Archive   |   August, 2009

camera from athens: the most artistic vacation photos you’ve never taken

athenscamera

Back in the day (before everything went digital) dropping your film off at the developer meant someone else saw your photos before you did. Well, what if you’d never seen your photos, because you weren’t the one who took them? The Camera From Athens is a disposable camera that contains 27 undeveloped photos from Greece, each shot by an up-and-coming artist. Every camera is different, and you purchase it not knowing which photographer you’ll get. I’d really like to know who shot my pics ahead of time, but I still love it. The $40 price tag may seem a bit steep, but with 27 chances to get a beautiful piece of original art, I think it’s well worth it. Pick one up online at Up To You Toronto. — Erica P.

post off: where’s the strangest place you’ve lived?

basement

I have a friend who once lived in a hallway. It was so hard to find affordable housing, he ended up paying for a loft bed in the hall of an apartment, sleeping above the comings-and-goings of his roommates. Yes, you guessed it, this was in Manhattan, but I’m sure that there are other odd stories out there. Anyone had an extreme living situation you’d like to share? –Mary T.

Photo by Sachin Ghodke

funky lunch: taking ‘play with your food’ to a new level

funkylunch

If your kids are anything like I was when I was little, you’ve tried everything to get them to eat their lunch. The only thing I’d put in my mouth was a pb&j (grape jelly and no crusts) and chicken nuggets. I was the pickiest of picky eaters, and probably (no, definitely) a huge pain in the butt for my parents. Maybe if they had made lunch as amusing as the folks at Funky Lunch (Via GoodyBlog) I would have been open to trying new things. Some of these sandwiches are almost too cute to eat! –Erica P.

More cute food: Tillamook sandwiches, bento box art.

brooklyn fare: a new kind of market

brooklynfare

I haven’t been to Brooklyn Fare (yet) but I’m already in love with the store. It’s a market, cafe, hang-out, caterer, and cooking school in one. Judging by the website and the humorous packaging by Mucca Design, the folks behind Brooklyn Fare don’t take themselves too seriously (except when it comes to their products, of course). Maybe this weekend I’ll make it out to 200 Schermerhorn Street and check it out in person. –Erica P.

real life test kitchen: parmesan walnut salad in endive leaves

walnutendive
They say that good recipes stand the test of time, but I’m convinced that the best recipes also time-travel. At least, that’s how it happened for me with this recipe. I first tried it at a Super Bowl party a few years ago, and was instantly smitten. I asked a friend for the recipe, expecting a tear-out from a recent magazine. Instead, I received an email a few days later with the recipe attached — a PDF image of a crooked, tattered Word document that had obviously suffered a few spills and one too many folds in its lifetime. It was like a note that had been passed by hand until someone had the good sense to scan it into a computer sometime in the 14 years since it had originally appeared in Gourmet, only to arrive in my twenties as a great alternative to cheese and crackers! Despite the passage time, the recipe continues to please. Click the link for the details. –Sarah C. (more…)