighing in at I'd guess like 100 lbs, this colorful, grandmotherly blanket gown comes with two flower broaches... for when you want to take Couch Dress to the opera? I'd like to hear if Couch Dress fares as well as Snuggie in the outdoors.

Note to shoppers: Pantalaine will customize this item to fit you and any loveseat or sofa in your home.

Erotic-Glass by Wilson

Looking for something to adorn your windows or perhaps the top of your buffet? Want something classic, but with a twist? Look no further than Erotic-Glass by Wilson, a crafty Canadian lady who brings a little sexiness to the timeless craft of stained glass.

Nipples? Check. Bondage? She's got it. Menage a trois? You bet. There's nothing classier than a woman having her head held against the nether regions of her lover, or a man cupping a woman's breast while she gives him the ole reach around.

Certain images are crafted in reflective mirrors, stirring one to ask, as Wilson puts it, "In whose hold does she find her 'safe haven'? Is it in the arms of a loving partner? Could it be in the arms of potentially anyone seeing their own reflection in the mirror? Or could it be her stonger inner self?"

Heavy.



How "safe haven" and bondage go hand in hand, I'm not sure. But hey, that just ain't my thing. Somehow the fact that some oddball middle-aged lady in Ontario is crafting this sultry stained glass makes me find it more adorable than creepy.

Much thanks to Thrillist for bringing Erotic-Glass to our attention!

Paula Deen Pantsed

Lovable granny chef Paula Deen lost her pants at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Oh my!



Speaking of Paula Deen, last night I was treated to a delicious dinner of baked french toast and eggs in spicy tomato sauce. Nothing quite like breakfast for dinner! The baked french toast was a Paul Deen recipe, minus an entire stick of buttah. The eggs recipe was from Everyday Food, with these edits by the chef:

I used mexican cotija cheese (instead of feta) and sprinkled chopped cilantro on the whole thing at the end. Another tip: I recommend carefully squeezing up the whole tomatoes in your hand then adding them into the sauce -- messy, but easier than breaking them up with a spatula. Also I used one can of crushed tomatoes and one can of whole peeled tomatoes.

This fantastic meal, which also included a bread salad, a basil and tomato salad AND sausage and grits, was only a precursor to a tasty and recession-friendly Soup Swap... which I will tell you all about soon. Still slurping soups...

Cookie Chaos

How could I not link to this: The Cookie Chaos Set