The other day we gushed a bit about the great finds at RussellJohnson Imports, including vintage phones like the one above and amazingly chic seltzer bottles. Good until the end of March, enter code shelterrific (lowercase) at checkout to receive 30%. Whoo-hooo!
Other than hanging a vintage map on the wall, I can’t imagine the last time I used the once commonplace paper product. With the advent of sites like MapQuest and the increase in personal GPS devices, it seems the printed map has fallen by the wayside. Or has it? The well-known mapmakers at Rand McNally weren’t ready to throw in the towel. In fact, they’ve printed a map right on the towel! FabMAPs are mini microfiber, waterproof maps perfect for cleaning eyewear, computer screens, or cell phones. The company has developed about 25 maps so far for places like New York, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Each map highlights points of interest, restaurants and hotels. Pick one up on the Rand McNally site for just $5.95. –Erica P.
We’re very sad to report that it’s been confirmed today that Domino magazine is folding. A press release from Conde Nast head Chuck Townsend said the decision was based on a poor economy. We know that eventually the economy will improve, but we’re sad to be losing some of our favorite magazines just the same. Domino will be missed.
I love the combination of chocolate and banana, so when I saw this recipe for Chocolate-Banana Snack Cake in my Cooking Light Magazine, I immediately added it my file of “must-make” desserts. I then promptly forgot about it. Lucky for me, while sifting through my box of recipes looking for a good one to use up some overripe bananas, I found it again! The super simple batter comes together in a matter of minutes and the final results are delicious. Mine seemed to cook through in just 30 minutes (the recipe gives a 40-minute cooking time), so be sure to start checking your cake for doneness early. It’s great dusted with a bit of confectioners’ sugar, but I think I might try this recipe as the base for a layer cake. The texture was light and smooth and I know it would be fantastic coated with my heavenly chocolate frosting. Click here for the recipe. –Erica P.
Megan B has a good rule of thumb: If you can get a large amount of a certain fruit or vegetable for cheap, snap it up; that means it’s in season (read: delicious). She encouraged us to try some blood oranges, and we liked them so much we ended up going straight to Trader Joe’s, where we picked up four pounds of them! They’re sweet and luscious as a snack and look gorgeous as a garnish. And they only cost us $1.99/lb. Learn more about blood oranges and find some great recipes at Simply Recipes. –Mary T.
