Boozey Bougie

If you know me, you know that two of my favorite things are candles and Adventure Time. Imagine my elation when this week I discovered that my two loves have been combined. It was like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of life! Adventure Time introduced a new set of characters called The Hooligans Who Love Candles. These dudes really love candles. Like really. Actually more than I do because even though I have paid up to $90 for a candle, I don't think I'd actually rob anyone for one. Yet.

My holiday seasonal candles (pine, clove and animal butt) are almost spent, so it's time to replace them with winter candles before I start my spring rotation in March. I don't buy cheap candles. They will fill your air with fumes and synthetic fragrances that will smoke your walls and give you a sinus headache. I can't convince anyone that luxury candles are worth the price...it's just something you have to want. It doesn't really help that candle in French is "bougie". OK, I guess it does.

After my weekly key lime pie in Georgetown (2014 Resolution - MORE PIE) and some Bénédictine and Brandy courage, I scooted across to Blue Mercury for my winter candles. The boozey budget always says "Hey, it's not so bad. You can totally afford this."

I go back and forth about Diptyque. I remember when they used to be $45 and now they are $60. There are plenty of other brands in this price range that are made with quality ingredients with more burn time, but a Diptyque is always going to be phenomenal. I am never disappointed. The Ambre is spicy and warm...perfect for my bedroom.

For the animals that share my DNA, I got the Lafco Myrrh and Cassis which has been a consistent choice of mine for years. I burn this in the kids' rooms before they go to bed so they have a soothing environment for their bedtime rituals. They are straight up behaving like gremlins at that point in the evening so anything that encourages them to calm the hell down is key. Lafco candles are usually about the same price as Diptyque but with a 20-30 hour additional burn time. Their handblown glasses are always great to use afterwards.

Just remember an even burning candle lasts longer. Your first burn should melt the wax all the way to the glass edge, always trim your wick and snuff it, don't blow it!

Candles: Diptyque Ambre Candle and Lafco Boudoir Candle

Le Rêve & Le Real - Striped Sweaters

It's been snowing all day. It started off with the tiniest flakes which my grandmother used to warn are the foundation for a total shit show. Things have been good and we have plenty of beer. Slow falling, light snow over a long period of time usually means continued power = heat, cooking, humidifiers and wifi. 

The Dissociative Identity Disorder Alberta Clipper that's morphing into another Polar Vortex situation has me on the hunt for more sweaters. On the left we have Le Rêve or "the dream" which is the Isabel Marant Étoile blue stripe knit sweater at $470. On the right we have Le Real or...you get it. The fiscally conscious option is the Target Xhilaration marl stripe sweater in grey/blue for $22.99. 

I scooped the Target version and hand washed it in laundry detergent that actually costs more than the sweater (boom!). It's no alpaca blend, but it feels and smells glorious now. Look out for upcoming posts styling it. Because....

Le Rêve Sweater: Isabel Marant Étoile Pullover | Le Real Sweater: Target Xhilaration Marl Stripe Sweater

Cracktastic Kale Chips

I swear, this Polar Vortex bullshit is showing up more than my Saks bill. Before going into the Trader Joe's apocalypse today, I reviewed what was needed and found a bunch of kale in the basement fridge. It was intended for soup, but I totally bailed on that and eventually forgot. Kale chips!

First warning regarding my version of the recipe; I only use a food dehydrator. They can be made in the oven, but I'm slightly box-of-wine-slow-in-the-brains with that method. Second, I previously only used curly kale, but this time I used the flat (dino) kale. The only difference I can tell is that dino dries much faster. Third, with either kale, I've discovered that tearing/cutting the pieces along the spine and disposing of it works better because the spine tends to dry to the point of being uncomfortable to eat. Not a game changer, but my kids don't like that part.

My measurements are rough. You can pretty much do all of this to taste.

Ingredients:

• Bunch of kale (curly or dino)
• 1 cup raw unsalted cashews
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• A few cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp powdered cheese (I use Penzeys Sicilian Blend)
• Cayenne pepper to taste
• Salt to taste (after you add cheese)

Soak cashews in hot water for about 30 minutes or until softened. Blend drained cashews, red bell pepper, garlic cloves and cheese in blender. Add water until mixture is a paste similar to peanut butter. Add powdered cheese and spices to taste. The friend that recommended this recipe uses nutritional yeast instead of cheese to make it vegan.

Wash and dry kale. If you use the curly, consider spin drying it. Tear/cut kale into bite sized pieces, removing spine. I have found that with dino kale, it shrinks more drastically so I wouldn't make the pieces as small. Carefully coat each piece with the cashew mixture by hand. Brush off any excess paste and arrange pieces on the dehydrator trays.

I have used the Nesco FD-80A Dehydrator for about 3 years and love it. There are definitely more affordable models, but this one fits well on my counter when I use it and is very low noise. I set it for about 135 and it usually takes about 3-4 hours to dry 4 trays full of kale. I also have the fruit roll up tray because I fancy myself doing that one day...or maybe jerky. I have dried leftover herbs from the garden before the first fall freeze. I'd say it's totally been worth the price.