The One About Food (Eura Cool to me #6)

Culinary skills are important...in a restaurant.  For me?  Not so much.  I try, and things go well.  Then I get excited, and lose interest simultaneously.  This does not stop me from amassing recipes.  One day I will be in some random city with horrible restaurants and I will have to cook for myself (because it's the endoftheworld).

Baking is enjoyable.  Flour is dusty.  Eating is delightful.  Cooking is messy.  Fire is warm.  I don't like sweating.  Delicious foods make me happy.  It's a conundrum.  Why can't life be simple, like shopping???

Here's a few of my favorites that I have tried (either in reality or in my imagination).

...Baking (Chocolate Chip Walnut Mini-Cookies) - The reason I stopped baking with butter (after very few attempts) is that I am waiting averse (that other word is too harsh).  Butter needs to be soft and malleable before use.  I don't really care about that, so I figured...what about using olive oil (seemed like a Meditteranean option, and they know their food)??  It's easy, but will it taste guh-ross?  Answer: Nope.  How do I know?  Answer: I tested them on the masses (12people = masses).  Supreme test...my butter-lovin paternal colonel.  He eats any cookie I make with olive oil, and does not comment on the lack of butter (commenting is his sport of choice).  However, there is a delicate balance between flour and oil.  Too much flour will create a blandness.  You will figure it out (hint: If you are combining the flour and it seems to be too much.  Do not force it.  Just leave out the excess)  Add flour slowly, and use this recipe, but TWEAK with with this conversion chart.  Last thing, I use semi-sweet chocolate chips.  In my mind, this is healthy-er.  I have no proof.  I don't want any.  Yummy is the GOAL!!

Chocolate chip/Walnut Cookie Bites (made w/olive oil)



The far left is a Chocochip/Cranberry, and the rest are Chocochip/Walnut from small to bite-size

...More BAKING (Crawfish Cornbread) - I want to try this.  Nothing is better than comfort food.  Except, SOUTHERN comfort food.  If you weren't raised in the South, my condolences.  It is quite possible that I will eat anything described as cornbread.  Food sins exist, but this is not one of them...



Crawfish Cornbread


...Frying (French fries, GOOP Style) - To eat, or not to eat...FRENCH FRIES.  Letterman or Leno.  SUV or Sedan.  You are either on one side or the other.  This is exactly why I respect Gwyneth Paltrow-Martin.  She eats FRENCH FRIES.  People who eat fries are aware of the consequences, but they enjoy them anyway.  GOOD people.  This will be one of my methods because a healthy-er (I realize there is another spelling) version of a food from Team Fattening is a winner to me.


Gwyneth Paltrow recipe for French Fries

Food is a happy experience.  This is my PINterest board dedicated to FOOD.

Eura Cool (to me) #5

My intention was to blog it up.  Write about all the cool things I came across on Etsy, or in life.  Make entries monthly (weekly was unrealistic).  It's 2013, and I dare say I have yet to accomplish that goal.  Why not?  I've been all over the place for work, for fun, for more work.  Sitting still meant that I was asleep or trying to learn some class from reality TV personalities (Doh!!  That was supposed to be a secret.  Blergh!).

Sans a crystal ball, I expected as much because I am Queen of the land of Procrastination (at least I'm QUEEN!).  I have found coolness, and I am here to share because thatiswhatIdo.

We all have places to go, and I've decided to introduce you to my method of preparation to face the world...if I was...cool.

...1940s Vanity/Vintage Wood Desk (86Home) - FIRST, I would do a face check in my fancy vintage VANITY desk as I gather my necessities (lip balm, and lip balm).  I am so excited to sit at my desk because it's eco-conscious (I curr about the planet.), pretty and...cool.

1940's Vintage/Vanity DeskEtsy: 86Home

...Leg Warmers (pippisLongstockings) - Once the lips are fixed, and the hair is no longer marching to it's own beat.  I'm ready to go.  Cold weather requires boots, and boots require accessories like leggings.  Leggings aren't just for dance class and the 80's anymore.   My legs are warm, but I look cool (to me).

Made to Order Leggings
Etsy: pippisLongstockings
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pippisLongstockings

...Everyday is Winding Road Weekender (StarBags) - I am ready to hit the door so I pick up my weekender (oh yeah, I'm going somewhere).  It's packed with all the must-haves and wants it can stand.  I have other bags, but this one is so pretty and...cool.  Even if I had to pack a change of clothes, I would use this bag.  The detail is amazing, and I think my clothes would feel better in it (My clothes are sensitive.  Don't judge them.).  I own this in my imagination, and hopefully my reality will take the hint.

Everyday Is A Winding Road Weekender
Etsy:  StarBags

That's how I roll (out the door).  Until next time.  Meanwhile, I shall rule my land (www.eurahearts.com,  www.facebook.com/euralee OR www.euralee.etsy.com) with leniency.  No other options, because it's the LAND of PROCRASTINATION.

xoxo,
Eura Lee

Inspiration vs. Pinspiration

I'm not gonna lie.  I'm supposed to be creating right now.  The gigantic pile of un-crafted is giving me the stink eye. (If it were alive. More like a judge-y energy.)  Meanwhile, I've got bigger pins to find.  Pinterest is my arch nemesis, and my inspiration.  

Things like this fall onto my radar...

Homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com

I will get back to work, or I will go to bed.  There is so much to do...

Distractedly yours,

Eura Lee

Eura Cool (to me) #4

I like art.  It's subjective, expressive and cool.  I am mostly drawn to the kind that I like to look at (I'm not that deep).  My relationship with art began in 10th grade when 1) I rediscovered that I knew how to draw, and 2) you could be sent to the principal's office for refusing to work in ceramics (it's a dirty process, and I didn't sign up for a dry cleaning bill).

Art brings the happy...to you...your rooms...your relationships (isn't that...cool?). 

So let's discuss...

...for YOU - The Umbrella (No. 2) (Darren Thompson Fine Art) - I like umbrellas, and I like walking and talking to my friends...so I like this painting.  The technique?  I have no clue, but I like it and I would like it on my wall (or a notebook or a bag or my t-shirt, maybe a phone case...because it's cool). 

The Umbrella (No. 2)
Etsy: www.darrenthompson.etsy.com
Facebook: Darren Thompson Fine Art

...for your baby's ROOM - Nursery Art Print (Galerie Anais) - The days of decorating a child's room in baseballs or ballerinas are behind us (most of us...no judgement).  The general baby gift is such a bore.  It's time to step out of the box and give from your heART.  Elephants and turtles are everywhere (neighborhood creek, cartoons, the zoo, Discovery Channel).  The child will learn from the art and you will go down in baby shower history (legendary?) .  A gift that GIVES is what every baby's room needs to make the child smart and...cool.

Nusery Art Print - original reproduction of handmade work
Etsy: www.galerieanais.etsy.com
Facebook: Galerie Anais

...for your RELATIONSHIPS - Step by Step Art Class (Paint Like Picasso) - Picasso was transitional and...cool.  There was the blue period, then rose, followed by a little geometric with the cubes, etc.  Interesting is an understatement, yet if I painted like him I'd be content with that achievement.  Art class would be the first step.  A fun step if you do it with other people.  I'm a (some) people person, and it's fun to do things with people you like.  What better way to find your inner Picasso than an art class (with wine).  Maybe you want to have a party? Teambuilding for your office?  Couple's night?  Painting offers instant gratification (and no need to call the principal).  The first time, the horse might look a bit tree-ish.  Art is subjective...and cool.  Keep trying.

Paint Like Picasso
website: www.paintlikepicasso.com
Facebook: Paint Like Picasso

Creative juices trickle more than flow...

Ideally, I would love to have my hands do the creative good and make use of all of the materials I have amassed (nearly hoarded).  I don't know if you can relate to that feeling when you walk over to an area that needs your attention, whether it be creative activity or the simple act of tidying up, and you stop...stare...walk away.  This time I had direction.  I made a bracelet for my mother and here's what it looks like.

Shell/Amethyst/Carved brass bead

Do I have more going on?  I wish...I hope to keep creating until there is nothing left.  The general idea is to donate portions of the proceeds to those in need and save the rest to move abroad and teach.  This motivation will hopefully supercede my consistent procrastination.  I have a few ideas, and I shall share them (as well, as the cool things I find along the way.  I'm excited to see what cool things I find abroad.  Motivated!!).

Until next time...(www.facebook.com/euralee)