Author Archives: adaymay

Celebrate

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Wishing one of my favorites Food52 a very happy birthday! For all of you who don’t know Food52, please allow me to make an introduction.

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Food52 was started by these two lovely ladies. Amanda Hesser, formerly of The New York Times and Merrill Stubbs, a former caterer {and Flour counter girl}. These two set out to create a community for chefs, both trained and novice, to exchange recipes, shares stories and support one another. And what a community they’ve created. From cookbooks to a podcast to an online store, Amanda and Merrill have reminded us the importance of food and sharing it with those we love.

Looking for inspiration? Look no further than Food52. But be warned, 10 minutes can easily turn into an hour… it’s just that good! And good news, they are offering free shipping on all orders placed today in honor of their big day. I just purchased these muffin molds and can’t wait for them to arrive.

I will leave you with their cooking manifesto:

  • If you cook, your family will eat dinner together.
  • If you cook, you will naturally have a more sustainable household.
  • If you cook, you’ll set a lifelong example for your children.
  • If you cook, you’ll understand what goes into food and will eat more healthily.
  • If you cook, you’ll make your home an important place in your life.
  • If you cook, you’ll make others happy.
  • If you cook, people will remember you.

*Photo credits: Food52

Movie Monday

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Grace&Frankie

I have my mom to thank for introducing me to Grace and Frankie. While technically it isn’t a movie, it felt like a movie as I spent nearly all day yesterday in bed watching this fantastic series and nursing a stomach bug. From the co-creators of Friends, this delightful series premiered on Netflix this past May and stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin (who is my opinion steals the show), Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston. The story-line unfolds in the opening scene when you find out that Grace’s husband and Frankie’s husband (who just happen to be partners at a divorce law firm in San Diego) have fallen in love and are divorcing the two, who are by no means friends.

Over the next twelve episodes, what develops is a touching friendship between these one frenemies and the important of moving on. From dating in your 70s to hosting a bachelor party for your now gay-dads, this show has a wit and humor that will keep you wanting more.The series was reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers’ film, especially with the beach house in La Jolla, that I could move right into.

Good news, Season 2 is set to premiere in 2016. The end of Season 1 ends with a cliffhanger so I look forward to binge-watching these ladies again soon.

Found

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I have always found finding a classic pair of sandals to be quite a challenge. That was until I discovered Matt Bernson. Since our introduction, I have indulged and purchased two pairs including his love sandal {how fitting a name} and this week’s found item. Your search for the perfect refined flip-flop is over!

Turns out, this is Matt’s first and favorite summer design. As you can see, he has updated the classic thong sandal with a distinctive cross band that adds incredible comfort. The craftsmanship is perfection and the leather I can tell will only get better with time.

A welcome addition to my summer wardrobe indeed. Enjoy this beautiful day {and weekend}, dear readers!

Opening Day

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It’s a very exciting day here in Boston as the much anticipated Boston Public Market officially opened its doors at 11 am. K and I are heading there after work {hours are 8 am to 8 pm, Wed-Sun I believe} and I can’t wait. Be sure to check out my Instagram feed this evening as I’m sure I won’t be able to control myself with the food photos!

I remember the first time I went to Chelsea Market {back in 2009} and wishing my beloved city had such an incredible space dedicated to all things food. Little did I know that the Boston Public Market has been in the works since 2001. According to the BPM website “In 2001, a group of food producers, restaurateurs, and food lovers gathered to form the Boston Public Market Association. After years of work advocating for the development of a public market in Boston, they gained the support of elected officials and helped identify a permanent site for the market.” But worth the wait it is as it’s the only locally sourced market of its kind in the United States. Everything sold at the Boston Public Market is produced or originates in New England.

The list of vendors is impressive too. Union Square Donuts, Mother Juice, Bon Me, Cellars at Jasper Farm, Sweet Lydia’s and Sienna Farms. My kitchen, tummy and fridge will be so pleased.

Ten Things

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Why hello there! I thought today I would take the time to share a few tidbits that you probably don’t know about me.

* My first highway driving experience was at the ripe old age of 24. It was up to Maine for my dear friend Stacy’s {whose birthday is today} bridal shower. I was gripping the wheel so tight, I had hand cramps for hours.

* I don’t have my ears pierced. Thank goodness for screw back earrings. I scour eBay and vintage stores to add to my {growing} collection.

* I’m a 13th generation Nantucketer on my father’s side {dating back to Tristam Coffin, the first English settler on island} and 12th on my mother’s {decendents of Edward Cartwright hailing from England who moved to the island in 1673 from Maine to help teach the ins and outs of cod fishing}. My great, great-grandfather, Archibald Cartwright, is said to be the last whale captain of Nantucket.

* For such a foodie, I sure am one picky eater. No mushrooms, lobster, clams or ground beef for me {but I will gladly take a hot dog if no vegetarian option is available}.

* I’m a purist at heart. Given the choice of 50 ice cream flavors, I’ll always chose vanilla.

* I hate nuts in my baked goods {unless it’s a sconset cookies from The Sconset Market. My only exception}!

* I am known to start at least 3 side projects before heading to work in the morning. I really don’t like doing household chores {besides cooking} when I get home.

* I still travel with my blue stuffed animal dinosaur Dino. A gift from my Mom in 1988.

* I’ve been to 31 out of our 50 states. High on my wanderlust list are Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

* I don’t have a middle name.

 There you have it… did any of these surprise you? Stay cool today, friends. It’s hot out there!

Tuesday Travel

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Last fall, K and I were planning our first trip together. We were tossing around Napa Valley, Seattle, Chicago and Austin, which we ultimately decided on. And how glad I am that we did. A city known for food {and food trucks}, live music and interesting people. How could you not want to go? After many hours of research {and reading my new favorite guide books, Wildsam Field Guides}, I think we pulled together the ideal list of must do’s. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Stay

San Jose

The decision of where to stay in Austin was quite easy. I had read about Liz Lambert and Hotel San Jose in many a travel magazine and all the reviews were spot on. Concrete floors and minimalist interiors featuring handmade furniture, white linen sheets and Malin + Goetz bath products all in the heart of South Congress {or SoCo as the locals call it}. You can’t go wrong. We were literally 5 minutes away from all of the hot spots in town. Liz also has a sister property, Hotel Saint Cecilia, which looks amazing and is on the list for our next trip.

Eat

Elizabeth Street

I could go on and on about the food but in the interest of time {it’s 6 pm and I really should hit publish on this}, I thought it wise to just share the links and a quick anecdote of our favorite spots.

Guero’s Taco Bar {our first stop in Austin that certainly set the bar: beer, tacos and live music}

Jo’s {coffee house in the parking lot of Hotel San Jose; tasty coffee and breakfast wraps too}

Elizabeth Street Cafe {my absolute favorite spot in Austin; great for breakfast, lunch and dinner}

Banger’s {great beer selection and the fried cheese curds were life changing}

Hillside Farmacy {my second favorite spot; the green and black painting above is from their exterior}

La Condesa  {mexican street corn, enough said}

Juice {el jefe is the way to go}

Burro Cheese Kitchen {the BEST grilled cheese I’ve ever had}

Homeslice {always need to find a pizza place in a new city}

Amy’s Ice Cream {cause you need ice cream after a slice of pizza}

Franklin BBQ {truth be told, we didn’t go and opted for a sub par option; our only regret of the trip}

Do

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Our first night in Austin we did the one thing that I was a bit skeptical of. We sat by the Congress Bridge and waited for dusk and the flying of the bats. Did you know that Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America? It is truly unbelievable to see. The colony is estimated at 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats and each night from mid-March to November, the Congress Bridge bats emerge from under the bridge to blanket the sky as they head out to forage for food.

Austin is the live music capital of the world so you must, must, MUST see live music in Austin. We made it to The Continental Club and Austin City Limits. We had plans to go to The Broken Spoke but I sadly fell asleep {I am blaming it on a food coma}.

I also highly recommend renting a car and driving out to Hamilton Pool. It’s breathtaking. Barton Springs was also on the list but with unseasonably cold weather during our visit we didn’t make it.

Shop

The shopping in Austin is some of the best. My must’s include:

Allens Boots

By George 

Stag Provisions

South Congress Books 

Parts and Labour

Uncommon Objects

I think that about covers it all. If you are looking for a great getaway, I highly recommend you put Austin at the top of your list. This city has just about everything! And please remember to follow my travels on Instagram #awaywithmay.

Found

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Have you all been involved in a Kickstarter campaign? To date, I’ve participated in two and think it is just the coolest concept. One that I missed the ball on {but wish I had been a part of} was the campaign for Appointed, created by DC-based creative designer Suann Song, who wanted to create beautiful tools to inspire beautiful work. As the owner of SimpleSong Design, Suann was always looking for the perfect notebook. After months of trying, she decided it was time to create her own. One that would elevate the work experience and foster creativity. For Suann “the notebook represents untapped potential + endless possibility.” I couldn’t agree more. The campaign launch in March and lucky for us, Suann reached her goal and launched her product line and website, Appointed earlier this month.

Since I am a tried-and-true paper lover, I treated myself to a few goodies. The notebooks have a beautiful water-resistant cloth bound cover and are available with either grid, lined or blank pages. Even better, they are American-made with recycled paper and utilizing renewable energy. And the desk accessories, beautiful. My next purchase will be the brass pencil cup.

Need a little something to help spark your next creative venture? These notebooks will do just the trick. I have one for my editorial calendar for this little blog and one for my *dream* business. More on that in due time, dear friends. Hope you have a lovely + relaxing weekend!

Listen

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Friends, have you heard of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings? If not, watch this. 

Pretty amazing, right. They opened last night for the Tedeschi Trucks Band and I was blown away. And what an incredible story. Right before the release of their most recent album {in 2013} Give the People What They Want Sharon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and thus the album and coinciding tour was put on hold. Good news, though, she is back and cancer free. Check out the tour schedule for upcoming shows. It’s one you won’t want to miss.

Daily Reads

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It’s Wednesday… two more days till the weekend! How excited are you? To show my excitement, I though I would share with you some of my daily reads. I only hope one day this little blog of mine has the following that these talented ladies do. Endless inspiration indeed.

Camille Styles – Inspired Gatherings + Effortless Style (her book that came out last year is a wonderful too)

The New Potato – The World Through the Lens of Food (sisters Danielle + Laura Kossan authors this delightful blog and their videos are hilarious and ones I watch frequently when I need an afternoon pick-me-up)

Victoria McGinley – San Francisco based web designer and blogger, Victoria aesthetic is quite similar to mine and thus I’m always getting ideas. She also redesigned Grace Atwood’s  The Stripe… another must read.

Oh So Beautiful Paper – A Celebration of All Things Paper (need I say more!)

Should you like these, check out my list from 2012. Still read these too!

In the Kitchen

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#TacoTuesday has become a tradition at Melrose Place {our city abode}. At least twice a month, on Tuesday of course, I try a new taco recipe. I have about a 95% success rate, with one tragic night taking place a few weeks back with a Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. K’s favorite thus far was a honey-lime sweet potato, corn and black bean recipe.

Sometimes, though, I just crave a basic taco like the ones my mom use to make using the Ortega taco dinner kit. Since my mom doesn’t eat meat, she would use ground turkey. I have realized, though,  that those little seasoning packages just aren’t  a good idea. With a little research, and keeping my spice cabinet full of delicious blends from Ambrosia {an island must}, I developed my own taco seasoning. Mix 2 tablespoons of this with ground turkey, a can of garbanzo beans and some kale, and you have yourself a healthy and delicious taco.

May’s Taco Seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 Tbs. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. sea salt

1 Tbs. ground cumin

In my opinion, the key to a great taco are all the fixings. Soft corn tortillas, avocados, chopped tomato, shredded cabbage, cilanto and cotija cheese are terrific additions. Give this a try. I promise, you’ll be having a #tacotuesday tradition soon enough!