Food Friday: Mashup!

Oy! We've done a lot of cooking this week. Monday saw vegan chili from Bon Appetit paired with fluffy, cheesy dill-and-cheddar beer bread; last night, thanks to a simple template from 101 Cookbooks, I attempted miso soup for the first time - with sexy results! (And by sexy I mean light, spicy, and satisfying.) Do yourself a solid and give any of these recipes a whirl the next time you're cold, lazy, and/or hungry. Or you just want your kitchen to smell like amazingness.

Style Icon: Madea

Yes, yes, yes and yes. I love every one of these looks:

R. I. P., Vintage

Hi guys! Allow me to hijack the blog today in order to air personal grievances.

We like vintage because it's older and wiser. One of the downsides of older things, however, is that they sometimes die. It's always really sad when this happens with clothing, especially clothing that you've become really attached to despite knowing that your time together would inevitably be short. It is also sad when this happens with housewares.


R. I. P., miniature dog mirror!

Backstory: I have a really bad (good?) habit of buying those screenprinted mirrors whenever I see them at thrift stores.


This one has plants on it.


This one says "Tragique D'Hamlet: Prince Du Danemark."

But the one with the little dog on it held a special place in my heart - it was so tiny, so adaptable! It followed me through my life, from Philadelphia to DC - just like a real dog! I am really sad to see it go, but I think that these two huge cracks render it a little too unpredictable to continue perching atop my dresser. I will no longer see it's furry little face staring back at me when I am attempting to apply mascara (or white eyeliner - my most recent Beauty Island impulse buy).

Movies for Lovers

I recently saw My Cousin Vinny for the first time. Whoa! Sit down, guys. We have to talk about Marisa Tomei.



I know this pic is kind of questionable because you can't see her entire outfit, but you really don't need to. Generally, I am not a big fan of sheer/mesh stuff - but we've seen it done right, and this is one of those instances where it succeeds with flying colors. And what colors, indeed - it's the face-punch royal blue of this dress that makes it a Listopad fave. Add a couple of chunky silver chain-link bracelets and you have an ensemble fit for da club or da courtroom.



I imagine that in this still, Marisa is like, "Psst. My dress has geometric cutouts from neck to bellybutton, exposing skin in a characteristically artistic early-nineties way. In addition, my sunglasses and leather jackets are a testament the continuing influence of Blade Runner and my camera is large, pink, and analog. It's true - you're not worthy."



This picture exemplifies the accessorizing flair that made me bust a nut on a cloud and shout out loud. Can you spot it? Ok, that might be a trick question because it's technically not an accessory - it's the slim, bright blond streak above her left ear. Were the My Cousin Vinny costume designers madcap geniuses, or was this a trend at the time? If it wasn't before the movie, did it inspire legions of imitators? I am seriously going out to buy bleach, like, tomorrow. It's so Stacy London!

(Big fucking ups to flickr user hypostylin for having all the pictures necessary to make this post a visually informative one.)

Get To It

Tuesday, there is a big par-tee for the release of the Adventure/Dan Deacon 12" at Zodiac.

Reading Lolita in Tehran author Azar Nafisi will be at Politics and Prose discussing her new book, Things I've Been Silent About, on Wednesday. Plus: Portland's Au plays the Velvet Lounge.

In high school, I would sneak out of my house and drive around the deserted streets of DC listening to Nightmares on Wax - their sampled orchestrations lent a meaningful pallor to Rock Creek Park at 3 AM. I am excited that they'll be at the Black Cat on Thursday. Or, you could venture north to the Talking Head for the Golden Filter and friends.

Saturday, Lykke Li brings her top-knotted goodness, artistically-spelled name, and generally sunny disposition to Sixth and I.

Food Friday

Hi lovers. I know we have not featured Food Friday in a while. Fear not! We are still cooking and baking up a storm. I wanted to feature Angela's Uncle Robert's super-moist banana bread here today because a.) no one likes wasting food, b.) everyone likes a recipe that makes good use of bananas that have gotten a little too brown to eat, and c.) this banana bread is so fucking good you might need to write a song about it or something.

Uncle Robert's Super-Moist Banana Bread

1/3 cup butter
11/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
4 mashed ripe bananas
8 oz sour cream or plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
11/2 teaspoon baking soda
21/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans, raisins, chocolate chips, or whatever you like munching on! (optional)


Plus:
1/4 cup extra sugar
1 teaspoon of allspice (or cinnamon!)


Cream together butter and sugar.
Add and mix in eggs, bananas, sour cream, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Then, mix in salt, baking soda, flour, & nuts.
Preheat oven to 300º.
Grease 91/2 inch bread pan with butter and sprinkle with extra sugar and allspice mixture.
Pour batter into pan evenly.
Bake at 300º for 1 hour.

Music for Lovers: Debbie Harry

Do you guys know about Debbie Harry’s first solo album, Koo Koo? If you didn't, that's ok, because from what I hear, the record didn't shake too many tailfeathers when it came out. Like ... everyone really hated it. It was a fervently anticipated collaboration between two mega-stars: Debbie Harry, then at the apex of Blondie fame, and Chic’s Nile Rodgers, who, despite the waning popularity of his band, was a storied and respected producer. Add to this mix, if you will, album art designed by visual mind-fucker H. R. Giger - the person responsible for any nightmare you've ever had about Alien - and you have a pretty batshit record on your hands. PS: It was 1981, and music was just like, “Whaaa?”



Seriously?

H. R. Giger directed Debbie in two videos: "Backfired" "Now I Know You Know." I couldn't decide which one to post - the videos are equally bizarre and the songs are equally ... um ... out of it? - so I am posting both! Yay!





Hmm, what fashion comments to make about these? I am sooo into the wig and printed bodysuit in "Now I Know You Know", but the cyborg headband and ballet-neck tank in "Backfired" are killer too! Above all, though, I loved the murky green-black palette that pervades throughout both videos - one that can also be seen in the diaphanous confection that Debbie sports in the video for "Heart of Glass."



You know we love neutrals here at Listopad, and this is inspiring me to further explore the greener, smokier end of the neutral spectrum - earth tones and what have you. Also, I'm pretty sure I want Debbie's haircut.

Amazing?

Aretha Franklin at the Inauguration via HuffingtonPost.com

I am pretty sure this is as understated as the Queen of Soul gets, which, in itself, is an amazing thing.

And, in unrelated news, Lost returns tonight!....

Michelle is so magical.



Not because she wore a white Jason Wu dress to the balls last night, using the bridal connotations of the color to signify her commitment to her husband and to the nation.





Not because she did the signature Michelle - Malia - Sasha hat trick, using paler shades of the red - yellow - blue triumvirate to cohere their outfits.







Not because her choice of fashion designers for the crucial events of Obama's campaign and presidency have been consistently innovative, beautiful, and, most importantly, designed by American immigrants: Thailand-born Thakoon Panichgul, Taiwanese Jason Wu, and Cuban expat Isabel Toledo. See a pattern? A dress pattern, if you will? Michelle seems to be emphasizing that most ancient point of American pride: immigrants are literally the fabric of our nation! Barack's dad was an immigrant! My great-grandfather was an immigrant! William Penn! The pilgrims! Neil Young! (He's Canadian!) Michelle is giving a shout-out to this fact through her outfits, guys. We should all strive to be so meta.

But no: I really think she is magical because was sporting this rock:



And because her husband is really cool.

Listopad Sweats

Last March, my mind was blown when I went to see the Boredoms for the first time. (How did I make it to 24 without seeing this band? Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? These questions, among others, are unanswerable.)

The Boredoms had it all that night: a set that blurred the lines between circus, performance art, and music; uni-dreadlocked frontman Eye playing a seven-necked guitty with drumsticks; two little mini-Boredoms running around who could I only assume were the luckiest babies in the world because a.) they were kawaii and b.)they came out of someone in that band.

In addition, they had a really cool opening act called Soft Circle, which was former Black Dice percussionist Hisham Bharooca doing things I couldn't quite understand with drums and some sort of tape-loop situation. I liked Soft Circle, but I couldn't tell why. But I just found out and now I am telling you guys! Up until today, I had no idea that Hisham was also my favorite artist.


I don't know what this picture is called! Do you??

A quick persual of his MySpace reveals other common interests: we too are fans of R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet, America's Next Top Model, and Henry Moore!





As Celia said to Nancy on that one episode of Weeds: "Be my friend!"

Get To It

Happy Inauguration Week.



Many things are happening on Monday! Stussy is throwing a party for those of you have decided to forgo the ball option.

Tuesday, BYT has amassed a maniacal lineup of DC musical acts for their all-day Inauguration getbombedfest. Art of Junk, guys. ART OF JUNK. Randomly, Nappy Roots play DC9.

Wednesday! You will be so hungover at work. Drink as much water as you can, eat a lot of fruit, and take comfort in the fact that Lost premieres tonight! It will be you + jammies + Sawyer.

Thursday, the American Art Museum hosts a screening of short films from their collection. Beach Boys/Geto Boys looks really cool. Or: learn to fix a flat at City Bikes.

Jonathan Adler is having a sale! Anything you serve at your next dinner party (perhaps on Friday?) will look adorable on his peacock platter.

Top Serious Warmth

Guys. How the hell am I supposed to look cute at tonight's Inaugural Freak-fest when it is twelve degrees outside?

Perhaps this chunky, ADD-colored 80s Missoni sweater-jacket?



A tawny cable knit dress that will go with anything, from ankle-cut cowboy boots to piles of gold jewelry to a jaunty bowler?



This cheeky, cleverly cut wool jacquard suit from Cacharel?



Ok, I just wanted to look at clothes. But seriously, come to the party tonight! It will be inaugu-tastic.

Vintage Vault: Top Serious Offer

Hi. I have found the best product ever for vintage sweaters. Do you have a pile of awesome acrylic cardigans made in Hong Kong that you essentially love but for the horrible piling and all-around hobo-ness of the knit? Did you salvage amazing wool cropped sweaters from your grandma with weird piling near the armpits? Fear not! The Sweater Stone is here. And you can get it FREE. Yes, I got one this week and went to work on all my vintage sweaters which look brand-new now. And it didn't even take them four weeks to send me one. ORDER ONE NOW!!!! Thank me later.

Fresh Finds

Fresh Finds is back for 2009! This weekend, Mercedes Bien Vintage store will be open Saturday-Monday for your last-minute Inaugural and party dresses and accessories, along with our usual treasure trove of goods...

"Mur Elen" chunky all wool kimono-sleeved cardigan, Women's, M or free size, Listopad

Silk Cropped jacket with beautiful oversized buttons, Women's, M, Listopad

Rockin' tweed high-waisted skirt with wide leather band, Women's, S/M, Listopad

Alfani Classic Italian Leather Loafers w/tassel detail, Men's, Sz 9, Listopad

Style Icon: Anais Nin

No one does french gypsy intellectual ballet dancer better than Anais Nin. Her '20s style accompanied her well into the second half of the century, with skinny eyebrows and romantic leanings. But perhaps my favorite tendency of hers is that distinct Silverlake Avant Garde that is a bit hippy, a bit Euro:

Music for Lovers: The Chain

Please don't dispute the relevance of Stevie Nicks in the fashion world. I am only going to refer to the 70s in this post, though her later sartorial choices through the decades continued to be unique and exciting--especially if you like crimped hair (don't hate on the '80s). Check out Dreams for more witchy-bohemian-hippy-circus traveller looks.

New Year, New You

Along with today's Get To It, reader, we have a surprise for you: a new banner! It's nuthin' fancy, but we are taking baby steps here at virtual Listopad in an effort to spice things up in 2009. (Insert "change we can believe in" jokes/puns/etc.) Enjoy!


Richard Colman, Two Other Eyes

Wednesday! Farrar, Straus and Giroux senior editor Lorin Stein leads a discussion of Roberto Bolano's 2666 at Politics and Prose. Or! A series from Art in the Twenty-First Century (the episode "Place") screens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Friday, you could go to Trinidad and Tobago Association and have your mind blown by Nadastrom. Or you could go to the Black Cat for the Prince vs. Madonna vs. Michael Jackson dance-off (or Party Lights, the free Backstage affair). Or you could fly to Sundance for the premiere of The September Issue. (Ok, this last one is not a local event - but raise your hand if you are waiting with some seriously bated breath to see this movie. That's what I thought.)

Saturday is your last chance to see "Aspect Ratio" before it closes at Irvine Contemporary. Do not sleep on this cool little show featuring the works of Listopad stalkees (and DC homegrowns) Iona Rozeal Brown and Richard Colman, among others.

C is for cookie,

and cookie is for you, darling reader!

Our friend Rachel is a whiz in the kitchen. At the most recent girl free-for-all (which included white wine and a screening of Step Up, starring the embarrassingly hot Channing Tatum - and by embarrassingly I mean that I am embarrassed for finding him so attractive), Rachel whipped up a varied assortment of baked goods - but it was these crispy, sugar-kissed, light-as-air "c cookies" that stole my heart. They are an OG confection - Rachel's mom got the recipe out of an 1970s issue of Woman's Day - and, like all good cookies, they are de-lish-us without taking themselves too seriously. (I mean, they're in the shape of the letter C! How self-referentially post-modern is that?) The recipe is below, complete with notes.

C Cookies (Hazelnut Crescents)

Makes 8 dozen

Ingredients:
1 C softened butter
1 C sugar
1 C hazelnuts, finely ground
2 C flour
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugar. Add nuts, flour, salt and vanilla. Work with fingers as with pie crust. (My mom mixes first with mixer and finishes with hands. I've never read this part of the recipe until now and have only made mine by mixing with a blender.) If mix doesn't hold together, add ice water by the tablespoon.

Using a tsp of dough, shape like crescents. (This is a pain. Must roll between palms so it forms long, thin, cylinder shape.) Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes (though if you start to smell them, check, mine have been ready in as little as 15 minutes) or unti faintly brown. Cool.

Dust with sifted powdered sugar like early morning snow.

More Fro-Yo at Cali Yogurt

I used to be Miss Pixies!

It may be January in D.C., but the taste for frozen tangy yogurt never leaves me. How else can I keep my heard so hard and cold ?

When I saw the signs for Cali Yogurt (2473 18th St NW near Columbia) to replace the old Miss Pixies space in Adams Morgan (the new space is very fab, by the way), I was skeptical. Is the fro-yo market going to be saturated within of year or so of its beginnings, and fall prey to one of those unnecessary trends that trickle down to our beloved city? First there was TangySweet, then Mr. Yogato, now Cali. I was worried, until I tasted the sweet, sweet deliciousness of Cali Yogurt. They have a different flavor special every week along with the standard original and green tea - Mango (yum!) , Peach (yum!), and Raspberry (haven't tried , but I am sure also yum!). Love the toppings - a pretty and clean array of fruits and candies. And they also offer a really pretty assortment of desserts, loose teas (must try, although who wants warm tea in the winter?crazy!), and cyber-looking tea presses. And the retro vibe of the furniture reminds me of the fun vintage furniture at Miss Pixies. In my head, I am going to call it a homage and I won't resent "Cali" for not being "DeeCee." Also, the cost at $6 for a cup with three toppings is not so spiffy. But the large size is a value if you want to split amongst friends.

Suggested: green tea and peach swirl with pomegranate, mango, kiwi. Also suggested: Emily had the green tea with peanut butter chips and fruit.

Sketchy

WWD gives us a delicious preview of some Fall '09 shoes.

Sometimes the drawings are better than the real thing. I love seeing the stylization of the images - the hasty Sharpie fill-in, the muted near-impressionism, the cartoonish exaggeration.


(Devi Kroell)


(Tashkent by Cheyenne)


(Casadei)

Sometimes you can tell the shoe is going to be ugly, but the image is charming or beautifully rendered.


(Claudio Merazzi)


(Giuseppe Zanotti)

Sometimes you just want to see it in person.


(Omelie)


(Ernesto Esposito)

Debbie Does Disco

A friend of mine found this book at Value Village.



It is, as you may be able to tell, a disco instruction manual. The book's heroine is Dopey Debbie, a young woman "in the prime of her dancing and dating life," who for some reason spends all her time at home playing Old Maid with her best friend, Grotesque Gertie - or sometimes, even worse, watching black-and-white TV. The horror!



Author Roy Madrid (winner of both the Disco Dance Instructor of the Year Award and Top Disco Couple Dance Award at the 1978 Dance Rock Awards) encourages readers to practice beat counting all the time - even "while giving a home permanent."



Evidently Debbie has done both of these things.






Work it, girl! Love the shoes!