I have a penchant for reading cookery texts, from M.F.K. Fisher on transatlantic shipboard cuisine in the 30’s to Apicus on Roman cuisine. I enjoy imagining what a paste of stewed calf’s brains seasoned with pepper and cumin, and cooked with broth, wine, milk and eggs might taste like. Foods come in and out of fashion just like modes of dress, and tastes evolve with the inclusion of other cultures. There was a time when the now ubiquitous pizza was considered exotic or when the tiny breast meats of thrushes and other small songbirds were looked upon by many as delicacies and not potential SARS carriers. Today’s modern cooks have nearly unlimited access to ingredients and cuisine, but very limited time for cooking. Luckily fresh garden produce goes from kitchen to table with little or no cooking. My mother, the green thumb of the family, has donated many a zucchini to my pantry. This recipe makes great use of them and also includes fresh basil and mint. Zucchini ribbon salad with ham (courtesy of Good Housekeeping) Ingredients 2 pound(s) (5 small) zucchini, ends trimmed 4 slice(s) (1 ounce each) deli ham, sliced into 1/2-inch ribbons 1 lemon 2/3 cup(s) salted pistachios, shelled 1/3 cup(s) packed fresh basil leaves 1/3 cup(s) packed fresh mint leaves 1 clove(s) garlic Salt Pepper 3 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoon(s) water 8 slice(s) whole wheat baguette, toasted 1 1/2 ounce(s) goat cheese, softened Directions With vegetable peeler, peel zucchini into wide ribbons. Transfer zucchini ribbons to large bowl and add ham. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. From lemon, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. Cover and refrigerate lemon peel. Prepare pesto: In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse pistachios until finely chopped. Add...

As defined by Urban Dictionary: Steampunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan “What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner.” It includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes. Starting with niche cosplay and con-goer groups decked out in bustles, corsets, monocles, and top hats, the Steampunk lifestyle has been slowly filtering into our daily lives. Today, you can’t walk into a coffee shop or target without seeing a hipster with an overly ornate mustache. Anthropologie’s current clothing line is pretty much the perfect mixture of hipster, earth goddess, 50’s housewife and steampunk mistress. When it comes to fashions for the home, it’s in vogue to buy items that are carefully, and artistically hand crafted, worn in, and just a little bit funky. While many proclaimed Steampunkers are very into the DIY movement, I’ve found many a website to help you spend your hard earned cash on beautiful bespoke pieces…and in my next blog, you can see how I DIYed one of these projects step-by-step. Now, I’m not suggesting your turn your house into this place: But, adding a dash of Victorian sophistication can add a lot more interest to your lovely abode. William Morris, the father of the Art and Crafts Movement, quoted, ““If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” To start, here are some clever instances where people have made modern day pieces look so much more beautiful. I believe that with enough creativity and thought, one can turn the most ugly of objects into...

Frankie says… Always have at least two to three jobs. The difference between Carrie Bradshaw and myself is pretty slim: she has an insanely expensive shoe collection of Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choo’s and the cutest rent-controlled apartment in all of Manhattan. Otherwise, we’re both with cigarette in hand and typing on our Macs about relatively unimportant topics like cute guy in the coffee shop we frequent, or last night’s horrible date, or a disagreement with a friend. Where I take issue with Ms. Bradshaw is in the very difference of our so-called economic status. (Yes, yes I know she is a fictional character, but for arguments’ sake and because she was a very real part of my life for 10 years, let’s just pretend we’re in the same universe, shall we?) I live in a crappy single on the Westside and drive a crappy little car. I can afford new shoes from the DSW clearance section about twice a year. And I have to drink well-vodka sodas, not pretty pink $15 cosmos. However, my situation has recently changed. In addition to my income as a freelancer (low, I assure you, and unpredictable), and my side job as a nanny (8 hours a week at $15/hr), I’ve gotten two more jobs! The first is about 5-10 hours a week reorganizing an artist friend’s studio at $15/hr and the second is another part-time nanny gig for 15 hours a week at $17/hr. I’m up about $1400 each month. This is hugely significant in my life. This means I can actually entertain the idea of moving into a bigger place and I can finally pay off my credit cards. I was even naughty and saw a pair of pants I liked at the Steven Alan Outpost...