Sunday, May 25, 2008
This is... something I got but still haven't used.
One might say I've have a problem with collecting stationery. I've done a better job restraining myself in the last year, but I still have years of collecting in storage. These are a few examples of the many cards, fancy paper, and stationery sets I have accumulated over the years and have not used. I haven't been writing as many letters as I used to, and I have this strange fascination with looking through and sorting my stationery, but not actually using it. When it does come time to write a card, I typically choose one from a set I don't like as much as the others. Or I'll use cards I really like, but make sure not to use all of a certain pattern or color. Obsess much?
(I stumbled upon this meme while reading other blogs. Thanks to Three Buttons for starting this meme!)
Labels:
this is
The latest in Fast Food
White Castle: As I was driving by a White Castle I noticed their sign about new Flavored Chicken Rings. This seems very unnatural and a little bit disturbing.
McDonald's: Ronald has added chicken to his menu. While I find the Southwestern Chicken Sandwich to sound quite boring, I've heard from a few people that it is actually pretty good. I don't understand why a person wouldn't just buy the Value Menu Chicken Sandwich? I think the Southwestern only has the chicken and two pickles... ?
Another recent change for the Golden Arch is the elimination of Trans-Fats in a number of their products. I read an article about how they made the change a few weeks ago but didn't advertise it to the consumer. Basically, it sounded like they wanted to make the change to appear as if they are striving for healthier fast food, yet they don't want to compromise their image or lose customers who enjoy artery-clogging goodness.
Wendy's: The Frosty has been an old favorite of many folk - the classic chocolate ice-cream-like "shake" thick enough to require a spoon. Wendy's will now also offer the new Frosty Shake - that can be consumed with a straw and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. I can't help but feel disappointed. I'm sure the new drink and flavors (chocolate fudge, vanilla bean, and strawberry) are tasty, but why couldn't they just keep it simple? What was wrong with offering just the original Frosty?
McDonald's: Ronald has added chicken to his menu. While I find the Southwestern Chicken Sandwich to sound quite boring, I've heard from a few people that it is actually pretty good. I don't understand why a person wouldn't just buy the Value Menu Chicken Sandwich? I think the Southwestern only has the chicken and two pickles... ?
Another recent change for the Golden Arch is the elimination of Trans-Fats in a number of their products. I read an article about how they made the change a few weeks ago but didn't advertise it to the consumer. Basically, it sounded like they wanted to make the change to appear as if they are striving for healthier fast food, yet they don't want to compromise their image or lose customers who enjoy artery-clogging goodness.
Wendy's: The Frosty has been an old favorite of many folk - the classic chocolate ice-cream-like "shake" thick enough to require a spoon. Wendy's will now also offer the new Frosty Shake - that can be consumed with a straw and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. I can't help but feel disappointed. I'm sure the new drink and flavors (chocolate fudge, vanilla bean, and strawberry) are tasty, but why couldn't they just keep it simple? What was wrong with offering just the original Frosty?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Cakes On Walnut
114 N Walnut Street
Champaign, IL 61820
http://www.cakesonwalnut.com
Delicious! We stopped here after walking around Champaign and eating at Cowboy Monkey (cool place, not so cool food). The cupcakes were delicious! Jake and I shared a salted caramel cupcake - so moist - and the creamiest, buttery frosting. Yum!
Jake noticed they had Dry Soda as well. He had read about it in a magazine article, so we decided to try the Rhubarb soda. Wow - completely awesome. It was really interesting - the dry texture made an interesting mouthfeel. It was refreshing and light; I felt kind of like I do after eating sushi. Currently there are only three locations in Illinois where you can purchase Dry Soda, and low-and-behold - Cakes on Walnut was one of them (the other two are in Chicago). Although it's still new and a bit pricey, I definitely recommend trying it.
Labels:
restaurants
Monday, May 12, 2008
oddPod
"The Ultimate Rain Repellent"
RedEye - May 12, 2008 - Pg 39
Rainy days in the Windy City mean endless bobbing and unruly black umbrellas. Well, Chicagoans, here's a new product to aid in your multi-tasking walk to work. No longer do you have to shuffle your umbrella with your Blackberry and your briefcase and Venti Chai Latte.
The Nubrella seems like a good idea, though I have to admit it looks strange. Perhaps just because they're new and different. I think its kind of odd to harness your umbrella to you, but if it keeps you dry and allows you to accomplish more on that soggy morning walk, more power to you.
[Image from Nubrella]
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
E-V-O-Oh you have to be kidding me!
I can't honestly say I'm a big fan of Rachael Ray, but to each their own. I do, however, draw the line when a ridiculous expression by a "food celebrity" is added to a dictionary. EVOO apparently made the cut and as of 2007 is now included in the Oxford American College Dictonary. I'm speechless. Personally, I think this idea belongs in the G.B. (oh.. that's Rachael's abbreviation for "garbage bowl").
Bat your eyes at this Cutie Bug!
Adorable. I saw this bug at a mall in Green Bay, WI, last summer and thought it was picture-worthy.
Curious to see if this was a trend, I searched for other embellished bugs online and found this:
I love daisies. Do I see a Volkswagen in my future?
Monday, May 05, 2008
Smoke Daddy
1804 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
www.thesmokedaddy.com
For those of you who haven't yet been wowed by Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, you're really missing out! They offer delicious homemade BBQ sauces that rival my favorites from other establishments. The ribs are amazing - and the mac 'n cheese is great! The price is reasonable as well - a full order of Rib Tips with 2 sides is just $14.95.
Chicago, IL 60622
www.thesmokedaddy.com
For those of you who haven't yet been wowed by Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, you're really missing out! They offer delicious homemade BBQ sauces that rival my favorites from other establishments. The ribs are amazing - and the mac 'n cheese is great! The price is reasonable as well - a full order of Rib Tips with 2 sides is just $14.95.
Labels:
restaurants
Saturday, May 03, 2008
A super silly way to fill in the __________!
Happy 50th Anniversary, MadLibs.
I enjoyed __verb ending in -ing__ on your __adjective__ MadLibs when I was younger. It was fun to see how __adjective__ the stories would get after __verb ending in -ing__ them. I think I had __number__ books, that I filled out with my __noun__. Thank you for making words so __adjective__!
Friday, May 02, 2008
I'd give you the Re-shirt off my back!
While browsing the net for interesting sites I came across Re-Shirt. Based in Austria, this online store poses a "unique world-wide economic experiment" and the question, "Do products last longer if you know their history?"
The tracking concept is similar to that of Where's George, a website to trace the travels of dollar bills. Members receive a free stamp to stamp their "george washingtons" and then others are encouraged to log in and report where the dollar turned up.
Re-shirt goes one step further and associates not just a location - but a story - with every shirt it sells.
"During my youth I strolled one flea market to the other. Always on the hunt for extraordinary clothes. From time to time I still go there. I bought this shirt round the corner at a 2nd hand store in Ottakring (a district of Vienna)."
Is a used t-shirt with the attached memoirs of previous owners more coveted than a similar shirt bought in a department store? You decide.
The tracking concept is similar to that of Where's George, a website to trace the travels of dollar bills. Members receive a free stamp to stamp their "george washingtons" and then others are encouraged to log in and report where the dollar turned up.
Re-shirt goes one step further and associates not just a location - but a story - with every shirt it sells.
"During my youth I strolled one flea market to the other. Always on the hunt for extraordinary clothes. From time to time I still go there. I bought this shirt round the corner at a 2nd hand store in Ottakring (a district of Vienna)."
Is a used t-shirt with the attached memoirs of previous owners more coveted than a similar shirt bought in a department store? You decide.